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Leine Basso Thriller #1-3
Leine Basso Crime Thrillers (Books 1-3):
This box set includes the first three novels in the page-turning, "unputdownable" Leine Basso Thriller Series: Serial Date, Bad Traffick, and The Body Market.
What happens when a reality show turns deadly?
Determined to leave her old life behind, retired assassin Leine Basso accepts a job working security at one of television's most popular reality shows, Serial Date. When a contestant is found dead in the prop closet, it appears the killer is one of the 'bachelors' on the show- an ex-con billed as a serial killer- but the detective in charge of the case isn't so sure.
When Leine's estranged daughter is abducted by a man claiming to be the real killer, she's forced to rely on old skills to find her, and must come to terms with who she really is. She soon realizes the murderer may be a grisly remnant from her past and she'll need to use all of her cunning to stop him...
...and rescue her daughter.
Bad Traffick:
Dangerous obsessions take center stage when a former assassin and a homicide detective race against the clock to find a missing girl before she's sold to the highest bidder.
Identified as a person of interest in three cold case murders she didn't commit, retired assassin Leine Basso accepts a temporary position as a security specialist for A-list actor Miles Fournier. Soon, a woman contacts Miles, claiming to be his long-lost sister. But, there's a problem: her twelve-year-old daughter, Mara, has been abducted and she's desperate to get her back.
Leine learns from a contact that Mara escaped, but the traffickers are determined to track her down and deliver her to their powerful client. Running out of time, Leine must find Mara before they do, or she will be lost forever.
The Body Market: A retired assassin is called in when a celebration south of the border turns into a nightmare.
Everything's for sale...
Former assassin Leine Basso is hired by a wealthy Beverly Hills power couple to find their missing daughter, Elise, last seen partying with her boyfriend at a club in Tijuana. At first, police believe the two teenagers are the victims of a carjacking. But when Leine finds their missing vehicle with a mutilated body inside, and the local cartel warns her away, she knows if Elise isn’t already dead, she will be soon, or worse.
In the lethal world of organized crime, there’s always a worse.
As Leine races to uncover the reason behind Elise Bennett’s disappearance, she must also battle the powerful interests fighting to keep her from the truth.
What happens when a reality show turns deadly?
Determined to leave her old life behind, retired assassin Leine Basso accepts a job working security at one of television's most popular reality shows, Serial Date. When a contestant is found dead in the prop closet, it appears the killer is one of the 'bachelors' on the show- an ex-con billed as a serial killer- but the detective in charge of the case isn't so sure.
When Leine's estranged daughter is abducted by a man claiming to be the real killer, she's forced to rely on old skills to find her, and must come to terms with who she really is. She soon realizes the murderer may be a grisly remnant from her past and she'll need to use all of her cunning to stop him...
...and rescue her daughter.
Bad Traffick:
Dangerous obsessions take center stage when a former assassin and a homicide detective race against the clock to find a missing girl before she's sold to the highest bidder.
Identified as a person of interest in three cold case murders she didn't commit, retired assassin Leine Basso accepts a temporary position as a security specialist for A-list actor Miles Fournier. Soon, a woman contacts Miles, claiming to be his long-lost sister. But, there's a problem: her twelve-year-old daughter, Mara, has been abducted and she's desperate to get her back.
Leine learns from a contact that Mara escaped, but the traffickers are determined to track her down and deliver her to their powerful client. Running out of time, Leine must find Mara before they do, or she will be lost forever.
The Body Market: A retired assassin is called in when a celebration south of the border turns into a nightmare.
Everything's for sale...
Former assassin Leine Basso is hired by a wealthy Beverly Hills power couple to find their missing daughter, Elise, last seen partying with her boyfriend at a club in Tijuana. At first, police believe the two teenagers are the victims of a carjacking. But when Leine finds their missing vehicle with a mutilated body inside, and the local cartel warns her away, she knows if Elise isn’t already dead, she will be soon, or worse.
In the lethal world of organized crime, there’s always a worse.
As Leine races to uncover the reason behind Elise Bennett’s disappearance, she must also battle the powerful interests fighting to keep her from the truth.
687 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2015
1321 people are currently reading
626 people want to read
About the author
D.V. Berkom
50 books365 followersDV Berkom is the USA Today bestselling author of action-packed, riveting adventure and crime thrillers. Known for creating resilient, kick-ass female characters and page-turning plots, her love of the genre stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, action/adventure stories, and thrillers.
A restless soul and adventurer at heart, she spent years moving around the US and traveling to exotic locales before she wrote her first novel and was hooked. More than a dozen books later, she now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mark, and several imaginary characters who like to tell her what to do. Her most recent books include the Claire Whitcomb Western Series: Retribution, Gunslinger, and Legend, and the latest in the Leine Basso thriller series: Final Encounter, Terminal Threat, Fatal Objective, A Plague of Traitors, and Shadow of the Jaguar. DV's currently hard at work on her next thriller.
For more information, visit her website at www.dvberkom.com. To be the first to hear about new releases and subscriber-only offers, go to: bit.ly/DVB_RL
Books by DV Berkom:
The Kate Jones Thriller Series:
Vol. 1 (books 1-3): Bad Spirits, Dead of Winter, Death Rites, Touring for Death
Cruising for Death
Yucatán Dead
A One Way Ticket to Dead
Vigilante Dead
The Leine Basso Thriller Series:
A Killing Truth
Serial Date
Bad Traffick
The Body Market
Cargo
The Last Deception
Dark Return
Absolution
Dakota Burn
Shadow of the Jaguar
A Plague of Traitors
Fatal Objective
Terminal Threat
Final Encounter
The Claire Whitcomb Western Series:
Retribution
Gunslinger
Legend
A restless soul and adventurer at heart, she spent years moving around the US and traveling to exotic locales before she wrote her first novel and was hooked. More than a dozen books later, she now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mark, and several imaginary characters who like to tell her what to do. Her most recent books include the Claire Whitcomb Western Series: Retribution, Gunslinger, and Legend, and the latest in the Leine Basso thriller series: Final Encounter, Terminal Threat, Fatal Objective, A Plague of Traitors, and Shadow of the Jaguar. DV's currently hard at work on her next thriller.
For more information, visit her website at www.dvberkom.com. To be the first to hear about new releases and subscriber-only offers, go to: bit.ly/DVB_RL
Books by DV Berkom:
The Kate Jones Thriller Series:
Vol. 1 (books 1-3): Bad Spirits, Dead of Winter, Death Rites, Touring for Death
Cruising for Death
Yucatán Dead
A One Way Ticket to Dead
Vigilante Dead
The Leine Basso Thriller Series:
A Killing Truth
Serial Date
Bad Traffick
The Body Market
Cargo
The Last Deception
Dark Return
Absolution
Dakota Burn
Shadow of the Jaguar
A Plague of Traitors
Fatal Objective
Terminal Threat
Final Encounter
The Claire Whitcomb Western Series:
Retribution
Gunslinger
Legend
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 29, 2020
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/leine-basso...
To be honest, when I got the first book, I was expecting more globetrotting assassinations, and less stuff more befitting a PI or homicide detective, which is really what the first two books are more like. Things perk up considerably in #3, with Leine having to handle life south of the border; you’ll probably be crossing Mexico off your list of potential destinations by the time you’re done there. They do seem – consciously or not – to become more exotic and international, as they go on. #4 and #5 take place almost exclusively abroad, to the point that I felt a bit sorry for Leine’s boyfriend, who must barely see her!
That is a bit of an issue, though it’s a double-edged sword. I’m no fan of romantic dalliances in my action, but after Berkom sets them up as being passionately involved in one book, it seem odd for their relationship to be so apparently non-committal in the next. The same applies to Leine’s relationship with her daughter, which goes from estranged to deeply-devoted, and then back to “Leine seems little more than irritated her daughter has been abducted by Middle Eastern traffickers”. The stories work rather better when she’s operating purely on her own; then again, I don’t expect an assassin to be much of a “people person”.
To be honest, when I got the first book, I was expecting more globetrotting assassinations, and less stuff more befitting a PI or homicide detective, which is really what the first two books are more like. Things perk up considerably in #3, with Leine having to handle life south of the border; you’ll probably be crossing Mexico off your list of potential destinations by the time you’re done there. They do seem – consciously or not – to become more exotic and international, as they go on. #4 and #5 take place almost exclusively abroad, to the point that I felt a bit sorry for Leine’s boyfriend, who must barely see her!
That is a bit of an issue, though it’s a double-edged sword. I’m no fan of romantic dalliances in my action, but after Berkom sets them up as being passionately involved in one book, it seem odd for their relationship to be so apparently non-committal in the next. The same applies to Leine’s relationship with her daughter, which goes from estranged to deeply-devoted, and then back to “Leine seems little more than irritated her daughter has been abducted by Middle Eastern traffickers”. The stories work rather better when she’s operating purely on her own; then again, I don’t expect an assassin to be much of a “people person”.
August 29, 2017
I love Leine! It is so great to have a strong, capable female protagonist in a story. While I haven’t read all the books in this set yet, I did read Bad Traffick and loved it. Here are my thoughts on it.
BAD TRAFFIK
Mara is a homeless young girl who is abducted by sex traffickers. When she escapes, they have to find her because the buyer has already paid for her and is impatiently waiting to get his product.
Security specialist, Leine Basso, takes on the job of protecting A-list actor Miles Forunier. Shortly after taking the job, Miles is delighted when he contacted by a woman saying she is his half-sister. But she has a problem that she wants Miles to help her with. Her daughter, Mara, has been abducted.
Miles is so happy to learn he has family that he promises to help find Mara. Leine is not happy with this situation. At all. They find out that Mara was taken by sex traffickers who want her back. Leine has to find her before they do.
This was a gripping thriller that takes us into the world of human trafficking. I hesitated to read this book because I thought it would be too upsetting. But it wasn't. It was informative and a really good story. I loved how Leine was such a strong, competent woman. It was funny how she tolerated Miles and his child-like ways. I loved Mara. It was amazing how she took care of herself at such a young age. I do wish that I had read the first book in this series first so I had some back story on Leine.
Even though this is a difficult subject to address, I didn’t want to put this action-packed book down.
BAD TRAFFIK
Mara is a homeless young girl who is abducted by sex traffickers. When she escapes, they have to find her because the buyer has already paid for her and is impatiently waiting to get his product.
Security specialist, Leine Basso, takes on the job of protecting A-list actor Miles Forunier. Shortly after taking the job, Miles is delighted when he contacted by a woman saying she is his half-sister. But she has a problem that she wants Miles to help her with. Her daughter, Mara, has been abducted.
Miles is so happy to learn he has family that he promises to help find Mara. Leine is not happy with this situation. At all. They find out that Mara was taken by sex traffickers who want her back. Leine has to find her before they do.
This was a gripping thriller that takes us into the world of human trafficking. I hesitated to read this book because I thought it would be too upsetting. But it wasn't. It was informative and a really good story. I loved how Leine was such a strong, competent woman. It was funny how she tolerated Miles and his child-like ways. I loved Mara. It was amazing how she took care of herself at such a young age. I do wish that I had read the first book in this series first so I had some back story on Leine.
Even though this is a difficult subject to address, I didn’t want to put this action-packed book down.
Want to read
June 15, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (6/15/2018)!💝
February 22, 2023
All stories are adventurous and action-filled and keeps interest. Some (limited) gore. Narrator plays the “star” perfectly and the rest of narration keeps the momentum up.
October 24, 2016
The Body Market I have already read a couple of earlier Leine Basso thrillers, so I knew I was in for a treat with this one. DV Berkom writes well plotted and paced thrillers, with a capable, believable (I sooo want to go out for a drink with Leine!) female protagonist. In fact all the characters are believable, even the bit parts. A properly rounded lead female character is rarer than one would expect; it makes for a very refreshing and entertaining read. It always feels like I picked up with an old friend - you know the type - one you speak to a couple of times a year, so has had a lot go on in her life, but it feels like only yesterday you had coffee. This novel even has a wonderful twist at the end in the bonus material...DV Berkom is certainly an author to buy more of. My only complaint? It's not long enough!!! I need more! Cargo I've now read all the Leine Basso books available. Because I knew this was the last currently available, I tried to save it, and then to read
r e a l l y s l o w l y.
Unfortunately for me, DV Berkom writes incredibly well; flowing, fresh, descriptive and realistic prose. Before I realised, it was nearly midnight and I had to stop, just after I was caught out by a really moving section (Chapter 23, if you really want to know!) I am not going to tell you what the novel is about, merely that it covers a number of topical, controversial and relevant issues and manages to do so in a moving and subtle manner; no preaching here. It's perfectly paced and I loved it. Sadly for me, when I picked it back up the next evening I discovered I was halfway through, and again, couldn't put it away, so finished it. In two- albeit long - evenings (I'm a frustratingly fast reader; it's a properly decently sized novel. If it hadn't been so flippin' gripping, it'd have lasted a week, dammit!). I do love to discover a new author. I've not been this excited about a new (to me) author since I discovered Sarah Waters. Enjoy.
r e a l l y s l o w l y.
Unfortunately for me, DV Berkom writes incredibly well; flowing, fresh, descriptive and realistic prose. Before I realised, it was nearly midnight and I had to stop, just after I was caught out by a really moving section (Chapter 23, if you really want to know!) I am not going to tell you what the novel is about, merely that it covers a number of topical, controversial and relevant issues and manages to do so in a moving and subtle manner; no preaching here. It's perfectly paced and I loved it. Sadly for me, when I picked it back up the next evening I discovered I was halfway through, and again, couldn't put it away, so finished it. In two- albeit long - evenings (I'm a frustratingly fast reader; it's a properly decently sized novel. If it hadn't been so flippin' gripping, it'd have lasted a week, dammit!). I do love to discover a new author. I've not been this excited about a new (to me) author since I discovered Sarah Waters. Enjoy.
April 2, 2022
So I can't exactly remember how I ran into this series other than buying this omnibus in 2018, read into the plot synopsis of all three books and was intrigued by the fast paced action that surrounded both this omnibus and The Last Return (which I read first). Leine is a very compelling character that interested me greatly, backstory was tragic on The Last Return and this omnibus is a good way of detailing the events that happened after the events of the prequel novella.
That being said, I listened to one of the audiobooks and while I do like Kristi Alsip as narrator...she needs a better director because there was absolutely NO ROOM for her to slow down, she went way to damn fast and I could barely keep up. Which leads me to the conclusion that I'm better off reading the rest of the series via whispersync on my Kindle.
That being said, give this book a try if you want something other than Jack Reacher (which I can understand why people find that series so appealing in the first place.)
That being said, I listened to one of the audiobooks and while I do like Kristi Alsip as narrator...she needs a better director because there was absolutely NO ROOM for her to slow down, she went way to damn fast and I could barely keep up. Which leads me to the conclusion that I'm better off reading the rest of the series via whispersync on my Kindle.
That being said, give this book a try if you want something other than Jack Reacher (which I can understand why people find that series so appealing in the first place.)
June 8, 2021
I really liked this series. There are three books that take you on quite a journey with Leine Basso. She's an interesting character. She used to be an assassin but wants to get away from that life. Book 1 - she gets pulled back into that life, whether she wants to or not. Her old boss is trying to kill her, while she's trying to save her kidnapped daughter. Book 2 - Leine becomes a security guard for an actor, who is pompous and makes really stupid decisions about his security. Book 3 - Leine starts a new career, trying to save trafficked children. She ends up dealing with the Cartel in Mexico.
These stories are interesting and will keep you flipping the pages. The characters are well done. You either really like them or really dislike them. I recommend this suspense/thriller series.
These stories are interesting and will keep you flipping the pages. The characters are well done. You either really like them or really dislike them. I recommend this suspense/thriller series.
July 5, 2020
Leine is just an awesome ,down to earth assassin.
I picked up this three book series awhile ago,and just finished. Serial Date, and Bad Traffic were books that so just couldn't get into. Body Marker was the absolutely the best. I wasn't quite sure how the book would play out with the kidnapping, and TJ events, however, Leine is becoming my hero along with Santa who's turning out to be a great match for her. His background with LAPD is making a great asset to Leine. I'm really enjoying this series, and I'm hopefully going to start Cargo which I believe is the Best in the series. DV rocks
I picked up this three book series awhile ago,and just finished. Serial Date, and Bad Traffic were books that so just couldn't get into. Body Marker was the absolutely the best. I wasn't quite sure how the book would play out with the kidnapping, and TJ events, however, Leine is becoming my hero along with Santa who's turning out to be a great match for her. His background with LAPD is making a great asset to Leine. I'm really enjoying this series, and I'm hopefully going to start Cargo which I believe is the Best in the series. DV rocks
August 10, 2018
Worth 5 stars
At last a female lead character as good as any male. Berkom has developed a character who the reader wants to follow and always rooting for her to win. Leine Basso is to women what Jack Reacher, James Bond, Ethan Hawke and many other male characters are to impound the strength of men. Leine Basso is the person I would definitely want if I needed help. These 3 stories found hard to put down even giving up my night's sleep
At last a female lead character as good as any male. Berkom has developed a character who the reader wants to follow and always rooting for her to win. Leine Basso is to women what Jack Reacher, James Bond, Ethan Hawke and many other male characters are to impound the strength of men. Leine Basso is the person I would definitely want if I needed help. These 3 stories found hard to put down even giving up my night's sleep
February 1, 2025
I love this series
I dislike the term unputdownable but in this case it was. What an awesome female lead. Love books of getting rid of bad people . She's phenomenal character as are others in he books . In the real world the death penalty takes forever or not at all. Or the people get 3 hots and a cot after committing heinous crimes. I'm aware its not realistic or right but the crimes and lives taken are not right either. Well written and give her a job with Dexter.
I dislike the term unputdownable but in this case it was. What an awesome female lead. Love books of getting rid of bad people . She's phenomenal character as are others in he books . In the real world the death penalty takes forever or not at all. Or the people get 3 hots and a cot after committing heinous crimes. I'm aware its not realistic or right but the crimes and lives taken are not right either. Well written and give her a job with Dexter.
July 8, 2020
Leine Basso Thrillers, definitely is!
Fast paced action with good lead characters. Santiago is great, Id let him eat crackers in my bed anytime! Leine shows more and more of her soft human side, through each story. If you like action and having the good guys win, eventually, then you'll love these books.
Fast paced action with good lead characters. Santiago is great, Id let him eat crackers in my bed anytime! Leine shows more and more of her soft human side, through each story. If you like action and having the good guys win, eventually, then you'll love these books.
January 11, 2021
Tough as old boots, she gets knocked down and she gets up again. That reminds me of a song. Lots of action and a bit too much romance for my taste but I can skip through those bits. Also how do you pronounce Leine, is it like Line, Laner or Laney or what ? Anyway if she was an actor she would have to be Jason Statham in drag she's that good.
August 19, 2021
Impossible to put down
AThe first volume of undoubtedly an ongoing series to be followed. Leine Basso, a former well accomplished assassin, now has started working with an organisation helping recover kidnapped children who are being sold and dragged into the evil world of selling to the perverted highest bidders in the child pork game. Well worth reading .
AThe first volume of undoubtedly an ongoing series to be followed. Leine Basso, a former well accomplished assassin, now has started working with an organisation helping recover kidnapped children who are being sold and dragged into the evil world of selling to the perverted highest bidders in the child pork game. Well worth reading .
November 24, 2021
Different kind of superhero
Quite enjoyed these three different adventures and found Liene to be an amazing protagonist. Interesting storylines full of well developed characters. Easy to get drawn in. The superhero reference is for her many near death experiences. Oh, and the bad guys, they are easy to hate if colorful in their own way.
Quite enjoyed these three different adventures and found Liene to be an amazing protagonist. Interesting storylines full of well developed characters. Easy to get drawn in. The superhero reference is for her many near death experiences. Oh, and the bad guys, they are easy to hate if colorful in their own way.
June 20, 2018
Overwhelming!!
Murder mayhem, intrigue, lust! What more could you ask for?? After I got past the gore, I couldn't stop myself from wanting t know what the outcome was. I love a surprise ending and wasn't disappointed!!
Murder mayhem, intrigue, lust! What more could you ask for?? After I got past the gore, I couldn't stop myself from wanting t know what the outcome was. I love a surprise ending and wasn't disappointed!!
June 20, 2018
Entertaining
Such a good story line. I enjoyed these books tremendously. Couldn’t put them down to save my life. They were action packed and full of different characters that were brought to life.
Such a good story line. I enjoyed these books tremendously. Couldn’t put them down to save my life. They were action packed and full of different characters that were brought to life.
July 1, 2018
Awesome that you get the first three action packed novels in the Leine Basso series. Each one will keep you wanting to keep reading. I had trouble stopping to read because I was so enthralled with this series. Suspense and action packed. This series will not disappoint.
July 12, 2018
Praise for D.V.Berkom, Leine Basso Serial Date, his 1_3.
Really liked these fast paced exciting books. I really liked and enjoyed her main characters immensely. Good strong interesting gritty story lines. Really worth having a read.
Really liked these fast paced exciting books. I really liked and enjoyed her main characters immensely. Good strong interesting gritty story lines. Really worth having a read.
August 8, 2018
Three full back to back stories are action packed and provide for an involving reading experience.
Both personal and professional lives of characters receive address which includes accounts of intimate activities. 3.5 stars.
Both personal and professional lives of characters receive address which includes accounts of intimate activities. 3.5 stars.
November 25, 2018
An action packed trilogy with a kick ass heroine who goes from bad to good but does not stop doing what she does best, getting rid of the bad apples and helping restore life to kidnapped, trafficked and abused people
May 16, 2020
great story, emotionally charged stories
Liene Basso, a former US Government working assassin takes a different path with her previous learned skills. Now searching Mexico for kidnapped small children being force into human trafficking and the to Organ removal.
Liene Basso, a former US Government working assassin takes a different path with her previous learned skills. Now searching Mexico for kidnapped small children being force into human trafficking and the to Organ removal.
August 26, 2020
Old story line with predictable ending
The first two books in this set are not worth reading, old story lines of saving the rich and famous. The cop characters are low grade, day dreaming on the job with sex fantasy.
The first two books in this set are not worth reading, old story lines of saving the rich and famous. The cop characters are low grade, day dreaming on the job with sex fantasy.
May 20, 2021
Somewhat gruesome but great reading
A very interesting and actually believable main protagonist with a good cast of surrounding characters.
I will certainly be reading more Basso!
A very interesting and actually believable main protagonist with a good cast of surrounding characters.
I will certainly be reading more Basso!
December 21, 2021
Loved this box set! I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy reading these books but found them hard to put down. Sheds light on the human trafficking issue that more people really need to be aware of. Truly connected with the heroine Leine Basso. Highly recommend!
November 6, 2022
If Only
Good enough to stand out above what is becoming familiar trope of ex-government-assassin-becomes-equaliser. Well written, decent storylines and likeable characters give an edge over similar books.
Good enough to stand out above what is becoming familiar trope of ex-government-assassin-becomes-equaliser. Well written, decent storylines and likeable characters give an edge over similar books.
October 8, 2023
Human trafficking thrillers
Netter than I thought this would be. I got through all 3 books rapidly, and the stories kept my interest. The writing was pretty good with goid chsracter development. Lots of action sequenced and a social conscience make these worth reading.
Netter than I thought this would be. I got through all 3 books rapidly, and the stories kept my interest. The writing was pretty good with goid chsracter development. Lots of action sequenced and a social conscience make these worth reading.
January 2, 2025
A good read for a quiet day
An ex secret agent begins her new life as a security adviser but somehow turns into a female James Bond character who saves innocent people from organized crime
An ex secret agent begins her new life as a security adviser but somehow turns into a female James Bond character who saves innocent people from organized crime
June 17, 2018
Leine Basso (1-3)
This trio of stories are good reading. There is enough action for most people and the action and suspense need let up.
This trio of stories are good reading. There is enough action for most people and the action and suspense need let up.
June 19, 2018
I'm a fan of Berkom and my favorite fictional character, Leine Basso. This boxed set is a great introduction to the series. Thank you for making them available and don't ever quit writing.
June 21, 2018
Action Packed
Series of three related books with easy transitions to the next book. Plenty of action and hard to put the books down.
Series of three related books with easy transitions to the next book. Plenty of action and hard to put the books down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews