2024 Review
the setup…
Homicide Detective Sam Holland and her team are investigating another tough and politically charged case. Victoria Kavanaugh, the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Derek Kavanaugh, was found by him, brutally murdered in their home. To add to the trauma, their 13-month old daughter Maeve is missing. Derek is a good friend of Sam’s husband, U. S. Senator Nick Cappuano and they both socialized with the couple. Was her murder related to Derek’s job?

the heart of the story…
The race to find Maeve added a really tense element to an already high charged situation. As the investigation progressed, it soon became apparent that there was a lot of mystery about Victoria that provided complications. Again, there’s a lot going on beyond the murder case, including the cold case investigation from the last story that emerges again. FBI Agent Avery Hill is assisting with the investigation but his infatuation with Sam gets in the way. I that there are secondary storylines that have added depth.

the narration…
Kaminsky is now the voice of this series for me and that’s a really good thing.

the bottom line…
I enjoyed the story as much as I did the first time with one important distinction. While I respect Sam’s skills, her arrogance sometimes gets in the way. But, she’s getting better with her personal relationships, particularly with Nick, recognizing she needs to be more supportive. There’s an update regarding Scotty, too. But it’s the case that had me hooked. If you multiple plot lines, you’re going to love this story. 4.5 stars


2015 Review
The story centers around the murder of the wife of the White House deputy chief of staff. Also egregious is the kidnapping of their 13-month old daughter. As the investigation progresses, shocking discoveries are made that will impact the political landscape.

I really enjoyed this story as the investigation is front and center. It was perplexing to unravel, even though early suspicions point in an obvious direction as the details weren't as apparent. Relationships continue to move forward and provide plenty of depth to the story. Sam and Nick are fast becoming a favorite couple and the people surrounding them make interesting secondary storylines. There's lots of humor to accompany the obvious heartbreak and the romance. I'm loving the series. 4.5 stars2024-audiobook-challenge 3500-2022 audiobook ...more41 s2 comments Nicola1,395 276

4.5 stars.

Favourite of the series so far! And nothing to do with the introduction of a brooding FBI Agent. Nothing at all.



I love your brand of trouble.”

29 s Dee1,494 171

5/5 Stars

I love this series and eagerly await the release of the next installment. A series that focuses/concentrates on one romantic couple is not usually my thing, but quite a few friends (including some who have never steered me wrong) here on GR's started posting amazing about the first one Fatal Affair. Their and comments praised both the book and the author all the way so I took the plunge…..Once I started reading it I was hooked and have continued to read and love every single one!

After reading the previous books I was wondering where the next book would take us but again Ms. Force has pulled it off again! It is a brilliant Romantic Suspense, ok it does focus mainly on the suspense side of things but we still do get to see some romance between the newly married couple and I love the chemistry/connection between the two of them. Both Nick and Sam have very busy jobs, he is a U.S. Senator and she is a D.C. police Lieutenant commanding her team of detectives and juggling numerous murder cases, some of which get solved but others that have been on-going throughout the series. In some ways I would love to see those cases solved and be given the answers but in others I very much want them to continue, which is unusual for me as I tend to get impatient and end up giving up with the series….but not this one! When we do finally get some answers then I am hoping that Ms Force has already set up new ones to grip us so that the series continues.

The main focus of this story is another high profile case whereby the wife of the White House deputy chief of staff has been beaten to death, and their one-year-old daughter is missing. As with previous books the story lines are gripping and kept me interested right until the end. We see Nick and Sam adjusting to married life and trying to juggle their heavy schedules to get some quality time together. Sam is beginning to open up more and more to Nick and realise that she can depend on him that he is there for her and loves her deeply. They start to discover that she s a little bit of kink in their love making and they start to explore this, and Nick encourages her to let him know what else excites her so that they can explore that too.

I would beg Ms. Force to please please write faster but then I do know that she also writes other series too and that these things take a little time, but I know that future installments will be well worth the wait!

If you love a really good romantic suspense trust me when I say you need to try this one….you won’t be disappointed!

ARC kindly provided by publisher Carina Press via NetGalley
1 also-book arc-netgalley ...more18 s Mo1,378 2

Marie, if it ain't broke .... Have read nearly all of Marie's books. Love them BUT, yep, going to be in the minority here - why bring in the spanking etc. Marie, you have a loyal following and I know you have said in other comments that you did not read Fifty but this book added a little bit of kinky that a lot of writers are "doing" at the moment. As I said, if it ain't broke, why fix it? I know most will not agree with me. I am not a prude, have my fair share of "toys" but kinda wish you had kept Nick and Sam without the kink. Think I did not review the last one in the Gansett series for this reason ... going down the ropes, kink road with Blaine and Tiff. Think it would have been her usual 5 stars but that aspect annoyed me. Still a great read and the next one will be interesting because of the Avery angle!18 s1 comment Diane678 29

Another great read by Marie Force - really enjoyed this series. Can't get any more corrupt than being in Washington, DC.

Good plot line, great character developments, very able (and hated/nasty) characters, very well written.

From the blurb: The wife of the White House deputy chief of staff has been beaten to death, and their one-year-old daughter is missing. D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland is in charge of the murder investigation, but she's forced to collaborate with Special Victims Unit detectives as well as thorn-in-her-side FBI Special Agent Avery Hill. Then, a cold case of her father's resurrects old hurts--a distraction Sam cannot afford.
As Sam's investigation heats up, so does Nick's political career--and the heat carries over to their bedroom. Will Sam put the pieces together in time to catch a killer and find the baby, or will ambition, greed and lies prove fatal?

Would I recommend this series - you betcha! Two thumbs up!8 s Lady Heather 1,301 767



5 SHINY ?????

LOVED! LOVED! LOVED! THIS STORY!

Nick & Sam's "story" just gets better and better with each book!

.. and the bantering between Sam and her partner Freddie.. BRILLIANT!!

CANNOT. WAIT. TO. READ. the next book in the series!adult adventure best-series ...more8 s Anne OK3,695 528

Once again Marie Force has given readers a well-crafted romantic suspense in the latest addition to her top-notch "Fatal" series. A perfect combination of love, passion and suspense!

The devotion between Sam and Nick continues to grow stronger and the romance only gets more creative and steamier. It's downright swoon-worthy. The chemistry and banter that goes on between Sam and Nick is nothing less than genius. MF continues to develop the depth in her main characters, as well as in the secondary cast with new and fresh detailing. The family dynamics adds yet another level of reading enjoyment to this series. With each book readers are assured a well paced criminal plot with twists and turns that will keep you glued to your chair. Between the sizzling romance and the chilling suspense, I'm always a well-satisfied reader. "Fatal Deception" is exceptionally well-written with creativity, witty dialogue, and sizzling sensuality and once again delivers a complete package.

Marie Force is a natural at her craft. Time after time, this author creates magic that brings her stories and characters alive on the pages of her books. As a reader, that's the key to a great read for me. And it always keeps me coming back again and again to read every book this author releases.

I highly recommend this series. Try one book and you'll be craving more!
2012-reads6 s Anita2,284 183

This series is an interesting mix and the similarities with the "In Death" series just can't be dismissed or ignored, at least I can't ignore them. Sam is a strong cop and lives for the case. This time around she has picked up a not-so-secret admirer in FBI Agent Avery Hill. Nick is livid and Sam is uncomfortable. That was an interesting side to the case. Nick and Sam explore their kink, sexually, and decide to try for a baby, though what they are going to do with one, if it happens, is beyond me. Full time nanny, maybe? The plots are just interesting enough to keep me reading, but I've read better.

This case this time around is that of the murdered wife of the deputy chief of staff to the president and the kidnapping of their baby daughter. I never did figure out why the baddie took the kid, a lot more work for them. But, anyway, the woman, Victoria, doesn't exist and finding out who she really is becomes Sam's first order of business.

kindle-libby romantic-supense6 s Jo957 225

The last 10% of this book ruined this series for me. I don’t understand why the author felt Sam and Nick needed kink for them to have better and hotter sex. Their chemistry and love life so far has been wonderful and very intense and hot. In light of the sexual activities and preference of Nick’s dead best friend Senator John O’Connor and the sex call ring run by other senators and high officials of the US Government, Nick and Sam’s love life has always felt in lack of a better word, pure and true. Their chemistry has been so incredible that they didn’t need kink to make it hot and intense. I’m actually quite upset with the kink at the end, I have a real problem with anal sex , and I felt totally blindsided by this happening. The first 90% of the book was great as always. I loved all the usual characters, and I was so relieved that Jeannie is finally recovering from her sexual assault. Her boyfriend Michael is such an amazing guy, and I’m so happy that they are still going strong as a couple. The introduction of FBI Special Agent Avery Hill, was great, and I really d him. I do hope he can overcome his feelings for Sam, and notice little Tinkerbell aka Shelby. Unfortunately because of the last 10% of the book, I don’t think I will be continuing with this series. gr20156 s Teresa505 158

I absolutely love this series by Marie Force and in fact when I stumbled upon the story of Sam and Nick I read all five ½ books in one week! What a great story she has woven around D.C. police Lieutenant Sam Holland and her now husband Senator Nick Cappuano. The play-by-play between the two of them just keeps getting hotter and hotter. Nick is the ultimate man; hot, sexy, sensitive and strong and Sam is his equal in all ways. The story is full of twists and turns, suspense, off the charts sex and true love between the two main characters. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!romantic-suspense6 s Wendy526 282

Absolutely fantastic! This series gets better with each installment. The writing is fantastic, the dialogue and witty one liners never fails to put a smile on my face. Nick and Sam and the other wonderful characters in this series makes this a highly recommended read!contemporary-romance favorites kindle5 s Mariann {at} Belle's Book Bag550 166

This series just keeps getting better and that's saying something because it was pretty damn AWESOME from the start!!! I LOVE reading the progression of Nick and Sam's relationship. I LOVE reading about all my other favorite characters and how their relationships are progressing also. Freddie & Elin, Gonzo & Christina, Jeannie & Michael, Terry & Lindsey , Tinker Bell, Skip & Celia, Scotty, Tyrone, Harry..Oh...Harry he needs a woman!! and Avery...Oh...Avery needs a woman too as long as it's not Sam!!! lol I look forward to reading about them almost as much as I do Nick & Sam.

Each addition to the series continues to be new and fresh with just the right amount of the familiar!! Such entertaining and exciting stories filled with romance, laughter, tears and increasingly HOTTER sex scenes!!! I'm always anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. I would be completely devastated if anything were to happen to Nick or Sam. They are such a great couple and I LOVE how they continue to be the main focus of this series. It is why I keep returning and will continue to do so.

Nick & Sam are definitely my all time favorite couple, hands down!! Their relationship is so strong and loving and I absolutely adore they way Nick takes care of Sam with the things he does for her and says to her. Nick *sigh* I love how they continue to grow in their relationship as the series progresses. Nick continues to make me SWOON with each new book. In Fatal Deception, Marie bumped up his swoon factor with some pretty AWESOME HOT STEAMY INTENSE SMOKING sex scenes!!! *shivers* Nick went all ALPHA in that one scene in their "honeymoon" room~soooo good!!! ;) He has to be one of greatest heroes that I have ever read!! Just love him!!! It's pretty hard not to fall under Sam's spell as well, she is gorgeous, kick~ass, smart, funny, loyal, caring and has great taste in shoes and clothes!! lol She is definitely girl~crush material!! :)

This continues to be one of my favorite series and a constant reread. It is so well written and contains everything that I could ever want in a book!! I have never wanted a hero and heroine to get the HEA they deserve more than Sam and Nick. Fatal Deception ended with such a cute and heartwarming epilogue!!! So Good!!

BEST OF THE BEST rating!!

***ARC provided by NetGalley~Thank you so much!!


BEST OF THE BEST rating!!! Nick and Sam are one of my all time favorite couples. I love the way that Marie Force continues to write them and I look forward to each book and the ability to return to them. This series keeps getting better and that is saying a lot as it has been pretty damn AWESOME from the start!!!

Full review to come. my-favorites5 s Lauren2,373 161

Fatal Deception
4 Stars

When the wife of the President's Deputy Chief of Staff is found dead and her daughter is unaccounted for, Detective Lieutenant Sam Holland must work with the Special Victims Unit and FBI to find the baby and solve the murder. As the evidence accumulates, it becomes clear that there is more to the victim than meets the eye...

The search for the kidnapped baby is intense, and the investigation into the mother's murder is intriguing. Unfortunately, there are some issues both with plotting and characterization that undermine an otherwise excellent story.

To begin with, the mystery surrounding the victim's identity and the explanation for her death are evident from the beginning due to the overt foreshadowing. Thus, all that remains is to watch as Sam and her team follow the evidence. Moreover, the kidnapping subplot does not make sense - as using Maeve for leverage against Victoria became useless once she was killed, and the reader is left wondering as no explanation is provided.

While Force has tremendous potential as an author, there are too many similarities between this series and J. D. Robb's In Death. Because Force is not as skilled as Robb at plot twists and character development, her repeated borrowings are beginning to overshadow her writing, and she is coming off worse from the inevitable comparison.

Finally, there is too much personal drama and angst for a romantic suspense series. The repetitive fertility/adoption/child care themes, which have been a focus for at least 3-4 books, need to be resolved soon. Moreover, the fact that yet another man is obsessed with Sam adds nothing to the narrative and must be nipped in the bud quickly.

All in all, the cases and characters in this series are engaging, but Force must come out of Robb's shadow and take her work in new and original directions. female-detectives huge-hero kidnapping-hostage ...more5 s Sally347 35

4.5
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