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laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Now You Die
3 Stars
In order to right a decades old wrong, former Bullet Catcher Jack Culver joins forces with his once boss and lover, Lucy Sharpe. As the two close in on their powerful target, they must put aside pride and distrust or risk losing everything including their lives.
Series note: This is book #3 in the mini- trilogy within the Bullet Catchers series. Consequently, it is recommended that the books be read in order.
An intriguing mystery and interesting investigation with some good twists, and the case is wrapped up satisfactorily. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the romance, which is a significant letdown.
Neither Jack nor Lucy are particularly likeable either as individuals or as a couple. They are both controlling and self centered, and their actions are appallingly immature and unprofessional. Their romance feels forced as there is no real emotion behind their supposed feelings.
Two other problematic issues concern the Bullet Catchers as an organization. First, Dan Gallagher's behavior is also exceedingly unprofessional, and the fact that he would does not endear him as a potential hero. This is troubling as his book is next.
Second, the revelation that tarnishes the concept of the Bullet Catchers as the best of the best and the most loyal of loyal.
All in all, not the best in the series, but the suspense plot is satisfying.
3 Stars
In order to right a decades old wrong, former Bullet Catcher Jack Culver joins forces with his once boss and lover, Lucy Sharpe. As the two close in on their powerful target, they must put aside pride and distrust or risk losing everything including their lives.
Series note: This is book #3 in the mini- trilogy within the Bullet Catchers series. Consequently, it is recommended that the books be read in order.
An intriguing mystery and interesting investigation with some good twists, and the case is wrapped up satisfactorily. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the romance, which is a significant letdown.
Neither Jack nor Lucy are particularly likeable either as individuals or as a couple. They are both controlling and self centered, and their actions are appallingly immature and unprofessional. Their romance feels forced as there is no real emotion behind their supposed feelings.
Two other problematic issues concern the Bullet Catchers as an organization. First, Dan Gallagher's behavior is also exceedingly unprofessional, and the fact that he would
Spoiler
leave Lucy in the lurchSecond, the revelation that
Spoiler
Owen is a traitorAll in all, not the best in the series, but the suspense plot is satisfying.
jonetta's review
4.0
This is the final book in the trilogy within this series. With the identities of all three daughters of Eileen Stafford uncovered, former Bullet Catcher Jack Culver is focused on discovering the identity of their father and the real murderer of Wanda Sloan. Bullet Catcher owner Lucy Sharpe is now completely invested in the investigation, offering up her full resources, even though she's not as convinced as Jack is about the suspected identity of the killer.
This is just as much Jack and Lucy's private story as it is about the investigation. We finally learn quite a bit about her past, enough to have a clearer picture of the character and what drives her, including Lucy's history with Jack. While I found her story compelling, their romance didn't engage me that much, primarily because he was too focused on it with every comment and I had imagined someone much more intriguing for her. Maybe it was just me.
I found the investigation to be the heart of the story and it engaged me from the start. It wasn't completely clear who was involved with whom as there were multiple agendas. There were a couple of twists that I never saw coming and threw me for a loop. It had a heck of an ending, some parts I got right and others a little off the mark. I really enjoyed this one, despite my issues with the romance.
This is just as much Jack and Lucy's private story as it is about the investigation. We finally learn quite a bit about her past, enough to have a clearer picture of the character and what drives her, including Lucy's history with Jack. While I found her story compelling, their romance didn't engage me that much, primarily because he was too focused on it with every comment and I had imagined someone much more intriguing for her. Maybe it was just me.
I found the investigation to be the heart of the story and it engaged me from the start. It wasn't completely clear who was involved with whom as there were multiple agendas. There were a couple of twists that I never saw coming and threw me for a loop. It had a heck of an ending, some parts I got right and others a little off the mark. I really enjoyed this one, despite my issues with the romance.
bananatricky's review against another edition
3.0
The final book in the trilogy.
Jack has pieced together most of Eileen's story and with the help of the tattoos on Miranda and Vanessa's necks (even though Vanessa's has been removed they can tell from the shape what it was) and Eileen's comments that "he" is all powerful, all-seeing etc, etc has determined that one of the US's highest ranked Judges is probably the girls' father.
Jack and Lucy clearly have some history although exactly what the history is not explained until later in the book. Dan certainly hates Jack, although that is because Jack accidentally shot him on a mission – an action which got him sacked from Bullet Catchers when it transpires that his trigger finger had been injured when a police officer which resulted in him being retired from service: something which he neglected to tell Bullet Catchers.
Can Jack persuade Lucy to help him bring down the Judge? Well of course he can otherwise there would be no story!
Jack is a bit like Vanessa in the previous book. He is all gung-ho action without planning whereas Lucy is more measured. She wants the truth and justice whereas Jack is more motivated by revenge.
I must say I didn't really feel the relationship between Jack and Lucy. They shared a night (off camera) together some undefined period of time earlier which they have both buried under the proverbial carpet. Did that trigger Jack's drinking? Or was it being kicked out of Bullet Catchers 10 days later (after shooting Dan)? Or had he been an alcoholic before then? I think we all knew the bare bones of Lucy's secret although we finally hear the whole story – but it's a throw-away (unless it was actually a short story/novella in a compilation which I haven't read – in which case the brief précis is sufficient). Did Jack always act that way to Lucy or has he changed since that night? Using innuendo to say what you really feel but make it a joke I understand but I don't understand why Jack had to manipulate and play power games – didn't he feel that Lucy respected him professionally?
Although the story was enjoyable and fast-paced, in retrospect it did seem a bit like a French farce with secret passageways (multiple), double-crosses, traitors, lost daughters, crazed killers and alligators. Maybe I'm getting my heroines confused after reading so many of these on the bounce but it felt like Lucy lost her phone about five times (well at least twice).
And she's back to her old tricks with the villains - and it wasn't a surprise.
Jack has pieced together most of Eileen's story and with the help of the tattoos on Miranda and Vanessa's necks (even though Vanessa's has been removed they can tell from the shape what it was) and Eileen's comments that "he" is all powerful, all-seeing etc, etc has determined that one of the US's highest ranked Judges is probably the girls' father.
Jack and Lucy clearly have some history although exactly what the history is not explained until later in the book. Dan certainly hates Jack, although that is because Jack accidentally shot him on a mission – an action which got him sacked from Bullet Catchers when it transpires that his trigger finger had been injured when a police officer which resulted in him being retired from service: something which he neglected to tell Bullet Catchers.
Can Jack persuade Lucy to help him bring down the Judge? Well of course he can otherwise there would be no story!
Jack is a bit like Vanessa in the previous book. He is all gung-ho action without planning whereas Lucy is more measured. She wants the truth and justice whereas Jack is more motivated by revenge.
I must say I didn't really feel the relationship between Jack and Lucy. They shared a night (off camera) together some undefined period of time earlier which they have both buried under the proverbial carpet. Did that trigger Jack's drinking? Or was it being kicked out of Bullet Catchers 10 days later (after shooting Dan)? Or had he been an alcoholic before then? I think we all knew the bare bones of Lucy's secret although we finally hear the whole story – but it's a throw-away (unless it was actually a short story/novella in a compilation which I haven't read – in which case the brief précis is sufficient). Did Jack always act that way to Lucy or has he changed since that night? Using innuendo to say what you really feel but make it a joke I understand but I don't understand why Jack had to manipulate and play power games – didn't he feel that Lucy respected him professionally?
Although the story was enjoyable and fast-paced, in retrospect it did seem a bit like a French farce with secret passageways (multiple), double-crosses, traitors, lost daughters, crazed killers and alligators. Maybe I'm getting my heroines confused after reading so many of these on the bounce but it felt like Lucy lost her phone about five times (well at least twice).
And she's back to her old tricks with the villains - and it wasn't a surprise.
samie_k3's review against another edition
4.0
Mmm. Took me until halfway through the book to figure out the twist, but I had it by the time everything was revealed. Still a great book. :)
doris1310's review against another edition
4.0
In every series, there's a couple you can't expect to read about. Lucy & Jake is my favorite of the Bullet Catchers. :) I love strong women and men, who can compete with them ^^
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