Review: Suspenseful thriller
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 5, 2013
Note - The Black Cats series is a reissue. I read the series the first time they were published, and jumped on the chance to purchase the ebook versions. I loved the unique bent of the series, which highlights an outcast cybercrime unit of the FBI whose focus is internet related murders. Ms. Kelly brings it in a big way, not shying away from the more gruesome aspects of what human beings are capable of when they hurt each other.Stacey is a former state trooper who is now Sheriff of her small, rural Virginia hometown. Dean is a former Baltimore Vice detective who has been recruited into this band of misfits. Their attraction to each other is immediate, but they both have baggage. Dean is recently divorced, and struggling to regain custody of his son. Stacey was an early responder to the Virginia Tech tragedy, and the experience colors how she views the world.Dean is kind of gruff and closed off, but Stacey gets to him with her directness. Stacey is a strong woman who knows she wants Dean, and isn't shy about letting him know. Dean hates the thought of Stacey being in any kind of danger, but is strong enough to let her be herself. Great couple.The secondary characters are fully developed and robust, adding to the depth of the story. With just a few words, we feel like we know these people, we know their motivations, and what makes them tick. One of the things I love about Leslie Kelly's writing style is her ability to impart information succinctly, yet thoroughly. She doesn't waste words, yet the reader never feels like we don't have a full grasp of all of the details.The balance between romance and suspense is just about perfect. I felt like Dean and Stacey made sense together. Their relationship felt natural and real. The suspense was nail-bitingly real, with little clues and red herrings sprinkled throughout the story. The violence gets a bit graphic, but not gory or gratuitous.Bottom line - This is a terrific series. As mentioned, I really enjoy Ms. Kelly's writing style, whether it is romance or suspense. She is descriptive, funny, and she makes every word count. There isn't a ton of superfluous prose to wade through, just story. If you enjoy romantic suspense, you should check out this series.