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Sydney Rye Mysteries #6
Inviting Fire
Hatred and desire haunted my dreams.
I woke up tangled in my sheets, Blue standing next to the bed, his eyes glowing green in the darkroom. He whined at me gently. "I'm okay," I told him. He pushed his nose against the mosquito net and whined again. "You don't think so?" I asked with a small laugh.
He circled around to the net's opening. I sat up and reached through, petting his head to reassure him. Blue was a giant of a dog with one brown eye and one blue. When I adopted him he was tall, the height of a Great Dane, but thin. Still a puppy really. The pound in Bushwick, Brooklyn thought he was about a year old at the time.
Over four years later, Blue looked very different. His coat, which had been ratty when I brought him home to my apartment in Park Slope, now shone in the soft light of my bedroom. He had the markings of a wolf. Black and white and beige all sharing space on his large form. His snout was long and made me think there was some collie in his ancestry. Blue's chest was broad and strong. The pink scars that marked the entrance and exit wounds from a bullet he took for me were hidden beneath his long coat.
My scars from that battle were more obvious. One ran under my left eye. White and pink, it arched across the top of my cheekbone, puckering the skin. Above that eye another scar, fainter than the first, ran across my forehead, slicing through my eyebrow and disappearing into my hair.
I wore my bangs long, covering the top scar. They almost reached to my gray eyes, but I made sure they never got in the way. My hair was dyed black and cut short, barely reaching my chin. The heat here was too much to bother with long locks.
I looked out the glass doors of my balcony and into the jungle. The sky was still dark, the foliage a pitch black mass. I heard the guttural roar of the howler monkeys and knew the sun would be here soon. Blue's nails clicked against the tile floor as he walked to the door.
Blue stared at me, then looked at the door, then to me again. "I get it," I said. "You want to go for a run." He lowered his front end, waving his tail around in the air and let out a low warble. Some things would never change.
Throwing off the sheet, I climbed through the opening of my mosquito net. The tiles were cool against my bare feet. I dressed quickly, Blue following me around the room, encouraging me by tapping his nose against my hip.
Sneakers tied, headlamp in place and phone in hand, I opened my bedroom door. The villa was dark. My house-mate, Cynthia Dawlings, was still in bed. The sky outside the glass was just turning a milky gray. As I closed the door behind me, another group of howler monkeys began their morning call.
As Blue and I started down the path toward the trails, I heard another group of monkeys start up in response to the ones in my yard. And then another, like a round robin of roars. The path we walked on was lit by low lights, yellow and solar powered. The air was moist and fresh—it carried a chill that wouldn't last long once the sun rose.
I passed other villas on my route. This was once an eco-resort. Now it was a training center for Joyful Justice, the stupidest named vigilante organization to ever blow stuff up. But no one asked me when they were naming it, even though I inspired the whole thing. They had it wrong—I am a monster, not a hero.
I don’t care about justice; I crave revenge.
P.S. The dog does not die.
**Beware: If you can’t handle a few f-bombs, you can’t handle this series.**
I woke up tangled in my sheets, Blue standing next to the bed, his eyes glowing green in the darkroom. He whined at me gently. "I'm okay," I told him. He pushed his nose against the mosquito net and whined again. "You don't think so?" I asked with a small laugh.
He circled around to the net's opening. I sat up and reached through, petting his head to reassure him. Blue was a giant of a dog with one brown eye and one blue. When I adopted him he was tall, the height of a Great Dane, but thin. Still a puppy really. The pound in Bushwick, Brooklyn thought he was about a year old at the time.
Over four years later, Blue looked very different. His coat, which had been ratty when I brought him home to my apartment in Park Slope, now shone in the soft light of my bedroom. He had the markings of a wolf. Black and white and beige all sharing space on his large form. His snout was long and made me think there was some collie in his ancestry. Blue's chest was broad and strong. The pink scars that marked the entrance and exit wounds from a bullet he took for me were hidden beneath his long coat.
My scars from that battle were more obvious. One ran under my left eye. White and pink, it arched across the top of my cheekbone, puckering the skin. Above that eye another scar, fainter than the first, ran across my forehead, slicing through my eyebrow and disappearing into my hair.
I wore my bangs long, covering the top scar. They almost reached to my gray eyes, but I made sure they never got in the way. My hair was dyed black and cut short, barely reaching my chin. The heat here was too much to bother with long locks.
I looked out the glass doors of my balcony and into the jungle. The sky was still dark, the foliage a pitch black mass. I heard the guttural roar of the howler monkeys and knew the sun would be here soon. Blue's nails clicked against the tile floor as he walked to the door.
Blue stared at me, then looked at the door, then to me again. "I get it," I said. "You want to go for a run." He lowered his front end, waving his tail around in the air and let out a low warble. Some things would never change.
Throwing off the sheet, I climbed through the opening of my mosquito net. The tiles were cool against my bare feet. I dressed quickly, Blue following me around the room, encouraging me by tapping his nose against my hip.
Sneakers tied, headlamp in place and phone in hand, I opened my bedroom door. The villa was dark. My house-mate, Cynthia Dawlings, was still in bed. The sky outside the glass was just turning a milky gray. As I closed the door behind me, another group of howler monkeys began their morning call.
As Blue and I started down the path toward the trails, I heard another group of monkeys start up in response to the ones in my yard. And then another, like a round robin of roars. The path we walked on was lit by low lights, yellow and solar powered. The air was moist and fresh—it carried a chill that wouldn't last long once the sun rose.
I passed other villas on my route. This was once an eco-resort. Now it was a training center for Joyful Justice, the stupidest named vigilante organization to ever blow stuff up. But no one asked me when they were naming it, even though I inspired the whole thing. They had it wrong—I am a monster, not a hero.
I don’t care about justice; I crave revenge.
P.S. The dog does not die.
**Beware: If you can’t handle a few f-bombs, you can’t handle this series.**
Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2014
383 people are currently reading
813 people want to read
About the author
Emily Kimelman
44 books918 followersI write because I love to read, but I have specific tastes...
If I was offered a job as a professional reader with no strings attached, I would take it. Getting paid to sit around and read while drinking tea all day—I'm there. Since that’s not possible, I became an author.
I write the books I want to read—stories that give me the immersive reading experiences I crave. When a series grabs me, and it's all I can think about, I'm SO happy. When my inner dialogue starts sounding like the protagonist of my current read, I think, Oh yeah, this is IT. This is what I love.
When I finish a book, and I NEED to immediately grab the next one in the series, that’s the intensity I crave. When I binge read an entire series, I want to feel like my own reality changed—as if the stories I read affected the real world just a little. After a great series I'm a little wiser, a little more grateful for my everyday existence, and a little more aware that my personal perspective is not everyone's.
Personally, I like to spend time in fictional worlds where justice is exacted with a vengeance, even though good and bad are not always black and white. Give me raw stories with a main character who occasionally makes me laugh, is flawed like we all are, and feels like a friend by the end of the first few chapters. They don’t have to be a friend I always LIKE, per se, but a part of me has to root for them.
For me, the sentence structure is important. Too much passive voice, and I'm out. I do not mind four-letter words at all though. Sex in books can go either way—fade to black or show me the details, but either way there has to be a reason it’s in the story. I'm also into heroic pets, plots that seem totally unhinged but all come together in the end with a BANG, and long series so I always have more to look forward to.
Those are the types of stories I love reading, so that’s how I write. If you’re into some or all of the above then I think we are going to get along fantastically.
If I was offered a job as a professional reader with no strings attached, I would take it. Getting paid to sit around and read while drinking tea all day—I'm there. Since that’s not possible, I became an author.
I write the books I want to read—stories that give me the immersive reading experiences I crave. When a series grabs me, and it's all I can think about, I'm SO happy. When my inner dialogue starts sounding like the protagonist of my current read, I think, Oh yeah, this is IT. This is what I love.
When I finish a book, and I NEED to immediately grab the next one in the series, that’s the intensity I crave. When I binge read an entire series, I want to feel like my own reality changed—as if the stories I read affected the real world just a little. After a great series I'm a little wiser, a little more grateful for my everyday existence, and a little more aware that my personal perspective is not everyone's.
Personally, I like to spend time in fictional worlds where justice is exacted with a vengeance, even though good and bad are not always black and white. Give me raw stories with a main character who occasionally makes me laugh, is flawed like we all are, and feels like a friend by the end of the first few chapters. They don’t have to be a friend I always LIKE, per se, but a part of me has to root for them.
For me, the sentence structure is important. Too much passive voice, and I'm out. I do not mind four-letter words at all though. Sex in books can go either way—fade to black or show me the details, but either way there has to be a reason it’s in the story. I'm also into heroic pets, plots that seem totally unhinged but all come together in the end with a BANG, and long series so I always have more to look forward to.
Those are the types of stories I love reading, so that’s how I write. If you’re into some or all of the above then I think we are going to get along fantastically.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
February 27, 2017
The story didn’t start well, Sydney is emotionally and mentally damaged and makes poor decisions resulting in a disaster of an engagement with a group of people traffickers. This causes even more emotional damage, making a really depressing start to the book. What followed were pages and pages of introspection and lusting over various men.
It wasn’t until half way through the book anything interesting started to happen, even then I didn’t understand why Sydney seemed so incompetent, why would she deliberately put Blue in the hands of villains who were prepared to kill him? This isn’t believable, Sydney would never deliberately hand over Blue when there was no need to do so.
I don’t know where this series is going, it is no longer a believable thriller and I’m afraid the author is turning it into a trashy romance.
It wasn’t until half way through the book anything interesting started to happen, even then I didn’t understand why Sydney seemed so incompetent, why would she deliberately put Blue in the hands of villains who were prepared to kill him? This isn’t believable, Sydney would never deliberately hand over Blue when there was no need to do so.
I don’t know where this series is going, it is no longer a believable thriller and I’m afraid the author is turning it into a trashy romance.
July 31, 2022
This book was probably my least favorite out of the series. As I was reading it I kept thinking I would finish the series there, but then it ended on a cliffhanger and I'm probably going to read the next one.
I can't quite put a finger one on why I didn't care for the book. I know the whole dream theme throughout the book didnt really make sense. Sometimes it was hard to figure out what was a dream and what was reality. Maybe the organization Sydney is with just didn't make sense.
I can't quite put a finger one on why I didn't care for the book. I know the whole dream theme throughout the book didnt really make sense. Sometimes it was hard to figure out what was a dream and what was reality. Maybe the organization Sydney is with just didn't make sense.
January 31, 2026
I really enjoy this series. Sydney is a badass and is surrounded by unique and interesting people who are trying to change the world by helping those that can’t help themselves. And I love Blue! He is amazing. I am very much looking forward to the next in the series to see how everything shakes out with their new partner/financial backer. Not sure how this works. And I am not sure how all these men that are in Sydney’s life are going to be okay with her being involved with all of them. It’s not the soap opera it sounds, I promise.
March 2, 2023
Not a fan of the cliff hanger ending. Add that discomforting feature to a generally muddled story about Joyful Justice, Robert Main and the lingering effects of Sydney/s datura poisoning . . . makes for a weak entry into this series.
Don't get me wrong - I still really like this series, and I look forward to some substantive action in the next book. This one is just a weak sister.
Don't get me wrong - I still really like this series, and I look forward to some substantive action in the next book. This one is just a weak sister.
January 19, 2019
Inviting Fire - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Sydney Rye's never one to back down from a fight or danger - even when it's with or from a supposed ally. Emily Kimelman has done it again with Inviting Fire, the 6th in the Sydney Rye Mysteries series.
Having recovered at Bobby Maxim's private clinic and being trained by his Master at Arms, Merl in the FGI compound, can Sydney now trust the man who's tried to seduce her, offered her marriage/a partnership/joint leadership of his FGI organisation, before finally selling up, investing in Joyful Justice and infiltrating himself onto its board?
Despite her ongoing mental issues mainly caused by the datura after-effects, Sydney determines to be involved in the rescue of women being trafficked to the US and into the sex-slave trade. Success in rescuing some of the women and destroying the gang's HQ comes at the price of a loss of one Sydney's friends - herself a former victim.
Who is Lennox and how do he and Sydney start working together? What does the next mission involve?
How is Sydney instrumental in carrying out a dangerous role in this mission?
Who is unexpectedly involved - and what is the outcome of Sydney's meeting with them?
Why does Sydney meet Bobby Maxim in the jungle and what happens as a result?
With many twists and turns and with danger, intrigue and possible betrayal at every turn, you won't want to miss this unputdownable adventure until the very last page. If this doesn't make you a Sydney Rye addict like me, you'll really miss out on Emily Kimelman's great series - don't delay, read them all asap!
Sydney Rye's never one to back down from a fight or danger - even when it's with or from a supposed ally. Emily Kimelman has done it again with Inviting Fire, the 6th in the Sydney Rye Mysteries series.
Having recovered at Bobby Maxim's private clinic and being trained by his Master at Arms, Merl in the FGI compound, can Sydney now trust the man who's tried to seduce her, offered her marriage/a partnership/joint leadership of his FGI organisation, before finally selling up, investing in Joyful Justice and infiltrating himself onto its board?
Despite her ongoing mental issues mainly caused by the datura after-effects, Sydney determines to be involved in the rescue of women being trafficked to the US and into the sex-slave trade. Success in rescuing some of the women and destroying the gang's HQ comes at the price of a loss of one Sydney's friends - herself a former victim.
Who is Lennox and how do he and Sydney start working together? What does the next mission involve?
How is Sydney instrumental in carrying out a dangerous role in this mission?
Who is unexpectedly involved - and what is the outcome of Sydney's meeting with them?
Why does Sydney meet Bobby Maxim in the jungle and what happens as a result?
With many twists and turns and with danger, intrigue and possible betrayal at every turn, you won't want to miss this unputdownable adventure until the very last page. If this doesn't make you a Sydney Rye addict like me, you'll really miss out on Emily Kimelman's great series - don't delay, read them all asap!
August 14, 2016
Sydney and Blue are back and stronger than ever! I was lucky to be able to read this book early and enjoyed it very much. I feel the story lines and the writing get better with each book. We are also able to see deeper into the souls of the characters as they develop in each subsequent book.
This book picks up where The Devil's Breath left off and the action starts right away. Sydney continues to fight for what she believes in with her Joyful Justice commrades, while trying to maintain the 'right' image. They are not disorganized vigilantes but a group that hunts down violent, malevolent criminals to pursuade them to change their evil ways- or pay the price. Sydney understands the price that she and her friends may have to pay themselves and must deal with that in this book as well.
Inviting Fire shows the struggle Sydney goes through internally while she fights the good fight. While we see her at her physical peak and extremely confident in her fighting skills, this book also reveals the doubt and uncertainty she feels about the relationships in her life and her leadership ability as she is still recuperating from a hallucinogen drug that left her with nightmares and auditory hallucinations. She must learn to trust her instincts again and try not to rely too much on her dog, Blue.
I connected with Sydney more than ever in this book since she showed her vulnerable side (to the reader anyway) and the diligent steps she takes to keep that vulnerability hidden from everyone else; even if that means pushing the ones she loves away. It is fun to see some of the older characters making an appearance as well as meet some new ones. This story was fresh and exciting- nice job!
This book picks up where The Devil's Breath left off and the action starts right away. Sydney continues to fight for what she believes in with her Joyful Justice commrades, while trying to maintain the 'right' image. They are not disorganized vigilantes but a group that hunts down violent, malevolent criminals to pursuade them to change their evil ways- or pay the price. Sydney understands the price that she and her friends may have to pay themselves and must deal with that in this book as well.
Inviting Fire shows the struggle Sydney goes through internally while she fights the good fight. While we see her at her physical peak and extremely confident in her fighting skills, this book also reveals the doubt and uncertainty she feels about the relationships in her life and her leadership ability as she is still recuperating from a hallucinogen drug that left her with nightmares and auditory hallucinations. She must learn to trust her instincts again and try not to rely too much on her dog, Blue.
I connected with Sydney more than ever in this book since she showed her vulnerable side (to the reader anyway) and the diligent steps she takes to keep that vulnerability hidden from everyone else; even if that means pushing the ones she loves away. It is fun to see some of the older characters making an appearance as well as meet some new ones. This story was fresh and exciting- nice job!
July 30, 2017
Inviting Fire (A Sydney Rye Mystery #6) — Emily Kimelman (52 [named] chapters) — July 24-28, 2017
Note: This story is intended for mature readers, aged 18+. It involves sexual scenes, violence, and other themes that are not intended for younger readers.
I’m not sure how I feel after reading this book. I understand life needs to go on, but the death that happened near the beginning of this book feels like the beginning of the end of me enjoying this series. Believe it, it’s very hard for me to say that. Suffice to say that I didn’t see the death coming and when it happened, it felt very anti-climatic. Not sure if it was the way it was written, or that I’ve gotten so numb to the deaths that occur so often in this series. But this death: this death felt like a character being written out of TV plot due to wage issues.
There is something to be said when an author feel compelled to do that to a long time character. If it’s for character growth, I can see that. But I didn’t see growth from the death. It felt more like the author was setting up (a very long) beginning to the next phase in Sydney’s life. I have two more books I have purchased in this series, so I am with this character and her story for a little while longer. But, for right now at least, this is my least favorite story in the series.
Because of this unfortunate death, I had a bad taste in my head for the rest of the book. The dreams that were occurring to Sydney before this event, continue after the death, and run parallel (and maybe foreshadows) later events in the story. It especially felt that way at the end of the story. It was more cliffhanger than earlier books even though it wasn’t a traditional cliffhanger.
One thing I did enjoy in this story was the human personification of Blue. Sydney at times treats her companion as though it has the real understanding of people. Whether this is ultimately true, I do not know yet. However, not even humans are perfect at detecting “safe” people, so I tend to lean towards Sydney’s trust in him might be slightly biased and may backfire on her in later stories.
I do not like Bobby Maxim. No I do not. But I do like that Sydney can finally see why some sex is easy for her, while the people she really loves tends to get the short shaft. It seems like she is still trying to decide who is truly best for her; she already knows deep down who she really loves completely.
I waffled on the finally rating. My gut says two stars. But it is written very well and with great care. t took me a lot longer to read this, even when I had the time. It was very gut-wrenching and hard to read. Not a fast read at all, until the middle of the book. I did not like how certain people still do not trust Sydney's instincts, even though they are the ones who started Joyful Justice. I forced myself to finish this book. This is the first book in the series I had to do that with. Ugh!
Three stars.
Note: This story is intended for mature readers, aged 18+. It involves sexual scenes, violence, and other themes that are not intended for younger readers.
I’m not sure how I feel after reading this book. I understand life needs to go on, but the death that happened near the beginning of this book feels like the beginning of the end of me enjoying this series. Believe it, it’s very hard for me to say that. Suffice to say that I didn’t see the death coming and when it happened, it felt very anti-climatic. Not sure if it was the way it was written, or that I’ve gotten so numb to the deaths that occur so often in this series. But this death: this death felt like a character being written out of TV plot due to wage issues.
There is something to be said when an author feel compelled to do that to a long time character. If it’s for character growth, I can see that. But I didn’t see growth from the death. It felt more like the author was setting up (a very long) beginning to the next phase in Sydney’s life. I have two more books I have purchased in this series, so I am with this character and her story for a little while longer. But, for right now at least, this is my least favorite story in the series.
Because of this unfortunate death, I had a bad taste in my head for the rest of the book. The dreams that were occurring to Sydney before this event, continue after the death, and run parallel (and maybe foreshadows) later events in the story. It especially felt that way at the end of the story. It was more cliffhanger than earlier books even though it wasn’t a traditional cliffhanger.
One thing I did enjoy in this story was the human personification of Blue. Sydney at times treats her companion as though it has the real understanding of people. Whether this is ultimately true, I do not know yet. However, not even humans are perfect at detecting “safe” people, so I tend to lean towards Sydney’s trust in him might be slightly biased and may backfire on her in later stories.
I do not like Bobby Maxim. No I do not. But I do like that Sydney can finally see why some sex is easy for her, while the people she really loves tends to get the short shaft. It seems like she is still trying to decide who is truly best for her; she already knows deep down who she really loves completely.
I waffled on the finally rating. My gut says two stars. But it is written very well and with great care. t took me a lot longer to read this, even when I had the time. It was very gut-wrenching and hard to read. Not a fast read at all, until the middle of the book. I did not like how certain people still do not trust Sydney's instincts, even though they are the ones who started Joyful Justice. I forced myself to finish this book. This is the first book in the series I had to do that with. Ugh!
Three stars.
September 15, 2017
Inviting Fire, Sydney Rye#6
by Emily Kimelman
Once again, Kimelman delivers an action (and angst) packed novel. In this episode, Sydney is still recovering from the effects of the datura poisoning she experienced in novel #5. Vivid dreams and some hallucinations persist, and she is still not quite where she'd like to be physically. However, she is back on assignment. The story opens with an assignment gone terribly wrong, which costs the life of one of her valued Joyful Justice compatriots. Struggling with her need for violent revenge, she accepts a mission to deliver a packet to the man responsible, without harming anyone. She succeeds, but here is a counter plot in play that lands her not only back in the sights of said crime boss, but beholden to her arch nemesis, Bobby Maxim. When the air clears, Maxim demands a solo meeting with Sydney to hammer out a supposed truce, which involves a "camping" trip in the jungle and an ambush by Homeland Security agents in a black ops mission, and ends with an uneasy relationship between the Joyful Justice group and Maxim's Fortress Global Investigations.
Kimmel's writing invokes vivid imagery coupled with excellent pacing and plotting. The editing and proofing were good, with only one error noted. Characterizations are consistent (well, I'd like to see a bit less angry and angst-filled heroine, but, whatever). It's been a series I've enjoyed reading.
by Emily Kimelman
Once again, Kimelman delivers an action (and angst) packed novel. In this episode, Sydney is still recovering from the effects of the datura poisoning she experienced in novel #5. Vivid dreams and some hallucinations persist, and she is still not quite where she'd like to be physically. However, she is back on assignment. The story opens with an assignment gone terribly wrong, which costs the life of one of her valued Joyful Justice compatriots. Struggling with her need for violent revenge, she accepts a mission to deliver a packet to the man responsible, without harming anyone. She succeeds, but here is a counter plot in play that lands her not only back in the sights of said crime boss, but beholden to her arch nemesis, Bobby Maxim. When the air clears, Maxim demands a solo meeting with Sydney to hammer out a supposed truce, which involves a "camping" trip in the jungle and an ambush by Homeland Security agents in a black ops mission, and ends with an uneasy relationship between the Joyful Justice group and Maxim's Fortress Global Investigations.
Kimmel's writing invokes vivid imagery coupled with excellent pacing and plotting. The editing and proofing were good, with only one error noted. Characterizations are consistent (well, I'd like to see a bit less angry and angst-filled heroine, but, whatever). It's been a series I've enjoyed reading.
October 2, 2017
Whoa. This series just gets better with every book. Seeing Sydney grow into her role, trying to steer her path, and navigate on the right side of wrong. She is steadfast in trying to keep her friends at arms length to protect them and realizing she can't control a situation any more than the next guy. Shit is gonna happen no matter what and it's just best to be prepared.
I got so caught up in this book that I didn't even realize I'd come to the last page until it said to swipe for a sneak peek at the next book. It's so easy it get caught up with Sydney and all the situations she finds herself in. I was on edge turning page after page anxiously wanting to see what was happening next. I truly feel sorry for all those readers that didn't give this series a try past book one.
#Towanda #RighterOfWrongs
I got so caught up in this book that I didn't even realize I'd come to the last page until it said to swipe for a sneak peek at the next book. It's so easy it get caught up with Sydney and all the situations she finds herself in. I was on edge turning page after page anxiously wanting to see what was happening next. I truly feel sorry for all those readers that didn't give this series a try past book one.
#Towanda #RighterOfWrongs
April 5, 2025
Sydney is slowly recovering from her adventure in Miami. In Inviting Fire: Sydney Rye, Book 6 she finds herself in a secure facility and has to break out. Transported to the secret Costa Rican headquarters of Joyful Justice, she discovers much more than she bargained for and gets back into action. There is, as usual, local color and well-written action sequences. The "romance" is moved along. Kimelman's promise that the dog does not die is kept. Otherwise, anything is possible. Recommend reading in order, one after the other, like I am on my Kindle "boxed" set.
June 22, 2019
Wow!!! This series just keeps getting better and better! While the beginning was horribly sad (I actually cried), the rest of the book read like a James Bond movie. I've decided that's who Syd reminds me of; a female James Bond.
The ending was interesting but highly suspect. I don't trust Bobby Maxim AT ALL!!!!! Or Doyle; I think the two of them are in cahoots. And Syd definitely doesn't trust them either and I'm sure Mulberry doesn't either. Yet, for some unknown reason, Blue does. Hmmm.....something strange going on there. Not sure what but it doesn't feel good.
For the record, I've decided I'm team Mulberry.
The ending was interesting but highly suspect. I don't trust Bobby Maxim AT ALL!!!!! Or Doyle; I think the two of them are in cahoots. And Syd definitely doesn't trust them either and I'm sure Mulberry doesn't either. Yet, for some unknown reason, Blue does. Hmmm.....something strange going on there. Not sure what but it doesn't feel good.
For the record, I've decided I'm team Mulberry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2025
Another excellent book from Kimelman…I bought the first 8 in this series in a bundle, but had taken a break to get through some of my other TBR pile, and wow I’d forgotten how much I love this series!
Each book could definitely be read as a standalone book, and yet I am also loving following Sydney along her journey and the comings and goings of other characters, so I’d highly recommend reading the series in order if you can.
All in all, this is another brilliant book, with an enticing plot, some much loved (and hated) characters, enough romance without getting sloppy and a great twisty ending!
Each book could definitely be read as a standalone book, and yet I am also loving following Sydney along her journey and the comings and goings of other characters, so I’d highly recommend reading the series in order if you can.
All in all, this is another brilliant book, with an enticing plot, some much loved (and hated) characters, enough romance without getting sloppy and a great twisty ending!
August 21, 2018
Totally Confusing in Good way
I have been reading this series and this book totally confused me. Sydney lost one of her friends in this but I also think she has lost her love triangle too. I am so confused because I thought Dan or Mulberry would end up with her but now Declan and Bobby are back in the picture too. Oh and Lenox also. I know this is a thriller mystery series but I want Sydney to have a happy ever after too, except I fear she is going to end up all alone. Looking forward to the next book.
I have been reading this series and this book totally confused me. Sydney lost one of her friends in this but I also think she has lost her love triangle too. I am so confused because I thought Dan or Mulberry would end up with her but now Declan and Bobby are back in the picture too. Oh and Lenox also. I know this is a thriller mystery series but I want Sydney to have a happy ever after too, except I fear she is going to end up all alone. Looking forward to the next book.
July 15, 2017
Probably my favorite book in the series! Action picks up pretty fast, great character development, and some twists and turns that result in an unexpected ending. Really well written with a strong willed and independent heroine surrounded by a wonderful group of supporting characters. Still 4 stars just because it is so wordy, sometimes it gets frustrating. But otherwise well written and well thought out, more of a personal writing style preference than a reflection on the actual story!
December 13, 2018
Fighting the Wrongs of the World
Sydney Rye is an amazing character. This book begins where Devil’s Breath left off. This time she finds herself in the jungles of Central America where the members of Joyful Justice come to train. The adventures are Grand and the characters are complicated. Who can you trust? What is their motive? The ending is the beginning of #7 in the series Shadow Harvest
Sydney Rye is an amazing character. This book begins where Devil’s Breath left off. This time she finds herself in the jungles of Central America where the members of Joyful Justice come to train. The adventures are Grand and the characters are complicated. Who can you trust? What is their motive? The ending is the beginning of #7 in the series Shadow Harvest
September 23, 2024
Blue and Sydney are in a remote jungle island with the newly formed Joyful Justice Group. She is still having vivid dreams from her last mission where she was drugged by a powerful mind controlling substance. She has to make some hard decisions about the future of Joyful Justice and her role in the group. Robert Maxim is still a big part of her decision and how to hand him and his powerful company.
February 16, 2025
I love the series and have gotten attached to Sidney & especially to Blue. However, this book seemed disjointed. The beginning jumped right into a disaster out of nowhere. Felt like a scene in a John Wick movie where everyone dies. Then she’s climbing Goldilocks & that goes insane. Then she’s in the jungle with Robert. It felt like 3 different dream sequences. The book didn’t have cohesion. I’m hoping the next one is more connected throughout.
July 23, 2019
Things Are Really Heating Up Now
It only took one sitting to read this unputdownable episode in the life of Sydney Rye. And what a thrilling read it was! The action was so fast-paced that I didn't realize the time until I finished. Good thing tomorrow it's not a work day! There weren't any new characters in this installment but they still projected larger than life presences throughout. The twists are many and the surprising turns unexpected. What a rush the action was!
It only took one sitting to read this unputdownable episode in the life of Sydney Rye. And what a thrilling read it was! The action was so fast-paced that I didn't realize the time until I finished. Good thing tomorrow it's not a work day! There weren't any new characters in this installment but they still projected larger than life presences throughout. The twists are many and the surprising turns unexpected. What a rush the action was!
September 16, 2019
All of these stories following Joyful Justice and the lady this group is named after are super reads. I find them hard to put down. This one deals with Sydney Rye coming into and accepting "her own skin" so to speak as she fights injustices over the world, not forgetting her male friends and lovers, so to speak.
October 11, 2019
I had been hoarding a bunch of the Sidney Rye novels and I decided that was foolish. Binge reading the rest of the series and loving them. A strong female lead, fighting for right as she navigates her own life. Much stays the same, but much also changes and evolves, keeping these stories interesting instead of repetitive. I don't put them down until done, unless my eyes cease to focus.
April 11, 2020
I really enjoy this series of books. Reading them seriously cuts into my sleep time! Good thing that we are all social distancing right now so that I have more time to sleep and read. I like that this book features strong female characters and also seeks to right the wrong in the world. Looking forward to starting the next in series!
June 4, 2023
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title, (Audible)
Another action-packed episode, but it is often unclear who is friend and who is foe.
From scaĺing the side of a three storey yacht, to trekking through the depths of a tropical jungle, Sydney and Blue work together against all odds.
Another action-packed episode, but it is often unclear who is friend and who is foe.
From scaĺing the side of a three storey yacht, to trekking through the depths of a tropical jungle, Sydney and Blue work together against all odds.
January 17, 2024
Read the first 6 books in 3 days
One after the other and have downloaded #7 in the series to start tomorrow morning. A little over the top, but at 73 I realize the need for woman heroes and the extra layer of angst and crap they must deal with to be considered as viable because of their femininity.
One after the other and have downloaded #7 in the series to start tomorrow morning. A little over the top, but at 73 I realize the need for woman heroes and the extra layer of angst and crap they must deal with to be considered as viable because of their femininity.
December 27, 2024
Kimelman’s ad on Facebook convinced me to order the Sydney Rye set. I regret paying for the books. They aren’t awful, but they remind of a female version of James Bond novels, which also aren’t very good. This book is mostly Sydney traipsing through jungles and hallucinating, along with visits to a ship with a crew that specializes in satisfying women.
Oh, I DO like Blue!
Oh, I DO like Blue!
June 23, 2025
It's pretty good, but I feel the drama translated less well in my driving around listening to it on audio than it would have in print. -weird because the narrator is AMAZING.
Genuinely a seriously good book that was impressive from the start but something is missing, and I'm not sure what it is. Catharsis? a Call to Action? who knows?
Genuinely a seriously good book that was impressive from the start but something is missing, and I'm not sure what it is. Catharsis? a Call to Action? who knows?
February 12, 2017
I am so glad that I got this as a boxed set. After reading the first three books in this series I was hooked. I have been unable to put these down. If you like suspense and twists and turns, you will love these books. On to #7! I can't wait!
August 30, 2018
This series is so darn good. Every book i read. i cant wait to read the next one. Emily does a fantastic job of writing and keep you wondering whats gonna happen next. i would definitely recommend this book. Keep up the good writing Emily!!!
August 9, 2020
When the author kills off a favorite, repeat character, I feel like I’m rereading Game of Thrones. And I don’t think it’s fair. Having said that, I am more and more reminded of the Jet series by Russell Blake. Sydney is tough but her predicaments become more and more surreal.
August 11, 2020
This is an enjoyable little read. It comes close to being a cozy mystery.
I chose this book because I had ready many heavy books recently. I thought this little book would rest my mind and this book filled the need. I .Will read more of Emily Kimelman books.
I chose this book because I had ready many heavy books recently. I thought this little book would rest my mind and this book filled the need. I .Will read more of Emily Kimelman books.
February 28, 2022
Number six in the Sydney Rye Mysteries. Kimelman, can write a damn good story. In this book we learn a little more about Sydney Rye and what her group of people are trying to do to help those that seek justice. interesting read.
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