Nick Winston and Pat Strom are my two favorite police detectives! In this latest book
in Kelly Marshall's "Winston and Strom" mystery series, macho man Nick and his
lesbian partner Pat scour the streets of Seattle and Tacoma in search of the murderer
of beloved priest Michael Dunne. Their main suspect seems like the obvious killer—he
has motive and opportunity and a less-than-stellar reputation—but are the detectives
looking in the wrong places? Kelly Marshall kept me wondering whodunit until the
story's end. The dialogue between Nick and Pat adds humor (sometimes dark humor,
often politically incorrect) to the murder investigation. But when times get tough
(and they do in this story), their friendship is strong. They've got each other's
backs. Readers who enjoy police mysteries, books with fascinating characters, and
twisty plots will definitely like BLESS ME FATHER FOR I HAVE SINNED. (FYI: Although
this book is part of a series, it stands alone, but you'll want to read them all!)
Sandra Nachlinger — 5 Stars
The 19th book in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles, "Bye Baby Bye" by Kelly
Marshall is a gripping and emotional rollercoaster ride that will keep readers on the
edge of their seats until the very last page. In this heart-pounding thriller, Texas
law enforcement officer Madison Jackson awakens to every parent's worst nightmare:
her infant daughter has been kidnapped from her crib. From the opening pages,
Marshall plunges readers into a world of suspense and intrigue as Madison grapples
with the unthinkable reality of her daughter's abduction. As suspicions mount and
clues emerge, Madison must confront the possibility that her estranged husband,
incarcerated in Supermax as the second-in-command of a deadly Mexican cartel, may be
behind the kidnapping. With the help of her father, local law enforcement, and
federal agencies, Madison embarks on a desperate quest to bring her daughter home
safely. Marshall's skillful storytelling and expert pacing keep the tension high
throughout the novel. In conclusion, "Bye Baby Bye" is a pulse-pounding thriller that
delivers on all fronts. With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and
twisty narrative, this book is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and suspense.
~ Pratibha Malav
She's just a child. Lost? Abandoned? Stolen? No one knows. But she's found in the
wooded terrain around Burnet Reservoir. It's not a pretty sight. She's been raped.
She's been murdered. She was thrown away. Kelly Marshall is no stranger to the hard,
callused, details of a homicide. She is a top-notch mystery writer who never shies
away from the grit and grime surrounding a crime. She takes you, the reader, and
drags you into the scene whether you want to be there or not. In Justice, Book 8 of
the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles, Kelly lets you walk side by side with
Conservation Officer Madison Jackson who can't belief that such a heinous crime as
human trafficking has darkened the roads around her little town. It is a case, a
nightmare, that Madison can't simply cast aside for someone else to solve. She is
determined to find justice and exact a measure of revenge for a young girl whose life
has ended in such a cruel manner. The thirst for vengeance is an obsession that
carries her into the defiant world of Mexico's drug cartels, which only has two
rules. Kill or be killed. Kelly Marshall is a master at creating suspense, and she
has written a captivating story about the bad side of a bad road where graves hold
the remains of those without names, and one may have already been dug for Madison.
~ Caleb Pirtle — 5 Stars
If you like courtroom drama, a gripping page-turner with nail-biting tension, look no
further than Kelly Marshall's book Justified Homicide: Magnolia Bluff Crime
Chronicle Series Book 30. This is an intense read that is gritty and fraught with
danger and raw emotions. This legal thriller is as exciting as any Michael Connelly
novel. I could not put this book down. Marshall kept the pace steady, the characters
were well-drawn, and her understanding of courtroom proceedings is top-notch. I felt
as if I was sitting in the courtroom, watching the intense battle between the
prosecution and the defense attorneys, and rooting for her main character, Madison
Jackson. The story begins with a bang (literally) and never lets up. The plot is
exciting, tense, and realistic. Marshall knows how to grab you from the first page
and doesn't let go until the dynamic, unexpected ending. I highly recommend this
wildfire thriller. It is one of her best yet! Loved it!
~ KD McNiven — 5 Stars
"Bye Baby Bye is a gripping tale that traverses the terrain of love, loss, and the
darker shades of humanity, making it a must-read for those who appreciate layered
crime fiction."
—Literary Titan Review
"This novel, the 19th in a series, is a quick read that is well-paced and boasts
emotional heft…an effective thriller."
—Kirkus Reviews
Detectives Strom and Winston are back and in fine form. Having worked out their issues over Jasmine (the sexy murder victim in The Radio Murders), they are now faced with the most haunting type of death – the murder of a beautiful child. As they dig deeper into the lives of the Emily’s family and those nearest her. Child molestation and abuse are treated with emotional intensity and you can almost feel Nick’s sense of horror that anyone could be so cruel to one so small. No Kelly Marshall mystery would be complete without a few romps in the bedroom (and elsewhere), and this one is no different. Appropriate to the overall story, these sexy escapades are believable and in good taste. Your heart breaks as the history of Emily’s short life unravels and you laugh out loud at Nick’s cowboy stunt to catch a suspect. The book wraps up with an ending fitting the tale. Will our two very different yet lovable detectives return? We can only hope.
~ Linda Thompson, Host of www.TheAuthorsShow.com
Haunted by a Strange Obsession
The Chair is a kinder, gentler novel written by a kinder, gentler Kelly Marshall. It is not the same kind of sexy, salacious, often wild and wicked tale that usually comes from her imagination. Even the voice is softer. But the story? It weaves its way into your soul before you realize it and stuns you before you even guess that the shock is coming.
Kelly Marshall has crafted a story that is guaranteed to prick your emotions. It is one of friendship. And love. Betrayal. And anger. Throw in a little pain. It’s there, too. The one thing that ties the gauntlet of emotions together is a high chair.
The Chair is a bittersweet love story, but definitely more sweet than bitter. Sometimes authors take another, a different kind of road when writing their novels, and The Chair is a road I’m glad that Kelly Marshall decided to take. - Cabel Pirtle, 5/18/15 5 Stars!
Chilling, sobering, and all too real
Those words came to mind while I read Kelly Marshall's Black Phoenix. Marshall's book tells the story of the aftermath through the eyes of Lynette. Lack of food and water, the threat of marauding gangs, no transportation or communication--all these issues and more are addressed in this riveting tale of human survival. Marshall's take on this scary situation is original, believable, and often gritty. However, without giving away the ending, I will say that although the story is grim, there is a glimmer of hope for mankind. - Sandra Nachlinger, 23 Feb. 2014 5 Stars!