Staged by Caitlin Rother
Book 2: Katrina & Goode Series
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publication Date: June 16, 2026
Format: Paperback - 412 pages
Kindle - 407 pages
Audiobook - 14 Hours 19 Minutes
Barnes & Noble (PB) - 412 pages
ISBN (Paperback): 978-1662532368
ASIN (Kindle): B0FN4KLN9M
ASIN (Audiobook): B0FXN5TPVV
Genre: Thriller
Buy The Series: Katrina & Goode
Book 1: Hooked (Publication Date: 2/1/2026)
Book 2: Staged (Publication Date: 6/16/2026)
Buy The Book: Staged
Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Book Description:
In this thrilling sequel to Hooked, the secret leaders of a deadly cabal prove to be a veritable match for the determined reporter and the insightful surfing detective who double down to expose them.
Investigative reporter Katrina Chopin is back home in San Diego on a mission (or two). The first is reheating the cold case of her parents’ murder and investigating her brother’s reported suicide. The second involves a new spate of deaths with alleged causes that just don’t smell right. She and Detective Ken Goode need each other’s help for both. But she has to keep the sexy surfer at arm’s length, because dating him is off limits. For now.
Teaming up, they make coordinated progress down each path. Digging deeper into La Jolla’s corrupt network of elites, they uncover a pattern of lies, depravity, and greed. And with every new discovery, Katrina is pulled closer to danger…and to Goode.
Sharing sexy phone calls and sunset drinks isn’t exactly following the rules, but fully crossing that line could jeopardize the case. As they start to connect the dots, they realize they must risk everything to bring down the shadowy cabal that kills to keep its secrets.
My Book Review:
In Staged, the second book in the Katrina & Goode series, author Caitlin Rother weaves a suspenseful thriller that will keep the readers turning the pages.
Homicide Detective Ken Goode and investigative reporter Katrina Chopin continue to work in tandem on a variety of investigations that puts them in danger, but nothing is going to stop them from getting the truth! From a suspected cabal corruption case; to the ongoing Fontaine murder case that takes an unexpected turn; to Katrina's determination to look into her parents' cold murder case and her brother's "alleged" suicide; their plate is overflowing, but the wheels of justice and newsworthy stories are the ultimate goal.
Staged is a riveting thriller that easily draws the reader into this fascinating and multi-layered story. This thriller is an adrenaline rush as Ken and Katrina simultaneously work a variety of investigative cases they believe are interconnected. There are a lot of scenarios and potential suspects, it's like putting the puzzle pieces together to the solve the case. I really enjoyed the alternating third person narrative chapters following Ken and Katrina as they worked the cases with danger around every corner, while having a subtle romantic connection brewing under the surface added into the mix. The surprising twists and turns throughout the story kept me on my toes as I kept trying to figure out who the bad guys were from all the potential suspects, and the reason why the murders were all staged. This is an amazing sequel to the Katrina & Goode series!
Staged is a riveting and fast-paced thriller that definitely hooks the reader from the start.
RATING: 5 STARS
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Author
New York Times bestselling author Caitlin Rother has written or co-authored 14 books, ranging from narrative non-fiction crime to mystery and memoir. Her newest book is DEATH ON OCEAN BOULEVARD: Inside the Coronado Mansion Case (April 27, 2021). Her backlist includes HUNTING CHARLES MANSON; SECRETS, LIES, AND SHOELACES; LOVE GONE WRONG; DEAD RECKONING; THEN NO ONE CAN HAVE HER; I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU; NAKED ADDICTION; POISONED LOVE; BODY PARTS; TWISTED TRIANGLE; LOST GIRLS; WHERE HOPE BEGINS and MY LIFE, DELETED.
A Pulitzer Prize nominee, Rother worked as an investigative reporter at daily newspapers for 19 years before quitting the news biz in 2006 to write books full-time. Her journalism has been published in Cosmopolitan, the Los Angeles Times, The San Diego Union-Tribune, the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and The Daily Beast. She has done more than 200 appearances as a crime commentator on TV, radio and podcasts, ranging from "20/20," "People Magazine Investigates," "Nancy Grace," and "Crime Watch Daily," to shows on HLN, Oxygen Network, Investigation Discovery, C-SPAN, XM Radio and PBS affiliates. She also works as a writing-research-promotions coach and consultant.
