Review - The Woman in the Water

The Woman in the Water takes readers back to Charles Lenox’s very first case and a serial killer who taunts the police.  I reviewed the third in the series, The Fleet Street Murders (click here), but somehow didn't keep up with the series.  When I saw there was a prequel (first in the prequel trilogy) of Lenox's very first case, I had to jump back into the Charles Lenox waters.

Author: Charles Finch

Copyright: Jan 2019 (Minotaur Book) 320 pgs

Series: 11th in Charles Lenox Mystery series

Sensuality: mild

Mystery Sub-genre: historical amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Charles Lenox, hopeful consulting detective  

Setting: 1850 London

Obtained Through: Personal Purchase

From the cover: "London, 1850: A young Charles Lenox struggles to make a name for himself as a detective…without a single case. Scotland Yard refuses to take him seriously and his friends deride him for attempting a profession at all. But when an anonymous writer sends a letter to the paper claiming to have committed the perfect crime―and promising to kill again―Lenox is convinced that this is his chance to prove himself.

The writer’s first victim is a young woman whose body is found in a naval trunk, caught up in the rushes of a small islet in the middle of the Thames. With few clues to go on, Lenox endeavors to solve the crime before another innocent life is lost. When the killer’s sights are turned toward those whom Lenox holds most dear, the stakes are raised and Lenox is trapped in a desperate game of cat and mouse.

In the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, this newest mystery in the Charles Lenox series pits the young detective against a maniacal murderer who would give Professor Moriarty a run for his money"

Charles Lenox may often be compared to Sherlock since they are both in that consulting detective classification and they use attention to detail and deduction as their tools.  But that is where the likeness ends.  Lenox wants to make a difference, has a heart for people, and is more balanced than Sherlock.

Charles’s unrequited love interest Elizabeth is his best friend yet she is married.  This gives the backstory to their relationship in the rest of the books.   The detectives at Scotland Yard don't warm up to him in this first case which makes the later books richer. But his brother Edmund and especially his ill father are such revealing interactions for this young Lenox.  The housekeeper Mrs Huggins is exasperating, pushy, and funny. She provides the counter weight to murder and mayhem with mundane demands on young Lenox.

London's Thames river and its seedier surroundings make for a great setting.  The murders and the killer's published taunts are just real enough to give goose-flesh.  The added touches of the media's fevered coverage of the second murder is realistic and adds to the overall atmosphere. It is such details that envelope the reader in the story. The murder and the subplots all make it hard to put the story down.  The killer reveal had a significant twist that was quite the surprise.  The wrap up leaves one tantalizing thread that perhaps will be revisited in later book.

I loved this book and seeing Charles Lenox as a young man full of promise and self-doubts making his way.  This is a great book for those that haven't read any of the series.  It has renewed my desire to read the others in the series.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

Guest Post - Avery Daniels

Avery Daniels is the author of the Resort to Murder mystery series containing Iced, Nailed, Spiked, and a bundle of all three.  She is with us today to discuss poison in the mystery genre and her third book.  Please welcome her.

Thoughts on Poisons Popularity in Mysteries
In my third Resort to Murder Mystery, Spiked, I delve into poison as a murder weapon.  Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime, used poison as a weapon for over thirty murder victims in her novels.  She used Strychnine in “The Mysterious Affair at Styles.”  Cyanide was employed most often by Christie and appears in “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side,” “And Then There Were None,” “A Pocketful of Rye,” and “Sparkling Cyanide.”  Arsenic was used in “4:50 From Paddington.”  Christie also used thallium, taxine, coniine, bacillus anthracis, phosphorus, monkshood, belladonna, physostigmine, morphine, and even basic sleeping pills.

That isn’t even touching on the poisonous plants and flowers we often find in our gardens.  Besides Poinsettias, there are a number of common plants and flowers that are deadly to animals and humans.   This makes it convenient as a murder weapon besides adding an ominous edge to the everyday sight of such lovely flowers as Larkspur, Morning Glory, Lily of the Valley, Daffodil, Azalea, Hydrangea, and Oleander – all of which are toxic to animals and to some degree to people.

As murder weapons go, poison is for the cunning murderer.  In my

case I needed a weapon that would throw a timeline completely out the window.  What better method than poison which allowed the deadly dose to be administered and then the killer secures an alibi for the actual time of death?  Besides there being a wedding my main character is coordinating, with a plethora of flowers everywhere.

But there is the saying that I allow to be repeated in the book that women tend to use poison.  What I found was that isn’t entirely or all together true today.  Historically poisoning was pretty common and that fact caused kings to employ “tasters” to eat samples of their food to ensure it was safe for the ruler to consume.  Even the Greek philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death by hemlock for heresy.  The Borgia family of the Middle Ages was notorious arsenic poisoners.

But today, men and women, statistically speaking, use guns primarily for murder.  Poison is actually used in one-half of one percent of murders.  In a Washington Post article that goes into the weapons that men and women use to kill, they state that women are only seven times more likely to use poison than men even with the overall low occurrences.

So why is it so popular in murder mysteries if not that popular in modern life?  Because we often take for granted our food and drink (typically the method to slip a toxic dose) and poison throws tension into the rest of the book as people eye their own meals.  Plus the timeline becomes sketchy for pinpointing a killer.  And, it is often convenient to acquire without drawing attention, such as purchasing rat poison at a hardware store or picking some lovely plants from your garden, making it ideal for a mystery novel.

Besides, for a cozy mystery it is a neater and cleaner method of death.  

Check out Spiked (Resort to Murder III) by Avery Daniels at the following retailers.
Amazon || B&N || iBooks/Apple || Kobo

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Review - A Dangerous Collaboration

I reviewed the first book, A Curious Beginning (click here) and the third in the series A Treacherous Curse (click here).  I missed the second in the series, but I jumped on the chance to review the fourth in this exciting historical mystery series.  If you like Daphne du Maurier's classic Rebecca, you definitely want to check out this review.

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Copyright: Jan 2017 (Berkley) 298 pgs

Series: 4th in Veronica Speedwell Mystery series

Sensuality: Innuendo and frank mature discussion within period language.  Nothing crude, no graphic violence

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Veronica Speedwell is an amateur entomologist 

Setting: 1888 Cornwall Island, England

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review, #Netgalley

From the cover:  "Lured by the promise of a rare and elusive butterfly, the intrepid Veronica Speedwell is persuaded by Lord Templeton-Vane, the brother of her colleague Stoker, to pose as his fiancée at a house party on a Cornish isle owned by his oldest friend, Malcolm Romilly.

But Veronica soon learns that one question hangs over the party: What happened to Rosamund? Three years ago, Malcolm Romilly’s bride vanished on their wedding day, and no trace of her has ever been found. Now those who were closest to her have gathered, each a possible suspect in her disappearance. 

From the poison garden kept by Malcolm’s sister to the high towers of the family castle, the island’s atmosphere is full of shadows, and danger lurks around every corner. 

Determined to discover Rosamund’s fate, Veronica and Stoker match wits with a murderer who has already struck once and will not hesitate to kill again.…"

Veronica is larger-than-life, incredibly ahead of her time, stubborn, and highly intelligent with a sharp tongue and wit.  Stoker (Mr. Ravelstoke Templeton-Vane) is her sleuthing partner.  He is cranky and reclusive, and growing more frustrated with Veronica's avoidance of any romantic relationship with him.  Tiberius, Stoker's estranged brother and ardent suitor of Veronica, has to face his feelings for the missing bride and his less than honorable actions in the past.  Malcom, the lord of the castle, is a mysterious host at best.  Mertensia, Malcom's sister, is the eerie relative who prefers gardening and her poisonous plants more than people. Helen is the widow of Malcom's brother Lucian who also is known as Madame Helena who does séances.  The missing bride is ever present and the more you learn about her, the more the suspects pile up.

A foreboding ancestral castle with multiple hidden passageways, rainy and dreary weather, the ominous "Three Sisters" rocky protrusions just off the coast, and a séance make this a Gothic masterpiece.  I loved the great use of the setting as a character in itself.

The plot develops and twists as the family and staff are all developed and the sexual tension between Veronica and Stoker increases.  Pacing was expertly managed and made this a page turner.  The climax was thrilling and hair raising with great character touches included.  Kudos!! The wrap-up was very satisfying.

I couldn't help but consider this as a fantastic tribute to or take on the Daphne du Maurier's classic Rebecca. If you have read previous books in this series, the dance between Veronica and Stoker moves toward resolution and I was happy with how that worked.

Rating: Near Perfect - Couldn't Put it down. Buy two copies, one for you and one for a friend.

Here is a wonderful short video from the author where she discusses her inspiration for Veronica Speedwell. https://youtu.be/Wo5tKdeDjSU

And now for a short video on Margaret Fountaine, the Lepidopterist who is the inspiration for Veronica Speedwell.

https://youtu.be/yLYxAqIk1RQ

Guest Post - C.G. Abbot

I have the author of the suspense thriller The Society with us today.  If you have ever wondered what goes into writing a book and the uncertainty authors wade through, this post sheds a light on the situation.  

How “The Society” Almost Got Thrown Out by C.G. Abbot

The Elizabeth Grant thriller, The Society, was nearly one of those manuscripts that sat in drawer gathering dust.  It started nearly fifteen years ago and the plot and concept evolved over the years.  Initially, I wanted to use repressed memories slowly surfacing to reveal the secret society and conspiracy.  Over the years that changed to a very reluctant young woman who sees ghosts.  Her ability isn’t welcome and she fears it is a myriad of other problems from mental illness to a brain tumor.  Once that element settled in I was writing in earnest.

As part of my author journey I joined a critique group and scenes/concepts were challenged.  I learned what worked and what needed work.  I grew as a writer and the plot was strengthened as a result.  I gained support for my story, which became key later.  But, I took a side trip and wrote not just one, but three cozy mysteries under a pen name since they were very different styles.  Even though The Society was back-burnered, I was still working on it and the first draft was three-fourths done when history stepped in.

For the first time in modern history, the KKK openly endorsed a presidential candidate and it didn’t adversely hurt the candidate’s campaign.  Doubts assailed me that my book I’d spent years growing and working on was now passé.  Who would believe you needed a secret society to enact a white nationalist agenda when it seemed you could openly run?  I feared my carefully cultivated book that I deeply wanted to see completed and published was now too dated.

That’s when my fellow writers and critique partners continued

to encourage me to finish the last chapters and plow through the edits.  They persisted through my waffling and doubts until I relented.  Rather than my plot being dated, I realized it was actually very timely and “ripped from the headlines” without my intending to make it that way.  

The Society almost didn’t get finished, let alone published.  Looking back, I am so grateful for all the persistent encouragement to finish the book I had spent years laboring over.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Society by C.G. Abbot

When Elizabeth Grant sees her childhood friend, she is
thrown into a world of secret societies laced with conspiracies.
     Elizabeth has been plagued with visions since the disappearance of Loralie. When she returns to the small town of her childhood, she’s unaware that she’s walking into the middle of what killed her friend.
     Unknown to the rest of the world, The Society for a Restored America has been preparing to seize control of the government through manipulation of a national crisis. The Society's membership has already infiltrated the government and military at the highest levels. The only thing between them and success is Elizabeth Grant.
     Elizabeth must accept her special gift and stay alive long enough to uncover the Society's dark plot to seize control from a nation that blindly supports them.

Reviews of The Society
"The Society was a well written book that made what could have been a crazy conspiracy theory into a thrilling plot that did not fail to grab my attention for a single moment. This book was an amazing thriller with a great cast of characters that all had their own unique backgrounds that clearly showed off the author's talent of bringing together plots and characters into one amazing story!" Sefina Hawk's Books 

"Such a strong read! I love diving into the world of secret societies and conspiracies but often find myself lost with the intricate details. C.G. Abbot kept me intrigued without getting me lost in the details. It was so real-feeling that I had goosebumps! Every page turn led to another piece of the puzzle that left me wanting more. I'm so glad I was able to start this series - definitely a keeper!" Lynchburg Mama 

"The Society was filled with plots to take over the government and the one person that could stand in their way being there at just the right time to just maybe make a difference. Elizabeth Grant was a strong female character who had no idea what she was walking into, yet with so much on the line she had to persevere. It was her perseverance that really made her such an amazing character that kept my interest for the whole book." Books for Books

 #TheSociety #SuspenseThriller

Amazon || Barnes & Noble ||  Kobo || Apple Books

Review - Trouble on the Books

This is the debut novel of a new author on the cozy mystery scene.  The setting appealed to me immediately: upstate New York, Thousand Islands region, and a castle on an island!  See what you think.  

#TroubleOnTheBooks #NetGalley

Author: Essie Lang

Copyright: March 2019 (Crooked Lane Books) 332 pgs

Series: 1st in Castle Bookshop Mystery series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy

Main Characters: Shelby Cox, former editor who co-owns a bookstore now 

Setting: Modern day, Alexandria Bay, NY and castle on nearby Blye Island

Obtained Through: Netgalley for honest opinion

Book cover blurb: "Shelby Cox never intended to become a bookseller, so when the former editor returns to her hometown of Alexandria Bay, nestled in upstate New York’s breathtaking Thousand Islands region, to take over her aunt’s bookstore, she has no idea what to expect. To her amazement, she discovers that she now owns a fifty-percent share in Bayside Books, and will also run the store’s second location in the majestic castle on nearby Blye Island.

But just as Shelby is gearing up for the start of the tourist season, the Castle volunteer coordinator is found murdered in the nearby Grotto. Castle caretaker Matthew Kessler is suspect number one, but Shelby thinks the killing may be connected to an earlier era, when violence among Prohibition-era smugglers was rampant in the region. As Shelby launches her own investigation, handsome and unnerving Special Agent Zack Griffin of the Coast Guard Investigative Services tries to quell her smuggling theory and keep her safe. But Shelby is determined to summon all her savvy as a book editor to plot the murder—and find the killer before he strikes again"

Shelby Cox, finds herself half owner of the two bookstores in town. She lives on a houseboat, adopts a stray cat, and can be stubborn.  Special Agent Zack Griffin of the Coast Guard Investigative Services is the cop romantic interest with a twist.  Aunt Edie is a patient and loyal woman who had knee replacement surgery a month prior and is relying on Shelby.  Matthew Kesler is the caretaker of the castle and grounds with a murky past and primary suspect.  Chief of Police Tekla Stone grounds us in the small town feel with a grudge against Aunt Edie and suspicion of Matthew.

Shelby's living on a houseboat really immersed the story in the seaside location. I was hoping for some Gothic 
atmosphere from the castle, but the grounds were used more in this story.  Looking back, I have a good image of the grounds, but not so much the actual castle interior.  I am hoping to have more castle interior description in the next book.  

The motive for the murder isn't obvious and Shelby's theory that it has something to do with prior smugglers using the island is as feasible as other motives that develop.  The pacing was steady, until the killer reveal.  It seemed Shelby was still in her asking around phase when - bam, it's time to unmask the murderer.  The suspense was pushed aside after only a few sentences to explain the motive.  I love a tense killer confrontation, so that just seemed too abrupt.

Overall it is a light cozy read and good debut of a new series.  I am hoping for more atmospheric touches in the castle in future books and a more gripping killer reveal in the books to come.

Rating: Very Good - A light and fun read.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Spiked (Resort to Murder 3) by Avery Daniels

Julienne needs only three things: successfully pull of a last minute wedding relocated to her resort, work out things with her stubborn ex- boyfriend, and solve the murder of a private investigator found with her business card on his dead body. The wedding she can handle, but it comes with a flirtatious brother of the bride who manages to give Mason the idea she has moved on, and the dead PI was playing with fire before he was poisoned leaving a myriad of suspects. Two suspects are part of a scandal waiting to explode and nobody wants to be in the middle of the fallout.

Can Julienne wade through the various suspects while coordinating the wedding and dealing with a handsome amorous guest before her rival on the local paper exposes her connection and thus damages the resort’s reputation? Will she and Mason find their way to each other?

Reviews of Spiked
"Another fantastic book. Very entertaining, great characters."  Book Hound

"This is another fantastic cozy mystery with warm, well written characters and a fantastic female lead." Katie T

"The characters in this series are believable. I appreciate the fact that the main character is relate-able. There is enough of a mystery that the reader doesn’t guess the culprit right off the bat. In addition, there is a bit of romance but not enough that it becomes the focus of the story." OneReader

"Ms Daniel's has done it again. This series has it all-believable romance, entertaining characters and a mystery to solve"  Darlene

Amazon || Barnes and Noble || Kobo || Apple Books

Review - Mission Critical

I had not heard of the Gray Man thrillers before, but the blurb sounded good and I was in the mood for a thriller.  Although this was the eighth in the series, I had no problem jumping in and understanding the backstory and interpersonal relationships.  I have to wonder why I hadn't heard of this series before now that I have gotten into the Court Gentry main character.  

#MissionCritical #NetGalley

Author: Mark Greaney

Copyright: Feb 2019 (Berkley) 527 pgs

Series: 8th in The Gray Man Thriller series

Sensuality: Some language and violence, off-page intimacy

Mystery Sub-genre: Spy/Action Thriller

Main Characters: Court Gentry is CIA operative Violator-nicknamed Gray Man

Setting: Modern Day- USA, London, and Scotland

Obtained Through: Netgalley for honest review

From the cover: "Court Gentry's flight on a CIA transport plane is interrupted when a security team brings a hooded man aboard. They want to kick Gentry off the flight but are overruled by CIA headquarters. The mystery man is being transported to England where a joint CIA/MI6 team will interrogate him about a mole in Langley.

When they land in an isolated airbase in the U.K., they are attacked by a hostile force who kidnaps the prisoner. Only Gentry escapes. His handlers send him after the attackers, but what can one operative do against a trained team of assassins? A lot, when that operative is the Gray Man."

Court Gentry is the experienced and "graying" legendary CIA operative who finds himself in the middle of a plot to infect the intelligence agencies of UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand during a conference.  In the middle of it all is his love interest, Russian operative turned US asset, Zoya Zakharova.  This makes much of his mission a tad personal.  Zoya Zakharova (raised by two Russian Agents) is in the process of becoming a US operative and asset when the compound she was lodged at was attacked.  She goes on the offensive and flees which results in CIA officials feeling skeptical as to her loyalties.  Agent Zack Hightower is another CIA agent who doesn't flinch if asked to torture or do whatever is needed.  His interactions with Court are very telling about both men.  

General Feodor Zakharova, Zoya's father and former GRU Chief was supposed to be dead.  But, he has been living in England under a new identity and devising his own revenge on those he deems responsible for his wife's suspicious death.  Dr. Won Jang Ji, a North Korean virologist researcher has teamed with General Zakharova to deliver a blow for her beloved North Korea.  Russian mercenaries, sleeper cell members, and at least two moles/double agents add to the action.

The setting ranges from a Virginia safe house compound, London locations, and the showdown in a castle on the banks of Loch Ness.  That was a great location with enough description to feel you are there.  The plot has the high stakes and danger at every turn to keep readers interested. The climax was well done with nail biting suspense and a surprising twist. The wrap-up adds a complication to Court's happiness with only a glimmer of hope that was in line with tenor of the overall story line. 

Besides the spy thriller plot with high stakes echoing current international tensions, the political maneuvers and layered characters of Court and Zoya gave a more personal aspect.  Without that touch, I wouldn't have continued reading.  Court and Zoya have a loyalty and trust in one another that goes deep and made the book memorable in my humble opinion.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Society by C.G. Abbot

When Elizabeth Grant sees her childhood friend, she is

thrown into a world of secret societies laced with conspiracies.
     Elizabeth has been plagued with visions since the disappearance of Loralie. When she returns to the small town of her childhood, she’s unaware that she’s walking into the middle of what killed her friend.
     Unknown to the rest of the world, The Society for a Restored America has been preparing to seize control of the government through manipulation of a national crisis. The Society's membership has already infiltrated the government and military at the highest levels. The only thing between them and success is Elizabeth Grant.
     Elizabeth must accept her special gift and stay alive long enough to uncover the Society's dark plot to seize control from a nation that blindly supports them.

Reviews of The Society
"The Society was a well written book that made what could have been a crazy conspiracy theory into a thrilling plot that did not fail to grab my attention for a single moment. This book was an amazing thriller with a great cast of characters that all had their own unique backgrounds that clearly showed off the author's talent of bringing together plots and characters into one amazing story!" Sefina Hawk's Books 

"Such a strong read! I love diving into the world of secret societies and conspiracies but often find myself lost with the intricate details. C.G. Abbot kept me intrigued without getting me lost in the details. It was so real-feeling that I had goosebumps! Every page turn led to another piece of the puzzle that left me wanting more. I'm so glad I was able to start this series - definitely a keeper!" Lynchburg Mama 

"The Society was filled with plots to take over the government and the one person that could stand in their way being there at just the right time to just maybe make a difference. Elizabeth Grant was a strong female character who had no idea what she was walking into, yet with so much on the line she had to persevere. It was her perseverance that really made her such an amazing character that kept my interest for the whole book." Books for Books
 #TheSociety #SuspenseThriller

Amazon || Barnes & Noble ||  Kobo || Apple Books  

Book Review - Circle of Influence

This is a new-to-me author that I had to share with you.  This book was recommended by a fellow author and it lived up to my expectations.

Author: Annette Dashofy

Copyright: March 2014 (Henery Press) 294 pgs

Series: 1st in Zoe Chambers Mystery series

Sensuality: Adult themes without details

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Zoe Chambers, Paramedic 

Setting: Modern, rural Pennsylvania

Obtained Through: Personal Purchase

Zoe Chambers, paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township, has been privy to a number of local secrets over the years, some of them her own. But secrets become explosive when a dead body is found in the Township Board President’s abandoned car.

As a January blizzard rages, Zoe and Police Chief Pete Adams launch a desperate search for the killer, even if it means uncovering secrets that could not only destroy Zoe and Pete, but also those closest to them.

Zoe Chambers is a strong woman with her share of baggage that she has to face in this story.  She is a good neighbor and friend who works hard.  Her job of paramedic and part time coroner puts her in the middle of murders quite naturally.  Chief Pete Adams is a potential romantic interest with his own baggage, such as his ex-wife who is somehow linked to the murder.  His relationship with Zoe is complicated, as most are in reality.  All the characters are finely brought to life to populate the town with intertwined connections and motives.

The winter setting had me feeling chilled as I read and the rural location was used to great effect for a sense of isolation.  The story opens by setting the stage of a contentious Township Board meeting and from there the plot leads you on a twisting path.  This is one of the few mysteries where I didn't connect the various threads myself.  The pages flew by as I just had to read more to see what happened.  

The climax was harrowing and not rushed (as many tend to feel). I particularly liked how the killer reveal was pulse pounding and suspenseful while coming together naturally.   

Although this could be classified a cozy, it has a slightly more gritty feel to it.  All the elements of the story are deftly woven together for a first rate mystery.  I highly recommend and will definitely be delving into the following books in the series.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

The Syndicate-born Trilogy Spotlight

 I am sharing the thriller Sydicate Born series with you today.  If you enjoy thrillers, the newest addition, The Sally Ride Chronicle, is on sale.  

Fans of David Baldacci and the novel Girl on the Train will love this gritty, true-to-life spy thriller featuring a strong female character readers are calling their favorite. USA Today Bestselling Author K.M. Hodge’s The Sally Ride Chronicle is just the beginning; for more on her adventures, check out the complete "The Syndicate-Born Trilogy."

KM Hodge Series Launch: The Syndicate-born Trilogy + Prequel 
Book#1: Red on the Run books2read.com/u/bQxB0e (ON SALE $0.99 March 27-30)
Book#2: Black and White Truth: books2read.com/u/4NZRM9
Book #3: True Blue Son: books2read.com/u/mey2w9

Book #4 PREQUEL The Sally Ride Chronicle:

books2read.com/u/4AJKg0 ON SALE $0.99 

The Syndicate doesn’t believe in divorce, but murder is another story.  Sally wants out-out of her marriage, out of the mob, out of Ocean City. An impossible dream. That is until the MDNA, a secret hacktivist group, invites her to join the ranks of their rebellion. The goal? Take down the criminal empire.

She’s no Jane Bond, but no one in her town suspects the quiet church-going mom is a threat, especially The Syndicate’s criminal defense attorney, Michael David, who’s got a thing for mysterious blondes. His love-’em-and-kill-’em exploits, and his penchant for causing witnesses to disappear, make him enemy number one for the hacktivist group. Sally’s mission sounds simple enough—destroy the lawyer’s life and make him pay—but....

Once she starts, there’ll be no turning back.

Follow Sally as she attempts the unthinkable—take down the largest crime ring in US history—in this prequel to "The Syndicate-Born Trilogy."