Review: Chasing A Colton Killer

REVIEW: Prolific writer, Deborah Fletcher Mello, lends her talents to a great series written by various authors, centered around the Colton family, a law-enforcement family who live and work in New York City. The link that ties this series together is the search for the Landmark Killer, an elusive serial killer. The search for this person is still on. As the story opens, we meet Brennan Colton, an FBI agent who is tasked, along with other law-enforcement family members, with finding this killer, who has made it personal by harassing the Colton family members. Brennan finds himself involved in solving another murder of a prominent politician running for Governor. He also finds himself involved with Stella Maxwell, who works as a writer for the New York Wire, a steppingstone in her goal to work for the New York Times or the Washington Post.

When the story opens, Stella receives the first of many cryptic messages that will directly lead her to a crime scene. It’s someone with whom she was involved in a relationship, and someone who is currently running for Governor. It’s a messy situation for sure. So messy that Stella, a Black woman, is taken into custody for questioning when the police find her kneeling over the dead body of her Caucasian ex-boyfriend. Enter Brennan Colton, who is assigned to the case. She is soon cleared due to video tape that proved that the man, Rockwell Henley, was already dead when she arrived on scene. That’s only the beginning of Stella’s woes as she and Brennan become involved in this whodunit.

The plot twists and turns, the unforgettable villainous characters, the cryptic messages, and the weaving of romance and crime together all showcase Ms. Mello’s faultless skills as writer. The Colton family composed of FBI Agents and Profilers, and New York PD all jump in, feet first, to solve this crime. I love the scene where they all assembled at the Harlem Brownstone of heroine, Stella to contribute their expertise to solving the murder and protecting Stella. Just wait until you discover who is causing all the mayhem and attempts on Stellas’s life. No spoilers, but it’s a mind-blowing moment.

I enjoyed this well-scripted story that kept me turning pages. I have a confession to make. I have not read any of the previous books that highlight the Colton family. So, you can read this story as a stand-alone with no problem.

I recommend CHASING A COLTON KILLER for your reading pleasure. It is entertaining, suspenseful, with just the right amount of romance. You can thank me later!

6th September 2023 | romcol@caribsurf.com