I am quickly becoming a big fan of author Nancy Mehl who writes wonderful Christian suspense novels. Her latest novel, Dark Deception, is the second novel in her Defenders of Justice series. The first in the series was Fatal Frost.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Kate O'Brien's quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, is shaken when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and she's been in witness protection ever since.
When new evidence arises to suggest the convicted man wasn't the murderer, she's subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Afraid to go back into that world, Kate only agrees if Tony DeLuca, the deputy Marshal who protected her during the original trial, escorts her to St. Louis.
Tony readily takes on the assignment; Kate's beauty and inner strength made more of an impression on him than he expected. But when Kate's safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.
MY REVIEW
While this book can be read as a stand alone book, I wish I had read Fatal Frost first because many of the characters that are in Dark Deception were first introduced in Fatal Frost.
In Dark Deception, the author takes the reader into the world of serial killers and the witness protection program leaving them breathless by the time the last page is turned. Her lead characters, Kate O'Brien and Detective Tony DeLuca, are well developed and complex. I cared deeply for both of these characters and rooted for them throughout their story.
Ms. Mehl truly takes the reader on a roller coaster ride with twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing as to who the real B.E.K. (Blue Eyed Killer) is. Just when I thought I had things figured out, there was another turn of events that took me in a different direction. I loved it because it really made me engage my mind to try to figure things out.
I would highly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel that will engage you in the chase for the killer.
On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!
I would like to thank Bethany House for my copy of Dark Deception. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.
Smiles & Blessings,
Before I say anything else I want to state, I LOVED THIS BOOK! It is one of those books that once you start reading it you just don't want to put it down. Now with that said, I will give you the synopsis from the back of the book.
Back Cover Synopsis
A British nurse in WWI German-occupied Brussels, Evelyn Marche spends her days at the hospital and her nights working at a cafe...or so it seems. Eve's most carefully guarded secret is that she also spends her nights carrying out dangerous missions as a spy for a Belgian resistance group.
When a plane crashes as she's en route to a rendezvous, Eve is the first to reach the downed plane and is shocked to recognize the badly injured pilot as British RFC Captain Simon Forrester. She risks her life to conceal him from the Germans, but as the secrets between them grow and the danger mounts, can they still hope to make it out of Belgium alive?
My Thoughts:
This book was without a doubt the best book I have read by Kate Breslin. It begins in Belgium in 1917 in the midst of World War I. But it also goes back in time in the early part of the book. First we go back ten years when Evelyn Marche first meets Simon Forrester. The author then takes us back to 1917 and flip flops for a few chapters between 1917 and three years prior. I enjoy learning the back story in this way as we are given a chance to experience what happened instead of being told what happened.
Evelyn Marche is keeping secrets as she tries to do her best to help the Allies fight the German's any way she can. Which means she's a spy. I loved this character. She was strong willed and had spunk. She pulled me into her story from the very first and I rooted her on until the very end. Captain Simon Forrester is a character that I also loved. While he was serving in the Royal Flying Corps for Britain, he was actually from Scotland. I loved how the author put a little brogue in his dialogue from time to time.
The story is filled with secrets, pain, unforgiveness and ultimately forgiveness while unfolding a beautiful love story. A love for country, family, and friends.
It's not often that I have read works of fiction set during the WWI and so I found this book even more enjoyable because I learned a lot about this war. Ms. Breslin obviously did extensive research and it showed.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good historical set during wartime.
On a 5-Star Scale = 5 HUGE Stars!!!!! I loved this book!
I would like to thank the author, Kate Breslin, and Bethany House, for my copy of High as the Heavens. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.
Smiles & Blessings,
