Into the Fire

I’ve reviewed Irene Hannon’s Heroes of Quantico Series (Against All Odds; An Eye for an Eye; In Harm’s Way) on this blog. Incorporating some of those heroes into her new Guardians of Justice Series, Fatal Judgment brings a fresh set of heroes for the readers of romantic suspense.

U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor is assigned to guard his dead best friend’s (Doug) wife, Elizabeth (Liz) Michaels, a federal judge who’s just returned home to find her sister murdered in her living room. Jake has no fond memories of the woman he’s only met a couple of times due to the sketches of her made to him over the last few years by her husband over the telephone, painting her as a cold and driven woman who cared more about her career than she did about Doug.

It doesn’t take too long before the police detective (Jake’s brother Cole), the US Marshals, and the FBI discover the real target was Liz. Leaving only one golden feline hair as evidence, the investigators discover the killer is precise, intentional, but mistaken in his kill from behind the victim.

The judge is shaken, grieving, but strong and cooperative as Jake and her protection relocate her and put her to work on her past cases which might lead them to the perpetrator before he makes another attempt on her life. As she works to be helpful, Jake learns the woman is nothing like the portrait painted by his troubled friend, and his attraction to her grows uncontrollably as he fights to remain professional in their contacts.

Jake’s a widower who lost his shallow faith at the death of his wife. In spite of her tremendous pain, Liz clings to God, knowing He’s her only way back to a “normal” life.

Veering off midway to connect us to the killer’s life and motivation, we see his meticulous efforts to carry out his personal “patriotic” plan to eliminate his idea of a corrupt judge. Perverting the mission of the right to “bear arms” and support the Constitution, the self-absorbed perp blames Liz and the government for his woes. I felt there were a few plot points that came a little too conveniently—albeit cleverly done—to lead to the discovery of this killer.

Irene’s writing is clean with little amplification, and she follows a narrow formula for romantic suspense giving her protagonist and heroine likable qualities and appeal while keeping the UST going strong until they both succumb to their mutual attraction and dump the formalities. Fatal Judgment typifies the genre and rates as solid commercial Christian Fiction.

Father, there’s no question Irene writes to bring you glory. I pray you would continue to bless her with stories that give credit where credit is due. Watch over her and direct her steps. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.