This is my first encounter with the crime fiction series featuring Bree Taggart. Positive features include a very straightforward narrative that is both easy to read and draws the reader into wanting to read more than planned. The characters are well drawn, with a sufficiently wide range to introduce a decent number of potential suspects, but without there being so many that the reader has to repeatedly read back a few chapters to remind her/himself of the key players. Sure, the beginning featured a level of violence with details that were borderline gratuitous. However, this was not an undue feature of the book. It would appear that the author could well be a dog lover, given the amount of detail the reader is exposed to concerning the dogs that feature in the story. That’s OK, I guess - although it may be useful for the author to consider that the wider reading population may not share that level of K9 affection! References to social media and its use in harassment, particularly of women, was very relevant and up to date.
Overall, this was an easy read that teased the reader with a plot of sufficient complexity to maintain interest and concluded with a denouement that tidied up a good bunch of loose ends. Recommended.

The Bree Taggert series is really good and this one is a great addition. If you haven't started I would highly recommend starting with the first book, it's not necessary but helps with explaining a few things. Thank you Netgalley for the advance read.

Sheriff Bree Taggart is called to do a welfare check on an elderly widow , what she finds is not just one body but also that of her former , corrupt Deputy , Eugene Oscar . When pornographic pictures of Bree are found on the Deputy's computer Bree finds herself a possible suspect in his and his mother's murders ........... even after they have been proved as fakes someone release the videos to the public and the suspicion still lingers .
The stress begins to cause troubles at home , and when she is forced to hand over the case to others to solve the pressure really mounts up .
This is another enjoyable murder , mystery with lots of twists and turns from the Author - I really enjoyed catching up with characters from previous books in the series .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

A really enjoyable fast paced thriller, I have read any of the series before but I will be now.
Great storyline that starts on page one and doesn't let up, lots happening and an ending that doesn't disappoint. Great lead characters and strong female roles.
I was given this Arc copy by Net Gallery and I'm really pleased I got to read it.

Dead Against Her is actually the first book I've read from the Bree Taggart series, but honestly... that didn't affect my understanding of the story at all. I definitely enjoyed this book being a murder mystery... even though this is not my usual go to genre.

Sheriff Bree Taggert discovers a mother and son brutally murdered.. the son just so happens to be a disgraced former sheriff. There are difficult, less than honest characters, some unsavory accusations made against Bree, and lots of twist and turns in this book.

I really enjoy the relationships between Bree and Matt, as well as Bree and Marge. I really like that she's a strong, complex, female MC. I'll definitely be going back to read the other books in the series.

Bree is probably one of my most favourite and memorable characters that I’ve ever read . Her reliability is always on spot no matter what new book the author is writing.

This one was build a bit different as it won’t be so easy to read it as a standalone.
Many of the characters in here have been presented in older chapters and books and trust me, you will want to know who they are and what connection do they have with Bree.

Another past paced, twisted and emotional read by a favourite author.


Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

Dead Against Her builds on the previous books, as the main suspense/murder investigation focuses on characters that we’ve met and interacted with in previous books. While some of the previous books could probably be read as a standalone, I felt that was less true for this one, given how much it builds on things that have happened in previous books. Bree is still a relatable character, especially with the challenge to balance out the different parts of her life and her different roles. The Bree Taggert series has a writing style that’s easy to read, with characters that I’m rooting for.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Really great book. Bree is absolutely tenacious I'd her quest for the truth. I would really reccomend this book. I really enjoyed it.

I absolutely adore Melinda Leigh’s series and novels and The Bree Taggert is one of the best. It has it all, mystery, intrigue, danger, family and romantic relationships, crime solving and action.

Dead Against Her is the newest installment and it is a fabulous read. The mystery is quite intriguing, the danger very real and the development of the relationships is awesome. I could not have asked for anything better.

This is my 3rd in this series (plus the novella) and it was a page-turner. The storylines were interesting although the MC seemed a lot naïve about the impact of technology on our personal lives. The canines and horses always contribute something good to these stories. It's good to see Bree's evolution and I look forward to the next installment.

A quick and easy read.
Good start, however, I felt that there was not enough intrigue.
I felt the there was also too much information about the animals.
Not really my style of book

A really good suspense/crime murder investigation with a hint of romance between Bree and Matt. As usual for this author, this book is all about the back story and the investigation. It's engaging and nicely written and I didn't figure out the mystery of the UNSUB until near the end. There are several twists and turns and some red herrings. If I had to complain about anything, it would be the abundance of short sentences, but Ms Leigh always writes like this and admittedly it's good for tense action scenes. I waited until publication date to read this ARC, as I also borrowed the ebook from Kindle Unlimited and listened to a good portion of the included audio for the first 29 chapters. The narrator was excellent and did a great job with the character's voices. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an eARC in return for my thoughts. 4.5 stars.

Dead Against Her will have you going just one more page. When Bree is called out for a simple welfare check. When she enters the house she comes across her ex employee Eugene Oscar and his mother tied up and dead. As the case is investigated, pornographic material of Bree is found on Oscars computer. The deep fakes dont orginate on his computer. Who has it in for the sheriff ? When the fake videos are released things get very difficult for Bree. The press want her to resign. Its causing issues at home and she is forced to hand the case to someone else. Dead Against Her twists and turns along the way to the conclusion. I really enjoyed characters from other books popping in, Its like catching up with old friends.

Melinda Leigh knows how to write good romantic suspense. She will keep you turning the pages when you should be going to sleep. ARC requested via net galley . This is my voluntary review.

Really enjoyed this one. Murder in a small town and the local sheriff and her team set out to investigate. Liked the characters and the relationships between them. Think this would be a nice series to follow. Recommended.

Thanks NetGalley, Montlake and Melinda Leigh for an ARC to review.
The fifth installment in Bree Taggert series , Melinda leigh never disappoint
Already looking forward to the next book and more of Bree and Matt.

Wow, a great suspense story with many twists and turns along the way. I so loved Bree. She is one kick butt Sheriff who will stop at nothing to catch a sick killer. I would highly recommend.

I am never disappointed with a book by Melinda Leigh. She grabs my attention from the first page and I am holding on tight for a rollercoaster ride to the end. The characters are well developed and you will find yourself liking some while despising others. There are twists and turns, moments where you are holding your breath, and times when your heart stops because you know how things will end. The main character, Bree Taggert, is a strong female and you will be cheering her on as she continues to do her job with integrity. Each story in this series gets better and better. I can’t wait for the next adventure!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

When I started this book I had no idea that it was the 5th of a series. It was only once I’d read a few chapters that I got an inkling that some of back story sounded like it would have made a good book in itself. I can honestly say that the book is great as a stand-alone thriller, but equally has inspired me to read the other by the same writer. Well written & pacy with interesting and believable characters.

Haven't read anything by Melinda Leigh previously however that did not prevent me from thoroughly enjoying this book. Despite it being part of a series about the main character there was no background knowledge required to understand what was going on with the plot.
Plenty of action throughout the story and definitely more than enough to keep me turning the pages. Well worth a read and probably enough to justify a delve into the back catalogue.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the advance copy for review purposes.

Melinda Leigh knows how to write a good thriller novel, and she never lets me down

Dead Against her once again scratches my thriller itch, I am looking forward to what else we will get