Into the Fire

Due up for the CFBA Tour is bestselling author Dee Henderson's long awaited and much anticipated new novel Full Disclosure, published by Bethany House. Probably best known for her O'Malley and Uncommon Heroes Series, Full Disclosure comes after a five year absence from the publishing ranks. This romantic suspense includes characters from Henderson's previous novels with the heroine of Full Disclosure portrayed as the author of their stories.

FBI Special Agent Paul Falcon meets MHI (Midwest Homicide Investigator) Ann Silver in his Chicago office when she brings him a solid lead to a cold case of 30 murders done by a killer tagged simply as "The Lady Shooter". He listens intently to her "story" of how she came by the evidence he'll need to re-open the case, and when she's finished with the detailed account, he's not only intrigued by her thorough report and intelligent, informed presentation, he's a bit taken with her as a whole. Quickly discovering they have many mutual friends in common, he's stunned at how high her sterling credentials go.

Ann Silver flies planes wherever she needs to go, is recognized professionally by high-ranking officers of the law in all branches and the former Vice President. Her job uses her to give fresh insights to some of the worst murders around the country, and she lives alone with her dog Midnight who she calls Black. Added to all of that, she's an author of multiple novels which are based on love stories of Paul's and her mutual friends.

As their lives criss-cross with crime and friends, Paul gets serious about pursuing this woman who seems content to stay single and unattached from a serious relationship. Paul slowly reveals his intentions and inches himself into attaining her trust – a monumental task – all while attempting to gain ground in discovering and capturing The Lady Shooter.

Full Disclosure is divided into eight titled parts, the first five parts focused more on a particular character, the last three on particular revelations. It's a complex story that meanders a bit, juggling Paul's and Ann's histories between investigations, but comes together at the end in multiple ways. The title provides multi-level implications.

Written in a style which seems comfortable to Dee, she draws her characters well, but I must admit I didn't entirely warm up to them. Ann seemed too perfect and her demands too steep. Paul was too benevolent and nearly perfect himself. Ann held onto herself tight, Paul opened up without hesitation. Ann's friends – even the ones in high places – presented her as flawless and were ultra-protective of her, creating this paradox of a fiercely independent woman who "needed" their guardianship. Both characters easily display their Christianity.

Speaking personally, it felt a little too slick to make Ann the author of Henderson's previous novels, like slipping in an extra marketing tool to promote them along with the new release.

Paul's and Ann's "romance" didn't quite do it for me. Trying to capture "unique" in these two different characters, it came off more as "odd", but that's me. The strengths of the story came in the hunt for "The Lady Shooter" and the ties to other events which gave it a nice twist. However, the complacency of a certain character at the end worked too easily.

Dee Henderson's fans will love this story, and since she has a lot of them, I don't see this novel being anything but successful. It's a good thing to see a new release from her.  

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764210890
  

Father, I pray your continued blessings upon Dee Henderson, trusting you to supply more stories for her to tell. Please give her all that she needs to honor you in what you have for her to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.