Knife in the Back

I have loved this series so much and I hope there will be more! I think this book was my favorite because Burke definitely deserved his own love. I don't want to give away anything else to those who haven't read it, but it was a very satisfying end.

The novel captivated me so thoroughly that I found myself reading late into the night, resulting in complete exhaustion. The narrative's protagonist, Naomi, emerges as a remarkably resilient character whose determination and strength compel readers to passionately support her journey. Beyond Naomi's compelling arc, the story beautifully weaves in a tender romantic subplot and explores the chosen family dynamics through Burke and and his supportive team, creating a rich and emotionally engaging narrative experience that keeps readers deeply invested from start first to.

Naomi Cranston is a former cop who is unjustly convicted of stealing cocaine from an evidence locker. Released and threatened once again Naomi turns to Broussard Investigations to protect her and her teenage son. As a former cop himself, Burke is no stranger to corruption in the New Orleans police department and he is determined to not only protect Naomi but to see that she is cleared of all crimes.Thank you to Berkley Publishing for free book and PRHAudio for the free audiobook. All opinions are my own.Knife in the Back is the fourth book of Karen Rose’s New Orleans series which features Broussard Investigations. I have been a huge fan of her books for years and would definitely recommend reading the others in the series but that said, this one could absolutely be read as a standalone if that’s your preference. The intricate web of characters will keep you guessing and the romance that develops between Naomi and Burke is so much fun. If you enjoy thrillers with a mix of romantic suspense then I highly recommend that you check this one out!Read if you like:✩ Romantic suspense✩ Slow burn✩ Family drama✩ Interconnected Stand-alones✩ Low spice

Book four in the New Orleans romantic suspense thriller series by Karen Rose, Knife in the Back, finally features the owner of a private investigation firm, Burke Broussard. Police Officer Naomi Cranston was framed for stealing from the evidence locker and coerced through threats to her son into not fighting the charges. She gets out after five years on a technicality. One year later, the crooks are back and want her to transport illegal product for them. They threaten her son again when she refuses. This time she hires Broussard Investigations to protect her and her son, to prove her innocence, and the get the real crooks identified and arrested.Burke is a former cop turned private investigator and is aware of the corruption in the New Orleans police department. He’s not inclined to take Naomi’s case and has always thought her guilty until he listens to her story. Can he do all that Naomi wants when surviving the danger many be the best that they can do?Burke is loyal, observant, and a protector of others. I enjoyed learning more about his past. Naomi is kind, smart, resilient, and a good investigator. It was great to see how their relationship developed over time as they worked together to solve her case. There are several other characters, but it is easier to keep track of them if you’ve read this series in order. Many are repeat characters, so it’s like getting together with old friends.Once again, the author pulled me into the novel with an intriguing prologue that grabbed my interest and built on the story from there. The writing is fluid and the book did not feel like it was greater than 500 pages long. There are a few surprises along the way and a few action scenes. Much of the plot involves the investigation itself and the relationships of the characters, but there is also significant danger, tension, and suspense, making for a well-plotted story. The ends are tied up nicely except for one small point. Themes include trust, loyalty, found family, romance, relationships of all types, corruption, murder, and much more.Overall, this is a suspenseful, intriguing, dramatic and entertaining novel with characters that had great chemistry, a splendid setting, and a story that kept me turning the pages rapidly. It also pulls on the heartstrings and on the reader’s emotions. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the entire series. I can’t wait to read my next book by Karen Rose.Berkley Publishing Group and Karen Rose provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 12, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

I loved this newest romantic, suspense novel in this series. I loved Burke and Naomi. I enjoyed all the twists and turns as Burke helps to prove Naomi innocent and keep her alive and out of prison. I loved all the action. I received a copy of the book and gave an honest opinion.