What I’ve Done by Melinda Leigh is the fourth installment of the thrilling romantic suspense Morgan Dane series. Each book in the series features a new case to solve so they could be read as standalone novels if choosing to do so. However, there is character development that carries over book to book so it’s always best to read the series as a whole. This series is also a spin off of another of the author’s but I have not read the first and never noticed anything missing from these novels or felt as if I had missed anything.

Morgan Dane is the lead character in the series, a mother of three that had returned to her home town after the loss of her husband. Morgan was a former prosecutor but she is now on the other side of the courtroom taking on cases as a defense attorney. With every new case Morgan works with her former high school boyfriend turned P.I., Lance Kruger.

Morgan’s new case comes to her via Lance’s P.I. partner, Lincoln Sharp. Years ago Sharp’s partner was killed in the line of duty and now his widow seeks him out to help her daughter who had been accused of murder. Haley had awakened in a strange house with no memory of the night before covered in blood. She finds the man she had been flirting with at the bar stabbed multiple time and thinks what did I do??

Having followed this series from the beginning I’ve become a huge fan of these characters and the cases they take on. Morgan is a tough as nails lead who is backed by her P.I. partners who are also very likable. The romance has been a slow build in the background of some intense cases with plenty of action in the investigations. There’s just the right amount of questioning suspects, following clues and forensics to give it a realistic feel with some great twists and turns along the way. Definitely recommend checking out the entire series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I discovered author Melinda Leigh last year right around the time I discovered a taste for reading mystery novels so naturally when the next book in the Morgan Dane series came out, I had to have it. It took me a moment or two to get back into the swing of things with Morgan and Lance but once I was there, there was no putting down What I’ve Done.

Whew! This is a good one. Morgan takes on a case as a favor for Sharp. His old partner’s daughter wakes up covered in blood with no memory and a dead body nearby. Too much evidence points to her being guilty yet Morgan still takes on the case. Morgan and Lance begin their investigations to only find out not only does the real killer not what to be found, but now their very lives are in danger. Action packed and full of twist this one will keep you guessing until the very end.

Morgan and Lance, I’ve only recently discover them and already I know when this series ends I will be crushed. Love the connection they have both inside the office and in their private lives. It has this great vibe of respect and affection. I thoroughly enjoyed watching how things works between them but to be quite frank it was Sharp and his interaction with a certain reported that had my ears all perked up. Oh there is definitely there, a nice tension, a questionable connection…and I hope to see more if that in the next book.

The story itself had me on the edge of my seat. There were lots of surprises along the way from Morgan getting sucker punched to the final reveal of whodunit it and why. WHOA! I was guessing the whole time, and some of suspicions panned out somewhat correct. But that, just wow! Kudos to author Melinda Leigh for coming up with that jaw-dropping humdinger! As for the very last chapter…SQUEAL! Now to wait for the next, and I sadly suspect the last, book to come out. 2019 can’t come soon enough.

reviewed by Jac

The sheriff should be darn lucky to have Morgan, the defense attorney, solving his cases. She works with two PIs, Lance and Sharp, as they piece a case together without help from police. There is never an easy case, somebody usually gets hurt and her kids are just too cute. This was a murder case that had me baffled for most of it and then the pieces were brilliantly put together. Leigh is masterful with her characters, the plot, and the murder. You are guaranteed a thought provoking and intriguing mystery. I received an early copy and wrote my unbiased review voluntarily.

How someone feels about a book, or how well they enjoy it, can be impacted by other recent books they have read, what is going on in their own life, etc. I really enjoyed this book for not only my interest in the characters and the story lines but also because I really like how Lance does not put Morgan in the position of being a damsel in distress needing his rescue. He is certainly interested in keeping her saving and wanting to be there for her (and her family) but realizes she is a grown woman who is capable of taking care of herself. If you've read my reviews, you know this attitude is in short supply, as is my temper in dealing with men like that. I also enjoyed how this story brought Sharp more into the story line and I am was excited to see where the story lead. This is a series I am always excited to see a new book added to!

When I got this book I should have realized it was in a series! 🤷🏽‍♀️oh well I still read it and enjoyed every wild min! The suspense in this book was gripping and the mystery was complicated enough but I was still able to follow it! The book begins with Haley Powell who wakes up covered in blood with no memory of what happened during the night . When she stumbles around the house trying to figure out where she’s at she looks outside and sees a man laying in the backyard stabbed to death. She asks herself what did I do!! PI Lincoln Sharp Morgan agrees to take Haley’s case as a favor for a friend. She has a ton of circumstantial evidence she has to sort through along with the forensic evidence to try to prove Haley is innocent . Haley is the only suspect since her fingerprints are on the weapon and she doesn’t have an alibi! Someone out there is bound and determined to frame Haley!

This is probably one of my favourite books to read this year!

I have read all the other ones before I started this one. Morgan Dane is a fantastic character, she just jumps off the page!

I wouldn't exactly call this a romance, though it does have romantic elements and a very satisfying ending. It's more along the lines of mainstream suspense similar to Tami Hoag, Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen, and readers of those authors will also enjoy Melinda Leigh. Strong writing, steady pace, and a page-turning plot kept me hooked from beginning to end.

THE BLURB
Haley Powell wakes up covered in blood, with no memory of the night before. When she sees a man lying in the backyard, stabbed to death, she has only one terrified thought: What have I done?

Agreeing to take the case as a favor to her PI friend Lincoln Sharp, Morgan must scale a mountain of damning circumstantial and forensic evidence to prove her client innocent. Haley couldn’t appear more guilty: her bloodstained fingerprints are on the murder weapon, and she has no alibi. But Morgan can’t shake the feeling that this shocked young woman has been framed.

Someone out there is hell-bent on sabotaging her defense, targeting Morgan, her partner, and especially Haley. Someone who will stop at nothing—and whose next move will be deadly.

MY REACTION
This series just keeps getting better and better! The Morgan Dane series is one of my favorite romantic suspense series, with fantastic plotting, believable characters, and fast-paced action. When I started this one, I couldn't put it down. I recommend reading the series in order, as it's better that way. By the time you get to this book, you feel like you really know the characters. You almost start to anticipate their reactions, which is why the twists and turns in the plot are so exciting. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy thrilling reads.

I love Morgan and Lance. I've enjoyed following their personal and professional lives but this one had waaay too much going on. It felt like the author just kept piling on the bad stuff in an effort to make the story more exciting but it just didn't work.

When Haley Powell wakes up after a night out with friends, she is covered in blood and has no memory of what happened. For Morgan Dane, agreeing to take the case for her friend PI Lincoln Sharp, Morgan finds she has to scale a ton of circumstantial evidence, a police force overwhelmed, and a District Attorney determined to stick it to Morgan no matter what. As the clues lead Morgan to the real killer, she must figure out who the killer is before they decide Morgan is too close to the truth.

Oh my god, Melinda Leigh has done it again in WHAT I’VE DONE, and this is by far one of her best books in the series. I love this series since I picked up the first book, Say You’re Sorry and just fell in love with Morgan, Lincoln and all the rest of the main characters. This is a spin off from Ms. Leigh’s Scarlet Falls series that I just picked up to read and you don’t have to read that series to understand this one. I like how the author keeps the romance moving along between Morgan and Lance and Lincoln Sharpe is a blast as he takes Morgan and Lance to task for eating and drinking what he feels are unhealthy for them (Coffee! Chocolate!). The mystery behind Haley’s case was intriguing and kept me riveted to the pages of the book. When the final reveal was done in the last chapter even I was shocked at who the killer was and why they did it.

Melinda Leigh is a new to me author that I found by chance and I have fell in love with her compelling and thrilling stories. I know I am determined to see what else her backlist holds to read for the future. The characters are exceptionally well written, the mystery quite intriguing and the side story of Lance and Morgan’s romance is a light in a very dark tunnel periodically peeking through to light the way within WHAT I’VE DONE. If you haven’t tried this author’s work before I highly recommend her Morgan Dane series to get your feet wet. Just make sure to start with book one, Say You’re Sorry so you can see how Morgan, Lance and Lincoln started working together. Trust me, this series will keep you hooked till the very end.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

Leigh keeps readers on the edge of their seats in this suspenseful page-turner. Characters are well-developed.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
Waking up covered in blood, finding a dead body on the back porch and you are the only one in the house was not how Haley Powell wanted to start her day. But there is no way she could have done this....

Is there?

Or did Haley Powell just commit murder?

It is a good thing Morgan, Lance and Sharp were on this case and not me. I was so wrong on who I thought the killer was. There are a lot of moving parts in this story line and it keep me on my toes. So many so that I really don’t want to give away anything. You will just have to pick up a copy of What I’ve Done and find out for yourself who done it!!

I always enjoy reading Melinda’s books. She is able to great a world and storyline that always feels fresh and exciting. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

What I've Done is a well written mystery. I enjoyed the plot, characters and the author's writing. This author always dishes up a good read. I recommend to mystery fans.

What I've Done is Book 4 of Melinda Leigh's Morgan Dane series. While the backstory does continue to build with each story in this series, the main plotline stands perfectly fine on its own.

This story was one of the author's best yet in this series. Heart pounding, thrilling and definitely intense. My one question to the author though, how much more can these characters continue to endure? Wonder if in a future book these poor characters are going to seek out psychiatric help to overcome all the trauma they've endured in this series.

Overall though, this was an amazing addition to the series and Melinda Leigh just keeps cranking out hit after hit. I can't wait to see what is in store for us (and those poor characters!) next!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazing book

move over karen rose there is a new author in town....

we have a murder
a girl who has no memory of the night before, covered in the victims blood
a knife with all evidence pointing to said girl

where oh where can the defence team find evidence to help her

brilliant book and the way the author writes you are drawn in right from the first page and held captive until you are finished

one of the best crime novels i have read in a while

Morgan Dane book 4
Another great read from Melinda Leigh! This book is part of a series but you do not have to read the others first. It's nice because you get to know the characters but it is not a necessity. I have read this series out of order and I still loved them and didn't feel like I missed anything. This book offers a great mystery that keeps you engaged and entertained the whole way through!

I was so wrapped up in this book!
I’ve read every one so far in this series, and I can honestly say I’m so in love with Lance, Morgan, and Sharp!

Melinda Leigh does a phenomenal job of creating real characters that feel genuine, and relatable; even if I’m not a PI, lawyer, or in any time of law enforcement position.

I’ve found recently that not many authors can excel in third person writing the way Melinda does. When we’re with Lance we don’t get insight into Morgan’s thoughts the way I’ve seen in other books. Melinda nails the third person POV so effortlessly, and it’s something new I’ve come to appreciate about her writing.

I have this book 4 stars because while the entire thing is well done, it took a while to pick up. But once the thread starts to unravel you’ll be on the ride of your life.

I’d call What I’ve Done a slow burn thriller. You know it’s coming, but you don’t know just how big it’s going to be.

I really love this series...it's different from so many of the others. This story gives us some extra insight into one of the side characters and more depth of the main characters. A bit of suspense and intrigue with a growing romance makes it a great story.

This is the first book that I have read in this series. I was a little worried about reading this one since I haven't read the others but I had nothing to worry about. I loved the characters and the story kept me on my feet. I love thrillers. I will definitely read the other books.

4 stars!

*

What I’ve Done gives readers a brand new and thrilling story filled with mystery, twists, and some sweet romance. This is a series marked by its great character development, which continues with this novel, and a fast-moving plot that captures your attention right from the start.

Melinda Leigh’s writing once again enchants with how well it translates emotion to the page. There is so much tension surrounding the plot, which really comes through with the different perspectives from the main and side characters. The way it all comes together in the final twist is also really well executed and surprising.

I love Morgan Dane so much, oh my god. This series has yet to fail me. The writing is engaging and the plot setup and development is so well done. I love how there’s a balance between the romance and the mystery/investigation, especially when the stakes are higher than ever in both aspects.

Morgan and Lance as narrators are still great, and this time there’s the added bonus of a few POVs from Sharp’s perspective. All characters have really distinct voices and I love how, with each little glimpse, we get more clues on what the main mystery is about and how everything ties together. That not only furthers the plot, but also develops the relationships between all characters.

The romance aspect in the novel also continues to be super sweet and well-developed. The progression of Morgan and Lance’s relationship is really well done and believable. Their partnership and the way they support, respect, and trust each other to do their jobs really showcases how good they are for each other.

In the end, What I’ve Done is another amazing addition to an already great series. It’s a good follow up to the previous novels, while still continuing with the character development and a plot that’s engrossing and fast-paced. There are some dark bits, but everything is well balanced with some humor and romance. I can’t wait to see what happens next!