I have a confession to make, before I review Takedown. I don't read the back covers of my favorite authors, and I don't read the cast of characters listed in the front of the book. With one eye open I will glance at the book list to make an attempt at reading the books in order. That being said I have read Julie Miller's Precinct books completely out of order, which in most cases doesn't matter but with Takedown at the very least try to read Kansas City Christmas first, or better yet all of The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge. The reason I suggest this is that Jillian the female lead has a fair amount of back story in Kansas City Christmas. Takedown is a gritty and suspenseful intrigue, with sympathetic characters set in the complex world of Julie Miller's Kansas City Precinct, and a very entertaining read. ( )

I wish Julie Miller would write longer, non-category books! I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her, but the limitations of writing for Harlequin mean she can’t realise her full potential. I’ve read some disasters by other Harlequin authors in the last few weeks, and I picked this up knowing this writer would not disappoint.

Miller seems to actually know what she’s talking about when it comes to the police stuff (unlike the other category books I’ve read this month!). Her characters always seem like real people. The romance is engrossing, and the writing style very readable. The older man, younger woman theme works very well here.

This is part of a loosely-linked series about members of the KCPD, with a perfect balance of romance and suspense. The police side of the story actually makes sense, and is actually very important to the relationship. It’s a very well-rounded story.

It’s such a pity we always have to get such short books from this writer, because she’s really wonderful and I’d love to read something longer. This was really good romantic suspense. ( )