Review: "Justice Betrayed" by Patricia Bradley

Over the past couple of years, I've become a big fan of Patricia Bradley's novels. They're mysteries with a touch of suspense, but they're never over the top or gruesome. And they're always, always entertaining.

---

Two unsolved murders seventeen years apart are about to get personal . . .

It's Elvis Week in Memphis, and homicide detective Rachel Sloan isn't sure her day could get any stranger when aging Elvis impersonator Vic Vegas asks to see her. But when he produces a photo of her murdered mother with four Elvis impersonators--one of whom had also been murdered soon after the photo was taken--she's forced to reevaluate. Is there some connection between the two unsolved cases? And could the recent break-in at Vic's home be tied to his obsession with finding his friend's killer?

When yet another person in the photo is murdered, Rachel suddenly has her hands full investigating three cases. Lieutenant Boone Callahan offers his help, but their checkered romantic past threatens to get in the way. Can they solve the cases before the murderer makes Rachel victim number four?

---

From beginning to end, Justice Betrayed is completely compelling. It's the story of Rachel and Boone, two homicide detectives working together to solve a current murder that may be connected to two 17-year-old unsolved murders, one of which is Rachel's mother's murder.

This is one of the most fun mysteries that I've read in a long time! I loved how a few of the chapters were told from the killer's perspective, as this allowed me to really try to figure out who he/she was. I went back and forth among three people for about 3/4 of the novel, and I kept second guessing myself even after I settled on the correct person.

There's a hint of romance in the novel, as Boone and Rachel have a history and are clearly attracted to each other, but, as homicide coworkers, they're not allowed to be romantically involved. This made the romance thread quite light, and I enjoyed that the romance didn't get in the way of the mystery.

Rachel's reluctance to share anything with Boone drove me a bit crazy, and I did find it a little unbelievable that they didn't put together who the killer was sooner, but those are minor complaints when compared to the enjoyment I got out of reading the novel. 4-1/2 stars.

Note: This is the third book in Bradley's Memphis Cold Case series, but it completely functions as a stand alone novel. In fact, it's only slightly connected to the first two books, as it takes place completely outside of the cold case division.

Buy the book.

Read my reviews of the Memphis Cold Case books Justice Delayed (4-1/2 stars) and Justice Buried (4-1/2 stars) and the Logan Point series: A Promise to Protect (4 stars), Gone Without a Trace (4-1/2 stars), Silence in the Dark (4 stars).

---

Patricia Bradley is the author of Justice Delayed, Justice Buried, and Justice Betrayed, as well as the Logan Point series. Bradley won an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award in Suspense, was a finalist for the Genesis Award, won a Daphne du Maurier Award, and won a Touched by Love Award. She is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."