Starred review. Well-developed characters, vivid imagery, and thorough research guide this story line every step of the way. Readers old and new will be left clutching the armrest as they quickly turn the pages racing to the end. VERDICT: Mills (Trace of Doubt) delivers another action-packed novel that offers intrigue and an adventurous ride.
The exciting latest from Mills (Trace of Doubt) pairs an FBI agent with the granddaughter of a former Texas state senator to get to the bottom of a murder. After Avery Elliott hears a gunshot, she races across her family’s ranch and spies her grandfather, Sen. Quinn Elliott, standing over a corpse while holding a gun. Having learned her faith from her grandfather, Avery reels as she reconsiders her relationship with God. When Avery tries to get answers from Quinn, he demurs and counsels her to confide in FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins, who has been dealing with the recent death of his father. Marc’s mother believes that his father was murdered, though Marc remains skeptical until he discovers connections between his father and Quinn. As Marc and Avery team up to investigate the deaths, they survive an attempt on their lives and follow clues that point to questionable practices on a dam construction project that could endanger thousands of nearby residents. The confident plotting keeps the mysteries coming, and red herrings will have readers guessing the culprit through to the satisfying conclusion. Fans of Colleen Coble and Susan Sleeman will savor this thrilling standalone.
