What do you think?
Rate this book
Cavanaugh Justice #33
Cavanaugh in the Rough
A crime-scene investigator and a gorgeous cop must track down a serial killer in USA TODAY bestselling author Marie Ferrarella's explosive new novel!
For Susannah Quinn, heartbreakingly handsome detective Christian Cavanaugh O'Bannon is trouble that she doesn't need. Still, her CSI instincts tell her a serial killer's on the loose, so she agrees to work this case with Chris through long days--and even hotter nights. But his reckless charm is allowing him perilously close to her darkest secrets.
Going by the book has never been freewheeling Chris's style, so an unofficial partnership with Susannah is just what he needs to stop a vicious murderer in his tracks. While he struggles to win the beautiful blonde's trust, mutual desire puts them both in harm's way...
For Susannah Quinn, heartbreakingly handsome detective Christian Cavanaugh O'Bannon is trouble that she doesn't need. Still, her CSI instincts tell her a serial killer's on the loose, so she agrees to work this case with Chris through long days--and even hotter nights. But his reckless charm is allowing him perilously close to her darkest secrets.
Going by the book has never been freewheeling Chris's style, so an unofficial partnership with Susannah is just what he needs to stop a vicious murderer in his tracks. While he struggles to win the beautiful blonde's trust, mutual desire puts them both in harm's way...
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2017
38 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Marie Ferrarella
1,228 books277 followersMarie Rydzynski-Ferrarella
aka Marie Charles, Marie Michael, Marie Nicole, Marie Ferrarella
Marie Rydzynski was born on March 28 in West Germany to Polish parents. She moved to America at the age of four. For an entire year, Marie and her family explored the eastern half of the country before finally settling in New York.
Marie swears she was born writing, "which must have made the delivery especially hard for my mother." From an early age, Marie's parents would find her watching television or tucked away in some private place, writing at a furious pace. "Initially, I began writing myself into my favourite shows. I was a detective on '77 Sunset Strip,' the missing Cartwright sibling they never talked about on 'Bonanza' and the 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.' before there was a 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.,' not to mention an active participant in the serialized stories of 'The Mickey Mouse Club.'" Marie began to write her first romance novel when she was 11 years old, although she claims that, at the time, she didn't even realize it was a romance! She scribbled off and on, while dreaming of a career as an actress.
Marie was only 14 when she first laid eyes on the man she would marry, truly her first love, Charles Ferrarella. During her days at Queens College, New York, acting started to lose its glamour as Marie spent more and more time writing. After receiving her English degree, specialising in Shakespearean comedy, Marie and her family moved to Southern California, where she still resides today.
After an interminable seven weeks apart, Charles decided he couldn't live without her and came out to California to marry his childhood sweetheart. Ever practical, Marie was married in a wash-and-wear wedding dress that she sewed herself, appliqués and all. "'Be prepared' has always been my motto,"the author jokes. This motto has been stretched considerably by her two children, Nikky and Jessi, "but basically, it still applies," she says.
In November of 1981, she sold her first novel for Harlequin. Marie, who now has written over 150 novels, has one goal: to entertain, to make people laugh and feel good. "That's what makes me happy," she confesses. "That, and a really good romantic evening with my husband." She's keeping her fingers crossed that her reader's enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.
aka Marie Charles, Marie Michael, Marie Nicole, Marie Ferrarella
Marie Rydzynski was born on March 28 in West Germany to Polish parents. She moved to America at the age of four. For an entire year, Marie and her family explored the eastern half of the country before finally settling in New York.
Marie swears she was born writing, "which must have made the delivery especially hard for my mother." From an early age, Marie's parents would find her watching television or tucked away in some private place, writing at a furious pace. "Initially, I began writing myself into my favourite shows. I was a detective on '77 Sunset Strip,' the missing Cartwright sibling they never talked about on 'Bonanza' and the 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.' before there was a 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.,' not to mention an active participant in the serialized stories of 'The Mickey Mouse Club.'" Marie began to write her first romance novel when she was 11 years old, although she claims that, at the time, she didn't even realize it was a romance! She scribbled off and on, while dreaming of a career as an actress.
Marie was only 14 when she first laid eyes on the man she would marry, truly her first love, Charles Ferrarella. During her days at Queens College, New York, acting started to lose its glamour as Marie spent more and more time writing. After receiving her English degree, specialising in Shakespearean comedy, Marie and her family moved to Southern California, where she still resides today.
After an interminable seven weeks apart, Charles decided he couldn't live without her and came out to California to marry his childhood sweetheart. Ever practical, Marie was married in a wash-and-wear wedding dress that she sewed herself, appliqués and all. "'Be prepared' has always been my motto,"the author jokes. This motto has been stretched considerably by her two children, Nikky and Jessi, "but basically, it still applies," she says.
In November of 1981, she sold her first novel for Harlequin. Marie, who now has written over 150 novels, has one goal: to entertain, to make people laugh and feel good. "That's what makes me happy," she confesses. "That, and a really good romantic evening with my husband." She's keeping her fingers crossed that her reader's enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 15, 2018
Chris, a cop, is on his way to work, thinking about the woman he met the night before that didn't seem to return his attraction, when two boys, obviously running scared, catch his attention. When he learns they discovered a dead body, he calls the station to report the situation, and begins the process of finding justice for the victim.
Susannah, aka Suzie, a crime scene investigator, loves her job and her co-workers love her, though it hasn't escaped anyone's notice, especially her boss, Sean's, that she's always at work and he feels she's hiding some secrets about her past.
When Suzie arrives on the scene with her fellow crime scene investigators, she and Chris immediately recognize each other from the party last night.
As Chris and Suzie begin working together, the attraction that started when they first met only intensifies and it isn't long before the desire is undeniable.
What happens when the present collides with Suzie's past? Can Chris keep her safe? How are Suzie's former life and their current case connected? Can Chris and Suzie keep their personal and professional lives separate? Can Suzie open herself up to the possibility of a future? Can Chris show Suzie she can trust in him and his love?
One-click now and follow along as two people discover a love that overcome any obstacle while investigating a case. While I'm usually a fan of this series, this one, at least unconfirmed information in regards to Chris, see below, bothered me and impacted my enjoyment.
On a purely personal note, it was alluded to, though never confirmed specifically in what way it was meant, that after the party and Suzie walking away, that Chris moved on. There were references to him being tired, though not satisfied, but as it'd said prior to that how none of the other women at the club interested him like Suzie did, I'm assuming he didn't leave with a different woman and spend the night, or at least a few hours, with her instead, but stayed and continued drinking until he was drunk, therefore being tired but unsatisfied because Suzie left without him, but I would really like more clarification on what those sentences meant, because without it, my mind can't stop wondering if it was referring to him being with a different woman and that really disappoints me. I don't like reading, or even knowing, the "hero" was with anyone else after meeting the heroine, nor do I like when they're with someone sexually so close to meeting the heroine. My investment in their future coupledom quickly lessened upon reading these sentences as did my respect for the "hero." Nor did I care for the fact that numerous women he came in contact with while Suzie was there showed interest in him, one even flirting, telling him to call her and then leaving her number, again, all in front of Suzie, when he stated they were on their first date.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Susannah, aka Suzie, a crime scene investigator, loves her job and her co-workers love her, though it hasn't escaped anyone's notice, especially her boss, Sean's, that she's always at work and he feels she's hiding some secrets about her past.
When Suzie arrives on the scene with her fellow crime scene investigators, she and Chris immediately recognize each other from the party last night.
As Chris and Suzie begin working together, the attraction that started when they first met only intensifies and it isn't long before the desire is undeniable.
What happens when the present collides with Suzie's past? Can Chris keep her safe? How are Suzie's former life and their current case connected? Can Chris and Suzie keep their personal and professional lives separate? Can Suzie open herself up to the possibility of a future? Can Chris show Suzie she can trust in him and his love?
One-click now and follow along as two people discover a love that overcome any obstacle while investigating a case. While I'm usually a fan of this series, this one, at least unconfirmed information in regards to Chris, see below, bothered me and impacted my enjoyment.
On a purely personal note, it was alluded to, though never confirmed specifically in what way it was meant, that after the party and Suzie walking away, that Chris moved on. There were references to him being tired, though not satisfied, but as it'd said prior to that how none of the other women at the club interested him like Suzie did, I'm assuming he didn't leave with a different woman and spend the night, or at least a few hours, with her instead, but stayed and continued drinking until he was drunk, therefore being tired but unsatisfied because Suzie left without him, but I would really like more clarification on what those sentences meant, because without it, my mind can't stop wondering if it was referring to him being with a different woman and that really disappoints me. I don't like reading, or even knowing, the "hero" was with anyone else after meeting the heroine, nor do I like when they're with someone sexually so close to meeting the heroine. My investment in their future coupledom quickly lessened upon reading these sentences as did my respect for the "hero." Nor did I care for the fact that numerous women he came in contact with while Suzie was there showed interest in him, one even flirting, telling him to call her and then leaving her number, again, all in front of Suzie, when he stated they were on their first date.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
August 10, 2018
Another terrific Cavanaugh story where an unsuspecting Cavanaugh finds more than just the answers to a mystery. Chris is a member of a newly discovered branch of the family and was recently transferred to Homicide. He works hard, but he also plays hard. The story opens on the morning after a party he attended, one where he was getting to know an attractive woman until she disappeared. He's still tired and frustrated because he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her when he spotted a couple of teenagers running away from an empty store. Discovering that they found a dead body, Chris begins his investigation with a call that brings out the CSI team.
Susannah joined the Aurora department nine months earlier after moving from Arizona. Her boss is impressed with the work she does, but worries about her tendency to arrive early and stay late. I loved his gentle teasing as he tried to get her to relax a little. Susannah is also a very private person and Sean gets the feeling she has secrets. Susannah's one venture out to a party ended when she unwillingly found herself drawn to a man she met.
I really liked both Chris and Susannah. Chris is an all-around nice guy. He comes from a large and loving family, even before he knew about his connection to the other Cavanaughs. He's cheerful, charming, and a bit of a flirt. He's also serious about his work and determined to bring justice to the murdered woman. Susannah is driven, determined, and haunted by her past. She is passionate about her work and looks at the current case as a way to make amends for what she sees as a huge failure on her part.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Chris and Suzie. She works very hard to keep him at a distance, with sarcasm as one of her greatest weapons. It was fun to see most of her attitude roll right off Chris's back. He likes her a lot and is determined to get to know her. I loved seeing that bit of protectiveness come out as he takes each chance he can get to make sure she eats and gets away from her desk. He also quickly comes to respect her abilities. Suzie was a much harder sell on getting to know Chris. She keeps everyone at a distance because she doesn't want her past to be known. With Chris, no matter what she does or says, she can't get him to back away. The more time they spend together on the case, the more she starts to trust him. The scene where Chris got Suzie to open up about her past was deeply emotional. I loved how he didn't push and let her talk at her own pace until she was able to get through it all. The passion that burst into flame between them took them both by surprise and I loved how they both embraced it fully, adding another layer to their connection. With the events at the end, Chris realized just how much he loved Suzie and made sure that she knew it. He also continued with his sensitivity to her fears and gave her the time she needed to answer him. I loved her timing when she did. It made me laugh out loud at Chris's reaction.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. From the moment the first body was discovered I was riveted to the pages waiting to see what was going to happen. The description of the boys' reactions as they told Chris what they saw was so vivid and real that I felt as though I was there. I loved how Suzie's instincts and experience told her that they were dealing with a serial killer, and how she was able to convince Chris. Their teamwork was fantastic, and I really liked the way that they balanced each other. Suzie's need to do something sometimes ran up against Chris's knowledge that some of the rules needed to be followed. I ached for her as she saw history repeat itself with the murders. As things began to escalate, I loved seeing Chris and Suzie close in on their main suspect. I could easily understand Suzie's certainty that he was the one, as he gave me the creeps each time he appeared. The final confrontation was intense, with a race against time to save the killer's latest target - Suzie herself. I loved her part in the takedown since she was the one who figured out the connection. The final scene with the Chief of Detectives was great, especially with the revelation of just how big a case it turned out to be.
Susannah joined the Aurora department nine months earlier after moving from Arizona. Her boss is impressed with the work she does, but worries about her tendency to arrive early and stay late. I loved his gentle teasing as he tried to get her to relax a little. Susannah is also a very private person and Sean gets the feeling she has secrets. Susannah's one venture out to a party ended when she unwillingly found herself drawn to a man she met.
I really liked both Chris and Susannah. Chris is an all-around nice guy. He comes from a large and loving family, even before he knew about his connection to the other Cavanaughs. He's cheerful, charming, and a bit of a flirt. He's also serious about his work and determined to bring justice to the murdered woman. Susannah is driven, determined, and haunted by her past. She is passionate about her work and looks at the current case as a way to make amends for what she sees as a huge failure on her part.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Chris and Suzie. She works very hard to keep him at a distance, with sarcasm as one of her greatest weapons. It was fun to see most of her attitude roll right off Chris's back. He likes her a lot and is determined to get to know her. I loved seeing that bit of protectiveness come out as he takes each chance he can get to make sure she eats and gets away from her desk. He also quickly comes to respect her abilities. Suzie was a much harder sell on getting to know Chris. She keeps everyone at a distance because she doesn't want her past to be known. With Chris, no matter what she does or says, she can't get him to back away. The more time they spend together on the case, the more she starts to trust him. The scene where Chris got Suzie to open up about her past was deeply emotional. I loved how he didn't push and let her talk at her own pace until she was able to get through it all. The passion that burst into flame between them took them both by surprise and I loved how they both embraced it fully, adding another layer to their connection. With the events at the end, Chris realized just how much he loved Suzie and made sure that she knew it. He also continued with his sensitivity to her fears and gave her the time she needed to answer him. I loved her timing when she did. It made me laugh out loud at Chris's reaction.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. From the moment the first body was discovered I was riveted to the pages waiting to see what was going to happen. The description of the boys' reactions as they told Chris what they saw was so vivid and real that I felt as though I was there. I loved how Suzie's instincts and experience told her that they were dealing with a serial killer, and how she was able to convince Chris. Their teamwork was fantastic, and I really liked the way that they balanced each other. Suzie's need to do something sometimes ran up against Chris's knowledge that some of the rules needed to be followed. I ached for her as she saw history repeat itself with the murders. As things began to escalate, I loved seeing Chris and Suzie close in on their main suspect. I could easily understand Suzie's certainty that he was the one, as he gave me the creeps each time he appeared. The final confrontation was intense, with a race against time to save the killer's latest target - Suzie herself. I loved her part in the takedown since she was the one who figured out the connection. The final scene with the Chief of Detectives was great, especially with the revelation of just how big a case it turned out to be.
February 13, 2017
Third amazing thriller on a row! I loved this story, I think it is my favorite Cavanaugh story so far.
The suspense was well built. The cases detective Christian Cavanaugh O'Bannon and CSI Susannah Quinn are investigating are terrifying, menacing, and have a serious creepy factor in them that might seep into your dreams. There's just that air of hopelessness and frightening threat with little clues and terrifying possibilities that gave the cases the eerie effect.
Christian and Susannah were lively, energetic, and enthusiastic characters. They both have the passion for justice and doing the right thing. The sizzle between them was rather entertaining, and attraction they felt for each other was intense.
The way they communicated was through constant banter and bickering that was just on the border of not tipping over to the side of being mean and hurtful. Especially Suzie Q danced on the edge of being a 'mean girl', her words holding her defenses and keeping her at safe distance, so her family's past wouldn't be revealed.
Intriguing murder cases to be investigated gets Chris and Suzie a chance to spend time together and get to know each other while catching a vile criminal. The action and suspense are fast-paced and captivating, the drizzle of clues to solve the case exciting. The alluring passion that awakens between Chris and Suzie takes them both by surprise, as they find to be equal partners both while investigating the murders and developing a relationship. A riveting and enticing story all around!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
The suspense was well built. The cases detective Christian Cavanaugh O'Bannon and CSI Susannah Quinn are investigating are terrifying, menacing, and have a serious creepy factor in them that might seep into your dreams. There's just that air of hopelessness and frightening threat with little clues and terrifying possibilities that gave the cases the eerie effect.
Christian and Susannah were lively, energetic, and enthusiastic characters. They both have the passion for justice and doing the right thing. The sizzle between them was rather entertaining, and attraction they felt for each other was intense.
The way they communicated was through constant banter and bickering that was just on the border of not tipping over to the side of being mean and hurtful. Especially Suzie Q danced on the edge of being a 'mean girl', her words holding her defenses and keeping her at safe distance, so her family's past wouldn't be revealed.
Intriguing murder cases to be investigated gets Chris and Suzie a chance to spend time together and get to know each other while catching a vile criminal. The action and suspense are fast-paced and captivating, the drizzle of clues to solve the case exciting. The alluring passion that awakens between Chris and Suzie takes them both by surprise, as they find to be equal partners both while investigating the murders and developing a relationship. A riveting and enticing story all around!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
February 15, 2020
I enjoyed the story but the relationship between the 2 main characters seemed too fast for me.
October 4, 2024
Takes ACAB to a whole new level
March 2, 2017
Suspenseful from first page to last, this is one of the Cavanaugh Justice series, introducing Susannah Quinn, a CSI operative in the same police department where Christian Cavanaugh O'Bannon works as a detective.
When a blond bombshell is found dead, elements of Suzie's past begin to unravel when she insists on helping Chris solve the murder. Before that happens, however, first one and then another woman is killed the same way and then Suzie discovers previously unsolved crimes with remarkable similarities. Can they find the killer before he strikes again? Oops! He does just that--only this time, his victim is a lot closer to home.
How things are resolved--with the crime and the passions sparking between Suzie and Chris--make for a truly satisfying tale.
When a blond bombshell is found dead, elements of Suzie's past begin to unravel when she insists on helping Chris solve the murder. Before that happens, however, first one and then another woman is killed the same way and then Suzie discovers previously unsolved crimes with remarkable similarities. Can they find the killer before he strikes again? Oops! He does just that--only this time, his victim is a lot closer to home.
How things are resolved--with the crime and the passions sparking between Suzie and Chris--make for a truly satisfying tale.
February 5, 2017
Susannah is going through some deep seeded issues that make her skeptical of everyone and everything. That includes Detective Christan who loves to push her buttons. Knowing shed liked to help out he asks her to help him on his case.
I really loved this book. I loved the characters and getting to know their back stories. I loved that Susannah is the type of women who once she has a gut feeling shes not one to back down. I found the playful banter between Christan and Susannah entertaining. Clearly Susannah wasn't interested but Christan it very much like Susannah in a way of not backing down.I loved seeing them work together and how they worked out the case. I loved that Christan was there to help ground her, I guess in a way to because shes so focused when it came to the case he was there to balance things out and make sure she taking care of herself as well. I loved the connection between the two. Overall this book was really good I enjoyed it, managed to finish this book faster then I wanted to but that's only because it was so good I couldn't put it down.
I really loved this book. I loved the characters and getting to know their back stories. I loved that Susannah is the type of women who once she has a gut feeling shes not one to back down. I found the playful banter between Christan and Susannah entertaining. Clearly Susannah wasn't interested but Christan it very much like Susannah in a way of not backing down.I loved seeing them work together and how they worked out the case. I loved that Christan was there to help ground her, I guess in a way to because shes so focused when it came to the case he was there to balance things out and make sure she taking care of herself as well. I loved the connection between the two. Overall this book was really good I enjoyed it, managed to finish this book faster then I wanted to but that's only because it was so good I couldn't put it down.
February 6, 2017
Another delve into the Cavanaugh family brings us the usual great Detective finding his match and more!
Detective Christian Cavanaugh O'Bannon doesn't know what to make of his most recent case. Especially when Crime Scene Investigator Susannah Quinn says she suspects they have a serial killer on their hands!
When Chris gets her to open up to why she suspects what she does, he starts to agree with her and they move forward in their investigation to find the answers, but along the way, Chris attempts to find out what Suzie is hiding. She's a loner, and she's secretive ... what could be in her past that makes her keep to herself like that? And as they grow closer, will she decide to open up and explain her past to him?
Detective Christian Cavanaugh O'Bannon doesn't know what to make of his most recent case. Especially when Crime Scene Investigator Susannah Quinn says she suspects they have a serial killer on their hands!
When Chris gets her to open up to why she suspects what she does, he starts to agree with her and they move forward in their investigation to find the answers, but along the way, Chris attempts to find out what Suzie is hiding. She's a loner, and she's secretive ... what could be in her past that makes her keep to herself like that? And as they grow closer, will she decide to open up and explain her past to him?
February 5, 2017
I love strong heroines and like humor in my romance books. This one has it all and it kept me entertained.
Read
February 1, 2017Miniseries: Cavanaugh Justice
March 2, 2017
4.75 Review to come
July 16, 2017
Not as good as some of her other books.
April 24, 2017
This is a great book. I started and finished it on the same day. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite reads. Susannah and Christian end up working together on a murder case and the sparks start to fly. Another fantastic book about the Cavanaugh's.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews