by Liliana Hart
Series: Gravediggers #3
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
Sometimes the dead do rise...
Dante Malcolm is a man of refined tastes. He was once a part of Britain's Elite Intelligence Force, but there was a reason he'd never been able to capture Simon Locke, the notorious thief who always seemed to be one step ahead. That's because Dante and Simon were one and the same, until Dante's double life eventually caught up with him and now he belongs to the Gravediggers.
Eva Rothschild is a Detective Inspector with Interpol and is the one responsible for catching MI-6's most notorious agent in his final heist--except the heist killed him. But something has never felt right about his death, and it's haunted her for months. It was too easy, and Dante Malcolm was too smart to go down that way.
Dante might belong to the Gravediggers in body, but his heart and soul will always belong to the next job. The rest of the team doesn't know about his alter ego because he made sure the information went missing from his file. So when the job he's always waited for seems like a possibility, he sneaks out of the country like a thief in the night, only to run into the only woman who's ever been able to match him in wit--and passion--for the job. Except they're standing on opposite sides of the law--and only one of them can walk away with the prize.
SAY NO MORE by Lillian Hart is the third novel in the Gravediggers series. Hart gives us a suspenseful case with human trafficking, a kick-ass heroine and a hero who needs to grovel.
The Gravediggers, is is a contemporary romantic suspense series with science fiction elements surrounding an elite international terrorist team residing in a remote town in Texas.
This story involves Dante Malcolm a former Britain Elite Intelligence Forces member, and the notorious Simone Locke, a notorious thief. Hart shares his history, and we learn how he and his partner, Eva Rothschild a Detective Inspector with Interpol worked to capture Locke. When his double life catches up with him, he agrees to fake his death and joins the Gravediggers leaving behind the only woman he has ever loved. Now, he is working a solo mission to retrieve highly sensitive information, and his path crosses those of Eva.
I loved getting the background stories on both Eva and Dante. Dante is British, and typically the accent alone is enough to make me swoon, but the man is arrogant and selfish. He wants to have his cake and eat it too. The nerve…lol I did like Eva. The woman is passionate, driven and determined to seek justice for those who cannot protect themselves. Their feelings were genuine and thanks to character growth Dante grew on me..but the man needed to grovel.
“It must be nice to be that self-absorbed. To never consider anyone else’s feelings. Or to use them however you see fit to get exactly what you want.”
The case was an exciting one with human trafficking, security codes, and intense action scenes. There were plenty of twists, turns, and hang-ups as they moved to close their cases. I thought the thread about the wife, of the son, of our villain, was interesting. I had a hard time buying she wanted to stay or that Eva could let go like that. Hart did an excellent job with the trafficking issue and highlighted some of the frustrations law enforcement faces.
The romance grabbed page time from a gripping suspense and delivered heat. The scene in the castle had me cracking up. I for one don’t think I could have let passion get the best of me in a situation like that. I like when there is a balance between the suspense and romance. However, in this instance, I craved a more in-depth case.
I absolutely love the AI computer software system. Her personality and comments cracked me up. Any page time with her was welcome. We did get some page time with the other Gravediggers and learned some more information about them. I am hoping we get all of their stories. The series has continued to get stronger, and while not perfect, I do want more.
Despite not swooning for the hero, I enjoyed SAY NO MORE and would like to see at least two more books from this series. Wait, make that three. We need Eva’s story!
Say No More by Liliana Hart delivered suspense with plenty of twists even if the hero failed me. 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
Geybie's Book Blog
The story in general sounds great but I’m not sure I would enjoy it if I didn’t like the hero. I’m still checking out this author’s other books though. I’ve heard her books mentioned many times. Thanks for sharing, Kim. Love your review. Awesome, as always. ❤️
kimbacaffeinate
This is one of the things I like about romantic suspense, even though the hero didn’t wow me, I still had a good time with this 🙂
Lark
Sounds like there are some fun elements in this series — I love your description of the AI — but I would have a lot of trouble with the hero’s double life as well as the annoying tendencies you describe. I kind of prefer my heroes to be on the right side of the law, or at least of morality and ethics.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed about the hero, but the suspenseful plot, AI, and heroine made up for it.
Sophia Rose
Sounds like it has a good foundation and lots of great working elements so that an annoying hero doesn’t ruin it. I have been intrigued by the series since your first review. Hope you get those other stories you want. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly Sophia.
Carole
I haven’t read this author yet but this case sounds really intense. Too bad you weren’t a big fan of the hero but the book sounds like it has some really good points.
kimbacaffeinate
It was good, and we cannot always love the hero.
Jenea's Book Obsession
The series certainly does sound like it it getting even better. The case is an intriguing one, I think I would like. The romance sounds nice too.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, Jenea. it was a solid read.
Mary Kirkland
I’ve been hearing so many good things about this series.
kimbacaffeinate
That makes me happy Mary.
blodeuedd
I really should try Hart….
kimbacaffeinate
*nods* Yep.
sherry fundin
Very pretty cover. And you want three more books. Sounds like a hit to me.
kimbacaffeinate
Well yes, we need all of the team members stories..lol
Lily B
this series has def been on my radar, sorry that you didn’t enjoy this book as much as you wanted to!
kimbacaffeinate
It happens, but there was enough there to keep me reading 🙂
Stormi Johnson
I am behind I still need to read the one before this one! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Stormi 🙂
Debbie Haupt
I’ve seen this series around Kim and I think I would like it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts
kimbacaffeinate
Happy to do so. I hope you give them a go 🙂
kindlemom1
I can see how this book would get to you Kim, too bad you didn’t love the hero but glad you did like it nonetheless.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, he improved thankfully, and I loved the suspense thread. The AI is the best!
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I’m not sure how I’d handle a book about human trafficking these days. I just finished a mystery about a kidnapped child and it was very hard for me. But I’m very curious about the sci-fi elements.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes, that would upset me. I recently finished one too, 99 Red Balloons. Thankfully, this didn’t get as brutally real as some of them have.
Quinn's Book Nook
I think I would struggle a lot with Dante. I’m glad that you did end up liking the book though.
kimbacaffeinate
I loved the suspense and the AI.
Melliane
I’m curious about the AI now lol! The story looks really intriguing and full of suspens
kimbacaffeinate
I love the AI!