Monday, December 21, 2009

Book Review: Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl and April Henry

About the book:

Fox News legal correspondent and former Federal Prosecutor Lis Wiehl has created a suspense novel that's as timely as tomorrow's headlines.

While home on Christmas break, a seventeen-year-old Senate page takes her dog out for a walk and never returns. Reporter Cassidy Shaw is the first to break the story. The resulting media firestorm quickly ensnares Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce and FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges. The three unique women are life-long friends who call themselves The Triple Threat--a nickname derived from their favorite dessert and their uncanny ability to crack cases via their three positions of power.

Though authorities think Katie might have been kidnapped or run away, those theories shatter when Nicole uncovers Katie's blog. They reveal a girl troubled by a mysterious relationship with an older man. Possibly a U.S. Senator.

As the three women race against time to find Katie alive, their increasing emotional involvement brings out their own inner demons and external enemies. There are many faces of betrayal, but they must find one face in a crowd of growing suspects before they become the next victims.

In Face of Betrayal, Lis Wiehl's expertise in law, politics, and criminal investigation merges with April Henry's narrative genius to create a gripping mystery filled with rich characters, real danger, and a shocking yet satisfying final twist.

My thoughts:

From the glowing endorsements plastered all over the front and back covers, I really expected Face of Betrayal to be a great book. Unfortunately, it was just ho-hum okay. While the Triple Threat Club was a great concept, I started to get bored with it after awhile. Allison was really the only character of the TTC that I liked.

The plot of the story was a great idea, and exactly what you'd see on the news, but the delivery of the story just seemed flat. The suspense of the book was good throughout the book because I truly had no idea who the killer was. However, when the TTC figures it out, the whole scene is somewhat anti-climactic.

Overall, I'd have to say that this is a so-so book, and probably not one that I'd recommend to suspense fans. I'd say that there's a 50-50 chance I'll read the next book in the series.

3 Stars

*This book was provided to me at no charge for review through the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger Program.

3 comments:

  1. The premise of the story reminds me of a case I did see in the news a couple years ago. I can't think of the name off the top of my head though... It does sound like a good idea for a book.

    Sorry it didn't live up to expectations. Since the suspense was good, was it because the characters were just poorly written - or because it had a bad ending? or both?

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  2. I've been seeing the name Shaundra Levy in several places associated with this book...apparently the stories are similar.

    Honestly, I think it was the characters and the ending that made it bad. No one seemed to have any personality whatsoever, and there was zero humor. Humor wasn't an expectation going in, but gee whiz, when you're dealing with murder, you need some lighthearted banter to take the edge off.

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  3. I agree (about the humor), and you would think it would come naturally with a trio of lifelong friends working together. Surely they would have some moments where they would make fun of each other or remember funny stories of the past... something.

    That is exactly who I was thinking of too (the real case of Shaundra Levy).

    Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on the book.

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