When the bodies of two unidentified young woman are washed up on the beach, within hours of one another, Detectives Morgan Reynolds and John Russo are teamed with their new boss, Lieutenant Chase McAdams, to investigate the gruesome discoveries. Similarities in both cases have a striking resemblance to a case the detectives had worked a year ago.
Charles Tate, alias The Slasher, had ended life as Morgan knew it for both her and her young son. For almost a year she and her partner had chased after the man who left behind a trail of corpses identical to the ones that’d just been discovered. It wasn’t until he’d killed Morgan’s husband that they’d managed to arrest him. Morgan thought his apprehension was the end of her nightmare, but it was only the beginning.
Escaping during a prison transfer, Tate is making up for lost time, and this go around he’s making it even more personal. He’s kidnapped Morgan’s son, Jared. Claiming the evidence that got him convicted was planted, he’s giving Morgan 72 hours to find the person that killed her husband or he will kill her son.
Professional Reviews
Lynn for Good Reads gives Journey to Redemption 5 STARS
A body has been found floating in the water and it’s not a usual drowning. This is murder. As Sergeant Morgan Reynolds and her Partner Detective John Russo look the scene over, memories of a year earlier comes flooding back to Morgan’s mind. A serial killer on the loose , the same M.O. It can’t be. The killer had been captured after making one mistake, murdering Morgan’s husband. Sentenced to life in prison, this must be a copy cat murder. This can’t be starting over again.
Lieutenant Chase McAdams is new to the department and will be partnering with Morgan for awhile along with John. Just to learn the ropes and the way around. Little does he know the ride he is in for. Morgan has a reputation for testing the patience of even the highly seasoned officers. As more bodies are found, Morgan learns; Tate has escaped from prison. Now the manhunt is on before more are found dead. Claiming innocence in the death of her husband Tate kidnaps Morgan’s son and gives her 72 hours to find the person responsible for his death, if she wants her son back alive. With the death of her husband Morgan turned her back on God. How could he have let this happen. Now can she renew her faith and trust in God again to help see her through this latest crisis in her life. Can Chase , as a Christian help her regain her faith once again. As the story line deepens you will be immersed in a plan of corruption that takes some amazing twists and turns throughout.
From the first sentence in the first chapter I was captivated by this book and couldn’t stop reading till I was finished. Ms. Patrick has written a spine tingling , page turning novel. If you like good cleanly written mysteries, then I recommend grabbing a copy of “Journey To Redemption” and as the old saying goes ”Enjoy The Ride” because once you start you won’t want to put the book down till you are finished. Coming soon Sept 15th,2009.
Book Wenches Rates Journey to Redemption 4.5
A serial killer with a vendetta has kidnapped detective Morgan Reynold's son, Jared. After being convicted for the murder of Morgan's husband, Charles "The Slasher" Tate, has escaped, and is now threatening to kill her son if she doesn't come up with the correct "answers.” Though she doesn't know what the answers could be, she is willing to do anything to get her son back.
Chase McAdams is Morgan's new boss, and he is immediately pulled into the twisted case of Morgan's kidnapped son. Chase soon realizes that not everything is as it seems and there is much more to this mystery than just a kidnapping. Chase and Morgan must delve into the mind of a killer and do what they can to save Jared.
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I was riveted by this physiological thriller from the moment I opened the book. I am hard-pressed to come up with a specific genre to put it in since it combines so many: from the mystery of a whodunit to the growing feelings between Morgan and Chase; there are so many other elements in between.
Morgan's strength is evident throughout the book, and I found myself drawn to her inner workings, and also I found myself relating to her as a mother. Morgan's depth of pain that she has experienced molds her life, and though I have never experienced the trauma she did in the book, the author does a wonderful job of evoking deep-felt feelings in the reader right along with the character. Chase on the other hand is a man of all seasons. I felt as if he could easily be the well-rounded man most women dream of finding, yet at moments we get a few glimpses of previous parts of his life that have left him bitter.
The entire book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what might happen. The story was fresh and memorable. Ms. Patrick is truly a talented storyteller. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good crime mystery.
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LASR - 4.5 Books
Detective Morgan Reynolds thought her nightmare was over when serial killer Charles ‘The Slasher’ Tate was sent to prison for her husbands murder. But she was wrong. The Slasher has escaped and he’s making it even more personal this time. Tate has kidnapped her son and is giving her 72 hours to find the answers he wants or Jared dies.
It’s been a year since Morgan Reynolds’ husband was murdered by the villain, Tate, who has now escaped prison. Together with her partner Russo, she must find the cruel killer and get him back behind bars. Her one driving force is the love and concern for her small son who still struggles with his father’s death.
To complicate matters, a new lieutenant arrives on the force and Morgan finds herself working too easily by Chase McAdams’ side. He is not put off by her abrupt manner and to make him even more charming, he believes in her. Then Tate one up’s her, kidnapping her son, and all bets are off. Morgan is ready to risk her career, her heart, and her life, to save her only child.
Journey to Redemption is police drama that builds suspense while carrying a blossoming romance, all at a fast clip. The police work is believable and interesting. Morgan’s terror at her son’s disappearance and her efforts to rescue him are riveting. I found her steps to keep her relatives ignorant of the drama almost touching. She is definitely a lone desperado.
Chase is clever and patient. He makes the story all the more pleasant with his un-chauvinistic attitude and determination to get under Morgan’s skin. There’s something about a man not afraid to admit attraction, and who can pull it off without using a pickup line. Chase McAdams is a sweet hottie. Gotta love it.
I had one issue with this storyline, though it was necessary up to a certain degree. Building a romance within a fast-paced suspense is tricky. There were moments I questioned some of Morgan’s reactions to Chase, despite the attraction and budding feelings. After all, her child is in the hands of a killer. Despite the reservations, the romance is believable and sweet. Some of the timing just seemed a smidge off.
Journey to Redemption builds great suspense and has a creative twist to tie the loose-ends together. Ms. Patrick has developed a wonderful back story for this novel and it carries the plot along nicely. Her characters have the potential to carry another novel; her confident writing in this genre will make you want to pick up another one of her books. I plan to.
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