Paul Falcon is an FBI agent. Ann Silver is the Midwest Homicide Investigator. They could have crossed paths dozens of times over the years, but it’s only when an old case goes from cold to very hot that their lives intersect. As the case begins to reveal a long-dormant killer for hire, Paul and Ann deal with lifelong dreams and long-held secrets that, if exposed, would change both of their lives forever.
This long-awaited new release by Dee Henderson (her last new release was in 2006) is great. Not perfect, but very good. Dee continues her introduction of new characters alongside characters from her previous books (you will not be missing the O’Malley family for long). And the mystery surrounding the police cases being tackled have good, if not entirely unexpected, twists. I’m not sure if I focused more on the mysteries in Dee’s previous stories or if she did, but this time around the flow of the story is a little different, and seems to focus more on the characters as their relationship grows. In fact, at times the pursuit of the case seems almost to fade completely into the background of the budding romance, or at least the characters’ focus on it. The cases don’t stay in the background for too long once the story ramps up, but the focus of this story is squarely on the developing relationship between Paul and Ann.
I liked the relationship, and the way previously known characters were pulled in to be part of the story between the two leads. I did, however, find myself entirely distracted by the new take Dee gives on her previous characters. As a closet wannabe writer, I found myself wondering more than once just how much of Ann’s story could be Dee herself, or if I was reading too much in the characterization that was written. It took me out of the story a little bit as I tried to discern the level of fiction I’ve been reading all this time. (Is this pure fiction? Fiction with an element of truth? Heavily-veiled nonfiction?)
But when I allowed myself to focus on the story purely as entertainment, I liked what I read. I’ve truly missed Dee Henderson’s writing, and it’s great to have her back. I enjoyed this new story, the different elements she put into it, the new perspective on her old characters, and the promise of more stories from the new characters. This Paul and Ann’s story might be a transition piece of sorts, but it’s a good one. As always, I’m looking forward to what else is in store.
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I received an Advance Readers’ Edition of this book for free from the publisher, Bethany House, via LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
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