MY REVIEW:
I always look forward to Irene Hannon’s latest suspense novel because I know I will find a fast-paced story with dynamic characters, plenty of action, mystery, and suspense with the added bonus of a pretty good love story. “Deceived” lived up to every one of my expectations. I had already read the two previous books in Hannon’s Private Justice series so I enjoyed getting to read Connor’s story. It has been fun for me to observe the interaction between the three partners from each of their own unique perspectives.
Connor’s new client has presented him with an unlikely story but something about it prompts him to check it out. Kate’s husband and young son died in a boating accident several years ago but her son’s body was never found. Kate’s husband and young son died in a boating accident several years ago but her son’s body was never recovered. A seemingly coincidental encounter in the local mall raises Kate’s hopes that her son may still be alive and hires Connor to investigate. As his efforts convince him that the boy is Kate’s son, he must find a way to prove it with more than circumstantial evidence. Early in the story, the reader learns who has Kate’s son but details about how and why he has him are slowly revealed as the narrative progresses. Hannon portrays this man in such a way that it is difficult not to sympathize with him just a bit as well as with Kate who has grieved her loss for several years – yet she does not in any way excuse his actions.
The plot moved along at a good pace with sufficient twists and surprises to hold my attention. Although the Christian element is not heavy-handed, the message of faith was evident, especially as Kate and Connor acknowledged the hand of God in how certain things happened to help the investigation. “Deceived” may not have been quite as suspenseful as previous novels, but in my opinion did not suffer because of it. It is an excellent suspense and I hate to see this series end. I am looking forward to the next one!
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A grieving mother. A mysterious child. And a dedicated PI who’s determined to solve the puzzle.
For three years, Kate Marshall has been mourning the loss of her husband and four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on a mall escalator, she’s convinced it’s her son. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan for help. As the former Secret Service agent digs into the case, the boating “accident” begins to look increasingly suspicious. But if Kate’s son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden–and may go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.
As Irene Hannon’s many fans have come to expect, Deceived is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists, and a riveting plotline that accelerates to an explosive finish.
Praise for Irene Hannon’s Private Justice Series
- “Yet another in the line of terrific reads by this author . . . rich with suspense.”–Suspense Magazine on Deceived
- “A home run.”–Library Journal on Trapped
- “Spine-tingling.”–Booklist on Trapped
- “Just the right amount of suspense, danger, and deception.”–New York Journal of Books on Trapped
- “An engaging, satisfying tale.”–Publishers Weekly on Vanished
- “A wonderful mix of suspense and romance.”–RT Book Reviews on Vanished
Read an excerpt from “Deceived” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the author of more than forty-five novels, including Vanished, Trapped, and the bestselling Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers’ Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers’ Choice Award, and a National Readers’ Choice Award. In addition, she is a Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its “Top 10 Inspirational Fiction” list for 2011. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.
