In the vein of Lisa Jackson and Julia Maynard, a dark and compulsive mystery about secrets too big for the small town’s britches.When secrets are too big to buy, it’s worth killing to bury them.Growing up, Laura Mori was constantly overshadowed by her far more successful siblings. She had a tough time appeasing her parents, and now that she’s a police officer, recently promoted to detective, they … recently promoted to detective, they still seem less than fazed. Everyone knows a cop’s salary—it’s meager, to say the least. But Laura has found her calling—she was born to be a detective and is determined to prove it, if not to her parents, then at least to the boys club that is Sunrise Lake PD. She sticks out like a sore thumb as the only young female minority, but she has resolved to at least seem like an unshakeable thumb.
The next case file on her desk turns out to be a bank heist and it should be easy enough, but what starts off as a one-and-done job quickly begins to seem too by-the-book and oddly like a notorious series of deadly bank hits from years past dubbed Twilight. But it’s a dead end—Twilight is only ever mentioned in hushed tones, and there’s little to no history on it in the department. And then she receives her first sign, of many more to come, that her investigation is not welcome. Alongside her partner Z and stunningly attractive FBI agent Nick Derringer, she begins to pull on the frayed thread, and that’s when she sees the bloody writing on the wall: the only other young female cop on the force was KIA during Twilight.
With too much on the line to lose, including her own life, Laura must get to the bottom of the case and fast, or she, too, will become history.
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In the Line of Fire is the second novel in A Laura Mori Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone since the Where the Lost Girls Go is summarized for new readers. The mystery is complex and multi-layered. I did feel, though, that the author was trying to put too much into one book. I like that Laura is intelligent and takes a methodical approach to the investigation. As a police procedural book, we are taken through the various steps of an investigation. Witness statements are gathered, evidence collected and tested, reviewing old case files, etc. I did find some sections a little drier than others and it can be hard to keep track of the various characters. While Laura is investigating the current bank heist and seeing if it ties to the old Twilight robberies, her partner “Z” is working on a series of petty thefts at a retirement home. There is an undercover detective looking into corruption within the department as well. I liked how the tension mounted as I neared the end of the book with Laura was closing in on her suspects. The author slowly tied everything together. Not all of it is believable, but it was wrapped up neatly leaving no loose threads. I thought the tchotchke thefts that aggravated Z were humorous and clever. If you are an avid mystery reader, you will have no problem solving the case before the solution is revealed. Laura would be a workaholic if her boss let her (though she does sneak home files). She spends time with her roommate, Natalie who happens to be dating “Z”. Laura suffers from panic attacks and feels like she is a disappoint to her parents (her siblings are overachiever types). I like the cast of characters in the book. Laura’s boss, Lt. Omak is a dedicated officer and looks out for his employees. I was baffled as to why Laura wore a uniform. She is a detective and they normally wear plain clothes. I wish this element had been explained. In the Line of Fire is an intriguing novel with a complex crime, a bank heist, corrupt cops, a fetching FBI agent, tchotchke thief and one dedicated detective.
A very entertaining and complex mystery with a female detective who doesn’t give up. Laura Mori has always known that she was meant to be a detective with the Sunrise Lake P.D. When a bank robbery occurs in their small town, it reminds Laura of similar robberies from several years, called Twilight, that were never solved. Her partner Z worked the last Twilight robbery when the Lieutenant’s sister, an officer, was killed. When Laura attempts to explore the similarities between the current and past crimes, she is told to leave it alone. When she continues to question the evidence, the threats begin. FBI Agent Nick Derringer arrives to aide in the search for the robbers and he and Laura question why someone is trying to shut down the investigation. Is it possible that there is corruption within the force? As danger stalks Laura, Nick realizes that the personal feelings he has for Laura are returned and they must tread carefully. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
A really great book. It is about a female Detective called Laura Mori that is trying to solve a bank robbery. But what should have been straight forward turns into a lot more. Between her partner Z and the FBI agent Nick Derringer things move fast. A very well done thriller fast paced and attention grabbing with plenty of twists to through you off and some romance thrown in. Great characters and very well thought out story line. This is the second story with this character I haven’t read the first one yet but am going to go back and read it. I was able to read this as a stand alone and didnt have any problem knowing what was what