ARC Review: Knife in the Back by Karen Rose

Knife in the Back
Author: Karen Rose
Series: A New Orleans Novel (Book 4)
Publication: Berkley (August 12, 2025)

Description: From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Rose comes another "intense, complex, and unforgettable” novel.

Officer Naomi Cranston was framed for stealing cocaine from the evidence locker and coerced—through threats to her young son—into not fighting the charges. After five years in prison, she has tried to put the ordeal behind her, but the crooks who framed her have returned, this time demanding she move drugs along with her flower shop’s deliveries. They threaten her son once again, but this time she’s not capitulating quietly. She hires Broussard Investigations to protect her and her son, to prove her innocence, and to put the real bad guys away.

As a former cop, Burke Broussard is well aware of the corruption in the New Orleans police department. He had always believed Naomi Cranston to be guilty and isn’t inclined to take her case. Until he sits down to listen to her side of things. Until he sees her tortured innocence written all over her beautiful face…

A relationship born amid an investigation is a fragile thing. Will it survive the danger and the threats? Will it survive the truth?

My Thoughts: Former police officer Naomi Cranston spent five years in prison for a crime she didn't commit. She's been out for a year and is working in a flower shop when the cop who railroaded her and threatened her son comes to her demanding that she move drugs for him. 

At the urging of her boss at the flower shop, Naomi goes to Broussard Investigations to get some protection for the teenage son who is being threatened. Burke Broussard is also a former NOPD officer who left to start his own investigations agency. At first, he believes like the rest of the NOPD that Naomi is a dirty cop, but her story convinces him and has strong echoes of his own departure from the NOPD.

But the dirty cops aren't ready to give up on getting Naomi to do what they want. They attempt to kidnap her son and attempt to kidnap the children of the other investigators at Broussard Investigations. Everyone at the agency and especially Burke want to stop those who are threatening their children. 

While all this tension is going on, Burke and Naomi fall in love. Burke never thought he would since the loss of his fiancée in a plane crash years ago broke his heart so badly. And Naomi whose ex-husband testified against her in a testimony filled with lies doesn't have much faith in love or men. 

I enjoyed catching up with the many characters at Broussard Investigations introduced in the three earlier books. And I really enjoyed seeing Naomi come out of her shell and champion her own agency. The romance between Burke and Naomi was also heart-warming. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.