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Kate Darby Crime Novel #1
Angry Betty
A female cop, a dead body in the trunk of a Mercedes, and drug cartels in a small town.
Kate Darby learned to hate cops at an early age, thanks to her drug addicted mom, so no one would have guessed she’d become a cop when she grew up.
Now patrolling the streets of Peculiar, Texas, Kate does her best to keep her town safe. She's trained to be ready for anything on a routine traffic stop. When she pulls a Mercedes over for running a stop sign, the fact the driver flees isn't unexpected, but the dead body in the trunk...
Kate Darby learned to hate cops at an early age, thanks to her drug addicted mom, so no one would have guessed she’d become a cop when she grew up.
Now patrolling the streets of Peculiar, Texas, Kate does her best to keep her town safe. She's trained to be ready for anything on a routine traffic stop. When she pulls a Mercedes over for running a stop sign, the fact the driver flees isn't unexpected, but the dead body in the trunk...
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2019
1339 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Lee Scott
49 books193 followersUSA Today bestselling author, Jamie Lee Scott, loves killing people, ehem, writing a good mystery.
When she’s not writing novels, she’s writing screenplays and making indie films. Her first produced screenplay can be seen on DirecTV’s ShortsHD channel. No One Knows is an “Editor’s Choice” on the channel for short films.
Jamie lives on a farm with her husband, two dogs, two cats, and three horses. Aside from writing, Jamie is a competitive barrel racer.
When she’s not writing novels, she’s writing screenplays and making indie films. Her first produced screenplay can be seen on DirecTV’s ShortsHD channel. No One Knows is an “Editor’s Choice” on the channel for short films.
Jamie lives on a farm with her husband, two dogs, two cats, and three horses. Aside from writing, Jamie is a competitive barrel racer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
March 1, 2020
Half a Book
This book ends abruptly, too abruptly. It's like the author was trying to be clever by ending it, but it just made me feel like I wasted my time reading it. If the point was to read the next book it didn't work.
This book ends abruptly, too abruptly. It's like the author was trying to be clever by ending it, but it just made me feel like I wasted my time reading it. If the point was to read the next book it didn't work.
March 2, 2020
Ending sucks
This was a really good book until it just stood leaving the reader hanging. I hate books that end this way.
This was a really good book until it just stood leaving the reader hanging. I hate books that end this way.
March 4, 2020
Strong heroine, authentic characters, witty dialogue, gritty and honest look at police work--this is a well-written novel and fans of the genre are sure to want more, more, more.
Normally, any book or movie about drug-related crime is of little interest to me. Especially the Mexican drug cartel, which I got more than my fill of with 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul,' but the acting is so good, I can't *not* watch these TV shows.
The heroine of this "oh no not another crime story about drug trafficking" novel is the daughter of a drug-addicted single mother. Raised in a foster home, Kate finds a brother in Bryce, and both of them find work in a hot, humid Texas town called Peculiar. Bryce is a nurse in a forensics lab. Kate is a cop looking to earn her promotion. The novel opens with her wanting to go home at the end of her shift, only to get caught up chasing a Mercedes and finding a murder victim in the trunk.
The characters are all distinct and authentic, with one exception, the mole, the bad guy posing as good guy. Too obvious, and for Karen to trust him just seemed too stupid, but that's what authors rely on most: humans making bad decisions. What kind of novels and movies would we have if everybody used common sense instead of knee-jerk reactions, foolish decisions, and unresolved mental issues? That said, I could barely abide Karen's attitude toward men in general and her ex-husband in particular. She left him because she's commitment phobic, even though they're clearly still in love with each other and he's not only a great guy, he's also her boss. Come on, Karen, get over your issues. Yeah. In real life, how many people do we wish that of?
The ending is a cliffhanger, as the one-star bandits like to point out, complaining that they now have to spend money to read the rest of the story. Well, if it's a good story, you *should* be willing to pay the author for it. The same complainers pay for electronic gadgets, but expect authors to give their work away?
In all, this is a well written story with strong characters. Great potential for a series, and for a TV show.
Normally, any book or movie about drug-related crime is of little interest to me. Especially the Mexican drug cartel, which I got more than my fill of with 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul,' but the acting is so good, I can't *not* watch these TV shows.
The heroine of this "oh no not another crime story about drug trafficking" novel is the daughter of a drug-addicted single mother. Raised in a foster home, Kate finds a brother in Bryce, and both of them find work in a hot, humid Texas town called Peculiar. Bryce is a nurse in a forensics lab. Kate is a cop looking to earn her promotion. The novel opens with her wanting to go home at the end of her shift, only to get caught up chasing a Mercedes and finding a murder victim in the trunk.
The characters are all distinct and authentic, with one exception, the mole, the bad guy posing as good guy. Too obvious, and for Karen to trust him just seemed too stupid, but that's what authors rely on most: humans making bad decisions. What kind of novels and movies would we have if everybody used common sense instead of knee-jerk reactions, foolish decisions, and unresolved mental issues? That said, I could barely abide Karen's attitude toward men in general and her ex-husband in particular. She left him because she's commitment phobic, even though they're clearly still in love with each other and he's not only a great guy, he's also her boss. Come on, Karen, get over your issues. Yeah. In real life, how many people do we wish that of?
The ending is a cliffhanger, as the one-star bandits like to point out, complaining that they now have to spend money to read the rest of the story. Well, if it's a good story, you *should* be willing to pay the author for it. The same complainers pay for electronic gadgets, but expect authors to give their work away?
In all, this is a well written story with strong characters. Great potential for a series, and for a TV show.
March 3, 2020
Really can't decide whether this is a 3 or a 4.
Kate Darby, now an officer in a small Texas town, is on patrol when a routine traffic stop turns into something more sinister - a dead body in the car trunk.
I didn't gravitate to Kate's character. She was too prickly, too self-absorbed. In fact, egocentric characters abound in this book. Despite having the tag "A Kate Darby Novel", we do spend a lot of time with the supporting cast and they are just as involved with themselves as Kate is.
Here's the dilemma I face: I'm not fond of Kate and don't see it happening anytime soon, but the plot really grabbed my attention. And, there was a massive cliffhanger at the end of the book which left it feeling unfinished. I don't mind a story arc spanning several books, but a cliffhanger is almost a deal-breaker. Maybe when I clear my TBR pile, I'll come by and visit book 2 to see how things played out. Maybe.
Kate Darby, now an officer in a small Texas town, is on patrol when a routine traffic stop turns into something more sinister - a dead body in the car trunk.
I didn't gravitate to Kate's character. She was too prickly, too self-absorbed. In fact, egocentric characters abound in this book. Despite having the tag "A Kate Darby Novel", we do spend a lot of time with the supporting cast and they are just as involved with themselves as Kate is.
Here's the dilemma I face: I'm not fond of Kate and don't see it happening anytime soon, but the plot really grabbed my attention. And, there was a massive cliffhanger at the end of the book which left it feeling unfinished. I don't mind a story arc spanning several books, but a cliffhanger is almost a deal-breaker. Maybe when I clear my TBR pile, I'll come by and visit book 2 to see how things played out. Maybe.
September 22, 2019
Cliffhanger ending
Good characters and story, I gave it three stars instead of four because it isn't really a full story when it ends with a complete cliffhanger.
Good characters and story, I gave it three stars instead of four because it isn't really a full story when it ends with a complete cliffhanger.
February 29, 2020
A serial book that does not reveal answers encouraging reader to buy the net book.
I will not read this author again.
I will not read this author again.
March 8, 2020
Falls short of potential
Likes: 1. crime thriller solved by strong female police officer in a small town. 2. Interesting character potential of female officer, ex husband police officer and rookie cop
Dislikes: 1. Character background lacking, relationships not often poorly explained. 2. Too many characters do too many stupid things that don’t make sense. 3. Final reveal expected, but incomplete.
Net result is a book with a lot of holes.
Likes: 1. crime thriller solved by strong female police officer in a small town. 2. Interesting character potential of female officer, ex husband police officer and rookie cop
Dislikes: 1. Character background lacking, relationships not often poorly explained. 2. Too many characters do too many stupid things that don’t make sense. 3. Final reveal expected, but incomplete.
Net result is a book with a lot of holes.
March 7, 2020
Not worth it
The characters were interesting even though the story was a pretty mundane drug story. But what I really hated was the ending -- or rather the non-ending. The book ends with nothing resolved, no justice, lots of loose ends. Sort of ends in the middle. Really unsatisfying. Probably supposed to entice you to buy the second book, but I don't want to be led on again and in this case I can live with not knowing "who done it".
The characters were interesting even though the story was a pretty mundane drug story. But what I really hated was the ending -- or rather the non-ending. The book ends with nothing resolved, no justice, lots of loose ends. Sort of ends in the middle. Really unsatisfying. Probably supposed to entice you to buy the second book, but I don't want to be led on again and in this case I can live with not knowing "who done it".
July 21, 2020
Lee Scott’s Kate Darby series begins with this book, “Angry Betty.” According to the author, the title is police slang referring to a doped-up female who is argumentative, aggressive and prone to resisting arrest. And whaddya know? One of the central “hooks” in this plot involves just such a character — who happens to be the adolescent “crush” of a rookie cop who still harbors some rather juvenile fantasies about saving her from a life of drugs, marrying her and living happily ever after.
His training officer is the featured character of the series, and for 90% of the book, she is portrayed as a tough, street-wise cop until, that is, she demonstrates inconceivable levels of incompetence and a complete loss of any street-smarts or police training when assailed by a single baddie, overpowered, and well.... eh, don’t bother. There are at least two more in this series, so we know she lives.
Many police procedural and murder mysteries seem to struggle to rise above mediocre, to achieve the lofty status of a Connelly, McBain, Westlake, Winslow, and the like. This is testament to just how good those authors are/were, and when I read an author for the first time, I hope to find another gem. But, like all precious things, they are few and far between. Angry Betty is an okay story, but too full of nonsense and lacking authenticity and characters in whom I could be interested.
His training officer is the featured character of the series, and for 90% of the book, she is portrayed as a tough, street-wise cop until, that is, she demonstrates inconceivable levels of incompetence and a complete loss of any street-smarts or police training when assailed by a single baddie, overpowered, and well.... eh, don’t bother. There are at least two more in this series, so we know she lives.
Many police procedural and murder mysteries seem to struggle to rise above mediocre, to achieve the lofty status of a Connelly, McBain, Westlake, Winslow, and the like. This is testament to just how good those authors are/were, and when I read an author for the first time, I hope to find another gem. But, like all precious things, they are few and far between. Angry Betty is an okay story, but too full of nonsense and lacking authenticity and characters in whom I could be interested.
March 14, 2019
Welcome to Peculiar, Texas. Where things are a lot stranger than they first seem to be.
Kate Darby: Grew up in foster care, and hated the cops from an early age. Now she is a cop and doesn't trust hardly anyone.
Sergeant Zane Gwilly: Kate's boss and ex-husband. He will still do anything for her.
Jake Underwood: Rookie officer assigned to Kate for his first week of duty. He was friends with a suspect arrested during a drug bust, she's now a junkie. How far will Jake go to help a childhood crush. Is his job worth the risk?
With less than a half an hour left on her shift. Corporal Kate Darby is headed in to clock out and catch a quick nap before going to a meeting with an attorney for the reading of her grandfather's will. A grandfather she never knew she had. As she comes up to a four way. A car rolls through the stop sign right in front of her. What should be a quick stop, with a possible warning, becomes a chase, and a search for a missing driver after he flips the car. Oh yeah, there’s the small matter of the body in the trunk.
Although this story is well written, and a has a stong plot line. It's NOT a cozy.
Kate Darby: Grew up in foster care, and hated the cops from an early age. Now she is a cop and doesn't trust hardly anyone.
Sergeant Zane Gwilly: Kate's boss and ex-husband. He will still do anything for her.
Jake Underwood: Rookie officer assigned to Kate for his first week of duty. He was friends with a suspect arrested during a drug bust, she's now a junkie. How far will Jake go to help a childhood crush. Is his job worth the risk?
With less than a half an hour left on her shift. Corporal Kate Darby is headed in to clock out and catch a quick nap before going to a meeting with an attorney for the reading of her grandfather's will. A grandfather she never knew she had. As she comes up to a four way. A car rolls through the stop sign right in front of her. What should be a quick stop, with a possible warning, becomes a chase, and a search for a missing driver after he flips the car. Oh yeah, there’s the small matter of the body in the trunk.
Although this story is well written, and a has a stong plot line. It's NOT a cozy.
July 7, 2019
This was a great start to a new series. Complex characters and a storyline that keeps you interested. Enjoyed reading from both Kate and Jake's points of view.
It was a great read, I had to buy book 2 (Bang Switch) as soon as I'd finished this one! I need to continue the story!
It was a great read, I had to buy book 2 (Bang Switch) as soon as I'd finished this one! I need to continue the story!
August 7, 2020
Fast and furious
It was suspenseful. The storytelling was colorful and fast moving. I enjoy the many characters who all had personal problems to solve while doing their jobs.
It was suspenseful. The storytelling was colorful and fast moving. I enjoy the many characters who all had personal problems to solve while doing their jobs.
July 13, 2020
I am going to start this review differently from the way I usually write - this is a great read, well written, can’t put it down, superb character development - BUT - and I mean a serious BUT - none of the plot strands in this book come to completion within this book. Although this is what I would call a guarantee for me to not recommend it, I decided to make an exception to my usual rule. This is worth the read, even if it leaves you hanging. The characters and the storyline are that well done.
Kate Darby has had a crappy life. She was in Foster care, the only real family member she knew about was her alcoholic drug-abusing Mom, who is dead. She is recently divorced and living in the small town of Peculiar, Texas. One of the most interesting things about Kate is that she is a cop. Growing up, she was taught to hate cops: they were the bad guys and could never be trusted. Her ex-husband is also a cop.
One night toward the end of Kate’s shift, she pulls a Mercedes over for running a stop sign. Kate prefers working alone and is used to all sorts of antics from drivers, so she isn’t surprised when the driver flees. Searching the car and finding the dead body in the trunk is certainly not what she expected. Finding herself now working on a murder case is great, she is ready to get off patrol but working it with her ex-husband is a whole other story.
When you finish the book you will be angry that Scott left you hanging but you will not regret reading the book.
Kate Darby has had a crappy life. She was in Foster care, the only real family member she knew about was her alcoholic drug-abusing Mom, who is dead. She is recently divorced and living in the small town of Peculiar, Texas. One of the most interesting things about Kate is that she is a cop. Growing up, she was taught to hate cops: they were the bad guys and could never be trusted. Her ex-husband is also a cop.
One night toward the end of Kate’s shift, she pulls a Mercedes over for running a stop sign. Kate prefers working alone and is used to all sorts of antics from drivers, so she isn’t surprised when the driver flees. Searching the car and finding the dead body in the trunk is certainly not what she expected. Finding herself now working on a murder case is great, she is ready to get off patrol but working it with her ex-husband is a whole other story.
When you finish the book you will be angry that Scott left you hanging but you will not regret reading the book.
March 4, 2024
Kate Darby is a police officer in the small town of Pecuiliar, Texas. She’s trained to be ready for anything, but when she pulls over a stolen Mercedes in a traffic stop and finds a body in the trunk, that fleeing driver becomes the least of her problems. She ultimately wants to be a detective, so she feels driven to prove she can handle this investigation.
This was an entertaining read. I liked Kate’s backstory – she’s a graduate of the foster care system, with a drug-addicted mother, a “foster” brother turned real brother who works as a nurse, and a supervisor who’s also her ex-husband. The plot is topical (Mexican drug cartels, a corrupt cop, gangs, lying witnesses and truthful witnesses) and whimsical (her formerly-unknown-to-her rich grandfather dies and leaves Kate an estate with a beautiful house, a trust, and “people who handle things for her.”) I enjoyed watching her solve the case while reconciling with sudden good fortune and coming into her own as a woman in a paramilitary organization.
I enjoyed the relationship between Kate and her ex, Zane Gwilly. Despite a divorce, they’re able to maintain a professional relationship and work well together. They might know they still love each other, but they recognize they’re better off as friends. She takes some stupid chances on the way to solving the body-in-the-trunk story, but she gives as good as she gets and the ending is exciting, although extremely abrupt. Normally that would irritate me, but I like these characters enough to buy the next book and see what happens.
This was an entertaining read. I liked Kate’s backstory – she’s a graduate of the foster care system, with a drug-addicted mother, a “foster” brother turned real brother who works as a nurse, and a supervisor who’s also her ex-husband. The plot is topical (Mexican drug cartels, a corrupt cop, gangs, lying witnesses and truthful witnesses) and whimsical (her formerly-unknown-to-her rich grandfather dies and leaves Kate an estate with a beautiful house, a trust, and “people who handle things for her.”) I enjoyed watching her solve the case while reconciling with sudden good fortune and coming into her own as a woman in a paramilitary organization.
I enjoyed the relationship between Kate and her ex, Zane Gwilly. Despite a divorce, they’re able to maintain a professional relationship and work well together. They might know they still love each other, but they recognize they’re better off as friends. She takes some stupid chances on the way to solving the body-in-the-trunk story, but she gives as good as she gets and the ending is exciting, although extremely abrupt. Normally that would irritate me, but I like these characters enough to buy the next book and see what happens.
March 2, 2020
The first one's free...
That's s what they do, you know. Give you a taste for free so you get hooked and start spending money on the product. It's why this isn't 5 stars, since when I got to the last page, knowing that the protagonist was recovering from a bullet and a beating, that the rookie cop who fell for his old childhood crush and learned his lesson was now being ordered to play her, there was a mole in the department and the story ends with the guy who saved her being killed and nothing was resolved, I felt cheated.
On one hand, I can appreciate that if a writer has built a good character and world, some things are going to stretch over time. But ending a book with everything left hanging like this feels like I've been used. Like I need to wash.my hands of something.
And while the premise of a female cop who grew up in foster care seems promising - as does her relationship with her brother from foster - it doesn't seem to drive the story line much. Although there's some brilliant interplay between them during an autopsy that sparkles and boxes well for the future.
The other piece that keeps the stellar rating lower is that her ex (also her boss) seems better realized at times than she does. But if the first book is an indication then visions of being forced to spend for book after book just to resolve one story line are going to make it unlikely that I'll keep buying. I guess these are what make Kindle Unlimited seem valuable....
That's s what they do, you know. Give you a taste for free so you get hooked and start spending money on the product. It's why this isn't 5 stars, since when I got to the last page, knowing that the protagonist was recovering from a bullet and a beating, that the rookie cop who fell for his old childhood crush and learned his lesson was now being ordered to play her, there was a mole in the department and the story ends with the guy who saved her being killed and nothing was resolved, I felt cheated.
On one hand, I can appreciate that if a writer has built a good character and world, some things are going to stretch over time. But ending a book with everything left hanging like this feels like I've been used. Like I need to wash.my hands of something.
And while the premise of a female cop who grew up in foster care seems promising - as does her relationship with her brother from foster - it doesn't seem to drive the story line much. Although there's some brilliant interplay between them during an autopsy that sparkles and boxes well for the future.
The other piece that keeps the stellar rating lower is that her ex (also her boss) seems better realized at times than she does. But if the first book is an indication then visions of being forced to spend for book after book just to resolve one story line are going to make it unlikely that I'll keep buying. I guess these are what make Kindle Unlimited seem valuable....
Read
February 19, 2025her mom was a drug addict, she was raised in foster system, became a cop
she pulled a man over for a rolling stop and he crashed when he ran. a dead body was found in the trunk. he said he just stole a running car, he didnt know what was in the trunk
she got a letter from a lawyer and found out she had a grandfather she never knew about. he died and left her his plantation and the money to run it and the pecan orchard
she was training a rookie and they went to a drug bust. the found the guy who ran from the car with the body in it. they also found the childhood crush of her rookie
he took her home with him and let her take a shower and wash her clothes. his uncle took her back to the pd and she got in a program to clean up, but she is in his custody. she is working at his uncles restaurant.
they found 2 more dead bodies at the drug house and now she is wanted for questioning
she asked her foster brother to move into the plantation with her
her x husband is her cop boss
they are trying to figure out who killed the drug dealers
she got shot while a man was trying to rape her. he got shot, and she killed him
she is in the hospital and out of work for months
she pulled a man over for a rolling stop and he crashed when he ran. a dead body was found in the trunk. he said he just stole a running car, he didnt know what was in the trunk
she got a letter from a lawyer and found out she had a grandfather she never knew about. he died and left her his plantation and the money to run it and the pecan orchard
she was training a rookie and they went to a drug bust. the found the guy who ran from the car with the body in it. they also found the childhood crush of her rookie
he took her home with him and let her take a shower and wash her clothes. his uncle took her back to the pd and she got in a program to clean up, but she is in his custody. she is working at his uncles restaurant.
they found 2 more dead bodies at the drug house and now she is wanted for questioning
she asked her foster brother to move into the plantation with her
her x husband is her cop boss
they are trying to figure out who killed the drug dealers
she got shot while a man was trying to rape her. he got shot, and she killed him
she is in the hospital and out of work for months
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
“Angry Betty”, first in the 'Kate Darby' series, was a 4 Star read most of the way but the trick ending was a big disappointment.
It's not a cliff-hanger, rather it is a deliberate, and inept, attempt by the author to encourage readers to purchase the second book in the series.
It's a pity as I was enjoying the story up to then.
Kate, a veteran police officer, is training a new officer, Jake.
Up until he was in his teens he used to spend his Summers in Peculiar, Texas - happy days!
After what should have been a routine speeding stop Kate finds a body in the boot.
The car has been mostly wiped clean, but a portion on the driver's side provides the necessary evidence for the occupant.
Jake, in turn, meets his first love, a girl he once idolised - she's now a drug addict but that doesn't stop him from attempting to save her.
And Kate, the product of an addict mother and a childhood in foster care, finds herself the inheritor of a pecan farm!
It's a twisted story in which several strands neatly interweave.
I'll be reading on.
3.5 Stars, brought back to 3 Stars.
It's not a cliff-hanger, rather it is a deliberate, and inept, attempt by the author to encourage readers to purchase the second book in the series.
It's a pity as I was enjoying the story up to then.
Kate, a veteran police officer, is training a new officer, Jake.
Up until he was in his teens he used to spend his Summers in Peculiar, Texas - happy days!
After what should have been a routine speeding stop Kate finds a body in the boot.
The car has been mostly wiped clean, but a portion on the driver's side provides the necessary evidence for the occupant.
Jake, in turn, meets his first love, a girl he once idolised - she's now a drug addict but that doesn't stop him from attempting to save her.
And Kate, the product of an addict mother and a childhood in foster care, finds herself the inheritor of a pecan farm!
It's a twisted story in which several strands neatly interweave.
I'll be reading on.
3.5 Stars, brought back to 3 Stars.
May 10, 2019
I have been a fan of Jamie Lee Scott for a long time, but this book blew me away! Multi-dimensional characters surround veteran police officer Kate Darby. A late shift chase leads to a body in the trunk of a car and Kate's first murder investigation, a complex mess involving murder, drugs, and corruption. Twist, turns, lies and personalities make the trail to reveal those involved a tough and dangerous one.
Kate's private life is a bit unusual at the moment too. Her only family is a foster brother with whom she is close and her sergeant who is also her ex-husband, both men that she loves with all her heart. For the first time in her life, a surprise turns out to be something good, probably; she discovers that she has inherited property from a grandfather she didn't know existed.
Kate's private life is a bit unusual at the moment too. Her only family is a foster brother with whom she is close and her sergeant who is also her ex-husband, both men that she loves with all her heart. For the first time in her life, a surprise turns out to be something good, probably; she discovers that she has inherited property from a grandfather she didn't know existed.
March 10, 2020
I quite enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and not your run-of-the-mill cops and morgue workers. Kate pulls over a Mercedes for failing to stop, and the guy does a runner. She finds a dead body in the trunk which leads to a whole mess of problems. Her rookie trainee gets himself into a mess as well, trying to help a former friend turned drug addict, and a consummate liar. Throw in a never before heard of grandfather who has left Kate a pecan plantation, drug cartels, an ex-husband boss, and a "brother" from a foster family, and you have a cast of interesting characters. The only knock on the story is that though the reader is fully aware of what transpired at the end, there is no conclusion. Seemingly you have to read the next book to see if the person gets caught. I hate those kinds of books. It actually turns me off of reading the next.
July 11, 2022
A good cop read
Kate gets to investigate her first murder case. But it takes a turn when the rookie cop Jake gets involved with one of the suspects. The case keeps on changing direction as the suspects are been killed off. But before she can get answers someone decides that she needs to be taken care if. Will she come out of this alright? Will they find the mole in the department as the criminals are one step ahead of the team?
A good read. Goid characters. I took a dislike to Kim straight away. Jake wants to see the good in people but he needs to realize that not everyone is trustworthy.
Kate gets to investigate her first murder case. But it takes a turn when the rookie cop Jake gets involved with one of the suspects. The case keeps on changing direction as the suspects are been killed off. But before she can get answers someone decides that she needs to be taken care if. Will she come out of this alright? Will they find the mole in the department as the criminals are one step ahead of the team?
A good read. Goid characters. I took a dislike to Kim straight away. Jake wants to see the good in people but he needs to realize that not everyone is trustworthy.
September 29, 2022
Angry Betty marches on
There are a lot of characters, good and bad. Zane and Jake are very likeable but Kate is not someone I'd enjoy spending time with. I couldn't follow some of the criminal trails and Kate never seemed to react "real". I picked out the villain very early and waited to see how he/she (hate spoilers lol) would be revealed but that will be in a later book. Angry Betty is true to what I've seen of addicts and it's sad. Jake's uncle is a highlight for me, as he shows wisdom, compassion, kindness and yet is firm. Undecided about continuing this series.
There are a lot of characters, good and bad. Zane and Jake are very likeable but Kate is not someone I'd enjoy spending time with. I couldn't follow some of the criminal trails and Kate never seemed to react "real". I picked out the villain very early and waited to see how he/she (hate spoilers lol) would be revealed but that will be in a later book. Angry Betty is true to what I've seen of addicts and it's sad. Jake's uncle is a highlight for me, as he shows wisdom, compassion, kindness and yet is firm. Undecided about continuing this series.
March 5, 2020
This was an excellent book. Well written. Well edited. Fun read. So why did I give it just 3 stars? Because I hate to be left hanging, and that is what this book did at the end. I know writers will do this sort of thing to get you to buy the next book in the series, but I hate being manipulated! The next book "Bang Switch" is $5.99 . . . and yes I bought it because I had to know what happened. But in licking my wound, I realized I got this book free so paying 6 bucks for the next book equals 3 bucks a piece for my Kindle reads. I can live with that I guess.
April 16, 2020
Decent detective drama
The book itself is just alright. It was entertaining enough to keep me going, and it had some pretty fun twists. I'm not thrilled that Kate is kind of sexist against women and is so obviously part of the "cool girl" trope that it makes her character a little flatter than one requires of a good heroine, but nothing too terrible. I also wish the plantation inheritance had been left out of the story. Just seems unnecessary to the narrative, however I haven't read the other two books yet, so we'll have to see
The book itself is just alright. It was entertaining enough to keep me going, and it had some pretty fun twists. I'm not thrilled that Kate is kind of sexist against women and is so obviously part of the "cool girl" trope that it makes her character a little flatter than one requires of a good heroine, but nothing too terrible. I also wish the plantation inheritance had been left out of the story. Just seems unnecessary to the narrative, however I haven't read the other two books yet, so we'll have to see
April 19, 2020
Language, sex and loose ends
The story line to me was fine but the situations and language were too much for me to continue to the next book in the series. I can stop now. The name Angry Betty was appropriate for this novel but I am not sure where all the evidence is headed, and frankly I don't really care. If sex and foul language is okay with you, I'msure you'll enjoy the series. Enjoy. I'm moving on to cleaner writing with intrigue. Oh yea, you will figure out who the inside mole is before tge end. I may be wrong but again, I can live without truely knowingfor sure
The story line to me was fine but the situations and language were too much for me to continue to the next book in the series. I can stop now. The name Angry Betty was appropriate for this novel but I am not sure where all the evidence is headed, and frankly I don't really care. If sex and foul language is okay with you, I'msure you'll enjoy the series. Enjoy. I'm moving on to cleaner writing with intrigue. Oh yea, you will figure out who the inside mole is before tge end. I may be wrong but again, I can live without truely knowingfor sure
March 30, 2021
Good story with no real ending
The who done it plot is good and kept me interested. I dislike books with no real ending. Meaning I still don't know the whole story! I get that it's a marketing tool to get you to buy the next book. However, I've real lots of stories that have reoccurring characters but read fine as a stand alone book. I find that more enjoyable. Why not just make it one whole stand alone book? I probably won't buy the next in the series just because I'm pissed off at the unending.
The who done it plot is good and kept me interested. I dislike books with no real ending. Meaning I still don't know the whole story! I get that it's a marketing tool to get you to buy the next book. However, I've real lots of stories that have reoccurring characters but read fine as a stand alone book. I find that more enjoyable. Why not just make it one whole stand alone book? I probably won't buy the next in the series just because I'm pissed off at the unending.
February 23, 2023
This is a new author for me and must say I enjoyed the book up to the ending. This story follows Kate Darby, her ex husband Zane Gwilly, and the rookie cop. They are working a drug/murder case that leads them to a lot of different people. As they track down what is going on you find things are not what they seem and there is a mole in the Police Department. The story is great up to the ending. The ending is abrupt and leaves a lot undone. It is a definite attempt to get you to buy the next book. I would be most willing to buy the next book if the story had ended.
March 15, 2020
Ugh. Where do I start? This book reads like it was written by a 12 year old, right down to what a couple of cops ordered at the drive-thru. I think there's a story in there, but it's drowned in too many characters and unnecessary rambling. Back stories are given on characters who still seem wooden and two-dimensional. Simplistic writing rounds out this snoozefest. Thank goodness I got it for free.
March 27, 2020
Really wanted to like this book. Gave it three stars although two would have been closer.
The reader is left having to buy the next book if they want a conclusion to this books original story line.
The reader is also expected to believe the two of the three main characters are basically morons in their personal life as well as professional life.
Doubt if I will purchase the next book in the series.
The reader is left having to buy the next book if they want a conclusion to this books original story line.
The reader is also expected to believe the two of the three main characters are basically morons in their personal life as well as professional life.
Doubt if I will purchase the next book in the series.
April 12, 2020
Loved this book. Very fast-paced and interesting. Enjoy the strong female cop heroine as the lead character and also found the relationship with her boss\ex-husband to add an extra layer of intrigue. There's got to be more to that coming in future books.
In other reviews that I read prior to beginning the book, reviewers alluded to a lack of answering the end, however, I thought the killers were clearly caught and I am ready for the next adventure with Kate Darby.
In other reviews that I read prior to beginning the book, reviewers alluded to a lack of answering the end, however, I thought the killers were clearly caught and I am ready for the next adventure with Kate Darby.
May 18, 2022
I hate cliffhangers...
First of all there, in my opinion is never a need for a cliffhanger in a book. Had I knew about this beforehand I wouldnt have even bothered reading. I really wanted to like this book, but sadly did not. Too many sporadic events happening, too many characters, plots and storylines that didnt blend well. Wasnt the worst book I have ever read, but wasnt very good either.
First of all there, in my opinion is never a need for a cliffhanger in a book. Had I knew about this beforehand I wouldnt have even bothered reading. I really wanted to like this book, but sadly did not. Too many sporadic events happening, too many characters, plots and storylines that didnt blend well. Wasnt the worst book I have ever read, but wasnt very good either.
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