What do you think?
Rate this book
Jax Diamond Mysteries #9
Hellcat
Not yet published
Expected 1 Apr 26Dead gangsters. A legendary killer. And evidence that Jax’s mother is behind it.
New York City 1923. After Jax Diamond and his trusted partner, Ace, find a ruthless gangster hanging from the Brooklyn Bridge, the murder is connected to a string of mob deaths in Chicago, and they have a serial killer on their hands – the notorious Death Row Dotty.
While Jax works around the clock with the police, Laura decides to help him on a different case. She and her friends search for the owner of a gold locket found at a murder scene and uncover shocking evidence that points to Jax’s mother as the prime suspect.
With the body count rising and the city on edge, Jax and Laura frantically try to disprove the facts and search for the truth before Death Row Dotty delivers her final act of ‘justice’. But solving the case may mean uncovering secrets that hit far too close to home.
(All books in the series can be read as standalones)
New York City 1923. After Jax Diamond and his trusted partner, Ace, find a ruthless gangster hanging from the Brooklyn Bridge, the murder is connected to a string of mob deaths in Chicago, and they have a serial killer on their hands – the notorious Death Row Dotty.
While Jax works around the clock with the police, Laura decides to help him on a different case. She and her friends search for the owner of a gold locket found at a murder scene and uncover shocking evidence that points to Jax’s mother as the prime suspect.
With the body count rising and the city on edge, Jax and Laura frantically try to disprove the facts and search for the truth before Death Row Dotty delivers her final act of ‘justice’. But solving the case may mean uncovering secrets that hit far too close to home.
(All books in the series can be read as standalones)
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 1, 2026
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Gail Meath
21 books301 followersGail Meath is the author of the multi-award-winning Jax Diamond Mysteries, a fun 1920s series about wise-cracking PI Jax Diamond, his courageous German Shepherd partner, Ace, and Broadway star Laura Graystone. She is alternating that series with her new 1930s Golden Age of Hollywood mysteries series, Stone & Steele, starring Vivian Steele, a widow seeking justice, and Preston Stone, a playboy vigilante.
Gail loves researching history, crafting mysteries with clues hidden in plain sight, building characters with a sense of humor, and always includes some very clever canine and feline companions. She also has a list of other award-winning historical romances, westerns, and fictional biographies of true heroines. She lives in a small village in Upstate New York with her husband and sweet Boston Terrier, and she spends loads of time with her grandchildren.
Gail loves researching history, crafting mysteries with clues hidden in plain sight, building characters with a sense of humor, and always includes some very clever canine and feline companions. She also has a list of other award-winning historical romances, westerns, and fictional biographies of true heroines. She lives in a small village in Upstate New York with her husband and sweet Boston Terrier, and she spends loads of time with her grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t even know how to put into words what Hellcat did to me… but I’m going to try because WOW. Just WOW. Gail Meath has done it again, and somehow, impossibly, she keeps raising the bar with every single book in this series.
Let me start with this: I had been deep in a February reading slump. Nothing was sticking. Nothing was exciting me. I was picking up books and putting them back down. And then Hellcat happened.
This book didn’t just pull me out of my slump, it REVIVED me. It reminded me why I love reading. It had me sneaking chapters, thinking about it when I wasn’t reading, and staying up way too late because “just one more chapter” is a lie we all tell ourselves.
By the time you reach book nine of a series you’re completely addicted to (and addicted feels like a total understatement), you think you know the author. You think you understand the rhythm. You think you can outsmart the mystery.
I truly believed I’d be able to figure out who did it this time. I was so confident. I was keeping tallies in my head, mentally stacking up motives, opportunities, suspicious glances. Every chapter I was adjusting my internal scoreboard.
And my God… I was totally wrong.
Every. Single. Time.
The twists actually twist. The clues are layered so brilliantly. Just when I felt sure, Gail would quietly shift one piece and suddenly everything I thought I knew unraveled. It was maddening in the best way. I loved being outplayed.
And Jax… oh, Jax. He continues to be one of my all-time favorite fictional detectives. Brilliant, relentless, sharp as ever, but in Hellcat we see even more depth. More weight. More vulnerability beneath that steady exterior. It made me love him even harder.
It’s like on page 21 when Jax and Murph are talking about the case at the Plaza Hotel, then catch Dugan stealing home off a single, and drift right back into the conversation. It’s just so perfect. So real. Those small, seamless moments make the world feel alive. I felt like I’d been transported back in time, sitting there with them, listening in. I literally can’t form my words over here, but I love it so much.
The atmosphere is electric. The stakes are sky high. The tension practically hums off the page. The emotional threads woven through the mystery add such richness; loyalty, danger, devotion, consequences. It’s not just a whodunit. It’s a fully immersive experience.
And that pacing? Flawless. Not a wasted word. Every scene matters. Every interaction builds toward a climax that had my heart pounding and my jaw on the floor.
Nine books in and this series isn’t slowing down, it’s evolving. It’s deepening. It’s getting sharper and more emotionally powerful with every installment. That is rare. That is special. That is serious storytelling talent.
Hellcat didn’t just entertain me. It revived me. It outsmarted me. It completely consumed me.
If you’re already in the Jax Diamond world, you need this immediately.
If you haven’t started the series yet, consider this your sign.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and then some.
Let me start with this: I had been deep in a February reading slump. Nothing was sticking. Nothing was exciting me. I was picking up books and putting them back down. And then Hellcat happened.
This book didn’t just pull me out of my slump, it REVIVED me. It reminded me why I love reading. It had me sneaking chapters, thinking about it when I wasn’t reading, and staying up way too late because “just one more chapter” is a lie we all tell ourselves.
By the time you reach book nine of a series you’re completely addicted to (and addicted feels like a total understatement), you think you know the author. You think you understand the rhythm. You think you can outsmart the mystery.
I truly believed I’d be able to figure out who did it this time. I was so confident. I was keeping tallies in my head, mentally stacking up motives, opportunities, suspicious glances. Every chapter I was adjusting my internal scoreboard.
And my God… I was totally wrong.
Every. Single. Time.
The twists actually twist. The clues are layered so brilliantly. Just when I felt sure, Gail would quietly shift one piece and suddenly everything I thought I knew unraveled. It was maddening in the best way. I loved being outplayed.
And Jax… oh, Jax. He continues to be one of my all-time favorite fictional detectives. Brilliant, relentless, sharp as ever, but in Hellcat we see even more depth. More weight. More vulnerability beneath that steady exterior. It made me love him even harder.
It’s like on page 21 when Jax and Murph are talking about the case at the Plaza Hotel, then catch Dugan stealing home off a single, and drift right back into the conversation. It’s just so perfect. So real. Those small, seamless moments make the world feel alive. I felt like I’d been transported back in time, sitting there with them, listening in. I literally can’t form my words over here, but I love it so much.
The atmosphere is electric. The stakes are sky high. The tension practically hums off the page. The emotional threads woven through the mystery add such richness; loyalty, danger, devotion, consequences. It’s not just a whodunit. It’s a fully immersive experience.
And that pacing? Flawless. Not a wasted word. Every scene matters. Every interaction builds toward a climax that had my heart pounding and my jaw on the floor.
Nine books in and this series isn’t slowing down, it’s evolving. It’s deepening. It’s getting sharper and more emotionally powerful with every installment. That is rare. That is special. That is serious storytelling talent.
Hellcat didn’t just entertain me. It revived me. It outsmarted me. It completely consumed me.
If you’re already in the Jax Diamond world, you need this immediately.
If you haven’t started the series yet, consider this your sign.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and then some.
March 2, 2026
This is book 9 in the Jax Diamond Mysteries series and I tell you, these books get better each time! Hellcat picks up right after the end of book 8, Wildcard, which is set in Niagara Falls where newlywed Jax and his wife Laura honeymooned. Now they are back in New York, the honeymoon over. Jax has been hired by the wife to find her husband who went missing 4 months ago, but on the way he gets involved in the police case of a mysterious woman murdering gangsters in both Chicago and New York. His police friend Tim, Tim’s wife Carla, and Jax’s wife Laura help out, and Jax’s mother Winnie is in the picture, too. We can’t forget Jax’s partner in his detective business, his good dog Ace. They mostly work on the gangsters’ murders, but they help Jax with trying to find the missing man as well.
This story can be read as a standalone, although if you have read previous books in the series, you’ll have a better handle on the recurring characters. That said, the author has done an excellent job of filling in the blanks where needed, so if you’re new to the Jax Diamond series, you won’t be scratching your head wondering what the heck? As with the previous books, there is action, mystery, and some humor. Ms.Meath shows you the story, rather than telling you the story. There is no unnecessary repetition of the facts. When Jax has to deliver news about what he has found out to the missing man’s wife, for example, the author just writes that Jax explains what he knows. She doesn’t repeat it all since the reader already knows it. I appreciate that so much. I love the 1920s setting – a beer for a quarter with a generous nickel tip! The dialogue is spot on for the times. I love how Laura and Carla play such a big role in helping with investigations. They’re not trying to take Jax and Tim’s place, but they do some of the leg work and gather critical information for them. Laura also knows quite a bit about cars, and that warms my heart as I have loved cars since I was a little kid. Who says women can’t be car nuts, too? And now we have Winnie also lending a huge hand. Gail Meath’s women don’t just stay home and clean house and fix dinner. They are intelligent women of action and adventure!
The story is complete, no cliffhangers, although there is a two-page lead into what I think will be the next book in the series at the end. For those who care, this is mostly G-rated except for some scenes of violence, but even those aren’t graphic. No foul language or adult romance stuff. This is a book that can be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good mystery with likeable characters and a great dog!
I received a free advance review copy of Hellcat through Booksirens. I leave this review voluntarily and with great pleasure.
This story can be read as a standalone, although if you have read previous books in the series, you’ll have a better handle on the recurring characters. That said, the author has done an excellent job of filling in the blanks where needed, so if you’re new to the Jax Diamond series, you won’t be scratching your head wondering what the heck? As with the previous books, there is action, mystery, and some humor. Ms.Meath shows you the story, rather than telling you the story. There is no unnecessary repetition of the facts. When Jax has to deliver news about what he has found out to the missing man’s wife, for example, the author just writes that Jax explains what he knows. She doesn’t repeat it all since the reader already knows it. I appreciate that so much. I love the 1920s setting – a beer for a quarter with a generous nickel tip! The dialogue is spot on for the times. I love how Laura and Carla play such a big role in helping with investigations. They’re not trying to take Jax and Tim’s place, but they do some of the leg work and gather critical information for them. Laura also knows quite a bit about cars, and that warms my heart as I have loved cars since I was a little kid. Who says women can’t be car nuts, too? And now we have Winnie also lending a huge hand. Gail Meath’s women don’t just stay home and clean house and fix dinner. They are intelligent women of action and adventure!
The story is complete, no cliffhangers, although there is a two-page lead into what I think will be the next book in the series at the end. For those who care, this is mostly G-rated except for some scenes of violence, but even those aren’t graphic. No foul language or adult romance stuff. This is a book that can be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good mystery with likeable characters and a great dog!
I received a free advance review copy of Hellcat through Booksirens. I leave this review voluntarily and with great pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite 5-STARS: Gail Meath's Hellcat, book nine in the Jax Diamond Mysteries series, is set in October 1923, when detective Jax Diamond finds a gang leader hanging beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, marked by lipstick and a black rose, echoing the recent death of Chicago crime boss Victor Vitali.
Gail Meath's Hellcat does a fantastic job of putting readers right into Prohibition-era America, with meticulous attention to period detail. Jax and Laura Diamond are the protagonists who brilliantly anchor the series, but it is actually his mother, Winifred Diamond, whom I love. She's a former Pinkerton agent working undercover for the Bureau, and I would 100% read every prequel to this series to find out her story.
Meath fleshes out every character, including Death Row Dotty, who is an ultra-calculating adversary. From a smoke-filled billiard hall where a Chicago crime boss convenes, to the fourteenth-floor corridor of a gunfire-cracking Ritz Carlton, Meath offers a period cozy mystery for all readers. Very highly recommended!
Gail Meath's Hellcat does a fantastic job of putting readers right into Prohibition-era America, with meticulous attention to period detail. Jax and Laura Diamond are the protagonists who brilliantly anchor the series, but it is actually his mother, Winifred Diamond, whom I love. She's a former Pinkerton agent working undercover for the Bureau, and I would 100% read every prequel to this series to find out her story.
Meath fleshes out every character, including Death Row Dotty, who is an ultra-calculating adversary. From a smoke-filled billiard hall where a Chicago crime boss convenes, to the fourteenth-floor corridor of a gunfire-cracking Ritz Carlton, Meath offers a period cozy mystery for all readers. Very highly recommended!
Review of advance copy
So glad to be back with some of my favorite characters on their newest fast-paced exciting mystery adventure. I love that the ladies do not shy away from the action and Ace is always front and center finding clues. As always, Gail Meath had done extensive research and makes you feel like you’re right there in the 1920s. The story kept me engaged and guessing. I can’t wait for the next adventure. So glad this series didn’t end. Jax, Laura, Ace, and family and friends have so many more stories to share.
Review of advance copy
Hellcat is Book 9 in the Jax Diamond Mysteries by Gail Meath. I love this series.. Jax and his special dog partner, Ace, are such a good team. The setting is 1923 and there has been a lot of mob deaths. Jax is a very good investigator and this time he has to be on his A game. All evidence seems to point to Jax's mother as Death Row Dotty….really!? Hellcat will keep you guessing until the end. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
March 3, 2026
Wow! A gripping story of murder and mystery.
Well developed storyline and characters. So many twists and turns that kept me guessing.
I enjoyed the interaction of the characters and how they work together to solve the mysteries.
I recommend this tale of suspense. It can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading all in the series.
I received an ARC copy of the book and all opinions are my own.
Well developed storyline and characters. So many twists and turns that kept me guessing.
I enjoyed the interaction of the characters and how they work together to solve the mysteries.
I recommend this tale of suspense. It can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading all in the series.
I received an ARC copy of the book and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This dynamic trio of crime solvers really had their hands full this time. As the murders stack up and the killer acts up, our three little sleuths carry out their investigations even if family maybe involved. A really great crime drama!I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews