Last To Die (Sheridan #2) by Kate Brady
Romantic Suspense
August 31, 2010
Paperback, 432 Pages
Piatkus Books

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote:  ”Pick your battles baby, pick your battles.”

Detective Dani Cole just buried her father but before she can grieve she is called back to work on a murder case. This case hits close to home because Dani had once helped the victim out of a rough situation. As more bodies are found; Dani realizes she has a serial killer loose in her city. Dani’s investagation leads her to Mitch Sheridan. Mitch and Dani share a painful past. Once teenage lovers, she pushed him away when he came to close to her and her secrets. As Dani and Mitch race to find the killer they also try to resolve their past. But someone doesn’t want Dani to rediscover love or solve the case…someone wants Dani dead.

Kate Brady’s Last To Die is an intense romantic suspense thriller that keeps you on your toes as you navigate the through the twists and turns of the story. The reader follows Dani and Mitch as they track and enter the mind of an insane serial killer who hides in plain sight as an upstanding citizen. Punishing those who they believe have betrayed a sacred bond; you are both horrified and titillated once the who, what, and why is revealed. The romance blends well with an exciting “who dun it” plot to create a fast paced read that will have you racing to the end.

Detective Dani Cole is a strong self sufficient woman with a large chip on her shoulder. Forever linked to her father, who was a dirty cop, she is stained by his crimes. She must be twice as tough and work twice as hard to gain any credibility with her fellow officers. When she was younger she had an intense love affair with Mitch Sheridan. But secrets had her keeping him at arms length. One fateful night those secrets are exposed and Dani pushed Mitch away. Now Mitch is back and wants back in Dani’s life but Dani isn’t ready to reopen that painful piece of her past.
Mitch Sheridan is an intensely private man who makes his living photographing the horrors of the world. When his adopted father is murdered he races back to the US and finds Dani investigating the case. Having never forgotten Dani, he is stunned to learn that his feelings for her are as intense as they were 18 years ago and he is determined to have and keep her in his life this time around.

Both characters are flawed and vulnerable. They bury their pain and anguish in their work. Filled with tense situations and inner conflicts, Ms. Brady does a wonderful job of peeling back their layers to expose their true feelings and make them acknowledge and deal with their past. We do see more development from Dani. She was the main protagonist and it was nice seeing her take charge and stay in charge. Often once the love interest enters the picture the heroine either takes backseat and allows the hero to take charge or becomes overly aggressive as though the author needs to reestablish their place. This doesn’t happen here. The characters merge and complement each other.

The mystery is a convoluted mix of police procedures and daring dramatic intrigue that leaves you guessing with each scene. As more characters are introduced, you aren’t overwhelmed but amazed at the depth of deception they display. I was a little put off at the ending. I felt it wrapped up to neatly and was expecting some of the “twist” that Brady reveals through out the entire story. All in all, it is an intriguing second installment in Kate Brady’s Sheridan series.

Rating: 3.5/5

Recent Reviews:
One Scream Away
Last to Die

Kate Brady’s Website.