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Romantic Suspense #31
Dead Man's List
Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick's latest case exposes San Diego’s seedy underbelly in this nerve-shattering tale of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose.
On a long-anticipated second date with police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves—right as things are getting steamy—Kit stumbles across the mutilated body of a local San Diego politician. The politician is loved by many of his constituents but is hated and reviled by many more. That the suspect list is long is no surprise to anyone, but exactly who ends up on it stuns Kit and her team.
As the SDPD reveal the victim’s sinister dealings, Kit and Sam are forced to navigate the lawless world of the city’s most rich and powerful citizens to find answers. But time is rapidly running out, with their sources of information dropping like flies as the killer methodically eliminates loose ends—and anyone else who stands in the way.
On a long-anticipated second date with police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves—right as things are getting steamy—Kit stumbles across the mutilated body of a local San Diego politician. The politician is loved by many of his constituents but is hated and reviled by many more. That the suspect list is long is no surprise to anyone, but exactly who ends up on it stuns Kit and her team.
As the SDPD reveal the victim’s sinister dealings, Kit and Sam are forced to navigate the lawless world of the city’s most rich and powerful citizens to find answers. But time is rapidly running out, with their sources of information dropping like flies as the killer methodically eliminates loose ends—and anyone else who stands in the way.
472 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2025
376 people are currently reading
12858 people want to read
About the author
Karen Rose
61 books5,500 followersOFFICIAL WEBSITE:
www.karenrosebooks.com
Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”
Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.
Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!
Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.
A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.
www.karenrosebooks.com
Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”
Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.
Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!
Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.
A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
June 9, 2025
This is a fast paced, well-written, entertaining, psychological thriller. It has a likable, intelligent, strong and capable female protagonist, murder, mystery, intrigue, suspense, supportive family, twists and turns, a touch of romance, and a satisfying conclusion. This is the third entry in Ms. Rose's outstanding Sand Diego series, and it can be read as a stand alone, but it is better when read in order for continuity, as there are references to past events and relationships.
December 14, 2024
I have to say right off the bat that this is a wild story! Rose reels us in with multiple murder victims, a twisty brilliant plot, and actual growth with the ultra-slow, maybe in our lifetime, romantic interest.
The characters in these novels are complex and Rose brings in so many dimensions you could swear you know them. Messy backstories make them compassionate humans who excel at their craft, solving murders. This team is amazing and addictive.
What I love the most about this book is we start to see the softness of Kit starting to come through. The cracks are there and she is weakening…Can Sam hang in there? Will it happen that they can build a relationship? Gahhh – you have to read this one. I think Rose is the queen of the slow-burn romance. How long can she make us suffer?
If you love romantic suspense, and crime-riddled police procedural mysteries, you need to read this and any books by this author. So addicting!
~~~
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/dead-mans-li...
The characters in these novels are complex and Rose brings in so many dimensions you could swear you know them. Messy backstories make them compassionate humans who excel at their craft, solving murders. This team is amazing and addictive.
What I love the most about this book is we start to see the softness of Kit starting to come through. The cracks are there and she is weakening…Can Sam hang in there? Will it happen that they can build a relationship? Gahhh – you have to read this one. I think Rose is the queen of the slow-burn romance. How long can she make us suffer?
If you love romantic suspense, and crime-riddled police procedural mysteries, you need to read this and any books by this author. So addicting!
~~~
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/dead-mans-li...
February 26, 2025
DEAD MAN'S LIST is the third book in author Karen Rose’s San Diego Case Files series featuring Detective Kit McKittrick and Dr. Sam Reeves. As always, Rose delivers an intense, complicated, twisted murder mystery that keeps fans guessing right up to the shocking climax.
DEAD MAN'S LIST is a complex, multi-layered thriller featuring a gritty, introverted heroine who keeps her emotions tightly wrapped and others at arm's length as much as possible. Kit's horrific experience bouncing around the foster system left her toting a great deal of baggage but extraordinarily little trust before she hit the lottery with foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick whose unconditional love and security chipped away at her defenses helping form the capable woman and resolute detective she is today. Her keen sense of duty and dedication drive her not only to seek justice for victims, but to also give back to the foster parents who saved her by mentoring other young girls and women.
Dr. Sam Reeves, a police psychologist working with the San Diego Police Department, breathes a sigh of relief when SDPD Detective Kit McKittrick finally agrees to go out with him. Sam understands Kit's emotional state remains precarious when it comes to forming relationships, but he's a patient man willing to invest the time to show her he intends to be part of her future. Wanting to share his love of hiking with her, he takes Kit and their dogs to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for a casual date. Just as he feels he's making progress breaking through her defenses, they stumble over the partially buried body of a well-known city council member named Brooks Munro. Multiple stab wounds indicated a vicious crime of rage and given the unpopularity of the politician, Kit and Sam know the suspect list will be a long one. As Kit and her team begin working on the case, it's clear several powerful and influential people have dark secrets they’re determined to keep hidden. However, there's a missing binder of names and rumors of extortion circulating, and when more bodies surface, Kit’s certain someone is working through a kill list eliminating witnesses one by one. As Kit gets closer to unmasking the killer, she becomes a complication the killer can't ignore.
Author Karen Rose excels at weaving taut, intricate suspense thrillers with detailed characterizations and multiple plotlines that keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Dedicated support characters with their own issues help to steadily drive the pace forward as the action increases through twists and turns, crisis after crisis before exploding in a shocking climax most will never see coming. Multiple red herrings provide readers with several possible villains for consideration, and armchair detectives should watch closely for the bread crumb clues the author sprinkles throughout. A budding, slow burn romance between Kit and Sam adds a human touch, allowing readers to join the couple as they explore new emotions, especially Kit as she struggles with accepting she’s worthy of this man. Like the seasoned expert author she is, Rose maneuvers readers and characters through another fantastic suspense thriller. I recommend DEAD MAN'S LIST to fans of murder mysteries, romance suspense and police procedurals as I look forward to the next one.
Many thanks to Berkley for a complimentary arc of this title scheduled for release on March 4, 2025. Opinions expressed are entirely my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
DEAD MAN'S LIST is a complex, multi-layered thriller featuring a gritty, introverted heroine who keeps her emotions tightly wrapped and others at arm's length as much as possible. Kit's horrific experience bouncing around the foster system left her toting a great deal of baggage but extraordinarily little trust before she hit the lottery with foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick whose unconditional love and security chipped away at her defenses helping form the capable woman and resolute detective she is today. Her keen sense of duty and dedication drive her not only to seek justice for victims, but to also give back to the foster parents who saved her by mentoring other young girls and women.
Dr. Sam Reeves, a police psychologist working with the San Diego Police Department, breathes a sigh of relief when SDPD Detective Kit McKittrick finally agrees to go out with him. Sam understands Kit's emotional state remains precarious when it comes to forming relationships, but he's a patient man willing to invest the time to show her he intends to be part of her future. Wanting to share his love of hiking with her, he takes Kit and their dogs to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for a casual date. Just as he feels he's making progress breaking through her defenses, they stumble over the partially buried body of a well-known city council member named Brooks Munro. Multiple stab wounds indicated a vicious crime of rage and given the unpopularity of the politician, Kit and Sam know the suspect list will be a long one. As Kit and her team begin working on the case, it's clear several powerful and influential people have dark secrets they’re determined to keep hidden. However, there's a missing binder of names and rumors of extortion circulating, and when more bodies surface, Kit’s certain someone is working through a kill list eliminating witnesses one by one. As Kit gets closer to unmasking the killer, she becomes a complication the killer can't ignore.
Author Karen Rose excels at weaving taut, intricate suspense thrillers with detailed characterizations and multiple plotlines that keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Dedicated support characters with their own issues help to steadily drive the pace forward as the action increases through twists and turns, crisis after crisis before exploding in a shocking climax most will never see coming. Multiple red herrings provide readers with several possible villains for consideration, and armchair detectives should watch closely for the bread crumb clues the author sprinkles throughout. A budding, slow burn romance between Kit and Sam adds a human touch, allowing readers to join the couple as they explore new emotions, especially Kit as she struggles with accepting she’s worthy of this man. Like the seasoned expert author she is, Rose maneuvers readers and characters through another fantastic suspense thriller. I recommend DEAD MAN'S LIST to fans of murder mysteries, romance suspense and police procedurals as I look forward to the next one.
Many thanks to Berkley for a complimentary arc of this title scheduled for release on March 4, 2025. Opinions expressed are entirely my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
March 7, 2025
Sam and Kit resume the dance. Kit has issues and doesn't think she deserves a great guy like Sam. I'm not a fan of this loooong drawn out dance and at over a thousand pages total (three books), they are still dancing. It's very annoying. Even more annoying is that this mystery just didn't live up to the high standard Karen Rose has set in her previous books. There was way too much side stuff going on with Kit and her foster family, and the people directly involved in the case were just despicable.
Kit McKittrick, San Diego Police Detective, and Physiologist Sam Reeve finally have second date. They are hiking in the Anza-Borrego desert east of San Diego when the discover a body and not just any body. This is Sandiego City Councilman Brooks Munroe, a first-class sleaze and blackmailer as Kit and Sam soon find out. The quest soon becomes who out of the legions of people who hated him, killed him.
Kit McKittrick, San Diego Police Detective, and Physiologist Sam Reeve finally have second date. They are hiking in the Anza-Borrego desert east of San Diego when the discover a body and not just any body. This is Sandiego City Councilman Brooks Munroe, a first-class sleaze and blackmailer as Kit and Sam soon find out. The quest soon becomes who out of the legions of people who hated him, killed him.
December 13, 2024
4 stars. This is my first book from Karen Rose, and given how much I love romantic suspense, I have no idea why I waited so long to read her. Dead Man's List is the 3rd book in the Kit McKittrick San Diego series. In so many ways, Kit reminds me a lot of Eve Dallas from JD Robb's In Death series. She's a tenacious, oh so loyal detective, who also happens to be an orphan with a rough past. Kit eventually ends up in a foster family that really changes her life, and are a big presence in this book. Dead Man's List is the 3rd book in the series, and you can absolutely read it as a standalone. It's very clear that the relationships between the characters, including the romantic relationship between Kit and Dr. Sam, have been evolving since book 1, but Rose gives you enough background info to be able to follow along. I was very invested in Kit's ability to solve the crime, so plot/mystery wise, this never lagged. And even though I said that Kit reminds me of Eve Dallas, Sam is in no way Roarke. Instead of being a mysterious, alpha, billionaire, Sam is the sweetest cinnamon rolly-est, gold retriever of a character. He is so gentle with Kit, and you better believe that I am INVESTED in reading more about how their relationship develops.
Thank you so much to Rose, Berkley (Berkley partner), and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Although I got this one for free, I enjoyed it so much that I purchased the ebook of book 1 in this series, and I'm VERY excited to cycle back and start from the beginning.
Thank you so much to Rose, Berkley (Berkley partner), and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Although I got this one for free, I enjoyed it so much that I purchased the ebook of book 1 in this series, and I'm VERY excited to cycle back and start from the beginning.
March 4, 2025
Sinister, intricate, and intense!
In this compelling third instalment in the San Diego Case Files, Dead Man’s List, Rose has written a tortuous whodunit that sees homicide detective Kit McKittrick and her partner Connor Robinson working together with psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves on a complicated case involving a serial killer with nothing to lose, a prolific blackmailer with something to hide, and a list of victims who will pay whatever they have to in order to keep their secrets buried for good.
The writing is menacing and tight. The characters are consumed, persistent, and dependable. And the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat as it submerges you, page after page, into a world of blackmail, murder, wealth, arrogance, violence, terror, deception, corruption, suspicious personalities, palpable chemistry, and a sliver of romance.
Overall, Dead Man’s List is an addictive, engrossing, thrilling addition to what has quickly become a must-read series for me with its flawed characters, great pace, and consistent sense of urgency.
In this compelling third instalment in the San Diego Case Files, Dead Man’s List, Rose has written a tortuous whodunit that sees homicide detective Kit McKittrick and her partner Connor Robinson working together with psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves on a complicated case involving a serial killer with nothing to lose, a prolific blackmailer with something to hide, and a list of victims who will pay whatever they have to in order to keep their secrets buried for good.
The writing is menacing and tight. The characters are consumed, persistent, and dependable. And the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat as it submerges you, page after page, into a world of blackmail, murder, wealth, arrogance, violence, terror, deception, corruption, suspicious personalities, palpable chemistry, and a sliver of romance.
Overall, Dead Man’s List is an addictive, engrossing, thrilling addition to what has quickly become a must-read series for me with its flawed characters, great pace, and consistent sense of urgency.
Read
March 31, 2025I don't know why but I could not connect with this story at all.
March 10, 2025
4.5 Stars
Detective Kit McKittrick and Sam’s hiking date ends abruptly when they stumble upon a dead body. The victim ends up being a corrupt councilman and there’s no shortage of suspects. As his deeds are revealed it’s no wonder someone took him out! Sam, as the police department’s consulting psychologist helps Kit and Connor as they methodically hunt for the killer.
Meanwhile, Rita, one of the girls the McKittrick’s are fostering, is set to testify against her mother’s murderer. She receives a veiled threat, putting the whole family on high alert.
Dead Man’s List was a layered mystery that captured and held my attention from beginning to the wild end! Lots of reveals! I loved seeing Kit, Sam and Connor in action, handling the suspects. It was a great crime/police procedural! The personal relationships with family and friends’ factor in heavily and I loved the support they gave each other. The ladies from the senior center always make me laugh, too!
Most of Ms. Rose’s romantic suspense stories could be read as standalones, but Dead Man’s List is the third book in the San Diego Case Files, and I think it’s best to read in order as the relationship between Kit and Sam is a slow going one starting with the first book. There’s also the continuing mystery of who killed Kit’s foster sister when they were teenagers. A bit of information has been revealed in each installment.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Detective Kit McKittrick and Sam’s hiking date ends abruptly when they stumble upon a dead body. The victim ends up being a corrupt councilman and there’s no shortage of suspects. As his deeds are revealed it’s no wonder someone took him out! Sam, as the police department’s consulting psychologist helps Kit and Connor as they methodically hunt for the killer.
Meanwhile, Rita, one of the girls the McKittrick’s are fostering, is set to testify against her mother’s murderer. She receives a veiled threat, putting the whole family on high alert.
Dead Man’s List was a layered mystery that captured and held my attention from beginning to the wild end! Lots of reveals! I loved seeing Kit, Sam and Connor in action, handling the suspects. It was a great crime/police procedural! The personal relationships with family and friends’ factor in heavily and I loved the support they gave each other. The ladies from the senior center always make me laugh, too!
Most of Ms. Rose’s romantic suspense stories could be read as standalones, but Dead Man’s List is the third book in the San Diego Case Files, and I think it’s best to read in order as the relationship between Kit and Sam is a slow going one starting with the first book. There’s also the continuing mystery of who killed Kit’s foster sister when they were teenagers. A bit of information has been revealed in each installment.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
March 10, 2025
This one was so much fun! We had the romance angle with Kit and Sam, the drama within Kit's family and of course murder. It was interesting to see how all of these started to tangle together, sometimes with connections that weren't so obvious, but more the people.
I love Kit's family and how they all 100% support each other and how welcoming they are to others that come into their orbit. It's sort of like that old Eagles song, you can always enter, but you can't leave and it's a good thing. The parents have such big hearts, you love to see how they are with everyone!
Then there is the role that Kit plays with her sibs. It's a give and take, where they all support each other, knowing that at some time they will need to be the person who needs help. What is so great about this is that the kids see this and start to emulate that behavior too.
The crime in this one is so crazy! Seems fairly cut and dry up front, but the more that Kit and her partner investigate, the more involved and sticky it becomes. When you get down to the bad guy and why, it will break your heart! I'm just glad that so many "bad" people went down besides the bad guy.
All in all, this one was a great read!
I love Kit's family and how they all 100% support each other and how welcoming they are to others that come into their orbit. It's sort of like that old Eagles song, you can always enter, but you can't leave and it's a good thing. The parents have such big hearts, you love to see how they are with everyone!
Then there is the role that Kit plays with her sibs. It's a give and take, where they all support each other, knowing that at some time they will need to be the person who needs help. What is so great about this is that the kids see this and start to emulate that behavior too.
The crime in this one is so crazy! Seems fairly cut and dry up front, but the more that Kit and her partner investigate, the more involved and sticky it becomes. When you get down to the bad guy and why, it will break your heart! I'm just glad that so many "bad" people went down besides the bad guy.
All in all, this one was a great read!
April 7, 2025
A meaty read.
Rose always outs a lot of detail and craft into her novels so readers can settle in for a long read.
The action is good and the details were parsed out in a timely fashion.
My favorite part of the book was the burgeoning relationship between Sam and Kit.
I kept saying it’s about time.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the early read.
Rose always outs a lot of detail and craft into her novels so readers can settle in for a long read.
The action is good and the details were parsed out in a timely fashion.
My favorite part of the book was the burgeoning relationship between Sam and Kit.
I kept saying it’s about time.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the early read.
April 6, 2025
Another great read from Karen Rose. Lots going on and still liking all the characters in this series.
March 5, 2025
My favorite of the San Diego series thus far. Perfect from beginning to end, maintaining the solid and smart plot and characters I’ve come to expect, and adding in even more character development, pushing forward into new layers of relationships. Fantastic build in mystery and plot, stacking each piece of evidence and detective work until it all comes together in a thrilling conclusion.
The pacing is excellent. The characters are amazing. The mystery is killer (pun intended). And the depth and intelligence throughout have elevated this series to the top of the genre. It demands to be read.
* I received a free copy from the publisher
The pacing is excellent. The characters are amazing. The mystery is killer (pun intended). And the depth and intelligence throughout have elevated this series to the top of the genre. It demands to be read.
* I received a free copy from the publisher
April 3, 2025
I’m all for a slow burn romance but this one is absolute turtle speed. It’s like reading about two middle schoolers. The bright side is that there was an interesting mystery attached full of a lot of thrills. So there was more balance but I don’t understand why I keep reading this series when all I am getting is frustrated and annoyed with Kit. Oh well will probably still read the next one.
Read
September 14, 2025DIDN’T FINISH.
July 29, 2025
I love Karen Rose books but somehow the San Diego books are my favorite of all of them. Might it be because it differs from the other ones or is it the characters? Can’t exactly tell you the reason except that I really like Kit’s character and that I can relate to her being closed off, not wanting hugs (apparently everyone loves being hugged??) and thinking being not good enough for anyone and not allowing herself to feel all her feelings because she’s afraid of getting hurt.
I literally flew through that book and if I didn’t had to go to work I wouldn’t have put it down. Very compelling written story, like the other two San Diego one’s.
I know many people don’t like the very slow burn of Kit and Sams relationship because it differs from all of the others in Rose’s books but I really like it. Also it’s not one of those very annoying “will they, won’t they” type of relationship. Sam is so respectful towards Kit and gives her the time she needs which I think is rare in todays society and because Sam does all of that Kit is slowly able to open up and is slowly allowing herself to feel all of her feelings.
Sometimes the love relationships in Rose’s other books move too fast for me which might be one of the reasons why I like the San Diego books so much.
Now the waiting starts for the release of the fourth book of this series 🙃
I literally flew through that book and if I didn’t had to go to work I wouldn’t have put it down. Very compelling written story, like the other two San Diego one’s.
I know many people don’t like the very slow burn of Kit and Sams relationship because it differs from all of the others in Rose’s books but I really like it. Also it’s not one of those very annoying “will they, won’t they” type of relationship. Sam is so respectful towards Kit and gives her the time she needs which I think is rare in todays society and because Sam does all of that Kit is slowly able to open up and is slowly allowing herself to feel all of her feelings.
Sometimes the love relationships in Rose’s other books move too fast for me which might be one of the reasons why I like the San Diego books so much.
Now the waiting starts for the release of the fourth book of this series 🙃
September 19, 2025
Oh the cliffhanger, the plot itself, the scumbags who think being rich makes them entitled to hurting people!! Again woth Karen Rose creating a masterpiece!
We got a corrupt city council found murdered in the desert by Kit and Sam, the body is left in a terrible condition, and because the victim was blackmailing people, we find ourselves with a dead man's list!!
Kit is getting better at opening up to peope especially to Sam who is so cute and lovable, my favourite character though has to be Connor and his family!
The perpetrator later on is one of the worst ever! super smart but horrible nonetheless!
The cliffhanger at the end is incredible! Ever since the first book in the series, i have been wondering about Wren and who killed her!
The family that fostered Kit are perfect! i like how they help everyone!
Favourite scene is when that asshole who killed Rita's mother came to confront Kit!
We got a corrupt city council found murdered in the desert by Kit and Sam, the body is left in a terrible condition, and because the victim was blackmailing people, we find ourselves with a dead man's list!!
Kit is getting better at opening up to peope especially to Sam who is so cute and lovable, my favourite character though has to be Connor and his family!
The perpetrator later on is one of the worst ever! super smart but horrible nonetheless!
The cliffhanger at the end is incredible! Ever since the first book in the series, i have been wondering about Wren and who killed her!
The family that fostered Kit are perfect! i like how they help everyone!
Favourite scene is when that asshole who killed Rita's mother came to confront Kit!
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February 13, 2026
Still having a good time reading this series! I really liked the case investigation here, specially during the first half. Having to deal with the murder of such a disliked public figure added a bit of a twist to Kit’s usual job, and I enjoyed how Sam came to be a part of and help with it. I also really vibed with Connor this time around, for some reason? Favorite new side character.
For other bits and bobs: very interesting to have some information regarding Kit’s family come up. I wasn’t expecting anything of the sort, and now I’m very curious about how the series is going to go. The romance element was also really nice here; the progression worked for me and I was glad to see Kit take things forward. The Rita subplot was a bit underwhelming, but I’m fine with how it was solved.
For other bits and bobs: very interesting to have some information regarding Kit’s family come up. I wasn’t expecting anything of the sort, and now I’m very curious about how the series is going to go. The romance element was also really nice here; the progression worked for me and I was glad to see Kit take things forward. The Rita subplot was a bit underwhelming, but I’m fine with how it was solved.
May 14, 2025
Book#3 in the series…this dance with Detective Kit and Psychologist Sam is still going🤦🏽♀️…but the several plots will take you for a ride. Exciting developments and some good twists and turns.Enjoy
May 24, 2025
I enjoy the characters and the flow of the story. I just found myself rolling my eyes more than once at an unbelievable police procedure.
March 17, 2025
I love Karen Rose's books. She never disappoints. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to finish this one last night because I couldn't put it down.
October 18, 2025
3.5/5 Stars
While definitely an improvement on the last book in this series, Cheater, this book still pales in comparison to the simple synchronicity of Cold Blooded Liar.
Though the overall mystery and twists in this title were, again, far superior to that of Cheater, I found that the characterization of this book didn't reach the mark of either previous series entries. Admittedly, the characterization did pick up towards the end, but I have repeatedly noted that this series lives and dies on it's characters so the slow burn of decent interactions and mental insights was incredibly disappointing. (Not to mention that the insights into the characters thoughts that we were given were so jarringly juvenile and poorly written, particularly with Kit, that it almost made you wish that they had been written out altogether.)
That being said, the parts of this book that were enjoyable hit the mark dead on. I don't think anyone would fault me for saying that they don't come to this series for high drama or intense and beautiful prose; they come for Sam Reeves. The authors pure obsession with this character, that every other character in this series seems to echo, is matched only by my own. You're reading about horrible and torturous murder in one paragraph and giggling and kicking your feet in the next. And as the pieces of the climax fall into place one by one, and you instinctively know what's about to happen, the outcome and Sam's actions (trying to be as vague as possible) are exactly what you would have them be: emotional, romantic, and satisfying.
I eagerly await the next entry in this series, if only so I can read about how Sam Reeves is coping with the aftermath of that climax.
Or how he takes his coffee.
Or what his favorite color is.
Or how he handles being the emotional backbone of the entire police force and also literally everyone else.
While definitely an improvement on the last book in this series, Cheater, this book still pales in comparison to the simple synchronicity of Cold Blooded Liar.
Though the overall mystery and twists in this title were, again, far superior to that of Cheater, I found that the characterization of this book didn't reach the mark of either previous series entries. Admittedly, the characterization did pick up towards the end, but I have repeatedly noted that this series lives and dies on it's characters so the slow burn of decent interactions and mental insights was incredibly disappointing. (Not to mention that the insights into the characters thoughts that we were given were so jarringly juvenile and poorly written, particularly with Kit, that it almost made you wish that they had been written out altogether.)
That being said, the parts of this book that were enjoyable hit the mark dead on. I don't think anyone would fault me for saying that they don't come to this series for high drama or intense and beautiful prose; they come for Sam Reeves. The authors pure obsession with this character, that every other character in this series seems to echo, is matched only by my own. You're reading about horrible and torturous murder in one paragraph and giggling and kicking your feet in the next. And as the pieces of the climax fall into place one by one, and you instinctively know what's about to happen, the outcome and Sam's actions (trying to be as vague as possible) are exactly what you would have them be: emotional, romantic, and satisfying.
I eagerly await the next entry in this series, if only so I can read about how Sam Reeves is coping with the aftermath of that climax.
Or how he takes his coffee.
Or what his favorite color is.
Or how he handles being the emotional backbone of the entire police force and also literally everyone else.
May 31, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down...Since the first genre given was romantic suspense, I should have had a clue!
The romance was sophomoric and annoying and I'm more interested in the mystery part of a novel.
The mystery story line was fair and kept me reading and interested, although the first murder was pretty gory for a romance novel, and my goodness, quite some mass murder was going on!
The romance was sophomoric and annoying and I'm more interested in the mystery part of a novel.
The mystery story line was fair and kept me reading and interested, although the first murder was pretty gory for a romance novel, and my goodness, quite some mass murder was going on!
July 6, 2025
By 30% I just couldn’t continue so I went straight to the last 2 chapters + epilogue. Still got the whole gist of it. I just couldn’t stomach the mooning between Kit and Sam, too much and too boring to read. Will stop reading this series. Such a shame because I really love Karen Rose, read all her books, the earlier ones were the best.
October 13, 2024
A politician is brutally murdered….and it is only the beginning.
San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick does not deal with emotions easily, and as such her oft-postponed second date with psychologist Sam Reeves is an outing she has simultaneously dreaded and anticipated. Just as the pair has broken through the awkwardness each was feeling while they hiked with their dogs in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, they experience the worst sort of dating buzzkill….they discover a dead body. The deceased was a well-known local politician named Brooks Munro, a city councilman who was reviled by as many people as he was admired. The many vicious wounds on his body make it clear that he was murdered, and Kit and Sam know that the list of possible suspects will be a long one. When they discover that he was blackmailing people, most if not all of whom are people with a lot of power, money and influence, the case becomes even more complex and the push to solve it intensifies. Munro left behind a binder full of the names of his victims and the nature of the compromising information he had compiled on them, a type of “dead man’s switch” to dissuade his victims from killing him to stop the blackmail, and it is missing. When more dead bodies are found, it is clear that the killer is tying up loose ends in a ruthlessly efficient manner….and that they may have the missing binder. If Kit and her team can figure out who is on the blackmail list they can narrow down the field of suspects and identify the killer….but as potential witnesses are eliminated, can Kit find the killer before she is added to the list of complications needing removal?
Dead Man’s List is the third in author Karen Rose’s San Diego Case Files series featuring Detective Kit McKittrick and Dr. Sam Reeves, a pair who first met when Sam was a suspect in a case Kit was investigating, a definite anti-meetcute scenario. Kit has a lot of baggage, having bounced around the foster care system and experiencing much of the dark elements of that world before landing in the home of veteran foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick who provided love and security for Kit as they had and continue to do for so many foster kids. She would also lose someone close to her, a murder never solved which continues to haunt her. She guards her emotions closely, and it takes a man like Sam who understands her well enough to know that he will need to expend a great deal of patience as he slowly gains her trust. As the Munro case is unfolding there is looming trouble at McKittrick House as well. Rita, one of Kit’s younger foster sisters, is dealing with stress over the upcoming trial of the man who murdered her mother and assaulted her, a wealthy and connected man who is likely behind a recent threatening note. And a second sister, Akiko, has been contacted by someone claiming to have information about Akiko’s birth mother which has her feeling unsettled. Juggling her need to protect those she loves with a case with too many suspects and fewer possible witnesses every day, Kit has her work cut out for her. But with help from her partner Connor, his well-connected mother (who is delighted to share her observations on and gossip about the people in her set who are likely candidates for blackmail), and of course Sam (who is now a civilian consultant to the police) she is determined to run the killer to ground. The quirky people who inhabit her life add to the depth of nuanced characterization for Kit while helping to keep the mystery briskly moving along. Twists and turns along the way along with more than a few genuinely untrustworthy sorts make it hard to identify the killer too early in the book, and I found it hard to put down. It is not necessary to have read the first two books in the series in order to enjoy this as a standalone, but I suspect that once a reader has finished this installment they will want to go back and read the first two. Dead Man’s List balances a well-plotted tale of suspense with the slowly budding romance of guarded Kit and the genuine good guy Ben. Fans of author Karen Rose (especially readers of the first two in this series) will definitely want to pick up a copy of Dead Man’s LIst, as should readers of Iris Johansen, Karen Robards and Julie Garwood. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me early access to this intriguing novel of romantic suspense….I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapter in this series!
San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick does not deal with emotions easily, and as such her oft-postponed second date with psychologist Sam Reeves is an outing she has simultaneously dreaded and anticipated. Just as the pair has broken through the awkwardness each was feeling while they hiked with their dogs in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, they experience the worst sort of dating buzzkill….they discover a dead body. The deceased was a well-known local politician named Brooks Munro, a city councilman who was reviled by as many people as he was admired. The many vicious wounds on his body make it clear that he was murdered, and Kit and Sam know that the list of possible suspects will be a long one. When they discover that he was blackmailing people, most if not all of whom are people with a lot of power, money and influence, the case becomes even more complex and the push to solve it intensifies. Munro left behind a binder full of the names of his victims and the nature of the compromising information he had compiled on them, a type of “dead man’s switch” to dissuade his victims from killing him to stop the blackmail, and it is missing. When more dead bodies are found, it is clear that the killer is tying up loose ends in a ruthlessly efficient manner….and that they may have the missing binder. If Kit and her team can figure out who is on the blackmail list they can narrow down the field of suspects and identify the killer….but as potential witnesses are eliminated, can Kit find the killer before she is added to the list of complications needing removal?
Dead Man’s List is the third in author Karen Rose’s San Diego Case Files series featuring Detective Kit McKittrick and Dr. Sam Reeves, a pair who first met when Sam was a suspect in a case Kit was investigating, a definite anti-meetcute scenario. Kit has a lot of baggage, having bounced around the foster care system and experiencing much of the dark elements of that world before landing in the home of veteran foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick who provided love and security for Kit as they had and continue to do for so many foster kids. She would also lose someone close to her, a murder never solved which continues to haunt her. She guards her emotions closely, and it takes a man like Sam who understands her well enough to know that he will need to expend a great deal of patience as he slowly gains her trust. As the Munro case is unfolding there is looming trouble at McKittrick House as well. Rita, one of Kit’s younger foster sisters, is dealing with stress over the upcoming trial of the man who murdered her mother and assaulted her, a wealthy and connected man who is likely behind a recent threatening note. And a second sister, Akiko, has been contacted by someone claiming to have information about Akiko’s birth mother which has her feeling unsettled. Juggling her need to protect those she loves with a case with too many suspects and fewer possible witnesses every day, Kit has her work cut out for her. But with help from her partner Connor, his well-connected mother (who is delighted to share her observations on and gossip about the people in her set who are likely candidates for blackmail), and of course Sam (who is now a civilian consultant to the police) she is determined to run the killer to ground. The quirky people who inhabit her life add to the depth of nuanced characterization for Kit while helping to keep the mystery briskly moving along. Twists and turns along the way along with more than a few genuinely untrustworthy sorts make it hard to identify the killer too early in the book, and I found it hard to put down. It is not necessary to have read the first two books in the series in order to enjoy this as a standalone, but I suspect that once a reader has finished this installment they will want to go back and read the first two. Dead Man’s List balances a well-plotted tale of suspense with the slowly budding romance of guarded Kit and the genuine good guy Ben. Fans of author Karen Rose (especially readers of the first two in this series) will definitely want to pick up a copy of Dead Man’s LIst, as should readers of Iris Johansen, Karen Robards and Julie Garwood. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me early access to this intriguing novel of romantic suspense….I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapter in this series!
May 7, 2025
Ms. Rose thrills–and chills–in this next installment of her San Diego Case Files series!
Dead Man’s List involves an incredibly complex mystery to solve for Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick and her team. All hands are on deck when a local councilman turns up dead and the mayor wants the case solved yesterday.
Dr. Sam Reeves is a psychologist who assists in police cases and is vital to Kit’s team and the community with Dr. Sam’s work at a local homeless shelter for teens. Sam has been crushing hard on the beautiful detective but Kit’s got some major emotional baggage that has often stopped her from pursuing something solid with the good doctor. It’s not that Kit doesn’t want Sam, it’s that she wants him too much, but her fear of not being able to protect the ones she loves is a real fear that keeps many in her life at arm’s length. Can Sam finally break through Kit’s defensive walls, or will she push Sam to the friend’s zone for good?
The mystery is so exciting and had me in a chokehold the entire story! The action-packed plot got my heart racing. The characters are entertaining and I wanted to know more about everyone. The subplot(s) of the story is/are just as thrilling and is/are vital to the main storyline. I was on the edge of my seat the last 15% of the book! Don’t peek! Be patient and read from start to finish. You just might miss a minute detail that will blow the case wide open!
I admit, the first two books in this particular series made me a little angry because the author doesn’t provide an HEA at the end of each book like she does in her other Romantic Suspense series. While the cases to solve are exciting and engaging, the chemistry between Kit and Sam has been so sloooooooooowwww! But now that we are in the third book of the series, I see a method to Ms. Rose’s madness and it’s quite brilliant.
Kit is a strong, stubborn FMC that is exceptional at her job. She’s loyal and fiercely protective over those she calls her own. Kit’s origin story begins in the foster care system where a very young Kit and her foster sister, Wren escape a home where all types of abuse goes on. While running away, Kit and Wren find a barn to hide in where they are discovered by a gentle giant of a man. He and his wife are foster parents and they take in Kit and Wren. They are in a good foster home, but can’t yet get comfortable or trust that they are safe. When Wren is murdered, Kit is inconsolable, especially when the police deem Wren’s murder a cold case and move on. Move on? No way, not for Kit.
Kit becomes a cop and while she works diligently to make sure others like her and her sister can get justice for their loved ones. Kit still holds out hope that she can solve Wren’s case and make sure her killer is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Kit was adopted by that nice couple and has many adopted brothers and sisters. She is loved, respected in her profession, and doesn’t have time, or the wherewithal to have a romantic relationship. But somehow, Dr. Sam Reeves has been slowly getting under Kit’s skin. It is difficult for Kit to trust, to let someone in, which is why the author is strategic in framing the series as she’s doing. I get it now. I hope readers will also give this series a chance, too.
Dead Man’s List is an exciting thriller full of action, suspense, and a damn good storyline. While it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
I highly recommend the book and every series by Karen Rose.
**Please check your trigger warnings. There are many adult themes with several types of abuse and trauma in this book that may make some readers uncomfortable. Read at your own discretion**
**NetGalley generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Dead Man’s List involves an incredibly complex mystery to solve for Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick and her team. All hands are on deck when a local councilman turns up dead and the mayor wants the case solved yesterday.
Dr. Sam Reeves is a psychologist who assists in police cases and is vital to Kit’s team and the community with Dr. Sam’s work at a local homeless shelter for teens. Sam has been crushing hard on the beautiful detective but Kit’s got some major emotional baggage that has often stopped her from pursuing something solid with the good doctor. It’s not that Kit doesn’t want Sam, it’s that she wants him too much, but her fear of not being able to protect the ones she loves is a real fear that keeps many in her life at arm’s length. Can Sam finally break through Kit’s defensive walls, or will she push Sam to the friend’s zone for good?
The mystery is so exciting and had me in a chokehold the entire story! The action-packed plot got my heart racing. The characters are entertaining and I wanted to know more about everyone. The subplot(s) of the story is/are just as thrilling and is/are vital to the main storyline. I was on the edge of my seat the last 15% of the book! Don’t peek! Be patient and read from start to finish. You just might miss a minute detail that will blow the case wide open!
I admit, the first two books in this particular series made me a little angry because the author doesn’t provide an HEA at the end of each book like she does in her other Romantic Suspense series. While the cases to solve are exciting and engaging, the chemistry between Kit and Sam has been so sloooooooooowwww! But now that we are in the third book of the series, I see a method to Ms. Rose’s madness and it’s quite brilliant.
Kit is a strong, stubborn FMC that is exceptional at her job. She’s loyal and fiercely protective over those she calls her own. Kit’s origin story begins in the foster care system where a very young Kit and her foster sister, Wren escape a home where all types of abuse goes on. While running away, Kit and Wren find a barn to hide in where they are discovered by a gentle giant of a man. He and his wife are foster parents and they take in Kit and Wren. They are in a good foster home, but can’t yet get comfortable or trust that they are safe. When Wren is murdered, Kit is inconsolable, especially when the police deem Wren’s murder a cold case and move on. Move on? No way, not for Kit.
Kit becomes a cop and while she works diligently to make sure others like her and her sister can get justice for their loved ones. Kit still holds out hope that she can solve Wren’s case and make sure her killer is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Kit was adopted by that nice couple and has many adopted brothers and sisters. She is loved, respected in her profession, and doesn’t have time, or the wherewithal to have a romantic relationship. But somehow, Dr. Sam Reeves has been slowly getting under Kit’s skin. It is difficult for Kit to trust, to let someone in, which is why the author is strategic in framing the series as she’s doing. I get it now. I hope readers will also give this series a chance, too.
Dead Man’s List is an exciting thriller full of action, suspense, and a damn good storyline. While it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
I highly recommend the book and every series by Karen Rose.
**Please check your trigger warnings. There are many adult themes with several types of abuse and trauma in this book that may make some readers uncomfortable. Read at your own discretion**
**NetGalley generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
February 23, 2026
Dead Man’s List is the third novel in the San Diego Case Files series featuring Detective Kit McKittrick and Dr. Sam Reeves. As always, Karen Rose delivers a complex and twisted murder mystery that keeps readers on their toes.
This novel is a complex, multi-layered romantic suspense that’s heavily focused on the suspense and police procedural aspects, with just a tease of romance in this particular series. Again, we’re following Kit McKittrick, a gritty, introverted heroine who keeps her emotions tightly wrapped and others at arm's length as much as possible. Kit's horrific experience bouncing around the foster system left her toting a great deal of baggage and extraordinarily little trust before she hit the lottery with foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick, whose unconditional love and security chipped away at her defences, helping her become the capable woman and resolute detective she is today. Her keen sense of duty and dedication drive her not only to seek justice for victims, but also to give back to the foster parents who saved her by mentoring other young girls.
Dr. Sam Reeves, a police psychologist working as a consultant with the San Diego Police Department, feels relieved when Detective McKittrick finally agrees to go out with him. Sam knows that Kit is hesitant to form relationships, but he is willing to be patient and show her that he wants to be a part of her future. Wanting to share his love of hiking with her, he takes Kit and their dogs to a state park for a casual date. Just as he feels he's making progress and breaking through her defences, they stumble over the partially buried body of a well-known city council member named Brooks Munro. Multiple stab wounds indicated a vicious crime of rage, and given the unpopularity of the politician, Kit and Sam know the suspect list will be a long one. As Kit and her team, along with Sam, start working the case, it’s clear that many rich, powerful and influential people have dark secrets they’re determined to keep hidden. However, there’s a missing binder of names, rumours of blackmail circulating, and when more bodies surface, Kit is certain someone is working through the missing list, eliminating witnesses one by one. As Kit gets closer to learning the killer’s identity, she becomes a complication and a target the killer can’t ignore.
Karen Rose excels at writing intricate suspense with detailed characterizations and multiple plotlines that engage readers from start to finish. She’s also great at writing supporting characters. I really like Kit’s working and familial relationships. The supporting characters feel real, have depth, and there’s camaraderie among them. They also have their own issues that help drive the story forward. The action intensifies with twists and turns towards a shocking climax nearly every time. The red herrings provide readers with several possibilities for villains.
There’s also a continuing budding romance between Kit and Sam, as they explore new emotions, especially Kit, because she’s still struggling to accept that she’s worthy of a great guy like Sam. However, she’s finally becoming softer towards him and becoming more affectionate with the important people in her life. The author seems to be writing a continuous, slow-burning romance across the novels in this series, and I’m loving it. She usually writes a different romance with each novel, but I like this change. I love every interaction between this couple and their simmering chemistry. Karen Rose knows how to leave readers hungry for more. I cannot get enough of this series, and I highly recommend it if you like murder mysteries, romantic suspense or police procedural novels. This is a series you don’t want to miss.
This novel is a complex, multi-layered romantic suspense that’s heavily focused on the suspense and police procedural aspects, with just a tease of romance in this particular series. Again, we’re following Kit McKittrick, a gritty, introverted heroine who keeps her emotions tightly wrapped and others at arm's length as much as possible. Kit's horrific experience bouncing around the foster system left her toting a great deal of baggage and extraordinarily little trust before she hit the lottery with foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick, whose unconditional love and security chipped away at her defences, helping her become the capable woman and resolute detective she is today. Her keen sense of duty and dedication drive her not only to seek justice for victims, but also to give back to the foster parents who saved her by mentoring other young girls.
Dr. Sam Reeves, a police psychologist working as a consultant with the San Diego Police Department, feels relieved when Detective McKittrick finally agrees to go out with him. Sam knows that Kit is hesitant to form relationships, but he is willing to be patient and show her that he wants to be a part of her future. Wanting to share his love of hiking with her, he takes Kit and their dogs to a state park for a casual date. Just as he feels he's making progress and breaking through her defences, they stumble over the partially buried body of a well-known city council member named Brooks Munro. Multiple stab wounds indicated a vicious crime of rage, and given the unpopularity of the politician, Kit and Sam know the suspect list will be a long one. As Kit and her team, along with Sam, start working the case, it’s clear that many rich, powerful and influential people have dark secrets they’re determined to keep hidden. However, there’s a missing binder of names, rumours of blackmail circulating, and when more bodies surface, Kit is certain someone is working through the missing list, eliminating witnesses one by one. As Kit gets closer to learning the killer’s identity, she becomes a complication and a target the killer can’t ignore.
Karen Rose excels at writing intricate suspense with detailed characterizations and multiple plotlines that engage readers from start to finish. She’s also great at writing supporting characters. I really like Kit’s working and familial relationships. The supporting characters feel real, have depth, and there’s camaraderie among them. They also have their own issues that help drive the story forward. The action intensifies with twists and turns towards a shocking climax nearly every time. The red herrings provide readers with several possibilities for villains.
There’s also a continuing budding romance between Kit and Sam, as they explore new emotions, especially Kit, because she’s still struggling to accept that she’s worthy of a great guy like Sam. However, she’s finally becoming softer towards him and becoming more affectionate with the important people in her life. The author seems to be writing a continuous, slow-burning romance across the novels in this series, and I’m loving it. She usually writes a different romance with each novel, but I like this change. I love every interaction between this couple and their simmering chemistry. Karen Rose knows how to leave readers hungry for more. I cannot get enough of this series, and I highly recommend it if you like murder mysteries, romantic suspense or police procedural novels. This is a series you don’t want to miss.
March 4, 2025
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The San Diego series continues with Dead Man's List. This city's series is different because rather than one couple / romance per book, this romance is very slow burn taking 3 books so far. The main characters are Kit McKittrick, a homicide detective and Sam Reeves, a therapist. Sam does some work with profiling for the department, as well as a lot of volunteer work.
Kit grew up in the foster system until as a teenager she came to the McKittricks and was adopted. Her impetus to become a police officer started when her sister Wren was murdered. Her background makes her a bit prickly to trust anyone but Sam is willing to wait for her. They finally have a date in this book.
The case(s) are complicated here. There is the dead body of a city councilman who was obviously tortured. There are lots of shady aspects of him and Kit and her team figure out he was blackmailing people. Kit and her partner, Connor, along with Sam, figure out more about who is blackmailing and who is being blackmailed. Unfortunately, too many of the people they want to question end up dead on both lists.
Apparently, there was a list of everyone being blackmailed along with their "crimes" and amounts in a notebook, so everyone is looking for that list. Eventually, there is someone on the list who gives evidence of others on the list and they can really question those being blackmailed. Nobody wants to tell the truth! The team does have some success tracing vehicles through some surveillance cameras. They also get a break when a family member comes forward with more information on one of the blackmailed.
There is another councilman who is being prosecuted for killing Rita's mother. He has been anonymously harassing Rita while out on bail but his trial is coming up soon. He tries to come forward with info to get an immunity deal but Kit and the prosecutors don't want to give him any deals. Kit doesn't find it hard to believe he is another blackmail victim though.
I enjoy the smart strategy of police work and the excellent efforts of the team. They do have some missteps here but they head down the right track. There is plenty of plot and fast paced action. The author is excellent at developing the characters. The McKittricks are a special bunch and I enjoy their family and the meals they share with family and friends. Sam is so patient with Kit and their romance is actually starting now, so I wonder if we will get at least one more book in San Diego.
Narration:
Hillary Huber is one of my favorite narrators. I normally read this series in ebook but this time ended up with an audio ARC. I really enjoyed the performance. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I love the Romantic Suspense series. I've read them all. I started the series with the first Cincinnati book, with Faith and Deacon. It was actually #16 overall. Then I went back and read the previous 15 books. I would not jump into this in the middle of a series. One could start at the beginning of a city since those stories connect well, and they seem to be labelled on Goodreads.
The San Diego series continues with Dead Man's List. This city's series is different because rather than one couple / romance per book, this romance is very slow burn taking 3 books so far. The main characters are Kit McKittrick, a homicide detective and Sam Reeves, a therapist. Sam does some work with profiling for the department, as well as a lot of volunteer work.
Kit grew up in the foster system until as a teenager she came to the McKittricks and was adopted. Her impetus to become a police officer started when her sister Wren was murdered. Her background makes her a bit prickly to trust anyone but Sam is willing to wait for her. They finally have a date in this book.
The case(s) are complicated here. There is the dead body of a city councilman who was obviously tortured. There are lots of shady aspects of him and Kit and her team figure out he was blackmailing people. Kit and her partner, Connor, along with Sam, figure out more about who is blackmailing and who is being blackmailed. Unfortunately, too many of the people they want to question end up dead on both lists.
Apparently, there was a list of everyone being blackmailed along with their "crimes" and amounts in a notebook, so everyone is looking for that list. Eventually, there is someone on the list who gives evidence of others on the list and they can really question those being blackmailed. Nobody wants to tell the truth! The team does have some success tracing vehicles through some surveillance cameras. They also get a break when a family member comes forward with more information on one of the blackmailed.
There is another councilman who is being prosecuted for killing Rita's mother. He has been anonymously harassing Rita while out on bail but his trial is coming up soon. He tries to come forward with info to get an immunity deal but Kit and the prosecutors don't want to give him any deals. Kit doesn't find it hard to believe he is another blackmail victim though.
I enjoy the smart strategy of police work and the excellent efforts of the team. They do have some missteps here but they head down the right track. There is plenty of plot and fast paced action. The author is excellent at developing the characters. The McKittricks are a special bunch and I enjoy their family and the meals they share with family and friends. Sam is so patient with Kit and their romance is actually starting now, so I wonder if we will get at least one more book in San Diego.
Narration:
Hillary Huber is one of my favorite narrators. I normally read this series in ebook but this time ended up with an audio ARC. I really enjoyed the performance. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
March 5, 2025
Dead Man’s List by Karen Rose is the 3rd book in her terrific The San Diego Case Files. San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick returns, as she is a fantastic detective. Kit is finally planning a second date with Sam Reeves (psychologist), as she still dreads her anticipated date. Sam and Kit hike with their dogs in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and unfortunately, they discover a dead body. Immediately, both Kit and Sam recognize who the dead man is; Brooks Munro, a well known local politician/councilman who was reviled by many. The vicious wounds all over his body, make it clear that he was murdered.
Kit and her partner, Connor, know that the list of possible suspects will be big, especially after they discover that Munro was blackmailing people. After they find a list of the names of the victims that Munro was blackmailing, which had a number of powerful and influential people; that increased how many people who they needed to interview.
When more dead bodies continue to be found, both Kit and Connor realize that the killer is ruthlessly tying up loose end. Conner was able to get his mother’s gossip information (she is rich and attends parties), and together Kit and Connor review all the possible candidates that Munro blackmailed. Sam, who was also a civilian police consultant, helped both Kit and Connor.
Kit had a difficult childhood, until she moved into the home of foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick, whom they adopted. But Harlan and Betsy always provided love to many foster kids, whom Kit became close to. She did lose a sister, whose murder was never solved, which continued to haunt her. Also, two other sisters had past problems: with Rita dealing with an upcoming trial, where her mother was murdered, and she was raped. Akiko was contacted by someone claiming to have information about her birth mother, which Kit will help find the truth. All of this will probably be part of the next book.
I really loved Kit, who was awesome, and I got a kick out of Connor, who was also great. Sam and Kit slowly began to realize that they both felt strongly to each other: as he was always so sweet and patient to her. I expect in the next book, more about Sam and Kit.
Dead Man’s List was a great suspenseful, great plot, mystery, crime, police procedurals, and addicting story. Dead Man’s List was so very well written by Karen Rose, which is no surprise, as she writs fantastic stories. I suggest you read the San Diego Case Files, as it was great.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Kit and her partner, Connor, know that the list of possible suspects will be big, especially after they discover that Munro was blackmailing people. After they find a list of the names of the victims that Munro was blackmailing, which had a number of powerful and influential people; that increased how many people who they needed to interview.
When more dead bodies continue to be found, both Kit and Connor realize that the killer is ruthlessly tying up loose end. Conner was able to get his mother’s gossip information (she is rich and attends parties), and together Kit and Connor review all the possible candidates that Munro blackmailed. Sam, who was also a civilian police consultant, helped both Kit and Connor.
Kit had a difficult childhood, until she moved into the home of foster parents Harlan and Betsy McKittrick, whom they adopted. But Harlan and Betsy always provided love to many foster kids, whom Kit became close to. She did lose a sister, whose murder was never solved, which continued to haunt her. Also, two other sisters had past problems: with Rita dealing with an upcoming trial, where her mother was murdered, and she was raped. Akiko was contacted by someone claiming to have information about her birth mother, which Kit will help find the truth. All of this will probably be part of the next book.
I really loved Kit, who was awesome, and I got a kick out of Connor, who was also great. Sam and Kit slowly began to realize that they both felt strongly to each other: as he was always so sweet and patient to her. I expect in the next book, more about Sam and Kit.
Dead Man’s List was a great suspenseful, great plot, mystery, crime, police procedurals, and addicting story. Dead Man’s List was so very well written by Karen Rose, which is no surprise, as she writs fantastic stories. I suggest you read the San Diego Case Files, as it was great.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
February 7, 2025
The third book in the San Diego Case Files series by Karen Rose begins with Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick and police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves and their long delayed second date. Sam has decided to take Kit hiking in the desert to share with her one of his favorite things to do. Neither is expecting their dogs to lead them to the partially buried body of San Diego politician Brooks Munro.
Munro has been a polarizing figure with many devoted fans and many devoted enemies. He has certainly rubbed the San Diego police the wrong way. Kit and her partner Connor Robinson are assigned the case and soon find themselves looking deeply into the political and the wealthy of San Diego.
Even Sam has had a run-in with Munro when he was looking for votes to help fund the shelter he works with. Munro tried to solicit a bribe from Sam as a quid pro quo. Sam's experience leads Kit to wonder and investigate whether or not Munro has made bribery and blackmail a regular part of his business practices.
Meanwhile, the trial date Christopher Drummond is coming up. He is accused of murdering Kit's foster sister Rita's mother and sexually assaulting Rita too. He claims to have information that could lead to the murderer of Munro but wants favors for giving it. Kit isn't willing to give anything to Drummond that might influence the verdict since he is still threatening Rita and Kit will do anything to protect her family.
The story was filled with intrigue as Sam, Kit, and Connor try to figure out which of many possibilities wanted Munro dead and who is murdering others who might have information that would let Kit find him.
I enjoyed the suspense in this story. I also enjoyed watching Kit open up to some romantic possibilities of her own despite her fears. Sam is a great romantic partner being both patient and open with his own feelings.
This was an engaging story which is the third book in a series. I recommend reading all of them.
Munro has been a polarizing figure with many devoted fans and many devoted enemies. He has certainly rubbed the San Diego police the wrong way. Kit and her partner Connor Robinson are assigned the case and soon find themselves looking deeply into the political and the wealthy of San Diego.
Even Sam has had a run-in with Munro when he was looking for votes to help fund the shelter he works with. Munro tried to solicit a bribe from Sam as a quid pro quo. Sam's experience leads Kit to wonder and investigate whether or not Munro has made bribery and blackmail a regular part of his business practices.
Meanwhile, the trial date Christopher Drummond is coming up. He is accused of murdering Kit's foster sister Rita's mother and sexually assaulting Rita too. He claims to have information that could lead to the murderer of Munro but wants favors for giving it. Kit isn't willing to give anything to Drummond that might influence the verdict since he is still threatening Rita and Kit will do anything to protect her family.
The story was filled with intrigue as Sam, Kit, and Connor try to figure out which of many possibilities wanted Munro dead and who is murdering others who might have information that would let Kit find him.
I enjoyed the suspense in this story. I also enjoyed watching Kit open up to some romantic possibilities of her own despite her fears. Sam is a great romantic partner being both patient and open with his own feelings.
This was an engaging story which is the third book in a series. I recommend reading all of them.
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