What do you think?
Rate this book
Sept Savoie & Keegan Blanchard #2
Answering the Call
As New Orleans recovers from Hurricane Katrina, Detective Sept Savoie recovers from a gunshot wound with the help of her new love Keegan Blanchard. As the city returns to normal, so does the crime rate. Sept’s first case back on the job is a strangely ritualistic killing, which quickly escalates into serial murder. As the bodies start to pile up, the last thing Sept needs is the city’s newest celebrity crime writer, Nicole Voles, poking into the case looking for information for a new bestseller, especially when Nicole appears just as interested in Keegan as she is in murder. Time is running out and innocent lives are on the line. But with all her focus on finding a killer, the secretive and seductive Nicole Voles may just steal what matters to Sept most.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2018
63 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Ali Vali
57 books460 followersAli Vali is the author of the long-running Cain Casey "Devil" series and the Genesis Clan "Forces" series, as well as numerous standalone romances including two Lambda Literary Award finalists, Calling the Dead and Love Match, and her 2017 release, Beauty and the Boss. Ali also has a novella in the collection Girls with Guns.
Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.
Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family's traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 10, 2018
This is the long awaited follow-up to the book Calling the Dead. It actually starts shortly after Calling the Dead ended. I enjoyed this quite a bit. I do think I liked Calling the Dead a tad more, but they were pretty equal. You could just pick up this book up and start reading but I absolutely recommend reading Calling the Dead first. A big part of the mystery in Calling the Dead is who is the killer? If you read Answering the Call first it will ruin who the killer is for the previous book. Also, Calling the Dead has when our two main characters first meet, so to really understand their romance you should start at the beginning. (Calling the Dead is only 4.99 right now so not a bad time to take a chance on it)
These books follow Detective Sept Savoie who we first met in Vali’s Cain Casey series. In fact Sept is very similar to Cain except she’s on the right side of the law. If you are a fan of the Casey series the chances are high you will enjoy these books.
The best way to describe these would be mystery/thriller/romance books. The mystery is quite good and you find yourself trying to figure out who the killer is the whole time. This book was easier to figure out the killer than the first book, but I still wasn’t sure until the end. Vali gives you little clues to figure it out and it’s just pure entertainment.
I do want to give a violence warning. Both books deal with serial killers so there is a lot of blood and dead bodies. These books are not for the squeamish. But it’s not all darkness. You have a romance and family relationship that keeps the gore from being too much.
I’m a Vali fan even though her books don’t always work for me. I was glad to put this in the yes it worked side. If you are a Cain Casey fan, don’t pass these up. Grab Calling the Dead first and get ready for a heck of a ride.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
These books follow Detective Sept Savoie who we first met in Vali’s Cain Casey series. In fact Sept is very similar to Cain except she’s on the right side of the law. If you are a fan of the Casey series the chances are high you will enjoy these books.
The best way to describe these would be mystery/thriller/romance books. The mystery is quite good and you find yourself trying to figure out who the killer is the whole time. This book was easier to figure out the killer than the first book, but I still wasn’t sure until the end. Vali gives you little clues to figure it out and it’s just pure entertainment.
I do want to give a violence warning. Both books deal with serial killers so there is a lot of blood and dead bodies. These books are not for the squeamish. But it’s not all darkness. You have a romance and family relationship that keeps the gore from being too much.
I’m a Vali fan even though her books don’t always work for me. I was glad to put this in the yes it worked side. If you are a Cain Casey fan, don’t pass these up. Grab Calling the Dead first and get ready for a heck of a ride.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
December 3, 2018
This seems to be a continuation of Calling the Dead and while I don’t like to read books out of order I didn’t have any problems following the story line. Following the traumatic injuries Sept Savoie sustained in capturing the serial killer Alex Perlis, she’s now recovered and ready to return to work. She and her partner, Keegan Blanchard, are just about to return home from their romantic getaway when a parcel is delivered to their door. The toe in the jar signals that Sept is back at work. Investigating the death of a woman and two police officers is further complicated by the arrival of an author wanting to do a story on Alex Perlis. Nicole Voles is persistent and disruptive.
This novel has an interesting premise, loads of dialogue, a couple in love, an intense investigation and it’s set in New Orleans. Keegan and Sept have great communication. I love the concept that they each come from powerful local families; Sept from a family of law enforcement and Keegan from a dynasty of restaurateurs. This should be a perfect novel for me but it isn’t. For some reason I just don’t click with Vali’s writing. I can’t pin-point anything that actually bothered me while reading but I felt completely disconnected from the story. This is my second novel by Vali and I felt very much the same in that one too.
I reckon if you’re a fan of Vali this won’t disappoint but I think I will save us both from my reviews and ratings in the future.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
This novel has an interesting premise, loads of dialogue, a couple in love, an intense investigation and it’s set in New Orleans. Keegan and Sept have great communication. I love the concept that they each come from powerful local families; Sept from a family of law enforcement and Keegan from a dynasty of restaurateurs. This should be a perfect novel for me but it isn’t. For some reason I just don’t click with Vali’s writing. I can’t pin-point anything that actually bothered me while reading but I felt completely disconnected from the story. This is my second novel by Vali and I felt very much the same in that one too.
I reckon if you’re a fan of Vali this won’t disappoint but I think I will save us both from my reviews and ratings in the future.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
December 22, 2018
Ali Vali picks up where Calling the Dead finished with Sept Savoie recovering from her injuries and getting back on the job just as a copycat killer begins to litter the New Orleans landscape with dead bodies. Sept and Keegan have little time to contemplate their engagement and once again the lives of everyone Sept knows and loves are in peril.
The first book starring our intrepid crime fighter was published in 2008 so the author spends a bit of time catching readers up on the serial killer and their actions in the previous novel. I highly recommend reading Calling the Dead before reading this second installment. Once again we have graphic violence in abundance. This killer is not so precise as the one they are imitating and that makes hunting them down that much more difficult for Sept and Nathan. Added to their challenges a fictional crime writer, Nicole Voles has decided to write about the first murder spree and is another thorn the detectives don’t need with the body count mounting and the clues few and far between. Nicole is clever, shifty and also interested in Keegan. She’s not above horning in on the current murder spree with the help of her FBI father. Sept just can’t catch a break.
Crime thrillers run a fine line between action, violence bordering on the macabre and the police appearing to have any chance of cracking the case and capturing the monster. I found myself losing faith that the entire force and forensic guys would ever find a clue. New characters mean lots of red herrings but I needed to know there was hope that justice would be served. Vali was effective at ramping up the tension but I wished the police procedural part would have yielded faster results without the large number of casualties and possible targets.
Satisfying ending and a clever one at that for those of us who think we can crack every crime and every criminal case.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
The first book starring our intrepid crime fighter was published in 2008 so the author spends a bit of time catching readers up on the serial killer and their actions in the previous novel. I highly recommend reading Calling the Dead before reading this second installment. Once again we have graphic violence in abundance. This killer is not so precise as the one they are imitating and that makes hunting them down that much more difficult for Sept and Nathan. Added to their challenges a fictional crime writer, Nicole Voles has decided to write about the first murder spree and is another thorn the detectives don’t need with the body count mounting and the clues few and far between. Nicole is clever, shifty and also interested in Keegan. She’s not above horning in on the current murder spree with the help of her FBI father. Sept just can’t catch a break.
Crime thrillers run a fine line between action, violence bordering on the macabre and the police appearing to have any chance of cracking the case and capturing the monster. I found myself losing faith that the entire force and forensic guys would ever find a clue. New characters mean lots of red herrings but I needed to know there was hope that justice would be served. Vali was effective at ramping up the tension but I wished the police procedural part would have yielded faster results without the large number of casualties and possible targets.
Satisfying ending and a clever one at that for those of us who think we can crack every crime and every criminal case.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
May 12, 2019
As is always an important thing to note/question to answer in series books: Can someone read this second series book without having read the first? Sure, anything is possible - but should you? No. The reader both misses out on seeing the Sept/Keegan romance develop/start; and make it much harder to go back to read the first book - if they ever decide to do so - especially as this is a mystery series that hides things from the reader - a more traditional type mystery (which I worded better in the other review for this series) so reading this book here immediately and greatly spoils things for the first book. (A side question would be: this is related to the Cain Casey series - should someone read that before reading this series? While there are some 'neat' tie-ins, a reader will not 'lose' anything in understanding this series here by skipping over the Cain series; nor will a reader 'spoil' that other series by reading this one first, then going over to read the Cain Casey series (which is not often the case with series books).
Right, so. The book opens with a prologue - someone kills a police investigator who had recently captured a serial killer; killing the officer using mostly the same methods that the serial killer had used. Part of the gruesome stuff that occurs includes the removal of a specific body part - which I mention specifically so I can then link the prologue to the rest of the book - when the book moves from the prologue to the main action, Sept receives a package in the mail, which just so happens to contain that removed body part.
Sept was on vacation with Keegan at the time, in a different jurisdiction, so the book does not turn into one in which Sept investigates the body part. But she does end up investigating the killer. To step back for a moment: in between book one and two (this being two) in the series, Sept was on desk duty (for reasons) and at the start of the story on vacation. Which I mention to then note that her first day 'back on the streets' is an especially ugly one - she's called out to a crime scene that matches one she has seen before - the killer in the previous book appears to have a copy-cat . . . but there is a lot more to the issue than that might imply. No - this is not, very much not, just a repeat of the first book, just following someone else doing the same crimes.
Right, so: another great mystery set in New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina (as was the first book). Some series books like this like to add in another couple for romance purposes (as in watching another person 'find their other'). While there are more couples who turn up in this book, none of them were added for that 'watch these people come together' element since all of them remain side characters in this book, and all of them were already in relationships before the start of this book.
Rating: 4.95
May 11 2019
Right, so. The book opens with a prologue - someone kills a police investigator who had recently captured a serial killer; killing the officer using mostly the same methods that the serial killer had used. Part of the gruesome stuff that occurs includes the removal of a specific body part - which I mention specifically so I can then link the prologue to the rest of the book - when the book moves from the prologue to the main action, Sept receives a package in the mail, which just so happens to contain that removed body part.
Sept was on vacation with Keegan at the time, in a different jurisdiction, so the book does not turn into one in which Sept investigates the body part. But she does end up investigating the killer. To step back for a moment: in between book one and two (this being two) in the series, Sept was on desk duty (for reasons) and at the start of the story on vacation. Which I mention to then note that her first day 'back on the streets' is an especially ugly one - she's called out to a crime scene that matches one she has seen before - the killer in the previous book appears to have a copy-cat . . . but there is a lot more to the issue than that might imply. No - this is not, very much not, just a repeat of the first book, just following someone else doing the same crimes.
Right, so: another great mystery set in New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina (as was the first book). Some series books like this like to add in another couple for romance purposes (as in watching another person 'find their other'). While there are more couples who turn up in this book, none of them were added for that 'watch these people come together' element since all of them remain side characters in this book, and all of them were already in relationships before the start of this book.
Rating: 4.95
May 11 2019
January 2, 2020
This was a good sequel. It takes place about 3 months or so after the first book ends and boy does it start it off running and pretty much never stops. The relationship between Sept and Keegan continues to grow and at time becomes a bit to syrupy but still very cute and I loved reading about them. We also get a bit more information about the people surrounding the two love birds. I actually finding myself wanting to know more about Jacqueline's relationship. I still loved the first one better but this was a really good read. 4.5*
December 15, 2018
Answering The Call is the sequel to Calling The Dead.
If you've read Calling The Dead then you'll definitely would like to get this onto your read shelf - hard to resist Sept + Keegan and definitely you don't want to miss the gore.
Calling The Dead was on sale for 4.99 the other day - thank you, Lex. Answering The Call is available on Scribd..
This book just came out a few days ago and most of the trustworthy reviewers had already shared their thoughts on it. I think the ratings were 3 - 5 stars.
The thriller took main stage, there were a lot of murders. I tried to keep up with the digits but after a while, I couldn't be bothered anymore. A copycat was copying the methods of several serial killers. I should be excited right? I wasn't, it felt unreal. Why? Some murders were planned but some were coincidence which didn't fit a serial killer's modus operandi. Too many weapons and instruments were used, I was curious to see the SK's shopping list as he / she shopped at Walmart.
Almost everyone in the book was gushing over how smart Sept was, I disagreed. I even repeated some scenes to agree with them but came out with my original opinion.
O.T.T. elements -
1. Keegan's family over fixation towards Sept.
2. Sept's overconcerned towards the Blanchard's safety. Hardly any attentions paid to her own family, were they chopped liver?
3. The cheeks kissing, there were about 14 of them.. There were more actually + it wasn't only between Sept and Keegan. Almost every good guy / gal got their cheeks kissed. Please ignore this fact, it was a personal issue.
4. The murders
I still love Keegan and Sept, they were absolutely a strong unit - always checking in, sharing their feelings and very loving. Ms.Vali made an excellent quote in Calling The Dead.
“Ugly things are like big pieces of furniture, don’t you think?” “How so?” “They’re easier to carry if two people share the load,” - Keegan Blanchard
If you've read Calling The Dead then you'll definitely would like to get this onto your read shelf - hard to resist Sept + Keegan and definitely you don't want to miss the gore.
Calling The Dead was on sale for 4.99 the other day - thank you, Lex. Answering The Call is available on Scribd..
This book just came out a few days ago and most of the trustworthy reviewers had already shared their thoughts on it. I think the ratings were 3 - 5 stars.
The thriller took main stage, there were a lot of murders. I tried to keep up with the digits but after a while, I couldn't be bothered anymore. A copycat was copying the methods of several serial killers. I should be excited right? I wasn't, it felt unreal. Why? Some murders were planned but some were coincidence which didn't fit a serial killer's modus operandi. Too many weapons and instruments were used, I was curious to see the SK's shopping list as he / she shopped at Walmart.
Almost everyone in the book was gushing over how smart Sept was, I disagreed. I even repeated some scenes to agree with them but came out with my original opinion.
O.T.T. elements -
1. Keegan's family over fixation towards Sept.
2. Sept's overconcerned towards the Blanchard's safety. Hardly any attentions paid to her own family, were they chopped liver?
3. The cheeks kissing, there were about 14 of them.. There were more actually + it wasn't only between Sept and Keegan. Almost every good guy / gal got their cheeks kissed. Please ignore this fact, it was a personal issue.
4. The murders
I still love Keegan and Sept, they were absolutely a strong unit - always checking in, sharing their feelings and very loving. Ms.Vali made an excellent quote in Calling The Dead.
“Ugly things are like big pieces of furniture, don’t you think?” “How so?” “They’re easier to carry if two people share the load,” - Keegan Blanchard
December 3, 2018
Detective Sept Savoie has to solve some ritualistic killings. This is a nice mystery book, I love the plot and the characters too. It is my first book by Ali Vali and I like it very much.
Thanks to Netgalley for this copy.
Thanks to Netgalley for this copy.
December 15, 2018
Ali Vali is a master of complex and riveting mysteries that will keep you on the edge of your seat reading until the end, and Answering the Call is a perfect example of her mastery. Answering the Call is the second in Ms. Vali’s Call series and takes place months after Calling the Dead ends with most of the same characters and adding some new protagonists to the tale. The setting is also the same as the first book, the recovery period of post Katrina New Orleans.
This second book is just as intriguing and multi-layered as the first novel. Ms. Vali also has all of those little plot twists that she throws into the tale which keeps you guessing and totally surprises you. For instance, I knew who the bad guy was about halfway through the story. I was proud of myself for figuring it out so soon. Good thing I kept reading because than I made it to the end of the story and found another of those little plot twists and…well, you will have to read it all the way to the end yourself to find out.
As I mentioned above, Answering the Call is the second book in the Call series, and to be honest, it really is not a stand-alone book. You really need to get Calling the Dead and read both books in the order they were written. If you only read this book, you will miss a good deal of information that it would be impossible for the author to give you in a blurb. I also think you would have a hard time connecting with the characters since they were already established and evolved in the first novel. Reading the books out of order would ruin the first book for you as well since the killer in the Calling the Dead is known in Answering the Call.
I encourage you to buy both books and read them in order. They are both outstanding mystery/romance novels and you will be glad you did.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
This second book is just as intriguing and multi-layered as the first novel. Ms. Vali also has all of those little plot twists that she throws into the tale which keeps you guessing and totally surprises you. For instance, I knew who the bad guy was about halfway through the story. I was proud of myself for figuring it out so soon. Good thing I kept reading because than I made it to the end of the story and found another of those little plot twists and…well, you will have to read it all the way to the end yourself to find out.
As I mentioned above, Answering the Call is the second book in the Call series, and to be honest, it really is not a stand-alone book. You really need to get Calling the Dead and read both books in the order they were written. If you only read this book, you will miss a good deal of information that it would be impossible for the author to give you in a blurb. I also think you would have a hard time connecting with the characters since they were already established and evolved in the first novel. Reading the books out of order would ruin the first book for you as well since the killer in the Calling the Dead is known in Answering the Call.
I encourage you to buy both books and read them in order. They are both outstanding mystery/romance novels and you will be glad you did.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections:
https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
August 12, 2022
Ok, I'll get it out straight away. Yes, this is a sequel. I'm often asked should I read them in order?
My reply is always its up to you. But, yes you could read this if you wanted too without reading the first one. Because both stories are complete and do not continue however book two does have a few references to book one.
The story follows the case of a serial killer and the detectives are on a race against time to catch them. There are many twists and turns. Many dead ends. Just when you think you've worked it out something happens and disproves your theory. I thought I got it right. But Wow The ending put an end to that. I never saw that coming.
I really enjoy reading Vali. She tends to keep you on your toes. She has a great writing style and the pace of the story is excellent. The book has made me love her writing even more. I so look forward to more.
Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
My reply is always its up to you. But, yes you could read this if you wanted too without reading the first one. Because both stories are complete and do not continue however book two does have a few references to book one.
The story follows the case of a serial killer and the detectives are on a race against time to catch them. There are many twists and turns. Many dead ends. Just when you think you've worked it out something happens and disproves your theory. I thought I got it right. But Wow The ending put an end to that. I never saw that coming.
I really enjoy reading Vali. She tends to keep you on your toes. She has a great writing style and the pace of the story is excellent. The book has made me love her writing even more. I so look forward to more.
Enjoy!
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
April 25, 2021
I am becoming a fan addict of this writer.
Read the first book in the series some years ago and needed to get high on another Vali book and realised a sequel was already published for Sept.
Loved the first book because as a descendant of Oodua i understood by default the deities mentioned in the books though to be truthful I can't claim same level of understanding for each deity customs. But it felt good having to read a book that clearly shows the author did her research and did pretty well interweaving fiction with it.
Between the two books, the first is my favourite perhaps because of the novelty of the theme but also i feel it was also more clean and fluid. This sequel felt to me gore and worded superfluously/repeatedly in some cases. Nevertheless, i give this book a 3.8 star ratings.
Read the first book in the series some years ago and needed to get high on another Vali book and realised a sequel was already published for Sept.
Loved the first book because as a descendant of Oodua i understood by default the deities mentioned in the books though to be truthful I can't claim same level of understanding for each deity customs. But it felt good having to read a book that clearly shows the author did her research and did pretty well interweaving fiction with it.
Between the two books, the first is my favourite perhaps because of the novelty of the theme but also i feel it was also more clean and fluid. This sequel felt to me gore and worded superfluously/repeatedly in some cases. Nevertheless, i give this book a 3.8 star ratings.
March 11, 2019
Awesome audiobook!!!
January 6, 2019
This was worth the wait, I remember picking up Calling the Dead a few years ago and thinking, "this definitely needs a sequel" and after all these years I finally get one. I do want to start with saying that I absolutely LOVE Ali Vali and her style of writing. She is amazing and the types of books she writes are so different. My favorite though are anything having to do with the police and crime boss Cain Casey. If only someone would make these into a movie. My entire life would be complete. So on to the review.
This book starts right after Sept Savoie has healed from the gunshot wounds she sustained in the last book. Sept and Keegan are on a fishing trip where sept proposes and we get to feel all the warm fuzzies for a few pages before a toe is delivered to Sept and she is back on the job.
This entire book is centered around a series of cases and it is Sept and Nathan's job to solve them. This book was really good. I could not put it down. I was up until 3 am reading it and then I realized I should probably sleep. It was action packed and fast paced. There was even a little cameo from Cain Casey in this book. I love Cain Casey in any form that I can get her in. This book had all the elements to make it a great read and there wasn't't anything about it that I disliked. I guess you could say that there were way too many new characters in the book, but that was more annoying than anything else. This was an excellent follow up and I hope there are more Sept Savoie books in the future.
I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley. I will definitely be buying this one.
This book starts right after Sept Savoie has healed from the gunshot wounds she sustained in the last book. Sept and Keegan are on a fishing trip where sept proposes and we get to feel all the warm fuzzies for a few pages before a toe is delivered to Sept and she is back on the job.
This entire book is centered around a series of cases and it is Sept and Nathan's job to solve them. This book was really good. I could not put it down. I was up until 3 am reading it and then I realized I should probably sleep. It was action packed and fast paced. There was even a little cameo from Cain Casey in this book. I love Cain Casey in any form that I can get her in. This book had all the elements to make it a great read and there wasn't't anything about it that I disliked. I guess you could say that there were way too many new characters in the book, but that was more annoying than anything else. This was an excellent follow up and I hope there are more Sept Savoie books in the future.
I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley. I will definitely be buying this one.
May 26, 2019
This book starts fairly soon after the last book finished, unfortunately the new investigation seemed to be too similar to the previous one. For a big part of the book it almost felt like the author had some left over notes from the first book and decided to just throw them in.
I know these stories are not the same as this author’s Cain Casey books, but one of the things I liked about them, was even when hit by problems Cain always finds a way to get back control. Sept never seems to have any control, for too much of the book she is just reacting to yet another pile of bodies, even when she laid the final trap, she got it wrong.
From the ratings it is clear that most people have no problems with the story so it is probably just me, I don’t like ‘Super’ villains who seem to be impossibly efficient, capable of being in two places at once, don’t seem to need to eat or sleep, have infinite funds and access to any equipment. The clever twist at the end of the book explains the ‘Super’ abilities, but I was still left me slightly irritated for 95% of the book, especially when I decided who the perpetrator was, yet couldn’t see how it was possible. I know this is my failing, but it did reduce my enjoyment of the book.
For me the journey is the fun part of reading, not the final destination. Having said that, the story did keep me engaged and I have to admit I didn’t see the ending coming.
I know these stories are not the same as this author’s Cain Casey books, but one of the things I liked about them, was even when hit by problems Cain always finds a way to get back control. Sept never seems to have any control, for too much of the book she is just reacting to yet another pile of bodies, even when she laid the final trap, she got it wrong.
From the ratings it is clear that most people have no problems with the story so it is probably just me, I don’t like ‘Super’ villains who seem to be impossibly efficient, capable of being in two places at once, don’t seem to need to eat or sleep, have infinite funds and access to any equipment. The clever twist at the end of the book explains the ‘Super’ abilities, but I was still left me slightly irritated for 95% of the book, especially when I decided who the perpetrator was, yet couldn’t see how it was possible. I know this is my failing, but it did reduce my enjoyment of the book.
For me the journey is the fun part of reading, not the final destination. Having said that, the story did keep me engaged and I have to admit I didn’t see the ending coming.
December 14, 2018
There are so many things to say about this book, I've actually been pondering this review for hours.
First off, it is a sequel. This is not a stand-alone book, and I wish I had known this before starting to read. I picked up on this early in the first pages when events were referenced and I had no idea what the characters were talking about. So I went back to BSB and bought the first book, 'Calling The Dead'. Without going into that book's review here, let me tell you the two books and their titles are as inter-woven and necessary to each other as a right shoe is to the left.
So, I'm going to assume that you've read 'Calling The Dead' and trust me when I say, you want to. Really. Now you're wondering if this book is any good. It is not just good, it is a gut-grabbing, hair-curling, roller-coaster of twists and turns all wrapped in a murder mystery. This is not your grandmother's mystery! There is blood and guts here, and lots of it. There are sick and twisted bad-guys with sick and demented goals. There are good guys and gals too, lots of them, who want to see the depravity stop and people protected. Chivalry, high emotion and love abounds here as well. The story is paced well and the characters, and there are many, are so well crafted, that you'll swear they aren't made-up. Both main families feel so real that you think that you could just call them up. There is only one question I was left with, but it makes no difference to the story.
Why is Sept's hair white?
So in closing, first, get yourself a copy of 'Calling The Dead', then get yourself a copy of this book, 'Answering The Call'. Prepare to lose yourself in a world of Ali Vali's making. Leave the dishes unwashed, let the dog out before you start reading because you won't want to be disturbed afterward. Oh yeah, and enjoy Mike too.
Fabulously creepy cover, a wonderfully gripping story...what are you still doing here? Go get your own copy!
First off, it is a sequel. This is not a stand-alone book, and I wish I had known this before starting to read. I picked up on this early in the first pages when events were referenced and I had no idea what the characters were talking about. So I went back to BSB and bought the first book, 'Calling The Dead'. Without going into that book's review here, let me tell you the two books and their titles are as inter-woven and necessary to each other as a right shoe is to the left.
So, I'm going to assume that you've read 'Calling The Dead' and trust me when I say, you want to. Really. Now you're wondering if this book is any good. It is not just good, it is a gut-grabbing, hair-curling, roller-coaster of twists and turns all wrapped in a murder mystery. This is not your grandmother's mystery! There is blood and guts here, and lots of it. There are sick and twisted bad-guys with sick and demented goals. There are good guys and gals too, lots of them, who want to see the depravity stop and people protected. Chivalry, high emotion and love abounds here as well. The story is paced well and the characters, and there are many, are so well crafted, that you'll swear they aren't made-up. Both main families feel so real that you think that you could just call them up. There is only one question I was left with, but it makes no difference to the story.
Why is Sept's hair white?
So in closing, first, get yourself a copy of 'Calling The Dead', then get yourself a copy of this book, 'Answering The Call'. Prepare to lose yourself in a world of Ali Vali's making. Leave the dishes unwashed, let the dog out before you start reading because you won't want to be disturbed afterward. Oh yeah, and enjoy Mike too.
Fabulously creepy cover, a wonderfully gripping story...what are you still doing here? Go get your own copy!
December 1, 2018
Answering The Call is SPECTACULAR! I love ALI VALI and have been waiting for the follow up to Calling the Dead! I love, love, love these characters! I really would like to see the Melinda/St.John story! HINT - HINT- TO THE AUTHOR!
I really don't know where to start...except to say that the book is wonderful on all levels. I don't want to share too much of the plot, but Sept is a detective and her girlfriend is Keegan, a chef. The story is set in New Orleans. The supportive characters are wonderful. Della is hilarious. I love her sharp wit an and her compassion. However, I was hoping Keegan's sister, Jacquline, might end up with Muriel (Cain's cousin) in the Devil Series. I do love the Muriel/Kristin match as well! So all is good. It's just too much time between these delightful characters just sucks. I am hoping that Ali decides to do a series of Sept and Keegan's next adventure - especially with the way she ended the book! The same goes for the Devil series - one a year of each would be a dream come true for your readers Ali!
ARC was provided by publisher for an honest review.
I really don't know where to start...except to say that the book is wonderful on all levels. I don't want to share too much of the plot, but Sept is a detective and her girlfriend is Keegan, a chef. The story is set in New Orleans. The supportive characters are wonderful. Della is hilarious. I love her sharp wit an and her compassion. However, I was hoping Keegan's sister, Jacquline, might end up with Muriel (Cain's cousin) in the Devil Series. I do love the Muriel/Kristin match as well! So all is good. It's just too much time between these delightful characters just sucks. I am hoping that Ali decides to do a series of Sept and Keegan's next adventure - especially with the way she ended the book! The same goes for the Devil series - one a year of each would be a dream come true for your readers Ali!
ARC was provided by publisher for an honest review.
December 7, 2018
Absolutely loved this book. This story will keep you on the edge right up to the end. Ali Vali has such a wonderful way of developing characters that come alive through her writing.
This is her second novel with Sept and Keegan and their families. Her skill has them drawing you in and wanting more. She understands how to bring them to life with her words.
I look forward to more in this series. I am a true fan of all her work and believes she gets better with each new novel.
This is her second novel with Sept and Keegan and their families. Her skill has them drawing you in and wanting more. She understands how to bring them to life with her words.
I look forward to more in this series. I am a true fan of all her work and believes she gets better with each new novel.
December 24, 2018
I couldn't finish this. I tried and tried but gave up around the 40% mark.
I think this works as a standalone even though it is a series. The author explains important things from the past that are integral to the plot of this one
I had a hard time with the amount of characters. Many in Keegan's family. Many in Sept's family. All the people on Sept's team. Writer and her father. Several branches of law enforcement. Some sex workers, Killer. Etc. Seriously too many to keep track of.
The romance had already been established in book 1 so there was not any anticipation or interest from that side of things. And whoever is doing the killing this time is referencing kills from book 1 so that didn't catch my interest either.
Really wish I could have gotten through this as a lot of people have left positive reviews.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for an honest review.
I think this works as a standalone even though it is a series. The author explains important things from the past that are integral to the plot of this one
I had a hard time with the amount of characters. Many in Keegan's family. Many in Sept's family. All the people on Sept's team. Writer and her father. Several branches of law enforcement. Some sex workers, Killer. Etc. Seriously too many to keep track of.
The romance had already been established in book 1 so there was not any anticipation or interest from that side of things. And whoever is doing the killing this time is referencing kills from book 1 so that didn't catch my interest either.
Really wish I could have gotten through this as a lot of people have left positive reviews.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for an honest review.
January 13, 2019
I don't like to jump in to multi-part book series in the middle, so when I read the suggestions to buy Calling the Dead and read it first, I happily did so. Right off the bat, the Cain Casey Devil series is in my top 3 list of series, so I knew I wanted to read these. My wife read Answering the Call without having read Calling the Dead, loved it, totally got it as a stand-alone, but personally I can't imagine not wanting to have all the background on the murder aspect. Plus, the love story of Sept and Keegan would be a crime to miss lol. There were so many plot twists in the whodunnit that kept me guessing and second-guessing. I hope that there will be a third installment in the not too distant future.
August 1, 2020
I love Ali Vali’s books. She knows how to right a good suspenseful murder mystery revolving around a beautiful romance. I did not see that twist at the end coming. I’m in love Sept and Keegan and I’m so happy to get more of their story. I would enjoy another even. If not I hope for their continued guest appearance in the Cain Casey series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2019
This is an excellent follow up to Calling the Dead which introduced Sept Savoie, but it can be read as a stand alone. There are no spoilers in this review.
Sept and Keegan are happily getting on with life when there is a demanding new case for Sept to get involved in. Gruesome murders are obviously linked to each other but also to a killer Sept put away in the first book. Is it a copycat? Then there is the journalist who is writing a true crime book about how Sept solved the first murder... and also has an eye for Keegan.
Lots going on here, lots to keep you turning pages and the plot is well developed. The ending might be a little fast and a bit of a stretch but it didn't stop me enjoying this as an entertaining read.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Sept and Keegan are happily getting on with life when there is a demanding new case for Sept to get involved in. Gruesome murders are obviously linked to each other but also to a killer Sept put away in the first book. Is it a copycat? Then there is the journalist who is writing a true crime book about how Sept solved the first murder... and also has an eye for Keegan.
Lots going on here, lots to keep you turning pages and the plot is well developed. The ending might be a little fast and a bit of a stretch but it didn't stop me enjoying this as an entertaining read.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
December 8, 2018
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love it!!!! It was great to see Sept and Keegan again and the rest of the characters. I didn't think we were going to get another book with them..
It starts off with the killer killing a cop and then sending a thumb to Sept and Keegan while they were on vacation and this starts a another killing spree.
I love Sept and Keegan relationship because they talk and listen to each other especially love Keegan Gran Della she a hoot. I like how they include everyone as their family.
The plot remind of storylines on Criminal Minds and if the author continue to write about Sept and Keegan and company I can totally see this as a tv show or web series. It be great to see a lesbian lead on tv screen.
I love it!!!! It was great to see Sept and Keegan again and the rest of the characters. I didn't think we were going to get another book with them..
It starts off with the killer killing a cop and then sending a thumb to Sept and Keegan while they were on vacation and this starts a another killing spree.
I love Sept and Keegan relationship because they talk and listen to each other especially love Keegan Gran Della she a hoot. I like how they include everyone as their family.
The plot remind of storylines on Criminal Minds and if the author continue to write about Sept and Keegan and company I can totally see this as a tv show or web series. It be great to see a lesbian lead on tv screen.
December 22, 2018
💓💓💓💓💓💓💓
I have been a Cain and Emma fan since book one. But I do believe Sept and Keegan are up their with them now. I loved the suspense, mystery and passion in this storyline. I had an ideal of who I thought the killer was but I was double shocked at the end😂 Ali killed with all the characters...they had their parts to play in the story. Thank you Ali for a great adventure. I definitely recommend this book.
I have been a Cain and Emma fan since book one. But I do believe Sept and Keegan are up their with them now. I loved the suspense, mystery and passion in this storyline. I had an ideal of who I thought the killer was but I was double shocked at the end😂 Ali killed with all the characters...they had their parts to play in the story. Thank you Ali for a great adventure. I definitely recommend this book.
January 3, 2019
I can always count on this author to give me an enthralling romantic thriller/mystery! I enjoyed all of the lighthearted and witty banter between Keegan and Sept. I just couldn’t put my kindle down even when some of the situations turned brutal and bloody. Sept has become my new, fictional love interest and I know that this book is going to be one of my favorite re-reads.
October 17, 2022
Lots of twists & turns. Scary at times. Long.
January 13, 2019
This is the sequel to Ms. Vali’s 2008 book Calling the Dead. I had almost given up hope for a sequel. I did not reread the first book and wish I had because it took me a little time to remember some of the supporting characters. Once I read a few chapters, however, I was caught up in the suspense.
The setting for this book is New Orleans right after Hurricane Katrina. The book begins with Detective Sept Savoie getting ready to return to work after recovering from a gunshot injury from a prior case. She and Keegan Blanchard are still together and are planning their wedding. Readers will find all the other supporting characters are still in this book. Cain Casey takes on a very brief part, too.
Immediately upon returning to work from her medical leave, Sept and her partner, Nathan, are assigned to find a serial killer who uses religious rituals to murder. Because of the high number of murders committed by this sick individual, readers would almost think that the murders happen over many weeks, but in reality, it is just days.
As with many of Ms. Vali’s books, there are many twists in the plot. The suspense builds as each murder occurs. You can almost sense the urgency the Sept and Nathan are under to solve this mystery. The emotional ups and downs are plentiful.
Ms. Vali knows how to write a great suspense and readers will not be disappointed. I highly recommend Answering the Call. Although you don’t have to read Calling the Dead beforehand, I highly suggested that you do. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
The setting for this book is New Orleans right after Hurricane Katrina. The book begins with Detective Sept Savoie getting ready to return to work after recovering from a gunshot injury from a prior case. She and Keegan Blanchard are still together and are planning their wedding. Readers will find all the other supporting characters are still in this book. Cain Casey takes on a very brief part, too.
Immediately upon returning to work from her medical leave, Sept and her partner, Nathan, are assigned to find a serial killer who uses religious rituals to murder. Because of the high number of murders committed by this sick individual, readers would almost think that the murders happen over many weeks, but in reality, it is just days.
As with many of Ms. Vali’s books, there are many twists in the plot. The suspense builds as each murder occurs. You can almost sense the urgency the Sept and Nathan are under to solve this mystery. The emotional ups and downs are plentiful.
Ms. Vali knows how to write a great suspense and readers will not be disappointed. I highly recommend Answering the Call. Although you don’t have to read Calling the Dead beforehand, I highly suggested that you do. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
December 27, 2018
This is a continuation of Ms Vali’s book ‘Calling The Dead’, so if you enjoyed that read I’m sure you’ll be more than satisfied with this follow up. New Orleans police Detective Sept Savoie is recovering from a gunshot wound with the help of her girlfriend Keegan Blanchard when she’s called into her first case after ‘Katrina’. Isn’t long before she decides she dealing with a serial murder. Not helping is when crime reporter Nicole Voles starts sticking her nose in the case looking for her next big story. Problem number two with Nicole Voles is her interest in Keegan. As usual there are some twists and turns in this murder mystery but Ms Vali has a real knack at bringing everything together giving her fans another taste of her writing skills. Really a very good read.
ARC via NetGalley
ARC via NetGalley
April 9, 2020
TWINS!!!!!! BABIES!!! They're gonna have twins! That was probably the best part about this all. No, really, this book was as fantastic as the first one and then some. I loved the parallels to the first case, the fact that it never got boring for even a single page. Della is probably the scariest and best gran you can wish for, and I'm so happy for Melinda finally marrying Carla. The relationship Jacqueline and Keegan have is amazing. The families on both sides of this relationship are out of this world and I am more than happy that they'll add another generation to this. There was yelling when Cain showed up to help Sept protect her family and it made me miss Cain a little. I've always admired Cain and Sept's friendship whenever Sept showed up in Cain's world and it just shows how much they care about each other that Lou was there to keep watch. I'm almost a little sad that this book ended with an epilogue and the fact that this wasn't as many books as Cain, but it doesn't make me love them any less. As they say in the Casey series, and it applies to this as well, I'm in love with these characters so much, but: they're mine but only for a time. Damn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2018
A great second book
The second book of Vali’s series is as good as the first. The serial killer from the first book is in jail but the murders continue with slight differences. Sept, NOPD Detective, daughter and sibling of a cop family is up to her neck in murder. Keegan, her girlfriend, chef, and daughter of a NOLA restaurant dynasty is up to her
neck in Sept. A few surprises in this book and if you have been to New Orleans you’ll recognize some of the sites. Keegan’s family restaurant reminds me of the Commanders Palace, a famous old dining place in the city with .10 cent martinis 🍸 (limit of three per customer), the best food in town, and perfect service. Across the street is St. Louis Cemetery #1, the first built in New Orleans and, I think, is used in the story also. I enjoyed it and you will too (warning - the details can be gruesome).
The second book of Vali’s series is as good as the first. The serial killer from the first book is in jail but the murders continue with slight differences. Sept, NOPD Detective, daughter and sibling of a cop family is up to her neck in murder. Keegan, her girlfriend, chef, and daughter of a NOLA restaurant dynasty is up to her
neck in Sept. A few surprises in this book and if you have been to New Orleans you’ll recognize some of the sites. Keegan’s family restaurant reminds me of the Commanders Palace, a famous old dining place in the city with .10 cent martinis 🍸 (limit of three per customer), the best food in town, and perfect service. Across the street is St. Louis Cemetery #1, the first built in New Orleans and, I think, is used in the story also. I enjoyed it and you will too (warning - the details can be gruesome).
May 14, 2025
Another fine mystery from Ali Vali
In this murder mystery we return to New Orleans and Detective Sept Savoie. This time around a copycat killer is running Sept, NOPD and even the FBI ragged. Adding insult to injury, Sept's family and friends find themselves in the killer's crosshairs. The story unfolds from both Sept's and the Killers perspective, leading the reader through the mind of our intrepid Detective and her elusive prey. Vali's love of New Orleans is present, taking the reader through the sights, sounds, and even the cuisine of Crescent City as it continues to recover post Katrina. Through it all love, of both her job and her family, is all that is needed for Sept to get to the truth. That motivation keeps her on the case and the reader enthralled.
In this murder mystery we return to New Orleans and Detective Sept Savoie. This time around a copycat killer is running Sept, NOPD and even the FBI ragged. Adding insult to injury, Sept's family and friends find themselves in the killer's crosshairs. The story unfolds from both Sept's and the Killers perspective, leading the reader through the mind of our intrepid Detective and her elusive prey. Vali's love of New Orleans is present, taking the reader through the sights, sounds, and even the cuisine of Crescent City as it continues to recover post Katrina. Through it all love, of both her job and her family, is all that is needed for Sept to get to the truth. That motivation keeps her on the case and the reader enthralled.
December 17, 2018
An amazing combination of chilling, creepy suspense and warm, loving, family relationships. This was achieved through great characters and a lot of very fine writing by one of my favourite authors. I’m squeamish so some of the crime details were a tad gruesome for me, but necessary for the plot, and easily read with my eyes almost closed whilst hiding behind a pillow. Maybe I shouldn’t have read it after midnight? Worth it though, as this book is very good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews