The Killing Game

The best part of a murder, mystery, thriller? NOT being able to figure out just who the villain is and trust me, Nancy Bush’s The Killing Game has that part down pat!

There is a twisted serial killer on the loose and Andi Wren looks to be on his dance card for murder. A recent widow and largest shareholder in Wren Development, Andi is discovering that the company is not doing as well as she thought. When another group tries strong-arming their way in, Andi is facing the drunken indifference of her sister-in-law and the reckless business dealings of her brother-in-law. She has also become the object of threatening notes that taunt her safety with their mysterious lines.

Enter P.I. Luke Denton, former cop, and one determined sleuth. Who is sending the notes? What do they mean?

Women are being murdered and two hard-nosed female detectives are on the case. When Andi’s best friend is murdered, a connection is made, but is it coincidence or the thread that will unravel both Andi’s problems and uncover a monstrous serial killer with an appetite for death?
Grab your notepad, list the possible suspects and tally the clues, as people are interviewed, re-interviewed by the detectives and Luke works his hardest to keep the beautiful Andi safe. Is there more than one killer? What IS the tie that binds shady business deals with murder?

Nancy Bush brings in a huge cast of characters, almost telling two tales at once, as she whips back and forth between what look to be separate cases. Add to the mix, a competitive and underhanded adversary in the building trade, millions of dollars at stake and once strange clue that keeps popping up and this twisted tale earns its mystery title. The questions are: Who Dunnit and Who will be the next victim? A good mystery, with a light touch of romance, characters in over their heads and failure to communicate as the puppet master pulls everyone’s strings with dark abandon. Who is the murderer behind the curtain?

I received an ARC edition from Zebra in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: Zebra (June 28, 2016)
Publication Date: June 28, 2016 ISBN-13: 9781420134667 Genre: Mystery | Suspense Print Length: 384 pages Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

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Solid and enjoyable read. Good quality writing as always with a book by Nancy Bush. Thank you Net Galley for an opportunity to preview this book.

Book blurb...

The Rules Are Simple:

It's the ultimate test of strategy and skill. The killer chooses each opponent carefully, learning each one's weaknesses. Every meticulously planned move is leading to a devastating checkmate. Because in this game, all the pretty pawns must die.

First You Play

Andi Wren is fighting to keep her late husband's company safe from vindictive competitors. When she receives an ominous note, Little birds must fly, she turns to P.I. Luke Denton. But though Luke has personal reasons for wanting to take down Wren Development's opponents, his investigation suggests this is deeper and far more dangerous than a business grudge.

Then You Die. . .

In a basement on the outskirts of town, police detectives unearth piles of skeletons. As they learn the shocking truth about each victim's identity, their case collides with Andi's, revealing a killer's ruthless plot and a chilling, lethal endgame. . .

My thoughts…

This is a tale packed with suspense and intrigue.

The author essentially delivered two different storylines that I knew would ultimately come together—and didn’t they!!

The Killing Game was, at the title implies, a game for a very disturbed individual who thought themselves better than everyone around them. Andi found herself getting closer to this killer not knowing that end game was going to include her.

I also loved the role Luke played as Andi’s protector, although a little contrived by Andi herself he does play an important part in the end.

A good read that kept me guessing who the villain was.

He has invented a game .. a game of strategy and skill. All the pawns are beautiful young women. And they all have names of birds.

Andi Wren is trying to protect her late husband's company from going bankrupt. She's also dealing with in-laws who don't particularly like her and resent her for having the major part of the company given to her upon their brother's death.
Still coming to terms with her husband's death 3 months ago, she finds herself pregnant. She also finds she has a stalker. She finds notes to her saying things like Little Birds Must Fly. Andi turns to Luke Denton, former cop, now private investigator.

There are two men, brothers, who have approached the Wren family with the idea of buying them out. Needless to say, they are not happy when the answer is No.

Little 'accidents' seem to be getting bigger.. first the notes, her car is keyed, her sister in law has a fall down a flight of stairs. And her best friend Trini Finch is brutally murdered. And she's not the first victim ... nor the last.

I've enjoyed all the books written by Nancy Bush. There's always a little romance, great characters that you root for, bad guys that you want to see put away, suspense that doesn't seem to let up until the last page, and a tightly written plot.

This book did not disappoint. There are lots of suspects who may have a motive to kill Andi. Any one of her family ... the woman who had an affair with her late husband, people who want to take over her company.. any of them at all. Luke Denton is the only person she truly trusts.

As the game continues and the stakes get higher, the anxiety and stress begins to take its toll on all of them.

Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books - Zebra / Net Galley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Incredible. Spell bounding, captivating. A wonderful read.

This is the most captivating book I have read in awhile. The story has you in it's grips from page one. Not a dull moment to be had. I found the plot to be very well thought out and the book to be extremely well written. I would enjoy more books with these characters, as well as, any other books by Nancy Bush!