Review: Shadow of Suspicion

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First, computer specialist Laney Ryan's accused of kidnapping her neighbor's daughter—and now someone's trying to kill her. The police don't believe Laney's story…except for Detective Mark James, whose instincts say Laney isn't guilty. Together, Mark and Laney must figure out who really abducted the teen and uncover why they're framing Laney. But when their search for the truth turns deadly, Mark realizes his feelings for Laney aren't strictly professional and that he'll stop at nothing to keep her safe. With a dangerous suspect swiftly closing in, can they find the missing girl and clear Laney's name…before their possible future together is fatally cut short?

Genre: romantic suspense

Publication date: February 2017

Mature content: yes

Review: From reading the synopsis I had high expectations for this book, but sadly it didn't work for me. There's just no way I'm going to believe a computer specialist, of the caliber we are made to believe Laney is, could work for such a long time for someone she thought was CIA but then turned out to be terrorists - without the slightest hint of suspicion. That's the whole base of the plot. Once it falls, nothing else sounds realistic. And there are lots of other minor flaws in the story as well, such as Mark not having enough coverage to make a simple phone call but Laney, working at his side, going on-line and using her computer to hack into the a fire alarm...

In addition to that, I never felt Mark and Laney's connection go further than a slight physical attraction, and suddenly they are in love. To be honest, Laney acts like such a brat for the first two thirds of the book that I almost expected Mark to gladly strangle her instead. Several times he risks his life to rescue her, only for her to run away and put herself in danger all over again. Yes. she sounds like a very, very smart girl.

Overall, I think the plot had potential, but the way the story unfolds is just not convincing enough. 

Happy readings,