This book is a fast-paced crime mystery with just enough murder and mayhem to deliver chills and the redemption of a quick read to prevent the reader from worrying about things that go bump in the night. Two detectives complement one another in skill sets and the addition of a younger newspaper observer allows the author to add even more complexity to the case. There were a few moments when the possible solution seemed entirely too convoluted for such a straight forward book, but the author was just offering up clues. The book is reliable crime fiction and a good evening's enjoyment.

When we are able to order this book we will and the rest of them hopefully , I loved the characters and the settings the mystery was great also and kept me guessing until the end keep them coming.

This is the first Catherine O’Brian novel I’ve had the chance to read, although I discovered there are two previous novels in this series. “An Intimate Murder” was fast-paced and extremely enjoyable, to the point that I had to stop making myself rush through the pages. Detective O’Brian has her own quirky charm, and Louise adds quite a bit to the story. I will be diving into the other books in the Catherine O’Brian series. The setting of St. Paul, Minnesota was perfectly described. I will be recommending this book series highly!

~ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW~

What mystery can one family hold...or is it just bad luck? Want a good read that will keep you turning the page and one twist after another? Want to find out just what happens behind the closed doors of one family? Then this is the book you don't want to miss out on! Had to your goodreads list to be read!

An Intimate Murder by Stacy Verdick Case

Main character Detective Catherine O’Brien and her partner, Detective Louise Montgomery, of the Saint Paul Police Department, Minnesota, are called to the gruesome homicide of a husband and wife. The wife, Susan Luther, has been stabbed, while her husband, Jonathan Luther, has been killed with a shotgun. The bodies were discovered by their son, Chad.
Stacy Verdick Case has written a thriller which is much more than that. The reading style is pleasant and easy, and Ms Case brings a great deal of human interest and humour into the plot. Indeed, I found myself laughing out loud in many places in this book, entertained by the insightfulness of Case’s writing style.
Catherine is a cop with compassion while Louise is the perfect foil for Catherine’s slightly headstrong character.
Jane Katts is the ‘dog with a bone’ terrier of a reporter who doesn’t care who she hurts as long as she gets a front-page story.
These three characters are forced to work together to solve not only the case of the Susan and Jonathan Luther’s homicides, but an historic case as well, which also involved the Luther family.
An Intimate Murder is well worth reading and will probably hook you onto the Catherine O’Brien series.
Sméagol 4 stars out of 5

Detective Catherine O’Brien and her partner Louise are at it again. Jonathan and Susan Luther are found dead in their home by their son, Chad. Chad is completely devastated and heartbroken. It’s impossible to get any information out of him. The detectives have their work cut out for them, especially when they discover that this isn’t the first tragedy to hit the Luther family. Yet, they can find no one with a grudge against this family. Could it really be a coincidence?

To complicate matters even more, after Catherine publicly insults the media, her bosses order her to make things right. She and Louise are instructed to allow reporter Jane Katts to tag along with them as they investigate the Luther murders. The detectives object but their complaints fall on deaf ears and they are stuck with Jane riding along. The last thing they need is a reporter hearing all the gory, as well as juicy, details of a double murder investigation.

To say this book is a police procedural would be an understatement. It’s a police procedural with attitude…a bit of a kick to it. The camaraderie between Louise and Catherine adds so much to this story. Their banter is amusing and realistic. Their friendship shines through the entire book.

This is the third book in the Catherine O’Brien series and my favorite to date. It’s an edge-of-your-seat type of story. I devoured this book. I absolutely could not put it down. There was even a bit of an Agatha Christie type twist thrown in. It gave us an ending I didn’t even expect. This author has a real flair for the mystery genre. More please 

This books picks up right after A Luring Murder. personally I love ti when authors do this- it allows for reader continuity and a more realistic feel for your characters! Catherine to be is a very realistic character, all the way around- she is low-key, a dedicated cop, a loving wife, and someone who exasperates her partner with her lack of tact. We know her- you might be her! So how she digs into a case makes sense and allows the reader to truly empathasize and understand her. This book has a really good play between the partners- showcasing each of their strengths and why they work well together. Add a solid little mystery, and you have a fun read, that is perfect for reading by the fire with a cup of coffee (I read it in one sitting!). Once you read one book, you'll get hooked on this series!

When Jonathan and Susan Luther's bodies are discovered in their home by their teenage son Chad, St. Paul homicide detective Catherine O’Brien and her partner Louise discover this isn’t the first time the Luther family has been visited by tragedy. Chad was also the one to discover his grandmother's body a few years earlier when she too had been murdered. Is it a case of bad family luck or is there something more?
If you like Tess Gerritson's Rizzoli and Isles books, you will enjoy this which is # 3 in the Catherine O'Brien mystery series.
It is an easy and entertaining read; Louise and Catherine have a great chemistry. I got up at 2.30 this morning to finish it because I found myself laying awake trying to figure out what happens!

When I first started reading "An Intimate Murder," I was actually put off a little by the humor; I'm not used to that much humor in mystery novels. I kept reading, though, and began to really enjoy the interaction between the characters. Catherine and Gavin are great; he's the perfect match for her, and Louise is the perfect partner. I don't know if I will enjoy my usual mysteries as much after reading my first Stacy Verdick Case book. It won't be the last one I read. She's great.

Fun female detectives with an unwanted addition to their team solve the murder mystery. F-bomb keeps it from being a cozy mystery, but entertaining reading.

When the Police and the Press are Forced to Work Together

Catherine O'Brien is none too pleased when her partner, Louise, calls her back to work. She'd planned some fun time with her husband, Garin. Now she's faced with a difficult homicide. Jonathan and Susan Luther are found dead in their home by their son, Chad. He'd be a suspect, but he's so broken up they can hardly get any information from him.

Feeling angry that the press are stalking this kid, Catherine lets loose and earns the presence of a reporter, Jane Katts, as part of their team to see how the police investigate a murder.

Catherine is sincere if lacking in tact. She feels her responsibilities as a police officer and wants to protect the family of the murder victims. Louise is beautiful and far more tactful. She uses her skills to keep Catherine from being summarily dismissed from the case. Jane is a prototype hard hitting reporter. She cares about the story – the victims, not so much.

I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between the three women. The mystery was not captivating, but I kept reading because the interactions between the women were so engrossing.

The resolution and indeed most of the clues didn't come into the story until the last third of the book, so the interaction of the police and press had to carry the story. I thought the author did a good job, but if you're looking for more action and mystery you may be disappointed.

I reviewed this book for Net Galley.

I have always loved a good murder/mystery. Trying to figure out early who committed the crime or if the criminal would end up being someone who readers would never suspect. To say this book will keep you guessing is correct. It will readers will jump from one suspect to the next.

Starting out readers is greeted with Catherine arriving at a crime scene to meet her partner, Louise.

For this reader the best part of the book was when Catherine called the press vultures. This statement is so true. When the police are involved in an investigation they do not divulge everything. There is a reason and I understand the reason. For the press they want everything they do not care about the investigation, they are more interested in being the first to break a new story.

When Catherine and Louise were required to a so-called journalist follow and ride along during the investigation I was really surprised how much they allow the journalist to see or hear. Then this journalist showed her true colors. She was more interested in finding something that would allow her to be the first to write a breaking story than any ride along portraying how police investigate a murder.

While reading this book it really reminded me of Cagney and Lacey. A show I grew up watching with my grandparents.

I quickly connected with Catherine during the story. A character that seems and looks average who is married to a drop-dead gorgeous man that leaves women dreaming about him.

I planned on just starting the book, read the first chapter or so and then go to bed early for once. Well, I ended up popping a bag of corn and reading the whole book in one setting. Yes, popcorn is my snack of choice when reading.

I recommend this book to any who love a good murder mystery to figure out.

The bunnies and I give this book 4 carrots.

This has just the right amount of seriousness, snark and light fun to keep you reading to the end. The who dunnit you think you have figured out and than a new twist is added and you question yourself. It isn’t until the very end you find out.

Catherine is snarky and fun. Her husband is so understanding and supportive. She is the one that got the reporter trailing with them due to her comments. A detective that is unfiltered in her thoughts and adds that lightheartedness while still being serious.

Louise is great. The serious one to Catherine’s light nature. She does things by the book but when you tick her off watch out.

This book is about two detectives solving the murder of a couple. A murder that has some twists and family secrets come out. the son is a snot and truly deserves to be treated with wariness. The uncle I feel for but he did marry into the wacky family so you have to wonder. We go through the investigation with these detectives and the writing keeps you smiling at Catherine’s antics, the reporters eager beaverness and the serious Louise to boot.

A fun mystery book that keeps you on your toes as you try to solve who killed this couple that supposedly everyone loved. I can’t wait to read the next mystery these two detectives work on.

An Intimate Murder by Stacy Verdick Case

Traditional crime novel with great characters especially Louise and Catherine the detectives leading the murder case. A duo I am sure will surface again. I loved to hate Jane the scrupulous reporter and without giving anything away I thoroughly enjoyed the last chapter which was like the winding up of a detective Columbo story. Very satisfying.

An Intimate Murder is the third novel in the Catherine O’Brien Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone novel.

Homicide Detectives Catherine and Louise are called to a double murder in an affluent neighbourhood where it is originally assumed to be a robbery gone wrong only on further investigation it appears to be a crime of passion. Who would want to murder this well liked suburban couple? As the investigation digs deeper they soon discover the family has a dark past that’s been unresolved. Catherine complicates their investigation by having a run in with the media and now they must endure the company of reporter Jane Katts as an observer during the investigation.

I found it very easy to relate to the characters, the fiery, outspoken Catherine and workaholic, Louise. They complemented each other perfectly and the banter between them added humour to the story. Rookie reporter Jane Katts came across as believable as the naïve young reporter but still had a few tricks up her sleeve to get that exclusive scoop to forward her career.
This was a light easy read – a cosy mystery – with a good balance between character development and the investigation of the murders. A few twists along the way kept me completely in the dark to who actually committed the crime right up until the end. Once you read one novel in the Catherine O’Brien Mystery Series you will be eager to read more.
Highly recommended for anyone that likes a bit of light hearted humour with their crime.
4.5 stars

A well constructed murder investigation with homely interactions amongst the characters. The conclusion was in the best Agatha Christie style but I felt that something in the story as a whole. I never felt and excitement or anticipation whilst reading the story.

An Intimate Murder Stacy Verdick Case Before the Fall Books, October 2014 ISBN 978-0-9837137-6-0 Trade Paperback

From the publisher—

When Jonathan and Susan Luther are murder in their home, St. Paul homicide detective Catherine O’Brien and her partner Louise discover this isn’t the first time the Luther family has been visited by tragedy. Is it a case of bad family luck or is there something more?

Having a reporter tag along as you investigate a murder is not any detective’s dream but that’s precisely what happens when Detective Catherine O’Brien mouths off about the media and her punishment is to have Jane Katts along for the ride. It’s even more aggravating when it becomes apparent that Jane has little interest in portraying how the police do their jobs.

Catherine is the kind of detective you’d want on the case should you ever find yourself involved in a murder. She’s determined to root out the truth but she’s not one to believe the ends justify the means; she’ll get the job done honestly and with good oldfashioned hard work. Her friendship with Louise Montgomery is what makes their partnership so successful and, like many partnerships, their differences solidify their compatibility and mutual trust.

Getting to the truth of the Luthers’ murders is a complex and tangled mystery and could easily turn totally dark and depressing but Catherine’s brand of humor adds a dimension that not only helps protect the sanity of cops doing a tough job but also keeps this particular tale a bit more engaging than the usual police procedural and the twists and turns kept me guessing. I really like these women and will be going back to read the first two books as soon as I can.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, December 2014.