Want You Dead

Detective Somerset #2

by Steve Frech

The back yard is full of balloons and streamers, and a piñata hangs from a tree branch, circling lazily in the breeze. But beneath the table of party food, a body lies half-covered by a brightly coloured tablecloth, blood seeping onto the floor…

A child’s birthday party ends in chaos when one of the parents is found brutally beaten to death. With no way for anyone to leave unnoticed, it’s clear the killer must be another guest, but with twenty high-spirited children as a distraction, anyone might have had the opportunity to slip away from the rest of the party.

Detective Meredith Somerset soon discovers the victim had no shortage of enemies, and everyone has a potential motive. Fractured marriages, jealousy and betrayals all come to light but Meredith can’t seem to cut through the lies and find the truth.

When another party-goer disappears Meredith knows the clock is ticking before the killer strikes again. But when everyone has a motive, how can she be sure who was the one who struck the fatal blow? Who is innocent—and who is out for blood?

A gripping thriller you won’t be able to put down, this is perfect for fans of Robert Dugoni, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh.

Genres: Thriller

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2022

About the author

Steve Frech lives in Los Angeles. His best-selling thrillers, DARK HOLLOWS, NIGHTINGALE HOUSE, and DEADLY GAMES, are available in all e-book formats and paperback from HQ Stories & Harper Collins.

SECRETS TO THE GRAVE (Book 1 in the Detective Meredith Somerset series) is now available.

In addition to writing, he is the co-creator of 'Sports? with Jessimae Peluso' for Comedy Central.

He is phenomenal at bar trivia, enjoys cooking, and is a frustrated Chicago Bears fan.

Reviews

[Auđur · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,8*

[Carrie Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒉."

How often do you message one of your favorite authors on Instagram to say you hate them? I did exactly that after reading the first book in the series, falling in love with Detective Meredith Somerset, only to be slapped in the face with the Queen Mother of Holy Cliffhangers! I carried a grudge for awhile, but all was well when I got the second installment in my hands.

The story opens with the gruesome juxtaposition of a child's backyard birthday party ending with one of the attendees dead, his head smashed in with a bat. Whoever killed the victim had some deep, personal rage as he was hit from behind and then turned over and hit again, nearly obliterating his facial features.

I loved that this book revealed more about Meredith and her partner Tyler, both of whom are struggling with personal demons. Tyler is a recovering addict, and Meredith is still trying to make peace with her sister's disappearance so many years ago. But her sister keeps appearing to her, and her presence, coupled with the souvenir and note Meredith was given at the end of book one, lead Meredith to believe the unthinkable--her sister is still alive, and whoever took her all those years ago is taunting Meredith. As the ending was drawing near, I began to feel that the author was going to do me dirty once more, and even though I was expecting it, I wasn't prepared for the absolute bomb that he dropped at the end. Just another year or so to wait for closure; it's totally fine, Steve!

WANT YOU DEAD releases this summer, June 15, 2022. Be sure to pick up book one, SECRETS TO THE GRAVE! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my early copy!

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want You Dead is Steve Frech's second novel to feature Detective Meredith Somerset of Cobb County, Georgia Police Department. When a child's birthday party becomes a murder scene, Meredith Somerset and Tyler Foles are on the case. The victim is one of the parents of a child invited to the party, beaten and covered with a blue paper tablecloth. Told from various points of view, the detectives' personal lives are a sizable part of the story, alongside the investigation. The investigative voice, whether from Meredith or Tyler, is strong throughout and additional voices are used to good effect allowing the reader to speculate whilst also providing intrigue. A series I intend to stick with, I'll be watching for book three.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ Digital via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Anja Henriksen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
I have loved all Steve Frech stories so far, but this one failed to deliver imo unfortunately.
The begining was very promising, but quickly endnu up so slow progressing it became boring after some time, and though the plot it self was interesting enough, the unraveling was so slow and with so little information, I ended up not caring how things was connected.
The characters weren't interesting beside detective Tyler and Sommersets daughter who sadly don't weight heavy in the story.
The side-mystery about Sommerset's disappeared sister is far more interesting, but developes only with tiny progress. I do hope that case will be blown open and used as the primary plot for the next Detective Sommerset book.

I did get invested in the story at last, but no story is supposed to be engaged only 75% into it.

Nonetheless I will undoubtedly give the next a chance :)

[ForTheThrillofBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brutally beaten body is discovered at a children’s birthday party? Glad I didn’t get an invite 🤣. Want You Dead is the second book in the Detective Somerset series and was worth the wait! When Meredith and Tyler are called to the scene, they are faced with a list of suspects who all had a motive and plenty to hide.

I have read everything by this author and he never disappoints. This was another great detective/mystery/whodunnit with interesting characters and plot. As always, the writing and pacing is on point and I can’t wait for the next book. You could read this one as a stand alone but there is history and a side story with Meredith which continues on so definitely worth it to start at the beginning. FYI, both books end on a cliff hanger so be prepared.

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and is a great read.
With a body is discovered badly beaten, at a child's birthday party the book gets off to a gripping start.
The body is found after a magician entertains the children and as a number of people left the magician's performance leading up to the discovery of the body, questions need to be asked.
Detectives Somerset and Foles work their way through the people and it's clear more than one of them is hiding something, but are they the killer?
This is a fast paced crime thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Marguerite Dumesnil · Rating 4 out of 5]

j’espère qu’une troisième aventure du détective somerset sortira bientôt

[Beccabeccabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a particularly normal Sunday afternoon, a child with cancer is celebrating his belated birthday with a party. Co-workers of his mother are invited, alongside their partners and children.

Everything is going seemingly to plan. Whilst the adults mingle, a magician performs his tricks for the kids. As soon as the act is over, the party's host leads the guests to the backyard for presents and cake. Instead, the body of one of guests is discovered brutally murdered, underneath the table loaded with treats.

This victim wasn't just a fellow co-worker. James Hammond was the boss of Cashflo, and someone wanted him dead.

With every suspect having something to hide, Dectives Meredith Somerset and Tyler Foles have some sleepless nights ahead. Trouble is, it won't be just this disturbing case that will keep them awake...

Meredith and Tyler have become one of my favourite crime fighting duos and this one provided even more insight into their already troubled lives. It's yet another sensational and suspenseful outing for these two, however it's absolutely not fair that Steve signed off with yet ANOTHER mind-blowing cliffhanger! Please be busy typing away, because I NEED to know what happens next!!

4.75 🌟

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Hannah Sutherland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and HQ Digital for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This is the second Detective Meredith Somerset novel; however, I don’t think you necessarily have to read the first one to understand this one! We follow a murder investigation that happened at a birthday party where the suspect was found dead underneath the tablecloth used for the party. As the story goes along, we find that many people at the party had motive to want James dead, and as there were many kids running around, there was the perfect distractions to keep people’s attention occupied.
*
This was my first Steve French novel and I’m excited to read more! The beginning started out grabbing the readers attention and ended on such a suspenseful note! I love books where all the guests are suspects and each of them have a motive to want the person dead. I do have to say that the middle of the book was pretty slow for me at times because I felt like there was just a repeat of information, but I feel like the ending picked up enough for me that I’m still wanting to pick up the next book in this series to see where it goes! I loved all the characters in the books and how they each have their own flaws and are working through them. I think the side story of Detective Somerset and her missing sister adds so much suspense as well and keeps me wanting more!

This review will be posted to my Instagram blog (read_betweenthecovers) in the near future!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the copy Of Want You Dead. I love Steve Frech books, but for some reason this one wasn’t great for me. The writing was great and the characters were interesting, but the story just didn't grab me until the end. It was still a great book, but I loved his other books so much I probably expected too much. Don’t let that deter you though, I still recommend this one! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[Jacklyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child's birthday party, filled with a bouncy house, a magician, and a murder...
Detective Meredith Somerset is back and called to investigate another homicide. When she arrives on the scene to find a body lying between the table of party food and the piñata, with a blood-soaked table cloth thrown over, she tries to wrap her head around what could have possibly happened. In a party full of 20 energized children, anyone could have slipped away to commit this brutal crime. The party is full of people with a motive and the victim wasn't lacking in enemies. Fractured marriages, jealousy, betrayals, and lies are every Meredith turns. Can she piece together what happened this fateful day while navigating an unsolved mystery of her own resurfacing?
Another great read by Steve Frech! After reading the first book, Secrets to the Grave, I counted down the days for the release of this next installment to the series. I am so pleased and not at all shocked to say that I was not disappointed in the slightest. I could barely put this book down; I needed to know what was going to happen next. There were so many twists and turns with an ending that left me begging for more. I can't wait for the next installment in this series to come. I know it hasn't been announced but there just has to be one! I highly recommend this thrilling detective series to all fans of thrillers; You won't be disappointed!
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever gone to a work party you didn’t want to be at? What if it was party for one of your work colleague’s children? Want You Dead begins with the shocking murder of a start-up executive in the backyard of a colleague’s home while the attendees of a child’s party watched a magic show in the front yard. Steve Frech fans will remember Detective Meredith Somerset and her partner Tyler from his last book Secrets to the Grave. As they begin their investigation, the evidence leads them down a twisty road of lies, deception, and vengeance that left me hoping I never end up with work colleagues like this!

One of the very best parts of Frech’s books are the characters. They are perfectly flawed and each fighting their own demons. I love the bond that has developed between the two partners and how the characters in the background have grown as well to help set the scenes so perfectly. The characters are diverse and represent the best and sometimes worst in all of us, including what can happen when people are mistreated and pushed too far. This was an interesting investigation, but the real story is in what’s happening behind the scenes and that really kept me turning the pages. I am 100% invested in these characters and cannot wait to see how the next part of their story unfolds.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A digital ARC of this book was provided to me by NetGalley, HQ and HQ Digital. The opinions are my own and freely given.

A body is discovered, badly beaten at a child's birthday. Most in attendance are co-workers of the mother's at CashFlo. A number of people left the magician's performance leading up to the discovery of the body and detectives Somerset and Foles are looking at these people as suspects, trying to learn the moments leading up to the victims last moments.
Detective Meredith Somerset is still obsessed with her sister's disappearance. She spends every night in her spare bedroom going over all the evidence, interviews and statements that she has collected in hopes of finding out what happened to her sister. In the meantime, Meredith and Tyler and trying to find out what happened to James Hammond. It appears that everyone they talk to has a motive, they were all at the party and weapon was within reach. No one is telling the truth which takes the detectives in circles throughout their investigation. Between questionable actions behind the badge, and the fight with the suspected killer, this was a pretty heart-pounding story.
It was a fast-paced book and easy to read. I can't stop thinking about the ending and of course it is making me wait oh so impatiently for the next book!! Thank you NetGalley, HQ, HQ Digital and Steve Frech.

[Martha K Countess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

Couldn't put it down and there was a cliffhanger at the end. Can t wait to read the next book.

[Wayward Readers Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone. Steve Frech weaves murder mystery into a deeply character-driven detective procedural. The writing relies heavily on the reader's ability to relate to the struggle the two main characters face in their personal lives and the relationship dynamic they have with one another. The slow-burn murder-mystery has several plot twists but not enough for any shock and awe moments, Overall, an okay read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #WantYouDead which was read & reviewed voluntarily.

[Tina Varga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this one 4.5 stars! I loved the flow and I am already attached to Detective Meredith Somerset, we need closure for her as well as we the readers, please tell me you have a 3rd book with her and the fam??!??

[Mallory Kapsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another mystery that never had me bored. The pov’s in these books keeps things so interesting I love it

[Rachel Prevost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une très belle suite à son premier, j’attends avec impatience le 3ème.

[Nicola Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to get back to Meredith & Tyler, and this had me hooked from the start. I don’t think I’ve read a story where the murder scene is a kid’s birthday party, so this was an interesting start! There were plenty of secrets, and horrible people being horrible, which made it an entertaining read. I enjoyed the slow build up to the conclusion & loved how it ended. It was also interesting to see the continuation of Meredith’s obsession with her sister’s disappearance and how this impacts her life, both personal & professional. I’m hoping that there is more in this series because I want to know if Meredith solves this personal case.

Thanks to HQ & NetGalleyfor the DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Having read the first book in this new series featuring Meredith and her partner Tyler I couldn't wait to catch up with them again.

They are called to the scene of a grizzly murder at a child's birthday party and the list of suspects keeps growing as stranger things keep happening.

Meredith is still obsessed with finding who abducted her sister Alice and towards the end she discovers a clue.

I can't wait to read more about Meredith and find out if she ever discovers what happened to Alice.

[Ashley Summerfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a killer party...

When a child's birthday party becomes a murder scene, Meredith Somerset is on the case. The victim is one of the many parents who attended the party, beaten to a pulp and haphazardly covered with a tablecloth. With 20 children and all of their parents in attendance, Meredith tries to whittle the guest list down into a manageable suspect list. The only problem is that many of the partygoers have a motive for murder, and the victim isn't exactly anyone's BFF. The clock is ticking, especially when another guest from the party disappears. As secrets and lies unravel and the case spirals out of control, will Meredith crack the case before the murderer kills again?
I loved this long-awaited sequel to Secrets to the Grave! I loved the gruesome description of the crime scene and the body. I had a suspect list and some theories but I was very surprised at how the story played out! I enjoyed the audiobook while also reading the eARC. The narrator was amazing at pulling me into an already engaging and thrilling novel. Steve Frech continues to amaze me with his thrillers, and Want You Dead was an incredible sequel. I swear his books just get better and better! I can't wait to read more of the Detective Somerset series. Definitely check this series out if you are looking for an edge-of-your-seat experience!

[zakirah]

I didn't realize until just now that this book is the second in a series about Detective Somerset. It works flawlessly as an independent novel, though I am now excited to get into the first one and learn more about the backgrounds of Tyler and Meredith.
The writing of this novel is wonderfully smooth and seemingly effortless in its charm and it keeps readers engaged for the entirety of the story. I particularly liked how there was a second plot to it (which I now understand is the plot that ties all the books in this series together) because that usually makes mystery novels more intriguing.
The characters are well developed and feel entirely real in their flaws and complexities. The character of Tyler in particular is definitely who I enjoyed the most and I think his dynamic with the other characters was refreshing and enjoyable.
The reveal at the end was well-established and left me feeling satisfied and nodding my head. I also like how it didn't wrap up everything in regards to the subplot of Meredith's sister because it leaves room for so much more. I can't wait to read not only the first book but also any of the forthcoming books in this series.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It sarted a little slow and I had to reconnect again to Meredith & Tyler as it has been a little bit long from the last book but OMG as soon as it picked up speed it was really great!

The Murder case I actually couldn't care less as the people involved were NOT AT ALL lovable.. but the story about Merediths Family, Tylers, her sister? Really great! I really really want to know how it will continue especially after THAT spoiler!

PS: it only took me this long to read as I had to parallel read another one I had to review... :)

[barbara j · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!! I am always on the lookout for a good detective mystery and Want You Dead did not disappoint. The author did an excellent job with the character development and interactions of Detectives Meredith Sommerset and Detective Tyler Foyles. Starting with a murder that takes place at a child’s birthday party we are introduced to a fast paced story of greed, deception and intrigue. Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Diane Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want book 3 for this series

Amazing! Such police gripper.
The characters are so well drawn.
Each has so much to work thru.
No way I can stop now. The author has left us hanging on too many important issues for the Detectives both personal and personal plus mystery.
Must complete the story.
Characters too important to leave us hanging.

[Chris Eick · Rating 5 out of 5]

loving this detective series

I think the complex characters of Tyler and Meredith keep me coming back for more. I love that they are not perfect. The author does a great job making you understand the characters and their relationships, without unnecessary repeat. I read 1 and 2 and eagerly await 3.

[Lisa Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Frech is an amazing writer! From the first chapter to the last he always has me captivated wanting more. I love how his writing is a mystery inside a mystery. The end of the book blew my mind and I can't wait for the next! If you have not read this book I suggest you start the series!

[Susan Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish you could write a review without rating. Reader ratings are what sell books. I enjoyed this book. I like the way this author writes. It really didn't keep me wondering what was going to happen because the underlying story is so powerful you want that story.

[Charlene Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is fleeting

The beginning background is just too crazy. I'm not telling you because that's where this storyline starts and its non stop psycho action. I just love Somerset and Tyler as a team and hope future books have them written into storyline