Customer Reviews

Deadly Legacy

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In San Francisco, Homicide Detectives Kate Gillespie and Rocky Markowski investigate what appears is a murder suicide with two corpse inside a car. When Kate sees the female victim, she realizes she was her estranged best friend Eve Tremayne. Kate cut off her relationship with Eve because the latter was into kinky S&M.

Kate and Rocky explores Eve's residence where they find a sex room including adult toys and an album containing pictures of the deceased's clients. Kate sees a picture of her dead father and absconds with it. On the other hand she leaves behind inside the album the picture of her ex-spouse. As Rocky takes over the lead with another cop, Kate is relegated to providing support. The SFPD digs into a violent underworld filled with treachery, duplicity and selfish cover-ups by individuals who will not lose a minute of sleep if three cops must die.

Fans of police procedurals will want to read DEADLY LEGACY, an exciting tale starring a strong cast of characters. Kate is an ethical lead protagonist whose conscience reminds her that she tampered with evidence when she removed the photo. Though everyone insists that Eve was a highly ethical person, Kate knows first hand otherwise. Rocky provides a steady balance and an internal affairs cop adds a romantic angle. The who-done-it is complex as the so-called loving relatives of the victims do everything to avoid exposure. As she did with Every Move She Makes and Fatal Truth, Robin Burcell provides the audience with a strong mystery.

Harriet Klausner

I enjoyed 'Every Move She Makes' and 'Fatal Truth' so much that I couldn't wait to read 'Deadly Legacy', but I wasn't certain that Burcell could maintain the same intensity in the plot and between the characters for this third outing. Happily, I was just as intrigued with the story and the relationships this time. Once I began reading I was unable to stop until the surprising conclusion.

This story begins with the murder/suicide of an unknown man and a young woman that San Francisco Homicide Inspector Kate Gillespie knew well once upon a time. As Kate and her new partner Rocky Markowsky investigate the deaths become more suspicious. Everyone has something to hide including Kate. Kate initially begs to be removed from this case to which she has so many unhappy associations. However, when she is asked to step aside she is unable to let go of her investigation despite the fact that someone is trying to make her stop permanently.

Burcell's characters are so well developed that you feel like you know them. They are also intelligent, dedicated, honest but flawed just enough that you really want to know them.

The on again off again relationship between Kate and Mike Torrance adds spice to the story, and I would like to see it progress further in the next installment. My only objection is that the book wasn't long enough.

If y'all have't read a Robin Burcell book, you are in for SUCH a treat! :D

All the characters ring true, and Kate Gillespie is the epitomy of a true heroine, the BEST of what we want cops to be. Plus she's way funny. <g> Read all her books ASAP!

Pat, BIG fan of this fabulous author!

Robin Burcell has written another police procedural that is both interesting and even better, if that is possible, than her previous two bestsellers of Inspector Kate Gillispie. Kate and her new partner, Rocky, go on a chase for a double murder killer, and Kate discovers an old college friend was not the gody-two shoes she appeared to be. Kate is delightful as a woman who is guilty over some of the things she has to do as a police officer and a person. A thriller worthy of a good read at night. I recommend it highly.

Kate Gillespie is one of San Francisco's finest, knows the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, decent and undeserving. So, when one of her best friends from childhood is found dead, apparently a victim of a murder-suicide, she has to reconsider her values. Eve Tremayne had been her best friend, until Eve had showed Kate the pictures of Kate's father in compromising positions better left unknown. Kate is shocked, what happened to Eve to turn her into someone she didn't know and didn't want to know, why would she be doing this....As Kate looked through the open window of the Mercedes into the face of one of her dearest friends, Eve's dead body not giving the answers Kate long for, reliving every horrible moment of the last conversation she's had with Eve, and when Kate gained the knowledge of her father's infidelity. It was the day Kate grew up.

But now, it's a different time, a different place. There is little doubt that Eve and her passenger are a murder-suicide, not with the ugly bruises on their bodies, as if someone held them down before killing them. With Eve's tawdry sex trade and the pictures that Kate knew were still out there, the search for the killer must begin. As Kate and her partner, Rocky, begin the search of Eve's questionable deeds, Kate comes across a photo album containing all Eve's conquests, including Kate's father. She knew she shouldn't, but the picture was too disturbing, embarrassing. Kate slipped it from it plastic casing and into her pocket. No one needs to know. Almost as soon as the deed is done, Kate knows it's wrong. She's corrupted the investigation into a homicide by trying to protect her family.

When Lt. Andrews finds out about Kate's indiscretion, she's pulled from the case, but the case won't leave her alone, literally. She's pulled back in time and time again. First, by a misidentification of Eve's passenger by his supposed wife, Daisy. Then by Mrs. Tremayne who makes her swear to find the killer. And just when she thinks she can let go, someone kidnaps Daisy's daughter six year old daughter, Bonnie. It just won't leave her alone, and it's a good thing, because someone is out to kill Kate to top off everything else. What can Kate do to find the answers before the killer succeeds? How can she trust? And will it mean her job?

Deadly Legacy by Robin Burcell was a fast paced whodunit that didn't stop until the last page. It has all the makings that all great stories have, corrupt politicians, dirty cops, sex pictures, videos, and sex on CD. It grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. Our intrepid detective, Kate Gillespie, is up to her eyes in dirt and smut; and everyone is willing to kill to make a profit from the illicit activities found within the story. The involvement goes all the way to the FBI, but why shouldn't it. Politicians of all varieties were involved with Eve, which is a perfect name of this character, Eve who couldn't resist the forbidden temptation and all the money it bought with it. And Eve's little sex club is called 'The Garden of Eden'. As our heroine, Kate, makes more discoveries of the perversities that man will stoop to all in the name of pain, the story becomes more involved. Not only was Eve blackmailing people, but Eve's father may have been involved as well. Our hero is this tale is Kate's long time love interest, Mike Torrance, and why these two remain apart is beyond this reader's knowledge. The sexual tension is so great that it oozes out of the pages. Yes, they have a past and words hurtful words were said, but it's nothing that can't be undone if only Kate can get past herself. Mike is the strong, up standing type that knows what he wants, but doesn't quite know how to get it, not without stepping on Kate's toes and maybe scaring her off. He'd like nothing better than to ravish Kate, but is held back by Kate herself.

Deadly Legacy was a rockin' ride that any amusement park would be happy to have. It starts out slow and smooth, but soon it has you zipping around corners, upside down, and turned around. What you thought you knew isn't always exactly what it seems to be. It's a classic whodunit that keeps you begging for more. I can highly recommended this book for all fans of mystery, mayhem, and romance. I was definitely satisfied, and if I hadn't already read the next book, I'd be waiting with bated breath to see if Kate and Mike actually make it into bed. But, seeing how I know, you'll just have to check it out for yourself.

Kate Gillespie, Homicide Inspector for the San Francisco PD, finds herself entwined in an apparent murder-suicide case involving an old school friend. The deeper Kate digs, the more involved the case becomes, leading Kate to question some basic truths from her past. This is the third Kate Gillespie book and a great addition to the series.