No Statute of Limitations on Revenge
The body of a man has been discovered burned beyond recognition in a seedy part of Woodbridge and detectives Steele and Stenson are called to the scene. However, the coroners aren’t needed for Trent to identify the victim as the abusive husband of his aunt based off a piece of jewelry he is wearing. But why is Don Lambert burnt to a crisp in the red-light District of Woodbridge, and most of all is Trent’s Aunt Gertrude involved? Trent’s relationship with his aunt is strained at best and broken at worst thanks to years of isolation, alienation and abuse at Lambert’s hands and even with him out of the picture Gertrude is still tight lipped which makes her look like a prime suspect. Not to be deterred, however, the pair dig into Lamber’s current and past dealings and discover quite a few people who could want him dead, but burned to a crisp? That is specific and personal. When a link is discovered that could blow the case wide open they feel as if they may be getting somewhere, but when the possible prior victim/suspect also turns up dead they are back to square one, until the final break that leads them on a chase to apprehend the culprit before one of them are targeted.
Woodbridge is no stranger to cases that hit too close to home on occasion and The Wildfire Girl is no exception, but this time the prime suspect is Trent’s estranged aunt. Having isolated herself years ago from Trent and his family, Gertrude is standoffish and reluctant which does not help her case. Wanting to be there for his aunt and prove her innocent Trent must walk a thin line between professional and personal but this is not a line that is unknown to him as his attraction to Amanda seems to be lingering. At times, the tension between the pair is palpable and I couldn’t help but wonder if this would be the moment that they would both cave in. And with Logan, Amanda’s boyfriend ever jealous and suspicious of the pair this definitely made for some high drama both on and off the clock.
While The Wildfire Girl is the eleventh book in the long running Detective Amanda Steele series by author Carolyn Arnold this should not discourage you from picking up this title. Arnold has structured this series in such a way that each case/installment works just as well as a stand alone as it does part of the overall series and setting. If you like trillers, police procedurals and authors who are not afraid to tackle sensitive subjects within their storylines, I would suggest any of Carolyn Arnold’s books.
Full disclosure: I was provided a copy of this title by the author or their authorized agent, however, have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own.
Jennly Reads 