The next pulse-pounding Cassidy and Spenser thriller from USA Today bestselling author Carey Baldwin!
Don’t believe everything you see.
Special Agent Atticus Spenser and forensic psychiatrist Dr. Caitlin Cassidy are in Tahiti enjoying a much-needed break from the FBI when they spot newlyweds taking fun photos on the beach. But as the groom carries his bride deeper into the waves, Spense is positive he sees a flash of terror cross her face. All his instincts scream that this woman is in danger. Yet moments later, it’s the groom who has nearly drowned… and the bride has vanished, leaving a bloody wedding dress floating in her wake.
The authorities aren’t sure who to believe—the groom, who insists his wife tried to murder him… or her twin, who claims her sister must have acted in self-defense. Intrigued, Spense and Caity agree to help investigate. But when they discover that the missing bride is the daughter of a notorious confidence man, they begin to suspect that all is not what it seems. Now they’ll need to separate victim from villain, fact from fiction, truth from lie, to determine if there’s really a killer on the loose… or if it’s all one big con.
Creating stories and then sharing them with you so that you can shine your own light on them, reading through a lens shaped by your own perceptions, is such a joy. I hope you enjoy the books!
Carey Baldwin is a USA Today bestselling author of psychological suspense. Also a dedicated physician, she holds two doctoral degrees, one in medicine and one in psychology. Her experience in the fields of medicine and psychology often informs her writing. She loves reading and writing stories that keep you off balance and on the edge of your seat. Carey lives in the southwestern United States with her amazing family. In her spare time she enjoys hiking and chasing wildflowers.
"Countdown" is book five in the Cassidy and Spenser series by Carey Baldwin. Special Agent Atticus Spenser and forensic psychiatrist Dr Caitlin Cassidy went on holiday Tahiti to get married. Both Atticus and Caitlin mothers, Atticus's half brother Dutch and their friend Gretchen all went to Tahiti help them celebrate their marriage. A couple of days before their weddings Atticus and Caitlin was walking along the beach and saw a woman being drag away from the shore. Atticus went to rescue the young woman. However, this incident pulls then into helping the local authorities with their investigation. The readers of Countdown will continue to follow Special Agent Atticus Spenser and Dr Caitlin Cassidy to see if they arrive on time at for their wedding.
I love reading books in this series and Countdown did not disappoint and as always engaged me from the first page. Carey Baldwin in a fantastic job in portraying her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. "Countdown" is well written and researched by Carey Baldwin. I did enjoy the way Carey Baldwin described her settings.
The readers of Countdown will learn about law enforcement investigations in Tahiti. Also, readers of Countdown we start to understand the devastation that con artist can have on their family and everyone that comes in contact with them.
I remember coparing this series to Criminal Mind, but this last book was more like a CM parody.
No, it's not bad, but it has become too light, too naive, too comedy-like.
The two twin sisters are supposed to be professional cons, and the villain of the story a mastermind-money-launderer, but while reading I felt like I was watching The Naked Gun!
The sisters were parody! They thought and acted like two teenagers who are balancing between puppies and guns, while the villain was thinking about love for his mother while planning to kill them!
Both Cassidy and Spencer were strange too. Cassidy has become like somebody slapped a rose-colored glasses over her eyes and Spencer's cute quirks were reduced to his use of Rubik Cube.
They continuosly agree with each other almost telepathically and work so completly in tune with each other that is totally unbelievable. I'm more than 25 years married, but I assure you that I'm not so in tune with my hubby!!!
The whole mystery is also thin. I just knew how will it end from the third page! It's so anticlimatic!!!
The edge that was there in the previous books simply disappeared and has been replaced with some really wierd and simpicistic parody vibe!
Maybe it was not a good idea reading this after The Girl In The Moss and it could be that I was influenced by that...
I hope, if the author decides to continue with this series, she will retun to her previous style, because this one is totally WRONG!!!
Mrs. Arlene Cassidy & Mrs. Agatha Spencer request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their children Caitlin Cassidy and Atticus Spencer on the beautiful island of Tahiti in French Polynesia Agatha and Arlene along with the groom's half brother Alex “Dutch” Langhorne and the bride's best friend Gretchen Herrera invite you to share and celebrate at the marriage of their children.
Sounds wonderful doesn't it? Except, the soon to be bride feels like things are going to well and feels the other shoe is going to drop soon and the groom makes a promise of everything is going to be fine – nothing to worry about. Caity's premonition and Spenser's unintentional jinx come true when they are witness to a bride and groom trying to kill each other with the bride getting away.
Now I give Spencer credit for trying to stay out of the investigation that Inspector Jacques Brousseau asks him and Caity to help with but that was not to be.
I really enjoyed this latest in the Cassidy & Spencer series. Both characters were much more laid back and the dialog between them light and full of love. They have become such a great team together both professionally and personally.
The investigation into the bride and groom was at times a comedy routine itself even though the matters were serious the whole book just had a light airy feel that was a joy to read.
I love this Author's books. She is so talented. The characters are wonderful. In this book, while investigating what appears to be an attempted murder and their wedding, the humour will have you smiling if not laughing out loud. Thank you Edelweiss, the Publisher and Carey Baldwin for allowing me the privilege to read and review this book. I hope there are more books in this series.
Countdown by Carey Baldwin is another awesome Cassidy and Spenser adventure. I don't know of another author who can write a romantic suspense book with so many twists.
Caitlyn and Atticus are in Tahiti to get married and enjoy a well earned vacation. Both of their mothers are there along with Dutch Langhorne and Gretchen Herrera to help them enjoy the "perfect" wedding. Of course, things just don't quite go as planned as they soon become embroiled in a case that involves more than one con, dirty secrets and eventually murder. Ms. Baldwin showed us a more relaxed Caitlyn and Atticus in this book which was fun to read. Their love and respect for each other clearly shone through the story. The moms were their usual upbeat selves and never stopped to question that their "children" were doing the right thing. Dutch and Gretchen are great supporting characters that are totally involved as they were able to provide much of the information to unravel this twisted case.
Suspense, complex characters, romance and a wedding all made this a perfect afternoon read for me. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Witness Impulse via Edelweiss. All of the above opinions are my own.
Baldwin has crafted another good novel combining character development and investigative procedure. Spenser and Cassidy are in Tahiti for their wedding and I really appreciate that development in their relationship. Woven through their thwarted attempts at preparing for that event is a very complex mystery involving the daughters of an accomplished con man. Baldwin did a good job creating an elaborate con job that fooled me, along with Spenser and Cassidy. I did not see the twist coming at the end, at all.
I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a good balance of character development and investigation. There is not very much suspense in the novel as it concentrates more on thinking through the possible meaning of events. There is a bit more sexual action between Spenser and Cassidy than I like but nothing graphic. Readers might want to really pay attention to details to see if the plot can be figured out before the final revelation.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
This is my first introduction to this series and characters. I actually liked Cassidy and Spenser. I thought they made a good couple and working partners. The opening scenes were there is an underwater gun fight was a bit intense. I enjoyed it. It set what I hoped to be the tone for the rest of the story. Although, this intensity did last for a little while longer it fizzed for me shortly thereafter. Partly, because I had not read the other books in this series so, I did not have that established relationship with the other characters and also because there was a lot of talking and not much more action. Yet, this book can be read as a stand alone novel. In fact, I have read books in the middle of a series and had no issues. Which, would have been the case with this book as well if the storyline had been stronger and more interesting for me. FYI - The storyline does pick up again in the last third of the story. Again, Cassidy and Spenser were good and they are what would make me want to check out this series from the beginning.
What a great setting! Caity and Atticus are in Tahiti (!) when they witness a murder or ????? That's the question. Baldwin has set up a very entertaining mystery involving a new bride and groom, a twin, a confidence man, and a disappearance. There are some red herrings here and enough twists ad turns to keep you very engaged (no pun intended) as these two very appealing and intelligent characters take on an investigation while on their own vacation from the FBI. Who better than a forensic psychiatrist and a special agent to assist local law enforcement in untangling this one. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. I'd not read the earlier books in the series but I'm definitely looking for more from Baldwin.
This series was the first I've read from this author. It was a pretty good series in terms of the plot and stories. Spencer is the mmc and is neurodivergent in some way that makes him really good with puzzles. He is an FBI agent who has been on the opposite side of Dr. Cassidy in court before. Dr. Cassidy is the fmc and is a psychiatrist whose father was killed on death row and she believes he was framed so she works very hard for the rights of the accused that are innocent. I liked the first 3 books better than this last one, I liked the plot in each and I liked the characters, however, the writing style seemed ... simple and a little corny. That said, I would still give this SERIES 3.75 to 4 stars just because of the characters and storyline.
Caity and Spence are wonderful as always. This who done it really kept me guessing. Twins, a groom who may be innocent, a bride who appears guilty, insurance policies and treasure maps. The plot kept me up all night. Caity seems more at piece with herself and her future as Spence's wife than she did in previous books. Their family is great. A Dutch and Gretchen is worth another sleepless night (hint). I look forward to any of the characters next adventure
Fast paced and simply put amazing. When Spencer and Caitlin are in Tahiti its for personal reasons, there has finally come. However they find themselves helping out in a attempted murder they witness on the beach. A wedding gone wrong.. the bride runs off, and the groom is saved. It only leads to more questions.
Buy book to find out what happens next. Its a ride you won't believe...
This was a well-written, entertaining book. Caitlin Cassidy and Atticus Spenser are in Tahiti preparing to get married when they see an attempted murder. They agree to help investigate, and have to figure out what is truth and what is not. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
Spense and Caity are in Tahiti to get married. Of course, there is an attempted murder and the couple is asked to help the police. While the mothers and friends work on wedding preparation, Spense and Caity try to figure out what is going on. It is a twisty tale that kept me guessing. I really enjoyed the book and loved the ending.
When Spenser & Cassidy witness a groom trying to drown his bride a new adventure starts. Their own wedding just days away this FBI agent and his shrink partner do not hesitate to jump in with both feet. The Bride is part of a Con family with a twin sister also in love with the groom. Story has lots of twists and turns.
This entire series is above average. For me though, this book lacked the "draw-me-in" factor. It seemed to be more predictable than Ms. Baldwin's previous books in this series. I enjoyed reading it more for the characters than for the mystery, which appears to be almost missing.
Admittedly, I checked this “middle of a series”book out without reading the previous ones. That being said I won’t continue with the series. Formulaic writing and cheesy romance.
Did not hold my interest like previous books. I do like the characters though. Will read again with these characters and maybe another one with different people
This is the 5th in a series but read easily as a stand alone.
Special Agent Atticus Spenser and forensic psychiatrist Dr. Caitlin Cassidy are in Tahiti, where, in a week, they will be married in an intimate ceremony with their mothers and 2 friends. While walking the beach to find the perfect location for their vows, they come across another newly married couple and their photographer. The couple runs into the surf as part of the ceremony, however, they are swimming further out and it appears a struggle is taking place and then a gunshot!!! Spense, being an FBI agent, snaps into action with Cassidy following, also an FBI consultant. Was it the bride or groom that shot the other? And why, especially since they just exchanged vows?
Even though Spenser has no jurisdiction, the local police ask that they help in solving this case since one of the people have gone missing.
Thus begins the countdown to find the missing person and the reason why.
I don’t want to divulge any more of the plot so as not to spoil it for other readers, but let me tell you this, the title says it all! A fast paced story that captivated me from the first few pages to the very last word. The characters and settings came to life, and was easy to imagine, due to the writer’s descriptions.
For me, this was what I call “a transported read”. I was so engrossed that I was not aware of my surroundings. I was totally enmeshed in the story. And with the clock ticking down, I tried reading faster to find out the truth. The continuous suspense throughout the book, with so many twists and turns, was galvanizing!! The unexpected ending blindsided me!
This was one heart stopping read!! Highly recommend, but with a warning, be prepared you, will not be able to put it down!
I think this is my favorite of the series! It reads fast because it's action-packed from the moment you start. The whodonit is the best surprise ever!
Caity and Spense are in Tahiti to get married. The last thing they want or expect is to be drawn into a mystery regarding another couple they watch doing their photo shoot at the water’s edge after happily getting married on the same beach where they plan to have their own ceremony. As they watch the happy couple play and romp in the surf, everything suddenly turns serious when it looks as if the couple might be in trouble, possibly drowning. Spense springs to action and dives into the surf to help, with Caity right behind him. Suddenly, nothing is as it seems. The bride pulls out a gun, and shoots the groom, tears off her wedding dress, swims away and climbs into a nearby boat. When the bride appears in Caity and Spense’s bungalow later that night in her wedding undies, holding that same gun on them, they become very involved in what turns out to be the greatest of all cons.
This is by far my favorite of the series. From the moment I read the first page, the action started and never seemed to stop until the very end—an ending that brought tears to my eyes. Weddings don’t usually do that to me in books, but this one did. Caity and Spense are one of my favorite couples not just because they solve crimes together in a unique and sometimes, unorthodox way but because these two are truly perfect for each other. At times, they even seem to know what the other is thinking. They are fun together, even when aggravating each other. They are so in love with each other, even when they are fighting their feelings for each other. So to see them get their magic moment in the sunset was just wonderful. Especially after solving a con perpetrated by the last person, you ever expect to be instigating it. Excellent! Carey totally caught me by surprise.
If you love thrillers. If you love puzzles. If you love a watching a couple fall in love, work like a team, and want an action-packed page turning story, I highly, highly recommend COUNTDOWN, the fifth book in the Cassidy & Spenser Thriller series. If you haven’t read the first four, I recommend it but I suppose you could start anywhere. But if you do, I know you’ll want to go back and experience how these two met, and how their wonderful relationship came to be, and how it progressed to such a happy place. Thank you, Carey, for reminding me why I love this series so much.
***purchased for my personal reading but sharing an honest and unscripted review.