Justice Betrayed

Author: Patricia Bradley
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Romance

​It's Elvis Week in Memphis, and homicide Detective Rachel Sloan isn't sure her day could get any stranger when aging Elvis impersonator Vic Vegas asks to see her. But when he produces a photo of her murdered mother with four Elvis impersonators--one of whom had also been murdered soon after the photo was taken--she's forced to reevaluate. Is there some connection between the two unsolved cases? And could the recent break-in at Vic's home be tied to his obsession with finding his friend's killer?

When yet another person in the photo is murdered, Rachel suddenly has her hands full investigating three cases. Lieutenant Boone Callahan offers his help, but their checkered romantic past threatens to get in the way. Can they solve the cases before the murderer makes Rachel victim number four?

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

​Nicely done, Ms. Patricia Bradley! I have been a fan of her romantic suspense for a while now and she never disappoints. This third book in the Memphis Cold Case series can definitely be read as a stand-alone. There are cameo appearances from the two main characters from book two in this book, but they only help to further along the plot and you won't get bogged down with questions about who they are and what happened earlier in the series. Anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, grab-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense with a hint of romance and a nice underlying theme of faith will absolutely love this book.

The twists and turns in the plot as well as the constant guessing of the villain's identity keep the pages turning faster and faster. The writing is easy to follow and the dialogue among the characters is real and informative. The subtle theme of needing to trust God even in the worst circumstances pops up in both Boone and Rachel's lives and nudges them toward finding peace.

Boone and Rachel both have deep hurts and guilt from their pasts. Boone has dealt with his ghosts better than Rachel has. As they're thrown in to discover a killer who may have ties to a cold case involving Rachel's mother, they both discover their strengths, their weaknesses, and how to lean on each other for help. Boone and Rachel are both intelligent, stubborn, tough law enforcers who have tender hearts underneath their toughness required in their field of work. Their camaraderie is evident in how well they work together as detective and lieutenant in the Homicide division and their romance, though only a very small part in the story, is sweet. The storyline also pulls Rachel's federal judge father and her two grandmothers into the mix which is a lot of fun.

Will there be a fourth book in the series? I surely hope so!!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"I think I asked the wrong person the wrong question." 

Memphis homicide detective Rachel Sloan is slightly annoyed when her Friday afternoon departure time is postponed by a vintage Elvis impersonator, Vic Vegas. The man has doggedly pursued the resolution of a cold case involving a fellow Elvis "tribute artist", Harrison Foxx; accumulating years worth of evidence that he is now anxious to share with Rachel. Why? Because her deceased mother died just one day before Foxx's murder. Coincidence? Rachel doesn't think so and neither does Vegas; but he too, turns up dead before they can exchange vital information.

Lieutenant Boone Callahan still has a difficult time working the same shift as Rachel Sloan. Their brief, albeit, casual dating experience some months ago left him wanting more and Rachel . . . . . well, who knows? She terminated the relationship without much explanation. Now Boone is her superior homicide unit officer, and he is struggling not to hover over Rachel's every decision, especially when his instincts tell him that the Vegas case is too personal for Rachel. She's not telling him something and that could put everyone, especially Rachel, in harm's way.

"Justice Betrayed" is a great story with multiple twists and turns that two very likable characters must travel together, learning that ultimately only God can "never leave or forsake". 

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.

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