Eight stars
Nancy Allen's collaborative work in the legal thriller genre pales in comparison to her own writing in this series. I sped through the first few novels and have not been disappointed. Not only is this novel a great legal thriller, but there are social elements that force the reader to synthesise what they are reading. Allen sets her stories in the Missouri Ozarks, where the rules do not follow the mainstream, which adds another layer and flavor to an already great series. I am so pleased that I took the time to read these books and will have to hope for more!
The Missouri Ozarks are nothing like many places in the United States. McCown County is at its heart and assistant prosecutor Elsie Arnold has lived here her entire life. While she is preparing an assault case to go before the jury, Elsie is alerted to a girl who has been found beaten and bloodied at a cheap motel along the highway. Seeking to act swiftly, Elsie tries to get Mandy to share the name of her attacker, but the teen is too scared and stubborn to prove helpful. It is only when Mandy disappears that the investigation gains momentum. With what she knows, Elsie is sure that there is a predator lurking around the area, though no one is yet ready to believe that sex trafficking could have made its way into this part of the Ozarks.
All the while, Desiree Wickham goes missing after attending a 'photo shoot' on her own. The narrative is blotchy and Elsie is sure that it has something to do with Mandy's assault. Pushing through to investigate on her own, Elsie discovers that numerous young girls have been targeted by a dubious modelling agency and are never seen again. When she seeks to share this with the authorities, including her current beau, Detective Ashlock, she is shunned and told not to be so dramatic.
As Elsie pushes to reveal the truth about the modelling agency, she is soon pulled into the middle of the trouble and finds herself fighting for her life, as well as those of the other girls. With little to go on, the authorities will have to try tracing Elsie's whereabouts and rescue her, all while a predator seeks to advance his own agenda. Allen does a stunning job with this novel and the entire series, which proves addictive and a sure page-turner.
Nancy Allen's solo work proves highly enjoyable and full of thought provoking moments. Allen engages the reader with a solid narrative, contrasting the strength of the law with some of the social choices found in the Missouri Ozarks. Done thoroughly and yet respectfully, Allen keeps the reader thinking as they enjoy the ride. The legal aspects fuel a strong narrative, gaining speed while personal events push things in another direction, culminating in a revelation that will shock the attentive reader. Characters make the story even better with their Ozark-centric presentation. Elsie Arnold, whose backstory is further enriched with some personal moments in the story, proves to be a stellar protagonist and has me eager to learn more about her.
Plot points make this book even better, juggling legal and social elements effectively. Allen advances things with strong twists and numerous pieces of commentary embedded in the narrative,
sure to keep the reader engaged and guessing. Handling numerous highly controversial subjects, the story takes on a life of its own. I have really enjoyed this series to date and hope Allen pens more before long!
Kudos Madam Allen, for perhaps the most impactful novel of the series!
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