Shades of Justice by Carolyn Arnold – Review

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Description:
Detective Madison Knight has risked her badge—and her life—in the pursuit of justice before, and she just might need to do so again. Two victims are found murdered and naked in the home of Steven Malone, who is the largest contributor to the Stiles PD. One victim is his wife. The other victim is a John Doe. This high-profile double homicide immediately pits Madison against her sergeant, who seems more intent on protecting the Malones’ reputation and retaining a benefactor than catching a killer.
Madison will need to pull on her tenacity and courage if she’s going to follow the evidence without prejudice. In the process, it becomes clear that finding justice isn’t always black and white, and often the shades in between tell the fullest story—and it’s not something she will forget anytime soon.
 
Shades of Justice is a murder mystery with twists and turns that will have readers flipping the pages until the wee hours of the morning. The ninth installment in an international bestselling series, it doesn’t matter if this is the first book you’re reading in the Detective Madison Knight series or not; all the books stand alone!

Review:

Shades of Justice by Carolyn Arnold is the 9th book in her terrific Detective Madison Knight series.  I have been a fan of this series since the beginning, and as always, Carolyn Arnold never fails to give us an intense exciting murder mystery, not to mention her expertise in police procedurals.  I have said this a number of times; when it comes to police investigations & procedurals no one does it better than Arnold. 

Madison Knight, our heroine, is a tough detective, who will let nothing stand in her way to find the guilty. In Shades of Justice, Madison and her partner Terry are called to the scene of a double homicide at the house of the wealthy Malone family, who are also big supporters in Stiles and to the police department.  Lorene Malone, the family matriarch, is found murdered with a ‘John Doe’ at poolside.  When Madison tries to get information from family, she finds herself being stymied by her Sargent, who is determined to not ruffle feathers for the Malones.

Despite the Sargent’s constant interference, Madison works with her friends and team (Terry, Cynthia, Troy, etc), to work together to find the clues about the murder, which will have many twists and turns along the way.  There a quite a few suspects, which makes it very difficult to find clues, but never underestimate our intense and stubborn Madison Knight.

With being deeply immersed into solving this mystery, Madison is also involved in helping her friend Cynthia (medical examiner) prepare for her wedding, which is only a few days away.  I do enjoy Madison and Cynthia’s friendship, and the mishaps along the way that lightened things up.  I love that Madison was finally finding a true love in Troy, and hope this does become what our heroines needs..a perfect man in her life.  There is also another story line that seems to be leading more into future books; corrupt police officers and the threat that this will become a dangerous mission in her life. I will note two things I have mentioned before;  Madison’s partner, Terry still annoys me a lot, as I do not like him;  and the sargent was god awful.  With Madison so good at her job, I prefer that she had good people working with her.  But that is my sole opinion.

Rather than give spoilers, Shades of Justice was a great story, with lots of action, precise investigations, many suspects, blackmail, murder, revenge and a thrilling edge of your seat ride.  I could not put the book down; especially with new developments changing constantly.  This story was very exciting and well written.  If you enjoy mysteries, murder cops, police procedurals and a tough as nails cop, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review