This is a Suspense Crime Mystery. This is an action-packed crime mystery about finding a serial killer on the loose. I have to say for a harlequin book I found this mystery book not really about the romance at all. I would honestly say there was almost no romance, and this book could almost be called a thriller. I really enjoyed this book, and the characters where great. I love that there was secrets that came out, and there was twists and turns that I really enjoyed. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Intrigue) or author (Carol Ericson) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

As detective Jake McAllister begins his next murder case, he runs straight into Kyra Chase. Her interest in the case annoys Jake from the start, but the fact that Kyra is connected to a murder of twenty years ago definitely intrigues him. Not so happy to have Kyra, who is a therapist and victims' rights advocate, as part of his newly formed task force, Jake sets out to discover a brutal serial killer before any more innocent lives are lost.

When Jake begins to see a connection with the current case with one of the past, he goes to visit Roger Quinn, a retired homicide detective. Imagine Jake's shock when his is visiting Quinn and Kyra comes striding in. It immediately becomes apparent that Quinn and Kyra have a very strong connection. But what? Bothered by the fact that neither Quinn nor Kyra are apparently holding certain facts from him, Jake soldiers on.

This intriguing book is heavy on suspense and light on romance. However, as it is the first book in a new series, Jake and Kyra work around their attraction to one another. I love their strong interaction and their devoted attention to the case at hand. I also love how Kyra's past blends into the current case and how Jake begins to unravel things. I look forward to seeing these two paired again in future books and to see how their relationship continues to bloom. Carol Ericson is a new author to me and I was glad to read this book, a quick and engaging read that captured my attention from beginning to end.

Many thanks to Harlequin Intrigue and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

***ARC Provided by the Author***

Jake and Kyra have the potential of fantastic chemistry, and all of the makings for it were present in this one, I just didn't feel like we actually got to any of it in this title.

I know, I know, it's a series. And, I was expecting this one to end unfinished with the rest of the story pending, so to speak. But, I was expecting there to be the romance, or at least the development of one, in this story, which for me was lacking.

I would probably read the next title in the series to see what happens, and to see if there is the actual romance with the characters, but I can't say for certain.

I wanted more from the start of a series than I got from this title.

A pretty standard romantic suspense with some additional sparks between the two leads. I'm not sure that the story is compelling enough for me to recommend it. But if you're looking for a relatively low stakes romantic suspense, this might well be the book for you.

This is a suspense/mystery/police procedural that was well-written and fast-paced. Each chapter flowed seamlessly to the next one and kept me interested and reading. The main characters are Detective Jake McAllister and Victims’ Advocate Kyra Chase. They have a porcupine kind of relationship with each other at first, but there is no doubt that each knows and does their job well. In this first book of a new series, Jake and Kate are trying to outsmart and catch a serial killer who is imitating a killer from two decades ago called The Player. Assisting them on the task force are some really unique characters, including Billy, Jake’s partner who is a flashy dresser and a ladies’ man (emphasis on the plural). Billy is a smart addition to the cast of characters since he often added some comic relief. Also in the mix is the retired detective who investigated the murders of The Player and who is a good friend already of Kyra. Quinn is highly intelligent and was a good addition to the story. There were some twists in the story and an unexpected confrontation at the end. For sure, I look forward to book two in the series and more adventures with Jake and Kyra. I hope that Quinn will be along for that ride, too, because his grudging help and sarcastic remarks to Jake about accepting his age were well worth reading and developing his character more. There was a little romance, but it was subtle as this was the introductory book in the series and the characters are just now developing trust for each other. Fans of Harlequin Intrigue and mystery in general will want to delve into this one.
Disclaimer
Disclosure or Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Carol Ericson brings the heat, danger and passion in her latest novel, The Setup, the first title in her fabulous new mini-series, A Kyra and Jake Investigation.

A serial killer is on the loose determined to cause maximum mayhem and destruction on the streets of Los Angeles. Being on the trail of a dangerous killer intent on vengeance is bad enough, but when the perpetrator has copied the same MO of an infamous murderer who also used to stalk young women before butchering them, has the police determined to bring the killer to justice as quickly as possible. Leading the taskforce is Detective Jake McAllister who has the eyes of the entire city upon him waiting for him to make an arrest. Jake is adamant that he will do whatever it takes to stop the killer in his tracks before he takes another woman’s life. Distraction is absolutely the last thing he needs, so he is not exactly overjoyed to have Kyra Chase as his new partner in the task force!

Kyra is well aware that Jake isn’t her number one fan. The two have clashed swords in the past, but if they are to catch this ruthless criminal, then they need to put their differences aside and work together. Kyra is the key that could help solve this murder and as the two find themselves in very close proximity, their feelings for one another take an unexpected turn. Jake and Kyra will leave no stone unturned in their quest for justice, but as they realize that the killer knows far more about them than they do about him, they begin to wonder whether they will ever manage to uncover the secrets of a mystery stretching back two decades.

An exhilarating and engrossing romantic suspense novel, Carol Ericson’s The Setup is a book you will just race through. Carol Ericson effortlessly juggles jeopardy and desire in a chilling tale that grabs your attention from the first page and keeps you completely and utterly hooked until the very last word. Jake and Kyra are two brilliant characters: smart, confident, intelligent and meticulous in their work, you will thoroughly enjoy going along for the ride with them in The Setup.

After devouring The Setup, I am now anxiously waiting the next installment in Carol Ericson’s first class series, A Kyra and Jake Investigation.

This certainly lives up to the Intrigue label! Jake is a Detective and Kyra a therapist and victims’ right’s advocate and they’re both on the task force investigating a serial killer with a distinctive MO. However, is this the same killer from decades ago who was tagged as The Player, or is it a copycat killer? Jake is the lead Detective on the case and has a reputation of disliking therapists being involved at all after his last encounter with one with a propensity for lying. Kyra knows all about this but still doesn’t immediately reveal all her secret connections to the case. I really enjoyed how their relationship develops from total antagonism and wariness to learning to trust and be there to support each other.

This is a fascinating read, a great crime thriller and brilliant addition to the series. The dynamics between the task force, their different contributions and skills all have important parts to play in the investigation. That ending, however, is absolutely mind blowing – I really can’t wait to read the next book in this fabulous series. If you enjoy intriguing thrillers with great characters, I highly recommend this book to you!

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

3.5 stars

I love finding new authors to read and I have found one in Ms. Ericson. This is the first in a new series and I'm ready for the next one. "The Setup" was a fast read but an engaging one with characters who had me

Kyra, a therapist and victim's rights advocate, has secrets and ties to a serial killer. Jake, a divorced detective, is a good cop but one who is willing to bend the rules. Brought together by a task force, they don't trust each other at first. and Kyra doesn't help matters by lying to Jake, though she feels she has good reason. Jake is smart enough to realize she's lying and calls her on it.

I liked both Jake and Kyra thought the latter had some thick-headed moments, including stealing a police car. There was no good reason for it; she was just being immature. But she has potential, and she has a way of getting people to talk; no doubt due to her therapy training. :D

The book sets up (hah!) an overarching mystery as well as one contained within the story, and I am intrigued by the bigger story. I have ideas and I'm curious to see how they compare to what the author does. I did peg the bad guy in this story right when that character was introduced but that didn't affect my enjoyment; I liked seeing how Jake, Kyra, and the task force worked and figured things out.

The romance doesn't end in an HEA but an HFN as they are just getting together and becoming a couple when the book ends. I look forward to seeing how they work as a couple and as investigative partners. Trust is an issue for both of them and honesty is an issue for Kyra.

I enjoyed "The Setup" and I'm ready for book two.

Detective Jake isn't thrilled that Kyra is helping out with the case but will make do. As more bodies crop up he remands suspicious about his new partner but will do what he can to find the killer.

I love mystery suspense novels and this book was perfect for me. I loved getting to know the characters, and seeing the connections form the further I got into the book. There was plenty going on to keep me hooked until the very end. Overall this was a pretty great book and I really enjoyed it.

A serial killer, a psychologist and a handsome detective.

When Detective Jake McAllister shows up to a crime scene, the last person he wants to see is Kyra Chase, a psychologist who works as a victim’s advocate. When they are put on the same task force to catch a serial killer, can they keep their opinions of each other in check while solving the murders?

This novel by Carol Ericson is a fast-paced thriller that takes the reader on a wild ride of suspense, intrigue, and long buried secrets. This is the first novel I have read by the author, and I really connected to her writing style. The characters and their backstories had depth and dimension which held my interest throughout the book. The thing I loved the most is that the two main characters relationship evolves slowly throughout the book which made the book very realistic and enjoyable. It was refreshing to read such a fascinating novel. I loved how the book ended, and I am excited for the next book in the series. I would like to thank Carol Ericson, Harlequin Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review. I really enjoyed it. My opinions and this review are unbiased and entirely my own.

Good start to the new series. As the opener in a four-book set, this story is more mystery than romance, but it works well. A serial killer is loose in LA, and Jake is assigned as head of the task force investigating it. One of the task force members is Kyra, a psychologist specializing in victim advocacy. Jake doesn't like VAs after one used what she learned from him to get a criminal a lighter sentence. He doesn't like Kyra being there, but he'll deal with it.

Kyra isn't too happy about working with Jake, but she'll do anything to be on this task force. The killer exhibits all the traits of a copycat killer, aping the moves of the twenty-year-old cold case of The Player. Kyra has a personal interest in this case because her mother was one of the original killer's victims, not that she's told anyone about it.

Neither Kyra nor Jake trusts the other at the beginning of the book. They danced around, each trying to protect themselves, until discovering that they make a pretty good team. There are a couple of rough spots as secrets come out, most notably when Jake connects Kyra to her mother and an issue with her foster brother. Jake's growing protectiveness for Kyra surprises him, while Kyra discovers unexpected depths to Jake. I enjoyed seeing them learn to trust each other and the slow easing of the tension between them. There were only faint hints of interest until the end and Jake's relief at arriving in time to save Kyra. The epilogue was sweet with their moment in the sunset and the hope for more.

The suspense of the story was great. The prologue opened with the killer and his point of view, giving a glimpse of the disturbed mind the task force had to deal with. The amount of legwork and detail the task force had to handle fascinated me as they attempted to make connections between the killer and his victims. I liked how Jake involved the detective from the original case and the twist connected to Kyra. Kyra's work with the families and friends of the victims had a significant impact on the investigation. Several unexpected turns kept me guessing until the end. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. And just when you think it's safe, a shocking phone call shows it isn't.

Though Jake and Kyra are the main focus, I also enjoyed the secondary characters. The retired detective from the original case, Quinn, was an interesting man. It was easy to see that the unsolved case of The Player still haunted him and made him willing to help Jake with the current case. I loved his connection with Kyra and the obvious affection they had for each other. I hope we'll see more of him in the other books. I also liked Jake's partner, Billy. He's quite a character with his fancy suits and big personality. He's also quite a ladies' man, which is a little disturbing because he's married, though separated (again). I had to laugh over his interactions with both Jake and Kyra regarding her friend (and reporter) Megan.

There’s a serial killer on the loose in LA and a special task force is formed to find the killer. Detective Jake McAllister is assigned to lead the investigation. He’s not very happy when he learns a therapist has been assigned to his task force, but he reluctantly accepts Kyra Chase’s assistance.

The task force begins their search for a killer, but the dead bodies keep coming. I don’t want to give away too much of the storyline but I will say there are many twists and jaw-dropping moments in this story. They are sprinkled throughout the book to make it a gripping drama.

The characters are well written and the storyline is totally captivating. I couldn’t put this book down. I was engrossed until the very end, causing me to have a couple of sleepless nights until I finished reading.

Although the main storyline wraps up in this book, there is a continuing thread through this series. This is the first book and I’m so excited to read the next book. There’s a wonderful mix of mystery, drama and romance that works beautifully together.

Great start to a new romantic suspense series.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a start to a new series that so far is more centered on the mystery and suspense than romance, but I felt it was a great introduction to the characters, team and setting. Even though this was a shorter book I found the characters well developed and it was full of lots of twists that kept the pace going. Overall I found the writing to be really compelling and really made the book fly by. It's a good start to a series and I look forward to the rest of the series.

This first Kyra and Jake Investigation is light on romance but high on intrigue. It does establish the characters, and I expect much more on the romance front as the series progresses. That said, what this one lacks in romance it more than makes up for in a tension-filled crime thriller. This investigation kept the pages turning from start to finish. Carol Ericson has a great eye for detail, but it's detail done right - no info dumps or straying from the story, it all flows organically. She also does character development quite well. Even the secondary characters were interesting and added to the story. Judging by what I found in The Setup, I'd say this series is one that should appeal to readers of crime thrillers as well as those of romantic suspense, I enjoy both and can't wait to see what's next for Kyra and Jake.

Loved it!! This book was a real thriller! It had intrigue, suspense, action and a great storyline! It kept me interested through the whole book! I highly recommend reading this one! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!