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Emily Swanson Thrillers #5
Kill For Love: Large Print Edition
The game of love can be murder... When shy student Wendy is found bludgeoned to death, her classmate Bridget is the chief suspect. But what turns a caring teenager into a cold-blooded killer? Private eye Emily Swanson is desperate to find out. Bridget is the little sister of Emily's oldest friend, and with no motive or history of violence, her role in the crime doesn't add up. Until Emily's investigation leads to a horrifying discovery. A psychopath is stalking online dating sites, searching for young women to play his sick and twisted games. Games that turn innocent victims into killers. To clear Bridget's name, Emily must enter the dark world of online catfishing. But can she catch a maniac who doesn't appear to exist—before she becomes his next fatal obsession? Dark, suspenseful, and packed with twists and turns, Kill for Love brings the Emily Swanson series to a shocking and dramatic conclusion.
544 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2020
About the author
Malcolm Richards
42 books108 followersMalcolm Richards crafts stories to keep you guessing from the edge of your seat. He is the author of several crime thrillers and mystery novels, including the PI Blake Hollow series, the award-nominated Devil’s Cove trilogy, and the Emily Swanson series. Many of his books are set in Cornwall, where he was born and raised.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Malcolm worked for many years in the special education sector, teaching and supporting children with complex needs. After living in London for two decades, he has now settled in the Somerset countryside with his partner and a cat named Sukey.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Malcolm worked for many years in the special education sector, teaching and supporting children with complex needs. After living in London for two decades, he has now settled in the Somerset countryside with his partner and a cat named Sukey.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 2, 2020
This 5th book in the Emily Swanson series is the best. I was hooked from the beginning. There are so many twists and turns. This is a very well written mystery/suspense. This is an awesome series and I highly recommended it. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review
August 2, 2021
Best One yet.
Guess what? Emily, the lead character, is finally speaking! Entire sentences! Some of them even witty. The characterizations are generally terrific, few people are what they seem, and Emily has a BOYFRIEND (though what he sees in her, I haven’t a clue). In fact, I have no idea what Emily even LOOKS like! I’m sure the author describes her somewhere in the first book, but I guess it didn’t make enough of an impact. Anyway, a series author KNOWS that in EACH BOOK he must find a way to describe what the lead character LOOKS like;
“She stood in front of the mirror somewhat shocked at her appearance. She wore little make-up, so her pallor was hardly surprising , but her straight blond hair had grown so long that it now passed her shoulders. And her generally fine, even strong (and some, kindly, even say “attractive”), features were more prominent than ever. Her high cheek bones seemed sharper and shadowed, as if about to puncture her ever-pale skin. Her chin and jawline, always strong, looked taut and stretched. Yes, she’d lost weight, but there were now grey-ish bags under her, according to Jerome, “startlingly unusual and arresting” blue eyes. Bags that belied tension, worry, as well as her usual battle with sleep. Jerome was always pestering her about buying clothes that showed off her figure, he’d even offered to go shopping with her, but calling attention to her body would just make people stare at her more than they already did, when her goal was total invisibility. Thus the grey or brown suits buttoned high, her skirt just below her knees. And, now that she was officially a private investigator (someone pinch me), her gender and youth were already obstacles to her being taken seriously (which is why she’d recently taken to wearing glasses; to draw attention away from her “unusually vivid eyes”, and to make her appear more “scholarly”. She wanted to look nice for Marc (what he saw in her baffled her completely, and thrilled her to the core). But, with his dark, smoldering good looks, intelligence, success and his effortless charisma, he could be with any woman he fancied. But, THIS woman? The woman staring back at her right now? Suddenly, she tried out a smile, revealing her perfect, bright white teeth (thanks, mother), but managed only to look somewhat unhinged. Oh, well. Enough! Time to pin up her hair, button her top button, and get back to work!”
But, this book. The fourth in what I hope, reservations aside, will be a continuing series, is WONDERFUL! Great plot. Emily manages to get only one person killed and her best friend abducted, and the story is truly involving! Fascinating. You’ll love reading it. BUT… as is often the case with this author, the book doesn’t end, it just… stops. Dead in its tracks. You turn the page in excited anticipation and… “Author’s Note” No more book. Thus, leaving SO MANY unanswered questions. SPOILERS: Again, the serial killer is serial killerS. But, how does Cobb react, and DO, now that Emily, his unlikely pursuer with whom he has become OBSESSED, has killed his accomplice? Bag of tricks suddenly empty?I think not. And what about the TRIAL that the ENTIRE BOOK has been LEADING UP TO? NOTHING? I was DYING to see what EVERYONE would do on the stand! What tricks would be pulled? How gullible/harsh/compassionate would the JUDGE and JURY be? Would Cobb “stack” the jury? Would Angela and Erica (?) survive? Where’s the RESULT? Grrrrr… A terrific book that suddenly goes off the rails, forgetting why WE’RE ALL HERE! WHY, WHY, WHY? Did the author simply run out of steam? Did his partner call out “Dinner’s ready”?
I. Just. Don’t. Get. It.
Guess what? Emily, the lead character, is finally speaking! Entire sentences! Some of them even witty. The characterizations are generally terrific, few people are what they seem, and Emily has a BOYFRIEND (though what he sees in her, I haven’t a clue). In fact, I have no idea what Emily even LOOKS like! I’m sure the author describes her somewhere in the first book, but I guess it didn’t make enough of an impact. Anyway, a series author KNOWS that in EACH BOOK he must find a way to describe what the lead character LOOKS like;
“She stood in front of the mirror somewhat shocked at her appearance. She wore little make-up, so her pallor was hardly surprising , but her straight blond hair had grown so long that it now passed her shoulders. And her generally fine, even strong (and some, kindly, even say “attractive”), features were more prominent than ever. Her high cheek bones seemed sharper and shadowed, as if about to puncture her ever-pale skin. Her chin and jawline, always strong, looked taut and stretched. Yes, she’d lost weight, but there were now grey-ish bags under her, according to Jerome, “startlingly unusual and arresting” blue eyes. Bags that belied tension, worry, as well as her usual battle with sleep. Jerome was always pestering her about buying clothes that showed off her figure, he’d even offered to go shopping with her, but calling attention to her body would just make people stare at her more than they already did, when her goal was total invisibility. Thus the grey or brown suits buttoned high, her skirt just below her knees. And, now that she was officially a private investigator (someone pinch me), her gender and youth were already obstacles to her being taken seriously (which is why she’d recently taken to wearing glasses; to draw attention away from her “unusually vivid eyes”, and to make her appear more “scholarly”. She wanted to look nice for Marc (what he saw in her baffled her completely, and thrilled her to the core). But, with his dark, smoldering good looks, intelligence, success and his effortless charisma, he could be with any woman he fancied. But, THIS woman? The woman staring back at her right now? Suddenly, she tried out a smile, revealing her perfect, bright white teeth (thanks, mother), but managed only to look somewhat unhinged. Oh, well. Enough! Time to pin up her hair, button her top button, and get back to work!”
But, this book. The fourth in what I hope, reservations aside, will be a continuing series, is WONDERFUL! Great plot. Emily manages to get only one person killed and her best friend abducted, and the story is truly involving! Fascinating. You’ll love reading it. BUT… as is often the case with this author, the book doesn’t end, it just… stops. Dead in its tracks. You turn the page in excited anticipation and… “Author’s Note” No more book. Thus, leaving SO MANY unanswered questions. SPOILERS: Again, the serial killer is serial killerS. But, how does Cobb react, and DO, now that Emily, his unlikely pursuer with whom he has become OBSESSED, has killed his accomplice? Bag of tricks suddenly empty?I think not. And what about the TRIAL that the ENTIRE BOOK has been LEADING UP TO? NOTHING? I was DYING to see what EVERYONE would do on the stand! What tricks would be pulled? How gullible/harsh/compassionate would the JUDGE and JURY be? Would Cobb “stack” the jury? Would Angela and Erica (?) survive? Where’s the RESULT? Grrrrr… A terrific book that suddenly goes off the rails, forgetting why WE’RE ALL HERE! WHY, WHY, WHY? Did the author simply run out of steam? Did his partner call out “Dinner’s ready”?
I. Just. Don’t. Get. It.
June 7, 2020
This is book five of the Emily Swanson Thriller series and sees Emily still working as a private eye at Braithwaite Investigations and is fed up with still working on boring fraud cases as her boss is waiting for her to prove herself after her somewhat unprofessional business in the Chiltern Hills. At least Emily is away from work for a long weekend with her boyfriend Carter West, for her old university friend Angela Jackson, who she hasn’t seen for about eight years. They get there a couple of days before the actual wedding day and so have a chance to catch up, while her boyfriend Carter gets to know Angie’s fiancé Trevor. One disturbing thing that Angie tells her, is about a missing eighteen year old girl called Wendy Wilson, who has been missing for about four days and the last person to see her was Angie’s younger sister Bridget, and her sister’s reaction to this.
Wendy is found dead on the evening of Angela’s wedding, and the police come to get Bridget for an interview during the evening celebration, shocking Angela and Emily. Angela is too shocked to deal with this and so Emily returns to London for another fraud case to investigate. Days later, Bridget is getting more worked up and is keeping something from her sister Angela. She hasn’t been reacting normally since Wendy went missing and now she has been found dead, her behaviour has gotten even more extreme and unlike her norm. She runs off, leaving Angela having to ask for Emily’s help to find her and also to find out what really happened and what part her sister may have had in Wendy’s murder!
What neither of them know at the time, is that someone has been using Bridget and another person, as pawns in a game they wish to play. The game was called ‘Kill for Love’, and has been thought up by a psychopath who used online dating sites to search for vulnerable young women and then use them for his sick games. This latest game has turned an innocent victim into a killer of another young woman. This person has massive IT and hacking skills and manages to erase any evidence of their activity in connection to any of the events. Emily is facing an uphill battle to convince the police of any other person being involved in the murder of Wendy, than the two they already know of after the psycho posts evidence online. Emily suddenly has to learn a lot about online hacking of social media and catfishing, as well as how easy it is to obtain information from another’s phone or spoof call someone pretending to be from someone they know.
The modern world has many problems caused by users of social media and those who wish to twist the truth or pretend to be someone they aren’t. It is too easy to hide your identity from the person you are talking to and unfortunately teenagers are the worst at trusting everyone they talk to on the internet. This story shows how susceptible some people can be to the sick individuals, who know how to manipulate these type of vulnerable people and use them for their own sick purposes. A very realistic storyline that leads to a dead girl and another girl’s life ruin by the actions she was forced into. Another great read, as expected from this author and one I highly recommend to others! This is a superb read and flows so easily, that it is a joy to read, even though it deals with evil and unpleasant events. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Wendy is found dead on the evening of Angela’s wedding, and the police come to get Bridget for an interview during the evening celebration, shocking Angela and Emily. Angela is too shocked to deal with this and so Emily returns to London for another fraud case to investigate. Days later, Bridget is getting more worked up and is keeping something from her sister Angela. She hasn’t been reacting normally since Wendy went missing and now she has been found dead, her behaviour has gotten even more extreme and unlike her norm. She runs off, leaving Angela having to ask for Emily’s help to find her and also to find out what really happened and what part her sister may have had in Wendy’s murder!
What neither of them know at the time, is that someone has been using Bridget and another person, as pawns in a game they wish to play. The game was called ‘Kill for Love’, and has been thought up by a psychopath who used online dating sites to search for vulnerable young women and then use them for his sick games. This latest game has turned an innocent victim into a killer of another young woman. This person has massive IT and hacking skills and manages to erase any evidence of their activity in connection to any of the events. Emily is facing an uphill battle to convince the police of any other person being involved in the murder of Wendy, than the two they already know of after the psycho posts evidence online. Emily suddenly has to learn a lot about online hacking of social media and catfishing, as well as how easy it is to obtain information from another’s phone or spoof call someone pretending to be from someone they know.
The modern world has many problems caused by users of social media and those who wish to twist the truth or pretend to be someone they aren’t. It is too easy to hide your identity from the person you are talking to and unfortunately teenagers are the worst at trusting everyone they talk to on the internet. This story shows how susceptible some people can be to the sick individuals, who know how to manipulate these type of vulnerable people and use them for their own sick purposes. A very realistic storyline that leads to a dead girl and another girl’s life ruin by the actions she was forced into. Another great read, as expected from this author and one I highly recommend to others! This is a superb read and flows so easily, that it is a joy to read, even though it deals with evil and unpleasant events. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
June 6, 2020
“We're going to play a game. It's called Kill For Love.”
When shy student Wendy is found bludgeoned to death, her classmate Bridget is the chief suspect. But what turns a caring teenager into a cold-blooded killer?
Private eye Emily Swanson is desperate to find out. Bridget is the little sister of Emily's oldest friend, and with no motive or history of violence, her role in the crime doesn't add up. Until Emily's investigation leads to a horrifying discovery.
A psychopath is stalking online dating sites, searching for young women to play his sick and twisted games. Games that turn innocent victims into killers.
To clear Bridget's name, Emily must enter the dark world of online catfishing. But can she catch a maniac who doesn't appear to exist—before she becomes his next obsession?
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When shy student Wendy is found bludgeoned to death, her classmate Bridget is the chief suspect. But what turns a caring teenager into a cold-blooded killer?
Private eye Emily Swanson is desperate to find out. Bridget is the little sister of Emily's oldest friend, and with no motive or history of violence, her role in the crime doesn't add up. Until Emily's investigation leads to a horrifying discovery.
A psychopath is stalking online dating sites, searching for young women to play his sick and twisted games. Games that turn innocent victims into killers.
To clear Bridget's name, Emily must enter the dark world of online catfishing. But can she catch a maniac who doesn't appear to exist—before she becomes his next obsession?
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2023
Kill for Love is the fifth and final book in the Emily Swanson series and like the previous ones I bought it since all three libraries I have a card to did not have it. It is my least favorite of the series which is a shame since I enjoyed the series a good deal.
Emily is visiting a college friend when she learns the younger sister of her friend is a suspect in a murder. Soon you learn that the girl was present at the murder but like usual more to the story. For some reason all the previous things Emily has learned and the people she has made friends with are pretty much forgotten. A whole new cast is introduced for some reason and Emily just fumbles around forgetting she has solid friends who have helped her out in the past with cases.
I did not like the ending at all, it was rushed and did not feel complete. Just like the story stopped then jumped into the future which made no sense. Full closure on the story was not provided and that was frustrating then it was set up for what may be a spin off series. I do not really know, at this point I do not care to look farther into the series to try to figure things out.
Emily is visiting a college friend when she learns the younger sister of her friend is a suspect in a murder. Soon you learn that the girl was present at the murder but like usual more to the story. For some reason all the previous things Emily has learned and the people she has made friends with are pretty much forgotten. A whole new cast is introduced for some reason and Emily just fumbles around forgetting she has solid friends who have helped her out in the past with cases.
I did not like the ending at all, it was rushed and did not feel complete. Just like the story stopped then jumped into the future which made no sense. Full closure on the story was not provided and that was frustrating then it was set up for what may be a spin off series. I do not really know, at this point I do not care to look farther into the series to try to figure things out.
June 2, 2020
A killer of a story in every sense of the word! A must read you won't want to miss.
In Kill For Love we see what can happen when, on the web, one speaks to, and gets involved with, an individual with a warped mind. Someone one does not know personally; a twisted and dangerous individual who can, and will, manipulate at will. A psychopath! This story had me gripped from the moment I started right to the very end. Although this is now the last book, it can be read as a stand alone. I became hooked on the Emily Swanson Series after reading book one and am sad this is the last in what has been an amazing and gripping set of stories. I have enjoyed every one and Kill For Love is, I feel, exceptional and very current. Highly Recommended.
In Kill For Love we see what can happen when, on the web, one speaks to, and gets involved with, an individual with a warped mind. Someone one does not know personally; a twisted and dangerous individual who can, and will, manipulate at will. A psychopath! This story had me gripped from the moment I started right to the very end. Although this is now the last book, it can be read as a stand alone. I became hooked on the Emily Swanson Series after reading book one and am sad this is the last in what has been an amazing and gripping set of stories. I have enjoyed every one and Kill For Love is, I feel, exceptional and very current. Highly Recommended.
June 13, 2020
And wow again! The 5th in the Emily Swanson series and the intensity and drama is just as unwavering as it is in all the previous books. This encounter provides a sneak peak into the dark web and the technical capabilities which are available to criminals and psychopaths that dare to dabble in the world of cybercrime.
Although this case was never officialy Emily's, she is obviously not going to walk away from a friend in need, especially when she knows that there is more to Bridget's story than pure cold blooded murder!..
A fantastic read and whatever the author may say this definitely leaves the door open for more PI Swan song investigations... 5* :)
Although this case was never officialy Emily's, she is obviously not going to walk away from a friend in need, especially when she knows that there is more to Bridget's story than pure cold blooded murder!..
A fantastic read and whatever the author may say this definitely leaves the door open for more PI Swan song investigations... 5* :)
June 8, 2020
Suspense, mystery, murder and intrigue await you in the pages of "Kill for Love" The gripping story line pulls you in and captivates you from the first page. You'll find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat as you turn each page anxiously waiting to find out what happens next. Great characters that are strong and well developed and add so much element to the story line. If you love a good mystery with suspense, you'll love this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 1, 2025
Kill For Love
Malcolm Richards
A definite must-read for thrill-lovers!
Wow! Once again, I was on the edge of my chair flipping through the pages to see if Emily could catch the bad guy. I was thinking out loud together with the characters and perplexed by the twists and turns thrown into the story.
Malcolm Richards
A definite must-read for thrill-lovers!
Wow! Once again, I was on the edge of my chair flipping through the pages to see if Emily could catch the bad guy. I was thinking out loud together with the characters and perplexed by the twists and turns thrown into the story.
June 2, 2020
I almost read this advance reader copy of the book in one setting except for technical problems with Bookfunnel.
This instalment of Emily Swanson and her crew was great to read, she has developed as a private investigator with loads more confidence. Sad that the story line for this could actually be true, there are some very sick scary people in the world if so. No more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but it is a must read. btw I have purchased the book through amazon too.
This instalment of Emily Swanson and her crew was great to read, she has developed as a private investigator with loads more confidence. Sad that the story line for this could actually be true, there are some very sick scary people in the world if so. No more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but it is a must read. btw I have purchased the book through amazon too.
June 26, 2020
I think that this was my all time favourite in the series. I was so hooked, and I read this in one sitting. I found myself reading this addition to the series three times.There was so many twists and turns and Emily didn't let any of this challenges stop her from catching the people she needed to.
I love this series by this author and I cannot wait to see what more there is to come.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this series by this author and I cannot wait to see what more there is to come.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 1, 2020
This is not only a Good Read, this is a Great Read! By far in my opinion this is Malcom Richards best work yet. The characters, the relationships, the settings all so realistic you feel like you know these places and are unhappily turning pages because each turned page takes you closer to the ending. By all means give this a try you won’t be disappointed.
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June 18, 2020I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. The concept is scary and terrifying, but I especially enjoy Emily Swanson's determination and resilience when catching bad guys. I am saddened that this will be the last book in the series, but this story ending is a beautiful finish to a woman's story as a helper and private investigator. Well worth the read!!
June 22, 2020
This is book 5 of the Emily Swanson series. This is a really good thriller. The story has a great flow and is very well written. The characters are well developed and the storyline is suspenseful. A hard book to put down. I would recommend reading the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 24, 2020
Kill For Love by Malcolm Richards is an amazing story that I have read. This is book number five in this amazing series that I have loved reading since the beginning. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about suspense, thrillers and mysteries.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 1, 2020
I enjoyed this book. It had some good twists and turns. I had read the previous books, but a while ago so couldn't really remember Emily's background. But it didn't really matter, as this can be read as a stand alone book.
May 29, 2020
Thank you for the free Arc
Love this series
Character are fabulous
Story just moves along
Love this series
Character are fabulous
Story just moves along
June 1, 2020
Another brilliant installment in this underrated series. I hear this might be the last one. Say it ain't so!
April 3, 2024
Great series!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews