Saint Brothers #4
Phoenix
My once carefree life—dancing, smiling, and never looking over my shoulder—ended the day I was kidnapped and held by a serial killer for three months. A part of me was certain I was never getting out of there alive…and then when I thought my end was near, I was rescued.
But the killer is still out there, and he wants me back.
The police and FBI are bound by red tape and procedures and because of that, my sister believes they can’t protect me…not like the Saint brothers can. Soon, I’m in a house filled with gorgeous, brilliant, dangerous men, and yet I feel safer than I ever have. Most of that has to do with a certain sunglass-wearing tech genius named Noel. For the first time since being rescued, I feel something toward someone, and I want to explore that.
Noel
I thought my brothers were idiots as I watched them each fall in love. I don’t want to be held down—I love my computers, freedom, and not having to answer to anyone. Then we take on a protection case and Phoenix Briar walks into my life. With a blink of his hazel eyes and barely there smile, I find myself willing to not just protect him but to do it at the cost of my life.
With the Broken Doll Killer on the loose and determined to get his perfect doll back, my brothers and I are in a race against time to keep Phoenix safe and to find his monster before he shatters whatever is left of Phoenix. I’m determined to give Phoenix the love he deserves…and the revenge he needs.
What’s Left of Me is book four in my Saint Brothers series. While it could be read as a standalone it is highly recommended you read Slay Ride, Kill Me Sweetly, and Mine to Keep first since characters from those books play a part in this story.
What can I say about Saint Brothers #4, What's Left of Me, that could even come close to what I'm feeling? Those who follow me on SM or my reviews know that my life was turned upside down with the passing of my mother back in January. Some days are better than others, but to be perfectly honest, my stress levels and anxiety grow with every day as I try to navigate a new path forward as I attempt finding a job that allows me time to still care for my dad. This admission has nothing to do with Davidson King's book other than the story has given me an outlet for moments of relief and yet the stress makes my reviewing brain more clouded. So I want to put that out there in my hope this review comes out clear. The fact that it does give me moments of relief speaks the loudest to my enjoyment of this story.
Though I am part of the author's FB group, I always try to stay clear of her teaser Tuesday posts when I can, sometimes you just have to have a peak but in general, I like to be completely taken off guard when reading. Boy was I ever! I knew there was a serial killer element to the story waybackwhen, but I had no idea just what that would entail. I won't go into specifics, having been so unaware heightened the fear factor for me and I would never want to rob any reader of that same "WOW!" moments.
Before I talk about Noel and Phoenix, I want to mention that, even though What's Left of Me, is laden with dark moments, violence, and fear, I personally think the author's #3 Mine to Keep, is still the darkest and most soul-crushing entry as it dealt with both the subtlety and in your face effects of stalking. Having said that, just as I'm writing this review, I realized that the entire Saint Brothers series plays heavily into the psychological side and after effects of the crimes. Not sure how I missed that before this moment, because it's so clear to me now. Hindsight can be our biggest moment of clarity.
So, on to the men at the center of this amazing and disturbing story.
Phoenix. I loved how the author dealt with his fears. Through his inner monologue we have a fuller picture of what the serial killer did to him, or more significantly, what impact the vitriol he hammered into Phoenix has left on his psyche. Through his interactions with his sister, Hazel and gradually the Saint brothers, we see how it has affected his day to day emotions. As drawn to Noel Saint, Phoenix is, I think it's actually the interactions he has with the brothers' partners that begin to ground him and see that healing and overcoming trauma is doable. Don't get me wrong, this is a Phoenix and Noel story, but the author's use of the partners, though small in page-time, is huge in healing.
Noel. Him and his brother, Nick(the Saint star in Mine to Keep) are the computer nerds of the operation and the frustration with the non-tech family members are front and center of the humorous scenes of the story. Won't lie, there are not many comedic moments but these family funnies help balance the darkness and left a calming effect on me. I really love how he relies on Dr.Aziza when it comes to making sure Phoenix is protected and the best ways to approach certain factors. This is not something you often see in stories about revenge and physical protection, generally those who are doing the protecting are all about the do-now-think-later but not the Saint brothers, they get the importance of the survivor's mental health(I said "survivor", I don't like "victim"). Again, don't get me wrong, they are all about the doing but not without the thinking, for the most part😉.
Put these men together and you have a very powerful and rewarding love story that rounds out this psychological suspense thriller, creating a whole package of entertainment. What's Left of Me is oh so disturbingly yummy.
One last thing, for those wondering about reading order, I highly recommend reading Saint Brothers in order of release. Yes, each book is about a new brother and a separate crime but because the past entry's relationships play a huge found family part of each new story, everything just falls into place more realistically when read chronologically.
PROLOGUE
BNN News Outlet: “The body of a woman appearing to be in her early twenties was found today in Reisling Field at around seven this morning. Sources are saying she was dressed as what they can only assume was a doll. Dead flowers surrounded her body, and moving her has been difficult. More information on this story as it comes to light.”
One month later
BNN News Outlet: “A startling discovery came this morning when the body of a young man was found beside Franklin Fountain. Much like Kimberly Henning, who was found last month in Reisling Field, he was dressed to look like a doll—or puppet. Dead flowers surrounded his body. As we found out after Kimberly’s autopsy a few weeks ago, the bones in her body were broken and it’s assumed the same here and that whoever killed her is likely behind this death as well. More to come.”
One month later
BNN News Outlet: “It was a frightening morning as yet another body was found, killed the same way as Kimberly Henning and Richard Bells: dressed as a doll or puppet, posed on the ground, with dead flowers surrounding his body. A woman jogging in Billings Park came upon the man a little after six a.m. The mayor and police commissioner are holding a press conference this afternoon at Town Hall. This is the third victim of what the media is referring to as The Broken-Doll Killer, while others are calling them the Marionette Maker. What we’ve uncovered is that before their discoveries, Kimberly Henning and Richard Bells had been missing for six months to the day, and every bone in their bodies had been broken postmortem. What did these victims suffer through in their months of captivity? And will the authorities catch this serial killer before they strike again?”
Two Months Later
BNN News Outlet: “This morning, at about seven thirty, the body of Rochelle Hammer was detected, displayed just as Kimberly Henning, Richard Bells, and Henry Miller were. After no bodies were uncovered last month, we all held on to hope that the brutal murders had ended. Sadly, that’s not the case. Rochelle Hammer’s body was found by a staff member outside the main entrance of Mayfield Children’s Museum. She was dressed as a puppet and was surrounded by dead flowers. What we know so far about The Broken-Doll Killer is that they take their victims, hold them for six months to the day, and then display them publicly in a haunting manner, bones broken, yet made to look perfect. Authorities have no leads, and the only connection anyone seems to have found regarding these victims is that they were all in their early twenties, in very good shape, and they were what many are referring to as beautiful people. Who is killing these young, beautiful, vibrant people? The mayor will speak tonight at Town Hall at six p.m.”
Three weeks Later
BNN News Outlet: “A remarkable rescue happened this afternoon. Two hikers came across a shack in the mountains, where they’d hurried in to escape a sudden rainstorm. Inside, they stumbled upon a man who’d been reported missing a little over three months ago. That is all the information being released at this time; for his safety, the man’s name won’t be announced. And what are they protecting him from? Sources say this young man was kidnapped by The Broken-Doll Killer. This is the biggest break in the case, and authorities hope this young man can help them finally put an end to these heinous murders.”
June 2025 Book of the Month: What's Left of Me
Davidson King, always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.
She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children.
If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she’d tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you’re afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.
EMAIL: davidsonkingauthor@yahoo.com
What's Left of Me #4
