It’s been a busy week, getting ready for a quick trip to Natchez to find a location for the murder in my first Natchez book. I’m having trouble coming up with a working title…right now I’m using No One to Trust, but that one’s been used…I’m so glad Revell does such a good job with titles!!
On to this week’s book review. I love Rachel Dylan’s legal thrillers, and this one is another page-turner. Here’s the back cover copy:
[tweet_dis_img inject=”She’s the only witness to a brutal crime, now she can’t outrun the target on her back. #giveaway”]
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Prosecutor Sophie Dawson’s first job in the White Collar division of the Fulton County D.A.’s office is to build a case against a local bank employee who may be cheating clients. But when circumstances beyond her control leave her as the only witness to a double homicide involving a vengeful gang, her world is turned upside down.
Former Atlanta police officer turned private security guard Cooper Knight is hired to ensure that Sophie is kept safe. But as threats escalate, they don’t know who they can trust.
Sophie is determined not to back down, but her bank case gets more complicated by the day, and the gang will stop at nothing to keep her from testifying. Sophie wants to take a stand for what’s right–but can Cooper, who is determined not to be distracted by their growing attraction, keep her safe so that she can finish her pursuit for justice?
My take: Lone Witness hits the ground running and doesn’t let up until The End! This is the second book in her Atlanta Justice series about three female attorneys. The heroine in Lone Witness is Sophie Dawson, friend to Kate Sullivan from Deadly Proof. (I can’t wait to read Mia’s story next!)
It was fascinating to read the behind-the-scenes details of courtroom proceedings for both the prosecuting side and the defense side. I’ve always understood the prosecutor’s side – I mean we all want the bad guy brought to justice. But Dylan made me think how quickly we are to believe someone guilty if they have an unsavory background and that defense attorneys are there to make sure everyone has a fair trial. But I digress. Lone Witness is a grab-you-by-the-throat story about a prosecutor who witnesses a murder. She’s also prosecuting a criminal case and you never know for sure which of the bad guys are trying to take her out.
Dylan’s characters are three-dimensional and you quickly care about Sophie and the hero, Cooper Knight. You want to see them get together, but he has so much baggage…(don’t they all 😉 ) It was fun to watch him thaw a little. If you like romantic suspense I believe you’ll enjoy Lone Witness!
My question for you to answer to be entered in a drawing at the end of the month (Next week!): Do you have a preference when you read suspense? Like do you prefer legal thrillers, or medical thrillers, or police procedural…
[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#romanticsuspense”]She’s the only witness to a brutal crime, now she can’t outrun the target on her back. Lone Witness by Rachel Dylan[/tweet_box]
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Comments 49
No preference! Though when there are too many mechanical or military or law jargon, I get confused but usually press on to get to the meat of the story 🙂
Author
I usually don’t have those things, Mindy! I like to get to the meat of the story, too. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m with MJSH, no preference, and too much jargon will turn me off.
Haha, only a writer could and would type out this line in a post: getting ready for a quick trip to Natchez to find a location for the murder 🙂
Author
It is what it is, Priscilla. lol. But it’s so much fun! Thanks for stopping by.
No preference but prefer books that are well-written. I hate the old “I’m falling for him/her but can’t allow it because ….” drivel which so many writers use (perhaps encouraged by their publishers?). A little bit of that is o.k. but if repeated over and over, I feel like screaming. I like a good plot, interesting characters and not so much “lovey-dovey” or “cutesy” romance.
Author
Christine, it’s much easier for me to kill my characters than to get them together. 😉 Romance is hard for me. I tend to think my stories are more about relationships. Thanks for weighing in!
This sounds like a great read. I prefer police procedural.
Author
Okay, Carole. Would you think mine are police procedural? Thanks for dropping in. Give Alyiah a hug for me!
I like medical thrillers, although I don’t have a strong preference otherwise. I will say legal thrillers tend to be lowest on the list, though. I’ll still give them a try, but fewer of them seem to make to my “to be read” list. This one sounds good, though. It will actually make it to the list!
Author
Then I’m sure you’ve read Richard Mabry’s books! They are really good. Diane, I always wanted to be a lawyer, so I like the legal thrillers. Thanks for stopping by.
I really don’t have any preference as long as they are well written & not too technical!
Author
Totally agree, Mary. Thanks for stopping by!
Lately I’ve been enjoying police procedural most and legal second. This series you reviewed sounds good. Happy Memorial Day weekend!
Author
And a Happy Memorial Day to you, too, Delores! I like a good police procedural.
In order: police, legal, medical.
Author
Good, Lisa! I like all three, in any order. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
I like any kind. But I’m with Christine on the repeating the characters trepidation and angst. It gets old and you want to smack them and say: “just spill your guts already”. Communication! Good luck in your sleuthing trip!
Author
Paula, I agree. Sometimes that angst shows up in my first draft because I’m not sure where my characters are going romantically, but I try to edit them out. Or kill them off. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
I don’t really think I have a preference. As a long time historical fiction lover, I am just beginning to read more suspense. I guess all I really am asking for is a story that makes me try to figure out who did it, even if I can’t just sit and read until the book is done…lol. I love to learn a bit more about whatever the story has been written about – medical, legal, military, etc. This is one of the reasons I enjoy historical fiction – I am always learning something 🙂
Author
I think that’s why I like legal thrillers, Betti. Thanks for stopping by.
I don’t have a preference. I just enjoy the suspense!
Author
I think you have it in a nutshell, Suzanne! Thanks for stopping by.
I enjoy all Suspense if it is well written.
Author
Me, too, Lucy. In fact I think I can enjoy any genre, even one I wouldn’t normally read, if it’s well written! Thanks for stopping by.
I have always read and love Richard Mabry’s books. I am finding out that I also enjoy other suspense novels!
Author
Glad you enjoy all the suspense novels, Jackie! I think that’s my favorite genre. Thanks for stopping by.
I love to read any suspense or mystery that pulls me in and keeps me guessing but I would probably choose a legal or police procedural over a medical if given a choice.
Author
I read them all, Gloria. I like the suspense, no matter what. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoy all three of the sub-genres you mentioned. This one sounds interesting not only because of the legal aspect but also because of the connection to banking. The majority of my career was spent in banking. I need to be on the lookout for this one.
Author
You will enjoy it, Edward. And probably understand the banking references. There was a reason I didn’t go into accounting… 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoy reading mystery/suspense regardless of the time period, the location, or the choice of the murder weapon.
What about, “Murder on the Mississippi” for the title of your book?
I’ve been to Natchez and have visited several of the Plantation homes that were open for tours.
Author
I like that, Janet! Don’t you just love Natchez? I’m going to eat at King’s Tavern when I go this time. Thanks for stopping by.
I read both books in Rachel Dylan’s series. I really liked them. She expanded my view of even “bad guys” deserving adequate representation and getting a fair trial. I like mystery/suspense and agree with Betti who said she likes to learn something new from the books. I can’t handle many stalker stories where the stalker gets into the house. Too creepy for me. Can’t wait for the new series, Patricia. Sounds like a good one.
Author
Mine, too, Sue! Yeah, stalkers getting into the house scare the bejeebers out of me. I don’t write any murder scenes after 8 p.m. lol Thanks for stopping by!
I especially like medical thrillers, but I also like legal thrillers. I’m not as fond of police procedural mysteries.
I enjoy medical, legal, and military thrillers…also other professions, where I learn interesting details/tidbits about what is involved in training & how to do a job well.
Author
So agree, MS Barb. I love when a protagonist has an unusual job. Thanks for stopping by!
What I love most of all is suspense with a medical twist! I haven’t found too many authors that write in this genre other than Harry Kraus, Richard Mabry and Jordyn Redwood who writes for Love Inspired Suspense. The first two writers are retired doctors (surgeons?) and Jordyn is a trama RN or something like that if I remember correctly. So you know anything they write will be authentic 🙂
I’ve only read Deadly Proof by Rachel, though I have Lone Witness on my shelf. Hers is the only legal thriller I’ve read. Before her, I never really liked legal suspense because I don’t understand the behind the scenes workings of court or law…nor do I care too. BUT, that being said…Rachel explains things in her book that anyone can understand and you don’t need to be a lawyer to understand 😉 I love when an author can engage any reader in thier story and not feel like the reader is confused about what’s going on.
I’d have to say my favorite is Romantic Suspense and I’ve read a myraid of subjects; military, police, SWAT, K-9 (my favorite), SEAL, etc. I do like to devaite from these every once in a while to keep my interest up 🙂
Thanks for your thoughts on Lone Witness Patricia! I throughly enjoyed the first book and I’m sure this will be no differnt!
Author
Trixi, agree with what you said about Rachel explaining so well things that are hard for the layperson to understand. She’s a good writer! Thanks for stopping by.
I don’t have a preference. I don’t think I’ve read any of Rachel Dylan’s books. She sounds like a new author to me.
Author
Rachel is a fairly new author. And a good one, Beverly. She just finaled in the Daphene du Maurier contest! Thanks for stopping by.
I like all suspense/mystery/thrillers. I guess medical ones are my least favorite. Where do you live that you will drive to Natchez to get a feel or place?
Author
Judy, I live in the Northeast corner of Mississippi and Natchez is a 7-hour drive for me. And my trip was moved over into June because of Alberto! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Hmm, I’m not sure I’ve read any medical thrillers. I seem to binge on legal thrillers then forget about them for a while then binge on them again lol. In between I read any kind but, seem to especially enjoy government or political corruption, and lately I’ve come to realize I really enjoy when a good person has become a ‘fugitive’, even though they are really just hiding to stay alive from powerful people :).
Author
I bet you’d like Harry Wegley’s books, Jessica. Voice in the Wilderness is about a couple on the run from a corrupt government. Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoy several types of suspense!
Author
Suspense is my favorite genre, Caryl! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for recommendation! I’ll make sure to check him out:).
Author
I think you’ll like his stories.