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Scarred Heroes #1

Dead Reckoning

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A reckoning is coming. Who will survive it?

They call me Reaper.
Killing is what I do best.
Get in. Get out. Leave nothing but bodies behind.
So, it should be a simple favor for an old friend.
Kill the man responsible for an innocent woman being dragged into a human trafficking ring.
Added bonus? I get to wipe some scum off the Earth.
Only it turns out he’s just the tip of a huge iceberg of vile behavior.
Other women are trapped in the same sick, sticky web.
And I’ve followed a thread to New York.
Taking out the men at the top will be easy enough…
As long as the beautiful cop and her hot-heated partner don’t get in my way.
But they won’t seem to stay in their own lanes.
Nor will the feisty brunette get out of my head.
It’s the kind of distraction I can’t afford—no matter how good it feels to be buried inside her.
I’ll do whatever it takes to complete the mission.
Because it’s time for a reckoning.
The only question is: who will survive it?

Dead Reckoning is a stand-alone novel in the Sins of the Mafia World.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2021

282 people are currently reading
884 people want to read

About the author

Gwyn McNamee

150 books883 followers

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5 stars
195 (41%)
4 stars
157 (33%)
3 stars
84 (17%)
2 stars
28 (5%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
Profile Image for Shelley C.
2,964 reviews65 followers
January 7, 2023
4.5 Dead Reckoning Stars🌟

This is my first book by Gwyn, which I will mention I purchased free from Amazon, and I will certainly start reading more of her books in the future❣️

Reaper is asked to help a friend out, however the favour turns into a trip to New York where he meets the sexy and sassy NYPD cop Viktoria😉 A great story that flowed well and characters that were likeable and made me want to read more. I’m not sure if I’ve started reading in the right spot but I don’t particularly care about that right now😂 Off to purchase Chaos and Mouth’s stories next❤️
Profile Image for Chalice.
3,701 reviews111 followers
September 10, 2022
The couple: Reaper and Viktoria

Romance trope: romantic suspense
Series: Scarred Heroes; Sins of the Mafia World
Length: 250 pages

Plot: Viktoria is a cop, as clean as they come. But then her partner ropes her into an op he's running without permission and she finds herself shot and kidnapped in short order. She meets Reaper, who is helping her partner, and is instantly attracted. She wants to do the right thing, but she isn't sure what that is anymore. Reaper knows that he's no good for Viktoria, but he can't help but protect her. And the end may come sooner than anyone expected.

Commentary: I don't usually like stories with female cops (the In Death series being the one exception). I'm not a fan of the super bada&& heroine. This one wasn't too much on that end, but I did get tired of Viktoria arguing - I kinda wanted her to jump all in or walk away, which is what she did at the very end. I'm curious about Reaper's friends and what their stories might be. There was enough action to keep this story interesting, but I don't know if I felt the connection between the two characters fully. I would read more in the series though.

Next book in the series: Off Course
Profile Image for Bourbon, Books and Brenda.
1,091 reviews101 followers
October 18, 2021
It is so good to be back in one of my favorite worlds…with an all new STANDALONE book! EEK!
*****
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 3 flames
Genre: Strong FMC / Insta / Mafia
*****
Reaper, former military, now on a quest to right the wrongs of the justice system. His mission, to get the bad guys the good guys can’t touch, and save as many women and children as he can… if blood must be spilled, that’s ok.

Viktoria, one of NYPDs finest, hell bent on bringing down the Russian mafia that has taken residence in her town. Little does she know that while doing recon, her entire life is about to change.

Dead Reckoning is a steamy, suspenseful, insta enemies to lovers, with an overprotective alpha and a stubbornly strong female cop. These two characters start off as oil and water, but after some forced proximity… they soon realize they have a common goal and chemistry that is OFF THE CHARTS! Hot Hot Hot!

There are twists, turns, vengeance, and blood shed… totally right up my alley! If you are looking for a spicy read, where the female heroine is no pushover and gives as hard as she gets (okay… Reaper does give it pretty hard if you know what I mean wink wink), you need to pick up this book. BONUS, it is a standalone. There are references to characters from the Inland Seas Series but you don’t need to have read them to fully enjoy this book.

I truly hope there will be more (Chaos and Mouth need their own books!). An enjoyable and engaging read that I wholeheartedly recommend!
Profile Image for Mandy (MP Book Reviews).
4,945 reviews45 followers
April 23, 2022
Reaper is an ex-serviceman who does jobs that are most often a favour for an old friend - generally righting the wrongs that the justice system cannot. When he does one which involves killing the man who is responsible for an innocent woman being dragged into a human trafficking ring, he expects it to be a simple case of getting in, getting out and leaving nothing but bodies behind. The bonus is he wiped some scum off the Earth and countless women will not have to go through that ordeal in the future. However, in this case, he is only removing the tip of the iceberg as there are other women trapped and he has followed the thread to New York. But it is not going to be as easy as he needs to work without the beautiful cop and her hot-headed partner getting in the way and at the moment they are not staying in their own lanes. The feisty brunette cop is in his head and it is a distraction that he cannot afford no matter how good it is to be inside her. But he will do what he has to complete the mission but then there will be a reckoning - but who will survive it?

I liked this story which was definitely dark and complicated in places, but central to the entire book was the relationship and events between Reaper and Viktoria the NYPD cop as they both try to take down the Russian mafia and save women from being trafficked. Viktoria was very much of the view that everything had to be done by the book whereas Reaper just wanted to remove the traffickers and free the women. Over time their relationship moved from adversary to working together to reach the same aim and I loved the way that the story finished. I was thrilled when the story ended as it did. Contains lots of angry sex. Easy to read and very addictive.
Profile Image for Reading by Deb.
1,182 reviews33 followers
March 12, 2024
Reaper has been stalking his target for the last week and now is his day of reckoning. The intel that Cutter had given him regarding the scum who had sold his fiancee to human traffickers was spot on as he tracks Dalino's car into the middle of the jungle with a young girl in the trunk.

As much as he would have loved to spend time with Danilo and make him suffer waiting had paid off as he can now take out the traffickers who are paying Danilo to grab the girls off the street. The rapid-fire shots hit his targets before any of the five men could react. He plans to have a bit more fun with Dalino before leaving him to die.

But Dalino's dying words send a cold chill down his back. This is worse than Cutter realized. Reaper leaves the jungle for his next stop - New York. Cutter and Priest had taken care of the Albanians in Chicago, but Dalino just told him the Russians are running a human trafficking operation out of their club in New York.

When Viktoria sees where they were she is even more suspicious about her partner Hank asking her to come with him to follow a tip without notifying headquarters. B66 a club owned by the Bratva. This is what she worked so hard to avoid having grown up in the same neighborhood as the women serving drinks and sexual favors in order to survive.

Hank tells her that he suspects Yankovich running a human trafficking ring out of club and he plans to take them down, but she didn't work to be a Detective to not follow the letter of the law.

I loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable. Roderick "Reaper" Dixon is retired Delta Force and lethal - showing no mercy to his targets. Viktoria Garin is a NYPD Detective who is determined to take down Yankovich legally and ensure he pays for his crimes through the court system.

From hockey, lumberjack billionaires to the world of the mafia this author has them all. This book is action-packed and full of danger and brutality as Reaper and his buddies shut down Yanknovich's operation with the only justice he deserves. Swift and deadly.

This book is steamy hot and will have you turning the pages as Viktoria fights tooth and nail against what is right and what needs to be done. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for K.  Ramjohn.
2,544 reviews
October 25, 2021
Dead Reckoning was a fast paced, action packed enemies to lovers tale and my first Gwyn McNamee novel and I enjoyed it. It was a steamy suspenseful tale between a stubborn cop and an overprotective military alpha and it held my interest until the end. Vik and Reaper were from totally different worlds and the story will take you on a steamy journey as their relationship evolve after some forced proximity. With a great cast of characters, excellent banter and an interesting plot, this was an enjoyable tale and I would recommend it.
Profile Image for Erinn.
570 reviews8 followers
March 23, 2024
Victoria and Reapers story

I enjoyed this was action packed and twists and turns while they try to find a man trafficking women. the steaminess between these two is a plus as well :)
Profile Image for Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) .
2,842 reviews119 followers
October 27, 2021
From start to finish this story is heart stopping, fast pace action!

I didn’t know who to trust or what to expect and I love a book that keeps me on my toes! I hope to see more of Reaper and Vik in future books because both are kisck butt characters!

Vik is a sassy, stubborn woman who will not be left in the shadows! She can and will fight her own battles! Reaper isn’t used to a woman who keeps him on his toes because he’s the lone wolf! The man always in charge but when it comes to Vik his guard is down and he will do what he can to keep her safe!
Profile Image for Raquel.
205 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2024
(2.5/5)
I have so many conflicting feelings about this book.
Overall, it wasn’t as bad or as creepy as other dark romances I’ve read, but I still feel like there was so much unearned tension between the MCs and for once I feel like it needed fifty or a hundred more pages to be better.
I wanted this to be Viktoria’s descent into darkness as she becomes the very thing she wanted to stop, but instead we get from Point A to Point B in a FLASHBACK that lasts one and a half paragraphs and suddenly she’s mostly ok with everything, actually.
The investigations, the exploring, finding the leads? Everything is told, not shown, because it happens in info-dumpy paragraphs after-the-fact instead of taking us with the characters as they discover the evidence.
We never really discover Reaper’s past, though it’s alluded to in passing. We barely get any backstory to Viktoria as it is. No other characters get any depth, they just exist to either entice the reader to read the other series (Mafia something something) or to conveniently take care of everything for Vik/Reaper.
A lot of elements in the first half of the story felt like the author wanted to make sure to hit all the trope marks she “needed” to make a good book. If it hadn’t been so sparse and had concentrated on building the plot and characters, the story would’ve flowed much better.
We’re supposed to believe Vik is a pretty good police officer and detective, but she has two working brain cells this whole book.

HOWEVER, even with all of that being said, the second half of the book was much better than the first one, and if it had been more fleshed out I would have actually enjoyed this book a lot more. The writing was good for the most part and I’m a sucker for the negative change character arc. A structural editor would have turned this into a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,932 reviews17 followers
October 25, 2021
Dead Reckoning is the first book by Gwyn McNamee that I have read and I can definitely say that I am now a fan! When I saw that she was writing a crossover book with Janine Infante Bosco I was all in. Both books are independent stories but run simultaneously through the same time frame. So, we get two action-packed stories from different perspectives with different main characters.
What happens when unlikely allies join forces to bring down a common enemy? You get a riveting story that you will not want to put down.
Reaper is a bad ass retired special ops with a lot of baggage and demons from his past who finds himself not only working closely with those unlikely allies but he is also protective and taken by the sassy, stubborn cop, Vik.
Vik is one head strong, determined woman. She challenges Reaper at every turn and now finds herself walking a grey line between vigilante justice, for the right reason and everything she believes in the law as a cop. There is something about Reaper that she can’t let go of and he is the one man whose demons she is trying to understand and he is also the man she is willing to let into her heart.
Profile Image for Kelly Graham.
354 reviews3 followers
October 26, 2021
I have never read anything by this author before but I will definitely be reading more as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Having read dead or alive by janine infante bosco I had already read Viks partner hanks version of this story.
I think I enjoyed this story more but I’m not sure if which book you read first determines which you prefur as going into this book I knew a lot of the story already thanks to having read hanks story.
Reaper is a trained killer and not used to having a soft side, thankfully he doesn’t need it with Viktoria as she is strong, fiesty and will fight him all the way, that fight usually fizzling into intense passion between the pair.
The pair along with Hank, the Satan’s nights and Reapers friends Chaos and Mouth are fighting to take down a trafficking ring.
There is a lot of action aswel as reaper fighting to understand the over protective feelings he has for Vik and Vik fighting between doing things right as a police officer and doing what she knows needs to be done unlawfully at Reaper and his friends hands to stop the traffic ring.
A great read.
Profile Image for Brandi-Lynn Weiser.
2,180 reviews77 followers
July 9, 2023
Dead Reckoning was the first book I’ve read by Gwyn. I enjoyed it, but I wished it gave more backstory into Reaper. And who was Eva, what happened to her? I felt there were a lot of unanswered questions surrounding those 2 things. Especially because I really loved Reaper, and what he was doing was so commendable. I wanted to know more about this man and his background.
Victoria, not gonna lie, got my nerves a little. She was in way over her head with things, and she should’ve known the dangers because of where she grew up. Yet she wanted to play everything by the book, which I thought made her really naive. At times she picked and chose when she wanted to be the “the cop”. And I didn’t like how she judged Reaper, even her partner knew they needed outside help, outside the law, to bring down the traffickers and rescue the women.
But after everything, she realized what Reaper was doing was for the best, and she chose right in the end.
This was a good book and now I’m curious about Chaos and his story!
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.7k reviews28 followers
October 25, 2021
Dead Reckoning is an action packed and captivating story and from the first page until the last, I read this book nonstop. Viktoria is a cop and Reaper is an ex-military vigilante. These two come from two different worlds but there is something that pulls them to each other no matter how much they fight it. When something happens and Viktoria is in danger Reaper does everything he can to save her. The writing is well done, the characters are great, and the story is packed with crazy fun banter, action, danger, suspense, romance, and a great ending. Dead Reckoning is book one in The Scarred Heroes series and I look forward to reading the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Fee96.
361 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2021
Gah yay another fantastic story. I have been a huge fan of this Gwyn's work for years. She has a distinct talent for writing unique, gritty, intense characters in these action packed storylines that have me at hello. The intelligence in her words puts her books on a level all her own.

Reaper lives by this blurred moral code. More of a sexy vigilante. Vik is a rule follower. A buy the book kinda girl. These two are the like a steamy good cop/bad cop with an attraction that blows the lid off the charts. Both strong willed. I just love them and this action packed, suspenseful story with the perfect amount of steamy woven in as always.

I love that this is a cross over. A great chance for new readers to find Gwyn and for us fangirls to find new authors to follow.

Profile Image for Sue Thomas.
392 reviews
January 23, 2022
This was the perfect book for me. Everything I look for in this genre. Not only have I read and loved the adventure this book brings but I've found a new author, who I shall follow here on Good Reads, FaceBook and Amazon. And of course I have downloaded the 2nd in the series 'Off Course' having already met Chaos in this book I can't wait for that feeling like I'm ready to fall off the edge of a cliff. Only turning the pages saved me. Also Mouth. Will he be book 3 because I really want to meet the bad ass woman who gets under his skin. Not sure why I couldn't leave a review on Amazon that was the only disappointing part. I'll have to make do with the fb page to tell this awesome writer Gwyn McNamee what I think of my 1st experience with her.
Profile Image for Beyond The Covers Blog.
2,518 reviews91 followers
May 31, 2022
Reaper, ex military, wipes scum from earth in order to save women and children from human trafficking. New Intel tells him to look into the Russians.
Viktoria is a NYPD cop determined to take down Russian Bratva from taking over her town. She's stubborn, independent, follows the pd rules to a T, never waivering...
Until she is challenged by the Reaper who tests her morals and values as a police officer. Everything isn't black and white.
Having a target on her back Reaper  kidnaps her to keep her safe until he can fulfill his mission taking down the Russians and rescuing the women and children. He knows Vik is trouble with a capital T and she fights him every step of the way.
What will happen if she steps outside of the law? Will she lose her badge?
Profile Image for Kari.
621 reviews3 followers
December 19, 2023
Dead Reckoning is the first novel in The Scarred Heroes series by Gwyn McNamee that is further part of the Sins of the Mafia World series.

The series follows Reaper, the former Delta Force member who is hunting down a Russian group in New York for our friend, Cutter. What Reaper doesn't expect is to find company on the same mission as two NYPD detectives.

Viktoria is a by the book detective. She follows the rules and only sees black and white. That is until her partner brings her into something that she never would have otherwise pursued. At least not using their methods.

I loved the oil and water banter between Reaper and Viktoria. Then when they come together so hot it burns! I cannot wait to learn more about Choas and Mouth in the rest of the series! Now onto Lust!
2,098 reviews31 followers
October 15, 2021
Viktoria and Reaper are from different worlds, she’s a cop and he’s a vigilante looking for justice. They are oil and water, but the connection and pull to each other has him off his game and in his line of work that can’t happen. She’s a liability to him, one he can’t have, but they can’t stay away from each other. When Viktoria’s life is in danger Reaper takes matters into his own hands and let’s just say she's not too happy with his handling of the situation. No spoilers from me. I really enjoy these two. The banter was great and the sass she gave was epic. Another great read and now I can’t sit to read about Hank and Anatasia!
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,872 reviews6 followers
June 12, 2022
Reaper is an ex Delta force vigilante who is trying to take out bad people who do bad things. He doesn't care about laws, only getting rid of evil. When his latest "mission" crosses paths with cop Viktoria he struggles to keep her safe because she's stubborn and won't take steps to protect herself. Their attraction boils over but a vigilante can't be with a cop long term so their future is questionable. This was a good story but not five stars because Viktoria should have realized her stubborness was foolish and slowing down the success of the "mission". She should have been willing to work with Reaper earlier and cooperate.
519 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2022
This book sucked me in from the start. Both Reaper and Vik are interesting characters, though I wish we could have gotten a little more of both of their stories. The plot of the book had me turning the pages as fast as I could but the steam had me pausing to fan my face. Reaper is very protective of Vik from the jump but Vik doesn't need a man to protect her....mostly....she makes a few iffy choices. But the sentiment is there. She is a strong FMC that doesn't yield to the hero unless it's what she wants. I enjoyed Vik a lot. This book was written in a different tense than most books which took some getting used to but I only noticed it occasionally. Would recommend and would read more.
Profile Image for Maryann Gestwicki.
Author 16 books16 followers
November 26, 2024
Dead Reckoning is a dark, gritty, and action-packed thriller that delves into the seedy underworld of human trafficking. Gwyn McNamee masterfully crafts a story filled with high stakes, intense action, and sizzling chemistry. Reaper, the brooding antihero, is as lethal as he is compelling, and his mission for justice takes readers on a heart-pounding journey.

The dynamic between Reaper and the strong-willed cop adds tension and intrigue, making it impossible to put the book down. With sharp twists and a plot that doesn’t hold back, Dead Reckoning delivers a satisfying blend of suspense and raw emotion, perfect for fans of dark romantic thrillers.
Profile Image for Christina.
200 reviews3 followers
October 18, 2021
This story is an action packed, enemies to lovers story that will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing what is going to happen next.

Reaper is a man that is very protective. He is just honoring a promise he made to a friend, but things take a very unexpected turn. He is a very take charge kind of guy.
Vik is a strong willed woman that tries do everything by the book. Her sense of Justice and right from wrong is put to the test in this story.

I hope this isn’t the last time we get to see Reaper and Vik!
Profile Image for Shirley.
857 reviews6 followers
October 24, 2021
I love this concept! This is the flip side to the story, shown from another perspective/point of view. Some may think it's redundant or a waste to read something like this, but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the situations from the other side.
Reaper has a depth that most aren't privy to, he's protective, he's focused, he's honorable, but he works outside the law to make a difference and makes no apologies for it. Vik is the straight forward, by the book yin to his yang, his opposite. The push and pull mixed with the undeniable attraction makes for a great story.



Profile Image for lovestoread.
964 reviews12 followers
October 31, 2021
Reaper is here to take out the trash. No surprise, there are a bunch of nefarious men that he needs to take care of. It definitely gets interesting when Viktoria, New York's finest is thrown into the mix. Her partner, Hank has brought a slew of people in to help stop the sex trafficking. Sides are chosen, the plan is made and all hell breaks loose. The reader is kept guessing for most of the story...keeping you on your toes!

Freaking awesome read and there's Hank's side of the story in Dead or Alive by Janine Infante Bosco - Can't wait!
August 27, 2022
This was just an okay read for me. It kept me entertained by also wanting to skip to the more interesting parts. I love romantic suspense stories, Burt his book gave me more suspense and not as much romance as o would’ve liked. I just didn’t feel the ‘love’ between Reaper and Vik. Both of them even have doubts until the very last pages. And then they decide ‘okay, let’s go for it’ and then the book ends. Felt a bit unsatisfactory to me. I enjoy a good enemies to lovers, but this felt like a bit too much enemies for too long. The suspense part was pretty good and the steam was spicy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Polly Barreto.
767 reviews10 followers
November 8, 2022
I loved Vik and Reaper!

In this story will call Vik the good cop and Reaper the bad cop (even though he really isn’t). Both out on a mission to put the bad guys away for good. Vik wants to do everything by the book – Reaper not so much!

Loved the whole Good Cop/Bad Cop they had going between them. The banter, the twists and turns, the push and pull, the ups and downs (and those between the sheets) kept me turning the pages!

Great read – Would recommend to anyone who enjoys an enemies-to lovers or mafia book!
Profile Image for Gazelle.
843 reviews10 followers
December 9, 2022
I read this one in Falling for the Protector Collection. It was my first book by Gwyn and honestly it was the reason I started with that collection. I had been lurking on her fb group and adding books to my TBR list. I just wasn't sure where to start so I started here. I couldn't stop until I finished reading this story. I wondered what took me so long to pick up one of her books off my TBR list! I was texting my book friends to see if they had read this one yet and if not they needed to start it next!
136 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2024
I love when a morally grey hero finds love!

Reaper meets a woman, a New York cop and gets involved in her and her partner's case, then saves her life and this story goes on from there! They both don't know what to do about the amazing chemistry and attraction they both are struggling with either.. Great plot line involving Russians and evil situations where people need saving. Just a great read! Loved the 2 lead characters! The spice is hot and confuses things for both of them. Great story with a great ending! Well done Ms. McNamee!
3,930 reviews31 followers
October 9, 2021
WOW! This book was fan-freakin-tastic! I love a damaged, smokin' hot bada$$, and Reaper was all that and more!
He and Vik couldn't be more different, but he pushes all her boundaries, forcing her to go outside her moral compass and her comfort zone. Their chemistry was off the charts hot, and yet they keep butting heads at every turn. Dead Reckoning was a pulse-pounding read from start to finish, and I'm hooked. I absolutely want more!!
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