Member Reviews

This is the 5th book in the series and when I discover a new Bree Taggert book is coming, it goes on my “to-read” list. I have enjoyed them all.

I found the story interesting and relevant to current issues occurring in society. You have a couple of mysteries to deal with… who killed Bree’s former deputy and his mom and who is starting an online smear campaign against our favorite sheriff? While one resolution was a little predictable, the other was not.

I really enjoy seeing the relationships Bree has with her family deepening, her relationship with Matt progressing, and how she is changing things in her small hometown as the Sheriff. I also love the addition of the animal characters and their enhancement of the various relationships in the books, this one is no exception.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC.

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After reading this book I found out it's part of a series, I haven't read any of the prior books but that didn't stop me enjoying this one.

It was fast paced, gripping and had me on the edge of my seat throughout. It had me hooked early on and I genuinely thought it can't keep up the speed but it definitely did.

The plot was well thought out and finished up nicely. There was a good balance of good and bad in the plot which made it realistic. There was so much going on which kept my interest going.

I enjoyed the characters and the relationships between them too.

I usually take a few weeks to read a book as I'm always busy but I read this over 3 sessions in less than a week!

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I wish I could repeat the same line as I have for every single one of Melinda Leigh's books. Dead Against Her book 5 in the series starts off with what you expect. A few dead bodies. The author covers a dark side of the social media and how it can affect someone personal life. While the book teaches readers that social media can paint a fake picture to the world around you. The story and characters within the story fall flat as the story putters its way to the end like an old car. The story falls flat for what readers usually expect from this author. The twist and turns the author created lack any excitement and in fact are very predictable.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy Dead Against Her by Melinda Leigh.
3 1\2 stars

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This was just a very mediocre read for me I’m afraid. It’s the first Melinda Leigh book I’ve read and will probably be the last. The writing was simplistic, weak, and (sorry) amateurish, and the plot (and particularly the ending) verged on the unbelievable. Very sorry but not for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in return for an honest review, and sorry I had to be so honest.

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I read this as a standalone book and I greatly enjoyed it. The characters were well written and believable. The plot was fast paced so I finished it within a day. I'm planning on going back to read older books in the series. I recommend reading this book

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Bree Taggert is the sheriff of a small town, a female in a mainly male dominated workplace, but she’s no pushover. Raising her late sisters’children makes life just that bit trickier, especially as work often needs to take priority. When Bree discovers two bodies whilst doing a welfare check, her life becomes that much harder, especially as some one has a vendetta against her that threatens to escalate out of her control.

This, the fifth book in the series, is a stand alone read, but I’m glad I’ve read the previous books. Brees’ relationships with her niece and nephew are developing well, as is the one with Matt, a detective and ex-K9 handler. We get to know a bit more about all of the main characters, how political a Sherriffs position is in American policing, and how they are judged by the people they serve. It’s very well written, nicely paced and has numerous lines of enquiry that branch off into various tangents, just as they do in real policing. It’s also a bit scary how plausible a lot of the story line is, particularly the way people’s lives can be destroyed instantly by fake news and videos. A really gripping read that had me up into the early hours as I just needed to know what happened next.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Dead Against Her, by Melinda Leigh, is the 5th book of the Bree Taggert series. The main character, Bree, is the sheriff of a small town. A concerned man calls to have a welfare check done when he hasn’t seen his neighbor in a few days. Bree unfortunately walks in to the scene of a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is a former deputy of hers. Bree enlists the help of her boyfriend, Matt, who is also a consultant for the sheriff department. Each chapter keeps you wanting to know more and I couldn’t stop flipping through the pages. This has been my absolute favorite series that I have discovered on Amazon. I remember being so disappointed when I finished book 4 and had to wait for this new release, and now I will be waiting anxiously for book #6! I love the continuity of relationship development as the series progresses. I highly recommend! This book will be released on May 17, 2022!

This review will be posted on Goodreads and my IG: readwithmarci.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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I will leave a review on Amazon and B&N on May 17th

Another action-packed book in the Bree Taggert series. I have really enjoyed this series and hope to read many more books in this series. I certainly would recommend it to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Montlake the publisher, I am under no obligation to leave a favorable review the opinion expressed here are my own.

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A nice, straightforward mystery thriller that was easy to follow. It wasn’t until I finished that I realised it was book 5 of a series, so you can read this as a stand-alone book too.

The pacing was great throughout and the characters seemed very well developed. I liked that the plot had more than just the murders to solve, the added elements of other little unknowns definitely kept me interested.

For me, the ending was predictable and it didn’t shock me. It was repetitive in places - how many times will it tell us Bree fired Oscar?!

Putting that to one side, it was my first Melinda Leigh book but it definitely won’t be my last. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Melinda and Montlake for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

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First let me say, I'm a huge Bree Taggert fan. And this book did not disappoint. From the very first moment that the Sheriff finds the dead bodies, all the way through the book, kept me guessing.

I really enjoyed that Bree is opening up more with Matt. She's not hiding and she is letting him support her and the kids, more in each book. I like that family dynamic.

Melinda Leigh keeps the suspense up, while still making us feel like Bree is a friend. Great book.

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Wow! I was held completely captive with this installment in the series. It touched on everything I love about these characters as well as giving me some dynamic drama and danger. I didn’t want to look away from the page for even a moment!

I love the way Bree has gradually changed to a place where her priorities have switched and deep in her heart she now tends to those things that matter most. It previously felt as though she had to struggle to remind herself of what was important while she is now living it without a second thought. She remains strong, able to handle the bad guys and fierce while also appreciating the softer things in life.

Whether it was this particular story, or having read the previous books in the series, it seemed that I got a really good feel for Matt’s character. I connected with him in a way I had not done so in earlier books. I loved his continued protective ways with Bree, even when they were just thoughts he would not allow himself to act on.

I’ve been negligent in commenting on the way this author brings certain characters to life in a way that I feel as though I’m standing right there with them. Those particular characters are the dogs. I absolutely love the way they are projected from the pages. While they never steal the story, they add so much charm to it I can’t imagine these books without them.

This was a fast paced, wild action ride with villains I never saw coming and a couple of storylines that ran me through a gauntlet of emotions.

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Another fast-paced action thriller by Melinda Leigh!

This is the 5th book in the Bree Taggert series. The author writes about strong female leads in her books, which I really appreciate it. The books can be read as stand-alones but it is helpful to read in order to keep continuity.

Sheriff Taggert continues to face her political opponents in this book, in addition to a group of people who are targeting her personally through deepfake videos and pictures. As normal for the series, the book starts with a view to the actual murders of two people, one of whom is a recent retiree from the Sheriff's department under questionable circumstances; the other is his mother.

Bree and Matt, her investigator and boyfriend, have to follow many leads about the murders, and in the process, stir up another hornets nest. These books never fail to deliver mystery, action and thrills.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

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From the very first page of the very first book I have loved this series. Melinda doesn’t disappoint with the 5th instalment.

I love how the story of Bree’s and Matts relationship flows throughout the back story and with each book we have a new mystery to solve. This one again had me guessing right up to the reveal.

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Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the corrupt former deputy she forced out of the department

I LOVED this book. I’m a huge fan of Ms Leigh, and the Bree Taggert series is no exception. This was a great addition to the series. The storyline was gripping and kept me up all the way til the end. I love Bree and the other characters and was happy to see them again. This is an excellent mystery with great pacing that keeps you guessing until the end. While it can be read as a stand alone Why would you want too the series as a whole is great Highly recommend!!

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Melinda Leigh's Bree Taggert series just keeps getting better and better! Dead Against Her continues Bree's story, with investigation into a double murder that hits close to the department and a much more personal threat that may or may not derail her career.

The development of Bree Taggert as a character over 5 novels and a prequel has allowed the reader to really pull for her success, both career and personal life. The other characters in the book are so well fleshed out, even Matt's retired police dog, Brody, that I can't help but read obsessively to find out what will happen. I also enjoy the occasional overlap of Melinda Leigh's characters between series, and Morgan Dane's appearance in Dead Against Her was a pleasant bonus!

I have only discovered this author in the last year or so, and without exception, Bree Taggert's mysteries are my absolute favorites. Keep them coming, Ms. Leigh!

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake publishing for the opportunity to read an uncorrected proof of Dead Against Her. The opinions in this review are my own.

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The deck was stacked against Bree Taggert when she was appointment the sheriff’s position from the start from those that thought a man should have been given the job. Things only became worse when she gave Deputy Eugene Oscar the option to retire or be fired after his last infraction ruined evidence that could have resulted in a conviction. Now the deputy has been murdered along with his mother Camilla Brown. Bree, having found the bodies during a wellness check is suspected of their murder .

As she and her team work to find a killer, Bree discovers the degree of hate several of these people have for her and how far they will go to discredit her. Now she has to work harder to find the killer and protect those she loves and trust.

Definitely a page turner and well worth the read.

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A nice straightforward book which is part of a series. I didn’t feel you needed to have read any of the previous books to follow this one. Some good twists and turns and satisfactory ending.

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Another excellent book in the Bree Taggert series. I always enjoy books by Melinda Leigh and this was no exception. It started well and got even better as it went along. I couldn’t put this down.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

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Sheriff Bree Taggart who has dealt with so much in her life, now has a. real mystery on her hands with the double murder of her former Deputy and his elderly mother. At the same time, someone is out there pushing scandalous tapes of her. Luckily she has a good team by her side, especially Matt Flynn, a criminal investigator who is also her love interest. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books in this series because even though the relationships among the characters are complex (that's good) Leigh takes time to explain them as well as the relevant back story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fast entertaining read.

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Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the bitter and corrupt former deputy she recently fired.

I LOVED this book. I’m a huge fan of Ms Leigh, particularly the Bree Taggert series. This was an excellent addition to the series. The storyline was gripping and kept me up way later than it should have (thank goodness it’s the weekend). I love Bree and the other characters and was happy to see them again. This is an excellent mystery with great pacing that keeps you guessing until the end. While it can be read as a stand alone I think it’s best read in series order so you fully understand the dynamics of the main character and the victim.

Thanks to Ms Leigh, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review. I am so excited to see there at least 2 more books on the way, but sad I have to wait until next year. Highly recommend!!

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