I'll Never Let You Go (Morgans of Nashville)

by Mary Burton

2015

Status

Available

Publication

Zebra (2015), 416 pages

Description

Fiction. Romance. Suspense. Thriller. HTML: A Nashville woman's violent husband is presumed deadâ??until he makes a terrifying return in this thriller by the New York Times bestselling author. Leah Carson's husband Phillip made a promise to her onceâ??that he would kill her. Four years ago, he nearly succeeded, stabbing her twenty-three times before fleeing. Now the police are sure Phillip is dead. But that doesn't stop Leah from checking and rechecking her locks. Especially when she can sense his attention closing in again. It starts with little things. Missing keys. A flat tire. Mysterious flowers. All easily explained away if the pattern wasn't so unnervingly familiar. Leah has a new life in Nashville with no ties to her nightmarish past. But when another woman's body is found, stabbed twenty-three times, Leah knows her past has found her.Alex Morgan of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation knows there's more to Leah's story than mere paranoia. But as they untangle the horrifying truth, a killer is watching close, waiting for the perfect moment to make good on his promise... As Leah and Alex untangle the horrifying truth, he watches her, ready for the perfect moment. Until deathâ??that was the vow they made. And a killer always keeps hi… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Inishowen_Cailin
A fantastic read. I won't be happy now until I've read every single book in Mary Burton's backlist!

Dark and thrilling, I'll Never Let You Go had me awake until late into the wee hours after reaching the end of the book and not being able to let it go.

It is atmospheric and full of suspense. The
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author pulls no punches with the killing of her characters and there is a real sense of danger and terror enveloping the story. I loved that the romantic side of the plot, although evident, was placed firmly in the sidelines to allow suspense and drama to take centre stage.

From the opening chapter I developed a liking for and attachment to Leah who had to suffer and survive domestic abuse, stalking as well as having to make a slow trek back from death's door after a horrifying attempt on her life. I inwardly cheered for her as she got her life back together and made new friends. I liked Alex as well despite his emotional detachment from people. His professionalism and genuine concern for Leah won me over fairly quickly.
The mystery and suspense unfolded with many twists and turns. I thought very early into the novel that I had a good idea of how the story would go but I was wrong! I was not expecting the twists that occurred and I was as genuinely surprised as the characters themselves at the turn of events towards the end of the novel.

Copy received in exchange for an honest review
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LibraryThing member CathyGeha
Mary Burton always provides a well-crafted thrilling story for those who read her books. The Morgans of Nashville has been and continues to satisfy.

Leah Carson is a survivor. She was in an abusive marriage, traumatized and nearly died at the hands of her husband. She survived, became a productive
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member of society and yet still deals with PTSD. Alex Morgan is with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. He is not always liked by fellow officers since he is usually looking for bad cops. His brother, Deke, calls him in to assist on solving the murder of a police – a woman that was also under suspicion and being investigated by Alex. Leah was a friend of the deceased cop so questioned by Alex. Strange things begin to happen to Leah that create suspicion and provide suspense in this tightly written novel. Alex and Leah along with Deke and their sister Georgia are all on the case to find the murderer. Rick, their other brother makes a short appearance, too.

To get the best impact from the writing and the story I would recommend NOT reading the end of this book first. I have a habit of doing so but then read the book anyway to find out how the author has put the story together. This is one book better read from page one through to the end without skipping around.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the copy of this book to read and review.
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LibraryThing member JudithDCollins
A special thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

K I L L E R! 5 Stars+ "Top Books of 2015!"

One of my favorite authors, talented storyteller, Mary Burton returns following her last cliffhanger, Be Afraid (Morgans of Nashville #2) with another
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multi-layered, twisted “must read” psycho-crime thriller, I’LL NEVER LET YOU GO (Morgans of Nashville #3). Two women haunted by their past, a mysterious brutal killer, and a family of Morgans prepared to solve the case, and connect the dots--before it is too late.

If you read the previous two books in the series (highly recommend), you learn about Leah Carlson--at the ending of the last book, her psycho-cop husband has found her once again and is determined to kill her.

Philip has a sick, obsessive love for his wife. Young when they met, Leah was charmed by the cop, who eventually wanted to control, stalking, intimidating, playing head games; making Leah think she is crazy.

When she finally escaped him, he hunts her down--stabbing her twenty-three times, leaving her for dead, while he escaped. It was their wedding anniversary. Her wacko husband believes in "death do us part." After all, Phillip, was a smart cop, so no one believed his stalking attempts, until he almost killed her. She had spent years keeping daily journals, to help develop patterns for the cops.

I’ll Never Let You Go picks up four years later. Leah changed her last name, and has returned to Nashville, her home, after years of therapy, plastic surgery, and support groups. She still suffers from PTSD,, nightmares, and paranoia. Even though Phillip was declared dead following an accident in South Carolina, she never saw the body, and has an ongoing suspicion he may still be alive. She still keeps her daily journals, with any events which seem suspicious.

After attending veterinarian school in Knoxville, she now is a successful veterinarian in Nashville—keeps to herself, and does not want anyone to know her past business. Even though it is difficult with her visible scars on her hands and arms. However, the others on her body she keeps hidden with her clothes, applying certain makeup to cover up the ones on her face.

Shortly after the book opens a woman cop, Deidre Jones befriends her which she met at the local gym. She invites her to her running group. Even though Leah still has problems running, she is determined to get back to the world of the living- to have some sense of normal.

In the meantime, of course the famous Morgans are back! A family of cops, from their late father, Buddy Morgan, a legend in the Nashville Police Department homicide Squad.

TBI Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (sexy) cool and collected Alex Morgan is in charge of putting away bad cops (star character). Due to a past traumatic event in his life, he keeps his emotions intact; his family thinks he is cold and removed; with an uncaring demeanor. He is single with the looks and brains; however, not into relationships, or conversations.

All the Morgan kids are in law enforcement (we have met in other books). His older brother, Deke heads up the Nashville Police Department Homicide Squad (dating lawyer, Rachel), Rick also works homicide with Deke, and adopted baby sister, Georgia, a forensic technician and a singer at the local nightclub Ruby, when she is not working. Deke and Rick loved homicide; however, Alex did not see himself in TBI in the next decade, as he has political ambitions.

When they find a body dismembered and burned and a business card with Deidre’s name on it, they begin to investigate her suspicious activity, since she was a cop. Alex notices Leah and Deidre are spending time together, so arranges to go out with Leah to learn more, by getting his brother Rick to leave his dog at the vet to board.

Leah is tormented about being in public, with panic attacks, and uneasy around cops, based on her past experience. She is not ready to date and uncomfortable being in social settings, more comfortable around the animals at work. She is always looking for the nearest exit, or over her shoulder, ensuring all doors at home and car are locked, rechecking numerous times.

Then crazy things start occurring—from flowers delivered with an anniversary note, suspicious activity on her credit card, flat tires, crazy texts, and a lab left at the vet to board, like the one she had as a child, and a mover showing up at her house to move her stuff. All the things Phillip would do. Then she starts seeing someone following her. Could Phillip be alive? To further send her over the edge, it is drawing near their anniversary date. Has he come back to finish her off? She is terrified. What wait four years?

In the meantime, her new friend does not show up for running one morning; Leah finds her stabbed to death in her home. Twenty-three times, same as her. She is distraught. Could any of this be connected to her? Her friend also had an ex-husband, a local sheriff, who was making problems and stalking Deidre. Since Alex is involved in the case, Leah and Alex are thrown together. Both are very standoffish and not very forthcoming about their suspicions. More things start happening, and Alex digs into Leah’s background and learns of her past. He has to figure out the connection between Leah’s ex-husband, Phillip, what Deidre was involved in, her ex-husband, and her current boyfriend. Is there possibly a connection to Deidre and Phillip? Leah had sworn she would never date a cop again. However, Alex is controlled, always assessing. Can she trust him?

As it draws closer to the anniversary date, Alex wants to protect Leah; however, he is attacked, they find a bug, and more complications. While a budding romance is in the background, the first order of business is the lurking constant danger---is Phillip really alive? Who are the other bodies? Who murdered Deidre and why? Who is behind all the suspicious activity?

Now, this is a thriller! I love Mary’s smooth sharp writing style - Riveting . . She grabs you from page one to the end, hooking you immediately. She never lets you know the identity of the evil twisted killer. There could be one, two, three, or more suspects--multi-layered and complex. When they are speaking, you have no clue who is talking; further building the suspense.

Read in one sitting-- could not put it down! She adds just the right amount of romantic suspense; however, keeping the main theme of the book a strong crime mystery psycho-thriller and cop procedural. One of my favorite genres, Burton delivers mystery and intrigue, and keeps you guessing, with smooth writing, excellent plot planning, and well-developed characters. Loved Leah and Alex together! This is one not to miss. Even though I loved the last two installments, I think this is my favorite thus far.

Upcoming:
So excited about her upcoming Vulnerable coming March 29, 2016. (Yes, you receive a tantalizing preview). In addition, look for the Killer Nashville Noir: Cold-Blooded, coming Oct 27 with a collection of authors, including Mary with some of her characters from past books.
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LibraryThing member KeriLynneD
Interesting mystery with a twist at the end that I wasn't expecting. I do feel like there were a few unanswered questions though due to the twist. This book is apart of a series so I did feel like I missed a few a key points having not read the previous books. I really liked Leah but can say I ever
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got to really liking Alex. There just wasn't anything that really stood out about him to male him likable, he was pretty boring in fact. Probably won't be reading anymore by this author.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2015-10-27

Physical description

416 p.; 4.12 inches

ISBN

1420132156 / 9781420132151

Barcode

1600633
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