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R.I.S.C. #8

Savage Risk

HER SAVAGE NEED FOR JUSTICE MAY END UP COSTING HER EVERYTHING

When the serial killer who has taunted Detective Riley York for years suddenly reemerges in her new city, she vows to take him down for good. With her partner by her side, Riley will risk everything for one final chance to see justice served.

Until now, Eric West has kept his burgeoning feelings for his partner close to the vest. But all that changes when things turn personal and Riley becomes the killer's next target. With his heart and life on the line, Eric will stop at nothing to keep the woman he loves safe.

With help from R.I.S.C.'s Alpha Team, these two detectives will face their most dangerous opponent yet. One hellbent on destroying Riley's happiness—and her life—forever.


*Savage Risk is a full-length novel that features Eric West, brother to Alpha Team's Derek West. This title can either be read as a standalone or as part of the R.I.S.C. Series.

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2021

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About the author

Anna Blakely

61 books1,015 followers
Author of the exciting R.I.S.C. Series, Anna Blakely brings you stories of love, action, and edge of your seat suspense. As an avid reader herself, Anna writes what she loves...strong, Alpha heroes and the intelligent, independent heroines they love.

Anna's dream is to create stories her readers will enjoy, and characters they'll fall in love with as much as she has. She believes in true love and Happily Ever After, which is what she will bring to you.

Anna lives in rural Missouri with her husband and children, as well as several rescued animals. When she's not writing, Anna enjoys reading, watching action and horror movies (the scarier the better), and spending time with her amazing family.

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5 stars
917 (66%)
4 stars
372 (26%)
3 stars
73 (5%)
2 stars
12 (<1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for NanaX8.
2,667 reviews66 followers
June 1, 2021
Another awesome, page turning, heart racing whodunit that will certainly make the hair on your body stand up with cold chills. Loved it!
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 7 books92 followers
May 19, 2023
I borrowed Savage Risk ~ R.I.S.C. Alpha Team ~ Book 8 by Anna Blakely form the Kindle Unlimited Program.

In Savage Risk Detectives Eric West and Riley York are finally exploring how they feel about each other while they face a case with a serial killer for Riley's past. The arrogant killer leaves notes for Riley, marks the bodies of his victims with precise cuts and is playing a game with Riley. It is full of action, misses getting the killer as they figure out who the killer is with the help of the entire Alpha Team at R.I.S.C., the FBI and Ryker form Homeland Security too.

I loved how brave and badass Riley was and how she got the killer to talk about his past and the happy ending too.
Profile Image for LaTonja .
308 reviews26 followers
May 15, 2021
Everyone of Anna Blakely R.I.S.C. books have had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. If you enjoy reading romantic suspense this is the series for you. Detective Eric West and Detective Riley York have been supportive character throughout this series, but R.I.S.C. 8 is their book.

A "closed case" from Riley's past has now landed on her desk once again and this time with the help of her partner and lover, Eric, they must find the identity of the serial killer. The book is full of mystery, intense love scenes, and a plot that will always keep a reader guessing. Riley and Eric's love, strength, and loyal will keep this couple going until they figure out the identity of this killer.



Profile Image for Stacy J..
1,346 reviews11 followers
April 30, 2021
This book had me on the edge of my seat, there were moments I thought my heart would jump out of my chest.

This book has a way of drawing you in. Making you feel all the feelings that Riley and Eric were feeling. This is a testament to the authors story telling ability.

I liked both characters but I really liked the character of Eric. Everything in him was alpha male and I enjoyed it immensely. I loved that he was great at his job and was someone both Riley and his brother could count on in the time of need. He is level headed in most situations and is able to think things through unless they involve Riley. This is where his inner caveman comes out. I loved that he was portrayed as someone who was could see that Riley was a capably, strong and independent woman who he was happy to partner with and have his back. As the book progressed, you could see the protectiveness come out more which was fun to watch. He was trying so hard to balance respecting her as a partner but loving and wanting to protect her.

Riley is a character I liked. There were times, she did get on my nerves a little bit though. I understood that she was personally investing in this case but her lack of personal safety bothered me a bit. At times, she was a little headstrong. Otherwise, I admired her dedication to the job and wanting to see this case through.
Profile Image for JP.
220 reviews
July 25, 2025
Just…no. Wish I had DNFed.

Didn’t like the FMC in Derek’s book and disliked her even more in this one. Arrogant and hotheaded is not “sass” and I wish romance authors would learn the difference.

“Best detective” is such a joke when referring to a woman who tried to put the MMC’s brother in jail for murder before key evidence had been gathered. That’s not a good detective. Not to mention, none of her sleuthing brought her to the bad guy…he found her and her lack of good skills and instincts is what allowed her to get kidnapped.

Then, both leads are thinking naughty thoughts about each other while literally standing over a torture, SA, and murder victim’s body. Gross and vile. Oh…and her original partner’s death was absolutely her fault. And I can’t believe her captain put up with her behavior and attitude. She’s genuinely awful…personally and professionally.

Also…you would/should NEVER get a tattoo over a two month old scar. Ever.

I just want a likable, competent FMC from this author, please.
Profile Image for Reading Addict.
1,133 reviews24 followers
May 4, 2021
I have been a fan of the RISC romantic suspense series almost since the beginning. There's nothing better than getting lost in a good suspense story that ends in a HEA and keeps you wanting to stay in that fictional world and that is the absolute best way to describe the latest installment Savage Risk. Detective Eric West and his partner Riley York have been supporting characters for awhile now but it finally came the time for their story to be told and what a great one it is! This story is loaded with secrets from Riley's past and I don't plan to give a single one away. All I can do is recommend not only this book but I recommend going back to the beginning and get to know all of the characters because they make appearances in almost every book in the series. Savage Risk was gritty, suspenseful and hot, hot, hot! Like all of the books in the series it was told from dual POV and you be hooked like me!
Profile Image for sally harris.
43 reviews6 followers
April 1, 2021
Eric and Riley Story

It was amazing book just like all your others but like this one because it was about 2 detectives that had been fighting there attraction for each for a long time and they finally give into it. They finally fall in love and love and determination is what got them through the serial killer kidnapping Riley and injury Eric but where messed was where took the picture of Eric bedroom and Eric recognized it. There love kept them alive and strength and determination to be together again and how strong they were that there weren’t going let anyone come in between them not even a serial killer. I would recommend this book and rest of this series to anyone but I suggest you read from the beginning so you understand how Eric and Riley story came about. Way to go. I can’t wait on next book in the series. But not looking forward series ending.
Profile Image for Leah.
704 reviews34 followers
April 3, 2021
Every since we met Riley in Derek's book I wanted more, and more we got. You knew in that book that Riley and Eric were meant to be, it was just a matter of when they took the steps together. This book gives us everything that I love about Anna Blakely's writing. She gives us the suspense I am looking for, the hot steamy connection that everyone wants, and the never ending commitment by these alphas that doesn't waiver for a second. If you have not given this author a chance yet, you need to do it now. She writes intense growly alphas that are possessive in all the right ways. And her heroines are always strong and capable women who do not allow themselves to be railroaded. She has an instinctual ability to write amazing chemistry that comes off the pages.
Profile Image for Dawn Cruikshank.
1,206 reviews12 followers
April 11, 2021
Savage Risk

WOW! Another intense story. This time it is about two cops but Eric is Derek's twin brother. Riley moved to Dallas three years prior after losing her partner while she was at NYPD. Now these two were partners on the DPD but soon they became more than co-workers, they became lovers. Anyway, a psycho was basically after Riley and he was killing women to get her attention. Riley almost lost the battle but Eric got there in time to save her. Once the psycho was eliminated, these two worked on their happily ever after! FANTASTIC job Anna! I would recommend this book.
Profile Image for Sandy.
1,219 reviews4 followers
March 31, 2021
Great suspense

Eric and Riley have great chemistry. On the hunt for a serial killer, Eric and Riley finally admit their growing feelings for each other. Lots of twists and turns. Hopefully the Dr and Noah will get a future story. Great epilogue.
Profile Image for Audrey Nelson.
355 reviews2 followers
February 1, 2022
Wow, what a book that took me for a ride and had me on the edge of my seat! I couldn't put it down!
This book has a way of drawing you in, and makes you feel all the emotions and feelings that Riley and Eric were feeling.

Eric and Riley are both detectives, who are partners at work, and they are fighting their attraction and finally give in to that attraction towards one another. And let me tell you, it's not a fling, its passionate, loving, steamy.. these two are perfect for each other. Over the three years Eric and Riley have been partners, he's slowly chipped away at the walls that have been up around her heart and she has come to trust him fully. When a string of murders starts happening in Dallas, they appear to be the works of a serial killer that Riley had worked on trying to find years back when she was working in New York... could it really be the same killer or is a copycat? Things start to escalade and Eric doesn't like it and fears for Riley's safety. As their relationship becomes more and they confess to one another that they're all in, so does the killers sight on Riley, but she is bound and determined to find out who this killer is, and stop him once and for all. This killer has proved to be smart, but will he mess up when Eric, Riley and their team put a plan in place to try and draw him out after Riley? Or once he gets to Riley will it be too late and will she end up like all the other victims? Can Eric save her?

I really loved both characters, but I really loved Eric. He was an alpha male but he was also so sweet and caring and protective about Riley. He had a level head within most of the situations and was able to think through things like a good detective, but when it comes to Riley, that's when his inner alpha male comes out and I am totally here for it! I also loved Riley. Yes, I thought at times she was a little head strong, but she was a strong willed, independent, smart person. She was definitely capable of doing everything she set her mind to and had a lot of determination which I also admired. As she opened up her heart to Eric, you could see the protectiveness and love come out and her love for Eric grow.

I really loved that the R.I.S.C. team (from previous books) Derek, Coop, Mac, Jake and Trevor were all featured in this book, I thought it was really cool because I loved all their books, but it just added that extra cherry on top for me.
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,475 reviews10 followers
July 18, 2025
Partners in every way

Eric and Riley. We have met and seen these two in several books as Eric is Derek’s twin and Riley and him are detectives who have helped with several cases and matters when they occur locally. Now the story and focus is on them and their personal relationship as it meets professional as a serial killer has come to town and is fixated on Riley who he fixated on in another town as well. The details are vivid and the use of Alpha team, the FBI, the ME and the police working together was creative and created a well rounded criminal and case file. The historical pov was intriguing bc it explained some of Riley’s earlier behavior and also gave a really good view of who their captain is in Dallas. I thought the story flew and was full of romance, friendship, danger and crime solving. The look into the next book involved Ryker and a doctor we have seen save many of the RISC members or loved ones. Can’t wait to see what they get up to and whether is it Alpha or Bravo (with their history with Ryker) or both who help out!
Profile Image for Marie.
5,954 reviews57 followers
March 31, 2021
She escaped once....

Riley thought this case, these murders were done and dusted, she had left them in her rear view mirror, they cannot be happening again....can they?
She has built the highest walls around herself, closed herself off completely, but Eric has slowly scaled them. It may have taken him two years but he has finally made it inside and watching him remove those bricks one by one as Riley finally opens up, trusts him and allows herself to feel is beautiful...it's just a shame a serial killer has also set his sights on her!
It has taken Eric more patience than he ever thought he had to get to this point with Riley, you can almost feel the pages vibrating as he holds himself back, until she is in danger - then all bets are off and we finally see just how possessive and growly Eric can be...yum!
Once again the R.I.S.C. Team come to the rescue, a fantastic book within an awesome series.
1,111 reviews
July 23, 2021
After her introduction to the series arresting Derek and being a total hard mass, then her softening marginally and being more supportive in subsequent books in this series I’ve become more invested in Riley getting a HEA. And obvs Eric needed one because, hello....he’s Dereks twin and a total hottie.

Partners with benefits both want more but are just as keen for the other one to say it first. When an old foe comes knocking on Riley’s door she of course internalises her fear and externally tries to push Eric away. But our hero is made of sterner stuff than that....

Eric knows what he wants and when Riley is threatened he shows his cards and they decide to try a relationship. However, never does the course of true love run smoothly in an AB novel and so of course there are more than a few bumps in the road.

Add in a sadistic serial killer and you have a story that keeps the pages turning and the book ending far too quickly but with a satisfying conclusion
218 reviews
April 3, 2021
Riley and Eric

A suspense ridden story about a serial killer targeting women and the police who chase them. There is one in New York for which Riley pursued relentlessly until her partner is killed and she is shot! She resigns and ultimately ended up in Dallas a few years later.
Eric comes along and they become an item, but the killer suddenly emerges in Dallas and begins to target Riley.
Tension boils and the hunt is on. After much twists in the story you are left feeling this was a damn fine book.
Recommend it readers who like romantic story with a strong suspense woven into the book.
Profile Image for Kaz.
234 reviews
April 29, 2021
Fantastic!!

Oh my Lordy savage risk was amazing!!

Partners Riley and Eric stumble on a young murdered girl. Once the autopsy has been done they discover a connection to a previous case Riley had been involved with. All the while Riley and Eric’s growing attraction reaches a new level, but when the killer comes knocking, they’ll have to be ready.

The suspense was amazing, I genuinely couldn’t stop reading. Even just the prologue brought on so much emotion before the book had properly started.
I loved Eric’s Alpha protectiveness and Riley’s need to see this through to protect others. The plot line itself I loved. You’re missing out if you don’t read this!
Profile Image for Angela.
10k reviews133 followers
December 2, 2025
3 - 3.5 Stars

Savage Risk is the eighth book in the R.I.S.C. Series by Anna Blakely. It is a thrilling blend of romance, action, and suspense that keeps readers hooked from the very first page. The series revolves around an elite private security team - Rescue, Intel, Security, & Capture - whose members are as fiercely loyal as they are skilled. Each book introduces a new mission, a new romance, and a fresh dose of heart-pounding danger.
Each book focuses on a different team member, allowing us to dive into their unique backstories, vulnerabilities, and the romantic connections that bring light to their otherwise dangerous lives.
Happy Reading…
910 reviews3 followers
March 31, 2021
Must read

Eric and Riley are not only partners but a great couple. Riley has plenty of walls around her heart and Eric manages to work his way in. She definitely has a past with plenty of heartbreak and trouble. Enjoyed getting to know more about how this couple works. It's a fast paced read with lots of action and off the charts chemistry. It is a little different from other books in the series but that makes it the perfect story for them. Hoping to see more. Definitely a recommended read from me.
533 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2021
TAKING DOWN THE MONSTER

There is an evil out there who is mutilating his victims before raping and strangling them to death....detectives Riley and Eric are determined to end him. Unfortunately, the killer has Riley in his sights making the takedown complex and filled with lots of twists and surprises plus a number of very anxious moments. But, it is the underlying steamy romance that keeps the story cohesive.
Savage Risk is an edge of your seat, could not put it down story that is not to be missed. So highly recommend.
Profile Image for PepperP0t .
5,161 reviews87 followers
December 9, 2023
The last work Detective Riley York did before leaving NYPD was on a serial rapist/killer case; deciding Riley was too involved her boss demanded her files and handed it over to the FBI, her partner was killed and she was shot later that night. Moving to Dallas, Riley and her partner are oil and water then cream and sugar as they begin a casual affair. As their relationship deepens, the same serial killer makes his way to Dallas and begins his work again, striking close to Riley so she knows their game hasn’t come to an end.
Rating: 3.75stars
Profile Image for Melanie.
4,340 reviews33 followers
February 10, 2024
The suspense in Savage Risk is intense and amplified by the musings of a mad man. Anna Blakely brought me to tears in the first chapter and gave me chills as this story played out.evoking strong emotions is the mark of an amazing writer. I loved Riley and Eric's evolving dynamic from being at loggerheads to becoming friends with benefits to falling in love.she's compelled to taking risks and he's equally bent on protecting her not only from a killer but from herself. The final chapters are intense and danger filled and will put you on the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Gina Marie.
1,783 reviews9 followers
April 2, 2021
Eric & Riley

A great addition to the RISC series! I absolutely love when an author takes intriguing side characters from a previous book and give them their own story, especially when they have chemistry like Eric and Riley do. This book has all the twists and turns as a serial killer that Riley was investigating in NY rears his ugly head at her new job in Dallas. Having Eric’s brother Derek and his RISC team show up and lend a hand just put the icing on this novels cake.
Profile Image for Heather.
200 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2021
Derek & Riley

Savage Risk is the eighth book in the R.I.S.C. series by Anna Blakely. This book is tension-filled from beginning to end. Anna Blakely kept the action going at a brisk pace. Detectives Derek and Riley have been partners for two years. Derek West is the twin brother of Eric West who works for the R.I.S.C. Agency. Recommend this book and series to those who like interesting plots.
Profile Image for Renee Johnson.
278 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2021
Absolutely another great read!

Really enjoyed this story, really liked Eric and Riley. Loved all the risk series, but it was nice that all the old characters showed up and helped. It has suspense, love, twists and turns. Kept me hooked from the beginning to the end. It will be sad the series is coming to a close, absolutely can not wait to see what Anna does with Jason. A great read, you will not be disappointed in reading this or any of the others in the series.!
Profile Image for Carolyn Spence.
2,065 reviews16 followers
April 19, 2021
Nothing like a serial killer to amp up the intensity between partners, Eric and Riley. You can see the passion of Riley's character come through the pages. You feel their interactions, their passion for both their jobs and their feelings for each other. Definite page turner and definitely a one click author for me. I've read all of Ms. Blakely's books and highly recommend all of them.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.
2,472 reviews32 followers
September 12, 2021
Eric and Riley

Savage Risk is a good story which features Eric Webster, Derek's twin brother and Riley York, Eric's partner in DPD. If you have followed R.I.S.C series you are familiar with these characters. Chemistry has been happening since Derek's story. Eric and Riley are searching for a serial killer, it will be their biggest case. Blakely takes us on a suspenseful journey filled with angst, mystery and sexy time. Good addition to the series. Happy Reading!!
Profile Image for Teresa .
2,052 reviews5 followers
March 20, 2023
Eric

Book 8 follows Derek's twin detective Eric and York the lady who tried to arrest Derek in Derek's love story (see past book with Derek and charlie) this one is a murder mystery case so gripping not to much of R.I.S.C in this mostly Derek helping to work the case.
Also looks like a cameo for a new series with Maggie and the FBI agent spin off (sometimes other authors write in the same world so they add the characters as a cameo to link)
811 reviews1 follower
October 23, 2023
Good story!

Despite the need for editing (just like all the other books in this series) this story was a good one. Eric, who is Derek’s twin and a detective finds love with his partner. Riley redeemed herself after being very unlikeable in a prior story.

A serial killer has focused on Riley from years earlier and shockingly, he is someone she knows who has been keeping tabs on her through the years.

Suspenseful and hot! Liked this one a lot.
35 reviews
April 2, 2021
Another fantastic read

I discovered Anna Blakely during lockdown and I’m so glad I did. I binged on the R.I.S.C books that were out and eagerly waited for Eric’s book and it doesn’t disappoint. Eric and Riley are great partners and work but even better in life. Can’t wait for the next instalment of this fabulous series!
1,948 reviews10 followers
April 4, 2021
Partners!

Saving Risk: WOW! Amazing story and fantastic writing! I really enjoyed this addition to the series. I loved Eric and Riley's story! I loved the suspense, surprises, twist and turns. I liked that Riley was determine to be the one to bail the killer. I liked that Eric found her a challenge at work and at home. Wonderful!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews