Fabulous story that I could not put down. Would highly recommend to fans of this genre. Great writing, and I will look for more from this author.

Rachel returns and this time she is drafted by the DEA to work undercover in the nearby country of Forsyth. Rachel is a school counselor—an unlikely profession for her. However, The area is rife in drugs and murders and they hope to break the cartel. This book is full of intrigue, great characters, and twists and turns. Great Read!

Overkill by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Rachel Ryder #3

Rachel Ryder is a force to be reckoned with and the team she works with talented and interesting professionals. Book three was excellent and I can’t wait for more!

What I liked:
* Detective Rachel Ryder: professional, intelligent, capable, widow, working undercover in this book, strategist, someone I admire and hope to get to know better as the series progresses.
* Detective Rob Bishop: Rachel’s partner, seasoned veteran, balances Ryder at work, good rapport between the two, great supporting character
* Jimmy Abernathy: Rachel’s boss and friend, husband of Rachel’s friend Savannah, not involved as much in this book but hope to see more of him and Savannah in the future
* Michels, Ashley, Bubba, and some other supporting characters add a lot to the story and hopefully will be seen in future books of the series
* That Rachel remains in touch with Chicago friends and colleagues
* Special Agent Kyle Olson: DEA Agent, professional, intelligent, tactician, capable, intriguing, potential love interest for Rachel – looking forward to seeing more of him in the future
* The plot, location, and writing
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* That the bad guys, for the most part, were eventually determined and dealt with
* Hector: Rachel’s pet fish, confidant, and a presence that adds interest to Rachel’s life
* Knowing that there will be another book to look forward to in the future

What I didn’t like:
* Everything and everyone I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the drug problem in schools and communities and how cartels and other evil people prey upon them
* Knowing that this book is probably very real in many parts of the world.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars

Another great addition to the series!
Rachel goes undercover as a staff member at a high school, in order to dig up information regarding drug use and purchase, after a teenager dies. When more teens are hurt (or worse) Rachel, and the task force she's part of, ramp up their efforts to uncover the big players.
I really get drawn into these stories. The characters are tough but relatable, there's action, intrigue and drama, all creating a compelling read.
While I enjoyed this author's lighter stories, these are my favourites. Can't wait to see what's in store for Rachel next.

Overkilll by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is the third in the Detective Rachel Ryder series.

First, let me thank the publisher Severn River Publishing (in particular Cate Streissguth) and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Detective Rachel Ryder left her 15 year career on the Chicago police force, and moved to Hamby Georgia, after the death of her husband. The people responsible are dead.   She has fought both police corruption and the drug cartel since being in Hamby.  Her boss is Chief Jimmy Abernathy, and her partner is Rob Bishop, a veteran of 30 years.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Rachel and Rob are sent undercover in a high school to infiltrate a drug ring. They are deputized as Drug Enforcement agents, and will work closely with both the police force and the DEA. Rachel is not happy.  She's not particularly fond of kids.  But kids are dying, and this must stop.


My Opinions:   
I am really disappointed that again, for the third book of this series, the topic does not appeal to me.  It is again about a drug cartel.  Apparently this series will not be about true murder mysteries, but instead center on drug-related cases.  I may have to re-think my interests.

This is sad, because I really like the protagonist.  She has really grown on me.  Yes, she is still a bit of a time-bomb, and her mouth gets ahead of her brain, but she is interesting.  Her supporting cast are also likeable.   As well, the writing is good, and the dialogue is quite witty.  The plot ended up being quite interesting, and although I had the suspects pegged from the start, it was still well-paced, and an easy read.

Okay, it looks like I am convincing myself.  I'll be reading the next one.  A woman can always hope for a straight-forward murder mystery!

Detective Rachel Ryder continues to deal with the death of her detective husband who was murdered. She moved from Chicago to Georgia, but made sure that the killer and the man who hired him paid for her husband’s death. She is working undercover at the high school as a counselor after the recent overdose death of a football player. Rachel had worked with DEA Special Agent Kyle Olsen on a prior case and their time spent together ended with them spending one night together. When other players die in the same manner, they are in a race to find who is supplying the drugs. Rachel has several possible suspects among the staff and works closely with another undercover agent who has been on campus for a few years. Rachel is one tough detective and I enjoyed her “in your face” attitude when dealing with those who questioned her authority. A thrilling mystery all the way until the final takedown! Will she finally give Kyle a second chance? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

So much happening in this book! Adventure, action, suspense. Great read, edge of your seat!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A very good story that describes in full the astonishing levels of drug addiction in our schools. It's not only the light drugs (if any of them could really be labeled that way) but the hard, very addictive, and incredibly damaging to anyone's health. Through the years the drug cartels have gained more and more space in our society and drug addiction has soared worldwide. This problem is tackled in Overkill's plot in a very straightforward way, and although a work of fiction, I believe it describes the situation of many schools around America and the world. It's heartbreaking to watch of drugs are doing to people and it's, for sure, something that has to be fought by all of us through education, parenting, and law enforcement.
I downloaded a free copy f this book through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Overkill is the third book in the Rachel Ryder series by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson in which Bishop and Rachel go undercover with the DEA at East Forsyth High School with Agent Shelly Christman. Rachel is the the new High School Counselor and Bishop is getting his dream job as the Assistant Highs Coach. Rachel is having a hard time doing her job since she doesn't like kids! Seems the football players are dropping like flies and it's up to Bishop and Rachel to get to the bottom of it. With lots of suspects, twists and turns along the way, it seems like Rachel and Bishop won't figure out the drug dealer at the school.

As always Carolyn Ridder Aspenson does a wonderful job in her writing this series. I highly recommend this series for anyone that loves a good mystery. Thank you NetGallery and Severn River Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the best one yet! Rachel Ryder is back and stepping out of her comfort zone to solve an extreme case. This one will resonate with readers as it focuses on real life problems. There is a large cast of suspects. You get action, suspense, tension, and characters you are invested in. I really like Agent Olsen and want more of him. Rachel has developed a lot since book one. I read this book in one sitting.

Detective Rachel Ryder goes undercover as a school counselor at a neighbouring high school. Highschool students are dying a rapid rate, and will they be successful in uncovering the lager drug ring? Great book, and I enjoyed Rachel stepping out of her comfort zone.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for an early look at this great book.

Detective Rachel Ryder goes undercover in the local school to try and find out who is dealing drugs to the local students. This assignment is NOT up her alley as she posses as a school counselor and is working with the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). But things get complicated and more students are dying. Who is behind the drugs and why here in this small town? Can they be stopped? I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Detective Rachel and her partner are both tagged to be part of a DEA team to go undercover when kids start unexpectedly dying from a dangerous combination of illegal drugs and severe beatdowns of students and their parents from a school at a nearby town's high school, many with ties to the football program.

Rachel will be posing as a High School Counselor while Bishop will be living one of his dreams as a assistant football coach.

This is the third book in the Rachel Ryder series.
It's a little slower paced than the other stories but is also very intense throughout.
The story has developed characters and a strong plotline with a little humor added in.
There are no explicit scenes and while there is a good bit of profanity, none is used gratuitously.

I would like to thank author Carolyn Aspenson and Severn River Publishing for the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Copy.

A young high school football player is found dead in his driveway. The police find out there was drugs in his system, but he was also beaten with what is found to be a tire iron. Soon there are more young football players dead from drugs. Detective Rachel Ryder and her partner go undercover at the high school working with the DEA task force to find out who is supplying the drugs to students. It's a race against time to find and arrest whoever is responsible before more students die.

BMW was outside a stately home with a for sale sign out front.
Murder happened to 16 year old Hunter, high school, football player
Mother arriving home inebriated,, and step father drove up in his car.
Yelling they had a showing of over twenty people, it had to be sold
Which seemed to be his priority at the moment, and why let wife drive
Finding tutors were needed for most of the football guys.
Drugs and mafia involved in too many deaths lately were they also here.
A good detailed plot of what happened. Good detectives characters
How detectives could stay calm around parents. Enjoyed.
Given ARC by Net Galley and Severn Publisher for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

This book was sent to me on Kindle by Netgalley for review. Mystery...mayhem...teens...drugs...the story moves slowly at times but was a good one. A few red herrings but the culprits were evident...the characters were lively and always doing something u expected. I hope there is another book with this protagonist and her friends and co workers...good book. Maybe not so much language...

When she moved to a small town in Georgia, Rachel thought she was escaping the intense violence and crime of Chicago. Unfortunately, murder and drugs can make their way into a peaceful place. Detective Rachel Ryder is back at work and anxious to solve the latest murder of a teenager; however, a special DEA task force has tagged her and Bishop for an undercover assignment. Actually, the head of the task force, Olsen, has requested her presence specifically. Sometime between the end of the last book and this one, Rachel and Olsen had a one night stand, but he has deeper feelings for Rachel but does she? Posing as a school counselor, Rachel helps the team uncover a drug ring that is killing high school football players. In the midst of the excitement, she realizes that she may care about her task force leader. It's an interesting read but leaves you wanting to know more about Rachel's new relationship.

Good book! This book had a decent storyline! It was a very interesting read! This book had suspense, action, intrigue, and a great drug bust vibe to it! With undercover agents and a deep high school/ cartel drug ring! I definitely enjoyed reading this one! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!