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Holly Jennings #2
Blood and Roses
Someone is torturing and killing high-stakes players in the horse-racing world; all signs point to an animal activist gone rogue. But San Diego CSI Holly Jennings knows better. She’s seen enough violence in her time to know the difference between a killer bent on revenge and a killer seeking sheer destruction.
To stop him, Holly must venture beyond the gleaming facade of jockey silks and Derby hats into the seedy underbelly of the racing world, where ambition and greed trump ethics and fair play, and people will do anything—even kill—to win. But just when she thinks the killer is within her reach, a ghost from the past returns to threaten it all: her case, her job…and her life.
To stop him, Holly must venture beyond the gleaming facade of jockey silks and Derby hats into the seedy underbelly of the racing world, where ambition and greed trump ethics and fair play, and people will do anything—even kill—to win. But just when she thinks the killer is within her reach, a ghost from the past returns to threaten it all: her case, her job…and her life.
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First published August 20, 2013
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About the author
A.K. Alexander
30 books165 followersA.K. Alexander writes gritty thrillers that will keep you looking over your shoulder. She explores the darker side of storytelling with daring, frightening, and suspenseful novels. These books are written for those readers who like to be thrilled and kept in the dark up as the suspense mounts with each turn of the page. Mingling her love of horses with a world of deceit, violence and desire, A.K. brings to life engaging murder mysteries.
Her gripping books are impossible to put down, featuring strong characters with complicated lives. A.K.’s books have appeared on The Wall Street Journal’s and Amazon’s Kindle bestseller lists.
A.K. Alexander is a pen name for Michele Scott. Under her own name, Michele writes contemporary fiction and mystery romance. To learn more about the author, visit her website at www.michelescott.com
Her gripping books are impossible to put down, featuring strong characters with complicated lives. A.K.’s books have appeared on The Wall Street Journal’s and Amazon’s Kindle bestseller lists.
A.K. Alexander is a pen name for Michele Scott. Under her own name, Michele writes contemporary fiction and mystery romance. To learn more about the author, visit her website at www.michelescott.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 14, 2013
A. K. Alexander, Blood and Roses (Thomas and Mercer, 2013)
Full disclosure: This book was provided to me free of charge by Amazon Vine.
There are some books about which you just know. By the end of page two of Blood and Roses, I was absolutely certain that this would be the first book I’d attempted to read in 2013 upon which I would be invoking the fifty-page rule. And the closer I got to page fifty, the more the book fulfilled my expectations. This is terrible in ways I’m not even sure people have names for yet.
There is one thing about it that I found interesting, in that I’d never actually seen it in a published work of fiction before, but it makes complete sense. It’s obvious that Alexander had, in fact, done at least a modicum of research into her subject, the horse racing business. She tosses in facts here and there that ring perfectly true. (I’ve been a horseplayer for twenty years now, and spent a few of those in the late nineties as a semi-pro analyst.) But she doesn’t seem to have managed to internalize any of those facts; they’re not connected to what’s around them, which makes the book’s gaffes all the more glaring. When she refers to the jocks’ room as “the jockey locker room” on page one--in the third sentence of the novel (which is also the first sentence of the third paragraph, and that should tell you a lot of what you need to know about Alexander’s writing style), okay, I was willing to write that off. But I kept seeing things like that. And then I got to this howler:
“Okay, señorita. As you wish. I love the filly. Don’t doubt that.”
“Yeah. She’s a good mare.” Elena smiled. (p. 32)
Anyone who’d been around horses for a week wouldn’t have that conversation, much less an owner talking to a veteran jockey. (For the uninitiated, a female horse is a filly until her fifth birthday, at which case she becomes a mare. The sole exception is female horses under the age of five who have been bred, but for an under-five mare to be retired, bred--presumably unsuccessfully--and returned to racing is an exceptionally rare event, and a writer would probably go out of her way to mention that. And even in that case, the jock wouldn’t have made that mistake.)
That passage also illustrates another of the book’s glaring problems, that it is awash in what paranormal romance novelist Jennifer Dunne terms “As you know, Bob” moments--places where the characters’ conversation serves no purpose but to convey information to the reader that the two characters are already in possession of and that each knows the other is in possession of, leading to a conversation those characters would never have in real life. Would one cop say to another “Your gut is usually decent.” (p. 23) when they’ve been partners for years? Of course not. But it happens here.
The one thing about this book that was a small consolation to me is that Chapter Nine begins on page fifty, so I felt all right about abandoning it at the beginning, rather than the end, of the page. Sometimes, it is the small things that keep us from going insane. However, that’s balanced out by the fact that the back copy on the ARC indicates this is at least the second book in a series...so the author has, presumably, done this before. I’m terrified at the thought that, someday, I may inadvertently pick up the first book in this series, having totally forgotten about this one--something I am attempting to do very hard right now--and start reading it. Because if it’s half as bad as the forty-nine pages of Blood and Roses I just forced myself to finish before abandoning the book, I’m going to be traumatized all over again. If you find a copy of this book in your hands, put it back on the shelf, back away slowly, and then flee screaming from the bookstore. By far the worst book I have attempted to read so far in 2013. (zero)
Full disclosure: This book was provided to me free of charge by Amazon Vine.
There are some books about which you just know. By the end of page two of Blood and Roses, I was absolutely certain that this would be the first book I’d attempted to read in 2013 upon which I would be invoking the fifty-page rule. And the closer I got to page fifty, the more the book fulfilled my expectations. This is terrible in ways I’m not even sure people have names for yet.
There is one thing about it that I found interesting, in that I’d never actually seen it in a published work of fiction before, but it makes complete sense. It’s obvious that Alexander had, in fact, done at least a modicum of research into her subject, the horse racing business. She tosses in facts here and there that ring perfectly true. (I’ve been a horseplayer for twenty years now, and spent a few of those in the late nineties as a semi-pro analyst.) But she doesn’t seem to have managed to internalize any of those facts; they’re not connected to what’s around them, which makes the book’s gaffes all the more glaring. When she refers to the jocks’ room as “the jockey locker room” on page one--in the third sentence of the novel (which is also the first sentence of the third paragraph, and that should tell you a lot of what you need to know about Alexander’s writing style), okay, I was willing to write that off. But I kept seeing things like that. And then I got to this howler:
“Okay, señorita. As you wish. I love the filly. Don’t doubt that.”
“Yeah. She’s a good mare.” Elena smiled. (p. 32)
Anyone who’d been around horses for a week wouldn’t have that conversation, much less an owner talking to a veteran jockey. (For the uninitiated, a female horse is a filly until her fifth birthday, at which case she becomes a mare. The sole exception is female horses under the age of five who have been bred, but for an under-five mare to be retired, bred--presumably unsuccessfully--and returned to racing is an exceptionally rare event, and a writer would probably go out of her way to mention that. And even in that case, the jock wouldn’t have made that mistake.)
That passage also illustrates another of the book’s glaring problems, that it is awash in what paranormal romance novelist Jennifer Dunne terms “As you know, Bob” moments--places where the characters’ conversation serves no purpose but to convey information to the reader that the two characters are already in possession of and that each knows the other is in possession of, leading to a conversation those characters would never have in real life. Would one cop say to another “Your gut is usually decent.” (p. 23) when they’ve been partners for years? Of course not. But it happens here.
The one thing about this book that was a small consolation to me is that Chapter Nine begins on page fifty, so I felt all right about abandoning it at the beginning, rather than the end, of the page. Sometimes, it is the small things that keep us from going insane. However, that’s balanced out by the fact that the back copy on the ARC indicates this is at least the second book in a series...so the author has, presumably, done this before. I’m terrified at the thought that, someday, I may inadvertently pick up the first book in this series, having totally forgotten about this one--something I am attempting to do very hard right now--and start reading it. Because if it’s half as bad as the forty-nine pages of Blood and Roses I just forced myself to finish before abandoning the book, I’m going to be traumatized all over again. If you find a copy of this book in your hands, put it back on the shelf, back away slowly, and then flee screaming from the bookstore. By far the worst book I have attempted to read so far in 2013. (zero)
March 20, 2015
Wow! I feel like I've been to the races... oh, wait, I have! Kudos to the author .. she really did her homework! This is a world I've never been familiar with ... racehorses, jockeys, owners, trainers ... and the money behind it all.
Detective Holly Jennings is drawn into this world when two jockeys are brutally murdered. and then there's another death .... a very rich man with a very close tie to racehorses and to some really bad guys.
Solving this one takes her from California to Kentucky and to Las Vegas. I can't say a whole lot without a spoiler ..... but there are some fascinating surprises and red herrings and completely unforeseen turn of events when Holly is confronted by her past.
I hope we will see much more of Holly Jennings!
Detective Holly Jennings is drawn into this world when two jockeys are brutally murdered. and then there's another death .... a very rich man with a very close tie to racehorses and to some really bad guys.
Solving this one takes her from California to Kentucky and to Las Vegas. I can't say a whole lot without a spoiler ..... but there are some fascinating surprises and red herrings and completely unforeseen turn of events when Holly is confronted by her past.
I hope we will see much more of Holly Jennings!
November 20, 2016
Kind of a snooze...
May 14, 2013
A.K. Alexander has presented a suspenseful and engaging look into the world of horse racing. The plot is well developed and had me looking for the solution up until the reveal. The main character, Holly Jennings, has the ability to bring you in to see both the personal side of her life as well as the hard working detective she is. I also enjoyed seeing the beauty of horses presented in such a way that I wanted to go out and stare at those marvelous animals and watch them run.
Looking forward to more...
Read
September 9, 2013This author always goes above and beyond in the research that is done in her books. This book didn't fail! She brought you into the world of Horse Racing and gave the ups and downs. The Main character never fails to take on the world full force. And when faced with her past she never faults. Amazing supporting Characters in her fiance and her partner and her dead husband! a must read!
September 26, 2013
I loved it. i had finished the book the day i had got it. That was how wonderful it was .
November 21, 2013
Fantastic!!!! I love the twist!!!!
February 18, 2024
Good read
I enjoyed the book. I must admit I knew nothing about horses or racing. This sure had its bad points with the people in the business. I had no idea how the horses were trained or abused. I’m so glad there is good people as well to care for the horses that give them their all. The book had a great ending with everything coming to an exciting conclusion.
I enjoyed the book. I must admit I knew nothing about horses or racing. This sure had its bad points with the people in the business. I had no idea how the horses were trained or abused. I’m so glad there is good people as well to care for the horses that give them their all. The book had a great ending with everything coming to an exciting conclusion.
March 14, 2018
murder and horses
Well written and interesting story set in the world of horse racing. While the book can be enjoyed by all, it helps to have some love and background with the thoroughbred racing world. A fun read.
Well written and interesting story set in the world of horse racing. While the book can be enjoyed by all, it helps to have some love and background with the thoroughbred racing world. A fun read.
August 23, 2020
After reading (and loving) the first in this series I was so disappointed with this book. Gave it over 100 pages before giving up. Too many names to try and remember and even though I like horses, it was too 'horsey' for me.
March 3, 2018
A good read
A great story with enough twists and turns to last till the end of the book, tea
My enjoyed it
A great story with enough twists and turns to last till the end of the book, tea
My enjoyed it
March 6, 2020
Another Great Holly Jennings Thriller
Great mystery! Kept me guessing all the way through! Didn’t want to put it down. Can’t wait to read number 3!
Great mystery! Kept me guessing all the way through! Didn’t want to put it down. Can’t wait to read number 3!
January 2, 2023
Great thriller!!
Wow that had my heart pounding! Lots of action at the track! I'd tell you more but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Ha ha ha 😎
Wow that had my heart pounding! Lots of action at the track! I'd tell you more but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Ha ha ha 😎
March 17, 2017
Great twists and turns
Not only was this book a good murder mystery but very enlightening regarding the sport of horse racing. The current world's political problems were included. Good read !
Not only was this book a good murder mystery but very enlightening regarding the sport of horse racing. The current world's political problems were included. Good read !
August 30, 2013
I received this book for my Kindle as a gift and although I am a self-admitted romance/paranormal book junkie mom and have not really read much suspense or mystery novels since college, that did not stop me from diving in and devouring Blood and Roses. The only time I ever jumped on a horse and attempted to ride was a disaster and terrified me to the point of never riding again…as I learned from this book, horses are very intuitive and can sense fear and danger. I also definitely am not well versed in the world of jockeys and horse racing, but needless to say you don’t need to be a horse race expert or gambler to thoroughly enjoy reading this book!
I don’t want to reveal any spoilers but I will say from the first few pages where a brutal double murder is described in agonizing detail, it captures your attention and I was impatient to get on with the story and find out where it would lead!
Detective Holly Jennings is a vulnerable but tough widowed single mother who, along with her partner Chad attempt to figure out who the serial killer is that is torturing and then murdering jockeys and horse racing bigwigs. As she learns about the inner workings of the racing world and horse training, we also get an education as to the hidden horrors that lurk behind the scene; the high stakes money involved and the unethical treatment of some of the animals who race to win that money for their powerful owners. The many characters she meets on the way are interesting and weave a complex tale of corruption and greed providing an interesting background to move the story along at a fast pace.
It is an exciting mystery with various twists and turns that will keep you guessing until clues start to be revealed along the way to the conclusion. I liked how Alexander mixed just enough family drama with the suspenseful action and sub-plots to keep things interesting to readers of all types of genres.
Alexander’s love and respect for horses is evident in her descriptions of their beauty as well as short chapters that are interspersed throughout the book quoting verse and giving us a glimpse of the almost “psychology” of the animal’s workings and emotional make-up.
Blood and Roses was definitely worth reading and I am looking forward to reading more from this very imaginative storyteller!
I don’t want to reveal any spoilers but I will say from the first few pages where a brutal double murder is described in agonizing detail, it captures your attention and I was impatient to get on with the story and find out where it would lead!
Detective Holly Jennings is a vulnerable but tough widowed single mother who, along with her partner Chad attempt to figure out who the serial killer is that is torturing and then murdering jockeys and horse racing bigwigs. As she learns about the inner workings of the racing world and horse training, we also get an education as to the hidden horrors that lurk behind the scene; the high stakes money involved and the unethical treatment of some of the animals who race to win that money for their powerful owners. The many characters she meets on the way are interesting and weave a complex tale of corruption and greed providing an interesting background to move the story along at a fast pace.
It is an exciting mystery with various twists and turns that will keep you guessing until clues start to be revealed along the way to the conclusion. I liked how Alexander mixed just enough family drama with the suspenseful action and sub-plots to keep things interesting to readers of all types of genres.
Alexander’s love and respect for horses is evident in her descriptions of their beauty as well as short chapters that are interspersed throughout the book quoting verse and giving us a glimpse of the almost “psychology” of the animal’s workings and emotional make-up.
Blood and Roses was definitely worth reading and I am looking forward to reading more from this very imaginative storyteller!
March 10, 2013
Horse Racing, International Terrorism and Murder
Two young jockeys are killed; their legs broken before they are shot. The killer believes that too many throughbreds die on the track from broken legs. The killings illustrate the cruelty of man to horses. Holly Jennings and her partner Chad are assigned to the case. Holly is a widow. Her husband, also a police officer, was killed in an explosion. Now she is planning to remarry, but she still wonders about her first husband, especially since his body was never recovered.
The case of the jockeys goes on hold for six months while Holly and Chad work a high profile case. Then the killer strikes again. This time he kills an owner by filing him with a sedative typically used on horses and pin firing is legs, again a techniques used on horse supposedly to make them head faster. The killer believes that this is another demonstration of the way humans hurt horses.
In the background, a group of investors has built a fabulous race track in Las Vegas and is sponsoring a 50 million dollar race. The best colts and fillies in the country will be invited. So the killers and the victims are drawn to the big event, but is the anger at the treatment of horses the only reason for the murders?
I enjoyed the parts of the book dealing with horse racing. They were accurate and well presented. However, coupling horse racing with international terrorism was a stretch for me. I found the ending totally implausible. The author obviously is very familiar with the world of thoroughbred racing, but seems to be less so with the world of police work. If you're interested in horses, or horse racing, you'll enjoy this book.
I reviewed this book for the Amazon Vine Program.
Two young jockeys are killed; their legs broken before they are shot. The killer believes that too many throughbreds die on the track from broken legs. The killings illustrate the cruelty of man to horses. Holly Jennings and her partner Chad are assigned to the case. Holly is a widow. Her husband, also a police officer, was killed in an explosion. Now she is planning to remarry, but she still wonders about her first husband, especially since his body was never recovered.
The case of the jockeys goes on hold for six months while Holly and Chad work a high profile case. Then the killer strikes again. This time he kills an owner by filing him with a sedative typically used on horses and pin firing is legs, again a techniques used on horse supposedly to make them head faster. The killer believes that this is another demonstration of the way humans hurt horses.
In the background, a group of investors has built a fabulous race track in Las Vegas and is sponsoring a 50 million dollar race. The best colts and fillies in the country will be invited. So the killers and the victims are drawn to the big event, but is the anger at the treatment of horses the only reason for the murders?
I enjoyed the parts of the book dealing with horse racing. They were accurate and well presented. However, coupling horse racing with international terrorism was a stretch for me. I found the ending totally implausible. The author obviously is very familiar with the world of thoroughbred racing, but seems to be less so with the world of police work. If you're interested in horses, or horse racing, you'll enjoy this book.
I reviewed this book for the Amazon Vine Program.
July 24, 2013
BLOOD AND ROSES was a plot driven thriller that was fast-paced. Characterization suffered a little because of the focus on plot. And what a plot it was, including murders, terrorism, a couple romances, a husband returned from the grave, and the dark side of the the horse racing world.
The story is told from multiple viewpoints. Each chapter is told from on character's point of view. The chapters vary in length buy most are short. Because there are so many points of view, little time is spent on character development.
Police Detective Holly Jennings is the main character. We know she is a widow of a fellow police officer who died in the line of duty while doing a drug bust. The warehouse burned and his body was never recovered. She was pregnant at the time of his death and now has a daughter who is about 10. She has met another man who also has two daughters and she is planning their wedding, or, she would be if she wasn't so busy trying to solve her cases. She is a dogged investigator who feels that she can know if any of the people she interviews are telling the truth. She is described as being intimidating to suspects.
The writing was competent but not polished. I found the story readable but not emotionally engaging. Fans of thrillers and horses may enjoy this plot driven novel.
The story is told from multiple viewpoints. Each chapter is told from on character's point of view. The chapters vary in length buy most are short. Because there are so many points of view, little time is spent on character development.
Police Detective Holly Jennings is the main character. We know she is a widow of a fellow police officer who died in the line of duty while doing a drug bust. The warehouse burned and his body was never recovered. She was pregnant at the time of his death and now has a daughter who is about 10. She has met another man who also has two daughters and she is planning their wedding, or, she would be if she wasn't so busy trying to solve her cases. She is a dogged investigator who feels that she can know if any of the people she interviews are telling the truth. She is described as being intimidating to suspects.
The writing was competent but not polished. I found the story readable but not emotionally engaging. Fans of thrillers and horses may enjoy this plot driven novel.
May 12, 2017
Detective Holly Jennings, and her partner Chad, have picked up a confusing murder: two jockeys found with their legs broken, shot dead, with carrots stuck in their mouths. The case goes cold -- but soon another horse racing bigwig is found dead with a carrot in his mouth as well.
As the two police officers investigate, they are drawn deep in to not only horse racing itself, but the industry's home in Lexington, Kentucky. This is territory well-known to me as a former equestrian athlete, and I can tell you that author A.K. Alexander gets it right. She deals with racing's underbelly: performance enhancing drugs, painful treatments designed to make a fragile animal run faster ... all of it. She also looks at the people trying to improve the sport, and to rescue the horses themselves when their days on the track are done (Alexander's fictional Golden Hearts reminded me more than a little of the real-life Old Friends Equine Retirement facility).
There are twists and turns all over the place, and the "whodunnit" is revealed slowly through a series of clues that don't detract from the end at all -- because not even the villain is quite whom he seems to be.
Highly recommended for fans of racing and murder mysteries alike.
(Review based on uncorrected advance proof.)
As the two police officers investigate, they are drawn deep in to not only horse racing itself, but the industry's home in Lexington, Kentucky. This is territory well-known to me as a former equestrian athlete, and I can tell you that author A.K. Alexander gets it right. She deals with racing's underbelly: performance enhancing drugs, painful treatments designed to make a fragile animal run faster ... all of it. She also looks at the people trying to improve the sport, and to rescue the horses themselves when their days on the track are done (Alexander's fictional Golden Hearts reminded me more than a little of the real-life Old Friends Equine Retirement facility).
There are twists and turns all over the place, and the "whodunnit" is revealed slowly through a series of clues that don't detract from the end at all -- because not even the villain is quite whom he seems to be.
Highly recommended for fans of racing and murder mysteries alike.
(Review based on uncorrected advance proof.)
October 4, 2013
The actual identity of the two suspects in this mystery was fairly predictable if one didn't get side tracked by the many tangents. It was a nice foray into the world of horse racing, but the author tried to include too many elements. These included but were not limited to an examination of the guilt of a Middle Eastern man hiding his homosexuality and his participation in funding terrorism through money laundering done as penance for the past murder of his gay love interest, a spoiled daughter acting to bring about the destruction of her uber wealthy sheikh father in retribution for his supposed neglect of his family, a resurrected 'dead' spouse returning to save the day and sleep with the female detective, a brief look at the challenges of balancing family life versus duty for a female police officer, multiple tangential love stories amongst characters with overlapping sex lives, and multiple revenge plots.
A little editing would have gone a long way to making this a better novel. As they say, sometimes less is more.
A little editing would have gone a long way to making this a better novel. As they say, sometimes less is more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2013
I have read a lot of murder mystery books and this one is up there with the best. It takes place in the world of horse racing where people connected with this world are dying in horrible ways. CSI Agent Holly Jennings is brought in to investigate and has one heck of a case on her hands. A.K. Alexander is an excellent writer and her descriptions of horses and racing are so vivid I could picture myself there. She obviously knows horses well and this came out in her writing. The characters are very well described and I found myself either hating them or loving them in turn. Holly Jennings as a character is real. Both She and her life are brought to life in the pages of this book. The plot is well written and the action holds up throughout the book. There are many surprises which keep you guessing until the end. The ending had me holding my breath. I would highly recommend this book for any lover of mysteries.
April 2, 2013
Enter the world of high-stakes horse racing--where the stakes are so high, it's costing lives. But there is so much more to it than horse racing.
This being a mystery, I'm going to take care not to reveal too much. Let's just say just when you think you have it all figured out, another twist is thrown it, and even when it gets to the point you know WHOdunit, you don't necessarily know WHYtheydunit.
This is part of a series, but I didn't realize it 'til halfway through the book when it referred to a previous case. However, this book stands alone just fine. There were no endless details about prior cases, and there was no need for them, though the details about Holly's past were relevant for reasons I won't reveal...
Full review on Book Babe: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
This being a mystery, I'm going to take care not to reveal too much. Let's just say just when you think you have it all figured out, another twist is thrown it, and even when it gets to the point you know WHOdunit, you don't necessarily know WHYtheydunit.
This is part of a series, but I didn't realize it 'til halfway through the book when it referred to a previous case. However, this book stands alone just fine. There were no endless details about prior cases, and there was no need for them, though the details about Holly's past were relevant for reasons I won't reveal...
Full review on Book Babe: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
August 25, 2013
Thanks to goodreads First Reads for the free copy of Blood and Roses.
Another mediocre-bordering-on-bad cop thriller wanna be from A.K. Alexander. Like her first Holly Jennings novel, the whole police investigation seems like a farce. Jennings doesn't really do much investigating, and it really bothers me how easy it was for her boss to say, sure, use department funds to visit another state and question someone who isn't really involved in the case. The plot twist(s) sucked.
My one positive comment is that Alexander must have read the reviews of Daddy's Home and understood that her readers were very confused by Jennings' cop/crime scene analyst job description. That, at least, got some clarification that mostly sort of makes sense.
Another mediocre-bordering-on-bad cop thriller wanna be from A.K. Alexander. Like her first Holly Jennings novel, the whole police investigation seems like a farce. Jennings doesn't really do much investigating, and it really bothers me how easy it was for her boss to say, sure, use department funds to visit another state and question someone who isn't really involved in the case. The plot twist(s) sucked.
My one positive comment is that Alexander must have read the reviews of Daddy's Home and understood that her readers were very confused by Jennings' cop/crime scene analyst job description. That, at least, got some clarification that mostly sort of makes sense.
September 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this book... It seemed a bit confusing at first with all the jumping around with different characters but the more you read the more it makes sense why this was done. Holly Jennings was a great character and has a lot to deal with while trying to solve the murders revolving around members of the horse racing world. She ends up with a lot more allies then she knew she had..She has a blast from the past that leaves her very conflicted and leads to her making a decision that she instantly regrets. I have realized that this is not the first Holly Jennings story and I look forward to reading the other one. This is the first A.K. Alexander book that I have read and I can honestly say that I am now a huge fan! I highly recommend this book as a must read!! Thank you A.K. Alexander for writing such a great book! :O)
October 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this book... It seemed a bit confusing at first with all the jumping around with different characters but the more you read the more it makes sense why this was done. Holly Jennings was a great character and has a lot to deal with while trying to solve the murders revolving around members of the horse racing world. She ends up with a lot more allies then she knew she had..She has a blast from the past that leaves her very conflicted and leads to her making a decision that she instantly regrets. I have realized that this is not the first Holly Jennings story and I look forward to reading the other one. This is the first A.K. Alexander book that I have read and I can honestly say that I am now a huge fan! I highly recommend this book as a must read!! Thank you A.K. Alexander for writing such a great book! :O)
December 9, 2014
I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book at the 2013 Malice Domestic Conference. While I might not have picked this one up on my own, I ended up enjoying the book and found it to be a fast read. The story begins with the murders of two jockeys and soon expands as the bodies stack up when there are additional murders with ties to the high-stakes horse-racing world. San Diego CSI Holly Jenkins is on the case and must work fast before the killer strikes again. The individual who orchestrates the murders is revealed fairly early on but the motives are not. The author did a nice job of weaving together the various plot elements. While some of those plot elements seemed a little far-fetched, the story was entertaining overall and kept me flipping the pages. A good "in between" book.
June 28, 2013
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley.
I found this to be a pretty entertaining mystery. The writing was a little hard to get into at first - it was short and a bit choppy. Once I started into the meat of the mystery, though, I clipped along reading at a good pace and I had no further problems with the writing. I found the plot to be a bit implausible overall, but still absorbing if you can suspend disbelief a little. A.K. Alexander clearly has some knowledge of the world in which Blood and Roses is set; it felt fairly realistic to me, as a horse racing fan. I loved the little reference to Zenyatta at the very beginning of the book. :) The characters were well-drawn and interesting to read and I found I liked Holly quite a bit. Fun book.
I found this to be a pretty entertaining mystery. The writing was a little hard to get into at first - it was short and a bit choppy. Once I started into the meat of the mystery, though, I clipped along reading at a good pace and I had no further problems with the writing. I found the plot to be a bit implausible overall, but still absorbing if you can suspend disbelief a little. A.K. Alexander clearly has some knowledge of the world in which Blood and Roses is set; it felt fairly realistic to me, as a horse racing fan. I loved the little reference to Zenyatta at the very beginning of the book. :) The characters were well-drawn and interesting to read and I found I liked Holly quite a bit. Fun book.
August 10, 2013
It has been a while again since I have read a dirty and gritty crime novel, but what can I say I love anything in the horse racing area so I thought I would give this one a try. I love the idea behind this book and the writing pretty much carries that out. There were a few parts that for me dragged a little and could have either been cleaned up more, or left out all together.
Other than that this really is a win if you are a lover of mystery and thriller genre. It has everything you could want for that and set in the horse racing world. I will be looking for some more by this author when I am in the mood for a good thriller again.
October 22, 2013
BLOOD AND ROSES. (HOLLY JENNINGS #2)
A.K. ALEXANDER
THOMAS & MERCER, 2013
5 Star Rating
Finished Book October, 2013
Won as First Reads Giveaway, 2013
A.K. ALEXANDER is a new author for me. Didn't realized that this was part of a Series, however I would very much like to read the1st book and any forthcoming books in future. Ms. Alexander brings so many twist and turns to this well written mystery thriller that I do not want to give anything away. Follow Detective Holly Jennings and her team as they put together the puzzling pieces to bring this mystery together. Highly recommended. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to win this book and become a fan of the author.
A.K. ALEXANDER
THOMAS & MERCER, 2013
5 Star Rating
Finished Book October, 2013
Won as First Reads Giveaway, 2013
A.K. ALEXANDER is a new author for me. Didn't realized that this was part of a Series, however I would very much like to read the1st book and any forthcoming books in future. Ms. Alexander brings so many twist and turns to this well written mystery thriller that I do not want to give anything away. Follow Detective Holly Jennings and her team as they put together the puzzling pieces to bring this mystery together. Highly recommended. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to win this book and become a fan of the author.
October 28, 2013
This story takes place in the world of horse racing. Two jockeys are brutally murdered.Soon the owners and trainers are targeted.
Early on the killer is revealed and his motives. However, his motives and the ones of the person who is pulling his strings are very different.
The detective on the case is taken from one state to the next in her pursuit of the killer. She herself is shocked by an unexpected revelation.
I found myself losing interest in places but other places wanting to find out where this next turn of events would lead.
The plot ends in Las Vegas where all the key players come together for the race of their lives keeping the reader wondering who will survive.
Early on the killer is revealed and his motives. However, his motives and the ones of the person who is pulling his strings are very different.
The detective on the case is taken from one state to the next in her pursuit of the killer. She herself is shocked by an unexpected revelation.
I found myself losing interest in places but other places wanting to find out where this next turn of events would lead.
The plot ends in Las Vegas where all the key players come together for the race of their lives keeping the reader wondering who will survive.
September 9, 2016
Not good enough to go back and read the first in the series. I never really engaged with Holly Jennings. Too many aspects of the mystery were telegraphed. There was a significant and glaring continuity error, a reference at the end of the book to something that had allegedly happened in the first third of the book that could not possibly have happened since it involved something that didn't exist at the time. And I might not know a lot about horse racing, but I know that there's a difference between a filly and a mare and that they aren't synonyms for a female horse, at least not in a racing context.
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