Kill and Tell

By: Linda Howard

Narrated by: Natalie Ross

Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

Some secrets need to be told....

Still reeling from her mother's recent death, Karen Whitlaw is stunned when she receives a package containing a mysterious notebook from her estranged father, whom she has barely seen since his return from the Vietnam War decades ago. Then, a shocking phone call: Karen's father has been murdered on the gritty streets of New Orleans.

Even if they lead to murder....

For homicide detective Marc Chastain, something about the case of a murdered homeless man just doesn't add up - especially after he meets the victim's daughter. Far from the cold woman he expected, Karen Whitlaw is warm and passionate. She is also in serious danger. A string of "accidents" have shaken Karen to the core, and forced her into the protective embrace of the charming detective she vowed to resist. Together, they unravel a disturbing story of politics, power, and murder - and face a killer who will stop at nothing to get his hands on her father's secrets.

©2003 Linda Howard (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Linda Howard meshes hot sex, emotional impact, and gripping tension." ( Publishers Weekly)

One of Howard's best stories!

This is one of Linda Howard's best early, romantic suspense stories. Karen is a nurse who gets word that her estranged father was killed in New Orleans after a very long night shift at the hospital. Her father has been living on the streets on New Orleans and it looks like a straight forward shooting of a homeless man.

Before she has time to rest, she is talked into going to New Orleans to ID the body. The detective, Mark Chastain, tall, dark & gorgeous, takes an instant dislike to her. He mistakes her fatigue and emotional control for coldness. He soon realizes his mistake and seduces her over the next few days. She freaks out and runs back to Columbus, where she barrells into a contract killer at her apartment. She escapes him only to run into hit & run driver who is almost hits her and her friend Piper.

Meanwhile, back in New Orleans, Mark is angry that Karen left without a word and has linked her father's death to a body that dumped just over the Mississippi border. He gets a visit by a government agent who is pretending to be FBI.

So, Mark & Karen are working out their relationship while trying to figure out why a contract killer was after Karen. What did her father have that was so important?

It's a fast pace realistic tale and only slightly dated. It was first published in 1998.

The narration is really good with the reader showing expression and using different voices for the different characters.

FYI, all the Queen's Men has a loose link to this story in that a minor character in this one is a hero in that one.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Perfect Narration!

I already knew that I liked this book, as I had read it when it was released. So this is all about the narration for me. And it was absolutely excellent! With this narration, Natalie Ross has made it to second place, right behind Anna Fields, as a female narrator that can give the hero a hot "voice! Listening to Marc Chastain in this audio book will have you bringing out a fan!

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

A really good book!

I disagree with the previous reviewer. This book is more than just a romance novel; it is a good romantic suspense, which is a genre for which Linda Howard is well known. Here she delivers a fast-paced story with a good plot, complete with unexpected twists and great character development. I loved that the heroine was courageous and smart without being afraid to let emotions show. And the hero was just plain yummy! The narration wasn't the best I've heard, but it certainly didn't detract from the enjoyment of the book.

All in all, I think this story is well worth the credit/cost.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Love this Audio!!

I requested this book in audio format from Audible few years ago and very happy that Audible came through. I love the author, story and narrator.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Liked my first romantic suspense

This was my first romantic suspense. I liked it enough but not LOVE IT. Linda is a good author. But having this set in modern times, some aspects of the relationship is unrealistic in our present day and age. But still I liked it , though I got bored at the end and had to fast forward. The narration was acceptable but she needs to improve on her male voices. I find the key to the success of a female narrator is her male voices.
Over all acceptable and ill buy more books for Linda for sure

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

New Favorite Author

This book got me from the first words and I enjoyed every minute of this book. Just bought 4 more Linda Howard's because of this. Can't wait to listen to all her books.

Also, really enjoyed the reader.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Really????

I chose this book based on high reviews, but struggled to make it all the way through. I think it is perfect for readers/listeners who want "love at first sight" and "happily ever after," with a side of an after-school special on condoms and steamy bedroom scenes.

Some of the lines in this actually had me cringing in embarrassment...they were that ridiculous. I never thought I would need to say anything like this, but please do not try to determine a man's commitment to a relationship based on his decision to wear a condom.

As for the rest of it...I got very tired of listening to the characters' thoughts and wish we could move on with the action. There was a decent twist, but so much time was spent on inner monologues that I was left feeling that I had been distracted away from the real story.

I will not be listening to this again and would recommend searching for another book with a little more substance.

11 of 14 people found this review helpful

Oldie but goodie!

This is an older book by Linda Howard and one of the first audio books I purchased. The story is dated however it is still enjoyable. I am a fan of Linda Howard. I enjoyed the narrator as well.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good Story

This was a good story, however, I sort of got a little tired of the narrator.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellant cure for insomnia

Can't say whether the story had any value because the narrator's maple sirup voice and the overwhelming amount of useless information kept putting me to sleep. I do not recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful