Dark Deception (Defenders of Justice)

I thought the story was complicated. It ended kind of up in the air for Kate and Tony. I have read better suspense novels.

I have tried reading Dark Deception by Nancy Mehl three or four times but several chapters in, I find the story just does not hold my interest. I feel it was kind of scattered in the story telling and a little confusing. I normally love this genre so I will give it another try. To me this is one of those books that takes work to get into – it didn't arrest my attention from the beginning, hence why I keep having to restart the book. In reading some other reviews I realize I'm starting with book two of the series and maybe that's why I am confused by it. I received this book for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Kate O'Brien endured unthinkable tragedy when she witnessed her twin sister's murder. Now, years later, she's established a life she enjoys within the constraints of the witness protection program. That is, until U.S. Marshall Tony Deluca shows up in Shelter Cove, Arkansas to escort back to St. Louis so that she can testify for the third time. Her sister's killer has been released on a technicality and Kate's testimony is critical. When there's a delay in the case, Tony decides it's best to keep Kate in her small town environment until it's necessary to transport her.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eyed Killer is out free and desperately wants to finish Kate. She's his biggest mistake and he's determined to correct that error. By the time Tony realizes that Kate is in danger at Shelter Cove, will it be too late? Tony has no idea who he can trust in the small town and he finds himself needing help from the resort owner, Bobby. But can he trust him? That becomes the key question as Tony races to save Kate's life.

Dark Deception has an incredibly complex plot with many twists and turns that leave readers baffled for most of the story. The pace is intense and draws readers in. One downside of the story is that there are so many characters and Mehl doesn't take enough time to develop them fully in readers' minds. Overall, this is a suspenseful novel that Christian crime fiction readers will enjoy for its complexity.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows a woman in the witness protection program after a serial killer murdered her twin sister and tried to kill her. As much as she's tried to put it behind her, she is unable to avoid her past when a series of events begins to unfold. I loved the fast pace of this story and it jumps into the action right away. This kept me interested in reading and finding out what happened next.

Filled with twists and turns, at several points I though I had things all figured out, only to read a few more pages and be left guessing once again. I haven't read the first book in this series, but that was no problem in understanding the plot here. I did have a bit of trouble keeping some of the characters straight towards the end, but that may just have been because I was reading in such a hurry to find out what happened next. This is a great suspenseful mystery that will leave you guessing - I read the book in one day and was left wishing there was more. I look forward to following the series and reading any other books that come out.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

“Dark Deception” by Nancy Mehl is a great read for a sizzling summer day while sitting inside a cool room sipping on a cold drink. The author has a good story line with strong sharply defined characters. Once I picked up the book, I finished it in two days as the book is only 300 pages. The author, Nancy Mehl has written more than twenty books and was a 2015 finalist for RT Book Reviews’ Reviewers’ Choice Award. Once I find an author I like, I stay with them so I would be curious to read some more books by this writer.

The main character, Kate is in witness protection from a serial killer who has disappeared. There are a few twists in the plot as Kate is subpoenaed to testify in a new trial which indicates that the convicted man isn’t the murderer. There is also a love story with the introduction of Tony DeLuca, the deputy Marshall who originally protected her in the first trial when her twin sister was murdered and attacked by the
serial killer. I can tell that there is some great research by the author regarding the location of the small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas and the legal process along with the role of the deputy Marshall and the law enforcement community. The author shows a good innate understanding of small town life in Arkansas making the book a delightful way to spend the evening or afternoon reading.

“Dark Deception” also speaks to the reader of the invisible power of allowing faith to enter and shield the main character from strong self
doubts and fear after the attack on her twin sister leaves her alone and vulnerable. This book was under the series: the Defenders of Justice
and lists “Fatal Frost” as another book by Nancy Mehl. After reading this book, it is easy to believe that the Defenders of Justice include the deputy Marshall and all those who assist Kate along her path. Belief in a power outside of ourselves is never an easy road for many of us, but what is endearing about this writer is that she introduces an idiosyncratic serial killer who tries in his own way to protect Kate. Because of this quirky twist, I declare that the devil is truly in the details and the book will demand of the reader to pause and rethink the plot again making it an interesting read.

Dark Deception, which followed Fatal Frost in the Defenders of Justice series, was very suspenseful with likeable main characters that one wants to succeed and be happy. The novel revolves around Katie O'Brien (aka Emily Lockwood, her Witness Protection moniker), who witnessed her twin sister, Kelly, murdered. Kate escaped injury, felt the guilt of that, and eventually testified and made an identification of the suspect, Gerard, who was arrested, tried and sentenced for the murder as the B.E.K (Blue Eyed Killer.)

However, a new development caused the release of Gerard from prison. Will he find Katie is her new "safe" place, in Shelter Cove? Will he come for revenge?

Tony Luca, a U. S. Marshal,l has guarded Kate through much of her ordeal, and their relationship and feelings have grown for one another. Tony must struggle to stay on a professional basis with Kate, and she questions her trust in him at times. Both Christians, they discussed the issues of trust and faith in God.

The unraveling of the B.E.K. murders was a complicated one, with many surprises, along the way. Was the killer just one man? Was every man the person he seemed to be? This was just the way I like a murder/suspense story to be - posing questions and then slowly revealing answers. The desire to keep reading will be strong as everything is sorted out

I highly recommend Dark Deception as a fun read that will keep one interested to the very end.

A copy of this book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.

Dark Deception has got to be my favorite book by Nancy Mehl to date. The suspense just continues to build and it is easy to get caught up in the drama being played out. The big question is, “Will the real murderer please stand up?” Kate O’Brien’s peaceful life is about to be shaken to the core when she learns that the man she testified against and helped to convict for the murder of her twin sister has been released from prison. For four years, she has been rebuilding her life and adjusting to her new identity in the witness protection program. Will she now have to give everything up and start all over again?
Deputy Marshall Tony DeLuca is back on the case and wonders how Kate is going to react when he shows up in her small town to inform her that her attacker and the murderer of her sister is on the loose. Will she go willingly back to St. Louis to testify or will she be too terrified at the thought of having to face this man in court yet again? Can Tony protect her and keep her safe? Do they have the right man or was he wrongly accused? There are a lot of questions that need answers.
Dark Deception is a page turner for sure and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. No review was required and the views and opinions expressed within are my own.

When Kate was 19, she and her twin sister were attacked by a serial killer in St. Louis. After her sister was murdered, Kate escaped and became the only person who could identify the killer. After testifying against Gerard, Kate went into witness protection.

Tony, the U. S. Marshall who helped Kate through the trial, is assigned to bring Kate back to St. Louis after Gerard was released from prison following new evidence pointing to a different killer. When Tony arrives in Shelter Cove, Arkansas, a new threat to Kate’s life surfaces and they both get far more than they bargained for.

I loved this book. I really loved Justice Delayed so I was really excited to get my hands on this sequel; I was not disappointed. This was a very suspenseful and exciting book with some well written romance and faith included. The Christian theme was evident but like the romance, it was relatable and not overpowering. These were mere backdrops to the adventure and adrenaline pumping action.

The writing was so vivid it took me some time after reading this book to disassociate myself from this small mountain town and crazy serial killers. I can still envision the cabins and mountains that were so wonderfully described.

The characters were well developed and felt very real. I loved how protective Tony was of Kate and how Kate’s strength continued to grow throughout the book. They were a perfect match and I enjoyed their journey together. These felt like people I could know in real life and for a while I felt as though I really did know them.

This was a quick read for me. I read it in two sittings and was genuinely surprised when I saw I was at the epilogue. I was disappointed it was over, but now I will just have to look forward to the next book in the series!

*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*

Brilliant storyteller, Nancy Mehl, has once again crafted a dramatic, spine-tingling suspense—guaranteed to keep you holding on to the edge of your seat with bated breath! My emotions ran the gamut as I took a chilling roller coaster ride into the mastermind behind numerous serial killings and his intended victim, Kate O'Brien. Kate has been living a quiet life in small-town, Shelter Cove, under an assumed name, after a horrendous attack four years prior by a notorious serial killer took the life of her twin sister. Kate appears strong and whole, but much to her chagrin, handsome Deputy U.S. Marshall Tony DeLuca draws attention to the fact that she is in denial about that horrific night and needs inner healing. Tony has his own denial issues when it comes to his feelings about Kate, and protecting her is definitely in the forefront. He accepts an assignment to escort her back to St. Louis, but a new development in the case forces them to stay in Shelter Cove. However, has something sinister taken hold in sleepy little Shelter Cove...and will Tony be able stop any more killings before it is too late?

As I breathlessly turned the last electrifying page of this novel (which I finished in only 24 hours - by the way), I looked at the baseball game that was on tv and my first thought was, "Wow. Nancy Mehl has sure hit this one out of the ballpark!" The plot was so intricately detailed, I don't know how she even kept it straight! Just when I thought I had figured out who-dun-it, there was another twist to confuse my already battered brain! Mehl's expertise at writing suspense has certainly amped up a notch or two and Dark Deception just may be my favorite book of hers thus far. A heart-pounding, suspenseful read with a whisper of romance, and an inspirational thread of hope and healing throughout, Dark Deception is certainly one novel you don't want to miss!

I received a copy of this story from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review.

ANXIOUS TO READ