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Underbelly
A popular Las Vegas hotel and casino is undergoing a billion-dollar renovation, and a killer is operating in the construction zone. The Square is open for guests, but they are unaware that a predator is lurking below the facade of luxury. One woman’s death will draw attention to the murders and spark an investigation. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department retired detective Taryn Winter, her former partner, Daniel Brady and FBI Special Agent Jenae Shannon are on the trail, risking everything to bring a killer to justice. But their opponent has become obsessed with one of them and is on the hunt. Will they find the killer first or be the next victims?
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2017
27 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Karen Crawford
4 books13 followersKaren Crawford worked in the community supervision field for 20 years. During her career, she spent countless hours with criminal offenders, delving into the details that make them tick and gaining insight about human behavior. Her passion and drive for helping people and promoting best practices in criminal justice earned her numerous awards during her tenure. She has always valued those who serve, and those who are served, in the criminal justice system. Now, she lets her imagination run wild, writing about the other side of the law. Karen lives in Northern Arizona with her husband, dogs and cat. Her two children have flown the coop.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 9, 2021
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
This is a remarkable debut from Karen Crawford! And boy, does it live up to its name - Underbelly.
Crawford takes us on a journey through the darkest, grittiest, and most dangerous parts of LA as we encounter a most ferocious but secretive killer.
As a reader we follow Taryn Winters, a retired homicide detective. A strong female lead, she is a kickass character, fleshed out, and intriguing from start to finish. And the plot is fantastic, with an even greater twist!
I recommend it to anyone with a fancy for thrillers and murders!
ARC copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a remarkable debut from Karen Crawford! And boy, does it live up to its name - Underbelly.
Crawford takes us on a journey through the darkest, grittiest, and most dangerous parts of LA as we encounter a most ferocious but secretive killer.
As a reader we follow Taryn Winters, a retired homicide detective. A strong female lead, she is a kickass character, fleshed out, and intriguing from start to finish. And the plot is fantastic, with an even greater twist!
I recommend it to anyone with a fancy for thrillers and murders!
ARC copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2020
Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Karen Crawford. I really LOVED this!!
5 dark and gritty stars
for an outstanding debut.
Fan art by The Magic Book Corner
Once in a while I get a little overwhelmed with reading only Fantasy and Romance and in such times, there's nothing better than a good mystery or thriller to get me out of my slump. James Rollins, Robin Cook and John Grisham are among my favorite those times. And now I'm adding Karen Crawford to my list. Because her Underbelly ticked all the right boxes for me.
A perfect puzzle - check
A terrifying killer - check
Spooky edge of the seat scenes - double-check
Underbelly is a dark, gritty, wonderfully written and absolutely gripping mystery that will have you guessing up to the very end. And much more!
It masterfully combines a first class mystery with beautifully fleshed out characters, an exceptionally vivid prose and delightfully chilling situations to bring the reader a perfectly real seeming and absolutely engrossing story.
Taryn Winter is a newly retired detective. With the reputation of a bad ass among cops and that of a good cop among those on the street, Taryn is one of those awesome ladies any of us we'd love to have at our backs. She tried to leave her job behind but, as the saying goes, 'this shit doesn't let go of you, it's about you letting go of it.' And Taryn is not one to let go, especially when her former partner, Daniel, asks her for help with a new tough case. And even more so when the case involves the girls Taryn had been looking out while still on the job. The women no one else bothered about. The ladies from the streets of Vegas.
Agreeing to act as a consultant and help Daniel solve the new mystery involving an unanimous call and a billionaire's missing wife, Taryn finds herself thrust head long into the middle of a tough case where every single step 'is a kind of dance to reach the e-v-e-n-t-u-a-l disclosure.' Because the popular Las Vegas hotel and casino from where the woman went missing has a game plan for discretion. And they're not easily determined to share information even when faced with not one, but several cold-blooded murders hidden right under their noses.
Fan art by The Magic Book Corner
It should be an easy wrap - with so many cameras and surveillance around. But, as it turns out, certain wealthy people require the cameras to be disabled at times. And the detectives are left chasing the cold-blooded killer in the dark.
He's made the Underbelly of the popular casino into his home killing turf. And he isn't one to cut down on his killings just because of a few detectives on his trail.
It's game time for both him and the detectives. With more than their own lives at stake.
I loved the feel of this book! Dark, gritty, mysterious and real! And it grabbed me from the very first page. This writer has an amazing way of making the reader literally see the action unfold before their eyes. The smells, the macabre atmosphere of the underbelly, the blood-curdling tension when you know the strike is coming! All remarkably rendered.
Combine that with a complex and perfectly flawed and human MC that you can easily root for, awesome banter between colleagues and impressively real-seeming dynamic between the people on the street and there you go - the perfect recipe for a first-rate read that any mystery fan will love.
If you love a good crime mystery, YOU HAVE GOT TO READ Underbelly!
Fan art by The Magic Book Corner
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
Thank you Karen Crawford. I really LOVED this!!
5 dark and gritty stars
for an outstanding debut.
Fan art by The Magic Book Corner
Once in a while I get a little overwhelmed with reading only Fantasy and Romance and in such times, there's nothing better than a good mystery or thriller to get me out of my slump. James Rollins, Robin Cook and John Grisham are among my favorite those times. And now I'm adding Karen Crawford to my list. Because her Underbelly ticked all the right boxes for me.
A perfect puzzle - check
A terrifying killer - check
Spooky edge of the seat scenes - double-check
Underbelly is a dark, gritty, wonderfully written and absolutely gripping mystery that will have you guessing up to the very end. And much more!
It masterfully combines a first class mystery with beautifully fleshed out characters, an exceptionally vivid prose and delightfully chilling situations to bring the reader a perfectly real seeming and absolutely engrossing story.
Taryn Winter is a newly retired detective. With the reputation of a bad ass among cops and that of a good cop among those on the street, Taryn is one of those awesome ladies any of us we'd love to have at our backs. She tried to leave her job behind but, as the saying goes, 'this shit doesn't let go of you, it's about you letting go of it.' And Taryn is not one to let go, especially when her former partner, Daniel, asks her for help with a new tough case. And even more so when the case involves the girls Taryn had been looking out while still on the job. The women no one else bothered about. The ladies from the streets of Vegas.
Agreeing to act as a consultant and help Daniel solve the new mystery involving an unanimous call and a billionaire's missing wife, Taryn finds herself thrust head long into the middle of a tough case where every single step 'is a kind of dance to reach the e-v-e-n-t-u-a-l disclosure.' Because the popular Las Vegas hotel and casino from where the woman went missing has a game plan for discretion. And they're not easily determined to share information even when faced with not one, but several cold-blooded murders hidden right under their noses.
Fan art by The Magic Book Corner
It should be an easy wrap - with so many cameras and surveillance around. But, as it turns out, certain wealthy people require the cameras to be disabled at times. And the detectives are left chasing the cold-blooded killer in the dark.
He's made the Underbelly of the popular casino into his home killing turf. And he isn't one to cut down on his killings just because of a few detectives on his trail.
It's game time for both him and the detectives. With more than their own lives at stake.
I loved the feel of this book! Dark, gritty, mysterious and real! And it grabbed me from the very first page. This writer has an amazing way of making the reader literally see the action unfold before their eyes. The smells, the macabre atmosphere of the underbelly, the blood-curdling tension when you know the strike is coming! All remarkably rendered.
Combine that with a complex and perfectly flawed and human MC that you can easily root for, awesome banter between colleagues and impressively real-seeming dynamic between the people on the street and there you go - the perfect recipe for a first-rate read that any mystery fan will love.
If you love a good crime mystery, YOU HAVE GOT TO READ Underbelly!
Fan art by The Magic Book Corner
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
August 30, 2019
This book does exactly what it says on the cover as Karen Crawford transports the reader to the dark and seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Although I've seen it on TV, I've never been to Las Vegas but, through Karen Crawford's descriptive and immersive prose, I actually felt like I was seeing the twinkly lights of the strip and hearing the jangle of coins in the slots whilst reading Underbelly.
Karen Crawford has created a flawed yet empathetic character in the protagonist of Taryn Winter. Taryn is a very intriguing woman; she has retired from the police force but still works as a consultant so it's almost like she hasn't left at all. I love the relationship she has with her ex-partner, Daniel and how she really cares about the community, especially the ladies of the night. I could go on more about the amazing character of Taryn, and I have so many questions regarding her past, so I hope this series continues for a long time to come in order to answer them.
Where there is prey, there are predators and that is so very true in Las Vegas. Gamblers, drunks and prostitutes are there for the taking and a killer is using a luxury hotel as their personal kill room. It should be an easy collar for the Las Vegas MPD with so many CCTV cameras around but this killer seems to be invisible. The hunt for the killer reaches fever pitch after a wealthy patron's wife becomes one of the victims. The increased media interest puts the police under more pressure to catch the killer and increased pressure leads to a higher risk of mistakes being made. This is one very confident and arrogant murderer who always seems to be just out of reach of the long arm of the law.
The feel of the book reminds me of Michael Connelly's Bosch, both in the complexity of the main character and the outstanding quality of writing. What Bosch does for Los Angeles, Winter does for Las Vegas and I can't wait to continue her story in Atone. Karen Crawford is a breath of fresh air in the over-saturated crime genre. I'm a huge fan of crime fiction but I'm finding it a little predictable these days; this fast-paced, gritty and outstanding debut kept me guessing from beginning to beyond the end. Underbelly is simply extraordinary and I can't rate it highly enough; 5 stars just doesn't do it justice! A very highly recommended read.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Karen Crawford has created a flawed yet empathetic character in the protagonist of Taryn Winter. Taryn is a very intriguing woman; she has retired from the police force but still works as a consultant so it's almost like she hasn't left at all. I love the relationship she has with her ex-partner, Daniel and how she really cares about the community, especially the ladies of the night. I could go on more about the amazing character of Taryn, and I have so many questions regarding her past, so I hope this series continues for a long time to come in order to answer them.
Where there is prey, there are predators and that is so very true in Las Vegas. Gamblers, drunks and prostitutes are there for the taking and a killer is using a luxury hotel as their personal kill room. It should be an easy collar for the Las Vegas MPD with so many CCTV cameras around but this killer seems to be invisible. The hunt for the killer reaches fever pitch after a wealthy patron's wife becomes one of the victims. The increased media interest puts the police under more pressure to catch the killer and increased pressure leads to a higher risk of mistakes being made. This is one very confident and arrogant murderer who always seems to be just out of reach of the long arm of the law.
The feel of the book reminds me of Michael Connelly's Bosch, both in the complexity of the main character and the outstanding quality of writing. What Bosch does for Los Angeles, Winter does for Las Vegas and I can't wait to continue her story in Atone. Karen Crawford is a breath of fresh air in the over-saturated crime genre. I'm a huge fan of crime fiction but I'm finding it a little predictable these days; this fast-paced, gritty and outstanding debut kept me guessing from beginning to beyond the end. Underbelly is simply extraordinary and I can't rate it highly enough; 5 stars just doesn't do it justice! A very highly recommended read.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 8, 2019
Enjoyed!
This story was riveting from the beginning. The author certainly left an opening for a sequel. Not sure how I feel about that. Now I’ll have to go get it.
This story was riveting from the beginning. The author certainly left an opening for a sequel. Not sure how I feel about that. Now I’ll have to go get it.
November 1, 2018
This was such a great book! I am always looking for new authors and I have found one! Grabs your interest from page one and keeps on going. Great characters and love the interaction between them! Flows nicely and the pages just keep on turning!
January 29, 2018
I loved this book. The way the author holds the reader's interest and kept the mystery and suspense at a high level was amazing. I highly recommend this book!
May 9, 2024
Karen Crawford’s experience working in the Criminal Justice System shines through in this gripping murder mystery. Though the twisty, well-orchestrated plot held me captive, it was the main protagonist that left a positive lasting impression.
Retired Detective Taryn Winter is pulled back into the seedy undercurrent of Las Vegas when her former partner, Detective Daniel Brady, finds himself up against a killer targeting the oppressed. Her strength, skills, and confidence have propelled her to success and enabled her to withstand the rigors of the job for many years. While these are admirable traits, what I applaud most is her refreshing vulnerability and reliance on others.
Taryn isn’t another just carbon copy, buck stops here, gunslinger. She doesn’t blaze through life and death crisis with the unflappable demeanor that can cause eye spasms from constant rolling. Those characters have their place, but realism is so appealing. And neither is she a reclusive alcoholic basement dweller, whose diet consists of take-out and canned pasta.
Taryn wrestles with the trauma that comes with the territory, but draws resilience from the unwavering support of her husband and a got your back bond with Daniel.
Taryn’s compassion for the downtrodden has given her great allies on the streets. She’s considered a good cop, winning their trust.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy a more human take on the world of law enforcement.
Retired Detective Taryn Winter is pulled back into the seedy undercurrent of Las Vegas when her former partner, Detective Daniel Brady, finds himself up against a killer targeting the oppressed. Her strength, skills, and confidence have propelled her to success and enabled her to withstand the rigors of the job for many years. While these are admirable traits, what I applaud most is her refreshing vulnerability and reliance on others.
Taryn isn’t another just carbon copy, buck stops here, gunslinger. She doesn’t blaze through life and death crisis with the unflappable demeanor that can cause eye spasms from constant rolling. Those characters have their place, but realism is so appealing. And neither is she a reclusive alcoholic basement dweller, whose diet consists of take-out and canned pasta.
Taryn wrestles with the trauma that comes with the territory, but draws resilience from the unwavering support of her husband and a got your back bond with Daniel.
Taryn’s compassion for the downtrodden has given her great allies on the streets. She’s considered a good cop, winning their trust.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy a more human take on the world of law enforcement.
August 6, 2024
Considering my almost disconcerting fascination with crime and murders, it's surprising how little I read from the same genre of books. So when I won this little bad boy in a giveaway, I decided to dive right in!
And no regrets here, people!! Damn! Enter Taryn Winter, a retired homicide detective. She is pulled back into the world of murders when a serial killer is discovered to have been killing prostitutes at a local hotel. Taryn's old colleague and friend Daniel invites her to join the investigation, seeing as she has previously worked with many of the local prostitutes, and having been a protector of sorts for them.
Things soon take an unexpected turn, and Taryn finds herself not liking the development of their investigation, and a vedge forms between her and Daniel.
With constant twists and turns, this book was a hell of a ride! Classic "I know who it is" that turns into "what!?" Brilliant!!
With strong, believable characters, well-described surroundings, and an exciting plot, this book made for an entertaining read! I honestly finished it as quickly as I could. It draws you in, and you just need to know how it ends... And maybe even forces you to jump onto the next instalment of the series!! Luckily, it's also on my TBR :D
And no regrets here, people!! Damn! Enter Taryn Winter, a retired homicide detective. She is pulled back into the world of murders when a serial killer is discovered to have been killing prostitutes at a local hotel. Taryn's old colleague and friend Daniel invites her to join the investigation, seeing as she has previously worked with many of the local prostitutes, and having been a protector of sorts for them.
Things soon take an unexpected turn, and Taryn finds herself not liking the development of their investigation, and a vedge forms between her and Daniel.
With constant twists and turns, this book was a hell of a ride! Classic "I know who it is" that turns into "what!?" Brilliant!!
With strong, believable characters, well-described surroundings, and an exciting plot, this book made for an entertaining read! I honestly finished it as quickly as I could. It draws you in, and you just need to know how it ends... And maybe even forces you to jump onto the next instalment of the series!! Luckily, it's also on my TBR :D
December 17, 2022
I was hooked on this story from the first page. What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas, even if it involves drugs and prostitutes - that is until a serial killer gets involved.
The main character, retired detective Taryn Winter, is a middle-aged woman who can take care of herself even without a gun. Yes! She teams up with her former partner and the FBI to chase down the killer.
The author demonstrates her knowledge of policing and Las Vegas. I'm looking forward to reading the next book: Atone.
The main character, retired detective Taryn Winter, is a middle-aged woman who can take care of herself even without a gun. Yes! She teams up with her former partner and the FBI to chase down the killer.
The author demonstrates her knowledge of policing and Las Vegas. I'm looking forward to reading the next book: Atone.
June 3, 2020
Underbelly is an intriguing crime drama written by someone who knows her stuff. Crawford mentions a history of working in the community corrections field. I imagine it was her combined exposure to law enforcement and the criminal mind which breathed so much life into her characters and added the healthy dose of realism to her stirring plot. I also am a fan of strong female leads, and hers certainly fits the bill. Bravo!
November 8, 2021
No two ways about it: Karen is a hell of a writer. I found myself enamored with her prose throughout. The characters feel real, and the settings set the senses alight. All my senses were engaged while reading this, so much so, that I've been inspired to be more conscious about inspiring my readers to taste, smell, and touch the worlds I build. Karen is an amazing author and a splendid human being. I could sing Underbelly praises from the rooftops, but that wouldn't be adequate!
March 10, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. Karen Crawford’s writing style is right up my alley. The story is so fast-paced, exciting and well-thought-out. He characters are well developed and relatable. I seriously could not put this book down!
March 22, 2020
This book is a great read! I really loved the development of each character. I got a real sense of who they are and how they think. I was in suspense until the end about who the murderer was.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews