Evie Blackwell’s reputation as a top investigator for the Illinois State Police has landed her an appointment to the governor’s new Missing Persons Task Force. This elite investigative team is launched with plenty of public fanfare. The governor has made this initiative a high priority, so they will have to produce results–and quickly.
Evie and her new partner, David Marshal, are assigned to a pair of unrelated cases in suburban Chicago, and while both involve persons now missing for several years, the cases couldn’t be more different. While Evie opens old wounds in a close-knit neighborhood to find a missing college student, David searches for a private investigator working for a high-powered client.
With a deep conviction that “justice for all” truly matters, Evie and David are unrelenting in their search for the truth. But Evie must also find answers to the questions that lie just beneath the surface in her personal life.
Dee Henderson is the author of 14 best-selling novels, including the acclaimed O’Malley series and the Uncommon Heroes series. As a leader in the inspirational romantic suspense category, her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, including the RWA’s RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, the Holt Medallion, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Golden Quill. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois and is active online. Visit her at http://www.deehenderson.com.
My Impressions:
Dee Henderson is a favorite with lots of readers. Her beloved O’Malley series tops the lists of many romantic suspense fans. As with many authors, her writing has evolved over the years featuring more depth in character development and in relationship dynamics. The suspense element has waned a bit, and mystery has become more the norm. That is what I have found in her Evie Blackwell Cold Case series and in Threads of Suspicion, specifically. For the most part I like this turn in Henderson’s writing, though I have found some long-time fans do not. If you are looking for fast-paced, breath-holding suspense, this book is not for you. It is a slowly unfolding story featuring painstaking police work. I liked it, but if you are expecting another book a la the OMalley’s you may be disappointed.
Evie Blackwell, a detective with the Illinois State Police, has been assigned to the Missing Person Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional team tasked with solving the most difficult of cold cases. Evie and team member David Marshall share an office while investigating separate cases. But soon their individual cases intersect in interesting ways. Just what happened to a private investigator? And what did he have to do with a missing college student?
As stated above, Threads of Suspicion is more mystery than thriller. There is one instance of suspense late in the book, but much of that happens off page. Evie and David are dogged investigators exploring every thread no matter how obscure. I found the way they went about their individual cases interesting and their unique modes of operation intriguing. If the novel had just been about the cases, I would have liked the book fine. But Henderson includes a lot of character development, especially when it comes to their love relationships. I have to say that a little of that would have gone a long way. The characters really think — a lot — about the direction their love lives are going. Yes it’s realistic, but for me it became a bit tedious to read. I found myself skimming over those scenes to get back to the mystery. The characters are dedicated Christians, and their choices are influenced heavily by their faith. That’s a plus for fans of inspirational fiction.
All in all, I liked Threads of Suspicion. But I didn’t love it. I will definitely read any sequel that may come in the future, but I am hoping for more mystery.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
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(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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