Book Review: Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore

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Synopsis from the author website: 

Officer Brinna Caruso has built a reputation as the cop to call when a child goes missing. For Brinna, it’s personal because she was once one of them. Brinna and K-9 Search and Rescue dog, Hero, will stop at nothing to find a missing child, no matter the stakes. But when circumstances require she give up Hero for a time and take on a two legged partner, Brinna’s balance and mission at work is stymied. Detective Jack O’Reilly isn’t ready to return to his homicide duties after losing his wife to a drunk driver. He’s on the downside of his career and bent on revenge, when he’s assigned as Brinna’s partner. While on patrol, Jack struggles between his quest for personal justice and his responsibilities to those around him, especially his partner. Skeptical of Jack’s motives and leery of his abilities, Brinna isn’t sure she can rely on her new partner, whose recklessness endangers the safety of those around him. But when a man surfaces with an MO similar to the criminal who abducted Brinna twenty years earlier, Brinna and Jack must cast aside previous judgments and combine efforts to catch the kidnapper, and finally allow Brinna the peace stolen from her as a child.

My review:

This book was a page turner. Lots of questions and suspense. Will Brinna find the missing child? Will Jack come to terms with his wife’s death? Is there a God who really cares? I was riveted while watching them struggle with their pasts and coming to terms with a God who would allow evil.

Brinna was a tough cookie, that’s for sure. Her past made her stronger and determined to protect the innocent. I admired that in her.

When we meet Jack, he is struggling with anger over his wife’s death. I really liked the way that the author handled his struggle to deal with it. It wasn’t tied up in a nice bow at the end, but he was beginning to heal.

The bad guy… (shudder)… Truly a creepy bad guy.  His appearances had me wanting to turn pages quicker. At the end, things were settled with him, but it was almost like an afterthought. I found myself a little disappointed with that.

What I enjoyed most about this book: 

I really liked the suspense and the growth of both main characters in their friendship and also their relationship with God.

What I didn’t like about this book:  

The ending for the bad guy seemed like an afterthought.

My rating:  3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend this book to others?  I would. I was drawn into the story right away and I liked that both Brinna and Jack struggled with how God exists in the midst of evil in the world. This is the first book in this series and I am looking forward to reading more.

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Janice Cantore, author website

 

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