Red Red Rose (Shades Book 1)

I'm not sure where to start with this review...this was my first book from author Stephanie Hoffman McManus and hopefully it won't be my last as she'll write another romance suspense. Right away the prologue grabbed me and I was sucked down the rabbit hole. I had my list of suspects but I was not prepared for the twists and turns I was taken on. I had two firm suspects in my mind but both turned out not to be the culprit. To say I was surprised was an understatement. I didn't see the writing on the wall until the last possible second. He was the furthest from my mind when I imagined who the killer could be. Suspense has to be my third favorite genre and this book did not disappoint. I stayed up into the wee hours of the night reading page by page. I was just as engrossed in this book as I would a James Patterson or Lisa Gardner novel...it was that good! I really hope Ms. McManus makes this a standalone series. I also enjoyed the simple romance of the story. It wasn't in your face but a subtle blossoming of two people with a connection getting to know each other. There were a few questions I still had at the end of the book that I would like answers to...I won't post them here as I don't want to inadvertently spoil anything for anyone but I did list them in my Goodreads review. All in all an amazing read that I highly recommend to romance suspense fans!

Red Red Rose, the first book in Stephanie Hoffman McManus’ Shades of Death series, was an exciting and mysterious story. The romance was balanced with the creative thrills of attempting to discover the murderer. Each new death provided an opportunity to try to determine which of the characters had the motive and means. On the flip side, we meet some sexy individuals who seem to be falling in love as much as lust. I look forward to continuing to read this series!

This book has everything needed to hold your attention. It includes a murder mystery, romances, friends and lovers! I can't wait to enjoy her next book in this series.

To be honest.. I didn’t know if I’d read this book.. I didn’t know if I’d be able to get past the first couple of chapters much less the whole book and if I don’t read it then I won’t leave a bad review, right? Well.. I done it and I LOVED it. Not my typical read.. it left me wondering who was it?? Is it Shaw? Is it Danny? Will? One of her workers? WHO??? It was such a good book! I really loved it and can’t wait to read the next!

So different from any of your other stories! This was good. The first 20% or so was hard for me to get into, but once I did it realed me in hard and I didnt wanna put it down. Finished the remaining 80% in under a day. Fought through a nap to get rid of a headache just to figure out who the damn killer was, praying so badly it wasnt Shaw!! Amazing story! Please keep em coming!

I loved the serial killer books and movies and this book captured my attention and made me think it was Spencer the whole time. I know this author and hhhher imagination is incredibly brilliant. You should try her cakes, INCREDIBLE baker and artist as well. Love you Stepney.

The suspense will grab you right from the start and keep your attention till the end!The story starts with a dissaperance and the gradually turns into a possible serial killer on the loose. Be prepared because you will not be able to put this book down until you know the answer to who done it?? The best mix of a romance in the mist of a mystery. 5 stars! For more indie book reviews: Myindieauthorfix.com

If you need a good weekend read, this is it! Stephanie was able to write a story that will keep your imagination running in circles trying to figure out who you are supposed to love or hate. Nora's story is one that will stick with you. It has been so much fun reading book to book and seeing how much Stephanie has grown as an author. I highly recommend you check out her work!

I couldn't put this book down. I usually have it figured out quickly, but the twist was surprising. The characters are well developed and the editing was good. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a less gruesome and explicit sex book.

Loved this book so much. Was trying to guess who this mystery strangler/kidnapper was whole book. I really couldn't put it down till I finished every last word. Great job by the author.

I'm not sure where to start with this review...this was my first book from author Stephanie Hoffman McManus and hopefully it won't be my last as she'll write another romance suspense. Right away the prologue grabbed me and I was sucked down the rabbit hole. I had my list of suspects but I was not prepared for the twists and turns I was taken on. I had two firm suspects in my mind but both turned out not to be the culprit. To say I was surprised was an understatement. I didn't see the writing on the wall until the last possible second. He was the furthest from my mind when I imagined who the killer could be. Suspense has to be my third favorite genre and this book did not disappoint. I stayed up into the wee hours of the night reading page by page. I was just as engrossed in this book as I would a James Patterson or Lisa Gardner novel...it was that good! I really hope Ms. McManus makes this a standalone series. I also enjoyed the simple romance of the story. It wasn't in your face but a subtle blossoming of two people with a connection getting to know each other. There were a few questions I still had at the end of the book that I would like answers to...I won't post them here as I don't want to inadvertently spoil anything for anyone but I did list them in my Goodreads review. All in all an amazing read that I highly recommend to romance suspense fans!

Red Red Rose, the first book in Stephanie Hoffman McManus’ Shades of Death series, was an exciting and mysterious story. The romance was balanced with the creative thrills of attempting to discover the murderer. Each new death provided an opportunity to try to determine which of the characters had the motive and means. On the flip side, we meet some sexy individuals who seem to be falling in love as much as lust. I look forward to continuing to read this series!

This book has everything needed to hold your attention. It includes a murder mystery, romances, friends and lovers! I can't wait to enjoy her next book in this series.

To be honest.. I didn’t know if I’d read this book.. I didn’t know if I’d be able to get past the first couple of chapters much less the whole book and if I don’t read it then I won’t leave a bad review, right? Well.. I done it and I LOVED it. Not my typical read.. it left me wondering who was it?? Is it Shaw? Is it Danny? Will? One of her workers? WHO??? It was such a good book! I really loved it and can’t wait to read the next!

So different from any of your other stories! This was good. The first 20% or so was hard for me to get into, but once I did it realed me in hard and I didnt wanna put it down. Finished the remaining 80% in under a day. Fought through a nap to get rid of a headache just to figure out who the damn killer was, praying so badly it wasnt Shaw!! Amazing story! Please keep em coming!

I loved the serial killer books and movies and this book captured my attention and made me think it was Spencer the whole time. I know this author and hhhher imagination is incredibly brilliant. You should try her cakes, INCREDIBLE baker and artist as well. Love you Stepney.

The suspense will grab you right from the start and keep your attention till the end!The story starts with a dissaperance and the gradually turns into a possible serial killer on the loose. Be prepared because you will not be able to put this book down until you know the answer to who done it?? The best mix of a romance in the mist of a mystery. 5 stars! For more indie book reviews: Myindieauthorfix.com

If you need a good weekend read, this is it! Stephanie was able to write a story that will keep your imagination running in circles trying to figure out who you are supposed to love or hate. Nora's story is one that will stick with you. It has been so much fun reading book to book and seeing how much Stephanie has grown as an author. I highly recommend you check out her work!

I couldn't put this book down. I usually have it figured out quickly, but the twist was surprising. The characters are well developed and the editing was good. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a less gruesome and explicit sex book.

Loved this book so much. Was trying to guess who this mystery strangler/kidnapper was whole book. I really couldn't put it down till I finished every last word. Great job by the author.

I am a huge fan of Stephanie's books but I wasn't sure I was ready for this book as I don't usually enjoy murder mysteries. I'm so glad I did! It was a great book that was enough suspense to keep you on your toes but not so much that you couldn't sleep at night. I definitely recommend this book!

Ok so obviously i read this book under my husbands account ;) But WOW!!!! I have read all of this authors other books and loved them all. This one blew me out of the water, it had me sitting on the edge of my seat (ok bed) the whole time!! I can't wait for more!!

Murder, suspense and romance. I found the story a little slow. Stand alone, not a cliff hanger. Likable characters. Enjoy

Great book!

Red Red Rose by Stephanie Hoffman McManus, is the first in the Shades of Death series. It is her first attempt at a romantic suspense novel, and definitely does not disappoint. Written in first person, the story follows Nora Scott. Dealing with the disappearance of her best friend Emily, Nora is faced with a police investigation that doesn’t seem convinced a crime has been committed at all; rather, Emily chose to leave town and just not tell anyone. A string a brutal murders in the area does nothing to calm Nora’s fears, despite Emily not fitting the profile these victims shared. Relying on her friends, family and employees for support, Nora goes about her daily life by focusing on her and Emily’s business: their coffee shop, Urban Grind. A welcome distraction from recent events comes in the form of Shaw, Nora’s newest customer. As chemistry flies between the two, other men in Nora’s life are sceptical. James, Emily’s brother, tries to win her over with an admission of his true feelings. Close friend Will continually warns Nora off Spencer, reminding her of the dangerous situation currently around her. Her ex Nathan is refusing to let her move on, despite doing so himself. And Danny, their most loyal customer, seems more interested in Nora than ever before. As Emily’s disappearance becomes more and more intriguing, Nora finds herself in the centre of it. Was she the target all along? Not knowing who to trust, and desperate to understand what has happened to her best friend, Nora finds herself questioning everything, and suspecting everyone. Right from the intense opening prologue, Red Red Rose had me completely hooked. Honestly, I just couldn’t put the book down. Daily tasks were abandoned, friends were ignored and any potential plans were sacrificed. Those few times I actually did have to put the book down, I spent the whole time thinking about when I could next pick it up. It really is that good. It has all the drama you want and expect from a suspense novel and raises so many questions I lost count of all the answers I needed. The romantic breaks from the action work perfectly to balance the story, and keep the characters human. And what fantastic characters they were. Nora is everything you want in a strong female lead. Despite the terrible circumstances she is surrounded by, she remains hopeful that everything will be ok. She focuses on the important things in life, including her successful business, Urban Grind. Reading the scenes when she is at the coffee shop, which there are plenty of, was one of the highlights of the novel for me. And to top it all off, Nora still has time for romance. Perhaps this is partly a coping mechanism, but she refuses to give up on finding happiness, as she knows Emily wouldn’t want her to. Her loyalty to her best friend is another highlight. This isn’t to say that Nora doesn’t have flaws. Just like everyone else, she is only human, and so current events to catch up to her from time to time. There are moments when she feels she cannot cope with Emily’s disappearance, and not to mention her near fatal misplace of trust which is eventually revealed. Nora is supported by a wonderfully developed group of supporting characters, and I find it near impossible to pick a favourite. Although if I had to, I think it would be between Shaw, Cassie and James! But trust me, your opinion on each of these supporting characters will change multiple times throughout the novel; like Nora, you begin to doubt everyone! Red Red Rose also covers a multitude of issues, some very serious and heart breaking to read. Stephanie Hoffman McManus deals with these so well, ensuring the reader is not uncomfortable reading about them, but still writes them explicitly enough to get her point across. I have to applaud Stephanie on creating such a wonderful piece of work. The amount of time and passion that went into writing Red Red Rose is evident, with the outcome being a well-developed and thoroughly enjoyable novel. If anyone is undecided about reading this, I urge you to do so. I promise you will not be disappointed. Like me, I doubt you will be able to put it down until you have all the answers you need; and again, like me, you will probably still be craving more! I am now counting down until the next in the series is released. Thank you Stephanie, this was my first time reading you work and I cannot wait to read more!

This book was an absolute brain buster and I mean that in a good way, The author of this book states that it was her first attempt at mystery and I have to say this book is screaming out of the gate. I can’t stand to be able to figure out a book, halfway through, and this book kept me on my toes! This book delivers. Nora, is a coffee shop owner with her best friend, partner and roommate. But after a fight with a boyfriend and leaving her ski trip early because of the fight, Emily Nora’s roommate arrives home and no one sees or hears from her again. With here roommate missing and a serial killer hunting in their state. She’s afraid for herself and her employees. Nora’s employees are like family there’s banter and real friendship at her shop. There’s Cassie a collage student Reggie, a constant flirt, and Mitch who’s wants to be a police officer. Then she has her regulars, Danny a tech geek who works out of her shop and spouts random facts. He main line’s caffeine and rarely isn’t there. Then there’s William a personal trainer who drinks smoothies and is a protective brother type. Finally there is the handsome Shaw the mysterious customer that comes in regularly and only orders a black coffee. Everybody there enjoys speculating about him. As the search for Emily seems to be going nowhere, her brother James comes home on a leave from the military. But Nora and Emily’s brother James's story never really took off, even if some jealousies flare up between James and her new love interest The Sexy Spencer Shaw. Now if only she could figure out who is leaving her roses, how she fell asleep with the back door open, and how some of her things are getting eaten by the dryer. This story is both Romantic and suspenseful. If that’s your kind of book this is for you! I absolutely recommend giving this author’s new genre a shot, I enjoyed it and I think you might too.

Red Red Rose Author: Stephanie Hoffman McManus Rating: 4 Stars This is a first romance – suspense novel from this author and it was a smashing debut. It drew me in right from the prologue up until the very end. I never was able to figure out who the culprit was and it is always nice when that is still a surprise at the end. This is my first time reading this author and it won’t be my last. Nora’s partner and best friend, Emily, has been missing for the last two weeks. She was a bit of a wild child and the police do not want to connect her disappearance with a string of murders that have been happening around the area. Nora and Emily’s family are frustrated by the seemingly lack of attention her case is getting. The killer begins playing a cat and mouse game with Nora leaving clues around and on his victims that all trace back to Emily. The FBI is called in as there is no doubt the crimes are all related now. What is the killer ultimately after? Things are beginning to happen in Nora’s life as well that attest to the fact that she is in danger as well. Nora begins to question who she can trust? It seems like a lot of people in her life could be suspect including Spencer Shaw, the new love interest in her life, who she is falling for very quickly. This book had me on the edge of my seat for the entire read and there were some great plot twists and turns. I kept thinking I had it figured out only to hit a dead end and be lead in a totally different direction. I loved the way it ended and it appears there will be more in this series to look forward too. The suspense was great and the subtle romance was good too without being overly sappy or too in your face.

Red Red Rose. By Stephanie Hoffman McManus. 4 Stars "Sometimes our hearts recognize what it takes our eyes longer to see." The story takes place in the community of Bellingham, Washington State in the Pacific Northwest. Nora Scott realizes she is caught up in a deadly game where the body count is rising and Nora fears the next victim has been taken, her best friend Emily. Nora had no idea she was part of the game and did not know why and who to trust. Nora's childhood was not a carefree one so she has chosen to block it out. She lives a happy life and with her best friend Emily they co own a coffee house. Emily does not match the profile of the missing dead girls, but Nora knows deep down the same man took her. Enter Spencer Shaw who Emily's father hires to find her, hopefully alive. Spencer is ex military and has to look at everyone as a suspect including Nora. Everyone at the coffee house is like family and she fears for their safety. Then there is Shaw who has been a regular lately only ever orders black coffee. Everyone there enjoys gossiping about him. As the search for Emily seems to b e going nowhere , her brother James takes leave from the military to help find his sister. Wow just wow! McManus did an excellent job with this book, it had me guessing all the way thru. She gives you just enough information to hang yourself on and your saying What the Crap! Each time I thought I had it figured out I was wrong. At the end I had my suspect picked out,I never saw it coming and it blindsided me. I never once thought to consider the person. This was thrilling romance sit on the edge of your seat but your nails kind of book. Janna Jones

Red Red Rose is Stephanie Hoffman McManus’ debut mystery/romance novel and I have to say she did an excellent job of giving readers a book that’ll keep them guessing as they read. Red Red Rose kept me guessing the entire way through! McManus did an expert job of weaving her tale of mystery all the while developing deep, complex characters. She teases you with just enough information to make you want to solve the mystery, but still delivers enough romance to keep it lighthearted and fun while reading. She has so many mysterious, sexy, and interesting men that you can never quite pinpoint the bad guy until it’s too late! With that being said, I would have to admit this book didn’t completely capture my complete attention until about 50% of the way through. The first half just needed a bit of a pick me up. You see a lot of characters, relationships not only with Nora, the main character but also with the victims. To me, it was a little more drawn out than what I necessarily needed. Although the first half was somewhat long, McManus did spend that time developing and setting the mystery all the while making me second guess almost all of the character’s motives in the book. Once I reached the 50% mark, I was hooked unable to set down my kindle until the very end. I couldn’t wait to see if my guess was right! Overall, I would say McManus has yet another success on her hands. I loved that she wrote something different and it’s made me remember why I love a romance with some good old murder mystery thrown in. She’s given me more characters that I want to hear more about. I am so excited to see what she has in store for us with her second book for this series.

Red Red Rose is the first suspensful romance novel in the Shades of Death series by Stephanie Hoffman McManus. The novel starts with an unknown person breaking into an office to retrieve a sealed file. When he returns the woman he spent the night with finds him and starts asking questions. To silence her, he kills her and leaves in his truck. The next scene is in Bellingham, Wa where people are watching the news reporting another missing girl in a coffee shop. The coffee shop is run by Nora who is helped by her employess Cassie and Reggie to name a few. A few weeks ago her best friend Emily didnt come home to the condo they share together. And is now missing. Because she is labeled as a wild, the police arent taking it too seriously but Nora knows Emily wouldn't have just left without saying something. There has been a number of murders going on. All with the same M.O: red haired young woman but Emily doesnt fit that description. Nora is having a hard time and starting to lose hope. Not only that but Nora also has an ex boyfriend who wont leave her alone despite how many times she tells him its over. When things off Emily's start appearing in the garbage behind her job and in Emily's car, the police start to suspect it's someone who knows her. But who could it be? I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the prologue. I felt like I was suspicious of every male character that came in contact with Nora. I was so surprised when the serial killer was revealed. I loved the characters and Nora's romance. And I loved James, Emily's brother. So happy he will be appearing in another book which I will definitely be reading.

I give Red Red Rose by Stephanie McManus 4 stars Nora Scott, owner of a fledgling coffee house, has been worried ever since her best friend and co-owner, Emily, went missing. She is terrified that Emily has been taken by the serial killer operating around the area. Police have confirmed that serial killers are usually someone the victim knows and inserts himself in their lives. They have been best friends for a long time, how could it possibly be one of Emily and Nora’s close friends or loyal customers? Nora doesn’t know who to trust. Add into that, a new man appears in her life and seems to be her savior, making her forget about all the horrible things and giving her some moments of happiness. But is it just coincidence that he came into her life around Emily’s disappearance? Plus another suitor professing his love and crazy ex who won’t get the hint, and she just doesn’t know how much more she can take… I enjoyed reading this book. I loved Nancy Drew growing up and Murder She wrote is a guilty pleasure of mine. This is a great suspense/who done it but more modern and adult. The suspense part makes who want to tear through it to find out who is behind it all, but the side story with Nora and her personal life makes it enjoyable throughout the rest of the book. The characters are very complex and relatable unlike some mysteries. I do hope there are more than just this one book, I really want to read more about this characters!

This is the first book I have read of yours. It is fantastic. It kept me in suspense throughout the whole book, I never did guess who it was. Great job. Thank you for sharing your talent.

Nora and Emily have been best friends since they were teenagers. After attending the same college, both of them returned to their home town and developed a successful business model that quickly became the hottest new coffee shop in town, Urban Grind. When Emily mysteriously disappears while a serial killer is on the loose, Nora, wracked with grief and frustration over the lack of attention being paid to Emily’s case, attempts to take matters into her own hands. Shortly after her disappearance, an incredibly handsome new customer starts frequenting Nora’s shop on a daily basis and serves as a well needed distraction for everyone with connections to Emily. With the stress of her friend missing, duties at the shop needing taken care of, unwanted attention from her ex and a developing crush on this strange and secretive new man, Nora’s world is flipped upside down and does her best to live from day to day while keeping Emily on the forefront of her mind. This is one of the most well written mystery/thriller books I’ve read in quite a while. Not only does the author draw you in to the suspense and detective portion of the story, she also introduces just the right amount of romance as a side bonus to the main plot. The best part about reading this book is that it leaves you constantly guessing at who is doing what in the story. As an avid reader of the mystery genre I thought I knew what to expect and was extremely pleased to find out that I literally knew nothing. It is very important to note that this was the author’s first crime novel but yet the writing was expertly crafted. I don’t think I came across one plot hole or unanswered question by the time I reached the last page. This book CAN be read as a standalone but in the dedication page the author does let on that she is planning to create a series of standalones with certain characters making repeat appearances in later novels. This was an incredible novel and I look forward to reading with Stephanie comes up with next. Not only was it completely realistic, it also added an element of magic, mystery and passion that not even James Patterson could touch.

Red Red Rose (Shades of Death Book 1) By: Stephanie Hoffman McManus 5 out of 5 stars The story Red Red Rose (Shades of Death Book 1) by Stephanie Hoffman McManus is a romantic suspense book. It tells the tale of Nora who along with her best friend Emily has opened and runs a coffee shop in Washington state. Then Emily goes missing. Knowing Emily would not just take off and not tell anyone Nora wants Emily’s case to be vigorously investigated. On top of this Nora find a man she finds attractive and is interested in. Should she be suspicious of this new stranger coming into her life? After a series of alarming and disturbing occurrences can Nora feel safe again or is someone close to her the prime suspect? This story is amazing. It is told from Nora’s POV with some narration also told through the eyes of a disturbed individual. The clues that are given lead you from point to point in the investigation. I have read many mystery/suspense romances, however not all of them bring the amount of detail and complexity. I like a story that will have you guessing until the end. Sure there are characters that fit the profile however upon close examination, do they really? The atmosphere created throughout is awesome. It creates just enough scare factor that you find yourself looking up from reading just to make sure everything is okay. The characters in this book are many and colorful. You have the coffee shop employees, who banter back and forth which brings a smile, the regular customers who add character to the business and to the lives of the employees, and the family of Emily who are along with Nora are searching for answers. All of them are well developed and add their own life to the story. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves suspense/romance. There is adult language and scenes that some may find disturbing. I would recommend this story to anyone 18 years or older.

Wow is all I can say at the moment. Red, Red, Rose by Stephanie Hoffman McManus was one heck of an adventure. I thought I had it all figured out, I had my suspicions and I was still surprised! Nora owns Urban Grind coffee shop in Washington with her best friend Emily, who disappeared a month before hand. When too many things happen and its hard to pinpoint who is doing what, she is confused and starts to question everyone and everything. When the man she starts dating is suddenly brought in for questioning, she makes rash decisions and doesn't know if they're the right ones. When you start to question who you can trust, who do you turn to? Nora owns a coffee shop in Washington with Emily, her best friend who's been missing for a month amongst all the college killings around the area. Nora has many regular customers and they all pass police questioning when some new evidence is found in the stores dumpster, including the man she just went on a date with. When Emily's brother comes home on emergency leave, he stays with Nora to keep her safe amidst all the chaos going on. When he warns her off her new man and makes a request to wait for him in December, it throws her for a loop. Even through all the craziness happening, Nora is still level headed and living her life while still doing what she can to help find her friend. When we find out who the real kidnapper is and his link to Nora, I was stunned to say the least but he was on my radar! Can Nora help save herself and her friend while she waits for her rescuer? I can't and won't give away who the good guy is as you need to find that out on your own. But this book is a page turner. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read Emily's story!!

Red Red Rose is a gripping and thrilling story that will have the reader captivated from the very beginning. Stephanie Hoffman McManus is able to capture the raw emotions of her characters with such expressive descriptions. It is almost as if the reader can feel exactly what the character is feeling. This story is a classic whodunit that will have the reader guessing the whole way through. Red Red Rose is told through the perspective of Nora with sporadic snippets from the killer’s perspective. Nora, a local coffee shop owner, is barely holding it together since the disappearance of her best friend and business partner, Emily. With a string of murders in the nearby area, Nora is fearing the worse. Couple that with a recent split from a chauvinistic jerk who refuses to let go and a sexy stranger that has mysteriously popped up, Nora’s life seems to get more complicated by the minute. Nora finds herself drawn to Shaw more with each day even in spite of Nathan’s multiple attempts at reconciliation. But when Nathan denies leaving all the bouquets of roses on her doorstep at night Nora begins to wonder who could be sending them? Could Shaw be sending them? Is it possible she has a creepy stalker? Or could she be the next target? Is it possible the killer is someone she knows? Will the police break the case in time to save her and Emily? Or has the killer already murdered Emily? I found this book riveting. I didn’t want to put it down until I finished it. I found myself convinced I knew the identity of killer only to change my mind a half dozen other times. To say this book was suspenseful would simply be an understatement. I liked that the epilogue was from the perspective of Shaw. It provided an interesting insight into his mind and emotions. This is book one of the Shades of Death series and I cannot wait until October when book two comes out. This might just be my new favorite series.