Colleen Thompson, The Deadliest Denial

The Deadliest Denial

Colleen Thompson

Love Spell, May 2006, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0505526700

When San Antonio Policy Sergeant Raul Contreras and Buck County Sheriff Joel Shepherd visit Claire Winslow, she fears the worst, being that her beloved husband died in the line of duty as his partner recently did. However, she realizes there are things apparently worse than death when the two law enforcement officials inform her that her police officer spouse Spence has been arrested in Little Bee Creek charged with killing Adam Strickland over gambling debts. In shock by their accusations, she is further stunned when they insist she was his next target.

Claire has further problems when someone vandalizes her horse ranch several times. As she panics over why someone is attacking her, Spence skips bail to see her. He pleads with her that he is innocent and plans to prove this; he also asks her to trust in their love. Claire wonders if he can be that good of a performer that he seems to be telling her the truth, because she knows the two cops who insist her husband wanted her dead and that Spence was psychological struggling with his partner's death. Of course she realizes he could have achieved his objective rather easily if that was his true goal, so she agrees to help him, not knowing the risk from the person who betrayed both of them.

Though readers know early on that Spence is an innocent fugitive, Colleen Thompson provides a powerful thriller, as the beleaguered hero seems unable to prove it (think of Dr. Kimball). The storyline is action-packed, yet the key lead couple seems genuine, especially Claire, who wants to believe but has doubts. Though coincidence is used to uncover clues, fans of psychological police procedural will appreciate this tense, exciting and entertaining thriller.