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Doyle & Acton #9
Murder in Just Cause
Doyle was back at Scotland Yard after taking maternity leave, and the powers-that-be had decided they’d ease her way by assigning her to assist DS Isabella Munoz, which was a fate only slightly worse than death. Annoying, it was, that she had to answer to Munoz; not to mention that Munoz wasn’t given many high-quality homicide assignments in the first place. As a case in point, the first assignment out of the box was a possible suicide at the housing projects, something that happened with such regularity that it was a wonder the responding officer had even thought it worthy of a detective’s notice. . . .
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2019
157 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Anne Cleeland
36 books473 followersAnne Cleeland writes a contemporary Scotland Yard mystery series that is featured in the Amazon top 100 best sellers. She also writes a historical series of stand-alone books set in the Regency period. A member of International Thriller Writers, The Historical Novel Society, and Mystery Writers of America, she lives in California and has four children. www.annecleeland.com; @annecleeland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
March 7, 2019
Murder in Just Cause by Anne Cleeland is the ninth book in the Doyle and Acton Mysteries, and I devoured it like I always do a book in this favorite series. The Irish fey lass married to the sophisticated powerful Lord provides no end of interesting and humorous scenarios, but the stories are also about serious crime and too often corruption in the esteemed policing institution of Scotland Yard. Acton's tendency to be swift with his own justice and ruthless is tempered by Doyle's Roman Catholic sense of right and trying to save him from going to hell. DCI Acton's a man of many secrets, but his wife is one wily woman and manages to ferret them out with unerring accuracy. Of course, it helps that they both enjoy a good roll in the hay, quite literally, too.
What gives me so much enjoyment from these stories is that they are police procedurals with the procedure thoroughly tweaked by Acton. With his own sense of justice and Kathleen trying to tame it, the cat and mouse game is a hallmark of the series, the vehicle for the unraveling of clues. One of those twists of justice which Acton approves of is a matter of law on the English books called "murder in just cause," in which a murder can be committed with, well, just cause. Doyle, of course, thinks that there is no just cause for any murder. She has a strong sense of right and wrong, and she believes in letting the chips fall where they may for the guilty. All the while, of course, her husband is gathering those chips to avert scandal.
Back at work at Scotland Yard after maternity leave, Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle is disappointed to learn that she will be assisting DS Isabel Munoz, being her second, instead of having a separate caseload. Adding insult to injury, their first case is the suspected suicide by drug overdose of a "kook" at the less than desirable location of a seedy housing project. It turns out to be a "kook" with whom Munoz is familiar. "Kooks" are those people who wander in off the street or call the police station with what they deem important information on either and old case or one they claim to be reporting. Usually, the information from these people turns out to be useless, but all the officers must take "kook" duty at some point, interviewing the would-be heralders of coveted news. That there are already two police officers on deck at the scene in the projects makes Doyle wonder why detectives, such as Munoz and herself, were called in. Of course, the suicide is determined to be a homicide, and Doyle again wonders at its sloppy set-up to look like a suicide. She soon learns that it was instead a trap, one intended to knock off her fellow detective and often nemesis Munoz. And, what’s even harder to believe is that she, Doyle, was sent as Munoz’s assistant to shield against the success of that attempt. Something is definitely rotten in Denmark, and it might seem like Greek at first to the fair Kathleen Doyle, but she already suspects that her puppet master husband, Chief Inspector Acton, is pulling strings behind the scenes, even though he wasn't the one who sent her there. As Doyle is kept on assignment shadowing Munoz, strange events keep piling up, and Doyle even enlists a certain knight to help her try to decipher Acton's continuing non-involvement/involvement in what seems to be more corruption in the Scotland Yard police force.
Although Acton is a cool customer, Doyle intuitively knows that something is troubling him, as his over-protectiveness with their baby Edward seems extreme. And, even though extreme protection is something that is normal for Acton, Doyle doesn't want the presence of their baby to cause her husband to go off the deep end. So, she must work out what is troubling Michael and if it's related to the "kook" death and its subsequent events. She would also like to untangle what's going on at Scotland Yard so that she can really get back to work and quit being under Munoz's thumb. Munoz does shows a little softening in this story, as she realizes that it's love she wants in a relationship and struggles to understand how that might play out. Doyle must determine why Munoz is in danger and from whom if Izzy Munoz is to continue to have a love life or any life.
Murder in Just Cause left me wanting more, because one of my greatest reading pleasures is getting back in touch with the characters in this series, and I just can never get enough. Doyle and Acton drive the plot, but they have an outstanding supporting cast to help them. Fans of this series will be delighted to see Isabel Munoz break her stern, serious posture a bit, actually having conversations with Kathleen that border on snark-free inner feelings. Reynolds, the ever-loyal butler to Doyle and Acton, seamlessly delivers helpful information to Doyle, while never being condescending towards her. Detective Inspector Thomas Williams, who serves as both Kathleen Doyle’s best friend and Acton’s unflinching henchman, lends a hand to Kathleen when it’s not compromising his duties to his boss, and Williams, once set on life with Kathleen himself, always has her back. Then, there are the ghostly characters at Acton’s ancestral estate of Trestles and Acton’s mother, the Dowager, who can’t be trusted in her loyalties. She is the bad penny that keeps turning up, but through whom we learn interesting Acton background from time to time. With these regular characters and new ones showing up in each book, Anne Cleeland keeps the story moving through its thrilling twists and turns. Perfection each and every time.
What gives me so much enjoyment from these stories is that they are police procedurals with the procedure thoroughly tweaked by Acton. With his own sense of justice and Kathleen trying to tame it, the cat and mouse game is a hallmark of the series, the vehicle for the unraveling of clues. One of those twists of justice which Acton approves of is a matter of law on the English books called "murder in just cause," in which a murder can be committed with, well, just cause. Doyle, of course, thinks that there is no just cause for any murder. She has a strong sense of right and wrong, and she believes in letting the chips fall where they may for the guilty. All the while, of course, her husband is gathering those chips to avert scandal.
Back at work at Scotland Yard after maternity leave, Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle is disappointed to learn that she will be assisting DS Isabel Munoz, being her second, instead of having a separate caseload. Adding insult to injury, their first case is the suspected suicide by drug overdose of a "kook" at the less than desirable location of a seedy housing project. It turns out to be a "kook" with whom Munoz is familiar. "Kooks" are those people who wander in off the street or call the police station with what they deem important information on either and old case or one they claim to be reporting. Usually, the information from these people turns out to be useless, but all the officers must take "kook" duty at some point, interviewing the would-be heralders of coveted news. That there are already two police officers on deck at the scene in the projects makes Doyle wonder why detectives, such as Munoz and herself, were called in. Of course, the suicide is determined to be a homicide, and Doyle again wonders at its sloppy set-up to look like a suicide. She soon learns that it was instead a trap, one intended to knock off her fellow detective and often nemesis Munoz. And, what’s even harder to believe is that she, Doyle, was sent as Munoz’s assistant to shield against the success of that attempt. Something is definitely rotten in Denmark, and it might seem like Greek at first to the fair Kathleen Doyle, but she already suspects that her puppet master husband, Chief Inspector Acton, is pulling strings behind the scenes, even though he wasn't the one who sent her there. As Doyle is kept on assignment shadowing Munoz, strange events keep piling up, and Doyle even enlists a certain knight to help her try to decipher Acton's continuing non-involvement/involvement in what seems to be more corruption in the Scotland Yard police force.
Although Acton is a cool customer, Doyle intuitively knows that something is troubling him, as his over-protectiveness with their baby Edward seems extreme. And, even though extreme protection is something that is normal for Acton, Doyle doesn't want the presence of their baby to cause her husband to go off the deep end. So, she must work out what is troubling Michael and if it's related to the "kook" death and its subsequent events. She would also like to untangle what's going on at Scotland Yard so that she can really get back to work and quit being under Munoz's thumb. Munoz does shows a little softening in this story, as she realizes that it's love she wants in a relationship and struggles to understand how that might play out. Doyle must determine why Munoz is in danger and from whom if Izzy Munoz is to continue to have a love life or any life.
Murder in Just Cause left me wanting more, because one of my greatest reading pleasures is getting back in touch with the characters in this series, and I just can never get enough. Doyle and Acton drive the plot, but they have an outstanding supporting cast to help them. Fans of this series will be delighted to see Isabel Munoz break her stern, serious posture a bit, actually having conversations with Kathleen that border on snark-free inner feelings. Reynolds, the ever-loyal butler to Doyle and Acton, seamlessly delivers helpful information to Doyle, while never being condescending towards her. Detective Inspector Thomas Williams, who serves as both Kathleen Doyle’s best friend and Acton’s unflinching henchman, lends a hand to Kathleen when it’s not compromising his duties to his boss, and Williams, once set on life with Kathleen himself, always has her back. Then, there are the ghostly characters at Acton’s ancestral estate of Trestles and Acton’s mother, the Dowager, who can’t be trusted in her loyalties. She is the bad penny that keeps turning up, but through whom we learn interesting Acton background from time to time. With these regular characters and new ones showing up in each book, Anne Cleeland keeps the story moving through its thrilling twists and turns. Perfection each and every time.
June 22, 2021
I'm always annoyed with the fact that Acton constantly keeps things from Doyle, but at the same time, if I were in his shoes I would do the same, since Doyle is dangerously bordering on TSTL!
But at the same time I cannot not liking her!
Strange, no? LOL
I actually like this crime/mysteries very much!
But at the same time I cannot not liking her!
Strange, no? LOL
I actually like this crime/mysteries very much!
March 1, 2019
Series: Doyle and Acton Mysteries #9
Publication Date: 2/24/19
# of Pages: 251
I am always excited when a new addition to the Doyle and Acton Mysteries series is released. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It is well written, well plotted and the characters are complex and interesting. You can read this as a stand-alone book, but to get the real flavor for the characters, you really need to read at least the first couple of books – but why not read them all, they are all good, fun and quirky.
Scotland Yard has been through scandal after scandal over the last several books and many – if not most – of the higher-ups are either jailed or removed from their jobs. They are working short-handed, but hopefully, all of the bad actors and the scandals are behind them so they can concentrate on protecting the citizens and providing justice.
It is Doyle’s first day back from maternity leave and the powers-that-be have decided to ease her back into the routine by having her assist DS Munoz on her cases. They are almost immediately dispatched out to the scene of a dead body that they assume is an overdose. It is in the slum area that is riddled with drugs, so the assumption is a reasonable one. However, when they arrive, they discover that it is not self-induced – not accidentally nor purposefully. They have a murder on their hands.
Acton quickly arrives on the scene because he’s not happy that Doyle has been sent into that neighborhood. To say that Acton is a determinedly protective husband would be putting it very mildly. Not long after he arrives, he realizes that there is more to this scene than meets the eye. He quickly comes to understand that it was a set-up as a way to ambush DS Munoz and the only reason it didn’t go as planned was that Doyle was there also.
We soon learn that the last of the corruption isn’t yet out of Scotland Yard and that if things aren’t handled with finesse, there will be yet another scandal. As usual – Acton is behind the scenes manipulating things to work out the way he wants – and he keeps poor Doyle in the dark. Doesn’t matter, she always figures him out and calls him out on it.
This is a lovely, fun, quirky, and interesting read
Publication Date: 2/24/19
# of Pages: 251
I am always excited when a new addition to the Doyle and Acton Mysteries series is released. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It is well written, well plotted and the characters are complex and interesting. You can read this as a stand-alone book, but to get the real flavor for the characters, you really need to read at least the first couple of books – but why not read them all, they are all good, fun and quirky.
Scotland Yard has been through scandal after scandal over the last several books and many – if not most – of the higher-ups are either jailed or removed from their jobs. They are working short-handed, but hopefully, all of the bad actors and the scandals are behind them so they can concentrate on protecting the citizens and providing justice.
It is Doyle’s first day back from maternity leave and the powers-that-be have decided to ease her back into the routine by having her assist DS Munoz on her cases. They are almost immediately dispatched out to the scene of a dead body that they assume is an overdose. It is in the slum area that is riddled with drugs, so the assumption is a reasonable one. However, when they arrive, they discover that it is not self-induced – not accidentally nor purposefully. They have a murder on their hands.
Acton quickly arrives on the scene because he’s not happy that Doyle has been sent into that neighborhood. To say that Acton is a determinedly protective husband would be putting it very mildly. Not long after he arrives, he realizes that there is more to this scene than meets the eye. He quickly comes to understand that it was a set-up as a way to ambush DS Munoz and the only reason it didn’t go as planned was that Doyle was there also.
We soon learn that the last of the corruption isn’t yet out of Scotland Yard and that if things aren’t handled with finesse, there will be yet another scandal. As usual – Acton is behind the scenes manipulating things to work out the way he wants – and he keeps poor Doyle in the dark. Doesn’t matter, she always figures him out and calls him out on it.
This is a lovely, fun, quirky, and interesting read
March 8, 2019
The best of the series, IMO
March 7, 2019
Murder in Just Cause is another outstanding in installment in the Acton and Doyle Mystery series Doyle is back from maternity leave and paired with her quasi-nemesis Munoz on a case that has many more layers than it first appears. Poor Lord Acton is practically having panic attacks as a new father but Doyle's fey gifts helps sort out the root cause of his anxiety and leads to solving the "just cause" murder. Favorites characters rounds out the story, Reynolds is his usual rock-solid, loyal self, Williams seems to be back on track, and evn the mean dowager Lady Acton makes a brief but acerbic appearance. I loved every minute spent in the Acton and Doyle universe and eagerly awaiting book ten!
May 3, 2019
Love this one as much as book #1.
Review later ❤️
Review later ❤️
March 2, 2019
I love this series of books. You’ll think I’m crazy, but I have reread every single one of them at least 3 times. Whenever I’m out of new books, I reach for Acton and Doyle. Anne Cleeland had me at book number one. The main characters are quirky, different and even funny. I’m always afraid the latest will be the last. Keep them coming.
June 30, 2024
Doyle returns to work but is placed second to Munoz and a boring suicide... that of course ends up being something totally different from what it seemed.
I really enjoyed this one. Good intrigue and it was less garbled than a lot of the earlier books. More dirty cops. More vigilantism with new players. A reduction in Doyle's overly repetitious Irish colloquialisms.
Some loose ends at the end that make me want to read the next one sooner rather than later.
The audio reader was good too.
All in all totally enjoyable.
I really enjoyed this one. Good intrigue and it was less garbled than a lot of the earlier books. More dirty cops. More vigilantism with new players. A reduction in Doyle's overly repetitious Irish colloquialisms.
Some loose ends at the end that make me want to read the next one sooner rather than later.
The audio reader was good too.
All in all totally enjoyable.
September 30, 2021
Though I react with a mixture of enjoyment and irritation I do continue to return to this series for the sheer entertainment of creative plotting and colorful characters. Police culture/corruption is the theme and Munoz and Doyle return to working some scenes together at risk.
Of course I will put the next book in my queue.
Of course I will put the next book in my queue.
March 5, 2019
This is by far my favorite series! As you start reading the book, you wonder what mysterious adventure you will be going on this time. I love reading this book as you try to guess what this mystery is! This series never ceases to amaze me and I’m so glad this series isn’t over.
May 18, 2019
My favorite book in the series! I expected a great book but Murder in Just Cause: A Doyle & Acton Mystery went even higher than my expectations! What struck me so forcefully was the way all the coppers looked up to Doyle as their true hero. Acton and Doyle complemented each other so perfectly. He upheld the law as efficiently as he saw fit with a touch of vigilance while she followed the letters of the law and left the gray areas out of it.
Acton worked behind the scene in this book to bring down as well as to stop corrupt law enforcers from a deadly show down against honest ex-Special Forces men. Acton was super amazing as always. Took his maternity leave/vacation and stayed home with his baby Edward. Got everything done so exquisitely anyway!
I wouldn't recommend that you try this book as a standalone. But it would act as an exquisite hook! Sharing Doyle's progress in her learning of English . . . well . . . maybe of French. One of my favorite scenes:
Acton worked behind the scene in this book to bring down as well as to stop corrupt law enforcers from a deadly show down against honest ex-Special Forces men. Acton was super amazing as always. Took his maternity leave/vacation and stayed home with his baby Edward. Got everything done so exquisitely anyway!
I wouldn't recommend that you try this book as a standalone. But it would act as an exquisite hook! Sharing Doyle's progress in her learning of English . . . well . . . maybe of French. One of my favorite scenes:
"Nat a traditional gallery, then. It would be important not to overdress, and black is probably de rigueur."
"Of course, it is," Doyle agreed. "There's nothin' like wearing' rigorous black."
"In deed, madam. One can never go wrong."
Doyle brightened. "Acton likes me to wear black, whether it's rigorous or not."
April 10, 2019
Once again Doyle & Acton have managed to not be sacrificed by the nefarious upper echelon of the MET.
We thought all the rotten apples were gone but we were wro🎼🎼ng (sing song voice there). So there is some more time with them together. No attempts on Kathleen’s life but Munoz needs to be watchful. And the ghosts at Trestles are helpful.
And then I even figured it out this time. All in all it was a lovely little outing to Trestles per Kathleen’s request because she sees Acton isn’t sleeping well and thinks he will down at the country estate and he does. So they go back to the city, and get right back to the question of who will be killed next!!
All adroitly written and plotted. With a few rolls in the proverbial hay, and in one instance not so proverbial.
We thought all the rotten apples were gone but we were wro🎼🎼ng (sing song voice there). So there is some more time with them together. No attempts on Kathleen’s life but Munoz needs to be watchful. And the ghosts at Trestles are helpful.
And then I even figured it out this time. All in all it was a lovely little outing to Trestles per Kathleen’s request because she sees Acton isn’t sleeping well and thinks he will down at the country estate and he does. So they go back to the city, and get right back to the question of who will be killed next!!
All adroitly written and plotted. With a few rolls in the proverbial hay, and in one instance not so proverbial.
March 1, 2019
So good
I love Doyle and Acton and I am always glad when a new one is out. I have a soft spot for them and Ms. Cleeland brings them to life. I wish they were real... I would love to be their friend!!!!
I love Doyle and Acton and I am always glad when a new one is out. I have a soft spot for them and Ms. Cleeland brings them to life. I wish they were real... I would love to be their friend!!!!
August 18, 2019
This is the 9th installment in one of my favorite mystery series, and it’s also one of the best (although nothing can beat book one, Murder in Thrall, which I read 4.5 times before I could move on to something else). Usually I get tired of a series by about the 5th or 6th book, but Doyle and Acton are such a great duo, so unusual, so complex, and so perfect for one another, that I dive into these present-day London police procedurals again and again. Thank you for another gripping story, Ms. Cleeland!
(BTW, Ms. Cleeland also writes some fab historical suspense.)
(BTW, Ms. Cleeland also writes some fab historical suspense.)
March 8, 2019
3.25 ⭐
I had hoped that the mystery would be new. I got tired of the corruption rig that dominated the series. Unfortunately the mystery was about more corrupt police. Doyle still comes across as a simpleton. Much of her dialog makes no sense. Her 'Irishness' is overdone. There seems to be less and less Acton in each new book.
I had hoped that the mystery would be new. I got tired of the corruption rig that dominated the series. Unfortunately the mystery was about more corrupt police. Doyle still comes across as a simpleton. Much of her dialog makes no sense. Her 'Irishness' is overdone. There seems to be less and less Acton in each new book.
March 6, 2019
This is a wonderfully engaging series. The two main characters are very fully developed as three dimensional people.
I love their strange and quirky behaviors.
This is another dense story with much going on, but with little given away. We, the readers, are trying to work out the mystery just as Doyle is. Her "intuition" helps, but the situation is very complex and not easy to see.
I love their strange and quirky behaviors.
This is another dense story with much going on, but with little given away. We, the readers, are trying to work out the mystery just as Doyle is. Her "intuition" helps, but the situation is very complex and not easy to see.
March 9, 2019
On her first day back from maternity leave, Doyle is worried about Acton, missing spending time with baby Edward, and not best pleased at having to stick by Munoz's side as they are sent to the scene of a body in a project apartment. The beginning of this book had me as off balance as Doyle as plots within plots are set up and slowly revealed. Murder in Just Cause had me at the first chapter and kept me turning the page to see what was happening to these wonderful characters. Anne Cleeland has once again hit the mark with this the 9th installment of the Acton and Doyle mysteries.
April 17, 2019
I am a big fan of Anne Cleeland’s unlikely pair of detectives, and even more enthusiastic with respect to her uncanny skill in contriving plots. This book did not disappoint in either of those two aspects. Acton and Doyle undertook the broad, yet entirely secret investigation of the Scotland Yard corruption case in the couple of volumes, and this time the reader is treated to a lingering loose thread; MI5 has been identified by Acton as co-conspiratorial. Acton broods. Doyle worries. Reynolds is inscrutable. Williams is forever in love with Doyle. Muñoz is unlucky in that department. My repeated exhortation to the author still stands she needs a better copy editor, although I found only three errors in this volume.
March 17, 2019
4.5 stars!
The 9th installment in the Acton & Doyle mystery series!
The elusive Chief Inspector Acton is not himself, his wife, the ever intuitive Offier Kathleen Doyle who is always concerned his dark moods are the result of self imposed pressure in the orchestration of not so good deeds. Doyle's return to work places her in assist mode for the sultry Munoz, finding themselves in the dilapidated stairwell in the projects to investigate an apparent suicide, sets the pace for the questioning of loyalty and actions justifying the means. Doyle knows with all her being things are not right but is hard pressed to determine if this is an Acton staging or someone else's. And faith assured Acton isn't making things easy, although it appears he knows what is at play he's not sharing with the wife of his bosom!
The 9th installment in the Acton & Doyle mystery series!
The elusive Chief Inspector Acton is not himself, his wife, the ever intuitive Offier Kathleen Doyle who is always concerned his dark moods are the result of self imposed pressure in the orchestration of not so good deeds. Doyle's return to work places her in assist mode for the sultry Munoz, finding themselves in the dilapidated stairwell in the projects to investigate an apparent suicide, sets the pace for the questioning of loyalty and actions justifying the means. Doyle knows with all her being things are not right but is hard pressed to determine if this is an Acton staging or someone else's. And faith assured Acton isn't making things easy, although it appears he knows what is at play he's not sharing with the wife of his bosom!
March 10, 2019
A crackin’ good read!
Anne Cleeland has done it again. She manages to untangle a seemingly hopeless puzzle and, at the same time, gives us all the charm of Acton and Doyle together again. You will not be disappointed, even though they are now parents, and should be more circumspect in the danger that crime-solving brings to their lives. Don’t miss this one!
Anne Cleeland has done it again. She manages to untangle a seemingly hopeless puzzle and, at the same time, gives us all the charm of Acton and Doyle together again. You will not be disappointed, even though they are now parents, and should be more circumspect in the danger that crime-solving brings to their lives. Don’t miss this one!
March 12, 2019
Love this series! The characters remain true to themselves and very entertaining. Should not enjoy as much as I
Do.
Do.
March 3, 2019
Another terrific installment in the series. Love the characters so much.
October 25, 2019
Once more unto the breach
So far I have loved each of the books in the series. The plots have been engrossing, the characters flawed and complex, for the most part, and Doyle and Acton’s relationships an insight into some very diverse, and quirky, characters.
So when I got my hands on book 9, I was expecting an enjoyable read, and while it was that, I am getting a smidge tired of Doyle always being left out of Acton (and Williams) plans. I know she manages to sort out clues and use her insight to get most of it, but I’m truly surprised that she hasn’t become truly upset to be used as bait at times. Plus this story was more Munoz-centric, and I find her very abrasives, so a little bit goes a long way for me.
Oh well, here’s hoping that I get over it before I pick up book 10. I’m looking forward to more of Reynolds and Edward, plus watching the Dowager Lady Acton try to act the ‘Lady’ at Doyle is amusing. Just wait until Doyle becomes a Countess, then we’ll see who’s laughing 😉
3.5 stars ⭐️
So far I have loved each of the books in the series. The plots have been engrossing, the characters flawed and complex, for the most part, and Doyle and Acton’s relationships an insight into some very diverse, and quirky, characters.
So when I got my hands on book 9, I was expecting an enjoyable read, and while it was that, I am getting a smidge tired of Doyle always being left out of Acton (and Williams) plans. I know she manages to sort out clues and use her insight to get most of it, but I’m truly surprised that she hasn’t become truly upset to be used as bait at times. Plus this story was more Munoz-centric, and I find her very abrasives, so a little bit goes a long way for me.
Oh well, here’s hoping that I get over it before I pick up book 10. I’m looking forward to more of Reynolds and Edward, plus watching the Dowager Lady Acton try to act the ‘Lady’ at Doyle is amusing. Just wait until Doyle becomes a Countess, then we’ll see who’s laughing 😉
3.5 stars ⭐️
January 27, 2024
Another short and sweet read, folks.
Doyle is just back from her maternity leave and walks into another one of Acton's convoluted damage mitigation schemes, poor gal!
I have to say, though, Acton IS changing under her influence. He is becoming more merciful with his actions than before. Although, any harm to Doyle is his absolute red line.
Doyle's abilities, unfortunately, are becoming known to more people or at least suspected by them, and it doesn't bode well for her. And it makes Acton very worried that he won't be able to protect her. We'll see how it develops in the next books.
A solid 4 star read this was, folks. Again, much recommended.
Doyle is just back from her maternity leave and walks into another one of Acton's convoluted damage mitigation schemes, poor gal!
I have to say, though, Acton IS changing under her influence. He is becoming more merciful with his actions than before. Although, any harm to Doyle is his absolute red line.
Doyle's abilities, unfortunately, are becoming known to more people or at least suspected by them, and it doesn't bode well for her. And it makes Acton very worried that he won't be able to protect her. We'll see how it develops in the next books.
A solid 4 star read this was, folks. Again, much recommended.
December 13, 2020
This was the first book of this author I've read. Unfair to the author the book was printed backwards. One has to go to the last page to start the first chapter. As it came wrapped I did not realize until I started to read. The book was ok. Sort of like a photocopy of 3/4 of mysteries these days without mixing it up with fresh ideas.
March 4, 2019
Exciting read.
It would benefit if tighter editing was employed. The author does not need to summarize previous books, police procedures etc. It stops the forward movement of the plot.
It would benefit if tighter editing was employed. The author does not need to summarize previous books, police procedures etc. It stops the forward movement of the plot.
March 10, 2019
Posted review on Amazon.
March 26, 2019
The books in this series are such fun - they are interesting, amusing, and know their jobs. Acton and Doyle are such opposites, yet work and live so very well together
I always enjoy Acton and Doyle. They are so different, yet work so well together. They are funny, bright and get the job done.
I always enjoy Acton and Doyle. They are so different, yet work so well together. They are funny, bright and get the job done.
March 28, 2019
I have read all the books in this series and I love the main characters, but it is time for the author to move on from the corruption at the Met. Once again we find Acton and Doyle trying to stop a murder, this time it is someone close to them. The writing is excellent and the story moves along nicely. There are a few surprises towards the end, but I figured out how the target which normally doesn't happen with this author. If you are new to this series, start at the beginning. I am looking forward to the next installment and hoping for a new enemy for Acton and Doyle to tackle.
March 24, 2019
always fun to catch up on Doyle & Acton.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews