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Nikki Hunter #5
Murder Served Hot
Murder Served Hot is the fifth in a series of mysteries featuring P.I. Nikki Hunter. The only child of a Cossack and a former nun, Nikki is an independent private investigator who lives aboard her sailboat in the marina complex where she also rents a ground floor office.
In Murder Served Hot Nikki is hired by Brooke Evans, a woman who is considering a marriage proposal from her CPA, Stanley Godard, but is concerned about his recent behavior. While Nikki is watching Godard’s office the situation quickly evolves from a routine case involving background checks and surveillance, into a murder investigation.
Nikki is delving into the life of the victim, searching for anyone who had something to gain from his death, when she discovers that Nina Jezek, a notorious vigilante killer who targets sex offenders, has returned to California, and she’s on the rampage again.
In Murder Served Hot Nikki is hired by Brooke Evans, a woman who is considering a marriage proposal from her CPA, Stanley Godard, but is concerned about his recent behavior. While Nikki is watching Godard’s office the situation quickly evolves from a routine case involving background checks and surveillance, into a murder investigation.
Nikki is delving into the life of the victim, searching for anyone who had something to gain from his death, when she discovers that Nina Jezek, a notorious vigilante killer who targets sex offenders, has returned to California, and she’s on the rampage again.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2016
About the author
Nancy Skopin
9 books65 followersAward winning author, Nancy Skopin, is a native of California who currently lives on the Oregon coast with her husband, Max Ferry, and their dog, Turq. An avid student of human nature, Nancy is happiest spending her days imagining the best, and the worst, that we are capable of, and translating those ideas into her Nikki Hunter mystery novels.
As does her central character, Nikki, Nancy lived aboard a yacht in the San
Francisco Bay Area for thirteen years, though she has recently settled on solid ground.
While researching her quirky serial killer mystery series she worked for two years with a private investigator, learning the intricacies of the business and, specifically, the art of bar and restaurant “mystery shopping.”
As does her central character, Nikki, Nancy lived aboard a yacht in the San
Francisco Bay Area for thirteen years, though she has recently settled on solid ground.
While researching her quirky serial killer mystery series she worked for two years with a private investigator, learning the intricacies of the business and, specifically, the art of bar and restaurant “mystery shopping.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 17, 2018
Nina's back and raring to go,
This book links to the previous book with the return of Nina. A great plot that actually had you making the wrong assumption about the motive for the killing that took place. Well it had me fooled.
A visit from a new client has her embarking on what should have been a straightforward case. The client had always been drawn to bad boys and had tried to change. Her current boyfriend has asked her to marry him but his behaviour had changed since asking. When he is shot and blown up there is a new problem. Did the Benz or the VW driver do it? Why? Further complications arise when more killings from the List take place, an hybrid new orchid is stolen and an abused little girl is delivered to Nikki. Will they find the thread that ties all these together? Will Nina finally stop her campaign?
This book links to the previous book with the return of Nina. A great plot that actually had you making the wrong assumption about the motive for the killing that took place. Well it had me fooled.
A visit from a new client has her embarking on what should have been a straightforward case. The client had always been drawn to bad boys and had tried to change. Her current boyfriend has asked her to marry him but his behaviour had changed since asking. When he is shot and blown up there is a new problem. Did the Benz or the VW driver do it? Why? Further complications arise when more killings from the List take place, an hybrid new orchid is stolen and an abused little girl is delivered to Nikki. Will they find the thread that ties all these together? Will Nina finally stop her campaign?
February 28, 2020
Love the characters but getting a little repetitive in content hope the next one is better.
February 18, 2018
Just right
This was my first Nikki Hunter mystery. It was well crafted, engrossing and... well, mysterious.
I liked that I could be involved with the characters although I hadn't read earlier stories
And I love Buddy.
This was my first Nikki Hunter mystery. It was well crafted, engrossing and... well, mysterious.
I liked that I could be involved with the characters although I hadn't read earlier stories
And I love Buddy.
November 25, 2018
Murder Served Hot: Nikki Hunter Mysteries, Book 5
by Nancy Skopin
Nancy Skopin certainly knows how to keep a series moving right along. Her editing and proof-reading are top notch. Her characters manage to remain consistent while growing with each new adventure. She certainly knows how to build interest, intensity, and anticipation, using excelling plotting and pacing, and compelling storylines. While her endings certainly lead you on to the next story, the main issues of each book are tied up nicely with no true cliffhanger endings.
In this episode, Nikki is hired by a young woman, Brooke, whose boyfriend, Stanley has proposed. She has some doubts. She cares for him, but since he proposed and she asked for time to think, he has been acting strange. She wants Nikki to follow him to see if it can be determined what he is up to and whether it should affect Brooke's decision. When his office blows up while Nikki is tailing him, things become complicated very quickly. Who is behind the bombing? Is the bomber also the killer? Who stole his prize hybrid orchid? What does Nina Jezek have to do with Nikki's current case, and who is the small Asian child Nina drops off at Nikki's office? Nikki, Buddy, Bill, Elizabeth, Jack, Jim, Michael, Detective Faulkner, Brooke and her cousin, Robbyn, are off on a wild ride trying to tie all the clues together.
I will definitely be following this series more. I think there are at 3 more books in the series. However, I have a book already in line to read, and another that I'm am anxiously awaiting delivery of in a couple of days. Then it will be time for me to start my month of Christmas themed reading! I'll get back to Nikki and a few of my other series in the new year!
by Nancy Skopin
Nancy Skopin certainly knows how to keep a series moving right along. Her editing and proof-reading are top notch. Her characters manage to remain consistent while growing with each new adventure. She certainly knows how to build interest, intensity, and anticipation, using excelling plotting and pacing, and compelling storylines. While her endings certainly lead you on to the next story, the main issues of each book are tied up nicely with no true cliffhanger endings.
In this episode, Nikki is hired by a young woman, Brooke, whose boyfriend, Stanley has proposed. She has some doubts. She cares for him, but since he proposed and she asked for time to think, he has been acting strange. She wants Nikki to follow him to see if it can be determined what he is up to and whether it should affect Brooke's decision. When his office blows up while Nikki is tailing him, things become complicated very quickly. Who is behind the bombing? Is the bomber also the killer? Who stole his prize hybrid orchid? What does Nina Jezek have to do with Nikki's current case, and who is the small Asian child Nina drops off at Nikki's office? Nikki, Buddy, Bill, Elizabeth, Jack, Jim, Michael, Detective Faulkner, Brooke and her cousin, Robbyn, are off on a wild ride trying to tie all the clues together.
I will definitely be following this series more. I think there are at 3 more books in the series. However, I have a book already in line to read, and another that I'm am anxiously awaiting delivery of in a couple of days. Then it will be time for me to start my month of Christmas themed reading! I'll get back to Nikki and a few of my other series in the new year!
May 6, 2019
Things are really heating up for Nikki! While tailing her client’s boyfriend he is murdered and blown up! She sees two suspects one in a new car and one in a puke orange old rusty van! Could one of these be the murderer? Nikki is on the case, with all the chaos, mayhem, unpredictable twists and turns, she hopes to eliminates the some of suspects! There are many surprises, adventures, misadventures, confusion, and lots of lies! While trying to protect her client, solve the murder and find the missing orchid, another unexpected complication arrives! A surprising murderer reappears on Nikki’s radar Nina is back and she left Nikki a present! Things are really getting hot in Nikki’s neighborhood! Will she solve the murder before it is to late? How are the two cases connected? Is there one crime, or two, or even three or they all connected? When the smoke clears and will they have answers or more questions?
February 24, 2022
free ebook
love this series
nikki the pi does restaurant surveys
this time she is hired by a lady. her accountant boyfriend asked to marry her. she said she would think about it. she thinks hes having her followed so she wants nikki to investigate her boyfriend and see if someone is following her.
the next day nikki is outside his office, a man goes in, she hears a gunshot. the man runs out and the bldg explodes. the boyfriend is dead of a gunshot wound. someone broke into his house and stole his prize orchid out of his hot house.
nikki figured out who stole the orchid and he was arrested. the dead owners girlfriend and the cop that helped are forming a relationship
meanwhile the woman who kills child abusers came back and killed 3 more in the sf area. the one turned out to be the man who killed the ladies accountant boyfriend. she found a little girl he was abusing and turned her over to nikki who called cps.
good book! love this series
love this series
nikki the pi does restaurant surveys
this time she is hired by a lady. her accountant boyfriend asked to marry her. she said she would think about it. she thinks hes having her followed so she wants nikki to investigate her boyfriend and see if someone is following her.
the next day nikki is outside his office, a man goes in, she hears a gunshot. the man runs out and the bldg explodes. the boyfriend is dead of a gunshot wound. someone broke into his house and stole his prize orchid out of his hot house.
nikki figured out who stole the orchid and he was arrested. the dead owners girlfriend and the cop that helped are forming a relationship
meanwhile the woman who kills child abusers came back and killed 3 more in the sf area. the one turned out to be the man who killed the ladies accountant boyfriend. she found a little girl he was abusing and turned her over to nikki who called cps.
good book! love this series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2018
As always, Excellent! It is a pleasure to read one of the Nikki Hunter Mysteries. Her storyline is always good, her characters exemplary and the dialogue natural. I always look forward to reading this series as I have not, as yet, come up with one that I could say a bad word about.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good mystery, a good P.I., no one bad-assed, foul mouthed or oversexed. Refreshing and entertaining.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good mystery, a good P.I., no one bad-assed, foul mouthed or oversexed. Refreshing and entertaining.
September 17, 2025
Murder Served Hot
This turned out the best series of books I've ever read. Nikki Hunter is a Private Eye who lives on a boat. She has a boyfriend who spends a lot of time there. He helps her with her investigations and later on the best large dog babysitter around. Nikki is hired by a 9 year old boy to find his mother's killer. Great story....well written..... Gives a lot of information and makes you feel like you were traveling along with a real PI. Read them all!
This turned out the best series of books I've ever read. Nikki Hunter is a Private Eye who lives on a boat. She has a boyfriend who spends a lot of time there. He helps her with her investigations and later on the best large dog babysitter around. Nikki is hired by a 9 year old boy to find his mother's killer. Great story....well written..... Gives a lot of information and makes you feel like you were traveling along with a real PI. Read them all!
November 18, 2018
An engrossing and engaging real mystery
This was a measure to read...I liked the realism when it came to how much it costs for a PI to tail someone 24/7...Smoking the ciqqies was sad though, my beatie has stage 4 COPD and every time Nikki pulled without even thinking another cigarette I just cringed...but the storyline was very good
This was a measure to read...I liked the realism when it came to how much it costs for a PI to tail someone 24/7...Smoking the ciqqies was sad though, my beatie has stage 4 COPD and every time Nikki pulled without even thinking another cigarette I just cringed...but the storyline was very good
April 8, 2019
Unusual murder mystery
It was a good page turner that went into vivid detail. Personally I didn't need every detail of what she was eating but maybe that's the charm. It's the first one of the series that I've read but I think I'll go back and start from the beginning although I still understood what was going on.
It was a good page turner that went into vivid detail. Personally I didn't need every detail of what she was eating but maybe that's the charm. It's the first one of the series that I've read but I think I'll go back and start from the beginning although I still understood what was going on.
September 11, 2017
Nikki Hunter, PI
I just love this Series, Nikki is a PI that always seems to fine trouble. The plot is so interesting, the characters are enjoyable and the reading just flies by.... I am already looking forward to the next installment!
I just love this Series, Nikki is a PI that always seems to fine trouble. The plot is so interesting, the characters are enjoyable and the reading just flies by.... I am already looking forward to the next installment!
February 1, 2018
Mystery Abounds
I love a good mystery. Skopin has all the makings in this book, including a tying together point for the series.
Great standalone as it's my first Nikki Hunter book.
I love a good mystery. Skopin has all the makings in this book, including a tying together point for the series.
Great standalone as it's my first Nikki Hunter book.
September 20, 2018
Not a great book but entertaining!
This book seems to be a disjointed story at times but all ties at the end. There is a dog, murders, mysteries and a touch of romance to fill the PI's plot to complete another case. Enjoy!
This book seems to be a disjointed story at times but all ties at the end. There is a dog, murders, mysteries and a touch of romance to fill the PI's plot to complete another case. Enjoy!
September 25, 2018
$34,000 to tail a guy - alittle extreme, but then it is California. However the story moves along nicely keeping your interest. I enjoy this series on Nikki and Jack. Glad Elizabeth is getting married to her "ONE"!
December 13, 2018
Another winner. Nikki's search for the killer of an accountant had some good twists. Love her sidekick/BFF Elizabeth. Her hot detective isn't too shabby, either. Ms. Skopin's secondary characters add so much flavor to the stories, and they make Nikki seem real.
December 15, 2018
Mystery is good, but too much 'extra'
Buddy is mentioned over 160 times. Better than #4 where Buddy is mentioned over 300 times.
I also could do without all the detailed clothing and cosmetic and food details.
The mystery is good and I enjoyed the characters.
Buddy is mentioned over 160 times. Better than #4 where Buddy is mentioned over 300 times.
I also could do without all the detailed clothing and cosmetic and food details.
The mystery is good and I enjoyed the characters.
June 10, 2019
CPA & his orchid
Great murder mystery! Absolutely was fascinated by Nicki. The story moved along & was a change to a "normal" murder mystery! Would I recommend? Definitely! Will now be looking at more of Nicki stories.
Great murder mystery! Absolutely was fascinated by Nicki. The story moved along & was a change to a "normal" murder mystery! Would I recommend? Definitely! Will now be looking at more of Nicki stories.
October 13, 2020
Brilliant mystery.
Outstanding thriller. I enjoyed reading it thoroughly. It was too good to put down. I would definitely recommend this series to all the mystery lovers like me. Thrilling to the core with an exciting climax. Looking forward to reading more of the series.
Outstanding thriller. I enjoyed reading it thoroughly. It was too good to put down. I would definitely recommend this series to all the mystery lovers like me. Thrilling to the core with an exciting climax. Looking forward to reading more of the series.
October 28, 2020
Really good mystery without feeling bad about bad guys being killed
Nikki gets involved in finding a killer on a mission. The people who are murdered should get the death penalty of life without the possibility of parole. It is a very well written mystery.
Nikki gets involved in finding a killer on a mission. The people who are murdered should get the death penalty of life without the possibility of parole. It is a very well written mystery.
July 13, 2021
Great story, very well written with characters you'd just love to get to know better. Story had so many twists and turns you couldn't figure out who the murderer was until the very end. Highly recommend.
September 30, 2026
Dog lover special
Nikki, PI, deftly manages to solve cases while entertaining Southern belles, playing romantic liaison, and keeping her own man so satisfied that he repeatedly babysits her newish puppy.
Nikki, PI, deftly manages to solve cases while entertaining Southern belles, playing romantic liaison, and keeping her own man so satisfied that he repeatedly babysits her newish puppy.
January 31, 2018
Great!
I enjoyed the reading of this book, really like the characters and the suspense .. I will give it a five.
I enjoyed the reading of this book, really like the characters and the suspense .. I will give it a five.
February 8, 2018
Good
the book is one that the young woman who is a private investigator takes a case changed to murder and it's. a great read.
the book is one that the young woman who is a private investigator takes a case changed to murder and it's. a great read.
September 12, 2018
I love Nikki!
This series is always so entertaining, I'm never bored. Nikki is a great PI and the mysteries are always so well written.
This series is always so entertaining, I'm never bored. Nikki is a great PI and the mysteries are always so well written.
September 16, 2018
Keeps your attention
The characters are primary in this but the plot is interesting and the whole package makes it a good read.
The characters are primary in this but the plot is interesting and the whole package makes it a good read.
October 16, 2018
Good read
an engaging plot with likeable characters. An undemanding read on a wet afternoon. Will be reading more by this author.
an engaging plot with likeable characters. An undemanding read on a wet afternoon. Will be reading more by this author.
December 13, 2018
A must read
After the first book in the series i was hooked. A pager turned for sure with a new twist with each chapter. Thank you Nancy Skopin
After the first book in the series i was hooked. A pager turned for sure with a new twist with each chapter. Thank you Nancy Skopin
March 14, 2019
Review
Such an interesting read I was done with reading and surprised I’d finished. I need to read more from this Author.
Such an interesting read I was done with reading and surprised I’d finished. I need to read more from this Author.
May 9, 2019
was good
May 17, 2019
Convenient for Nikki
Love the conflict of Nikki and Bill's relationship but this story took along time to develop for such a convenient ending. What's going to happen now?
Love the conflict of Nikki and Bill's relationship but this story took along time to develop for such a convenient ending. What's going to happen now?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews