EVERY KIND OF WICKED (A Gardiner and Renner Book #6) by Lisa Black is a fast-paced, intricately plotted addition to this forensic/police procedural thriller series set in Cleveland, Ohio featuring a female forensics expert and a male detective tied together by a dark secret. This series is best read in order due to the evolving character arc between the two main characters, but the crime plots in each book can stand alone.

A young man is found dead in the snow in the Erie Street Cemetery and Jack Renner is assigned to investigate with Maggie Gardiner on scene to look for any forensic evidence. Maggie’s ex-husband, Rick is assigned to investigate the death of a junkie in what appears to be an overdose by the Westside Market. At first, they are considered separate cases, but they begin to merge when both cases lead back to a pill-pushing doctor they are having difficulty finding.

When Maggie is called to the scene of a murdered woman connected to Rick’s case, she discovers a bloody fingerprint, and it belongs to Rick. Rick is missing and Maggie refuses to believe he could be involved in this murder. As Jack and Maggie investigate the several murders they find connections to a call-center scam operation as well as a Medicare scam. Maggie’s world is about to be changed forever.

This was such an exciting addition to the series! I could not put it down. You have two crime plots that at first do not seem connected and then Ms. Black merges them into one terrible criminal operation which was completely unexpected. Maggie faces personal emotional trauma during this story that was a complete surprise and then the ending through me for a complete loop. I love that this series is set in my hometown and I can visualize all the locations in the book.

This is definitely one of the best books in this series! I cannot wait for the next book. I highly recommend this series and author.

Every Kind of Wicked is the 6th novel in the Gardiner and Renner series by bestselling author Lisa Black. Maggie Gardiner is a forensic expert and is working to solve the murder of a young university student along with Jack Renner, a Cleveland Detective. Maggie and Jack have worked together before, and Maggie recently learned what Jack is capable of doing when he sees that justice isn’t being done. Maggie’s ex-husband, Rick, also a detective, is convinced that Jack may be responsible for a series of vigilante killings, and Maggie is determined to cover up what she knows Jack has done in the past. Luckily there is no evidence that Jack has done anything wrong, and when Rick’s bloody fingerprint is found at a murder scene, the suspense builds and the murder cases become intertwined; Maggie must work to try to clear both Rick and Jack.

Readers of this series know that Black is an excellent storyteller. She expertly builds suspense throughout the story, and readers will have trouble putting the book down. The protagonists, Maggie and Jack are well-developed and the underlying attraction between them adds to the drama, especially when Maggie’s ex-husband becomes involved in the murder investigations. Jack is certainly different from most protagonists, since he has his own idea of justice that isn’t shared by Maggie (or most of us). However, due to Black’s excellent skills, it works.

While this book can be read as a standalone novel, it’s better to read the previous novels, which are also very good, to learn the history of the characters.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

A fabulous book which I could not put down. Really easy to read, gripping and wonderfully told story that I would recommend to others!!

I have previously reviewed Lisa Black’s Theresa MacLean forensic science series and found to it to be a reasonably good series, not great but not bad. Black has now turned her attention to a new series and has so far written five books with a sixth to be released soon. All I can say about this new series is "WOW" what an improvement, it is really good. The best part of this new series is the interesting connection between the two main characters, Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner.

Maggie Gardiner is a forensic specialist and Jack Renner is a police detective. Both work for the Cleveland Police Department and in the beginning they cross paths infrequently. They only really begin to engage with each other because of a unique pastime of Jack Renner. On the job as a police officer Jack Renner spends his time enforcing the law for the City of Cleveland, but during his spare time he is tracking down criminals that have managed to evade the legal system and then killing them. Jack Renner is a vigilante and Maggie Gardiner, using her forensic skills, discovers Renner’s illicit acts. Normally the law abiding Gardiner would immediately turn Renner in but a series of events prevents her from doing so without jeopardizing herself. So this tenuous dance between Renner and Gardiner begins while both continue to fight to protect the citizens of Cleveland.

Even though Jack Renner is a murderer, I still like this character. He has sacrificed everything in his life in order to rid the world of the nastiest of the nasty. So how could I possibly like a vigilante? Vigilantism is very much an illegal act and by no way should we condone it, but underneath the surface we have a love/hate relationship with vigilantism. Most of the superheroes that we have grown to love are by all means vigilantes. From Iron Man killing Thanos to Superman killing General Zod, superheroes have eliminated the bad guys without consideration that perhaps they deserved to be tried before a court of law. Deep down many of us wish that somebody would take out the drug lords, corrupt corporate executives and evil politicians of the world when their crimes go on for years and they evade the judicial system by using their money or connections to bail them out. But vigilantism is more often committed because of a warped sense of what is right and wrong and is often influenced by racial and sexist bias. A good example is the recent murder of Ahmaud Arbery, a black man that was tracked down by three white men because they believed he committed a crime for which he did not commit.  Even though our justice system is far from perfect it is still better than letting vigilantes decide who is a criminal because most vigilantes are not Iron Man.

I am not the only one that is questioning their feelings on vigilantism, Maggie Gardiner struggles with it throughout the series. In the beginning, Gardiner barely knows Renner and her feelings towards him as a vigilante are hostile but as the series progresses, she gets to know him better and her feelings become more ambivalent. Renner is also having a difficult time with their relationship. Normally, he would jump ship and create a new identity but his concern for Gardiner and the burden that he has created for her forces him to stay put.

Each book in the series deals with a murder or murders that are related to modern social issues, such as the demise of the newspaper industry, juvenile detention, and with the latest book of the series, phone scamming. For the most part, the series does not need to be read in order with the exception of the relationship between Renner and Gardiner which progresses with each novel. And of course there is forensics, from trace analysis to fingerprint examination, the CSI lover will be blissfully happy.

Since Every Kind of Wicked is my introduction to Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner, it's safe to say that I've come late to the party. That said, I didn't have any problem following the story here. In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed the fast pace and suspense, as well as the interactions between characters. Maggie and Jack have an interesting relationship complete with secrets, and now that I've met them, I'm anxious to check out their other cases and learn more about these engaging characters. I'd heard good things about Lisa Black, and I'm happy to say that the rumors were true - she does not disappoint, and I'm wondering what took me so long. I love the attention to detail, particularly with the forensics and procedures, the suspense and tension build with just the right amount of excitement and action, and it all comes together for a conclusion that certainly surprised me. I'd recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, and I'll be checking out the earlier books in this series while waiting to see what this author does next.

Maggie Gardiner is back and she still has so many unresolved feelings for Jack Renner, she knows that she can trust him but she still doesn't know what to do about their situation. She does want him to leave but she still wants him in her life. Jack knows that his time is running out with Maggie and that he will need to leave soon but it isn't that easy as he really cares for her. But he knows that if he stays longer he will be found out and that Maggie will be dragged down with him as well. Their latest case involves a young man found dead in the cemetery. Jack & his partner Thomas Riley need to find out more about this man and who wanted him dead. But they might have a bigger problem as Maggie's ex Rick, is going to Chicago and they both know that this could be big trouble for Jack but what can they do to stop him? This case just gets more complicated as it looks like it has to do with fraud and the suspects just keep on appearing. But before things can get sorted Rick is killed and Maggie knows that Jack didn't do it but she has a small moment of doubt. She needs to find out why he was killed and she knows that Jack will help her find out the truth. But how does this change everything between them? Will Jack leave her now? Do they have a chance a being together or will it change everything? A good read I was so waiting for that ending about time. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy the forensic thriller with Maggie Gardiner and her working along with her ex-husband and detective Jack Renner. A triangle of sorts that is played in their current case. A young man is found dead with no identification. However, with Maggie forensic know how which you are given a play by play, his identity is given along and the discovery of his girlfriend. This only brings more questions as to the motive and the why. Again, what makes this well done, are the clues and the peeling of the crime. A high climax thriller and the relationship plot thickens.

A tension builder when several more murders are tied to the case but finding the common thread as to why leaves the team anxious as to what are they missing. Very easy for the reader to get caught up in all the drama. A very kind of wicked indeed when it comes to crime of greed.

A special thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Books, and Lisa Black for the ARC!

For me, Lisa Black is one of those authors who writes fast-paced mysteries with a spin that keeps you hooked the whole way through! This was no different, but my only negative feedback was that it felt like too much was going on. I wish things had slowed down a little, but that’s the beauty of a book. You never know which way it will go or how!

If you’re looking for something with grit and suspense, this would be the one for you! Get cozy with a blanket, a cup a tea, and get reading!

Really great book. I enjoyed the characters. I’m going to need to start from the beginning and read the first five now.

Intriguing and suspenseful mystery. Lots of interesting forensic details. As the body count rises can there be a connection? The book kept me turning the pages. I especially enjoyed the ending.

I didn't realize this was book 6 in a series when I started it. I originally wanted to read this because I enjoy Lisa Black. To say I struggled with the book is an understatement, I didn't enjoy feeling clueless about what was going on. That being said, I feel like this book just drags on. The premise is interesting but I just didn't care and was wishing it was over. To be fair I'm giving the book 3 stars because I haven't read the previous ones and that could be causing my reactions to this book.

I enjoy this series and I mostly enjoyed this book. The characters are good and the plot is convoluted enough to provide plenty of mystery. The story seemed to get bogged down sometimes in repeating nagging details. I found myself actually getting a bit bored as it moved along but I appreciated that everything was tied together at the end. And I liked the ending in regards to Maggie and Jack. I hope this isn't the last in the series.

An excellent thriller, well written and gripping. It was on the edge till the end and it kept me guessing.
I liked the plot, the fleshed out cast of character and the setting.
I can't wait to read the next installment in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Every Kind of Wicked by Lisa Black is a very highly recommended procedural and 6th in the Gardiner and Renner Series.

Forensics expert Maggie Gardiner and Cleveland homicide detective Jack Renner with his partner Thomas Riley are investigating the murder of a young man found dead in the Erie Street Cemetery. What was at first assumed to be a single gunshot, isn't, which makes the homicide odd and the weapon used unique. The only clue on the body is a key card to an apartment at the local university’s student housing. The victim is identified as Evan Harding and while at his apartment, Evan's girlfriend, Shanaya Thomas shows up. Shanaya lies about Evan work place, A to Z Check Cashing, and seems to be evasive and withholding information.

At the same time Maggie's detective ex-husband, Rick, is at another murder scene that appears to be an obvious overdose. The deceased is identified as Marlon Toner, but when they talk to his sister Jennifer at the address on his ID, it seems that the man is not Marlon Toner. But Jennifer has her own concerns and has been trying to investigate the doctor who has been prescribing her brother so many opioids. Suddenly it is clear that the investigations are interconnected and the case is more complicated than originally thought.

The solid plot is compelling and fast moving. The complicated investigation takes several unexpected turns and it is a pleasure to follow along as the clues are presented and leads followed. The operation/scheme that the investigation leads to is a timely subject matter and for some a personal experience that will have readers everywhere cheering on the detectives (and perhaps hoping for a permanent, violent resolution). There is also a personal investigation Rick is undertaking that started in previous books in the series. This concerns Maggie while Jack is claiming it will be a non-issue.

This is a great series and it is a pleasure to be back in the world of these well-known and well-developed characters. I was so happy to open Every Kind of Wicked and experience another investigation with Gardiner and Renner. Longtime fans know the players here and their backstories, which does add a depth and richness to the story, but you could easily read this novel as a standalone. Any references to past events are explained enough that you won't feel lost.

I enjoyed this procedural and being back in the world of these characters so much, it was a pleasure to read Every Kind of Wicked.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Kensington.
The review will be posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Every Kind of Wicked by Lisa Black
Gardiner and Renner #6

An alliance forged in death
Each holds a secret about the other
They work together
They watch one another
What relationship is this and
What could it become?

Intriguing premise, wonderful characters, great police/murder mysteries to solve that hook me in a bit more with each book in the series. I love Maggie and Jack and though their relationship has not been romantic it always has seemed to have the potential for more IF they can overcome a major issue that in fact is the one that brought them together. I don’t know if there will be more books in this series as in some ways this wouldn’t be a bad way for the series to end BUT I would hate to say goodbye to these two characters if the author has more to share about them as they solve more cases together.

What I liked:
* Jack: Hm…hmm…hmmmmm…this is a man with his own moral compass and a mandate to fulfill. He is intelligent, cunning, ruthless and yet seems to have a warm center while knowing what he believes is right and what is wrong.
* Maggie: a brilliant woman skilled in her forensic field. She is divorced, has always known right from wrong, and then…she began to question. I find her quirky and intriguing with potentially hidden depths.
* The relationship between Jack and his work partner, Riley.
* The way the relationship between Jack and Maggie as it has developed over the series
* Shanaya – I kind of like her but really wonder about HER moral compass and why she got into the way of life she did
* The police procedural aspects of the story.
* The overlapping threads of the story and how they all were woven together
* That the case was solved
* The last little bit that I won’t get away but REALLY liked it :)

What I did not like:
* The bad guy who created the scam/con
* Knowing that the type of crime in this story exists and harms so many
* Not knowing when I finished the book whether it is the last in the series or if there will be more in the future.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Would I read another book by this author? Without a doubt

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.

Every Kind of Wicked by Lisa Black is the 6th book in her Gardiner and Renner series. I have not read any of the earlier books so, to give a fair review., I read the 1st book, That Darkness. While some novels allow you to pick up in the middle of the series, having a basic understanding of the main characters helped reading Every Kind of Wicked. I will include a description of them below this review.

Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner investigate a murder which occurred where they first met, in the Erie Street Cemetery. She is having difficulty dealing with the events of the last eight months, and Rick, her ex-husband, is suspicious of Jack. Rick wants to investigate Jack and his past.

Black's Gardiner and Renner are an interesting duo. If you have not read any of the Gardiner and Renner series, think Bones meets Dexter. They allow people to believe they are dating to throw off any suspicions they have of Jack. The event which brought them together continues to pull them closer.

Once I knew who the characters were, I enjoyed the book. I will continue reading the series and start Black's Theresa MacLean series.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/25/20.




Here is what you need to know to get the most out of Lisa Black's Gardiner and Renner series before reading book #6.

Maggie Gardiner forensic investigator for the Cleveland Police Department and she is good at it. She works alongside the homicide detectives, including Rick, her ex-husband, and Jack Renner. Maggie and Jack met eight months prior while working a case involving a Jane Doe discovered in the local cemetery.

Jack has a mission. He needs to find the women he is hunting, and has been hunting, through several states.

Maggie follows all of the clues which keep pointing to one person - Jack. After confronting Jack, Maggie needs to decide if it is moral to kill someone that has harmed others and that will do harm again. She agrees to give Jack time to leave so as not to arouse suspicions that the serial killings stopped when he left Cleveland.

At some point after the first book, That Darkness, but before the 6th book, Every Kind of Wicked, Rick becomes suspicious of Jack. He is determined to show Maggie the kind of man Jack is.

Maggie Gardiner is a forensics expert who works hand in hand with Cleveland detective Jack Renner in crime solving. They have a unique partnership. They each have a secret that would put them behind bars for a really long time .. and they are at the mercy of each other to never share that secret.

The fly in the ointment is Maggie's ex-husband. Rick is certain that Jack is involved in something nefarious and sets out to prove it. Rick is also a homicide detective and investigates the death of a woman who is thought to have died from a drug overdose.

Maggie and Jack are caught up in looking for the identity of a man found dead from a single stabbing directly into his heart. A key card in the victim’s wallet leads to the local university’s student housing—and to a grieving girlfriend with an unsettling agenda.

The two cases emerge and leads to an unexpected motive for the deaths. But what really throws Maggie is the fingerprint found at another murder scene.. a fingerprint is blood .. and it's belongs to Rick ... and where has Rick disappeared to?

As with all the books in this series, it is well written with a solid plot and skillfully drawn characters. This is a page-turner with action packs suspense starting on the very first page and not letting up until the unexpected satisfying conclusion.

Although 6th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. I highly recommend a reading marathon starting at the very first meeting of Gardiner and Renner. It's a terrific series that shouldn't be overlooked.

Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

This is book number six in this amazing series and each book brings us more details in to the lives of Maggie and Jack. Maggie is a forensic investigator, a civilian in the world of law enforcement. Jack is a Cleveland detective that Maggie doesn’t quite trust. Maggie’s ex doesn’t trust him either and has plans to find out who Jack really is and what he may have done. Ms. Black writes a mystery within a mystery as a man is killed with an unusual weapon. While working the first case, another body is killed in the same manner but there doesn’t seem to be a connection. Slowly the detectives, with the assistance of Maggie’s forensic clues, will unravel a twisted tale of illegal prescriptions and greed. Excellent read! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Maggie's ex Rick is suspicious of Jack with, I might add, with good reason. For those unfamiliar with the series, she's a forensics expert and Rick and Jack are both detectives in Cleveland. Maggie's been covering for Jack's umm extracurricular activities but Rick's really sniffing around. Now they've been assigned a case involving the topical issues of scamming and opioids. The procedural aspects of this are well done and just twisty enough (and you, like me, might learn something) but I enjoyed it most for the interaction and tension between the main characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

“Every Kind of Wicked (A Gardiner and Renner Novel, Book 6)” brings forensic investigator Maggie Gardiner, Detective Jack Renner and Rick, Maggie’s ex-husband, back together again at a murder scene in the Erie Street Cemetery, where Maggie’s and Jack’s future became irrevocably intertwined years earlier. The victim this time, a young man, appears to be a student at a local university. But, as in nearly all homicide investigations, not everything is as it appears. His grieving girlfriend disappears shortly after the death notification. His boss seems more concerned about needing to replace his now-dead employee. But for forensic investigator Maggie, the pursuit for answers in seemingly random cases, becomes deeply personal when she discovers that a bloody fingerprint left at the scene of another murder belongs to a Cleveland homicide detective—her ex-husband, Rick. As a certified crime scene analyst and former forensic scientist for the Cleveland Coroner’s office, author Lisa Black writes with impressive authenticity. “Every Kind of Wicked” will leave the reader ready to pre-order when Book 7 in the series becomes available.