Customer Reviews

Killing Kin

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a wonderful book this was. I first read Sunrise and knew that I found a new author and character I would like a lot. Until I read Killing Kin, I had no idea just how much I would respect them as well. Leigh Ann Warren is true to herself, and has a level of self-respect (without bitterness!) that I don't usually see in today's mystery characters. What a strong woman she is, and how nice it is to read a mystery from the viewpoint of a woman who's lived life, not been damaged by it. I will definitely be looking for any and all Leigh Ann Warren books to come along. With this book, Chassie West now tops my "buy hardback, on release day" list!

Returning home from a family reunion, ex-cop Leigh Ann Warren finds a dead body in her kitchen with all signs of guilt pointing towards her ex-partner and lover, Duck. Leigh Ann has to put aside her doubts to investigate Duck's background while saddled with an unwanted bodyguard and questions from the police.

Leigh Ann Warren is an admirable and likeable character who relentlessly looks for the answers she is afraid to find.

It's been a rough few months for Leigh Ann Warren. First the love of her life, her fiancé, gave her an ultimatum that resulted in their separation; then the other love of her life, her job as a police officer, is taken from her when she is injured and put on disability leave. Just when it seems things couldn't get worse, her former fiancé Dillon Upshur, a.k.a. Duck, is missing. Not only is he missing, but there are rumors circulating around the police force that he stole evidence (drugs) and that he is using. And let's not forget about the dead body found locked in her apartment.

Leigh knows Duck. He was an honorable cop and wanted nothing to do with drugs. How his disappearance and the dead body are tied together, she doesn't know, but intends to find out. After initial digging, she discovers that his past isn't all he'd told her it was. Her belief is shaken, yet she sets out to find the whole truth.

Chassie West has written a fantastic mystery filled with twists and turns without becoming convoluted. Even though I generally knew what the ending would be, it was fun watching how she'd get there. And the characterization... She included a large cast of characters who worked well together. Each had his/her own voice, humor and style. I missed this series when it was originally released in 2000. Boy am I glad I didn't miss it this go around. I look forward to reading further adventures of Leigh Ann Warren. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Deatri King-Bey
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Killing Kin is Chassie's best mystery yet. A tight, suspenseful plot gives new depth to series protagonist Leigh Ann Warren, as well as her relationship with Duck Kennedy, who's mysteriously gone missing. Add some colorful secondary characters and subplots, blend together with Chassie's patented style, paint in the DC backdrop and you have a great read! Excellent!

I read this in a day - wonderful characters, fun and REAL. I just added her other two to my order form. This is a short review only because I am up WAY past my bedtime because I just had to finish it! Normally, I go for the mysteries where the locations are the the most well developed, but Chassie West beats them all with her great characters and wll plotted story.

I hope there will be more to come for Leigh and Duck, and maybe Tina and Tank. (especially since Tank quilts!)

Chassie West is a terrific writer - funny and realistic. Her protagonist, Leigh, is a great character!

I miss Leigh Ann and hope Ms. West will get back to her computer very soon and give us more of this sassy, yet grounded sleuth! What a delight! Leigh Ann has more than a sense of justice, she has humor, insight and knows what she wants in a man. It's great to find a character that is decent, yet can match wits with the grungiest perp! Come on, Leigh Ann...we're all waiting for your next caper.

Ms. West tells a good story. She describes her characters so well, you feel like you know them. The mystery is good and the story moves along so well, you don't want to stop reading. I would highly recommend this book.

We have got to have more of this from Chassie West! I agree with the other reviews: great characters, suspensefull, clever, and extremely hard to put down. These characters would be great in a series, but Chassie West keeps her mystery junkies waiting entirely too long between book fixes. So begging and pleading for a series is probably an exercise in futility. I just hope that we get another dose of this excellent writer sometime in the foreseeable future!

Out on disability with an injured knee, former police officer Leigh Ann Warren is at a cross point in her life. She reluctantly gave up the job she loved, as she can't pass the physical to return to active duty, and her knee seizes up if she sits at a desk too long. Prior to her injury, she had broken up with her police officer fiance, Duck, and so both her professional and personal lives are in turmoil.

Returning home after a short vacation, Leigh discovers a dead man in her kitchen. Leigh hadn't known the deceased in life, but it soon becomes apparent that Duck did. What's more, everyone from the police to drug dealers are looking for Duck, who has disappeared without a trace. Leigh sets out to find her man and finds danger along the way.

Chassie West has created some terrific characters in KILLING KIN. Tank and Tina are especially funny yet realistic. There's lots of suspense, too, which kept me glued to the book. I hope that Leigh and Duck will return in future adventures.