Book Review: Kill and Tell (CIA Spies #1) by Linda Howard
As a longtime fan of Linda Howard’s earlier romantic suspense novels, I can admit that her more recent works left me a bit disenchanted. However, revisiting an old favorite like Kill and Tell reminded me why I fell in love with her storytelling in the first place. It’s a delightful blend of mystery, romance, and emotional depth that swept me back into the world of page-turning intrigue.
The story centers around Dexter Whitlaw, a Vietnam veteran with a fragmented past, who sends a seemingly innocuous package to his estranged wife—unbeknownst to him, she has passed away. Instead, it’s their daughter, Karen, who receives it. Karen is still grappling with her mother’s death, and her feelings toward her father, who abandoned them in her teenage years, are complicated at best. Sending the package to storage alongside her mother’s belongings, she hopes to forget about it. This swift maneuver sets the stage for a cascade of events that pull her deeper into a dangerous web.
Fast forward six months, and Karen learns of her father’s sudden death. Homicide Detective Marc Chastain is reluctant at first, seeing the case of a "simple" murder of a homeless man as low priority. But when the victim is revealed to be Dexter Whitlaw, the case unlocks a multitude of questions, sending Marc on a quest that intertwines with Karen’s reawakening sense of family and loss.
Marc’s initial perception of Karen as cold and distant gives way to understanding as he discovers the emotional turmoil lying beneath her stoic façade. I found myself falling for Marc—his protectiveness and genuine care for Karen are palpable. Some readers may see his actions as manipulative, but to me, it felt like an intense courtship fueled by a sense of urgency and connection that transcends mere attraction. He’s a man of action, and I appreciated how his proactive approach brought a sense of adrenaline to their romance.
The pace of the story is brisk, aligning with the urgency of the murder investigation, yet I can’t help but feel that the narrative could have benefited from additional pages to flesh out the burgeoning relationship between Marc and Karen. Their connection felt so rich and layered that I yearned for more—more dialogue, more stolen moments, and more exploration of their emotional landscapes.
One of my favorite moments was when Karen displayed her grit and intelligence in a harrowing escape. It was a powerful reminder that vulnerability does not equate to weakness and that a strong female lead can navigate her own destiny without falling into the trope of “too stupid to live.”
While I enjoyed the brisk pace, I’d have cherished a deeper dive into the character development. That said, Linda Howard’s knack for weaving suspense with romance had me rooting for Karen and Marc from the first frayed edge of their connection.
Kill and Tell is for anyone who loves a twisty plot tinged with heart, especially fans of romantic suspense. If you appreciate strong character arcs paired with the thrill of unraveling a mystery, this book will captivate you. Personally, it reignited my adoration for Howard’s earlier works and left me eager to dive into the next installment, All the Queen’s Men. So grab your copy, settle in, and prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions—I know I won’t be forgetting Marc and Karen anytime soon!
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