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State Detective Special Forces #1
Triple Cross Killer
Have you ever wondered what really happens to Santa Claus letters? In Detroit and Sarasota some children's letters are diverted and reviewed by Nick Archer, a religiously obsessed, narcissist. Nick responds, leaving a trail of devastation in the two cities.
In Detroit, co-ed partners and wise-cracking lovers, detectives Jaq McSween and David Maxwell, team up with Sarasota detectives Abel Mendoza and his partner, Rabbit, to find this daunting killer.
When Jaq's friend, the lovely nurse, Rita Rose, takes a chance on love again, she gets caught in Nick's web. Working with the ME, she joins in, adding her perspective when events take a sinister turn.
Can this diverse team of characters pool their insights, barbs, and taste for bad food to save Rita when she discovers the final clues or will she become the next victim?
In Detroit, co-ed partners and wise-cracking lovers, detectives Jaq McSween and David Maxwell, team up with Sarasota detectives Abel Mendoza and his partner, Rabbit, to find this daunting killer.
When Jaq's friend, the lovely nurse, Rita Rose, takes a chance on love again, she gets caught in Nick's web. Working with the ME, she joins in, adding her perspective when events take a sinister turn.
Can this diverse team of characters pool their insights, barbs, and taste for bad food to save Rita when she discovers the final clues or will she become the next victim?
- GenresMystery
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2017
17 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Rosemarie Aquilina
11 books20 followersJudge Rosemarie Aquilina was elected to the 30th Circuit Court for Ingham County in November of 2008. Previously, she served as a 55th District Court Judge for 4 years, during which time she served as Chief Judge as well as the Sobriety Court Judge.
Judge Aquilina retired Honorably from the Michigan Army National Guard after twenty years of service. She became part of Michigan’s history by becoming the first female JAG Officer in the Michigan Army National Guard when she enlisted. Ultimately, she became one of the most requested JAG Officers because of her dedication to service and the soldiers she served with.
Judge Aquilina began her legal career serving as the Administrative Assistant to State Senator John F. Kelly for ten years. Thereafter, she partnered with Senator Kelly in a successful lobbying firm, Strategic Governmental Consultants, PLLC. At the same time, she opened Aquilina Law Firm, PLC, which grew to become very successful and which resulted in her becoming the host of Ask the Family Lawyer, which became syndicated. In addition, Judge Aquilina is a published author of a fictional novel and her next novel will be out soon.
Throughout her career, Judge Aquilina has given back to the community in numerous ways, and has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Board of Water and Light and the City of Lansing Elected Officers Compensation Commission. She currently serves as a mentor for the State Bar of Michigan Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program.
Judge Aquilina is an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School where she enjoys teaching classes to include Family Law, Advanced Trial Practice-Family Law, Legislative Process, Defending Battered Women, Animal Law, Child Abuse and Neglect, Elder Law, and Military Law. Cooley Law School awarded Judge Aquilina the distinguished Griffen Award for Teaching Excellence. She is also an adjunct professor at Michigan State University School of Law teaching numerous classes in the Feiger Trial Practice Institute to include Criminal Trial Practice, Civil Trial Practice, Trial Practicum, Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure in the JD and LLM programs. Michigan State University honored Judge Aquilina with the College of Law Student Bar Association Adjunct Faculty Award for exceptional teaching.
Judge Aquilina earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1984 and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University in 1979. She has five children and two grandchildren and resides in East Lansing, Michigan.
Judge Aquilina retired Honorably from the Michigan Army National Guard after twenty years of service. She became part of Michigan’s history by becoming the first female JAG Officer in the Michigan Army National Guard when she enlisted. Ultimately, she became one of the most requested JAG Officers because of her dedication to service and the soldiers she served with.
Judge Aquilina began her legal career serving as the Administrative Assistant to State Senator John F. Kelly for ten years. Thereafter, she partnered with Senator Kelly in a successful lobbying firm, Strategic Governmental Consultants, PLLC. At the same time, she opened Aquilina Law Firm, PLC, which grew to become very successful and which resulted in her becoming the host of Ask the Family Lawyer, which became syndicated. In addition, Judge Aquilina is a published author of a fictional novel and her next novel will be out soon.
Throughout her career, Judge Aquilina has given back to the community in numerous ways, and has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Board of Water and Light and the City of Lansing Elected Officers Compensation Commission. She currently serves as a mentor for the State Bar of Michigan Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program.
Judge Aquilina is an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School where she enjoys teaching classes to include Family Law, Advanced Trial Practice-Family Law, Legislative Process, Defending Battered Women, Animal Law, Child Abuse and Neglect, Elder Law, and Military Law. Cooley Law School awarded Judge Aquilina the distinguished Griffen Award for Teaching Excellence. She is also an adjunct professor at Michigan State University School of Law teaching numerous classes in the Feiger Trial Practice Institute to include Criminal Trial Practice, Civil Trial Practice, Trial Practicum, Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure in the JD and LLM programs. Michigan State University honored Judge Aquilina with the College of Law Student Bar Association Adjunct Faculty Award for exceptional teaching.
Judge Aquilina earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1984 and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University in 1979. She has five children and two grandchildren and resides in East Lansing, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 7, 2018
Wow, this book was quite the enthralling thriller!💖📚 This story captivated me from the beginning and held my attention all the way through until the end!😄 The plot was solid with a well balanced pace that had fantastic details yet still was a fast paced crime thriller!
I love the aspect that the villian does the killings by his own dark and twisted way of helping the abused children that have asked for Santa’s help.
I was on the edge of my seat with this thriller and quickly tore through the pages. There were amazing characters in this story and it really intrigued me seeing Nick’s actions and relationships unfold. The characters and the story was well written. This book was filled with unexpected twists and turns that are sure to capture a crime thriller readers’ attention!
I also enjoyed the location and how Detroit details and culture was depicted. If you are looking for a unique crime thriller with unexpected twists and turns, I highly recommend Triple Cross Killer by Rosemarie Aquilina!
I love the aspect that the villian does the killings by his own dark and twisted way of helping the abused children that have asked for Santa’s help.
I was on the edge of my seat with this thriller and quickly tore through the pages. There were amazing characters in this story and it really intrigued me seeing Nick’s actions and relationships unfold. The characters and the story was well written. This book was filled with unexpected twists and turns that are sure to capture a crime thriller readers’ attention!
I also enjoyed the location and how Detroit details and culture was depicted. If you are looking for a unique crime thriller with unexpected twists and turns, I highly recommend Triple Cross Killer by Rosemarie Aquilina!
December 27, 2017
Triple Cross Killer is a thriller novel about a serial killer named Nick Archer and the team of investigators who are trying to catch him before he kills again. Christmas is coming, and like every year, children write to Santa Clause asking for the things they want for Christmas. However, this year, Nick Archer has access to the letters, and when children ask Santa for help with their abuse, Nick tracks down the abusers of Detroit and Sarasota and murders them, then displays the bodies in a message to the children that they have been “saved”. Not far behind him are the investigators of Detroit – Jaq and David – and the investigators of Sarasota – Rabbit and Abel. In the meantime, Nick is developing a relationship with a beautiful young woman named Rita, who is still recovering from a deep betrayal after her last engagement. Little does he know that his new girlfriend Rita is best friends with Jaq, the police officer who is pursuing him. Separately, the investigative teams and Rita have little to go on, but if they can work together they just might catch Nick before he can cross yet another name off his list.
Thrillers are not necessarily known for their detailed character development, but Triple Cross Killer surprised me on this front: I absolutely loved the characterization. Nick Archer in particular, as the villain, intrigued me: from the very start of the novel, we know that he is the killer, allowing us to see all aspects of him as he interacts with his family, his developing relationship with Rita, and then of course his victims. While I certainly cannot claim to like Nick, I did find him intriguing – he demands perfection from everyone around him, but still shows himself capable of gentleness, if not real kindness. The relationship between Nick and Rita was incredibly well done – Rita of course resists his blatant attempts at control, but like in most abusive relationships, the blatant abuse is not the problem. Instead, Nick begins to wear her down slowly, with “mostly reasonable” requests that he make all the decisions for her, pinning her into a corner where she has lost autonomy slowly rather than all at once. Rita too was well developed – she is independent and well-educated, but still vulnerable to Nick’s attention. She is a woman who is very capable but has lost confidence in herself, so Nick’s interest in her is flattering, and she finds herself willing to compromise independence for a little emotional security. I loved the author’s willingness to show Rita as a realistic victim: she is not powerless, just vulnerable, and while we as readers can tell her what she does wrong, we still understand why she did it.
Sarasota was perhaps a little underdeveloped as a setting – Nick spent less time there and Rita did not seem to have any real epiphanies in Sarasota so the author did not have as much to work with, but I do wish there had been a little more action or even sight-seeing. However, the fantastic details in Detroit more than made up for what was missing in Sarasota. I have never been to Detroit but I feel like I really understand the culture now, and there were pieces of local history that were seamlessly woven into the narrative. Jaq and Rita’s yoga sessions were interesting and I loved the contrast of Nick’s family home to Rita’s apartment. All the action in Detroit felt solidly built upon a real location.
Pacing is an incredibly important part of a thriller, and the pacing in Triple Cross Killer was perfect. The murders were detailed but still fast-paced, and the character development and progression of relationships in between the murders provided a good balance to the murderers’ heightened emotions. This variation in pacing is what allowed the characters to present themselves and the backstory without taking away the excitement inherent in a thriller.
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Thrillers are not necessarily known for their detailed character development, but Triple Cross Killer surprised me on this front: I absolutely loved the characterization. Nick Archer in particular, as the villain, intrigued me: from the very start of the novel, we know that he is the killer, allowing us to see all aspects of him as he interacts with his family, his developing relationship with Rita, and then of course his victims. While I certainly cannot claim to like Nick, I did find him intriguing – he demands perfection from everyone around him, but still shows himself capable of gentleness, if not real kindness. The relationship between Nick and Rita was incredibly well done – Rita of course resists his blatant attempts at control, but like in most abusive relationships, the blatant abuse is not the problem. Instead, Nick begins to wear her down slowly, with “mostly reasonable” requests that he make all the decisions for her, pinning her into a corner where she has lost autonomy slowly rather than all at once. Rita too was well developed – she is independent and well-educated, but still vulnerable to Nick’s attention. She is a woman who is very capable but has lost confidence in herself, so Nick’s interest in her is flattering, and she finds herself willing to compromise independence for a little emotional security. I loved the author’s willingness to show Rita as a realistic victim: she is not powerless, just vulnerable, and while we as readers can tell her what she does wrong, we still understand why she did it.
Sarasota was perhaps a little underdeveloped as a setting – Nick spent less time there and Rita did not seem to have any real epiphanies in Sarasota so the author did not have as much to work with, but I do wish there had been a little more action or even sight-seeing. However, the fantastic details in Detroit more than made up for what was missing in Sarasota. I have never been to Detroit but I feel like I really understand the culture now, and there were pieces of local history that were seamlessly woven into the narrative. Jaq and Rita’s yoga sessions were interesting and I loved the contrast of Nick’s family home to Rita’s apartment. All the action in Detroit felt solidly built upon a real location.
Pacing is an incredibly important part of a thriller, and the pacing in Triple Cross Killer was perfect. The murders were detailed but still fast-paced, and the character development and progression of relationships in between the murders provided a good balance to the murderers’ heightened emotions. This variation in pacing is what allowed the characters to present themselves and the backstory without taking away the excitement inherent in a thriller.
See the original post here
January 3, 2018
Triple Cross Killer is bloody damn well brilliant, with some really unexpected twists and turns and superbly written characters!
There you have it!
I thought that the story was utterly fantastic and so original, let’s be honest, I never thought about what happens to Santa’s letters and taking something so sweet and benign and turning it around like that was amazing!
You know it is funny, because when you looked at Nick’s motives well you kinda got it and I was like ok I see why you are doing this, not that I agree but ok I get it. However, Rosemarie’s writing was so good that you hit that point and she makes you wonder if at the end of the day you really do agree with him committing those murders or not, when you kinda understood in the first place!
Not wanting to put all the focus on the murderer in this review, but let me tell you that the ensemble of characters here was really great! I can tell you that I really loved Jaq and David together; they have a great dynamic and felt really realistic in terms of who they are as people.
Same applies for Rabbit and Abel, I mean it is not often that you get 2 pairs of detectives that are so cohesive and I love that we didn’t go through the usual clichés of the profession.
It looks like based on what is on the cover that this is going to be book 1 of a series and if we are keeping all my new favorite detectives in place then YAS!!!! I am so happy cause they were really good.
Now the question is, when is book 2… I am wondering what kind of baddie we are going to get and I can tell you that Rosemarie has set the bar really high and I hope that we continue on in that spirit!
If you like a great thriller then this one is a wonderful start for the new year as it will leave you pretty much floored and amazed! I hope you love it as much as I did!
There you have it!
I thought that the story was utterly fantastic and so original, let’s be honest, I never thought about what happens to Santa’s letters and taking something so sweet and benign and turning it around like that was amazing!
You know it is funny, because when you looked at Nick’s motives well you kinda got it and I was like ok I see why you are doing this, not that I agree but ok I get it. However, Rosemarie’s writing was so good that you hit that point and she makes you wonder if at the end of the day you really do agree with him committing those murders or not, when you kinda understood in the first place!
Not wanting to put all the focus on the murderer in this review, but let me tell you that the ensemble of characters here was really great! I can tell you that I really loved Jaq and David together; they have a great dynamic and felt really realistic in terms of who they are as people.
Same applies for Rabbit and Abel, I mean it is not often that you get 2 pairs of detectives that are so cohesive and I love that we didn’t go through the usual clichés of the profession.
It looks like based on what is on the cover that this is going to be book 1 of a series and if we are keeping all my new favorite detectives in place then YAS!!!! I am so happy cause they were really good.
Now the question is, when is book 2… I am wondering what kind of baddie we are going to get and I can tell you that Rosemarie has set the bar really high and I hope that we continue on in that spirit!
If you like a great thriller then this one is a wonderful start for the new year as it will leave you pretty much floored and amazed! I hope you love it as much as I did!
March 10, 2018
Triple Cross Killer delivers a triple dose of adrenaline. From the first sentence this action-packed thriller kept my attention and didn’t stop. The plot of this serial killer is brilliantly written and the detectives on the hunt to find him are unaware the killer is so close to home. It’s not until the final chapters they discover the identity of the killer, but by then, it may be too late to stop him.
June 1, 2018
I forced myself to get about half-way through the book. I really WANTED to like this book. The author is a Judge in the same town where I work in the legal field so I really wanted to finish and be able to give it 5 stars... Sadly, I just can't.
I felt like the story line was interesting enough (which is the only reason I made it as far as I did) but I just did not like the writing style, especially the dialog. (Sorry Your Honor!) This just proves that different people can feel differently about the same book. I'm happy for all of those that loved the book and gave it 5 stars, it just wasn't for me.
I felt like the story line was interesting enough (which is the only reason I made it as far as I did) but I just did not like the writing style, especially the dialog. (Sorry Your Honor!) This just proves that different people can feel differently about the same book. I'm happy for all of those that loved the book and gave it 5 stars, it just wasn't for me.
February 15, 2025
It’s a privilege to read a book by a fellow Michigan author. This book was a refreshing murder thriller from beginning to finish with a terrific ending. The killer is almost sympathetic in his evil mission aside from his obvious delusions and obsession with control as seen in his relationship with Rita. Loved the derives working all the angles out and slowly piecing the puzzle together until the final explosive climax. Great novel
January 20, 2018
I haven't read a thriller/crime novel for a while so I was looking forward to this one and rightly so, it was an enjoyable read. I liked that this book was set around Christmas time. I often don't read Christmas themed books as they often fall into the contemporary romance genre which isn't a genre I enjoy. This one however, intrigued me and the Christmas setting offered for some interesting plot points.
The story is told from some interesting and unusual perspectives. You can see from the synopsis that you already know who the 'bad guy' is before you even begin and for the first half of the book you seem to be one step ahead of the detectives. This was frustrating at times as I often found myself shouting at the detectives who the killer was. The revelation of who the killer is and why is usually the plot twist in books like this but that wasn't the case here. I was intrigued to see what the plot twist ended up being and although, it wasn't a shocking plot twist that came in the end, I didn't see it coming none the less.
The writing in this book isn't particularly fast paced either. It was quite a slow burn but that was okay. There was however a lot of fast moving information backwards and forwards between the cases and characters. In my opinion this fit with the working of a detective, who often throw around different ideas and theories and follow several different leads all at once. I did find this hard to follow at times along with the use of some technical/detectivey language throughout. This didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story however. I also enjoyed the idea of criminal profiling being used, Criminal Minds is one of my favorite shows, I just wished there was more of it.
I enjoyed reading about the characters as well. They fit well into the story and all had their own personality. I wish I read the synopsis a bit more thoroughly before diving in though as I found myself getting a bit caught up on the comments David made towards Jaq. I found out eventually that they were an item so it wasn't as misogynistic as I first thought. I found Nick really creepy. I didn't like him at all, in a good way you're not meant to like him. The way he acted towards Rita was horrible, I often found myself shouting at her to just tell him to do one. I wasn't overaly keen on Rita and Nicks scenes however, sometimes I found they read a bit more like a romance novel and I don't like romance novels.
Overall I found this to be quite an enjoyable story. I enjoyed the plot and the characters were great. I would definitely consider reading more in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found on my blog at https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.co.uk...
The story is told from some interesting and unusual perspectives. You can see from the synopsis that you already know who the 'bad guy' is before you even begin and for the first half of the book you seem to be one step ahead of the detectives. This was frustrating at times as I often found myself shouting at the detectives who the killer was. The revelation of who the killer is and why is usually the plot twist in books like this but that wasn't the case here. I was intrigued to see what the plot twist ended up being and although, it wasn't a shocking plot twist that came in the end, I didn't see it coming none the less.
The writing in this book isn't particularly fast paced either. It was quite a slow burn but that was okay. There was however a lot of fast moving information backwards and forwards between the cases and characters. In my opinion this fit with the working of a detective, who often throw around different ideas and theories and follow several different leads all at once. I did find this hard to follow at times along with the use of some technical/detectivey language throughout. This didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story however. I also enjoyed the idea of criminal profiling being used, Criminal Minds is one of my favorite shows, I just wished there was more of it.
I enjoyed reading about the characters as well. They fit well into the story and all had their own personality. I wish I read the synopsis a bit more thoroughly before diving in though as I found myself getting a bit caught up on the comments David made towards Jaq. I found out eventually that they were an item so it wasn't as misogynistic as I first thought. I found Nick really creepy. I didn't like him at all, in a good way you're not meant to like him. The way he acted towards Rita was horrible, I often found myself shouting at her to just tell him to do one. I wasn't overaly keen on Rita and Nicks scenes however, sometimes I found they read a bit more like a romance novel and I don't like romance novels.
Overall I found this to be quite an enjoyable story. I enjoyed the plot and the characters were great. I would definitely consider reading more in this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found on my blog at https://gemmasbooknook.blogspot.co.uk...
December 29, 2017
This is a really good thriller. Even though you know who the killer is, you will be biting your nails and turning pages as quickly as possible to see if the detectives discover his identity before they lose one of their own. My only complaint was that the chapters are a bit long making it difficult to find a good stopping point when life required my attention. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.
May 14, 2018
I tried but could not make it through this one. Not sure about all the high ratings??
November 5, 2018
Triple Cross Killer is a murder novel written by Rosemarie Aquilina, and is the first book in the State Detective Special Forces Series.
This book introduces us to Nick Archer, a serial killer, who has made it his mission to protect those who cannot protect themselves by serving justice - in the form of murder. His executions are meticulous, making him tough to catch. Knowing who the killer is from the beginning sets apart this book from others in the same genre.
The first murder takes place immediately, allowing us to be thrown quickly into the chaos, and the killing spree continues throughout the book. Aquilina's descriptions of the crime scenes help us create vivid images that reinforce Nick's attention to detail.
Nick's career as a pilot allows him to fly at will between cities, making it even more difficult for anyone to catch him. Abel and Rabbit are searching in Sarasota while David and Jaq are busy in Detroit. The urgency of both teams to solve the murders in their respective cities increases as time goes on and more victims are found. Feeling the frustration of the detectives is easy, especially since they don't know the are both on the hunt for the same man.
When Nick isn't busy killing, he's wooing his new girlfriend Rita Rose. She cannot help but fall for his charm. He's handsome, has a great smile and pays attention to her. Maybe too much attention. He's also a passionate lover. We start to feel sorry for the naive and innocent nature of Rita Rose. The feelings Nick has for her almost seem genuine until we remember who he actually is. But Nick is not the only one keeping secrets. Rita Rose works alongside the medical examiner in Detroit and may hold the key to Nick's demise. One minute we are rooting for their relationship and the next we're hoping she runs quickly in the other direction without looking back.
Once Rita Rose and the two teams discover the killer's identity, it's a race against time to save the next victim. This book was difficult to put down after any chapter, but this is the moment I found stepping away to be the hardest. Adrenaline completely takes over and you feel like you're right there beside them, ready to serve justice of their own.
Triple Cross Killer is an amazing book and one of the best I've ever read. Rosemarie Aquilina creates characters who value loyalty to their jobs and to each other. They're people you want to have in your life and befriend. The author's history as a lawyer and a judge enhance Nick's desire to bring justice and protection to those less vulnerable.
This book introduces us to Nick Archer, a serial killer, who has made it his mission to protect those who cannot protect themselves by serving justice - in the form of murder. His executions are meticulous, making him tough to catch. Knowing who the killer is from the beginning sets apart this book from others in the same genre.
The first murder takes place immediately, allowing us to be thrown quickly into the chaos, and the killing spree continues throughout the book. Aquilina's descriptions of the crime scenes help us create vivid images that reinforce Nick's attention to detail.
Nick's career as a pilot allows him to fly at will between cities, making it even more difficult for anyone to catch him. Abel and Rabbit are searching in Sarasota while David and Jaq are busy in Detroit. The urgency of both teams to solve the murders in their respective cities increases as time goes on and more victims are found. Feeling the frustration of the detectives is easy, especially since they don't know the are both on the hunt for the same man.
When Nick isn't busy killing, he's wooing his new girlfriend Rita Rose. She cannot help but fall for his charm. He's handsome, has a great smile and pays attention to her. Maybe too much attention. He's also a passionate lover. We start to feel sorry for the naive and innocent nature of Rita Rose. The feelings Nick has for her almost seem genuine until we remember who he actually is. But Nick is not the only one keeping secrets. Rita Rose works alongside the medical examiner in Detroit and may hold the key to Nick's demise. One minute we are rooting for their relationship and the next we're hoping she runs quickly in the other direction without looking back.
Once Rita Rose and the two teams discover the killer's identity, it's a race against time to save the next victim. This book was difficult to put down after any chapter, but this is the moment I found stepping away to be the hardest. Adrenaline completely takes over and you feel like you're right there beside them, ready to serve justice of their own.
Triple Cross Killer is an amazing book and one of the best I've ever read. Rosemarie Aquilina creates characters who value loyalty to their jobs and to each other. They're people you want to have in your life and befriend. The author's history as a lawyer and a judge enhance Nick's desire to bring justice and protection to those less vulnerable.
December 24, 2017
Triple Cross Killer by Rosemarie Aquilina follows the story of Rita Rose. Damaged by a failed relationship she seeks a new man in her life and finds Nick Archer. At first the airline pilot seems the perfect partner but soon his religiously obsessive controlling nature comes to the fore. When Nick is not flying between Michigan and Florida he morphs into a hit man who believes he is right to kill to protect children from domestic abuse. Meanwhile detectives in Detroit and Sarasota struggle to piece together the clues left by the serial killer as bodies pile up and Rita Rose sinks deeper into a relationship with a very dangerous man.
I was given an advanced copy of Triple Cross Killer by Rosemarie Aquilina for an honest review. I found a wonderful rich plot with some notable characters (Nick Archer and the Sarasota detective, Rabbit, stand out) but in my opinion the Detroit detectives spend too much time bumbling around clueless, jumping to convenient conclusions rather than analysing and checking the evidence. They were less believable and their dialogue often unrealistic due to overuse of police jargon. Their scenes had me urging to skip pages (all easily fixed with a bit of editing).
Still, over all, this is an entertaining read.
I was given an advanced copy of Triple Cross Killer by Rosemarie Aquilina for an honest review. I found a wonderful rich plot with some notable characters (Nick Archer and the Sarasota detective, Rabbit, stand out) but in my opinion the Detroit detectives spend too much time bumbling around clueless, jumping to convenient conclusions rather than analysing and checking the evidence. They were less believable and their dialogue often unrealistic due to overuse of police jargon. Their scenes had me urging to skip pages (all easily fixed with a bit of editing).
Still, over all, this is an entertaining read.
December 30, 2017
“This one has vivid religiously bent messages and—well. Is recreating an actual plague.”
Rita Rose was trying to move forward, but her past hung over her head. The gossips will never be truly satisfied that she, a nurse, was set up by her ex fiance and then acquitted of driving drunk and killing a jogger. As a result she is relegated to the Medical Examiner's office assisting with autopsies. Then along comes a handsome airline pilot, Nick Archer, who sweeps her off her feet promising to protect her and make her happy as his wife. Is he too good to be true?
See my complete review at The Eclectic Review
Rita Rose was trying to move forward, but her past hung over her head. The gossips will never be truly satisfied that she, a nurse, was set up by her ex fiance and then acquitted of driving drunk and killing a jogger. As a result she is relegated to the Medical Examiner's office assisting with autopsies. Then along comes a handsome airline pilot, Nick Archer, who sweeps her off her feet promising to protect her and make her happy as his wife. Is he too good to be true?
See my complete review at The Eclectic Review
May 7, 2021
My book club read Triple Cross Killer last month and we absolutely loved it. The character development and writing style of Aquilina made it an absolute enjoyable read...... although some of us had sleeplessness nights thinking about the creepy character Nick!
What made it even better was zooming in with Aquilina during our book club discussion. She brought insight into some of the story line and characters. A wonderful evening spent with the amazing work of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina! We all look forward to reading All Rise!
What made it even better was zooming in with Aquilina during our book club discussion. She brought insight into some of the story line and characters. A wonderful evening spent with the amazing work of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina! We all look forward to reading All Rise!
March 30, 2019
You don’t want to miss this book!
Wow! From the very first page I was sucked into this story! The author crafted a robust and compelling cast of characters, along with a thrilling story. My Kindle nearly started on fire from the speed I was flipping the pages to find out what happens next! This book was very well-written with a unique and intriguing story, and characters you’re sure to love. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!
Wow! From the very first page I was sucked into this story! The author crafted a robust and compelling cast of characters, along with a thrilling story. My Kindle nearly started on fire from the speed I was flipping the pages to find out what happens next! This book was very well-written with a unique and intriguing story, and characters you’re sure to love. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!
June 1, 2020
etectives in two U.S. states pursue a serial killer who sees himself as a savior of domestically abused children in this thriller.Detroit resident Rita Rose has good reason to avoid a romantic relationship.An entertaining procedural that skillfully blends police work and personal relationships.The plot was solid with a well balanced pace that had fantastic details yet still was a fast paced crime thriller!
June 2, 2020
Triple Cross Killer delivers a triple dose of adrenaline. From the first sentence this action-packed thriller kept my attention and didn’t stop. The plot of this serial killer is brilliantly written and the detectives on the hunt to find him are unaware the killer is so close to home. It’s not until the final chapters they discover the identity of the killer, but by then, it may be too late to stop him.
August 25, 2020
This was an excellent book!The story revolves around a murderer using Santas letters, from the post office ,to peg his victims.The characters were well written and likable,or hatable.lol Daniela Acitelli is a fine narrator, for the most part.As long as she is reading ,she is fine,some accents are hard to listen to though.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
October 26, 2020
This page-turner is actually more of a thriller than a mystery, since you know who the killer is right from the beginning, but you have two different teams of detectives in two different states trying to solve the crimes--and hopefully before the innocent protagonist becomes a victim. This novel has a very clever, original plot going for it. I enjoyed it a lot, even though occasionally the dialogue seemed a bit clunky.
January 6, 2026
Rosemarie Aquilina is one of my favorite authors.
I enjoy that she writes so many different types of books.
Triple Cross Killer is a thrilling mystery. I have the audio version and I listened to it in two days. This is a compelling mystery to be sure.
The characters are well developed, the plot is excellent and the premise is intriguing.
I enjoy mysteries and I enjoy thrilling books. Triple Cross Killer is both!
I recommend this book.
I enjoy that she writes so many different types of books.
Triple Cross Killer is a thrilling mystery. I have the audio version and I listened to it in two days. This is a compelling mystery to be sure.
The characters are well developed, the plot is excellent and the premise is intriguing.
I enjoy mysteries and I enjoy thrilling books. Triple Cross Killer is both!
I recommend this book.
June 23, 2018
A cunning series beginning . . .
A believable killer, his too-trusting girlfriend, and her detective best friend. With the detective's partner, the helpful ME, some profiling, and more, we have a cast of characters I look forward to reading more about. Can't wait to see what's next for Rita, Jaq, David, Rabbit, Abel, and Doc. 👍
A believable killer, his too-trusting girlfriend, and her detective best friend. With the detective's partner, the helpful ME, some profiling, and more, we have a cast of characters I look forward to reading more about. Can't wait to see what's next for Rita, Jaq, David, Rabbit, Abel, and Doc. 👍
June 1, 2020
It's a great book for book lovers . One can find this book very interesting . Children will also like this book . Anyone will love this book from beginning . In short it's a great book . One should read this book atleast once .
June 1, 2020
The plot will hold you together throughout the book , not for a single second you will feel that the book is boring.. amazingly written plot and the characters are described very well ..a must read for all!
June 1, 2020
This book is such a thriller with so many twists and turns that I coudnt blink my eyes. Nick is an experienced military man who tries to kill the people who wrote the letters to Santa. Will the people be saved? Or will the dearly ones to someone die? Read to find out!!!!
June 1, 2020
An amazing thriller which captivates you from the beginning to the end. Having a good mixture of characters, this book is well written and has a perfect plot. One of the most enthralling thrillers, I would say.
A must read for all those thrill lovers!
A must read for all those thrill lovers!
June 1, 2020
It is thriller novel. This story is based on a serial killer. The killer of the story is very intelligent. I love the storyline because it's every phase is so interesting and thrilling as you can't think. Every body should read this book.
February 11, 2023
The story line is really good. I like the way she works the direction of the story. Great thriller with intense moments. But yep sorry there is a but… 🤷🏼♀️I had a hard time with the narration. It was hard to get into because of it. I think this would be a much better book to read not listen to.
March 23, 2018
Certainly kept my attention
September 13, 2019
The book was okay, but it seemed fairly predictable. It took me a long time to really get into the book. I almost stopped several times. The one nickname also pissed me off every time it was used.
June 1, 2020
This book was quite the enthralling thriller!!
This story captivated me from the beginning and held my attention all the way through until the end! I highly recommend this book to everyone.
This story captivated me from the beginning and held my attention all the way through until the end! I highly recommend this book to everyone.
June 1, 2020
Loved the book!! It's packed with suspense and mystery. The writing style is too good! Would recommend everything to actually read this great book. Work of art!
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