by Karen Rose
Series: Romantic Suspense #19, Baltimore #5
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
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The New York Times bestselling author of Every Dark Corner returns to Baltimore, where a father-daughter reunion puts innocent victims in the sights of a stone-cold killer...
Baltimore PI Clay Maynard routinely locates missing children for clients, but his own daughter—stolen by his ex-wife—has eluded him for years. Until she turns up right under his nose…
Since she was a child, Taylor Dawson believed the lie her mother told her: that her father was a monster. But now she has a chance to get to know the real Clay while doing real work as an equine therapist, which includes helping two girls whose mother was brutally murdered. She might even find something deeper with her boss’s handsome son, Ford Elkhart, whose eyes are so haunted. But just as Taylor feels her life opening up to new family, work, and friends, a danger lurks in the darkness—one that will show Taylor the face of true evil…
MONSTER IN YOUR CLOSET by Karen Rose is part of her Romantic Suspense series and features the FBI team in Baltimore. I’ve read and enjoyed Rose’s detailed and suspenseful tales so I am excited to see what Sophia Rose has to say about her newest book. Grab a cuppa and check out her review.
Sophia Rose’s Review
MONSTER IN THE CLOSET delves into the darkest corners and exposes the vilest of evil through the work of a tenacious band of law enforcement and private individuals determined to make a small corner of the world safe. I got swept up in their crusades again violent crime and saving the victims.
MONSTER IN THE CLOSET is both the nineteenth release in Karen Rose’s long running romantic suspense series and also book five in the specific Baltimore series following the team of crime-fighters there.
This was my first time with the Baltimore series with its crew of regular characters and I’ve only read the Cincinnati ones so I was prepared for a little struggle getting up to speed since this was book five. I was right to be cautious as, wowsers, this one was a reunion sort and I encountered so many people with inter-woven lives. It was obvious they were the characters from the previous stories in the series. All that said, the situations in this one were able to standalone.
Yes, I use the word ‘situations’ because these are ginormous books with multiple narrators and plot threads running through them until the threads start to knit together near the end. In this installment, like others, the criminals even get to be major players and narrate their side of matters. This in no way detracts from the intensity or suspense and acts quite the opposite.
MONSTER IN THE CLOSET has two main plots: a young girl who can give witness to who brutally killed her mother and a long-lost young woman looking to get past her mother’s lies and meet her father. There is also an update reunion of sorts for all the past characters. Oh, and let’s not forget that as usual, in the midst of the darkness of the suspense, there is a spicy romance.
Now, while I loved this one, I didn’t love it as much as previous books I’ve read in the Cincinnati series. It set up good and I was fully engaged, but then it slowed down a few times. The large group of surrounding cast was great characters, but I felt the story suffered from having so many people clogging the scenes. I also wasn’t into the romance side in this one. They were horny at the oddest times even though yes, I thought they were good together.
Both the main plots pulled me in emotionally and held my attention. The little girl, Jazzie, is old before her time and goes through so much in this story. She so captivated me that I would love to encounter her again in a future story to see how this steel-spined jaded, but loyal and loving girl grows up. The other heroine, Taylor, is the center of an explicable situation due to no fault of her own as are her adopted dad and birth dad. It really tugged at my heart strings.
The character development, particularly when it came to the main villain fascinated me. You really get a sense of the ‘why’ behind things and the good guys don’t have an easy time in bringing the villain down as he’s savvy and ruthless. I enjoyed being along as they put together the trail of evidence, built their case, and leaped into action when things got dire.
All in all, this latest release was worth my anticipation and I still want to go back for all that came before it as well as snatch up each future installment by the author. Those who lean more toward thriller police procedural style romance and like when it gets dark and gritty with some complex character development should give these a try.
Monster in the Closet by Karen Rose offered a romantic suspense with a dark and gritty case Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Rosie
This sounds like a good book, and you can binge read the series, too! It will keep you in suspense and not getting much else done!!!
Carole
Hi Sophia Rose! I haven’t read Karen Rose yet. At least, I don’t think that I have. I do have a couple of her books on my tbr pile. I am glad that this one worked for you despite jumping in on a group of characters.
Sophia Rose
Howdy, Carole!
Really? I thought you had read these. You have a treat waiting for you. I’ve just picked up the very first one of the overall series and the first Chicago series book. Can’t wait!
Ivailo Durmonski
Very detailed review about the book 🙂
Also, the cover is amazing. Do you think there will be a movie? 🙂 The recent produced movies are not scary enough.
Sophia Rose
Thank you, Ivailo! Glad you enjoyed the review. Oh man, it would be great if her books were adapted for movies, but it makes me nervous to see books I love as movies because they rarely are as good. 🙂
Greg
Looks like a good suspenseful read, and I love that cover! Nice that the character development is so good as well.
Sophia Rose
These are definitely suspenseful. And yeah, the covers really set the tone for the stories. 🙂
Angela Adams
Wow! This sounds like an episode of “Law & Order” — my favorite show! Thanks for the post.
Sophia Rose
It is a lot like Law & Order though a bit of Criminal Minds, too, Angela. 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
I know I’ve read her books but I just can’t think of which one. This sounds like a good series and you have me curious!
Sophia Rose
Definitely go for it if you get the chance to grab another one. 🙂
Melliane
I never tried this author and I confess that I didn’t know about this one. I’ll consider it.
Sophia Rose
Glad to introduce you, Melliane. I only encountered them three years ago and have loved her books ever since.
Heidi
Sounds like a riveting read. I hope it wasn’t too dark. I do love when a good story takes its time to weave together and it sound like that is what this one does.
Sophia Rose
This one wasn’t as dark as some of the Cincinnati ones, but they do get into some of the worst things people can do to each other. It was a solid one, for sure, Heidi! 🙂
Jonetta (Ejaygirl)
FYI, these books are part of the main series, Romantic Suspense, and I highly recommend reading in order, especially if you plan to read another subset (Baltimore) as it has LOTS of other characters beyond these cities. They’re all connected to the larger one. These Cincinnati books are the only ones I’ve read to date that standalone pretty well. And, the author includes spoilers from the earlier books (Baltimore sub series and earlier, which she doesn’t do in the Cincinnati sub series).
Just some critical info if you’re interested in the series as a whole. I’ve LOVED the earlier books, starting with Don’t Tell.
Sophia Rose
Great advice, Jonetta!
I did have trouble with getting this one out of order. Just picked up Don’t Tell so hope to catch up on the earliest books. 🙂
sherry fundin
Creepy cool cover. You know I love romantic suspense. This looks like one to add to my reading list.
Sophia Rose
Her covers are always so perfect for the darker stories inside. Hope you like it, Sherry! 🙂
Tyler H. Jolley
Thanks for the detailed, Sophia. It’s been a minute since we’ve seen you over here. Happy reading!
Sophia Rose
My pleasure, Tyler!
Oh for sure. At least a month. I’ve been out and about enjoying the summer. Happy Reading right back at you. 🙂
Vanessa
Ohh, haven’t heard of this series before but sounds really good. And my! Romantic Suspense? I’m in!
Sophia Rose
She’s been writing her Romantic Suspense for many years. I only jumped in when I saw she was starting with a new city, the Cincinnati series since the others were already further along. Definitely gets intense, Vanessa. 🙂
Ailyn Koay
great review! i am kind of excited to see where this goes =d
Sophia Rose
Me too, Ailyn! I need to get caught up on the rest of the Baltimore books, all the Chicago ones and keep going with the Cincis. 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Hey Sophia Rose, it’s been a while since I read a novel by Karen Rose. Maybe its time I get back to her. Thanks for the great review
Sophia Rose
Oh yep, yep, Debbie, definitely a good bet when you can squeeze one of her books in. 🙂 I’m waiting on pins and needles for the next Cinci book and just got the first Chicago one to start hitting her backlist. 🙂
Nick
I can be a little iffy about multiple narrators, but I’ve heard such terrific things about this series and this in particular. It’s good to know this can be read as standalone.
Great review!
Sophia Rose
As far as I am concerned, you did not hear wrong, Nick. 🙂 But I would caution that if you haven’t read any of her books yet that you should probably start with book one in one of her city-titled series (Baltimore, Chicago, or Cincinnati) just to keep from getting turned around.
Jenea's Book Obsession
Wow, this sounds like a great series! I haven’t seen the series before now, but I will looking into it. 🙂
Sophia Rose
Oh cool! Glad to introduce you, Jenea. These really have a crusader in the dark vibe to them. Love it!
ShootingStarsMag
Nice review! I do love a good suspense novel. I have the first in the Cincinnati series, that I hope to read soon – so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed those more than this one.
Sophia Rose
They really sock it to you. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
Melanie Simmons
Great review Sophia. I do agree with you that too many characters can bog down a story. Sorry this one wasn’t as good for you as some of the previous books. I’m glad that you still enjoyed it though.
Sophia Rose
Oh yes, Melanie, well worth the read, but I did get tangled in the characters so definitely not a good idea to start Karen Rose’s series in the middle. LOL
Geybie's Book Blog
“They were horny at the oddest times…” hahaha… this is hilarious and to be honest, something I encountered quite a lot. It made me “urgghh really? Come on..” So yes, I get it.
I understand your issue about large casts as well. I have problem with it sometimes.
Awesome review, Sophia. You captured everything I need to know about this book. ❤️
Sophia Rose
LOL, glad you take my meaning there.
And sure thing! Always glad when my review can make things clear.
blodeuedd
Hmmmmm, maybe one day 😀
Sophia Rose
Oh yes, mark it for a future date. 🙂
Kathryn
Like you Sophia Rose I’ve only read the Cincinnati books so I am holding off on this one until I read the previous Baltimore books because I know she has so many characters in her books. I see the fourth book in the Cincinnati series is out in Feb ’18 and has Adam Kimble in it which should be interesting. I’ll read that then go back to the Baltimore books.
Sophia Rose
That’s a good plan. I should have done that, Kathryn. 😉 Yay for Adam’s book. I just got the first Chicago one so that should be great, too.