Available in Kindle Unlimited here, or as an audiobook.
SYNOPSIS
A stolen hammer. A dead suspect. A terrifying trail of murder.
Sweet Home, Oregon. Detective Lacey James needs to solve her marriage problems. But with her focus on a culprit escaping after a robbery call, she’s alarmed when she discovers his getaway car hides a chilling collection of rope, gloves, zip ties, and a gun. But her success in hunting him down turns into horror when the man grabs a firearm, killing a fellow officer before himself.
As her only lead lies silent on a slab, the dedicated investigator’s suspicions are confirmed after discovering a woman connected to the case is missing. And fearing time is running out for the kidnapped victim, Lacey follows clues to a gruesome scene warning her she might already be too late.
Can she unravel the truth before the morgue claims another corpse?
REVIEW
This story felt short, but was complete, well-written, and had everything needed for a good mystery. We start with the seemingly innocuous shoplifting theft of a hammer, and end up with kidnapping and murder.
Told in three parts and dual POVs, we spend about a third of the story in the criminal’s mind. I always find it interesting to get this perspective and see what justifications the bad guy uses for his behavior.
Lacey James is a woman trying to balance her personal life with her work. She’s a good detective, but I think part of her determination to solve the case stems from her perception that she is failing as a mother and wife.
Cass Medcalf and Nathan Agin did a great job with the story.