Review: Troublemaker by Linda Howard
A thrilling, fast-paced novel of romantic suspense from sensational New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Linda Howard.
Troublemaker
Linda Howard
496 Pages
Avon Books
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Released December 27th 2016
Book Summary
For Morgan Yancy, an operative and team leader in a paramilitary group, nothing comes before his job. But when he’s ambushed and almost killed, his supervisor is determined to find out who’s after the members of his elite squad—and why. Due to worries that this unknown enemy will strike again, Morgan is sent to a remote location and told to lay low and stay vigilant. But between a tempting housemate he’s determined to protect and a deadly threat waiting in the shadows, keeping under the radar is proving to be his most dangerous mission yet.
The part-time police chief of a small West Virginian mountain town, Isabeau “Bo” Maran finally has her life figured out. She’s got friends, a dog, and a little money in the bank. Then Morgan Yancy shows up on her doorstep. Bo doesn’t need a mysterious man in her life—especially a troublemaker as enticing and secretive as Morgan.
The harder they fight the intense heat between them, the closer Morgan and Bo become, even though she knows he’s hiding from something. But discovering the truth could cost Bo more than she’s willing to give. And when Morgan’s cover is blown, it might just cost her life.
Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
My Thoughts
*ARC provided by Publisher*
After he was ambushed and shot, GO-team operative Morgan Yancy is sent to lay low in a small West Virginia town with a woman he’s never met—his boss’s ex-stepsister. Bo is chief of police and so not interested in helping her unclaimed stepbrother with his problems. Yet, she also can’t bring herself to turn Morgan away—or turn down the money she’s getting for housing the injured man.
This book was a bit of a strange read for me. A little slow to start, but at the same time, interesting enough to hold my attention. It’s a well-written story with a slow-build romance that really fit with the setting and the storyline Linda Howard created. The characters were intriguing and the suspense built in a way that easily lured me in and pulled me along.
Troublemaker was a bit of a different kind of suspense read for me, as the suspense is more of a mystery who-dun-it than an all out action-oriented suspense story, but I quickly discovered that this turn worked for me. It’s a unique blend of small town contemporary romance and the fun mystery that comes with a good romantic suspense tale.
All in all, I really liked Linda Howard’s Troublemaker. If you’re a longtime Howard fan, you’ll surely love this book. If you’re new to reading this author, I think you’ll enjoy the unique story combination this book offers because it’s a good read with memorable characters and a pretty distinctive storyline. It’s definitely not a run-of-the-mill cookie-cutter suspense read and I, for one, enjoyed the heck out of that.
Fascinating, fun, and intriguing, Troublemaker was a good solid read with two strong, intelligent characters I enjoyed rooting for. Definitely recommend checking it out.
4.5 Stars
About the Author
Linda Howard is the award-winning author of many New York Times bestsellers, including Up Close and Dangerous, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Cover of Night, Killing Time, To Die For, Kiss Me While I Sleep, Cry No More, and Dying to Please. She lives in Alabama with her husband and two golden retrievers.