Detective Karen Seagate and her new partner Ryan Miner are assigned security detail at a stem cell research debate. Not long after they leave the debaters at their hotel one of them is dead.
As the case progresses Seagate's life gets more complicated. Not just with her ex and her son, but lying suspects, political pressure and police procedures and more importantly her drink problem.
An enjoyable and interesting read. ( )

Karen Seagate and Ryan Miner, detectives in Rawlings, Montana, are assigned a security detail to protect the adversaries in a stem-cell debate at Central Montana State College from being assaulted or killed during the debate. Early the next morning Karen receives a call to go to the hotel where one of the debaters has been killed. As she and her partner search for the killer, they learn many unsavory things about the victim and those around him.

The story started slow but once the murder investigation begins it picked up. I tried to figure out who was guilty but I never figured it out. I liked the twists in the investigation. I also liked that Ryan has learned a few things from Karen that I did not expect to see coming from him. I enjoyed the banter between Karen and some of her colleagues (Dr. Breen, Robin, and Ryan.) It is a dry humor but fun to figure out what they are saying. I did not like the chief nor his receptionist. What a jerk of an ex-husband!

The soul searching Karen had to do after the accident was interesting and seemed to be long overdue for her. This is a good set-up for the series where I learned who the characters were, what their personalities are, and who are the good guys and the bad guys. I am looking forward to more in the series. ( )

I received this book as part of the early reviewers program on Librarything.com. I enjoyed this read. It is an interesting cop/mystery book and sets a good foundation on the main characters to set us up for a new series. I would purchase more in this series. ( )

Big Sick Heart is an interesting mystery, although less mystery than what I expected. It is more of an exploration of the relationship between an alcoholic cop who is bent on destroying her life and her straight laced partner who supports her no matter what although in his place I think I would slap her silly. I enjoyed learning more about stem cell research. I like learning about things in a novel and contrary to some reviews I enjoyed the religious viewpoints as well. I enjoyed the book, hated the female character, and loved learning new things. I think this author will only get better over time. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and the descriptive narrative was great. I enjoyed the fact that a few things out of the ordinary were put in. eg Ryan's religion and the effect it had on Karen and his responses to her predicaments.
My ownly complaint and it may be me and not the author was that in a few places it said things like "Ryan and me" not Ryan and I. eg on page 176. There were only about 3 occasions.
An enjoyable read. Thank you for the opportunity to read it. ( )