Linda L. Richards

A great addition to the Endings series!

Dead West is the third novel in veteran author Linda L. Richards’s female killer-for-hire series, Endings, and the stories just keep getting better. In this latest addition, our nameless assassin accepts a difficult assignment to take out a rancher whose Arizona property and wild horse sanctuary abut a national forest. You’d think a less populated environment would make her planning and execution easier, but in reality, a stranger showing up in the show more middle of nowhere USA attracts a whole lot of unwanted attention, and that’s never good for business.

The main character in this series never reveals her true name, but for the purpose of moving about society, she currently goes by the purchased identity of Katherine Eveline Ragsdill. Except for her dog, she leads a solitary life, both by necessity and choice, out of the sight of the curious, still grieving the loss of her son and husband. However, she’s starting to re-examine her choices and questions her life and actions. While scouting out the location and situation of her current mark, for some inexplicable reason that even she can’t put in words, she allows herself to get to know her intended target, and she likes what she sees – a lot.

The author tells the tale from our woman’s point of view, and her voice is honest and appealing, with bits of humor lightening what is a sober narrative. Richards’s writing style is smooth and compelling reading, and the pages flew by effortlessly. The story is that well-paced. The book takes the assassin from a tropical island to the desert to cosmopolitan cities, but no matter where the story leads, the author quickly makes the reader feel like they are on location with the characters. The plot is based on a twist in the assassin’s actions, which is not the last one to happen. I was guessing up until the very end.

Although this is the third book in the series, it can genuinely be read and enjoyed as a standalone. However, do yourself a favor and read the first two. I recommend DEAD WEST to readers of crime fiction and mysteries.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. show less

“Endings” by Linda L. Richards is unique because of its structure in the first person-present tense. Descriptions set the tone of the narrative and pull readers into the midst of the action. What does it take for a nice person, like the narrator, to kill a person, multiple people even? Readers soon find out. Step by step events unfold; no warning is given. “Not much, anyway. Just before I plug three silenced shots into his chest.”
She once was someone’s wife and someone’s mother, show more but now things are different. She is different. Now she is someone “nice” people contact when they need someone killed. As soon as she first killed for money, everything fell into place like dominoes tumbling into each other in an orderly fashion. Then things change dramatically; there is a job that is not a job. Jobs come and go; jobs are completed, over, finished. This is an obsession, and once she commits to something, she follows it through to the end.
There are no spoilers in this review, which is a difficult task. The narrative is compelling, addictive, gut wrenching and teeth grinding. Her life once was orderly, organized and focused; then suddenly it is not. I will just say that she keeps the puppy. Plan your time wisely when you start reading, because once you start you will not be able to put this book down. I received a review copy of “Endings” from Linda L. Richards, and Oceanview Publishing. I read it in one day show less

The Endings series book #3

This propulsive thriller brims with psychological insights and is one of the most thrilling stories I have read so far this year.

If you are an assassin “don’t get involved with your target” should be at the top of your list. Katie is a contract killer ordered to eliminate Cameron Walker, a rancher in Arizona, who is passionate with wild horses. Arriving at the ranch to carry out her orders she discovers that he is a kind man...she is wondering who might want show more him dead. She delays long enough to develop of soft spot and a vibe to grow between them. Soon she finds herself trying to protect the man she was sent to kill...But along the way she encounters kidnappers, killers, horse thieves and even human traffickers....

First person narrative got me hooked from the opening page. It is so well-done I was Katie moving in her shoes. The plot is active never stops a moment. Katie is tormented by what she sees and what she supposed to do. The agonizing moments played in my mind along with hers.

The conservation of the wild horses in the Southern States has been a controversial topic for ages. This story brings it at the forefront in an entertaining way whether the author had an agenda or not. The way Ms. Richards penned her story is very well-done, enlightening even a tad political and has giving us along the way a saga full of twists and a little bit of romance to soften things.

I couldn’t put this book down. It definitely gets high marks from me. show less

Linda L. Richards' second outing for socialite-turned-Gal Friday Katherine Pangborn doesn't disappoint. Like the first novel featuring Kitty Pangborn, Death Was the Other Woman, Death Was in the Picture pays an homage to the noir novels of the 1930s and 1940s, complete with authentic 1931 slang (e.g., mook, twist, flatfoot, hophead).

In this second installment in the Kitty Pangborn series, Kitty's boss, the hard-drinking Dexter Theroux, gets hired by a mysterious client to keep an eye on show more matinee idol Laird Wyndham at a party. When an actress gets brutally murdered at the party with Wyndham arrested for the murder, Dex begins to think both he and Laird have been set up.

While not as much of a roller-coaster ride as Death Was the Other Woman, where the reader uncovers one surprise after another, Death Was in the Picture is still a page-turner in its own right. Although you'll suspect the murderer before Dex and Kitty do, you'll still find the novel a very satisfying one. This isn't for historical mystery fans only. show less