This was an interesting and enjoyable story. I’m glad I was able to read it early. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc.

A meaty read.
Rose always outs a lot of detail and craft into her novels so readers can settle in for a long read.
The action is good and the details were parsed out in a timely fashion.
My favorite part of the book was the burgeoning relationship between Sam and Kit.
I kept saying it’s about time.

4.25 stars - I really loved this. I used to read mysteries all the time and then happily fell into a romance and fantasy black hole and was content to stay there forever. It was such a great time to read something different and this was a great story. The mystery was excellent, the different twists and turns were so good and I was left wondering who did it until the very end. I adore the slow-burn romance between Kit and Sam; their relationship is such a treasure and it's been delightful watching them both grow towards each other. Sam is absolutely a top-tier book boyfriend, protect him at all costs type of character and I love every scene he's in.

Can't wait to read more from this series! Thank you to Berkley Romance for the eARC - all opinions are my own!

Well if you thought you’ve read the best – think again. Karen Rose fans are immediately going to get it. They are once again in for the ride of their life. Playing homicide investigator was never more challenging and candidly fun – in a grisly sort of way. Funny how you can get over the sight of blood rather quickly and dare I suggest easily once you are enmeshed in the search for a monster. Well it must be a monster, no down-to-earth regular person could or would compile a mass accumulation of bodies. In a rather short span of time. With the eyes of the legal community everywhere. Expect to be surprised and perhaps even utter oh crap I forgot about that. This is par for the course Karen Rose at her finest.
We meet up once again with police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves who has been working with teens at a local shelter and has been called upon by the police to help them ferret out whether or not a witness or suspect is being candid. This means he will be working rather closely with Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick and her new partner Connor. Sam and Kit have been moving very – almost painfully – slow in what could become a relationship. Sam is still working on the friendship portion. Kit isn’t even at that juncture yet. But she has developed a trust in Sam that has taken quite a while.
Sam and Kit on a desert walk with their dogs make a gruesome discovery. A body that has been mutilated by someone or something rather than just the topography and animals that inhabit the desert. The more they inspect the body the more they come to realize this was a murder of rage. Someone had let out their emotions on this gruesome murder. They were able to identify the victim as a local politician. A councilman who was for the most part considered popular but had gathered quite a number of enemies.
Now Kit and Connor are faced with finding out the who and why someone would have kidnapped, tortured, mutilated, killed, and then tossed the body. Quite a lot of territory to cover and they enlist Sam to help.
We learn that the inhabitants of the McKittrick house are an amazing support group for Kit who had at one time been one many foster children. Karen Rose carefully incorporates many characters into this case which has its tentacles covering a large area. The world of the immensely wealthy and powerful is going to be scrutinized. Those that had something they kept carefully concealed will become part of a growing number of suspects. One problem now for Kit and Connor is to prevent losing any more possible witnesses or suspects. There is a killer out there who is culling the herd, one by one.
Awesome look into the dangerous mind of a murderous lunatic. Karen Rose leaves no stone unturned. And brings us right into the heart of the action. If it’s been mentioned, it just might be important. After all this is Karen Rose whose talent is legendary.

This is my first Karen Rose book, but won’t be my last.

Dead Man’s List is an action-packed romp through city hall bureaucracy, black mail, and a murder victim whom no one is mourning. I dove straight into this book and was immediately sucked in. Kit McKittrick is a stoic, loyal and traumatized detective who cares about her victims.

Her newest case is a politician that no one is sad to see dead, especially his wife. Kit finds herself in Agatha Christie territory - is this a massive murder operation where a group of people helped to kill this man? As Kit digs into the case, she discovers that he has an actual list of people who have reason to be happy to see him dead. Now she just needs to find the list to find the murderer.

Throughout the story we learn about Kit, her complicated relationship with sexy police psychologist Sam, and her traumatic upbringing which led her to her foster family as a preteen; the same family who is still protecting young women from monsters.

I was new to this series, and to Karen Rose as an author, but felt that I could understand and enjoy the book without reading the other two in the series. Much like Kathy Reichs and J.D. Robb, Karen explained a lot of backstory and character history through the book so I wasn’t confused.

Kit is a fabulous main character. She’s feisty and strong but also loyal and deeply focused on what is right. She has some trouble trusting people due to her upbringing, and part of her arc in this story is watching her struggle to give into her urges to build a relationship with Sam, and to offer love and empathy when her family needs it. She feels it all deeply, but struggles with showing it. Kit’s family and colleagues are delightful counterparts to her. They see her for who she is and support her instead of fighting to change her.Her relationship with Sam is slow moving, and it will be enjoyable to watch it unfold over further cases. There is some moments of levity between murders. There’s also a great secondary plot with one of Kit’s younger foster sisters, who’s also dealing with some serious trauma. I’m looking forward to watching the family relationships continue in other books.

This is a strong police procedural. I will be going back to read the prior Kit stories for sure. Nothing is better than finding a new series you like and realizing there is a back list!

If you’re looking for a new detective to hang out with in between Eve Dallas And Temperance Brennan books, then you need to pick up Dead Man’s List.

4.5 Stars
Detective Kit McKittrick and Sam’s hiking date ends abruptly when they stumble upon a dead body. The victim ends up being a corrupt councilman and there’s no shortage of suspects. As his deeds are revealed it’s no wonder someone took him out! Sam, as the police department’s consulting psychologist helps Kit and Connor as they methodically hunt for the killer.

Meanwhile, Rita, one of the girls the McKittrick’s are fostering, is set to testify against her mother’s murderer. She receives a veiled threat, putting the whole family on high alert.

Dead Man’s List was a layered mystery that captured and held my attention from beginning to the wild end! Lots of reveals! I loved seeing Kit, Sam and Connor in action, handling the suspects. It was a great crime/police procedural! The personal relationships with family and friends’ factor in heavily and I loved the support they gave each other. The ladies from the senior center always make me laugh, too!

Most of Ms. Rose’s romantic suspense stories could be read as standalones, but Dead Man’s List is the third book in the San Diego Case Files, and I think it’s best to read in order as the relationship between Kit and Sam is a slow going one starting with the first book. There’s also the continuing mystery of who killed Kit’s foster sister when they were teenagers. A bit of information has been revealed in each installment.

This is the third book in the San Diago trilogy, and while it could probably be read without reading the first two, I would recommend reading them in order to get the best reading experience.

We are following Detective Kit McKettrick and Doctor Sam Revees as they dive into solving a horrendous murder of a man that, well, has no end to the amount of people that would have liked to see him dead, for a very good reason. This book is full of twists, turns, and emotional moments that have you invested in the story from page one. The mystery was done very well, that I had no idea who the killer was until it was revealed.

I have been a long-time fan of Karen Rose since Don't Tell, the very first book I read by her, and she hasn't let me down in 31 books. She is an autobuy author and I can't wait to see if were going to get more of Kit and Sam, or if we will be moving on to another couple!!

Sam and Kit resume the dance. Kit has issues and doesn't think she deserves a great guy like Sam. I'm not a fan of this loooong drawn out dance and at over a thousand pages total (three books), they are still dancing. It's very annoying. Even more annoying is that this mystery just didn't live up to the high standard Karen Rose has set in her previous books. There was way too much side stuff going on with Kit and her foster family, and the people directly involved in the case were just despicable.

Kit McKittrick, San Diego Police Detective, and Physiologist Sam Reeve finally have second date. They are hiking in the Anza-Borrego desert east of San Diego when the discover a body and not just any body. This is Sandiego City Councilman Brooks Munroe, a first-class sleaze and blackmailer as Kit and Sam soon find out. The quest soon becomes who out of the legions of people who hated him, killed him.

Detective Kit McKittrick embarks on another murder investigation, facing distractions that threaten to could derail her focus. The case involves the murder of a local politician, and Kit’s growing relationship with psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves and her concern for her foster sister Rita add to her mental clutter.

The discovery of the body is shocking, and Kit, who stumbled upon it with Sam, takes the case. Interestingly, Sam had a contentious relationship with the victim.

The case is riddled with suspects, as the victim was hated by many. Kit grapples with where to begin and the potential impact on her personal life.

Sam’s sensitive nature towards Kit’s tragic past is touching, providing a balance to the story that hints at more brutal murders. Kit faces numerous challenges as she attempts to solve the case.

Sam is not the only sensitive character in this story. Kit’s loving adoptive parents, Harlan and Betsy, are remarkable individuals that Karen Rose portrays beautifully in her hard-hitting books. The story evokes sadness, both for the victims and for characters like Kit and Rita, whose tragic pasts shine through. Their resilience as survivors is evident throughout the narrative. As always, Karen Rose hit it out of the park with this book.

Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

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 loved how sweet Sam and Kit were 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 was so compelling, that I had a hard time putting it down.

The mystery and suspense were intense, dark, and gritty! I loved the build and development as 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 bomb that was dropped on Kit at the end, I'm hoping another book is on the way. I can’t wait for Sam and Kit to truly be together and for Kit to get some much-needed closure.

Kit and Sam are on a date when they stumble across the dead body of a local politician. Kit is a detective and Sam is a police psychologist. This investigation takes them into the world of some of San Diego’s most powerful citizens.

Dead Man’s List is the third book in the San Diego Case Files series, and the thirty-first book in the Romantic Suspense series by Karen Rose. While Dead Man’s List can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the first two books, Cold Blooded Liar and Cheater, before this one.

Well-developed and interesting characters. Dead Man’s List is a fast-paced and intriguing thriller.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sinister, intricate, and intense!

In this compelling third instalment in the San Diego Case Files, Dead Man’s List, Rose has written a tortuous whodunit that sees homicide detective Kit McKittrick and her partner Connor Robinson working together with psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves on a complicated case involving a serial killer with nothing to lose, a prolific blackmailer with something to hide, and a list of victims who will pay whatever they have to in order to keep their secrets buried for good.

The writing is menacing and tight. The characters are consumed, persistent, and dependable. And the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat as it submerges you, page after page, into a world of blackmail, murder, wealth, arrogance, violence, terror, deception, corruption, suspicious personalities, palpable chemistry, and a sliver of romance.

Overall, Dead Man’s List is an addictive, engrossing, thrilling addition to what has quickly become a must-read series for me with its flawed characters, great pace, and consistent sense of urgency.

This is the second novel I’ve read in this series so I was pretty familiar with all of the characters as well as their idiosyncrasies. That was helpful at times because there was quite a bit of back story that would explain how characters are reacting to certain scenes in the story. Despite that historical knowledge, I do think the author gives a good rudimentary explanation so that you could read this novel as a stand alone, although I think you’ll get more out of it if you read the previous novels.

Kit has an instinct for detecting and solving crimes. She and her partner Conner have earned a bit of notoriety from solving some higher profile cases so when she finds this body in the desert they are naturally put in charge of the case. Despite the immediate finding of the body I found the first third of this novel really slow, it wasn’t until the killer started knocking off some of their witnesses that the story picked up a bit. Truthfully, I think detective work is probably pretty boring so maybe the author portrayed that first portion pretty accurately! Once the story picked up my reading pace also picked up and I found myself enjoying the story more. I was a little worried at first and thought I might have to put the book down.

The one thing I really enjoyed were Kit’s relationships with the people around her. Her feelings for her family come through in her character and her budding emotions for Sam are new for her and the way the author wove their romance into the mystery gave each moment greater impact. I liked how her emotions for all the people around her really helped push the stories momentum forward. I also really enjoy reading about a character who is so smart, has solid values, and that you can rally behind. It was a rocky story but I ended up really enjoying this book.

Dead Man’s List by Karen Rose is the 3rd book in her terrific The San Diego Case Files. San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick returns, as she is a fantastic detective. Kit is finally planning a second date with Sam Reeves (psychologist), as she still dreads her anticipated date. Sam and Kit hike with their dogs in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and unfortunately, they discover a dead body. Immediately, both Kit and Sam recognize who the dead man is; Brooks Munro, a well known local politician/councilman who was reviled by many. The vicious wounds all over his body, make it clear that he was murdered.

Kit and her partner, Connor, know that the list of possible suspects will be big, especially after they discover that Munro was blackmailing people. After they find a list of the names of the victims that Munro was blackmailing, which had a number of powerful and influential people; that increased how many people who they needed to interview.

When more dead bodies continue to be found, both Kit and Connor realize that the killer is ruthlessly tying up loose end. Conner was able to get his mother’s gossip information (she is rich and attends parties), and together Kit and Connor review all the possible candidates that Munro blackmailed. Sam, who was also a civilian police consultant, helped both Kit and Connor.

Kit had a difficult childhood, until she moved into the home of foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick, whom they adopted. But Harlan and Betsy always provided love to many foster kids, whom Kit became close to. She did lose a sister, whose murder was never solved, which continued to haunt her. Also, two other sisters had past problems: with Rita dealing with an upcoming trial, where her mother was murdered, and she was raped. Akiko was contacted by someone claiming to have information about her birth mother, which Kit will help find the truth. All of this will probably be part of the next book.

I really loved Kit, who was awesome, and I got a kick out of Connor, who was also great. Sam and Kit slowly began to realize that they both felt strongly to each other: as he was always so sweet and patient to her. I expect in the next book, more about Sam and Kit.

Dead Man’s List was a great suspenseful, great plot, mystery, crime, police procedurals, and addicting story. Dead Man’s List was so very well written by Karen Rose, which is no surprise, as she writs fantastic stories. I suggest you read the San Diego Case Files, as it was great.

🤍Book review 🤍

Dead Man's List
by Karen Rose

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance or @acebookspub for the free book, opinions are my own
#BerkleyPartner #AceBooksPartner
This book was a thrilling ride from start to finish! Dead Man’s List is packed with suspense, mystery, and a slow-burn romance that kept me hooked.
Detective Kit McKittrick and Dr. Sam Reeves are a great duo, balancing intense investigations with emotional depth. The murder mystery was complex and full of twists, keeping me guessing the whole way through. I loved the mix of action, detective work, and family moments that added heart to the story. Kit’s past and her determination to seek justice made her such a strong and relatable character. The chemistry between Kit and Sam was fantastic, and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. The pacing was fast, and every chapter left me eager for more. Karen Rose did an amazing job weaving everything together perfectly. If you love romantic suspense with gripping investigations and great characters, this book is a must-read.

This book made me feel like I was on a ride along with Kit, Sam and Conner and the rest of their team as they investigated a murder that on the surface was horrifying. As they dug for more clues, readers were taken through a case full of twists and turns. From the moment Kit and Sam's date was interrupted until nearly the last page in the book, some new revelation came to light. The victim/initial perpetrator was a vile human being who orchestrated a scam of unbelievable proportion putting him in the cross hairs of someone worse. The depth and the intricate nature of this book kept me reading even if the book seemed a touch long at the beginning. There was so much happening. To add some levity and depth to the characters, we had some amazing family moments with Kit's family and her growing feeling for Sam. It was like reading about a woman who was learning to feel and learning she deserved to. Kit and Sam were a wonderful couple and a wonderful team both of which they proved through the story.
The book even involved a twist which I sort of expected tying Kit's family into the case. I don't want to give too much away there but I am glad justice prevailed because family first. Kit's relationship with her family grounds her and the upheaval threatened that. A final twist in the end of the book seemed to bring Kit's story full circle while promising we should see more of these characters.
I enjoyed this character driven procedural roller coaster
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for the opportunity to read this ARC..

Sam made a pained sound, and Kit patted his hand. "You okay?"
"No," Sam grumbled. "Day's ruined. Date's ruined. And I'm never going to get the sight of his face out of my mind."
"We'll have another date,' Kit promised. "A no-dead-body date. I promise."

Kit and Sam's work relationship definitely intersects with their personal. Though their personal keeps getting interrupted!

This story is amazing!! Karen Rose does it again - weaves a wonderful murder mystery with interpersonal relationships you completely get invested in.

I LOVE this series!

Fast paced and addictive! Fans of Karen Rose's San Diego Case Files series will delight in seeing Kit and Sam growing closer as they are drawn into the heart of a high profile murder investigation with lots of twists and turns along the way. Kit's family is playing center stage in her off time as usual and we learn a little more history on a cold case that's near and dear to her heart. The main characters of this series are very easy to like and grow invested in and the cases they work with always draw attention. We're left with a bit of a foreshadow of what's to come and I am so here for it. I cant' wait to visit Kit and Sam again! Great characters, complex crimes and a heartwarming family background.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery withs lots of twists as a core cast work together against the racing clock to bring the bad guys to justice. Kit was adopted by a great couple who have opened their doors to many throughout the years and they play a key part in the series as well.

3.75/5 rounded up

Thank you Berkley Publishing for the advanced reading copy!

It was soooo fun to be back with Kit & the entire SDPD crew! This might have been my fav book in the series so far — I feel more connected to the characters now and this one was action packed! In the past, I have thought of these as more slow burn, with lots of detail leading up to the action moments. This one, while still detailed, was full of drama, murder & chaos.

Karen Rose does such a great job of weaving characters together, and bringing connections from previous novels into the current. Kit is a great MC, but this story is made by all of the side characters and their fierce bonds.

And that cliffhanger!!!!! I truly can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

Karen Rose is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors and I have really enjoyed what she is doing with this series. It focuses on the same main characters but gives them different cases, like a traditional cop procedural show, but it has her unique touch in it. This time around Kit and Dr. Sam have to solve the murder of a local politician.

The plot was masterfully executed. Rose does an amazing job with developing everything and making sure each puzzle piece fits into place. I always have fun trying to solve the mystery before it's revealed. The plot and action is exciting and keeps the book moving at a fast pace. I was never bored.

The romance picks up in this book by the main pair going on a first date (yay!). This romance has been a delicious slow burn that all the best procedural shows have. I really love their chemistry and how their relationship is growing. Can't wait to see what happens next!

A great romantic suspense read! Can be read as a standalone.