Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Lexi Graves Mysteries #10

Ready, Aim, Under Fire

Rate this book
When Private Investigator Lexi Graves’ police lieutenant brother, Garrett, asks her for help on a missing persons cold case he’s been instructed to close, she’s happy to poke around. After all, it won’t take long to prove if the woman he’s checking up on is an impostor or the real deal.


Garrett isn’t convinced that Debby Patterson, who skipped town ten years ago, is the same happy, family-conscious woman who has finally returned home. Her parents are thrilled to welcome her back so there is no reason to think she isn’t. But just as Lexi begins her investigation, a friend of the family approaches her with some suspicions. Before Lexi can find out what is worrying her, the woman is murdered. Coincidence? Or something more dangerous?


Solving a murder and proving a missing person’s identity, Lexi must put everything she’s learned to the test. Perhaps, by solving one crime, she can solve the other and determine, once and for all, who is the real Debby.

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2017

321 people are currently reading
211 people want to read

About the author

Camilla Chafer

53 books749 followers
Camilla Chafer is a USA Today bestselling author. Her novels include the Lexi Graves Mysteries, the spinoff trilogy Deadlines Mysteries, the Calendar Cozy Murder Mysteries, and supernatural/urban fantasy Stella Mayweather series.

She has written for newspapers, magazines, and websites globally, and also written and edited several non-fiction books.

Follow Camilla on BookBub for new releases and special offers https://www.bookbub.com/authors/camil... or on Facebook for behind the scenes content.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
616 (54%)
4 stars
369 (32%)
3 stars
129 (11%)
2 stars
12 (1%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for Bree T.
2,430 reviews100 followers
June 13, 2017
I love this series, I do. But this is not my favourite installment of it.

The mystery is pretty good. Lexi’s brother Garrett, a detective, asks her for help with a case that has bugged him about a missing woman who vanished 10 years ago and was reported by her landlord of all people. Her parents always seemed relatively unconcerned and over the years they received sporadic postcards and emails from their daughter who claimed to be travelling her way around overseas. Then one day she just returned, but Garrett still has questions and he wants Lexi and her non-threatening presence and different way of looking at things, to cast an eye over it and see if she picks up on anything or gets to the bottom of it. When a woman who claims that the woman who returned is not the one who vanished and is then murdered before Lexi can interview her properly, it definitely seems like there are people with secrets to hide.

So that part is fine, I always like the way Lexi goes about things. This seems to be the only thing she really works on in this book and it’s pro bono. She is mostly working on it alone, so to be honest Solomon isn’t a large part of this book. However Maddox is back, creeping around in odd locations for some reason or other and he and Lexi have a conversation that’s probably been brewing since book 2 or 3. The thing is, Lexi and Solomon have had conversations brewing since probably book 5 or 6 and they just don’t ever seem to happen. Lexi is by nature, pretty nosy. And she’s been curious about Solomon for a while and Maddox only hammers home these things that she doesn’t know about him. I’m not sure Maddox’s motives are pure though, in fact I think it’s probably a sneaky handed way to make Lexi doubt her engagement but the fact is, there’s so much that Lexi and the reader don’t know about Solomon. And that kind of works while he’s the man of mystery on/off love interest but not really when they’re engaged to be married. They live together. And they’ve never had a conversation about his life before she met him in book 1? It’s starting to wear a little thin and even after Maddox raises these points, Lexi only attempts a half-hearted conversation with Solomon about where he met some of the other employees of the private detective agency and he smoothly switches the topic after a few vague answers. She’s aware that he’s doing it, she makes mention of it but she doesn’t actually call him on it or pursue her line of questioning. I’m unsure why…..either she’s too chicken to ask because she fears the answer or she fears Solomon flat out refusing to share with her. Either way…..it doesn’t bode well.

I like Solomon – if you want to “ship”, then I’m team Solomon and Lexi. I find Maddox a bit boring and well, a bit of a twat. But at the same time, there’s only so long you can spin out mystery (see: Manoso, Ranger) before it starts to get tedious. Solomon has evolved throughout the books and he’s always been quite obviously into Lexi so his reluctance to share anything about himself with her doesn’t suggest much for their relationship long term, despite the fact that they’re living together and engaged. He doesn’t have to suddenly become super chatty and confide his life story but I think it’s probably time they actually had an adult conversation of some description that didn’t involve work and wasn’t ended by one of them using avoidance tactics. I’m not even sure if Lexi knows how old he is. She’s just vaguely described him as “older than her”.

As I mentioned, I like this series. But I’m ready not to be drip-fed and have some real information shared and see Lexi and Solomon working more in a partnership rather than him just checking in. Not my favourite of the series but it’s a solid story. The mystery saves it.
Profile Image for Izzie d.
4,306 reviews361 followers
May 31, 2017
A fabulous addition to the Lexi Graves series.

It is best to read the previous books in the series to get the best from this book as although each book contains an independent case to be solved, the series follows the lives of Lexi and her friends and family and their relationships develop during the series.
The case is discussed in the blurb for the book so I won't restate that but while she's investigating we catch up with Lily, who has baby Poppy now, and it's hilarious and so realistic and Lily is so funny, the scenes with her are fantastic.

We see how Lexi and Solomon are getting on as they progress towards wedding plans. They are obviously intimate but there is no detail or sex scenes to offend younger readers. Solomon is a dream in his treatment of Lexi, he is loving and supportive but we are no closer to really getting to know him on a personal level.

Maddox also makes an appearance, I am always a bit sad when we read about him, Lexi is very happy with Solomon and he encourages her to chase her dreams where as when Lexi and Maddox were in a relationship he became some what exasperated with her and her bee line for danger.

He and Lexi have a very interesting conversation, one that I have been wondering if they would EVER have, it raises some questions I have asked as I have read previous books. I am surprised that considering how curious Lexi is that she has not asked certain questions about Solomon and his past and some events during their relationship and sadly this is not resolved in this book. At the same time she does know him and trusts him but just not much about his past.

There are some very, very funny scenes that made me laugh out loud, her mother is funny and the quick, witty answers Lexi responds with are so clever.
An interesting case as the main theme of the book, a few red herrings and although it's not rocket science it is not easy to solve until the answers are revealed.
An excellent addition to the series and followers of the Lexi will not want to miss this book.
Looking forward to the next one already and hoping for more details on our mysterious Solomon.
2,420 reviews43 followers
May 11, 2017
I love how this series has progressed! Ready, Aim, Under Fire still has those wonderfully hilarious moments that Camilla Chafer does so well but Lexi's skills have matured as she has. The plot is solid and complex mystery but relationships, humor, and romance are still vital to the outstanding quality of the story. I have a great family but like Lily, I wouldn't mind being part of the insanity and loyalty of Lexi's family. And who would object to spending time with Solomon or Maddox! I am so glad that Maddox and Lexi were able to reestablish their friendship; I am ready for him to come home!

Garrett asks Lexi to check into a complicated situation that the police have closed out. A woman was reported missing 10 years ago but she later made contact with her parents via email. Now she has come home, or has she. That is the question that Garrett wants his sister to check out. When a friend of the family is murder just before Lexi is to meet with her, it places Lexi right in the middle of a murder investigation. One of these days, Solomon is going to start docking her pay for all those pro bono cases. Lily is learning to be a mother but she still wants to get involved in the investigation. A several twists throw everything they believe out the window!

I requested and received an advanced readers' copy of Ready, Aim, Under Fired. I loved it and I always review books that I enjoy!
Profile Image for Marsha.
3,053 reviews58 followers
June 9, 2017
Of all the Lexi Graves books "Ready, Aim, and Under Fire" is my least favorite read. This book doesn't really more the overall series plot forward and quite honestly feels as though it is just a @filler" or book used to extend the series. This read focuses least on the personal lives of the characters and more on the private investigation aspects.

Garret, Lexi's police detective brother, asks for her assistance as a private investigator to figure out what is going on in a suspicious missing person case the Montgomery Police Department has closed. After ten years of being missing, Debby, the woman in question suddenly shows up; yet, Garret doesn't believe that she is who she says she is. Also why are her parents acting so strangely?

As Lexi try's to unravel the clues, her mother is putting the pressure on for her to set a date for her wedding. This is where this installment goes wrong for me. There is very little of Solomon, Lily, crazy sister Selena or Lexi's niece and nephew which are all the reason the series has been so endearing. Sorry Ms. Chafer but despite all of the other glowing reviews this didn't quite work for me and that's saying something because I am an avid fan. Oh well, hopefully the next installment will put the series back on track.
4 reviews
May 19, 2017
I've followed the Lexi Graves series for a while, and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Chafer continually manages to balance light-hearted witticisms with well-rounded characters and plots which keep me turning pages. In 'Ready, Aim, Under Fire', the mystery Lexi had to solve was an interesting conundrum, and I commend Chafer for her work. I remained engaged until the last second, and never fully convinced myself I knew 'whodunnit'! Even the mystery itself was a head scratcher, and when it began to unfold, perhaps more stereotypical explanations were avoided in place of more original ones.
The shift in focus from Lexi and Solomon to the relationship between Lexi and her siblings, (in this case, Garrett), really helped to flesh out the story. It presented an alternative view of Lexi and really emphasised the loving relationship she has with her family. I found the ending perhaps a little bit wanting. In some respects, Chafer seems to have ended this particular novel somewhat abruptly- although that may just be the mark of an author who knows her audience! At the very least, I will definitely be on the lookout for the next installment.
9 reviews
May 28, 2017
Another winning novel!!!

Ready, Aim, Under Fire is another great installment of the Lexi Graves Series. I love her investigating style and fashionable nature. Lexi is asked to investigate an old case for her brother Garrett. This turns into the biggest, most confusing cases Lexi has had to deal with yet. Yes, cases! With her non-law enforcement way of thinking outside of the box, Lexi dives head first into her missing persons case. There were times that I laughed out loud at the humor the author has given Lexi. Her quick whit and out of the box thinking helps Lexi stay safe while figuring out how each detail fits together.

Maddox appears again, out of nowhere that he can tell us. You can tell that he still cares deeply for Lexi, which is why he says a few things to Lexi that both makes her think and makes her angry. The dynamic between Solomon and Lexi is starting to take a turn, with Lexi being forced to ask more questions about his background. I, for one, can't wait for a more thorough search into Solomon's background.

It's a great book, and I can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Barbara Hackel.
2,835 reviews48 followers
June 20, 2017
Lexie Graves can always be counted on for a couple things. 1,) She is tenacious! 2.) She is going to get into trouble along the way. 3.) She will do anything for her family. 4.) She's going to look cute while she does whatever needs to be done!

I enjoyed this book and the fact that Lexie was giving her all to help her brother. Garret hasn't had such an important part in a book before. I think it is fantastic that Lexie cares so much about her family and is willing to jump in to help them as needed whether professionally or as an Aunt. It was nice to see a big brother take a baby sister seriously when he has obviously been in the detecting business a lot longer.

I was glad Maddox had some appearances in this book as well. He manages to stir things up, and I can't help wonder if his role is a foreshadowing of a future book...

Of course best friend Lily and baby Poppy added a lot of fun to a confusing mystery with oh so many twists and turns!

In short, I have to recommend you read this book-you will be glad you did! (And if you are new to the series, boy do you have a lot of fun coming your way as you start at the beginning and catch up to this latest in the series!!!)
Profile Image for Olivia.
226 reviews
May 19, 2017
5 STARS!!!

I love this series! In Ready, Aim, Under Fire, you have all the loveable characters and snappy comebacks that we have fell in love with in the previous 9 Lexi Graves books.
Lexi and Garrett team up to solve a "not so missing anymore" case. We see how Lily is taking to motherhood and Lexi's mom is deep in wedding binders! Lol!
What I'd love to see in the next LG book is more maturity and forwardnees in Lexi's character, we get a little but she never really confronts her beau on anything. I need for Lexi and Solomon to have a good strong relationship.....right now I'm not so sure but I'm going to keep pulling for them.
If you've not started this series do so you will not regret it!!!
15 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2017
This is a great installment on a wonderful series.

In this book Lexi is working on a cold case with her brother Garrett, a case of a missing person who may or may not actually be missing. When a person close to the case with suspicions of their own is murdered before Lexi can talk to them it just adds to the mystery.

There is a mommy Lily, Maddox asking questions, Solomon almost answering questions, an impromptu bonfire, and wedding plans that need to be made.

I am ready for the next book. Waiting to see what Lexi will get into next time, information on the always mysterious Soloman, what has Maddox been up to, and the shenanigans of the rest of the Graves clan.

*received an ARC for an honest review*
Profile Image for Michelle Hummel vangilder.
39 reviews
May 19, 2017
This was a great read. love suspense, romance and mystery? then this book if for you..... I Love Lexi. She works with her brother on this one on a cold case. You follow her thru a case which is startling to her brother Garrett. For some reason He believes something fishy is going on. This book will keep you guessing until the very end. I honestly did not see the ending until the ending. I Can not wait to see the next chapter in the Lexi Graves series. I ate this book up in no time flat and you will as well. I also love Lily I feel her being a new mother and she is one of my favs. You do not need to read the other Lexi Graves books to read this one. (Altho I would recommend them as well
836 reviews10 followers
May 21, 2017
An Engaging Mystery!!

Ready, Aim, Under Fire is a finely tuned whodunnit with an intriguing plot & fascinating characters. This time around Lexi's brother Garrett asks for help in a cold case involving a missing woman who has reappeared after 10 years. Along the way Lexi becomes involved in a murder which may or may not connect to Garrett's cold case. Lots of humor is provided by best friend Lily trying to coping with new motherhood. Sizzle is provided by Lexi's new fiancé John Solomon, who while protective of Lexi also respects her intellect & talents. This is definitely a 10 star read!!
100 reviews
May 30, 2017
Great series! 🙋

Lexi is always getting into trouble with her cases, but she ALWAYS gets the bad guy. One of my favourite things about this book was the dialogue between Lexi and Maddox. They pulled at my heart stings in this one. If you have read the series you'll understand.
In Ready, Aim, Under Fire Garrett needs Lex's help with a cold case. Her Mom is pestering her about her wedding to Solomon. Lots of questions about Solomon. Makes me wonder what the author has planned for him.
Great series! Highly recommend it to everyone.
Profile Image for Jana Gundy.
1,919 reviews17 followers
May 21, 2017
Always a great read!

Lexi is always a great read that I devour and hate to end. She gets involved in a missing but not ,is so g persons case and the game is on! Lily makes some appearances and she's hilarious as ever. Garrett gets more spotlight and I enjoyed his relationship with Lexi. Maddox has some time and what he has to say, makes us all question who Solomon really is. I hope we get more answers soon.
Profile Image for Tamara.
1,152 reviews5 followers
August 13, 2018
I need More Lexi Graves

This was a great book and a twisted story about trading places gone wrong, greedy parents, and a bff looking out for someone who didn’t want to be looked out for. I love the inclusion of all the crazy members of Lexi’s family and the tension of a love triangle between Lexi, John and Adam. Is Adam ever going to give up or is Lexi going to loose both men from her life. I need a HER
Profile Image for Marcia-Lee Finocchio.
604 reviews6 followers
May 21, 2017
Murder, missing or Dead daughter, fraud. .. this book has it all.

Well, what can I say that all of your faithful readers aren't already saying. Another fantastic story in this series, I ❤️ the plot, the characters and of course the romance between Lexi and John. Awesome reading and can't wait to read the next installment !!
Profile Image for Trace Henley.
118 reviews2 followers
May 21, 2017
"Ready, Aim, Underfire" does NOT disappoint! Camilla Chafer hit another target with this latest Lexi Graves mystery. I love Lexi's witty thoughts and banter, her positive attitude, and her female power. Once again, Ms. Chafer gives us a fun and funny and fabulous, engaging story.

I highly recommend!
11 reviews
May 22, 2017
Love Lexi , as usual!

I really love this character, I could read about her adventures until she's collecting a pension! LOL. In this story ,Lexi solves a mystery involving identity theft and murder while pushing away niggling questions about Solomon's past. I hope nothing derails this couple in any future books, I love them together. Definitely a great read, another A+!
Profile Image for Cathy P.
1,788 reviews9 followers
June 10, 2017
Great installment

Great installment. I felt a few things were left unsatisfactory. Can't wait until the next book. Overall the book was well written and enjoyed
the chaaters. .just so much left unresolved from her father, wedding plans, Maude not being around, Olivias big secret....
307 reviews2 followers
January 17, 2019
C. Chafer/reasy, aim, under fire

In this series lexie helps her brother garrett, homicide detective solve a cold case file, involving looking for a missing woman who went missing 10 yrs ago. But the missing person turns up and she's not what she seems. Good entertaining story with twist and turn at every corner. Very good.
165 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2017
The Lexi Graves' adventures just keep getting better. There's a certain bridezilla that you just want to smack a couple of times and tell to back off. LOVE Lexi and Solomon.

***given an ARC in exchange for honest review***
217 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2017
Love this series

New plot, interesting characters, love to see the development of the characters and their struggles with life changes. I look forward to reading about the wedding. Great story,highly recommend it
Profile Image for Christine Wisser.
3 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2017
Another amazing Lexi Graves mystery

Once again Camilla Chafer provided a great story line with the usual lovable characters. I hope there are more Lexi Graves mysteries in the future!
Profile Image for Naomi Sif.
92 reviews8 followers
August 18, 2017
Leading to something big.

Who is Solomon??
Lexi is smart but she takes forever to catch on sometimes. Seriously, someone literally called Marley, Marley and it still didn't click. For the love of God woman.
Profile Image for Lyn Jenkins.
628 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2017
How convoluted can you get?

The whose who of who knows who. Like I said, convoluted. A cold case from 10 years ago gives Lexi and her brother Garrett a large headache and a fresher body. The twist in the tail fits just perfectly with the utter confusion.
Profile Image for Pamela.
749 reviews
December 14, 2017
Very good

I really loved this story and everyone was here. I really like that Maddox and Lexi are able to be friends and Solomon is awesome. Although he appears to have some very deep secrets. Can't wait for the next book.
920 reviews6 followers
May 29, 2017
Lexi does it again!

Great story. So complicated yet so simple. Unfolded story lines perfectly. Can't wait for the next book in the series. Want to know more about Solomon.
Profile Image for Lisa-Ann Fischer.
5 reviews
May 30, 2017
Fire away!

These books are always fabulous, just enough romance, humor and intrigue to keep you turning the page. Lexi is a blast and her friends and family are to.
Profile Image for Gail Casselman.
29 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2017
I love the Lexi Graves stories. However, I wanted more Solomon!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.