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Dead Senate
Some secrets are worth killing over. FBI Agents Kate Walsh & Declan James are sent to Martha’s Vineyard to investigate the murders of two United States senators. A secret meeting of senators and the vice president was held and now people are dying. The timing couldn’t be worse as a hurricane is quickly approaching the island preventing anyone from leaving.
Isolated on an estate, those who remain are protecting a dark secret that could end all of their careers. Kate and Declan are left with more questions than answers. Why so little Secret Service protection? Who’d want two prominent senators dead? What secrets do the rest of them hold?
Kate and Declan must untangle the web of lies as the murderer continues their deadly wrath. No one is safe - not even them. Can they break through the wall of silence in time to protect the rest or will the murderer walk free?
Isolated on an estate, those who remain are protecting a dark secret that could end all of their careers. Kate and Declan are left with more questions than answers. Why so little Secret Service protection? Who’d want two prominent senators dead? What secrets do the rest of them hold?
Kate and Declan must untangle the web of lies as the murderer continues their deadly wrath. No one is safe - not even them. Can they break through the wall of silence in time to protect the rest or will the murderer walk free?
- GenresThriller
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2023
284 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Stacy M. Jones
45 books146 followersStacy M. Jones is a criminologist turned crime novelist whose thrillers pulse with a realism that only decades working with law enforcement can bring. That firsthand experience fuels her fiction, stories rooted in authentic criminal psychology, human complexity, and high-stakes emotion.
Since 2018, Stacy has written four series, ranging from gritty FBI thrillers and hard-boiled private eye mysteries to her lighter paranormal cozy series. Her series include the completed cozy paranormal Harper & Hattie Magical Mystery Series, the completed hard-boiled PI Riley Sullivan Mystery Series, the FBI Agent Kate Walsh Thriller Series and the new Connor Fitzgerald Thriller series.
Stacy holds master’s degrees in forensic psychology and journalism and for now calls Little Rock, Arkansas home,though her storytelling always carries a trace of her upstate New York roots.
To join Stacy's Mystery Readers Club & access her Starter Library, which includes three novellas - "Harper's Folly", "The 1922 Club Murder" and "The Curators" - hit subscribe at http://www.stacymjones.com/
Since 2018, Stacy has written four series, ranging from gritty FBI thrillers and hard-boiled private eye mysteries to her lighter paranormal cozy series. Her series include the completed cozy paranormal Harper & Hattie Magical Mystery Series, the completed hard-boiled PI Riley Sullivan Mystery Series, the FBI Agent Kate Walsh Thriller Series and the new Connor Fitzgerald Thriller series.
Stacy holds master’s degrees in forensic psychology and journalism and for now calls Little Rock, Arkansas home,though her storytelling always carries a trace of her upstate New York roots.
To join Stacy's Mystery Readers Club & access her Starter Library, which includes three novellas - "Harper's Folly", "The 1922 Club Murder" and "The Curators" - hit subscribe at http://www.stacymjones.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 29, 2023
I love this series. Every book gets better and better. Love the characters of Kate and Declan and the storyline kept me reading hours past my bed time. Cant wait for the next and see how characters continue to develop
Thank you to Stacy M Jones for the Advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Great series!!!
Thank you to Stacy M Jones for the Advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Great series!!!
January 29, 2023
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with Kate and Declan being called to a scene on Martha's Vineyard where two senators were killed. They are also in line of having a hurricane hit the island. When they finally arrived, they were later aprised of the killing of another individual, this time a member of the Secret Service. The Secret Service was there because the Vice President was on the scene. An obstacle that Kate and Declan had to overcome was what the purpose of the meeting was. To get to the bottom, Kate and Declan started to interview the individuals who were attending the meeting. It took a while, but they soon discovered what the meeting related to. The two FBI members requested additional assistance for protecting this group. They were only able to get them to work during the night since they had a lot of tasks to perform related to the hurricane that was coming.
After another attempt was made, Declan was able to stop the individual that was killing all of those people. They would soon learn later that there was a person inside that was also associated with the killer.
To discover all of the steps Kate and Declan had to go through, who else was on the island that would give them important information plus whoat the purpose of the meeting and who was the ringleader, then you need to read this book. It will definitely keep your interest.
The story begins with Kate and Declan being called to a scene on Martha's Vineyard where two senators were killed. They are also in line of having a hurricane hit the island. When they finally arrived, they were later aprised of the killing of another individual, this time a member of the Secret Service. The Secret Service was there because the Vice President was on the scene. An obstacle that Kate and Declan had to overcome was what the purpose of the meeting was. To get to the bottom, Kate and Declan started to interview the individuals who were attending the meeting. It took a while, but they soon discovered what the meeting related to. The two FBI members requested additional assistance for protecting this group. They were only able to get them to work during the night since they had a lot of tasks to perform related to the hurricane that was coming.
After another attempt was made, Declan was able to stop the individual that was killing all of those people. They would soon learn later that there was a person inside that was also associated with the killer.
To discover all of the steps Kate and Declan had to go through, who else was on the island that would give them important information plus whoat the purpose of the meeting and who was the ringleader, then you need to read this book. It will definitely keep your interest.
April 12, 2025
Always happy to read these lately, I'm actually trying to go slow so I can savor them
This was good, it was well written, and I enjoyed the whole stuck in a place, limited help and most of all the Clue vibes of this whole work, the setting was perfect and cozy.
Now I'm not one for politics so I can't say anything about that side of things, but it was interesting and tackled real topics and I think it was tastefully done, the ending was SO satisfying ;)
Didn't feel like there was a deep connection with the side characters in this one, not like it was with Briggs and Murphy but that's okay, it made sense with the plot.
I of course ADORED the Declan and Kate scenes as always and ohhh I feel the connection between them building, it'll reach that boiling point soon and it'll be oh so satisfying. I will once again say how cute they are, they're partnership is everything, the trust and communication is SO great, I've said it before but it's a breath of fresh air.
one of my favorite paragraphs in the book:
// Every once in a while, Kate found moments of humanity and friendship even in the worst circumstances. She couldn’t remember who said it, the actor Tom Hanks maybe, but it was all about the hang. Meaning no matter what the job was, it was the people you were doing it with that made the experience either good or bad. Kate couldn’t have asked for a better team.//
Onto the next one!
This was good, it was well written, and I enjoyed the whole stuck in a place, limited help and most of all the Clue vibes of this whole work, the setting was perfect and cozy.
Now I'm not one for politics so I can't say anything about that side of things, but it was interesting and tackled real topics and I think it was tastefully done, the ending was SO satisfying ;)
Didn't feel like there was a deep connection with the side characters in this one, not like it was with Briggs and Murphy but that's okay, it made sense with the plot.
I of course ADORED the Declan and Kate scenes as always and ohhh I feel the connection between them building, it'll reach that boiling point soon and it'll be oh so satisfying. I will once again say how cute they are, they're partnership is everything, the trust and communication is SO great, I've said it before but it's a breath of fresh air.
one of my favorite paragraphs in the book:
// Every once in a while, Kate found moments of humanity and friendship even in the worst circumstances. She couldn’t remember who said it, the actor Tom Hanks maybe, but it was all about the hang. Meaning no matter what the job was, it was the people you were doing it with that made the experience either good or bad. Kate couldn’t have asked for a better team.//
Onto the next one!
January 29, 2023
Having read The Fuse, an earlier book, book 4 in the FBI Kate Walsh Novel series, I knew I was going to be in for an exciting read the moment I downloaded my copy of the Dead Senate. Dead Senate is book 5 and the latest book in this series and can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel, but for maximum enjoyment you should read this series in the order in which Stacy wrote them. Each story is complete. Stacy doesn’t write cliffhangers. The character arcs of Kate Walsh and Declan James continue to develop from book to book. I have yet to read the first three books in this series, but they are on my TBR List.
Dead Senate is a page burner, a nonstop rollercoaster thrill ride that will keep you glued to the edge of your seats until you have come to the very last word. Dead Senate has more twist and turns in the story plot line than Carter had Little Liver Pills. Stacy feeds you more red herrings than your favorite fish restaurant on a Friday night. Murder, blackmail, kidnapping, nature running amok, and dirty politicians. Dead Senate has it all.
If you are a blood and guts, adrenaline junkie like I am, you’ll love this tale. If you only read one thriller this year, make it Dead Senate.
Dead Senate is a page burner, a nonstop rollercoaster thrill ride that will keep you glued to the edge of your seats until you have come to the very last word. Dead Senate has more twist and turns in the story plot line than Carter had Little Liver Pills. Stacy feeds you more red herrings than your favorite fish restaurant on a Friday night. Murder, blackmail, kidnapping, nature running amok, and dirty politicians. Dead Senate has it all.
If you are a blood and guts, adrenaline junkie like I am, you’ll love this tale. If you only read one thriller this year, make it Dead Senate.
January 29, 2023
When you pick up a book in this series, or any Stacy M. Jones book for that matter, you are guaranteed a reading experience that will hold you hostage until you turn the final page. This series is so good! This is a quick read, not because it lacks detail or substance, but because it grabs your attention from the beginning and doesn’t let up until you know how it all will end! The plot is intriguing, intricately crafted and keeps you trying to figure out who the culprit could possibly be before the author unveils it for you. I highly recommend this series!
January 30, 2023
From the first page the scene is adroitly set. Kate and Declan are literally thrown into the mystery of mysteries that would at first glance seem an impossibility to solve. Kate as usual uses her problem solving abilities in her straight forward, clinical manner. Declan, on the other hand, is an excellent juxtaposition with his ability to “lighten the moment” whilst also excelling in his sleuthing skills. Together they make a formidable pair in tackling this seemingly formidable series of murders.
February 4, 2023
Kate and Declan never disappoint! I count myself lucky to be among the circle of Advanced Readers for this talented author! Whether Kate Walsh, Riley Sullivan, or Harper & Hattie, each new volume means I carve out some time to really delve into the story. Jones' characters are not cardboard but jump off the page, directly into your life.
Jones has our intrepid duo in another race against time. Though we know they will come out on top with the bad guys neatly hog-tied, you'll be on the edge of your seat as this gifted author has you following their every step into possible peril.
Do yourself a favour, grab it, and take the afternoon off to read it. Then go back and catch up with the others, if you haven't already.
[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
Jones has our intrepid duo in another race against time. Though we know they will come out on top with the bad guys neatly hog-tied, you'll be on the edge of your seat as this gifted author has you following their every step into possible peril.
Do yourself a favour, grab it, and take the afternoon off to read it. Then go back and catch up with the others, if you haven't already.
[I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
April 21, 2023
As allways Stacy has written a fast paced thriller/mystery where you are unable to guess who the culprit(s) are. The interaction between Kate and Declan is not disturbing the story itself; it's a natural progression of their friendship. As for the theme of the book, politicans are really scumbags sometimes, especially when they have power and has had it for years. Therefore it's nice to see some getting what they deserve.
You can read this book independently of the previous in the series, but do take the opportunity to read those too.
You can read this book independently of the previous in the series, but do take the opportunity to read those too.
January 31, 2023
I always have to clear my calendar when a new Stacy M. Jones book is released! Like the others in this series, it is so fast paced and grabs you right from the get go. It’s difficult to figure out who is killing high-profile political players and why. But…It’s crazy how much you want justice to be served. And my gosh, the Kate & Declan chemistry and tension does not disappoint. Another amazing FBI thriller you need to read!
February 1, 2023
Ms. Jones always surprises me with each new book. This one is very complicated. So many twists & turns that Kate & Declan maneuver through to determine who is killing senators. What secret is those that are alive guarding so carefully & closely? This story points to issues among the Congress members that have been kept secret in real life so this story is not totally fiction, in my opinion. That is what makes it so incredible. I received an ARC. I choose to write this voluntary review.
February 8, 2023
FBI Agents Kate Walsh and Declan James are on Martha’s Vineyard in the middle of a hurricane trying to solve the murder of 2 US Senators, a Secret Service Agent, and a Senator’s aide. There are more twists, turns, lies, and misdirection that I didn’t know which way was up. Such a GREAT read!!!!!! Can’t wait to see how Kate and Declan’s relationship develops!!!!!! Keep this series going, Stacey Jones!!!!!!
February 13, 2023
Timely and Disgusting
Kate and Declan are trapped on Martha’s Vineyard with someone killing Senators, secret Service and civilians while a hurricane roars toward them. No support; the locals are dealing with the storm and the group of Senators and aides are not very forthcoming. Harassment and blackmail round out the equation. The shooter comes after them, too. Compelling read.
Kate and Declan are trapped on Martha’s Vineyard with someone killing Senators, secret Service and civilians while a hurricane roars toward them. No support; the locals are dealing with the storm and the group of Senators and aides are not very forthcoming. Harassment and blackmail round out the equation. The shooter comes after them, too. Compelling read.
April 10, 2023
Declan and Kate at it again....
Unfortunately, there always was, is and will be sexual harassment in places of power. The "Me,too " movement didn't help much since women started coming out with stupidest stories just to be spiteful, except for the few that had real stories to tell. Women will always have a fight on their hands and this story tells it how it is. Another great job by the author. Looking forward to next installment.
Unfortunately, there always was, is and will be sexual harassment in places of power. The "Me,too " movement didn't help much since women started coming out with stupidest stories just to be spiteful, except for the few that had real stories to tell. Women will always have a fight on their hands and this story tells it how it is. Another great job by the author. Looking forward to next installment.
January 29, 2023
I absolutely loved this. It's a non-stop thriller set in Martha's Vineyard where 2 senators have been murdered. If you like locked room mysteries, then this is for you.
It's full of intrigue and I just had to keep reading as it's clear there are lots of secrets being kept among all the attendees. I found this to be a total riveting read and I think this is the best of the series so far.
It's full of intrigue and I just had to keep reading as it's clear there are lots of secrets being kept among all the attendees. I found this to be a total riveting read and I think this is the best of the series so far.
January 31, 2023
Truth is stranger than fiction. I know that Stacy had finished this book before the George Santos fiasco started and the book only has one element of that saga. {And that was only one of the secrets.]
Clearly the book's takeaway is: Never trust politicians!!
Another great read by Stacy M Jones
Clearly the book's takeaway is: Never trust politicians!!
Another great read by Stacy M Jones
February 2, 2023
What a Ride!
This has to be the best book in the FBI Agent Kate Walsh series so far. It has it all…political intrigue, murder, a relentless hurricane and a complex plot. The sleazy side of politics was a bit too realistic for me because a lot of it is undoubtedly true. It is depressing to acknowledge our general inaction in response to tainted public officials.
This has to be the best book in the FBI Agent Kate Walsh series so far. It has it all…political intrigue, murder, a relentless hurricane and a complex plot. The sleazy side of politics was a bit too realistic for me because a lot of it is undoubtedly true. It is depressing to acknowledge our general inaction in response to tainted public officials.
February 6, 2023
Yet again no disappointment from this author. Kate and Declan are called to an island to investigate deaths at a meeting involving several senators and the vice president. They have very little resources and are stuck as a hurricane is baring down on them. They still manage to wade through the mess and uncover not just the murderer but also another massive mystery.
February 18, 2023
Keep your friends and enemies closer
Promises given, but never to be kept.
Blackmail and murder. Agent Kate and Declan have their hands full with a hurricane pressing down on them and Senators dead with no connection between them as to the reason for their deaths. Someone is lying, or are they all lying? A good "who is guilty"?
Promises given, but never to be kept.
Blackmail and murder. Agent Kate and Declan have their hands full with a hurricane pressing down on them and Senators dead with no connection between them as to the reason for their deaths. Someone is lying, or are they all lying? A good "who is guilty"?
January 29, 2023
Declan and Kate are back in their latest mystery This was a fun read that keeps you guessing til the end Dead senators a while lots of suspects few resources and a hurricane makes for great entertainment
January 30, 2023
Deadly Politics
Best one yet & they are all fantastic. This one grabs you from the beginning and keeps you glued to the book until the end. Very well written with awesome characters. I look forward to more in the series.
Best one yet & they are all fantastic. This one grabs you from the beginning and keeps you glued to the book until the end. Very well written with awesome characters. I look forward to more in the series.
February 12, 2023
another excellent book by Stacy M Jones
Any book with FBI Agents Kate & Declan is going to be good. This one kept. E guessing till the end. And I SO enjoyed the Justice in that last Chapter.
The only sad thing is now I want another book to read by this talented Author.
Any book with FBI Agents Kate & Declan is going to be good. This one kept. E guessing till the end. And I SO enjoyed the Justice in that last Chapter.
The only sad thing is now I want another book to read by this talented Author.
February 20, 2023
Exciting, intelligent and twisted!
This well written story lends insight into serious behaviors and how far people will go to cover it up. Fantastic characters and clever storytelling.
This well written story lends insight into serious behaviors and how far people will go to cover it up. Fantastic characters and clever storytelling.
May 7, 2023
3.5***
Elaborate, to the point of confused. So many things going on, with so many suspects. Enough to boggle the mind. Now if you put it in prospective of today's culture this could be a real thing. Amazingly cutthroat politics.
Elaborate, to the point of confused. So many things going on, with so many suspects. Enough to boggle the mind. Now if you put it in prospective of today's culture this could be a real thing. Amazingly cutthroat politics.
May 14, 2023
Very good read
Senators are dying so are aides that work for them. They are all in one place to discuss that they are being blackmailed. Some of them are working with Kate and Declan to find the murderer and some are hostel
Senators are dying so are aides that work for them. They are all in one place to discuss that they are being blackmailed. Some of them are working with Kate and Declan to find the murderer and some are hostel
August 23, 2023
Another good read!
I love, love, love Stacey M. Jones’ books!
i feel like I know Kate and Declan personally and get really wrapped up in their investigations.
Looking forward to the next.
I love, love, love Stacey M. Jones’ books!
i feel like I know Kate and Declan personally and get really wrapped up in their investigations.
Looking forward to the next.
December 20, 2023
Harassment of Women
This is a story of power plays and harassment of women in the workplace. This hits to close to home for me. Good book...I just cannot read a nightmare I lived in corporate America.
This is a story of power plays and harassment of women in the workplace. This hits to close to home for me. Good book...I just cannot read a nightmare I lived in corporate America.
May 18, 2024
Hard to follow
This book was a challenge to read and stay focused. Too many characters and jumping around it seemed. A lot of rambling as well. Not the best book in serious thus far.
This book was a challenge to read and stay focused. Too many characters and jumping around it seemed. A lot of rambling as well. Not the best book in serious thus far.
September 8, 2025
Stacy Jones has continued my journey with Kate and Declan well! There were a few issues, nothing too substantial. Kinda started to feel like a game of Clue the closer the book got to the end. I enjoyed it, was waiting for the butler with the candlestick holder!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2023
Loved it. As usual the mystery grabs your mind. You want to know the answer but you don't really want the book to end.
January 30, 2023
Kate and Declan are on their own trying to solve and find a killer on an island during a hurricane. Another great story from Stacy M. Jones. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews