The Murder Club (Pike, Wisconsin #5)
Alexandra Ivy

Blurb:

An online crime-solving group is just the kind of adventure Bailey Evans needs. She loves her nursing career and small-town life, but her days are predictable. Her confidence bolstered by having her sheriff cousin Zac nearby, Bailey’s up for some innocent fun and intrigue… Until she starts receiving unnerving warnings: Once the game begins, there’s no backing out of The Murder Club. Then the game gets real…

First, Bailey is shut out at work after an elderly patient dies and leaves her a shocking inheritance. Then a priceless necklace from an anonymous source arrives in her mail—along with a bone-chilling threat. Determined not to involve expectant father Zac, Bailey contacts an expert appraiser: the charming Las Vegas businessman who’s never left her mind…

Dom Lucier knows real gems—and Bailey is the most precious thing he’s seen since they met at her best friend’s wedding. Returning to Pike to trace the jewelry’s bloody history, Dom helps Bailey kick open a murderous cold case. But as death and disaster escalate, they’ll need a new strategy to escape a killer who won’t be satisfied until the streets of Pike are soaked in blood…

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 4

Review:

For a series that began as a lark for an author that was most well known for her paranormal romances, the Pike Wisconsin series by Alexandra Ivy has become one of my favorite romantic suspense series around lately. With each new installment the outlandish murders and mysteries to be found in this small town and to be uncovered from decades of secrets are more unbelievable than can be imagined. Bailey Evans is a nurse, one that loves her town and the residents in the nursing home she works for, but when things around her become complicated and she finds herself in the middle of a real-life murder mystery she looks for help in the oddest corner. Wealthy Las Vegas businessman, Dom Lucier ran across Bailey at their best friends’ wedding and there was a definite spark between them. Now he has returned to see if he has a chance with Bailey, but first he ahs to keep her safe from the weirdness around her soon they are in the middle of a mystery that could lead to their deaths if they don’t work together to thwart a pyscho who has decided not only that murder is a game, but that Bailey has signed up to play and there is no way to exit the gam expect by winning or dying. I enjoyed seeing Bailey’s sweet and loving nature coming out with the residents of the home, even though she hated the owners, and she is obviously a kind soul, intelligent and loving, but her wit and sass made her a perfect match for Dom. Dom was protective, loving, and clever enough to know to let Bailey lead the way as they worked together to not only build a relationship but also to bring down a killer and bring him to justice. The only issues I can say I had was that the story moved entirely too quickly for my liking in the romance department, but that is becoming increasingly common in romantic suspense novels as reader only want the suspense. I am looking forward to more in this series but would also understand if the series has played out, because honestly how much murder and mayhem can one small town handle.

*eBook provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.