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Romantic Suspense #6
Count to Ten - Sepuluh Tahun Penderitaan, Sepuluh Tahun Penantian, dan Pembalasan Dendam...
Sebuah kebakaran besar di Chicago menghanguskan rumah keluarga Dougherty hingga rata dengan tanah. Kebakaran itu menewaskan Caitlin Burnette, putri seorang polisi. Hari berikutnya, kebakaran besar juga menewaskan Penny Hill, pensiunan pekerja layanan sosial. Kedua korban sama-sama diperkosa, disiksa, dan dipatahkan kakinya sebelum dibakar hidup-hidup!
Satu demi satu korban lain dengan penyiksaan yang lebih parah pun mulai berjatuhan. Letnan Reed Solliday, petugas Departemen Penyelidik Kebakaran, harus bekerja sama dengan Detektif Mia Mitchell dari Divisi Pembunuhan untuk mengungkap identitas si pembunuh dan misteri angka sepuluhnya. Penyelidikan mereka mengarah ke sebuah kasus lama penyiksaan dan pelecehan seksual. Di samping itu, kebersamaan Reed yang lembut dan Mia yang kasar selama penyelidikan juga memunculkan benih-benih cinta di antara keduanya. Namun, mereka harus berusaha keras untuk segera menangkap si pembunuh, karena ternyata Mia-lah yang menjadi sasaran si pembunuh selanjutnya...
Satu demi satu korban lain dengan penyiksaan yang lebih parah pun mulai berjatuhan. Letnan Reed Solliday, petugas Departemen Penyelidik Kebakaran, harus bekerja sama dengan Detektif Mia Mitchell dari Divisi Pembunuhan untuk mengungkap identitas si pembunuh dan misteri angka sepuluhnya. Penyelidikan mereka mengarah ke sebuah kasus lama penyiksaan dan pelecehan seksual. Di samping itu, kebersamaan Reed yang lembut dan Mia yang kasar selama penyelidikan juga memunculkan benih-benih cinta di antara keduanya. Namun, mereka harus berusaha keras untuk segera menangkap si pembunuh, karena ternyata Mia-lah yang menjadi sasaran si pembunuh selanjutnya...
636 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2007
394 people are currently reading
3849 people want to read
About the author
Karen Rose
61 books5,470 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 408 reviews
August 3, 2025
A vicious rapist-arsonist is killing seemingly random people across the city, leaving few clues in the fire accelerated debris of their crime scenes. On the thriller and detective side this one is strong with a fireman and female detective on the case. And now to strongly reiterate my confusion with this series... a vicious rapist arsonist is on the loose and two of our characters get the hots for one another, and that storyline has equal, if not higher importance! I am reading this series as I always wondered about the appeal and high book sales, and to be fair Rose can tell a story. Highest rated book of her by me so far I believe with a strong Three Stars 7 out of 12.
2025 read
2025 read
August 3, 2018
Meh.
January 31, 2019
Romantic suspense thriller. Part of a series. Can be read as a standalone.
Strong characters with baggage they work through successfully. Secondary characters you want to know more about.
More cop action than romance which makes it more of a mystery thriller.
Well written and compelling.
Dark subject matter and too much killing for my preference.
Throughly enjoyed the overall story, pace and finish.
Strong characters with baggage they work through successfully. Secondary characters you want to know more about.
More cop action than romance which makes it more of a mystery thriller.
Well written and compelling.
Dark subject matter and too much killing for my preference.
Throughly enjoyed the overall story, pace and finish.
August 29, 2016
4.5 Stars rounded up
I was really pulled into this plot, much like I am for all of Ms. Rose's novels. I just love her writing style, her ability to move a plot along and the characters she develops in her books. This one is dark and the trigger for the serial killer is an unpleasant one. He's taking revenge on those who abused his brother and himself and those in the system who allowed it to happen. It would almost be sympathetic, except for the fact when he makes mistakes and somebody is in the way, he simply kills them too. There is no remorse and he enjoys the suffering of those he feels has wronged him.
I can see where some readers would not want to travel the path of this plot. I'm not sure what that says about me as I really did enjoy the hunt for this killer. I liked Mia and Reed and really liked their first impressions of each other. Definitely falls into the "don't judge a book by its cover" category. There were times I got frustrated with Reed when he was holding onto a ghost and I really liked the way Ms. Rose developed Reed's daughter and her poetry talent.
One of the abilities of a really strong writer is to develop the nuances of a character and their relationship in such a way that it moves along with the suspense plot of the books. Ms. Rose is excellent at this.
I will definitely continue reading by Ms. Rose.
I was really pulled into this plot, much like I am for all of Ms. Rose's novels. I just love her writing style, her ability to move a plot along and the characters she develops in her books. This one is dark and the trigger for the serial killer is an unpleasant one. He's taking revenge on those who abused his brother and himself and those in the system who allowed it to happen. It would almost be sympathetic, except for the fact when he makes mistakes and somebody is in the way, he simply kills them too. There is no remorse and he enjoys the suffering of those he feels has wronged him.
I can see where some readers would not want to travel the path of this plot. I'm not sure what that says about me as I really did enjoy the hunt for this killer. I liked Mia and Reed and really liked their first impressions of each other. Definitely falls into the "don't judge a book by its cover" category. There were times I got frustrated with Reed when he was holding onto a ghost and I really liked the way Ms. Rose developed Reed's daughter and her poetry talent.
One of the abilities of a really strong writer is to develop the nuances of a character and their relationship in such a way that it moves along with the suspense plot of the books. Ms. Rose is excellent at this.
I will definitely continue reading by Ms. Rose.
September 27, 2008
This was another winner by Karen Rose. I found the book to be riveting, and I was immediately caught up in the characters and the storyline. Not unusually for a book by Rose, both of the main characters are carrying some baggage from their pasts. The heroine, Mia Mitchell, a Chicago homicide detective, has shied away from serious relationships due in part to her job, but mostly from an abusive childhood. The hero, Reed Solliday, a Chicago fire marshall who becomes Mia's temporary partner, was widowed years ago. He dearly loved his wife and believed that she was his soul mate. In many ways, his life is still a tribute to her. Both of these main characters have come through hardships that have proved them to be strong and resilient. They are both tough, protective, and caring. I have been looking forward to Mia's story after her appearance as a minor character in earlier books, and I hope to hear more about Mia and Reed as the series continues.
A victim is discovered in a house fire that Reed Solliday has been called to investigate. When it is revealed that the death occurred prior to the fire, homicide steps in, placing Mia Mitchell as Reed's temporary partner. Mia, not at her best after both she and her partner were shot two weeks ago, does not make a great first impression. However, as the two begin to work together, they quickly come to admire one another. Reed and Mia work well together most of the time, and as they investigate, similar fires occur. Victims begin to pile up, and Reed and Mia work to stop this murdering arsonist. Reed and Mia decide to engage in a temporary, no strings, affair together. Mia quickly realizes that she wants more, but Reed is still stuck in the past. As the killer targets them, Reed and Mia have to find him, while deciding what they want from one another.
This book was seemed to focus primarily on the suspense, but there was still quite a bit of romantic tension between Reed and Mia. Even though their romance didn't seem to get quite as much time as the relationships in the other books of the series, it was satisfying. The hero and heroine were sympathetic characters, and I enjoyed seeing some of the characters from previous books make an appearance. As usual, I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
A victim is discovered in a house fire that Reed Solliday has been called to investigate. When it is revealed that the death occurred prior to the fire, homicide steps in, placing Mia Mitchell as Reed's temporary partner. Mia, not at her best after both she and her partner were shot two weeks ago, does not make a great first impression. However, as the two begin to work together, they quickly come to admire one another. Reed and Mia work well together most of the time, and as they investigate, similar fires occur. Victims begin to pile up, and Reed and Mia work to stop this murdering arsonist. Reed and Mia decide to engage in a temporary, no strings, affair together. Mia quickly realizes that she wants more, but Reed is still stuck in the past. As the killer targets them, Reed and Mia have to find him, while deciding what they want from one another.
This book was seemed to focus primarily on the suspense, but there was still quite a bit of romantic tension between Reed and Mia. Even though their romance didn't seem to get quite as much time as the relationships in the other books of the series, it was satisfying. The hero and heroine were sympathetic characters, and I enjoyed seeing some of the characters from previous books make an appearance. As usual, I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 20, 2015
Yo no lo catalogaría como novela romántica
Engancha. Me ha parecido un buen balance entre thriller y escenas de acción.
Quizás me gusta encontrar al asesino más al final, de todas formas está muy bien llevadoEl tema del romance queda un poco a segundo plano. Me han gustado los dos, ella rompe el esquema de protagonista, algo dura, con un pasado complicado y él es un encanto.
Recomendable si os gusta el thriller con un toque de romanticismo
Engancha. Me ha parecido un buen balance entre thriller y escenas de acción.
Quizás me gusta encontrar al asesino más al final, de todas formas está muy bien llevadoEl tema del romance queda un poco a segundo plano. Me han gustado los dos, ella rompe el esquema de protagonista, algo dura, con un pasado complicado y él es un encanto.
Recomendable si os gusta el thriller con un toque de romanticismo
March 15, 2011
Good book!
Mia is back on the force after being shot by a local gang banger. She got away just being winged- more or less- Her partner Abe, (I'm Watching You), was not so lucky. (He survived, but just barely it seems.)
While waiting for him to return to work, Mia is paired with Lt. Reed Solliday, an investigator for the Chicago Fire Department, on a case that has the two depts. working together to catch an arsonist. Not only is the nut job setting blazes, he's killing- with intent.
Mia has baggage. Her father was a former cop and a private abuser. She doesn't want another partner and she certainly doesn't want the feelings of attraction she's feeling for him. Despite her abusive father and apathetic mother, she's turned out okay- she's truly an honest, decent person. She longs for a loving relationship like the ones modeled around her but she's sure she'll mess it up somehow.
Reed doesn't like the pull he's feeling toward Mia either. Married once to a woman he considered his "soul mate", that last thing he wants is a relationship with strings.
But as they get closer to finding the bad guy, the temptation grows stronger and when the villain starts going after Reed and Mia and their loved ones- they find their desire for each other something that can't be denied.
Like the previous book by Karen Rose that I read (Die For Me- and yes, I read them out of order!), I found myself enjoying the story despite the fact I'm all but burnt out on the "Serial Killer" plot.
Ms. Rose is a very detailed author. She writes in a way that makes you believe she's done her research- thoroughly- but doesn't bore you with the details.
She also has a way of writing empathetic characters that draws you in to their lives and makes you feel like you get them. (I totally understood Mia despite the fact I never experienced the things she's experienced.) That's good character development in my eyes!
Reed is sexy and sensitive yet retained enough of an edge to appeal to even this Alpha Male loving reader!
The sizzle between these two worked and I found the sex worked better than Die For Me, imo. (HOT!)
Karen Rose is fast becoming my favorite Romantic Suspense writer right now . If your looking for something along those lines, you can't do much better than Count To Ten!
4.5 out of 5 from me!
Mia is back on the force after being shot by a local gang banger. She got away just being winged- more or less- Her partner Abe, (I'm Watching You), was not so lucky. (He survived, but just barely it seems.)
While waiting for him to return to work, Mia is paired with Lt. Reed Solliday, an investigator for the Chicago Fire Department, on a case that has the two depts. working together to catch an arsonist. Not only is the nut job setting blazes, he's killing- with intent.
Mia has baggage. Her father was a former cop and a private abuser. She doesn't want another partner and she certainly doesn't want the feelings of attraction she's feeling for him. Despite her abusive father and apathetic mother, she's turned out okay- she's truly an honest, decent person. She longs for a loving relationship like the ones modeled around her but she's sure she'll mess it up somehow.
Reed doesn't like the pull he's feeling toward Mia either. Married once to a woman he considered his "soul mate", that last thing he wants is a relationship with strings.
But as they get closer to finding the bad guy, the temptation grows stronger and when the villain starts going after Reed and Mia and their loved ones- they find their desire for each other something that can't be denied.
Like the previous book by Karen Rose that I read (Die For Me- and yes, I read them out of order!), I found myself enjoying the story despite the fact I'm all but burnt out on the "Serial Killer" plot.
Ms. Rose is a very detailed author. She writes in a way that makes you believe she's done her research- thoroughly- but doesn't bore you with the details.
She also has a way of writing empathetic characters that draws you in to their lives and makes you feel like you get them. (I totally understood Mia despite the fact I never experienced the things she's experienced.) That's good character development in my eyes!
Reed is sexy and sensitive yet retained enough of an edge to appeal to even this Alpha Male loving reader!
The sizzle between these two worked and I found the sex worked better than Die For Me, imo. (HOT!)
Karen Rose is fast becoming my favorite Romantic Suspense writer right now . If your looking for something along those lines, you can't do much better than Count To Ten!
4.5 out of 5 from me!
December 23, 2020
Alweer een erg spannend en goed geschreven boek van deze schrijfster.
In het boek keren verschillende personages uit de vorige boeken terug en maken we ook kennis met nieuwe personages. Het verhaal heeft een goede opbouw en is door de vele actiemomenten ook geen minuut saai.
In het boek keren verschillende personages uit de vorige boeken terug en maken we ook kennis met nieuwe personages. Het verhaal heeft een goede opbouw en is door de vele actiemomenten ook geen minuut saai.
April 18, 2015
An arson investigation soon involves dead bodies and IFO, and Homicide have to work together, forging a temporary partnership between arson investigator Lieutenant Reed Solliday and Detective Mia Mitchell and as the arson/murderer escalates, so does the tension between the two partners…
Well, the string of good-book-bad-book has ended with two good books in a row. This should be commemorated.
You’ve probably deduced I loved this book. The pacing was spot-on, the plot well-developed, the characterization was wonderful, the suspense chilling, the villain strangely fascinating, and the little romance subplot perfectly balanced the tension-filled suspense.
I absolutely loved Mia, which is a great exception in my usual I-hate-the-heroine “demeanor”. In fact, the hero was the one frustrating the heck out of me. I just wished someone would’ve smacked him upside the head or something. Because his sticking to the past was bloody annoying. Lucky for Mia and the readers he saw his error in time, before I started ranting about my hero-hate to the world.
There were many subplots in this book, some previous characters paid us a visit (“whew” for Abe, and “congratulations” to Dana and Ethan), but the story didn’t seem clogged and crammed with too much of everything. All this little cameos, and even the part involving Reed's daughter, provided some much needed respite between the suspense scenes.
Absolutely loved it!
Well, the string of good-book-bad-book has ended with two good books in a row. This should be commemorated.
You’ve probably deduced I loved this book. The pacing was spot-on, the plot well-developed, the characterization was wonderful, the suspense chilling, the villain strangely fascinating, and the little romance subplot perfectly balanced the tension-filled suspense.
I absolutely loved Mia, which is a great exception in my usual I-hate-the-heroine “demeanor”. In fact, the hero was the one frustrating the heck out of me. I just wished someone would’ve smacked him upside the head or something. Because his sticking to the past was bloody annoying. Lucky for Mia and the readers he saw his error in time, before I started ranting about my hero-hate to the world.
There were many subplots in this book, some previous characters paid us a visit (“whew” for Abe, and “congratulations” to Dana and Ethan), but the story didn’t seem clogged and crammed with too much of everything. All this little cameos, and even the part involving Reed's daughter, provided some much needed respite between the suspense scenes.
Absolutely loved it!
December 20, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
Ši knyga ilgai pas mane dulkėjo. Nežinau, kodėl taip ilgai dvejojau ir atidėliojau, nors tiek viršelis, tiek ir aprašymas rėkte rėkė "imk mane ir skaityk!". Taigi, labai kažko naujo tikrai neperskaičiau - kaip jau tapo įprasta, viena iš pagrindinių veikėjų yra kieta policininkė, puikiai dirbanti savo darbą, bet turinti tamsių paslapčių. Na o Ridas - vos ne svajonių jaunikis. Patiko tiek ir aprašomi nusikaltimai (vietomis tikrai šiurpuliukai iš pasišlykštėjimo nubėgo), tiek ir besirutuliojanti aistra tarp Rido ir Mijos. Siužetas rutuliojasi greitai ir tikrai nepastebėjau, kaip išgaravo visi puslapiai. Nesu tikra, bet manau, kad visur kalėjimuose yra lankymo valandos ir tam tikra lankymo tvarka, ir tikrai vos tik užsimanęs nenulėksi ir neaplankysi norimo asmens. Ir nors yra teigiama, kad pasimatymai vyksta lankymo valandomis, bet pusę devynių vakare? Manau, jau ženkliai per vėlu🤔
Ir momemtais kliuvo vertimas: "Spinelis nuleidęs ūsą galvojo". Tokios vietos išspausdavo šypseną😁
Ši knyga ilgai pas mane dulkėjo. Nežinau, kodėl taip ilgai dvejojau ir atidėliojau, nors tiek viršelis, tiek ir aprašymas rėkte rėkė "imk mane ir skaityk!". Taigi, labai kažko naujo tikrai neperskaičiau - kaip jau tapo įprasta, viena iš pagrindinių veikėjų yra kieta policininkė, puikiai dirbanti savo darbą, bet turinti tamsių paslapčių. Na o Ridas - vos ne svajonių jaunikis. Patiko tiek ir aprašomi nusikaltimai (vietomis tikrai šiurpuliukai iš pasišlykštėjimo nubėgo), tiek ir besirutuliojanti aistra tarp Rido ir Mijos. Siužetas rutuliojasi greitai ir tikrai nepastebėjau, kaip išgaravo visi puslapiai. Nesu tikra, bet manau, kad visur kalėjimuose yra lankymo valandos ir tam tikra lankymo tvarka, ir tikrai vos tik užsimanęs nenulėksi ir neaplankysi norimo asmens. Ir nors yra teigiama, kad pasimatymai vyksta lankymo valandomis, bet pusę devynių vakare? Manau, jau ženkliai per vėlu🤔
Ir momemtais kliuvo vertimas: "Spinelis nuleidęs ūsą galvojo". Tokios vietos išspausdavo šypseną😁
July 29, 2019
This book was really slow to start but I'm glad that I stuck with it because I ended up really enjoying it. The villain was crazy pants and I guessed who he was pretty early on but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. The romance between Reed and Mia was pretty great and I bought it all. Reading this book was a lot like watching an episode of Law & Order and I like that show so I was a happy camper.
August 18, 2021
The female main character was soo childish, I couldn’t stand her at times. The romance was not my favourite either. No one’s surprised
March 6, 2025
Count to Ten was a fantastic read with an intriguing mystery and a romance between a homicide detective and an arson investigator.
Lieutenant Reed Solliday has dealt with a lot of arson cases in his time with the Chicago Fire Department but his newest case is particularly devastating when they find a young woman's body after putting out the flames. Now Reed has to figure out how to work with his new partner, homicide Detective Mia Mitchell, to solve the case. Mia is sure that for the arsonist, there's a personal motive behind these fires and the killings. And with each new fire set, the killer ups the ante as they prepare for a fiery showdown.
Count to Ten starts with the killer setting the first fire and then we see how Reed and Mia become involved in the case. We quickly learn from the chapters from the killer's point of view that he's doing this out of revenge for what happened to him and his brother when they were kids in the foster care system. With most of the evidence destroyed in the fire, Reed and Mia don't have a lot to go on and decide to focus on people connected to the victim. After a second fire is set and another person killed, they have more to go on and their investigation leads them to an alternative school for juveniles. I had my suspicions at that point on who the killer was and I ended up being correct. Even though I guessed the who, I still thought the author did a great job with the reveal of their identity and their motivation for the fires. The final confrontation between Mia and the killer was very well done with the perfect amount of suspense to keep you guessing on how everything would turn out.
I've enjoyed Mia's character in the last few books in the series so I was excited to follow her this time around as well as finally learning more about her past. Mia has just returned to work after being injured in a shooting where her partner Abe, one of the main characters in I'm Watching You, was pretty badly hurt and she feels responsible. In addition to her feelings of guilt about Abe, she's dealing with her grief over her father passing away whom she had a complicated relationship with. Reed makes some assumptions about Mia's ability to do her job and that puts her on edge around him. Their working relationship doesn't get off to a good start as a result and the two are slow to trust one another. I liked that she didn't immediately let Reed off the hook for being a jerk and I was happy with how they worked past it. The romance between them progresses nicely although they both initially claim it's just sex. I was happy once they finally admitted their feelings for each other and thought their relationship was in a good place by the end of the book.
Overall Count to Ten was a great addition to the series and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series, Die for Me, soon.
Lieutenant Reed Solliday has dealt with a lot of arson cases in his time with the Chicago Fire Department but his newest case is particularly devastating when they find a young woman's body after putting out the flames. Now Reed has to figure out how to work with his new partner, homicide Detective Mia Mitchell, to solve the case. Mia is sure that for the arsonist, there's a personal motive behind these fires and the killings. And with each new fire set, the killer ups the ante as they prepare for a fiery showdown.
Count to Ten starts with the killer setting the first fire and then we see how Reed and Mia become involved in the case. We quickly learn from the chapters from the killer's point of view that he's doing this out of revenge for what happened to him and his brother when they were kids in the foster care system. With most of the evidence destroyed in the fire, Reed and Mia don't have a lot to go on and decide to focus on people connected to the victim. After a second fire is set and another person killed, they have more to go on and their investigation leads them to an alternative school for juveniles. I had my suspicions at that point on who the killer was and I ended up being correct. Even though I guessed the who, I still thought the author did a great job with the reveal of their identity and their motivation for the fires. The final confrontation between Mia and the killer was very well done with the perfect amount of suspense to keep you guessing on how everything would turn out.
I've enjoyed Mia's character in the last few books in the series so I was excited to follow her this time around as well as finally learning more about her past. Mia has just returned to work after being injured in a shooting where her partner Abe, one of the main characters in I'm Watching You, was pretty badly hurt and she feels responsible. In addition to her feelings of guilt about Abe, she's dealing with her grief over her father passing away whom she had a complicated relationship with. Reed makes some assumptions about Mia's ability to do her job and that puts her on edge around him. Their working relationship doesn't get off to a good start as a result and the two are slow to trust one another. I liked that she didn't immediately let Reed off the hook for being a jerk and I was happy with how they worked past it. The romance between them progresses nicely although they both initially claim it's just sex. I was happy once they finally admitted their feelings for each other and thought their relationship was in a good place by the end of the book.
Overall Count to Ten was a great addition to the series and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series, Die for Me, soon.
December 13, 2020
Zoveel boeken heb ik nog niet gelezen van Karen Rosé, ondanks dat er hele series zijn. Vorige keren was ik al erg lovend over haar boek en ook deze keer ben ik weer erg positief. Het boek is zeer spannend, verrassend en leest als een trein. Het is geen vervolg op het vorige verhaal, maar staat op zichzelf. Ik heb het oprecht met veel plezier en spanning gelezen. Karen Rosé behoort nu toch wel echt bij een van mijn favoriete auteurs. Aanrader hoor!
May 3, 2016
There's a killer on the loose and he's out for revenge and using fire to exact it. It brings Reed Solliday, Fire Marshal in the Office of Fire Investigations (OFI) and Detective Mia Mitchell, Abe Reagan's partner, together as they're trying to solve the arsons and murder. Abe's still recuperating so for the time being, Mia has a new but temporary partner.
I keep thinking the new stories cannot top the old but keep being proven wrong. This sixth story in the series packs a wallop as the villain is particularly vicious and elusive as the body count keeps climbing. And, the budding relationship between Reed and Mia isn't underwhelmed because of the hugeness of the murder storyline. These two characters are wonderfully outlined and you feel like you know who they are, what drives them and how they would behave instinctively. Their love affair is poignant and credible. Nothing suffers in this story and the tension and suspense level is pretty brutal. Recurring characters play solid roles in this story, too, which is another great aspect of the series.
I loved this one and have to keep looking to find a book in this series that doesn't deliver. Good mystery, high level of suspense and a really great romance. It's a winner.
I keep thinking the new stories cannot top the old but keep being proven wrong. This sixth story in the series packs a wallop as the villain is particularly vicious and elusive as the body count keeps climbing. And, the budding relationship between Reed and Mia isn't underwhelmed because of the hugeness of the murder storyline. These two characters are wonderfully outlined and you feel like you know who they are, what drives them and how they would behave instinctively. Their love affair is poignant and credible. Nothing suffers in this story and the tension and suspense level is pretty brutal. Recurring characters play solid roles in this story, too, which is another great aspect of the series.
I loved this one and have to keep looking to find a book in this series that doesn't deliver. Good mystery, high level of suspense and a really great romance. It's a winner.
September 1, 2010
I think I've been overindulging on Karen Rose's books- I was not as impressed with this one as I had been with her earlier works. I still like the mix of romantic suspense, and the action does keep jumping along. I suppose my expectations were too high for Mia's story, since I got to "know" her through some of Rose's previous novels. I guess hearing the male main character described as resembling Satan with a soul patch didn't do it for me, and I'm getting a little bit tired of all these perfect female characters who kick butt and overcome devastating personal obstacles while still managing to be socially conscious and save children and teens on a regular basis. It's enough to give an ordinary female a complex. I'm going to give this series a break for a while and see if my enthusiasm rebounds with some time.
January 19, 2014
The sixth in Karen Rose's Romantic Suspense series. Detective Mia Mitchell is a homicide cop just back from recuperating from being shot. Her partner is still out and she is temporarily assigned to partner with Lieutenant Reed Solliday of the Chicago Fire Department who is investigating a homicide along with a house fire. Things get complicated when it looks like the villain isn't finished killing.
I still say Karen Rose writes some of the most creepy villains ever! Why I stay glued to the pages and continue to read cannot be explained except that its just good writing. While the story concentrates mainly on the crimes and investigation, Ms. Rose does manage to throw in some romance. I will recommend to Romantic Suspense fans but be aware this is heavy on the suspense and light on the romance.
I still say Karen Rose writes some of the most creepy villains ever! Why I stay glued to the pages and continue to read cannot be explained except that its just good writing. While the story concentrates mainly on the crimes and investigation, Ms. Rose does manage to throw in some romance. I will recommend to Romantic Suspense fans but be aware this is heavy on the suspense and light on the romance.
March 29, 2023
Este livro foi de leitura compulsiva, fala de um tema muito sensível e doloroso, o abuso de crianças colocadas em acolhimento.
Uma série de incêndios que á primeira vista parecem aleatórios vai conduzir a detective de homicídios Mia Mitchell a trabalhar em parceria com um inspector da Brigada de Incêndios quando se verifica que afinal as vítimas tinham sido assassinadas, qual o elo que as liga é o que eles terão de descobrir enquanto dão caça a um cruel e inteligente assassino.
Muito bom
Uma série de incêndios que á primeira vista parecem aleatórios vai conduzir a detective de homicídios Mia Mitchell a trabalhar em parceria com um inspector da Brigada de Incêndios quando se verifica que afinal as vítimas tinham sido assassinadas, qual o elo que as liga é o que eles terão de descobrir enquanto dão caça a um cruel e inteligente assassino.
Muito bom
July 16, 2016
Karen Rose is, quite simply, one of the very best romantic-suspense authors writing today. If you like your romantic-suspense heavy on the suspense you will love this series. To truly appreciate the world she had created, you need to start at the beginning and read in order. You also need to harden yourself to the body count, it gets pretty high and the heroine is not safe, unlike most other novels of this genre. Although I can detect a formula going on throughout the book, it doesn't detract from what is really a great plot.
Mia is back on duty after being shot. Her partner, Abe, is still in the hospital. Mia believes that her inattention is what got them both shot and she has been ducking everyone she knows because of that. Her first case back is an murder and arson. She is partnered with Reed, a fire investigator. Holy sparks!
Reed has issues. His wife, his soul-mate, died 12 years ago leaving him with a daughter and a lot of grief. He is drawn to Mia, but has a no-strings policy because he still loves his dead wife. No-strings works for Mia as well, so everything is good to go, right? Not so much.
This murderer/arsonist is not just doing this indiscriminately or for money. He has a purpose and a plan and is very effective at not leaving any clues. You haven't a suspension as to his identity until well into the book. His backstory is heartbreaking, but that doesn't make him any less of a monster.
Mia is back on duty after being shot. Her partner, Abe, is still in the hospital. Mia believes that her inattention is what got them both shot and she has been ducking everyone she knows because of that. Her first case back is an murder and arson. She is partnered with Reed, a fire investigator. Holy sparks!
Reed has issues. His wife, his soul-mate, died 12 years ago leaving him with a daughter and a lot of grief. He is drawn to Mia, but has a no-strings policy because he still loves his dead wife. No-strings works for Mia as well, so everything is good to go, right? Not so much.
This murderer/arsonist is not just doing this indiscriminately or for money. He has a purpose and a plan and is very effective at not leaving any clues. You haven't a suspension as to his identity until well into the book. His backstory is heartbreaking, but that doesn't make him any less of a monster.
June 29, 2021
The Chicago series is officially completed and I think this one was definitely the best one. The arson plot is gripping, I didn't guess the killer’s identity and I couldn’t help feeling a little bit sorry for him and his brother, although he did pretty nasty things. Anyway the motivation, climax and resolution were intense and suspenseful. Rose's books are not rushed, everything's going smoothly, logically and everything's explained. That's why it may seem to some people that her books are no fast paced and they are pretty big, with more then 500 pages, but she sure hold you glued to the pages.
After this one I'm making a pause with Karen Rose books. As every author out there, she also has some scheme in her writing, I mean some situations, circumstances, the structure of the characters are repeated in every book, so I can start reading her book without seeing the name on the cover and I'd knew that is her book.
Mia and Reed are both interesting characters struggling with personal issues and although it maybe felt like something is ultimately missing between them, that the emotional connection just isn’t there, that somehow didn't bother me. Meaning, there is no need for every pair in every of her books to be ''the perfect one'' and to be about ''finding the right soul''. So the romance part was just ok for me as it is. Oh and, It was also good to catch up with characters from the previous books. I just love reading series.
After this one I'm making a pause with Karen Rose books. As every author out there, she also has some scheme in her writing, I mean some situations, circumstances, the structure of the characters are repeated in every book, so I can start reading her book without seeing the name on the cover and I'd knew that is her book.
Mia and Reed are both interesting characters struggling with personal issues and although it maybe felt like something is ultimately missing between them, that the emotional connection just isn’t there, that somehow didn't bother me. Meaning, there is no need for every pair in every of her books to be ''the perfect one'' and to be about ''finding the right soul''. So the romance part was just ok for me as it is. Oh and, It was also good to catch up with characters from the previous books. I just love reading series.
July 18, 2020
Ever the optimist, I kept reading this novel hoping to connect with either the characters or the suspenseful plot. Neither happened for me. The main character, a female police officer, Mia, Is partnered up with a fire inspector, Reed, after a body is found in a burning house set off by an arsonist. The fires and brutal killings and rapes escalate as does the “fire” between Mia and Reed. The murderer also is given narration time throughout the novel.
So, sounds exciting, right? My dislike of the novel stemmed from the stereotypical depiction of women written by a woman. I don’t get on a high horse too often, but there were enough comments that set my reading pleasure radar towards negative. Comments like, “She had great legs. He thought they’d look great over his shoulders” (this from Reed on first meeting Mia - really? He’s a grieving widow!) and several PMS comments about Reed’s 14 year old daughter and Mia. How insulting. There were many other pejorative depictions of women, and perhaps the author wanted them there to reveal how the world sees women but, for me, it built up my dislike of the book. I enjoy well-written erotic encounters but Mia and Reed just did not do it for me.
The reason for the multitude of murders, rapes, and fires seemed fairly obvious from the beginning so even later revelations seemed stunted for me. 2.5 stars
Many people loved this novel, and my remarks are in no way meant to disparage their enjoyment of the story.
So, sounds exciting, right? My dislike of the novel stemmed from the stereotypical depiction of women written by a woman. I don’t get on a high horse too often, but there were enough comments that set my reading pleasure radar towards negative. Comments like, “She had great legs. He thought they’d look great over his shoulders” (this from Reed on first meeting Mia - really? He’s a grieving widow!) and several PMS comments about Reed’s 14 year old daughter and Mia. How insulting. There were many other pejorative depictions of women, and perhaps the author wanted them there to reveal how the world sees women but, for me, it built up my dislike of the book. I enjoy well-written erotic encounters but Mia and Reed just did not do it for me.
The reason for the multitude of murders, rapes, and fires seemed fairly obvious from the beginning so even later revelations seemed stunted for me. 2.5 stars
Many people loved this novel, and my remarks are in no way meant to disparage their enjoyment of the story.
December 25, 2020
Count to Ten is book is about revenge, neglect, guilt and love. Detective Mia Mitchell still proceeding the death of her partner when she caught the case of a young woman raped and murdered and left to burn in a building. For Chicago Fire Department Captain Reed Solliday this case devasted him, so he joined forces with Detective Mia Mitchell. Count to Ten's readers will continue to follow Detective Mia Mitchell and Captain Reed Solliday to determine what happens.
Count To Ten is another fantastic book by Karen Rose. I always engage with the stories written by Karen Rose and Count To Ten keep up the tradition. I had trouble putting this book until I finished the last page. Count to Ten is well written and research by Karen Rose. I love Karen Rose's portrayal of the characters and how they intertwine with each other throughout this book. I like Karen Rose's description of Count To Ten it allows me to imagine between a part of the plot of this book.
The readers of Count To Ten will learn about being a Lieutenant in the Chicago Fire Department. Count to Ten's readers will also understand the trauma that law enforcement officers go through when their partner dies on the job.
I recommend this book.
Count To Ten is another fantastic book by Karen Rose. I always engage with the stories written by Karen Rose and Count To Ten keep up the tradition. I had trouble putting this book until I finished the last page. Count to Ten is well written and research by Karen Rose. I love Karen Rose's portrayal of the characters and how they intertwine with each other throughout this book. I like Karen Rose's description of Count To Ten it allows me to imagine between a part of the plot of this book.
The readers of Count To Ten will learn about being a Lieutenant in the Chicago Fire Department. Count to Ten's readers will also understand the trauma that law enforcement officers go through when their partner dies on the job.
I recommend this book.
December 7, 2022
I really liked this book, but I thought that some of the side characters could have been shown more, and the end could have been slightly longer.
I liked the plot. There were a few scenes from the killer’s POV, and some short scenes from an unknown boy’s POV. There were things happening constantly as the killer kept setting fires, and it seemed like Mia and Reed were trying to find him without taking any breaks.
I really liked how while Mia and Reed were investigating the killer/arsonist, they were also getting to know each other.
There were a lot of side characters which I liked, especially the ones that were already mentioned in previous books. I did think that Beth and Jeremy could have been shown more so that you could see their interactions with Mia and Reed.
I really liked this book as it was funny and interesting, but there could have been more scenes with some of the side characters that weren’t linked to the case.
I liked the plot. There were a few scenes from the killer’s POV, and some short scenes from an unknown boy’s POV. There were things happening constantly as the killer kept setting fires, and it seemed like Mia and Reed were trying to find him without taking any breaks.
I really liked how while Mia and Reed were investigating the killer/arsonist, they were also getting to know each other.
There were a lot of side characters which I liked, especially the ones that were already mentioned in previous books. I did think that Beth and Jeremy could have been shown more so that you could see their interactions with Mia and Reed.
I really liked this book as it was funny and interesting, but there could have been more scenes with some of the side characters that weren’t linked to the case.
January 22, 2025
This was my first Karen Rose book, and I loved it! The characters were fully realized and well-developed, which made the book's length feel justified to me. The serial killer/arsonist was brutal yet fascinating, with a compelling backstory that added depth to the story.
The only downside was the number of characters, it was a bit challenging to keep track of them all at times. I also noticed that some were recurring characters from the series, which might be more familiar to regular readers. I would definitely read more from this author.
The only downside was the number of characters, it was a bit challenging to keep track of them all at times. I also noticed that some were recurring characters from the series, which might be more familiar to regular readers. I would definitely read more from this author.
April 29, 2017
"Count to ten, and go to hell"
Another thrilling and steamy tale by Karen Rose! I love how well she mixes the thriller and romance aspects perfectly, its not too rushed and definitely not forced. The characters in each novel are not only unique and amazing but the way the books all connect together with characters knowing main characters from other books brings a real nostalgic feeling to the reader, although they can be read individually, you may find some spoilers to other books if you read them this way.
A string of fires, burned bodies, rapes and a plan for revenge by someone who will stop at nothing to get the justice they deserve. Chicago fire department veteran and widowed father, Reed Solliday has jurisdiction over the fire, until they find the bodies, now he has to team up with a homicide detective to help solve this horrific and escalating case before he himself is in danger.
Detective Mia Mitchell is on the case only a short time after her partner and herself were shot at in the line of duty; her partner Abe still recovering, the guilt of what happened still fresh and raw for Mia. The idea of a new partner doesn't sit well with her, Abe is her partner and no one can replace him, especially some Chicago fire fighter.
With body after body piling up in the morgue , the pressure is on to find the culprit of these horrific crimes. Putting the pieces together, while fighting off the press, repressing painful memories of the past as well as dealing with a new partner, Mia really has her work cut out for her on this one.
When evidence points to a juvenile rehabilitation centre with some dark secrets of its own, Mia will discover just how smart and sly her culprit really it and just how far he will go to see his plan through till the end.. Count to ten.
I really enjoyed this novel, the aspects of arsonists, murder, revenge plans and dark secrets really pulls this tale together, making it a thrilling and enticing read. Karen Rose always writes her books with a little something different, its never the same , the plot, the secrets, even the characters are completely different so you will never see what is coming no matter how many of her books you read- which i love, it keeps you wanting to read more from her.
My favourite character in this one was probably Reed Solliday, he is smart, handsome, sure of him self and hello! a fire fighter, the muscles on this guy, pheww! He has the whole satan goatee going on which in some cases can be very attractive, and in others very creepy. Reed however falls into the very attractive. He still deals with the passing of his wife, and is struggling to deal with his daughters teenage hormones and mood swings. He is a good father and a compassionate man, although he is very lonely, haven't having any solid relationship since his wife's passing.
If you haven't read anything by Karen Rose, then i highly recommend her. Her writing, her plots, her characters none of it will disappoint. Her books are not only gripping but can appeal to lovers of both thrillers and romance novels. If you want to read these novels in order then head over to her Bio, which has the Romantic suspense series in order of how they should be read so nothing is spoiled.
Recommended for: Romance/ Suspenseful Thriller
July 31, 2022
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Count to Ten is the sixth book in Karen Rose’s larger interconnected romantic suspense series or if you’re reading them by location setting, it’s the fifth in her Chicago series. This one follows Detective Mia Mitchell who has factored into several of the previous books. Both she and her partner, Abe, were recently shot in the line of duty, and she is just returning to work. She’s partnered with fire marshal Reed Solliday who is investigating multiple arson cases that have turned deadly. They quickly discover that the victims were murdered, which changes the whole trajectory of the investigation. As they begin to put the pieces together, the evidence seems to be leading to a facility for juvenile delinquents. But before they can find the culprit, he strikes again… and again. Gradually they figure out his identity, but by then, he has Mia squarely in his crosshairs. Along the way, Reed and Mia grow closer and agree to engage in a no-strings affair. Neither really thinks they’re ready for commitment, but as the killer targets both of them, along with people close to them, they start to rethink their priorities and may discover that there’s room in their lives for each other after all.
As a kid, Reed was abused by his mother and ended up in the foster care system, but he was eventually adopted into a large, diverse family that gave him the stability he craved. As a result, he grew up into a respectable man who was first, a firefighter, and later, a fire marshal. In college, he met the woman who he believed was his soul mate, but she died several years ago, leaving him the single father of a teenage daughter. He hasn’t really dated much since losing his wife, though, because he can’t seem to find another woman who measures up. Reed is called to the scene of a house fire, which he almost immediately recognizes as arson. There is one victim, burned beyond recognition, but an autopsy reveals that she was shot and likely raped before she was burned, which draws the police into the investigation. Reed is paired with Mia, who he, at first, thinks may not be up to the job given that she’s just returned from being shot, but the longer he works with her on the case, the more respect he gains for her abilities as a detective. They make a good team, running down clues and figuring out who the perpetrator is, and along the way, Reed realizes that he’s very attracted to Mia. However, unable to put the memory of his dead wife to rest, he has no real interest in anything beyond a casual fling. The further the investigation goes and the deeper he gets involved with Mia, though, the more he realizes she might be someone he could actually see himself with long-term. But if the killer gets to her first, he may not have the chance to tell her. Reed is a good father, a smart fire investigator, and he treats Mia with respect. Normally I’m a fan of heroes who’ve been celibate for an extended period of time, but even that aspect of his character didn’t grab me in the way it usually does. Overall, Reed is a good character, but for a reason I couldn’t quite pinpoint, I didn’t connect with him or fall for him in the way I wanted to.
Mia grew up in an abusive and extremely dysfunctional household with a father who was a cop. He was respected by his fellow law officers who never would have guessed at what was going on beneath the surface. Because of the abuse, Mia and her sister, Kelsey, took two different paths, with Kelsey ending up in prison, while Mia became a detective with a desire to help people get out of situations like the one they were in. She’s married to her work, and although she was briefly engaged to someone, she doesn’t really see herself as the settling down type. When she’s partnered with Reed, she’s attracted to him, so when he makes his no-strings proposition, she thinks it’s what she wants, too. But the more time she spends with him, the more she finds that Reed is someone she feels comfortable enough with to open up to about things she’s never told anyone else. As the intimacy grows between them, she realizes that she’s not going to be good at a casual affair after all. While waiting to see if she and Reed can get on the same page with their romantic relationship, they work non-stop trying to identify the killer, but when he targets Mia, it puts people both she and Reed care about in jeopardy. For the most part, Mia is a tough, no-nonsense cop. She thinks her partner, Abe, is the one who’s good with people, but she possesses empathy that makes her good at dealing with the victims’ families. She also proves to be better at relationships than she thought, handling Reed’s headstrong, teenage daughter in a healthy way and forming an instant bond with an orphaned little boy. Once Reed realizes that he can’t replace his wife and shouldn’t try, but that he can form a new and different sort of romantic bond, she’s more than happy to completely let him into her life. I liked Mia and thought she was a good heroine, but much like Reed, I didn’t fully connect with her for some reason.
Karen Rose’s romantic suspense world is huge, meaning there are lots of great supporting characters in Count to Ten who either had or will get their own books in the series. Mia’s partner, Abe, and his wife, Kristen (I’m Watching You) are seen a few times. Abe is recovering from a gunshot wound and Mia must get past her own sense of guilt over not preventing him from being hurt. Mia’s best friend, Dana, and her husband, Ethan (Nothing to Fear), help support Mia throughout the investigation and her personal problems. It was nice to see them and their growing family again. Aiden (You Can’t Hide) and his partner, Murphy, get drawn in to help with the investigation. Mia is also friends with David Hunter, who was introduced as a teenager way back in the first book, Don’t Tell. He’s now all grown up, working as a firefighter, and he’ll be paired with Mia’s sister, Olivia, in their own book, Silent Scream. There are assorted other characters who’ve been a part of the series, such as Mia’s chief, Marc Spinelli, their CSI guy, Jack Unger, and reporter Joanna Carmichael, who has questionable methods for getting her stories, but who does help out with important information sometimes. Of course, we also have the bad guy, who is someone most people don’t suspect at first glance, but who manages to wreak havoc on a lot of lives, as well as numerous characters who end up dead at his hands, some deserving of punishment and others mere innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. All in all, it was a lot of characters to wrangle into one story, but I think I generally kept track of most of them.
Count to Ten ended up being my least favorite Karen Rose book to date, but even still, it was a good story. Karen Rose on a so-so day is still much better than many other authors on their best days, so it held my attention well. I think two things contributed to my mild dissatisfaction. The first is that with all of Ms. Rose’s other books I’ve read to date, I don’t think I figured out who the bad guy was or at least not until very close to the reveal. This time, I pegged him not long after meeting him in the story. I have no idea why it was so easy for me this time, but it did take away some of the enjoyment of figuring out the mystery along with the detectives. I also felt like either his identity was revealed a little too soon or that things were drawn out a little too long after the reveal, which made the pace a bit sluggish. The other reason is that I felt like the romance was more subdued in this one than some of the earlier books. The romantic scenes definitely seemed to take a back seat to the mystery and suspense elements this time. Also, maybe because I didn’t connect deeply with either Reed or Mia on an individual level, I didn’t really feel a strong emotional connection between them as a couple. They each have a lot of respective baggage and yet they form a romantic bond and work through their issues in just a matter of weeks while also being embroiled in an intense investigation, which didn’t leave a lot of time for more romantic moments. There are a few, but not quite enough to satisfy me, and it’s also a very quick time frame to fully develop a relationship. Otherwise, though, Count to Ten was an enjoyable read that was definitely worth my time.
Count to Ten is the sixth book in Karen Rose’s larger interconnected romantic suspense series or if you’re reading them by location setting, it’s the fifth in her Chicago series. This one follows Detective Mia Mitchell who has factored into several of the previous books. Both she and her partner, Abe, were recently shot in the line of duty, and she is just returning to work. She’s partnered with fire marshal Reed Solliday who is investigating multiple arson cases that have turned deadly. They quickly discover that the victims were murdered, which changes the whole trajectory of the investigation. As they begin to put the pieces together, the evidence seems to be leading to a facility for juvenile delinquents. But before they can find the culprit, he strikes again… and again. Gradually they figure out his identity, but by then, he has Mia squarely in his crosshairs. Along the way, Reed and Mia grow closer and agree to engage in a no-strings affair. Neither really thinks they’re ready for commitment, but as the killer targets both of them, along with people close to them, they start to rethink their priorities and may discover that there’s room in their lives for each other after all.
As a kid, Reed was abused by his mother and ended up in the foster care system, but he was eventually adopted into a large, diverse family that gave him the stability he craved. As a result, he grew up into a respectable man who was first, a firefighter, and later, a fire marshal. In college, he met the woman who he believed was his soul mate, but she died several years ago, leaving him the single father of a teenage daughter. He hasn’t really dated much since losing his wife, though, because he can’t seem to find another woman who measures up. Reed is called to the scene of a house fire, which he almost immediately recognizes as arson. There is one victim, burned beyond recognition, but an autopsy reveals that she was shot and likely raped before she was burned, which draws the police into the investigation. Reed is paired with Mia, who he, at first, thinks may not be up to the job given that she’s just returned from being shot, but the longer he works with her on the case, the more respect he gains for her abilities as a detective. They make a good team, running down clues and figuring out who the perpetrator is, and along the way, Reed realizes that he’s very attracted to Mia. However, unable to put the memory of his dead wife to rest, he has no real interest in anything beyond a casual fling. The further the investigation goes and the deeper he gets involved with Mia, though, the more he realizes she might be someone he could actually see himself with long-term. But if the killer gets to her first, he may not have the chance to tell her. Reed is a good father, a smart fire investigator, and he treats Mia with respect. Normally I’m a fan of heroes who’ve been celibate for an extended period of time, but even that aspect of his character didn’t grab me in the way it usually does. Overall, Reed is a good character, but for a reason I couldn’t quite pinpoint, I didn’t connect with him or fall for him in the way I wanted to.
Mia grew up in an abusive and extremely dysfunctional household with a father who was a cop. He was respected by his fellow law officers who never would have guessed at what was going on beneath the surface. Because of the abuse, Mia and her sister, Kelsey, took two different paths, with Kelsey ending up in prison, while Mia became a detective with a desire to help people get out of situations like the one they were in. She’s married to her work, and although she was briefly engaged to someone, she doesn’t really see herself as the settling down type. When she’s partnered with Reed, she’s attracted to him, so when he makes his no-strings proposition, she thinks it’s what she wants, too. But the more time she spends with him, the more she finds that Reed is someone she feels comfortable enough with to open up to about things she’s never told anyone else. As the intimacy grows between them, she realizes that she’s not going to be good at a casual affair after all. While waiting to see if she and Reed can get on the same page with their romantic relationship, they work non-stop trying to identify the killer, but when he targets Mia, it puts people both she and Reed care about in jeopardy. For the most part, Mia is a tough, no-nonsense cop. She thinks her partner, Abe, is the one who’s good with people, but she possesses empathy that makes her good at dealing with the victims’ families. She also proves to be better at relationships than she thought, handling Reed’s headstrong, teenage daughter in a healthy way and forming an instant bond with an orphaned little boy. Once Reed realizes that he can’t replace his wife and shouldn’t try, but that he can form a new and different sort of romantic bond, she’s more than happy to completely let him into her life. I liked Mia and thought she was a good heroine, but much like Reed, I didn’t fully connect with her for some reason.
Karen Rose’s romantic suspense world is huge, meaning there are lots of great supporting characters in Count to Ten who either had or will get their own books in the series. Mia’s partner, Abe, and his wife, Kristen (I’m Watching You) are seen a few times. Abe is recovering from a gunshot wound and Mia must get past her own sense of guilt over not preventing him from being hurt. Mia’s best friend, Dana, and her husband, Ethan (Nothing to Fear), help support Mia throughout the investigation and her personal problems. It was nice to see them and their growing family again. Aiden (You Can’t Hide) and his partner, Murphy, get drawn in to help with the investigation. Mia is also friends with David Hunter, who was introduced as a teenager way back in the first book, Don’t Tell. He’s now all grown up, working as a firefighter, and he’ll be paired with Mia’s sister, Olivia, in their own book, Silent Scream. There are assorted other characters who’ve been a part of the series, such as Mia’s chief, Marc Spinelli, their CSI guy, Jack Unger, and reporter Joanna Carmichael, who has questionable methods for getting her stories, but who does help out with important information sometimes. Of course, we also have the bad guy, who is someone most people don’t suspect at first glance, but who manages to wreak havoc on a lot of lives, as well as numerous characters who end up dead at his hands, some deserving of punishment and others mere innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. All in all, it was a lot of characters to wrangle into one story, but I think I generally kept track of most of them.
Count to Ten ended up being my least favorite Karen Rose book to date, but even still, it was a good story. Karen Rose on a so-so day is still much better than many other authors on their best days, so it held my attention well. I think two things contributed to my mild dissatisfaction. The first is that with all of Ms. Rose’s other books I’ve read to date, I don’t think I figured out who the bad guy was or at least not until very close to the reveal. This time, I pegged him not long after meeting him in the story. I have no idea why it was so easy for me this time, but it did take away some of the enjoyment of figuring out the mystery along with the detectives. I also felt like either his identity was revealed a little too soon or that things were drawn out a little too long after the reveal, which made the pace a bit sluggish. The other reason is that I felt like the romance was more subdued in this one than some of the earlier books. The romantic scenes definitely seemed to take a back seat to the mystery and suspense elements this time. Also, maybe because I didn’t connect deeply with either Reed or Mia on an individual level, I didn’t really feel a strong emotional connection between them as a couple. They each have a lot of respective baggage and yet they form a romantic bond and work through their issues in just a matter of weeks while also being embroiled in an intense investigation, which didn’t leave a lot of time for more romantic moments. There are a few, but not quite enough to satisfy me, and it’s also a very quick time frame to fully develop a relationship. Otherwise, though, Count to Ten was an enjoyable read that was definitely worth my time.
June 30, 2025
A 4.75 rating.
My favourite thing about this book is that it shows Mia's life before and after the events of "I'm Watching You".
These words had a profound meaning to me, my favourite quote:-
"You're 34yeras old and all you have is work. You go home to a dark, cold apartment and an empty bed. You wake up the same way. Your life is passing and you're just watching the days go by."
"And if you think it's not fair to live like you do, you should be the one to watch you do it."
My favourite thing about this book is that it shows Mia's life before and after the events of "I'm Watching You".
These words had a profound meaning to me, my favourite quote:-
"You're 34yeras old and all you have is work. You go home to a dark, cold apartment and an empty bed. You wake up the same way. Your life is passing and you're just watching the days go by."
"And if you think it's not fair to live like you do, you should be the one to watch you do it."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2011
Another violence-fest from Rose: enormous body count, many rapes of both women and boys, and inventive tortures. The writing is not really explicit, but suggestive enough to be pretty upsetting. Why do I subject myself to this? Because she’s a really good storyteller, and writes excellent tough but wounded characters.
I thought the romance was particularly strong in this book, although it gets less page time than the suspense plot. Reed is a fire inspector who's never quite recovered from the loss of his wife; Mia is a cop with a lot of painful history. Both fiercely resist love and commitment, but they can't seem to resist each other.
This was a real page-turner and I enjoyed it a lot, though I wish Rose would turn the violence down a notch.
I thought the romance was particularly strong in this book, although it gets less page time than the suspense plot. Reed is a fire inspector who's never quite recovered from the loss of his wife; Mia is a cop with a lot of painful history. Both fiercely resist love and commitment, but they can't seem to resist each other.
This was a real page-turner and I enjoyed it a lot, though I wish Rose would turn the violence down a notch.
January 12, 2015
it was a page turner. had me up all night. here I thought Kevin O'brien and Lisa Jackson was guilty. count to ten has an arsonist on the lose.
when Mia comes back she is temporarily teamed up with Reed a specialist in fires and a former fire fighter. they have disagreements on which way to run things quickly learn how much they learn from each other. can read each others mind. realize one has the other back
when Mia comes back she is temporarily teamed up with Reed a specialist in fires and a former fire fighter. they have disagreements on which way to run things quickly learn how much they learn from each other. can read each others mind. realize one has the other back
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