Books Butterfly Editorial Reviews

Death is Potential – Editorial Review

Death is Potential is a well written and enthralling Mystery Romance and Psychological Thriller. The author has crafted realistic and likeable characters which will draw you into the excellent plot

Our reviewer recommends it strongly for readers who like Mystery, Thriller, or Romance novels

It is incredibly difficult to write a Mystery Romance where the romance adds to the Suspense and Mystery, instead of detracting from it. Author Bob Burnett pulls it off rather well

Books Butterfly Editorial Review of Death is Potential by Bob Burnett

Introduction & Context

Death is Potential is a captivating mystery novel that combines romance with crime. U.S. Marshall Kate Swift attends a workshop to help overcome her trauma and insecurities without expecting steamy romance and violent crime at the Satori Institute below the Big Sur

Kate’s experience takes a turn when she rekindles her relationship with Tom Scott amidst tragic news at the facility. A series of murders prompt police investigation but a fire outbreak renders the Big Sur inaccessible to detectives

Kate is forced to take the investigative role, clearing crime scenes and following clues to find the killer

Main Review

Death is Potential covers the events at the Satori Institute over six days, from Sunday to Monday. The author writes the chapters from the perspective of either Laura, one of the lead detectives, or Tom, a frequent Satori visitor, and Marshall Kate’s lover

Besides the investigation into the Satori murders, the book covers details of the trauma-recovery workshop and the passionate relationship between Kate and Tom. The book has a very satisfying ending, which you will have to read the book to discover

Strengths

One of the book’s strongest aspects is its compelling character development. Kate Swift is a complex and relatable protagonist, a strong and capable U.S. Marshall who is not without her vulnerabilities

Kate’s inner struggles and determination to find the truth add depth to her character, making her journey intriguing and emotionally resonant. The enigmatic love interest Tom Scott brings an air of mystery and charm to the story

The gradual development of Kate and Tom’s relationship is a highlight, allowing the reader to invest in their chemistry as they collaborate to solve the mysterious deaths

The author masterfully balances the elements of romance and mystery throughout the book. The fiery romance between Kate and Tom adds a layer of emotional complexity to the story, drawing readers into their evolving connection

The chemistry between the characters feels authentic, never overshadowing the central mystery but enhancing it with genuine emotions. This approach creates a unique reading experience that will satisfy mystery, crime, and romance novel fans

Further, narrating the stories shared at the workshop immerses the reader in the story – it is almost as if the reader is present at the workshop

The gripping plot and vivid descriptions successfully keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With every new chapter, one is eager to know what happens next

Weaknesses

The book mainly features dialogues between the characters; reader fatigue may occur. Some readers prefer prose over repetitive dialogue

In some instances, dialogues make it challenging to provide descriptive details, which is essential for a vivid and immersive reading experience. Still, the dialogue approach remains an appropriate writing style for the book genre

Conclusion

Death is Potential is an intriguing mystery novel with aspects of romantic drama and crime investigation. The book captures the readers’ attention from start to finish and can easily be read in one sitting

We recommend it strongly. What is even better is that Death is Potential is a good read for all levels of readers. You don’t have to be a Professor of Literature to be able to appreciate and enjoy the story

Overall Recommendation

The book is recommended for lovers of mystery and romance novels

For Murder Mystery readers – 90/100

For Romantic Suspense readers – 100/100

For Mystery Romance readers – 100/100

For Psychological Thriller readers – 90/100

For general Mystery or Thriller readers – 80/100

For general Romance readers – 90/100 if you like Romantic Suspense or Romantic Thrillers (not otherwise)

Curator’s Thoughts

The author, in another life, was the co-founder of Cisco Systems and a Silicon Valley executive

In trying to write a Mystery Romance novel he has picked a nearly-as-difficult task. For every 100 authors who try to combine Romance with Mystery, only a handful succeed. Bob Burnett succeeds splendidly

Where to get Death is Potential by Bob Burnett

You can get Death is Potential (A Kate Swift Mystery)

1. At Amazon Kindle Store for the Kindle eBook
2. At Amazon.com for the Paperback
3. The author’s website has links to the various ebook stores

You can find out more about the author, Bob Burnett, at

1. His Website – BobBurnett.net
2. His About Me Page on His Website
3. His Amazon Author Page

Amazon also has a page listing all his Kate Swift Mystery novels