Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This wasn't a great book for me. I was sucked it, for sure, but in the end I was disappointed.

I didn't enjoy the multiple narrators. There were too many and it to me out of the story many times.

The "who done it" aspect definitely kept me guessing, and let me down multiple dead ends as well. So, there's a point for the book.

I wouldn't recommend it though.

TRACK HER DOWN (Bree Taggert Book 9) by Melinda Leigh
This is the 9th book of the series and it is as fresh, well written, solid, with great characters in Bree & Matt, the secondary characters are well developed too. It is suspenseful, dramatic, with angst, and it is impossible to quit reading. I love these series books, especially when you are able to feel like they are family. Melinda Leigh is an excellent wordsmith and I hope she keeps this going for a long time. This is a 5 star read.
I listened to the audio book and Christina Traister does a great job with the narration.

Sheriff Bree Taggert returns in a cracking story. That sees her and boyfriend and part time investigator Matt Flynn search for the killer of Shelley and Josh Mason. Who have been shot and killed in their own home in what appears to be a burglary gone wrong and found by their seventeen-year old daughter Claire.

Who Bree immediately connects with, having lived through a similar trauma as a child.

However, the burglary theory is soon dismissed and as lawyers who worked from home, disgruntled clients are an obvious next choice.

But then a member of the investigation team comes across some shocking information that turns the case on its head and the investigation heading in a whole other direction and leaves Bree questioning everything.

Meanwhile, she also has to contend with calls about an alligator and the appearance of a wolf cub. That may or may not be connected to the Mason's murder.

And with twists you won't see coming, a murderer I did not anticipate or expect, red herrings, wild animals and an edge of your seat ending. Track Her Down was a brilliant read and one I found hard to put down. Which is why I would happily recommend it to all.

These Melinda Leigh books are always great and Track Her Down did not disappoint,

We go on more calls with Sheriff Bree Taggert as she solves mysteries in her town while also trying to keep her family safe. I always enjoy catching up with all of her family and solving the crimes are a bonus. Great book that I didn't want to end as usual.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

Author Melinda Leigh takes us on another wild ride with Sheriff Bree Taggert.
When called the a horrific murder scene, it reminds Bree of her own parent’s murder. Can she handle the emotional stress this case is bound to bring to her?
I love the characters in the series. Watching them evolve and grown throughout the series has been enjoyable.
I was kept guessing as to who the killer was….I thought I knew who it was….I was totally wrong.
Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book. The mystery, keeping reading wondering what is going on. Lots of secrets and a great plot!

The twists just keep coming at Sheriff Bree Taggert and her team when they are called to the scene of a double murder. The couples’ teenage daughter, Claire, arrived home to find that her parents had been viciously murdered. Bree relies on her small, but talented team which includes her life partner, investigator Matt Flynn. As they process the horrific scene, the deaths bring back memories, for Bree, of the murder of her mother, by her father. That day, Bree was able to save herself and her siblings, but the memory follows her as she cares for her niece and nephew. As they investigate the lives of the murdered couple, what will they find…who could have wanted them dead and why? It appears that the killer’s main focus now, is kidnapping Claire as she was threatened at a local park. Keeping her safe is their priority, but as the case widens, Bree is up against pressure from a local official to solve the case. She is also dealing with a crocodile sighting and the possible illegal sale of wildlife animals. When the murdered couple may have been involved in illegal activity, a case from the past intrudes into the investigation. Don’t blink, as the revelations for Bree and Matt are not over. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Book Review: Track Her Down, Bree Taggert #10 by Melinda Leigh
Published by Montlake, January 14, 2025

★★★★☆ (4.25 Stars, Positive!)

Randolph County, NY (fictional)

The quiet upstate New York rural enclave is rocked by a gruesome double homicide, as the county's small investigative team of ex-Big City cops, Sheriff Bree Taggert herself a former Philly homicide detective, find themselves in temporary custody of a teenager, old enough to work at a local eatery, the sole survivor of what initially appears to be a home invasion and burglary gone awry.

// "...The first possibility that flashed in Bree's mind was domestic violence, potentially a murder-suicide, like Bree's own parents..." //

As the facts of the case unravel, an unexpected assortment of characters enter the picture, including an illegal purveyor of exotic animals, ambulance chasers /insurance claim attorneys working out of a home office without law degrees, and a temperamental realtor.

Claire, the newly orphaned teen, discovers that she still has a biological mom. She'd been adopted twelve years prior when she was five. It dawns on her that she didn't really know the folks whom she'd been calling "Mom" and "Dad".

Living with her biological mom, her hitherto unknown brother...

------

Always excited to open a new "Bree Taggert" police procedural /family drama novel, author Melinda Leigh's upstate New York strong female protagonist. Sheriff, foster-mom, lover. Loads of compassion, tough, even keeled, prescient.

Taggert's home, a farm with horses, a place of refuge for the orphaned children of her tragically deceased sister. And their rescue pets. And, last but not least, home to her investigator. Her live-in boyfriend, her sine-qua-non. Her empathy exacerbated perhaps by a desperate need to save herself deep within, from a horrible, traumatic childhood.

In each iteration, readers can always count on the author's fertile mind to fearlessly deliver a storyline, fresh and original, that at time straddle the very edges of plausibility, breathlessly cratered over a suspension of disbelief. In a good way!

Fine writing. Intricate plot.
Entertainment reading value. 💯

Review based on an advanced reading copy courtesy of Montlake, Amazon Publishing and NetGalley.

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

when claire mason gets home from work she doesnt realise that her life is about to change.....

she finds her parents dead in their bed... they have been shot at point blank range.....

bree and her team immediately start their investigation and its not for the feint hearted what they uncover is about to blow their minds

and with an alleged alligator on the loose they have their hands full

wow this series just gets better and better and i cant wait to find out if brees brother goes out on that coffee date....

Book 9 in the Sheriff Bree Taggart series.

This book was absolutely fantastic. It had a fast paced plot that kept the pages turning and twists I did not see coming! I was hooked from beginning to end. Loved it.

A teenager returns home from work and finds her parents shot to death in their bed. Responding to the call, Sheriff Bree Taggert realizes the crime wasn’t a burglary gone wrong. The couple was executed. The sole survivor: their traumatized teenage daughter, Claire Mason.

Bree teams up with investigator Matt Flynn to work the case, but together they uncover more questions than answers. When Claire is stalked at the park, it’s clear the killer isn’t finished—and she’s the next target.

As Bree and Matt sift through the past—suspect by suspect—a tangled web of deception emerges, and the truth becomes harder to see. Because the victims’ entire lives were a lie. And the only way to protect the vulnerable girl is to unravel her parents’ secrets.

Have you ever found yourself completely immersed in a story from the very first page? That’s exactly what happened to me with Track Her Down by Melinda Leigh. The book opens with a teenage girl returning home to a nightmare: her parents have been brutally murdered. With no real suspects and suspicious things happening, Bree, Matt, and the sheriff's department are on a race against time to uncover the truth and protect the remaining member of this family.

From the start, I was captivated by the blend of deception, suspense, and unexpected twists. It truly made for an exciting read!

I also appreciated the further development of Bree and Matt’s relationship as they navigated this harrowing situation together. Plus, seeing Luke and Kayla continue to thrive added a heartwarming touch to this intense story.

I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in just one day! I’m a huge fan of this series and can’t wait to see what Melinda Leigh has in store for us next.

Definitely a twisty police procedural mystery. As someone who hasn’t read the whole series this book is able to be read as a standalone. Of course knowing how I am I will add this series to my ever growing TBR.
Bree and Matt make a good team. And Zucco with her mother were a nice balance. Everybody can read the blurb…..and I won’t give spoilers. I will say you definitely won’t see where this is going.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Im a big fan of Melinda and her books.
Track Her Down is book ten in the Bree Taggert Series by Melinda Leigh and it is another fantastic story that didn't disappoint.
I cant wait to read book eleven Beyond Her Reach.

Another wild thrill ride by Melinda Leigh! I didn’t see any of this one coming, based on how it began and the loop-de-loops she took us through… whew, what an exciting time this was!

Completely unexpected and I have to say, I am shook - totally out of left field. I normally admit, most mysteries and thrillers, I have a pretty good idea about what the author is throwing at us for clues, but this one was very well hidden.

Bravo, great job, and I really loved this one not knowing what the ending truly was, how Claire’s future was going to be, or how the random exotic animals fit into it. Also, I really dislike Jager.

Definitely worth picking this one up, even if you’ve never read anything else in the series! I’m one who read a little from the beginning and then came in halfway (yes, I still plan to go back and read the whole series, all the other books, her and Elliott’s crossover), but this is brilliant even without backstory. It’s just plain awesome. 4.5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the early copy. This if my honest feedback.

This is a gripping and suspenseful read that will captivate fans of rural mysteries, police procedurals, and romantic suspense, who crave a thrilling tale of deception, secrets, and danger that will keep them on the edge of their seats.

A burglary gone wrong leads Bree to down a path full of danger and heartache as she finds herself identifying with the child left behind. Memories from her past seem to be coming out of nowhere and they leave her confused and terrified of what else may be lurking. Bullets fly, her loved ones are again in the line for fire, and Bree is left to question her instincts as evidence piles up against someone she thought she knew. There is also a few strange cases happening as well as they main murder story that leads to some head scratching for Bree and her officers. I have really enjoyed Bree, her tragic journey, her loved ones and where she is headed. An exciting story that again left me desperate for more, action pact and full of emotion!

Melinda Leigh once again delivers a masterful blend of suspense, emotion, and intricate storytelling in Track Her Down. This latest installment is a testament to her ability to craft a narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

The novel intertwines two seemingly unrelated cases, each with its own gripping stakes and mysteries. Leigh skillfully builds tension, leading readers through a maze of twists and turns that culminate in a stunning and satisfying conclusion. Her ability to balance suspense with character development is unmatched, ensuring that the plot and the people within it are equally compelling.

What sets Track Her Down apart is the depth it adds to the protagonist’s personal life. We see more of her relationship with Matt and her dynamic with the kids, which humanizes her and adds warmth to the story. These moments of domestic life are seamlessly woven into the high-stakes action, grounding the narrative in relatable emotion. Leigh also hints at the potential for new romance in future books, leaving readers eager for what’s next in this richly layered series.

As always, Leigh’s writing is sharp and immersive, her pacing impeccable, and her characters multidimensional. She balances the grit of crime-solving with moments of vulnerability and hope, creating a narrative that is as heartwarming as it is thrilling.

Verdict:
Track Her Down is another stellar addition to Melinda Leigh’s impressive repertoire. With its intricate plot, emotional depth, and well-paced action, it’s a must-read for fans of romantic suspense and mystery. Leigh continues to prove why she’s a go-to author for so many, delivering stories that resonate long after the final page. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

Claire comes home from work one night, expecting a normal evening... but instead walks into a total nightmare - her parents have been brutally murdered in their beds. Sheriff Bree Taggert is on the case and it doesn't take long for her to figure out that this wasn't a burglary gone wrong. Nope. This was personal, and whoever did it knew exactly what they were doing. Bree once again teams up with investigator Matt Flynn, and as they start digging into the couple's past, secrets begin to unravel, revealing a tangled web of lies and deception. The deeper they go, the harder it becomes to see where the truth actually lies.

Wow! Melinda Leigh has knocked it out of the park again! This book is another fast-paced, well-crafted mystery that kept me flipping pages late into the night. This series seriously gets better and better with each book! I love how Leigh balances the intense police procedural elements with Bree's personal life and a touch of romance. Plus, the supporting characters continue to shine - especially Matt Flynn - and I love that she's adding new characters to the mix to keep things fresh. And let me just say - those plot twists? I never see them coming, which is one of the many reasons I keep coming back for more.

This series is one of my faves, and I'm already counting down the days until the next book drops!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

I always get excited when a new book comes out in this series. A bada$$ female sheriff, who lost her sister and caring for her two kids while solving all sorts of cases.

Sheriff Bree Taggert gets a call about an alligator in her town which is unlikely in NY, but then gets called to a double victim crime scene where the daughter was the one to call it in.

The lives of the victims and their business are investigated but when the pieces they find only ends in more questions, Bree and her team have to find the missing pieces.

When the daughter Claire ends up being chased down in a playground they worry she isn’t safe from whatever business dealings her parents were a part of.

A lot of turns on this one, endless effort by the team, and lots of suspects. The inside view into the family she has created is always a nice touch.

Perfect ending, that kept me guessing till the end! Another win for this series!

Full of suspense, this one grabs you from the start. I love Bree and Matt. I felt like I was right there with them unraveling the case. This is a series that continues to get better.