Baobab - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$2.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Melinda Woodhall
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Take Her Life: A Detective Nessa Ainsley Novella Kindle Edition

by Melinda Woodhall (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 155 ratings
The second chilling novella in the addictive new series by Melinda Woodhall
When hikers find the body of a young woman in the Twisted Pine Forest outside Rosewood, Georgia, Detective Nessa Ainsley soon discovers a devious serial killer is stalking the town’s red-light district.

As she takes on a dangerous undercover operation to lure in the insatiable killer, Nessa is torn between her duty to her family and her duty to the women she has vowed to protect.

Determined to prove herself to her new boss and save her career, Nessa must find a way to catch the cunning killer before another woman dies.

Novella Two in the new Detective Nessa Ainsley Novella series by Melinda Woodhall, author of the Mercy Harbor Thriller Series and the Veronica Lee Thriller Series.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 2 of 4
    A Detective Nessa Ainsley Novella
  2. Print length
    105 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    July 23, 2021
  6. File size
    837 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 4 books in this series.

Customers also bought or read

Rate this feature
Page 1 of 1Start over
Previous page
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fantastic second book in the Nessa Ainsley series! Loved it! This novella is filled with plenty of twists and turns and tons of action to keep you guessing." - BookSirens Review

"What a page turner! I read it in one sitting and literally wanted to start over and read it again. I definitely plan to read it again very shortly and I highly recommend it." - BookSirens Review

"Excellent police procedural that stays true to police work without ever becoming exaggerated or overblown. The characters are realistic and down-to-earth. The dialogue feels natural and Ms. Woodhall always manages to make her readers feel that they are a part of the story instead of on the outside looking in. I am thoroughly enjoying this series." - BookSirens Review

"Great read. This was such a nail biter of a page turner. I loved the book. The plot was very well written, and I cannot wait for another book. This was from a new to me and great author. I really enjoyed the book." - BookSirens Review

About the Author

Melinda Woodhall is the author of heart-pounding, emotional thrillers with a twist, including the Mercy Harbor Thriller Series, the Veronica Lee Thriller Series, the Detective Nessa Ainsley Novella Series, and the new Bridget Bishop FBI Mystery Thriller Series.

When she's not writing, Melinda can be found reading, gardening, and playing in the back garden with her tortoise. Melinda is a native Floridian and the proud mother of five children. She lives with her family in Orlando.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B098YVH7NM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Creative Magnolia
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 23, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 837 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 105 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 4 ‏ : ‎ A Detective Nessa Ainsley Novella
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 155 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Melinda Woodhall

Melinda Woodhall

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Melinda Woodhall is the author of over thirty heart-stopping thrillers, including the Mercy Harbor Thriller series, the Veronica Lee Thriller series, the Bridget Bishop FBI Mystery Thriller series, the Frankie Dawson P.I. Thriller Series, and the Bailey Flynn FBI Mystery Thriller Series.

Melinda is a native Floridian, and the proud mother of five children. She lives with her family in Orlando.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
155 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Tammy L. - Escape to Books by Tammy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cleaning up the Streets
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is Book 2 of the Nessa Ainsley series. I have to say that Nessa is one of my fictional heroes. She is a mother, a wife and fearless detective to boot! She is very relatable. She is fearless, but she has feelings that she is not afraid for others to see. Someone is "cleaning up the streets" of Rosewood, or so they think. Women of the street are disappearing. Once a body is found the detectives of the Rosewood Major Crimes Division begin their investigation. As usual Melinda Woodhall will have you turning the pages in anticipation of a jaw dropping ending. This is another great book by Melinda Woodhall. Since it is a novella, it is also a quick and easy but enjoyable mystery! I received this advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Lynda C.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Action Packed
    Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Take Her Life is filled with action,excitement, intrigue, murder and politics. In Detective Nessa Ainsley’s newest story, the reader becomes further aquatinted with the detective’s family and career. There is no doubt that there are missing women and a possible serial killer but her Captain, Briggs, refuses to warn the public as well as inserting himself in the investigation.

    Melinda Woodhall is a talented author who uses her heroines to explore the increasing stress surrounding working mothers coupled with the demands of a career in law enforcement.

    I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Suspenful
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book continues from the first book in the series. Someone is killing the prostitutes in their town and Detective Ainsley and her partner must catch him before time runs out. A total page turner.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Leo Romero
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Summer Read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The second Nessa novella moves at a quick pace and reveals more exciting information about the early days of Willow Bay's Chief of Police. This novella can be enjoyed on its own but it is even better after reading Melinda Woodhall's Mercy Harbor and Veronica Lee series that both include the feisty Nessa Ainsley. Definitely recommend.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really enjoy reading this book series and I love Nessa and the rest of the characters. I am ready to start on the next book.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Tom Anderson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2025
    Format: Kindle
    Good short novella. What it lacks in length it makes up in quality. Very good continuation of Nessa Ainsley’s backstory.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kimberly Ambrose
    3.0 out of 5 stars Iits okay
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2021
    Format: Kindle
    I’m on page 62 and already over 26 characters. I’m writing them down to keep up. May not finish book if many more are introduced
    Helpful
     Report
  • Lulubelle
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!! Loving this novella series!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2021
    Format: Kindle
    Take Her Life is about a gruesome case located in the Twisted Pine Forest in Rosewood, Georgia. Detective Nessa Ainsley and her partner, Detective Theo Hawke, are the lead detectives on the case and want to prove to their new boss that they are the right team to solve the case. With a little help from the other detectives in the department and the crime scene technicians, Nessa and Theo are rushing against the clock to find out who the perpetrator is before it’s too late.

    This page turning mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat with all the twists, reveals, and action. Just when I thought I knew who the perpetrator was, another twist or clue had me re-thinking who it could be. This maybe a novella, but it doesn’t lack at all. Melinda gives us all the elements of her thrilling who done it mysteries like she does in her other books.

    Take Her Life takes place months after the first novella, Her Last Breath. And even thought it is the second book in the Nessa Ainsley series, it can be read as a standalone.

    I am loving these Nessa Ainsley novellas! I have loved getting to know Nessa Ainsley in the other series by the author. I always wanted to learn more about her life before she came to Willow Bay. Learning more about her career in Rosewood, Georgia and how her and Jerry started their family is such a treat! Nessa has always been a secondary character in the other series and I am loving how the spotlight is on her. I also hope that we get to dive a little deeper into Detective Theo Hawke’s life and maybe the other detectives in the Roseville PD in the next book and/or series. Detective Hawke has shown himself to be a great partner and friend to Nessa and I have grown to like him. He reminded me of Detective Simon Jankowski from the Mercy Harbor and Veronica Lee series. I would hate to have Theo be left with the sour taste of his ex and as always I want to see the good guys have a happy ever after as well.

    I can’t wait to see what Melinda writes next! I sure hope this isn’t the last of the Nessa Ainsley series. I am already wanting more! I’ll have to re-read these two novellas to get my Nessa fix. I highly recommend this book as well as the first book in this novella series, the Mercy Harbor series, and the Veronica Lee series. All great reads that will have you on the edge of your seat and put your Nancy Drew skills to work.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • T. Wood
    4.0 out of 5 stars 2nd in Enjoyable Series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    It’s fair to say Nessa Ainsley had to hit the ground running in her new position as a detective in major crimes with the Rosewood PD. Now, after a period away from the office, she is back and searching for a killer intent on culling victims from the red light district of town. With her mother staying for a while Nessa finds herself torn between her home and work life where her new boss is proving difficult to impress.

    This is the second prequel in the Nessa Ainsley series and is another successful addition. Time has moved on a little and her working life has changed, although not necessarily for the better. I like Nessa and enjoyed this second novella as much as the first.

    I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
    Report
  • V. Crisp
    2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I’ve read and enjoyed previous books by this author, which is why I downloaded this. It’s a novella a short read and passes an hour or so. Her previous books are a great deal better and would recommend,this one not so much
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report