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Baxter and Holt #1
Las Vegas Girl
Detectives Laura Baxter and Jack Holt are members of the elite: Las Vegas Metro PD, one of the toughest and most respected law enforcement agencies in the United States. In the middle of a city with two million residents and 43 million annual visitors, they’re hunting for a killer.
The crime: audacious
In a glamorous Las Vegas hotel, in front of hundreds of witnesses and under the lenses of countless video surveillance cameras, a young girl is brutally murdered. What promises to be a quick and easy investigation soon becomes a nightmare. The most recorded crime in Vegas is missing one key protagonist, the killer.
The forensics: stupefying
A crime-scene fingerprint unleashes dozens of unsettling questions instead of providing answers. Was this a murder for hire? In the politically-charged case, the scenario seems plausible; the victim’s secret life could’ve been the obstacle in an ambitious politician’s path. As the investigation unspools the well-concealed secrets surrounding the girl’s life, Baxter and Holt attract the attention of someone desperate to keep history’s terrible secrets buried.
The truth: shocking
A testimony from beyond the grave turns into a death warrant for the two unrelenting detectives. While they expose a connection with the victim’s distant past that could hold the key to catching her killer, they must learn to rely on each other to survive.
Two mavericks make an intriguing team. Baxter and Holt trust each other with their lives, only not with their darkest secrets.
The crime: audacious
In a glamorous Las Vegas hotel, in front of hundreds of witnesses and under the lenses of countless video surveillance cameras, a young girl is brutally murdered. What promises to be a quick and easy investigation soon becomes a nightmare. The most recorded crime in Vegas is missing one key protagonist, the killer.
The forensics: stupefying
A crime-scene fingerprint unleashes dozens of unsettling questions instead of providing answers. Was this a murder for hire? In the politically-charged case, the scenario seems plausible; the victim’s secret life could’ve been the obstacle in an ambitious politician’s path. As the investigation unspools the well-concealed secrets surrounding the girl’s life, Baxter and Holt attract the attention of someone desperate to keep history’s terrible secrets buried.
The truth: shocking
A testimony from beyond the grave turns into a death warrant for the two unrelenting detectives. While they expose a connection with the victim’s distant past that could hold the key to catching her killer, they must learn to rely on each other to survive.
Two mavericks make an intriguing team. Baxter and Holt trust each other with their lives, only not with their darkest secrets.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
August 30, 2018
The title of this book refers to two women born and raised in Las Vegas. One has been murdered, and the other is investigating that murder.
Laura Baxter has a secret, or maybe I should say several secrets, in her past. She’s been transferred and newly assigned to partner with Jack Holt. Both of them are warned to “toe the line” or they’re gone. It didn’t take long for me to realize why because they both cut corners, but Baxter does much more than that. I wasn’t sure I liked either one of them at first. They are not the first characters I’ve encountered who’ll do what’s necessary to solve their case, so they eventually grew on me. They have an intriguing relationship and work very well with each other.
The only thing that I could complain about in this book is that a couple of things felt conveniently contrived. Could just be me, so I won’t mention specifics because other readers may not feel that way and I don’t want to spoil their experience. I just accepted what was written and moved along.
The story was interesting, and the characters developed nicely. There is a second book due out in a couple of days, and I look forward to reading it!
Laura Baxter has a secret, or maybe I should say several secrets, in her past. She’s been transferred and newly assigned to partner with Jack Holt. Both of them are warned to “toe the line” or they’re gone. It didn’t take long for me to realize why because they both cut corners, but Baxter does much more than that. I wasn’t sure I liked either one of them at first. They are not the first characters I’ve encountered who’ll do what’s necessary to solve their case, so they eventually grew on me. They have an intriguing relationship and work very well with each other.
The only thing that I could complain about in this book is that a couple of things felt conveniently contrived. Could just be me, so I won’t mention specifics because other readers may not feel that way and I don’t want to spoil their experience. I just accepted what was written and moved along.
The story was interesting, and the characters developed nicely. There is a second book due out in a couple of days, and I look forward to reading it!
February 23, 2019
A woman is thrown off the upper floor railing of the beautiful Aquamarine Casino to land on the stunning blue marble floor several stories below. The autopsy revealed that she was already dead before her fall. Surely, the zillion cameras that peppered the gambling establishment will help to catch the murderer. Unfortunately, not in this case.
Jack Holt and Laura Baxter of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department are assigned to be partners in the investigation. Both of them have ‘issues’ following proper procedures within the department. Jack collared another officer’s perp (a definite no-no) and Laura beat a suspect senseless in an interrogation room. These mavericks are relentless in their pursuit of the killer. They are highly creative in following leads and use technology whenever possible. The result is a fast-paced thriller. Enjoy.
Jack Holt and Laura Baxter of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department are assigned to be partners in the investigation. Both of them have ‘issues’ following proper procedures within the department. Jack collared another officer’s perp (a definite no-no) and Laura beat a suspect senseless in an interrogation room. These mavericks are relentless in their pursuit of the killer. They are highly creative in following leads and use technology whenever possible. The result is a fast-paced thriller. Enjoy.
February 21, 2019
I love Vegas. I love crime thrillers. So I read the book.
I didn't like the first person perspective, but that is just my preference.
A young woman is brutally killed in the beginning, the rest of the book is figuring out who did it. The plot was good, and the story moved along well but I just felt the main character's actions were a little over the top. Seems like all of the characters definitely had their flaws, that's a good thing.
Highlights:
-The main character is a determined female detective in Vegas, that bends/breaks the rules. She was interesting, a former cop in London and had a British accent (I kept forgetting). She has a night hobby that made it feel a little unreal but was interesting.
-Her partner, fighting drug addiction is also a little bit of a loose cannon.
-Kind of figured out the mysterious bad guy pretty early.
-Fun hanging around Vegas, even if just through the story.
-I like the Medical Examiner too. Sexy lady!
Overall, I recommend it. Not great, but good enough.
I didn't like the first person perspective, but that is just my preference.
A young woman is brutally killed in the beginning, the rest of the book is figuring out who did it. The plot was good, and the story moved along well but I just felt the main character's actions were a little over the top. Seems like all of the characters definitely had their flaws, that's a good thing.
Highlights:
-The main character is a determined female detective in Vegas, that bends/breaks the rules. She was interesting, a former cop in London and had a British accent (I kept forgetting). She has a night hobby that made it feel a little unreal but was interesting.
-Her partner, fighting drug addiction is also a little bit of a loose cannon.
-Kind of figured out the mysterious bad guy pretty early.
-Fun hanging around Vegas, even if just through the story.
-I like the Medical Examiner too. Sexy lady!
Overall, I recommend it. Not great, but good enough.
March 19, 2018
This was awesome. I've enjoyed three of Wolfe's Tess Winnett books and this was just as good or better. The characters just sparkled and the dialogue was at times crisp and acerbic.
An audacious crime, a murder captured by a hotel CCTV finds maverick detectives Laura Baxter and Jack Holt partnered. They are on their last chance with Deputy Chief Wallace who makes no secret of his dislike for them. Success in the investigation will reflect well on Wallace but failure, or any mistakes, will see them shafted.
There's not much to go on as the image of the killer shows almost nothing, and when forensics finally produces something the results are confusing to say the least. Wallace tries to hamper their progress but these two are very determined and, as they learn to trust each other, they pull some pretty snazzy moves and uncover a shocking cover up of a crime from 11 years ago that could be related to their murder.
This just rocked! The pacing was perfect and the character development was outstanding as little snippets were doled out. I found myself cheering this pair on as they fought many obstacles to try to see justice done. I'm only sorry that it is (so far at least) a one-off stand alone story. I'd love to read a sequel.
An audacious crime, a murder captured by a hotel CCTV finds maverick detectives Laura Baxter and Jack Holt partnered. They are on their last chance with Deputy Chief Wallace who makes no secret of his dislike for them. Success in the investigation will reflect well on Wallace but failure, or any mistakes, will see them shafted.
There's not much to go on as the image of the killer shows almost nothing, and when forensics finally produces something the results are confusing to say the least. Wallace tries to hamper their progress but these two are very determined and, as they learn to trust each other, they pull some pretty snazzy moves and uncover a shocking cover up of a crime from 11 years ago that could be related to their murder.
This just rocked! The pacing was perfect and the character development was outstanding as little snippets were doled out. I found myself cheering this pair on as they fought many obstacles to try to see justice done. I'm only sorry that it is (so far at least) a one-off stand alone story. I'd love to read a sequel.
September 14, 2018
Las Vegas Girl was refreshing and interesting. Still I have my reservations as to the depth of characterization. What we have here are two highly flawed, yet endearing detectives, Det. Jack Holt, battling a drug addiction, and Det. Laura Baxter, who hasn’t dealt with her husband’s senseless killing who’s going off book with investigations. Nevertheless, the author wants us to believe that despite their transgressions, they both have an immense sense of justice and of integrity when it comes to getting to the truth of this case, doing right by the victim. The fact is, as a premise this contradiction is intriguing and compelling, but the narrative didn’t convince me these conflicting values cohabited serenely within these law enforcement officers. As for the plot, it was rather slow and often repetitive, but with a satisfying ending. Overall, not bad, but subject to improvement.
December 26, 2018
It took two tries to get through this book. I abandoned it the first time with good reasons. Returning, the book was repetitive. The dialogue was unrealistic. While the plot was dull, it had one or two twists that pulled this all the way to two stars.
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April 1, 2019
What I found interesting about this story is that every character were two sides of a coin. On one side they were all seen as upright standing citizens but they each had a dark side to them, secrets, lies and cover ups is the dish of the day.
It is a story about Homicide detectives Holt and Laure who have only just been teamed up to solve the mystery of a young woman who has fallen/pushed from a higher level in a hotel/casino. I liked it.
It is a story about Homicide detectives Holt and Laure who have only just been teamed up to solve the mystery of a young woman who has fallen/pushed from a higher level in a hotel/casino. I liked it.
Shelved as 'dnf'
January 8, 2019Drug addicted cops who convince themselves they're the good guys. Nope.
April 7, 2019
I hadn't thought this author could improve on her Tess Winnett series and a fellow Goodreads' reviewer pointed out to me that this newer series is as good so I decided to give it a go, thinking it would be pretty unlikely......however, she was right. I loved it. Loved both the new police personnel we got to meet and enjoyed that fact that Baxter is from England, originally, so shares a lot of our common language, especially the swear words (though this did mean she sometimes wrote in proper English and at other times in Americanised English). Good girl......now, I do not like liars and usually wouldn't enjoy reading about the secrets this pair have but they're all in the name of the greater good, so I have to let my moral sensibilities lie.
I did see she does this odd thing with tenses a couple of times again. I'm sure I've mentioned this in prior reviews as it makes me wonder if English is her native language. "She'd tell us what was going on when she'd be ready" or "We'll find the super and ask him if he'd seen anyone" and again with "I hated thinking how awkwardly it had all become."
She wrote, on the same day that Baxter and Holt met, from Baxter's point-of-view, "Sometimes I wish he'd just bugger off" and she needs to lose the Sometimes, because they have only just met. She then asks someone where a witness works but this had already been referred to elsewhere in the story. Then, in one crucial sentence, she lost all the speechmarks !! THAT made me swear in a decidedly British way !!
There were some apostrophes missed or misplaced, used partners and not partner, sorrow and not sorrowful, impassible and not unpassable but nothing TOO frightful.
I am looking forward to the next instalment.
I did see she does this odd thing with tenses a couple of times again. I'm sure I've mentioned this in prior reviews as it makes me wonder if English is her native language. "She'd tell us what was going on when she'd be ready" or "We'll find the super and ask him if he'd seen anyone" and again with "I hated thinking how awkwardly it had all become."
She wrote, on the same day that Baxter and Holt met, from Baxter's point-of-view, "Sometimes I wish he'd just bugger off" and she needs to lose the Sometimes, because they have only just met. She then asks someone where a witness works but this had already been referred to elsewhere in the story. Then, in one crucial sentence, she lost all the speechmarks !! THAT made me swear in a decidedly British way !!
There were some apostrophes missed or misplaced, used partners and not partner, sorrow and not sorrowful, impassible and not unpassable but nothing TOO frightful.
I am looking forward to the next instalment.
April 12, 2018
Couldn't Finish- Just Awful
This is not a novel as much as it is a platform on which the author preaches her holier-than-thou platitudes about her (ill-informed) opinions on matters such as addiction, which has conclusively been proven to be a disease, yet she compares "junkies" to the cartel in terms of equal disgust. However, the protagonist is free to flout the law as she sees fit.
I wanted a good book, not a digital soapbox. This is pure dreck. No real driving storyline, but of course the young, pretty, white woman is pushed ahead of all cases (I myself am white and disgusted that 2018 shows no real equality for races). I just hate this book and will not read another by her again. I will not pay to sit in her pulpit.
This is not a novel as much as it is a platform on which the author preaches her holier-than-thou platitudes about her (ill-informed) opinions on matters such as addiction, which has conclusively been proven to be a disease, yet she compares "junkies" to the cartel in terms of equal disgust. However, the protagonist is free to flout the law as she sees fit.
I wanted a good book, not a digital soapbox. This is pure dreck. No real driving storyline, but of course the young, pretty, white woman is pushed ahead of all cases (I myself am white and disgusted that 2018 shows no real equality for races). I just hate this book and will not read another by her again. I will not pay to sit in her pulpit.
January 22, 2018
Nonstop action!
Last Vegas Girl introduces two detectives who are more alike than they know at the outset. If you enjoy action packed police thrillers, this is a must read. I'm hoping more Baxter & Holt stories are coming soon.
Last Vegas Girl introduces two detectives who are more alike than they know at the outset. If you enjoy action packed police thrillers, this is a must read. I'm hoping more Baxter & Holt stories are coming soon.
July 5, 2018
Why does this have such high reviews?
The characters are shallow, their relationship is shallow, you can see right through the plot, the murderer is no surprise... I won't be continuing this series
The characters are shallow, their relationship is shallow, you can see right through the plot, the murderer is no surprise... I won't be continuing this series
February 14, 2019
Wow, I'm impressed!
The story of 2 maverick cops whose personal issues were tormenting them personally and professionally, get partnered together to solve a high profile crime really piqued my interest.
At first, I wasn't sure if I like the MCs, Baxter and Holt, but after learning their character, personality and secrets I'm just hooked. Both characters are dimensional and alive. Their chemistry and relationship are super interesting and are going to be the main plot for this series. Detective Laura Baxter is the main POV of the book and she's one hell of a kick-ass MC. I love her dry British humor and her fierce passion for justice. Holt has some pov so we know he shares Baxter's view of how the system sometimes prevents them from pursuing the truth and deliver justice. The plot might not escape from murder and mystery genre cliche but the fun is in their investigation where there's a twist in every turn and at the same time learning their backstories, character and seeing them gradually understanding and trusting each other (not with their darkest secrets, yet!). My new fav duo.
I'm sooooo ready for book 2 !!!!
The story of 2 maverick cops whose personal issues were tormenting them personally and professionally, get partnered together to solve a high profile crime really piqued my interest.
At first, I wasn't sure if I like the MCs, Baxter and Holt, but after learning their character, personality and secrets I'm just hooked. Both characters are dimensional and alive. Their chemistry and relationship are super interesting and are going to be the main plot for this series. Detective Laura Baxter is the main POV of the book and she's one hell of a kick-ass MC. I love her dry British humor and her fierce passion for justice. Holt has some pov so we know he shares Baxter's view of how the system sometimes prevents them from pursuing the truth and deliver justice. The plot might not escape from murder and mystery genre cliche but the fun is in their investigation where there's a twist in every turn and at the same time learning their backstories, character and seeing them gradually understanding and trusting each other (not with their darkest secrets, yet!). My new fav duo.
I'm sooooo ready for book 2 !!!!
July 9, 2018
Las Vegas Girl was the first of Leslie Wolfe's novels that I've read. It won't be the last, largely because the author is excellent at police procedurals and does a good job with character — something very important to me if I'm to continue reading a book. Mind you, her main character, Detective Laura Baxter, really does breach the line when she wants something done and she comes to the Las Vegas department with a law enforcement history that makes people raise their eyebrows about her competency. Still, she's clever and the plot itself is quite good, even if I had figured out the main bad guy long before the novel ended. (That never stops me, anyway. I like to see how authors play things out.)
If you haven't read this yet, I think you should consider doing so.
If you haven't read this yet, I think you should consider doing so.
March 2, 2018
The book was a thriller and could not stop my self until I finish it specially after 60% of the story. I am very much forward to see Baxter and Holt together hunting for their next perp also tightening the loose ends regarding both cops past life and future. Yeah the story was bit messy with a lot of background stories. But I liked it, enjoyed it.
January 24, 2018
This one roars right along. I couldn't stop reading it. Now I have to reorganize my entire life, because everything is out of sequence. I'm looking forward to reading more about the adventures of Baxter and Holt.
June 2, 2018
My first Leslie Wolfe book. Baxter and Holt likeable characters. Solid mystery. Will read more of her books.
May 13, 2024
it’s sooo boring I just cannot finish💀
January 23, 2018
Enjoyed
I have read several of Leslie Wolfe's books and have enjoyed them all. This new series (hopefully) was no exception.
I have read several of Leslie Wolfe's books and have enjoyed them all. This new series (hopefully) was no exception.
August 4, 2020
This novel was an enjoyable read. Not too deep, light hearted, easy to read. Great book to read if traveling. Plot was focused, characters were fun, and the read took my mind off the pandemic.
January 17, 2018
Leslie Wolfe is one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed reading this story. It was very interesting & fast moving with several twists and turns. The two main characters are detectives. They work great together, but each has their own demons to work out and sometimes it gets in the way of their partnership. Neither one is great at “sharing” things from their private lives. This is one of those books that I hope becomes a series. I received this book as an ARC and voluntarily reviewed it. This is my honest opinion of this book and I would definitely recommend this book to others
January 15, 2018
This book really got under my skin and occupied my thoughts. I'd be going about my regular life and suddenly I'm thinking about the available clues and trying to piece them together. I was shocked when the killer was revealed. The twists and turns added to the suspense in this story.
This author has moved to the top of my must read list. I will now buy any book by her without hesitation. I hope she makes this into a series as I'd really to get to know these characters more!!!!
This author has moved to the top of my must read list. I will now buy any book by her without hesitation. I hope she makes this into a series as I'd really to get to know these characters more!!!!
January 17, 2018
OMG! FAB TOTALLY FAB!. Nonstop action from start to finish. Characters that have strange twists & surprises about them. Mentions of sex. Violence. Suggestion of rape. Brilliant totally brilliant characters. One who will not be mentioned makes me think she is off her rocker.. omg.. I can only hope that there is another book to follow this one!!!!! I so, could not put this book down!!!!
January 18, 2018
very good story, I hope to see this as a series.
January 19, 2018
Brilliant
I have read several books by this author and this is her best work yet. It was easy to visualize the characters and see them clearly.
I have read several books by this author and this is her best work yet. It was easy to visualize the characters and see them clearly.
January 15, 2018
Another 5 Stars For Wolfe
After a Las Vegas girl is strangled and thrown from the 18th floor, rebel cops Holt and Baxter are assigned the case. Stopped at every turn by their boss, by a judge, and by the system itself they go outside the law. The murderer is truly a surprise and not on their radar. A real page turner.
After a Las Vegas girl is strangled and thrown from the 18th floor, rebel cops Holt and Baxter are assigned the case. Stopped at every turn by their boss, by a judge, and by the system itself they go outside the law. The murderer is truly a surprise and not on their radar. A real page turner.
March 5, 2018
Brilliant
I loved this book. It was brilliant and I didn't know who the killer was until the end. Holt and Baxter make the action.
I loved this book. It was brilliant and I didn't know who the killer was until the end. Holt and Baxter make the action.
January 14, 2018
A very well written and thought out who dunnit. I liked it because the main characters were not overthetop superheroes but instead real characters with real flaws.
June 20, 2018
A paced fiction that keeps you glued right through even though the story line is not so unique
Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews