MY REVIEW:
“Accused” is a fast moving law enforcement novel that is so full of twists and turns I began to wonder if everything could possibly be unraveled by its end. Primary character Detective Carly Edwards is at a low point in her life. Not only is she recently divorced and not dealing well with that but she has been forced to work in juvenile because of a controversial shooting she was involved in earlier. When the missing mayor is found murdered, Carly is sent to the scene and hopes that she will have a chance to work the case.
Pulled abruptly from the new case, Carly soon learns that all information about the case has become confidential and the suspects are being hurried through the system. Too many things don’t add up and against orders, Carly begins some investigating of her own. An old friend who is also an officer enlists her help and she soon finds it impossible to know who she can trust. Forced to spend time with her ex-husband, Carly begins to see that she may have misjudged him also. As the case progresses, the people Carly cares for soon become endangered and she realizes that the corruption runs deep. At risk herself, Carly rushes to discover the identity of the true guilty party.
The suspense was well written and kept me guessing along with Carly about who she could trust. There were several surprises along the way, one of which I did not like at all. Carly struggled with her mom’s faith and then her ex-husband’s newly found belief in God. It seemed to work for them but could Carly ever let down her guard enough to trust God? With a message of forgiveness and restoration and a human example of Christ’s sacrifice, a strong spiritual thread was woven throughout the narrative. Strong and realistic characters and a well developed plot made “Accused” a book that I couldn’t put down.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Detective Carly Edwards hates working in juvenile—where the brass put her after an officer-involved shooting—and longs to be back on patrol. So when a troubled youth, Londy Atkins, is arrested for the murder of the mayor and Carly is summoned to the crime scene, she’s eager for some action. Carly presses Londy for a confession but he swears his innocence, and despite her better judgment, Carly is inclined to believe him. Yet homicide is convinced of his guilt and is determined to convict him.
Carly’s ex-husband and fellow police officer, Nick, appears to be on her side. He’s determined to show Carly that he’s a changed man and win her back, but she isn’t convinced he won’t betray her again.
As the investigation progresses, Carly suspects a cover-up and strikes out on her own, uncertain whom she can trust. But when danger mounts, she begins to wonder if she made the right choice.
Read the first chapter of “Accused” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today’s Christian Woman before tackling novels. A few years ago, she retired to a house in the mountains of Southern California, where she lives with two Labrador retrievers, Jake and Maggie.
Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Accused is the first book in the Pacific Coast Justice series, featuring Carly Edwards. Janice also authored the Brinna’s Heart series, which includes The Kevlar Heart and The Heart of Justice.
Visit Janice’s website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.
