Simone is a Journalist who is working on the 20th anniversary piece of a cold case serial killings she secretly witnessed from 20 years ago and it appears that the person is back. Sheriff Lance is having a casual affair with Simone and its appears the Card Killer is back and is also targeting Simone as well as others now.

I enjoyed this book and watching how they worked to resolve the case. Simone was carrying a heavy secret and it possibly could help the case but put a target on her back. I mean she was young when she witness the killing and no one believed her then so what difference would it make? But now that the killer seems to have come out of retirement she's in danger. I thought it was interesting seeing how she played her part in helping solve the mystery. I loved that she was an independent women who was doing everything she could to not rely on other for her protections. There was plenty going on with the close calls and taunts that the killer was doing to Simone meaning things uneasy. Overall this was a pretty great read, I pretty much binge read it and thing you readers will enjoy this one too.

With the release of CATCHING THE CARLING LAKE KILLER, K.D. Richards adds a solid entry to her very popular West Investigation Series. While the book doesn’t feature a member of the West clan, the hero, Lance Webb, featured prominently in DARK WATER DISAPPEARING and James West (SHIELDING HER SON, Book #4) does put in a minor, but significant appearance towards the end. Our heroine, Simone Jarrett is a reporter for a local newspaper. She has recently moved ‘back’ to Carling Lake and has struck up a ‘casual’ relationship with Lance. She is currently working on an article on the unsolved murders which took place in the town twenty years ago. And then another murder with the same MO occurs. Is the Card Killer back?

I enjoyed several things about this latest addition to a series I have totally enjoyed. At the beginning, the hero and heroine are already in a relationship and the reader is allowed to see its development. This is a refreshing change of pace because of this situation, but the need for honest and trust are highlighted in the growing bond between Lance and Simone. I also found the characters likable and appealing. Lance, Carling Lake’s sheriff, is a strong confident man who is good at his job, despite having to deal with the unnecessary pressure from the press and the mayor. As a result, he is cautious and assesses before he acts. Simone, on the other hand, is often rash and is willing to do anything to get the story and find the truth. However, she is driven by an incident in her past that is connected to murders. Lance’s desire to protect her and her desire to be independent cause conflict, but they eventually come to a compromise.

The highlight of the book, for me, however, was the well-thought out and constructed mystery. While I was able to figure out the killer’s identity before the final revelation, Ms. Richards still kept me entertained and intrigued with the story’s quick and tense pacing.

CATCHING THE CARLING LAKE KILLER is Ms. Richards at her very best. It’s a solid romantic suspense that will keep readers in its grip until the final pages.

Blurb caught my eye. Kinda gave off feels for Nancy drew type of book and I was kinda right on that feeling. 5 star book . Might reread it again later on in the year. Highly recommend this book. Couldn't put it down due to the fact it kept me pulled into it

This is the 6th and final book in the “West Investigations Series” and my first time reading a book by K.D. Richards. “Catching The Carling Lake Killer” is an entertaining easy, fast-paced quick read, drama filled, action packed, secrets, mystery, mayhem, murder, suspenseful, page turner, romantic read, great characters and a great plot that most definitely held me captive. I enjoyed reading about West Investigation series that I am going to try and purchase books 1-5 in this series. Simone is a journalist and Lance is the sheriff of Carling Lake. The two have been secretly seeing each other. Simone has been hiding a secret since her childhood from Lance. As things continue to unfold the secret that Simone has been hiding is making its way to the surface and Simone finds her life is at stake and she and Lance must work together to find the killer that is after Simone. K.D. Richard is a new author to me and I am so loving her “West Investigation Series” and the romantic suspenseful aspect and if you’re new to her like I am going to do my best to pick up books 1-5 in this series. If they are anything like the final book in this I know that I am in for a treat.

I received an ARC via NetGalley HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada), Harlequin Intrigue and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the 6th book in the West Investigations series. This book is fill of action and suspense. I enjoyed the characters in this book. I do feel that this book was very fast paced, and it made you just wanted to keep reading. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Intrigue) or author (K.D. Richards) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Terrific addition to the West Investigations series. In this book, we return to Carling Lake, the scene of the previous two books in the series. Here we learn more about Sheriff Lance Webb, a critical player in Dark Water Disappearance. We also get to know Simone, a reporter for the local paper.

The book opens with a prologue that takes place twenty years earlier. Twelve-year-old Simone witnesses a serial killer's attack, but her mother doesn't believe her, and they move away shortly after that. But Simone has been haunted by what she saw, and as the twentieth anniversary of that and two other murders draws close, Simone returns to Carling Lake. She is determined to raise awareness of the victims, hoping that someone will come forward with a clue. She never expected the Card Killer to strike again.

Lance and Simone have been seeing each other secretly for several months. At first, it was just casual, with neither interested in anything permanent. There was also the potential conflict of interest in a sheriff/reporter relationship. But as time passed, their feelings for each other deepened though neither said as much. When another Card Killer murder happens after a twenty-year hiatus, Lance suspects Simone is hiding something that may be related. I loved his protectiveness and understanding that helped her open up to him about what she had seen.

I liked watching their relationship develop from casual to something deeper. Beyond their undeniable chemistry is a deep-seated respect for each other's profession. That doesn't mean they don't occasionally butt heads. Simone's tenaciousness sometimes puts her in direct opposition to Lance's job as sheriff, such as her spying on the crime scene. It also means that they can make a good team. Despite his frequent frustration with her, there is no denying that Lance wants more. I loved seeing him show Simone that he's ready to bring their relationship into the light, but they must keep her alive to do it. The ending was terrific as they were finally free to follow their hearts.

The suspense kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. I could feel Simone's fear in the prologue and her determination to right her mistake as an adult. The first of the new murders preceded a series of threats against Simone, who realized that the killer knew who she was. I loved her determination to continue her investigation and had to laugh at her ultimatum to Lance - they could work together, or she would continue on her own. He wanted to keep her close and safe. Their pursuit of information on the new and old victims and whether there were connections between them was fascinating to follow. Just when I thought I knew who it was, the author threw in a twist that upended everything. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.

James West has a small part in this book, as he and Erika protect Simone when Lance can't be with her. I liked the friendship that grew between Simone and Erika and how James provides the security that gives Lance peace of mind.

This was a good introduction to this author. I felt the characters had depth and the story line was intriguing. I will be sharing this will my followers!!

10/10 worth the read! Would recommend to anyone who loves a mystery with a twist at the end!

Pros: a hot sherif as the love interest, murder mystery, great writing, keeps you entertained the whole time, and a great twist at the end!

Cons: hard time to put down the book to do basic chores such as washroom or eating!!! This book had me hanging on the edge of seat wanting to know what happens next from the first chapters! Which means again I’ve read this all in one sitting!


And now I’m going to go read all the other novels by K.D Richards I haven’t read yet! Definitely gained a fan!

I have been looking for an author exactly like K.D. Richards for a while now. The story was tight and full of action and suspense. I loved the way Lance and Simone's relationship was full of respect of each other and respect for their jobs. I would love to see where their story leads. I also found out that this book is part of a series. So, excuse me while I run to the bookstore to pick up the rest of the series!

This was another excellent installment of the West Investigation series! James West takes a back seat in this book because there's a new sheriff in town. While James is there to support the town of Carling Lake, Lance is the sheriff the town needs when a woman's body is found and next to her, a calling card.

Simone has returned to Carling Lake to work at the paper as an investigative reporter. She's glad no one remembers her from her time in Carling Lake as a child. She has a score to settle after witnessing the murder of a woman.

The crux? For months, Lance and Simone have been in a casual, no-strings-attached relationship. The murder just made it complicated. With Simone trying to get the story and vindicate her younger self, and Lance trying to catch a killer, their professional worlds collide in a way they never expect.

When Simone is threatened, James and Erica West protect her while Lance continues to hunt down the card killer. Will Simone be his next victim? Will their blooming relationship survive this investigation if she does? You'll want to grab Catching the Carling Lake Killer to learn the answers!

Sheriff Lance and reporter Simone are investigating what could be a serial killing in Carling Lake. They’ve been having a casual affair but as they investigate together it becomes more obvious that that ‘casual’ relationship is becoming more serious. Will they find the killer before he strikes again?

What I enjoyed the most was the dual POVs so we can enjoy their relationship and the feelings as they intensify. develop. It is fun to be able to see the clues pop up for both of them. At various points we even get a short POV from the killer! It builds tension and anticipation and is quite chilling.

But this is a love story and though there is a sexy bit, it is by no means explicit. In short, this is another good addition to the Harlequin Intrigue line that I think many will enjoy.

Simone has taken a job with the local newspaper in a small town she briefly lived in growing up, where she's started a casual relationship with Logan, the sheriff. The real reason she's returned there is to investigate a murder she witnessed as a child but is still too traumatized by to discuss with anyone. It seems that the murder has returned to the town, forcing her to face the past and forcing her closer to Logan.

The thought the book was well-paced and the mystery was entertaining, though I didn't really connect with Simone and Logan as couple. They meet prior to the beginning of the book, so we're only told that they had an immediate connection and how things have progressed so far. For about the first third or so, we mostly see them working on the case separately, and when they're together they mostly discuss the case. I didn't dislike either character, but didn't see enough of their relationship development to get really invested in them either. The story also ended very suddenly.