Friday, May 27, 2011

Review: A Killer Among Us

A Killer Among Us (Women of Justice - Book 3) by Lynette Eason

Publication Date: May 2011
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group/Revell Books
Genre: Christian Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Pages: Paperback, 345pp
ISBN-13: 9780800733711
ISBN:
0800733711

(Received for review from Revell)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Christianbook.com, IndieBound

Lynette Eason on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Book Trailer:



Synopsis (Book Blurb):

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE HUNTER... BECOMES THE HUNTED?

Kit Kenyon is a first-rate hostage negotiator. Noah Lambert is a good detective with excellent instincts. These new partners have hardly had time to get used to each other when they are thrown into a grisly murder case. As evidence mounts up and more victims are found, Kit and Noah realize they are on the hunt for a serial killer. The problem is, he may be hunting one of them too.

With nail-biting, clever plot twists, and a hint of romance, A Killer Among Us is the latest thriller from Lynette Eason.

Thoughts:

The final novel in the Women of Justice series,
A Killer Among Us pulls out all the stops. Author Lynette Eason gives readers a book crafted with so many twists and turns they will guessing all the way to the end! With a touch of romance and lots of suspense Eason's latest novel gets right to the heart of the matter, pitting a hostage negotiator and a seasoned officer against a maniacal serial killer. Eason fans will be sad to see the series end, but it certainly goes out with a bang!

Hostage negotiator, Kit Kenyon returns to Spartanburg, South Carolina to meet a family she belongs to, but never knew. Finding out she was adopted has changed Kit's view of life and how things work. She is partnered with long time detective Noah Lambert and they automatically begin to clash. Noah doesn't want another female partner. After being unable to save his former partner he can't seem to let it go. As Kit and Noah work out their differences a grisly murder case pits them against a serial killer, known as "The Judge". Judge, jury and executioner. As the body count mounts Kit and Noah must find a way to work together to take down the killer before they end up on his list.

Many readers will be sad to see the end of the Women of Justice series. Lynette Eason has a remarkable way of making the reader become invested in her characters. But, I'm sure they will looking forward to what comes next from Eason. She has the ability to write romantic suspense without all the blood and guts and still add in a Christian message. Blending the romantic suspense genre with issues of faith is not an easy task, but Eason does it with style.

In her latest book, she takes on a serial killer bent on his own form of justice. Eason's knack for creating compelling characters reaches all the way to the villain in this book. Readers will find it almost chilling being inside the head of the killer as he plots his next move. It is a riveting and heart-pounding novel that provides so many twists and turns that the reader will have to be on their toes if they want to figure out the killers next move. I loved the way Eason told the story not only from the point of view of the hero and heroine but also from the killers POV as well. It changed the entire dynamic of the book.

There were several things going on in this novel besides the main plot line involving the murders. Kit is dealing with some serious issues in her family life. She has recently discovered she was adopted and has moved in order to be closer to this new family. But, it is definitely not without it's challenges. Kit is a strong woman, a hostage negotiator and feels that she has a handle on things. But this new family dynamic throws her for a loop. I enjoyed the way Eason showed Kit's vulnerability as she settles into a new rhythm in her life. She learns a hard fought lesson when she realizes that even when we sometimes forget about God, he doesn't forget us.

Noah on the other hand thought he had everything figured out. He is a good detective. A godly man, who is loyal and just. His problems stem from losing his last female partner. When you feel like something is your fault or happened because of something you did, it's hard to forget. Noah deals with this situation throughout the book and learns that it's almost as important to forgive yourself as it is to forgive others. I thought Eason did a spectacular job of getting her message across with these two characters while not beating the reader over the head with it. It felt natural and understandable and I think readers will appreciate the subtlety.

I would recommend this book, to romantic suspense fans. It may be a little short on the romance, but it's definitely there as Kit and Noah find an attraction between them that is hard to deny. This book will also appeal to fans of fast paced thrillers and even mystery readers as well. It isn't a long complicated book an can be read in a couple of sittings, if not straight through. It will definitely keep your attention and have you biting your nails.

Available May 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!





Lynette Eason is the author of Too Close to Home, Don't Look Back, and three other romantic suspense novels. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. A homeschooling mother of two, she has a master's degree in education from Converse College and lives in South Carolina.



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