Rick Frown, an athlete turned CEO, is extremely manipulative and truly empty inside. In R.L. Hare's Boardroom Assassin: Executive Vengeance, Rick plays the role of the pursuer and the pursued—both at the same time. When the chilling murder of a jogger (Emily Heller) leaves everyone shocked, the evidence points to Rick, putting him on the police's radar. Yet, his significant influence gradually works in his favor, getting him off the hook. Detective Elena Kolonik, a worthy opponent, wades through a maelstrom of corruption to prove that Rick is, in fact, the killer. What unfolds is an intriguing game of cat-and-mouse—one that both Elena and Rick are determined to win. Their intertwined stories reveal a man motivated by reckless ambition and a woman guided by her oath to protect and serve. Who will ultimately emerge as the victor? The answer awaits you in this captivating novel.

Boardroom Assassin: Executive Vengeance by R.L. Hare is a gripping psychological crime thriller that blends themes of power, control, obsession, justice in the corporate world, and strategic mind games. One noteworthy concept behind the story is the similarities between corporate life and criminal behavior. Both equally require careful planning and exploit the weaknesses in their respective worlds. Rick's frighteningly real character portrayal makes this story hard to put down. His inflated ego and calculated performance add intrigue to the storyline. Elena will draw you deeper and deeper into their overlapping worlds. Her character is fully developed and worth rooting for. She's intelligent and committed but also human, as she has to deal with work stress, loss, and frustration just like any other law enforcement official. Yet, she navigates these areas of her life with quiet resilience. Great novel. If you're a psychological thriller fan, you're in for an exhilarating ride.

A young woman is killed in the bathroom of a local park in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in the first book of this series, the police are certain who the murderer is, but they have failed to prove it. In book two, Boardroom Assassin: Executive Vengeance, author R. L. Hare continues the story. Detective Elena Kolonik has an almost perfect record for solving murder cases; once again, she is up against Rick Frown. The CEO of a Fortune 1000, Rick has it all: the wealth, the prestige, the trophy wife, and all the bells and whistles of the super-rich. So, what would his motive be for murdering Emily Heller on the other side of the country? The police know he did it, despite the planted evidence that had them chasing dead ends across the United States, and they know he is a psychopath and a narcissist. For him, it’s a challenge, a game, but for the authorities, they must convict him before he kills again.

I was thrilled to see the second book by author R. L. Hare was up for review. I loved the first one, and this one is just as good. It is a police procedural, and closely follows the law. Meeting the characters again was like a reunion with old friends, with the addition of Noah Kincaid, a computer genius with a witty turn of phrase. Each little aspect of the case against Rick is explained, and the reader experiences the ups and downs as Elena Kolonik patiently and methodically sifts through the evidence. We are given a front row seat at the trial and hear witnesses for the defense and the accused. We can sense Elena’s frustration at the outcome as Rick continues to taunt the law and is not above manipulating and blackmailing anyone he can. The pace is fast and exciting, the tension never lets up, and once you open this book, you will not be able to stop reading until you get to the last page. For lovers of excellent crime fiction, Executive Vengeance is highly recommended.