Janice Kay Johnson Dead Wrong

Dead Wrong

Janice Kay Johnson

Signature Select, Feb 2006, $5.99

ISBN: 0373836902

Following the brutal rape and homicide of his girlfriend Gillian, and the conviction of her killer Ricky Mendoza, Will Patton returns home hoping to heal. However, another murder with the same MO of being strangled by a jockstrap and the cup pulled over the face, as the Gillian case occurs. The police assume it is copy cat, even as more homicides happen. The deceased Amy Owen and Gilliam share something in common with Gilliam. It is a connection to a beleaguered Will; he dated both.

Police Detectives Meg Patton and her partner Trina Giallombardo lead the investigation, but both know they should be excused as they have ties to Will. Meg is his mother, while Trina is half in love with him, having never overcome her high school crush. As they follow clues, the two female cops try to keep Will safe, even as he rejects their protection; instead he begins his own inquiries.

The sequel to PATTON'S DAUGHTERS: PATTON'S DAUGHTER: RENEEPATTON'S DAUGHTER: MEG is a fine police procedural romance with the emphasis on the investigation, including its impact on the relationships between the three prime players. The inquiries cause a strain between mother and son, and slow down the budding romance between the partner and the son. Though why Meg remained on the case with her obvious conflict of interest seems off kilter, fans will appreciate this strong suspense thriller.