Tag Archives: Crime

Every Last One by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Every Last One by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Amazon / B&N / BAM / Bookouture

 

Description:
Tucking her daughter into her hospital bed, Gail sent up a silent prayer. Her daughter’s heart is failing and without this life-saving operation she will die. But soon her peace is shattered when a nurse races into the “Lock the doors, close the blinds. The hospital’s in lockdown. We have a shooter.”

When four attackers storm Founders Hospital, plunging it into an immediate lockdown, countless lives are at stake. As one of the FBI’s top negotiators, Special Agent Sandra Vos, is called in to bring the situation to a peaceful surrender.

Soon she discovers that the hostage takers have blocked the cell network and hospital phones are down. Every detail of the attack was meticulously planned. But why target a hospital?

Sandra’s strongest lead comes when they discover that one of the armed assailants forced themselves into a board meeting, taking their demands straight to the top. But with the attackers refusing to make contact and a little girl’s life hanging in the balance, Sandra needs to find the motive, fast.

When a shot rings out, it’s clear the hostage takers are prepared to kill to get what they want. But just when Sandra thinks all is lost, she discovers a link between them that reveals a very personal motive.

Sandra will need to use everything in her power to convince the hostage takers that this can end safely for everyone. But can she really meet their demands? And if not, how many lives will be lost?

 

 

 

Review:

Every Last One by Carolyn Arnold is the 2nd book in her Sandra Vos series.  Special agent Sandra Vos is a negotiator with the FBI, and she is sent with her partner, Brice Sutton to a hospital that has gone into a lockdown. A tense hostage situation at a Washington D.C. area hospital, and they realize there is no communication in or out of the hospital.  The hostage takers have blocked the network, and the internet and hospital phones are down as well. The tension ramps up as the hours tick by without resolution, the danger involving some of the antagonists.

Sandra is capable and strong, always calm in stressful situations, and has a fantastic memory. With four gunmen have the building in lockdown, Sandra faces her most harrowing challenge. She must determine to find a way to get communications back and try to talk to the main leader as the antagonists are hostile and angry.  Sandra also is concerned with a young child that will need a heart transplant in the later part of the day, and she fears the child will not be able to get help.

Every Last One was a suspenseful, tense, emotional, gripping, compelling thriller. The story points out so many situations, including anger, frustration, desperation, family, hostages, and danger. I love Sandra Vos, as she was a fantastic FBI agent. Every Last One was very well written by Carolyn Arnold.  Great story, which I suggest you read this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied by Publisher

 

 

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Moonlight Justice by Nala Nicole-review & guest post

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Moonlight Justice by Nala Nicole-review & guest post

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 31, 2025

Will Bella Hayes deliver justice or succumb to the darkness within?

Bella, a woman born on the moon, possesses extraordinary strength tied to the lunar cycle. By day, she is Detective Bella Hayes, a quiet observer of the law’s failures. By night, under the moon’s glow, she becomes something more—something not of this world. As her power surges, so does her thirst for justice.

When Radcliff escapes yet another trial unscathed, Bella and her partner Detective Mark Calloway, teams up with Lucas, her only friend at the Roguehaven Police unit, and tech genius, to pursue him into The Deep, the city’s haunting underground ruins. As she battles Radcliff’s henchmen, navigates a web of betrayal, and confronts her own inner demons.

••••••

REVIEW: This book is a mix of paranormal and crime drama.

We follow Detective Bella Hayes, a woman born under the mesmerizing glow of the moon, whose strength/speed and stamina is intertwined with its phases.

Nala Nicole crafts a really good story that delves into justice/inner darkness, and the quest for truth.

Bella is a captivating character, showing both the strength and vulnerability that comes with her supernatural abilities. As a daytime detective, she observes the failures of the law, but by night, (the lunar light) awakens a fierceness within her, which makes her into a relentless avenger. This duality makes Bella a richly layered character, whose journey reflects not only her battles against external enemies like Radcliff a slippery and manipulative antagonist but also her internal struggles.

The supporting characters add to the story, particularly Detective Mark Calloway and Lucas, the tech savvy ally. Their banter and teamwork against Radcliff’s henchmen provide an engaging dynamic that balances action with emotional moments. The author weaves themes of friendship and loyalty, really well, I had moments where I did laugh (not the best place when your on a packed train 😝)

The Deep, an underground paradise turned nightmarish ruin. Is the setting for not only the final battle (which was awesome by the way) but for Radcliff to build his empire….

The pace of the novel is set at a constant pace.

The writing is vivid and thought provoking, and at times I could see myself in, the urban landscape and the eerie ambiance of The Deep. The pull of the moon and its changing phases mirrored Bella’s evolving psyche and we watch as she grapples with the darker aspects of her nature.

While the plot builds toward an electrifying climax, it also raised a question about justice and the implications of vengeance. Bella’s journey of self discovery and her confrontation with personal demons make the story really come to life. The definitions of right and wrong, and what cost to you if you take justice into your own hands.

In conclusion, *Moonlight Justice* is a captivating read that successfully mixes fantasy elements with a crime storyline.

Nala Nicole has created a compelling world where the line between justice and vengeance becomes increasingly blurred, and where Bella’s strength is tested against both external threats and internal conflicts.

Fans of urban fantasy and thrilling detective tales will find themselves enthralled by Bella’s journey, eager to uncover the next twist in her pursuit of justice.

This is absolute must read.

Copy supplied for review

🦋 Reviewed by Julie B

Believability in Paranormal and Fantasy Storylines: Anchoring the Unreal in the Real

By Nala Nicole

Fantasy and paranormal fiction stretch the limits of imagination—but even in a world of supernatural strength, a city’s propensity for crime, and moon-born heroines, one thing remains essential: believability. Without it, readers disconnect. They might enjoy the spectacle, but they won’t feel it. And feeling, ultimately, is what drives a story home.

Take my novel, Moonlight Justice, as a prime example. The protagonist, Bella Hayes, was born on the moon and draws her strength from the lunar cycle. That premise alone pushes genre boundaries—but what makes it work is how grounded the rest of the narrative is, in my opinion, of course. Bella isn’t just a super-powered woman chasing justice; she’s a detective who sees the system fail time and again. Her frustration is human. Her thirst for justice is relatable. And her transformation under the moonlight? It becomes symbolic, not just fantastical.

Believability in paranormal/fantasy fiction hinges on a few key elements:

1. Emotional Realism

No matter how far-fetched a power or setting may be, the character’s emotions must ring true. Bella’s internal struggle—between justice and vengeance, law and instinct—is deeply human. Readers don’t need to have lunar-powered strength to understand the pain of watching someone like Radcliff escape justice again and again. Her desire to become something more is believable because it taps into a common yearning: to reclaim power in a broken world.

2. Consistent Worldbuilding

In Moonlight Justice, Roguehaven isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a breathing, crumbling city with layers, secrets, and a haunting underbelly known as The Deep. The setting supports the supernatural without overwhelming it. The city’s darkness mirrors Bella’s own, giving context to her powers. When readers see Bella and her team—Detective Mark Calloway and tech genius Lucas—descend into the underworld to hunt Radcliff, they’re not just watching an action scene. They’re immersed in a fully-realized world with rules, danger, and stakes.

3. Flawed, Layered Characters

No fantasy hero should be invincible. Bella Hayes is powerful, yes, but she’s also emotionally bruised, morally conflicted, and haunted by the lines she’s willing to cross. Her flaws make her relatable. Readers believe in her journey because they see the cost of her choices. That tension—justice versus darkness—is what drives the plot and keeps readers invested.

4. Purposeful Supernatural Elements

Powers should mean something. Bella’s connection to the moon isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a metaphor for cycles, control, and change. Her strength surges under moonlight, but so does her rage. The paranormal element adds stakes to the emotional arc. It elevates the story without replacing the character’s humanity.

In the end, Moonlight Justice succeeds not because it has powers and underground lairs, but because it respects the core of storytelling: truth. In fantasy and paranormal fiction, believability doesn’t come from realism—it comes from resonance. When readers see themselves in the struggle, the magic becomes real.

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Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts – a Review

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Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts – a Review

 

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Description:
Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper, and her partner had just taken down three men preying on hikers in the Western Maryland mountains. Driving back, she pulled in at a convenience store—and walked right into a robbery in progress. One gunshot from a jittery thief was about to change her world.

After being shocked back to life on the operating table, she has a long recovery ahead, so she moves back to her parents’ peaceful house in Heron’s Rest. As for the boyfriend who dumped her via text while she was in the hospital, good riddance.

She may be down, but she’s not out. So when a woman vanishes, leaving her car behind in a supermarket parking lot, Sloan searches online for similar cases. She finds them, spread across three states. Men and women, old and young—the missing seem to have nothing in common. And the abductions keep happening.

Luckily, the new man in her life shares her passion for solving this mystery. But it will take every ounce of endurance to get to the dark heart of this bizarre case—and she’s willing to risk her life again if that’s what it takes to stop the horror.

 

 

Review:

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts is a fantastic standalone novel. We meet our heroine, Sloan Cooper, who is a respected police officer in the Maryland Natural Resources.  She has just finished an operation with her partner, capturing dangerous hikers in the mountains.  She stops in a convenience store, and is gunned down by an armed robber; almost dying before being shocked back on the operating table multiple times. Sloan moves back home to Heron’s Rest, staying with her family’s resort, to recuperate for her long recovery ahead.

While she becomes bored during recovery, Sloan hears about a case of a missing women, and is drawn to this intriguing case, as the women was abducted from a grocery store parking lot. She begins to research on her own and soon discovers that other missing people from other areas, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virgina that have disappeared.  Sloane discovers a chilling pattern, with multiple people of different genders having disappeared abandoning their cars; suggesting a serial killer. The deeper she investigates, she suspects that maybe she would be on the killers list.

I really loved how Sloan’s family and friends were so great, including her parents and sister, Drea.  We meet both Nash and Theo Littlefield, who moved from New York, with both leaving behind their careers, and forming a handyman business, The Fix-It Brothers. In a short time, their business begins to escalate, and Sloan having bought a house, hires them to fix her place. Sparks spark between Theo and Drea, as they both find themselves falling in love.  Nash finds himself intrigued with Sloan, especially helping her on some of the cases; with Nash realizing that he is also falling in love with Sloane, as she also has strong feelings.

The antagonists were chilling, as well as evil. Especially killing the victims who all had survived near death.   Sloan and Nash find themselves working together to uncover the truth about the killers.

Hidden Nature was a fantastic intriguing thriller, that was a blend of suspense, romance, mystery and action-packed.  Sloan was a terrific heroine, who was dedicated, tenacious, decisive and gripping. Hidden Nature was so very well written by Nora Roberts.  I suggest you read Hidden Nature, which was an exciting thriller.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
As the wall is peeled back, everyone falls silent. Then they see her. The near-perfect remains of a young female, two jelly bangles and a neon necklace being the only clues to how long she had been hidden there. But who was she? And who could have possibly wanted to take such an innocent life?

When the body of girl is discovered in the walls of a Woodbridge church, Detective Amanda Steele is immediately called to the scene. On arrival she meets FBI Special Agent Sandra Vos who explains that while negotiating a hostage incident moments before, a gun was fired. The bullet missed its target but exposed human remains.

The victim has been perfectly preserved, her jewellery and summer dress taking Amanda back to her own teenage years. DNA quickly confirms that the victim was taken over thirty years ago. Thinking about her own daughter, Amanda cannot imagine the devastation for the young girl’s family and vows to find the killer.

Amanda and her partner Trent determine the suspect behind the attempted shooting, Cameron Cofell, had a very clear reason for exacting revenge on the church’s priest. As they question the wider community, a neighbour reveals her long-held suspicions too. But when she is found murdered, Amanda knows this killer is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their dark secret from ever coming to light.

Soon the investigation takes Amanda and Trent to an abandoned farmhouse—a place that haunts Cameron’s nightmares—where they find a faded photograph that holds the mystery of another chilling cold case. But just how far back does this evil go, and how much will Amanda and Trent need to sacrifice to find the killer?

 

 

Review:

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold is the 13th book in her wonderful Detective Amanda Steele series. As I have noted previously, I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another fantastic addition.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Prince William County, Virginia

When a local priest is held captive in his church, a shot is fired, hitting a wall in the Woodbridge church, which exposed a body entombed. Detective Amanda Steel and her partner, Trent are called to the scene. Amanda meets FBI agent Sandra Vos, who was negotiating a hostage situation in the church. Sandra was willing to help Amanda and Trent, getting more information for their needs.

The DNA quickly confirms that the victim was kidnapped from an amusement park over thirty years ago, with the child being 8 years old.  Her body was entombed within the wall at the age of sixteen. Cameron Cofell was the one who threatened the priest, as he thought the church was abusive, but his parents were the ones who abused him. Cameron’s parents were killed in an accident a few years ago, and it was suspected that the parents were the ones who kidnapped the girl, and killed her 8 years later.

Amanda and Trent are deep in investigating the past and the present, as they will work long into the night to find the truths. Amanda and Trent go to an abandoned farmhouse, finding faded photos that that holds the mystery of who helped the parents kill the girl.

Amanda and Trent are a great team, and I like them together. Amanda is a great detective, very strong, independent, and always able to solve any case. She also worries about her daughter, Zoey, because she always busy on a case, and feeling guilty about those long days that her job entails.   

What follows is an exciting, fast paced, suspenseful, compelling, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was another fantastic thriller. Hidden Angels was a fabulous crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. Another wonderful police procedural, with great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some twists and surprises at the end. Hidden Angels was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N

Description:
The girl’s lifeless body lies next to a scattered bouquet of crimson roses, the petals around her head like tiny pools of blood. Gripped in her hand is the note that came with the flowers, sent by someone who wanted her dead.

When champion figure skater Michaela Glover returns to her hometown of Woodbridge for a special performance, Detective Amanda Steele is part of the cheering crowds. But when Michaela is discovered dead in her dressing room after the show, Amanda is the first to investigate the shocking scene.

There is no sign of foul play, and the room is overflowing with flowers from Michaela’s adoring fans. But Amanda’s heart stops at the sight of a few roses tied with black ribbon and a note that reads “You’ll be sorry”. And when forensic tests reveal the ribbon was laced in something Michaela was deathly allergic to, Amanda is certain this is cold-blooded murder.

Desperate for a lead, Amanda dives into Michaela’s life to find out who could possibly want this sweet girl dead. She soon discovers that despite having a glittering future ahead of her, Michaela had a troubled past, and was surrounded by people jealous of her success.

When someone close to Michaela is discovered brutally murdered, Amanda is terrified there could be yet more innocent victims to follow. Can she uncover the twisted killer’s identity before they strike again?

 

 

Review:

Her Deadly Rose by Carolyn Arnold is the 12th book in her Detective Amanda Steele series. As I have noted previously, I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another great addition.  Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Prince William County, Virginia. Amanda is enjoying an ice-skating show with her daughter, Zoey, and her friend Patty; who is the aunt of local ice-skating celebrity Michaela Glover. After the show, they head to visit Michaela, and when no on opens the door, Amanda steps in to discover that she has been murdered.

There is no sign of foul play, but Amanda notices a bunch of roses, tied with a black ribbon and a note saying “You’ll Be Sorry”. Amanda calls her partner, Trent to come to the rink, and together they begin to dig into Michaela’s life, and who would murder her. Forensics discovers that Michaela was allergic to peanuts, which caused her death; someone added the nuts into her drink, and watched her die.

Amanda and Trent become buried in a complicated case with multiple suspects; as they learn more about Michaela’s trouble past. The further they investigate, there are themes of jealousy, manipulations, anger, grief, money and death. A short time after, Michaela’s agent was also found murdered.  Amanda and Trent find information on the agent’s phone about being blackmailed. The deeper they follow the suspects and clues; it becomes apparent that Michaela was not close to her family, other than her aunt Patty.  Amanda begins to put pressure on members of Michaela’s family to find the truths.

Amanda and Trent are a great team, and I like them together. Amanda is a great detective, very strong, independent, and always able to solve any case. Amanda worries about her daughter, Zoey, because she always busy on a case.  Her relationship with Logan, begins to cause problems, especially with her always busy solving crimes.  I also enjoy the various police team that we get to see in coming up with important clues.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was a fantastic thriller. To say too much more would be spoilers.  Her Deadly Rose was a fantastic crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. It was a compelling, engrossing, intricate suspenseful plot. Another wonderful police procedural, with great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some twists and surprises at the end.  Her Deadly Rose was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author; as I am loving this series. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed  by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Talking to Strangers by Fiona Barton – a Review

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Talking to Strangers by Fiona Barton – a Review

 

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Description:
When Karen Simmons is murdered on Valentine’s Day, Detective Elise King wonders if she was killed by a man she met online. Karen was all over the dating apps, leading some townspeople to blame her for her own death, while others band together to protest society’s violence against women. Into the divide comes Kiki Nunn, whose aggressive newsgathering once again antagonizes Elise.

A single mother of a young daughter, Kiki is struggling to make a living in the diminished news landscape. Getting a scoop in the Simmons murder would do a lot for her career, and she’s willing to go up against not just Elise but the killer himself to do it.

 

 

Review:

Talking to Strangers by Fiona Barton is the 2nd book in her Elise King series.  This is another one of Barton’s exciting suspense novels, with Detective Elise King, once again the lead. We also get to see two other POV’s, one from Kiki Nunn, a journalist who is investigating the recent murder, and one from Annie, who lost her son 13 years ago in the same woods that Karen Simmons was recently found murdered.  

Detective Elise King is assigned to the case, even though she still has her own issues getting over her treatment of cancer. Karen’s body was found in Ebbing Woods, propped up against a tree and suffocated. Elise wonders if someone from the dating community met her murderer from there, as Karen has a reputation of having interactions with various men. Was one of them a stalker?  Most of the town knew about Karen’s reputation, and believed she reaped what she sowed.

Kiki Nunn is a reporter, and had recently interviewed Karen on the pros and cons of online dating. After Karen’s murder, Kiki is determined to jump on the case, to get her on the top of her field. She is upset about the murder, and is willing do everything to help find who killed Karen; Kiki constantly calls Elise to give her some clues, which does drive Elise crazy; since it’s too dangerous for Kiki to be involved with trying to discover clues.

Though 13 years ago, Annie lost her son, but with the murder taking place in the same woods, she is determined to look further into what has happened.  Annie and her husband have problems, and she suspected him of having affairs; which led him to tell Annie that years ago, he did have an affair with Karen.  Annie now decides she needs to get more information about her son’s death, and find the truths.

I did think that for almost half the book, it was a bit slow, especially going back and forth with all three narrators; but the last half picked up a lot, and became very exciting. I really did like Elise, who really was a great detective, especially so focused on the finding the killer. Kiki was another good character, as she was brave, but she took too many chances that endangered her life.   Annie was very good, and will learn more information about her son’s death, that would change everything. From the start to finish, there was so much going on, with many suspects, which did cause the beginning to be slow.

Talking to Strangers was a very good exciting mystery thriller, that was challenging and kept our attention throughout.  Talking to Strangers was very well written by Fiona Barton.  If you like mystery thrillers, a great detective, I suggest you read Talking to Strangers.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q Sutanto – a Review

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You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q Sutanto – a Review

 

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Description:
Influencer Meredith Lee didn’t teach Aspen Palmer how to blossom on social media just to be ditched as soon as Aspen became big. So can anyone really blame Mer for doing a little stalking? Nothing serious, more like Stalking Lite. Then, Mer gets lucky; she finds one of Aspen’s kids’ iPads and swipes it. Now, she has access to everything: the family calendar and Aspen’s social media accounts. Would anyone else be able to resist tweaking things a little here and there, showing up in Aspen’s place for meetings with potential sponsors? Mer’s only taking back what she deserves—what should have been hers. 
 
Meanwhile, Aspen doesn’t understand why her perfectly filtered life is falling apart. Sponsors are dropping her, fellow influencers are ghosting her, and even her own husband seems to find her repulsive. If she doesn’t find out who’s behind everything, she might just lose it all. What everyone seems to forget is that Aspen didn’t become one of TikTok’s biggest momfluencers by being naive. When Meredith suddenly goes missing, Aspen’s world is upended and mysterious threats begin to arrive—but she won’t let anything get in the way of her perfect life again.

 

 

Review:

You Will Never be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto is standalone mystery thriller. We meet Meredith Lee, who is a successful Momfluencer, on both Instagram and Tik Tok. Meredith runs into an up-and-coming influencer, Aspen Palmer, and takes her under her wing, with both becoming BFF. Meredith taught Aspen to be an influencer, and how to increase her followers.  Eight years later, Aspen has surpassed Meredith’s online popularity with millions of followers and Meridith is losing more each day. The ladies have a nasty fight, especially after Aspen cuts her off, ignores her and blocked her calls; and now they are enemies.

Meredith’s bitterness rises and as she begins stalking Aspen, secretly sabotaging her life; she changes appointments of Aspen, finding information about what is upcoming and slowly Aspen sees things are falling apart. Her sponsors have dropped her, influencers are ignoring her, and she sees both Meredith and later Liv, kissing her husband. Who is doing this to her?

About half way through the book, there is a twist, as Meredith goes missing, and Aspen’s world is upended and she puts herself live to show her worry about Meredith, as well as getting everyone to help find her; pleading to those who kidnapped Meredith and return her best friend.  Followers go out of their way to help look for Meredith, and Aspen has reached out to millions.

Personally, I thought both Meredith and Aspen were not really likeable & mean, as they only cared about themselves.  I knew this was a mystery, so I expected a whodunnit and even murder.   Meredith’s sister was stuck taking care of Luca, and was desperate to find her.   Aspen’s family, especially her husband Ben, were not happy with all that was going on.  To say too much more, would be spoilers, and I do not want to ruin it for you. 

You Will Never Be Me is a wild, crazy adventure that as we reach closer to the end, there were a number of twists and surprises.  You Will Never Be Me was very well written by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Sutanto always writes different kinds of stories, with this book centering on friendships and obsession.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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You’ll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan – a Review

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You’ll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan – a Review

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Description:
Nothing brings family together like crime.

Working alone as a private investigator is tough. Estranged from her PI family, Margo Angelhart does what she must to get by—including taking on sordid cases that pay the bills, even if she’d rather be helping those the justice system has failed.

That is, until a cheating husband case she’s working intersects with her siblings’ corporate espionage investigation, forcing Margo to cooperate with the Angelhart firm. Now, as the siblings compare notes, it’s clear they need to work together before a white-collar crime escalates to murder.

With far more questions than answers and a key suspect on the run, they’ll need the whole family to pitch in. But as they investigate the ever-twisting mystery, Margo isn’t sharing everything. Can she learn to trust her family and heal their once-close relationship before her secrets put those she loves most in danger?

 

 

Review:

You’ll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan is the start of a wonderful new series, Angelhart Investigations. The Angelhart family owns their own private investigation firm, and Margo Angelhart broke away from her family and opened her own PI firm, taking all kinds of cases.  When her father was sent to prison for killing a man, and though they knew he was innocent, the father did not want to reveal anything and accepted his prison term.  Margo wanted to find the truth, but her mother (who runs the Angelhart PI firm) was determined to keep whatever secret her husband had; this led Margo to go on her own. She still sees the family on occasion, during celebrations. 

The story starts with Margo helping a woman, who suffers from an abusive husband. Margo arranges for Annie and her two children to take the minimal, and leave while her husband is at work; no phones, no computers, nothing to reveal anything.  With Margo’s help, Annie does escape, with no one knowing where she is ending up.  Eventually, the bad husband (state trouper) will discover both Margo and her uncle, helped his wife leave, and he is determined to get her back at any cost; even if they themselves do not know where she was.  The husband claimed his innocence, as its his right to abuse or rape her. 

The second story involves corporate espionage, but Margo has taken a case whose wife thinks he is cheating on her.   She hasn’t found any evidence that her husband is cheating, but the wife begs for her to keep checking for a couple more days.  Margo follows him, and discovers the husband (Logan Monroe) and a woman (jennifer) unconscious on the floor; she breaks into the house to help both of them, and cops are called.  To her surprise, her brother Jack and sister, Tess are also on the scene, and learns from them that the woman, Jennifer is being investigated for possible corporate espionage. Margo realizes that the wife who claimed her husband cheating, has more going on, and she joins hands with her family to discover the real truth, that involves crime, a thief and a wife trying to scam her husband for money.

I thought Margo was a terrific investigator, especially handling both of those cases.   I loved her family, especially Jack, who was beside her in both of the cases; he pushed for Margo to work with the family on the espionage case.  The rest of the family members, Lulu, Tess, Nico and their mother (she’s the boss) were all great.  Logan was the man whom his wife thought he was cheating, and he turned out to be a big help with the Angelhart team; as well as Jennifer, who had information regarding the company she worked for.

You’ll Never Find Me was an exciting compelling double mystery thriller.  It was nice to see all the Angelhart siblings work together, working toward putting the family back as a team. Allison Brennan gives us a fantastic story that was so very well written.  I look forward to reading more from this series, Angelhardt Investigations.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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