Convictions
Maureen McKade
Berkley, Oct 2005
ISBN: 04252085088

A stalker attacks Chicago ADA Olivia Kincaid shattering her kneecap with a baseball bat and devastating her sense of safety. Already considered a hard case when it comes to criminals, the assault affirms her position. Still she comes home to heal on the ranch of her father retired Judge Andrew Kincaid.

Andrew sponsors a prison release program in which convicts work and sleep on his ranch in spite of the attack on his daughter and the murder of his wife years ago. Olivia objects feeling these felons belong behind bars though she is reluctantly attracted to one Hank Elliot who spent the last six years behind bars for being the driver in a hold-up. He claims that he is innocent because he did not know his friend planned a robbery. As he proves to be honest, loyal and dedicated, murders begin occurring to include one of the criminals and a reporter. The evidence points towards Hank, but Olivia knows that the man she loves would not kill and risks her life to prove it.

CONVICTIONS is a fascinating romantic suspense thriller in which the police procedural elements come in the latter half of the tale. The story line focuses on why Olivia wants no part of Hank as she suffers from the "rape" of her sense of well being and why Hank must avoid her at all costs if he is to get out of prison early. His younger sister showing up at the ranch as a cook assistant adds to the understanding of how much Hank lost with his indiscretion. Although the motives for the homicides seem way out and too psychopathic, fans will appreciate Maureen McKade's marvelous tale starring two people in love though both knows the other is wrong for them.

Harriet Klausner