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Isaac Taylor Mysteries #4

Lullabies & Dead Bodies

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A serial killer has resurfaced. An old case that left nine little girls dead, and Detective Isaac Taylor a broken man. Armed with a newfound confidence in his psychic abilities, Isaac must lead a team of detectives in tracking the mad man down before he kills again.

Sidney Fairchild is finding her purpose. Learning to stand on her own two feet isn't easy, but she's determined to become the fighter Isaac sees in her. And when an opportunity to help other battered women suddenly presents itself, she'll stop at nothing to see it through.

With threats coming at them from all sides, Isaac and Sidney must fight together to keep others safe. But can they keep their passion for each other alive, or will their love be torn apart by their own personal demons?

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2020

71 people are currently reading
29 people want to read

About the author

Lashell Collins

64 books177 followers
Lashell Collins is an American author of romantic suspense, contemporary and paranormal romance. She spent the last twenty years of her life working in veterinary clinics and garden centers in her home state of Ohio, and is now living her dream of writing full-time. When she's not busy tapping away on her laptop and living vicariously through her characters, she can usually be found watching Grimm, rocking out to Slash, stuffing her face full of Chinese food, or riding on the back of her husband's Harley-Davidson.

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5 stars
105 (75%)
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29 (20%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for SassafrasfromAmazon.
1,169 reviews74 followers
October 7, 2021

4.5 ⭐️

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THERE ARE VERY DISTURBING ELEMENTS INHERENT IN THIS STORY, AND I DO NOT INCLUDE THESE ASPECTS IN THIS REVIEW. THESE ELEMENTS ARE NOT GRATUITOUS, BUT DEFINITELY MAY BE TRIGGERS FOR SOME READERS

I found this book to be so damn mesmerizing. As the story begins, Isaac has been promoted to Detective Sergeant, and he is becoming acclimated to the additional paperwork and supervisory duties that come with his new title. This story centers around a case where a serial killer has resurfaced and has started killing again. Isaac feels responsible and guilty about these new deaths because he failed to catch the killer the first time. Consequently, Isaac is slowly spiraling down to a dark place from which he struggles to extricate himself.

For me, the story is especially appealing because of the burgeoning relationship between Sidney and Isaac and the obviously genuine love they have for each other. It seems as though there is a deeper intuitiveness and heightened awareness that manifest in this book. Sidney has the ability to coax Isaac out of his dark spiral. She is impressive when she knows when to back off and give Isaac space, or to encourage him to talk. When all else fails, Sidney seduces the hell out of Isaac to take his mind off his troubles. Isaac’s demons are riding him hard in this book, and he goes to a very dark place. Only Sidney’s love, understanding and instinct pull him back from the brink. Further, there are a whole host of strong and interesting secondary characters who have slowly developing relationships or complicated romantic entanglements that are excellent complements to the book.

Unfortunately, there were a couple of editing issues, but not enough to detract from the story. There was quite a bit of repetitiveness concerning Sidney’s previous problems (e.g., witnessing “a gangland-style murder that had an evil drug lord out to kill her;” she was running from an abusive husband, and so on. After the first couple of times it became tedious.

Nonetheless, in my opinion, this author is a skilled storyteller, and the character-driven story is imaginative, provocative and seductive. In fact, this entire series rocks and should not be missed.
Profile Image for Pearline.
378 reviews16 followers
November 23, 2020
I love this series! If you love a good mystery series with a touch of romance than this is the series for you.

The Touched series revolves around a psychic detective named Isaac who in the first book was a lonely depressed man who can't be touched due to his psychic abilities. One night Isaac calls the wrong number looking for his old partner and meets Sidney. In the first two books the stories revolve around establishing Isaac and Sidney's relationship and learning more about each characters backgrounds. By the third book the series revolves around a new mystery/crime while watching Isaac and Sidney grow as individuals and as a couple.

This current book has Isaac trying to find a child murderer who eluded him years ago and made him lose his sobriety. I was really caught up in the mystery and watching Sidney come into her own. The author does a really good job of establishing the suspense and giving you a peak into all the characters lives. It's also refreshing that Sidney and Isaac interact, communicate and support each other like a real couple.

While you can read these books as standalones to have more background and understanding of the characters I would start from book 1. This is definitely a five star read and I look forward to reading more of this series. I highly recommend for anyone into mysteries and suspense novels.
Profile Image for Monique.
626 reviews43 followers
May 14, 2022
As this was a darker, more intense read, I enjoyed it more. I also love Ike's growing powers, and the work and friendship dynamics going on.
4.5 stars!
Profile Image for Deb.
1,095 reviews
November 20, 2020
Ms. Collins does it again! “Lullabies & Dead Bodies: A Psychic Detective Romantic Mystery” is the 4th fantastic installment in her latest series, ‘The Touched Series’ :D Relatable characters like our H/h, Isaac & Sidney with their chemistry off the chart, plus witty dialogue & great secondary characters! Always a fresh new plot, and amazing attention-to-detail had me hooked from the get-go, to where I couldn’t stop, and read this in record time! Plus, there are surprise twists & turns that kept me guessing & on the edge of my seat! ... I highly recommend this whole series & all of her other books to adult fans of fiction! And I can’t wait for more, but I will always be craving this author’s books, even tho I’ll be waiting impatiently ;) lol
Profile Image for Nock Leighton.
373 reviews9 followers
November 17, 2021
Wow

This book was so good but with big triggers so be warned! I had to switch off and not dwell on the details of the serial killer case or I wouldn’t have been able to read this book but that aside I love how issac’s confidence is growing and he and Sidney’s relationship is developing. This books has everything. Love, romance, suspense, action and written in a way that you feel like you’re right there with Isaac
Profile Image for Stephanie.
245 reviews13 followers
February 5, 2021
This is the third installment in Lashell Collins’ The Touched Series. This is another wonderful book. This series just keeps getting better!!

The story continues with Ike and Sidney. There are lot of twists and turns for Issac. An old serial killer resurfaces and stirs up a lot of guilty feelings for Issac. A case that turned his life upside down nine years ago.

Sidney is finding her confidence growing little by little. She isn’t convinced she’s doing as well as Issac believes….And oddly enough, Issac feels the same way about himself.

“You have such faith in me, Sidney.”
“I do. I believe in you. Now it’s time for you to believe in yourself.”


The secondary characters are becoming less secondary and I love that! Lieutenant Gavin Hayes, Pete Vega, Gerri Miller, Adam and Bree Taylor….all great characters that will grow on you.

The police action is great and will keep you guessing! And Issac’s physic abilities continue to grow as he learns how to harness them.

This series is amazing!! I highly recommend it! Grab Voices & Visions, The Touched Series Book One and immerse yourself in an amazing series!!
1,702 reviews15 followers
December 29, 2022
This was a magnificent read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book 4. I truly went through a rollercoaster of emotions, but it has only spurred me on to keep binge reading this Isaac Taylor Mysteries. This book is the culmination of a very long investigation of the raping and killing of young girls ages from five to eight years old. Isaac was involved in the case of this the raping and killing of young girls when it first happened in the city of Cleveland but he was pretty sure that the Deputy Chief was protecting his son from prosecution so it never could be proved. This sent Isaac into one of the worst alcoholic binges that he ever went on because he blamed himself. Isaac and his boss Gavin were trying to keep them under wraps while they tried to solve this mystery because it involved higher ups in the police department as well as the medical examiner's office. In this book Isaac and Sydney have moved in together and they are truly found out that they are love and have expressed it to each other. This story may have triggers for some people, and it contains both issues that you laugh and cry but through it all, Lashell tells a wonderful story of love and trouble. I would highly recommend this good read.
3,071 reviews17 followers
November 23, 2020
Phenomenal Series Continues to Highly Entertain!!

Isaac is a homicide detective who is a hypersensitive psychic – touch gives him flashes of the persons past and great pain. Sidney has survived an abusive husband and witnessing a drug deal gone bad. She is Isaac’s shield – he can touch her without pain, in fact touching her settles him. They also happen to be very much in love.

A case concerning young girls comes back to haunt Isaac. It has been seven years, but the major clues in the current cases are the same. Now one of the clues is personal, and calls out Isaac by name. This is number 4 in the series, but I’m fairly sure it would stand on its own. Though I would recommend every story – they are amazing.

The relationship between our main characters is fascinating. The family relationships need some repair, and the work partnerships are tenuous due to the “oddness” because of the inability to touch. It is absolutely captivating and will keep you glued to the page!!
Profile Image for Valerie.
738 reviews10 followers
April 8, 2021
Oh my! We are talking gripping edge of your seat action pack. I have been loving all the books in this series. They take you in from the beginning to the end and leave you wondering did I just read that. Its almost to the point I want to reread it again immediately. This book have so many aspects to it. You have this gripping psychotic child serial killer that has resurfaced to taunt Like but also this sweet love story between him and Sidney. Plus some rather awesome secondary characters.
When a little girl is found killed. It seems that an old case of Isaac's has come back into play. The Lullabye Killer has come back to play with Isaac again. After Isaac touches and feels what the little girl has went through he knows that no mistakes or leaks can happen this time around. He's determined this psycho is going down.
If you have not read this series please do. Its everything you could want in a mystery and a love story. I love how Sidney keeps Isaac balanced and sane. For him to see some of the stuff he does it would drive a weak person insane.
This book is so awesome. It is intriguing and very intense. I just love this series.!
I voluntarily agreed to review this book. My review is my own honest opinion.
3,423 reviews20 followers
November 27, 2020
Issac & Sidney

Issac never thought he'd have a wonderful (or any) woman in his life. The psychic ability he'd been blessed--or cursed-- with helps in his work as a police detective but since touching causes pain and visions he stays back. Yet, meeting and then saving Sidney changed that. Not only can he touch her, but they have also fallen in love.

Life was so much better until a past case resurfaces. Little girls being abused and murdered the same way they were years ago. Is this a copycat or is he back? That case almost broke him. Will he get through another one?

While life at home continues to improve his professional life is full of stress with this case. Internal issues and his recent advancement add even more.

The author once again has added intrigue to a love story filled with emotions. The characters are well-conceived, the situations intriguing, and the romance filled with steam and emotions. Another amazing story.
Review for Words Turn Me On
551 reviews
November 25, 2020
Magnificent

Like the previous books in this series, this one also fall in the category of magnificent, outstanding and magically. The characters are amazing, compassion, beautiful, strong and vulnerable. The writing flows easily and effortless, fast-paced, edge-of-your seat suspense, with strong super natural occurrence. The lovemaking is explicit, sizzling hot and intense. This book like all the one before is a real page turner AND good will conquer evil. Ms Collins keep them coming.
2,033 reviews7 followers
March 17, 2021
Wow, this book had me hooked. Lashell Collins always makes these books better and better.

This book was equal parts heartbreaking but also heartwarming. It makes you think how do people do these jobs every day.

I loved how Sidney helped Ike through out this book. And I loved the commaderie between all the detectives. They never gave up even when hitting dead ends on these murders.

I can't wait for more.
Profile Image for Cami.
300 reviews
June 20, 2022
I'm really enjoying this series. It was great to see Ike's premonition of the incident he foresaw with Bree come to pass, and the resolution of his old unsolved case.

The only thing that really bothers me is how it is taking him so long to accept and want to use his abilities to help himself and others. I understand the dislike and fear of pain and not wanting to be a spectacle, but the rest makes no sense to me. At least he's starting to accept himself more than he used to.
Profile Image for Kiesha Richmond.
63 reviews11 followers
November 26, 2020
Goodness

This series is so Damn bomb!!! I haven't been held captive by a series in so long and I'm grateful. This one was so emotional, that I wasn't sure if I was coming or going. Saint and Xenia from Tiana Laveen series use to be my favorite couple but Isaac and Sidney is sure giving them a run for my money.
Profile Image for Debra Stubbins.
334 reviews
April 24, 2021
Gut wrenching, but soooo good!

OMG, Lashelle Collins pulls you in from the beginning with this book and doesn’t let you go until the very end. Lots of twists and turns and action throughout with favourite psychic detective Isaac Taylor using his abilities to help solve the case.
Definitely recommend reading this series.
15 reviews
January 25, 2022
Great book!

This series of books is great! My only problem was that the author repeated the back story too many times. I love the suspense and her description of the legal procedure necessary to catch the killer.
Profile Image for Thompson615.
550 reviews5 followers
September 13, 2022
Great book!

There’s something seriously evil going on. It suddenly takes Isaac’s mind back to a horrible serial killer from 7 years ago. These characters just keep developing and getting better and better.
1,582 reviews2 followers
January 2, 2025
Excellent

Another great instalment in this series. As usual the characters are on point, with great sub plots that the in beautifully with the whole story. Great enjoyable storytelling. I just can't put this series down, I recommend you will get as hooked as ma 😉
14 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2020
FAN

I have fallen in love Sid and Ike. It's a shame we have to wait for months until the next book. Come on their is a pandemic in our mist. We need home entertainment, SOONER!!
278 reviews
October 15, 2021
Lullabies & Dead Bodies

This was about a very sick individual who killed at least 14 children including his younger sister. His father & mother also covered for him. Kit Ryan
Profile Image for CLorraine.
1,769 reviews19 followers
June 10, 2024
Book Four of the Isaac Taylor Mystery series is so far the most disturbing, mainly because it involves the most vulnerable of populations. Sidney and Ike are palpably in love...their love all but leaps off the eReader. In the midst of their newly found relationship, Ike is devastated by a crime that mimics one from his past. This crime spree was so heinous that it sent Ike into a spiral of depression and drinking. Could this monster be back in business again? Another great entry in this series, the storyline is unflinching (even as I flinched). We see more growth from Ike and Sidney...they are just too cute!
https://theretiredreader.com/read-for...
Profile Image for Angel Payne.
Author 90 books3,318 followers
August 28, 2023
This series is just getting better and better--and BETTER.
At the "ensemble cast" of these books is growing by incredibly awesome degrees, it's wonderful to see that Ms. Collins never forgets the couple who started it all: Ike and Sidney. Their continuing love story is not without some true challenges in this one, with ghosts of the past rising up to haunt both of them in visceral and heart-rending ways, but they weather the storms by consistently coming back to each other, learning their love can be a touchstone for even the hardest of days. It's so unbelievably swoony, sexy, and addicting to read!
The added frosting to this cake is a sweet layer of side stories that are layering this world with magnificent timing and true mastery on Ms. Collins' part. A reader can tell she's just as invested in all these secondary characters as we are! Each of the side stories circles back around to Ike and Sid's plot in some way, making the story even more exciting to read--down to the very last act with its awesomely great twist!
Ike Taylor is my new Harry Bosch--only better! I am absolutely invested in these wonderful, powerful books.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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