Cut and Run (Lucy Kincaid, #16) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Jun 26, 2022 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, 2022-library-love-challenge, nc-br-digital-library, 2022-audiobook-challenge, 3500-2022, mystery-suspense-thriller, group-read, 2022-beat-the-backlist-challenge

the setup…
After a turbulent storm unearths the human remains of four victims, the assistant director of the crime lab determines they were not only executed but identifies that as the missing Albright family who were believed to have fled to Mexico three years ago. FBI Agents Lucy Kincaid and Nate Dunning are assigned to investigate. But after some serious stonewalling by local law enforcement, they assume jurisdiction and begin to question some of the original assumptions about the family, espe the setup…
After a turbulent storm unearths the human remains of four victims, the assistant director of the crime lab determines they were not only executed but identifies that as the missing Albright family who were believed to have fled to Mexico three years ago. FBI Agents Lucy Kincaid and Nate Dunning are assigned to investigate. But after some serious stonewalling by local law enforcement, they assume jurisdiction and begin to question some of the original assumptions about the family, especially since the body of their son wasn’t in the grave with them. Meanwhile, investigative reporter Maxine (Max) Revere is in town following up on a case at the behest of the victim’s family because the man who had confessed to the crime has suddenly recanted. Lucy’s husband Sean Kincaid was assisting her so the two are again reunited.

the heart of the story…
I was immediately pulled into Lucy and Nate’s investigation because of the open question regarding the young son, Ricky. Was he alive and, if so, where’s he been since he was 9-years old at the time? Max’s case was interesting but it was a white collar crime case that was so complicated I struggled to absorb the particulars and the relationships of all the players. I knew it was important and suspected that her case would somehow intersect with Lucy’s because it was the last thing either of them wanted (Lucy’s by the book and Max is very comfortable in gray areas). There were lots of angles involving multiple jurisdictions and law enforcement groups but that part was easy to follow because Lucy was the link. There were personal elements, too, as Lucy’s trying to host her family for Thanksgiving and it’s a challenge. Max is experiencing pulls at her heartstrings for the first time, wanting to be back home with her sister and committed partner more than continuing her research. I loved how these two women balanced it all while staying professional and doing the job.

the narration…
The narrator has become the voice of not only the series but Lucy after sixteen books so I couldn’t imagine these stories without her. She managed a really complex set of factors, keeping characters distinctive and moving the story along.

the bottom line…
Overall, I really liked the story, primarily because I was riveted by Lucy’s case and where the investigation eventually led. Maxine’s was interesting but I must admit I got lost. However, the end reveal had it all making sense and it was a compelling climax. I loved seeing Max again, too, especially now that she’s found the right partner and has created a true family. And, it’s always a good time in Lucy’s world and this was no different.

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Jun 25, 2022 Robin rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2022, suspense

Four skeletons are unearthed during a flash flood. They are identified as Denise & Glen Albright and their two teenage daughters. The Albrights were last seen crossing into Mexico three years ago. Denise was wanted in connection to the embezzlement of funds from her workplace. FBI Agents Lucy Kincaid and Nate Dunning are assigned to the case. They wonder why the Albrights returned to Texas. They also wonder why the body of their young son Ricky wasn't buried with the rest of the family.

Investiga ...more

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Jun 30, 2022 Anita rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio, mystery, kindle-libby-city

This series is very consistent. It always gives me a great thought-provoking mystery to solve, and I love watching how Lucy strips away all the muck to get to the real motive behind the case. My only complaint about this book is that at the end of everyday Brennan always says how tired Lucy is. It got old. It was wonderful seeing Maxine again and the ending made me cry.

A grave is discovered containing the remains of the Albright family, who have been missing for three years. The case lands on Lu ...more

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Jun 18, 2022 Melissa rated it really liked it

When authorities find the remains of a family that went missing 3 years earlier, FBI agent Lucy Kincaid is part of the team that is called in to investigate. The family was believed to have fled the country so that the mom could avoid being prosecuted for embezzlement. During the investigation Lucy finds out that one family member is missing, the 8 year old son. Lucy and her partner Nate hit a wall with the local sheriff’s department and start to distrust them.
At the same time, Maxine Revere is ...more

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May 17, 2022 Charlene rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime, adult-themes, law-enforcement, public-library, series-by-author, rated-not-reviewed, romantic-suspense, group-read, follow-this-series, investigative-journalism

It's possible that I may have missed one of the Max Revere stories, or I've forgotten a character completely who is prominent in her life. Hmmm?

This is another solid story in this series. I can always count on Brennan's writing. ...more

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Jul 11, 2022 Sharon Kallenberger Marzola rated it really liked it

Shelves: police-procedural, mystery, series, audio-whispersync, unique-and-or-twists, love-hero, love-heroine, private-investigator, fbi

I can’t believe we are at book 16 of the Lucy Kincaid series. In Cut and Run, Lucy is called to work on a cold case when the bones of a family are found buried in the desert. They were reported missing three years ago after the mother was accused of embezzlement. Law enforcement believed the family was hiding in Mexico. The big problem for Lucy and her partner, Nate, is that one family member isn’t in the grave. Was the young boy killed at another location, or is he still alive?

Maxine Revere ret I can’t believe we are at book 16 of the Lucy Kincaid series. In Cut and Run, Lucy is called to work on a cold case when the bones of a family are found buried in the desert. They were reported missing three years ago after the mother was accused of embezzlement. Law enforcement believed the family was hiding in Mexico. The big problem for Lucy and her partner, Nate, is that one family member isn’t in the grave. Was the young boy killed at another location, or is he still alive?

Maxine Revere returns to work with Sean Rogan on a case for a family friend. This is a switch as Maxine’s forte is cold cases that she solves and features on her true crime show. Lucy usually is working on a current crime. Sean uses his technical skills and private investigation hat to help Maxine dig deep into why her friend confessed to the crime and then recanted.

My favorite aspect of this series is that the author keeps me guessing. There are clues that I figured out most of Ricky’s story. (The young boy missing from the family grave) However, there were enough twists to keep the story interesting. I wasn’t surprised that Maxine’s mystery intersects with Lucy’s, but that was interesting too. I was disheartened that Sean and Maxine sometimes seemed to get a little heavy-handed with Lucy. I know he isn’t always by the book, but his wife is FBI, and he and Maxine often double-teamed her when she was tired.

Lucy and Nate have a good rhythm when they work together. I like how they share their ideas and evaluate their opinions jointly. They are a good team who solve murders. Nate showed his temper in this book. He is the levelheaded partner in most cases. This time, dealing with a missing boy, he lost his patience.

The story gives an update on Maxine’s private life. She has changed a lot since we first met her. I love how she and her sister are getting along. Also, Ryan is still a big part of her life. The ending of Lucy’s first Thanksgiving at her home is happy and sad. Maxine and her family at Thanksgiving are unexpected. I loved seeing her strait-laced grandmother with Ryan and Lucy’s newly found sister, Eve.

The narrator, Ann Marie Lee, continues to give a strong performance. I’m grateful that Allison Brennan has kept her throughout the series. She does an excellent job with the different voices, and her interpretation of the story does an excellent job of bringing the listener into the scenes more as an observer than a listener.
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