Review: Credo's Hope by Alison Naomi Holt

ASIN #: B004H4XH2I

Page Count: 256

Copyright: 2010

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Introducing Detective ALEXANDRA WOLFE, a fresh, funny, tough cop who skates on the edge of the law in her quest for justice. A Mafia boss, a hunky bi-sexual nurse, Alex’s rescued mutt, Tessa, and her exuberant best friend, MEGAN, help Alex turn her everyday life as a detective upside down.

Six years ago, Brian McClelland was murdered, and his brother was convicted of shooting him. When Megan bullies Alex into reviewing the case, Alex discovers that her captain was the chief investigator who overlooked evidence that might have proved the brother’s innocence.

Against the captain’s orders and Alex’s better judgment, she unofficially re-opens the case and finds herself following a twisted investigative trail left by the murder victim. The problem is, she has no idea what he was investigating or whether his investigation ultimately led to his death.

As she digs into clues from the past, she finds herself at the doorstep of the beautiful and daunting Giannina Angelino, who just happens to be the head of the Angelino Crime Family. Things really heat up for Alex when she starts to receive unsolicited help from the mafia, and the police department, once again orders her to stay away from the murder investigation and from any connections with organized crime. This in itself proves difficult since Gianina doesn’t answer to Alex’s chain of command and continues to help wherever and whenever she sees fit.

Alex’s unorthodox methods blur her personal and professional lives and when her two worlds collide, keeping her day job becomes the least of her worries as Alex struggles to keep from following the dead man’s trail straight to her own demise.

Mandy's Review:

Cover

The horse on the cover, as I found out while reading, is a racing horse named Credo's Hope.  The lady with the gun on the front is Detective Alex Wolfe.  So, the cover is an apt depiction of a couple of main character(s) that is in the story.

Plot/Characters

Alex is an arse-kicking, quick-tempered detective who has a knack for getting into trouble without even trying.  Her mother is constantly trying to get her invited to get-togethers where Alex could possibly meet "Mr. Right."

Casey is Alex's work partner.  She thinks before speaking and tries her best to get Alex to do the same thing.

Kate is Alex and Casey's boss and finds Alex's antics somewhat humorous, but extremely tiresome.  She is a hard boss, but fair.

Megan has been Alex's best friend since pre-K and teaches dog training classes.  She helps Alex and Casey on a side investigation that Alex is working on in her spare time.

Overall

The story is very engaging and will keep you reading wanting to know more.  There seem to be two main plots with a few sub-plots, but it is all kept well organized and does not get confusing at all.  As a matter of fact, it is part of what keeps you engaged and continuing to read.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a good mystery with a strong female lead who can kick arse with the best of them.  =)