BOOK REVIEW

POWER by Debra Webb #3 - FACES OF EVIL SERIES

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BOOK BLURB

PUBLISHER: Grand Central Publishing

Release Date: September 04, 2012

GENRE: Fiction, Romantic Suspense

Agent Jess Harris is back in another thrilling installment of Debra Webb's Faces of Evil series.

Jess is ready to start the next chapter in her life as the new deputy chief of Birmingham's major crimes division. But with her first love, Chief of Police Dan Burnett, acting as her new boss, it looks like Jess won't be able to put the past behind her that easily.

Jess has decided to focus all of her attention on work when a celebrated ballet instructor is found dead by one of her students. Though Jess's instincts tell her otherwise, the death is ruled an accident, and the case is assigned to another division. Still, Jess can't shake the feeling that there's more to the story, and her investigation leads her into the worlds of Birmingham's gang culture and its powerful elite.

Now Jess's investigation has dug a little too deep, and there's a target painted on her own forehead. Will she be able to solve the crime before her own life is in jeopardy? 

REVIEW 
(Copy received from author)

Jess is Back! I missed this lady, you've no idea. This is book #3 in the Faces of Evil Series and it's still going strong. I've read both #1 OBSESSION (review here) and #2 IMPULSE (review here), and I've been waiting what feels like forever for POWER. This installment picks right up where the previous book 'Impulse' ended. Jess and Dan are still dancing around their love issue and have come to an agreement (mostly Jess's decision) that their personal and work relationship remain separate issues. As far as I'm concerned they just belong together.

Debra Webb doesn't mince her words or plot and sends you catapulting head first into the story. Jess is at the scene of an accident, or rather what she's been told must have been an accident as this is how Darcy Chandler was found by one of her students, Katrina Drescher. However, Jess isn't convinced after checking all possibilities on how an experienced ballerina with perfect balance could have plummeted to her death over a railing/bannister. Add the fact that her shoes have something to do with it, Jess is eager to not only figure this one out but catch the culprit at the same time. Yet once again, she's called into Dan's office and told that the case will now be handled by Chief Black in another department. Jess's hackles make their appearance once more, but Dan is quick to outline rules and departmental procedures whilst at the same time giving Jess another case to work on. She knows she can't push too much and backs down - for now. This in no way means she'll forget about Darcy. Her new case is to find a missing young African-American boy, DeShawn Simmons - she has to give this her all as not only will top brass keep tabs on her, but so will the media. We're talking Birmingham, Alabama where it's still thought that police co-operation and full out investigations only apply to those of fairer skin. What puts the whole department in the spotlight regarding this very sensitive issue is the fact that not two weeks prior the police went all out on a hunt for missing 'white' girls, of which Andrea (Dan's step-daughter) was one of the captives. As far as Jess is concerned, colour has nothing to do with anything. Everyone deserves the same treatment and every guilty and murderous person deserves to be behind bars. Andrea, who is still trying to come to terms with what happened to her and is slowly moving on, happens to work at the ballett school where she's yet again part of another tragedy. This poor girl doesn't seem to be catching any breaks.

After gathering as much information as she can, Jess comes to the conclusion that DeShawn and the girl who he has disappeared with, one Nina Lopez is all somehow gang related, which turns out to be right on the money. Whether DeShawn is still alive or dead, nobody knows. What you will know is that this is more involved than what initially thought. Allegiances split, new gangs or rather the same gangs 'inherit' by means of elimination, force, murder etc., a new leader. Family rivalry in gangs can and will be deadly. Whilst Jess is investigating DeShawn's disappearance, Lori who we met in the previous book, is also still recovering from her injuries caused by Eric Spears aka the 'Player' who is still on the loose. However, whilst on her time-out, she collaborates with Jess to dig further into Darcy's death. They know they are overstepping the rules but as Jess is convinced that Black isn't doing all he should and certain people keep giving her information, she really has no choice. A point must be reached where she needs to be able to get on or at least work with every department, and so will pass on the information when the time is right. The relationship between Harper (Jess's partner) and Lori continues and I can't wait to see what comes of this. A confession is made by someone stating that they killed Darcy and that it was accidental but I won't mention who, yet Jess is still not convinced and is in actual fact ticked off that her death has been ruled accidental. Added to this mix, you still have this back and forth between Jess and Dan, they wanna, but don't know if they should. As if this isn't enough to drive not only them insane, but myself as well, Dan's ex is forever crying on his shoulder and Jess had the temerity to call her ex for help. How does this dynamic affect their relationship? Another thorn in Jess's side is Dan's mother. Will Jess ever be good enough? Probably not. 

So, what you have here is another tightly woven romantic/suspense/thriller by the great Debra Webb. I can't stress this enough, but if you like romantic suspense, the nail biting variety, then do yourself a favour, please, and pick up The Faces of Evil Series. It's almost like you hear a clock ticking when you are reading this series in the background. You want to steamroll ahead in order to find out what is going to happen next. This is only the beginning as there will be twelve books in this series. Best you get started, 'cause I know you will kick yourself for not reading them.

The 'Player' didn't err, play a part in this book but damn if he isn't coming back. I know this is definately not the end of this character. With him will come more evil, of this I'm sure.

Faces of Evil probably cross our path every single day - we just don't know it to look at them. Scary!

I can't wait for the next one. Thrilling writing not to mention reading!  

PS: I'm a 'suspect' on the Faces of Evil website. Check it out here: http://thefacesofevil.com/suspects/

RATING: 5 STARS