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Shot
As 1929 comes to a close, New York City homicide detective Josephine Kelly is tired, both with how her male superiors treat her and because of the baby growing in her belly. She has mere months before she’s found out and fired, but she’s determined to solve one last case before she does. Trouble is, she may have a serial killer targeting the city’s rich on her hands.
Kelly’s investigation introduces her to shop girl Ruth and Ruth’s new aristocratic beau, Lawrence. Something about Lawrence doesn’t sit right with Kelly, and she suspects something more sinister at play when Lawrence’s name comes up during her investigation.
Kelly races to solve the homicides with emerging firearms forensics. If she can’t catch the killer in time, the failure will haunt her as her pregnancy pushes her out of the department. Even worse, Kelly’s sure Ruth is destined to become the latest victim.
Kelly’s investigation introduces her to shop girl Ruth and Ruth’s new aristocratic beau, Lawrence. Something about Lawrence doesn’t sit right with Kelly, and she suspects something more sinister at play when Lawrence’s name comes up during her investigation.
Kelly races to solve the homicides with emerging firearms forensics. If she can’t catch the killer in time, the failure will haunt her as her pregnancy pushes her out of the department. Even worse, Kelly’s sure Ruth is destined to become the latest victim.
362 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2024
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Durfee
40 books99 followersKristin Durfee is the award-winning author of SHOT (Wild Rose Press), MASS (Orange Blossom Publishing), The Four Corners Trilogy (Black Opal Books), and short stories appearing in several Thriller, Speculative, and Contemporary anthologies for adults.
She lives in Central Florida and when not enjoying the sun with her husband, son, and quirky rescue dogs, you can usually find her on a run, horseback ride, or wandering around a theme park.
She is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, International Thriller Writers Association, and Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners.
She lives in Central Florida and when not enjoying the sun with her husband, son, and quirky rescue dogs, you can usually find her on a run, horseback ride, or wandering around a theme park.
She is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, International Thriller Writers Association, and Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 2, 2024
The bustling city of New York in 1929 forms the backdrop of a thrilling narrative of deceit, murder, and kidnapping in Kristin Durfee’s book “Shot.” The story unfolds with Detective Johanna Kelly, a woman battling the criminal underworld and fighting against the pervasive sexism of her time as she strives to crack the case. Born into a wealthy family, Lawrence Henry is a chronic gambler who constantly finds himself in debt. With his parents cutting him off, he resorts to murder to make ends meet.
But Lawrence has more than just financial troubles to worry about. He harbors a secret past with his boyfriend, Paul, and will stop at nothing to keep it hidden. When he encounters Ruth Smith, a beautiful woman with small savings, he sees an opportunity to marry for financial gain.
However, the situation takes a dark turn when Lawrence’s obsession with money and his hidden past transforms him into a psychotic serial killer. As the body count rises, Detective Kelly races against time to solve the murders before Lawrence can strike again, creating a suspenseful and intriguing narrative that will keep readers captivated and engrossed.
“Shot” is a gripping thriller novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat with every twist and turn. Kristin Durfee has crafted characters that draw you into their lives and make you feel deeply for them. She can make you feel sorry for even the worst character at a point in the book, creating a solid emotional connection that keeps you invested in the story.
The setting is a massive part of the book. It is set in the 1900s in New York City when societal norms were rigid and often oppressive. I loved how Durfee brought readers into elite life in those days, where appearances and social status were everything. The history of how they were discriminated against based on who they loved and how they had to remain secretive about it adds a layer of complexity to the characters’ relationships. It also details how women were not allowed higher-up jobs than men, highlighting the challenges faced by Detective Johanna Kelly in her career.
She also shows how money will make people go to great lengths for more of it, illustrating the destructive power of greed. It showed how gambling turns into a terrible habit and can ruin the lives of many who never touch it, highlighting the theme of addiction.
This is a murder mystery thriller that includes deceit, murder, adultery, and love in the plot. It explores the complex nature of human relationships. I think this book will appeal to any reader of mysteries, as it delves into these universal themes in a compelling way.
I learned that this story is loosely based on the true story of the 1894 killing of Catherine (Kitty) M. Ging by Harry T. Hayward. The book takes inspiration from this historical event, weaving a fictional narrative around it. “Shot” by Kristin Durfee is a fast-paced page-turner with a satisfying conclusion, offering a unique blend of historical fact and thrilling fiction. I highly recommend this book and hope the author has more books coming soon.
But Lawrence has more than just financial troubles to worry about. He harbors a secret past with his boyfriend, Paul, and will stop at nothing to keep it hidden. When he encounters Ruth Smith, a beautiful woman with small savings, he sees an opportunity to marry for financial gain.
However, the situation takes a dark turn when Lawrence’s obsession with money and his hidden past transforms him into a psychotic serial killer. As the body count rises, Detective Kelly races against time to solve the murders before Lawrence can strike again, creating a suspenseful and intriguing narrative that will keep readers captivated and engrossed.
“Shot” is a gripping thriller novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat with every twist and turn. Kristin Durfee has crafted characters that draw you into their lives and make you feel deeply for them. She can make you feel sorry for even the worst character at a point in the book, creating a solid emotional connection that keeps you invested in the story.
The setting is a massive part of the book. It is set in the 1900s in New York City when societal norms were rigid and often oppressive. I loved how Durfee brought readers into elite life in those days, where appearances and social status were everything. The history of how they were discriminated against based on who they loved and how they had to remain secretive about it adds a layer of complexity to the characters’ relationships. It also details how women were not allowed higher-up jobs than men, highlighting the challenges faced by Detective Johanna Kelly in her career.
She also shows how money will make people go to great lengths for more of it, illustrating the destructive power of greed. It showed how gambling turns into a terrible habit and can ruin the lives of many who never touch it, highlighting the theme of addiction.
This is a murder mystery thriller that includes deceit, murder, adultery, and love in the plot. It explores the complex nature of human relationships. I think this book will appeal to any reader of mysteries, as it delves into these universal themes in a compelling way.
I learned that this story is loosely based on the true story of the 1894 killing of Catherine (Kitty) M. Ging by Harry T. Hayward. The book takes inspiration from this historical event, weaving a fictional narrative around it. “Shot” by Kristin Durfee is a fast-paced page-turner with a satisfying conclusion, offering a unique blend of historical fact and thrilling fiction. I highly recommend this book and hope the author has more books coming soon.
May 27, 2024
I went into this book blind! I'm a sucker for old crime mystery books and this blew me away. This is a fast paced murder mystery thriller and it has multiple POV's that go along with the story. This is based on a true story which makes it even better! Honestly I barely give books 5 stars but this one checked every box for me. I'm so grateful to have discovered this author and I can't wait to read more of her books
May 9, 2024
I enjoyed the book very much. I like the characters because I didn’t like some of the characters. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews