Devious: A Jamie Richmond Mystery, Book 1 by Mark Love (Book Review)

Jamie Richmond, reporter turned author, is doing research for her next book. Attempting to capture the realism of a police officer’s duties while on patrol, she manages to tag along for a shift with a state police trooper. A few traffic stops and a high speed chase later, Jamie’s ride takes an unexpected turn when she witnesses the trooper being shot. Although it is not a fatal injury, Jamie becomes obsessed with unraveling the facts behind this violent act. While she is trying to sort out this puzzle, she becomes romantically involved with Malone, another trooper with a few mysteries of his own. Now Jamie’s attention is divided between a blooming romance and solving the crime which is haunting her. Jamie begins to question the events that took place and exactly who could be behind the shooting. It was a devious mind. But who?

Just a heads up, this book DID NOT portray cops in a positive light at all. With that out of the way, let me address the plot. 

It was pretty easy to guess what the heck was going on and why. A real no-brainer (IMHO). 

I will say, I hope things like that (the plot) don’t occur in the real world. If they do….. I just don’t want to think about it. (Yes, I’m being vague on purpose to avoid issuing out spoilers.) 

 

Plot and deceit aside…. let me touch on what bothered me most about Devious. WHAT THE HECK IS MALONE’S FIRST NAME!?!

 

He won’t tell Jamie. Her police captain/stepdad Bert won’t tell her. A friend of Malone’s won’t tell her either. They all claim he is just Malone or Sergeant. Come on, really!! 

 

Even after they decide to move in together, he keeps this secret. Standard response to her inquiry, “What’s in a name?” 

 

If a man is gracing my bed repeatedly, moving into my place, then I deserve to know his full name. Heck, I would want to know more than just that but a first name would be top of the list. 

Don’t you agree?

I understand keeping things ‘close to the vest’ to add mystery to a relationship, but your name. Call me old fashion but my legs would’ve stayed closed until he fessed up. 

 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤

 

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!! 

PAPERBACK / KINDLE

 

 

 

Mark Love lived for many years in the metropolitan Detroit area, where crime and corruption always prevalent. A former freelance reporter, Love honed his writing skills covering features and hard news. He is the author of five previous mysteries, Fade Away, Desperate Measures, WHY 319? and three Jamie Richmond romance mysteries, Devious, Vanishing Act and Fleeing Beauty.

Love resides in west Michigan with his wife, Kim. He enjoys a wide variety of music, books, travel, cooking and the great outdoors. Love is currently working on his next novel.

 

You can find him on Facebook, Amazon and his blog at the links below.

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009P7HVZQ

http://marklove024.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MarkLoveAuthor