Hands of Darkness by Heather James

Hands of Darkness by Heather James

From Goodreads.com

Evelyn Barrett has a new job, a new baby, and a new life—of sorts. Nearly crushed by the horrific abduction and murder of her daughter (book 1, Unholy Hunger), Evelyn is moving on as best she can. No longer allowed to practice law, she is recruited by one of the detectives from her daughter’s case to become a police consultant. Her inaugural case becomes a baptism by fire as she joins the hunt for a chillingly methodical and sadistic serial rapist and murderer. Her revulsion and anger fuels a passion for justice . . . and then it becomes personal. Her friend and law school roommate, Jen, becomes a victim. The rapist has made a catastrophic mistake with Jen: he has left her alive and able to talk. Filled with the chilling tension of Unholy Hunger, Hands of Darkness explores the emotional and spiritual consequences for all involved when justice and compassion collide head-on with the darkest examples of human depravity.

My Take:  Even thought this is the second book in a series you can easily read this book as a standalone.  I love books that have me in suspense from beginning till the end and this book certainly did that.  This story is a bit hard at times to read as the subject matter of rape and murder are difficult issues.  I enjoyed getting to know the characters and learning about what made them tick.  This book will hook you and won't let go until you reach the final page.  I would recommend this book if you like suspenseful thrillers.  

I received a review copy of this book from Kregel in exchange for my honest review.  

Love You More by Lisa Gardner

About Lisa Gardner

Lisa Gardner is the New York Times bestselling author of thirteen novels. Her Detective D. D. Warren novels include Live to Tell, Hide, Alone, and the International Thriller Writers’ Award-winning novel The Neighbor. Her FBI Profiler novels include Say Goodbye, Gone, The Killing Hour, The Next Accident, and The Third Victim. She lives with her family in New England.

Lisa’s latest book is Love You More. Visit her online at http://lisagardner.com/.



About Love You More

WHO DO YOU LOVE?

One question, a split-second decision, and Brian Darby lies dead on the kitchen floor. His wife, state police trooper Tessa Leoni, claims to have shot him in self-defense, and bears the bruises to back up her tale. For veteran detective D. D. Warren it should be an open-and-shut case. But where is their six-year-old daughter?

AND HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO . . .

As the homicide investigation ratchets into a frantic statewide search for a missing child, D. D. Warren must partner with former lover Bobby Dodge to break through the blue wall of police brotherhood, seeking to understand the inner workings of a trooper’s mind while also unearthing family secrets. Would a trained police officer truly shoot her own husband? And would a mother harm her own child?

. . . TO SAVE HER?

For Tessa Leoni, the worst has not yet happened. She is walking a tightrope, with nowhere to turn, no one to trust, as the clock ticks down to a terrifying deadline. She has one goal in sight, and she will use every ounce of her training, every trick at her disposal, to do what must be done. No sacrifice is too great, no action unthinkable. A mother knows who she loves. And all others will be made to pay.

Love you more . . .

Read an excerpt! here.

You can also find the other tour stops at the above link.






My Take:  Oh My goodness!! This book grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until you come to the end gasping for breath.  Just when you think you have the story figured out the author throws another curve into it making you wonder were this is all going and nothing else can be revealed and twisted around.  But sure enough here comes another twist and your head is swimming.

D.D.Warren shows up to what appears to be a spousal abuse situation where the wife has killed her husband in self defense.  But wait the wife just happens to be a state trooper with training in hand to hand combat and the knowledge, skill and equipment to solve the situation without using deadly force.  And what has happened to Sophie, the trooper's little girl?  Just as D.D .and her squad think they have something figured out in this case some new evidence comes to light that takes it in a totally different direction. 

D.D. is also dealing with something in her personal life that she never thought she would deal with. She needs to make a decision that will change her life forever.

There is more language in this book than I would like but it is understandable in light of the characters.

I would recommend this book if you like thrilling edge of your seat suspense.