Australian
Sex Crime Detective Harriet Blue is back. Harriet (Harry)
first debuted in Black and Blue, a BookShot short
story. Fifty, Fifty is third in series, but it’s
the second full novel. The second in series is Never
Never, and it’s also a full novel.
The storyline
begins with the chilling narration of a kidnapper as he abducts
a college girl. Then we’re reminded that Harriet is
still working to free her brother, Sam Blue (Black &
Blue). She knows he’s not a killer. Harriet’s
Chief (Pops, as she calls him) sends her to New South Wales
Desert during Sam’s trial. Harriet meets up with Officer
Vicky Snail. Vicky explains Harriet’s assignment at
Last Chance Valley. Someone’s trying to kill everyone
in their tiny town. Harriett and Victoria work the case together.
Then Special Agent Elliot Kash shows up and brushes them and
their work aside. He’s sure it’s terrorism and
wants the case, but without evidence Harriett shuts him down.
It’s a mutual disrespect and muscle flexing with those
two. Harriet grew up a street fighter. Her chief taught her
how to box, but that doesn’t stop her from fighting
dirty. She hates criminals, and sometimes other cops. Agent
Kash is proof of that. Her partner Detective Edward Whittacker
(Whitt) believes Harriett is a good person, “even if
that goodness was buried deep under plenty of bad behavior…”
Whitt has Harriet’s back concerning Sam and his case.
Whitt partners with Tox while Harriet is gone. Tox is abrasive
and unpredictable. Whitt fears someone may not survive Tox’s
bad choices. We find Whitt and Harriet’s storylines
move in various directions as clues are pursued, evidence
emerges and the truth sets in.
Patterson
and Fox make a great team. The storyline delivers and the
characters demand reaction. Harriett is a skilled detective
and rough character. Kash is as irritating as a rash. Whitt
is the good guy and a loyal partner, whereas Tox may be redeemable,
but still needs a swift kick.
In the
audio version, Federay Holmes narrates all three titles. Her
narration is the frosting on the cake when it comes to the
suspense. The foreboding in her voice just before a twist
or turn had literally held me in place. Her narration of Harriet
isn’t as severe as written. She gives Harriet a matter-of-fact
tone and sometimes there’s a bit of an edge that leaves
no doubt she can physically back up her words - like when
she and Kash clash. Federay delivers each character with precision.
All in all, a great listen.
Reviews
of other titles in this series
Black
and Blue
Never, Never [amazon]
Fifty,
Fifty
Crimson
Lake by Candice Fox [amazon]
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