A tangled web of murder and mystery can be found in Don't Open the Door by Allison Brennan, the second book in her Regan Merritt series coming out January 24. Regan’s 10-year-old son Chase Warwick was murdered in his home while playing a video game. US Marshall Regan was devastated and resigned as her focus on the job was no longer clear, and she could put other lives in danger. Her ex-husband placed the blame for Chase’s death on Regan because of her dangerous job, but could it actually stem from something Grant Warwick was involved with?

Regan left Virginia and moved back to Flagstaff, Arizona, to live with her father, a retired law enforcement officer. The murder of her former colleague Tom Granger brought her back to Virginia to find answers as she knew that Tom was really close to solving this now 10-month-old case. Tom was about to share his findings with the US Marshall’s office when he was shot as he stepped out of his door to head to work. The shooter took Tom’s phone and a briefcase that authorities were guessing contained all his important documentation as well as his laptop.

Clues Regan found at Tom’s house pointed her toward her ex, Grant, as Tom’s calendar showed he had a recent meeting with Grant. Confronting Grant at his law office, she saw that he was clearly panicking. He blew off meeting with Regan, not once but twice, and when she went to his girlfriend’s condo to confront him, she found the woman on the floor in a pond of blood. She called the local law enforcement, cleared herself of the crime, and the police slid Grant’s name to the top of the possible suspects’ list. But where was Grant? He was not at his home, he was not at his girlfriend’s place, and he repeatedly skipped meeting with Regan.

Regan put it all on the line when she endeavored to find Grant before the police did so she can get the answers she needed from him. Complicating all of this is the FBI that is investigating the death of US Marshall Granger, yet agents are getting in the way of Regan’s personal probing. Worse, US Marshalls believed a mole in the FBI office had leaked information to whoever was behind all that is going on. Who is feeding intelligence to the bad guys? Who has broken into Tom’s house where Regan was sleeping? Can she defend herself against three sets of footsteps? The situation is definitely spiraling out of control. If she can stay alive long enough to find Grant, she can put the final piece of the puzzle together to understand how her young son happened to be murdered.

Allison Brennan began writing three books a year while raising five children. She won Daphne du Maurier Awards for Best Mainstream Mystery/Suspense with Fear No Evil and Compulsion. She lives in Arizona with her family where they enjoy baseball's spring training and exploring the Grand Canyon.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting January 16, 2023.

I would like to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

This is the second Regan Merritt book and I am very much enjoying getting to know her. Dealing with the death of her son makes this a tough read in places, but I’m glad that Brennan chose to close out this chapter quickly so we can watch Regan move forward.
4.5 stars

If you are not reading the Regan Merritt series, now is a good time to start. This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone. However, I recommend you read both - they are excellent!

After the loss of her young son, former U.S. Marshal Regan Merritt is living back in Arizona with her family. She gets a call from her former partner who has been doing some investigating of his own into her son's death. Then Regan gets a call that her former partner is dead. She gets on a plane to find some answers.

This is a true thriller with a capital T. The story moves so fast it can give the reader whiplash at times - in all of the best ways. There are so many players and you don't know who to trust. This is a well thought out plot that leaves no stone unturned. I was so invested in the characters - especially a young nurse who was working with Regan's former partner. There were so many suspenseful moments as well. It all led up to an incredible conclusion.

I am truly hopeful that there will be more of Regan Merritt's story. She is a very interesting character. She is definitely someone that you want on your side in a crisis. I also really like her Dad. He is a great character!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA for the advanced reader copy of this incredible book! I'm so happy to have found another great series to read!

Oh wow! This was amazing! I didn’t know it was part of a series so I felt a little lost on that front, but otherwise this was a great read that I’d highly recommend. Not only is it a good crime thriller, I feel like it’s a character study as well. Our lead character has so much depth. Incredibly well written.

I didn’t know this was part of a series when I requested it, but I think it was good as is.

I always love her writing style. It’s suspenseful and her characters are well done.

Thank you Netgalley for my advance copy!

Book #2 is just as good as book #1, I love this series!!!! Of course, I'm a #1 fan of Allison Brennan!!

We finally have closure, and the adventure was well worth it. Along the way, we are faced with murder (I shed a few tears), new evil characters, interesting plot, persistent Regan, but not unexpected! A few heartbreaking moments (at least for me), a few car and foot chases, but ultimately, a great ending.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for Regan, and you can bet I will be there for the ride!!!

#Regan #Charlie #Grant #Murder #LovedIt #Net Galley #5Stars

This is the second book featuring Regan Merritt. A former US Marshal who moved back to her childhood home in Arizona after her young son,Chase was killed. Her marriage to Grant fell apart and she’s trying to figure out how she can ever move forward or even live through the day weighed down with so much guilt,grief,and loss.

Her former boss Tommy agrees with Regan that the case surrounding Chase’s murder was not properly investigated. When Tommy is killed, Regan returns to Virginia. She will have to be careful who is watching her if she wants to figure out not only who killed Tommy, but why her son was killed as well.
It’s such a sad premise. Imagine the horror of losing your 10-year-old son. Add to that the fact that Regan’s now ex-husband Grant believes Chase was killed because of her job with US Marshals. But was it really her job that got Chase killed? Lots of questions and many answers will become clear in Don’t Open the Door.
I have to say that Regan seems to be walking under the darkest cloud and even though she will never forget or get over Chase’s death, I hope she does find some peace and happiness in future books.

Okay, I have been on a binge with this author and catching up with her backlist and listening to them on audio but after reading the first book in this series I just knew I had to get this one early and I am so glad I did. Regan Merritt lived through something no mother should ever have to, the murder of her adolescent son. At the time it was thought to be due to her job as a US Marshall and she has since retired from the service and moved to Arizona and is living with her father a retired Sheriff. When she received a voice mail from her former partner early one morning telling her he has evidence her son was really mistakenly killed and he is going to his boss to lay out the evidence and then he is killed leaving the house she is on the next plane to Washington, D.C. to get answers. What we are lead through is a mystery involving her ex-husband, his law practice and partner, a senator, a bank robbery gone awry and the FBI who has a mole and making things difficult. This was a wild trek through the Eastern Seaboard to get answers but it was worth it. I cannot wait for more with Regan and finding out where she lands and what she decides to do with the rest of her life now.

I did not read the first book, and honestly you don't need to. However, the first chapter was overwhelming for me with so much exposition. It made it really hard to get into this book.

Regan lost her only son and in the process left her job as a US Marshal and got divorced. She moved across the US trying to heal from all the hurt. When Tommy, her former partner/best friend/sometimes lover, called her up and said he may know why her little boy had been killed, she couldn’t make herself fall down the rabbit hole without concrete proof. When Tommy is gunned down, Regan heads home to figure out the rest of the mystery Tommy was so deep in discovering.

I liked this book…it’s not my usual type read and had a lot about the FBI and US Marshal service. The story was solid and engaging. I’ll definitely recommend to customers!

Someone's killed Tommy, Regan's boss before she retired from being a US Marshal- and now the information he claimed to have about the identity of the person who killed her son Chase is gone forever. Or is it? Regan has been living with her father since her marriage to Grant fell apart in the aftermath of Chase's death and trying to keep it together. This killing sets her off on a quest for answers, a journey Grant joins because he's invested too. There are some good twists here but the novel rises on the characters, especially Regan. Although this is the second in the series, it will be fine as a standalone because Brennan has included key back story. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A good read- and no spoilers from me.

"Don't Open the Door" is another winner from Allison Brennan. This book is action packed and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This book will have you hooked from the very first page to the very last page. You are kept wondering and guessing what happened in the very best way.
Regan is still broken hearted after the death of her son, but she knows that she never got the real answers into his murder. As an old colleague looks into her son's death he uncovers so much more. Will Regan finally have the answers that she so desires?
This book would be great for anyone that loves a good action packed suspense story.

A fitting title to open the novel that picks up the reason for Regan Merritts' departure from the U.S. Marshalls, the ongoing search for why her son Chase was killed. Was it really what the FBI assumed, her job with the Marshalls Service or something else, the something else her friend and former boss Tommy is investigating. Awakened early by the sound of a branch breaking in his yard Tommy proceeds to prepare for the day and opens the door to leave for work and ultimately to his murder. Regan Merritt now longer with the Marshalls service, divorced from her husband Grant who blames her for their son's death, and living in Arizonia with her father, receives Tommy's message and the news of his murder shortly after and heads to Virginia for the funeral. From there, she will open every door to find out what Tommy had discovered and the truth about why Chase was murdered. Any parent with the loss of a child feels guilt and asking why, but when blamed for the death..... From Regan's arrival back in Virginia to the final page of the book, you'll will walk through many doors that she opens to find the truth. What she discovers is far from what she would have thought possible, but there is no holding her back to finding the truth. Filled with suspense, danger, and mystery this is a worthy read and follow up to Brennan's first book in the series The Sorority Murder. Enjoy.

Soooo good. I didn’t think I was a suspense fan until I read the prequel to this book and Allison got me instantly hooked and obsessed with Reagan’s character and finding justice for her. This story has so many twists and turns And keeps you on your toes. Highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good suspense story.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for a complimentary copy of this book. It is set to be published January 24, 2023. This is book 2 in the Reagan Merritt series. Reagan’s son is shot and killed one evening. At first, she and her soon-to-be ex-husband believe it was related to her job as a US Marshal. Fast forward 9 months later, she is retired from the Marshals office, divorced, and living in Arizona with her father.
One day, Reagan receives a voicemail from a past co-worker/friend, Tommy, claiming he knows who killed her son and why. Was it really because of her job as a US Marshal, or something deeper and more sinister? Before Reagan can find out from Tommy what he knows, he is murdered. Now, Reagan has to retrace his steps and find out what he knew that got him killed.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. It’s a mystery, suspense, legal thriller all in one!!! I was sad for Reagan and the loss of her son. There was so much going on in this book, I didn’t want to put it down until I found out who the bad guy(s) was/were!!! And I guarantee you won’t either!!!!

Thomas woke up with a start. He thought he heard a sound, but was it in his nightmare or outside the house? He quickly dismissed it and went about his morning. Today he was presenting his evidence to his co-worker, Charlie North. He hoped it was enough for the US Marshalls to re-open the death of Chase Warwick, his partner’s son. Well, previous partner. He couldn’t blame Regan for retiring and moving closer to her family. Her no good husband had blamed her and Tommy knew in his heart that wasn’t true but he couldn’t prove it. He was close to the truth now but he needed help to connect the dots.
He left Regan a brief text updating her and then he stepped out the door. Something reflective in his yard caught his eye. His reactions were too slow and he was hit with a bullet in his thigh. There was a sniper in his darn tree! He stumbled behind the concrete steps and cursed himself. He had better instincts than this. He thought he still might have a chance but the sniper was better than he thought. He took another bullet through his shoulder and the final bullet piercing his neck finished him off. His last thoughts were of Regan and how he had failed her.
Regan arrived on the scene as her old colleague, Charlie, was wrapping things up. Regan felt guilty. Tommy was dead because of her. She had to set things right. Charlie tried to get her to return home to Texas, but Regan was not returning home until she solved the mystery of who killed her son and who killed Tommy.

Allison Brennan is one of my favorite authors. This book was a pleasure – plenty of action and a kick-ass female lead! Brennan’s characters are relatable and her writing is tight. Once again, I missed the clues that forecast the ending. I must be getting senile. Keep me guessing Allison – I like a challenge! If you like Kate White, you will find this book very similar and satisfying.

I love her books and this one was the same . She has a way of drawing you in and keeping you interested in her characters and plot till the end . Another winner by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Allison Brennan knocks it our the park. The writing is fantastic. Don’t Open the Door is about trying to find closure and moving on, but it’s heart wrenching in the process.

Don't Open The Door by Allison Brennan
I enjoyed reading this book although it was a tad bit slow it was interesting and kept my attention. You cannot go wrong with this authors books. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher and author for this book and letting me leave my opinion.

Don’t Open the Door by Allison Brennan is the 2nd book in her Regan Merritt series. Allison Brennan has become one of my must-read suspense thriller authors, as she never fails to give us exciting, tense and non-stop action throughout the entire book.

We met Regan Merritt, in the first book (The Sorority Murders), and in Don’t Open the Door, we learn more about Regan, and how her life totally changed, due to the murder of her young son almost a year ago. Regan quit her job as a US Marshall, she and her husband, Grant divorced, and she moved back home near her father. Regan remained close friends with her US Marshall ex-partner, Tommy, who privately continued to investigate her son’s murder.

Regan gets a voice message from Tommy, claiming that he knew who really killed her son, which he plans to prove was an accidental hit on her son, but the true target was her ex-husband, Grant. Before she could get in touch with him, Regan learns that Tommy was murdered at his home. Regan comes back for Tommy’s funeral, and stays at his house, determined to find his killer, especially with all the evidence that Tommy found was now missing.

Regan learns that Tommy met with Grant a few times, and wants to know why. Grant has been trying to avoid Regan, but when he learns that he was the true target, he panics; and when Grant’s girlfriend is murdered, he runs away. Slowly, Regan begins to discover new clues, with some pieces starting fall into place, leading to a conspiracy and her becoming closer to the truth. Regan realizes that Grant’s life is in danger and she hurries to find him; she also knows that those behind the conspiracy will be going after her too.

Don’t Open the Door was an excellent, action filled, suspense thriller with so many twists and turns throughout. From start to finish, this is an extremely complicated story, with a number of people involved in the murders. I cannot say too much more, as it would ruin it for you. Don’t Open the Door was a great and exciting read, which was very well written by Allison Brennan. If you like suspense thrillers, you need to read this book.