The Kind to Kill by Tessa Wegert.
Former NYPD detective Shana Merchant is a skilled Senior Investigator keeping New York's beautiful Thousands Islands community safe. She's a loving partner. A strong woman. A survivor. She's also bound by blood to a serial killer. And after months of concealing the truth from the world as she hunted Blake Bram down, her secret is finally out.
Really good read. I did enjoy this book. 5*.

4.5 stars, rounded up.

Don’t you love it when a series keeps getting better and better?

I am so glad that Tessa Wegert has written her fourth book in the Shana Merchant series!! This has become one of my favorite series, and Shana is a phenomenal character. She’s a badass but she’s really vulnerable as a result of all she’s been through in dealing with a serial killer and the fallout when their identity was revealed.

A senior police investigator in the Thousand Islands in upstate New York, she’s hoping that the chaos will die down now that the killer’s case is finished. But the national publicity surrounding it—and Shana’s role—continues to rile up the community, and many call her fitness for duty into question.

In the heat of summer, the famous Pirate Days festival is about to bring thousands of people to the area, giving local businesses a much-needed boost. But when a visitor disappears after an argument with her husband, another murder is the last thing the community needs—or Shana, for that matter. Because the feeling that the community was safer before Shana arrived is starting to grow—and she’s not sure they’re wrong.

I kept the plot a bit vague because while you can read this as a stand-alone, it’s even better if you start with the first book in the series, Death in the Family. These books are mysteries and psychological thrillers with some fantastic character development, even a little romance.

Hope the series keeps on going! Thanks so much to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Severn House, and NetGalley for inviting me on the tour and providing an advance copy of the book. This publishes 12/6. Don’t miss it!

Shana is a senior investigator…and she’s related to a serial killer. While it isn’t her who’s the killer, her family is mad at her, and people in town are starting to whisper that she attracts trouble. When two bodies turn up, Shana and the other investigators begin to wonder if this is a copy-cat scenario. As the investigation deepens, Shana can’t help but think maybe the people in town are right about her.

I really enjoyed the pacing on this one – it was fast and engaging. After a while with this one, I caught on, and was able to understand the book and what had happened to Shana in the previous books. I really think that if you’ve read and enjoyed the other three books prior to this – then you will love this. If you read it as a stand-alone, you totally can, just be patient and know pieces will fall into place by the end. This was a great police procedural thriller, and I would definitely read more books from this author.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher Severn House, @severnhouseimprint, for my advanced copy in exchange for this honest review. Check this one out December 6th!

Can I just tell you how much I love the Shana Merchant Series. It has everything that I am looking for in a book/series. Strong characters that make you care and want to get to know them. An amazing setting in the Thousand Island region of upstate New York. The University of Vermont is mentioned, my alma mater. A solid plot that makes you plunge right in and figure out what is going on. A little bit of romance thrown in. Along with some questionable family members. All of this comes together for one phenomenal read, that I completely devoured. Pages were flying, family was ignored, and I was fully engulfed in all things Merchant.

Shana is still trying to come to terms with who and what her cousin Bram did while he was still alive. He was a serial killer that she finally uncovered and killed to save more lives. All the while trying to deal with the fact that this man was her best friend, her cousin, and was trying to find her in every one of his victims. Talk about family drama! Shana is working a new case; a woman has gone missing after having a very public fight with her husband. As the police begin to dig deeper it looks as though they have a copycat on their hands. Will Shana be able to uncover who is behind the disappearance before it is too late?

I highly recommend this series. Tessa Wegert does an astounding job of keeping you at the edge of your seat. New twists and turns flying at you as you try to uncover who is behind it all. Thank you to Tessa Wegert, Severn House, and Books Forward for gifting me this copy.

Is this the end for Shana Merchant or will we see more?

I absolutely have loved this series! Seeing Shana grow and develop away from her trauma of her cousin Bram.

In this fourth Shana Merchant novel we follow Shana as she chases a copycat killer who is using her cousins crimes as motivation for their own killings. Just when she thought she was through with Bram’s torture a whole new one begins. Will she ever truly escape her cousin?

To begin--this is a series that you need to read in order. There's an ongoing thread that will make very little sense if you jump in with a later book, you need the progression. That's not to say you won't get what is going on, but it sure won't have the impact unless you've traveled the long road with Shana up until this point.

We move through two story threads in this book. One, Shana is dealing with some repercussions after Bram's death with her family, her community, and the family members of one of his other victims. People aren't quick to let things go. Two, a man in town reports his wife missing and Shana and her team need to find out what happened to her. Does it have some connection to Shana's past?

I liked this installment better than the third one. I felt like it had more surprises and the mystery case kept my interest. The ending made me a little teary! I'm not sure if this series will continue or not, but there's always more to explore with a police procedural crew even though we've now left the serial killer angle behind.

I do wish this series had better covers. I like the first one, but the rest are not eye-catching and don't really represent the storylines very well, especially this latest one.

What a fun ride!!! I LOVE this series and once again TW has kept me on the edge of my seat with this outstanding fourth novel!!! Former NYPD detective Shana Merchant now a Sr. Investigator is on the trail of a possible Blake Bram copy cat after a female visitor goes missing during her towns annual Pirate Days. But it makes you wonder after seeing similarities to her previous case.. is there a much bigger prize their targeting.. could Shana be in life-threatening danger once again?!?

In the last book we find out the true identity of Bram Stoker which puts Shana at odds with the community. After finding the missing woman’s body, a game of cat and mouse ensues.. but will Shana be able to overcome her own insecurities in time to catch her perpetrator.

This was so fast paced. The atmospheric setting and the intensity of the characters emotions/reactions to one another was spot on pulling me in completely. And the red-herrings were the cherry on top.. as nothing is as it seems until the VERY END! What a fantastic eye-popping, spine-tingling mystery (TW’s so notable for) that kept me on my toes guessing. Another great addition to this series!!! 5 stars — Pub. 12/6/22

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Kind to Kill is the 4th book in the Shana Merchant series by Tessa Wegert.

Let me just say I LOVED the first three books and after I read book 3, I thought that was the end of the series and then I heard BOOK 4 was coming out. I could not wait to get my hands on it and LET ME TELL YOU this book did not disappoint.

If you haven't read this series, this is a crime fiction-police procedural series with a serial killer element.

Can you read this as a stand-alone? YES. Should you? I say start with the first book, Death in the Family| and enjoy the first three books you will not be able to put them down.

It is summertime and Shana is trying to get on with her life. Pirate days is bringing in a lot of tourists to A-Bay. Unfortunately, a tourist, Rebecca disappears, and Shana and her investigative team are on the case.

But this isn't going to be an easy missing person's case. As she pours through the evidence, the evidence is looking similar to the serial killer, Bram. Could it be a copycat?

As much as I LOVE the investigation and all the twists, I really enjoy the character development of Shana and how her personal story impacts the investigation. Her relationship with Tim is probably one of the ones of the best I have ever read.

The setting in a small town in upstate NY creates such an atmospheric vibe that adds so much to the story.

The mystery itself, its twisty with red herrings and NO I didn't not guess or have a clue what the ending would reveal.

Honestly cannot say enough about this book! I am so glad there was another book in this amazing series, and I am hoping for a number 5 !!!!!

The Kind to Kill is the 4th book and begins months after Shana’s secret, that she’s bound by blood to a serial killer, is out in the world. While dealing with personal trauma and guilt, the community is filling up with tourists for an annual festival when a visitor goes missing. As the investigation deepens, Shana finds herself surrounded by local gossip and unwanted attention which threatens to destroy her reputation and the case.

Great writing, smaller town setting, atmospheric and on the slow burn side, this series has been a pleasure to read. Shana is a great character and I love following her on her journey 💕. While this could be read as a stand alone, these are best read in order to get the full story and history of the characters. And all the books are totally worth it!

OMG SHE’S BACK AGAIN 👀!!! Badass Senior Investigator Shana Merchant returns in Book 4 of the series by Tessa Wegert! “The Kind to Kill” is the aftermath of Shana’s big SECRET being out in the open and the townspeople aren’t happy with her 🤯

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Now that it has become known that the serial killer Blake Bram was her cousin, Shana is being treated like his accomplice. Shana just wants to move on … but her past keeps coming back to HAUNT her (and TAUNT her) 👀

The town is getting ready to celebrate Pirate Days, which is a huge tourist attraction for them! However, when a tourist goes missing, it looks like there may be a Blake Bram copy cat in the making. And Shana may be the bull’s eye inside of the target 🎯…

“For two years, I had known my cousin was a killer. When Bram died, I thought I was finally free. I wasn’t counting on him taking more lives from the grave”

The game of cat and mouse continues in this book, even though Blake Bram does not make an appearance. Shana struggles with the broken relationships in her life, while still recovering from PTSD and facing the town’s blame for the increase in crime since she moved to Alexandria Bay.

I absolutely L O V E this series 🖤! I count down the days until the next book releases! I am beyond thrilled and thankful to @tessawegert @severnhouseimprint @netgalley for my advanced digital copy! This book releases on December 6, 2022!! 🖤

My favorite Shana Merchant story yet! This one was so fast paced and full of amazing imagery! I loved the setting, the nod to Massena, the plot, and the cast. The entire book was perfectly detailed and I never saw the ending coming!

The Kind to Kill is the 4th-book in Tessa Wegert's Crime Fiction/Police Procedural series, Shana Merchant. If you are unfamiliar with these books, they follow Senior Investigator, Shana Merchant, who, at the start of the series, transferred from the NYPD to the Thousand Islands region of upstate New York. She does this after having a horrendous run-in with a serial killer.

Initially, Shana is looking for a slower pace then her NYPD position. Alas, it seems murder and mayhem follow her everywhere she goes. I definitely recommend starting at the beginning of this series and working your way through. Although, like many Adult Mystery, or Police Procedural series, you can read any of the books as standalones, or start anywhere along the line, I feel like this series has the greatest impact if you begin with book one, Death in the Family.

In this installment, it's mid-summer and Alexandria Bay is gearing up for their popular Pirate Days event. The town floods with tourists eagerly anticipating the fun-filled annual festival. Shana is still reeling from the events at the conclusion of book three, but she is hoping things will settle down soon enough. Maybe the Pirate Days are just what the community needs to distract their attention away from her and the high profile Blake Bram case for a bit.

Unfortunately, when a tourist named Rebecca, visiting the area with her husband, mysteriously disappears, Shana and her team realize this isn't going to be a normal, relaxed community event. Their resulting investigation could put a dark cloud directly over Pirate Days, a fact members of the local government aren't too happy about. Shana refuses to back down though. Time is of the essence here and they need to find Rebecca; community reputation be damned.

As the investigation digs in, Shana begins to realize a lot of the evidence is reminiscent of the serial killer murders in New York she was involved in. Is it mere coincidence, or has someone targeted the area, targeted Shana, on purpose? Does A-Bay have a full-fledged copy-cat on their hands?

As with the earlier books, I really enjoyed this one. Wegert has done a great job building out Shana's character and backstory. In fact, it is a central theme throughout all the books in the series. The beginning of this had a bit of a slow start for me. There was quite a bit of exploration of the community outlook and others opinions of Shana, her connection to Blake Bram and whether or not she had a culpability in his crimes.

For me, we sort of dug into that side of the story a bit too much at the beginning of this, when I would have preferred the focus to be more on the investigation into Rebecca's disappearance. With this being said, once the investigation does really get underway, I was hooked. I'm hooked into Shana's personal story as well, don't get me wrong, it just felt a little uneven there in the beginning.

The intensity of the case continues to build throughout the book, as more people get involved, including the complicated family of one of Shana's team members. There were some clever red herrings placed throughout and I enjoyed guessing at what the final outcome would be.

Spoiler Alert: I didn't guess correctly!

I'm so excited by the ending of this one. Nice set-up, Wegert! I cannot wait for the next book. Already! It's true, I'm totally invested in this series. Thank you to the publisher, Severn House, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

Thank you so much to Severn House and Tessa Wegert for the next book in the fantastic Shana Merchant series! I love this series so much, and I’m thankful that it continued with this book! This book was about a missing woman in the quiet community of A-bay. Crime seems to follow Shana, and even after her serial killer cousin is gone, his memory lives on. It looks like he has a copycat, someone who looked up to Blake Bram and wants Shana to know it. As the town gears up for Pirate Days, a missing tourist is just the beginning.

Thoughts: This book is about the complexity of families and how their actions leave behind a big reaction in their wake. The characters in this book are so well written and have so much emotion going on behind the scenes. Shana is still an amazing main character, but learning about the supporting characters was also intriguing and kept me reading. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I’m happy I read her other books as well!


The idea of a copycat was was eerie, and the mystery was interesting, but the main part of the book was how the characters interacted and related to each other. The setting of the Thousand Islands is fun and the Pirate Days holiday is a great image and a fun part of the story. I love Wegert’s writing, and this book was no exception. I did guess the ending, but it was satisfying nonetheless. 4-stars!

I continue to be impressed with Wegert's writing and what she has been able to do with her two main characters: The PTSD recovering Detective Shana Merchant and Merchant's captor: Blake Bram. In The Kind to Kill, Bram has a very large presence while not actually making a single appearance! This character arc is outstanding and is what has hooked me on this series! With that being said, I do think that this series is better read in order, so if you're interested, start with Death in the Family (and you won't be disappointed, it's one of my favorite books!).

As for Shana Merchant, I love seeing how she continues to recover from PTSD and grow as a human and a Detective. Her work on the copycat killings over Pirate's Day weekend in Alexandria Bay was entertaining and insightful. For a novel that isn't overly long, I am impressed with how much Wegert has packed into these pages. She not only wrote a compelling murder mystery, but she added in a lot of humanity, psychology, and nuances of life, people, relationships, and the twisted mind of a serial killer. The ending of this one had a great twist that I did not see coming but should have! There were just enough clues dropped along the way that I can't believe I missed them, but isn't that exactly the point! Such a fun read and I can't recommend this series enough!

Ex-NYPD Shana Merchant is an investigator in the Thousand Lakes region. She is dealing with the aftermath of killing her cousin, serial killer Blake Bram, and the whole affair being outed to the public. Alexandria Bay is filling up with tourists for a pirate summer festival when a tourist goes missing and is later found dead. Shana and her team investigate while trying to keep things calm. A good mystery with a strong, likeable female lead.

Thank you Netgalley & Severn House for an eARC of The Kind to Kill by Tessa Wegert!

I can’t get enough of Tessa’s Shana Merchant investigator books! Here’s to another twisty, atmospheric mystery.

If you’re not familiar with Shana, she’s a former NYPD detective and now Sr. investigator in NY’s Thousand Islands community. She’s a survivor of a serial killer - who she’s related to - and her secret is finally out after concealing the truth from the world. Building her reputation back up, Shana finds herself struggling. She now just wants to get on with her life, but Alexandria By fills with tourist for an annual festival, and a visitor goes missing. Is this linked to Bram? If so, how?

I love Tessa’s books because they are a great balance between police procedural and psychological thriller. The backdrops always make for an atmospheric and chilling ride of a novel. Red herrings galore, I am constantly guessing what's to come next. I absolutely love how Shana’s character and life continues to evolve throughout the series. Please, please, please gives the next story!!

This was my first book by this author and it certainly isn't going to be my last! Although this was book 4 in this series that did not affect the readability in any way as enough of the previous stories was told to fill in gaps but without too much detail which means I really want to now read the first 3 books to find out exactly what happened before!
The characters are believable, easy to care about and worry over and the locations are well described to keep the mind image happy while reading. I felt that it was quite a fast paced book and one I didn't want to put down for long when I had to. I had an idea about where this book might have been heading but I was slightly out, the twist when it came was understandable if difficult to predict which for me made for an excellent ending.

A tourist goes missing during a summer festival celebrating a notorious pirate in the picturesque town of Alexandria Bay in New York State. The fourth installment of Tessa Wegert’s Shana Merchant Novels finds the New York State police detective still trying to fit in to her new community. In town less than a year, she’s investigated more serious crimes than the area had seen in many years. And it seems someone in town blames Shana for that increase in crime, and the bad press coverage that comes with it.

Desperate to make this year’s Pirate Days a financial success, news of the disappearance sends townspeople into finger-pointing and worse. Shana, who is also reeling from family conflicts, tries to keep the investigation on track while fighting off her detractors.

As she and her team race to find the missing tourist, another missing person case from a different jurisdiction raises the specter of a copycat serial killer just as hordes of visitors arrive in costume to celebrate Pirate Days.

Wegert is at the top of her game. Her writing is evocative, and her plot is tight, taking the reader on a sweaty ride through the heat of the real-world August festival with twists that leave the reader guessing until the end. And the best part is that Wegert has crafted a strong female detective, who happens to be the boss, and is so engaging I always miss hanging out with her when I finish one of the books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
I wasn't sure if there would be a book 4 in this series and I'm so glad there is. This one has an excellent ending - no spoilers - but it made me gasp out loud. You could read this as a standalone as there are MANY references to what happened to Shana previously - in my opinion, too many & way too repetitive, and a very slow start to the book, which makes this 3 stars instead of 4. That being said, once the story moved along a bit faster (more than halfway through), I couldn't read fast enough, even though I thought I had it all figured out. Well, I didn't, and that's what makes a really good mystery. Looking forward to where book 5 takes these characters.

Shana Merchant knows the man who held her captive in NYC and terrorized her for years is dead but she is stymied when the deaths in her upstate New York town appear to mirror Bram's crimes. To complicate matters, her family has cut her off and she's being excoriated in the local media. I was curious how this series would continue with the conclusion of the Bram story arc. I didn't need to fear because Tessa Wegert turned out another thrilling adventure. While you will appreciate the story more if you've read the previous books, this can be read as a standalone.

Thanks to Severn House for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.