Sentencing Sapphire by Mia Thompson
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

If you’re looking for a deep, dark, psychological thriller about chasing down serial killers this is not the book for you. However, if you’re looking for an easy, funny, exciting read with some mystery, romance and a lot of action this book is perfect.

This is the third book in the Sapphire Dubois mystery series and one which I’ve been anxiously awaiting for ages. It seems like forever since I read Stalking Sapphire and Silencing Sapphire and I have been semi stalking Mia Thompson ever since to find the release date for this one.

The story starts with heiress and hunter of serial killers Sapphire Dubois on the run in Europe following the events at the end of the last book. Free from the constraints of her old life and reputation she’s enjoying not having to live a double life and can hunt serial killers to her hearts content. Her thoughts and dreams however keep wandering back to Detective Aston Ridder and everything she’s left behind.

When she finally decides to return home it seems her secret is out and she ends up in jail accused of murder and obstruction. She has to try to clear her name but to make things more difficult a copycat serial catcher is on the loose and Daddy is back and looking for Sapphire to join the family business (which is murder).

It had been so long since I read the first two books that I’d forgotten what it was I loved about them. However this was clear pretty much from the start of this instalment in the series.

Sapphire is a great character. She’s another kick ass heroine, intelligent, tough, independent, with a great sense of humour and a smart mouth. She seems to take most things in her stride from her latest run in with a killer to her completely crazy family and friends.

I have to admit though that Aston is my favourite character. He’s rude, curses pretty much non stop and I’m not sure how much thinking he does with his head (as opposed to other parts of his anatomy) but he does make me laugh. He definitely gets some of the best scenes and one liners. Notable examples being his choice of outfit to a masquerade ball and the morning after the night before when he wakes up at his bosses house.

Sapphire and Aston together make an explosive couple and their relationship fluctuates from love to hate from one page to the next. There is a clear attraction but being on different sides of the law causes them quite a few complications and some very funny interactions.

In addition to Sapphire and Aston there are a lot of great supporting characters including Aston’s partner Barry Harry, spoilt, shallow, billionaire heiress (and Sapphires BFF) Chrissy Kraft and possibly the thickest man ever John Vanderpilt. The stereotypes are played to the max but it totally works.

The plot itself is fast paced and exciting and as well as all of the laughs there is a lot of action. It is a who-dunnit as Sapphire has to figure out who the copycat is and solve her father’s riddles before someone she cares about gets hurt. I have to admit it kept me guessing and totally hooked throughout.

Overall I thought it was a great read and would recommend to anyone who likes a mystery that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I’m off to stalk the author some more until the next one comes out.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.