Series:
Conard County (Book 72)
He's a small-town detective
Who doesn't need help from a big-city cop
Newly promoted within the Conard County Sheriff's
Department, Guy Redwing wants Valerie Brighton to stay away from his first
case. But the missing child he's searching for is Valerie's niece, and Valerie
is an experienced investigator. As they race against the clock to find the
two-year-old girl, their mutual distrust turns to respect -- and grows into an
attraction that takes them both by surprise…
Terrific book with excellent suspense as well as tackling
two emotional subjects. The story opens with a two-year-old girl kidnapped from
her home during the night. The Conard County detective assigned to the case is
Guy Redwing, newly promoted to the rank of detective. Complicating matters for
him is the arrival of the missing girl's aunt, Valerie, a detective from the
city. Guy isn't thrilled to have her involved, but the important thing is to
find little Lizzie.
Initially, there is tension between Guy and Val. She is
raring to go, while Guy is methodical in ensuring he efficiently uses their
resources. Guy also has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder because of the
prejudice he experiences as a Native American. He wonders if Val looks down on
him because of it. Fortunately, that is not Val's issue - she is simply
frustrated by the case's slow progress. I liked seeing them work together and
come to respect each other's abilities. Neither expects the sparks of
attraction that flare between them as they spend hours together. I liked Guy's
protectiveness and understanding as he watched her balance professionalism with
a family member's fear.
There were some intriguing scenes as Guy's Native
American friends helped with the search, exposing Val to culture and beliefs
she had no experience with. I found her sensitivity admirable, and loved her
open-mindedness and willingness to learn. The feelings they developed for each
other happened quickly, thanks to the circumstances, but there are obstacles to
overcome. Guy worries about Val being accepted by his family and receives some
excellent advice from one of his tribal elders. Val is concerned about how
they'll carry out a relationship when she's back at her job. I liked the
realism that there are no simple answers to either question and that both are
committed to doing what they must to make it happen. I hope to see more of them
in future books because I'd like to know how their romance progresses.
The story's suspense kept me turning the pages late into
the night. With Lizzie's parents divorced, did one of them do something heinous
in a fit of anger or despair? Or does someone have a grudge against one of
them? I loved how the people of Conard County pulled together to search for the
child. I could also feel everyone's frustration as they ran into dead end after
dead end. There is a hint at the beginning as to who is behind it, and in the
last half of the book, the perp's point of view becomes part of the story. Grey
Cloud's involvement provides a turning point, and the intensity increases. I
was on the edge of my seat as the pieces finally came together. The final
confrontation was a nail-biter as Guy and Val's suspicions proved correct.
I loved my visit to Conard County and seeing old friends.
Both the "old" and "new" sheriffs play important parts in
showing the dedication of local law enforcement. Pastor Molly, Kell McLaren and
his K-9 Blue, and Maude and Mavis from the diner are just a few of the
characters from previous books that make appearances here.
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