Mysterious Saturday Review: Driving Heat

* Book 7 in the Nikki Heat series * 

A promotion brought Nikki Heat to the rank of Captain. When Heat's psychologist turns up murdered on her first morning, she's surprised to see Rook's on the surveillance video going into the office. He won't tell her why he was at the office. Heat doesn't appreciate being kept in the dark, especially when she feels it will help her case. Files were stolen from the office and she's worried about them falling into the wrong hands.

In order to make her team run smoothly, she jointly promoted Roach to run the case. But even Raley and Ochoa are trying to one up each other for the permanent promotion.

Throw in the fact that Nikki's getting cold feet about the wedding and tension between her and Rook escalates. This investigation brings out the worst in all the relationships in this book. Can they work together and solve the murder before the murderer comes for one of them?

My Thoughts: As a huge fan of the show, I'm happy when more Richard Castle books come out. This one wasn't my favorite - mostly because all the characters were at each other's throats and I didn't enjoy that type of tension. The overall mystery pushes to book forward with lots of suspects, clues, and dead ends. I love the tidbits that overlap the TV show and the book.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: If you're a fan of the show, read these books!

Mysterious Saturday Review: Raging Heat

* Book 6 in the Nikki Heat Series *

Nikki Heat catches a case of an illegal immigrant falling from the sky and crashing into a building - with his hands tied his behind his back. As she digs into the murder, she finds herself a suspect.

Unfortunately, the man has clout - he's the Commission of the Port Authority. As the case widens, Rook believes that Heat's arrested the wrong man. His doubts, shared with others lead to a whole lot of trouble.  The man's let go and Heat finds herself accused of a witch hunt.

The clock's ticking on her murder investigation, especially since a hurricane's making it's way up the coast. Sandy's due to hit and everyone's predicting a major storm.

Can Heat get her murder investigation and her romance on track before taking cover for the storm?

My Thoughts: I really love this series - I love how it follows the show to a certain extent, but it also wildly different. I liked the setting of this book against Super Storm Sandy, it gave a sense of urgency to the book.Lots of action, danger, and romantic issues kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I needed to see how everything was going to turn out - and oh - what an ending. I can't wait for the next book to see how Nikki adapts. If you're a Castle fan of if you like a great mystery with lots of action - read these books.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: Storm Front

Derrick Storm's been given an assignment from the CIA - an assignment chasing a man he believed to be dead for years. When several dead bankers turn up tortured - Storm realizes Volkov's behind everything.

He chases the dead bodies from Paris to London and back to US soil. As he races to uncover the clues behind the bodies, he discovers a financial plot that could ruin everyone.

Can Derrick Storm stop Volkov from killing the last banker and gaining access to his evil plot?

My Thoughts: I love Castle - so of course I wanted to read about the character he wrote. I love the TV ties with these books.  Plus, I was genuinely curious about Derrick Storm. The short chapters, plot twists, and multiple perspectives made it hard to put down. I loved all the action - the car chases (especially the one on the New Jersey turnpike), things being blown up, and the confrontations with the bad guys. It read like a fun action flick with some tender moments and some moments of laughter to ease the tension.  I loved the opening line where the gondolier was described as ruggedly handsome. 

Cover Thoughts: Really like it - especially the dark colors.
Source: My Library
Curious: I'm curious to discover who wrote the book - I feel like I've read the author before, but I can't quite place it.
Fun Fact: I even caught my puppy reading it!