Thirty years after a federal agent and two suspects disappeared in the wilderness, the case is cold, and they’ve never been found. Now their suspected killer is about to go free. But is the truth really what it seems?
In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.
Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true-crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she least needs the distraction. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.
With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.
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Sexual Content - 0/5
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Violence - 1/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
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Summary
**Every Deadly Suspicion** by Janice Cantore is a well-crafted and complex mystery. Hanna, now the Chief of Police, has spent her life carrying the weight of being a murderer’s daughter. As with most of Cantore’s books, the emphasis is more on mystery and suspense than romance, and her background in law enforcement ensures a well-executed, authentic investigation. The characters feel genuine and well-developed.
I’m not usually a fan of love triangles, but this one worked for me—perhaps because it was clear where Hanna’s heart would land, and both men were genuinely good characters. Plus, there’s a possibility the other might have his own story in a future book.
The novel weaves together three intriguing mysteries: Nathan is tracking a serial killer, Hanna is investigating the murder of a prominent citizen, and lingering questions remain about the crime her father confessed to over 20 years ago.
Cantore includes some deeply thought-provoking moments that make you pause and consider—what would you do in that situation?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It’s not a high-adrenaline, car-chase-filled thriller but rather a gripping, intellectual mystery that keeps you engaged.
Ironically, while reading about the wildfire in the book, we were facing one in real life here in California—a coincidence that made the story feel even more real.