Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore

Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore ISBN-13: 9781414396682 Trade Paperback: 425 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers Released: June 1, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
A possible serial killer stalking elderly women in Long Beach, California. Detective Abby Hart's best lead is Luke Murphy, a private investigator who saw a suspect flee the scene of the latest homicide. When Abby discovers that the most recent victim is related to the governor, she's anxious to talk to him about a cold case that's personal to her--one that Luke is interested in as well. As they learn more about the restaurant fire that took her parents' lives years ago, though, the more questions they have. Can Abby find peace without having all the answers?


My Review:
Drawing Fire is a Christian suspense novel. It's the first in a series. The cases were closed by the end, but where the potential romance might go is left open-ended. I liked that Abby and Luke didn't act hastily or inappropriately based on their attraction--Abby is engaged to another man. But I was glad that at least one character could understand Abby's deep desire for justice and could support her through the confusion of what they learn.

Abby and Luke were complex characters who struggled with not having justice or all the answers about a past tragedy. They reacted realistically to events, and I understood why they acted the way they did. Abby is an awesome character; she's dogged in the pursuit of justice, trusts that others can do a job well, and is willing to listen to wise advice. Luke is both a skilled fighter and a gentleman, and he also cared about justice and helping people heal.

I liked how the different cases in this book each acted as a catalyst to bring out information about the old case. The suspense was from physical danger to the characters and imperfect clues that confuse as much as expose what happened in the old case.

There was no bad language and no sex. The Christian aspect was mostly in how the characters treated others and a theme of forgiveness. Overall, I'd recommend this well-written suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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