His Only Defense-Carolyn McSparren

His Only Defense
Carolyn McSparren
Harlequin SuperRomance, Dec 2008, $5.50
ISBN: 0373715323

While working a nasty situation, Shelby County Police Negotiator Liz Gibson is shot; worse she is mentally shattered when a hostage she was trying to free was murdered. Liz carries survivor guilt as she keeps going over what happened to see what she could have done differently.

While still traumatized, Liz is assigned cold cases. Currently she is investigating the disappearance of the wife of builder Jud Slaughter seven years ago. Everyone even his stepdaughter and other family members believe Jud killed his spouse. After interviewing him, Liz believes he is not only innocent but he has no idea what happened to his spouse. However, she also knows that her attraction to Jud may make her see the case through rose colored glasses. Either way she plans to uncover the truth.

This superb police procedural romance stars two emotionally scarred individuals who meet due to her investigation. Liz is terrific as she falls in love with her prime suspect but keeps her professionalism even if it means the end of her relationship before it truly begins. Jud is frustrated as everyone including the new cop in his life who has given him back his feelings assumes he killed his wife. Readers will appreciate this strong contemporary Tennessee thriller as Carolyn McSparren keeps the audience wondering is he a victim or a psychopath.

Harriet Klausner