Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good conclusion to the Procedural Crime trilogy. While it can be read as a stand-alone, reading the previous books gives an added depth to understanding events and motives. Also note: in the cast of characters in the front of the book and the book's blurb, the female main character is called Natalie. However, in the book's text, her name is Avery, which is how she is referred to in my review.
Avery is a private investigator from Houston. She came to Black Creek looking for answers about her childhood. She gets caught up in an attempted murder and saves the life of ADA Max Winter. When she discovers he's investigating the same cold case kidnapping that drew her attention, she proposes working together. Max is a by-the-book prosecutor known for his winning record. He isn't sure he trusts what Avery tells him, but something about her draws him in.
I enjoyed following their investigation. Avery is more of a risk-taker than Max and gets into some tense situations though she always manages to get out of them. Max is more restrained, but as a local, he is more familiar with the subjects of the investigation. There are some interesting twists as Max and Avery uncover long-held secrets, not the least of which is a link to Avery herself. The intensity increases as it becomes clear that someone doesn't like their attention. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that I didn't see coming.
The romance between Max and Avery was mainly in the background. There was a connection between them from the moment they met, though trust took a little longer. Along with the connection was an attraction neither could deny, though they agreed to put it on hold until their investigation was over. I liked seeing Avery trust Max with the reason she came to Black Creek and Max's belief in her. The resolution of that reason was emotional and believable. I liked that there were no insta-love declarations between Avery and Max but a good solid plan for future time spent together.
#netgalley
Avery is a private investigator from Houston. She came to Black Creek looking for answers about her childhood. She gets caught up in an attempted murder and saves the life of ADA Max Winter. When she discovers he's investigating the same cold case kidnapping that drew her attention, she proposes working together. Max is a by-the-book prosecutor known for his winning record. He isn't sure he trusts what Avery tells him, but something about her draws him in.
I enjoyed following their investigation. Avery is more of a risk-taker than Max and gets into some tense situations though she always manages to get out of them. Max is more restrained, but as a local, he is more familiar with the subjects of the investigation. There are some interesting twists as Max and Avery uncover long-held secrets, not the least of which is a link to Avery herself. The intensity increases as it becomes clear that someone doesn't like their attention. The final confrontation was a nail-biter that I didn't see coming.
The romance between Max and Avery was mainly in the background. There was a connection between them from the moment they met, though trust took a little longer. Along with the connection was an attraction neither could deny, though they agreed to put it on hold until their investigation was over. I liked seeing Avery trust Max with the reason she came to Black Creek and Max's belief in her. The resolution of that reason was emotional and believable. I liked that there were no insta-love declarations between Avery and Max but a good solid plan for future time spent together.
#netgalley
