In Take it to the Limit: The Stillness of Murder by Linda Opdyke, Ethan and Mickey are suddenly attacked by a stranger who mutters only two cryptic words: “Kirby Shepherd.” The assailant nearly throws Mickey off a cliff, but Ethan intervenes just in time. Neither of them has any idea who the attacker is or why Kirby Shepherd’s name matters. Meanwhile, Lonnie approaches Mickey with a request; he wants her to discover the truth behind his father’s supposed suicide. Convinced that the White Dog Bar in Gentry holds the answers, Lonnie urges Mickey to go undercover as a bartender, suspecting that the owner, Boomer, knows more than he admits. To lure Mickey into the case, Lonnie pretends to know Kirby Shepherd, manipulating her curiosity. As Mickey digs deeper, a shocking revelation from Lonnie’s grandmother shakes her to the core. Soon, Mickey and Ethan find themselves ensnared in a dangerous web of secrets, lies, and hatred. The question is, will they make it out alive?

Take it to the Limit: The Stillness of Murder by Linda Opdyke is a gripping thriller that blends mystery, danger, and emotional depth. The story was fast-paced, and the action started on the first page with the assault on Ethan and Mickey. The writing style was engaging and pulled me into this dark and dangerous world. Every twist raised more questions, and I was invested in finding the truth. The intriguing plot weaved together themes of betrayal, deception, and family secrets. The characters were authentic and relatable. Mickey was determined to uncover the truth despite the threatening danger to her. The book was excellently written and had me guessing until the end. I enjoyed reading this story, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat.

Lynda Opdyke’s The Stillness of Murder features Nashville private investigators Ethan and Mickey Jenks. They both survive an assassination attempt on a Tennessee ridge. Ethan fights off his assailant and saves Mickey from falling off the cliff. The assassin is later discovered dead, and they learn that Kirby Shephard is the crucial individual to investigate. Why was there an attempt on their lives, and who is this man? They go deep undercover in the seedy White Dog Bar as part of their investigation, and discover a link to Ethan's history. Ethan and Mickey's marriage is put to the test as they struggle to discern between Mickey’s personal and Ethan’s professional responses in the face of stalker incidents, staged accidents, and creepy characters that are endangering their lives.

The Stillness of Murder is a captivating ride full of surprising turns and deft maneuvers. Lynda Opdyke’s direct and unambiguous story captures your interest from the beginning to the finish, when the motives are all revealed. It's a thrilling work of modern PI fiction. The cast of characters is dynamic and convincing. Ethan and Mickey's situation evokes readers' sympathy, since both emotional feelings and professional responses impede their investigation. As events advance the plot, enemies and their sinister intentions are just as compelling. Action, peril, trust, mortality, and the constant sense of whys are all abundant in this book. The events lead to an explosive conclusion and reveal a complex web of deceit. Fans of clever crime and detective fiction will enjoy The Stillness of Murder. It is a gripping action thriller!

In The Stillness of Murder by Linda Opdyke, Ethan and Mickey are ambushed on a trail by someone who seems to know them. Luckily, Ethan fights off the assailant and saves his wife from getting thrown off a cliff. As things unfold, Mickey meets a young man, Lonnie, who wants to hire her as a private investigator on another case. Lonnie wants to know why his father committed suicide. Mickey is hesitant to take the case. She only agrees when Lonnie mentions that he knows about Kirby Shepherd, a name mentioned by the man who had assaulted Mickey and her husband. The new case takes Mickey to Gentry, Kentucky. As her investigation continues, she discovers Lonnie is related to the man who had assaulted them. This upsets her, but Lonnie insists he did not know about his uncle's intentions. How will things turn out as Mickey discovers that Ethan is also related to Lonnie’s father?

The Stillness of Murder by Linda Opdyke is one of a kind, and once you start reading it, there is no putting it down. I loved the flawless flow of the plotline, which ensured no room for confusion, and the suspense kept me looking forward to the events of subsequent chapters. The characters are well developed, and I loved Ethan's character, who, out of a desire to keep his wife safe, always has her back. Linda also ensured all events and emotions were vividly described, which helped to create a mental picture of what was happening. The narration was amazing and added to the overall beauty of the work. The reader will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language used, which makes the work accessible to all kinds of audiences. This was an excellent read, and I look forward to more by Linda Opdyke.

Take it to the Limit: The Stillness of Murder by Linda Opdyke is a well-written novel that follows Ethan, a private investigator, and his wife, Mickey, as they face danger, secrets, and revenge. It starts with a scene where they are attacked by a man, D.J. Burnett, at a remote cabin. This confrontation leads to a fight where Ethan throws Burnett off a cliff to save Mickey. Later on, Mickey meets Lonnie, Burnett's nephew, who convinces her to visit Gentry, Kentucky, to investigate his father’s suicide. To get at the truth, Mickey goes undercover at the seedy White Dog Bar, where she faces daily threats, intimidation, and close calls with Boomer—the boss at the White Dog Bar—and his violent crew. Ethan and his team, Bowen, Logan, and Tanner, begin to investigate and piece together their connections with Hannah, Lonnie, and the Burnett family, leading to bigger conspiracies and shocking turns of events.

This book is a great read. It combines action and suspense with the emotional weight of the characters. I loved how the characters were well-developed and relatable. Both the protagonists and the antagonist have their own motivations and personal experiences that drive their actions; this made the book even more grounded and easy to follow. One of my favorite characters is Mickey; her bravery and relentless nature gave her a place in my heart, especially during the time she was so afraid and tired. This book is fast-paced and detailed. It is not just about danger and actions; it is also about family ties, love, and painful secrets. Ethan is another standout character. His protective nature sometimes clashed with Mickey's independence, which made their bond feel so authentic, with both lovely and conflicting moments. The Stillness of Murder by Linda Opdyke covers themes of family, revenge, and the search for truth, and I recommend it to readers who enjoy suspense and mystery novels with complex family secrets and action.