Deadly Sins: Lust

Sloane Monroe Stories #3

by Cheryl Bradshaw

Marissa Calhoun sits in front of the lagoon, a beach-like swimming hole nestled Cairns, Australia's foreshore. Tonight the lagoon is hers and hers alone.

Or is it?

A tall figure steps out from behind the tree, his face cloaked beneath a dark hoodie. His footsteps slap against the pavement, fast and hard. Twenty feet, then fifteen, then ten.

Instinct kicks in and Marissa breaks into a sprint, but she's too late. His hand claws into the back of her head. Grabbing a fistful of her hair, he plunges her face into the water.

Who is Marissa's vicious attacker?

And why does he want her dead?

Genres: Mystery, Contemporary, Fiction

81 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2019

About the author

Cheryl Bradshaw is a New York Times and 11-time USA Today bestselling author writing in multiple genres, including mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, supernatural suspense, and poetry. She is a Shamus Award finalist for best private eye novel of the year, an eFestival of Words winner for best thriller, and has published over fifty books since 2011.

Raised in Southern California, she now lives in North Texas. When she's not writing, she loves jet-setting to new countries, exploring the outdoors, and playing with her grandbabies.

For a free eBook, click here: http://cherylbradshaw.com/get-a-free-...

Book series in order by Cheryl Bradshaw:

Georgiana Germaine (Mystery Series)

1. Little Girl Lost - USA Today Bestseller
2. Little Lost Secrets
3. Little Broken Things
4. Little White Lies
5. Little Tangled Webs
6. Little Shattered Dreams
7. Little Last Words
8. Little Buried Secrets
9. Little Stolen Memories
10. Little Empty Promises
11. Little Hidden Fears

Sloane Monroe Mystery/Thriller Series

0. Silent As the Grave (prequel to series)
1. Black Diamond Death
2. Murder in Mind
3. I Have a Secret
4. Stranger in Town - Shamus Award Finalist
5. Bed of Bones - USA Today Bestseller
6. Hush Now Baby - USA Today Bestseller
7. Gone Daddy Gone - USA Today Bestseller
8. Smoke and Mirrors - USA Today Bestseller

Sloane Monroe Stories - Mystery Novella Series
(with characters from the main series)

1. Deadly Sins: Sloth
2. Deadly Sins: Wrath
3. Deadly Sins: Lust
4. Deadly Sins: Greed
5. Deadly Sins: Envy
6. Deadly Sins: Pride

Sloane & Maddie Peril Awaits - Mystery Series
(Spinoff Series with Sloane Monroe & her sidekick Maddie)

1. The Silent Boy
2. The Shadow Children
3. The Broken Soul
4. The Widow Maker
5. The Familiar Stranger

Addison Lockhart Ghost Mystery Series

1. Grayson Manor Haunting
2. Rosecliff Manor Haunting
3. Blackthorn Manor Haunting
4. Belle Manor Haunting
5. Crawley Manor Haunting

Stand Alone Mystery/Thriller Novels

1. Eye for Revenge - USA Today Bestseller
2. The Perfect Lie
3. Hickory Dickory Dead - USA Today Bestseller
4. Roadkill - USA Today Bestseller

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story even though it’s short. Sloan is an amazing, strong character that brings life to the book.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps you wanting more! The characters are great and not perfect people which I love, but I also love Sloane. She is a strong woman who doesn't give up until she finds answers which can sometimes bring her trouble. When she gets a call from her friend Nick who tells her his wife was in Australia for a friends wedding and is now dead by an apparent drowning accident, Sloane contacts Maddy and the two of them and Nick head to Australia to find out what happened to Marissa. There are many red-herrings and twists and turns that lead you to the potential of many suspects when after first investigating Sloane finds it was a murder. Just when you are sure you know who it is, there are more left turns which takes you yet in another direction. You will be surprised at the ending! I love this series and I love Sloane she is a formidable character although in some ways has her own internal demons. No spoilers here....you must read this page turner and the first 2 books in the series! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another quick mystery for Sloane. This one hits a little closer to home for the PI. It also takes her to another country. It is a short story/novella and reads in about an hour or less. It also means it doesn't get as in depth or complicated as the full length novels. There is enough of the mystery to keep things interesting and not so simple to solve. There's a slew of potential suspects. The reveal is a surprise. There are also a small twist or two. We also see more of Sloane (the Protagonist) internal battles. There are some small roles from the characters we are familiar with (if you've read the full length books,) including someone from Sloane's past. As usual, it's well written and there is no sexual content. Small amount of minor violence. Safe for teens and up.

*I received an ARC of this book.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloane is trying to deal with the death of Shelby. She is at her therapist when her friend Nick calls and tells her that his wife Marissa is dead. He is headed down to Australia to find out what happened. Sloane calls Maddie, another friend of both Nick and hers and together they also go to Australia. Things get rather tense. At first they thought it might have been an accidental drowning, but the medical examiner there has a feeling something isn't right. Later they find evidence that it was murder. But who would kill Marissa? She was with friends for a wedding. What happened? As Nick, Sloane and Maddie start to investigate things, Nick gets into trouble. Now it is up to Maddie and Sloane to find out what happened and why. I did not see what actually happened to her coming! If you want to know what happened you will need to read the book. It's a good one!!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Sins: Lust ( (Sloane Monroe Stories -#3 )
By: Cheryl Bradshaw
Deadly Sins Lust is book three in Sloane Monroe Stories. The author draws you in at the start and before you know it you are finished with a good short mystery novella and wanting more. This mystery hits close to home for Sloane. The author keeps you turning the pages to see what is going to happen next. There is some mystery behind the murdered person and the killer. The authors are treating this as an accident. Was it? There are many twist and turns and the author will, keep you guessing till the end. If you love a good mystery , you will love Deadly Sins Lust.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Sloane Monroe series so anytime I can get more of Sloane, I jump at the chance. I was uber excited about the possible adventures her and Maddie would come upon by going to Australia together to solve a case together for their friend (and Sloane's ex) Nick when his wife is found mysteriously drowned. There were lots of twists and turns and the ending did surprise me which is always a good thing when reading a mystery! The only reason for 4 stars is because it jumped from it just getting good and her making headway on the case, to all of a sudden she's solved it and then it's over. I guess that's the bane of novella's though, shorter and less time to develop everything. Still a great, quick read and leaves me desperately wanting to get the next one.

[Jean M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Cheryl Bradshaw’s mystery’s, she never lets me down! You can get so involved in her books that you feel like one of her characters.
In Deadly Sins Lust, Sloane is in therapy over the death of Shelby, Cade’s daughter. It has caused a gap in her and Cades relationship, instead of talking about Shelby, they ignore the subject. Later on Sloane gets a phone call from her friend Nick telling her that his wife is missing. His wife had flown to Australia for her friends wedding and now is missing.
I couldn’t figure out The Who Done it and I bet you won’t either. Another great one from Cheryl Bradshaw.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have tagged this as Australian. Cheryl Bradshaw is an American writer, now living In Cairns. This story is set in Cairns.
Sloane Monroe features in both a series of novels and of novellas. This is the third novella which fits just before the eighth novel. The crime story fits well as a novella — short, sharp and a little sassy.
Monroe and Maddie, the medical examiner, fly to Australia to support their friend Nick, whose wife has been killed whilst visiting Cairns for a wedding. The Australian police originally treat the case as an accidental death, but the three Americans believe there is more to it.

[Dorothyb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloane Monroe is a very strong female lead character but she has flaws and needs help dealing with things that happen in her life like everyone else. She is trying to deal with the death of Cade's daughter Shelby and she now gets a call about another death this time in Australia. The death is ruled a suicide but her friend Nick, whose wife is dead, does believe it. Sloane and Maddie head to Australia to find out what happened. Cheryl Bradshaw's books always comes with twists, turns and surprises and this one delivers.

[DorieLou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl Bradshaw has done it again. I love the Sloan Monroe Series... when I am reading these books I totally fall into the character.. and Sloane is a character, a character you can relate to.
Sloane Goes to Australia in this one... Sloane is such a strong character, I love the entire series. This one is a quick read but it has twist and keeps you guessing... It is an awesome read and it leaves you wanting to ready more. LOVE IT!!!

[Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloan Monroe is one of my favorite charters in a mystery series and every quality she has....strong, tenacious and yet tormented inside...is on display in this short novella, the third of the Deadly Wins series. Whether a reader is familiar with Sloane from this series or the full length novels, fans will not be disappointed with this story. Like the others, it is full of twists, turns and will leave you wanting more.

[Colleen Harkleroad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The unknown secret

I love strong woman who fight to find the answer of a murder to know that someone they care for should know what happened to that person they loved with all there heart.. Even the twist and turns lure you to find out what had happened to the victim. Thank you again for a great read can't wait for your next book

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping story in this Sloane Monroe Stories series (Book 3). A tightly wound mystery that will keep you guessing from the beginning until the end. I have no idea how the author accomplishes it, but she can weave a complex mystery, full of intrigue, and condense it into a story yet never leaves you feeling as though the book was lacking anything. I never get enough of Sloane Monroe!

[Leah Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloane's latest mystery is a surprising one involving Nick. This one is full of surprises with a shocking conclusion you won't see coming. It also sets things up for the next full length book in the Sloane Monroe series. I love these characters. I received an ARC. This is my honest review.

[Yvonne Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge Sloane fan and this story opens with Sloane in therapy to deal with Shelby's murder. Sloane gets a call from Nick about a murder. This story is short but such a well told suspense filled tale that kept me guessing until the very end. Great Story and a must read!

[KimberlyDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Sins: Lust is the third book in the Sloane Monroe Stories series. When Nick's wife, Marissa, dies in Australia, Sloane heads there to find out what happened. Some twists and turns later, the ending isn't what you'd expect. I really enjoyed this story.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl Bradshaw writes strong female leads better than most and Sloane Monroe is no exception! This is a wonderfully written and suspenseful short story that you won’t be able to put down. We’ve out an hour and treat yourself to the latest in the Sloane Monroe series, you don’t regret it!

[Mandi Newbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short! (Novella) but still with Sloane Monroe characters! Bradshaw is my favorite mystery author. What I love most about Bradshaw's books, is that they move quickly. Easy to get hooked, and not want to put them down.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good

I have read all of the Sloane Monroe series. This companion short stories compliment them. I am glad I bought the Deadly Sins books.
This one will keep you thinking to the very end who the murderer is.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good 👍. I am looking forward to the next Sloane book

[Raelene Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good mystery

I love Cheryl’s books! This book kept me guessing. The pain of losing someone is real. Won’t want to put this book down!!

[Tamara Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl Bradshaw doses it again. This book keeps you guessing until the end. It had me hooked from the the start and I couldn't put it down until the end.

[Jan Causey Hinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good short story

Very good, well-rounded short story. Had no clue who the killer was until the end. But did Sloane have to get injured again?

[Reba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and intriguing

A quick read that takes you into the mystery of one detective's loss...and the friends who help him discover the secrets of his wife's death.

[Marcia-Lee Finocchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloane goes to Australia

Nick, Sloane’s ex-boyfriends wife is found dead, and Nick calls Sloane for help. They said it was an accident or was it? Great reading!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was generous enough to gift me a copy of this novella. As always, Ms. Bradshaw delivered a fast-paced mystery that was hard to put down. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this author. Every character/book draws you in and you just can’t quit reading! Even long afterwards you think about them.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short mystery read. Sad because we all know that Nick got married. This is a little more about him and his wife.
Sloane and Maddie go after him to find out what happened.
A good read.

[Kerry H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing

This book intrigued me to the ending I never saw coming. Skillfully written plot and characters that are much more than they originally seemed.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

good quick read

I enjoyed the book. All parts were well written and kept my interest for the entire storyline. I recommend the book.