A figure skater is found dead in her dressing room after a gala. Detective Amanda Steele was in the audience so is first on the scene. The deceased is the niece of a friend which gives an extra incentive for them to catch the killer. A handwritten message shows the murder was personal…
Her Deadly Rose is the 12th book in the Detective Amanda Steele series of crime thrillers set in America. There are no spoilers about previous cases but Amanda’s personal life and relationships have developed over the series.
Michaela Glover was a skater with a bright future. But that is abruptly ended when she is killed backstage with a cunning killer using her peanut allergy to murder her. Amanda and her partner Trent begin to look for motive and face a variety of suspects.
Amanda has issues in her private life to contend with as well as the murder investigation. She has a romantic tension with her partner while her boyfriend is talking about wanting a baby. Meanwhile the trauma of her past and that of her adopted daughter are also prominent in her mind.
The book begins with a prologue from the killer’s perspective so we are instantly drawn into the narrative. The style of writing is easy to read and the chapters are reasonably short to push the plot and the investigation onwards. I was kept guessing as so many characters seemed to have a potential grudge and have to be eliminated through tireless and dedicated police work.
Her Deadly Rose is an enjoyable crime thriller with a strong female lead.
The girl’s lifeless body lies next to a scattered bouquet of crimson roses, the petals around her head like tiny pools of blood. Gripped in her hand is the note that came with the flowers, sent by someone who wanted her dead.
When champion figure skater Michaela Glover returns to her hometown of Woodbridge for a special performance, Detective Amanda Steele is part of the cheering crowds. But when Michaela is discovered dead in her dressing room after the show, Amanda is the first to investigate the shocking scene.
There is no sign of foul play, and the room is overflowing with flowers from Michaela’s adoring fans. But Amanda’s heart stops at the sight of a few roses tied with black ribbon and a note that reads “You’ll be sorry”. And when forensic tests reveal the ribbon was laced in something Michaela was deathly allergic to, Amanda is certain this is cold-blooded murder.
Desperate for a lead, Amanda dives into Michaela’s life to find out who could possibly want this sweet girl dead. She soon discovers that despite having a glittering future ahead of her, Michaela had a troubled past, and was surrounded by people jealous of her success.
When someone close to Michaela is discovered brutally murdered, Amanda is terrified there could be yet more innocent victims to follow. Can she uncover the twisted killer’s identity before they strike again?
A completely gripping crime thriller that will have you racing through the pages! Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.
Author Bio
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CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy mysteries, police procedurals, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.