A Killer's Kiss

The Firebrand Series, Book 6

By: Helen Harper

Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart

A twisted killer is making his mark in London, leaving a trail of blood and devastation in his wake. It's not only humans who are being targeted. Vampires, werewolves, and pixies are in mortal danger too.

I've been called in to help with the investigation but I can't shake the feeling that there's more to the murders. Someone is playing a very sick game—and it's up to me to put a stop to it.

©2022 Helen Harper (P)2023 Tantor

book lover

I loved the fact that once I started listening to the first book I couldn't stop listening to the next book in the series. before I knew it I'm almost done reading this series. great storyline, and memorable characters.

Fast-Paced

This was a fast-paced case with an unexpected twist on whodunit. And that ending?! Seriously, I’m downloading book seven right now.

Helen Harper Books

I have enjoyed this series and look forward to choosing another series from her library

Entertaining mystery, juvenile romance

This was a fast paced police procedural with lots of bodies and lots of interesting twists. Yes, you need to suspend disbelief a bit, especially as to the number of people willing to participate in murder. But, hello, this is also a world with supernaturals. I had a great time predicting the who’s and following as Detective Constable Emma Bellamy actually solves things through detecting, instead of merely bumbling along.
I’m still enjoying how Emma being a Phoenix factors into each installment.

Too bad her use of F bombs has now spilled into the office. The overall F bomb dropping among all characters continues to increase, and for the most part aren’t deployed effectively by the author.
Emma’s character is all about the nobility of policing. The idea that young, earnest Emma throws down
F bombs in the workplace, with her colleagues, and in front of witnesses feels inconsistent with her character, not to mention detracts from the credibility of her police department. Maybe if her character was instead a down and out private investigator, that sort of unprofessionalism would make sense.
The cussing is steadily turning me off this series.

The other feature that just isn’t working for me is the romance. What elder vampire Lucas sees in Emma, I don’t know. What she sees in Lucas is apparently his hot rear, which must be pointed out at least once in each book. Her jealousy at seeing women flirt with him is juvenile. Is there no chemistry because it feels like a teenage crush? Or because there’s not much to their relationship beyond them solving crimes together? I’d be happier with this series if it jettisoned the F bombs and the romance and just stuck with the UF police procedurals.