آخرین وداع

Morgan Dane #2

by Melinda Leigh, نشاط رحمانی‌نژاد (Translator)

مورگان دینِ ملیندا لی نویسنده پرفروش مجله وال‌استریت در این جلد از مجموعه به عنوان یک وکیل پر دل‌وجرأت به همراه همکارش کاراگاه لنس کروگر درگیر پرونده دردسرساز گمشدن یک زن می‌شوند…

چلسی کلارک که یک مادر جوان است برای گذراندن یک شب با دوستش از خانه خارج می‌شود… و غیبش می‌زند. خانواده‌اش می‌دانند که او هرگز به خواست خودش دو فرزند کوچکش را ترک نمی‌کند. شوهر درمانده‌اش که مظنون اول پرونده هم هست، مورگان را استخدام می‌کند تا همسرش را پیدا و بی‌گناهی او را ثابت کند.

به عنوان یک مادر مجرد، مورگان با خانواده چلسی احساس همدردی می‌کند و تصمیم می‌گیرد او را پیدا کند و برای این کار با لنس کروگر که یک کارگاه خصوصی‌است همکاری می‌کند. ولی هرچه در این پرونده بیشتر پیش می‌روند تحقیقاتشان مرگبارتر می‌شود. زمانی که مورگان توسط یک جنایتکار خشن تحت تعقیب قرار می‌گیرد، همه چیز و همه کسی که برایش عزیز هستند در خطر خیلی بزرگی می‌افتند.

حالا مورگان باید رد یک مجرم مجنون را برای محافظت از خانواده خودش بگیرد… ولی نیاز نیست برای این کار از خانه‌اش بیرون برود تا آن مرد را پیدا کند. چون خودش هدف بعدیست.

Genres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Thriller, Suspense, Fiction, Romance, Crime

392 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2017

About the author

#1 Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker who learned that writing books is way more fun than analyzing financial statements. Melinda’s debut novel, SHE CAN RUN, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. Since then, she has garnered numerous writing accolades, including two RITA® Award nominations and an induction into the NJ Romance Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have sold more than 15 million copies across the world. Melinda loves martial arts, rescue dogs, and sea turtles.

WEBSITE: https://www.melindaleigh.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/melindaleighauthorpage/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MelindaLeigh1

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Last Goodbye by Melinda Leigh is a great addition to the Morgan Dane crime thriller, investigation, and romantic suspense series. When Chelsea Clark leaves the house for a girl’s night out and doesn’t return, her husband hires Sharp Investigations and Morgan to find her and clear his name. Sharp, Lance Krueger, and Morgan take on the job that proves to be full of danger.

Morgan is a former prosecutor who is often underestimated by others. She’s independent, compassionate, and understanding. Lance is an ex-police officer turned private investigator after an on-the-job injury. He’s intense, courageous, and is his mother’s caregiver.

This novel is part investigation, part family drama, and part crime thriller with a little romance. While this story is told from multiple points of view, it is largely from Morgan’s point of view. The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some very tense scenes. The chilling first sentence pulled me into the tale quickly and kept me rapidly turning the pages all the way to its conclusion.

This engrossing novel keeps you on the edge of your seat as the race is on to find the abductor. As always, the world-building is great. The multi-layered plot contained a couple of surprises along the way. The author has weaved another installment involving family dynamics, relationships, trauma, a slow-burn romance, murder, lies, violence, missing persons, and much more. My only quibble is that I wanted a little more suspense.

Overall, this book has twists, a little tension, and has relatable main and secondary characters. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, crime, action, and a little romance, then this is a series that I recommend. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date May 16, 2017.
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My 4.41 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Tulay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good captivating story.

Author is good story teller, but she must separate her romance novels from mystery/thrillers. Don't like to read detailed sex scenes in my thrillers. Many authors knows this and just leave the reader to fill the details.
Mental illness, sexual predators needs help, not be protected by the family members.

[Sandysbookaday (on indefinite hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

EXCERPT: "And pay attention. Memorizing the rules might earn you some food."
At the mention of food (her) stomach clenched painfully. She strained to listen.
"One, you belong to me. You will do what I say without question. You are my property. Two, when in my presence, you will keep your eyes on the floor. Three, no speaking without permission. Four, disobedience is punishable in any way I see fit. Can you repeat those back to me?"

THE BLURB: Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s Morgan Dane series continues as the fearless attorney and her partner, investigator Lance Kruger, take on a disturbing disappearance…

Young mother Chelsea Clark leaves the house for a girls’ night out…and vanishes. Her family knows she would never voluntarily leave her two small children. Her desperate husband—also the prime suspect—hires Morgan to find his wife and prove his innocence.

As a single mother, Morgan sympathizes with Chelsea’s family and is determined to find her. She teams up with private investigator Lance Kruger. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier their investigation gets. When Morgan is stalked by a violent predator, everything—and everyone—she holds dear is in grave danger.

Now, Morgan must track down a deranged criminal to protect her own family…but she won’t need to leave home to find him. She’s his next target.

MY THOUGHTS: This is the second book in a row that I have read that I have failed to really engage with until just short of the halfway mark. But at least Her Last Goodbye by Melinda Leigh kept my interest from this point on.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, if it had been I simply would have abandoned it. It just all felt rather contrived, strained. As did much of the dialogue.

I wanted to feel breathless with anticipation, tingle with suspense. After all there is a madman abducting women, holding them somewhere, training them to love, honor and obey him. I have read and been consumed by similar plots before, but this one fell a little flat for me. The most suspenseful scene, for me, occurred in the supermarket!

Would it have helped to have read the first in the series? I don't know. I can't say with all honesty that it would have. So, swimming against the tide with Her Last Goodbye, I award 3.25 stars. I liked it, just not all that much.

Thank you to Montlake Romance via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Last Goodbye by Melinda Leigh for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or my 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chelsea Clark was a loving young mother to two beautiful children that were her entire world so when Chelsea went missing it was obvious something was terribly wrong. The police were focusing their investigation on Chelsea's husband leaving him to worry that whoever was truly responsible was going to get away with it and every second that passed was another with Chelsea in danger so her husband decided to hire his own help to investigate the case.

Morgan Dane is a single mother of three herself but also a lawyer that is used to finding out if her clients are innocent so when approached to investigate Chelsea's case she felt compelled to help find the missing mother. Teaming up again with ex-cop turned private investigator Lance Kruger the two find themselves getting closer personally while they put themselves in danger to find out the truth of just what had happened to Chelsea.

Her Last Goodbye is the second book in the Morgan Dane series by Melinda Leigh. The story is a romantic suspense read that changes the point of view all throughout but centers around Morgan who had returned to her hometown with her three young children after the devastating loss of her husband in the military. Now she's trying to balance a career and her family while exploring a possible new relationship with Lance who she's found herself working with on another case.

This series is apparently a spin off from another series but I never found myself lost from not having read other books by this author and felt the story was built rather well without having read other background from the other series. Each book has it's own case so if necessary they could be understood reading out of order or as a standalone but I'd encourage readers to start at the beginning to get to know these great characters as both have been great books. The author has done a wonderful job focusing on the intensity of the story but also slowly building the romance in the background. I will certainly be looking forward to any more reads featuring Morgan as she's a great strong character that I've come to enjoy.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Jonetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attorney Morgan Dane is now working with Sharp Investigations, led by retired policed detective Lincoln Sharp with Lance Kruger, the former policeman, as his private investigator. They’re hired by the husband of Chelsea Clark, a woman who went missing a week ago after leaving to meet a girlfriend for a well deserved night out. She’s the mother of a four month old colicky son and a three-year old daughter and those who know her well are adamant that she’d never leave her children willingly. As Morgan and Lance pursue the leads, they unwittingly get in the crosshairs of a dangerous predator who becomes a threat to Morgan and her family.

As with the previous books in this and the related series, the story begins with the crime and the point of view of the abductor and Chelsea so there never is any doubt (for us) that she was forcibly taken. The identity of the abductor isn’t revealed so that’s still a mystery. Morgan continues to distinguish herself as not only a skillful attorney but formidable in being able to handle herself in dangerous and threatening situations. The case went down several chilling tracks that put her and Lance at risk and into some dicey moments. In the meantime, they’re both coming to terms with their deepening feelings for one another as they consider exploring a more serious relationship.

I loved this story as it developed quickly and the pace never let up. There were an array of probable suspects, some more obvious than others but I was still unsure until the reveal. The narrator continues to deliver a solid performance and excels at storytelling. The tension comes early and never seems to let up until the very end. I like that Morgan and Lance’s romance continues to slow burn but now has some sizzle. And, it’s seamlessly integrated into the story without detracting from the mystery or suspense. I’m very much enjoying this series and the audio version.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all of my reviews at: http://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

HER LAST GOODBYE (Morgan Dane #2) by Melinda Leigh has me very excited for this series! I loved this book even more than the first in this new series and I gave Book #1 a five star review. I love when I think I have figured out the ending and the author still has another twist in store for me that surprises me once again.

Morgan Dane and Lance Kruger are on the case of a young mother of two who has disappeared. Morgan feels Chelsea Clark would never have left her small children even though the sheriff believes she just walked away or the husband is responsible and the prime suspect. For Lance, this case brings up all of his memories of the disappearance of his own father many years ago.

As Morgan works the case, she becomes the focus of the violent predator and her children and grandfather are put at risk. Morgan and Lance will do anything, even bend the law, to protect those they love and catch the predator.

This is a fast paced and easy to read book that kept me turning the pages. The plot twists and turns so that even when I believed I had the case solved there was still more to come. Morgan and Lance are so realistically written that I feel I could walk right into their office. The secondary characters; grandpa, Morgan’s girls and extended family, Sharp and Lance’s mother are all great additions that add the true to life feel and dialogue to these books. I was also very happy that Morgan and Lance finally got their “Let’s Get It On” scene. Oh, yeah!

Another series to add to my must read list!

Thanks very much to Montlake Romance and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

Her Last Goodbye was an outstanding continuation of the Morgan Dane series with wonderful characters and a thrilling plot that never lets up.

When Chelsea Clark leaves her house to meet a friend for a drink, she never arrives and appears to have simply vanished. Her husband is adamant Chelsea would never leave their two small children and hires Morgan Dane to find his wife. Morgan believes something terrible must have happened to Chelsea and is determined to find her. The deeper Morgan and Lance get into their investigation, the more dangerous it becomes and when Morgan’s family is put in danger, Morgan is more determined than ever to solve the case.

After only returning to work recently, Morgan is still having some difficulties adjusting to working full time as well as the fact she’s no longer a prosecutor. She struggles with the fact her clients may not always be innocent, but knows she ultimately needs to trust her gut when it comes to choosing clients. Morgan does let her experiences as a mother color her opinion of Chelsea’s disappearance and has a hard time believing a mother would abandon her children. Morgan is fiercely protective of her children and is willing to do anything to protect them. She is physically capable of defending herself and people have a habit of underestimating her abilities.

Lance struggles with the case as it brings up memories of his father’s disappearance 23 years ago and he has a hard time separating the two in his mind resulting in him becoming overly invested in the case. Lance and Morgan have grown close fairly quickly and Lance has become very close to her family as well. Despite his instinct to protect Morgan, he knows she can handle herself and tries not to interfere or take things over which I appreciated.

Several side characters that appeared in the first book show up again in this one. Lance’s mother returns to assist with the technical aspects of their case. Sharp, Lance’s boss at the PI firm, returns to help out with the case as well as lend encouragement to Lance regarding his relationship with Morgan. Morgan’s family of course plays a central role with her youngest daughter being my favorite with her suspicion of her mother’s new relationship. Finally there are two adorable dogs who make a few appearances to round out the crew.

Her Last Goodbye picks up roughly a month or so after the first book in the series Say You’re Sorry. When Morgan, Lance and Sharp are hired to locate Chelsea Clark they are told by her husband that the police think she either left of her own accord or he had something to do with her disappearance. As they begin their investigation, there is resistance from the sheriff’s office as the sheriff doesn’t like outsiders butting into his cases plus he dislikes Lance and Sharp due to his history with their former chief. There are a few twists in the case I didn’t see coming and I liked that the author didn’t go for the obvious route on what happened to Chelsea.

Her Last Goodbye ended up being a very enjoyable read and I’m excited to see what Morgan gets up to in the next book. I definitely recommend this series to anyone looking for romantic suspense books with a heavier emphasis on the thriller aspect.

**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

I read and enjoyed the first Morgan Dane book and this one is every bit as good. In fact, this is definitely one of the better romantic-suspense books I've read in a long time. I was hoping that widowed Morgan would realize that Lance Kruger would be everything she needed as a partner. Things are definitely heating up on the personal front, but the case takes a turn that puts Morgan in danger and Lance will do whatever is takes to keep her and her family safe.

When Chelsea Clark goes missing without a trace her husband, Tim, is the prime suspect in her disappearance. Chelsea is seem by all as a devoted wife with an adorable 3-year old daughter and a 4-month old son and the thought of her leaving on her own sends her family to Sharp Investigations when the Sherriff doesn't seem interested in finding her. Even though Chelsea is constantly sleep deprived, Morgan Dane firmly believes she didn't leave on her own and she is just as convinced that Tim didn't harm her.

Morgan and Lance Kruger take on the job of investigating and uncovering Chelsea's last days and trying to understand how she intersected with a kidnapper. This case strikes close to home for Lance whose own father disappeared without a trace 20 years ago. He has a deep desire that Chelsea's husband and children will at least know what happened to her.

When they uncover a link between Chelsea and a violent sexual predator, Morgan ends up being stalked and everyone fears that this criminal could target her or her family. It is up to Morgan and Lance to track him down, even though she could be his next target.

[CD {Boulder Blvd} · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the 1st book in the series, Say You're Sorry, I just knew that I was going to love this series. Her Last Goodbye is an excellent "next book" in the series. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, readers can better appreciate the nuances of the characters if they've read the first book.

0ne of my favorite aspects of this series is the recurring characters. I really like Morgan Dane and Lance Kruger (both individually and as a couple). The characters are well developed, mature and likeable. The supporting cast adds just the right element without overshadowing the main story line. I enjoy a series more when I like the main characters.

The plot in this one, like in the first story, is investigating a crime and proving the presumed guilty party is actually innocent. The plot is well paced with a few twists and turns. I read this one straight through and didn't want to put it down.

This series is a winner and I'm definitely interested in the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for an ARC.

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap.

This is the second book in the Morgan Dane series and I was yet again, not let down by Melinda Leigh. This book follows a private attorney and a private investigator who develop a relationship and solve crimes. This particular book a woman has gone missing and they are hired to find her. There are twists, turns and an ending that I didn't see coming.
Absolutely love this series and will be continuing.

[Farnaz Farid · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتاب خیلی خوب و پر کششی بود و حتی بهتر از جلد اول . ترجمه خوب بود . خیلی لذت بخش بود خوندش

[Under the Covers Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young mother disappears Morgan Dane is drawn into the case when the husband asks for her help. He has asked for Morgan to help prove his innocence so the real culprit can be caught. Morgan quickly ropes in Lance Kruger her almost boyfriend and private investigator to help track down the missing woman. However, when a killer realises she is on the trail things soon start to become dangerous not just for Morgan, but for her family as well.

This series has become one of my favourites of 2017, it's fantastic mix of thriller, romance and a dash of family drama has me hooked. The second in the series has Morgan and Lance trying to track down a missing young woman who has two small children and a desperately worried husband at home waiting for her. We get to watch as Morgan and Lance work together, the obvious affection and attraction present throughout, with it flaring into passionate moments - keeping the romance junkie in me very happy.

But, it wasn't just the romance junkie that was happy, I loved the thriller elements present in Her Last Goodbye not only was it quite tense, especially in the last half of the book where everything starts coming to a head, it also keeps you guessing. Although admittedly my guess at the beginning of the book about who the perpetrator was was half right. But I didn't know the full story and Leigh's version was much better than the possibilities circling my head.

This was another great book in the series, for those readers who like a thriller the Morgan Dane is something to pick up. And, if you also a romance reader wanting to branch out and maybe try something a little different from the usual bikers and billionaires then you need to give it a try; you won't be disappointed.

*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Suzanne❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

O. M. G.! Melinda Leigh has done it again. This second book in the Morgan Dane series was all I anticipated and more. I received an ARC in return for my honest review, and I was so excited to read it. I couldn't put it down.

Only a few months past her harrowing ordeal at the hands of a killer, Morgan Dane is working to build her newly established criminal defense firm. She, along with her friend and partner Lance Kruger and his mentor Sharp, are contacted by a desperate husband whose wife has gone missing. Tim Clark feels that the sheriff's office has narrowed it's focus on him, and is assuming that Chelsea disappeared on her own, running away from her family and suffering from post partum depression. But Tim knows that she would never leave their girls behind. Desperate to make headway he hires Morgan and Lance to run a parallel investigation.

With an uncooperative sheriff blocking them and refusing to share information, the case looks hopeless. But slowly the pieces start to come together...and one piece puts Morgan in the path of a violent offender. Concerned for her safety, Lance stays close, but will he be able to solve the mystery of Chelsea's disappearance AND keep Morgan safe?

Well crafted characters and stunning dialogue are a hallmark of Leigh's writing. Her Last Goodbye is a fast paced page turner with surprises waiting in each chapter. You won't be able to put it down!

[İlkim · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 senenin üstüne devam kitabını çıkarabildiği için yayınevini tebrik ederek başlamak isterim... Nasılsa çevrilir diye düşündüğüm için bu serisini orijinalinden okumadım ama yazarın diğer kitapları ile bir hayli haşır neşir oldum. Sizi yormayan, güzel sonla biten polisiye kitaplar yazıyor, yakın arkadaşı Kendra Elliot da aynı şekilde; zaten ortak serileri felan da var. İlk kitabı hatırlamasanız da kurgudan pek bir şey kaybetmeyeceğiniz bir kitaptı. Akıcı ve merak uyandırıcıydı ama çeviride birkaç eski kelime kullanımı gözüme battı. Onun dışında güzel vakit geçirtecek kovalamalı bir hikaye okumak isterseniz denemenizi tavsiye ederim.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leigh has written another engaging and heart-pounding thriller in HER LAST GOODBYE. Morgan Dane is establishing herself as an independent lawyer with an office in Sharp Investigations who employs former police officer Lance Kruger. Morgan is still adjusting to her new life. She is finally able to see past the grief that consumed her with the death of her husband two years earlier when he was deployed. She is busy taking care of her three young daughters and worrying about her aging grandfather. She and Lance are starting a romance but both are so busy that it is progressing slowly.

When Tim Clark comes to hire her and the Sharp Investigations to find his missing wife, a new case begins that puts Morgan and Lance in grave danger. Tim feels that the police are so fixated on him as a suspect in his wife Chelsea's disappearance that they aren't looking anywhere else. Morgan sympathizes with the young father who doesn't know what has happened to his wife. Lance, whose own father disappeared when he was eleven, wants to find Chelsea so that her family doesn't have the years of uncertainty that he had.

The two investigate neighbors, Chelsea's work colleagues and friends, and Tim's work colleagues which gives them a pool of suspects. They also discover that Chelsea had her car worked on at a automotive shop where a level 3 sex offender works. While they investigate, they also have to deal with a sheriff who isn't at all in favor of independent investigators getting in the way of his officers.

Chapters from the kidnappers point of view add to the suspense in this title and really ramp up the creepy. What happens to Chelsea sent chills up my spine.

Fans of suspense stories with some very realistic romance will enjoy this second Morgan Dane adventure.

[Salamon · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب خوبی بود و احتمالاً از کتابِ اول سری هم بهتر بود. به هر حال متأسفانه هم اینکه حس‌و‌حال بیشتر نوشتن رو ندارم هم اینکه کتاب رو حدود ده روز پیش تموم کردم و الان نمی‌تونم با جزئیات درستی ازش حرف بزنم. فقط بگم این‌قدری سبک و راحتخوان بود که سراغ جلد بعدیش رفتم.

[Dísir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it seems as though I’ve been waiting for Melinda Leigh’s sequel to ‘Say You’re Sorry’ for too long. But Lance Kruger and Morgan Dane have not strayed too far from my thoughts so it’s relatively easy to slip back into their world where they are more than friends but not quite lovers, working together against crime just as they iron out the kinks in their own relationship. Leigh left them in a very hopeful position when the first book ended, and I was thrilled to read more simply because she handles pacing, dialogue and adult character-interactions brilliantly.

A new case that Lance and Morgan deal with—the disappearance of a parent of an infant—takes precedence over the romance, as it did with the first book. On its own, the case didn’t seem like a standout at first, but Leigh’s writing is compelling enough to make me stick with it, if only for the way her characters carry out an adult relationship that I find so sorely lacking in books these days. Lance and Morgan, whose romance is barely there at all, have such chemistry it’s hard to look away as they work as a team already in sync. Sometimes it seems as though they’re superhuman, doing all the things they do with little sleep and a ton of other things to juggle.

The mystery of the missing women—when truth finally came out—was a bit more contrived than I expected but it’s something I can overlook maybe because the rest was just done deftly. Generally speaking though, intelligent writing, maturity of characters and some subtle inserts of heat and humour have made me a fan of this series and ‘Her Last Goodbye’ is definitely more than a decent read.

*ARC by Netgalley
(Grateful as always, mind)

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Goodbye is book two of the Morgan Dane series by Melinda Leigh. Morgan Dane started her law practice renting an office in the Sharp Investigations duplex. A young woman Chelsea Clark mother of two went missing, and her husband Tim Clark was not happy with the sheriff investigation asked Morgan Dane for help. Morgan Dane started to investigate with the help of Sharp Investigations leading investigator Lance Kruger. However, as Morgan Dane and Lance Kruger investigate the case became more involved and began to affect her family. The readers of Her Last Goodbye will continue to follow Morgan Dane and Lance Kruger investigation into Chelsea disappearance.

I enjoy reading Her Last Goodbye. After reading Say You're Sorry I fell in love with Morgan Dane and Lance Kruger, and I could not wait to read more books in this series. Her Last Goodbye is well written and researched by Melinda Leigh. I like the way Melinda Leigh portrays her characters and entwine them with other throughout Her Last Goodbye. Melinda Leigh engaged me with the plot and characters from the beginning of Her Last Goodbye. The ending of Her Last Goodbye was a complete surprise to me. I love the way Melinda Leigh, portrays Morgan Dane and Lance Kruger blossoming romance.

The readers of "Her Last Goodbye" will learn about the different levels of sex offenders. Also, readers will see the problems and consequences of criminal investigations.

I recommend this book.

[Trish R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, Melinda Leigh writes a wonderful serial killer book but this time there were 2 sets of killers, and they were horrible.

What the one killer/kidnapper did to Chelsea was truly terrible, as were his thoughts. And the other killers were nothing but that: killers. No souls whatsoever in either of the killers. They were some kind of horrendous human beings.

The one thing I didn’t like about this story is how many times Morgan’s dead husband was mentioned. She was involved with Lance so John shouldn’t have been brought up time and time again. It became annoying.

There was sex in this book but as usual in ML’s books there was absolutely nothing that led up to it so I skipped it.

The F-bomb was dropped 7 times.

As to the narration: Cris Dukehart is just a terrible narrator. Her male voices are horrendous. I keep thinking that as time passes she’ll get better but she doesn’t. Her men sound like woman talking through her nose. The sheriff was especially bad, well actually all the men sounded feminine and nasally. This is the 3rd or 4th chance I’ve given Ms. Dukehart and I’m probably done.

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A missing woman. A violent and controlling abductor. And a defense attorney and private investigator duo determined to find her before it’s too late to save her. But will they be safe themselves?

“Rule number one. You belong to me. You will do what I say without questions. You are my property.”

When Chelsea Clark is reported missing, defense attorney, Morgan Dane, and private investigator, Lance Kruger, are hired to investigate what happened to her. Tim Clark, Chelsea’s husband, is fears that the sheriff believes she either voluntarily left her husband and two very young children or that her husband is behind her disappearance. Neither of which Morgan believes is the case.

As they get closer to discovering who abducted Chelsea, Morgan finds herself in the crosshairs of not one, but at least two dangerous men, a violent sexual offender and a deadbeat dad who has already demonstrated how violent and threatening he can be. But Morgan is a strong and formidable opponent in the game to save Chelsea’s life and discovering who kidnapped her in the first place.

The second novel in Melinda Leigh’s Morgan Dane series, Her Last Goodbye, is a fast-paced, adrenaline filled ride with some domestic suspense and romance thrown in. It did, however, contain some disturbing violence (although not nearly as intense as a Karin Slaughter book). A breakneck storyline that has twists aplenty, including a doozy in the last 20 pages, this was an enjoyable and captivating read that I had trouble putting down. Morgan’s character is multidimensional with a thorough background who I was pulling for throughout the story. While I’m not usually a fan of romance novels, this book has just enough police procedural and thriller elements to balance out the romance sections so you should enjoy this whether you like either, although you probably need to like psychological thrillers for this one due to the graphic nature of the chapters from the kidnapper’s and Chelsea’s point-of-view. With no real spoilers to the first book in this series, Say You’re Sorry, this could be read as a stand-alone novel, although you might miss part of the character building if you do that. Looking forward to picking up Leigh’s next book in this series, Bones Don’t Lie. Definitely recommend this series! Rating of 4 stars

[Obsidian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second book in the series. Loving the progression of Morgan and Lance's relationship. Great to still see Mac, Stella, and Brody. I also shuddered cause the man who abducted Chelsea in this one seems way to similar to those Men's Right's people and ugh. I loved that in this book we get to deal with so many bad ass women and how the kidnapper has the tables turned on them.

[Eve]

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Contemporary
Series: Morgan Dane, Book 2
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 26, 2017
Narrated by: Cris Dukehart
Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

This story's opening line is Digging a grave was hard work and we witness someone bury woman's body and planning to pick his next victim. Its obvious that something sinister is going on. Morgan Dane and Lance Kruger team up to investigate the disappearance of young mother, Chelsea Clark who went out for a girls' night out and never returned...



I don't know why but this story didn't really work for me. It was told from multiple view points, so some things were already known to the reader and some of the mystery got lost. Sometimes too much time was spent in someone's head and telling what he/she was thinking or intending to do. More action, less boring inner monologue, please!

In the end I wasn't really invested in any of the characters. I like that Morgan could stand up for herself and could kick a** if needed. What villain did was sick and disgusting but at the same time he sounded pathetic and stupid to make him really interesting and chilling villain.

Perhaps with different narrator I would have enjoyed this story much more. But i really disliked this narrator. She sounded bland and robotic, failed to bring this story to life. What a shame.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pressing onward through the Morgan Dane series after pausing to go back for the earlier Scarlet Falls trilogy to have the stories the Morgan Dane series was based on, I was ready for competent lawyer and widowed mom, Morgan, to solve another heinous crime to help defend her new client. Naturally, I appreciated having the ready and able former cop, Lance Kruger at her side as they fight evil.

Her Last Goodbye is book two in the Morgan Dane series and could be read out of order, but does work best doing them in order so relationships, characters, and earlier situations that are present and talked about make sense.

Morgan and Lance are hired by the husband of a missing woman. Tim is distraught that he's being investigated by the sheriff's office when his wife is still missing. Morgan is still struggling with her role as defense attorney and worrying that she is not defending someone innocent, but she does want Chelsea found for the sake of the kids and even Tim since her gut tells her that he's innocent. Meanwhile, Chelsea is doing what she can to get away from a fiend and back to her husband and kids while other missing women are turning up in and around Scarlet Falls.

I was struck in my first Morgan Dane story about how tough and smart she is while not losing her poise. She lost her cop dad in a shooting when she was a kid, then she and her siblings are raised by her granddad whose health is failing now, then her military husband died doing his duty, and she is just now getting back on her feet again only to find herself not prosecuting criminals anymore. Her family heritage is law enforcement three generations and all of her and her siblings, but now she finds herself uncertain if defense attorney is going against all that. She really does care that she not defend a criminal. At the same time, she's coming out from under her load of grief to find that she has a second chance at love if she is brave enough to put her heart on the line again. It is complicated in that her three girls are her priority and Lance has his own past that keeps him from rushing into a relationship. Lance's dad disappeared and never came back causing his mom to spiral into mental illness so that she can't leave her house and she struggles with hoarding and letting others near her. Lance is also learning to be at peace with having to leave the local police force after his leg never fully recovered from a shooting injury.

So much layering, and then there is the current case of the missing woman. The pace and tension in this book was palpable with Chelsea trying to find a way out of her situation and Morgan and Lance racing the clock to find her. They aren't getting much cooperation from the sheriff who resents their presence in HIS investigation. The case is tough and they really have to grind it out to even produce one clue let alone the trail to Chelsea. And, its not like their own safety is certain when Morgan gets in the crosshairs of an abusing ex she has to serve papers to and a brutal sex offender who comes up as a suspect in their current case. Lance is there to assist, but he totally respects Morgan so he works hard to keep his fears for her safety in check so they can do their jobs. I was riveted.

Cris Dukehart's narration work is still a strong and welcome reason why I love this series. She had a large cast and she gave them all individuality and had the right touch with tone of the story.

And, I no sooner finish than I want to grab up the next book in the series of this addicting and gritty romantic suspense series.

[Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young mother disappears Morgan Dane is drawn into the case when the husband asks for her help. He has asked for Morgan to help prove his innocence so the real culprit can be caught. Morgan quickly ropes in Lance Kruger her almost boyfriend and private investigator to help track down the missing woman. However, when a killer realises she is on the trail things soon start to become dangerous not just for Morgan, but for her family as well.

This series has become one of my favourites of 2017, its fantastic mix of thriller, romance and a dash of family drama has me hooked. The second in the series has Morgan and Lance trying to track down a missing young woman who has two small children and a desperately worried husband at home waiting for her. We get to watch as Morgan and Lance work together, the obvious affection and attraction present throughout, with it flaring into passionate moments – keeping the romance junkie in me very happy.

But, it wasn’t just the romance junkie that was happy, I loved the thriller elements present in Her Last Goodbye not only was it quite tense, especially in the last half of the book where everything starts coming to a head, it also keeps you guessing. Although admittedly my guess at the beginning of the book about who the perpetrator was was half right. But I didn’t know the full story and Leigh’s version was much better than the possibilities circling my head.

This was another great book in the series, for those readers who like a thriller the Morgan Dane is something to pick up. And, if you also a romance reader wanting to branch out and maybe try something a little different from the usual bikers and billionaires then you need to give it a try; you won’t be disappointed.

[Jae Mod · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC proved by Author for an honest review ***
 
Holy Smokes!! Yet another heart stopping read in the Morgan Dane series by Melinda Leigh. Her Last Goodbye is the second book of this thrilling series and it had me gripping my device so tight that my fingers cramped up.... I couldn't put this book down!!  Then on top of it, I dreamed about it!!  I'm stuck with a book hangover like no other!!!   
 
The opening scene is one to send goosebumps up and down your arms!  
 
Chelsea Clark is a mother of two, her littlest one only being a few months old. Out for a ladies night but never comes home. Everyone who knew Chelsea knows she would never leave her children behind. Even if she was seriously sleep-deprived, she wouldn’t leave them. Her husband does not believe that the police are doing everything possible to find her, so he hires Morgan, an attorney, and Lance, a private investigator to help him locate his wife.
 
Morgan, a single mom herself, holds this case close to her heart. She will not give up until Chelsea is found. But as the investigation moves forward and they look deeper, things take a turn. Morgan becomes the next target of a violent predator, putting her loved ones in danger.  
 
            Turning around, he secured the heavy-duty padlock and set the alarm on the door.  He couldn't be too careful with his prize.  He was a winner, and he intended to keep his spoils.  She truly was the ideal woman. He would never let her go.  
 
*Shivers*
 
There are so many different smaller stories that are going on within the pages of this book that you just can't stop reading; murder, kidnapping, love, family, drama, suspense and so much more!!  
 
Each book in this series can be read as a standalone, but it would be more enjoyable to the reader, not to mention informative, if read in order. FIVE amazing stars!!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Clark is asking Morgan Dane for help. His wife, Chelsea Clark, disappeared without a trace five nights ago. Tim believes Chelsea was kidnapped. He said she would never willingly leave her children. The police consider Tim a suspect in Chelsea's disappearance. Tim hires Morgan to represent him. Morgan knows the quickest way to get Tim off of the suspect list is to find Chelsea. As Morgan, along with Private Investigators Lance Kruger and Lincoln Sharp, question Chelsea's friends and co-workers, they begin eliminating suspects and adding new ones, including a violent predator who stalks Morgan and her three young daughters.

This story has a good balance of romance and suspense. Lance and Morgan are friends and are definitely interested in something more. Their slow burn romance really works with this series since both have a lot of responsibilities in their lives.

The mystery in this story was excellent. The reader knows from the start that Chelsea did not leave her husband and children of her own volition. We know what happened to her since we have the villain's point-of-view. This ramped up the suspense to a high degree. There were several suspects to sort through. I took a guess as to the villain; but got it wrong. I highly recommend this book. My rating: 5 Stars.

[Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I didn’t pick the bad guy, I did pick the killer. Also, I knew based on other books there would be two seemingly interlocked cases. All in all, a solid read. No real complaints. I wonder if the siblings weren’t brought in for future spinoffs. Or maybe they already are as I didn’t connect Stella to this series at first. Nothing really more to say. It’s a lighter mystery with light romance, some sizzle and steamy but not overly descriptive. That doesn’t bother me.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I was very excited to receive a copy of this second book in what has started out as an excellent series. I love the characters and the fast-paced, intense, and highly suspenseful manner in which this story was written. Highly recommend! Can't wait until the next book in this great series!

[Ashley Gillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Morgan Dane series (my first book review is here), but it can be read as a standalone, though there are references to the first book.

This was a great, solid mystery, with plenty of suspense, romance and a doozy of an ending. I will certainly be continuing reading this series.

The story takes place a month after the events of Say You’re Sorry. The Sharp Investigations crew - now with Morgan as a legal consultant - is hired to find Chelsea Clark, who has been missing for a week. Her husband hires the firm because he’s been the focus of the investigation, but he firmly maintains his innocence and is overwhelmed with worry and the stress of caring for their two young children. From there, things get messy, as multiple unsavory characters come to the forefront and some begin threatening Morgan personally.

The plot was very straightforward, and you’re thrust right into the middle of the action. And there are some nice twists in there. It’s not a generic romantic suspense plot. I enjoyed trying to figure out how it was going to end up.

I continue to enjoy the broader cast of characters in this book- Morgan’s grandfather and kids, Lance’s mom, etc. They really add some depth to the plot and some touching moments (though some of the chaos those little girls bring could make you dizzy!) I’m excited to see how they all develop in the future.

The relationship between Lance and Morgan continued to develop too, which was nice. I like that it’s going slowly, so it provides some tension, and something to look forward to.

Overall, this is a nice addition to the series. Recommended.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chelsea Clark, a loving young mother to two young children, disappears. When the police focus on her husband Tim, he hires Morgan Dane, an attorney. Morgan, a widow with three children, teams up with Lance Kurger, a retired cop and P.I. to investigate. As they uncover things, and poke into the wrong anthills, Morgan finds herself becoming a target of a stalker and possible kidnapper. Will they find Chelsea before she ends up dead?

Her Last Goodbye is the second book in the Morgan Dane series by Melinda Leigh. This book finds Lance and Morgan becoming closer in their personal relationship. Morgan's sisters also make an appearance in this story showing how close and loyal they are to family. I enjoyed meeting Morgan's youngest daughter as well. She is a cutie who is a bit leary of some, but not all. When she is scared, her actions and feelings will melt your heart. This book was a thriller that has a few small twists and a huge one near the end. I had an inkling something big was coming and I was right. I really enjoyed the plot and the quick pace of this story. The romance part of the book is not a huge story line, but meshes well with the action that is taking place. This is the second book in the series, but you can read it as a standalone, however, I loved the first book as well and recommend not missing any. I listened to the audio book that was available on Kindle Unlimited and it was very well done, once again, pulling me in to the action just a bit more than reading it. I am looking forward to picking up the next one in this series, Bones Don't Lie.