A Critical Tangent (Moonlight and Murder Book1) by @reily_garrett #suspense #romance #TuesdayBookBlog

Author: Reily Garrett

Published: December 2019

Category: Crime, Romance, Suspense, Book Review

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She doesn’t trust cops…

He’s an iron-willed detective who doesn’t know whether to cuff her or kiss her.

Keiki Tallerman is a strong-willed tech prodigy whose life is shattered when her drone captures video of her best friend’s bizarre murder.

Experience has taught her good reason to not trust any police officers, especially when the hard-boiled detectives come knocking on her door. Their suspicions narrow when the second of her trio of friends disappears without a trace from their small urban community.

The first book in a romantic suspense series, A Critical Tangent introduces Keiki Tallerman, a college senior, as she and her friend Shelly are testing a prototype drone. Keiki is a skilful mechanic, building drones for Harock Industries and also using her skills with the machines while working part time for a private investigator. When she witnesses a brutal and fatal attack on Shelly through the camera attached to the drone, she is left in no doubt who will be the next target.

Keiki has her own reasons for not trusting the police, which become apparent as the story progresses. Detective Nolan Garnett and his partner, Detective Coyote Waylin are the investigating officers and suspect Keiki’s not telling them all she knows, which leads them to believe she could be somehow involved in Shelly’s death. Keiki’s role as an amateur sleuth and the fact she has no family, not to mention her distrust of the police, prompt her to attempt to find the perpetrators herself. But the attacks and murders don’t stop with Shelly.

Nolan considered the emotional monsters that drove an orphan to excel in school and at work. A brief explanation detailed her experiences. Both detectives stepped outside and inhaled a deep breath.

Bottled up emotions erupted at some point, either through acceptable outlets or hidden lives. Keiki’s life had taken a macabre turn before her freshman year. The tragedy would remold her, no doubt, but into what?

Despite his conflicting feelings, deep down Nolan didn’t believe Keiki was involved, although Coyote wasn’t so sure. Nevertheless, while working to solve the case they were also trying to stop Keiki from getting herself in danger. Nolan has four sisters so he’s more used to the female mindset than Coyote, nevertheless they work really well together even as this is an out of the ordinary case.

There’s a strong attraction between Nolan and Keiki, which they both try to deny. The romance aspect is light which was a good way to go for the first of a series.

I haven’t read anything by Reily Garrett before but based on this I would read more. A Critical Tangent is an engaging, well paced story with likeable characters. The drone aspect is topical, with the machines becoming ever more popular, and the technicalities are explained well.

Book links ~ Amazon UK | Amazon US 

About the Author

Reily Garrett is a writer, mother, and companion to three long coat German shepherds. When not working with her dogs, she’s sitting at her desk with her furkids by her side.
Author of chilling suspense and snarky romance, her stories span the distance of romantic thrillers, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. Regardless of genre, each book delves into a dark and twisted imagination yet is tempered with romance and a touch of humor.

Author links ~ Website | Facebook | Twitter