Lis Wiehl's/April Henry's Face of Betrayal ~ Reviewed

FACE OF BETRAYAL
By Lis Wiehl w/April Henry
Published by Thomas Nelson
ISBN#978-1-59554-705-7
310 Pages


Back Cover:

Fox News legal correspondent and former Federal Prosecutor Lis Wiehl has created a suspense novel that's as timely as tomorrow's headlines.

While home on Christmas break, a seventeen-year-old Senate page takes her dog out for a walk and never returns. Reporter Cassidy Shaw is the first to break the story.

The resulting media firestorm quickly ensnares Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce and FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges. The three unique women are life-long friends who call themselves The Triple Threat--a nickname derived from their favorite dessert and their uncanny ability to crack cases via their three positions of power.
Though authorities think Katie might have been kidnapped or run away, those theories shatter when Nicole uncovers Katie's blog. They reveal a girl troubled by a mysterious relationship with an older man. Possibly a U.S. Senator.

As the three women race against time to find Katie alive, their increasing emotional involvement brings out their own inner demons and external enemies. There are many faces of betrayal, but they must find one face in a crowd of growing suspects before they become the next victims.

In Face of Betrayal, Lis Wiehl's expertise in law, politics, and criminal investigation merges with April Henry's narrative genius to create a gripping mystery filled with rich characters, real danger, and a shocking yet satisfying final twist.

REVIEW:

Move beyond the cover of this book and discover a story taken from today’s headlines. Who better to tell this story than author Lis Wiehl. Her father was an FBI agent, she was a prosecuting attorney and news anchor woman on TV.

The story is set up very much like the TV show Law and Order, I loved that. At the top of each chapter, the location and date are given to set up the scene before you start reading. What I enjoyed most about this story is the Triple Threat club whose members include Nic, is a single black mom who works for the FBI, Cassidy, who is a news reporter striving to achieve an anchor position at her station, and last but not least is Allison, the prosecuting attorney who is professing to be a Christian.

Here’s what Cassidy has to say about religion, “I don’t think there’s only one answer, like Allison. And I don’t think there are no answers, like you do, Nic. You won’t admit that there are things we can’t see to touch, but that still exist. You don’t leave any room for magic or serendipity.”

Here’s Nicole’s spin on life, “I believe if you think the universe is looking out for you or that God is watching over you or whatever, then life’s going to come around and bite you in the butt…”

It’s fascinating to see this team work and socialize together at their Triple Threat club meetings. What intrigued me about this book was the behind the scenes look at TV news from the other side of the camera. For example:

“The media can be on your side,” Nic said, “but you have to be careful. Because finding Katie isn’t their priority.”

“Ratings… are their top priority,” Valerie said flatly.

Nic nodded, …”Right. So, if they can turn your life upside down and shake out some scandal, they’ll do it. Anything for a new angle. Thanks to the Internet and CNN, we live in a twenty-four-hour news cycle. The only problem is that there aren’t twenty-four-hours’ worth of news. So, if there isn’t anything new, they have to make something up.”

Lis takes you through the process of how the FBI starts an investigation and how they get their clues in a case. Also how they determine which leads are legit and which are bogus. I will tell you that the forensic side of this story was not too detailed but it did creep me out a little. Although I found the forensic conclusions about the victim’s death fascinating.

The Triple Threat club is a female crime fighting team, one I’ll want to read more of. I liked the way Lis Wiehl stays on the edge of not being too graphic with this true to life story. The author shows just enough of what each of these women go through and see day-in and day-out, to grip your emotions and then move on. I loved the insight this book gave me and how the author describes real women I’d like to meet. You will too, I’m excited about the next installment of this series called Hand of Fate.

Reviewed by: Nora StLaurent -Book Club Servant Leader