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Quinn & Costa #2
Tell No Lies
Something mysterious is killing the wildlife in the mountains just south of Tucson. When a college intern turned activist sets out to collect her own evidence, she, too, ends up dead. Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads.
Quinn and Costa find themselves scouring the desolate landscape, which keeps revealing clues to something much darker—greed, child trafficking and more death. As the body count adds up, it’s clear they have stumbled onto much more than they bargained for. Now they must figure out who is at the heart of this mayhem and stop them before more innocent lives are lost.
Quinn and Costa find themselves scouring the desolate landscape, which keeps revealing clues to something much darker—greed, child trafficking and more death. As the body count adds up, it’s clear they have stumbled onto much more than they bargained for. Now they must figure out who is at the heart of this mayhem and stop them before more innocent lives are lost.
425 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2021
977 people are currently reading
6141 people want to read
About the author
Allison Brennan
110 books5,278 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Allison Brennan believes that life is too short to be bored, so she had five children and writes three books a year.
In 2019, Allison relocated from Northern California to Arizona with her family and assorted pets. She loves baseball, hiking, family game night, and (of course) reading.
RT Book Reviews called Allison “a master of suspense” and her books “haunting,” “mesmerizing,” “pulse-pounding” and “emotionally complex.” She's been nominated for many awards, and is a three time winner of the Reviewer's Choice award winner for RT Book Reviews as well as the Daphne du Maurier award. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Paperback Original by International Thriller Writers.
With over 45 books and dozens of short stories, Allison is writing multiple series and the occasional stand alone thriller. Her most recent book out now is THE MISSING WITNESS, part of the Quinn & Costa series. In June Allison is launching a new Phoenix-set series about a family of private investigators starting with YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME.
You can reach Allison through Goodreads or her website.
In 2019, Allison relocated from Northern California to Arizona with her family and assorted pets. She loves baseball, hiking, family game night, and (of course) reading.
RT Book Reviews called Allison “a master of suspense” and her books “haunting,” “mesmerizing,” “pulse-pounding” and “emotionally complex.” She's been nominated for many awards, and is a three time winner of the Reviewer's Choice award winner for RT Book Reviews as well as the Daphne du Maurier award. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Paperback Original by International Thriller Writers.
With over 45 books and dozens of short stories, Allison is writing multiple series and the occasional stand alone thriller. Her most recent book out now is THE MISSING WITNESS, part of the Quinn & Costa series. In June Allison is launching a new Phoenix-set series about a family of private investigators starting with YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME.
You can reach Allison through Goodreads or her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 629 reviews
May 14, 2021
No good comes from being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Emma Perez is highly inquisitive by nature. She's a college intern at the University of Arizona excelling in a double major of business and environmental sciences. But on prior field trips to Mount Wrightson, Emma noticed something strange. Scattered throughout the area were bodies of dead birds. She reported it, but it was dismissed by her professor.
Soon after, Emma cons her boyfriend into hiking the area so that she can take samples. She and Billy become separated on the rocky terrain. Before long, Billy hears a sharp shrill scream in the distance. He rushes near the pond and finds Emma unconscious on the ground. A bloody rock lays nearby. Emma died before he could get her to town.
The FBI is called in to investigate. The unit will go undercover in order to spy on a local copper refinery in the area which may be responsible for illegal dumping where the birds were found. Matt Costa heads up the team and Kara Quinn plays her role as a bartender in the small town listening as she moves about the tables. Someone knows something about Emma's murder and how it may be connected to the refinery.
I did not read the first book in this series, The Third to Die. I still enjoyed Tell No Lies as a standalone. I'm gonna tell ya. The few chapters unload a ton of characters with descriptors of their FBI jobs. Confusing, yes, but it will all settle into place. The storyline has a wide scope as well with illegal dumping, sex trafficking, immigrants and coyotes, and murder threaded in. But this is Arizona with its deserts and mountains and everything in between.
Think I may go back for The Third to Die while I look forward to the third edition to this series. Allison Brennan piqued my interest now with her diligent FBI team. Good stuff.
Emma Perez is highly inquisitive by nature. She's a college intern at the University of Arizona excelling in a double major of business and environmental sciences. But on prior field trips to Mount Wrightson, Emma noticed something strange. Scattered throughout the area were bodies of dead birds. She reported it, but it was dismissed by her professor.
Soon after, Emma cons her boyfriend into hiking the area so that she can take samples. She and Billy become separated on the rocky terrain. Before long, Billy hears a sharp shrill scream in the distance. He rushes near the pond and finds Emma unconscious on the ground. A bloody rock lays nearby. Emma died before he could get her to town.
The FBI is called in to investigate. The unit will go undercover in order to spy on a local copper refinery in the area which may be responsible for illegal dumping where the birds were found. Matt Costa heads up the team and Kara Quinn plays her role as a bartender in the small town listening as she moves about the tables. Someone knows something about Emma's murder and how it may be connected to the refinery.
I did not read the first book in this series, The Third to Die. I still enjoyed Tell No Lies as a standalone. I'm gonna tell ya. The few chapters unload a ton of characters with descriptors of their FBI jobs. Confusing, yes, but it will all settle into place. The storyline has a wide scope as well with illegal dumping, sex trafficking, immigrants and coyotes, and murder threaded in. But this is Arizona with its deserts and mountains and everything in between.
Think I may go back for The Third to Die while I look forward to the third edition to this series. Allison Brennan piqued my interest now with her diligent FBI team. Good stuff.
April 26, 2022
College student and environmental science intern Emily Perez heads out to an area of Mount Wrightson in Arizona where she’d spotted some dead birds earlier in the week while with her boss. She suspected that it might be a sign of contamination but wanted to inspect it closer on her own before raising alarms. Her boyfriend accompanied her but when she made a sudden stop on her own, she was attacked and died before he could get her help. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Matt Costa has assembled his Mobile Response Unit in nearby Tucson to investigate not only her murder but Southwest Copper Refinery, a company he suspects of illegal dumping. He has two members of his team working undercover in Patagonia where the company is headquartered, FBI Agent Michael Harris and LAPD Detective Kara Quinn who for now has joined the unit.
Did this story take a serious turn! What I thought would be something more along the lines of corporate misbehavior ended up being sinister and deadly. There are a lot of characters from the town and the company who make it difficult to discern whether they’re part of the problem, clueless or allies in the search for the truth. I loved seeing Kara in action as she has years of undercover experience and taught the rest of the team a thing or two. She and Matt are still doing a dance, made more complicated now that she’s working for him. It’s fun to see both grapple with or deny their mutual strong attraction.
The story includes elements of human trafficking involving the exploitation of migrants, specifically children. It was heartbreaking, especially as I sensed much of it was based on reality. However, I enjoyed how Matt used his team and navigated the politics of local law enforcement to solve the case and find resolution. It was a tough one on several levels and brought the tension, suspense and excitement. I loved the first book and had lower expectations of this one based on the description, which was a mistake as I finished this in a day. The narrator continues to do exceptional storytelling with pacing to match the rhythm and vibe of the writing. I’m so glad I opted for the audio version and am highly enjoying this series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Did this story take a serious turn! What I thought would be something more along the lines of corporate misbehavior ended up being sinister and deadly. There are a lot of characters from the town and the company who make it difficult to discern whether they’re part of the problem, clueless or allies in the search for the truth. I loved seeing Kara in action as she has years of undercover experience and taught the rest of the team a thing or two. She and Matt are still doing a dance, made more complicated now that she’s working for him. It’s fun to see both grapple with or deny their mutual strong attraction.
The story includes elements of human trafficking involving the exploitation of migrants, specifically children. It was heartbreaking, especially as I sensed much of it was based on reality. However, I enjoyed how Matt used his team and navigated the politics of local law enforcement to solve the case and find resolution. It was a tough one on several levels and brought the tension, suspense and excitement. I loved the first book and had lower expectations of this one based on the description, which was a mistake as I finished this in a day. The narrator continues to do exceptional storytelling with pacing to match the rhythm and vibe of the writing. I’m so glad I opted for the audio version and am highly enjoying this series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
January 26, 2024
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
TELL NO LIES (A Quinn & Costa Thriller Book #2) by Allison Brennan is the second book in this FBI thriller series and I am very excited to return to this group of great characters. The first book brought the new mobile FBI team together to chase a serial killer and now in this new book the team is faced with the murder of a college environmental activist which leads to so much more. This book can easily be read as a standalone.
The mobile FBI team is undercover in Patagonia, Arizona as they investigate a murder which leads to the local copper refinery possibly dumping toxic waste in the desert. Special Agent in Charge Mathias “Matt” Costa has the son of the refinery owner helping with information secretly as well as an agent undercover in the refinery as LAPD Detective on loan to the FBI Kara Quinn is working as a bartender in the local bar where the refinery workers and townies hang out.
Quinn and Costa soon begin to realize that there is much more than just waste dumping happening outside of Patagonia. When their main suspect turns up dead, they are finding this small quiet town has ties to human trafficking, illegal guns and a drug cartel. When Quinn is abducted as leverage, will Matt be able to find her in time to save her life?
This intricate plot takes you on a full investigation from beginning to climactic end. There are many twists and surprises which keep ramping up the stakes and tension throughout the story. Kara is such a wonderfully strong and unique protagonist. While there is a growing connection and sexual relationship between Kara and Matt, it is not the main focus of this book which is more FBI procedural thriller than romantic suspense. I also enjoyed how all the team members are becoming fully fleshed and merging as a cohesive unit.
I highly recommend this second book in the series and this author!
TELL NO LIES (A Quinn & Costa Thriller Book #2) by Allison Brennan is the second book in this FBI thriller series and I am very excited to return to this group of great characters. The first book brought the new mobile FBI team together to chase a serial killer and now in this new book the team is faced with the murder of a college environmental activist which leads to so much more. This book can easily be read as a standalone.
The mobile FBI team is undercover in Patagonia, Arizona as they investigate a murder which leads to the local copper refinery possibly dumping toxic waste in the desert. Special Agent in Charge Mathias “Matt” Costa has the son of the refinery owner helping with information secretly as well as an agent undercover in the refinery as LAPD Detective on loan to the FBI Kara Quinn is working as a bartender in the local bar where the refinery workers and townies hang out.
Quinn and Costa soon begin to realize that there is much more than just waste dumping happening outside of Patagonia. When their main suspect turns up dead, they are finding this small quiet town has ties to human trafficking, illegal guns and a drug cartel. When Quinn is abducted as leverage, will Matt be able to find her in time to save her life?
This intricate plot takes you on a full investigation from beginning to climactic end. There are many twists and surprises which keep ramping up the stakes and tension throughout the story. Kara is such a wonderfully strong and unique protagonist. While there is a growing connection and sexual relationship between Kara and Matt, it is not the main focus of this book which is more FBI procedural thriller than romantic suspense. I also enjoyed how all the team members are becoming fully fleshed and merging as a cohesive unit.
I highly recommend this second book in the series and this author!
May 17, 2023
Tell No Lies by Allison Brennan
Quinn & Costa series #2. Police procedural thriller with a touch of romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but the romance / relationship is the same across the series and doesn’t recap.
The FBI mobile unit run by Costa mores to the desert lands south of Tucson. They are investigating the death of a college student which gets complicated by small town business owners and possible child trafficking. Matt, Kara and the team are partially undercover as they try to put the clues together and find the true killers.
Complications and multiple layers make this a suspense novel you won’t want to put down. Who knows the details and how do they uncover the truth.
Compelling and chilling how the criminals can justify their actions.
Moving directly to the next book in the series.
Quinn & Costa series #2. Police procedural thriller with a touch of romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but the romance / relationship is the same across the series and doesn’t recap.
The FBI mobile unit run by Costa mores to the desert lands south of Tucson. They are investigating the death of a college student which gets complicated by small town business owners and possible child trafficking. Matt, Kara and the team are partially undercover as they try to put the clues together and find the true killers.
Complications and multiple layers make this a suspense novel you won’t want to put down. Who knows the details and how do they uncover the truth.
Compelling and chilling how the criminals can justify their actions.
Moving directly to the next book in the series.
April 14, 2024
This is the second in the series.
Billy Nixon was in love and nothing was going to stop him from marrying the love of his life, Emma. They were in college and she was an environmental activist, concerned about something she saw in the mountains. She wanted to investigate further. Because he loved her so much, he was willing to take her on that hike. But only he would come out of it alive.
Now he wanted justice. And FBI Agent Matt Costa was asking Billy to be patient as he and his team, including Kara Quinn, former Los Angeles Detective, came in to investigate why Emma was murdered, what she was investigating, and what really was going on in those mountains.
As always, Brennan delivers a carefully plotted, character-driven (and there are lots of them to keep track of {which is a bit daunting} story with a solid climax for readers to appreciate.
Billy Nixon was in love and nothing was going to stop him from marrying the love of his life, Emma. They were in college and she was an environmental activist, concerned about something she saw in the mountains. She wanted to investigate further. Because he loved her so much, he was willing to take her on that hike. But only he would come out of it alive.
Now he wanted justice. And FBI Agent Matt Costa was asking Billy to be patient as he and his team, including Kara Quinn, former Los Angeles Detective, came in to investigate why Emma was murdered, what she was investigating, and what really was going on in those mountains.
As always, Brennan delivers a carefully plotted, character-driven (and there are lots of them to keep track of {which is a bit daunting} story with a solid climax for readers to appreciate.
July 13, 2021
I absolutely loved (!) The Third to Die which is the first in this series by Allison Brennan and I was really looking forward to reading the second! On top of that, the book's subject matter was totally in my wheelhouse - environmental disasters and industry pollution killing wildlife and our national parks. Sadly, I couldn't even finish the book. :( To be very honest, I have no idea why. I love the characters. I do. But the writing for this book was so utterly different from the first that I have difficulty believing that it was written by Allison Brennan. I am going upstream against all those who loved the book and I know that but this is one that I cannot recommend this one and I will be very leery about reading the next in the series.
January 5, 2025
“Tell No Lies” (book #2 of Quinn & Costa series), by Allison Brennan
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This was my third book by this author within 2 weeks.
Comparing it to book 1 and book 4 I noticed differences on the writing and storytelling.
This one was a lot slower, with lots of characters, lots of telling and no showing.
The development of the storyline wasn’t gripping, like the other books, and although I liked the writing, it didn’t feel it was written by the same person (at least that’s my impression - except for the last 25% of the book, which is my opinion was the best part). The characters’ personality were slightly different and the dynamics were not the same.
The concept was good, dark and heartbreaking, but the delivery was too mechanical.
And I think there were too many topics: money laundering, human trafficking, drugs trafficking and smuggling, guns ring, dumping toxic waste into the environment…
But I learned a new word: finagle.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
e-book (Kobo): 400 pages (default), 124k words, 44 chapters
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This was my third book by this author within 2 weeks.
Comparing it to book 1 and book 4 I noticed differences on the writing and storytelling.
This one was a lot slower, with lots of characters, lots of telling and no showing.
The development of the storyline wasn’t gripping, like the other books, and although I liked the writing, it didn’t feel it was written by the same person (at least that’s my impression - except for the last 25% of the book, which is my opinion was the best part). The characters’ personality were slightly different and the dynamics were not the same.
The concept was good, dark and heartbreaking, but the delivery was too mechanical.
And I think there were too many topics: money laundering, human trafficking, drugs trafficking and smuggling, guns ring, dumping toxic waste into the environment…
But I learned a new word: finagle.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
e-book (Kobo): 400 pages (default), 124k words, 44 chapters
October 11, 2025
8/10 4⭐️
Book 2 narrated again by Suzanne T. Fortin. I can’t imagine someone else voicing these characters. Not a whole lot of change between characters, but enough and it’s ingrained in my head that she is the voice of the Mobile Response Team.
How does the murder of a college student turn into an enormous case and undercover operation for the Mobile Response Team? Read/listen and find out!!
I love the undercover side of Kara. It’s so interesting to see how she naturally fills the role of whatever she needs to be with so minimal guilt knowing she is deceiving sometimes good and innocent people.
It’s Michaels first time in an undercover role and he definitely does not have as easy of a time with it as Kara. He gets the job done and plays the role well, but the feelings that go along with having to lie really get to him sometimes.
Matt is Matt. Ryder is his sweet, can’t help but love him self. Jim isn’t really in this book. And Zach, I had completely forgotten about him. The dude needs sleep and less caffeine. Oh and Catherine, she isn’t really in this one either, I am okay with that. She has a giant stick up her butt most of the time and it’s a smidge annoying at times.
During the undercover investigation a few characters snuck into my heart and broke it a little bit. Angel and his younger sister Bianca. I get teary eyed thinking of kids who have to live the life they have. It hurts knowing how much terribleness is out there, knowing that other human beings have such a lack of anything good in them I guess and can do this to other people, especially kids.
And Billy. So broken. So hurt. So full of guilt and anger. Two of the worst emotions to feel. And it’s all so understandable as to why he feels that way. Time doesn’t heal, but it can give you perspective (not my words, I shortened what Matt says to him).
A good book. A little draggy in parts, but I have noticed that when I am able to, increasing speed helps me get through that. I rarely listen to things at normal speed now, and it has helped quite a bit with my attention, even in books or parts of books I enjoy.
Still suggest reading/listening to the series in order if it’s your first time with the series. Although not absolutely necessary, each book is its own story, but the background on characters and seeing how they develop through the series, it’s helpful to start at 1.
Rating of 4⭐️’s: 7/21/23
Still going with my 4⭐️ rating: 10/10/25
Review posted: 10/10/25
Book 2 narrated again by Suzanne T. Fortin. I can’t imagine someone else voicing these characters. Not a whole lot of change between characters, but enough and it’s ingrained in my head that she is the voice of the Mobile Response Team.
How does the murder of a college student turn into an enormous case and undercover operation for the Mobile Response Team? Read/listen and find out!!
I love the undercover side of Kara. It’s so interesting to see how she naturally fills the role of whatever she needs to be with so minimal guilt knowing she is deceiving sometimes good and innocent people.
It’s Michaels first time in an undercover role and he definitely does not have as easy of a time with it as Kara. He gets the job done and plays the role well, but the feelings that go along with having to lie really get to him sometimes.
Matt is Matt. Ryder is his sweet, can’t help but love him self. Jim isn’t really in this book. And Zach, I had completely forgotten about him. The dude needs sleep and less caffeine. Oh and Catherine, she isn’t really in this one either, I am okay with that. She has a giant stick up her butt most of the time and it’s a smidge annoying at times.
During the undercover investigation a few characters snuck into my heart and broke it a little bit. Angel and his younger sister Bianca. I get teary eyed thinking of kids who have to live the life they have. It hurts knowing how much terribleness is out there, knowing that other human beings have such a lack of anything good in them I guess and can do this to other people, especially kids.
And Billy. So broken. So hurt. So full of guilt and anger. Two of the worst emotions to feel. And it’s all so understandable as to why he feels that way. Time doesn’t heal, but it can give you perspective (not my words, I shortened what Matt says to him).
A good book. A little draggy in parts, but I have noticed that when I am able to, increasing speed helps me get through that. I rarely listen to things at normal speed now, and it has helped quite a bit with my attention, even in books or parts of books I enjoy.
Still suggest reading/listening to the series in order if it’s your first time with the series. Although not absolutely necessary, each book is its own story, but the background on characters and seeing how they develop through the series, it’s helpful to start at 1.
Rating of 4⭐️’s: 7/21/23
Still going with my 4⭐️ rating: 10/10/25
Review posted: 10/10/25
February 13, 2021
Very complex story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was really looking forward to reading this new crime mystery. The author really captured me in her past novel with the complex layout and multiple layers in building the scene. This book also has those many levels and Brennan’s detail was right on the mark.
I was also really looking forward to having Quinn and Costa get fired up together too but that fell really flat for me. They have to potential to burn it up, but in this story, the author chose to have the crime and police procedurals be front and center with their internal fires dampened – not out though!
With so many different pieces and parts of the story coming at you from all sides, it does leave you wondering and scrambling for the answers. The character development was awesome and she keeps you on your toes following all of the leads.
While I try and not hold up one story up over another one, I do have to say this one did not fire me up like Book One did. Still a great story but I was missing the intensity and “gasp” factor that would have put this over the top.
* copy received for review consideration
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/tell-no-lies...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was really looking forward to reading this new crime mystery. The author really captured me in her past novel with the complex layout and multiple layers in building the scene. This book also has those many levels and Brennan’s detail was right on the mark.
I was also really looking forward to having Quinn and Costa get fired up together too but that fell really flat for me. They have to potential to burn it up, but in this story, the author chose to have the crime and police procedurals be front and center with their internal fires dampened – not out though!
With so many different pieces and parts of the story coming at you from all sides, it does leave you wondering and scrambling for the answers. The character development was awesome and she keeps you on your toes following all of the leads.
While I try and not hold up one story up over another one, I do have to say this one did not fire me up like Book One did. Still a great story but I was missing the intensity and “gasp” factor that would have put this over the top.
* copy received for review consideration
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/tell-no-lies...
March 29, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Based on my prior experience with the author’s work, I jumped at the chance to read Tell No Lies. This is the second book in the Quinn and Costa Thriller series. It works well as a stand-alone. I had a good time with this installment. The story started out slow with the momentum increasing as the story progressed resulting in a suspenseful read.
The story featured characters from the previous book, while introducing new players to this cat-and-mouse game. The mystery, although different, was no less dangerous. In this installment, Matt, Kara and the other members of the Mobile Response Team had to deal with murder, illegal dumping of toxic waste, money laundering and human trafficking.
The story began with a young college student attempting to find the cause for the increase in the number of birds turning up dead. However, she was murdered before she could report her findings. Was her murder related to the illegal dumping, or was something more nefarious going on? Matt and his team were called on to investigate the illegal dumping of the toxic waste. During their investigation, they discovered that there was more going on than illegal dumping. The more they dug, the more complex the case became.
I had a blast reconnecting with the Matt, Kara and the other members of the team. The moments spent with them were exciting and suspenseful. Danger surrounded them at every turn. Waiting to see if a member of the team would be affected had me on the edge of my seat. I admired Kara’s dedication to her job and her strength in the face of adversity. It took a lot for her to maintain her cover when faced with the atrocities of the case.
At the end of book one, readers were treated to the likelihood of the attraction between Kara and Matt developing into something deeper. I looked forward to that happening in this installment. The attraction between them burnt bright as ever, but they faced many obstacles and Matt being Kara’s boss did not help.
Now what is a thriller without villains. Well, Tell No lies had them in spades. They all shared different characteristics, but the one they had in common was greed. While reading, I kept trying to figure how the events were connected and as the story progressed the connection became clear. The clarity of the connection also brought to light the identity of all who were involved.
The story delivered everything I expected. However, I was disappointed with the results of the investigation into the murder which triggered the chain of events. Overall, a thrilling and interesting read.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
The story featured characters from the previous book, while introducing new players to this cat-and-mouse game. The mystery, although different, was no less dangerous. In this installment, Matt, Kara and the other members of the Mobile Response Team had to deal with murder, illegal dumping of toxic waste, money laundering and human trafficking.
The story began with a young college student attempting to find the cause for the increase in the number of birds turning up dead. However, she was murdered before she could report her findings. Was her murder related to the illegal dumping, or was something more nefarious going on? Matt and his team were called on to investigate the illegal dumping of the toxic waste. During their investigation, they discovered that there was more going on than illegal dumping. The more they dug, the more complex the case became.
I had a blast reconnecting with the Matt, Kara and the other members of the team. The moments spent with them were exciting and suspenseful. Danger surrounded them at every turn. Waiting to see if a member of the team would be affected had me on the edge of my seat. I admired Kara’s dedication to her job and her strength in the face of adversity. It took a lot for her to maintain her cover when faced with the atrocities of the case.
At the end of book one, readers were treated to the likelihood of the attraction between Kara and Matt developing into something deeper. I looked forward to that happening in this installment. The attraction between them burnt bright as ever, but they faced many obstacles and Matt being Kara’s boss did not help.
Now what is a thriller without villains. Well, Tell No lies had them in spades. They all shared different characteristics, but the one they had in common was greed. While reading, I kept trying to figure how the events were connected and as the story progressed the connection became clear. The clarity of the connection also brought to light the identity of all who were involved.
The story delivered everything I expected. However, I was disappointed with the results of the investigation into the murder which triggered the chain of events. Overall, a thrilling and interesting read.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
November 15, 2022
It didn't take me long to buzz through this book. It was riveting and chilling and I really wanted to know what really happened. Kara is a different kind of cop. She was bred for undercover work and it's scary how she can size up a person or situation and is so spot on. I loved Kara and Matt and how hot their relationship is getting, even with Matt being Kara's boss and his resisting, or trying to. The team is starting to gel and work together, but that takes time. My heart broke for Billy. I hope down the line we can see that he gets his life together and can move on. So many things were so good in this book, and I liked all the characters.
When environmental science major Emma Stone finds several dead birds during a school field trip near Patagonia, AZ., she is sure that contaminated water has made them sick. She convinces her boyfriend, Billy, to go camping and sample collecting but Emma ends up murdered.
Mathius Costa and his mobile FBI team go undercover to find out just who killed Emma and why. What they uncover is a tangled web of embezzlement at the local cooper refinery, cartel activity including child trafficking unlike any they have ever encountered.
When environmental science major Emma Stone finds several dead birds during a school field trip near Patagonia, AZ., she is sure that contaminated water has made them sick. She convinces her boyfriend, Billy, to go camping and sample collecting but Emma ends up murdered.
Mathius Costa and his mobile FBI team go undercover to find out just who killed Emma and why. What they uncover is a tangled web of embezzlement at the local cooper refinery, cartel activity including child trafficking unlike any they have ever encountered.
May 2, 2021
This is a fast paced, well written, entertaining romantic suspense novel. It is the second entry in Ms. Brennan's outstanding Quinn & Costa series, and can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. It has murder, mystery, intrigue, suspense, twists and turns and is set in Arizona. I am looking forward to reading the next entry in this series with great anticipation. Ms. Brennan never disappoints her readers!
May 15, 2021
Super complex!.... super detailed... unfortunately it wasn't super to me... I know I am swimming upstream on this one... everyone seemed to love it so much, but I just couldn't get attached.
I think it was just so overly detailed that when I stopped reading it was difficult to start again. I think this is what decreased my enjoyment in the read. I don't think I will be back for any more of the series.
2 stars
Happy Reading!
I think it was just so overly detailed that when I stopped reading it was difficult to start again. I think this is what decreased my enjoyment in the read. I don't think I will be back for any more of the series.
2 stars
Happy Reading!
April 30, 2021
Kara Quinn and Matt Costa find themselves involved in finding the murderer of a young activist. A college intern, she finds birds and wildlife in the mountains are found dead from unknown causes. Deciding to look into this herself, she winds up dead.
Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads.
As more bodies fall, Quinn and Costa find themselves looking into much more than was known. Kara goes undercover as a bar tender while Costa manages to put another of his team undercover in the refinery.
Lots of action .. lots of twists and turns. Suspects are abundant. Relationships get strained. Suspense starts on the very first page and holds steady until the final explosive conclusion. Although second in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. I do recommend reading in order to get the backstories of Quinn and Costa.
Many thanks to the author / Harlequin - Mira / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Local law enforcement is slow to get involved. That’s when the mobile FBI unit goes undercover to infiltrate the town and its copper refinery in search of possible leads.
As more bodies fall, Quinn and Costa find themselves looking into much more than was known. Kara goes undercover as a bar tender while Costa manages to put another of his team undercover in the refinery.
Lots of action .. lots of twists and turns. Suspects are abundant. Relationships get strained. Suspense starts on the very first page and holds steady until the final explosive conclusion. Although second in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. I do recommend reading in order to get the backstories of Quinn and Costa.
Many thanks to the author / Harlequin - Mira / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 29, 2022
Favorite Quotes:
Papa said that the stars were God’s glitter to make the dark not as scary.
She’d been a con artist before she was a cop, and being an undercover cop was, essentially, being a con artist, but with a badge.
Matt was certainly an alpha male trying his hardest to be a beta, but he didn’t have a sexist bone in his body. Well, maybe a couple— he was a guy, after all...
My Review:
This was a complex, multi-faceted, and intriguing tale with haunting issues and a well-crafted writing style that packed a visceral punch without being gruesome. The gripping storylines were unpredictable and needled and poked at my curiosity throughout. The characters were as interesting and complicated as the case they were working and the clever author textured them well with authentic flaws and quirks. I can’t wait to dive into the next in the series as I’m well primed for more of the same of this wily wordsmith’s work.
Papa said that the stars were God’s glitter to make the dark not as scary.
She’d been a con artist before she was a cop, and being an undercover cop was, essentially, being a con artist, but with a badge.
Matt was certainly an alpha male trying his hardest to be a beta, but he didn’t have a sexist bone in his body. Well, maybe a couple— he was a guy, after all...
My Review:
This was a complex, multi-faceted, and intriguing tale with haunting issues and a well-crafted writing style that packed a visceral punch without being gruesome. The gripping storylines were unpredictable and needled and poked at my curiosity throughout. The characters were as interesting and complicated as the case they were working and the clever author textured them well with authentic flaws and quirks. I can’t wait to dive into the next in the series as I’m well primed for more of the same of this wily wordsmith’s work.
March 23, 2021
Agent Matt Costa and Detective Kara Quinn are in the small town of Patagonia, Arizona investigating the murder of a college student/environmentalist. A couple years back Southwest Copper was under investigation for illegally dumping toxic waste, but they didn’t find any evidence of wrongdoing. However, the death of the student leads them to believe they were right the first time, and she may have been killed for finding the evidence.
Human trafficking, drug and weapon running, among other things figure into this mystery and it’s a dangerous, tangled web. There are some nasty characters in this one, but thankfully Kara and Matt are on their tale! Kara is working undercover at the local watering hole as a bartender, perfect for getting to know the town gossip and players without incurring suspicions. It’s a boon that she catches the eye of Joe Molina, the son of Southwest Copper owner. Other members of the team are undercover as well, and it’s a bit tense wondering if a cover has been blown and who can be trusted.
There was an undercurrent of tension between Matt and Kara much of which stemmed from Matt worrying about her safety and Kara thinking he was being overprotective, because they’d slept together. She’s a no strings kind of girl, completely taken with her job, and Matt doesn’t seem like that kind of guy.
Matt for his part doesn’t want to repeat the past even though he’s still very much attracted to Kara. It wasn’t a problem in the last investigation because Kara wasn’t really working under Matt at the time, but now that she’s officially a member of their team Matt doesn’t want any impropriety or a deadly mistake happening because of their feelings.
I love Allison Brennan’s brand of mysteries! Here in Tell No Lies I cared about all our players! Matt and Kara are at the center of things, both full of heart and the motivated to get justice for the wronged and stopping the bad guy. These two are not without flaws, but that made them even more relatable. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how all the pieces fit together, and how it’d all play out!
This is the second book in the Quinn & Costa Thriller series, and you don’t necessarily have to read the prior book first, but you’d miss out on the start this team and the beginnings of Matt and Kara’s relationship. Tell No Lies is more police procedural/thriller with a hint of romance, but I look forward to more of Matt and Kara!
A copy was kindly provided by MIRA in exchange for an honest review.
Human trafficking, drug and weapon running, among other things figure into this mystery and it’s a dangerous, tangled web. There are some nasty characters in this one, but thankfully Kara and Matt are on their tale! Kara is working undercover at the local watering hole as a bartender, perfect for getting to know the town gossip and players without incurring suspicions. It’s a boon that she catches the eye of Joe Molina, the son of Southwest Copper owner. Other members of the team are undercover as well, and it’s a bit tense wondering if a cover has been blown and who can be trusted.
There was an undercurrent of tension between Matt and Kara much of which stemmed from Matt worrying about her safety and Kara thinking he was being overprotective, because they’d slept together. She’s a no strings kind of girl, completely taken with her job, and Matt doesn’t seem like that kind of guy.
Matt for his part doesn’t want to repeat the past even though he’s still very much attracted to Kara. It wasn’t a problem in the last investigation because Kara wasn’t really working under Matt at the time, but now that she’s officially a member of their team Matt doesn’t want any impropriety or a deadly mistake happening because of their feelings.
I love Allison Brennan’s brand of mysteries! Here in Tell No Lies I cared about all our players! Matt and Kara are at the center of things, both full of heart and the motivated to get justice for the wronged and stopping the bad guy. These two are not without flaws, but that made them even more relatable. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how all the pieces fit together, and how it’d all play out!
This is the second book in the Quinn & Costa Thriller series, and you don’t necessarily have to read the prior book first, but you’d miss out on the start this team and the beginnings of Matt and Kara’s relationship. Tell No Lies is more police procedural/thriller with a hint of romance, but I look forward to more of Matt and Kara!
A copy was kindly provided by MIRA in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2022
This is the first book that I have read by this author. A great story teller and level of complexity. Great character development.
March 26, 2021
Golly, this impressive second instalment in Allison Brennan's series centring on the FBI's Mobile Response Team turned out to be a little gem! This newly formed part of the FBI consists of highly specialised agents who are top in their field, be it forensics, crime scene specialists or investigators. They are operational primarily in rural areas and in Tell No Lies the team is undercover in Patagonia, Arizona as they investigate a murder that leads to the local copper refinery possibly dumping toxic waste in the desert. FBI special agent Mathias (Matt) Costa has LAPD Detective on loan to the FBI, Kara Quinn working as a bartender in the local bar where the refinery workers and townies socialise. Michael Harris, a former Navy SEAL, takes a job at the refinery and the refinery owner's son becomes an informant. When another dead body is found, the case becomes much more complicated as they realise the quiet town has links to several other criminal activities.
Kara is such a fiercely independent, strong and unique protagonist with a strong sense of justice. There is chemistry between her and Matt, and they also share a mutual respect for one another however, their growing connection is not the main focus of this book. Matt himself is shrewd, level-headed and makes a marvellous leader.
The mystery element in Tell No Lies is magnificent and totally engaging. The tight time-frame keeps the plot rolling, with no opportunity to become mired in tediousness. The procedural aspects are solid with the coordination and teamwork of the investigators coming through winningly. Tell No Lies is wonderfully written in a style I relish and I was in my element reading this dark and gritty tale. This is a great second instalment in what has so far turned out to be a stellar series. I enjoyed Tell No Lies so much that I'm reading the books from Allison Brennan's other series and cannot wait for her next in this one.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from MIRA via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Kara is such a fiercely independent, strong and unique protagonist with a strong sense of justice. There is chemistry between her and Matt, and they also share a mutual respect for one another however, their growing connection is not the main focus of this book. Matt himself is shrewd, level-headed and makes a marvellous leader.
The mystery element in Tell No Lies is magnificent and totally engaging. The tight time-frame keeps the plot rolling, with no opportunity to become mired in tediousness. The procedural aspects are solid with the coordination and teamwork of the investigators coming through winningly. Tell No Lies is wonderfully written in a style I relish and I was in my element reading this dark and gritty tale. This is a great second instalment in what has so far turned out to be a stellar series. I enjoyed Tell No Lies so much that I'm reading the books from Allison Brennan's other series and cannot wait for her next in this one.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from MIRA via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
April 7, 2021
RATING: 4 STARS
2021; Mira/Harlequin
Kara, Matt and the FBI newest Mobile Response Team are back to capture another killer. This sequel picks up from the last book, with Kara still undecided about joining MRT permanently. Matt is back at the helm, keeping peace with all the other law enforcement units. Kara and Michael are going undercover to see if they can solve the murder of a young intern, and find out who is contaminating the water source. The murdered intern was investigating on her own after no one seemed to take her seriously. I enjoyed this novel, but not as much as the first one. It seemed like there was a lot going on in this small town. Some of it was predictable, and some of it seemed to be a stretch. But...when it comes to Brennan's novels, I am willing to overlook how realistic this would be in real life. This is another solid book in the series, and I am looking forward to more!
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2021; Mira/Harlequin
Kara, Matt and the FBI newest Mobile Response Team are back to capture another killer. This sequel picks up from the last book, with Kara still undecided about joining MRT permanently. Matt is back at the helm, keeping peace with all the other law enforcement units. Kara and Michael are going undercover to see if they can solve the murder of a young intern, and find out who is contaminating the water source. The murdered intern was investigating on her own after no one seemed to take her seriously. I enjoyed this novel, but not as much as the first one. It seemed like there was a lot going on in this small town. Some of it was predictable, and some of it seemed to be a stretch. But...when it comes to Brennan's novels, I am willing to overlook how realistic this would be in real life. This is another solid book in the series, and I am looking forward to more!
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
June 29, 2023
3½⭐
…the bullet points
- Quinn & Costa #2
- mystery crime thriller
- romantic-ish suspense
- FBI undercover op
- ghost towns, mesas, & murder
I want to say that I loved this…but, I really can’t. The aspect I take the most issue with is the narration. I don't really care for this narrator. I especially don’t like her reading every single POV. Otherwise, it could’ve easily gotten a 4-star rating since the story is fairly solid and the setting was really neat.
…about the narration
🎙️🎙️🎙️/5
- Suzanne T. Fortin…Okay so obviously I’m not liking this narrator and I’m also really disappointed that it doesn’t at least have another narrator for Costa’s character…if it had that, then maybe I probably could have gotten past my problem with STF’s narration.
...the score (out of 10)
- 6.86/10
- Opening ￫ 6.5
- Characters ￫ 7
- Plot ￫ 7.5
- Atmosphere ￫ 7
- Writing Style ￫ 7.5
- Ending ￫ 7
- Overall Enjoyment ￫ 5.5
…the bullet points
- Quinn & Costa #2
- mystery crime thriller
- romantic-ish suspense
- FBI undercover op
- ghost towns, mesas, & murder
I want to say that I loved this…but, I really can’t. The aspect I take the most issue with is the narration. I don't really care for this narrator. I especially don’t like her reading every single POV. Otherwise, it could’ve easily gotten a 4-star rating since the story is fairly solid and the setting was really neat.
…about the narration
🎙️🎙️🎙️/5
- Suzanne T. Fortin…Okay so obviously I’m not liking this narrator and I’m also really disappointed that it doesn’t at least have another narrator for Costa’s character…if it had that, then maybe I probably could have gotten past my problem with STF’s narration.
...the score (out of 10)
- 6.86/10
- Opening ￫ 6.5
- Characters ￫ 7
- Plot ￫ 7.5
- Atmosphere ￫ 7
- Writing Style ￫ 7.5
- Ending ￫ 7
- Overall Enjoyment ￫ 5.5
April 27, 2021
A great match between Kara Quinn and Matt Costa. Working on another case for the FBI regarding illegal dumping. Kara is working undercover as a bartender in the small town Arizona. Matt relies on his team and depends on Kara's instincts. The illegal dumping leads to more sinister crimes against children fleeing the border. They with their team and the town's informants must find how the illegal dumping and trafficking's are tied together. There is a murder on the lose and time is running out.
A eye opener for the border and it goes without the political noise that take away from the real problem. Children being sold by their parents to "coyotes" and guns being smuggled along with drugs. A big business and with the strong characters of Kara and Matt it gives you perspective in the dangers that are faced for our country and how children are exploited. With the chemistry between Kara and Matt it really built the suspense that much more. I am always pleased with Brennan's gift of character development and suspense.
I liked the title of the book and how it played with the plot. Criminals and law enforcement use lies to get to the truth.
A special thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest reiew.
April 20, 2023
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK DNF'd APRIL 20, 2023
Narrator: Suzanne Fortin
This was my second attempt at this book. I didn't take to it the first time and thought it could just be my mood. This time, when I couldn't make much headway and nothing seemed to sink in, I thought maybe it's the bland, expressionless narration.
But further along, I concluded this was just one awful boring book and I am finding it hard to believe the same author wrote the first book, The Third to Die which I gave 5 stars. My 1 star here is for the 15% I listened to. No, not the 15% but for me, having even gone that far!
None of the elements that made the first book were here in the second. Matt Costa was a pale shadow of the man in the first and I hadn't even gotten as far as Kara Quinn's involvement this time before ditching it. The investigation into Emma's death didn't even register with me. I just knew she'd been killed but where the murder investigation in The Third to Die had me riveted from start to finish, Emma's death was such a non-event in my mind.
I'm now leery 0f trying the third book even if I see 5 star reviews all round because there were many positive reviews for this book, too.
Narrator: Suzanne Fortin
This was my second attempt at this book. I didn't take to it the first time and thought it could just be my mood. This time, when I couldn't make much headway and nothing seemed to sink in, I thought maybe it's the bland, expressionless narration.
But further along, I concluded this was just one awful boring book and I am finding it hard to believe the same author wrote the first book, The Third to Die which I gave 5 stars. My 1 star here is for the 15% I listened to. No, not the 15% but for me, having even gone that far!
None of the elements that made the first book were here in the second. Matt Costa was a pale shadow of the man in the first and I hadn't even gotten as far as Kara Quinn's involvement this time before ditching it. The investigation into Emma's death didn't even register with me. I just knew she'd been killed but where the murder investigation in The Third to Die had me riveted from start to finish, Emma's death was such a non-event in my mind.
I'm now leery 0f trying the third book even if I see 5 star reviews all round because there were many positive reviews for this book, too.
March 30, 2021
Allison Brennan was able to pack a lot into this mystery. At first, it was a bit overwhelming since you had to try to remember all of the characters plus how they were involved (illegal dumping, child trafficking, money laundering).
My favourite part was reading about Kara Quinn. In this novel, she is undercover as a bartender to get close to the locals. I really loved reading about being undercover and how it takes the exact right person for the job or else the whole operation could be blown. I really hope there are future novels about more undercover operations!
Even though this was the second novel in the series, it could be read as a standalone. Sadly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first novel (The Third to Die by Allison Brennan). The complexity of all the different storylines took away some of my enjoyment from the novel.
I’m excited to read more in the series and to see what happens with Matt and Kara.
Thank you to Netgallery and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My favourite part was reading about Kara Quinn. In this novel, she is undercover as a bartender to get close to the locals. I really loved reading about being undercover and how it takes the exact right person for the job or else the whole operation could be blown. I really hope there are future novels about more undercover operations!
Even though this was the second novel in the series, it could be read as a standalone. Sadly, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first novel (The Third to Die by Allison Brennan). The complexity of all the different storylines took away some of my enjoyment from the novel.
I’m excited to read more in the series and to see what happens with Matt and Kara.
Thank you to Netgallery and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2021
Kara Quinn was a no-nonsense LAPD detective who grew up in a life of schemes, scams and deceit. However, by becoming a cop, taking on many undercover assignments, Quinn put her past behind her. Her last case, which was in
Tell No Lies,
has made it too dangerous for Kara to continue going undercover in LA. Thus, Special Agent Mathias Costa of the FBI has pulled her into his newly formed Mobile Response Team, based in DC.
Currently Quinn is undercover as a bartender. What is going on? Well, as the story begins, a young college student, studying geology, notices several dead birds. Dragging her boyfriend along with her, she investigates the cause of the death of the birds. Sadly, this led to her murder. The FBI, which Matt is running along with his team, is soon on the scene to search for leads. Thus Quinn has her assignment, as do a couple of other agents. They infiltrate a copper company who just might be involved in toxic dumping, thus the dead birds the college student was investigating.
Along the way, Quinn and Costa find far more than toxic dumping. In fact, they find evidence of possible child trafficking, thus making things far more dangerous than either of them could have ever imagined. They have an inside source as to their investigation, but things still get quite hairy.
Danger lurks about at every corner the deeper they get into the desert in Patagonia, Arizona. The town member's are quite tight-lipped, and this does not make the investigation go easy. Then, evidence involving young children engage Quinn and Costa deep into much more than dumping. As mentioned, there is evidence of child trafficking, but also gun smuggling and drugs. Quinn desperately tries to hold onto her cover to allow Costa enough time to put all of the pieces together to stop all of the nefarious activity.
What a thrilling story! While this serves quite well as a standalone novel, the first book shows how closely Quinn and Costa became and how their chemistry plays into this second story. The danger that is before the both of them, most notably, Quinn, creates palpable tension that never once lets up. With expected twists and turns, and dangerous players, this story definitely proved to be a compelling read.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Currently Quinn is undercover as a bartender. What is going on? Well, as the story begins, a young college student, studying geology, notices several dead birds. Dragging her boyfriend along with her, she investigates the cause of the death of the birds. Sadly, this led to her murder. The FBI, which Matt is running along with his team, is soon on the scene to search for leads. Thus Quinn has her assignment, as do a couple of other agents. They infiltrate a copper company who just might be involved in toxic dumping, thus the dead birds the college student was investigating.
Along the way, Quinn and Costa find far more than toxic dumping. In fact, they find evidence of possible child trafficking, thus making things far more dangerous than either of them could have ever imagined. They have an inside source as to their investigation, but things still get quite hairy.
Danger lurks about at every corner the deeper they get into the desert in Patagonia, Arizona. The town member's are quite tight-lipped, and this does not make the investigation go easy. Then, evidence involving young children engage Quinn and Costa deep into much more than dumping. As mentioned, there is evidence of child trafficking, but also gun smuggling and drugs. Quinn desperately tries to hold onto her cover to allow Costa enough time to put all of the pieces together to stop all of the nefarious activity.
What a thrilling story! While this serves quite well as a standalone novel, the first book shows how closely Quinn and Costa became and how their chemistry plays into this second story. The danger that is before the both of them, most notably, Quinn, creates palpable tension that never once lets up. With expected twists and turns, and dangerous players, this story definitely proved to be a compelling read.
Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 22, 2021
I enjoyed reading through this crime-mystery thriller thats equally dark and sensible. It has Cartels, FBI procedurals, action and the tense OMG was so impressive. I just recently found out that this book is second in Quinn & Costa series, but the story didn’t seem out of the loop and it made total sense to read this as a stand-alone too.
April 10, 2021
4.5 ⭐. RTC
March 4, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the first Quinn and Acosta book, so I really looked forward to this second book. No disappointment here! It is a slam dunk, roller coaster of a trip through the minds of criminals and the procedures of the FBI to capture them. It can definitely be read as a standalone, but I love this series so much that I personally would not miss a single one of them. This book presents a complex story of a family business, environmental damage done by the by-products of manufacturing, trafficking in drugs and people and cartels. Set in the small town of Patagonia, Arizona, the portrait painted of a little rustic place with desert and dunes all around was perfect for the action of the story. Kara is undercover in a bar while Matt runs the team. The first objective of the team is to find out who murdered Emma, a young student who discovered that birds were dying from something in the water and determined to find out who and what was causing their deaths. Her investigation led to her death which led to the FBI sending in a team to investigate. The action was non-stop, with a few romantic scenes thrown in at various times. There were a lot of characters, but the author did a good job of making them realistic and memorable, so I was able to keep up with all of them. My favorite, of course, was Kara Quinn, the “take no prisoners” fighter for truth and justice. She is absolutely perfect in her role, and I could see a movie made from this series because of the strength of the characters and the well-developed plot. With intrigue, secrets and evil machinations in just about every chapter, there was no way to put this one down for long. I enjoyed getting to know other members of the team, like Ryder, who contributed to the take-down of the bad guys but who stayed in the background unless Matt called him out of hiding. I especially liked the teamwork demonstrated in the unraveling of the complicated crimes being committed by a whole gang of people. Fans of the author and the series will devour this book and new fans will find a new group of heroes who are crime fighters putting it all on the line.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
April 8, 2021
A college student tried to determine the cause of death of a bunch of birds in Tucson. She thought the deaths were due to lead and arsenic poisoning and believed a copper plant was dumping toxic waste into a water source . She is murdered close to where she thought the water source was located.
The FBI's new mobile response unit investigates the case. They help solve cases when local resources need assistance. Matt Costa is head of the unit. His team members all have their own specialties: Zach is an accountant who follows the money trail. Ryder is team analyst and researcher. Jim is former director of Dallas crime lab. Kara Quinn is an LA detective on loan to the unit and she is working undercover as a bartender. Michael is working undercover at the copper plant. Local operatives: Christine is the head of the Tucson office. Wyatt Coleman is the city marshall. The murder evolves into a much more complex story than just toxic waste.
Tucson, Arizona looks like a beautiful place. A number of people are acting suspiciously in the story so I wasn't sure who all was involved in the illegal activities. I liked the way all the agencies and principals worked together as the scope of the case widened.
I read the first book in this series and loved it. Of course, it contained a serial killer and that's my favorite story, but I liked this one too. I like all of the primary characters and that always helps my liking of the book. And there's a little romantic suspense also. If you like stories about arsenic and lead poisoning of water, human trafficking, or gun running, consider this book.
The FBI's new mobile response unit investigates the case. They help solve cases when local resources need assistance. Matt Costa is head of the unit. His team members all have their own specialties: Zach is an accountant who follows the money trail. Ryder is team analyst and researcher. Jim is former director of Dallas crime lab. Kara Quinn is an LA detective on loan to the unit and she is working undercover as a bartender. Michael is working undercover at the copper plant. Local operatives: Christine is the head of the Tucson office. Wyatt Coleman is the city marshall. The murder evolves into a much more complex story than just toxic waste.
Tucson, Arizona looks like a beautiful place. A number of people are acting suspiciously in the story so I wasn't sure who all was involved in the illegal activities. I liked the way all the agencies and principals worked together as the scope of the case widened.
I read the first book in this series and loved it. Of course, it contained a serial killer and that's my favorite story, but I liked this one too. I like all of the primary characters and that always helps my liking of the book. And there's a little romantic suspense also. If you like stories about arsenic and lead poisoning of water, human trafficking, or gun running, consider this book.
April 8, 2021
The first part of the novel, where we get to know Emma and Billy, was really engaging. But after that, I was quickly lost amidst so many characters, I was scarcely sure if I was still here. I read the first book in the series; this one is fine as a stand-alone. Knowing who was who was not helped by having read the first book.
We start with illegal dumping, then add human trafficking, gun smuggling, and drug running. Kara Quinn channels much of the information from conversations she overhears or phone updates she receives and provides from her undercover bartender job. Some clever comment about this being the ultimate tell-instead-of-show storytelling might fit here, if only I could think of one.
I was really bored and confused several times during the book. Ms. Brennan tends to write lengthy novels, but in all her pages, I was really hoping for a description of the desert beauty. The setting of most of the action, unfortunately, was inside a bar. The criminals were identified as such from their introductions. My confusion primarily centered around how developments fit into the plot as I understood it. Where does this fit in? Oh, it doesn't! It's another puzzle altogether!
I've read several books recently by authors I really like that have had these same problems: too many characters this reader could not keep track of, being told a story from a remove which conflates from one to many with minimal resolution, if any, to most of the evils. This is not what I need in 2021.
We start with illegal dumping, then add human trafficking, gun smuggling, and drug running. Kara Quinn channels much of the information from conversations she overhears or phone updates she receives and provides from her undercover bartender job. Some clever comment about this being the ultimate tell-instead-of-show storytelling might fit here, if only I could think of one.
I was really bored and confused several times during the book. Ms. Brennan tends to write lengthy novels, but in all her pages, I was really hoping for a description of the desert beauty. The setting of most of the action, unfortunately, was inside a bar. The criminals were identified as such from their introductions. My confusion primarily centered around how developments fit into the plot as I understood it. Where does this fit in? Oh, it doesn't! It's another puzzle altogether!
I've read several books recently by authors I really like that have had these same problems: too many characters this reader could not keep track of, being told a story from a remove which conflates from one to many with minimal resolution, if any, to most of the evils. This is not what I need in 2021.
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