Beyond Her Reach

Now in double digits, the Bree Taggart series is one of my go-to reads when I want a suspenseful read that balances a small-town police procedural and a story that allows readers to really get to know the characters well. 

Now in double digits, this tenth book in the series allowed me to reconnect with Sheriff Bree Taggart, her boyfriend Matt and their family. I also enjoyed having defense lawyer Morgan Dane (from one of Leigh's other series) have more than a passing role in this book and witnessing these two strong women going head-to-head was great!

I usually find that Leigh blends the family aspects well with suspense, but this time I found the tension to be lacking. We went through the paces but, besides one scene, I didn't feel on the edge of my seat. And while I didn't identify the culprit, it also felt like it was a bit out of left field with a weak reason for the murders. 

I can't help but get the feeling like the series is winding down as the characters get more settled in their personal lives. I'm hoping there's one last book to end this series on a very high and tense high note.

This is a series where you can get suspense without the gore and a side of small-town family life. And while this wasn't my favourite book in the series, I eagerly look forward to reading more books in this author's many series in the future.

This is a good pick for fans of: 

Kendra Elliot (Mercy Kilpatrick series)

Robert Dugoni (Tracy Crosswhite series)

Lisa Regan (Josie Quinn series)

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Melinda Leigh

Series: Bree Taggart 10

Type and Source: ebook, personal copy

Publisher: Montlake

First Published: Sept 16, 2025

Read: Jan 28-30, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: In the wake of a woman’s savage murder, the suspects and motives are only mounting for Sheriff Bree Taggert in a twisting novel of suspense by #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh.

In a quiet suburban neighborhood in upstate New York, single mom Kelly Gibson is slain in her home—the victim of a rage killing. Right away, Sheriff Bree Taggert has three persons of interest: an angry soon-to-be ex-husband, a furtive rebound boyfriend, and an obsessive neighbor.

But as Bree and investigator Matt Flynn work together to narrow the field, there’s a shocking twist in the case: a second woman is murdered in the same brutal fashion.

While investigating, Bree is attacked and left for dead. When another woman is kidnapped, Bree and Matt must act quickly to unravel the deceptions in Kelly’s life and death and find a killer before someone else dies.