Dark Deception, Defenders of Justice #2 by Nancy Mehl

Book description:

New Edge-of-Your-Seat Read from an Established Romantic Suspense Author 

Kate O'Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her drawing of the attacker--along with some last-minute evidence--that convicted the suspect. 

She's been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn't the murderer and she's been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she'll only agree if the same marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis. 

Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate's safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.

My review:

   I have not been reading Nancy Mehl's books very long, but I have enjoyed every novel of hers I have read. This is the second book in the Defenders of Justice Series, a series about US Marshals. Unlike some series, I can't see it necessary to read them in order. The plot and most of the characters are totally different from the first book.

  This novel gives a good look at the Federal Witness Protection system and how it works. I have always been interested in that, and Mehl seems to do a good job of portraying what it is like to be in the system, and what the marshals do to insure the safety of those in it.

 Dark Deception is totally different than the first book. I enjoyed #1, but the action and suspense were more intense in this novel, and it did not stop once it started. The author had a couple of surprises, and plot twists I didn't see coming, which I enjoy. The characters were great, and the romance angle was well done. I did end up reading the book in one sitting, and very much enjoyed this newest foray into suspense by Nancy Mehl.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Nancy MehlNancy Mehl (www.nancymehl.com) is the author of twenty-seven books, including the Road to Kingdom, Finding Sanctuary, and Defenders of Justice series. She received the ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award in 2009. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. She writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their Puggle, Watson. She is part of The Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com, along with several other popular suspense authors. She is also very active on Facebook.


Dark Deception is available from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

 Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.