by Sandra Murphy

This week we have reviews of the first 2 books in Catherine Maiorisi’s mystery series featuring Chiara Corelli. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of either of these books-winner’s choice, and a links to purchase them from Amazon, and an indie bookstore where a portion of the sale goes to help support KRL.

A Matter of Blood
After a second tour in Afghanistan, most people would want a calmer life. Not New York Police Detective Chiara Corelli. She is asked to go undercover to ferret out corrupt police officers. Most people would run from the thought. She feels if you wear blue, you should be one of the good guys.

The operation goes well until, Chiara is ordered to kill a family in order to show her loyalty. She aborts the mission and while finding lower level corruption, she was unable to expose the leaders—and no one is talking.

Take that literally. Once she’s exposed as the whistle-blower, the rank and file assume she was crooked but sold out fellow officers to avoid jail time. The department and FBI refuse to say differently. Now wherever she goes, cops turn their backs and catcall obscenities. If she radios for assistance, will anyone respond?

Brand-new detective P. J. Parker is offered the chance to work in Homicide—but only if she acts as protection for Chiara. She reluctantly agrees just to get into Homicide Division. Chiara doesn’t make it easy for PJ. She’s condescending, rude, and abrasive, and that’s before she puts them both into dangerous situations just for the thill of it. PJ’s got her own problems. Her dad is a U.S. senator who is outspoken about his objections to the NYPD.

Despite their mutual misgivings, the pair agree to work together. Their first case is the death of Connie Winter, President of Winter Brokerage Services. Her body was found in her office, accessible only by passing thru security at the building entrance which ought to limit the number of suspects—or not.

Add in the fact that crooked cops are willing to commit murder—Chiara’s—and the situation is one of constant danger.

The Blood Runs Cold
On their second murder case, Chiara and PJ must chase a serial killer. Victims, the first, a gay man, are posed with arms crossed, music playing in the background. It’s all very peaceful except for the bullet hole at the back of their heads. There doesn’t seem to be any connection between the victims. Unlike most serial killers, there is no ritual timing with the killings—they’re happening at a rapid pace.

To add to their difficulties, many cops still ostracize the pair because of Chiara’s undercover work. The leaders of the rogue cops are still operating. Chiara is able to survive attempts on her life but now has the added worry that the threats are aimed at her family as well.

Will she and PJ be able to find a killer before a killer finds them?

In most cases, I will say readers can start with the current book and not miss anything. With Chiara ostracized by other members of the department, readers should start with A Matter of Blood to get the full effect and the background of Chiara and PJ working together. Both books are fast-paced thrillers, where every minute could be their last, with no one to trust and nowhere to hide. The Senator, reporters, public opinion—it seems everyone is against the pair. Allies are few and far between. Chiara’s a little crazy, but then who wouldn’t be?

Love page-turner thrillers? Pick these books up—then try to keep up with Chiara. It’ll be a breathtaking ride.

Editor’s Note: We are having trouble with our comments-we can see them on our end but they aren’t showing up on the website so rest assured even though you don’t see it you are entered in the giveaway. But if you feel better about it, just enter via email-details below!

To enter to win a copy of A Matter of Blood or The Blood Runs Cold, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “blood,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 21, 2019. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address (so if you win we can get the book sent right out to you), and if via comment please include your email address. BE SURE TO STATE WHICH BOOK YOU WANT. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Be sure to check out our new mystery podcast too with mystery short stories, and first chapters read by local actors. A new episode went up this week!

Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

A Matter of Blood

The Blood Runs Cold

You can also use these links to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She writes about eco-friendly topics, pets and wildlife for magazines and reviews mysteries and thrillers for KRL. A collection of her short stories, published by Untreed Reads, From Hay to Eternity: Ten Tales of Crime and Deception can be found at all the usual outlets. Each one is a little weird and all have a twist you won’t see coming.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.