What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Sarah Spillman #2
Deadly Invasion
He’s hunting, and she may be next on his list …
Denver homicide detective Sarah Spillman is called to investigate the rape and murder of a young woman. With few clues, Sarah delves into the woman’s life and finds the most recent to see her are an angry ex-boyfriend and a mysterious stranger. But would either kill her? At the same time, Sarah confronts her own past, not realizing how close to home this killer will strike.
The killer has chosen his next target. Can Sarah stop him in time?
Denver homicide detective Sarah Spillman is called to investigate the rape and murder of a young woman. With few clues, Sarah delves into the woman’s life and finds the most recent to see her are an angry ex-boyfriend and a mysterious stranger. But would either kill her? At the same time, Sarah confronts her own past, not realizing how close to home this killer will strike.
The killer has chosen his next target. Can Sarah stop him in time?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2020
1569 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Renee Pawlish
113 books346 followersFrom the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
September 7, 2023
It took me forever to finish this. Im going to end the series with this book. I don’t understand how the discovery of the killer comes out of no where at the end. The rest of the book is filled with Sarah and her partners chasing “suspects” that have nothing to do with the case
October 11, 2020
This is the second book in the Sarah Spillman mystery series. Like some of the other reviewers, I enjoyed this book a bit more than the first since it goes into more depth with Spillman and her team. They are vividly drawn, very human characters who take their jobs seriously while still having a life outside of work. It definitely stands alone if you haven't read the first book. Spillman is a dedicated detective in the Denver Police Dept. We first met her in the Reed Ferguson series (which I also highly recommend). Sarah is smart and sassy and is very good at her job. This book has someone killing women, leaving no clues and staging the scene. It also has more of Sarah's personal life which makes her all the more interesting. She is strong and focused, but she's also insecure, has problems in her long time relationship due to lingering problems with her older sister. Lots of action, lots of soul searching and plenty of tension when this case turns deadly personal. I heartily recommend this book, this series and this author. You'll be hooked
July 1, 2021
The first book in this series had some promise, but with this one, I'm leaving this author behind.
The author noted at the beginning that she takes some liberties with procedures. Does she ever! Let's be real--a dead person has no expectation of privacy , and so warrants for her computer and cell phone are not needed. But the police can get warrants for suspects' cell phones on little more than a hunch. Sure, Jan. Also, why did the cops not get the victim's financials? Seriously, they start to wonder if there's a location connection where money was likely spent, but never mention financials, only talking to everyone again. The cops got a couple of suspects in their heads and practically had to be forced to consider anything else.
The writing was a bit pedestrian, with lots of repetition and mundane comments about sitting down and such. Every cop had to say multiple times what they were going to do, what they had done, and what else they were going to do. The pace seemed very slow. The character moments were often shallow and forced. Worst, the killer seemed to come out of nowhere. If I hadn't wanted to know who did it, I'd have quit reading. At the end, I rather wished I had.
There are many better authors out there, so I'm done with this one.
The author noted at the beginning that she takes some liberties with procedures. Does she ever! Let's be real--a dead person has no expectation of privacy , and so warrants for her computer and cell phone are not needed. But the police can get warrants for suspects' cell phones on little more than a hunch. Sure, Jan. Also, why did the cops not get the victim's financials? Seriously, they start to wonder if there's a location connection where money was likely spent, but never mention financials, only talking to everyone again. The cops got a couple of suspects in their heads and practically had to be forced to consider anything else.
The writing was a bit pedestrian, with lots of repetition and mundane comments about sitting down and such. Every cop had to say multiple times what they were going to do, what they had done, and what else they were going to do. The pace seemed very slow. The character moments were often shallow and forced. Worst, the killer seemed to come out of nowhere. If I hadn't wanted to know who did it, I'd have quit reading. At the end, I rather wished I had.
There are many better authors out there, so I'm done with this one.
February 11, 2021
Deadly Invasion, Detective Sarah Spillman, book 2, is another of my current favorites- police procedurals. The homicide detectives: Sarah, Ernie, and Spats are becoming more fleshed out in the second book. All three are hard-working, smart officers. As the senior of the three partners, Sarah often shows her confidence and leadership skills. That’s delightful. Even though more and more novels are portraying strong, courageous women, there is sometimes a dearth of them in real life. It’s not that strong women are a rarity. They’re just not always easy to observe, I guess. Even Sarah, has to cope with some doubts about her actions and worth.
If there were 4.5 stars, that’s the rates that I would give book 1 and 2. So, I rounded down for the first and up for this one. I love the thinking that goes on as the detectives seek the criminal and the action/suspense at various points during these two cases. However, I guessed some of the conclusions of the three detectives. When Sarah totally surprises me, that will be a solid five stars!
If there were 4.5 stars, that’s the rates that I would give book 1 and 2. So, I rounded down for the first and up for this one. I love the thinking that goes on as the detectives seek the criminal and the action/suspense at various points during these two cases. However, I guessed some of the conclusions of the three detectives. When Sarah totally surprises me, that will be a solid five stars!
October 7, 2020
Detective Sarah Spillman has another case! A woman is murdered, but no one saw a thing. What few clues there are lead to dead ends. As this story unfolds, we learn more about Sarah and her family relationships. What really happened between Sarah and her sister all those years ago? This is not only an excellent murder mystery with distractions, misdirection and an exciting climax, it is a study in relationships and what matters most. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. It is my opinion that Renee Pawlish is proof that excellent writing does not require gratuitous or explicit language. As always, she leaves me wanting more and I can't wait for the next Detective Spillman mystery.
October 8, 2020
Women are being raped and murdered and there are no obvious clues or witnesses. What’s a detective to do? Author Renee Pawlish has certainly created a character to follow in the Sarah Spillman series. In this second book, there is a solid mystery that keeps you on your toes trying to figure out ‘whodunnit’.
The characters felt true, the situations real, and the relationships between characters were well drawn. Throughout the story you are engaged in walking along side of Sarah, in her thought process, connecting dots, working through issues and experiencing the ‘ick’ factor with particular characters.
I’m looking forward to reading more in the Sarah Spillman series and recommend them.
The characters felt true, the situations real, and the relationships between characters were well drawn. Throughout the story you are engaged in walking along side of Sarah, in her thought process, connecting dots, working through issues and experiencing the ‘ick’ factor with particular characters.
I’m looking forward to reading more in the Sarah Spillman series and recommend them.
October 9, 2020
The second book in the Sarah Spillman series puts her personally in a a crazy killer's site. After investigating a surveillance video near a rape and murder scene Spellman's team becomes convinced there is a serial killer operating in Denver. Because of their thorough investigation they are able to build a strong profile, but the race is on to identify him before he kills again. She is unaware she has become a personal target for him so the intensity builds. I especially like the development of Sarah Spillman as a character who is also featured in the Reef Ferguson series. Pawlish deals with a sensitive topic in a manner that does not involve graphic imagery or violence. The action is fast paced, tense and compelling. I couldn't put the book down. I highly recommend this
June 30, 2023
Nail-Biting Tension in This Police Procedural
This is the second book in a series. Each book is a complete mystery, but the background story of the characters develops and in that sense, the series is best read in order. This series is very good and is without overt blood, gore, bad language, or intimate scenes. It is very high on the nail-biter score. In the same way as the Alfred Hitchcock films and shows scare the snot out of the audience, this series does that by what it doesn't show and the bits and pieces it does reveal. It does not make it too nightmare-inducing, but it comes close. I may need to read a silly rom-com to cleanse my mental palate before I read the next book in the series.
This is the second book in a series. Each book is a complete mystery, but the background story of the characters develops and in that sense, the series is best read in order. This series is very good and is without overt blood, gore, bad language, or intimate scenes. It is very high on the nail-biter score. In the same way as the Alfred Hitchcock films and shows scare the snot out of the audience, this series does that by what it doesn't show and the bits and pieces it does reveal. It does not make it too nightmare-inducing, but it comes close. I may need to read a silly rom-com to cleanse my mental palate before I read the next book in the series.
Read
September 21, 2020Deadly Invasion (Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series Book 2), my forty-second read from author Renee Pawlish and the second in the Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series. Detective Spillman finally gets her after guest appearances in more than a dozen Reed Ferguson stories. I read it in just a few hours. Great characters, great storyline, a must-read! Yeah, it is that good! Move over Reed Ferguson, Sarah Spillman has hit the big time. A Renee Pawlish book is like a visit with an old friend. I was given a Kindle copy of this book & am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. I look forward to the next book in this series when it's published. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
October 7, 2020
This is the second in the Sarah Spillman series. I have read both and found this one to be even better than the first. The first dealt with a couple of murders that were related, but this one takes it up a notch. This one gets personal.
While attempting to deal with personal issues that threaten her relationship with her long time partner, Sarah also tries to get to the bottom of who may be killing women. She can find no connections between the victims, except the way the scene of the crime appears.
I am now looking forward to the third in the series. The preview at the end of Deadly Invasion is very tantalizing.
While attempting to deal with personal issues that threaten her relationship with her long time partner, Sarah also tries to get to the bottom of who may be killing women. She can find no connections between the victims, except the way the scene of the crime appears.
I am now looking forward to the third in the series. The preview at the end of Deadly Invasion is very tantalizing.
October 19, 2020
Deadly Invasion is the 2nd book in Renee Pawlish's Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series which is a spin-off from her Reed Ferguson's series. With this 2nd book Ms. Pawlish delves much deeper into developing all the characters and their nuances, and we also are beginning to see what makes Sarah tick, who she is... She heads a homicide team that handles some very challenging and hard cases, so she's tough as nails, a lot distant and we are coming to find out she also has a vulnerable side. This is a very well written book that didn't disappoint and I can't wait for book 3!
March 28, 2022
I gave the first book 4 stars because I thought it was a good first attempt at a new series. This is the second book, and though it was better, it continued to lack character development. The professional side of the characters was fine, we understood how the detectives worked. The parts with Darryl were unbelievable. We did get a better understanding of the personal side of life, but it was small, in dribs and drabs.
The written continues to tell not show, making it more like a podcast than I crime novel.
The written continues to tell not show, making it more like a podcast than I crime novel.
October 7, 2020
Deadly Invasion is Renee Pawlish's second installment in the Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery series. In Denver, Detective Spillman must solve the murder of a woman that does not have many obvious clues. As usual, Ms Pawlish has delivered on the storyline, character development, twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. I received an ARC for my honest review. Get your copy immediately.
October 10, 2020
I loved this book! The depiction of the murder and ensuing investigation was sheer perfection. I have read a lot of murder mystery books and, in my opinion, this is among the best. The characters were well developed and realistic. Every time I thought I knew who committed the murder, I subsequently found out I was wrong. This is a great book that will keep you guessing until the end.
Read
October 14, 2020A new series is born with this second Sarah Spillman book - awesome! I have been a fan of Renee Pawlish for a couple of years and it's exciting to see her Sarah Spillman character off to a great start with a series of her own. If you're here because you love mysteries, you will love this series!!! Start reading it now and stay tuned for more :)
January 14, 2024
Scary Serial Killer Story Great Read
Pawlish is an excellent writer. She wastes no time in her writing. Every moment in every book matters. Her characters read as if they are biographical in nature rather than fiction. Her villains are as monstrous as they come. The finale’s pop with energy, tension, and danger. I really enjoy reading them.
Pawlish is an excellent writer. She wastes no time in her writing. Every moment in every book matters. Her characters read as if they are biographical in nature rather than fiction. Her villains are as monstrous as they come. The finale’s pop with energy, tension, and danger. I really enjoy reading them.
March 27, 2024
Quickly becoming my favorite female detective
Author does a good job with characters and their relationships without overthinking them. Book moves quickly and wraps up. I'm only 2 into the series, but plan to read more. I'm thinking these may be best read in order, but at this point doesn't seem necessary. This one could be a standalone.
Author does a good job with characters and their relationships without overthinking them. Book moves quickly and wraps up. I'm only 2 into the series, but plan to read more. I'm thinking these may be best read in order, but at this point doesn't seem necessary. This one could be a standalone.
October 11, 2020
Sarah Spillman is investigating a woman's murder. Every clue she has leads to a dead-end and frustration for Sarah. This story also gives us more information between Sarah and her family which isn't good at this point. Another great story from Renee. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
October 17, 2020
Slow paced
This book about Spillman, the detective introduced in the Reed Ferguson series, just didn’t have the interest or the plot to keep the reader interested. I like the Reed Ferguson series much better.
This book about Spillman, the detective introduced in the Reed Ferguson series, just didn’t have the interest or the plot to keep the reader interested. I like the Reed Ferguson series much better.
February 1, 2021
Restaurant Rapist
Book 2 gives a better picture of the skills and tenacity of Sarah as she works her way into finding the common element of the murders. What's the story with Darren? I'm sure he will show up again in a future book. I enjoyed this story more than book 1.
Book 2 gives a better picture of the skills and tenacity of Sarah as she works her way into finding the common element of the murders. What's the story with Darren? I'm sure he will show up again in a future book. I enjoyed this story more than book 1.
February 23, 2021
Enjoy 2nd book
Another good story from the Det. Sarah Spillman Mystery series. Didn’t know who Mr. Sicko was until he was revealed. His last attempt was a bit of a frown, but just me. Off to the 3rd book ‘Deadly Guild’
Another good story from the Det. Sarah Spillman Mystery series. Didn’t know who Mr. Sicko was until he was revealed. His last attempt was a bit of a frown, but just me. Off to the 3rd book ‘Deadly Guild’
April 5, 2022
A different and interesting murder mystery
The lead detective was a woman and the thinking and interaction was enticing that kept your attention. A concept that was thoroughly enjoyed.
The lead detective was a woman and the thinking and interaction was enticing that kept your attention. A concept that was thoroughly enjoyed.
May 20, 2022
Kindle Unlimited ebook. I’m enjoying this still new to me author. Her books are thrilling but not quite so graphic and minimal bad language for a refreshing change. Also no cheesy romance scenes so far
September 23, 2022
This is an excellent series - I cannot put down my Kindle! Well written (a few words that spell check goofed up, a very few extra words) and very interesting plot lines. I highly recommend the series to those who enjoy a good mystery.
September 21, 2023
Beware the waiter!
There are a few weak spots in this thriller but overall this is a good read. The nasty Darren is a particularly pleasing red herring! Too bad she did not shoot him as well. He deserved lt! It's
There are a few weak spots in this thriller but overall this is a good read. The nasty Darren is a particularly pleasing red herring! Too bad she did not shoot him as well. He deserved lt! It's
April 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this book so much. I love the characters and the way they are written. Very "human." This book has a serial killer that the detectives are trying to find. There is lots of suspense and some action. It's a very entertaining book from start to finish.
October 19, 2020
Absolutely love Sarah Spillman. Methodical and I can’t wait for the next book. Renee Pawlish books never disappoint.
October 20, 2020
I like the character and the author. Good read!
February 26, 2021
Another enjoyable read
Renee Hawkish has a knack to weave a story that is enjoyable and captivating. I am sure she will keep me entertained with more stories.
Renee Hawkish has a knack to weave a story that is enjoyable and captivating. I am sure she will keep me entertained with more stories.
May 6, 2021
Good read.
Was. Hard to put down. I had so many ideas as to who did it, but never guessed correctly. So glad it ended well 😀
Was. Hard to put down. I had so many ideas as to who did it, but never guessed correctly. So glad it ended well 😀
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews