Like all Harlequin titles, feels like pulling on a comfy old pair of sweats - you wouldn't want to wear them outside of the house, but you love them anyways.

Killer Cowboy is the sixth book in the Cowboys of Holiday Ranch series and finally answers the question, "Who done it?" and Ms. Cassidy, a perennial favorite author of mine certainly had me fooled and this novel gets a 4-star rating from this reader.

If you've not been following this series, and this novel can be read as a standalone, in short, Cassie Peterson, a struggling artist in New York City, is shocked to inherit the ranch owned and operated by her now deceased Aunt Cass, one tough woman who took in runaway boys, hired and trained them as cowboys and watched as they grew into fine men who were devoted to her and the Holiday Ranch. They're not certain what to make of the new owner, but they remain loyal to the ranch and stay on. When seven skeletons are found buried under one of the ranch outbuildings, the mystery of who they are and who killed them forms the background of the series, and in this installment, the mystery is finally solved.

The hero in this novel is the Chief of Police, Dillon Bowie, and he's been busy chasing down leads but getting nowhere in his investigation of the seven skeleton's, but the handsome police chief is seeing a lot more of Cassie, who, at the outset of this novel, awakens with a hangover the morning after a barn dance she threw the previous night, and soon discovers that one of her recently hired cowboys has been murdered and is buried under some hay in the barn--but who would do such a thing? Dillon Bowie is again back at the ranch trying to solve this new murder which is all too similar to the way the skeleton's met their demise, and the attraction between Dillon and Cassie grows, but both characters realize they're wrong for each other, or are they?

When a break-in at the main house occurs and more than one attempt is made on Cassie's life, Dillon moves into the main ranch house to keep Cassie safe, and in this case, familiarity certainly doesn't breed contempt, in fact, it's the exact opposite.

Although this novel gets off to a slow start, the action and romance both heat up in the second half, and my guess as to who the murderer was couldn't have been more wrong. I have a strong feeling that you'll be as shocked at the outcome as I was. In the preface, the author let's us know that solving the murder mystery doesn't mean that it's the end of this well-written romantic suspense series and I'm looking forward to seeing where this series will go next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Cassie inherited her aunts ranch and its well-known due to a cold case that has never been solved. When a body shows up on her ranch very similar to the cold case victims it leaves to question is the killer back? After a series of close calls Cassie seems to be next on the hit list and officer Dillion will try to help her. Problem is Cassie and Dillion can't seem to keep business and pleasure separate and its been made clear that Cassie might go back to nyc now not only is her life on the line, it seems her heart is as well.

I loved this book with so much going on between wondering when the killer would strike, then there is that attraction between the two its hard not to like this book. There was really never a dull moment and from the way this ended it seems that the series Cowboy of Holidays Ranch is over. Although this book did such a great job on its own, you really should check out the previous 5 books. From the looks of of it I manged to miss two of the books so I can dive back into this series. Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was such a fun and suspenseful book and I really liked how it turned out.

I have really enjoyed this intense cowboy suspense series from Carla Cassidy. The set up at the ranch is intriguing and admirable. What Cassie's aunt did to save the ranch and save the young men's lives when she took the runaway, street boys to live and work on her land, and helped them grow to be the men they are, is commendable.
The old murder case and all the trouble at the ranch since Cassie inherited it, has created some breathtaking suspense. Now a new hire is found murdered at the ranch and it is starting to look like one if Cassie's men are behind the brutal murders.
The tension escalates as the attempts to kill Cassie
increase. The threat is palpable and the there are moments when Cassie is fighting - or hiding - for her life, that I was holding my breath, as I could feel the fear and imminent danger.
The sparks between Cassie and Chief of Police Dillon Bowie are like fireworks going off. While on the ranch to protect her life, Dillon and Cassie have a chance to get to know each other better. The conversations between them are revealing and engaging, as they share their lives, dreams, and hopes for the future. The attraction between them is tangible, and deeper feelings are taking root, even though they seem to want the opposite with their future.
I enjoyed Cassie and Dillon connection, it was authentic and the conflict between them was valid, something they really needed to work out to make it work. The passionate attraction had a dash of sweetness and tenderness in it, that had me swooning.
The intense suspense and bursts of action were fierce in itself, but knowing that the culprit most likely is one of the men you have grown to care for, yet you have no idea which one, and they all are still part of your daily life... Yes, toe-curling-scary moments that had me biting my nails.
A well-balanced mix of ardent romance and chilling suspense in a story that captured my mind with the charismatic characters and remarkable storytelling. Even though it is a part of series, I believe it can be read as a standalone novel.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

4 1/2 STARS!

Intrigue abounds as we return to the Cowboys of Holiday Ranch series with Carla Cassidy! We are drawn in quickly as incidents start to happen around the ranch to draw attention to the crimes that have occurred there. The plot is fast paced, thick with mystery and disturbingly raw as we get inside the mind of the person who left demise in their wake.

Cassie Peterson was horrified when they discovered her newly inherited ranch was the site of a multiple-murder cold case, but nothing can terrify her more than realizing one of her ranch hands has just been killed ... in the same fashion as the original crimes!

Police chief Dillon Bowie has been interested in Cassie from afar ever since she came to town, but he wasn't looking to get too close to the city girl. His history in the past with a headstrong dreamer wasn't a good one, so he's quick to push his interest aside ... until things start happening to her. He will do anything to protect her from the danger closing in!

An okay read with lots of action & suspense. It is well written, but I didn't see much chemistry with the main couple and that is why I read fictional romances - even suspense stories.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series, and was a bit sad to see it come to an end. I had guessed the "bad guy" during the last book or two, but still enjoyed reading how the author brought about the conclusion to the series. And of course, I always enjoy a hero from law enforcement.

Author presents a cowboy story with a twist of mystery and murder. Keeps the reader in suspense as to who the culprit is while Cassie and Dillon seek out their futures.

The next in the series. I was surprised when the killer was revealed. Well worth reading.