Dead Against Her, by Melinda Leigh, is the 5th book of the Bree Taggert series. The main character, Bree, is the sheriff of a small town. A concerned man calls to have a welfare check done when he hasn’t seen his neighbor in a few days. Bree unfortunately walks in to the scene of a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is a former deputy of hers. Bree enlists the help of her boyfriend, Matt, who is also a consultant for the sheriff department. Each chapter keeps you wanting to know more and I couldn’t stop flipping through the pages. This has been my absolute favorite series that I have discovered on Amazon. I remember being so disappointed when I finished book 4 and had to wait for this new release, and now I will be waiting anxiously for book #6! I love the continuity of relationship development as the series progresses. I highly recommend! This book will be released on May 17, 2022!

This review will be posted on Goodreads and my IG: readwithmarci.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I will leave a review on Amazon and B&N on May 17th

Another action-packed book in the Bree Taggert series. I have really enjoyed this series and hope to read many more books in this series. I certainly would recommend it to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Montlake the publisher, I am under no obligation to leave a favorable review the opinion expressed here are my own.

A nice, straightforward mystery thriller that was easy to follow. It wasn’t until I finished that I realised it was book 5 of a series, so you can read this as a stand-alone book too.

The pacing was great throughout and the characters seemed very well developed. I liked that the plot had more than just the murders to solve, the added elements of other little unknowns definitely kept me interested.

For me, the ending was predictable and it didn’t shock me. It was repetitive in places - how many times will it tell us Bree fired Oscar?!

Putting that to one side, it was my first Melinda Leigh book but it definitely won’t be my last. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Melinda and Montlake for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

First let me say, I'm a huge Bree Taggert fan. And this book did not disappoint. From the very first moment that the Sheriff finds the dead bodies, all the way through the book, kept me guessing.

I really enjoyed that Bree is opening up more with Matt. She's not hiding and she is letting him support her and the kids, more in each book. I like that family dynamic.

Melinda Leigh keeps the suspense up, while still making us feel like Bree is a friend. Great book.

Wow! I was held completely captive with this installment in the series. It touched on everything I love about these characters as well as giving me some dynamic drama and danger. I didn’t want to look away from the page for even a moment!

I love the way Bree has gradually changed to a place where her priorities have switched and deep in her heart she now tends to those things that matter most. It previously felt as though she had to struggle to remind herself of what was important while she is now living it without a second thought. She remains strong, able to handle the bad guys and fierce while also appreciating the softer things in life.

Whether it was this particular story, or having read the previous books in the series, it seemed that I got a really good feel for Matt’s character. I connected with him in a way I had not done so in earlier books. I loved his continued protective ways with Bree, even when they were just thoughts he would not allow himself to act on.

I’ve been negligent in commenting on the way this author brings certain characters to life in a way that I feel as though I’m standing right there with them. Those particular characters are the dogs. I absolutely love the way they are projected from the pages. While they never steal the story, they add so much charm to it I can’t imagine these books without them.

This was a fast paced, wild action ride with villains I never saw coming and a couple of storylines that ran me through a gauntlet of emotions.

Another fast-paced action thriller by Melinda Leigh!

This is the 5th book in the Bree Taggert series. The author writes about strong female leads in her books, which I really appreciate it. The books can be read as stand-alones but it is helpful to read in order to keep continuity.

Sheriff Taggert continues to face her political opponents in this book, in addition to a group of people who are targeting her personally through deepfake videos and pictures. As normal for the series, the book starts with a view to the actual murders of two people, one of whom is a recent retiree from the Sheriff's department under questionable circumstances; the other is his mother.

Bree and Matt, her investigator and boyfriend, have to follow many leads about the murders, and in the process, stir up another hornets nest. These books never fail to deliver mystery, action and thrills.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

From the very first page of the very first book I have loved this series. Melinda doesn’t disappoint with the 5th instalment.

I love how the story of Bree’s and Matts relationship flows throughout the back story and with each book we have a new mystery to solve. This one again had me guessing right up to the reveal.

Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the corrupt former deputy she forced out of the department

I LOVED this book. I’m a huge fan of Ms Leigh, and the Bree Taggert series is no exception. This was a great addition to the series. The storyline was gripping and kept me up all the way til the end. I love Bree and the other characters and was happy to see them again. This is an excellent mystery with great pacing that keeps you guessing until the end. While it can be read as a stand alone Why would you want too the series as a whole is great Highly recommend!!

Melinda Leigh's Bree Taggert series just keeps getting better and better! Dead Against Her continues Bree's story, with investigation into a double murder that hits close to the department and a much more personal threat that may or may not derail her career.

The development of Bree Taggert as a character over 5 novels and a prequel has allowed the reader to really pull for her success, both career and personal life. The other characters in the book are so well fleshed out, even Matt's retired police dog, Brody, that I can't help but read obsessively to find out what will happen. I also enjoy the occasional overlap of Melinda Leigh's characters between series, and Morgan Dane's appearance in Dead Against Her was a pleasant bonus!

I have only discovered this author in the last year or so, and without exception, Bree Taggert's mysteries are my absolute favorites. Keep them coming, Ms. Leigh!

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake publishing for the opportunity to read an uncorrected proof of Dead Against Her. The opinions in this review are my own.

The deck was stacked against Bree Taggert when she was appointment the sheriff’s position from the start from those that thought a man should have been given the job. Things only became worse when she gave Deputy Eugene Oscar the option to retire or be fired after his last infraction ruined evidence that could have resulted in a conviction. Now the deputy has been murdered along with his mother Camilla Brown. Bree, having found the bodies during a wellness check is suspected of their murder .

As she and her team work to find a killer, Bree discovers the degree of hate several of these people have for her and how far they will go to discredit her. Now she has to work harder to find the killer and protect those she loves and trust.

Definitely a page turner and well worth the read.

A nice straightforward book which is part of a series. I didn’t feel you needed to have read any of the previous books to follow this one. Some good twists and turns and satisfactory ending.

Another excellent book in the Bree Taggert series. I always enjoy books by Melinda Leigh and this was no exception. It started well and got even better as it went along. I couldn’t put this down.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Sheriff Bree Taggart who has dealt with so much in her life, now has a. real mystery on her hands with the double murder of her former Deputy and his elderly mother. At the same time, someone is out there pushing scandalous tapes of her. Luckily she has a good team by her side, especially Matt Flynn, a criminal investigator who is also her love interest. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books in this series because even though the relationships among the characters are complex (that's good) Leigh takes time to explain them as well as the relevant back story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fast entertaining read.

Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the bitter and corrupt former deputy she recently fired.

I LOVED this book. I’m a huge fan of Ms Leigh, particularly the Bree Taggert series. This was an excellent addition to the series. The storyline was gripping and kept me up way later than it should have (thank goodness it’s the weekend). I love Bree and the other characters and was happy to see them again. This is an excellent mystery with great pacing that keeps you guessing until the end. While it can be read as a stand alone I think it’s best read in series order so you fully understand the dynamics of the main character and the victim.

Thanks to Ms Leigh, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review. I am so excited to see there at least 2 more books on the way, but sad I have to wait until next year. Highly recommend!!

Dead Against Her is the fifth in the Bree Taggart series - and the best yet.

Taggart is a former Philly homicide detective turned upstate New York sheriff with a tragic family background. Now caring for her murdered sister's children she is building a new life in a new job - against resistance from the old guard. So when she finds the bodies of a former deputy who retired in murky circumstances and his mother, she knows it will be a difficult case.

Life gets even more complicated for Bree when she is targeted by a hate campaign, with the local press soon on her back. Fighting misogyny as well as trying to solve a murder case and deal with a teenage stepson takes its toll. And then her chief deputy goes missing ...

Dead Against Her is a good murder mystery with several added levels of suspense. The cast of characters has been well developed in pervious books and gives a solid foundation for this excellent series.

The latest entry in Leigh's Bree Taggert series is as good as stories #1-#4. It has one of the best endings I have seen in Ms. Leigh's books, making me think of stories one reads about the harrowing training experienced by SEALS.

As always, Ms. Leigh's attention to detail and monologuing in the main character's head brings out the tremendous research she does, making it more enjoyable.

I received a copy of an uncorrected proof for Netgalley, but I couldn't see anything to correct.

Well, Dead Against Her certainly hits the deck running, with a hook that grips you from the first page. Sheriff Bree Taggert certainly doesn't have an easy time in her job. First a double homicide and then she's a victim of deep fake video pornography. I must say I was shouting at the book that she must recuse herself long before the plot got round to that. Frankly the deep fake device Melinda Leigh carefully wove in to her novel was the first I have come across to put a shot across the bows of an active investigation and it was so well done. Dreadful I know but very original. The novel was a real page turner but I have to mitigate my praise for it having come from a series of novels where the story flip flopped from past to present on alternating chapters. Dead Against Her is not one of those, it is chronologically linear and I really liked that. My only criticism was that it lacked a certain depth and the ending was a little 'motherhood and apple pie'. However, who doesn't like a happy ending?
Oh, and do farmers plant hay? Maybe if they do, trawlermen catch kippers!
If Melinda upped the depth angle then she would get a five star review from me.

Name of Book: Dead Against Her
Author: Melinda Leigh
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 17, 2022
My Rating: 3.6 rounded up ⭐⭐⭐⭐Stars!

This is #5 in the Bree Taggert series. I read and enjoyed the others in this series.
Back story if you didn’t read earlier books
Sheriff Bree Taggert has been dealing with the nightmare of the murder- suicide of her parents twenty-seven years ago. In [book: Cross Her Heart] the first in this series Bree’s sister Erin is killed. Bree teams up K-9 Handler Matt Flynn, a former sheriff’s investigator.

In this story Sheriff Taggert once again teams up with investigator Matt Flynn ~ Bree and Matt are now romantically connected.
Bree has taken on the responsibility of raising her sister’s children: sixteen year old Luke and preteen Kayla, so she and Matt are trying to be discreet about their relationship.

This story starts when Bree has been called to do a wellness check on Camilla Brown an elderly widow. When Bree arrived, she finds a double homicide Ms. Brown and her son former deputy Eugene Oscar whom Bree recently fired for corruption.

As Bree is trying to solve this, someone is out to get her and by sending treats and nasty messages indicating she is responsible for Eugene’s death.

Love these characters. However, when (to me) it slowed down a bit, I thought ‘wait a minute’! Then the nail-biting twists kicked in. I then say ~ I knew[author, Melinda Leigh] would not Disappoint.
I always love reading the author’s “Acknowledgements’. In this case, our author states, there were days she thought she couldn’t finish this book but thanks her support community for helping.
I thought aww those slow down part!! However, as I mentioned she came through with a great story!

I certainly look forward to the next ‘Bree/ Matt’ story or as this younger generation would say the next ‘Taggert/Finn’ adventure!

Want to thank NetGalley and Montlake for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 17, 2022.

Thank you to #NetGalley for my advance copy of #DeadAgainstHer by #MelindaLeigh
This outing for Sheriff Bree Taggert and her team. The book starts with a bang and just gets better as you read.
When a former deputy and his mother are found murdered Bree has her hands full working the case and doesn’t need the distraction that is coming her way.
I really think this is the best yet.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m a big fan of Melinda Leigh, and this one didn’t disappoint. I’ve loved all the Bree Taggert books and was pretty excited to have Morgan Dane make an appearance in this one. This is a great, easy read for anyone interested in a police procedural whodunnit. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and hole your interest.