Theft of spirit is no one’s birthright.A quirk of her X chromosome furnished Alexis with an edge few others enjoyed. After fate plunged her into orphan status and an intolerable foster home forced her to the streets, she found shelter with a group of prostitutes determined to protect her from their vicious pimp. Seeing something special within, they nurtured and shielded her from their harsh … harsh reality until she could forge her own path in life.
Destiny frequently takes us back to our roots. Lexi’s return journey begins when a serial killer attacks someone from her past who’d offered refuge. Relying on courage and wit, she must stay a step ahead and secure evidence to free her family from a psychopathic murderer.
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Tender Echoes is a little, yet relatively meaty, novella that serves as an introduction to the protagonists of the new (2017) McAllister Justice series. Lexi, a young woman who was orphaned and landed on the streets after failing foster care, takes the lead in this prequel. She was taken under the wing of a group of kind “ladies of the night” who protected her and made it possible for her to escape back to a life with opportunity. She has become a crack internet hacker, a skill that comes in handy in this tale. Her prostitute saviors have come under attack by their pimp and all are too frightened to finger him. Lexi uses her skills and a large amount of courage and wits to anonymously help the cops, including McAllister and partner Larrick, bring down the perp.
These are the things I liked most about this novella: I loved getting to know Lexi, an admirable woman who plays a major role in the next book. I also delighted in her charismatic blue-eyed mongrel shepard Hoover who is constantly at Lexi’s side and is basically her partner. In addition, I really enjoyed a novel-worthy section of action and high suspense that was gripping and bodes well for future books.
All in all, this novella is a great setup for the series. Ms. Garrett has an interesting background, citing her work experience as an ICU nurse, a private investigator, and time with the military police. This gives her plenty of fodder to draw upon for her stories. I’m ready to dig in further, and the first novel of the McAllister Justice series, Digital Velocity, will be my next read.
Despite the tragedy that forced Lexi to live in the streets, she was still a breath of fresh air. The prostitutes took her under their wing, sheltered and nurtured her so she could find her right path in life.
Lexi learned incredible computer skills. She also had hacking tendencies that helped others. Lexi’s kindness and thoughtfulness to help others as they had helped her when she really needed it.
When Lexi’s friend is attacked by her pimp, she sends anonymous tips to the police so they can apprehend the serial before he gets to her or one of her friends.
I loved the banter between Detective Ethan McAllister and his partner Larius.
Tender Echoes is a great introduction to the McAllister Justice series. Filled with suspense and mystery. The characters are flawless. Digital Velocity is the next book of this series.
Theft of spirit or LIFE is no one’s birthright.
A quirk of her X chromosome furnished Alexis with an edge few others enjoyed. After fate plunged Lexi into orphan status and an intolerable foster home forced her to the streets, a group of prostitutes sheltered her from their vicious pimp. Seeing something special within, they nurtured and shielded her from their harsh reality until she could forge her own path in life. Destiny frequently takes us back to our roots. Lexi’s return journey begins when a serial killer attacks someone who’d offered her refuge in her previous life. Relying on courage and wit, she must stay a step ahead and secure evidence to free her family from a psychopathic murderer.
What did I like? Lexi is my little hero and it is awesome her courage in trying to make things right and pay back a little of the kindness that was shown to her when she needed it so much.
@ddeegott What will you like? Mystery, Thriller, Action, Adventure, Murder, Psychological thriller, and romance. The action is fast and tense with Lexi and the McAlister boys right in the mix of things. This will give you the beginning of Lexi’s story and how she fights a serial killer.