Where Angels Rest (Mann Family, #1) (2025)

4.5 Stars

This is the first book I've read by Kate Brady and it won't be the last!

Dark and full of twists and turns, this book grabs you by the throat from the prologue and never lets you go. Breathtaking and intense, a suspense book that has you guessing and looking constantly over your shoulder.

Dr. Erin Sims has spent her whole life looking after her little brother. She now has only 7 days to save him from death row. She is willing to sacrifice everyone and anyone in her quest, that for the past 12 years has costed her everything. Family, friends and credibility. She is his only champion but help sometimes comes when you least expect it...

Niklaus Mann is the sheriff of the peacefull town of Hopewell in rural Ohio. But Nick knows no peace... An ex-L.A.-cop, he is burned out after his wife's murder. He knows that he wants to save the world from murderers and drug dealers, but he feels guilty and wants to provide the best for his daughter. Tormented and wounded, he tries for the best, chasing racoons and drunks in his sleepy town, until Erin crashes his peace with her terrifying news that the town (HIS TOWN, a serious case of hero complex) harbors a killer.
He becomes her only champion and they find a soulmate in each other.

Manhunt, doubts, a twisted killer, shocking revalations, attraction and salvation. What else you wish for in a story? This book delivers it all!!

The most disturbing part is the villain. A true sociopath... Around the middle of the book I figured out the killer's identity. I don't claim to be a sleuth or anything I just blame some childhood quirks I had!
When I was a kid, my great-grandmother was blind. I had a really active imagination and I used to think that she was lying and she was always watching us.. Weird right? I know... So I just couldn't trust Rodney (bastard!). And it turned out I was right!!

A great addition to the romantic suspense genre, I really want to read more about the Mann Family and I'm keeping an eye out for anything by Kate Brady.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

The heroine was amazing, she was so strong after all she had been through as a girl and then fighting for her brother all these years. The hero well had this guilt over what had happened to his wife because of him and took her under his wing. I guessed pretty early on who the killer was though but I still enjoyed the book.

Kate Brady's style is very similar to Sandra Brown, but I must admit that I almost like her more than SB!

There's an edge here that is missing in SB books. There's a darness and a feeling of helplessness that I enjoy in my romantic suspense.

Also I love a weel defined villain and here it is the case!

The tight time-line the heroine, Erin is running on makes for a brethless read!

The descrition od the hero, Nick is so very well done!!! I must say that I'm getting bored with descrition of the hero that goeas on how gorgeous is he, how his pectoral are rippled, how his shirt is clingin to his bicepts, how his green/blue/black eyes are flashing with desire, how he ogles the heroine ass, brests, etc... Here it is not a case: Nick's POV feels like something a real-life man could think (or at least I think he could think! *wink*)

Nick gives me a vibe of a real man and not a romantic hero. And that's good, real good!

The story is intricated and very fast paced. I was rushing on because I HAD to know, I HAD to understand!

A great, great book with the right amout of everything that makes a book great! :)

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads

Erin’s brother Justin was convicted of a murder that she knows he’s innocent of. She’s managed to get him a one week stay on his upcoming execution to prove that the murderer is still out there. She believes a man now going by the name Jack Calloway is the one responsible and she tracks him to Ohio in the hopes of finding evidence against him, or at least enough evidence to bring doubt into the case to in turn help her brother. What ends up happening is a crazy chain of events, missing persons, vandalism, and murder that rocks this quiet town and pulls the sheriff, Nick Mann, back into a world he thought he was escaping in coming to Ohio from the LAPD.

Nick is trying to escape reality for a weekend, the anniversary of his wife’s murder, when he’s called in to investigate Jack Calloway and his connection in the twelve year old murder that put Erin’s brother on death row. Nick moved to Ohio after working in the LAPD and dealing with monsters on the street that got away, either through loop holes in the system or criminals that were just never caught. Nick couldn’t live like that anymore and moved himself and his daughter to a quiet town where the most excitement he sees on the job are 911 calls for intruders that turn out to be wildlife finding their way indoors; until Erin blows into town and shakes everything up. Nick comes alive again, completely in his detective element, as he tries to figure out who exactly committed the murder that Justin was convicted for, why Erin’s attempts over the years to shed light on the case have gone unanswered and why a string of murders have started happening in this sleepy town. Everything that happens over the course of one week, the length of time that Justin has left, is connected and while all signs are pointing to Jack, there are many more loose threads out there that Erin, Nick and his entire team are tracking.

I was sucked into Where Angels Rest from the start. Kate Brady has a way of crafting a story that pulled me in right away and the pace was so fast, I couldn’t stop reading. Each chapter ends in a slight cliffhanger that had me saying “ok, one more chapter…just one more…really, only one more”. I couldn’t put it down. The action was non-stop and even though I had a pretty good idea who the bad guy was (it still took me half the book) I couldn’t wait to find out how everything got wrapped up. This was one of the best suspense books I’ve read this year.

Where the book lacked for me was the romance between Nick and Erin. Not much time is devoted to it and the romance suffered for it. We get the sense that there’s an attraction between the two, but I had a hard time believing that any deep feelings could have sprung up between them with the amount of clues/murders/missing persons that kept popping up over the course of these seven days. I’ve seen this book classified as a romantic suspense story, but I would definitely consider this a straight up thriller. I like the potential for their romance, it just never takes center stage and almost plays a very supporting role storyline to the overall story. Frankly, I didn’t miss the stronger romantic element in this one, I was too caught up with the murder storyline to miss it all that much.

Since this is book #1 in the Mann Family series, we meet Nick’s brother Luke and their sister Alayna who I’m assuming will have stories coming up next. I was instantly intrigued with Luke and his backstory, of which, we get told very little about his current line of undercover work, but it’s enough to make me curious. He and Nick had a falling out when Nick was spiraling downward after his wife’s murder, but that fence is slowly being mended, especially with Luke’s appearance in the middle of Nick’s investigation.

If you love a good page turning thriller, pick up Where Angels Rest. This was my first Kate Brady book and I’m hooked. I loved the way this story written, Brady give us scenes that fly by, involving smart characters who all come together to put the pieces together in an overall story that I couldn’t put down. I’m anxious for the next book in this new series and I’m excited to get to know another Mann family member.

Rating: A-

The first book in the series Mann Family by Kate Brady. Erin Sims has been trying to save her brother from the death penalty for 11 years and time is running out. She has a week to find evidence in Ohio or her brother's sentence will be carried out. In Ohio Erin meets Nick Mann, small town sheriff. Nick is reluctant at first to listen to the crazy lady. Eventually more information comes to light and more people are ending up dead. Will Erin be next?

Learning who the killer was wasn't that much of a surprise for me but the journey there was great and intense. I liked both Erin and Nick and many of the other characters that were introduced. The romance was swift and perhaps not very believable but I had no real complains since there was a time constraint in place. I recommend this book and author to Romantic Suspense lovers.

2 stars - Fair

One must be capable of suspending disbelief to enjoy this romantic suspense. I won't go into to the details. The plot was predictable and had the makings for a Lifetime Channel movie (but with more of a Hallmark feel to it with the precocious child, wisecracking co-workers & family, and a serial killer with too many monologues). So why did I continue to read "Where Angels Rest? Well, the heroine and hero were likable and there was just enough tension to keep me clicking to the next page. The potential was there. This story could have been better executed.

$.99 Kindle Deal (9/26/2020)

4.5 Stars

I've read Kate Brady before and I was excited to finally get this one in my hands. I wasn't disappointed. This was a terrific balance of suspense and romance - loved it!

It’s been a couple years since my last Kate Brady fix and let me state emphatically that Where Angels Rest was well worth the wait.

I devoured it and loved every fan-freaking-tastic minute of it. The plot was riveting and pulse pounding and keep me reading well past my bedtime.

It’s a monumental task but 7 days is all Erin Sims has to prove per brother Justin’s innocent. Erin steadfastly refuses to believe her brother committed the murder of a Senator’s daughter and she’s sure she knows who the real murderer is. But the clock is ticking down on Justin’s sentence and death row waits for no man.

12 long years that’s how long Erin’s been gathering the facts and amassing the evidence against the man she believes is the true murderer and now she’s tracked Jack Huggins aka Jack Calloway to peaceful Hopewell Ohio and it’s about to get a lot less peaceful in Sheriff Nick Mann‘s backyard.

Nick likes his quiet little gig in Hopewell. He’s had his fill of bright lights and the big city when he was a cop in LA. He also suffered a great loss and now craves the idyllic quiet Hopewell brings to his life. The most excitement Nick sees is maybe the odd drunk and disorderly or the occasional robbery. He doesn’t crave or want the attention and chaos one Erin Sims delivers when she lands on his doorstep complete with her accusations against one of Hopewell’s finest.

Now the good folks of Hopewell are disappearing and crime is on the rise and Nick can’t help but feel the stirring of feelings he long thought dead and gone and his cop instincts have gone into override. And Erin Sims is at the center of it all.

The first chapter of Where Angels Rest grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. It’s a well crafted, taunt psychological thriller full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing at the killer’s identity until the big reveal.

If you’re looking for a grand romance you won’t find it in Where Angels rest. This story is definitely plot driven and excellently executed at that. There is just no time in this fast paced thriller to explore the hint of romance between Nick and Erin. It‘s there and builds throughout the story but is minimal at best.

Once you start Where Angels Rest, don’t plan on putting it down until you’re finished.

Seeing as how this is labelled as Mann Family #1 I can’t wait for brother Luke’s story next...I just hope it’s not another 2 years before my next Kate Brady fix.

This would have been an easy 5 stars if there was an epilogue. I felt like the story just stopped. Great plot, awesome characters.

As much as I love romantic suspense books with serial killers, I dislike being able to guess (correctly) who dunnit within the first couple of chapters and unfortunately that happened in this book.

Our heroine is desperate to clear her brother’s name of a murder she is sure he didn’t commit. Her brother is on death row and is granted a one week stay of execution to hunt down another suspect who disappeared. Our heroine follows this suspect to a small town where she enlists the help of the local sherif to clear her brother’s name before he gets executed.

Apart from the let down of the predictability of this book, the romance in this book felt very much like an afterthought with no real build up to speak of. The whole book takes place in less than a week and the more I read these types of books the more the reality of how improbable it is to talk marriage in a week really sets in.

For the past twelve years, dr. Erin Sims has tried (in vein) to get someone, anyone, to reexamine her brother’s case. Justin didn’t kill anyone, yet he was sitting on Death Row, waiting for execution. Now, Erin has finally found the real murderer, hiding in plain sight, running a B&B in a small town in Ohio under another name. Unfortunately, that only gets her brother a stay of a week...For the sheriff to determine the man’s true identity.

But Erin has no intention of sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the bumbling sheriff to do his work. Her brother doesn’t have a lifetime to wait. So she boards the plane and heads to Ohio, determined to do what she does best—destroy the murderer’s reputation. Which isn’t hard in a small town. One word and rumors fly.

But Erin has obviously stirred a hornet’s nest, since someone is determined to either run her out of town, deter her just enough to waste time or get rid of her. Permanently. Lucky for her, the sheriff isn’t bumbling at all. Nick Mann knows what he’s doing, and although he’s at first adamant that nothing bad happens in his town, not on his watch, he quickly discovers just how wrong he was. Nothing is as it seems, especially not an out-of-towner determined to prove her brother’s innocence. And small towns can be as bad as big cities. Sometimes even worse.

God, how I loved this story. Just loved it.

I especially loved Erin Sims, the heroine. She was dogged, she had gumption, she was a stubborn, unstoppable force, willing and able to do just about anything to get her brother exonerated. Yet, underneath that core of steel, there was fear and terror, keeping her sharp, keeping her on the edge, keeping her treading forward no matter what.
She was strong, yet vulnerable, stubborn, yet pliant, with a soft heart, and a core of steel. She was far from perfect, she had her flaws, and that’s what made her realistic. She wasn’t a Mary Sue and she wasn’t a damsel in distress, and that made her come through as a “person”. Someone who could be a neighbor or friend, or just someone passing us on the street.

Nick Mann was just the same. A fictitious character, but “real”. Like someone we could know in real life. Stubborn, tough, rough-around-the-edges, but with a protective streak a mile wide, and once you got into the close circle of his, once he determined someone needed protecting, he’d do it no matter the cost.
I loved how he was the only one (at first) who saw the true Erin Sims. He saw through the mask of bravado to the core beneath, a core enveloped by fear. Yet that glimpse didn’t diminish his respect for her, it enforced it, morphed it into something more. Something stronger. And lasting.
Their first meeting was strange. She was bruised and tired, he was half-drunk and pissed off, yet they somehow kicked it off. And though he didn’t

I loved these two to bits, I couldn’t help it. Everything about them seemed “real”. From their personalities, their interactions with each other and everybody else, their relationship, how it progressed from animosity through admiration and gradual earning of trust and respect, to attraction and romance. But the latter, which is a requisite in a romantic suspense, didn’t seem forced or rushed (despite the short amount of time they knew each other). It progressed gradually, at just the right tempo and pace to keep it believable.
Because the reader was there every step of the way, alongside them, the reader was shown (and not told, bravo!) about the two, the reader was shown one through the eyes of the other. That’s what made us understand these two, made us understand what they saw when they looked at the other one, why they felt the way they felt. We were there. We saw it happen.

For me, the characters and their characterization is what’s important in a story. The plot has to be character-driven. I need to empathize, I need to feel something for the characters, about the characters (be it good or bad) to enjoy the story. And since I absolutely adored Erin and Nick, I adored the story.
It didn’t only have these two amazing lead characters, the supporting cast was also wonderfully painted (I loved Nick’s brother, Luke), there was the small town where bad people lived behind masks of civility and did bad things yet everybody refused to believe it could be, there was the wicked, wicked villain (whose identity I actually nailed on the spot, yet wasn’t sure until the end, bravo again Ms Brady), the mystery and suspense was masterfully woven into the story.
And although toward the end the whole thing slowed down quite a lot (a few pages could’ve been shaved off, if you ask me), the overall pacing was absolutely perfect, keeping the story progressing steadily.

If I have a minor problem with this story is the fact I didn’t quite get the villain’s motive. Maybe it got lost in the breakneck action in the end, but I just don’t get it. How and why did the murdered chose its victims? What did they see, hear or know that they had to become angels? No idea. But then the Angelmaker was bonkers. No other explanation needed.

Oh well, despite that minor hiccup...I LOVED THIS STORY! Shouting-from-the-rooftops LOVED it.

4.9 stars.
What has happened to Kate Brady? Not a well known author but boy can she write. Her depictions of characters through her dialogue are masterful. Only 4 books and then she hasn’t written anything else for the last few years.
This author stands miles apart from some of the mediocre romantic suspense I read so it is such a shame she hasn’t written more.
This is the second book I’ve read by her and I loved everything about it. A complete gem of a book and author.

Rating: 4½ Stars

Erin Sims will do anything to save her brother from death row, and for over a decade she's worked tirelessly to prove he was falsely convicted of murder. With her brother's execution just one week away, Erin travels to a rural Ohio town, where she believes the real killer is hiding.

Sheriff Nick Mann is not thrilled when Erin steamrolls into town making shocking accusations about one of Hopewell's prominent citizens. Nick left Los Angeles for the backwoods of Ohio hoping to escape the violent crime and scandal that turned his life upside down. Even though he doesn't want to believe a serial killer is hiding in plain sight, he can't deny that Erin's claims sound reasonable, especially when dead bodies start turning up in Hopewell.

WHERE ANGELS REST had a fast-paced, well-constructed plot with plenty of logical red herrings to keep readers guessing at the killer's identity and motivation. This book is labeled as romantic suspense, and in my opinion it was more focused on building up the suspense rather than the romance (which suited me fine). Still, I thought Nick and Erin has great chemistry which added some nice heat to the story.

WHERE ANGELS REST is a chilling, unputdownable thriller! I'm not sure I blinked at all during the last 16 chapters of this book. I've enjoyed both books I've read by Kate Brady, and, of course, I'm looking forward to the next!

I've read and admired Kate Brady's previous books, and looked forward to this one eagerly. It didn't disappoint. Brady introduces a new set of characters, the Mann Family, who are apparently going to be the center of a new series. This first book begins with Nick Mann, former LA Homicide detective, now Sheriff of his small hometown in rural Ohio. Nick is a terrific character -- handsome, smart and with just enough tragedy in his past to make him hesitate when it comes to loving someone new. Enter Erin Sims who's been fighting non-stop for eleven years to save her brother, who's on death row for a crime she's convinced he didn't commit. The reader immediately falls into Erin's mindset, and we don't think her brother's guilty either. As the clock ticks down, my anxiety grew. Would Brady really let him die? Would he turn out to be guilty after all? And in the meantime, someone thinks Sims is getting a little too close to the truth, and people start dying in Nick Mann's small town. The story is great, and the relationship has tons of chemistry and a lot of heat. I'll definitely be reading whatever Brady writes next.

I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised by just how good the writing was in this book. The plot moved quickly, the mystery was fairly complex and inventive, and the characters were complicated in their history and personality. The only downside for me was that I guessed the identity of the perpetrator at the time that he was first introduced, so the revelation of the answer to the mystery did not take me by surprise. However, I did enjoy the ride along the way, and I will be looking to read more of Kate Bradys books.

WOW!!! This book was a page turner, there were no slow points. I found myself reading faster and faster with the suspense building up. So good

I really liked this book, but I wanted to see more side characters and the ending changes a lot in their lives which you don’t see.

Erin is doing everything she can to help her brother Justin, who is on death row and running out of time, but no one is listening to her or even trying. The case leads to Hopewell so of course Erin goes there to either help the police or try to do things on her own because she doesn’t believe the police are going to do anything. Nick moved back to Hopewell because he wanted a quiet and safe job after what happened in his previous position. At the beginning, he just wants Erin to leave because she’s ruining the safe image he has of the town, but he immediately starts investigating because he’s hoping it will make her leave.

I really liked both Erin and Nick, as well as their interactions and how their relationship developed.

This book was fast paced which I liked, but it doesn’t go into detail about anything that’s not related to the investigation. I wanted to see more side characters and Erin and Nick interacting with them.

I liked the ending, but I wanted to see more. Justin is finally free after years in prison so I was hoping for a few chapters showing what that would look like and interactions between him and Erin, or for him to get his own book. Nick tells Erin that he and Hannah are going to move to Miami, so I wanted to see a few chapters showing what their lives would look like.

I liked this book and I really liked Erin and Nick, but I wanted to see a bit more outside of the case.

I must confess, I’m not the biggest fan of romantic suspense as the hero saves damsel plot is irritating (not to mention the problematic nature of such) and find it predictable. However, I do hop around and sometimes I’m in the mood for a criminal case + relationship drama.

Where Angels Rest’s blurb sounded interesting enough so I looked through the reviews to decide. As usual, the positive reviewers were nice while the negative reviewers were crucial. The reviewers who found the romance understated sealed it for me because I don’t usually dig plain romance and hate when it dominates in subgenres by sacrificing other elements.

Where Angels Rest succeeded in hooking me and keeping me on the line until I finished it. I didn’t finger the killer before revealed either. This creepy serial killer can fulfill your needs for pathological sickness and craftiness. If the ending was slightly different, it’d be a new favorite.

I may not be sold on its sequel but when I’m in the mood again, I know which author I’ll be checking out first.

Bonus: Stone Angels are fucking disturbing. I thought that before Dr. Who, when my grandma’s friends had shelves of the fuckers whose eyes always followed you.

Pros
awesome suspenseful thriller
creepy, determined, smart villain with a clear pathology
I didn't figure out either mystery or killer before revealed
Likable characters, especially Erin and her advocacy
Understandable, sexy, sweet romance between two compatible people. Their romance does impact how they act and respond, but they never forget who they are - victim‘s advocate and law enforcer. IMO, balancing wonderfully.

Cons
Climax is predictable
Conclusion quickly wraps up, rather conveniently unrealistic and clichéd, which was unsatisfying
Cops unrealistically handling a rape case and rape victim well, which while boost hero status for characters plays into harmful myths about rape and the justice system

The characters: typical but well-done and compelling

Nick is a jaded cop who retreated to the countryside for a peaceful life (pfffft). Think Booth from the TV show Bones minus Bones and babies. While Erin’s every tragically strong female crusader. Yet, Erin’s so charming since I’ve known many victims and their advocates.
Nick’s got everything going on with faux flaws and had some hero-building moments that I can't help falling for. Even though I know it's a ploy, like stepping back and not pulling macho man shit. Erin on the other has the predictable hang-ups and past but I love her advocacy. Besides the stellar plot with a villain out of Criminal Minds, that’s my favorite part.

The Romance Vs. Suspense Tug-o-war

I’m not keen on pure romance novels and am no fan of grand romantic gestures. I like the everyday subtle moments. Erin and Nick have that kind of gradual quiet romance incubated by a thrill ride case.

It’s not so much that it steals focus like “WTF! What are you doing with a killer after you?!?” and nothing plot-wise was sacrificed to make it work. Love didn’t transform them and didn’t need to because they were already compatible. They’d still be working together similarly, just minus the kissy-fuck-y moments.
My type of romance but fair warning, others did find it unsatisfying.

My suspension of disbelief as a survivor

There’s nothing over the top convenient or ridiculous that I recall or took note of in Where Angels Rest (like being too dumb to live) unless you count relationship hyperdrive. There’s at least one scene though that subverts a stupid trope. The only other thing that’s unrealistic, unfortunately, is the police’s treatment of rape victims.

I know plenty of advocates, like Erin, who are awesome but cops? They are traumatizing in most rape cases. (Hell, every single example that I’ve heard of, but I’ll be charitable that at least some exist, somewhere.) On one hand, it’s nice to see non-asshole cops and helps bolster our hero’s status; On the other, this only happens in fictional media and perpetuates false ideas.

It wasn’t enough to make me stop reading but it did make my eyes roll and break immersion. It’s not something I could read without noticing. I wish cops were more like these ones.

Where Angels Rest had an opening to be true to life and facts. That could’ve been a pivotal point for character growth and bonding. Where Angels Rest is great and I thought the rape scene itself was well handled; I just can’t help wondering...“What if?”

The un-happy (for me) ending

There's only two things I didn’t enjoy within Where Angels Rest: there wasn’t enough of Erin’s profession and the reach-y, rush-y ending. The Erin part I can understand, it’s the conclusion that gets me. I can enjoy a predictable climax because those can still leave me reaching for a cigarette, but I won’t roll over for a “that’s it?” dénouement.

It felt rushed and forced to allow the next book, Where Evil Waits, to be about another couple. Nick’s brother seemed interesting enough, in “I’m so good, I’m bad” kind of way, but I do not appreciate cutting characters I like short to make room for new ones. I’d jump at the chance to read Erin and Nick moving forward, but I’m still 50-50 on continuing the family affair.

At the least, I can recommend Where Angels Rest as a great suspenseful romance, like Castle meets Criminal Minds. (Tweet this) It has everything I want from a romantic suspense novel: with characters who value catching a killer over fucking and a worthwhile case. It’s too bad rape culture and series objective got in the way.

Conclusion:

Where Angels Rest is typical of the genre but well done, including the rape portrayal. I just felt let down with the quick wrap up ending and the perfect cops. I don’t think I could ever get enough of Erin being an advocate though. Nothing groundbreaking but if you want crime fighters on a case finding love, it’s perfect.

Recommend For: romantic suspense lovers, people who want a spice of romance in their thrillers, anyone who wants a page-turning mystery, if you want a victim’s advocate as a heroine, or a creepy, screwed up killer.

A pretty decent read. Main characters were likeable, but took second place to the plot, which was threaded with intrigue, conspiracy and action. Politics, media and the ills of the system were well portrayed. Reads very much like an episode of the Mentalist, or NCIS (crime dramas, take your pick) with a more developed backstory as would be expected from a novel.

Characters were well–defined and well written. Erin and Nick were excellent protagonists, who were faulted and flawed and did not play into the saviour–complex geniuses of equivalent TV show protagonists. Nick's resentments for the disruptions brought to his home town, the later guilt, and ultimate character growth as he rediscovers his competency as an investigator and a man was well written. Erin's steel willpower tempered by guilt was also well written, without being overbearing (and thankfully she was no damsel in distress). Even minor characters like Rebecca were well written in a sort of tragic, beautiful way – especially in their victimhood.

Overall – a pretty good book.

Never read the author before this book. I couldn't believe how good this book was and such a quick read. How would you feel if a family member of yours was on death row for a crime he didn't commit. This book was a page turner and very riveting never knew what was coming next. Will definitely be on the outlook for more of her books.

This is a definite must read for romantic suspense/thriller readers! First book of this author’s that I have read and it most definitely will not be the last!! I had to recommend it to my sister and co-worker. Happy dance over finding a new author to read!!

Wow this was a great read! Super fast paced and very easy reading. I thought I had the killer pinned but alas. I was wrong and I love that. I haven’t read a Brady in many years and wish there were more written

Kate Brady is my new second favorite writer after Sandra Brown. I’m going for the second of the Mann Family-Luke Mann’s story.

Finished another great book By Kate Brady

4.5 stars

**This review was written as a duo book review for both Mann Family books currently available.

Read the full review at Ani's Book Abyss | Series Review: Mann Family.

Book #1: Where Angels Rest | Rating: 3.5 Stars
Book #2: Where Evil Waits | Rating: 4.0 Stars

Series Average Rating: 3.75 Stars

At the end of the paperback for Where Evil Waits, there is an excerpt for a book called Where Danger Hides--the book is supposedly about Alayna Mann who makes an appearance in Where Angels Rest as an attorney, one of the Mann siblings we are introduced to in this series. But try as I might, I can't seem to be able to find this particular book, which tells me that either it is still a work in progress, it never got finished, or it never got published, for whatever reason.

I'm only a slight bit disappointed, but since Where Evil Waits and Where Angels Rest were published two years apart, and because Where Evil Waits was published in 2014, I suppose there's still a chance that this third book will make its appearance soon.

Anyway...

Now that my tangent is finished, I at least have something to post for this review. Because, to be totally honest, I haven't been sure what to say about this Mann Family series--well, mainly the first book, because the second book was a bit more exciting and I DO have a little bit to say (see below) It's a good, well-written romantic suspense duo, that's for certain, and I DID enjoy both books. Much like the other two Kate Brady books I've read, they were immensely enjoyable and had enough excitement and suspense to keep me hooked.

Overall thoughts...
One of the things that I like about a Kate Brady book (all four that I have read so far) is how quickly we fall into the suspense of the crime thriller. Even if the murderer is already know, even if there is no mystery to speak of, the books are packed full of nervous tension of the suspense and you find yourself sucked into the book.

It's that easy to get hooked.

As books in the romantic suspense genre, these two are highly enjoyable and a good representations. For a rainy day or not, they certain DO make for a great reading spell.

***

2016 Reading Challenges:
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I found this book to be well wrote but unable to hold my attention and make me care much about the story line. The romance between Nick and Erin felt almost like an afterthought to the author. There just didn’t seem to be a lot of heat associated with them. While I appreciated the suspense aspect of the book the romance was lacking. I could get behind both of the characters not wanting to get involved but once the characters grew I was hoping they would both show a bit more emotion. Nick for his guilt associated with his role in the murder of his wife and Erin for her preoccupation on her brothers case. I didn’t find there to be enough suspense involving the main characters. Everything hinged on secondary characters which to an extent is fine, but I wanted more danger for Nick and Erin which didn’t happen until towards the books ending.

Nick’s past and his inability to let go of his guilt is what drives him to try to protect Erin from herself. Her need to free her brother from death row has been what has driven her for years and now time has run out. Her brother is days away from death and a short reprieve gives Erin a chance to finally get to the bottom of the case and prove his innocence. Her tenacity years after his conviction was commendable. The clues point to a small town in Ohio and a man who has changed his name in an attempt to hide in plain sight. Though no one has believed her in the past, Nick finds himself not only believing Erins story but becoming an integral part of the investigation that has evidence mounting against town locals.

The killer was extremely methodical and well thought out. I was slightly bummed Brady came right out and said who the killer was because I love being surprised by an ending. I waffled back and forth between several potential killers and was looking forward to a BAM! at the end, but Brady announces the killer about 3/4 of the way through the book. I did enjoy the thought process of the killer and the view from that perspective. The methodology of the murders was just downright creepy and for me, was the best part of the book.

The book is set in Northeastern Ohio…which is fun since I am also in Northeastern Ohio. Even aspects that were set in other parts of the country have tie ins to the area. For instance, Brady calls her fictional Florida county, Starke when in fact the county I live in is Stark. It was fun for me as a local to figure out what was real and what was fictional.

I think this one misses its mark in the romance department but the mystery element was strong enough that I think suspense lovers will enjoy it. I even think it could cross over to readers who might enjoy a suspense without all the romance.

I give Where Angels Rest by Kate Brady 3 stars!

Nick Mann likes his quiet job as Sheriff in small town Ohio, he lived life in Los Angeles long enough to appreciate a quiet night on patrol. He is raising his daughter and knows being a widower can get lonely but that is a small price to pay for security. Erin Sims has not known a minutes rest since her brother was wrongly accused of murder. Erin has been on a vendetta to track down the real killer and bring him to justice before her brother is executed. The problem is the man Erin knows is the killer happens to be living in Nick's quiet existence and he is not looking forward to the circus Erin is bringing to town.

Erin has been hitting brick walls for too long to spot a problem when she meets Nick. He is listening to her at the same time shutting her down; sure, he will look into it so she can go home. Erin knows that is not going to happen because her brother's clock is ticking down and she is determined to save his life. Suddenly for Erin it seems Nick has to listen when a murder occurs that looks very similar to several before, that no one ever connected but Erin. She can show the proof and lay out her case to Nick but someone really does not want that to happen and is taking extra steps to force her out of town. What on the surface would appear to be petty crimes escalate into threats so Erin is hitting someone where they live. She is convinced it is the man who changed his name, but not his means of killing.

With the body count increasing, the hunt becomes more intense, and the facts too obvious for anyone to ignore. A killer determined to eliminate the perceived evil surrounding the town will not stop until all of the angels have been collected like a trinket on a shelf.

Wow, this book is a triple threat of greatness by perfectly combing mystery, suspense, and romance. As you read, you will have goosebumps of fear and tears of joy when two people come together for all the right reasons.

I was so surprised by this book. I did not expect to be as sucked into the plot as I was.......

This book took me on so many twists and turns on who was doing all the killing. I'll admit, it took me quite some time to figure it out. This story was so well written, we meet so many characters that what often becomes overwhelming and hard to follow in other books, draws you in and fills in the story for you with this book. So amazingly suspenseful, I loved it.

I really liked Erin. She was a strong woman determined to avenge her brother, but she was also so scared and frightened I am glad that was shown in glimpse at the right time. While her relationship with Nick happens quickly, again, you can see what a good match they are together. One of my favorite scenes, no spoilers, is when she calls him on the carpet about his feelings for her. It shows just how well they do know one another and fit together.

I also found humor in the fact that aside from the chaos of solving all the murders there was a pool going as to when Nick and Erin would get together, a nice dose of humor.

It was great to meet Nick's family and I am excited to see Luke's story.

Hopefully we see Nick and Erin in Nick's book.

My only wish was for a bit of an epilogue to let us know how everyone was doing, but hopefully we'll find out in Kate's next book about Luke.

All in all a wonderful read that I would suggest to anyone who likes a good suspenseful book. It was a wonderful story that kept me guessing and at times on the edge of my seat.

The last eleven years for Erin have been all about proving her brother isn’t a murderer. She needs to prove to everyone he’s innocent and put the real killer behind bars. Unfortunately for Erin, everyone seems to be working against her and her brother only has moments before his life will be over.

With the suspect in her sights, she follows him to his new home under a new name. Determined to prove he’s the killer, she tries to make him confess. As she arrives in small town Hopewell, she’s greeted with mistrust and well they think she’s just plain crazy!

Erin has put everything she has into proving her brother innocent and refuses to give up or let anything or anyone get in her way. Can she convince Nick to help her or will it all be too late?

Filled with twists and turns, this story kept me on my toes from the first page right up until the last moment. Erin is quite the character; she’s determined, smart, independent and keeps Sheriff Mann on his toes. Can the two of them figure out who is behind all of this before it’s too late?

Would I recommend this book? Most definitely! A great story, filled with mystery, suspense, plot twists and steamy romance. Would I read more by this author? Oh yes, I can’t wait to see what happens in the next two books – about Nick’s siblings!