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The Gift
The dead do speak. You just have to listen. Homicide Detective Catania “Nia” d’Giovanni is the only daughter in a large Italian family of six children. The backbone—a position not applied for nor wanted—she continues to create new glue to hold the dysfunctional group together. For Nia, family time feels more like herding cats than spending time with her brothers and feisty, aging parents. Her heart has always been in her career with the Pueblo Police Department, especially since it will never be okay with her very Catholic mother to openly give her heart to any woman, until she meets a secretive waitress who has her at, Can I take your order? And then it begins… Three murders that are so gruesome, so horrible, they rock the small town to its core. Nia and her partner Oscar are left to piece together a deadly puzzle to find the key to unlock the monster they hunt. Or, are they the hunted? As they dissect the murder scenes where not one shred of evidence is left behind, more bodies begin to show up, each cleaner than the last, the shadowy specter that is the killer vanishing without a trace, making the woman Nia loves disappear right along with it. When there is no evidence to follow, Nia must trust her instincts…or, is she being guided?
- GenresLesbian
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2018
11 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Kim Pritekel
74 books152 followersKim Pritekel is a published author living in Denver, Colorado. She is also a very popular online author of many novels, novellas and short stories. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2005 Hall of Fame Author.
Her love of writing began at age 9, and she wrote her first novel at age 12, wishing to follow in the footsteps of childhood idol, S.E. Hinton. She was published for the first time at age 24 with her novel, First.
Kim has followed her dreams right into the film industry, writing screenplays for production companies in Los Angeles, as well as for her own production company, Asp Films with business partner, Kelly Neal. Their first feature film, Self Portrait – written, directed and co-produced by Kim – premiered in Denver in June of 2013.
She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her beloved cats. She is always adding to her ever-growing collection of swords and historic memorabilia. She is a huge fan of music, including musical theater. The "musical" love of her life is Sarah Brightman, who she tosses a mention of in every book she can.
Kim is a writing machine, so come back often to see what she's working on next!
Her love of writing began at age 9, and she wrote her first novel at age 12, wishing to follow in the footsteps of childhood idol, S.E. Hinton. She was published for the first time at age 24 with her novel, First.
Kim has followed her dreams right into the film industry, writing screenplays for production companies in Los Angeles, as well as for her own production company, Asp Films with business partner, Kelly Neal. Their first feature film, Self Portrait – written, directed and co-produced by Kim – premiered in Denver in June of 2013.
She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her beloved cats. She is always adding to her ever-growing collection of swords and historic memorabilia. She is a huge fan of music, including musical theater. The "musical" love of her life is Sarah Brightman, who she tosses a mention of in every book she can.
Kim is a writing machine, so come back often to see what she's working on next!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 27, 2019
I am indebted to Netty for recommending The Gift, my first book by Kim Pritekel.
Lately, my luck in finding a good thriller + romance had not been fruitful. The books however, usually received good reviews and ratings from the others but being the problematic one, I just couldn't connect especially when they featured elements that rub me off the wrong way.
The Gift featured many wow factors and nothing was over the top. The bone + spine chilling thriller / paranormal were given a lot of attention and the romance that sneaked in was the perfect salve to heal the wounds caused by the thriller aspect...but I still teared up at certain scenes.
Detective Catania d'Giovanni was neither badass nor kickass - just a detective that cared about the living and the dead, loved and played an important role in her family. Her partnership with Oscar reminded me a bit of Sanne and Nelson.
It was impossible not to fall for Ally, Ms.Pritekel did an awesome job portraying her. - I wouldn't think bad of Nia if she fell for her earlier. Ally was just perfect and lovable, the hardships of life did not turn her into someone bitter even as she had to work her ass off to create a better future for herself.
This story was pretty long, some parts dragged a bit but most of the time - I was swooning over the friendship turned lovers tale, fear and sadness grasping my heart continuously when reading the gritty /paranormal parts and when it was time to reveal the perpetrator, I had to remind myself to breathe.
My Sherlock hat forgotten, I didn't have a single suspect and was happy enough not to interfere with Nia and Oscar's investigation. This book wasn't flawless but it hit more winners than unforced errors so I highly recommend it to thriller fans out there.
Lately, my luck in finding a good thriller + romance had not been fruitful. The books however, usually received good reviews and ratings from the others but being the problematic one, I just couldn't connect especially when they featured elements that rub me off the wrong way.
The Gift featured many wow factors and nothing was over the top. The bone + spine chilling thriller / paranormal were given a lot of attention and the romance that sneaked in was the perfect salve to heal the wounds caused by the thriller aspect...but I still teared up at certain scenes.
Detective Catania d'Giovanni was neither badass nor kickass - just a detective that cared about the living and the dead, loved and played an important role in her family. Her partnership with Oscar reminded me a bit of Sanne and Nelson.
It was impossible not to fall for Ally, Ms.Pritekel did an awesome job portraying her. - I wouldn't think bad of Nia if she fell for her earlier. Ally was just perfect and lovable, the hardships of life did not turn her into someone bitter even as she had to work her ass off to create a better future for herself.
This story was pretty long, some parts dragged a bit but most of the time - I was swooning over the friendship turned lovers tale, fear and sadness grasping my heart continuously when reading the gritty /paranormal parts and when it was time to reveal the perpetrator, I had to remind myself to breathe.
My Sherlock hat forgotten, I didn't have a single suspect and was happy enough not to interfere with Nia and Oscar's investigation. This book wasn't flawless but it hit more winners than unforced errors so I highly recommend it to thriller fans out there.
February 8, 2019
What an enjoyable read. I loved the thriller/romance aspect of the book, and the paranormal parts were quite interesting, but I wished there was some explanation for it.
In my opinion, coming out to your mother or your family in general in your late thirties after spending your life hiding who you are because of fear/concern of their reaction, really should require more words than just what's been given in the book.
Nevertheless, The Gift was a good book and a pleasant read.
In my opinion, coming out to your mother or your family in general in your late thirties after spending your life hiding who you are because of fear/concern of their reaction, really should require more words than just what's been given in the book.
Nevertheless, The Gift was a good book and a pleasant read.
February 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this thriller. It's very gripping and a page turner like most of Kim Pritekel's books. The story as very like-able characters through out, would have loved to have read more of the relationship Nia had with her parents. But... and its only my opinion, the book ended with a few lose ends, (with any luck she might do a sequel)? and I found it predictable in parts ... I kinda guessed who the killer was about 40% into the story..(maybe I just watch too much CSI).
But it is a very good book. If you enjoyed ''Rainey Days'' by R.E Bradshaw, you will enjoy ''The gift''.. Although ''The Gift'' isn't as dark or gruesome as "Rainey days'' it is just as good.
But it is a very good book. If you enjoyed ''Rainey Days'' by R.E Bradshaw, you will enjoy ''The gift''.. Although ''The Gift'' isn't as dark or gruesome as "Rainey days'' it is just as good.
April 7, 2019
What can I say? Really not into paranormal but I loved the back story, the romance, the family dynamics. Nearly gave up after 15% but the reviews from those I trust kept me going & I'm glad they did. Not sure I'll read another of her's - but worth the experience.
February 21, 2019
Can't go wrong with Ms Pritekel.
October 24, 2018
I am so glad I caught sight of the cover of this book (above), "The Gift," written by Kim Pritekel, on me timeline recently because it was what got me curiosity and interest piqued to a point where I had to read it. Plus, it's Halloween month and I wanted to be thrilled, horrified, terrified, I wanted chills dripping down me spine by crackin'ly dark, psychological, spiritual and mysterious stories in lesbian fiction, written with a quality that would affect me state of mind!
Just look at the cover. OF COURSE I needed to read it! Obviously.
I never sampled any of Pritekel's work previously, but after reading "The Gift," I'm definitely going to read her other books of the same genre because this book galvanised me from the start, with non-stop suspense and mysterious intrigue, tipping over to the eerie side... A truly edge-of-your-seat page-turner, really!
The tagline, "The dead do talk. You just have to listen," is never truer.
I gotta say, when I noticed the title, me mind immediately went to one of me favourite horror but crushingly underrated movies of the same title starring Cate Blanchett! But obviously this book is nothing like the movie. Or was it? Well,...not really...but...
Anyway....
Full commentary here.... In Bugs' Own Words
Just look at the cover. OF COURSE I needed to read it! Obviously.
I never sampled any of Pritekel's work previously, but after reading "The Gift," I'm definitely going to read her other books of the same genre because this book galvanised me from the start, with non-stop suspense and mysterious intrigue, tipping over to the eerie side... A truly edge-of-your-seat page-turner, really!
The tagline, "The dead do talk. You just have to listen," is never truer.
I gotta say, when I noticed the title, me mind immediately went to one of me favourite horror but crushingly underrated movies of the same title starring Cate Blanchett! But obviously this book is nothing like the movie. Or was it? Well,...not really...but...
Anyway....
Full commentary here.... In Bugs' Own Words
November 11, 2018
A great read as expected
I love this author’s books. Every. Single. One. Each of her books is different from the others yet they are uniformly gripping. Don’t miss this one.
I love this author’s books. Every. Single. One. Each of her books is different from the others yet they are uniformly gripping. Don’t miss this one.
September 21, 2025
I should preface this by saying that I’m a big fan of this author and have really enjoyed a number of her other books. But this just didn’t do it for me…
I could really have lived without the oft used ‘movie-cam’ snapshots that started a number of the chapters. They didn’t seem to me to add anything and I just found them ultimately annoying. I’m pretty bright (have a law degree and a long term career in law) but I completely failed to get the clues that Nia did to the killer. Maybe I missed something major? Even the ending explanation left me with a number of questions. And just who the heck is Squirrel?
I did enjoy the relationships Nia had with various family members but these weren’t enough to lift this above an OK rating. Give me Rainey Bell over this attempt any day…
I could really have lived without the oft used ‘movie-cam’ snapshots that started a number of the chapters. They didn’t seem to me to add anything and I just found them ultimately annoying. I’m pretty bright (have a law degree and a long term career in law) but I completely failed to get the clues that Nia did to the killer. Maybe I missed something major? Even the ending explanation left me with a number of questions. And just who the heck is Squirrel?
I did enjoy the relationships Nia had with various family members but these weren’t enough to lift this above an OK rating. Give me Rainey Bell over this attempt any day…
June 29, 2023
Woah
I just finished reading the last page and with the culmination of the story my first thought was “Woah” and felt a true appreciation for this work.
The Gift is a damn good book. Quite a few nice twists and turns with a solid story line. It’s a mystery, thriller, romance and a splash of something more. It had me on the edge of my seat more than once. I’ll be definitely rereading this again.
I highly recommend picking this one up.
I just finished reading the last page and with the culmination of the story my first thought was “Woah” and felt a true appreciation for this work.
The Gift is a damn good book. Quite a few nice twists and turns with a solid story line. It’s a mystery, thriller, romance and a splash of something more. It had me on the edge of my seat more than once. I’ll be definitely rereading this again.
I highly recommend picking this one up.
June 14, 2025
Mystery suspense and love story
This book kept me on the edge of my seat once I started reading I didn't want to stop. This book kept my interest from beginning to end. The characters are well written and interesting. Thanks for another great read.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat once I started reading I didn't want to stop. This book kept my interest from beginning to end. The characters are well written and interesting. Thanks for another great read.
February 4, 2024
It took me a little while to get into the storyline but overall a good murder mystery with a touch of romance.
August 25, 2024
This one was a "who done it" with lots of twists and turns. Did not see that ending coming! I enjoy books written by Kim Pritekel. I'm going to have to see if I missed any other books!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews