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Emerald City #1
Investigate Away
It was the case that ended his career...and broke his heart.
Not much happens in the city of Langley, especially in the dead of winter, and that’s precisely the way newly assigned Chief of Police Jagar Bowie prefers it.
For years, Jag served the city of Seattle as one of its finest homicide detectives. He solved more murders than anyone else in his department. But it was the one he hadn’t solved that ruined his career and still haunted his dreams. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t stop searching for the Trinket Killer.
And he can’t get Callie Dixon out of his heart.
When Callie Dixon returned to Seattle to finish her book about her time as a reporter covering the Trinket Killer, her own sister’s death, and the police officer who botched the case and stole her heart, she never expected history would repeat itself.
But that’s exactly what happened.
And now her life, and heart are on the line.
Not much happens in the city of Langley, especially in the dead of winter, and that’s precisely the way newly assigned Chief of Police Jagar Bowie prefers it.
For years, Jag served the city of Seattle as one of its finest homicide detectives. He solved more murders than anyone else in his department. But it was the one he hadn’t solved that ruined his career and still haunted his dreams. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t stop searching for the Trinket Killer.
And he can’t get Callie Dixon out of his heart.
When Callie Dixon returned to Seattle to finish her book about her time as a reporter covering the Trinket Killer, her own sister’s death, and the police officer who botched the case and stole her heart, she never expected history would repeat itself.
But that’s exactly what happened.
And now her life, and heart are on the line.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2023
56 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Jen Talty
232 books515 followersJen Talty is the USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Paranormal Romance. In the fall of 2020, her short story was selected and featured in a 1001 Dark Nights Anthology. She is currently contracted to write in the With Me in Seattle series by Kristen Proby with Lady Boss Press, as well as Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha and Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors.
Regardless of the genre, her goal is to take you on a ride that will leave you floating under the sun with warmth in your heart. She writes stories about broken heroes and heroines who aren’t necessarily looking for romance, but in the end, they find the kind of love books are written about :).
She first started writing while carting her kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. Her first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 she helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where she ran the technical side of the business through 2016.
Jen is currently enjoying the next phase of her life…the empty nester! She and her husband reside in Jupiter, Florida.
Grab a glass of vino, kick back, relax, and let the romance roll in…
Regardless of the genre, her goal is to take you on a ride that will leave you floating under the sun with warmth in your heart. She writes stories about broken heroes and heroines who aren’t necessarily looking for romance, but in the end, they find the kind of love books are written about :).
She first started writing while carting her kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. Her first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 she helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where she ran the technical side of the business through 2016.
Jen is currently enjoying the next phase of her life…the empty nester! She and her husband reside in Jupiter, Florida.
Grab a glass of vino, kick back, relax, and let the romance roll in…
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 12, 2023
A cop and an investigative reporter are an interesting mix. Jager and Callie were the perfect couple until the investigation that brought them together, tears them apart. Callie's sister is a victim of the 'Trinket Killer'. It's her death that triggers Callie into a spiral of accusations and guilt that lead to her losing her job and her fiancé.
Now a year later, Callie's written a book about the case, one that puts the victims in the forefront. She's interviewed many people and put together many things that weren't part of the original investigation and botched arrest.
Jager also fell to the aftermath of that investigation, but he's in a better place now. As Chief of Police of Whidbey Island, the most exciting part of the day is a speeding ticket. When Callie shows up it seems all those feelings are going to come back to the surface. She's come to apologize for her actions and also to get an interview with him for the book.
With a bunch of trinkets they are suddenly on the look-out for the killer to resurface. When he does, it's as bad as ever. Jager isn't in charge of the investigation and Callie isn't a reporter anymore. They will have to work together to dissect the evidence of the previous murders and find the clues to identify the killer once and for all.
I absolutely loved this book, I was on the edge of my seat through it all. I was also wrong in all my guesses as to who the killer was. The way Callie and Jager become involved romantically again is full of ups and downs with romance, laughter and tears too.
Now a year later, Callie's written a book about the case, one that puts the victims in the forefront. She's interviewed many people and put together many things that weren't part of the original investigation and botched arrest.
Jager also fell to the aftermath of that investigation, but he's in a better place now. As Chief of Police of Whidbey Island, the most exciting part of the day is a speeding ticket. When Callie shows up it seems all those feelings are going to come back to the surface. She's come to apologize for her actions and also to get an interview with him for the book.
With a bunch of trinkets they are suddenly on the look-out for the killer to resurface. When he does, it's as bad as ever. Jager isn't in charge of the investigation and Callie isn't a reporter anymore. They will have to work together to dissect the evidence of the previous murders and find the clues to identify the killer once and for all.
I absolutely loved this book, I was on the edge of my seat through it all. I was also wrong in all my guesses as to who the killer was. The way Callie and Jager become involved romantically again is full of ups and downs with romance, laughter and tears too.
May 18, 2023
🐬📰Man I understand Jag's reputation is in the mud because of Callie and she hurt him dearly. But her sister was dead ffs. "Grieving" that's the word. Aren't we all angry when we grieve? And god forbid if we have someone to blame. And he did make mistakes on the case and ignored her doubts. Now she's genuinely apologizing and asking for help. Why is he being this hard? At least she's owning up to her mistakes unlike him who's hell bent on justifying everything. At the end of the day she's the one who lost her only family and more or less ended up jobless and alone.
🐬📰That's a fiery couple lol.
🐬📰Hmmm..... I'm betting on Kara thn ivy.
🐬📰Believable reaction and dialogues. Nowadays writers forget what those are. This book is so refreshing for that. No awkward blabbers, no over the top dramas. They're perfect together.
🐬📰It's Kara I'm telling you Carol is Kara!!
🐬📰Both of them were pretty unethical bitches in the past.
🐬📰Wtf!! Tina screwed father and daughter at the same time? You kill Her Kara not her lookalikes!!!!
🐬📰You sneak up and disarm her not announce that you're free of your restrain!!!
🐬📰I kept chanting through the whole book "plz let it stay 5star" over and over again 😭 cause let me tell you it's been awhile I read a good book. And boy did it serve!! The mystery, the romance, the execution🤌 yes I kinda guessed the preparator but it was very late and still glossy moreover very well written. No overly awkward situations or cheesy dramas on the romance side. It was perfect. Also it kinda gave me KR vibes who's just🤌 for me.
🐬📰That's a fiery couple lol.
🐬📰Hmmm..... I'm betting on Kara thn ivy.
🐬📰Believable reaction and dialogues. Nowadays writers forget what those are. This book is so refreshing for that. No awkward blabbers, no over the top dramas. They're perfect together.
🐬📰It's Kara I'm telling you Carol is Kara!!
🐬📰Both of them were pretty unethical bitches in the past.
🐬📰Wtf!! Tina screwed father and daughter at the same time? You kill Her Kara not her lookalikes!!!!
🐬📰You sneak up and disarm her not announce that you're free of your restrain!!!
🐬📰I kept chanting through the whole book "plz let it stay 5star" over and over again 😭 cause let me tell you it's been awhile I read a good book. And boy did it serve!! The mystery, the romance, the execution🤌 yes I kinda guessed the preparator but it was very late and still glossy moreover very well written. No overly awkward situations or cheesy dramas on the romance side. It was perfect. Also it kinda gave me KR vibes who's just🤌 for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2023
I have always enjoyed Jen Talty's books and this one is no exception. Jagar Bowie worked as a homicide detective with the Seattle Police Department. He was good at his job but also had an arrogance too until the wrong man was arrested as “The Trinket Killer” and his fiancée Callie, a news reporter for the local station, of less than twenty-four hours called him out on it in the news as well as broke their engagement at the same time on National Television. What sparked all that was her sister had been the latest victim as well as her only relative. She needed someone to blame so Jag was it. Shre moved away and Jag is now the Sheriff on Whidbey. He has never given up his search for the Trinket Killer but keeps everything in an office at his home under lock and key. It is considered a cold case but he has never given up on finding the killer. Now a year later, Callie Dixon has returned to town to finish a book she has written about this serial killer and wants to interview Jag for it. When she walks into his home office and sees all the women victims, she realizes he hasn't given up at all. When they realize they both have good ideas, they start working together to pull all the information together to try to figure out who it is. There hadn’t been any reported killings since her sister but now that she has returned, the murders have started again. When you start reading, see if you can figure out who it is and why.
February 9, 2023
An intriguing romantic suspense as Investigative Reporter Callie Dixon and former Seattle Homicide Detective Jagar Bowie reconnect to solve her sister’s murder. Callie and Jagar were once engaged when they were both searching for the “Trinket Killer” who left a dolphin pin in the hand of the victim. He believed they had gotten their killer, but the murders continued. A year later, Callie is writing a book about the murders and when the killer begins to leave notes for her, she knows that she needs his help. Jag has relocated to Whidbey Island as their police chief when Callie shows up asking for his help. She shows him the book and the notes that she has received from the killer. Working together, will they finally find justice for her sister? Callie does not trust easily, has she placed her trust in the wrong person? A gritty mystery for Jag and Callie who have one final chance to catch and stop the killer. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation, from the author, for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
February 10, 2023
This is a fast paced romantic crime suspense story that has you thoroughly engaged from almost the first page
The death of Callie Dixon's sister at the hands of the trinket killer caused her and her secret boyfriend to say many things to one another that they both regretted. But she was an investigative reporter on the case and he was the lead detective so they shouldn't have been together anyway. Now she is about to release her book on the case and she wants to interview Jagar Bowie who has left the Seattle police and is now the police chief of Whidbey Island undeterred she heads to the island having no idea that as they reconnected the trinket killer would also reemerge and this time he has his sights set on Callie. Can they solve the case this time and can they forgive one another for things said in anger and build a future You will have to read to see
The death of Callie Dixon's sister at the hands of the trinket killer caused her and her secret boyfriend to say many things to one another that they both regretted. But she was an investigative reporter on the case and he was the lead detective so they shouldn't have been together anyway. Now she is about to release her book on the case and she wants to interview Jagar Bowie who has left the Seattle police and is now the police chief of Whidbey Island undeterred she heads to the island having no idea that as they reconnected the trinket killer would also reemerge and this time he has his sights set on Callie. Can they solve the case this time and can they forgive one another for things said in anger and build a future You will have to read to see
February 20, 2023
Jagar and Callie had it all. Newly engaged, and then their world fell apart. Jagar is the lead detective heading up the investigation of the serial killer known as the Trinket Killer. Callie is an investigative reporter covering the story. When her sister becomes the latest victim, she blames Jagar and their lives fall apart. A year goes by, and during that time Callie writes a book about the killings. She comes back to Seattle to interview Jagar, and goes to Whidbey Island where Jagar is now the chief of police. For a year the killings stopped. Now that Callie is back in town they have started again. The race has begun for Callie and Jagar to try to re-examine the evidence and try to find the killer. Love the twists and turns trying to find the killer, as well as Jagar and Callie finding their way back to each other.
January 31, 2023
Chief Jag Bowie retired from the Seattle PD and found his spot as the Langley Chief of Police. A much quieter existence than his previous job of detective after the botched investigation of the Trinket Killer. His secret girlfriend, Callie, during the investigation was an investigative reporter. When her sister was murdered, they both said things that shouldn't have been said and went their separate ways. Neither forgetting about the other. A year later Callie returns to interview Jag to finish her book about the Trinket Killer. It brings up past feelings of love, hurt, and mistrust. Now that Callie is back, so is the killer. It is a race to solve the serial murders before Callie pays the ultimate price. I received an ARC and I'm voluntarily reviewing it.
February 10, 2023
Jen Tasty is one of my all time favorite authors. She never pens a bad story. This fast paced suspense hooks the reader from page one. Police detective Jagar Bowie and reporter Callie Dixon were a couple in love and newly engaged until tragedy strikes. The case they were working on but too close to home and they had an epic breakup. A year later, they meet up, and the case comes off the cold file list This story has suspense, twists, and romance. The characters worked through their personal problems to join forces against a serial killer. Fascinating story and wonderful ending. I received a copy, and I'm voluntarily giving my honest review.
January 24, 2023
Investigating a serial killer that stretches over time is hard any day of the week but put an investigative journalist, Callie Dixon on the job, telling her readers that the lead detective Jager Bowie is messing up the investigation and the bottom falls out. Callie finally leaves town and is writing a book about the serial killer and Jager’s shortfalls, but she must return to Seattle to finish it. It just gets more interesting, and you just need to turn the pages to see how this is going to end. It’s a great book and I highly recommend it.
February 6, 2023
Callie Dixion is an investigative Reporter.
Jager Bowie is a former detective with Seattle PD and now Chief of Police
Langley on Whidbey Island.
They are at odds on how to go about solving the Trinket Murders.
Callie and Jag had split after her sister was murdered, but now somehow Callie is writing a book and wanted Ja’s help. They are finally working together.
Will they find the serial killer? Will they have a second chance at love?
You will have to read the book.
This book has edge of your seat suspense, action, drama and emotions.
Great Job Jen Talty !!!!
Jager Bowie is a former detective with Seattle PD and now Chief of Police
Langley on Whidbey Island.
They are at odds on how to go about solving the Trinket Murders.
Callie and Jag had split after her sister was murdered, but now somehow Callie is writing a book and wanted Ja’s help. They are finally working together.
Will they find the serial killer? Will they have a second chance at love?
You will have to read the book.
This book has edge of your seat suspense, action, drama and emotions.
Great Job Jen Talty !!!!
February 15, 2023
A policeman and an investigative reporter is an odd mix, even more so when the officer is trying to find the Trinket Killer, who killed the reporters sister and it ruins both of their careers. What initially brought them together tears them apart. Fast forward a year and now Callie has written a book with the victims as the main focus. Jagar has moved to a small island as the police chief and that’s where Callie goes looking for him to ask him to read her book and also for help. She’s been receiving notes from the killer. Can they finally come together and find the real killer?
February 4, 2023
Jag is now chief of Police on a small island after a botched investigation of the Trinket killer. Callie was his secret girlfriend and reporter till she blames him when things go bad. Now she wants to interview him for a book she's writing about the Trinket killer. This book just keeps getting more interesting as you read. Twist and turns, clues, murders, and you have to read to the end to see who the murderer is. Will keep you guessing and trying to figure out who done it.
February 9, 2023
I'm voluntarily reviewing this book after receiving a free copy. You don't want to put this book down. When her sister was killed by the Trinket Killer, it broke up Callie and Jag. Jag was blamed for the case not being handled right. However when Cassie returns, they end up teaming up to catch the killer who has returned as well. Together they are stronger and catch the killer. They rekindle their love that never went away. It was a great book.
September 22, 2025
Excellent story! Captivating crime drama and romance story. I really liked both of the main characters, Jagar and Callie. Though I felt more connected to Jagar because Callie did him wrong when she left the first time. Anyway, the return of a serial killer and an investigation that won't quit brings them together again. This will keep you turning pages. Almost down to 4 stars as I could really have done without the element on non-traditional relationships.
January 24, 2023
HOLY SCHMOOOOOOKES…what an action packed whodunnit filled with murder, mayhem, anger, hurt, steamy chemistry….will Jagar and Callie figure it out before the killer comes for them?? Loved it!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
January 28, 2023
This book is so good. An amazing crime novel with lots of twists and turns. Trying to solve the murders does not only occupy the characters, but the reader as well.
And it won’t be solved until the end.
A perfect book for a crime enthusiast who likes to be kept on his toes.
And it won’t be solved until the end.
A perfect book for a crime enthusiast who likes to be kept on his toes.
February 18, 2023
This is another great story from this author. It is entertaining and well written. The characters are captivating and well developed. I enjoyed reading and can recommend. I look forward reading more from this author.
October 6, 2024
Great story
This story keeps you on the edge of your seat,it has a lot of suspence, danger and keeps you turning the page to see what happens next until the end looking forward to reading more books from this author
This story keeps you on the edge of your seat,it has a lot of suspence, danger and keeps you turning the page to see what happens next until the end looking forward to reading more books from this author
October 31, 2024
I really loved the combination of suspense and romance in this book. It kept me on edge trying to figure out who the killer actually was and if Callie and Jag were ever going to get back together. Very highly recommend reading it. You won’t be sorry!!
January 24, 2023
Investigate Away is an amazingly written story. Jen Talty has captivated me and kept me hooked. I am so addicted to her books and this is my favorite.
Want to read
June 5, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/5/2023)! 🎁
June 25, 2023
This book was so good. It had just enough adventure and intrigue with a healthy dose of romance. Loved it!
August 8, 2025
A great story
The story is well written, with mystery, suspense, action and romance. The characters are believable and likable.
A must read.
The story is well written, with mystery, suspense, action and romance. The characters are believable and likable.
A must read.
February 18, 2023
This one blew me away! I was expecting a pleasantly enjoyable read, but this story gripped me from page 1. I always love a good second chance romance, and this one was superb. We got just enough of them in the beginning to understand they are soul mates and to really understand their breakup. I loved watching them come back together and work to improve their relationship while solving the mystery. I was definitely surprised by the killer! 5 stars! Can't wait to read more!
June 3, 2023
I always know with a Jen Talty title that I’m going to get a mystery that will lead me through an entire rabbit warren of twists, turns, and misdirections. I think this book led me through more than one warren – I’m guessing somewhere around a dozen. This plot stayed solidly ahead of me. At no point was I getting around it until the author was good and ready for me to find out the answers I was so desperate to learn. And dropped into the middle of this Chinese finger trap of a case was my Kryptonite: a second chance. The last time around, Callie and Jag imploded their relationship. Have they really changed enough to do better? This book kind of tore me up. I couldn’t decide what I needed more: the answers to the mystery or to see their reconciliation. Now that I’m finished reading, I kind of hate that it’s over.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
October 8, 2024
Investigative reporter Callie Dixon’s sister died at the hands of The Trinket Killer. By placing the blame for not catching the TK on Homicide Detective Jagar Bowie when he had the chance, she vowed to find him only to leave town after losing everything in her hunt for justice. Now Callie has returned to Seattle to reconnect with Jager in her search and so has the Trinket Killer.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews