There has been a spate of books lately, introductions to new series with strong female law enforcement protagonists who joined crime fighting due to some horrific event in their past.
Detective Kay Sharp fits squarely in that model. I don’t mean to reduce her story (because it’s a pretty good one), but the simple fact is that she is one of many on the market these days.
So, is there anything that sets her apart from the others?
Short answer: sort of.
You can read other reviews and blurbs for details. I’m repeating my mantra of “no spoilers” and “find the parts you like and are surprised by as you read.”
I thought the author did a fine job of illustrating the tensions that occur between local and federal law enforcement. Having experience with this, I am always interested to see how an author approaches it.
Historically (and again, in my experience) local law enforcement does not always appreciate federal law enforcement help…mainly because federal law enforcement comes in with a sense of superiority that they’re sometimes not worthy of.
In other words, the feds think they’re better than anyone else.
Because of this, I thought that Elliott’s initial distrust or wariness of Kay was warranted and well-done. And I liked how Kay kind of had to prove herself to win him over.
Her tenaciousness and feistiness, however, is also close to being her downfall as she bucks protocol and single-mindedly pursues leads without following the rules.
You can guess the results of that type of investigation.
I will also say that some readers may find the details of this particular perpetrator to be especially gruesome and disturbing. It’s important to recognize that there is an entire set of emotions that is triggered when the victims are women and (especially) children. So, be warned.
While Kay is one of a bunch of these types of characters, the plot is good, and most of the characters are developed enough to warrant continued reading. I look forward to seeing how things shape up as the series progresses.
Author Bio:
Leslie Wolfe is a bestselling author whose novels break the mold of traditional thrillers. She creates unforgettable, brilliant, strong women heroes who deliver fast-paced, satisfying suspense, backed up by extensive background research in technology and psychology.
Leslie released the first novel, Executive, in October 2011. It was very well received, including inquiries from Hollywood. Since then, Leslie published numerous novels and enjoyed growing success and recognition in the marketplace. Among Leslie’s most notable works, The Watson Girl (2017) was recognized for offering a unique insight into the mind of a serial killer and a rarely seen first-person account of his actions, in a dramatic and intense procedural thriller.
