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A.L. McKittridge #1
Ten Days Gone
They know exactly when he'll strike... They just have to find him first.
In all their years working for the Baywood police department, detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan have never seen anything like it. Four women dead in forty days, each killed ten days apart. With nothing connecting the victims and very little evidence, the clock is already counting down to when the next body drops. A.L. and Rena will have to act fast if they're going to find the killer's next victim before he does.
But identifying the killer's next likely target is only half the battle. With pressure pushing in from all sides, a promising breakthrough leads the detectives to Tess Lyons, a woman whose past trauma has left her too damaged to appreciate the danger she's in. Unwilling to let another woman die, A.L. and Rena will put everything on the line to keep Tess safe and end the killer's deadly spree once and for all--before time runs out again.
In all their years working for the Baywood police department, detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan have never seen anything like it. Four women dead in forty days, each killed ten days apart. With nothing connecting the victims and very little evidence, the clock is already counting down to when the next body drops. A.L. and Rena will have to act fast if they're going to find the killer's next victim before he does.
But identifying the killer's next likely target is only half the battle. With pressure pushing in from all sides, a promising breakthrough leads the detectives to Tess Lyons, a woman whose past trauma has left her too damaged to appreciate the danger she's in. Unwilling to let another woman die, A.L. and Rena will put everything on the line to keep Tess safe and end the killer's deadly spree once and for all--before time runs out again.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
January 18, 2020
Updated 1/18/2020 with my full review.
TEN DAYS GONE by Beverly Long is a police procedural and the first book in the A.L. McKittridge series. It is largely set in Wisconsin with a couple of scenes in Minnesota and Illinois. The two main characters in the story are Detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan. The book starts with the death of a fourth woman in forty days. Each was killed ten days apart and so far, the clues to the identity of the serial killer are eluding the Baywood, Wisconsin police department.
The characters are compelling and felt three-dimensional and very relatable. The author gave enough background of the two protagonists to set the stage for future novels in the series. Identifying the next person slated to be a victim gave a sense of urgency along with the ten day deadline. Therefore, there was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. There are a number of themes running through this novel including murder, family relationships, friendship, physical abuse, divorce, alcoholism, lies, communication (and lack thereof), and even a hint of a romance.
Overall, this is the best first book in a police procedural series that I have read in a long time. The plot was intriguing, suspenseful, ominous and well-paced. I would recommend it to those that enjoy police procedural novels and want to get in on the first book of the series. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Thanks to Harlequin – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) – Mira and Beverly Long for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
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My review will be published 1/18/2020. Review is held until one month prior to publication per publisher's guidelines.
TEN DAYS GONE by Beverly Long is a police procedural and the first book in the A.L. McKittridge series. It is largely set in Wisconsin with a couple of scenes in Minnesota and Illinois. The two main characters in the story are Detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan. The book starts with the death of a fourth woman in forty days. Each was killed ten days apart and so far, the clues to the identity of the serial killer are eluding the Baywood, Wisconsin police department.
The characters are compelling and felt three-dimensional and very relatable. The author gave enough background of the two protagonists to set the stage for future novels in the series. Identifying the next person slated to be a victim gave a sense of urgency along with the ten day deadline. Therefore, there was enough at stake to keep me engaged throughout the story. There are a number of themes running through this novel including murder, family relationships, friendship, physical abuse, divorce, alcoholism, lies, communication (and lack thereof), and even a hint of a romance.
Overall, this is the best first book in a police procedural series that I have read in a long time. The plot was intriguing, suspenseful, ominous and well-paced. I would recommend it to those that enjoy police procedural novels and want to get in on the first book of the series. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
Thanks to Harlequin – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) – Mira and Beverly Long for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
---------------------------------------------------
My review will be published 1/18/2020. Review is held until one month prior to publication per publisher's guidelines.
February 10, 2020
This book was an interesting read. I loved both characters, A.L. and Rena because they both sounded sassy with an attitude. Rena's love life with her husband was dry, at least at first. Not sure if that's the intention of a realistic couple who have been married for awhile or what. I enjoyed the humor, especially when A.L. revealed to Tess his personal life without intending to. There's a cliffhanger to this book because readers will not know what A.L. stands for.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Detective A.L. McKittridge as he examined the new victim. This fourth victim marked the 4th female killed in 40 days where each woman was killed 10 days apart. Police needed to catch the killer before the next 10 days is up otherwise they will find another dead body. Finding this serial killer is hard because there aren't any clues left at the scenes. The second view is Rena, detective and A.L.'s partner. She has been undergoing fertility treatment but had 2 failed IVF attempts. Both have been overworked with their personal life going off kilter. A.L's teen daughter was caught skipping school and Rena's husband seemed to be hiding something. This book is organized by a timeline counting from day one to day ten until either the detectives capture the serial killer or another woman dies. The third view is the next victim. Each view is not separated by each chapter but rather popped inside a chapter with another view.
Ten Days Gone is well written and a fast paced read! The chase is suspenseful and I do like that there are clues that lead closer to catching the killer. As always, I couldn't guess who the killer is. The ending is intense and I loved it; however, there weren't clear explanations as to why the killer chose 10 days and 5 women. I like the location of this thriller because I used to live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and it's nice to read about familiar locations in a story. The start of A.L. McKittridge is a great read and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I recommend everyone to read this book if you are looking for some honest detectives who will not sugarcoat or downplay what they want to say or think.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
***Thank you MIRA Books for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Detective A.L. McKittridge as he examined the new victim. This fourth victim marked the 4th female killed in 40 days where each woman was killed 10 days apart. Police needed to catch the killer before the next 10 days is up otherwise they will find another dead body. Finding this serial killer is hard because there aren't any clues left at the scenes. The second view is Rena, detective and A.L.'s partner. She has been undergoing fertility treatment but had 2 failed IVF attempts. Both have been overworked with their personal life going off kilter. A.L's teen daughter was caught skipping school and Rena's husband seemed to be hiding something. This book is organized by a timeline counting from day one to day ten until either the detectives capture the serial killer or another woman dies. The third view is the next victim. Each view is not separated by each chapter but rather popped inside a chapter with another view.
Ten Days Gone is well written and a fast paced read! The chase is suspenseful and I do like that there are clues that lead closer to catching the killer. As always, I couldn't guess who the killer is. The ending is intense and I loved it; however, there weren't clear explanations as to why the killer chose 10 days and 5 women. I like the location of this thriller because I used to live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and it's nice to read about familiar locations in a story. The start of A.L. McKittridge is a great read and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I recommend everyone to read this book if you are looking for some honest detectives who will not sugarcoat or downplay what they want to say or think.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
***Thank you MIRA Books for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
December 15, 2020
3 stars.
Started off a lot stronger than it ended.
Two detectives are on the case to track down a serial killer who has been murdering his victims every ten days. He has killed four women so far leaving the police department nine days before they know another victim will be found.
This police procedural started off strong. I really liked the main detective duo. They complimented each other well and I found myself laughing at their sarcastic humour. The mystery and suspense was gripping from the start and had me feeling strongly invested. The first 60% of the book focused intensely on the police investigation which I enjoyed.
Around the 65% mark, the plot focus shifts toward the personal stories of the main characters instead of the crime investigation. There is an unexpected romance thrown in that didn’t work for me and took away from my investment in the storyline. The plot seemed to unravel from that point on and lost my interest. It almost felt like the end was written by a different author.
Overall, this had a lot of potential and I would definitely try out other books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Started off a lot stronger than it ended.
Two detectives are on the case to track down a serial killer who has been murdering his victims every ten days. He has killed four women so far leaving the police department nine days before they know another victim will be found.
This police procedural started off strong. I really liked the main detective duo. They complimented each other well and I found myself laughing at their sarcastic humour. The mystery and suspense was gripping from the start and had me feeling strongly invested. The first 60% of the book focused intensely on the police investigation which I enjoyed.
Around the 65% mark, the plot focus shifts toward the personal stories of the main characters instead of the crime investigation. There is an unexpected romance thrown in that didn’t work for me and took away from my investment in the storyline. The plot seemed to unravel from that point on and lost my interest. It almost felt like the end was written by a different author.
Overall, this had a lot of potential and I would definitely try out other books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
April 17, 2020
I had a hard time getting into this one and unfortunately, it never caught my attention. Not my kind of snarky dynamics between the characters. Just not the right reader for this one so I am moving on
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley
February 11, 2020
There’s a serial killer at work in Baywood, Wisconsin and he or she has a pattern. That’s the reluctant conclusion Detectives A. L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan have reached when they arrive at the scene of the fourth victim where it mirrors three others. Even more concerning about the pattern is, if they’re right, the killer will strike again in ten days. A. L. and Rena race to figure out the victims’ connections so they can identify the next person before the ten days are up.
When I decided to read this book, I didn’t know it was going to be part of a series, and after finishing, I couldn’t be happier that there will be more stories about these detectives. I like them as partners as they have sort of a yin yang relationship that worked extremely well in every aspect while maintaining proper boundaries. The procedurals were engaging and well paced, creating tension and excitement. There’s also a strong relationship element here where there was focus on A. L.’s and Rena’s personal lives that was equally as interesting. The suspense kicked up a notch when they identified the next potential victim and the story went in a new (great!) direction.
This is my first experience with the author and I liked her character development. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew them well enough but wanted more. The procedurals were well researched and followed logical investigative directions, which I find important. While I figured out the likely suspect, the why of it all was elusive and kept me guessing. I didn’t learn what A. L. stands for and that promises to be a whole thing in itself. I enjoyed the mystery, the procedurals and the interpersonal dynamics, enough to want to see more of these characters. It’s a strong start to what promises to be a good series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
When I decided to read this book, I didn’t know it was going to be part of a series, and after finishing, I couldn’t be happier that there will be more stories about these detectives. I like them as partners as they have sort of a yin yang relationship that worked extremely well in every aspect while maintaining proper boundaries. The procedurals were engaging and well paced, creating tension and excitement. There’s also a strong relationship element here where there was focus on A. L.’s and Rena’s personal lives that was equally as interesting. The suspense kicked up a notch when they identified the next potential victim and the story went in a new (great!) direction.
This is my first experience with the author and I liked her character development. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew them well enough but wanted more. The procedurals were well researched and followed logical investigative directions, which I find important. While I figured out the likely suspect, the why of it all was elusive and kept me guessing. I didn’t learn what A. L. stands for and that promises to be a whole thing in itself. I enjoyed the mystery, the procedurals and the interpersonal dynamics, enough to want to see more of these characters. It’s a strong start to what promises to be a good series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
February 27, 2020
DNF, just not for me. Writing craft is strong but the kind of stories I enjoy have a just a tad more bite to them. Sorry. I can see though, how this book would be very popular for other readers. It pushes all the buttons on a softer type of mystery. Very character driven.
d.
d.
February 19, 2020
What could the significance of ten days be for a serial killer?
For this serial killer, ten days is the time frame between murders.
How can they find the next victim before it happens?
Detectives McKittridge and Morgan are on the case with slim leads until they find one sheet of paper that might be their main clue.
The investigation moved forward but always had some setback, and they were running out of time before the next ten days were up.
If you enjoy an intense, difficult investigation and last-minute tension, TEN DAYS GONE needs to be in your TBR stack.
TEN DAYS GONE will keep you on the edge of your seat as all the clues come together for an ending you won’t forget. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For this serial killer, ten days is the time frame between murders.
How can they find the next victim before it happens?
Detectives McKittridge and Morgan are on the case with slim leads until they find one sheet of paper that might be their main clue.
The investigation moved forward but always had some setback, and they were running out of time before the next ten days were up.
If you enjoy an intense, difficult investigation and last-minute tension, TEN DAYS GONE needs to be in your TBR stack.
TEN DAYS GONE will keep you on the edge of your seat as all the clues come together for an ending you won’t forget. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2020
Four women dead in 40 days ... every 10 days a woman is killed in her own home. All are smothered, their clothes are folded very neatly next to them. Nothing connects the victims..and barely any evidence left behind.
Detectives A L McKittridge and Rena Morgan have been called in to investigate. With very little to go on, they are desperate to find the killer before another 10 days go by.
Who would want these women dead? Looking into each of the victims' only shows them to mostly be single, with grown children. They were all liked and had no problems with anyone. So what is there connection? So how do they find their killer?
This is first in a new series featuring two detectives who are committed to finding justice for the victims. They aren't perfect .. each comes with a little baggage. The blend of their professional lives with their personal lives gives them a realistic edge. I love how they interact with each other... a lot of time with humor. Lots of action swirls around them with plenty of suspects to follow. No cliff hangers here except .... what do the initials A L stand for?
Many thanks to the author / Harlequin / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Detectives A L McKittridge and Rena Morgan have been called in to investigate. With very little to go on, they are desperate to find the killer before another 10 days go by.
Who would want these women dead? Looking into each of the victims' only shows them to mostly be single, with grown children. They were all liked and had no problems with anyone. So what is there connection? So how do they find their killer?
This is first in a new series featuring two detectives who are committed to finding justice for the victims. They aren't perfect .. each comes with a little baggage. The blend of their professional lives with their personal lives gives them a realistic edge. I love how they interact with each other... a lot of time with humor. Lots of action swirls around them with plenty of suspects to follow. No cliff hangers here except .... what do the initials A L stand for?
Many thanks to the author / Harlequin / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 6, 2020
There have been four women murdered in Baywood. Detective A.L. Mc Kittridge and Rena Morgan are a working team.
There has been no evidence, but there are connections to an old hotel that is being preserved, rather than torn down, to make way for a new building.
They realize that Tess Lyons is in danger. She is the fifth woman on the list. A.L. Mc Kittridge and
Rena Morgan waist no time getting protection for Tess.
There has been no evidence, but there are connections to an old hotel that is being preserved, rather than torn down, to make way for a new building.
They realize that Tess Lyons is in danger. She is the fifth woman on the list. A.L. Mc Kittridge and
Rena Morgan waist no time getting protection for Tess.
February 20, 2020
3.5 stars
McKittridge and Morgan are faced with their biggest case yet. A serial killer has hit the small town of Baywood, Wisconsin. He has a very curious MO. Strike every ten days. Strip the victims of their clothing. Asphyxiate them.
Leave no trace. Despite being murdered in their own homes there are no signs of struggle and no clear connection between the victims. That is until A.L and Rena come across a petition list to restore an historical landmark in their town. Leshia Fowler. Marsha Knight. LeAnn Jacobs.
Jane Picus. All of their names are on the list -- in line spaces 10, 30, 40, and 50. What is so special about the number 10? Can McKittridge and Morgan get to the killer's next intended victim in time?
Ten Days Gone is my first Beverly Long novel. I was glad to see that this was the start of a new series as I really liked the dynamic between A.L. and Rena. Even though they were both hard asses with snarky retorts they had alot of heart. This came through in the care and empathy they gave to the victim's families and each other.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Lia Ferrone from MIRA Books and Beverly Long for access to this book.
McKittridge and Morgan are faced with their biggest case yet. A serial killer has hit the small town of Baywood, Wisconsin. He has a very curious MO. Strike every ten days. Strip the victims of their clothing. Asphyxiate them.
Leave no trace. Despite being murdered in their own homes there are no signs of struggle and no clear connection between the victims. That is until A.L and Rena come across a petition list to restore an historical landmark in their town. Leshia Fowler. Marsha Knight. LeAnn Jacobs.
Jane Picus. All of their names are on the list -- in line spaces 10, 30, 40, and 50. What is so special about the number 10? Can McKittridge and Morgan get to the killer's next intended victim in time?
Ten Days Gone is my first Beverly Long novel. I was glad to see that this was the start of a new series as I really liked the dynamic between A.L. and Rena. Even though they were both hard asses with snarky retorts they had alot of heart. This came through in the care and empathy they gave to the victim's families and each other.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Lia Ferrone from MIRA Books and Beverly Long for access to this book.
March 10, 2020
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is a pretty good police procedural, with a bit of romance and drama thrown in. I liked the overall premise of the mystery--four women have been killed ten days apart, and the police detectives are trying to figure out why these particular women were chosen and how to stop the killer from killing again. The unfolding of the clues and the way the villain is revealed are both handled well and and ending is very satisfying. I will definitely read additional books in this series. The author's handling of the character development is solid and I felt the police details seemed accurate.
There were a few POV changes that seemed a bit jarring, it was sometimes difficult to determine whose head I was in for a little while, thus the half star deduction. Otherwise, great book and mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is a pretty good police procedural, with a bit of romance and drama thrown in. I liked the overall premise of the mystery--four women have been killed ten days apart, and the police detectives are trying to figure out why these particular women were chosen and how to stop the killer from killing again. The unfolding of the clues and the way the villain is revealed are both handled well and and ending is very satisfying. I will definitely read additional books in this series. The author's handling of the character development is solid and I felt the police details seemed accurate.
There were a few POV changes that seemed a bit jarring, it was sometimes difficult to determine whose head I was in for a little while, thus the half star deduction. Otherwise, great book and mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
February 7, 2020
While I have gotten to the point I will take story over romance I still enjoyed this nail biting read. I haven't read this author before so when Netgally offered I was all in. There's a serial killer on the loose killing every 10 days. So far they haven't had much success in catching a break in the case. We get to know the 2 lead officers and follow them as they go through the grind of catching the killer. It's a slow start with plenty of background on the detectives. This is a plus and minus. A plus because you get to know them in the beginning of the series and probably more as the series progresses which is all good. The minus is sometimes it feels like filler and the romance didn't add to the story. All in all the mystery part of it is done well and holds you in place until the end. I enjoyed this authors style and was thrilled it was well edited. I will definitely be back for more.
January 24, 2020
A well written police procedural featuring a new dynamic duo! The plot was well paced and had some timely twists. I was thoroughly perplexed by this mystery and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The case was dark, disturbing, and adrenaline inducing. I enjoyed the characters and look forward to continuing their stories in this series! 4⭐️ Thank you to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
August 4, 2020
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thrillers / Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Ten Days Gone is the first installment in the A.L. McKittridge series by author Beverly Long. This book is organized by a timeline counting from day one to day ten until either the detectives capture the serial killer or another woman dies. Baywood, Wisconsin Police Detectives A.L. McKittridge and his partner Rena Morgan are on the case of a serial killer. 4 women have been murdered in 40 days. As the title indicates, the killer strikes every 10 days. With nothing connecting the victims and very little evidence, the clock is already counting down to when the next body drops. A.L. and Rena will have to act fast if they’re going to find the killer’s next victim before he does.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thrillers / Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Ten Days Gone is the first installment in the A.L. McKittridge series by author Beverly Long. This book is organized by a timeline counting from day one to day ten until either the detectives capture the serial killer or another woman dies. Baywood, Wisconsin Police Detectives A.L. McKittridge and his partner Rena Morgan are on the case of a serial killer. 4 women have been murdered in 40 days. As the title indicates, the killer strikes every 10 days. With nothing connecting the victims and very little evidence, the clock is already counting down to when the next body drops. A.L. and Rena will have to act fast if they’re going to find the killer’s next victim before he does.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
February 2, 2021
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
A serial killer is loose in Baywood and detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan know they have just ten days to solve the murders before another woman is killed. Nothing apparent connects the victim, nothing besides the way they are discovered. Following every little potential breadcrumb leads them to Tess, a woman with enough demons on her plate, a woman who has little care for her life already. McKittridge and Morgan need to protect Tess even if she won't and stop the killing one and for all.
A third person police procedural novel told from multiple perspectives, Ten Days Gone is the first novel in the A.L. McKittridge series written by Beverly Long. Starting at day 1, counting down to the day an expected fifth killing will occur, McKittridge and Morgan are tasked with pushing their frazzled personal lives to the side to discover the killer and stop them. I really liked the personal stories of both detectives mixed in with the investigation work, as well as the perspective of the potential next victim. There's a lot of plotlines to follow, which kept me on my toes and paying attention to every word. No skimming here. I couldn't guess who was involved and who wasn't and it was just creepy enough. The tension is high in this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Part procedural, part romance, Ten Days Gone was an engaging, interesting read for me. I loved the mix of perspectives, the uniqueness of the crime, and both detectives are solid characters. Well written and a for sure five star read for me, Ten Days Gone is definitely recommended for fellow crime fans.
ARC provided.
A serial killer is loose in Baywood and detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan know they have just ten days to solve the murders before another woman is killed. Nothing apparent connects the victim, nothing besides the way they are discovered. Following every little potential breadcrumb leads them to Tess, a woman with enough demons on her plate, a woman who has little care for her life already. McKittridge and Morgan need to protect Tess even if she won't and stop the killing one and for all.
A third person police procedural novel told from multiple perspectives, Ten Days Gone is the first novel in the A.L. McKittridge series written by Beverly Long. Starting at day 1, counting down to the day an expected fifth killing will occur, McKittridge and Morgan are tasked with pushing their frazzled personal lives to the side to discover the killer and stop them. I really liked the personal stories of both detectives mixed in with the investigation work, as well as the perspective of the potential next victim. There's a lot of plotlines to follow, which kept me on my toes and paying attention to every word. No skimming here. I couldn't guess who was involved and who wasn't and it was just creepy enough. The tension is high in this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Part procedural, part romance, Ten Days Gone was an engaging, interesting read for me. I loved the mix of perspectives, the uniqueness of the crime, and both detectives are solid characters. Well written and a for sure five star read for me, Ten Days Gone is definitely recommended for fellow crime fans.
ARC provided.
March 24, 2020
Ten Days Gone by Beverly Long is the first the Detective A.L. McKittridge series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Harlequin/MIRA, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Information:
A.L. McKittridge is a Detective with the Bayfield Wisconsin Police Department. He is divorced, and his teenage daughter Traci is his life. His sister is an alcoholic. His partner, Rena Morgan has been married to Gabe for three years, and desperately wants a child. They have a new boss in Christian Faster, and the verdict is still out.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Every ten days, the nude body of a woman is found in her kitchen, clothes neatly folded beside her. She has been smothered with the pillow from her bed. No trace evidence from the perpetrator is left behind. Not even the pillow.
So the detectives know when the killer will strike next. The hard part is finding him, and preventing the next woman's death. When they finally get a lead, they also discover the identity of the next potential target. Their best chance of finding the killer will be by protecting this target....but they can't find her either.
Meanwhile, A.L. is having problems with his 16-year old daughter, and Rena is starting to question the fidelity of her husband.
My Opinions:
This is going to be a really good series. Both the main characters are likable, strong, and determined police officers. Their personal lives were also interesting.
The plot was good, and although I did guess some of the motive, I did not see all of the twists that developed. The book was well-paced and a fast read. It was written from both A.L. and Rena's points of view, which kept everything flowing smoothly.
Although we still don't know what A.L. stands for, I'm hoping that maybe the next book will shed some light on that.
If you are in need of a new series, you might want to give this one a go. It may have lacked a little "punch", but overall, it was a good solid mystery.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including author information and quotations), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
January 28, 2020
Quality of Writing: 7/10
Pace: 8/10
Plot Development: 5/10
Characters: 8/10
Enjoyability: 8/10
Insightfulness: 5/10
Ease of Reading: 8/10
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was really good in some areas, and not as well written in others. I quite liked the main character, A. L. McKittridge. He’s gruff in all the right ways, but it’s not over done. He’s a softy at heart and Long does a good job of showing that.
I wasn’t as fond of Rena Morgan. While she seems like a solid cop, she is a mess in her personal life. She’s not trusting. And she seems worried about all the wrong things. I also didn’t like her husband. It seemed like his issues were just added drama. Totally unnecessary.
The core story of the novel, the murders, was complex enough that I didn’t immediately guess who the murderer was, but it also seemed too clean to be an actual murder. It read like it was fake, not something you’d encounter in the real world. Entertaining, but not believable. The whole narrative seemed a bit forced.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, but I don’t think I’ll read the rest of the series.
February 11, 2020
I’m jumping back into thrillers and I was excited to get this invite to read this book.
I liked AL and Rena well enough. They’re both good people who are loyal to the job. I liked their dedication and tenacity. There are loads of characters in this book and I don’t think we really got to fully know any of them. I’m not sure if that was intentional or not.
Plot wise, it was okay. The first half of the book made me feel like I should already be familiar with these characters. Their personal lives were at the front of the story and the case seemed secondary. Once the soon-to-be victim was found, the tension was quickly ramped up and it became quite the page turner. The ending wrapped up a bit quicker than I would have liked and another few pages or even a short epilogue would have been great.
Overall, it was an interesting story and the characters might make me come back for the next book.
**Huge thanks to MIRA for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked AL and Rena well enough. They’re both good people who are loyal to the job. I liked their dedication and tenacity. There are loads of characters in this book and I don’t think we really got to fully know any of them. I’m not sure if that was intentional or not.
Plot wise, it was okay. The first half of the book made me feel like I should already be familiar with these characters. Their personal lives were at the front of the story and the case seemed secondary. Once the soon-to-be victim was found, the tension was quickly ramped up and it became quite the page turner. The ending wrapped up a bit quicker than I would have liked and another few pages or even a short epilogue would have been great.
Overall, it was an interesting story and the characters might make me come back for the next book.
**Huge thanks to MIRA for providing the arc free of charge**
March 29, 2020
Murder is afoot in the small town of Baywood as four women are now dead. Neither of the women seems to have a connection except for the fact they all live in Baywood and were murdered the same way - naked and their clothes found folded up neatly beside them. The detectives on the case Rena and AL are stumped and now with the only lead they have which is the murders happened ten days apart, it means that another murder will happen in just over a week unless they can figure out the killer's pattern and get to the next target before the killer does. During this book, we also have a few other storylines from AL's relationship with his daughter Traci who lately has been making some bad choices and his sister Liv's decision to skip out on another rehab program. We also in the latter part of the novel have some sparks flying for AL as he falls for Tess - a later potential victim of the Baywood Serial Killer. Rena has some problems happening too in her life as she has been trying IVF as her husband Gabe wants a baby, her brother-in-law Danny kissed her and now it looks like Gabe might be having an affair with someone who is her total opposite? I have to admit when the killer came to light, I could see him as the killer but what I was hoping for was a bit more depth/background of the reason he was killing the way he did - especially with the MO of folding the clothes. If you are in the mood for a bit of murder during the quarantine lockdown, then check out Book #1 in Beverly Long's new series AL McKittridge and who knows in later books, we might be able to find out what the AL stands for.
July 4, 2020
There is a pattern that all but stumps detectives A. L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan. There have been four murders of women over a forty day period, each ten days apart. So time is soon their enemy as they know that before ten days is up there will the murder of another innocent woman. Can the pair work together to find the killer or at least identify who he chooses for his next victim in time?
The reason that I give this book 3 stars is because of the constant changes of POV. Usually this is something that I can enjoy, but a lot of the dialogue shifted rather quickly, causing a bit of confusion as to whose view we were reading. There were a lot of things going on beyond the scope of the investigation. Readers get to see A. L. and Rena behind the scenes. Regarding A. L., he is having trouble with his teenage daughter. With Rena, she is struggling with fertility and it is affecting her relationship with her husband. However, since this is the first book in a new series, it really does help to bring in some background with characters that we will be seeing a lot of in future stories.
In all, this was a good read with a rather intriguing case, and it had a lot of tension, especially as we got to "know" the intended next victim. This, I believe, kept my attention rapt in this story.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
The reason that I give this book 3 stars is because of the constant changes of POV. Usually this is something that I can enjoy, but a lot of the dialogue shifted rather quickly, causing a bit of confusion as to whose view we were reading. There were a lot of things going on beyond the scope of the investigation. Readers get to see A. L. and Rena behind the scenes. Regarding A. L., he is having trouble with his teenage daughter. With Rena, she is struggling with fertility and it is affecting her relationship with her husband. However, since this is the first book in a new series, it really does help to bring in some background with characters that we will be seeing a lot of in future stories.
In all, this was a good read with a rather intriguing case, and it had a lot of tension, especially as we got to "know" the intended next victim. This, I believe, kept my attention rapt in this story.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
January 16, 2020
First off I want to thank @netgalley, @mirabooks & Beverly Long for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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I am so surprised that I actually devoured this book so quickly. I am usually not into procedurals and kind of cop mysteries but this one worked great for me and kept me hooked.
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The case builds up slowly and you do have an idea of who the perp is but it's still so well done and elaborated. The research that was put into it to make it seem like such a real story was great. There was so much suspense, action and non stop thrill throughout it all, such a well written book. The multiple POV was also very easy to follow and flowed perfectly from one to the other. This is the first in a series so there was a lot of focus on the background stories of the detectives, I am hoping that the next one's focus a bit more on the crimes committed and give us a little bit more crime then people description. But overall this is an amazing start to a good detective series.
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Great story, great procedural, great characters, if you're looking for a mystery with non stop suspense add this to your TBR !
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I am so surprised that I actually devoured this book so quickly. I am usually not into procedurals and kind of cop mysteries but this one worked great for me and kept me hooked.
•
The case builds up slowly and you do have an idea of who the perp is but it's still so well done and elaborated. The research that was put into it to make it seem like such a real story was great. There was so much suspense, action and non stop thrill throughout it all, such a well written book. The multiple POV was also very easy to follow and flowed perfectly from one to the other. This is the first in a series so there was a lot of focus on the background stories of the detectives, I am hoping that the next one's focus a bit more on the crimes committed and give us a little bit more crime then people description. But overall this is an amazing start to a good detective series.
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Great story, great procedural, great characters, if you're looking for a mystery with non stop suspense add this to your TBR !
February 25, 2020
I wanted something light to read which would have mystery, murder, and the usual mayhem that went with it. And this book by author Beverly Long just clicked with me.
2 detectives, A. L. and Rena, 1 serial killer who had killed 4 women every 10 days + 1 long list of possible victims + something that happened nearly 4 decades ago = made this a wicked, fun-filled ride.
This was supposed to be police procedural thriller, but I would call it a romantic suspense. There was the thrill to get to the killer. There was a race against time to find out the next victim and protect her. There were sudden twists in the lead detectives' personal lives. There were some intelligent characters who helped the detectives. Everything about this book kept me completely gripped to my kindle. There were some wicked turns in the investigation along with revelations at the right time.
I started with the audiobook, but with the suspense getting ramped up, I was getting short of patience. I needed the truth faster, switched to the ebook and completely enjoyed it. It was what I needed where my brain didn't want to think too much, yet be entertained by the mystery.
2 detectives, A. L. and Rena, 1 serial killer who had killed 4 women every 10 days + 1 long list of possible victims + something that happened nearly 4 decades ago = made this a wicked, fun-filled ride.
This was supposed to be police procedural thriller, but I would call it a romantic suspense. There was the thrill to get to the killer. There was a race against time to find out the next victim and protect her. There were sudden twists in the lead detectives' personal lives. There were some intelligent characters who helped the detectives. Everything about this book kept me completely gripped to my kindle. There were some wicked turns in the investigation along with revelations at the right time.
I started with the audiobook, but with the suspense getting ramped up, I was getting short of patience. I needed the truth faster, switched to the ebook and completely enjoyed it. It was what I needed where my brain didn't want to think too much, yet be entertained by the mystery.
March 22, 2020
*I received a free copy of Ten Days Gone. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
This was exactly my kind of mystery / crime novel. I loved the two detectives, A.L. and Rena. They had their own lives, their own worries, and their own hurts. However, they were both good at their jobs, and eager to get to the bottom of this horrible new case that scared their whole community.
A.L.'s dry, sarcastic humor and Rena's insight made the story more than it would have been without them. And the mystery was very hard to figure out - which is a plus - even with some clues that were given out.
I'm going to be looking for more A.L. McKittridge novels in the future for sure.
This was exactly my kind of mystery / crime novel. I loved the two detectives, A.L. and Rena. They had their own lives, their own worries, and their own hurts. However, they were both good at their jobs, and eager to get to the bottom of this horrible new case that scared their whole community.
A.L.'s dry, sarcastic humor and Rena's insight made the story more than it would have been without them. And the mystery was very hard to figure out - which is a plus - even with some clues that were given out.
I'm going to be looking for more A.L. McKittridge novels in the future for sure.
Read
February 15, 2020In the town of Baywood, four women have been killed, each ten days apart. Detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan know the killer's pattern now, it's just a matter of figuring out who the next victim will be. With only a few days before he strikes again, the detectives have to uncover what links these victims to the killer in order to save the next woman before it's too late. I liked how the book showed different points of view from A.L., Rena, and one of the potential victims. Besides hunting for a murderer, both A.L. and Rena are dealing with issues in their personal life and have to balance those problems with work and their friendship.
This story was fast paced and full of suspense. This is the first book in the A.L. McKittridge series and I'm looking forward to more! Thank you to Beverly Long, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA books and Netgalley for my advance copy! Look for it on February 18th.
This story was fast paced and full of suspense. This is the first book in the A.L. McKittridge series and I'm looking forward to more! Thank you to Beverly Long, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA books and Netgalley for my advance copy! Look for it on February 18th.
February 29, 2020
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2020; Mira/Harlequin/HarperCollins
Ten Days Gone wasn't what I expected, and that turned out to be a good thing! I thought this was going to be a romantic suspense novel, but it was more suspense with a bit of romance. I enjoyed the case even though it was easy to figure out. I found it worth reading to see how the whole thing would get tied up. I liked that we also saw more of A.L. and Rena's personal lives. It felt realistic that life keeps going on while police try to solve a case - find a serial killer. I am down to read more about Rena, and even A.L. What I don't understand is why this series is called A.L. Kittridge instead of Rena and A.L (or Kittridge & Morgan). I found Rena more of an interesting character than A.L. especially with his "man's man" thoughts and action. Sometimes I feel like he should be from an older generation, but I am hoping he grows more in the series. I am looking forward to seeing where the series takes both characters and their lives.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss & NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2020; Mira/Harlequin/HarperCollins
Ten Days Gone wasn't what I expected, and that turned out to be a good thing! I thought this was going to be a romantic suspense novel, but it was more suspense with a bit of romance. I enjoyed the case even though it was easy to figure out. I found it worth reading to see how the whole thing would get tied up. I liked that we also saw more of A.L. and Rena's personal lives. It felt realistic that life keeps going on while police try to solve a case - find a serial killer. I am down to read more about Rena, and even A.L. What I don't understand is why this series is called A.L. Kittridge instead of Rena and A.L (or Kittridge & Morgan). I found Rena more of an interesting character than A.L. especially with his "man's man" thoughts and action. Sometimes I feel like he should be from an older generation, but I am hoping he grows more in the series. I am looking forward to seeing where the series takes both characters and their lives.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss & NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
February 8, 2020
Book: Ten Days Gone
Author: Beverly Long
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Mira Books, for sending me an ARC.
I’m just going to be flat out honest. There was something about this one that just had me hooked. I found myself wanting to read huge chunks of this book in one sitting. I cared about the story and the characters a lot. Normally, I don’t get this involved in police thrillers, but this one, yeah, this one had something about that had me wanting to read more. The plot was interesting and the characters were well developed.
The plot was very engaging and written in a way that has you wanting to keep reading. It’s a very procedural book, but the way it is presented makes you want to keep going, even when it is just going through different mundane things. I was even engaged when I was reading about family gatherings. You do get kind of a slower plot for a thriller. The author takes time to build things up, but it’s worth it.
I really enjoyed the characters. I like how Beverly took the time to actually flesh them out instead of just rushing through them. We get to build a bond with them and experience what they are going through. There is a rather large cast of characters, so it can be kind of overwhelming at first, but it’s worth it. I liked getting to know the characters outside of their jobs. It just made me feel so much more involved.
Now, the ending to this one kind of bothered me. It felt rushed and while it did make sense, it didn’t at the same time. I know I just said that I really enjoyed getting everything fleshed out, but I wish that we had spent just a little more time with the ending. It just felt sloppy and not as put together as the rest of the book.
Anyway, that’s all I’m going to say about that.
If you like procedural thrillers then be sure to pick this one up. It comes out on February 18, 2020.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/rvPTfc6R5ZM
Author: Beverly Long
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher, Mira Books, for sending me an ARC.
I’m just going to be flat out honest. There was something about this one that just had me hooked. I found myself wanting to read huge chunks of this book in one sitting. I cared about the story and the characters a lot. Normally, I don’t get this involved in police thrillers, but this one, yeah, this one had something about that had me wanting to read more. The plot was interesting and the characters were well developed.
The plot was very engaging and written in a way that has you wanting to keep reading. It’s a very procedural book, but the way it is presented makes you want to keep going, even when it is just going through different mundane things. I was even engaged when I was reading about family gatherings. You do get kind of a slower plot for a thriller. The author takes time to build things up, but it’s worth it.
I really enjoyed the characters. I like how Beverly took the time to actually flesh them out instead of just rushing through them. We get to build a bond with them and experience what they are going through. There is a rather large cast of characters, so it can be kind of overwhelming at first, but it’s worth it. I liked getting to know the characters outside of their jobs. It just made me feel so much more involved.
Now, the ending to this one kind of bothered me. It felt rushed and while it did make sense, it didn’t at the same time. I know I just said that I really enjoyed getting everything fleshed out, but I wish that we had spent just a little more time with the ending. It just felt sloppy and not as put together as the rest of the book.
Anyway, that’s all I’m going to say about that.
If you like procedural thrillers then be sure to pick this one up. It comes out on February 18, 2020.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/rvPTfc6R5ZM
January 12, 2020
Description
They know exactly when he’ll strike… They just have to find him first.
In all their years working for the Baywood police department, detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan have never seen anything like it. Four women dead in forty days, each killed ten days apart. With nothing connecting the victims and very little evidence, the clock is already counting down to when the next body drops. A.L. and Rena will have to act fast if they’re going to find the killer’s next victim before he does.
But identifying the killer’s next likely target is only half the battle. With pressure pushing in from all sides, a promising breakthrough leads the detectives to Tess Lyons, a woman whose past trauma has left her too damaged to appreciate the danger she’s in. Unwilling to let another woman die, A.L. and Rena will put everything on the line to keep Tess safe and end the killer’s deadly spree once and for all—before time runs out again.
My Thoughts
Ten Days Gone introduces two detectives, A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan, as they search for a serial killer. What they know so far: someone dies every ten days, the victims are all left naked with no obvious signs of struggle, nothing seems to connect these women, and the clock is ticking. They need to find the killer before another body is found.
When the detectives uncover something all the victims have in common, the search is on the find the woman destined to be next. Can they keep her safe and find the killer? No spoilers, but all will be revealed.
This is the first book in a planned series. There is a lot of background information provided about A.L. and Rena, and I can only assume that when the next book is released, the author will focus more on the crime and less on the detectives. Of course, I may be wrong, but the serial killer story seemed to take a back seat to create fully fleshed-out characters(the detectives) who we will see again. To me, this was a good, not great read. I enjoy trying to figure out whodunit and why, and I found myself focusing more on what was wrong in the personal lives of the detectives. I will read the next book in the series to see what the author has planned. 3.5 stars.
I received a DRC from Harlequin-Mira through NetGalley.
They know exactly when he’ll strike… They just have to find him first.
In all their years working for the Baywood police department, detectives A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan have never seen anything like it. Four women dead in forty days, each killed ten days apart. With nothing connecting the victims and very little evidence, the clock is already counting down to when the next body drops. A.L. and Rena will have to act fast if they’re going to find the killer’s next victim before he does.
But identifying the killer’s next likely target is only half the battle. With pressure pushing in from all sides, a promising breakthrough leads the detectives to Tess Lyons, a woman whose past trauma has left her too damaged to appreciate the danger she’s in. Unwilling to let another woman die, A.L. and Rena will put everything on the line to keep Tess safe and end the killer’s deadly spree once and for all—before time runs out again.
My Thoughts
Ten Days Gone introduces two detectives, A.L. McKittridge and Rena Morgan, as they search for a serial killer. What they know so far: someone dies every ten days, the victims are all left naked with no obvious signs of struggle, nothing seems to connect these women, and the clock is ticking. They need to find the killer before another body is found.
When the detectives uncover something all the victims have in common, the search is on the find the woman destined to be next. Can they keep her safe and find the killer? No spoilers, but all will be revealed.
This is the first book in a planned series. There is a lot of background information provided about A.L. and Rena, and I can only assume that when the next book is released, the author will focus more on the crime and less on the detectives. Of course, I may be wrong, but the serial killer story seemed to take a back seat to create fully fleshed-out characters(the detectives) who we will see again. To me, this was a good, not great read. I enjoy trying to figure out whodunit and why, and I found myself focusing more on what was wrong in the personal lives of the detectives. I will read the next book in the series to see what the author has planned. 3.5 stars.
I received a DRC from Harlequin-Mira through NetGalley.
February 15, 2020
Not bad, but didn’t quite scratch my police procedural itch. Review to come at AAR.
December 31, 2019
Well we never did find out what the "A.L." stood for in A.L. McKittridge. Never mind.
Crime Fiction is a big, competitve genre and the Nesbo's, Rankin and Robotham's lead the field so Beverly Long has a tough job tossing "Ten Days Gone" into the mix.
Nevertheless she makes a fair fist of it posing a scenario where we know the nature of the crime, the MO and the when of it. The issue for me being the significance of the 10 days and every tenth punter on a rather nondescript list becoming a victim. It just doesn't seem clear( Maybe I missed something as no other reviewers mentioned it).
Curiously, the work finishes with a bang, as if she run out of room on the page, no wind down, no wrap up..just Goodnight.
Oh and the naughty boy's identity wasn't too difficult to work out ahead of time.
Apart from that it kept me interested with the required mix of suspense and personal backstory for the main protagonists. I will read the next A.L. McK gum biter.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to review.
Crime Fiction is a big, competitve genre and the Nesbo's, Rankin and Robotham's lead the field so Beverly Long has a tough job tossing "Ten Days Gone" into the mix.
Nevertheless she makes a fair fist of it posing a scenario where we know the nature of the crime, the MO and the when of it. The issue for me being the significance of the 10 days and every tenth punter on a rather nondescript list becoming a victim. It just doesn't seem clear( Maybe I missed something as no other reviewers mentioned it).
Curiously, the work finishes with a bang, as if she run out of room on the page, no wind down, no wrap up..just Goodnight.
Oh and the naughty boy's identity wasn't too difficult to work out ahead of time.
Apart from that it kept me interested with the required mix of suspense and personal backstory for the main protagonists. I will read the next A.L. McK gum biter.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to review.
February 13, 2020
Ten Days Gone by Beverly Long is the first An A.L. McKittridge Novel. Ten Days Gone is a police procedural mystery set in Baywood, Wisconsin. We follow Detective A.L. McKittridge (we do not get to find out what A.L. stands for) and Detective Rena Morgan as they search for a deadly killer. Four women have been murdered in forty days. They were murdered ten days apart with them just discovering the latest victim. Our duo has ten days to find the killer before he strikes again. The killer is smart enough to leave to no forensics. They cannot find a connection between the four women. The detectives work on questioning the latest victims’ husband, co-workers and friends to see if they can find any connection to the other three victims. The point-of-view switches between McKittridge and Morgan. McKittridge is divorced with a sixteen year old daughter who is acting out (dating a man who is over twenty-one) and skipping school to drink alcohol. Rena Morgan is wed, and they have been trying to conceive for years unsuccessfully. It is taking its toll on their marriage. Rena is worried that her husband is cheating on her. The detectives’ personal lives are woven in with the investigation. I thought the detective’s lives are realistic. They work hard which affects their personal lives which are complicated (just like real people). The mystery was representative of a real police case. Television makes police work look exciting, but, in real life, it is tedious. They must ask questions, follow up leads, fill out paperwork and deal with bureaucracy (like a new pompous chief). Identifying the guilty party was effortless. There is suspense and tension especially as they were getting close to their prey. There were some areas of the book that lagged, and I was put off by the amount of foul language (I do not understand why people feel they need to use such offensive words). Ten Days Gone will appeal to readers who enjoy suspenseful police procedural mysteries. Ten Days gone has a mysterious murderer, a conceited chief, disconsolate target, and two determined detectives.
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