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Lt. Kate Gazzara #9
Nicolette
A complex case that puts a detectives career on the line. Nobody knows what horrors Nicolette Percy endured the night she was murdered. Kate Gazzara caught the case and at first she thought it would be a quick and easy closer.She was wrong.With every passing day the case became more complex. And then she made a mistake that almost cost her her career...
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2020
About the author
Blair Howard
749 books350 followersBlair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 20, 2020
A woman sees a dead body in a parked car and contacts the Police. In this the ninth Kate Gazzara novel Kate and her team are introduced to Nicolette, the victim. Like the previous novels, it is a procedural and a particularly well done one. The characters in her team are just that, characters, and ones the reader will appreciate. The antagonists and suspects are among the worst people you could ever hope to meet. The ending, remarkably appropriate, is surprising and leads to the hope this story will be continued in the next chapter of Kate’s career. Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC for an honest review.
August 20, 2020
Once again Captain Kate ends up with a very bizarre murder case. A young girl is found dead in her car but that’s not all. As Kate and her crew take on this new challenge they soon find it’s much more disturbing than they imagined. Always a rock solid cast of characters, lots of action/intrigue/mystery and another Blair Howard masterpiece.
September 3, 2020
Yet another investigative thriller from Blair Howard with Captain Kate Gazzara at the helm. Nicolette is a lovely girl in a difficult position. A father who has to all intent abandoned her and a stepmother who both dotes and relies on her in many ways. When she goes missing having arranged to meet someone online in her quest to find someone to love, all the attention of Kate’s team needs to find out who that was and why is she now missing? All is not as it seems and the investigation stalls. Why did no one see her? Kate’s under pressure to get a result. Then a body turns up on the edge of a trailer park in a car that has the wrong plates creating another layer of mystery. Surely the plate owner couldn’t be the perpetrator. He’s blind! The twists and turns of this tale get the mind working overtime and when Kate is then reported to Internal Affairs, just who is trying to stop her from solving this case? Or is it coincidence? Enforced time off leaves her mashing it out and following the clues. Fortunately her new man is keeping her sane and recent addition to the team Jack and the rest of the crew are backing her well. She stumbles across some information which turns everything on its head, perhaps the murderer is much closer to home than first thought. When she tracks down Nicolette's father, more is revealed and it all starts coming together. Janet , Kate’s number two, is as determined as usual and backs her to the hilt but not before some dangerous moments.
I received a free ARC in return for an honest and open review. I love these books from Blair Howard they always keep you guessing and the storylines just keep getting better. I am a complete fan of his work. He’s a great author. Don’t miss out find Kate Gazzara and Harry Starke books you’ll love them!
I received a free ARC in return for an honest and open review. I love these books from Blair Howard they always keep you guessing and the storylines just keep getting better. I am a complete fan of his work. He’s a great author. Don’t miss out find Kate Gazzara and Harry Starke books you’ll love them!
September 4, 2020
I really enjoy Blair Howard's books, they never fail to excite and always have clever, complex plots, and this book certainly comes up trumps on both those fronts.
Investigating a young woman's violated dead body leads Kate to a very complex investigation, where nothing quite fits and very few things are as they seem. Was Nicolette killed by someone she had met on a dating site, or was it someone else, Kate gradually works through the tangled web of lies and half truths hse is told to eventually find the culprit.
There is a complication in that Kate makes a mistake while interrogating a suspect, and finds herself being accused of brutality and tried in the court of the press, which could lead her to lose her job.
There is a huge range of characters, there is Kate's team who are all completely behind her despite having a few quirks of their own and then there are the people she encounters in the investigation, who are a varied bunch but they are all believable, even the junkies.
If you like police stories which are exciting and have loads of twists and turns then this should be the book for you.
I received an advance copy of this book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
Investigating a young woman's violated dead body leads Kate to a very complex investigation, where nothing quite fits and very few things are as they seem. Was Nicolette killed by someone she had met on a dating site, or was it someone else, Kate gradually works through the tangled web of lies and half truths hse is told to eventually find the culprit.
There is a complication in that Kate makes a mistake while interrogating a suspect, and finds herself being accused of brutality and tried in the court of the press, which could lead her to lose her job.
There is a huge range of characters, there is Kate's team who are all completely behind her despite having a few quirks of their own and then there are the people she encounters in the investigation, who are a varied bunch but they are all believable, even the junkies.
If you like police stories which are exciting and have loads of twists and turns then this should be the book for you.
I received an advance copy of this book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
August 28, 2020
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion. You know, I almost hate seeing a Blair Howard novel show up on my Kindle because that means until it is finished NOTHING on my to-do list will get done. I will be sitting on the couch with my Kindle and my crochet hook absorbed into the world that he has created. The Kate Gazzara series is one of the best police procedurals I've read. It is realistic and original and doesn't rely on outrageous situations to hold the reader's interest. That is done with intriguing, realistic, intense, and often (in the case of the bad guys) despicable characters. Mr. Howard has the ability to hook his readers with the first few lines of his stories and he never lets go until the last page. (Hince the statement at the beginning of this review.) At times I found myself having to put the book down (only for a moment though) so that I could catch my breath. The action and motivation of the characters were so intense and fast-paced that I needed a minute. I can't think of a higher compliment, in my opinion.
I think that is one of the things that makes these books so relatable is the cohesiveness of Kate's team. It really does resemble a family with Kate taking the lead role (mom or dad, depending on her mood and situation) with Ann and Hawk as the older siblings, Janet as the baby sister, and Jack...well, Jack's trying to find his place and so far, seems to be doing a good job.
These stories can be read in any order, but are much more enjoyable when they are read in order as the reader experiences Kate's growth and the development of the team. I highly recommend you pick this one up or start from the beginning. They are awesome.
I think that is one of the things that makes these books so relatable is the cohesiveness of Kate's team. It really does resemble a family with Kate taking the lead role (mom or dad, depending on her mood and situation) with Ann and Hawk as the older siblings, Janet as the baby sister, and Jack...well, Jack's trying to find his place and so far, seems to be doing a good job.
These stories can be read in any order, but are much more enjoyable when they are read in order as the reader experiences Kate's growth and the development of the team. I highly recommend you pick this one up or start from the beginning. They are awesome.
September 2, 2020
Normally, I am happy to read a book in a week’s time since I usually set aside about an hour or two each day to do so. However, this was one book that I zoomed through in two and a half days, as I looked for any small block of time when I could read a chapter or two. It was that good!
Every time I think that Blair Howard has written a masterpiece, he surprises me by coming up with one even better. Every little aspect of Nicolette was written is such a manner that I couldn’t think of any way it could have been enhanced. There were twists and turns I never expected.
What I really loved about this book is that it showed Kate’s vulnerability – she did make mistakes along the way and worked to correct them, but took on the responsibility of her position as captain, always putting her team first. Some writers doing a series, use the same characters in each book, and just vary the story line. Howard shows the personal growth of all the members of the team as the story progresses so that the reader gets to know each individual in a new, meaningful way.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Blair Howard will have a hard time topping this one!
Every time I think that Blair Howard has written a masterpiece, he surprises me by coming up with one even better. Every little aspect of Nicolette was written is such a manner that I couldn’t think of any way it could have been enhanced. There were twists and turns I never expected.
What I really loved about this book is that it showed Kate’s vulnerability – she did make mistakes along the way and worked to correct them, but took on the responsibility of her position as captain, always putting her team first. Some writers doing a series, use the same characters in each book, and just vary the story line. Howard shows the personal growth of all the members of the team as the story progresses so that the reader gets to know each individual in a new, meaningful way.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Blair Howard will have a hard time topping this one!
September 18, 2020
Nicolette - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Lieutenant Kate Gazzara is experiencing issues in both her professional and personal lives, in Nicolette, Blair Howard's 9th great book in his The Lt Kate Gazzara Novels series.
Partly this is due to overwork, (she hasn't had a break, let alone a holiday, in over two months) and personal dedication to bringing Nicolette's killer to justice, is driving her towards the point where she'll be needing her sick leave too. Meanwhile her boyfriend Dorman's feeling rather neglected to say the least.
Can Kate, Hawk, Janet and Jack work out who the killer/killers are and back it up with enough evidence to make a conviction stick, before Kate's issues with Chief Johnston, under pressure from IA and the Press make him suspend or even fire Kate?
Grab your copy of Blair Howard's sensational new detective thriller Nicolette today to see if you can decide 'whodunit' before the grande denouement.
A five star winner which I'm more than happy to recommend!
Lieutenant Kate Gazzara is experiencing issues in both her professional and personal lives, in Nicolette, Blair Howard's 9th great book in his The Lt Kate Gazzara Novels series.
Partly this is due to overwork, (she hasn't had a break, let alone a holiday, in over two months) and personal dedication to bringing Nicolette's killer to justice, is driving her towards the point where she'll be needing her sick leave too. Meanwhile her boyfriend Dorman's feeling rather neglected to say the least.
Can Kate, Hawk, Janet and Jack work out who the killer/killers are and back it up with enough evidence to make a conviction stick, before Kate's issues with Chief Johnston, under pressure from IA and the Press make him suspend or even fire Kate?
Grab your copy of Blair Howard's sensational new detective thriller Nicolette today to see if you can decide 'whodunit' before the grande denouement.
A five star winner which I'm more than happy to recommend!
September 14, 2020
A family affair.
Nicolette is a decent person, good hearted and naive.
Whereas her stepmother is the opposite, and to make matters worse, stepmam has a junkie brother who comes with police file longer than War and Peace.
Nicolette wants the dream, a home, husband, children - the whole deal, but the idea of keep meeting guys, who don't measure up gets her into online dating.
Having seen it work out for a colleague, she decided to give it a try.
She meets someone a date is arranged, and she is found dead the next day. She has been suffocated and raped post mortem.
Her stepmother has conflicting reactions to the news, depending on where she is and who she is talking to. She buys a dog and names it after her deceased stepdaughter, takes it with her to the viewing at the funeral home, placing the dog in the coffin on Nicolette 's body, much to the disgust of mourners.
The profile of her date is found to be fictitious and the plot thickens.
You need to read the rest for yourselves, bearing in mind, 'There's nowt so queer as folk', and this is the ultimate in dysfunctional families.
A very good read, Kate is pushed to breaking point and agrees to take a month's vacation, but there a few loose ends to the up before she can get away.
Nicolette is a decent person, good hearted and naive.
Whereas her stepmother is the opposite, and to make matters worse, stepmam has a junkie brother who comes with police file longer than War and Peace.
Nicolette wants the dream, a home, husband, children - the whole deal, but the idea of keep meeting guys, who don't measure up gets her into online dating.
Having seen it work out for a colleague, she decided to give it a try.
She meets someone a date is arranged, and she is found dead the next day. She has been suffocated and raped post mortem.
Her stepmother has conflicting reactions to the news, depending on where she is and who she is talking to. She buys a dog and names it after her deceased stepdaughter, takes it with her to the viewing at the funeral home, placing the dog in the coffin on Nicolette 's body, much to the disgust of mourners.
The profile of her date is found to be fictitious and the plot thickens.
You need to read the rest for yourselves, bearing in mind, 'There's nowt so queer as folk', and this is the ultimate in dysfunctional families.
A very good read, Kate is pushed to breaking point and agrees to take a month's vacation, but there a few loose ends to the up before she can get away.
August 23, 2020
A absorbing and tight thriller!
Another hit with Lt Kate Gazzara this being book 9 in the series. Not once has Blair disappointed us with his books all of which have not only a great storyline, buts full of twists and turns that keeps you guessing and guessing wrong! Nicolette is just full of action drama lots of suspense a sprinkle of tenderness and touches brilliance that keeps you firmly under his addictive writing style.
When a pretty young dead woman is found tapped in a car outside a trailer park, Kate is tasked to investigate. It soon transpires that the murdered lady was abused and tortured in a way that sickens Kate and makes her determined to find and lock up the killer. But as the case investigation develops what appears to be doesn’t turn out the way. With suspects including the girl’s stepmother, a dodgy uncle and his friends, her absent father and other unsavory littering the investigation Kate and her team need their skills to get the perpetrator! To add to Kate’s woes and not unusually she is under investigation by the IA and under presser from her boss.
Kate and her team keep investigating deeper and deeper putting all the pieces slowly together uncovering more and more dark secrets until the final twists and conclusions are drawn. Or maybe not as there is also a final ending twist and also has the IA got Kate finally? Will Kate be follow up on this? Let’s hope so as I can’t wait.
Highly recommended.
Another hit with Lt Kate Gazzara this being book 9 in the series. Not once has Blair disappointed us with his books all of which have not only a great storyline, buts full of twists and turns that keeps you guessing and guessing wrong! Nicolette is just full of action drama lots of suspense a sprinkle of tenderness and touches brilliance that keeps you firmly under his addictive writing style.
When a pretty young dead woman is found tapped in a car outside a trailer park, Kate is tasked to investigate. It soon transpires that the murdered lady was abused and tortured in a way that sickens Kate and makes her determined to find and lock up the killer. But as the case investigation develops what appears to be doesn’t turn out the way. With suspects including the girl’s stepmother, a dodgy uncle and his friends, her absent father and other unsavory littering the investigation Kate and her team need their skills to get the perpetrator! To add to Kate’s woes and not unusually she is under investigation by the IA and under presser from her boss.
Kate and her team keep investigating deeper and deeper putting all the pieces slowly together uncovering more and more dark secrets until the final twists and conclusions are drawn. Or maybe not as there is also a final ending twist and also has the IA got Kate finally? Will Kate be follow up on this? Let’s hope so as I can’t wait.
Highly recommended.
August 30, 2020
A young woman is found dead in a car, hands and mouth duct taped. Thus begins one of the most convoluted and sickening cases of Kate's career. The victim's purse is in the trunk so they know her identity. That is the easy part, the only easy part. There are numerous possible suspects, red herrings if you will, that must be investigated. Is anyone telling the truth? Kate, always a favorite of Internal Affairs, finds them once again breathing down her neck. Her team, Hawk and Robar, Janet and Jack work hard on this case and show themselves to be major characters, well developed and likable. Jack really proves himself with his computer expertise and finally becomes accepted as a real member of the team. I can't say more without ruining the plot. Suffice it to say this is one of Blair Howard's most complex plots that may indicate changes for Kate in the future. I loved it and couldn't put it down.
August 21, 2020
All Nicolette Wanted Was A True Love
But when she went to meet the perfect man she met online she ended up dead. Dead, bruised, taped up, and abandoned in her own car parked on the street in front of a trailer park. Kate is assigned the case and it turns into one of the most convoluted murder mysteries she has encountered in her career. Of course the man Nicolette met online is the chief suspect, but no one knows who he is, she didn’t tell her step-mother, nor her friends or co-workers. Kate gathers her team and begins the long, arduous task of chasing down anyone and everyone who may know something. There is nothing to go on, though, everything seems to be a dead end. But nothing fits. Then the cracks start to appear. The license plate on the car is wrong, it belongs on a blind man’s car. The assault on the corpse has inconsistencies. Nicolette was having problems at home.
Kate’s character has grown in each of her novels, and this is no exception. She never gives up, no matter how many obstacles are thrown in her path. Nicolette is the best mystery yet, and I can hardly wait for the next Kate adventure. You can read this as a stand-alone novel, or you can start at the beginning of the series and watch Kate develop as the series grows. Either way you are in for a great read and a challenge to figure out who the culprit is before Kate does. Happy Reading!
But when she went to meet the perfect man she met online she ended up dead. Dead, bruised, taped up, and abandoned in her own car parked on the street in front of a trailer park. Kate is assigned the case and it turns into one of the most convoluted murder mysteries she has encountered in her career. Of course the man Nicolette met online is the chief suspect, but no one knows who he is, she didn’t tell her step-mother, nor her friends or co-workers. Kate gathers her team and begins the long, arduous task of chasing down anyone and everyone who may know something. There is nothing to go on, though, everything seems to be a dead end. But nothing fits. Then the cracks start to appear. The license plate on the car is wrong, it belongs on a blind man’s car. The assault on the corpse has inconsistencies. Nicolette was having problems at home.
Kate’s character has grown in each of her novels, and this is no exception. She never gives up, no matter how many obstacles are thrown in her path. Nicolette is the best mystery yet, and I can hardly wait for the next Kate adventure. You can read this as a stand-alone novel, or you can start at the beginning of the series and watch Kate develop as the series grows. Either way you are in for a great read and a challenge to figure out who the culprit is before Kate does. Happy Reading!
August 18, 2020
Oh boy, Blair Howard never disappoints and Nicolette is no exception, it is full of action, drama, suspense and more twists and turns than a corkscrew.
Outside a trailer park, sitting up in a car was the murdered and abused body of Nicolette. It takes a lot to shock Captain Kate Gazarra of the Chattanooga PD and her brilliant team but this murder did, it was sickening and Kate needed to find the perpetrator.
Kate has a great team that work well together and have each others backs, even Jack who was thrust into the team as his last chance saloon has now settled well and been accepted.
As with all the books in this brilliant series nothing is as it seems. Every day there is another suspect and Kate has to whittle them down. There is an unexpected twist at the end and although the case is solved I suspect the author could run with this story.
If you enjoy a story that grips you from the first page and that you are unable to put down then this could be the book for you.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Outside a trailer park, sitting up in a car was the murdered and abused body of Nicolette. It takes a lot to shock Captain Kate Gazarra of the Chattanooga PD and her brilliant team but this murder did, it was sickening and Kate needed to find the perpetrator.
Kate has a great team that work well together and have each others backs, even Jack who was thrust into the team as his last chance saloon has now settled well and been accepted.
As with all the books in this brilliant series nothing is as it seems. Every day there is another suspect and Kate has to whittle them down. There is an unexpected twist at the end and although the case is solved I suspect the author could run with this story.
If you enjoy a story that grips you from the first page and that you are unable to put down then this could be the book for you.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2020
Kate Gazarra was stupendous as usual, solving the crimes and taking murderers off the streets. Her cases are alway complex with multiple likely suspicious characters. Once again, at least a couple of the characters are the scum of the earth.
This time, a couple of the characters were so disgustingly creepy and nasty it seemed like every day Gazarra worked on the case, the depths of depravity they sank to got worse and worse. They racked up a huge number of charges when they were finally arrested.
A saving grace is that there is a guy kate is seeing more and more often. He's going to be around more and more I'd guess after seeing how good they are for each other.
I Voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
This time, a couple of the characters were so disgustingly creepy and nasty it seemed like every day Gazarra worked on the case, the depths of depravity they sank to got worse and worse. They racked up a huge number of charges when they were finally arrested.
A saving grace is that there is a guy kate is seeing more and more often. He's going to be around more and more I'd guess after seeing how good they are for each other.
I Voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
August 17, 2020
Blair Howard hits it out of the park again! Nicolette, a latest in the Lt. Kate Gazzara Novels is yet another great read. Kate, now a captain, and her crew get yet another horrible murder case. Nicolette is found brutally murdered and it is up to Kate and her team to unravel the horrifying details, back track them, and catch a murderer. If you haven't read any of the Gazzara novels, you could start with this one and not really be lost, but I would recommend a reading binge and starting with the first one. It's really nice to follow a character(s) and watch as they evolve. With Blair Howard's writing, you actually feel like you know the characters, the good and the bad. As an ARC reader for this author, I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review, which I have given here. I would highly suggest to anyone that likes mysteries, police procedurals, frankly just fine writing. Blair's stories continue to grow on me with each new book. He doesn't disappoint!
August 20, 2020
Kate Gazarra has worked at the edge of law enforcement for a long time - perhaps too long.
Many cases cut close to the bone, or left her mired in politics- but this one seems collectively worse somehow. New horrors wrought on a young victim, and a quagmire in prosecuting those who wronged her.
We don’t yet face the trial in this book, but some clever defense attorney already makes efforts with the press and political bigwigs to dirty this case.
A disturbing series of events on all sides.
Possible consequences still hang in the air at the end of this book - hopefully more Kate is in store for us ahead
Many cases cut close to the bone, or left her mired in politics- but this one seems collectively worse somehow. New horrors wrought on a young victim, and a quagmire in prosecuting those who wronged her.
We don’t yet face the trial in this book, but some clever defense attorney already makes efforts with the press and political bigwigs to dirty this case.
A disturbing series of events on all sides.
Possible consequences still hang in the air at the end of this book - hopefully more Kate is in store for us ahead
August 17, 2020
Captain Kate Gazzara and her team have another murder to solve. Nicolette was murdered and at first there aren't many clues to solving her murder. This police procedure takes you step by step how Kate and her team figure out what happened. As clues are discovered and witnesses and suspects interrogated Kate and team keep working away to find the truth. Always exciting with good detail I couldn't put the book down once I started reading. Fast paced story with character development for Kate and her team, I look forward to reading more stories about them. Also curious about ending - will Dorman go on vacation with Kate? Have to wait for next book to find out. I received an ARC.
August 16, 2020
In my opinion, this is the best Kate Gazarra book to date. I believe I have it figured out but with the cliffhanger ending, am I right or wrong? Again as usual when I try to outsmart the writer in figuring out his plot twists, I am usually wrong. Without giving spoilers my favorite parts were the funeral parlor scene. A reader will either find it horrifying or hilarious depending upon your own mindset. The second best scene was the luxury spa. I would love to have been in on that spa day! Mr. Howard must lie awake at night thinking up these ideas. I, for one, am glad he does as it keeps me entertained for hours. Please hurry with the next one, dear author.
September 5, 2020
Blair Howard's writing never disappoints, and this storyline is no exception. There is another murder that Capt. Kate must investigate and it brings with it a much older case to the forefront once she starts working the new murder mystery. There is little time for the reader to do anything else but pursue the killer with Capt. Kate, because this storyline is so addictive. This book is well-paced, well-written with plenty of twists, guesses, and great characters. It really becomes very difficult to find new ways to express just how fascinating this series truly is. I loved this book and would recommend it to others. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
August 21, 2020
Book 9 in the Kate Gazzara series but each is a stand alone novel. Kate is a captain of a small group of detectives in the Chattanooga police department and they are dealing with finding the person(s) responsible for the brutal murder of a young Nicolette Percy. This case bothers Kate quite a bit. The responsible party has many weird family issues. Fast paced. Interesting characters. The ending leaves you wanting to read more about Kate. Well written. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more novels by Blair Howard!
August 28, 2020
I am loving this series. Kate and her team provide some great entertainment. Blair Howard does a great job of developing the characters of Kate's team.
In this particular installment Kate must sort out who murdered Nicolette. There are lots of twists and turns thrown at her. Suspects keep muddling up her theories. Blair can bring to life some real unsavory characters in his books in a very authentic way. He has a way with words.
I am relatively new to his works but I have quickly fallen in love with his characters. I cant wait for the next Kate Gazzara installment.
In this particular installment Kate must sort out who murdered Nicolette. There are lots of twists and turns thrown at her. Suspects keep muddling up her theories. Blair can bring to life some real unsavory characters in his books in a very authentic way. He has a way with words.
I am relatively new to his works but I have quickly fallen in love with his characters. I cant wait for the next Kate Gazzara installment.
August 23, 2020
I love this series and this book is a great addition. The mystery was as always well plotted and the story interesting. It’s nice to see the relationships developing between Jack and the rest of the team as well as between Kate and Dorman.
When a distraught mother comes in to report her daughter missing the last thing Kate expects is to have a report of a dead body within hours. Now the team needs to unravel the clues and sidestep the misdirection to solve the case.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
When a distraught mother comes in to report her daughter missing the last thing Kate expects is to have a report of a dead body within hours. Now the team needs to unravel the clues and sidestep the misdirection to solve the case.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
August 22, 2020
Blair Howard has hit a home run out of the park. Wow Kate has a mystery so twisted and turning you have whiplash at the end. One powerful read and the characters have really grown and developed throughout the series. Poor Nicolette filled with hope of finding the one but ended up all alone and dead. Kate gives her justice through hard work and tedious detecting. Kate and her team make this one hell of a read. More Blair Howard this series is awesome thrilling read. Received ARC copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
August 19, 2020
A young woman murdered and violated. Kate hunts the killer.
The author again has his characters display the tenacity and perseverance required to bring the perpetrators to justice. Police Captain Kate Gazzara and her team are faced with a horrendous murder and few clues. The clues present a tangled web while each member of the team contributes based on their expertise. This is another great read featuring this elite team from the Chattanooga Police Department, you will wish you were reading the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Highly recommended.
The author again has his characters display the tenacity and perseverance required to bring the perpetrators to justice. Police Captain Kate Gazzara and her team are faced with a horrendous murder and few clues. The clues present a tangled web while each member of the team contributes based on their expertise. This is another great read featuring this elite team from the Chattanooga Police Department, you will wish you were reading the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Highly recommended.
August 17, 2020
It’s never a good thing when 2 people are involved together in killing someone, especially if one of them is smart. Kate has her hands full and a mistake on her part may cost her everything. This murder was well planned and thought out, leaving you not sure who did what. And there in lies the questions of how to distribute the blame. A Kate Gazzara book is always a great read!!! Mr. Howard has Kate down to a well running, expensive sports car; the best there is. He never fails!!
August 17, 2020
NICOLETTE..Blair Howard
Once again she felt used, wanting now to get home and take a shower. Leaning against an older car to put her shoes on. Then realizing a woman was inside with her wrists taped. No phone, no cars, and if there was they would think she was a hooker, what a mess .Detective Kate was called in, following up on the owner of the car, it was sold, and change of title had not been done. So who was this man who paid cash for the car, being blind now, he couldn’t tell them.
Reading this plot one felt like they should be like Janet, with her notebooks and jotting all the names and scenarios that were going on. How the author got this plot and all the tangled webs that was planned into this murder, was something. A plot, the story unfolds, and like Kate said at the end, where did all this wrong begin at, growing up, a twisted family or relatives.
Kate and her team were great, the plot flowed to the end A winner for the author. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Once again she felt used, wanting now to get home and take a shower. Leaning against an older car to put her shoes on. Then realizing a woman was inside with her wrists taped. No phone, no cars, and if there was they would think she was a hooker, what a mess .Detective Kate was called in, following up on the owner of the car, it was sold, and change of title had not been done. So who was this man who paid cash for the car, being blind now, he couldn’t tell them.
Reading this plot one felt like they should be like Janet, with her notebooks and jotting all the names and scenarios that were going on. How the author got this plot and all the tangled webs that was planned into this murder, was something. A plot, the story unfolds, and like Kate said at the end, where did all this wrong begin at, growing up, a twisted family or relatives.
Kate and her team were great, the plot flowed to the end A winner for the author. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
September 3, 2020
This is book nine of the Lt. Kate Gazzara series and Captain Kate picks up a new case of a twenty four year old woman found dead in a car at a mobile home site, by a woman doing the walk of shame after visiting her ex. The victim is Nicolette Percy and she was a well-loved employee at her insurance job, who always worked hard and was never late. Her boss and a close workmate were concerned when she didn’t turn up to work and notified her mother, who reported her missing to the police. Because she was an adult, there wasn’t much the police would do initially. That was until her id was found and her identity verified. The car she was found in was traced to her, but the license plates on it were traced back to a blind elderly man. He had sold his car about six months before and had asked the buyer to leave his license plates in the garage. Obviously this buyer didn’t do that!
Nicolette had been out for a date with someone she met through an online dating app, but never made it home. No one seems to know who she was meeting or where, nor what app she used. She was usually a very good judge of character, when she met people, but was getting a bit desperate to get married and settle down. Another co-worker having met someone nice through an online blind date, made her go for it as well. She lives with her step-mother Maureen and the tale develops into quite a story of two sides. Suspects with varying descriptions of the victim, which don’t make sense. One makes a complaint against Kate and how she treated him in custody, so she is in a bit of trouble with her boss and needs to watch her step.
The case seemed to have a pretty simple suspect, once certain clues and witnesses are followed up, but the more they dig into the evidence, the more complex the case gets. Some disgusting secrets come to light and Kate has to work out how to get any answers out of her main suspects. The complaint against Kate has been taken seriously by Internal Affairs (IA) and now she has to decide what she can do. Her actions and the witch hunt by IA and the Mayor’s office, could be the end of her career. Time off is mandated, but of course Kate won’t take a simple holiday and hopefully this will add to the story being told in this story. At least she can save the rest of her team from any fallout or damage and maybe her boyfriend can take some time off and go on holiday with her!
This book reads as a much shorter story than it is, due to the intense sections of the investigation. Kate’s team are getting along better together, especially with the newest member of the team Jack. He still has a lot of skills to brush up on as the resident techie expert and big footsteps to fill. Kate has to bear the brunt of the pressure as Captain of her crime team, but she gets results, maybe not always in the most agreeable manner and she is having to pay for that. She has never played well with others and I certainly wouldn’t like to see her being forced to change in any way! Have to change the series title to just Kate Gazzara now that she is a Captain! I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Nicolette had been out for a date with someone she met through an online dating app, but never made it home. No one seems to know who she was meeting or where, nor what app she used. She was usually a very good judge of character, when she met people, but was getting a bit desperate to get married and settle down. Another co-worker having met someone nice through an online blind date, made her go for it as well. She lives with her step-mother Maureen and the tale develops into quite a story of two sides. Suspects with varying descriptions of the victim, which don’t make sense. One makes a complaint against Kate and how she treated him in custody, so she is in a bit of trouble with her boss and needs to watch her step.
The case seemed to have a pretty simple suspect, once certain clues and witnesses are followed up, but the more they dig into the evidence, the more complex the case gets. Some disgusting secrets come to light and Kate has to work out how to get any answers out of her main suspects. The complaint against Kate has been taken seriously by Internal Affairs (IA) and now she has to decide what she can do. Her actions and the witch hunt by IA and the Mayor’s office, could be the end of her career. Time off is mandated, but of course Kate won’t take a simple holiday and hopefully this will add to the story being told in this story. At least she can save the rest of her team from any fallout or damage and maybe her boyfriend can take some time off and go on holiday with her!
This book reads as a much shorter story than it is, due to the intense sections of the investigation. Kate’s team are getting along better together, especially with the newest member of the team Jack. He still has a lot of skills to brush up on as the resident techie expert and big footsteps to fill. Kate has to bear the brunt of the pressure as Captain of her crime team, but she gets results, maybe not always in the most agreeable manner and she is having to pay for that. She has never played well with others and I certainly wouldn’t like to see her being forced to change in any way! Have to change the series title to just Kate Gazzara now that she is a Captain! I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
August 21, 2020
Another success for a superb author. This book just flows beautifully. The characters are all interesting and realistic. From the very first page the story line and characters kept me turning the pages. Having read several of the other books in this series it's nice to see that the team is working well given the recent loss. The story line is realistic with twists and turns and a very surprising ending which leaves me impatient for the next one to find out where Kate goes and how her romance with the handsome soldier progresses.
August 29, 2020
I enjoyed this, the latest instalment in the Kate Gazzara series, but somehow, unlike prior books, I just didn’t feel like saying “wow” at the end. Maybe it was the disturbing subject matter (won’t say more to avoid a spoiler alert). Maybe it was Kate, a character I really like, operating a bit beyond her usual “walking the edge of legal” line. I can see the direction the next book MUST go and am eager to find out where Kate will end up and whether her search will find answers to her case and her personal demons.
I received an ARC copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy of the book in return for an honest review.
August 31, 2020
Draws out the suspense
Kate, a detective for the Chattanooga Police Department, gets pulled in multiple directions the moment she walks into the building before landing her teams next big case. As the story progresses the case splits off in even more directions, unconventional methods are used to access the facts, and the truth is stranger and more twisted than fiction. Blair Howard draws out the suspense in Nicolette while connecting a group of seemingly random people.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Kate, a detective for the Chattanooga Police Department, gets pulled in multiple directions the moment she walks into the building before landing her teams next big case. As the story progresses the case splits off in even more directions, unconventional methods are used to access the facts, and the truth is stranger and more twisted than fiction. Blair Howard draws out the suspense in Nicolette while connecting a group of seemingly random people.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
August 17, 2020
An excellent murder mystery with a great storyline and strong well developed realistic characters. This fast paced police procedural was well written and included good detail and several twists and turns. Very enjoyable story that was easy to follow and hard to put down. As are all books in the Late Gazzara series, this one is highly recommended. Looking forward to see what Kate does on her vacation.
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