D for Dead

I have read a lot of books by Keri Beevis and I really enjoy her writing style. Once again this book has provided plenty of entertainment and I liked the final twists and turns.<br /><br />Rebecca Angell returns in this case, this time promoted to Detective. A lot of time has passed since the previous book and throughout the novel we do get plot “fillers” to show what has passed. Indeed, I don’t think you would need to have read the previous book to understand the characters because the focus is more on the crimes being committed, rather than their backgrounds.<br /><br />That being said, I was keen to learn what had happened to Rebecca’s romantic life! The writer suggests plenty in the previous story and it did make me feel like I had been left out of the developments. However, Rebecca’s confusing love life provides plenty of entertainment and there was an episode in the novel where I was literally cringing inside! It was a pleasant side story to the narrative and distracted me from the main plot.<br /><br />The murders were different and not too gory. I liked the premise that the killer is using a series of books as inspiration and, whilst I did guess part of the conclusion, was still surprised by the final chapters. It was like Beevis kept the best bits from the reader: she is dropped clues to make it a little obvious, but saves the best, killer blows (pun totally intended!) until the closing chapters. Adding to the intensity of the novel, it kept me interested and I did not feel frustrated that I was able to predict some of the developments.<br /><br />Once again the cast of characters are varied and enjoyable. They feel relatable and I could easily picture them as real-life people. Indeed, Boaz’s lazy tendencies as a police officer were entertaining as I wondered how far he could push the boundaries?<br /><br />Closing the novel with a satisfying ending, I imagine that Beevis can take Angell’s character further in future stories. There is enough material and a solid foundation for this to become a successful series of books. I look forward to reading what Beevis does next!<br /><br />With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

D FOR DEAD, previously published ad DEAD WHITE is the second book (M IS FOR MURDER) from Detective Rebecca Angella, although it is easily read as a standalone, by author Keri Beevis. This is a fast- pace crime thriller with so many twists and turns to hold the reader’s attention.<br /><br />ABC SERIES:<br />1. M for Murder (2020)<br />2. D For Dead (2020)<br /><br />Amy Gallaty is a crime fiction author and had been doing a signing, when an overly excited and disappointed fan, Nadine Williams, obsessed with the series, attacks the author for ending the murder mystery series. Then graffiti was left later on her car in the parking lot. Was this the work of Nadine? <br /><br />Detectives Jake Sullivan and partner Rebecca Angell and are called to a murder scene. Someone had forced a man to bury his girlfriend alive and then brutally stabbed him to death. The victims were two students from a local college: Ben Hogan and Kasey Miller. <br /><br /> “Young male, multiple stab wounds. Body was dumped in an open grave.”<br /><br />A clue writing left by the killer on the girl’s hands-Chap 26-Page 323. It was a game! The detectives discovered a book called “Grave Encounters” by author Amy Gallaty in the deceased car, and checked the book for chapter and verse. <br /><br />The clues soon lead them to a crime novel which the killer has used for inspiration. The author, Amy Gallaty, has a new book out prompting Angell and Sullivan to question how far the writer is prepared to go in the name of promotion.<br /><br />But when Amy attracts the attentions of a stalker and then a second murder mirrors another of her plots, they realize they are up against a cruel and clever psychopath.<br /><br />With six books in the series, it is now a race against time to unlock the secrets in Amy's past before the killer can strike again…<br /><br />This is well written novel with engaging characters. Highly recommended.<br /><br />Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy. <br /> <br /><br />

<br />*** This book was previously published as Dead White ***<br /><br />Amy Gallaty is a novelist, promoting a new book. She has ended her murder mystery series and starting something new.<br /><br />Detectives Rebecca Angell and Jake Sullivan are called in to investigate the stabbing death of a teenager.<br /><br />What makes this interesting is the killer leaves a clue .... the first book in Amy's series. He mimics the graphic killing scene in the book. When a second person is killed in a particularly gruesome manner, the second book in her series is left for the detectives to find, again mirroring another of her murder plots.<br /><br />Amy has developed a stalker ... one who is willing to kill anyone and everyone that Amy knows. This makes it very personal.<br /><br />There are six books ... how many will this psychopath get through before the detectives can stop him?<br /><br />This is well written with skillfully drawn characters. This is the second book (M IS FOR MURDER) featuring Angell, although it is easily read as a stand alone. Angell and Sullivan reveal more of their personal lives, which blends easily with their personal lives. Twists and turns point to multiple suspects which leads to a quite unexpected ending.<br /><br />Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.<br />

I really need to be totally honest here. It has taken me so long to read this book and my review is not worth anything.<br />Keri Beevis is an excellent author but I couldn’t click with this due to these difficult times. I’m adding this book to my”must be read again”.

Plot<br /><br />Murder is as easy as ABC...<br /><br />Detective Rebecca Angell and Jake Sullivan are working with the FBI, because of them finding a teenager who was stabbed, which is linked to the author Amy Gallaty. The murder is mirroring the plots and murders in her crime fiction series. <br /><br />M for Murder (#1 in the Rebecca Angell Series) was absolutely fantastic and Keri Beevis has done it again with this gruesome, addictive book. The Plot is just breathtaking, incredibly well constructed with a very absorbing crime and an intelligent psychopathic sick killer on the loose. <br /><br />Characters<br /><br />Rebecca is now a detective 6 years later after the M for a Murder case. And her character is further well developed, and she is a very relatable character, and she differs from other female detective characters and continues to develop in this book. And I love the relationship between Rebecca and the FBI Agent it brings a new spin into the book. <br /><br />Jake Sullivan, Well I absolutely bloody love him. He is one lovable character and I can't wait to see how his personality and personal life continues to develop in further books in this series. <br /><br />There are other characters which bring an extra element of humour to this awesome book. <br /><br />Writing<br /><br />She creates eerie, raw, distinctive and tremendous plots with twists and turns aplenty. I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every book that I have read of Keri Beevis. She is a master of crime fiction, a master of relatable personalities through her characters. And she has an epic ability to create exceptionally breathtaking and heart in mouth prologue/opening chapters. <br /><br />Pacing<br /><br />This is a fast-paced book which is a colourful, enthralling, exhilarating and a refreshing crime fiction book.   <br /><br />Cover<br /><br />Bloody Bright Attractive Cover. <br /><br />Overall<br /><br />An eerie, raw, distinctive and tremendous plot with twists and turns aplenty. A Master of crime fiction, a master of relatable personalities through her characters. An epic ability to create exceptionally breathtaking and heart in the mouth prologue/opening chapters. A colourful, enthralling, exhilarating and refreshing crime fiction.

Keri has done it again! This is the third book of hers that I have reviewed this year and it is another 5-star read! Full of action, tension, suspense, with many twists and turns, D For Dead is a must-read for 2020. It is a nailbiting, edge of your seat thriller and as weird as this is to say given its darkness, I was disappointed when it ended as I was enjoying it so much. I really hope there will be many more books to come in this series.<br /><br />What I love most about Keri’s work and what she excels in, is her prologue/opening chapter. You can always expect a cracker of an opening to her stories and D For Dead is no exception. Bloody hell what a way to start a book! I broke out in a sweat and my heart was pounding so hard I thought it was going to jump out of my chest! You are going to need to buckle up for this one as Keri takes you on one hell of a ride!<br /><br />Keri has reached into the darkest depths of her mind for this plot. A killer is reenacting murder scenes straight from the pages of author Amy Gallaty’s books and raised a question in me I would be curious to know and that is does every writer fear this when they are writing these types of stories? I couldn’t think of anything worse and how that would feel if that did happen. I haven’t read this in a story before and must admit, I did find it very intriguing, different and not of the norm which just makes this book stand out all the more for me.<br /><br />It was good to catch up with Rebecca again and see how she has fared since the events in M For Murder. In D For Dead, set six years later, Rebecca is now a detective and she suits the role well. What I love the most about her, is she is a down to earth, eating a whole pizza to herself, beer-guzzling straight out of the bottle kind of gal all the while still stepping up and putting 110% into the job.<br /><br />She is less stuffy than some other female detectives that I read, which makes her relatable. She is also the subject of one of the most embarrassing and cringeworthy situations which provides a lighthearted moment to a story that is so dark. I also really like Jake and I look forward to seeing how his ending in the book evolves in the next. All the other characters have been written very well and are very believable in their roles.<br /><br />You can always count on Keri to give the reader everything and more out of her stories. Fresh and interesting plots, diverse and well-rounded characters, that she brings together through writing that is vivid, engaging and just downright perfect and I can’t get enough of her books! It was an absolute pleasure to be given the opportunity to read and review D For Dead which I can’t recommend highly enough.<br /><br />Thank you to Bloodhound Books and Keri Beevis for allowing me to read an advanced copy of D For Dead which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.<br />

I loved this book!<br />Having recently read M for Murder I was looking forward to this one and wasn’t disappointed. <br />Angell has been promoted to Detective and with a high profile murder, the FBI are called in again. <br />Angell and Hickok have history and her new partner, Sullivan can tell the tension is brewing between them again. <br />Sullivan has his own feelings to think about as he’s attracted to the woman they’re all protecting but can’t do anything about it. <br />The murders in this book follow the murders carried out in Amy’s fictional novels so she’s under protection.<br />Boaz is back and even manages to be useful this time. <br />This is a gripping crime thriller and I loved the revelation of the killer as I had no idea!<br />I just hope there’s more to come in this series.

Move over Tami Hoag...there's a new girl in town!<br />With 'Dead Write', Beevis has somehow managed to surpass herself. The first book in this series was excellent with well-crafted characters but in book two, 'Dead Write', these same characters came to life for me, literally leaping off the page and pulling me into this thrilling tale. Personality traits, that on their own may seem despicable, are the very thing that made characters like Angell and Boaz likeable, even loveable! The storyline was anything but predictable and gave my imagination a vigorous workout, leaving me physically exhausted by the time I read the last word. This thriller is packed with personality. Keri Beevis has joined the ranks of my favourites - Tami Hoag, Lisa Gardner and Mary Higgins Clark. I can't wait to see what this talented author has in store for us next. Time for Ms. Beevis to give up her day job and concentrate on what she does best - crafting provocative thrillers!<br />

This story sees the return of Rebecca Angell, now promoted to Detective in Juniper Police Department, Oregon. It is now six years on from the first story, M For Murder, where she was instrumental in catching the notorious Alphabet Killer and the story was left on a will they/won't they cliff-hanger between Angell and FBI agent Joel Hickok. After a bring fling it was "won't they", and recently Angell has been in a relationship with kind, dull and reliable Alan, with her mother desperately dropping hints about marriage. Another old face is Vic Boaz, still in uniform and still a little work shy but with a much better attitude since he received some big shocks in the first book. For the last few years Angell has been partnered with Detective Jake Sullivan who joined the department from down south and has a bit of a troubled past. The story begins with the double murder of two students from the local college. A paperback book has been left in their car by the killer to show police where he took his inspiration from. The author and part-time waitress, Amy Gallaty, lives locally and has written a total of six books in the same genre before moving along to something a little more on the supernatural side. The change of style has in turn upset her most ardent fan who has become quite threatening of late. Coincidence? Since one of the victims is related to a Senator, it's not long before the FBI wade in, and Joel Hickok is suddenly back in Angell's life, dragging a rookie agent with him. Before they can all make much progress in the murders, another body is found with another book, and it looks like Amy has a stalker. But could the stalker be the clever psychopath who is copying Amy's crime scenes or could it be simply her past coming back to haunt her? As the detectives investigate and wonder how far Amy is to blame for the deaths, the bodies start to pile up and it looks like they all have a connection to the writer in some way. There's a great array of suspects in the case they dub "The Storybook Killer" and links to a past case throw up even more leads as the police race to save everyone involved. The plot was clever and intriguing, although there were a few imagination-stretching coincidences, and was well written. The story twists and hurtles at breathtaking speed to an ending where the killing plan unravels and everything is explained in all its gory glory. The author has really built on the foundations laid in book one, and the characters have become much more rounded and likeable here. I hope there will be more to come in this series. 4.5*

So engaging and surprising, but badly in need of an editor’s touch. Like in M for Murder, the story takes place on the west coast of the US, but the language is UK English. Lots of mistakes that should have been caught by the editor. Examples: “in hospital” instead of “in the hospital”; “details” instead of “contact information”. I am an American who lived in the UK, so maybe others might just find the word choice odd, but there were so many glaring vocabulary errors in both books, to me it was distracting.