Payback (Payback #1) by Charlotte Mills (Narrated by Sienna Frances)

Crimes, Consequences, and Copious Chemistry

4.25 out of 5 stars

I was not prepared for how much I’d enjoy Payback. I sat on this one for a while and finally took the plunge. What started as a small-town mystery with a moody detective and a questionable transfer quickly unraveled into a twisty, sexy, and surprisingly heartfelt ride. Detective Constable Kate Wolfe is trying to keep a low profile after a disciplinary hearing, but trouble, along with her new boss, finds her fast. DCI Helen Taylor, no-nonsense and totally magnetic, is supposed to be off-limits. But the chemistry? Instant. And electric.

The mystery kicks off with an arson case, a body, and a missing architect, and I was immediately hooked. The pacing is tight, the clues are layered, and it never feels like the romance overshadows the plot—well, at least not at first. Kate and Helen’s banter is sharp and flirty, with plenty of moments that made me smile. A cheeky game of “who pays for breakfast” turns into handcuffs, and somehow that’s the least steamy part of their dynamic.

Now, full disclosure: this book does not shy away from the spice. If you’re here for slow-burn tension with a side of mystery, you might find yourself screaming, “There’s a murder to solve!” while our leads are otherwise occupied. But if you’re in the mood for bold romance and inventive scenes, this absolutely delivers.

Sienna Frances’ narration is excellent. Her British accent adds a perfect layer of authenticity to the setting, and she balances the thriller energy with the sensual tones required by the story’s steamier beats. It’s a dual-purpose performance that works remarkably well.

All in all, Payback is a steamy, suspenseful sapphic mystery with an absolutely wild twist I never saw coming. If you’re ready for a police procedural where attraction is just as dangerous as the case itself, buckle in.

Book Description:

A thrilling lesbian mystery about trying to right a past wrong…despite the consequences.

Detective Constable Kate Wolfe is sent to a Cheshire backwater after falling foul of a disciplinary hearing in London. But before she even has a chance to settle in, Kate finds herself in a situation from which there’s no coming back. She’s reported as a troublemaker to her new boss, Detective Chief Inspector Helen Taylor, a no-nonsense veteran who once had an esteemed, high-profile career.

The pair investigates a spate of arson attacks, a dead body found in a burnt-out building, and a missing architect while fighting their growing attraction for each other. The discovery of a dumped vehicle in a quarry lake sparks a series of events that will change their lives forever.

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Brian

I’ve loved reading since I was little when my dad would read me Dr. Suess books. Fast-forward a little and I noticed that he was always reading on his lunch breaks at work, and I wondered why.Then, I found a book that took me to another place and time, to another feeling,another sense of “being”.It was the first book that I ever fell in love with, and I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.

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