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Mind Stalkers #3

Whispers After Death

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Life on the street molds emotional athletes.

Three years ago, her brother’s death marked the beginning of Kendra’s new life, an existence with no friends, no family, and no home.

Her new identity crumbles when a specter from her brother’s past demands a package she doesn’t possess. There’s only one person who could know its location. For Kendra, re-entrance into polite society comes with a deadly price, as betrayal comes from both sides of the grave.

Conner Crofton, ex-military, fights his own demons. Failure to protect a teammate on their last covert mission takes penance as a promise to safeguard a family member, a girl he’d unknowingly remanded to a world of darkness and uncertainty, deception and psychopathic stalkers.

The past haunts them both while forgiveness, betrayal, and passion interweave a destiny formed long ago. Romantic suspense with a twist.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2022

182 people are currently reading
35 people want to read

About the author

Reily Garrett

71 books802 followers

Reily Garrett is a writer, mother, and companion to three long coat German shepherds. When not working with her dogs, she’s sitting at her desk with her furkids by her side.
Author of chilling suspense and snarky romance, her stories include romantic thrillers and paranormal romance, . Regardless of genre, each book delves into a dark and twisted imagination yet is tempered with romance and a touch of humor.
Reviews by Kirkus Reviews, San Francisco Bay Review, and BestThrillers.com best describe her work:
"This could be James Patterson, Lee Child, and Tess Gerritsen rolled into one, but the dark, twisted methods used by the serial killer could surprise even those readers…” - San Francisco Bay Review
“…steamy, seductive police procedural…” - BestThrillers.com
“…well-researched thriller that remains romantically genuine throughout.” - Kirkus Review

Prior experience in the Military Police, private investigations, and as an ICU nurse gives her fiction a real-world flavor.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Laurie Robertson.
887 reviews20 followers
January 18, 2022
Another episode in the life of the Crofton brothers and their ladies.
It was a totally different plot than the previous two books but still remained connected.
The characters are evolving more as each novel progresses.
I'm wondering who will be the lead characters next time round.
An enjoyable read.
3,001 reviews45 followers
February 1, 2022
This is book three of the Mind Stalkers series and the main character is Kendra Lea Bower (21), who we discover has been living on the streets for the last three years after her brother Billy’s death and grief stricken words to her parents. Conner Crofton feels the blame for Billy’s death, as he was part of his unit in the military and after finishing a job, he went out alone, Conner thought to buy something for Kendra, but was killed by someone and died in Conner’s arms. He left him the message to look after his sister, but after the funeral, he thought she was living with her parents and he felt too conflicted over Billy’s death to visit them. It is only when a solicitor gets in touch with him and passes him an envelope that was to be given to Kendra on her 21st birthday, that he goes searching for her and finds she has been out on the streets. He hires the band she is with, of fellow homeless people, to play at his and his brother’s club, Ambrosia, as a pretence to meet her face to face. He and his brothers also run a Private Investigator business, which is their main line of work. They all grew up knowing Kendra and treating her as their little sister, with Billy following Conner into the military, and her parents helping to look out for them after they lost their parents. She can’t face the Crofton brothers and runs out of the club, only to be attacked by two masked men who want what her brother left for her! A package she knows nothing about, but Conner certainly does. He has even more guilt after promising the dying Billy that he would look after Kendra, only to have left her to the whims and dangers of the streets for the past three years.
He insists she comes home with him, so he can look after her, especially after the attack, but he knows her well and she is going to run! If she does, she will be in more danger from these attackers and whoever is behind the need for whatever her brother sent her all that time ago. Why is only comes to her now is another question altogether. Believing Kendra to be in shock and injured, Conner rips her clothing off, only to find it was the blood of the man she defended herself from and killed in the struggle. Another point against him, as Kendra still holds him responsible for Billy’s death and is determined to hate him. What she can’t hate is his dog Krystal, who takes to her immediately, as have the dogs of his brothers, to the new women in their lives, Callie and Dani. It turns out that the package contains information clearly linked to the issues both Dani and Callie experienced and possibly to new foreign development of similar forced Think Tanks, where gifted people are kept as prisoners and tortured into doing whatever someone else wants of them. Someone tried to help Kendra as she was being attacked, but the attackers also knew far too much about her and all of her safe places around the city. Wes, the band’s manager seems to have no history prior to a few years ago, whilst two of the others Palmer and Cliff have been in the band about the same time, and Daeron is the one who looked after her from the start and taught her how to protect herself on the streets and to be as safe as she could. Palmer and Wes seem to want her as more than a band mate, while Daeron treats her as his little sister and is very protective of her, keeping the other men in line and her untouchable.
She doesn’t want to place anyone else in danger and figures she can use her pick locking skills to break into Conner’s safe and grab the envelope for herself and pass it off to these dangerous people. But she has forgotten how protective Conner can be, especially for those he cares about such as his younger brothers, Billy and her. He may have failed Billy, but he won’t fail her and the promise he made to Billy. When he saw her in the club, she was no longer the little ‘mongrel’ who hung around with her older brother and would dare to do anything they did. She is all grown up and however much he tries to fight it, he falls in love with her hard, leading to lots of stick from his brothers who are amused to see him finally fall! Kendra had a thing for him over ten years ago and he hasn’t changed much, leaving her messing with his body and mind. In the aftermath of her attack, he calls in reinforcements in the guise of his brothers and their dogs, especially Marc’s shepherd who is great at tracking. Callie and Dani soon involve themselves in the mix, after one of the attackers recognised one of them at the club and a threat was made against them as well. Callie was sought after by a foreign group in the previous book and it seems the man in charge may still be the same and will stop at nothing to get the women back. They finally have to call in Colonel Kenson, Conner and Marc’s former boss, who helped with the other two women’s cases, who obviously wants whatever is on the thumb drive Conner was sent and was supposed of hand over to Kendra. A very jealous ex of Conner’s, the betrayal by someone who wants Kendra all for himself, along with large sums of money offered by the foreigners, soon places Kendra, Daeron and Conner in a life or death situation. Both feel they need forgiveness for their past actions and there is clear passion between the two as they have to fight for the destiny her brother placed upon her and the man he knew would keep her safe. Another great read in this series with another of the Crofton brothers finding the woman for him, whilst Callie and Dani help to save her using their abilities. A close call for some of them at the end, but love and those you can trust win through in the end. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Profile Image for Escape Into Reading.
980 reviews43 followers
April 8, 2022
When I got the invite to read/review Whispers After Death, I immediately accepted. I have read the series’ previous books, and I couldn’t wait to read this one. I was expecting it to be like Silent Depths and Shadow Guard, focusing on paranormal and romance. It was not like that, but that did not change my enjoyment of the book. Instead, I loved it!!

Kendra is a street kid. Living on the streets for the past three years, she is tough and streetwise. But when her band gets a gig at Ambrosia, Kendra is forced to face the past she left behind. Conner is part of her past, and she blames him for her brother’s death. Conner blames himself for Kendra’s brother’s death and for not honoring the deathbed promise he made. His chance at redemption comes when Kendra is assaulted outside his club. Looking to protect Kendra, Conner takes her to his house. With a mole in their midst, Conner and Kendra must figure out who the mole is, why Billy went on that secret mission and what he found out. Can Kendra and Conner figure out what is happening and who the mole is? And will they give in to their mutual attraction?

Whispers After Death is book 3 in The Mindhunters Series. While you can read this book as a standalone, I strongly recommend reading the previous two books before picking this one up. That way, you will understand the storyline and Callie/Dani’s abilities.

Whispers After Death was an emotionally complex book for me to read. The depth of Kendra’s grief was immense. My heart broke for her because she was broken and didn’t get the help she needed. The pain she was experiencing was palpable, as was the hatred for Conner. It was misplaced, and she didn’t realize that he was in as much pain as she was. So, I loved it when she started healing. The author didn’t sugarcoat her healing. It was messy, but it was true to life.

Kendra wasn’t a likable character in the beginning half of the book. She was brash, had a mouth on her, and didn’t trust anyone. But living on the streets for three years would do that to you. She also HATED Conner with a passion. She blamed him for Billy’s (her brother) death and was not going to cooperate with him at all. But, as the book went on, Kendra started to soften, and she became more likable. By the end of the book, I loved her. She was probably one of the strongest female characters I have read in a while.

I loved Conner. I have always been fascinated with him since Silent Depths, and I loved that the author gave him his book. Conner carried a lot around with him. He felt responsible for Billy’s death, and he felt guilty for not honoring Billy’s last wish. There wasn’t anything that I didn’t like about him. Like Kendra, I felt that his character’s emotional growth during the book was immense.

Conner and Kendra had amazing sexual chemistry. But the author did something that surprised me. They had sex once, and Conner gave Kendra an orgasm with his fingers. I loved it!! I felt that if there had been more sex, it would have taken away from the main storyline (who was after Kendra).

The author very well wrote the romance angle of the book. I liked how the author made it part of Conner and Kendra’s healing. What I also liked was that their romance wasn’t Instalove. Conner and Kendra had feelings for each other that went back years. It was only during this book that those feelings morphed into love. Again, I loved it!!!

The suspense angle was well written. I was kept at the edge of my seat with what was going on. The author did a great job at keeping the suspense up. At one point, I had low-key anxiety going on.

The mystery angle was terrific. The author did an excellent job keeping who was behind Kendra’s attack secret until the end of the book. And, in tandem with the review of the mole, she threw in a twist that made me go “No way” when it was revealed. It shocked me, and trust me when I say this; I don’t get shocked at events in books very often.

The end of Whispers After Death was good. I loved how the author wrapped up all the storylines. But she did leave the storyline that started in Silent Depths open. There were a couple of sweet and bittersweet moments at the end of the book.

I would recommend Whispers After Death to anyone over 21. There is language, mild sexual scenes, and moderate violence.
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,648 reviews63 followers
January 24, 2022
Reily Garrett – Mind Stalkers Bk 3 – Whispers After Death – Reviewed 1/23/22 – Read 1/22/22

Young Kendra hit the streets on the run after being notified of her brother's death!

It was unknown to Conner Crofton that Kendra, the sister of a teammate, lived on the streets until he received a call from her brother’s attorney that her 21st birthday was near and the package he was holding was due to be given to her. So began his search to find her. She had run three years earlier after receiving the news of her brother’s death. Locating her, he contacted her band manager and hired the group to perform at his club. Kendra walked into Conners club, and like a bolt of lightning hit him, he knew she was no longer a baby sister he had grown up with, but he fought the news like a death threat.

The past: Kendra ran, existing in a new life, wary of anyone and everyone except one man that had protected, and taught her how to survive on the streets, Daeron.
The present: Conner, too, had been fighting his demons with Billy, dying in his arms, extracting a promise from him to protect Kendra with his life. Unknown to him until now, he had failed! Vowing never to let that happen again and the story begins.

Join Kendra and Conner fighting for their lives with overwhelming odds regarding the package her brother had sent…

What did I like? This series has been exciting, each with its own problems but all leading back to an underlying problem, the THINK TANKS. Each with a female lead that has paired with one of the sexy and exciting Crofton men. But don’t forget one of the links that continue in each book, dogs!

What will you like? If I said exciting, I would be off because that is too mundane of a word to explain what has happened in every one of the books; if I added any one of a dozen adjectives to explain the action, it too would be an understatement. You will have to take my word and read them yourself because you already know what to expect if you have read any of Reily’s books. For those who have not, be ready to grip your seat for a wild ride through the world of psychic thriller mysteries!!! Here is your chance for one heck of a ride in the latest release to the Mind Stalkers series, Reilly Garrett’s newest release, “Whispers After Death,” available NOW!

• ASIN: B09PMD93VJ
• Publisher: Reily Garrett
• Publication Date: 1/21/2022
• File Size: 3719 KB
• Print Length: 246 pages
• Genre: Psychic Mysteries, Private Investigator Mysteries
Profile Image for Donadee's Corner.
2,648 reviews63 followers
January 24, 2022
Reily Garrett – Mind Stalkers Bk 3 – Whispers After Death – Reviewed 1/23/22 – Read 1/22/22

Young Kendra hit the streets on the run after being notified of her brother's death!

It was unknown to Conner Crofton that Kendra, the sister of a teammate, lived on the streets until he received a call from her brother’s attorney that her 21st birthday was near and the package he was holding was due to be given to her. So began his search to find her. She had run three years earlier after receiving the news of her brother’s death. Locating her, he contacted her band manager and hired the group to perform at his club. Kendra walked into Conners club, and like a bolt of lightning hit him, he knew she was no longer a baby sister he had grown up with, but he fought the news like a death threat.

The past: Kendra ran, existing in a new life, wary of anyone and everyone except one man that had protected, and taught her how to survive on the streets, Daeron.
The present: Conner, too, had been fighting his demons with Billy, dying in his arms, extracting a promise from him to protect Kendra with his life. Unknown to him until now, he had failed! Vowing never to let that happen again and the story begins.

Join Kendra and Conner fighting for their lives with overwhelming odds regarding the package her brother had sent…

What did I like? This series has been exciting, each with its own problems but all leading back to an underlying problem, the THINK TANKS. Each with a female lead that has paired with one of the sexy and exciting Crofton men. But don’t forget one of the links that continue in each book, dogs!

What will you like? If I said exciting, I would be off because that is too mundane of a word to explain what has happened in every one of the books; if I added any one of a dozen adjectives to explain the action, it too would be an understatement. You will have to take my word and read them yourself because you already know what to expect if you have read any of Reily’s books. For those who have not, be ready to grip your seat for a wild ride through the world of psychic thriller mysteries!!! Here is your chance for one heck of a ride in the latest release to the Mind Stalkers series, Reilly Garrett’s newest release, “Whispers After Death,” available NOW!

• ASIN: B09PMD93VJ
• Publisher: Reily Garrett
• Publication Date: 1/21/2022
• File Size: 3719 KB
• Print Length: 246 pages
• Genre: Psychic Mysteries, Private Investigator Mysteries
10.8k reviews125 followers
February 19, 2022
I've read several books written by Reily Garrett; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the third book in the Mind Stalkers Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Kendra & Conner; after her brother’s death she took on a new identity and is trying to start a new life but when someone demands she turn over a package her brother had she has to go back and try to find it.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Susan Clair Holt.
1,365 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2024
Whispers After Death

Kendra is back. Her band is hired to play at Ambrosia, Connor set it up to reconnect with his best friend's sister. Billy died on a mission and mailed an envelope to his lawyer for Connor to help his sister with after she turned 21. The information relates to Callie and Dani and others like them. It was a long road but the information was secured and the culprits trying to kill Connor and catch Kendra are dealt with and Connor and Kendra are to marry.
Profile Image for Linda Thomas.
842 reviews9 followers
April 25, 2025
The heat starts the second they saw each other but turmoil and murder interfere .

Conner knew she was coming but she didn’t know he was there so ran. Before they can come together much has to happen that completes the stories and feelings from the past. Kendra is helped by the men who cared for her since she was a child. But she hasn’t been a child for a long time and she already has someone watching out for her. Some howConner must gain her trust again.
17 reviews
May 30, 2025
DNF

Every other sentence is an unnecessary metaphor or simile. I’m all for descriptive writing but this was too much. In addition, the MMC describes the FMC as more emaciated than starving children, then waxes on about her curves. Really? The final straw was when she ran away from him like a child for the fourth time in a fit of whiny temper. I just couldn’t anymore. I think this is my first DNF in at least 10 years. It reads like an overwrought teenager wrote it.
282 reviews2 followers
January 23, 2022
Headstrong woman!

This book was good, but not great for me. The scattered cuss words used did nothing to improve this book. This series is best read in order. There is plenty of action in this book and a definite romance. I would recommend reading this book to readers that enjoyed military procedures, mystery, and romance.
Profile Image for Ruth.
8 reviews
April 23, 2023
Doesn't read like the same author

I read the first two books in the series and the style of writing here is very different. If I had to keep reading about Connor's alternating guilt and lust, I would have shot him myself. Add to it the cringe-worthy overuse of adjectives, reading this book was disappointing.
518 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2022
Tangled Vines

This third book in the series snares you as tendrils of past plots entwined to bring forward two people into a deeper understanding and love as past wrongs are righted but leave more questions lurking. I can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Kritika.
243 reviews7 followers
June 24, 2022
A freaky good YA read. I am loving the author style of writing after reading many books of her.
Highly recommend this one to all readers of this genre.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Teresa .
1,911 reviews3 followers
June 7, 2023
Conner

Next book in the series the mystery to why she could not open the envelope until 21 is still not really explained, I get he might of sent it to Conner because he trusts him but also to not put his sister in danger of so he thought. But still felt poor
3 reviews
April 30, 2024
Love the series, but

I love this series but so far with each book it becomes more about sexual tension and the actual story line is secondary. Will be disappointed if the story doesn’t become primary to the many adjectives for lust.
Profile Image for Pansy.
2,203 reviews24 followers
July 7, 2024
Puppy

How can one not fall in love with a puppy? My favorite character in this story. What a story it was too. The usual madness and mayhem. No new psychic power though, that we know of. But, clues to a new story. I need to go read it. And maybe find a puppy to cuddle.
Profile Image for Helen Bassett.
303 reviews5 followers
March 23, 2022
The story and the characters are very interesting. I enjoyed reading the series.
Profile Image for Louise A.
226 reviews1 follower
Read
October 9, 2023
Guilt

Guilt can be a killer. Reily Garrett took this emotion and built a thrilling and convoluted tale. Connor and Kendra both felt, fought, and conquered guilt alone and together.
134 reviews
June 29, 2022
Overly flowery writing

Read first two books but this one was full of poor writing and insufficient in story, realmomity, ann depth.
I can not make myself read more of this drivel.


627 reviews
February 2, 2022
Such an amazing book! I absolutely loved it. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it and I would definitely recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Leisel.
750 reviews4 followers
January 24, 2022
Honestly I am simply loving these works by author Reily Garrett and this instalment is yet another superb story. This time the story revolves around the eldest Crofton brother Connor and honestly they are all so "yummy" and wouldn't mind being in their care. They are all such great characters and love how they are so totally loyal to their females, then throw in the concept of their highly devoted dogs and really you have such an intriguing mix.
Again with these stories you get a great mystery component with enough twists and turns leaving you wondering who and why is involved. But now with our two previous prodigies joining the Crofton clan great things will happen.
If you enjoy the genres of romance, mystery, action with a degree of military might and an appreciation of dogs you just might fall in love with the Crofton brothers too. Believe me they won't disappoint you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Janet.
1,991 reviews3 followers
January 27, 2022
Very good book. A lot is happening and going on around. Started over three years ago. Just starting to come to a head. Can you imagine a bad guy waiting for three years. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
6,029 reviews40 followers
January 21, 2022
Both our hero and heroine have things in their past they would like to forget, but that is not possible. Perhaps atonement is.

This is book three of the series, but the story is written as a standalone. It does just fine on its own.

This is a romantic suspense story with some paranormal elements. The story is well written, and easy to read with well developed characters and an intriguing setting. There is a lot of action and intrigue in this one, so the story moves at a good pace. I also like both of our lead characters which is always a plus. It does get a bit creepy at times, but not overly much, so just a heads up. Overall, a fast moving story that draws you in at the beginning and doesn't let go. I continue to look forward to another book in the series.

Highly recommended

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
Profile Image for Heather W.
4,066 reviews35 followers
January 26, 2022
Whispers After Death is the third book in the Mind Stalkers series. I love this series. The characters are well-developed and the storyline is engaging, with danger, suspense, and romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,370 reviews13 followers
January 21, 2022
Conner and Kendra have not seen each other since her brother, Billy's funeral, three years ago. The first time she sees him, she is attacked and asked about something she knows nothing about. This story is action packed and exciting. The characters are believable and brave when faced with their biggest fears. Each book can be read as a standalone with some characters overlapping but doesn't detract from the story. I would highly recommend it to people who enjoy action with a side of romance. I received a free advance copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Zsa Zsa.
1,167 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2022
I enjoyed the story overall, but believe it would be even better if I had first read the earlier books in the series. It took a moment to get used to the author's cadence, that's on me as I felt like I had been dropped in the middle of a story. It took me a moment to get used to characters from other books. I did enjoy the drama, action, secrets, suspense and romance between Kendra and Connor.
6,030 reviews45 followers
January 23, 2022
betrayals and breaches of trust on both sides of the grave, woven with romance, guilt, a drive for penance, and a need for survival

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Teresa Reitnauer.
957 reviews5 followers
January 18, 2022
Book 3 of the Mind Stalkers is different from the first two. However, the military and secrets are definitely involved. Kendra's brother has been gone three years, and she has been on the streets since. Connor Crofton feels guilty for the way she has suffered. He should have been looking after her. When she reappears in his life, trouble begins. He will protector her at all cost, even from himself. This page-turner brings the suspense. Characters from the first two books make appearances. Kendra has always wanted to be with Connor. He tries to keep his distance, but she isn't a little kid anymore. Will they get their HEA? Pick up Whispers after Death to find out.
Profile Image for Avid Reader.
814 reviews7 followers
January 15, 2022
Brilliant continuation of the mind stalkers series. This time it is Conner Crofton who must face his past in the form of Kendra his dead team mate Billy;s sister. Just before Billy died he set in motion of series of impacts some of which he could not have foreseen. While Connor thought Kendra was safely living with her parents she was in fact a homeless street kid as he found out when he went to find her to deliver a package Billy left to be handed over when she was 21. Others are also after what is in the mystery package and it all links back to the girls rescued in the previous books. A fast paced action packed book of guilt, betrayal, friendship, family, awesome dogs, an over protective man, street smart lady, Love and romance. Cannot wait for book 4. Loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
869 reviews3 followers
January 20, 2022
This book blended paranormal psychic powers with romance and mystery quite well! I got entranced by Kendra and her abilities. The plot made it easy to just plop down and not get up until I finished the book

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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