Anderson plunges readers into a gripping romantic thriller that unfolds with the escape of Julius Leech, a convicted serial killer. Leech’s escape is a nightmare for Hope Harper, the assistant district attorney who has a dark history with him: seven years ago, Hope orchestrated Leech’s acquittal for a different crime on a technicality, despite her misgivings that he was, in fact, guilty. Shortly after her courtroom win, Hope discovered her husband and daughter brutally murdered, a crime she immediately pinned on Leech—though he maintained his innocence from the start. Now, with him on the loose, Hope’s once again in danger.Under around-the-clock protection from the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, led by Aaron Nash, Hope finds herself bunking down with Nash and his operatives inside her home, while Leech goes on an escalating spree of murders—and seeks vengeance against those responsible for his conviction. As Hope continues her pursuit of justice in the courtroom while being surrounded by armed men, Agent Frazer is assigned to the hunt, and Leech’s personal assistant, Blake Delaware, and old friend Eloisa are drawn into the fray. Meanwhile, Aaron grapples with Hope’s controlling nature—and wrestles with mistrust towards her brother-in-law Brendan—until the two collide in the throes of a forbidden romance, complicating an already volatile situation.
Anderson masterfully weaves a tale of danger and desire, expertly balancing suspense with romantic tension in this fourth installment of her Cold Justice – Most Wanted series (after Cold Snap). The narrative threads converge in a gripping climax, leading to her capture by Leech. Amidst the chaos, a shocking revelation about Hope’s family changes everything. Anderson delves into the complexities of a relentless woman confronting the fallout of her ambition, while highlighting the consequences of misdeeds in an unjust and corrupt world.
Takeaway: Romantic thriller fueled by gripping tension and an explosive ending.
Comparable Titles: Willow Rose’s Don’t Lie to Me, Jo Nesbo’s Police.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
