Targeted

Targeted #1

by M.L. Davila

It's bad enough a serial killer is on the loose. What happens when you become the object of that serial killer's affection?

Detective Sydney Russo is no stranger to being targeted. Before it was just part of the job. Now she has someone she loves. Someone she'll fight to get back too. When the FBI is called in to help, they just add to the number of targets available.
One agent, Mandy Pendergast, bears a passing resemblance to some of the victims. Will that resemblance put her in the crosshairs as well?
Time is running out. They have a 48 hour window before the killer chooses his next victim. The looming threat turns friends to lovers and unites these groups as nothing else could. When the threat becomes reality, there is no question as to why they were Targeted. Two of their group have been kidnapped and TIME IS UP.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2021

About the author

ML Davila loves to listen to music while crafting these stories and usually sings along as they write. A proud LGBTQ author, ML loves to explore love with all its aches, losses, heartbreak and renewal. Add in some gunplay, serial killers and law enforcement and you have just the right mix.

Living up north has exposed them to quite an assorted mix of folks and they love to listen at cafes and take note of conversations. The things people talk about. Whew!

Reviews

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, fast pace, quick crime read with leading lesbian ladies. Kindle Unlimited.

Sort of like a cross between Criminal Minds and Rizzoli and Isles. Similar (but faster and more Americanized) to Cari Hunters crime dramas.

I liked that there were two sets of lesbian couples, one set who are from the FBI as Special Agents, and another of a Detective and a Medical Examiner, from the local law enforcement. Both sets already established. but with similarities in the couplings, forming solid friendship between them.

The FBI is brought it when a serial killer has savagely beaten several women in brutal and violent ways. The culprit closer than they know.

You're dropped right into the fray, and all the intricacies of the groups and their dynamics to discover for yourself. Finding out about personal issues between the agents, their status etc. We discover Detective Sydney Russo has been a survived victim of a serial killer herself, TWICE. And that one of the FBI Agents has lost the trust in some of her team because of a previous issue they are grieving.

It's certainly a decision to have already established storylines and relationships already on-going when a story starts, and where the author drops her readers into it - but I think it added to the 'hit the ground running' style of the writing, and makes you feel like a part of the team that is suddenly joined up on both sides to investigate this serial killer with a hatred for women.

It was quick, fast paced, good action, and suspense at the end. Fairly predictable, but honestly that's standard for procedurals. I enjoyed the characters and their interactions the differences in how the author worked the story. So I'd recommend giving a go, if you're interested in the genre - since it's on KU.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like my police show crossover fantasy in book form!

This is exactly what I imagine if there ever would've been a Criminal Minds/Law and Order crossover event— with JJ & Prentiss and Benson & Warner as badass, crime solving, justice fighting, lesbian couples!! Excited for new book in this series for sure!

[Dani Giggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot and premise is pretty good but I had a hard time following along with all the characters, there are so many of them. There was not much suspense in the story which is what I was expecting but it's easy to figure out very early in the story. It does have good action scenes and dialogues to keep it interesting and entertaining. The ending is cute as well. If you are looking for a crime/action book then I'd recommend this book but don't expect much of a mystery or suspense here.

[Melanie Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! ML Davila can tell one hell of a story. The action, the suspense, the steam. Even though I don't normally like romance, this book got me a little hot under the collar, so to speak. Definitely worth the read!

[Suzanne Bourgeois]

Criminal Minds + Risoli and Isles, but make it gay. not necessarily a bad thing, but it was jarring at first because that was literal, lol. even the names were similar. the revolving view points was also a little hard to keep track of. but in the end, this was a pretty decent story. I think it did both shows proud. the mystery was on point, with enough twists and turns to keep me interested and eventually making the issues I initially had melt away.

[Celesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it

Now I didn't see anyone mention this but I was so shocked to see this series because I remember it as a fanfiction on fanfiction.net criminal minds and Rizzoli & isles crossover so I'm so happy that the author turned this into books which is amazing cuz it was one of my favorite series on there I actually went to pull up to see if they were still there and or not So that pretty much confirmed it for me so congratulations on getting this book and turning into an actual original book for yourself I absolutely loved it they were definitely changes It took me a minute to get used to the names but I absolutely love how you've changed it and to turn into own thing So again congratulations I look forward to reading the rest of the series This is definitely something I'm excited for I can't wait to see how these characters are so different from what I remember

[Nobeliumreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5
Format: Digital
CWs: Lesbophobia, homophobia, domestic abuse, violence, sexual assault, slurs

When the FBI gets called in to assist detective Sydney Russo with a serial killer case, she isn’t happy at all. But when they get directly targeted and two of their team are taken, both factions have to work together to get the people they love back.

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A book I was pretty excited to read, because lesbian detectives and FBI agents? Sign me up. It had a lot of action, was fast-paced and kept me reading to the end. Unfortunately, I had too many problems with the book to really enjoy; for one, the grammatical errors were too much (I’m the type of person to notice even just one typo, and the several in the book just put me off).

And for another, this book felt like it was a crossover and the third book in a series, I had to keep checking to make sure it was the first. There was just so much history and past events that affected the present behaviours of the characters that we just had no idea about - we only found out through the characters explaining it, but I personally felt like it was too big to be something that was just explained. Sydney being the victim of a serial killer twice? Mandy faking her death and telling no one? In my opinion, that would have made interesting first and second books. With the large cast of characters, it really did feel like a crossover between Sydney’s crew and the FBI agents. Plus the fact that even though the synopsis says something about the ‘looming threat that turns friends to lovers’ and yet the main four were in established relationships already? Added more to the whole ‘feels like the middle book in a series’ vibe.

Also, huge content warnings for graphic on page lesbophobia, homophobia, violence and use of slurs! It’s very strong throughout the entire book, so be warned!

Overall, a short gripping read that I wanted to love, truly, but I simply couldn’t enjoy as much as I wished.

[Tylia · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were words indeed

Uhm I couldn’t tell you much about the story other then there was a homophonic dude named Rodriguez who couldn’t get over not having a girlfriend turned serial killer and went around shooting lesbians that resembled his mom who was also a lesbian apparently….
Also no sub heading to let you know who’s pov your hovering over since it’s third almost first person pov. Don’t ask how third almost first person pov works just read the book and you’ll understand

[Frances Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book

I like to story and the characters the only thing that Distracted me Was a repeat Of some of the scenes otherwise it was a great book I can't wait to read the next one

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend this be book

The characters are very interesting and likable the romance the mystery. Once I started reading this book It kept my interest from beginning to end. I am ready for book two. Thanks for a really good read.

[j good · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good

This is my 2nd book by ML Davila, but I know it won't be the last. I'll go right into Random Targets, book #2.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a lesbian, I am always delighted to see lesbians being competent and kicking butt in stories. Here all four are extremely interesting and I love them as characters. Where the story falls flat for me is the mystery. I figured it out extremely quickly, and it definitely seemed more than a little bit illogical. The author's writing style is good and compelling though and the pace of the book kept me engaged when I might have otherwise put it down (and to be honest, forgot about!) This is a cautious recommendation, but I think I really other things from this series and see if it's a this book problem or the whole thing.

[Maaren]

Dnf at 25%.

I couldn’t handle all the errors and inconsistencies