Strand of Deception: A Justice Seekers Novel

Enjoyed the whole series.

Robin Caroll writes great Christian romantic suspense books. This is the latest in her latest series. I recommend all of her books in all of her series.

This Christian fiction is the third in the Justice Seekers series, but it's a stand alone work. I received my copy Monday afternoon and had it finished by Wednesday evening. It's a real page-turner.

I like the two main characters: Nick Hagar and Maddie Baxter--who become romantically connected. They both share tragedy in their past lives: Nick's brother died while serving overseas with the Marines, and Maddie's parents were killed by a drunken driver. This causes Nick to doubt God, while Maddie leans on Christ.

Nick's hard work at finding and following leads has the reader jumping from one conclusion to another. "Science doesn't lie" is the motto that Maddie lives by, as she manages the DNA testing. Their struggles of work on a murder case makes for some interesting and complex issues.

Maddie, a super fan of Elvis and his music, creates a lighter theme that runs throughout the novel. As a long-time lover of Elvis, I really enjoyed the references!

Discussion questions included.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and B&H Books for my copy.

Maddie Baxter is a forensic scientist working for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. She believes that "Science never lies." When a local politician's daughter is found murdered, Maddie and the rest of the forensic team are called out to gather the evidence.

Special Agent in Charge Nick Hagar is heading up the investigation. When he meets Maddie he is instantly attracted to her. One problem, Nick used to be her brothers boss. As they both work to find the killer Nick and Maddie's relationship grows. Nick is bitter against God though and that may hinder any type of relationship that the two could have.

As the case takes twists and turns Nick has to deal with personal emotions and misconceptions that he has believed since his brother's death. Beliefs that have separated him from his faith for years now have to be faced since he met Maddie.

Maddie has to deal with the guilt she feels over being the means of setting a criminal free. Confronted by the victim and believing once again that "Science never lies" Maddie sets out to find the real criminal.

Maddie is the last of the Baxter siblings to find love. Her brother Rafe and sister Riley found romance in the first two novels of the Justice Seeker series:

To Write a Wrong
Injustice for All

While I enjoyed STRAND OF DECEPTION, I think that it was lacking in the suspense that the other two novels had. I found all of the scientific and investigative techniques interesting and that was enough to keep me turning the pages along with the mystery of "who done it?" I also enjoyed catching up with Rafe and Remington and Riley and Hayden. It was fun to see Rafe go all "big brother" on Nick!