What do you think?
Rate this book
Florida Heat
Florida heat is murder - and in FLORIDA HEAT the bodies are stacking up at an alarming rate. From the moment Probation Officer Jo Cazimer witnesses a murder her life is in jeopardy. Working with her best friend Detective Kate Snow they struggle to identify the killer. But in Florida the snakes slither, the gators are hungry and a serial killer is on the loose.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2012
157 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 1, 2012
I nearly deleted this book after the prologue. It starts out with some heavy cursing in the dialogue and that is normally a big turn off for me. Thankfully, the rest of the book progresses without much in the way of foul language.
I really like the idea of having both the main character and the sidekick with intertwining, yet separate storylines. It made for a better mystery. I never quite put all the pieces together in just the right way, and to me, that is how a whodunnit should be written.
I will echo other reviews I've read that were disappointed with the very end of the book. I'm a little sad it ended that way, but that being said...it makes me REALLY want to find the next book in the series to see what happens next. If they left out the last few paragraphs, it could almost be a stand-alone book, and I'm sure that reading the series out of order wouldn't be too terrible.
All in all, I wouldn't pass by another book by this author. I really hope the rest of the series keeps cleaner language. Even "true to life" talking could use "eff" or "fricking" instead of that blasted four-letter word that starts with F.
I really like the idea of having both the main character and the sidekick with intertwining, yet separate storylines. It made for a better mystery. I never quite put all the pieces together in just the right way, and to me, that is how a whodunnit should be written.
I will echo other reviews I've read that were disappointed with the very end of the book. I'm a little sad it ended that way, but that being said...it makes me REALLY want to find the next book in the series to see what happens next. If they left out the last few paragraphs, it could almost be a stand-alone book, and I'm sure that reading the series out of order wouldn't be too terrible.
All in all, I wouldn't pass by another book by this author. I really hope the rest of the series keeps cleaner language. Even "true to life" talking could use "eff" or "fricking" instead of that blasted four-letter word that starts with F.
January 31, 2013
I read the other "goodreads" reviews and decided I could live with a lead-in to the next book as an ending. However, this was not the only problem.
The book held my attention and was written pretty well but it was all over the place. The book had several murders, child abuse, forced prostitution ring, teenagers out of control and animal smuggling. All of which were happening at the same time. This is not a town where I would want to live. Further, the end of the book did contain the lead-in but it also left other unrelated crimes unsolved.
I am undecided as to whether I will read the next book. I would like to find out the ending to this book but would be concerned the next will also leave me hanging.
The book held my attention and was written pretty well but it was all over the place. The book had several murders, child abuse, forced prostitution ring, teenagers out of control and animal smuggling. All of which were happening at the same time. This is not a town where I would want to live. Further, the end of the book did contain the lead-in but it also left other unrelated crimes unsolved.
I am undecided as to whether I will read the next book. I would like to find out the ending to this book but would be concerned the next will also leave me hanging.
August 18, 2012
I enjoyed this story and especially the setting. As a Central Florida resident, it's fun to read mysteries set in a familiar place. There were a lot of sub-plots, but they weren't too hard to follow. Most ended up connected in some way.
The most frustrating thing was the cliffhanger ending. One of the murders not only isn't solved, but a similar one occurs. There seems to be a trend lately with authors leaving you hanging at the end, possibly in an effort to get you to buy more of their books. A story should be able to stand on its own. If the writing is good and the characters are well developed, readers will want more from the author. This story was okay. Not great, but definitely kept my interest. I would have read more with these characters, but trickery such as this has the opposite effect on me. Rather than seek out another, I'll most likely avoid future stories by these authors.
The most frustrating thing was the cliffhanger ending. One of the murders not only isn't solved, but a similar one occurs. There seems to be a trend lately with authors leaving you hanging at the end, possibly in an effort to get you to buy more of their books. A story should be able to stand on its own. If the writing is good and the characters are well developed, readers will want more from the author. This story was okay. Not great, but definitely kept my interest. I would have read more with these characters, but trickery such as this has the opposite effect on me. Rather than seek out another, I'll most likely avoid future stories by these authors.
December 12, 2013
I enjoy reading mysteries that have believable characters, definitive plot and conclusion. I agree with others that each book in a series should be able to stand alone. This one does not and that is extremely disappointing.
June 23, 2022
There are some inconsistency that prevent me from giving it more than three stars.
I enjoy the first 40% of the book but then it start downhill from there.
- I thought the MC is Jo? Apparently according to the blurb, no, it is Kate. Having Jo dominate the story for 40% of book then for them together alternately being MC together afterward is blurring the center of story imo.
- Too many POV from many characters, that although i applaud the writer to tying them one by one to the cases is just too much for me.
- I don't like how the investigation get answers. Both are bombarded with many leads and answers toward the end which i find it distasteful to read. It feels rushed.
- The main villain identity is disappointing. Okay lol this is just my personal opinion, but i thought that villain more suitable to be the constant present that nagging both women than to be a one time villain.
- I'm guessing this is the first book? I don't know if there are prequel out there but there are no introduction on the characters. Like who is Stevens? Or Mitch remarks how Jo always find trouble without any background story.
It feels i read a middle number book of a series.
I enjoy the first 40% of the book but then it start downhill from there.
- I thought the MC is Jo? Apparently according to the blurb, no, it is Kate. Having Jo dominate the story for 40% of book then for them together alternately being MC together afterward is blurring the center of story imo.
- Too many POV from many characters, that although i applaud the writer to tying them one by one to the cases is just too much for me.
- I don't like how the investigation get answers. Both are bombarded with many leads and answers toward the end which i find it distasteful to read. It feels rushed.
- The main villain identity is disappointing. Okay lol this is just my personal opinion, but i thought that villain more suitable to be the constant present that nagging both women than to be a one time villain.
- I'm guessing this is the first book? I don't know if there are prequel out there but there are no introduction on the characters. Like who is Stevens? Or Mitch remarks how Jo always find trouble without any background story.
It feels i read a middle number book of a series.
March 24, 2019
I was interested to read this book because it’s set in Florida and the lead characters are female law enforcers. The writer seems to be developing her craft. There are too many stories within a story going on and most are resolved too quickly instead of being fully developed. I won’t seek out the next book.
January 27, 2017
Good characters
EAsy read ,good story with a believable plot. I enjoyed the book and look forward to further adventures of Florida heat.
EAsy read ,good story with a believable plot. I enjoyed the book and look forward to further adventures of Florida heat.
April 3, 2022
Definitely needs an editor for spelling and punctuation.
June 20, 2022
Enjoyable
There was a lot going on in this book and I had a hard time keeping things straight but tit was a good storyline and the whodunit was not obvious
There was a lot going on in this book and I had a hard time keeping things straight but tit was a good storyline and the whodunit was not obvious
January 12, 2026
dont remember
March 4, 2017
Great book
I enjoyed this book immensely. An interesting story, told very well. Another one I couldn't put down. Can't wait for the next one in the series. Although I don't really like series this is one I will follow.
I enjoyed this book immensely. An interesting story, told very well. Another one I couldn't put down. Can't wait for the next one in the series. Although I don't really like series this is one I will follow.
March 5, 2017
A Worthy Read
Kirkland has written a well-paced, hard-hitting story that doesn't disappoint page after page. Caz and Kate will become favorite characters readers will clamor to read time and time again! !
Kirkland has written a well-paced, hard-hitting story that doesn't disappoint page after page. Caz and Kate will become favorite characters readers will clamor to read time and time again! !
April 5, 2016
Florida Heat is a new series that introduces Jo Kazimer, a Probation Officer, and Detective Kate Snow. They are close friends and work together on a variety of cases, including wife abuse, child kidnapping and murder. Jo is jogging through a park when she witnesses a murder. She calls Kate and by the time the police arrive, the body has disappeared. This book is a bit confusing at the beginning with the introduction of many different secondary characters and plots (an abuser, a missing child, human trafficking, exotic bird smuggling, child pornography, and a secret club are just a few). Eventually all these plots will be tied together.
After reading the first chapter, I wasn't sure I was even interested in continuing the book. It was laced with vulgarity, and while I'm not against bad language in books, I feel like often it's just a substitute for character and plot development. It turns out the first chapter was just an introduction to a bad guy who is not around much longer and the language wasn't an issue after that. I did like the relationship between Jo and Kate. They were real friends and the author didn't add in any competition or personal animosity between them, which I found very refreshing.
Once I got involved in the story I actually enjoyed the plot and the characters. The one thing that drove me crazy about it was the horrible editing and misspellings. This book had numerous grammatical errors and could definitely have benefited from another proofreader. The author did a good job of weaving multiple story lines together in a plausible way but the cliffhanger ending without the murder being solved was disappointing.
After reading the first chapter, I wasn't sure I was even interested in continuing the book. It was laced with vulgarity, and while I'm not against bad language in books, I feel like often it's just a substitute for character and plot development. It turns out the first chapter was just an introduction to a bad guy who is not around much longer and the language wasn't an issue after that. I did like the relationship between Jo and Kate. They were real friends and the author didn't add in any competition or personal animosity between them, which I found very refreshing.
Once I got involved in the story I actually enjoyed the plot and the characters. The one thing that drove me crazy about it was the horrible editing and misspellings. This book had numerous grammatical errors and could definitely have benefited from another proofreader. The author did a good job of weaving multiple story lines together in a plausible way but the cliffhanger ending without the murder being solved was disappointing.
July 19, 2013
Probation Officer Jo Cazimer is jogging through a park when she witnesses a murder. By the time the cops arrive, the body has disappeared. It's pretty obvious, though, that someone was killed at the site, so Jo's friend, Detective Kate Snow, moves into Jo's home for a few weeks in an attempt to protect her from the killer. Then one of Jo's "clients" is murdered, an 8-year-old boy goes missing, a 15-year-old dies in a car accident, and a local teacher dies under mysterious circumstances. Kate investigates all of these crimes and more, which seems realistic given the limited number of police in practically every city across America. In truth, real life cops handle multiple cases, not just one at a time as portrayed on TV and in many mystery novels. For this reason, I enjoyed the book, even with its cliffhanging ending where not all the crimes are solved. I'll be waiting for book #2 in which the authors promise to address the unsolved crimes. My only complaint with this book involves numerous editing problems: missing punctuation, poor formatting, etc. This almost pulled me out of the story at first, but the plot line drew me on to the end. The authors are also quite adept at using multiple POV, which I like when it's done well.
March 6, 2013
FLORIDA HEAT (Florida Heat Murder Mystery Series) Jo, a Probation Officer and Kate, Police Detective, are working several criminal cases that encompass a wide spectrum of crimes. I began to wonder how these stories and people could ever share a connection, then realized what a small world it really is. A wife beating body builder murdered, a missing child, human trafficking, exotic bird smuggling, child pornography, a man murdered in a park, a secret high school club, a talented anamorphic artist, a popular teacher murdered, a horrific car accident. Then there is alcoholism, marital infidelity, spoiled rich teenagers, mental illness, kidnapping: shall I go on?
An intriguing novel that will hold you captive!
An intriguing novel that will hold you captive!
July 3, 2014
Florida heat
This story was fun to read and I was kept interested enough. Some things about the book I found a bit cheesy but liked it anyway. There were a few different plots to follow but they were easily followed. It was mostly all wrapped up nicely in the end. However, I did not appreciate the cliffhanger, especially because there was no option to read the next book. I assumed it would be available since this first one came out in 2012. Not the case. Can't find it. Oh well, moving right along.
This story was fun to read and I was kept interested enough. Some things about the book I found a bit cheesy but liked it anyway. There were a few different plots to follow but they were easily followed. It was mostly all wrapped up nicely in the end. However, I did not appreciate the cliffhanger, especially because there was no option to read the next book. I assumed it would be available since this first one came out in 2012. Not the case. Can't find it. Oh well, moving right along.
January 15, 2022
Florida heat is murder and the bodies are stacking up. Jo Cazimer has witnessed a murder. Now her life is in jeopardy. Working with her best friend, Detective Kate Snow, they struggle to identify the killer.
A book that you will not want to put down. Rainy Kirkland and Robyn Maize have created characters that are real and believable. Some you will like, some you won't.
As I followed the twists, turns, and clues of the story I was kept challenged to solve the puzzles right along with Jo and Kate. I really liked this book.
A book that you will not want to put down. Rainy Kirkland and Robyn Maize have created characters that are real and believable. Some you will like, some you won't.
As I followed the twists, turns, and clues of the story I was kept challenged to solve the puzzles right along with Jo and Kate. I really liked this book.
February 21, 2013
I got this as a free kindle book. Since I had already read another book by this author I decided to try it out. If you have read others by this author you might believe that this would be a romance. It is not! It has several mysteries floating around in the one book. I loved how you got to see the lives of the various characters before you knew how they were all linked together.
August 30, 2013
Like another reviewer the language in the beginning was a turn off for me. But it did get a little better. For me, there were too many stories within the stories even though eventually they were brought together.............but I will probably try the second of the series and see if it is any better.
March 3, 2014
The Florida setting is well done. The writing is good. The main characters are enjoyable. The villain is poorly written - shallow and stereotyped. The plot points were convoluted and unbelievable.
I was irritated to find that one of the plot points was continued into the next book.
I was irritated to find that one of the plot points was continued into the next book.
November 24, 2013
Free book!
After getting past some vulgar language at the beginning, I really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were well-defined and the author did a good job of weaving multiple story lines together in a plausible way.
I will read more from this author
After getting past some vulgar language at the beginning, I really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were well-defined and the author did a good job of weaving multiple story lines together in a plausible way.
I will read more from this author
July 12, 2013
So glad I chose this mystery... Fast paced, lots of stories that intertwine, and it ended leaving me excited to move on to book 2....WHICH HASN'T BEEN PUBLISHED YET!!!!!! Aargh! I really enjoyed this read and recommend it. This author is someone to be watched. The writing was very well done!
September 5, 2013
The book had lots of good points, there were just too many story lines that came together too conveniently for me. The fact that one of the main story lines was unfinished as in to be continued left me angry rather than anxious for the next book.
Read
January 5, 2014Full of twists and turns
Once the characters are introduced, each of the intertwined plots develops. There's almost too much going on but the author makes it so you can't put the book down until you get your questions answered.
Once the characters are introduced, each of the intertwined plots develops. There's almost too much going on but the author makes it so you can't put the book down until you get your questions answered.
June 13, 2014
Good, But Drawn Out
Although everything in the book was realistic, it was a bit drawn out. I do look forward to their next book as now I want to know what happened to the other cases.
Although everything in the book was realistic, it was a bit drawn out. I do look forward to their next book as now I want to know what happened to the other cases.
July 14, 2014
A police detective and a probation officer. Friends, they collaborate into solving a crime.
Nicely written, most of the time, with some long tedious conversations that have little bearing with the story. Overall, a nice read.
Nicely written, most of the time, with some long tedious conversations that have little bearing with the story. Overall, a nice read.
January 31, 2015
This is an extremely enjoyable page turner. As the main characters say (more eloquently than I) you think you've worked it out, then the pieces change and you change your mind.
There are a few small spelling mistakes on my kindle edition, but this by no means ruins the enjoyment of this book.
There are a few small spelling mistakes on my kindle edition, but this by no means ruins the enjoyment of this book.
May 11, 2015
Really a good book
Really liked this story and characters. They really complimented each other and you could tell they were friends.......good friends. The next book should be good also and can't wait to read it.
Really liked this story and characters. They really complimented each other and you could tell they were friends.......good friends. The next book should be good also and can't wait to read it.
January 26, 2016
Great book
Great book, well plotted story. Well written major characters, I came to like Jo and Kate. The school kids were annoying though. Would have got 5 stars if not for the fact that the only solved crime was not germaine to the main plot line.
Great book, well plotted story. Well written major characters, I came to like Jo and Kate. The school kids were annoying though. Would have got 5 stars if not for the fact that the only solved crime was not germaine to the main plot line.
March 1, 2013
3.10
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, it was a good mystery and what a cliffhanger I didn't see that coming.
very good read......
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, it was a good mystery and what a cliffhanger I didn't see that coming.
very good read......
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews