A Kirkus BOOK REVIEW

A U.S. marshal stumbles into romance and a homicide case at a therapeutic hot-springs resort in Burnett’s debut thriller.
Kate Swift is on psych leave from the Marshals Service following a Federal Witness Protection Program family’s massacre. She checks in at the Satori Institute in California’s Garrapata State Park, replete with therapeutic seminars and workshops in the comfort of a scenic retreat, complete with cabins and spa-like hot baths. Unexpectedly, she reunites with Tom Scott, a widower she met six months earlier.

Kate wasn’t ready for a relationship then, but now might very well be. Meanwhile, local detectives are there as well: Someone discovered the lifeless, probably murdered body of Satori co-founder Malcolm Eastwick. When another body turns up, a fire blocking the road impedes the detectives’ return trip, sothey enlist Kate to pick up their investigation. She and Tom, who’ve already helped the cops, are now partners in a murdermystery, and the couple scours for clues to identify a killer who’s likely right there at the institute with them and fellow guests. Burnett’s lead characters are engaging, each reluctant to dive into a relationship (Kate has previously dealt with a cheater).

The murder investigation, led by personable detectives Laura Sanchez and Daniel O’Malley, initially unfolds as a
separate plot. The dual storylines gradually and organically fuse once the cops learn there’s a U.S. marshal on site.
Unfortunately, the “transitions workshop” in which Kate and Tom participate unfolds at a sluggish pace; recurring scenes
over the course of days linger on many guests who play no part in the investigation. Nevertheless, tension surges when it’s
clear that the murderer is watching (“They’ve planted spy cameras around the campus. Last night we found a camera in
the room that I’ve been sharing with another workshop member”), possibly creeping into cabins and suites, and may have
Tom in the crosshairs. Once Kate finally demonstrates her much-touted taekwondo skills and general badassery, the final
act ignites in a satisfying ending. New lovers headline this unhurried but worthwhile murder mystery.

by Davy Ifedigbo » 27 Aug 2023, 13:04

Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of “Death is Potential” by Bob Burnett.

5 out of 5 stars

Tom Scot and Kate Swift reunited at the Satori semiannual transition workshop. The two had a previous encounter where their feelings grew, but external circumstances prevented them from pursuing a relationship due to their histories. Detective Sanchez and Sergeant O’Malley were tasked with investigating an incident involving Malcolm in Satori. Malcolm was known as a player and had many enemies. Right as Kate was looking forward to a break from her responsibilities during her stay at the Satori workshop and the possibility of starting something new with Tom, her involvement took an unexpected turn when Sanchez discovered her true identity as a U.S. Marshal. Readers will discover Malcolm’s fate and the evolving connection between Kate and Tom as the plot unfolds. What happened to Malcolm? What happens to Kate and Tom? Pick up a copy of Death is Potential by Bob Burnett to unravel this mystery and love story.

I found some aspects of the book to be enjoyable. As I read about how individuals in the transition workshop shared their personal experiences, I realized how crucial love and having a dependable presence during tough times are—someone who offers unwavering support without bias. Kate’s remarkable courage and compassion were striking; regardless of her standing, she connected with her fellow participants. I felt a strong curiosity to uncover the identity of the culprit behind the theft from Malcolm’s secure box at home and the reasons behind the placement of surveillance cameras in the victims’ residences. Tom’s portrayal as a caring and supportive individual added depth to the story, and his role in untangling the mysteries surrounding the crimes in Satori was commendable. I applaud the author’s narrative style for crafting a fictional tale that subtly imparts valuable life lessons.

Some aspects of the book did not resonate with me. Cheryl, functioning as a therapist, didn’t discover resolutions to her dilemmas. I sensed her isolation due to the absence of two cherished individuals. As a therapist, she experienced burnout and might have pursued therapy, just as she guided her clients in overcoming their obstacles.

I found no mistakes, so it is extraordinarily well-edited. Tom and Kate stand out as my preferred characters. Their dynamic imparts valuable life lessons to readers.

Due to the aspects of the book I enjoyed, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to adult readers who love romance, detective, crime, and mystery genres. 

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)

At Amazon Kindle Store for the Kindle eBook

At Amazon.com for the Paperback

The author’s website has info on various ebook stores

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

His About Me Page on His Website

His Amazon Author Page

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

Review by

Erin Britton

Star Rating: 4 / 5

Featuring plenty of action, nicely twisting intrigue, and more than a hint of romance, Bob Burnett’s Death is Potential is a thriller with a difference. Through the combination of an unusual yet appealing setting—the Satori Institute, a retreat and conference center located in a sufficiently remote part of Big Sur to feel cut off from neighboring Monterey—and an unfortunately timed wildfire, Burnett ramps up the tension and sense of danger by transforming the wide open space into the unexpected backdrop to a closed-circle mystery.

US Marshall Kate Swift is notionally attending the Institute’s Transitions workshop in the hope of overcoming the roadblock that has recently interrupted her career journey, although she really aims to address her relationship difficulties and propensity to pursue romance in all the wrong places. Intending to remain incognito, she is looking forward to some breathing space from the trauma that all too frequently characterizes both her professional and personal life.

Entrepreneur Tom Swift is also participating in the Transitions workshop, in his case in an attempt to come to terms with the death of his wife, Fiona, from cancer some eighteen months previously. He’s pleased but also somewhat trepidatious when he spots Kate in the group; the two of them had almost connected romantically when working together recently but circumstances intervened. Tom is keen to get to know Kate again, although he’s not sure he’s quite ready to move on from Fiona to such an extent.

For their part, Detective Sergeant Daniel O’Malley and Detective Laura Sanchez aren’t in search of personal development. Rather, they have been dispatched from Monterey to investigate the unexplained death of Malcolm Eastwick, the philandering co-founder of the Satori Institute, whose body was found on the beach after a suspected fall. It’s immediately clear that Malcolm was not a popular guy and that a fair few of those present, both staff and clients, might have had reason to wish him dead.

When the two detectives head into the city to follow up on leads, Kate reluctantly finds herself taking charge of the investigation at the Institute. Forced to put her therapeutic aspirations on the backburner, she has to navigate the many secrets of those present in an attempt to discover the truth behind Malcolm’s death.

Death is Potential is related from the alternating perspectives of Kate and Laura in the third person and Tom in the first person, which allows Burnett to give their characters real depth and to present different viewpoints on the ongoing mystery at the Satori Institute. Most of the supporting cast are well fleshed out too, as the workshop aspect of the novel means that the attendees take turns to describe their backstories and current situations. Burnett also takes pains here to weave both subtle clues and tantalizing red herrings into their narratives.

The murder mystery aspect of the story is strong, particularly when the fire cuts the Institute off from civilization and it becomes clear that there must be a killer lurking in their midst. The isolated setting and closed circle of suspects add both suspense and drama to the story. Despite the suspect pool being restricted, there are enough potential murderers and motives about to keep things interesting and make the solution to the puzzle of Malcolm’s death and subsequent crimes difficult to guess.

While it features more romance and opportunities for characters to monologue than most novels in this genre, Death is Potential is still an action-packed thriller centered on a satisfyingly complex murder mystery. There are secrets and lies aplenty at the Satori Institute, which means there is plenty for armchair sleuths to unpick on the way to identifying the killer.

BookLife Talks with Bob Burnett

Debut fiction writer Burnett has taken the old adage “If you want something done right, do it yourself” to heart. After read-
ing mysteries for years, the first book in his mystery series, Death Is Potential, is set to publish this month. It follows U.S. Marshall Kate Swift, who takes a trauma- recovery workshop only to have the attendees start dropping dead.

What led you to start writ- ing this series?

I wrote a political column for 20 years and decided it was time to try something new, a mystery series. I have been a fan of mystery novels since I first encountered Sherlock Holmes in A Study in Scarlet many years ago. Recently, I’ve been disappointed in the quality of new releases and decided that instead of complaining about the formulaic nature of contemporary mysteries, I should create a series worthy of the genre.

The setting is a huge part of the series. Can you talk about your experiences in Northern California and how they relate to the books?

What do you think makes Kate Swift stand out in the field of mystery-genre detectives?
Kate Swift stands out for four reasons. First, she’s a female protagonist portrayed by a male writer. Second, the series involves mystery and romance

with a touch of racy humor. Third, the series is set in various interesting Northern California venues and, fourth, Kate is dangerous; she’s a whip-smart investigator with substantial tae kwon do chops.

Death Is Potential deals heavily with grief. Can you speak to the importance of it in the book?

Kate is grieving relationship failures. Tom Scott, her new beau, is grieving the death of his wife. Other workshop par- ticipants are dealing with various kinds of grief. That’s key because they all meet at a trauma-recovery workshop at Satori Institute in Big Sur.

Can readers expect more Kate Swift Mysteries soon?

Recently, I’ve been disappointed in the quality of new releases and decided that instead of complaining about the formulaic nature of contemporary mysteries, I should create a series worthy of the genre.

I set the Kate Swift mysteries in Northern California because that is where I have lived for 50 years. There have been mysteries set in San Francisco, but none that move around the other won- derful Northern California settings: my first mystery is set in Big Sur, the second in Monterrey, the third in Silicon Valley, the fourth in Sonoma County, and the fifth, I believe, in Sea Ranch.

– Bob Burnett

Yes. With Death Is Potential publishing in August, the sequel, Death Is Resistance, is being edited and will be published in 2024. The third entry, Death Is Technical, is written, while the fourth book, Death Is Political, is in process.