Detective Gemma Monroe is shocked when a friend is killed in an explosion moments after she last spoke with him. He was receiving anonymous threats, so Gemma immediately jumps on the case to catch a killer. The case turns out to be incredibly complex, with other similar killings tying in with it. Is this a case of revenge? Or is a serial killer on the loose?

Shatter the Night is the 4th book in the Gemma Monroe series. This is by far the best in the series so far, in my opinion. The plot was suspenseful and engaging. There were plenty of suspects, and the case evolved at just the right speed to keep me reading. I couldn't put this book down....I was reading until 3 am to find out the killer's identity. I had a guess for how this story would end -- and I was completely wrong! I love it when a suspense novel surprises me!

This book can be read as a stand alone story, but to completely understand the characters, their relationships, etc...it really is best to read this series from the beginning.

Great book! I can't wait for the next story in this series! I like Gemma Monroe as a main character....she struggles with being a working mom but loves her job. I like all the side characters and the plots are always engaging.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

Shatter the Night is the fourth book in a mystery series that I absolutely adore! This author can write and beautifully at that! There is something so atmospheric about her books that I just cannot get enough of. I honestly always want to save her books but I can't (and don't) because they are just so good - I can't resist picking them up soon after they release! This isn't a series that you necessarily have to read in order. I think that each one could be read as a standalone but together they are that much better. One of the things about this series that I can't get enough of (besides the writing which is just so gorgeous that I can't help but mention it again) is the characters. These are characters that feel real with real life struggles. Gemma is a mom that works to balance life as a police detective and being a mother. She doesn't always balance these two things the best but I feel like that's real life. It isn't always easy but the reality is that both things are important to her so she works at it. I love that the mysteries always seem to keep me guessing which is exactly what this one did. I also really appreciate the way that the setting and season play a role in these books. This one was set around Halloween so you could feel the chill in the air at times and the end of fall coming. It was just SO GOOD and I need more readers to find and love this series as much as I do!! I've read and loved all four books in this series. I think that you would enjoy this series if you are a fan of Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series to start, are a fan of mysteries and police procedurals, or are looking for a mystery with standout atmospheric writing that paints a picture in your head. I highly recommend this series and each of the books in this series including this one!

Bottom Line: Another standout addition to one of my very favorite mystery series!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley but ended up reading a copy from my local library. ( )

This fourth Detective Gemma Monroe mystery, set in a fictional city in the Colorado mountains. I wanted to like this book and the writing is engaging, but I abhor a sloppy mystery. It's the minor, jarring points that ruined the story for me. Additionally random characters were added at key points and everyone has some involved backstory, maybe for the benefit of continuing the series. Okay, but I wanted better. ( )

Shatter the Night by Emily Littlejohn is a highly recommended mystery/police procedural and the fourth book in the series featuring Gemma Monroe.

On Halloween night in Cedar Valley, CO, Detective Gemma Monroe, fiancé, Brody Sutherland, and their daughter, Grace, stop by the law office of an old family friend, retired Judge Caleb Montgomery. After admiring costumes, Caleb talks to Gemma privately and gives her a stack of threatening letters he's been receiving. Shortly after Gemma and her family leave, the judge's car explodes - with him inside. Gemma and her team immediately begin investigating suspects and motives, including the judge's past rulings from when he was on the bench. As the investigation continues, another man is murdered and the case becomes more complicated with perhaps decades old roots.

The plot flows smoothly as you follow the various threads of the investigation and the inquiries made as the team strives to find the killer in this adeptly written mystery. Part of the pleasure is in following working mom Gemma juggle the complex investigation and the needs of her family. All the characters, including the minor ones, are developed and come across as real people. Every little tidbit of information uncovered could be an important lead or a false trail as the tension slowly built through the novel. The culmination of the investigation was satisfying after plenty of suspects were considered and rejected.

Shatter the Night can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel. This is my first Gemma Monroe novel and I could very easily follow the plot and the backstory. I also liked the character of Gemma quite-a-bit and look forward to entering her world again someday.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Macmillian.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2019/12/shatter-night.html ( )

Justice, revenge, a fearless killer on the loose in this small town. A retired judge, the first victim. Enter Gemma and Finn, partners on the force, but not in life. In fact Gemma is soon to marry the father of her baby Grace, the rehabilitated Brody. Plenty of course, I had a guess for the who done it, but I was wrong. I usually am, so good thing my role in life is not that of detective.

Enjoy the characters the mix between the personal and professional, and a fairly quick pace. Small Town life, where everyone knows everyone and usually quite of bit of their lives as well. So, how is it possible for this killer to hide so well? Plus, the theater, is putting on their first show, Macbeth, the play that holds many superstitions, could this be the problem?

The ending became a little crowded, but exciting all the same. A fairly new series, that definitely holds my interest. Good, solid police procedural.

ARC from Netgalley. ( )