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Perilous Obsession
Detective Beck Ramsey is paying a stiff price for blowing the whistle on a fellow cop. Relegated to the always underfunded, often ignored cold case desk, she’s biding her time until she can escape long-forgotten lost causes and get back in the field.
Journalist Macy Moran digs deep on every story, but when her usually objective reporting turns into an unrelenting hunt for a serial killer, she risks losing her relationships, her career, and her reputation. Haunted by the memory of her best friend’s death, Macy is willing to put everything on the line until she meets the infuriating and captivating Beck Ramsey and somehow convinces her to reopen the coldest case on her desk.
As their plans and their hearts careen out of control, Macy’s obsession with a murderer will either bring her closer to Beck or rob her of a chance at true love.
Journalist Macy Moran digs deep on every story, but when her usually objective reporting turns into an unrelenting hunt for a serial killer, she risks losing her relationships, her career, and her reputation. Haunted by the memory of her best friend’s death, Macy is willing to put everything on the line until she meets the infuriating and captivating Beck Ramsey and somehow convinces her to reopen the coldest case on her desk.
As their plans and their hearts careen out of control, Macy’s obsession with a murderer will either bring her closer to Beck or rob her of a chance at true love.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2022
8 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Carsen Taite
51 books293 followersCarsen Taite's goal as an author is to spin plot lines as interesting as the cases she encountered in her career as a criminal defense lawyer. She is the award-winning author of a dozen novels and numerous short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 3, 2022
'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchange for a honest review'
**'Writers are human beings with all kinds of unique stories to tell -- which they have every right to tell... Storytelling involves taking risk. It's not always easy but sometimes a writer has to invent their confidence in order for a story to make sense..'
Great read!
'PERILOUS OBSESSION' once again heralds the scrupulous ongoing activity and practical police procedures surrounding law enforcement -- whether negative or truthfulness when enforcing the law --- and is unquestionably another well written book added to the growing list by Carsen Taite.
The title of this book says it all because it's an obsessively well detailed mysterious tale of the how's, the why's, the when's etc.. of finding out the person responsible for killing these many 20 year old females out for a jog either late afternoon or early morning -- during the span of 10 or more years. With the two leading protagonists, Macy (reporter) and Beck (detective) taking over and doing their own backdoor investigation while growing close. It was up to them to uncork all the connecting evidence from each cold case file that might lead to a serial killer on the loose among the community while at the same time is being pushed to the cold case department by the higher ups, so the public won't find out the facts.
Furthermore, during the storyline's progress, readers do acquaint themselves with skepticism in researched cases, the blue wall of silence, the many different raised questions about past & present cases, deceptive power plays, consequences of being truthful/honest and the various culpability of all high ranking officials etc..
Another must read from Carsen Taite!
**'Writers are human beings with all kinds of unique stories to tell -- which they have every right to tell... Storytelling involves taking risk. It's not always easy but sometimes a writer has to invent their confidence in order for a story to make sense..'
Great read!
'PERILOUS OBSESSION' once again heralds the scrupulous ongoing activity and practical police procedures surrounding law enforcement -- whether negative or truthfulness when enforcing the law --- and is unquestionably another well written book added to the growing list by Carsen Taite.
The title of this book says it all because it's an obsessively well detailed mysterious tale of the how's, the why's, the when's etc.. of finding out the person responsible for killing these many 20 year old females out for a jog either late afternoon or early morning -- during the span of 10 or more years. With the two leading protagonists, Macy (reporter) and Beck (detective) taking over and doing their own backdoor investigation while growing close. It was up to them to uncork all the connecting evidence from each cold case file that might lead to a serial killer on the loose among the community while at the same time is being pushed to the cold case department by the higher ups, so the public won't find out the facts.
Furthermore, during the storyline's progress, readers do acquaint themselves with skepticism in researched cases, the blue wall of silence, the many different raised questions about past & present cases, deceptive power plays, consequences of being truthful/honest and the various culpability of all high ranking officials etc..
Another must read from Carsen Taite!
February 7, 2022
Macy Moran is a journalist on a mission. Ten years ago her best friend was a victim of a serial killer. Even though the police label the case as cold, Macy has been doing her own investigating to find the killer.
Beck Ramsey reported her police partner shooting and killing an innocent man. In the eyes of her fellow officers, Beck broke the unwritten code and is being treated as an outcast. She is now doing time in the career ending Cold Case division.
Taite is a master at writing romance novels and I have read and enjoyed a good portion of them. Perilous Obsession however falls a little short in comparison. The attraction between Macy and Beck is more assumed than slowly built to create romantic tension. As a reader this made the romance inconsequential.
The mystery requires a few more red herrings to limit the readers ability to predict the outcome. That being said there were also some loose ends left unanswered which are central to the why of it all.
I commend Taite for writing out of her comfort zone of courtrooms and lawyers. Perilous Obsession has good bones however it requires a few renovations to make it shine.
I received an advance review copy from Bold Stroke Books and NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Beck Ramsey reported her police partner shooting and killing an innocent man. In the eyes of her fellow officers, Beck broke the unwritten code and is being treated as an outcast. She is now doing time in the career ending Cold Case division.
Taite is a master at writing romance novels and I have read and enjoyed a good portion of them. Perilous Obsession however falls a little short in comparison. The attraction between Macy and Beck is more assumed than slowly built to create romantic tension. As a reader this made the romance inconsequential.
The mystery requires a few more red herrings to limit the readers ability to predict the outcome. That being said there were also some loose ends left unanswered which are central to the why of it all.
I commend Taite for writing out of her comfort zone of courtrooms and lawyers. Perilous Obsession has good bones however it requires a few renovations to make it shine.
I received an advance review copy from Bold Stroke Books and NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 23, 2022
3.5 stars. Carsen Taite is an excellent writer and this book immediately grabbed my attention. I already knew this was not featuring a lawyer, which was quite surprising to hear, but it’s still close to the law featuring a cop and a reporter. I enjoyed reading this, only the last 20% is where the book totally lost me, hence the downrating.
There are two storylines in this book, the romance between Beck (the cop) and Macy (the reporter) and a cold case about a serial killer which intertwines with an investigative story that Macy has been after for years. Beck is “banned” to the cold case department after turning her partner in and after having read a couple of these type of stories (cops turning in their corrupt partners and being sidelined and hated for it by the entire force) makes you wonder about the objectivity and functionality of the force. I know this is a sensitive topic especially in the US and I do not want to start a debate here, but stories like these are disturbing to read.
Back to the story, as I mentioned it easily held my attention, the romance is light, but I kept having this feeling of unease towards Macy. There was attraction to Beck, but it was difficult to figure out her priorities. It was still fine though, I just needed some reassurance and this is where the story went downhill for me in the last part of the book. Macy makes some decisions that confirmed my feelings of unease, she also showed to be a bad reporter, which is strange because she supposedly is one of the best. What bothered me most, however, is that she was totally unapologetic about it. Beck deserved better than Macy in my view.
The cold case was entertaining and there was even a bit of suspense which I like, but, also here, the ending put a damper on it. As others have mentioned before, the ending felt rushed. The case, which slowly unfolds, accelerates all of the sudden leaving some loose ends and I think the suspense could have been cranked up were the book a bit longer (and also the romance would have benefited from some extra pages).
Most of this book I enjoyed very much, but I was disappointed with how it ended and part of this comes down to an “it’s me” thing of not liking one of the MC’s. This does not seem to bother others, so I recommend reading some other reviews as well.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There are two storylines in this book, the romance between Beck (the cop) and Macy (the reporter) and a cold case about a serial killer which intertwines with an investigative story that Macy has been after for years. Beck is “banned” to the cold case department after turning her partner in and after having read a couple of these type of stories (cops turning in their corrupt partners and being sidelined and hated for it by the entire force) makes you wonder about the objectivity and functionality of the force. I know this is a sensitive topic especially in the US and I do not want to start a debate here, but stories like these are disturbing to read.
Back to the story, as I mentioned it easily held my attention, the romance is light, but I kept having this feeling of unease towards Macy. There was attraction to Beck, but it was difficult to figure out her priorities. It was still fine though, I just needed some reassurance and this is where the story went downhill for me in the last part of the book. Macy makes some decisions that confirmed my feelings of unease, she also showed to be a bad reporter, which is strange because she supposedly is one of the best. What bothered me most, however, is that she was totally unapologetic about it. Beck deserved better than Macy in my view.
The cold case was entertaining and there was even a bit of suspense which I like, but, also here, the ending put a damper on it. As others have mentioned before, the ending felt rushed. The case, which slowly unfolds, accelerates all of the sudden leaving some loose ends and I think the suspense could have been cranked up were the book a bit longer (and also the romance would have benefited from some extra pages).
Most of this book I enjoyed very much, but I was disappointed with how it ended and part of this comes down to an “it’s me” thing of not liking one of the MC’s. This does not seem to bother others, so I recommend reading some other reviews as well.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2022
Review of Perilous obsession by Carsen Taite
This author is on my automatic to read list because I thoroughly enjoy the way she blends her knowledge of the criminal law in her plots. This sets her apart from the rest of the women loving women writers.
Detective Beck Ramsey is being sidelined by her police colleagues after she blew the whistle on her partner. Now she is relegated to the cold case department with a bleak future in sight. Journalist Macy Moran is obsessed with a cold case of a serial killer who murdered her best friend. When Macy convinces Beck to review the cold case, both of them will have to be very careful with a murderer on the lose. Will they have a chance to explore their mutual attraction while their professional lives are in chaos?
I loved the main premise of the book, of involving a journalist and a police detective in an unofficial investigation to find the perpetrator of a series of horrific murders. Police work and journalism both have an investigative component but they normally function in opposite sides of crime solving. Ms. Taite plays skillfully with these similarities and differences and how the main characters' professional circumstances shape the relationship between them.
I have to say that up to 70%, this book was looking to become a 5 star rating for me. Until that point the buildup of the relationship between both mains was fantastic, and the intrigue was increasingly tense. I also liked that the "black moment" of both the romance and the investigation collided at the same point of the story.
Unfortunately, I felt that the resolution was too rushed and all the romance buildup and the intrigue tension dissolved without much of a payback to the reader. The "I love yous" were too rushed even for lesbian standards and the serial killer plot was hastily wrapped up. This isn't the first time that I felt that Ms. Taite's plot denouements were rushed, I've experienced this in both romances and legal thrillers alike which is a pity because all the hard work to get to the culmination was already done and I think that maybe just a couple of chapters would have suffice to tie the lose ends.
Despite my disappointment with the ending, I enjoyed this novel and I'll continue reading Ms. Taite's books whose style is so unique in lesfic. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This author is on my automatic to read list because I thoroughly enjoy the way she blends her knowledge of the criminal law in her plots. This sets her apart from the rest of the women loving women writers.
Detective Beck Ramsey is being sidelined by her police colleagues after she blew the whistle on her partner. Now she is relegated to the cold case department with a bleak future in sight. Journalist Macy Moran is obsessed with a cold case of a serial killer who murdered her best friend. When Macy convinces Beck to review the cold case, both of them will have to be very careful with a murderer on the lose. Will they have a chance to explore their mutual attraction while their professional lives are in chaos?
I loved the main premise of the book, of involving a journalist and a police detective in an unofficial investigation to find the perpetrator of a series of horrific murders. Police work and journalism both have an investigative component but they normally function in opposite sides of crime solving. Ms. Taite plays skillfully with these similarities and differences and how the main characters' professional circumstances shape the relationship between them.
I have to say that up to 70%, this book was looking to become a 5 star rating for me. Until that point the buildup of the relationship between both mains was fantastic, and the intrigue was increasingly tense. I also liked that the "black moment" of both the romance and the investigation collided at the same point of the story.
Unfortunately, I felt that the resolution was too rushed and all the romance buildup and the intrigue tension dissolved without much of a payback to the reader. The "I love yous" were too rushed even for lesbian standards and the serial killer plot was hastily wrapped up. This isn't the first time that I felt that Ms. Taite's plot denouements were rushed, I've experienced this in both romances and legal thrillers alike which is a pity because all the hard work to get to the culmination was already done and I think that maybe just a couple of chapters would have suffice to tie the lose ends.
Despite my disappointment with the ending, I enjoyed this novel and I'll continue reading Ms. Taite's books whose style is so unique in lesfic. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2022
Perilous Obsession is a slightly different novel than I normally expect from Carsen Taite. Most of Taite’s stories are mystery and intrigue with romance. This book does fit into that category, but the characters and their occupations are different. Instead of lawyers butting heads and melting hearts in a courtroom setting, we have a police officer and a journalist eventually joining forces to track down a serial killer.
Beck Ramsey is watching her career going down the drain after she witnessed her partner kill an unarmed man during a traffic stop. Compelled to testify truthfully to what she saw, she is now shunned by her fellow officers. Even as she is promoted to detective, she is shunted off to the career-ending cold case division where she spends her days adding files to a computer. Journalist Macy Moran wants an exclusive with Beck, and works to get her side of the story. What she spends most of her time on though, is trying to find the person who killed her best friend and several other women years ago. When the killings begin again, who better to help her than the new detective in the cold case division?
This story has a really good premise. I liked the idea of a police officer in trouble because she refuses to lower her standards. I connected with Beck fairly quickly and understood the almost impossible position she found herself in. Having a journalist searching for her best friend’s murderer is intriguing as well. I did have some trouble seeing the chemistry between these two. I was pretty deep into the story before I finally saw any connection.
I have to say that I did pick out the killer early in the book. There were a couple of red herrings along the way, but in the end, I had chosen correctly. I sort of felt like this novel was a bit rushed. There were several places in the plot that could have been expanded on to increase the conflict, especially with the killer, any help the killer may have had, and their motives. There could have been a bit more done with the romance as well.
I did enjoy this book, and even with the glitches mentioned above, I can recommend it to mystery lovers. I’m giving this book a 3.5 star rating and moving it up to 4 stars for the overall enjoyment.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Beck Ramsey is watching her career going down the drain after she witnessed her partner kill an unarmed man during a traffic stop. Compelled to testify truthfully to what she saw, she is now shunned by her fellow officers. Even as she is promoted to detective, she is shunted off to the career-ending cold case division where she spends her days adding files to a computer. Journalist Macy Moran wants an exclusive with Beck, and works to get her side of the story. What she spends most of her time on though, is trying to find the person who killed her best friend and several other women years ago. When the killings begin again, who better to help her than the new detective in the cold case division?
This story has a really good premise. I liked the idea of a police officer in trouble because she refuses to lower her standards. I connected with Beck fairly quickly and understood the almost impossible position she found herself in. Having a journalist searching for her best friend’s murderer is intriguing as well. I did have some trouble seeing the chemistry between these two. I was pretty deep into the story before I finally saw any connection.
I have to say that I did pick out the killer early in the book. There were a couple of red herrings along the way, but in the end, I had chosen correctly. I sort of felt like this novel was a bit rushed. There were several places in the plot that could have been expanded on to increase the conflict, especially with the killer, any help the killer may have had, and their motives. There could have been a bit more done with the romance as well.
I did enjoy this book, and even with the glitches mentioned above, I can recommend it to mystery lovers. I’m giving this book a 3.5 star rating and moving it up to 4 stars for the overall enjoyment.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
April 28, 2024
3,5 stars
Good. I had fun reading and trying to figure it out. I wasn't sure until the end, but narrowed it down to only two options (one of which was correct) in the first third, so I'm still proud of myself.
But the ending felt a bit... wonky. Like it was sped up artificially, with stuff cut out in order to fit in some maximum allowed number of pages.
That's why it isn't 4 stars.
Good. I had fun reading and trying to figure it out. I wasn't sure until the end, but narrowed it down to only two options (one of which was correct) in the first third, so I'm still proud of myself.
But the ending felt a bit... wonky. Like it was sped up artificially, with stuff cut out in order to fit in some maximum allowed number of pages.
That's why it isn't 4 stars.
February 16, 2022
Carsen Taite has a lot of experience in the justice system, so you know that when you read a crime book by this author it will feel legit.
What you also know is that the bad guy will get caught and you might be up for some twists and turns.
I think the twists and turns didn't happen a lot, or I just figured it all out too quickly. I wouldn't call it very predictable but somehow I figured it all out rather quickly. That didn't take away any of the enjoyment of reading this book. It actually kept me wondering how Taite would expose the bad guy. I'd say a bit of let down for me is how long the built-up is in the case and the romance and the resolution is just too short, seems a bit rushed.
I could have done without some parts in the middle, those things are there to establish the romance or set the scene for the character's backgrounds, but it could have been done in a different way that took up less space. Thus leaving more room for the case to be resolved and the resolution to not be rushed.
Beck is an upstanding detective who reported her partner for a wrongful shooting, Macy is a report adamant on finding the truth, not just about Beck. Not about Beck at all really, she is mostly interested in solving a decade-old serial killing spree. She gets assigned to run an expose about Beck, they become reluctant friends with an interest in each other that goes beyond the professional. They seem like a good pair, super intense, but good.
They seem to be communicating rather well up until about 85% and from that point on I actually lost interest in the book. From here on out it was rushed and maybe a bit lackluster? The ending just wasn't to my liking. The story itself, the pairing, the characters separately are all up to the Taite standard, but the ending is just a bit of a letdown.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
What you also know is that the bad guy will get caught and you might be up for some twists and turns.
I think the twists and turns didn't happen a lot, or I just figured it all out too quickly. I wouldn't call it very predictable but somehow I figured it all out rather quickly. That didn't take away any of the enjoyment of reading this book. It actually kept me wondering how Taite would expose the bad guy. I'd say a bit of let down for me is how long the built-up is in the case and the romance and the resolution is just too short, seems a bit rushed.
I could have done without some parts in the middle, those things are there to establish the romance or set the scene for the character's backgrounds, but it could have been done in a different way that took up less space. Thus leaving more room for the case to be resolved and the resolution to not be rushed.
Beck is an upstanding detective who reported her partner for a wrongful shooting, Macy is a report adamant on finding the truth, not just about Beck. Not about Beck at all really, she is mostly interested in solving a decade-old serial killing spree. She gets assigned to run an expose about Beck, they become reluctant friends with an interest in each other that goes beyond the professional. They seem like a good pair, super intense, but good.
They seem to be communicating rather well up until about 85% and from that point on I actually lost interest in the book. From here on out it was rushed and maybe a bit lackluster? The ending just wasn't to my liking. The story itself, the pairing, the characters separately are all up to the Taite standard, but the ending is just a bit of a letdown.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
February 18, 2023
Carsen Taite is one of my favorite authors, so I will always look favorably on everything she writes. If you don't know her, she is a specialist in writing thrillers or mysteries with police, lawyers, journalists, together or separately. In this case the protagonists are a police officer, Beck, and a journalist, Macy. And the result has been quite interesting.
The story that this book deals with mixes several issues. In the first place there is a serial killer who was not discovered and who among his victims had Macy's best friend and who now seems to act again. On the other hand, Beck has denounced her patrol partner for an in-service homicide, which has made her an outcast from the police force. Macy has to interview Beck about that matter, and they get to know each other. And right after Beck's issue with her patrol partner, she gets promoted to detective but is relegated to the cold cases office, that includes that of the serial killer who killed Macy's friend.
Like most thrillers, you can have opinions for or against it, that's for sure. Some will think that it is too simple or tricky or that it does not have much essence, but it has hooked me and has surprised me in the end.
Highly recommended on my part.
Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for my honest review
The story that this book deals with mixes several issues. In the first place there is a serial killer who was not discovered and who among his victims had Macy's best friend and who now seems to act again. On the other hand, Beck has denounced her patrol partner for an in-service homicide, which has made her an outcast from the police force. Macy has to interview Beck about that matter, and they get to know each other. And right after Beck's issue with her patrol partner, she gets promoted to detective but is relegated to the cold cases office, that includes that of the serial killer who killed Macy's friend.
Like most thrillers, you can have opinions for or against it, that's for sure. Some will think that it is too simple or tricky or that it does not have much essence, but it has hooked me and has surprised me in the end.
Highly recommended on my part.
Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for my honest review
August 27, 2023
Macy Moran is a journalist who has been chasing a serial killer for 10 years. When she thinks they’re at it again she ropes Detective Beck Ramsey into helping her solve the case.
This was disappointing for me. I really enjoy Carsen Taite’s writing and how she is one of the few sapphic writers that writes blended romances (a romance with a mystery/suspense/thriller) but this one just didn’t do it for me.
I’ve had issues with Tait’s last few books in that everything feels rushed. This one was no different. For the romance, Beck and Macy only meet a few times and their attraction seemed to come out of nowhere. One minute they’re discussing the case the before you know it they’re overcome by their feelings and the timing was just off for me. As for the mystery aspect, that worked a bit better for me but still wasn’t great. I figured out the mystery almost straight away and thought the end of it was rushed and anticlimactic.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was disappointing for me. I really enjoy Carsen Taite’s writing and how she is one of the few sapphic writers that writes blended romances (a romance with a mystery/suspense/thriller) but this one just didn’t do it for me.
I’ve had issues with Tait’s last few books in that everything feels rushed. This one was no different. For the romance, Beck and Macy only meet a few times and their attraction seemed to come out of nowhere. One minute they’re discussing the case the before you know it they’re overcome by their feelings and the timing was just off for me. As for the mystery aspect, that worked a bit better for me but still wasn’t great. I figured out the mystery almost straight away and thought the end of it was rushed and anticlimactic.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2022
3 stars
A bit disappointed in this one. Carsen Taite is one of my favorite authors. She has actual experience in the justice system so her legal stories are really interesting. Especially her court scenes. But this one focuses on police and reporters. A bit out of her norm.
First, I never warmed to the main character, Macy. ....Actually.....I didnt like her. Her goal was all that mattered...no matter whose life it shattered.
2nd. I knew who the serial killer was almost immediately. 10 years was mentioned way too much.
3rd, we never learn why this person was killing these girls and how did he get control of them. Asking where the dog park was....was not enough.
The romance was predictable but I didnt know why Beck was interested in Macy? Friends on a mission maybe but the romance was forced.
In addition, I choose the audiobook. The narration was just adequate. I suggest reading this one to do it justice.
I was given this ARC for an honest review.
A bit disappointed in this one. Carsen Taite is one of my favorite authors. She has actual experience in the justice system so her legal stories are really interesting. Especially her court scenes. But this one focuses on police and reporters. A bit out of her norm.
First, I never warmed to the main character, Macy. ....Actually.....I didnt like her. Her goal was all that mattered...no matter whose life it shattered.
2nd. I knew who the serial killer was almost immediately. 10 years was mentioned way too much.
3rd, we never learn why this person was killing these girls and how did he get control of them. Asking where the dog park was....was not enough.
The romance was predictable but I didnt know why Beck was interested in Macy? Friends on a mission maybe but the romance was forced.
In addition, I choose the audiobook. The narration was just adequate. I suggest reading this one to do it justice.
I was given this ARC for an honest review.
April 9, 2022
I have a soft spot for Carson Taite novels. She always delivers strong, badass females and this was no exception. I really liked both Macy and Beck as characters. Macy is a tad obsessed with finding her best friend's killer (although I feel as though this is completely justified) and Beck has just stood up for justice but has had to endure some serious ramifications. I really liked the way they meet, get to know each other and then pair up but I also liked them both as individuals too.
Unfortunately though, both storylines outside of the romance (Beck's work dilemma and Macy's search for her BF's killer) weren't concluded in a way that left me satisfied with the novel. It felt very rushed and there were quite a few loose ends to both storylines. I think this novel needed a bit more in the plot development to truly shine.
Regardless, I still enjoyed this novel and looking forward to reading Carsen Taite's next novel.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately though, both storylines outside of the romance (Beck's work dilemma and Macy's search for her BF's killer) weren't concluded in a way that left me satisfied with the novel. It felt very rushed and there were quite a few loose ends to both storylines. I think this novel needed a bit more in the plot development to truly shine.
Regardless, I still enjoyed this novel and looking forward to reading Carsen Taite's next novel.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2022
Macy Moran is an investigative journalist trying to solve a decade old mystery she has a personal interest in. Beck Ramsey is a Dallas Police Officer who has been reassigned to cold cases as punishment for turning in a dirty fellow officer. They both realize that they could each benefit from some cooperation and find that spending time together isn’t as bad as they thought.
I love Carsen Taite novels, they always have a fun law driven story but this is the first I’ve read that involved cops instead of lawyers. I enjoyed the change of scenery and as always her book was well written with a very entertaining plot. Both characters had me rooting for them and I was anxiously awaiting the answer to the serial killer mystery. My one gripe is that the reason for Beck’s punishment took up more of the book than the serial killer mystery. The initial hearing and Beck’s subsequent collective cold shoulder from the PD were important as part of the reason she ends up in cold cases but after she gets there the end felt a bit rushed. I would have liked a bit more team investigation on that end but overall the end was satisfying and I enjoyed reading this newest installment. Looking forward to her next release!
I love Carsen Taite novels, they always have a fun law driven story but this is the first I’ve read that involved cops instead of lawyers. I enjoyed the change of scenery and as always her book was well written with a very entertaining plot. Both characters had me rooting for them and I was anxiously awaiting the answer to the serial killer mystery. My one gripe is that the reason for Beck’s punishment took up more of the book than the serial killer mystery. The initial hearing and Beck’s subsequent collective cold shoulder from the PD were important as part of the reason she ends up in cold cases but after she gets there the end felt a bit rushed. I would have liked a bit more team investigation on that end but overall the end was satisfying and I enjoyed reading this newest installment. Looking forward to her next release!
February 8, 2022
I enjoy legal thrillers and Carsen Taite's experience working with the justice system brings credibility to her writing. Usually she writes about lawyers but this time it is a newspaper reporter and a police detective. Beck is a good cop but has broken the blue wall testifying against her partner in a bad shooting. She is promoted but relegated to cold cases. Macy is newspaper journalist who has a good reputation and awards to back her up. Her college roommate was killed ten years earlier and it has been her obsession to solve the case. When another body turns up Macy wonders if the serial killer is back and teams up with Beck to solve the case.
I like both the characters but while this book is good it isn't Carsen's best. The killer is easy to guess fairly early into the story. And there is very little build-up to a romance between Macy and Beck. My biggest issue is with the ending. It is rushed and doesn't answer a lot of the questions. Why did the women trust the killer enough to go off the pathways? Why no DNA evidence? Did he have a motivation for killing? Was Macy's roommate targeted or random? There was actually very little investigation done to solve the case.
For Taite fans and readers of legal thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I like both the characters but while this book is good it isn't Carsen's best. The killer is easy to guess fairly early into the story. And there is very little build-up to a romance between Macy and Beck. My biggest issue is with the ending. It is rushed and doesn't answer a lot of the questions. Why did the women trust the killer enough to go off the pathways? Why no DNA evidence? Did he have a motivation for killing? Was Macy's roommate targeted or random? There was actually very little investigation done to solve the case.
For Taite fans and readers of legal thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2022
One thing you can always count on from a Carsen Taite story is that the characters will always strive for the truth and the bad guys will get caught without too many red herrings. Her books are tightly plotted and paced. Perilous Obsession certainly fits into this model – it is a prime example of her work.
The characters are interesting and have complex backstories which contribute to understanding their actions. Beck Ramsey is a police officer who crossed the ‘blue line’ and refused to cover up her partner’s unlawful shooting of an unarmed man during a traffic stop. She couldn’t stop it and wondered if she should have seen it coming. She is paying the cost for telling the truth, but she never really considered not doing so. Reporter Macy Moran is “intense” – at least that’s what everyone tells her. She is particularly focused on the tenth-year anniversary of a serial killer's last murder. Her best friend was the victim, and she won’t quit hunting for the truth -- not even if everyone else has. She also thinks that a recent murder looks suspiciously like the killer is resurfacing. When the two of them meet, they are in positions to help each other and to try and solve the cold (or not so cold) case. Their attraction to one another is palpable, but they have differing agendas. Can they trust each other enough to have a relationship?
I usually enjoy Taite’s novels and this new offering is no exception. I liked it so much that it will be going onto my re-read list. if haven’t yet read Taite’s work, this is a good book to start. I highly recommend Perilous Obsession.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The characters are interesting and have complex backstories which contribute to understanding their actions. Beck Ramsey is a police officer who crossed the ‘blue line’ and refused to cover up her partner’s unlawful shooting of an unarmed man during a traffic stop. She couldn’t stop it and wondered if she should have seen it coming. She is paying the cost for telling the truth, but she never really considered not doing so. Reporter Macy Moran is “intense” – at least that’s what everyone tells her. She is particularly focused on the tenth-year anniversary of a serial killer's last murder. Her best friend was the victim, and she won’t quit hunting for the truth -- not even if everyone else has. She also thinks that a recent murder looks suspiciously like the killer is resurfacing. When the two of them meet, they are in positions to help each other and to try and solve the cold (or not so cold) case. Their attraction to one another is palpable, but they have differing agendas. Can they trust each other enough to have a relationship?
I usually enjoy Taite’s novels and this new offering is no exception. I liked it so much that it will be going onto my re-read list. if haven’t yet read Taite’s work, this is a good book to start. I highly recommend Perilous Obsession.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 31, 2022
Enjoyable enough read, but I wish the author would move away from romantic interests who are cops. That just doesn't work for me, no matter how much she tries to insist that this is a good -not racist- one. I usually love Carsen Taite's blend of crime and/or political thriller with romance, so I read it anyway. I wouldn't call it her best (even aside from the cop thing), but it was definitely not bad, and it was a very quick read.
February 4, 2022
Ms Taite has done it again creating a story that when I first started I couldn’t put back down.
Macy Moran is a reporter writing feature stories for the local paper. Now that the paper had new owners it became clear that she was now expected to write news, as in something that has just happened not having the time to flesh out a story that lasts for a few issues. Not exactly what she wanted mainly because she’s in the middle of writing a story about a serial killer who roamed the streets, well actually one of the parks that was close to the city center. One reason she’s so intent on covering this story was the fact that her best friend was the last young woman killed. For years she’s been compiling information hoping to uncover who the killer was. The police were too quick sending the files to the ‘cold cases squad’ meaning no one was looking for the murderer who took five lives.
Beck Ramsey loved being a cop. Her late mother was a beat cop when she’d been killed in the line of duty when Beck was in her early teens. Now her only family was her older brother, Liam who she has a close relationship with. Her partner was with Beck when they stopped a car and the young man was killed. Beck felt like she had no choice but to tell the truth, even if it meant her co-workers turned their backs because she’d told the truth. Her partner had killed the young man for no reason. Now she’s assigned to the ‘cold case squad’.
When Macy is asked to interview Beck the attraction was immediate. Beck working in the ‘cold case squad’ was just what Macy needed. Someone who could get her the info on the first murders from ten years ago.
Ms Taite writes stories that usually center around the law. Her characters are alway interesting and likable. The pacing is perfect. Very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books
Macy Moran is a reporter writing feature stories for the local paper. Now that the paper had new owners it became clear that she was now expected to write news, as in something that has just happened not having the time to flesh out a story that lasts for a few issues. Not exactly what she wanted mainly because she’s in the middle of writing a story about a serial killer who roamed the streets, well actually one of the parks that was close to the city center. One reason she’s so intent on covering this story was the fact that her best friend was the last young woman killed. For years she’s been compiling information hoping to uncover who the killer was. The police were too quick sending the files to the ‘cold cases squad’ meaning no one was looking for the murderer who took five lives.
Beck Ramsey loved being a cop. Her late mother was a beat cop when she’d been killed in the line of duty when Beck was in her early teens. Now her only family was her older brother, Liam who she has a close relationship with. Her partner was with Beck when they stopped a car and the young man was killed. Beck felt like she had no choice but to tell the truth, even if it meant her co-workers turned their backs because she’d told the truth. Her partner had killed the young man for no reason. Now she’s assigned to the ‘cold case squad’.
When Macy is asked to interview Beck the attraction was immediate. Beck working in the ‘cold case squad’ was just what Macy needed. Someone who could get her the info on the first murders from ten years ago.
Ms Taite writes stories that usually center around the law. Her characters are alway interesting and likable. The pacing is perfect. Very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books
March 3, 2022
3/5 stars
This was a very enjoyable mystery romance book. I was definitely more impressed by the mystery side, which is what truly kept me hooked on the story. I don't often read traditional crime novels, let alone one centering lgbt+ women, so I was very much engaged with the story. It wasn't necessarily a groundbreaking mystery, focusing on a mysterious serial killer that might be back in action, but it was definitely an intriguing story. And I was completely shocked by the reveal towards the end, which is definitely a good sign for a mystery. It made sense, and yet was unexpected enough to give me a thrill when I read it.
While I really did enjoy the mystery aspect of the book, the romance really let it down. Our two main characters didn't really have great chemistry, it felt more like they were just expected to get together. Their dialogue felt somewhat stilted when it should have been flirty, and I didn't really buy any emotional or romantic connection between them. For me, they made a good time when it came to trying to unravel the mystery, but that is where their relationship should have ended. This is a real bummer for me, as someone who is often in the story purely for the romance. In one aspect, this book allowed me to delve more into the mystery and crime aspect rather than the romance, but it would have felt more well-rounded if both these parts of the story were well-crafted.
This was a very enjoyable mystery romance book. I was definitely more impressed by the mystery side, which is what truly kept me hooked on the story. I don't often read traditional crime novels, let alone one centering lgbt+ women, so I was very much engaged with the story. It wasn't necessarily a groundbreaking mystery, focusing on a mysterious serial killer that might be back in action, but it was definitely an intriguing story. And I was completely shocked by the reveal towards the end, which is definitely a good sign for a mystery. It made sense, and yet was unexpected enough to give me a thrill when I read it.
While I really did enjoy the mystery aspect of the book, the romance really let it down. Our two main characters didn't really have great chemistry, it felt more like they were just expected to get together. Their dialogue felt somewhat stilted when it should have been flirty, and I didn't really buy any emotional or romantic connection between them. For me, they made a good time when it came to trying to unravel the mystery, but that is where their relationship should have ended. This is a real bummer for me, as someone who is often in the story purely for the romance. In one aspect, this book allowed me to delve more into the mystery and crime aspect rather than the romance, but it would have felt more well-rounded if both these parts of the story were well-crafted.
February 24, 2022
Macy Moran has been obsessed for the last ten years. Ever since the Parcs & Rec Killer (if I
don’t make the joke, I know someone else will) took her best friend as their last victim. Avoidant of authority (over herself, at least). She’s an extrovert, and quite skilled at influencing others around to her side. She seems flighty at times, easily distracted, but she has a strong will that keeps pulling her back to her purpose. When a new murder is discovered at one of the killer’s old trails, Macy gets a glimpse and recognises the signatures. The killer is back for their 10th anniversary tour.
Beck Ramsey is a good cop. An honest cop. But when she turns her partner in after he guns down a civilian, the force – her family – want nothing to do with her. Shiny new Detective badge in hand, she is busted down to the worst of the worst: cold cases, where careers go to die. We don’t get much feel for her right away, as even her narration has walls up, but when we do get through, it’s to a woman who is searching for a way to turn an awful event into something that has meaning. She’s a woman of stoicism, lonelier than she realises, but when she makes her mind up she sees it through – and she couldn’t stay quiet after seeing her partner shoot someone they should never have pulled over to begin with.
After a quick first meeting at the crime scene, where Beck quietly gives Macy a piece of information she wasn’t meant to have shred, Macy is asked by her paper editor to cover the initial court hearing about the shooting, where Beck is the star witness.
The book almost manages to make a statement here. The police sit on one side – all supporting their brother in blue despite his murder. On the other, behind Beck’s lawyer, sit civilians, many with Black Lives Matter and Defund the Police on clothing and signs. But the opportunity is missed, as our two protagonists eyes meet across the crowded courtroom.
It’s Chapter 5 when we actually find out the details of Macy’s case, right as I’m about to get annoyed (nice timing from Taite, there).
What follows is more plot than I’m going to give you, so just expect a lot of “but we cannot possibly have sex for we are professionals!”, and a reminder every of the plot every few lines. Which, to be fair, is mostly the only plot we see for much of the book.
Lost in the inevitability of the lesbians pretending they’re not going to lesbian, the plot spools slowly, but it needs to because there isn’t much of it. Until about 14 kindle-sized pages from the end, the perilous side of the obsession doesn’t show itself, and then it’s a sprint to the finish with the entirety of the plot showing up at once.
Chapters are fairly short, which keeps the text snappy. However, they are still often split into sections, between which the narrative voice moves, and this sometimes required a reread until I got the sudden switch sorted in my head, before diving back in.
Those issues aside, though, it’s well-written and Taite is clearly in her comfort zone here. I went in looking for a suspenseful crime novel with some lesbian romance, but if you go in looking instead for a lesbian romance book with some crime in it, you won’t be quite as thrown as I was.
Even so, the romance was meandering and frustrating. I feel like the romance and crime plots could have been much more woven together for a more satisfactory story, but my personal preference rules on that one.
I’ll say for the romance, though, that it’s just really nice to read two lesbians flirting, having sex, then acting like normal people the next day. No awkwardness or shyness. They’re open about what’s happened, what it means, and that they enjoyed it. Adult lesbians being adult lesbians is thing I could definitely stand to read more of!
And all of my issues with the plot aside, it was nice to get in my head after finishing, and having a nice amble back to pick up the clues I missed. I’m not a great one for solving as I read, so a book that lets me do that is always a bonus. Plus, Taite is kind enough to give the reader some moments that are, in retrospect, very creepy!
I think Taite has herself a good niche, here, with her stories. Open enough for others to join, with enough readership that the space isn’t floode (actually, let’s face it, the space is flooded with readers desperately seeking good lesbian stories). I enjoyed Perilous Obsession, and if you’ve a penchant for crime and lesbians, I’d say definitely give it a shot.
don’t make the joke, I know someone else will) took her best friend as their last victim. Avoidant of authority (over herself, at least). She’s an extrovert, and quite skilled at influencing others around to her side. She seems flighty at times, easily distracted, but she has a strong will that keeps pulling her back to her purpose. When a new murder is discovered at one of the killer’s old trails, Macy gets a glimpse and recognises the signatures. The killer is back for their 10th anniversary tour.
Beck Ramsey is a good cop. An honest cop. But when she turns her partner in after he guns down a civilian, the force – her family – want nothing to do with her. Shiny new Detective badge in hand, she is busted down to the worst of the worst: cold cases, where careers go to die. We don’t get much feel for her right away, as even her narration has walls up, but when we do get through, it’s to a woman who is searching for a way to turn an awful event into something that has meaning. She’s a woman of stoicism, lonelier than she realises, but when she makes her mind up she sees it through – and she couldn’t stay quiet after seeing her partner shoot someone they should never have pulled over to begin with.
After a quick first meeting at the crime scene, where Beck quietly gives Macy a piece of information she wasn’t meant to have shred, Macy is asked by her paper editor to cover the initial court hearing about the shooting, where Beck is the star witness.
The book almost manages to make a statement here. The police sit on one side – all supporting their brother in blue despite his murder. On the other, behind Beck’s lawyer, sit civilians, many with Black Lives Matter and Defund the Police on clothing and signs. But the opportunity is missed, as our two protagonists eyes meet across the crowded courtroom.
It’s Chapter 5 when we actually find out the details of Macy’s case, right as I’m about to get annoyed (nice timing from Taite, there).
What follows is more plot than I’m going to give you, so just expect a lot of “but we cannot possibly have sex for we are professionals!”, and a reminder every of the plot every few lines. Which, to be fair, is mostly the only plot we see for much of the book.
Lost in the inevitability of the lesbians pretending they’re not going to lesbian, the plot spools slowly, but it needs to because there isn’t much of it. Until about 14 kindle-sized pages from the end, the perilous side of the obsession doesn’t show itself, and then it’s a sprint to the finish with the entirety of the plot showing up at once.
Chapters are fairly short, which keeps the text snappy. However, they are still often split into sections, between which the narrative voice moves, and this sometimes required a reread until I got the sudden switch sorted in my head, before diving back in.
Those issues aside, though, it’s well-written and Taite is clearly in her comfort zone here. I went in looking for a suspenseful crime novel with some lesbian romance, but if you go in looking instead for a lesbian romance book with some crime in it, you won’t be quite as thrown as I was.
Even so, the romance was meandering and frustrating. I feel like the romance and crime plots could have been much more woven together for a more satisfactory story, but my personal preference rules on that one.
I’ll say for the romance, though, that it’s just really nice to read two lesbians flirting, having sex, then acting like normal people the next day. No awkwardness or shyness. They’re open about what’s happened, what it means, and that they enjoyed it. Adult lesbians being adult lesbians is thing I could definitely stand to read more of!
And all of my issues with the plot aside, it was nice to get in my head after finishing, and having a nice amble back to pick up the clues I missed. I’m not a great one for solving as I read, so a book that lets me do that is always a bonus. Plus, Taite is kind enough to give the reader some moments that are, in retrospect, very creepy!
I think Taite has herself a good niche, here, with her stories. Open enough for others to join, with enough readership that the space isn’t floode (actually, let’s face it, the space is flooded with readers desperately seeking good lesbian stories). I enjoyed Perilous Obsession, and if you’ve a penchant for crime and lesbians, I’d say definitely give it a shot.
July 3, 2022
Usually, Taite writes terrific romance novels based in Dallas and featuring at least one lawyer – it’s what you expect her to write. However, in this book, she stepped away from lawyers, and instead her main characters are an investigative journalist, Macy Maron, and a disgraced cop, Beck Ramsey. While her legions of fans may not be happy with the change of venue, Taite has, nevertheless, written a tension-filled novel about a journalist’s determination to find the serial-killer of her best friend ten years before this book opens. The disgraced cop turned on her partner when he murdered an unarmed driver in front of her. Her brothers/sisters in blue have turned their backs to her, and she is relegated to the cold case desk working for a curmudgeonly sergeant who has no interested in investigating any of the many cold cases under her care.
I hadn’t read any of the blurbs about this book because if Taite has written a book I will read it. She had me hooked from the start of this book to its end. She was able to establish a fair amount of tension from page one and kept ratcheting it up as the cop joins her in her search for the killer. When the two women become romantically involved, each needs to trust the other to get what she wants and needs. The journalist doesn’t share the name of the person, she thinks is the killer with her cop but does share it with a precinct captain, the cop is suspended from duty for sharing classified information. The cop then uses herself as bait for the killer but is very surprised when both the killer and the journalist show up at very nearly the same moment – one to kill the cop, the other to save her.
If you like suspense/thrillers with a bit of romance thrown into the mix, this is the book for you. However, if you’re looking for one of Taite’s usual legal stories, this is not the book you want to read nor is it a book you want to pick up if you’re looking for one of Taite’s signature romance novels. There is romance here, but it is not the focus of the book.
My thanks to Bold Strokes Books for an eARC.
I hadn’t read any of the blurbs about this book because if Taite has written a book I will read it. She had me hooked from the start of this book to its end. She was able to establish a fair amount of tension from page one and kept ratcheting it up as the cop joins her in her search for the killer. When the two women become romantically involved, each needs to trust the other to get what she wants and needs. The journalist doesn’t share the name of the person, she thinks is the killer with her cop but does share it with a precinct captain, the cop is suspended from duty for sharing classified information. The cop then uses herself as bait for the killer but is very surprised when both the killer and the journalist show up at very nearly the same moment – one to kill the cop, the other to save her.
If you like suspense/thrillers with a bit of romance thrown into the mix, this is the book for you. However, if you’re looking for one of Taite’s usual legal stories, this is not the book you want to read nor is it a book you want to pick up if you’re looking for one of Taite’s signature romance novels. There is romance here, but it is not the focus of the book.
My thanks to Bold Strokes Books for an eARC.
May 20, 2022
Wow, I shouldn't have waited so long to read a mystery by Carsen Taite. I don't really have a good reason why I haven't before now but at least there's a large back catalogue that I can dive into, right?
I love the premise of Perilous Obsession: honorable cop shunned because she told the truth about her partner murdering an unarmed citizen connects - in more ways than one - with a reporter who is obsessed with finding the serial killer who took her college best friend's life and got away. I do enjoy crime stories with a little love added to brighten up the darkness. This book struck a great balance between the murders and relationship building.
One thing I definitely liked was the author's voice and writing. I know this sounds strange but I've been DNFing books left and right over the past week or two because of one reason or another having to do with storytelling, tone, believability, or some other writing issue. But I was drawn in immediately to Perilous Obsession and was a little disappointed every time I had to take my headphones off (I used a text-to-speech reader) to take a meeting or some other task that prevented me from paying attention. And I didn't figure out who the killer was until 80% in which is lovely! I had no clue and then it hit me.
This is a solid 4.5 stars for me but I'm rounding up.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
I love the premise of Perilous Obsession: honorable cop shunned because she told the truth about her partner murdering an unarmed citizen connects - in more ways than one - with a reporter who is obsessed with finding the serial killer who took her college best friend's life and got away. I do enjoy crime stories with a little love added to brighten up the darkness. This book struck a great balance between the murders and relationship building.
One thing I definitely liked was the author's voice and writing. I know this sounds strange but I've been DNFing books left and right over the past week or two because of one reason or another having to do with storytelling, tone, believability, or some other writing issue. But I was drawn in immediately to Perilous Obsession and was a little disappointed every time I had to take my headphones off (I used a text-to-speech reader) to take a meeting or some other task that prevented me from paying attention. And I didn't figure out who the killer was until 80% in which is lovely! I had no clue and then it hit me.
This is a solid 4.5 stars for me but I'm rounding up.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
February 4, 2022
Carsen Taite is an author I automatically read because I enjoy her books. This is her usual standard. Well written, great characters, credible pain, tight plotting, and a flowing narrative. But it isn’t a five star book for me because of the ending being a bit rushed and I felt dissatisfied with the outcome.
Beck is a cop who speaks the truth when her partner kills an unarmed subject. But the boys in blue don’t want her to tell the truth so she is ostracised and put in a basement to help digitise cold case files.
Macy is a journalist - a proper journalist in a world of clickbait and short attention spans. She wants to write about a serial killer who was never caught and may be killing again. She approaches Beck and they form an unlikely and initially uncomfortable partnership.
It’s a trope in lesfic that the wounded souls heal each other while finding love and you need to make it all happen in a couple of hundred pages. Beck and Macy make a credible couple and the beginning of their relationship is captured well. It stumbles and I did lose some commitment to the story at 80% but this is a good read and I will continue with Ms Taite’s stories as she certainly knows her way round the legal system.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley
Beck is a cop who speaks the truth when her partner kills an unarmed subject. But the boys in blue don’t want her to tell the truth so she is ostracised and put in a basement to help digitise cold case files.
Macy is a journalist - a proper journalist in a world of clickbait and short attention spans. She wants to write about a serial killer who was never caught and may be killing again. She approaches Beck and they form an unlikely and initially uncomfortable partnership.
It’s a trope in lesfic that the wounded souls heal each other while finding love and you need to make it all happen in a couple of hundred pages. Beck and Macy make a credible couple and the beginning of their relationship is captured well. It stumbles and I did lose some commitment to the story at 80% but this is a good read and I will continue with Ms Taite’s stories as she certainly knows her way round the legal system.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley
February 9, 2022
We're about to meet Macy Moran a reporting who is currently working on a cold case involving a serial killer. She trying to dig up more information.
Beck Ramsey is a police officer who is about to testify against her partner who shot an unarmed suspect.
These two will have a brief run in at a crime scene and soon Macy will be seeking Beck's help with her report. Beck has learned she passed her detective exam but she has been assigned to the cold case division, the division they send detectives they need to move out of the way.
They'll work together which is about to get Beck in even more trouble. There are more questions then answers as they dive into the case reports.
Along the way they'll start to develop feelings for each other as well.
I did enjoy this book as I fan of Carsen Taite's writing but this did not have the usual suspense and intrigue I've come to look forward to from her. I never got that feeling of chemistry between Macy and Beck she usually can draw out.
Thank you #NetGalley, #Boldstrokesbooks and #PerilousObsession for this ARC.
Beck Ramsey is a police officer who is about to testify against her partner who shot an unarmed suspect.
These two will have a brief run in at a crime scene and soon Macy will be seeking Beck's help with her report. Beck has learned she passed her detective exam but she has been assigned to the cold case division, the division they send detectives they need to move out of the way.
They'll work together which is about to get Beck in even more trouble. There are more questions then answers as they dive into the case reports.
Along the way they'll start to develop feelings for each other as well.
I did enjoy this book as I fan of Carsen Taite's writing but this did not have the usual suspense and intrigue I've come to look forward to from her. I never got that feeling of chemistry between Macy and Beck she usually can draw out.
Thank you #NetGalley, #Boldstrokesbooks and #PerilousObsession for this ARC.
August 24, 2022
When Becks blows the whistle on a fellow cop, she gets dumped on the cold case desk, essentially relegated to doing data entry. Macy, a journalist, blows into her life, determined to find out what happened when her friend was murdered years ago and convinces Becks to open up the cold case. The two women work together, thanks to Macy's persistence, getting closer and closer to solving the case, and becoming closer to giving into their attraction day by day.
This has been one of my favourite books in a while from Carsen Taite. I do enjoy the friendship heavy trilogies, but DAMN when you get back into the nitty gritty of cases such as the cold case in this book its on a whole other level. The tension in the romance of this book was so good. I thought Macy was a brilliant character and Becks was another side of detective work I've never seen in a book. I did feel the ending came a little rushing at the end, but I enjoyed the majority of the book so much that it is one I will likely re-read.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This has been one of my favourite books in a while from Carsen Taite. I do enjoy the friendship heavy trilogies, but DAMN when you get back into the nitty gritty of cases such as the cold case in this book its on a whole other level. The tension in the romance of this book was so good. I thought Macy was a brilliant character and Becks was another side of detective work I've never seen in a book. I did feel the ending came a little rushing at the end, but I enjoyed the majority of the book so much that it is one I will likely re-read.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2022
3 stars. This book is about Detective Beck Ramsey who is a whistleblower on her partner who shot an unarmed man. She is sent to the cold case unit, where she is supposed to just be scanning documents and keeping busy. A lot of her fellow officers do not want to work with a whistleblower. She meets journalist Macy Moran, who is obsessed with a cold case about a serial killer. This serial killer killed her best friend and Macy wants to solve this case and avenge her friend. She teams up with Beck, when she convinces her that Beck is better than just sitting at a desk.
I enjoyed this book. It had an average mystery to it, which is why I only gave it three stars. I also did not like there was not enough build up to the relationship. I felt like they did not have that many interactions overall in the novel. The story, overall was not bad, but it was not my favorite novel, but it was not a bad novel.
I enjoyed this book. It had an average mystery to it, which is why I only gave it three stars. I also did not like there was not enough build up to the relationship. I felt like they did not have that many interactions overall in the novel. The story, overall was not bad, but it was not my favorite novel, but it was not a bad novel.
February 24, 2022
This was a read about job security and passion. Beck Ramsey, police officer/detective, looking forward to a career doing good work serving in law enforcement. In the meantime, she is embattled in a situation where she is an outcast because she blew the whistle on a fellow police officer. Macy Moran, journalist, focused on finding a serial killer. Neither Beck nor Macy are looking for a relationship. What both women are looking for is justice while solving a decade old case. I enjoyed the interaction between Beck and Macy. There passion for what they do is admirable. I especially appreciated how they listened to each other for the most part, and worked together to solve the crime. I also really liked the house that Macy lived in. I wanted to hear more about it. I like old houses especially when they have a story to tell.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
March 4, 2022
Carsen Taite is a must-read author for me. Her law stories are unparalleled, and I always appreciate when she steps outside the safe zone. I can usually read her books in four hours, which means a lot of single-sitting reading. Perilous Obsession kept me reading, but it's not one of my favorites. I wasn't totally sold on the chemistry, and I thought the ending was rushed. I still recommend it for the multitudes of Carsen Taite fans.
February 12, 2022
I did not really get any closure with this.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lula Larkin. She was great. Carsen Taite can generally be counted on for a decent mystery and with that, one generally gets an understanding of motive, gets closure, along with a pretty hot romance. The romance was good, the mystery... A solid meh.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lula Larkin. She was great. Carsen Taite can generally be counted on for a decent mystery and with that, one generally gets an understanding of motive, gets closure, along with a pretty hot romance. The romance was good, the mystery... A solid meh.
February 23, 2022
A cop being ostracised for turning her partner in and a well meaning, earnest journalist obsessively chasing a story are both standard storylines, but this book cleverly weaves their romance alongside a smart and engaging whodunnit. The writing seems effortless as the author leads you along comfortably holding your hand down familiar pathways, and then bam major plot twist. So smart and subtle.
February 5, 2022
3.25
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2022
Carsen Taite is one of my favorite authors. Because of her background in law, many of her books are mysteries and thrillers with a focus on the legal system. In this book readers will get the inside view of what happens when a police officer is a “whistle blower” on another officer.
Detective Beck Ramsey has reported to her superiors that one of her officers has committed a crime. As a result, she is being shunned by her fellow officers and is transferred to a desk job covering cold cases until the internal investigation is completed.
The other main character is Marcy Morgan, a journalist. She has a reputation of being a thorough and aggressive reporter when digging into a story. One such mystery was the murder of her best friend.
When Marcy meets Beck, she convinces her to reopen the murder case. Through their investigation and time together, they become attracted to each other.
Ms. Taite presents readers with a very interesting story. I found the pace of the book to be good and the buildup of the intrigue while solving this horrendous murder case was captivating. Although I felt that the ending seemed rushed, the characters were fascinating and well developed.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it as a good mystery.
I received this ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Beck Ramsey has reported to her superiors that one of her officers has committed a crime. As a result, she is being shunned by her fellow officers and is transferred to a desk job covering cold cases until the internal investigation is completed.
The other main character is Marcy Morgan, a journalist. She has a reputation of being a thorough and aggressive reporter when digging into a story. One such mystery was the murder of her best friend.
When Marcy meets Beck, she convinces her to reopen the murder case. Through their investigation and time together, they become attracted to each other.
Ms. Taite presents readers with a very interesting story. I found the pace of the book to be good and the buildup of the intrigue while solving this horrendous murder case was captivating. Although I felt that the ending seemed rushed, the characters were fascinating and well developed.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it as a good mystery.
I received this ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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