This is a great kickoff story to the Bree Taggert series. You always wonder how something all began and Melinda Leigh solves this mystery for us with Her Second Death.

Death reads like a SVU episode. It is a quick hour mystery with solid leads who have a backstory which is triggered by the current mystery. I did not guess the killer which is surprising because I usually do and I didn’t see this one coming. I guessed one part of it, but not the “who done it”.

Leigh writes with emotional impact while sticking within the lines of a police procedural. The case was already complicated and then Leigh added another layer by including a neurodiverse child. Learning how this changes procedure was really interesting.

I really enjoyed this trip back. It reads fresh and yet familiar. Leigh gives us a quick mystery to tide us over while we wait in line during these holiday shopping trips.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

The short-story prequel “Her Second Death”, by Melinda Leigh (Montlake), offers an interesting insight into the relationship between the heroine in the Bree Taggert’s series and her partner and friend Dana Romano.
I liked the easy camaraderie between the two female cops and how the flashbacks into Bree’s traumatic past show the impact those tragic events had in our heroine’s personality, life options and her gruesome work.
Bree is a brave and compassionate cop and both her past and her family history pervade and are incorporated in how she works, who she is and how she relates to others.
As usual with Melinda Leigh the suspense and the writing style are good; the story is very short and a fast read and I preferred the human aspects of it over the suspenseful dimensions, despite its interest.

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

a short prequel introducing us to bree taggart just as she starts working homicide

they are called to a murder scene and things get dicey when they find out that the victims daughter is missing

cleverly written short story that has all the makings that is needed for a short story...not to many characters and a decent storyline

#HerSecondDeath #Netgalley

A quick read that gives you a glimpse of the beginning of Bree and Dana's relationship. Their first case is action packed and intense. This was a great read to tide me over until the next book in the series comes out.

This short story prequel to the Bree Taggart series (CROSS HER HEART, SEE HER DIE, DROWN HER SORROWS, and RIGHT BEHIND HER) did a great job introducing Bree in her second case after her transfer to the homicide division of Philadelphia Police Department. Her new partner is veteran detective Dana Romano. Together they are called to a case of a man being found shot to death in his car. At first it looks like a drug buy gone wrong. But then Dana notices the child safety seat in the back.

When they go to notify the man's wife, her first question is "where is my daughter Lena?" Dana and Bree shift into high gear and notify all the alphabet agencies about a missing child. It turns out the five-year-old is autistic. When the police dog can't track her scent from the car, Bree and Dana need to take a step back to find out what happened to the child.

This situation brings back all kinds of terrible memories for Bree who, at eight-years-old, grabbed her little sister and baby brother and hit under the porch of their home in the cold of a winter's night while their violent father killed their mother and then himself.

The story was fast-paced and interesting. It should make readers hungry to know more about Bree Taggart. Luckily, there are more novels that star her.

If you have read this series, and if you haven't why not, than you know how finding out there is a little girl missing really impacts Bree. Loved seeing her as a newly minted Detective working along side her experienced partner Dana. It was great to see a little more of Dana, she became a little more important to me. I will say as usual Melinda Leigh lead me down the twisty road and I did not see that twist coming. Quick read. If you want to get out of your thoughts, been entertained and only have a little bit of time - Her Second Death is a winner. Thank you Melinda Leigh, Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.

The Bree Taggert series is one of my favorites! I’m not usually a fan of in-between, short stories but I enjoyed getting a glimpse into Bree and Dana’s partnership prior to the start of the series.

The Past Revisited…
Short prequel to the Bree Taggert series and finds Bree and her partner, Dana, responding to a shooting call. A call that very quickly escalates and finds Bree perhaps living a section of her own past. A short but complete tale.

Bree Taggert is an established detective with her own series. This gives readers a glimpse of the partnership between Bree and Dana, who has become a vital member of Brees’s team in future books. A missing child, a murdered father and great detective work make this an interesting quick read. An early copy was given through Netgalley and I wrote this review voluntarily.

Enjoyed the little glimpse of Bree and Dana when they first started as partners. This is a very short story and wouldn't mind reading more about Bree and Dana to see how their friendship evolved into what it is now. There must be some interesting stories surrounding the two as partners. Liked the story and there are some parallels that happened to Bree during her tragic childhood. Bree and Dana worked well with each other, even though they just became partners. There needs to be more of these short stories or a book.

Definitely recommend the short story, especially if you are a fan of the Bree Taggert Series. Looking forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Amazon Original Stories through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Amazon Original Stories and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Short story, prequel to an existing series. It was okay helps with the background.

Melinda Leigh's Bree Taggert series is my current favorite, and I was excited to find this short story to hold me over until the next book (Dead Against Her due May 2022) arrives. Set before the beginning of the series, when Dana and Bree are newly assigned partners, this quick police procedural was the perfect speedy read for this time of year. Can't wait until May!

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for the opportunity to read an advance copy. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

I may have discovered that I have patience for mystery/thrillers only in small doses like this short short book. I actually enjoyed this one without skipping to the end to see who the culprit was! It helped that there was a missing small special child involved.

. Mystery/thrillers are beginning to read all the same to me and they have to have something special to prevent me from skipping big chunks. So I’m not sure I will be continuing with this series. I like the author’s writing style though!

Bree is in a different division and partnered
with a veteran Detective Dana Romano
Romano had read Bree’s file,
Call of a murder and a child missing
Minutes here and there pull Bree back
Yet, a memory of old maybe the solution
of finding the non speaking child now,
Short story, showing wisdom and trust
Was formed between Dana and Bree
Always an excellent story to read
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my
honest opinion for Net Galley and Montlake

Short, sweet, and to the point! The case was fast paced and I read it in one sitting. I love this series and enjoyed this prequel novella. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

This quick read is an excellent addition to the Bree Taggert series and gives us a quick glimpse into Bree and Dana's background. This short story follows Bree and Dana on one of their first cases which involves a homicide and kidnapping. Even though it is a quick read, it will keep you guessing till the very end

This is a very very short story that is the prequel to the Bree Taggart romantic suspense series. It would have been a lot better if it had been longer

This is a good short story. I liked the background of the relationship between Bree and Dana. I''m usually not a fan of prequels, but this one was good.

While investigating only her second case as a homicide detective, Bree Taggert wrestles with painful memories from her past as she and her new partner Dana Romano solve a murder and search for a missing child.

Readers old and new will enjoy this prequel. New readers will be introduced to the fast-paced, action-packed series with captivating twists and turns. For fans like me, this short story offers a glimpse of Bree and Dana at the beginning of their partnership, which has evolved into a strong friendship by the series' first book. It also sheds light on Bree as a Philadelphia cop before her eventual return to her hometown.

This quick and entertaining story is an excellent addition to the series.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy to read and enjoy.

It was nice to get a glimpse into Bree and Dana before the main series began. A quick read and left me wanting more!