Dead Against Her

Written by Melinda Leigh

Narrated by Christina Traister

Sheriff Bree Taggert’s downfall is part of a killer’s cunning design in #1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s novel of murder, lies, and revenge.

Called to an isolated farm to check on an elderly widow, Sheriff Bree Taggert finds a brutal double homicide. One of the victims is Eugene Oscar, the bitter and corrupt former deputy she recently forced out of the department.

Working with criminal investigator Matt Flynn, Bree discovers that she isn’t the only one who had a troubling history with Eugene. But someone doesn’t want Bree digging up the past. She becomes the target of a stranger’s sick and devious campaign calculated to destroy her reputation, career, family, and new relationship with Matt. To make matters worse, she’s the prime suspect in Eugene’s murder.

When her chief deputy goes missing while investigating the case, Bree refuses to back down. She won’t let him become the next victim. His life and her future depend on finding a killer nursing a vengeful rage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: May 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781713594383

Melinda Leigh

#1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. After joining Romance Writers of America, she decided writing was more fun than analyzing financial statements. Melinda’s debut novel, She Can Run, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. She’s also garnered Golden Leaf and Silver Falchion Awards, along with two nominations for a RITA and three Daphne du Maurier Awards. Her other novels include She Can Tell, She Can Scream, She Can Hide, She Can Kill, Midnight Exposure, Midnight Sacrifice, Midnight Betrayal, Midnight Obsession, Hour of Need, Minutes to Kill, Seconds to Live, Say You’re Sorry, Her Last Goodbye, Bones Don’t Lie, What I’ve Done, Secrets Never Die, and Save Your Breath. She holds a second-degree black belt in Kenpo karate, has taught women’s self-defense, and lives in a messy house with her family and a small herd of rescue pets. For more information, visit www.melindaleigh.com.

Reviews for Dead Against Her

[Yvette Bonett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great story plot! totally keeps you interested in wanting to find out more! Loved it. perfect narrator as always.

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dead Agaiinst Her
4 Stars

When a former deputy who resigned in disgrace is the victim of a homicide, Sheriff Bree Taggert learns that she is only one of many who had reason to dislike the man. The suspects range from an ex-wife, a fellow officer, an angry parolee, and various family members. The investigation is further complicated when Bree is targeted by a twisted stranger who threatens to ruin not only her reputation but her family and fledgling romance with Matt Flynn. When her chief deputy vanishes, Bree vows to stop at nothing to locate him and apprehend the killer.

As always, Leigh has written a well-paced and action-packed police procedural. The mystery is intriguing, and it is entertaining to follow along as Bree uncovers the clues. That said, it is possible to guess the culprit when certain facts are revealed, and there is also a definite conflict of interest with Bree investigating the murder of a man she tried to fire; something that is indicated in the book itself.

In terms of the romantic elements, Bree and Matt's relationship is on track, and there are also delightful hints at a romance between Todd and Cady. Hopefully, there will be more page time for them in the future.

On a final personal note - the revenge porn aspects are very disturbing and make my skin crawl. The fact that there are such sick and twisted people out there is scary, and their ability to destroy someone's life so quickly and so easily is horrifying.

Overall, a strong addition to the series and Leigh's plotting and characterization are improving.

[hotcha-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! I will definitely look for the next book as I am so addicted!!

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This fifth Bree Taggart mystery begins with her doing a wellness check on her way home from work and discovering two murdered people. One of them is the deputy that she wanted to fire but who managed to retire because she didn't have concrete evidence of his corruption. As she and her deputies and her investigator/boyfriend Matt Flynn investigate, Bree also has to do with harassment through a series of hate emails. That would be bad enough but then things escalate when someone begins posting deepfakes and revenge porn by posting her head on porn star bodies and sharing the videos all over the internet.The fake videos threaten to take over all her time when she should be tracking down a murderer. Luckily, she hires Morgan Dane to help her by suing any place where the videos are being posted. That doesn't stop one of the county supervisors from demanding that Bree remove herself from the investigation or resign her position as sheriff. When her chief deputy is kidnapped, she and Matt need to put all the pieces together if they want to save him and solve the crime. This was a fast-paced story with lots of tension. I like the way Bree is growing into her new role as parent to her niece and nephew. I also like the way her relationship with Matt is progressing.