Cover Image: Dead Against Her

Dead Against Her

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Member Reviews

I love everything she has written! All the cases are unique and wonderful and this one was no different. In love with the characters and their story arc! Definitely recommend this series!

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Love, love, love this series!
I have had to buy a few books in this series to be able to read them in order.
Worth every penny.

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This is one of my favorite series and each book just gets better and better. I love the familiarity of the setting and the characters. Each story is intriguing and keeps me guessing. I love that we got to see Bree's relationships continue to grow and become stronger

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Dead Against Her was another amazing installment in the Bree Taggert series with a case that threatens Bree's career.

When Sheriff Bree Taggert responds to a wellness check on an elderly widow, Bree expects to possibly find the woman has passed away. She did not expect to find the woman brutally murdered alongside her son Eugene Oscar, the disgraced deputy Bree recently fired. Working with criminal investigator Matt Flynn, Bree begins digging into Eugene's background leading to her becoming the target of a deranged killer. With her reputation and career on the line, Bree throws everything she has into the investigation. After her chief deputy goes missing, Bree refuses to back down and will do whatever it takes to find him before it's too late.

Dead Against Her opens with the murder of Eugene and his mother before we jump forward a bit to Bree finding the bodies after a neighbor calls in a wellness check. It was interesting seeing Eugene's character again, although only briefly alive, as I hadn't expected it after he was fired in a previous book. As Bree begins digging into his life, she starts to uncover some shady connections tied to the reason he was fired in the first place. I was surprised by the direction some of the leads went and their connection to some mishandled cases in the sheriff office's past. After Todd goes missing, the pace really picks up as Bree needs to find him before he ends up the killer's next victim. The ending was well done with the perfect blend of action and suspense.

Bree continues to be a great main character and I like how far she's come since the first book. A lot of this book is Bree doing damage control after someone releases fabricated evidence that she has a shady past. She finds herself having to fight to keep her job while also investigating the murders. Being pulled in two directions certainly makes things harder for Bree but I liked that she accepted help to resolve things. That help came in the form of Morgan Dane, a character I was delighted to see again as I loved the books following her character. We also get some great moments between Bree and Matt and I like how solid their relationship is.

Overall Dead Against Her was a fantastic read and I would highly recommend the series if you're looking for great suspense books.

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Having read the first 4 books in this series I knew the author would not disappoint with the next installment of the Bree Taggert series.

We start right in the middle of the action and it doesn't let up for a second. The storyline and some scenes in this book are not for the faint of heart.

I loved being back with the characters from this series and see how Bree's career is developing. I'd highly recommend this series and this book.

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Very late feedback due to a very difficult year, apologies.
But OMG. another belter in a classic series. Bree is back better than ever before.
Not one part of the book disappoints, grips you from beginning to end.
Amazing, cant wait to read the next one

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This series just keeps getting better and better! There's mystery, crime solving, twists and some romance. The story is well written with characters that are starting to feel like friends. There were several very tense moments when I had to keep reading quickly as I was so anxious to see what happens. Can't wait to read the next in the series!

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Firstly, apologies to the author, I forgot that I had received an ARC of this book, and I had pre-ordered it. Once it was delivered I was busy with life so now I'm hoping to be forgiven.

The storyline is readily available for readers/potential readers to access and I honestly believe that Melinda Leigh is one of the best when it comes to these type of suspenses. The darkness of the crimes are well described but without being too gory for a wimp like me; with each book in the series we see an aunt doing her best for her sister's children; the love and devotion of a good friend who is prepared to change her life, after tragedy there can be love both romantic and that of embracing someone who needs a family.

Bree is still a prepper but fortunately not the same as the anti-government group who she encounters during the course of her investigation. Both of these are 'alien' concepts to me so I am fascinated to read more about them with each new book in the series.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

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really loved the plot but i wish there was more to the climax because i felt like something was missing and i wanted more, but overall great story and would recommend

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Loved this one. The chilling psychological aspects of the story were brilliantly executed, making it impossible to put down. And I devoured it in a day!

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4⭐⭐⭐⭐




- first book read from this author and did not dissapoint . it gotten be hooked from the first chapter .
i think the ending was lacking and need more answer but probably best if there is a season 2 for this and it will be answered . well recommended thriller!

+thankyou netgalley for the opportunity

❤️shaye.reads

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The sheriff's office has been called for a wellness check on a widow and her son living on an isolated farm. When Bree arrives she finds a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the bitter and corrupt former deputy she recently fired and the other is his mother. Suddenly Bree becomes a suspect herself. Bree calls in Matt Flynn to help with the investigation. Was Oscar the target? As the investigation begins, Bree becomes the target of someone who is trying to destroy her reputation and career. Posting pornographic pictures with Bree's face, the story of the deaths takes a backseat to the new scandal. Bree discovers that Oscar had others who would have loved to see him dead, so there were a lot of trails to follow. The case is taken from Bree and sent to the state investigators, but when her chief deputy disappears, she won't sit back and let something happen to him.

As in all the books in this series, it was a fast paced, suspenseful and gripping story. There are plenty of red herrings and twists. With various storylines and investigations happening simultaneously, I wasn't sure who was responsible for what. I gained new respect for Bree, the way she dealt with the false accusations, fake photos and innuendos was amazing. Every book, I see a new side and strength to this wonderful protagonist. I have to add a note about some of the corrupt people we have seen in these books. Oscar was a nasty man and I was glad that he got fired in the last book, we all know Karma can come back to bite you and it sure did. This one had me on the edge of my seat more than once and I didn't know who was responsible until the end. I definitely recommend you pick this book and series up if you enjoy a good Crime Thriller/Police Procedural.

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After reading the first two instalments of the Bree Taggart series, some lapsed before I caught up again. Lucky for me, I read the third, fourth, and this latest novel back to back.

Bree Taggert is knee-deep in trouble, not rain, as multiple issues pile up on her plate. She's relying more and more on Matt as her partner, and their relationship is flourishing as she drops her tough exterior and shares her burdens with him.

It all starts with a wellness check on an elderly woman, which leads to the discovery of two corpses. One is the woman, and the other is her son, Eugene Oscar, a former deputy with a dubious past.
As Bree delves into the investigation, she discovers numerous suspects, including the woman's brother, an anti-government group known as The Hudson Huntsmen, and even herself. Despite intense scrutiny, Bree refuses to back down and continues to hunt for the killer, especially when her chief deputy goes missing, putting everything she holds dear in jeopardy.

As with all the novels in this series, all can be read as stand-alone. As someone who has read them all in chronological order, I highly recommend doing the same, to get more of a feel for the relationship between Bree and Matt, as well as her ongoing relationship with her niece and nephew.

The biggest highlight of this series is how Bree’s character has developed. Her world has shifted and it’s been fascinating to read how she’s slowly adapting to her new way of life; one where she is sharing it with loved ones, rather than as a single, lonely woman.

***arc courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***

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I was so pleased to discover that Bree and Matts relationship is progressing in this 5th instalment in the series that continues to centre around trust, loneliness, love and the hurtful things people do to each other. Another thought provoking read by Melinda Leigh that held my attention through to the very end.

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I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Dead Against Her through Net Galley . Wow this story is Suspenseful and intriguing from the very beginning . I could not put it down . The characters are unique and interesting . This is one heck of a suspense just wow ! Sheriff Bree Taggert goes out on a wellness check and discovers a double homicide . While investigating the case with criminal investigator Matt Flynn she discovers one victim is Eugene Oscar a former corrupt deputy . Who may have more enemies than anyone realized .As they investigate things get crazy and Bree becomes a target and suspect herself in this case . I absolutely love this story. I highly recommend taking the time to read .

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Mystery

Bree and Matt are at it again. This time, Bree is in the sights of someone who has a grudge. With her position being elected, Bree knows that things are precarious. However, since she was appointed to the position and ruffled quite a few feathers, she knew that this was a possibility.

As the threats come closer to home and closer to the people who Bree has grown to love and protect, she and Matt have to figure out who’s behind them in order to get the threat to be neutral.

You won’t sit down in this story. It’s fast paced, the characters are well thought out, and it is truly entertaining. I really enjoyed this installation into the series.

While you don’t have to read the previous books in the series, it does help somewhat with the personal relationships that you see in the book.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I love a good mystery and Melinda Leigh does not disappoint. From the very beginning, there are few clues to who murdered her former deputy or his mother. Yet small town gossip goes a long way into convincing people that maybe Bree wanted Eugene out of the way to conceal her own wrongdoings.

The story itself is written in way that there are plenty of people who could be a suspect but you really can't put your finger on any one that had any reason more than the others. Bree is a strong female who doesn't have to downplay any of her strengths to assuage Matt's sense of masculinity and you have the feeling that Matt would be disappointed if she tried to do so. They truly love and respect each other for who they are.

Melinda Leigh's way of storytelling has a way of drawing me in and the next thing I know, hours have passed and it's 3 a.m. and I don't want to put the book down. I'm definitely reading the next book in the series.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
DEAD AGAINST HER starts with a murder and Bree Taggert finding the victims, one of who is a former corrupt deputy under her command. We go straight into the investigation, which got me hooked on the story from the start.

The tension in this story builds up as the investigation progresses and never lets up. It isn't long before Bree is dealing with pressure from the media, from a local politician, all the while receiving violent threats. I was so angry and frustrated on Bree’s behalf at the media and the lies being spread. But Bree is such an impressive woman, and it is inspiring to see her managing everything and keeping her cool when people around her are trying to bring her down.

The tension really goes up to a whole other level when one of Bree’s current deputies goes missing. The final push and chase for the killer and the search for the missing deputy is a frantic mix of action and suspense worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster. It was just thrilling to read.

DEAD AGAINST HER is such a good read and I’d definitely recommend it and the whole Bree Taggert series if you are a lover of romantic suspense novels.

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4.5*
On a call for a wellness check Bree finds a crime scene with two dead bodies, an old woman and a man whom she identifies as Eugene Oscar, her former deputy fired for corruption. As she was the one who forced him to leave Bree now becomes a suspect in his murder. She also keeps receiving creepy threatening messages and becomes a victim of a cyber attack when someone uploads fake photos and videos of pornographic content with her face in them, which the public believe to be true. So, Bree has it tough in this one.
I just love Bree's character so much! She developed throughout the series, became more open and vulnerable and trusting. The relationships she has with her family, Dana,Matt and her colleagues are so heartwarming that I love coming back to the series even if the books are thrillers with murder investigations in them.
The plot was good, the characters, the writing, the pacing-all great. But there was a chase scene at the end that wasn't quite believable I will say, so 4.5* instead of full 5*.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I didn’t realise that this book was part of a series but it didn’t really matter or spoil my enjoyment of it. I loved the storyline and the character of Bree Taggert. She certainly isn’t a quitter no matter what gets thrown at her. Thankfully she has her partner Matt to rely on and support her.
It’s a fast paced book with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the writing style and will definitely go back to the beginning as I’m interested how the characters evolve throughout the series along with what sounds like a blossoming romance and partnership.

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I adore this series. This addition can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading from the beginning 1. to see the characters grow and 2. because it's a great crime thriller series. Bree Taggert is a lovable protagonist and we get to read the perfect balance of work and personal life. Her family are adorable and her relationship with Matt adds a bit of lightness to the murders. The hunt for the bad guy kept me guessing and I was hooked until the very end. I hope we get to see more from Bree

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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When it rains it pours. Trouble, that is, not rain. And Bree Taggert is up to her lovely neck in a passel to troubles. All right, enough with the all the tried and, in this case true, clichés. Bree has her hands full with several nasty things going on at the same time and I love how she is depending on Matt as her partner more and more. I love that their relationship is growing and that Bree is no longer hiding her feelings for him. A small part of her hard as nails persona is cracking and, even though she is still very much the woman in control she is sharing more of her burdens with Matt.

It all starts with a wellness check on an elderly woman called in by a concerned neighbor. What Sheriff Bree Taggert finds are two dead bodies. The elderly woman is dead and so is her son, former deputy Eugene Oscar, who left the department under a cloud of corruption.

During the initial investigation, Bree finds is that there is no shortage of suspects for the murders including the woman's brother, an antigovernment group - The Hudson Huntsmen, and the Sheriff herself. Facing intense scrutiny, Bree is forced to give up the investigation, but that doesn't mean she is quitting the hunt for the killer, especially when her chief deputy has gone missing and everything she holds dear is on the line.

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