Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up

Review: I really enjoyed this, it definitely kept me guessing throughout the whole story. There were so many twists that I did not see coming and I was reminded why I binged this series in 2023. Loved it!

Synopsis: A teenager returns home from work and finds her parents shot to death in their bed. Responding to the call, Sheriff Bree Taggert realizes the crime wasn’t a burglary gone wrong. The couple was executed. The sole survivor: their traumatized teenage daughter, Claire Mason.

Bree teams up with investigator Matt Flynn to work the case, but together they uncover more questions than answers. When Claire is stalked at the park, it’s clear the killer isn’t finished—and she’s the next target.

As Bree and Matt sift through the past—suspect by suspect—a tangled web of deception emerges, and the truth becomes harder to see. Because the victims’ entire lives were a lie. And the only way to protect the vulnerable girl is to unravel her parents’ secrets.

Book number ten hits close to home for Bree, it messes with her objectivity and brings up some painful memories. I loved how Bree and Matt have settled into domestic bless, except for the twenty-four-hour days after this double homicide. Need more of the romance and less of Bree's introspection. Just when you think you have it all figured out, watch out for the zinger.

Seventeen-year-old Claire Mason returns home after her part time job to find both her parents shot to death in their bed. She is a traumatized mess and Sheriff Bree Taggert can relate. When a search turns up little missing except for the couple's electronics, Bree suspects that robbery may not have been the motive for the murders. Working this case brings up all kinds of trauma that Bree suffered in her childhood. When Claire is chased at a local park, it looks like she may be a target too.

In addition to the murder, exotic animals are turning up in Gray's Lake. When the county supervisor calls Bree about an alligator in the lake, on the heels of Matt's sister taking in a wolf pup, Bree is faced with the possibility that there is an exotic animal smuggling ring operation in her county.

But that will have to take second place to the ongoing murder investigation where the Mason's many secrets could have led to their deaths.

My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4.5 hearts

I always enjoy the Bree Taggert series. It's a police procedural, with a found family, and there's K9 work too. I'm very attached to Bree and her family, her relationship with Matt, and her old partner, Dana.

Bree has revamped her force and it includes more women now. She still hates the politics, press conferences and is constantly questioned by one of the council. She and Matt are busy with a double homicide, a teen being stalked, and exotic animals loose in the area.

The couple who was murdered turn out to be con artists of a sort. They aren't who they seem. Their daughter is now being stalked by the press and also possibly by the murderer. She was the one who found them. It has parallels with Bree's childhood when both her parents died and where this teen will live in the future.

I really loved reading this twisty case, and the personal relationships which progressed. Things did not go as I thought they would. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the Bree Taggert series, Beyond Her Reach in September 2025.

This is the tenth book in the Bree Taggert series, is a gripping thriller filled with suspense, compelling characters, and emotional depth.

Bree and her team in Grey’s Hollow are thrust into a double homicide investigation after a couple is found dead, with their daughter, Claire, discovering the bodies. The case grows more complex as motives like financial troubles, neighbor disputes, and potential child abduction emerge. Meanwhile, Claire struggles with the devastating loss of her parents and her sense of identity.

Bree’s personal strength and resilience shine as she balances her professional duties with reflections on her own challenging past. Her relationship with Matt offers moments of warmth and stability amidst the tension. Readers will also enjoy lighter moments with the lovable dogs, Brody, Ladybug, and Vader.

With unpredictable twists, heartfelt character development, and a story that keeps you guessing, this book is a must-read for fans of the series and a perfect introduction for thriller enthusiasts.

Sheriff Bree Taggert is back! Pub date: Jan 14th

I've loved what I have read of this series. I started with book 5 and have liked these so much that I went back and got all the audiobooks for the entire series to go back and catch up (we are on book 10 and I haven't caught up yet but.... now I have the option, lol!)

Anyway, This case and the investigation were pretty twisted, but that's nothing new for Bree. What could be a straightforward case turns into a lot more. We have exotic animals playing a part in this story (not the same creepy, slithery variety we uncovered in another story in this series), we have maybe unreliable characters, twisted family dynamics, and small town politics (which Bree hates to have to be involved in). This book relied heavily on the police procedural but I don't mind that at all. This was fast paced, there are lots of tense moments throughout with some heartwarming ones too!

My only reason for 4 stars vs the full 5 is that there are a couple loose threads left at the end. I am a reader that likes everything to be tied in a neat little bow by the end, especially with a police procedural.

Two people are found by their teenage daughter brutally murdered in their beds. There are no clues and investigators are puzzled. Why were they murdered and who was it. As the investigation continues there are more questions than answers. This is a book that will grab you from the first and not let go. There are a couple of twists in the story that I didn’t see coming. The book is part of.a series but could be read as a stand alone. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Bree, Matt, Todd and the rest of the Greys Hollow police department find themselves smack bang in the middle of another homicide case. A double homicide in fact, with the bodies discovered by the couple's daughter!

There are so many potential suspects and motivations for these deaths: bad neighbours, financial impropriety, and worst of all potential child abduction. Poor Claire, her world is tipped upside down at the loss of her parents, then she learns that she has lost her sense of self too.

I have a girl crush on Bree, I'll admit. She is tough, loyal, confident, brave, loving and refuses to let herself be ruled by the hang-ups she has. She faces her fears head on and is determined to overcome them all. Matt is the perfect partner for Bree, at work or at home. He takes partnership seriously, he injects fun into their life, he gives her a safe harbour and lets her set the pace for the progression of their relationship. He also gets a kick out of watching her take down the odd misogynistic suspect too!

The dogs are always going to steal every scene they're in and Brody and Ladybug are still cute step-brothers but Vader is still giving poor Matt the stink-eye!

The romance may be off the page but you see Matt and Bree have adult conversations and playtime without it being explicit so these books are perfect for teenagers who love a thriller.

I really enjoyed seeing scenes from Claire's POV and just how all over the place and how confused she was, it really pulled you into her story. I hope this series continues for a long time because I am invested in all these characters!

Melinda Leigh delivers another gripping installment in the Bree Taggert series with Track Her Down. This story grabs you from the chilling opening and doesn’t let go. Sheriff Bree Taggert and investigator Matt Flynn team up to solve the shocking double murder of a couple, leaving their teenage daughter, Claire, traumatized and in danger. The twists and turns kept me guessing, with plenty of red herrings to keep the mystery intense.
Leigh’s storytelling is fantastic, blending suspense, small-town life, and a touch of romance. Bree is a strong, determined character who juggles her role as sheriff while uncovering secrets that even she finds shocking. Matt’s investigative skills and love for his retired K-9 Brody add warmth to the story.
The plot is fast-paced, emotionally engaging, and satisfying. If you love crime procedurals with suspense and heart, this book—and the series—is a must-read!

Once again, Melinda Leigh has combined a police procedural with deception, exotic animals, and a little romance in Track Her Down, the next novel in the Bree Taggert series. Bree and her part-time investigator Matt Flynn team up to work a case when a teenager returns home from work and finds her parents shot to death. The case isn’t as straightforward as it might seem and when the daughter, Claire Mason, is stalked at the park, it seems she may be the next target.

Bree is the sheriff of Randolph County, New York. She’s smart, skilled, confident, honorable, and determined. She has earned the respect of her deputies, has standards and ethics, and puts the community first. She joined law enforcement to help people and that is what she intends to do. She is learning to navigate the politics, media, and paperwork associated with being a sheriff in a county with a limited budget. Matt is a former sheriff’s deputy injured in the line of duty. He was going to start a K-9 training program, but his sister Cady is using the kennels for rescued dogs. Matt is a great investigator and is a master at interviewing suspects. He loves dogs, including his retired K-9, Brody.

The novel did a great job of demanding and keeping my attention from beginning to end. It was hard to put down and is well-crafted. A chilling start in chapter one is followed by a call about an alligator in nearby Grey Lake. Just a typical day in Bree’s life as a rural county sheriff, except alligators aren’t supposed to be in New York and the two dead victims were living a lie. What an engaging and suspenseful novel!

The story captivated me from beginning to its surprising conclusion. The plot has twists and turns that were unexpected and clever. As always, the world-building is well-done and the characterization is excellent. By this time in the series, it feels like I’m visiting old friends. The relationships with friends, family, co-workers, and the community add another dimension to the story. Additional threads in the storyline include emotional connections, support systems, deceptions, control, and much more. I enjoy police procedurals, and the small town and the rural county settings in this novel made for a great backdrop for this novel.

Overall, this book has twists, tension, violence, and was hard to put down. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, action, and a little romance, then this is a series that I recommend. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Montlake and Melinda Leigh provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 14, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the Bree Taggert series. Melinda Leigh is one of the authors I stumbled across via Kindle Unlimited way back when and she sparked my love for reading again. I binged all her available books and fell in love with this series and its characters.

This one pulled me in right from the start - which is no surprise for this series. I instantly connected with the characters. I must admit I did have a hunch from the beginning but I was still somewhat thrown off by the twist. As usual, the plot of the book was well done as well as the overarching plotline of the series. A near-perfect execution. The characters continue to grow on me, and I also love the introduction to newer characters. If you enjoy mysteries/thrillers, add this series to your TBR. You will 100% binge these books. An easy 4 stars!

Always amazing writing! Bree and Matt work to solve a double homicide while investigating other crimes. Discovering the victims had many secrets made their work interesting and led to more questions. This case seemed simple, just find the murderer, however those secrets opened a new can of worms expanding their suspect list. Their partnership on the job and at home is unique and special with respect, love and strength. Each book has a new case while we learn more about them on a personal level. The books can be read separately or in order, very easy to follow and the cases are not connected. I received an advanced copy from the publisher and enjoyed it enough to leave my voluntary review.

"Track Her Down" by Melinda Leigh was a page turning edge of the seat book. This book follows Bree Taggert and is the 10th in the series. This book keeps you guessing right to the very end.
Bree is working a new case and has to give it her all. As she works the case she is drawing parallels to her life now and when she was growing up. As she investigates the case she is working more and more things are not adding up, and it as the whole team working overtime trying to work out what happened and why.
Highly recommend this book as well as the rest of the series.

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake Publishing for the chance to read an ARC of Track her down by Melinda Leigh. This is the 10th book in the Bree Taggert series, and it was fast-paced, with plenty of twists, and red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the end. It can be read alone, but I recommend reading the series in order to see the characters grow. I have not read the previous story which is a collaboration between Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot, which introduces a new character featured in Track her down, but am looking forward to reading it, in the new year!

When I’m in a reading slump, having a Melinda Leigh book to turn to always helps to get me out of it.
Can’t believe this is book 10 in the series.
In ‘Track Her Down’ Bree and Matt are investigating a double homicide in a quiet, suburban neighbourhood. A couple are brutally murdered in their bed, discovered by their teenage daughter. As the investigation heats up, Bree and Matt discover the Mason family had many secrets. Some even worth killing for.
I enjoyed reading ‘Track Her Down’. I thought the subplot with the alligator felt a bit silly in comparison to the double homicide storyline, but I understood its relevance in the end and can overlook it.
Melinda Leigh writes the kind of books I like to read. Something with an intriguing plot that gives the right blend of mystery, suspense and small town community feel.
4 stars from me.

Gah, I love this series! Every time a new book comes out I immediately dive in. I loved getting reunited with the characters and quickly became immersed in the case. The conclusion was fast paced and the twist shocking- I didn’t see it coming. I flew through this one and can’t wait for the next book to release!

Originally introduced to Bree Taggert series with a Prime Read, when I had the opportunity earlier this year to catch up on the series with a gift Kindle Unlimited I binged on every current book in the series. When I found Track Her Down was offered as an ARC by NetGalley and Montlake (thank you to both) I was delighted. And I was not disappointed. Sheriff Taggert is faced with a double execution and finding solutions is tough to come by. The murder of Claire Mason’s parents leaves Claire in shock and very alone. After her parents’ death it seems the murderer is not done and is coming after her. Bree and boyfriend/investigator Matt, seek answers that just seem to be beyond their reach. The Sheriff is sympathetic to the teenager remembering her own past experiences with her parents’ death and the after affects of it all. As the twisty plot continues through the story, add an unseemly number of exotic animals that appear on the scene that draws their attention in two directions. I love the characters of the Taggert series, the suspense delivered with every case and story, the family that keeps Bree the caring person she is, new characters introduced from the Sheriff’s office, the ongoing changes Bree makes in getting rid of the good old boys network of the past, the politics of a small town and in this episode the problems of social services. This is an A+ suspense story and a great addition to the series.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Bree is thrown into a couples double homicide case that has her and her crew investigating multiple angles of their deaths and she is also bearing the responsibility of the daughter who found them. Lots of twists and turns and definitely an outcome I was not expecting. It was great to see Bree and Matt working together again and a possible glimpse of her brother Adam and a budding romance for the future.

This is as a great mystery/suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat. 4.5 stars

I always look forward to her books. They grab me from the beginning pages
with a good flowing plot and great characters. As it builds to the final pages.
In this story the main character was Bree, showing what was important in her life.
I recommend this book as well as the series.
I recieved arc to review by Net Galley and Montlake.

<b>4.5 STARS</B> Track Her Down starts off with a bang as Sheriff Bree Taggart is called to the scene of the double murder of a couple after their teenage daughter finds their bodies.

This was a fast-paced story about lies, greed and deception and a secondary story line that centres around exotic animals. I liked that Bree's family stays a bit more in the background in this tenth addition to the series. I enjoy getting snippets of their lives and appreciate how Leigh shows that grief and healing can be long processes and how she weaves her love of animals into her stories.

We meet a few new secondary characters and I think Renata will be a strong addition to the cast and I appreciated that we see more depth in the obnoxious Jager character who has been a one-dimensional thorn in Bree's side in many of the previous books.

This was an enjoyable read that has long-held secrets as Leigh takes her readers on a twisty ride to uncover deception and crime that was years in the making.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Montlake publishing for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.

<b>This review was posted to my blog, socials and Indigo.ca on December 26, 2024.</b>

I absolutely LOVE this series and this addition to it was perfect! I love Bree and Matt and the kiddos it has just the right amount of suspense! This is a must read