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Dead Sprint
Criminalist Ellie Matthews has turned over a new leaf. For the first time in her life, she’s working on herself and putting the past behind her with the encouragement of the new man she’s seeing, FBI Agent Vic Manetti.
Her first attempt at competitive running is cut short when a woman is found dead along the trail. At first, the case seems to be open and shut. But when a gruesome photo of the victim goes viral, tagged with a chilling caption threatening more violence, Ellie must delve into the mind of a deranged killer to get to the truth.
Though Ellie’s relationship with Detective Nick Baxter has been strained to its breaking point, the two find themselves teaming up once again in a race to bring down the killer before he takes another life.
Her first attempt at competitive running is cut short when a woman is found dead along the trail. At first, the case seems to be open and shut. But when a gruesome photo of the victim goes viral, tagged with a chilling caption threatening more violence, Ellie must delve into the mind of a deranged killer to get to the truth.
Though Ellie’s relationship with Detective Nick Baxter has been strained to its breaking point, the two find themselves teaming up once again in a race to bring down the killer before he takes another life.
- GenresMystery
ebook
Published September 24, 2019
109 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Fardig
28 books290 followersCAROLINE FARDIG is the USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR of the Java Jive Mysteries series and the Lizzie Hart Mysteries series. Fardig's BAD MEDICINE was named one of the "Best Books of 2015" by Suspense Magazine. She worked as a schoolteacher, church organist, insurance agent, funeral parlor associate, and stay-at-home mom before she realized that she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Born and raised in a small town in Indiana, Fardig still lives in that same town with an understanding husband, two sweet kids, two energetic dogs, and one malevolent cat.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 5, 2024
This is the second book in the Ellie Matthews Series, even though Goodreads has yet to define this series. Caroline Fardig has written a couple of very good Cozy Mystery Series and is now into a heavier Mystery vibe. I liked Ellie a lot. She is a flawed character who is just trying to make it one day at a time with a job she loves and family she cares for. Her love life is a work in progress, but Nick is a patient guy. The book was uneven in spots and that annoyed me some, but overall, it is a great read.
Ellie Matthews has a whole semi full of baggage and is trying to make positive changes in her life. She is living with her 21-year-old sister and 3-year-old nephew. She is a recovering alcoholic, and her deceased mother was a former addict and not a nice person. She and Detective Nick Baxter work well together, almost too well, and there are definitely feelings for both of them that haven't been resolved. Ellie worked as a criminalist until she hit a case that made her walk away and become a college professor. Now she works on a part-time basis with the police department.
The new man in her life, FBI Agent Vic Manetti, has gotten her into running and a healthier lifestyle, although Ellie still sneaks an occasional cheeseburger and fries. When a member of Vic's running club turns up dead Ellie and Vic are barred from the investigation. When a friend of the victim's also turns up dead Vic is back on the task force and Ellie is heading up the criminalist investigation and partnered again with Nick. This is not a good thing for DA McAllister and he has some lingering animosity toward Ellie and Nick from a prior case. But as the team makes its' way through the people involved and gets a grip on the lives of the victims one thing is clear: Ellie is going to solve this case.
Ellie Matthews - criminalist and college professor
Rachel Matthews - Ellie's 21-year-old sister who was abducted and has a three-year-old son.
Detective Nick Baxter - Ellie's ex-something. Not boyfriend, but there are definitely feelings for both of them that haven't been resolved.
FBI Agent Vic Manetti - Ellie's current boyfriend and the victim was an ex and member of his running club.
Jason Stirling - Nick's obnoxious, a--hole partner. He's dating Ellie's best friend and fellow criminalist.
DA McAllister - Nasty piece of work. Very cynical with everyone, especially Ellie.
Ellie Matthews has a whole semi full of baggage and is trying to make positive changes in her life. She is living with her 21-year-old sister and 3-year-old nephew. She is a recovering alcoholic, and her deceased mother was a former addict and not a nice person. She and Detective Nick Baxter work well together, almost too well, and there are definitely feelings for both of them that haven't been resolved. Ellie worked as a criminalist until she hit a case that made her walk away and become a college professor. Now she works on a part-time basis with the police department.
The new man in her life, FBI Agent Vic Manetti, has gotten her into running and a healthier lifestyle, although Ellie still sneaks an occasional cheeseburger and fries. When a member of Vic's running club turns up dead Ellie and Vic are barred from the investigation. When a friend of the victim's also turns up dead Vic is back on the task force and Ellie is heading up the criminalist investigation and partnered again with Nick. This is not a good thing for DA McAllister and he has some lingering animosity toward Ellie and Nick from a prior case. But as the team makes its' way through the people involved and gets a grip on the lives of the victims one thing is clear: Ellie is going to solve this case.
Ellie Matthews - criminalist and college professor
Rachel Matthews - Ellie's 21-year-old sister who was abducted and has a three-year-old son.
Detective Nick Baxter - Ellie's ex-something. Not boyfriend, but there are definitely feelings for both of them that haven't been resolved.
FBI Agent Vic Manetti - Ellie's current boyfriend and the victim was an ex and member of his running club.
Jason Stirling - Nick's obnoxious, a--hole partner. He's dating Ellie's best friend and fellow criminalist.
DA McAllister - Nasty piece of work. Very cynical with everyone, especially Ellie.
May 18, 2021
Criminalist Ellie Matthews is finally living the life she wants. She's stopped her drinking and she's got a new man in her life ... FBI Agent Vic Manetti.
Manetti has talk her into doing some competitive running ... to get her healthier, lose some of the weight she's accumulated. She's been running daily and now she's ready to run her first race.
She starts out in good shape, but is interrupted when a woman's body is found dead along the trail. She's been stabbed to death. She also happens to be someone that Ellie has met... she was introduced to the woman by Manetti.
When a second woman is killed in the same way .. and is also someone Ellie was introduced to by Manetti, she finds she's up against a very smart, careful killer. And Ellie may have a target on her back.
Working with Detective Nick Baxter, he and Ellie find multiple suspects with varied reasons for wanting the women dead. The suspense starts on the first page and maintains a high level throughout. The characters are deftly drawn and I really enjoyed the blend of professional and personal lives. It's a clever plot leading to an unexpected conclusion. Although 3rd in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone but I recommend reading in order .. the backstory of some of these characters is not to be missed.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Manetti has talk her into doing some competitive running ... to get her healthier, lose some of the weight she's accumulated. She's been running daily and now she's ready to run her first race.
She starts out in good shape, but is interrupted when a woman's body is found dead along the trail. She's been stabbed to death. She also happens to be someone that Ellie has met... she was introduced to the woman by Manetti.
When a second woman is killed in the same way .. and is also someone Ellie was introduced to by Manetti, she finds she's up against a very smart, careful killer. And Ellie may have a target on her back.
Working with Detective Nick Baxter, he and Ellie find multiple suspects with varied reasons for wanting the women dead. The suspense starts on the first page and maintains a high level throughout. The characters are deftly drawn and I really enjoyed the blend of professional and personal lives. It's a clever plot leading to an unexpected conclusion. Although 3rd in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone but I recommend reading in order .. the backstory of some of these characters is not to be missed.
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 16, 2021
I was so excited to discover that Ellie Matthews was back in action! Caroline Fardig has created a character that is relatable and one that I have enjoyed reading. Her childhood, as well as what she's been living the past few years, have shaped her into a woman we can all aspire to become!
Ellie has tried to shift her life to a new direction after experiencing a harrowing experience of nearly losing her sister. She's been sober and is getting in shape physically with her new FBI boyfriend Vic. Things are going well until a runner from Vic's group is found murdered. He, along with other members of the group, are suspect and their "perfect" selves are fractured.
I was happy to see that Ellie and Nick hadn't lost their connection. In fact, it's strengthened and it made my heart happy that they were finally aligned. This isn't a focus of the book, but a nice touch. Their banter is really what makes it fun -- especially during an undercover operation!
The pacing is strong, twisting you at precisely the right moments, and creating doubt in what you've learned about people in Ellie's life. Such another great installment to the series. I can't wait until the next one! I highly recommend reading the first two books in the series. It puts a lot of things into perspective for this one!
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own!
Ellie has tried to shift her life to a new direction after experiencing a harrowing experience of nearly losing her sister. She's been sober and is getting in shape physically with her new FBI boyfriend Vic. Things are going well until a runner from Vic's group is found murdered. He, along with other members of the group, are suspect and their "perfect" selves are fractured.
I was happy to see that Ellie and Nick hadn't lost their connection. In fact, it's strengthened and it made my heart happy that they were finally aligned. This isn't a focus of the book, but a nice touch. Their banter is really what makes it fun -- especially during an undercover operation!
The pacing is strong, twisting you at precisely the right moments, and creating doubt in what you've learned about people in Ellie's life. Such another great installment to the series. I can't wait until the next one! I highly recommend reading the first two books in the series. It puts a lot of things into perspective for this one!
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own!
May 30, 2021
Dead Sprint Earns 5/5 Niggling Red Flags...Engaging and Clever Thriller!
Caroline Fardig penned an engaging thriller as the third book starring Ellie Mathews, a well-respected criminologist, who traded in her badge for a professorship at a local posh private school after a grisly murder turned personal. Her expertise was too important to shelve, so her former mentor and friend Sheriff Jayne Walsh made sure to keep Ellie involved in the “high-profile” homicide cases. She struggles with her sobriety and providing support for her half-sister dealing with some PTSD from an intense kidnapping, but her energetic three-year-old nephew and trusty Golden Retriever Trixie are a main delight. She is managing her relationship with Vic Manetti, an FBI agent she collaborated with during a recent serial killer investigation, along with confronting feelings for partner Detective Nick Baxter who wishes their professional friendship was more personal. But, the safety of the halls of academia, responsibility for her family, and issues with Baxter’s and Vic’s attentions, won’t keep her away from the dead bodies, murderous psychos, and resurfacing of personal demons.
Joining in with an exercise routine with Vic Manetti was suppose to be a means to a more fit end, but it was misinterpreted as a true passion and now Ellie is entered in a 10k, eating healthier, and forced to hide tacos. Ellie’s first competition isn’t really a carefree jaunt with a dusting of snow on the ground, but she is going to do her best.
Then a body is found turning the race route into a crime scene. It becomes more complicated when Vic recognizes the victim as a member of his running club and...a former girlfriend. He flexes his Fed’s ‘I’m in charge” muscle and Ellie her “I’m in charge” jurisdiction; they’re okay personally, but professionally they’re oil and water. When Sheriff Walsh arrives, she puts Ellie in the lead partnering with Detective Baxter.
Personal issues aside, it’s Manetti’s interference, demand for personal involvement, and connection to the victim that causes problems for Ellie’s continued participation. Until the next murder!
Readers start out with a cut and dry domestic violence, but quickly the drama evolves into a more compelling thriller, especially after another victim is discovered. The details of crime scene protocols, evidence gathering, and police procedures was the realistic element I enjoy. The conflict between Vic and Ellie because of his personal connections, the issues tied to Nick’s personal feelings for Ellie, Vic’s volatile attitude, Ellie’s sobriety challenges, and Nick’s quiet jealousy add a strong emotional complexity. However, the Nick and Ellie professional partnership reveals an emotional depth on both sides. Readers will be picking sides: Team Nick? Team Vic? Team moving on? The characters are very realistic from admirable to those you’d like to kick to the curb, but it’s also in their ability to work together, mentor, and even the professional conflicts that manifest in snarky retorts. The fact that I have strong feelings and emotions elicited by Fardig’s story is a testament to her description, dialogue, and design! Wow, as the story starts to wind down, the suspense ramps up all the way to shocking details and a nail-biting arrest!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Caroline Fardig penned an engaging thriller as the third book starring Ellie Mathews, a well-respected criminologist, who traded in her badge for a professorship at a local posh private school after a grisly murder turned personal. Her expertise was too important to shelve, so her former mentor and friend Sheriff Jayne Walsh made sure to keep Ellie involved in the “high-profile” homicide cases. She struggles with her sobriety and providing support for her half-sister dealing with some PTSD from an intense kidnapping, but her energetic three-year-old nephew and trusty Golden Retriever Trixie are a main delight. She is managing her relationship with Vic Manetti, an FBI agent she collaborated with during a recent serial killer investigation, along with confronting feelings for partner Detective Nick Baxter who wishes their professional friendship was more personal. But, the safety of the halls of academia, responsibility for her family, and issues with Baxter’s and Vic’s attentions, won’t keep her away from the dead bodies, murderous psychos, and resurfacing of personal demons.
Joining in with an exercise routine with Vic Manetti was suppose to be a means to a more fit end, but it was misinterpreted as a true passion and now Ellie is entered in a 10k, eating healthier, and forced to hide tacos. Ellie’s first competition isn’t really a carefree jaunt with a dusting of snow on the ground, but she is going to do her best.
Then a body is found turning the race route into a crime scene. It becomes more complicated when Vic recognizes the victim as a member of his running club and...a former girlfriend. He flexes his Fed’s ‘I’m in charge” muscle and Ellie her “I’m in charge” jurisdiction; they’re okay personally, but professionally they’re oil and water. When Sheriff Walsh arrives, she puts Ellie in the lead partnering with Detective Baxter.
Personal issues aside, it’s Manetti’s interference, demand for personal involvement, and connection to the victim that causes problems for Ellie’s continued participation. Until the next murder!
Readers start out with a cut and dry domestic violence, but quickly the drama evolves into a more compelling thriller, especially after another victim is discovered. The details of crime scene protocols, evidence gathering, and police procedures was the realistic element I enjoy. The conflict between Vic and Ellie because of his personal connections, the issues tied to Nick’s personal feelings for Ellie, Vic’s volatile attitude, Ellie’s sobriety challenges, and Nick’s quiet jealousy add a strong emotional complexity. However, the Nick and Ellie professional partnership reveals an emotional depth on both sides. Readers will be picking sides: Team Nick? Team Vic? Team moving on? The characters are very realistic from admirable to those you’d like to kick to the curb, but it’s also in their ability to work together, mentor, and even the professional conflicts that manifest in snarky retorts. The fact that I have strong feelings and emotions elicited by Fardig’s story is a testament to her description, dialogue, and design! Wow, as the story starts to wind down, the suspense ramps up all the way to shocking details and a nail-biting arrest!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
May 21, 2021
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.5 of 5
Ellie Matthews is a criminalist, in a personal relationship with FBI Agent Vic Manetti. The two have just started running together, but their first competitive race is cut short with the discovery of a body of a runner murdered the night before.
The local sheriff's department asks for Ellie's help again (her last case was quite personal) and she's teaming up with Detective Nick Baxter, despite a very strained personal and professional relationship between the two.
Ellie is struggling in her personal life - with her relationships with Vic Manetti and Nick Baxter, and with alcohol. She'd turned to the bottle in the last book and now she's trying hard to keep her head straight, but the killer will be working to get under Ellie's skin. If everyone is to survive, Ellie will need to stay sober and keep her wits about her - which may be more difficult than it sounds.
Author Caroline Fardig's Java Jive series was a top-notch cozy mystery series (one of the very few 'cozy's' that I read and enjoyed) but with the mystery series, Fardig has gotten more than just a little bit darker. Not only are the murders more gruesome and the murderers more threatening, but the personal issues that our protagonist, Ellie Matthews, is dealing with are also just a bit harsher.
This book has two stories going - one, the murder to be solved, is a strong mystery that will keep the reader on edge and guessing all the way to the end - but I may have found the other story - that of Ellie's personal relationships with Manetti and Baxter - even more interesting. And the problems surround the second story definitely impacts Ellie's ability to work on the first.
This is really a tightly woven story that is extremely well paced. The further we get in to it, the more anxiety we feel as readers, wondering which relationship will crack first and whether or not everyone will come through to the end of the book.
If you like mysteries, I really encourage you to seek out Caroline Fardig's Ellie Matthews Mystery Series. You don't need to have read the first two books in the series to enjoy this, but you will want to read them because they are good.
Looking for a good book? Dead Sprint by Caroline Fardig is a fast-paced, excellent mystery with an interesting, flawed protagonist who works as hard on her personal life as she does solving murders. Read it.
I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Ellie Matthews is a criminalist, in a personal relationship with FBI Agent Vic Manetti. The two have just started running together, but their first competitive race is cut short with the discovery of a body of a runner murdered the night before.
The local sheriff's department asks for Ellie's help again (her last case was quite personal) and she's teaming up with Detective Nick Baxter, despite a very strained personal and professional relationship between the two.
Ellie is struggling in her personal life - with her relationships with Vic Manetti and Nick Baxter, and with alcohol. She'd turned to the bottle in the last book and now she's trying hard to keep her head straight, but the killer will be working to get under Ellie's skin. If everyone is to survive, Ellie will need to stay sober and keep her wits about her - which may be more difficult than it sounds.
Author Caroline Fardig's Java Jive series was a top-notch cozy mystery series (one of the very few 'cozy's' that I read and enjoyed) but with the mystery series, Fardig has gotten more than just a little bit darker. Not only are the murders more gruesome and the murderers more threatening, but the personal issues that our protagonist, Ellie Matthews, is dealing with are also just a bit harsher.
This book has two stories going - one, the murder to be solved, is a strong mystery that will keep the reader on edge and guessing all the way to the end - but I may have found the other story - that of Ellie's personal relationships with Manetti and Baxter - even more interesting. And the problems surround the second story definitely impacts Ellie's ability to work on the first.
This is really a tightly woven story that is extremely well paced. The further we get in to it, the more anxiety we feel as readers, wondering which relationship will crack first and whether or not everyone will come through to the end of the book.
If you like mysteries, I really encourage you to seek out Caroline Fardig's Ellie Matthews Mystery Series. You don't need to have read the first two books in the series to enjoy this, but you will want to read them because they are good.
Looking for a good book? Dead Sprint by Caroline Fardig is a fast-paced, excellent mystery with an interesting, flawed protagonist who works as hard on her personal life as she does solving murders. Read it.
I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2021
Dead Sprint was an amazing mystery read that I could not put down.
If you have read my reviews in the past, you know that I love mystery books and am a total sucker for them. This definitely did not disappoint.
I have read a previous mystery by Caroline and I enjoyed it so when she asked me to read another, I jumped at the opportunity.
This book had plenty of suspects to pick through with plenty of motive to add to the fire. The sprinkling of romance that happens in the book gives it a little more heat – not so much so that I would rate this in a romance category or say that it’s so lovey that a man would not enjoy this read. If you enjoy mysteries, this is a great mystery. I never had the suspect picked out. In fact, I am not sure the suspect even dotted my radar until it was all coming together for Ellie.
I don’t recall reading the previous books in this series and it did not hinder my ability to read and enjoy this book. There were definitely things that would have been nice to know from previous books, but it wasn’t anything that I absolutely had to know to follow along. I feel confident in saying that this book can be read as a stand alone without having read previous books.
I certainly hope there are more Ellie Matthews books to come because I really, truly enjoyed reading this mystery. There are some… unfinished items in Ellie’s life that I would like to see where they go. I promise you, I am adding the previous two books to my “to be read” list so I can read more! Caroline is definitely an author to follow!
If you have read my reviews in the past, you know that I love mystery books and am a total sucker for them. This definitely did not disappoint.
I have read a previous mystery by Caroline and I enjoyed it so when she asked me to read another, I jumped at the opportunity.
This book had plenty of suspects to pick through with plenty of motive to add to the fire. The sprinkling of romance that happens in the book gives it a little more heat – not so much so that I would rate this in a romance category or say that it’s so lovey that a man would not enjoy this read. If you enjoy mysteries, this is a great mystery. I never had the suspect picked out. In fact, I am not sure the suspect even dotted my radar until it was all coming together for Ellie.
I don’t recall reading the previous books in this series and it did not hinder my ability to read and enjoy this book. There were definitely things that would have been nice to know from previous books, but it wasn’t anything that I absolutely had to know to follow along. I feel confident in saying that this book can be read as a stand alone without having read previous books.
I certainly hope there are more Ellie Matthews books to come because I really, truly enjoyed reading this mystery. There are some… unfinished items in Ellie’s life that I would like to see where they go. I promise you, I am adding the previous two books to my “to be read” list so I can read more! Caroline is definitely an author to follow!
July 8, 2022
Perhaps everyone loves to hate those smug, self-satisfied, over-achieving athletes. But when not one but TWO female running phenoms don’t make it back from their solo evening runs — instead turning up murdered in the snow — even begrudgingly ‘trying-to-be-sporty’ Ellie Matthews knows this must be connected to more than just jealousy in her running club.
Matthews, a criminologist who has endured enough close calls and family traumas in Caroline Fardig’s series to have driven her to excessive drink, is working on her mental and physical health in Dead Sprint, the author’s latest murder mystery novel. She’s all about working on herself — or, she’s telling herself that.
Trying to make things work with her new boyfriend FBI Agent Vic Manetti means protein powders and joining his friends to train for an upcoming race. But apparently, she isn’t the only one who would kill for it to all be over, and all signs are pointing to it being her new beau who can’t handle the competition.
In Dead Sprint, Fardig reconnects readers with Matthews, a favorite flawed heroine. She keeps readers hooked with just enough romantic tension and whodunnit guessing games, and provides enough legitimate suspects to make page-turning irresistible.
And while Dead Sprint is the third in the Ellie Matthews mystery series, there is enough context for this novel to stand alone. Plus, it may have you running back to see how her complicated love life — and sobriety — might work out in the future.
Matthews, a criminologist who has endured enough close calls and family traumas in Caroline Fardig’s series to have driven her to excessive drink, is working on her mental and physical health in Dead Sprint, the author’s latest murder mystery novel. She’s all about working on herself — or, she’s telling herself that.
Trying to make things work with her new boyfriend FBI Agent Vic Manetti means protein powders and joining his friends to train for an upcoming race. But apparently, she isn’t the only one who would kill for it to all be over, and all signs are pointing to it being her new beau who can’t handle the competition.
In Dead Sprint, Fardig reconnects readers with Matthews, a favorite flawed heroine. She keeps readers hooked with just enough romantic tension and whodunnit guessing games, and provides enough legitimate suspects to make page-turning irresistible.
And while Dead Sprint is the third in the Ellie Matthews mystery series, there is enough context for this novel to stand alone. Plus, it may have you running back to see how her complicated love life — and sobriety — might work out in the future.
April 6, 2021
Once again Ellie is asked by the sheriff to come help the department with a puzzling murder. A cross country runner has been killed the night before a race. In fact, Ellie was running the race with Vic, her FBI boyfriend, when the body was discovered on the trail. The search is on as Ellie and Nick (Detective Baxter) chase down suspects as the murders continue.
A fast paced book with characters who are flawed yet perfect for this work. The realism of the various characters makes it easy to immerse yourself in Ellie's world. I couldn't stop reading, it was too intense and exciting! Who needs to sleep anyway!
Although this is a stand alone/no real cliffhangers story, it is so much more meaningful when the first two books are read before it. I guarantee if you read this one first, you will want to read the other two books in the series. So terrific! So exciting! So real! I loved it!
I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy of the book. The above review is my personal and honest opinion of DEAD SPRINT by Caroline Fardig.
A fast paced book with characters who are flawed yet perfect for this work. The realism of the various characters makes it easy to immerse yourself in Ellie's world. I couldn't stop reading, it was too intense and exciting! Who needs to sleep anyway!
Although this is a stand alone/no real cliffhangers story, it is so much more meaningful when the first two books are read before it. I guarantee if you read this one first, you will want to read the other two books in the series. So terrific! So exciting! So real! I loved it!
I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy of the book. The above review is my personal and honest opinion of DEAD SPRINT by Caroline Fardig.
April 17, 2021
“Dead Sprint” is the third installment in the Ellie Matthews series. I’ve read all of Caroline Fardig’s books and was thrilled to receive a complimentary copy of this latest one in exchange for an honest review.
The book picks up several months after the prior novel which centered around a very personal case for Ellie. She has returned to her job as a professor, has started dating, and is newly sober and working toward staying that way.
The book centers on a series or murders that will have you scratching your head all the way to the end.
I especially love Nick Baxter, who is front and center alongside Ellie throughout the book.
Even if you have not read the other two books in this series, there is enough detail so that you understand what has happened in the past and what drives these characters.
This is another great book from Ms. Fardig, and I look forward to many more in the future.
The book picks up several months after the prior novel which centered around a very personal case for Ellie. She has returned to her job as a professor, has started dating, and is newly sober and working toward staying that way.
The book centers on a series or murders that will have you scratching your head all the way to the end.
I especially love Nick Baxter, who is front and center alongside Ellie throughout the book.
Even if you have not read the other two books in this series, there is enough detail so that you understand what has happened in the past and what drives these characters.
This is another great book from Ms. Fardig, and I look forward to many more in the future.
April 12, 2021
I have read all of Ms. Fardig’s Lizzy Hart series, and when she asked me to read Dead Sprint, I was both honored and delighted. Caroline can write an edge of your seat like no other and one that is almost too realistic. You can smell the blood, picture the body and most of all, feel the tension that’s almost always inside her protagonist. And that’s exactly what happens in Dead Sprint. There’s a lot going on here – both with Ellie personally and with the case she’s working on. But this is one that will have you guessing to the very end. I’m usually pretty good at determining the ‘who dunit’, but in this case, I was way off base. Dead Sprint is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys a good forensic mystery with a touch of romance on the side. Great job, Caroline. Now I have to go back and read the first two Ellie Matthew’s books and am most certainly looking forward to the next one.
May 22, 2021
One day when the healing comes....
I am so glad Ellie's story continues! The first series by Caroline Fardig that I read, Lizzie Hart, had me laughing out loud until tears rolled down! This series is a total shift, with Ellie, child of a junkie mother and no known dad, who got the help she needed from a police officer when she was a teenager doing all the wrong things. Now she's s stellar crimimalist and a professor but her painful childhood keeps dragging her down. This book highlights her pain, yet she has a sense of humor and a heart that reaches out to the hurting. If you enjoy great characters, storytelling and suspense, you'll love Carolyn Fardig's Ellie Matthews. The 90 degree twists and turns kept me guessing who could be such a sadistic killer and why until the reveal at the end. I'm ready for the next one!
I am so glad Ellie's story continues! The first series by Caroline Fardig that I read, Lizzie Hart, had me laughing out loud until tears rolled down! This series is a total shift, with Ellie, child of a junkie mother and no known dad, who got the help she needed from a police officer when she was a teenager doing all the wrong things. Now she's s stellar crimimalist and a professor but her painful childhood keeps dragging her down. This book highlights her pain, yet she has a sense of humor and a heart that reaches out to the hurting. If you enjoy great characters, storytelling and suspense, you'll love Carolyn Fardig's Ellie Matthews. The 90 degree twists and turns kept me guessing who could be such a sadistic killer and why until the reveal at the end. I'm ready for the next one!
November 15, 2021
Ellie Matthews is finally starting to get her life together, including a romance with FBI agent Vic Manetti and rebuilding trust and safety with her sister Rachel, and, oh yeah, finally dealing with her alcoholism. Everything looks good on the surface, but the truth is that it's a thinly stretched veneer that's going to be easily punctured by the murder of an acquaintance. (Don't let the fact that said victim was a fitness fanatic/master body shamer diminish your horror of the crime.)
Fardig's characteristic humor and wit is on full display here. The insight that the fitness addicts she comes into contact with for this investigation are closer in nature to her than one might think is even sharper than some of the killer's weapons of choice.
Recommended for chick lit mystery fans who don't mind more than a little blood.
Fardig's characteristic humor and wit is on full display here. The insight that the fitness addicts she comes into contact with for this investigation are closer in nature to her than one might think is even sharper than some of the killer's weapons of choice.
Recommended for chick lit mystery fans who don't mind more than a little blood.
April 8, 2021
What an intense suspense thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. The plot was well-executed with plenty of twists and turns to keep you glued to the story. The setting descriptions were very good, especially in reference to forensics and evidence collection. Love the well-defined characters and found them believable. I found Ellie, the main character, to be a tough cookie. She has issues, but she's strong enough to try to work through them. She lives with her sister and nephew and family means everything to her. I absolutely adore her partner, Detective Baxter, a sweetheart. There are some elements of romance, but it’s minimized. I highly recommend this series and look forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 25, 2021
Title: Dead Sprint
Author: Caroline Fardig
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I really like this series, and I was excited to read this third installment. Ellie is an interesting, flawed character, and it was good to see her working on herself and trying to overcome her issues (those chocolate binges were so relatable).
I’m not the biggest fan of Vic. I think he’s arrogant and condescending, if basically a nice guy, and my opinion didn’t change any with this read. I always enjoy a thriller when I don’t figure out the culprit halfway through the book, and I never did figure this one out, making it even more enjoyable. The banter with Nick, as always, was my favorite part.
(Galley courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.)
Author: Caroline Fardig
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I really like this series, and I was excited to read this third installment. Ellie is an interesting, flawed character, and it was good to see her working on herself and trying to overcome her issues (those chocolate binges were so relatable).
I’m not the biggest fan of Vic. I think he’s arrogant and condescending, if basically a nice guy, and my opinion didn’t change any with this read. I always enjoy a thriller when I don’t figure out the culprit halfway through the book, and I never did figure this one out, making it even more enjoyable. The banter with Nick, as always, was my favorite part.
(Galley courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.)
May 21, 2021
Ellie Matthews is a likable character. She takes on challenges and faces her personal struggles without flinching. At least, not much. And she is smart and gutsy. The mystery pulls you in early on, and the crisp writing holds your attention. As fitting the genre, as the story progresses, a myriad of suspects and motives emerge and the plot takes twists and turns en route to a satisfying resolution.
A great choice for fans of traditional mysteries – well written and fast paced from start to finish.
FTC disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book from the author. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
A great choice for fans of traditional mysteries – well written and fast paced from start to finish.
FTC disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book from the author. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
February 18, 2023
This is the third book in the Ellie Matthews series and can be read as a standalone, however there are underlying backstories for the characters that carryover throughout the series, making it a better reading experience to start at the beginning. The plot is well developed, interesting and keeps you guessing. The characters are also well developed, realistic and humanly flawed. There is a love triangle kind of vibe going on which is something that I personally don’t like. I think love triangles or too much relationship angst are overused tools to ratchet up tension and I find them to be an unnecessary distraction in an otherwise good book.
March 25, 2023
Ellie Matthews books - always good!
Ellie is helping with an investigation of a murdered women who is a champion runner. Oops and then another murder…. Ellie and Baxter have to work together again. Rachel, Ellie’s sister is recovering from her ordeal in book 2. Looking forward to the next Ellie book and many more.
Ellie is helping with an investigation of a murdered women who is a champion runner. Oops and then another murder…. Ellie and Baxter have to work together again. Rachel, Ellie’s sister is recovering from her ordeal in book 2. Looking forward to the next Ellie book and many more.
May 4, 2023
Race to Find a Killer
Ellis is in a race to find a killer. Torn between to love interests she is juggling alot. But the body count rises and the pressure is on.
Good book. Figured out the peep early on. Found Ellie's domestic situation with the sister and kid annoying. But luckily the focus was more on the murders. Enjoyable read.
Ellis is in a race to find a killer. Torn between to love interests she is juggling alot. But the body count rises and the pressure is on.
Good book. Figured out the peep early on. Found Ellie's domestic situation with the sister and kid annoying. But luckily the focus was more on the murders. Enjoyable read.
August 27, 2023
This book started pretty much as the others in the seres, but I think it went downhill for the last 3rd or so. Was going to go no to the next in the series, but now thinking I’ll take a break from her for a while. Good characters & relationships, but overdone a bit at times.
November 10, 2024
This had a slow beginning with all the talk about running. Those athletes can really make it boring. Eventually, we stumble upon the body of a dead runner. Eh, this one was just not as good as the last 2 books. Too boring!
April 10, 2021
Good murder mystery! Not my usual genre but I really enjoyed this book. Good characters and plot.
April 19, 2021
Grabs you at the very beginning, action-packed crime thriller. Hard to put down.
April 25, 2023
Very good book in a wonderful series. Interesting characters and unpredictable sequences.
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