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The third book in the Detective Kendall Halsrud series is here!

When Kendall becomes a date rape victim, the incident triggers a series of events that send her life into a dangerous freefall. Still struggling with the remains of her relationship with ex-lover Adam Nashlund, Kendall is temporarily suspended from her job, and she joins Nash, who has been hired to locate a man’s missing wife.

A rape-homicide in the area leads Kendall to investigate the case of a rapist who leaves his victims tattooed with a strange symbol. Kendall’s neighbor, Brynn Zellman, card reader and reformed computer hacker, identifies the tattoo as a Reiki symbol and helps Kendall unearth the truth as both cases become intertwined.

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2016

320 people are currently reading
194 people want to read

About the author

Marla Madison

12 books112 followers
Marla Madison currently works part-time doing arbitration for the the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Hard at work now as an author, she is writing her sixth novel of suspense. Her first series, the TJ Peacock & Lisa Rayburn suspense series, has three editions out, the third, Girl Undone, has just been released. Marla is currently working on the third novel in her second suspense series which spotlights Detective Kendall Halsrud.

At home in Northwestern Wisconsin, Marla lives on Prairie Lake with her significant other, Terry, a beloved shelter-dog, Skygge, and Poncho, an opinionated feline from the same shelter who believes he is the boss of everything.

Some of her favorite things are playing duplicate and tournament bridge, golf, reading, pontooning, and taking long walks with her dog.

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5 stars
356 (55%)
4 stars
215 (33%)
3 stars
57 (8%)
2 stars
11 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
67 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2018
Completely a 5 star book!

Honestly the entire series was five star, as well as the series before it. I found these books (all six of them) spellbinding. I really had trouble putting them down. They have all the perfect ingredients for anyone who loves mystery, romance, tenderness, and even animals. Please try one or all of them. I know you won't be able to stop at one!
1,915 reviews9 followers
March 2, 2020
When Kendall becomes a date rape victim, the incident triggers a series of events that send her life into a dangerous freefall. Still struggling with the remains of her relationship with ex-lover Adam Nashlund, Kendall is temporarily suspended from her job, and she joins Nash, who has been hired to locate a man’s missing wife.
75 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2017
Excellent!

This series will definitely go on 'my favorites ' list. I've read thousands of books(no exaggeration)and have less than 100 favorites. Great story,well developed characters, awesome style.
84 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2017
Malice Series

This is the third book of the series starting Kendall. Solving cases, financing an old love, and protecting friends keeps the detective busy! Throw in a stalker and serial rapist case, and it is a must read!
63 reviews
May 25, 2017
Wonderful

I have enjoyed reading all 3 books, and I do hope that we see more of Kenny and Nash. Marla, you are great writer and I loved every single character. To me, I don't think that you have to many characters in your book's. Keep those characters coming.
Profile Image for Jill D Coffin.
213 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2017
Engaging Read

Creative, well crafted characters and storyline filled with sidesteps into sub-plots make this book a real challenge to set down! Lots of suspense and a bit of romance make for a winner.
662 reviews
July 7, 2019
Third book in this series. I find the man character Kendall very reckless as a detective, so keeps getting herself in life or death situations. This book was some what tedious, I thought it would never wrap up.
43 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2021
Promise of Malice

Thank you again Marla Madison for a great read. Being in lockdown in Victoria, Australia-has given.me many hours to concentrate on reading. The stories of Detective Kenny have been fantastic.
1,471 reviews7 followers
January 6, 2022
Great police thriller

This book kept you on your toes until the end. Loved the main character Kendall. The romantic thread through the story was a good thing. Loved the ending Would love to read more with Kendall as the main character.
Profile Image for Cynthia A.
698 reviews
September 16, 2025
A serial rapist

He saw another woman he must have. Follows her and finally breaks in and rapes her. A little time goes by he breaks in again and rapes her again.
Another good story about Detective Kendall Halsrud and family of friends.
Profile Image for Lisa Kader.
121 reviews4 followers
May 13, 2017
Awesome series.

Marla Madison's books are a must read. Every book I have read by this author didn't disappoint me. I can't wait to read more from this author.
176 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2017
Thrilling

This series has been exhilarating, and I can't wait for the next book. Keep you in the edge throughout the whole book!
Profile Image for Gabrialle Martin.
78 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2018
Dark

Extremely dark side of human nature explored in Promise of Malice. Could not put it down. Amazing group of characters and their development.
16 reviews
February 24, 2018
Good read

Read all 3 books in this series all were good and kept my attention. Highly recommend this author and series
9 reviews
March 27, 2018
Gripping

Love the characters and the storyline keeps you hooked until the end. Cannot wait for the next one! A fantastic read.
Profile Image for Mica's Reads.
542 reviews13 followers
February 22, 2020
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Profile Image for Beebee Bolster.
41 reviews
March 2, 2020
Brilliant

Loved all three books! I found them really hard to put down. I got very carried away with the storylines.
22 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2020
What a awesome book

This was a great book, I couldn't put it down and I read it every night till early in the morning. I think anyone would enjoy this book,!
Profile Image for pat goode.
429 reviews4 followers
June 1, 2020
Brilliant

I really enjoy reading a series I get a real feel for the characters and their lives really good story
28 reviews
December 15, 2020
Promise of Malice

Great read. Sometimes I couldn’t remembers how was whom but that was because I skipped days reading. I enjoyed how the plot played out.
39 reviews
January 6, 2021
Love this series

Great characters & story. Good suspense. One of those books to read in one sitting & don't want to put down.
61 reviews
January 17, 2021
The evil out there

Another great series by Marla Madison. A story about rape, murder, and madness would not be complete without love thrown in. A great read that keeps you on edge.
Profile Image for Frances Hathaway.
86 reviews
February 26, 2021
Fran’s review

Another very well written book. It has just the right amount of suspense, romance and legalese. A very entertaining book.
99 reviews
March 8, 2022
Awesomeness

Love the story love the characters. Couldn't put it down. A must read. Thank you! Can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Sharon Thomas.
663 reviews3 followers
October 5, 2023
Good read

Kendall and Brynn have men stalking them. Kendall is helping Nash with a rape case as they rediscover their love. Well written great characters.
Profile Image for Katie Mettner.
Author 109 books1,669 followers
August 15, 2016
Ms. Madison has released the third book in the Malice series and what a ride! From the very first page the action starts and doesn't ease up until the last page. In Promise of Malice, Kendall, a detective for the Eau Claire Police Department, finds herself a victim, but she's not the last. There are girls out there turning up raped and dead, with a telling sign on every body. Do they have a killer on the loose or a rapist? After her attack Kendall finds on forced absence from work as a detective. In order to help solve the case she has to agree to work with Adam Nashland, her amnesiac lover, who doesn't remember their relationship. Putting her hurt and anger aside, Kendall teams up with Nash, and her next door neighbor Brynn, to find a rapist turned murderer before he finds her.

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Northern Wisconsin, Promise of Malice will have you on the edge of your seat until the last woman is safe. The question is, will Kendall come out of this case alive and with her heart intact? There's only one way to find out!

I give Promise of Malice 5 cups of better put that coffee in a travel mug, 'cause it's gonna be a bumpy ride!

Profile Image for Nancy Silk.
Author 5 books82 followers
August 19, 2016
"Non-Stop Action With Compelling Characters"

In this third book of the series, Kendall becomes a date rape victim...well, almost! She and Russell Nielson had dated for a few months. When he forcefully tried to take advantage of her, she out-powered him. Because of her attack on Russell, her boss is fearful of a police brutality suit, thus she is soon suspended from her police job. She's decided to join Adam "Nash" Nashlund who has been hired to locate a man's missing wife. Months earlier, she and Adam had been seriously injured while capturing a horrific criminal. Kendall healed well, but Nash had serious head and leg injuries which resulted in loss of memory. He cannot remember the loving relationship he had with Kendall before his head injuries. The missing wife is linked with the multiple serial rape events. The rapist has a unique way of leaving lasting memories on his victims... tattoos of a Reiki symbol. This story is obsessive ... I could not put it down. It's very well written, spellbinding, and thought provoking. High recommend.
1,507 reviews7 followers
September 24, 2016
Promise of Malice

This was a very good series. I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend this series. I wish there were more books in the series . I hope she writes more books in this series.
279 reviews7 followers
October 26, 2020
Enjoyed.

The characters were well developed. I knew who each one was instead of being forgettable. I felt the frustrations of Kendell in each of hers. I also liked the balance of the characters. Each had a piece of the story and I was hooked all the way.
15 reviews
March 30, 2017
Fast paced and thrilling to the end

Another fabulous book from Marla Madison which had me turning pages to the end. I'm looking to the next book in the series to come out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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