Ms. Rose thrills–and chills–in this next installment of her San Diego Case Files series!

Dead Man’s List involves an incredibly complex mystery to solve for Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick and her team. All hands are on deck when a local councilman turns up dead and the mayor wants the case solved yesterday.

Dr. Sam Reeves is a psychologist who assists in police cases and is vital to Kit’s team and the community with Dr. Sam’s work at a local homeless shelter for teens. Sam has been crushing hard on the beautiful detective but Kit’s got some major emotional baggage that has often stopped her from pursuing something solid with the good doctor. It’s not that Kit doesn’t want Sam, it’s that she wants him too much, but her fear of not being able to protect the ones she loves is a real fear that keeps many in her life at arm’s length. Can Sam finally break through Kit’s defensive walls, or will she push Sam to the friend’s zone for good?

The mystery is so exciting and had me in a chokehold the entire story! The action-packed plot got my heart racing. The characters are entertaining and I wanted to know more about everyone. The subplot(s) of the story is/are just as thrilling and is/are vital to the main storyline. I was on the edge of my seat the last 15% of the book! Don’t peek! Be patient and read from start to finish. You just might miss a minute detail that will blow the case wide open!

I admit, the first two books in this particular series made me a little angry because the author doesn’t provide an HEA at the end of each book like she does in her other Romantic Suspense series. While the cases to solve are exciting and engaging, the chemistry between Kit and Sam has been so sloooooooooowwww! But now that we are in the third book of the series, I see a method to Ms. Rose’s madness and it’s quite brilliant.

Kit is a strong, stubborn FMC that is exceptional at her job. She’s loyal and fiercely protective over those she calls her own. Kit’s origin story begins in the foster care system where a very young Kit and her foster sister, Wren escape a home where all types of abuse goes on. While running away, Kit and Wren find a barn to hide in where they are discovered by a gentle giant of a man. He and his wife are foster parents and they take in Kit and Wren. They are in a good foster home, but can’t yet get comfortable or trust that they are safe. When Wren is murdered, Kit is inconsolable, especially when the police deem Wren’s murder a cold case and move on. Move on? No way, not for Kit.

Kit becomes a cop and while she works diligently to make sure others like her and her sister can get justice for their loved ones. Kit still holds out hope that she can solve Wren’s case and make sure her killer is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Kit was adopted by that nice couple and has many adopted brothers and sisters. She is loved, respected in her profession, and doesn’t have time, or the wherewithal to have a romantic relationship. But somehow, Dr. Sam Reeves has been slowly getting under Kit’s skin. It is difficult for Kit to trust, to let someone in, which is why the author is strategic in framing the series as she’s doing. I get it now. I hope readers will also give this series a chance, too.

Dead Man’s List is an exciting thriller full of action, suspense, and a damn good storyline. While it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

I highly recommend the book and every series by Karen Rose.

**Please check your trigger warnings. There are many adult themes with several types of abuse and trauma in this book that may make some readers uncomfortable. Read at your own discretion**

DEAD MAN'S LIST is the third book in author Karen Rose’s San Diego Case Files series featuring Detective Kit McKittrick and Dr. Sam Reeves. As always, Rose delivers an intense, complicated, twisted murder mystery that keeps fans guessing right up to the shocking climax.

DEAD MAN'S LIST is a complex, multi-layered thriller featuring a gritty, introverted heroine who keeps her emotions tightly wrapped and others at arm's length as much as possible. Kit's horrific experience bouncing around the foster system left her toting a great deal of baggage but extraordinarily little trust before she hit the lottery with foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick whose unconditional love and security chipped away at her defenses helping form the capable woman and resolute detective she is today. Her keen sense of duty and dedication drive her not only to seek justice for victims, but to also give back to the foster parents who saved her by mentoring other young girls and women.

Dr. Sam Reeves, a police psychologist working with the San Diego Police Department, breathes a sigh of relief when SDPD Detective Kit McKittrick finally agrees to go out with him. Sam understands Kit's emotional state remains precarious when it comes to forming relationships, but he's a patient man willing to invest the time to show her he intends to be part of her future. Wanting to share his love of hiking with her, he takes Kit and their dogs to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for a casual date. Just as he feels he's making progress breaking through her defenses, they stumble over the partially buried body of a well-known city council member named Brooks Munro. Multiple stab wounds indicated a vicious crime of rage and given the unpopularity of the politician, Kit and Sam know the suspect list will be a long one. As Kit and her team begin working on the case, it's clear several powerful and influential people have dark secrets they’re determined to keep hidden. However, there's a missing binder of names and rumors of extortion circulating, and when more bodies surface, Kit’s certain someone is working through a kill list eliminating witnesses one by one. As Kit gets closer to unmasking the killer, she becomes a complication the killer can't ignore.

Author Karen Rose excels at weaving taut, intricate suspense thrillers with detailed characterizations and multiple plotlines that keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Dedicated support characters with their own issues help to steadily drive the pace forward as the action increases through twists and turns, crisis after crisis before exploding in a shocking climax most will never see coming. Multiple red herrings provide readers with several possible villains for consideration, and armchair detectives should watch closely for the bread crumb clues the author sprinkles throughout. A budding, slow burn romance between Kit and Sam adds a human touch, allowing readers to join the couple as they explore new emotions, especially Kit as she struggles with accepting she’s worthy of this man. Like the seasoned expert author she is, Rose maneuvers readers and characters through another fantastic suspense thriller. I recommend DEAD MAN'S LIST to fans of murder mysteries, romance suspense and police procedurals as I look forward to the next one.

Dead Man’s List was an addicting read that had me turning the page and kept me on my toes! I loved the intensity of the mystery while Sam and Kit investigated the gruesome murders all while their relationships continued to grow. It was an exciting read with a pulse-pounding ending!

I love how sweet Sam and Kit are together and how much their slow-burn relationship has grown. She’s so much more open and self-aware, letting her guard down with Sam and he’s just as kind and patient as ever. I also liked how much more open Kit was with others as well, from her partner Connor to the McKittrick’s, as well as Rita. The romance in this series and story is low-key, secondary to the suspense element, but still enjoyable. When I say slow burn, I mean, as molasses, but the overall story itself with everything mixed together is so compelling, that I had a hard time putting it down.

The mystery and suspense were intense, dark, and gritty! I loved how it built and developed as the different detectives worked together to figure out who the bad guy was. I could feel their frustration and excitement with each new clue. They followed lead after lead so there were a lot of people and suspects to keep track of, which wasn't always easy, but I was hooked and kept on reading. There were twists along the way with drama and horrific crimes in play. Needless to say, I was 100% invested.

The story was intriguing and flowed well. There were also some great moments of humor interjected and I appreciated the levity woven into the story. The second half was a bit slow for me because even though I liked the leads, there were so many, it started to feel tedious. When it picked back up, it was nonstop excitement and had a heck of a payoff with an action-packed, thrilling ending. I thought the San Deigo Case Files series was going to be a trilogy but with a storyline that was introduced as well as the the bomb that was dropped on Kit, I'm thinking another book is on the way. I hope so because I can’t wait for Sam and Kit to truly be together and for Kit to get some much-needed closure.

The third book in the San Diego Case Files series by Karen Rose begins with Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick and police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves and their long delayed second date. Sam has decided to take Kit hiking in the desert to share with her one of his favorite things to do. Neither is expecting their dogs to lead them to the partially buried body of San Diego politician Brooks Munro.

Munro has been a polarizing figure with many devoted fans and many devoted enemies. He has certainly rubbed the San Diego police the wrong way. Kit and her partner Connor Robinson are assigned the case and soon find themselves looking deeply into the political and the wealthy of San Diego.

Even Sam has had a run-in with Munro when he was looking for votes to help fund the shelter he works with. Munro tried to solicit a bribe from Sam as a quid pro quo. Sam's experience leads Kit to wonder and investigate whether or not Munro has made bribery and blackmail a regular part of his business practices.

Meanwhile, the trial date Christopher Drummond is coming up. He is accused of murdering Kit's foster sister Rita's mother and sexually assaulting Rita too. He claims to have information that could lead to the murderer of Munro but wants favors for giving it. Kit isn't willing to give anything to Drummond that might influence the verdict since he is still threatening Rita and Kit will do anything to protect her family.

The story was filled with intrigue as Sam, Kit, and Connor try to figure out which of many possibilities wanted Munro dead and who is murdering others who might have information that would let Kit find him.

I enjoyed the suspense in this story. I also enjoyed watching Kit open up to some romantic possibilities of her own despite her fears. Sam is a great romantic partner being both patient and open with his own feelings.

This was an engaging story which is the third book in a series. I recommend reading all of them.

This book has it all, suspense, intrigue, corruption and a romance. It will definitely keep you turning the pages. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This is the first time I've read from this author and it won't be the last! I was drawn in immediately and kept trying to guess the plot twists. Amazing characters and plot twists! Can't wait to read more from this author.

I have to say right off the bat that this is a wild story! Rose reels us in with multiple murder victims, a twisty brilliant plot, and actual growth with the ultra-slow, maybe in our lifetime, romantic interest.

The characters in these novels are complex and Rose brings in so many dimensions you could swear you know them. Messy backstories make them compassionate humans who excel at their craft, solving murders. This team is amazing and addictive.

What I love the most about this book is we start to see the softness of Kit starting to come through. The cracks are there and she is weakening…Can Sam hang in there? Will it happen that they can build a relationship? Gahhh – you have to read this one. I think Rose is the actual queen of the slow-burn romance. How long can she make us suffer?

If you love romantic suspense, and crime-riddled police procedural mysteries, you need to read this and any books by this author. So addicting!

4 stars. This is my first book from Karen Rose, and given how much I love romantic suspense, I have no idea why I waited so long to read her. Dead Man's List is the 3rd book in the Kit McKittrick San Diego series. In so many ways, Kit reminds me a lot of Eve Dallas from JD Robb's In Death series. She's a tenacious, oh so loyal detective, who also happens to be an orphan with a rough past. Kit eventually ends up in a foster family that really changes her life, and are a big presence in this book. Dead Man's List is the 3rd book in the series, and you can absolutely read it as a standalone. It's very clear that the relationships between the characters, including the romantic relationship between Kit and Dr. Sam, have been evolving since book 1, but Rose gives you enough background info to be able to follow along. I was very invested in Kit's ability to solve the crime, so plot/mystery wise, this never lagged. And even though I said that Kit reminds me of Eve Dallas, Sam is in no way Roarke. Instead of being a mysterious, alpha, billionaire, Sam is the sweetest cinnamon rolly-est, gold retriever of a character. He is so gentle with Kit, and you better believe that I am INVESTED in reading more about how their relationship develops.

Thank you so much to Rose, Berkley (Berkley partner), and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Although I got this one for free, I enjoyed it so much that I purchased the ebook of book 1 in this series, and I'm VERY excited to cycle back and start from the beginning.

Amazing! Really kept you on you toes. I really love Kitt and I hope to read more about her.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was another winner in this series, it had that element that I was hoping for and enjoyed the plot of this. It uses the characters and setting as a way that worked overall. I enjoyed the suspenseful atmosphere and the way Karen Rose wrote this.

Filled with compelling characters, gruesome murders, and a satisfyingly twisty plot, Dead Man's List will hook new and returning readers of Karen Rose's mysteries. Can't wait to read the next book in the series and will definitely be recommending to my romantic suspense-loving patrons!

A new installment of Detective McKittrick and her co-workers. I have 100% fallen for this series and will now be awaiting the next installment.
Kit and Sam are FINALLY on their 2nd date when the dogs find the mutilated body of another councilman. Kit, Sam and her fellow detectives find themselves working hard to bring down the twisted councilman that has killed Rita's mother as well as untwisting the blackmail that is happening to the most influential citizens of San Diego. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to preview the next installment of my new favorite series.

Ooooooh what a list!!! Great read!! This book had great suspense, intriguing, action, gruesome murders, mystery, a fantastic who done it and some wild twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Kit finally has a second date with Sam and they stumble upon a dead body. She and Connor have to race against a killer to get to the bottom of this. All while juggling her own relationship insecurities and family life. This fast paced mystery kept me guessing till the action packed ending.


*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

Det Kit McKittrick is on a date with criminal psychologist Sam Reeves when the story begins to unfold with their discovery of a mutilated corpse. The victim turns out to be that of a very unpopular and feared local politician who was known for his less than honorable leanings.
The story takes off, drawing in Kits family of fostered parents and siblings as well as the growing personal relationship between her and Dr Reeves.
Faced with a slew if possible suspects as well as motives, the case is not an easy one.
It went on a tad too long for me with less substance and too many side roads.


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A politician is brutally murdered….and it is only the beginning.

San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick does not deal with emotions easily, and as such her oft-postponed second date with psychologist Sam Reeves is an outing she has simultaneously dreaded and anticipated. Just as the pair has broken through the awkwardness each was feeling while they hiked with their dogs in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, they experience the worst sort of dating buzzkill….they discover a dead body. The deceased was a well-known local politician named Brooks Munro, a city councilman who was reviled by as many people as he was admired. The many vicious wounds on his body make it clear that he was murdered, and Kit and Sam know that the list of possible suspects will be a long one. When they discover that he was blackmailing people, most if not all of whom are people with a lot of power, money and influence, the case becomes even more complex and the push to solve it intensifies. Munro left behind a binder full of the names of his victims and the nature of the compromising information he had compiled on them, a type of “dead man’s switch” to dissuade his victims from killing him to stop the blackmail, and it is missing. When more dead bodies are found, it is clear that the killer is tying up loose ends in a ruthlessly efficient manner….and that they may have the missing binder. If Kit and her team can figure out who is on the blackmail list they can narrow down the field of suspects and identify the killer….but as potential witnesses are eliminated, can Kit find the killer before she is added to the list of complications needing removal?
Dead Man’s List is the third in author Karen Rose’s San Diego Case Files series featuring Detective Kit McKittrick and Dr. Sam Reeves, a pair who first met when Sam was a suspect in a case Kit was investigating, a definite anti-meetcute scenario. Kit has a lot of baggage, having bounced around the foster care system and experiencing much of the dark elements of that world before landing in the home of veteran foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick who provided love and security for Kit as they had and continue to do for so many foster kids. She would also lose someone close to her, a murder never solved which continues to haunt her. She guards her emotions closely, and it takes a man like Sam who understands her well enough to know that he will need to expend a great deal of patience as he slowly gains her trust. As the Munro case is unfolding there is looming trouble at McKittrick House as well. Rita, one of Kit’s younger foster sisters, is dealing with stress over the upcoming trial of the man who murdered her mother and assaulted her, a wealthy and connected man who is likely behind a recent threatening note. And a second sister, Akiko, has been contacted by someone claiming to have information about Akiko’s birth mother which has her feeling unsettled. Juggling her need to protect those she loves with a case with too many suspects and fewer possible witnesses every day, Kit has her work cut out for her. But with help from her partner Connor, his well-connected mother (who is delighted to share her observations on and gossip about the people in her set who are likely candidates for blackmail), and of course Sam (who is now a civilian consultant to the police) she is determined to run the killer to ground. The quirky people who inhabit her life add to the depth of nuanced characterization for Kit while helping to keep the mystery briskly moving along. Twists and turns along the way along with more than a few genuinely untrustworthy sorts make it hard to identify the killer too early in the book, and I found it hard to put down. It is not necessary to have read the first two books in the series in order to enjoy this as a standalone, but I suspect that once a reader has finished this installment they will want to go back and read the first two. Dead Man’s List balances a well-plotted tale of suspense with the slowly budding romance of guarded Kit and the genuine good guy Ben. Fans of author Karen Rose (especially readers of the first two in this series) will definitely want to pick up a copy of Dead Man’s LIst, as should readers of Iris Johansen, Karen Robards and Julie Garwood. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me early access to this intriguing novel of romantic suspense….I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapter in this series!

I love this series! Kit and Sam are a great couple. I’ve been rooting for them throughout the series. I love Kit’s parents. They are the sweetest people. Connor has turned into a great guy. His mother is a hoot! The book is very twisty. There are a lot of suspects and most are hiding terrible secrets. It’s a very intense book.The ending is a shocker with a bit of a cliffhanger. The book has incredible writing. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Rose’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the glitzy yet dangerous world the characters inhabit. The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that are both surprising and satisfying, drawing you further into the mystery.
What truly elevates this story is the emotional depth it explores; the struggle between duty and desire, the impact of past traumas, and the lengths one will go to protect those they love. The tension builds not just from the threat of the murderer but also from Kit’s personal stakes, creating a rich tapestry of suspense that is both thrilling and poignant. If you’re a fan of romantic suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end while tugging at your heartstrings, this book is an absolute must-read. Karen Rose has delivered another nail-biting instalment that will leave you breathless and eager for more.

This was another good book in the San Diego Case Files series. Detective Kit and Dr Sam are on another murder case. This time a crooked politician. I love the interaction with Sams adoptive parents and her sisters. The only thing negative was it was a bit too long interviewing all of the suspects. But I look forward to Kit and Sam’s next adventure.