I started this book without reading anything about it. I liked the author, the book cover was intriguing, so I jumped in. Oh, I was pleasantly surprised at how this story started. Trace of Doubt is written in first person, from the main characters Shelby and her neighbor, Denton, which gives it an intimate feel. Therefore, enjoyed the small-town setting, the splash of romance, and the genuine friendship Shelby had with Edie and Amy Jo, who runs the local bakery-café. The faith message is natural and not preachy.

Shelby is a brave young lady that doesn’t want any trouble with anyone in this small-town community. She is willing to work hard and let the locals get to know her, so they see how she is changed. But Edie’s brother, who just so happens to be a policeman, doesn’t like the fact that his sister is helping an x-con. He doesn’t care how much time she spent in jail or that she met Jesus and changed. He felt there was nothing good in her.

I loved how the story takes a huge twist and things aren’t what I thought they were going to be. I also liked how the author shows how it’s hard to love the unlovable. I could imagine what it would have been like to hang around with Paul (at the time he was killing Christians) and then hang out with him after becoming a Christian. How could the disciples and others believe this guy? He met Jesus and changed? Right! But that’s what it was like for Shelby. She was truly changed from the inside out.

DiAnn Mills hits it out of the park with just the right blend of mystery, suspense, redemption, healing, and romance. This is a thought-provoking read I could not put down. I highly recommend it for your next book club pick. The story is rich and the characterization deep. There is so much to talk about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Trace of Doubt is a gripping tale told from the perspective of Shelby, an ex-con and Denton, the FBI agent who wants to find the money he believes she has embezzled.

In many ways, I couldn't help rooting for Shelby. She seemed like a genuinely kind person who had given her life to God. But from the beginning, you could tell that she had secrets.

It was pretty easy for me to figure out who the real culprit was early in the story, but the level of depravity was staggering and for me, required a little suspension of belief.

I would have liked to see a bit more of the why as it pertained to the perpetrator, but was glad when events were successfully resolved.

Readers will be reminded that forgiveness should be offered to those who have wronged or persecuted us but it sometimes comes at a high price.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

This was one of those "WOW ME" books! From the opening pages the author grabbed my attention and never lost it!

Shelby faced so much adversity yet because of her faith she found the inner strength to continue and press forward to the truth and survive.

Denton was also an enjoyable character to watch his development as a person. I also enjoy characters like him, that question God and life. The author did a great job answering Denton's questions and those many others have.

The action was good and it took me awhile to pinpoint who was behind everything. Even when I figured out who was behind everything the author gave me some unexpected twists.

This is another really good book by DiAnn Mills. If you are new to her this will give you a taste of her style and should draw you in quickly. If you're familiar with Mills this is a little different that some of her FBI series books, but an enjoyable read.

Disclaimer: I did receive my copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however, I was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions are my own.

Having read the author's previous book, Airborne, I looked forward to reading Trace of Doubt. It did not disappoint. Read on and see my thoughts on this suspenseful story. 
Trace of Doubt tells the story of Shelby Pearce. Shelby served fifteen years in prison for the alleged killing of her brother-in-law and the embezzlement of funds slated for charity. She is now out on parole and trying to get her life back on track. However, someone wants her gone permanently and will stop at nothing to achieve that goal.

Meanwhile, the FBI’s interest in the embezzled funds placed her in the crosshairs of Agent Denton McClure. He spent the past fifteen years trying to determine the location of the funds. Now that she is free, he hopes she would lead him to where she hid the money. However, the more time he spends in her company, the more he questioned the validity of her fifteen-year-old confession.

Written from the POVs of Shelby and Denton, Trace of Doubt delivered a tale steeped in danger, mystery, and suspense. The story pulled me in and proved difficult to put down. Let’s just say I have some sleep to catch upon. Now, this is not your typical romantic suspense. The thing that sets apart is the heroine’s strong Christian faith. The same faith which got her through the most difficult of times, and what she now relies on as she navigates this dangerous terrain and seeks to close this chapter of her life once and for all.

The secondary characters behaved the way one would expect in a situation such as this. There is the set who looked beyond Shelby’s past and embraced, then there were thee one who wanted to run her out of the town. It was easy to figure out what actually transpired fifteen years ago and the identity of the true villain.

I had a great time with the story, however there were a few things that bothered me. Some of which I will not mention for fear of spoilers. The issues I had were:

Denton was working undercover, yet he used his real name. This I found strange, especially knowing his affiliation with the case fifteen years ago, which would make him easily identifiable by all who were involved in the case. 

The ending for me was anti-climatic after such a suspenseful and dangerous journey.

Overall, Trace of Doubt was an enjoyable story. A suitable read for fans of Christian/faith based romance.

In Trace Of Doubt, author DiAnn Mills transports the reader to Valleysburg, Texas for an intriguing Christian Romantic Suspense story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

Shelby Pearce is paroled after serving fifteen years in prison for the murder of her brother-in-law Travis Stover. She's looking for a fresh start in the small town of Valleysburg, Texas, hoping for a second chance to be a productive and contributing member of the community, and the opportunity grow her custom made jewelry business. But someone is determined to stop her from doing just that.

FBI Special Agent Denton McClure has been on the Pearce case since the beginning. Fifteen years later, he is still in pursuit of the missing five hundred thousand dollars from Travis Stover's non-profit organization account. He's given the undercover assignment in Valleysburg, and he's determined to expose Shelby and locate the stolen money. But when Shelby comes under numerous threats from an anonymous person, he starts to question Shelby's guilt, and is determined to find out who is targeting Shelby, get the truth, and crack this case once and for all.

Author DiAnn Mills weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the first person alternating narrative that follows ex-con Shelby Pearce, FBI Special Agent Denton McClure, and Sheriff Wendall team up to track down the person who is trying to silence Shelby over the missing money, and prove Shelby's innocence beyond a trace of doubt.

I loved reading this action-packed story. Shelby and Denton's investigation kept me intrigued as their unlikely partnership in finding the person threatening her life brings two people with a lot of baggage together, and how an unexpected attraction sparked between them mixed with humor and a new-found acceptance of Christian faith helped build trust between them during the investigation, and a chance at truth and redemption as well.

The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as family dysfunction and secrets, possible motives, and clues are uncovered during the investigation.

Trace Of Doubt has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest book review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/09/trace-of-doubt-by-diann-mills-vbt-book.html

Trace of Doubt
by DiAnnMills
Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2021
Tyndale House
Bestselling and award-winning author DiAnn Mills delivers a heart-stopping story of dark secrets, desperate enemies, and dangerous lies.
Thanks to Tyndal House and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I have become a fan of DiAnn Mills and find her writing to be very good. I like Christian Suspense and this one is done very well.
TRACE OF DOUBT by DiAnn Mills is an action-packed, fast paced Christian romantic suspense. The unique heroine is an ex-con looking to start over with an FBI undercover agent determined to recover embezzled money he believes she has hidden for fifteen years. This is a standalone novel. If you like this one, there are many other Great books by Diann Mills you will want to check out!

5star

Trace of Doubt is a can't-miss story from one of the most well-known Christian suspense authors out there. DiAnn Mills has definitely not lost her creative edge, even after writing so many books! Shelby's story as an ex-con is a unique take on the suspense genre. Her strength, street smarts, and reliance on her faith make her a fascinating, compelling, heroine. The threats on her life after being released from prison become more sinister throughout the book, giving the story a psychological thriller feel. The twists and turns in this fast-paced story will keep you turning pages long into the night!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book would make a great movie. It is action packed, full of forgiveness, second chances, finding the truth, mystery and so much more.
Shelby Pearce is just looking for a quiet place to start over, but when trouble seems to stalk her should she trust the agent who lied to her? Denton McClure is out to prove Shelby is guilty. But is there more to the story?
I always enjoy books by DiAnn Mills. I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

Fifteen years ago, Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and was sent to prison. Now she’s out on parole and looking for a fresh start in the small town of Valleysburg, Texas. But starting over won’t be easy for an ex-con.

FBI Special Agent Denton McClure was a rookie fresh out of Quantico when he was first assigned the Pearce case. He’s always believed Shelby embezzled five hundred thousand dollars from her brother-in-law’s account. So he’s going undercover to befriend Shelby, track down the missing money, and finally crack this case.

But as Denton gets closer to Shelby, he begins to have a trace of doubt about her guilt. Someone has Shelby in their crosshairs. It’s up to Denton to stop them before they silence Shelby―and the truth―forever.

My review: This is not an edge of your seat thriller. But it is a great mystery. Shelby went to prison for fifteen long years for a murder she didn't comment. She's also being hounded for the $400,000 that she is accused of stealing. That's not the lest of her worries. Somebody wants her dead. Denton is the FBI agent that helped send her to prison and is sure she stole the money. As the story evolves, he's beginning to believe in her innocence. They finally work together to prove what really happened to Shelby's brother in law and the money. The end result was quite surprising.

I recommend this book to all who love great mysteries.

I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes

DiAnn creates a story that is incredible in its complexity and beautifully tragic in its telling.

This is one of THOSE books. You know, the ones that keep you thinking about them after you finish it. And you feel like you need to read it twelve times to really get all that it had in it into your brain? Yeah, this is one of THOSE. The premise is simple and yet not: Shelby Pearce confessed to killing her brother-in-law fifteen years ago and went to prison. She has been released and is trying to find a new life in the small town of Valleysburg, Texas. But her past doesn't bring with it an overwhelming recommendation of her to others so she quickly finds herself the target of unkind people. Thankfully she has some new friends willing to believe in her profession of faith in Jesus and offer her both friendship and a job. But Shelby's release is just the beginning of the nightmare that is coming for her and she will need all the help she can get to make it out alive. Denton McClure is positive that Shelby Pearce stole $500,000 at the time that she killed her brother-in-law. But he couldn't prove it 15 years ago without more evidence. Now that Shelby is out of prison, maybe he can get her to tell him what happened. So he inserts himself into her world as a friendly neighbor, never guessing that prison had taught Shelby well not to trust the face that others present to you. She quickly guesses his real intent and thus puts them at odds given she insists that she never touched the money. As Denton spends more time with Shelby, much to her consternation, he discovers much that seems different from his perception of her before. Can she really be that changed from a cold-blooded killer into a woman of such kindness and a forgiving spirit? Nothing adds up as he planned and as the threats against Shelby begin to escalate, he will find himself drawn into plans to keep her safe. Now if only he can keep his heart from falling for this broken but strong woman out to prove that she can overcome anything.
I had a fantastic time reading this story. It was perfectly paced and excellently written. Everything flowed well from chapter to chapter and I had just enough information to suspect certain things but not know for sure until they were revealed. I was glued to my reader from the time I started the first page and read the last one at midnight the same day. I just couldn't sleep until I knew what all was going to happen. I'm still thinking about it days after I finished it and I definitely will be adding it to my shelves to read again. There's too much good plot to give away any more of it and spoilers would destroy the suspense so I will simply tell you to add this one to your TBR as one that you will not want to miss out on. It's probably one of my absolute favorites of DiAnn's and as I've read all of her other excellent books, that's saying something!

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley. I am not required to write a review but do so willingly. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

TRACE OF DOUBT by DiAnn Mills is an action-packed, fast paced Christian romantic suspense. The unique heroine is an ex-con looking to start over with an FBI undercover agent determined to recover embezzled money he believes she has hidden for fifteen years. This is a standalone novel.

Shelby Pearce has been paroled from prison after serving fifteen years for shooting her brother-in-law to death. She is looking for peace and a fresh start in a small Texas town to sell her custom-made jewelry.

FBI Special Agent Denton McClure worked the Pearce case from the beginning not to prove Shelby’s guilt of murder, but to discover the five hundred thousand dollars embezzled from her brother-in-law’s nonprofit account. Undercover in the same town as Shelby, he is determined to find the missing money and finally crack the case that has eluded conclusion for years.

Someone has Shelby in their crosshairs and as Denton works to discover why, he begins to have a trace of doubt about her guilt. Will Shelby and Denton be able to discover the who and why before they are able to silence Shelby forever?

Shelby is a unique heroine in many ways. While in prison Shelby claimed her Christian faith and a lot of her story is trying to live her faith even with the hate of some and the disbelief of others for her crime. While Denton does not believe, Shelby tries to share her faith with him. The romance is slow to build due of the lack of trust which is realistic and there are no sex scenes. The secondary characters in the small town are fully fleshed and believable, but the criminals seem two-dimensional to me. The suspense plot was intriguing and interesting in the first part of the book, but then it went into more of an action movie over-the-top less realistic climax and conclusion.

This is a Christian romantic suspense with plenty of Christian faith, redemption and forgiveness intertwined with an action-packed suspense plot.

I've only read just a few books by DiAnn Mills before this one, but after reading Trace of Doubt I have to say she is definitely one name that I will be watching out for. Each of the books that I have read from her have been quite unique--- not just from each other, but from others in the genre as well. I love the unique storylines she offers, and this one was no different.

Just released from prison after a 15 year sentence for murder, Shelby is looking for a fresh start, but it seems someone isn't ready to let her have it. This book grabbed me from page one and didn't let up right through to the end. I must admit, I did figure out one of the pretty big twists in the story quite early on but not with enough certainty that it kept me from wanting to read on and see how it all played out. There were many layers to the story and I enjoyed watching them all unfold. This is a tough one to say too much about without giving it all away, but I for one certainly enjoyed every minute. If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense, this is definitely one to check out!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

With a fantastic protagonist and plot DiAnn Mills sucked me in to this story and held me tight!

It’s been fifteen years since Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and spent that time in prison. After being released on parole, she moves to the small town of Valleysburg, Texas to start over, but starting over won’t be as easy as she had hoped. When she was first convicted, FBI agent Denton McClure was a rookie working on her case. Shelby might have been convicted of murder, but she was also suspected of embezzling half a million from her brother-in-law’s non-profit organization. Now, Denton moves to Valleysburg to try and gain her trust and find out what happened to the money from all those years ago. The more time he spends with Shelby, the less he thinks she was responsible for taking the money and now she is receiving threats if she doesn’t disappear or commit suicide. In a case where nothing is as it seems, Shelby is now in a fight for her life and Denton isn’t sure who the villain is anymore.

This book had an absolutely fantastic start with a wonderful protagonist and plot that intrigued me and had me cheering for Shelby. She quickly became one of my favorite characters for the year and I love the plot. At least, I love it all until about 80% of the way through the book. Up to that point the story had me, I believed it all and couldn’t wait to see what would happen. Then I felt like we went from fiction to more far-fetched fiction and while still enjoyable, it just lost its believable quality. I love DiAnn Mills writing, her last book was her best by far, and I was hoping this one was going to surpass until things took a bit of a left turn. I realize that it’s all fiction, but her stories have always had such a believable quality to them that I feel like I’m one of the minor characters throughout the book. I’ve talked about this book with several of my reader friends who have also read it and while they noticed the same thing, they didn’t feel that it took as much away from the store. I do think romantic suspense lovers will still enjoy the story and I’ll be curious to get their thoughts on the ending.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

“The day swirled in black and white.         
The kiss of death and the hope of life.         
Good and evil struggle like sibling strife.         
Who will hold me safe till heaven’s light?”

Wow. Talk about an intense read of epic proportions. This was an excellent story on the life of a reformed ex-con. It was full of forgiveness, redemption, healing, and acceptance. The whole time I was wondering why someone would want to kill Shelby when she had already done her time in prison. I wasn’t sure the story would grab me, but it was a roller coaster ride of suspense with twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning until the twist of an ending.

“I’d been her age once and forced to grow up fast. No one had counseled me but hard knocks, securing an education, and letting Jesus pave the way.”

This was a fantastic crime novel I really want to gush about, but this review needs to stay a mystery to protect the plot of the story. I was completely riveted to Shelby’s story. Her faith, commitment, and overall journey was incredible. The mystery surrounding her life was gripping. If you love a good suspenseful mystery involving criminal activities, I highly recommend this book. It was an unexpected and impactful read. The strong spiritual thread made it even better.

‘“If God can hold up the stars in the sky, He’ll lead you through the mud that Satan slings your way.”’

I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley by the publisher. All opinions are my own and have been given honestly.

Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills opens with Shelby Pearce being released from prison after serving fifteen years for the murder of her brother-in-law and stealing $500,000 and getting settled in a new town. Many people welcome her, but shortly after her arrival, a series of accidents and events suggest that Shelby's life is in danger. FBI Special Agent Denton McClure goes undercover to see if he can locate the missing money that Shelby supposedly took, and quickly becomes Shelby's protector when her life is put in danger again and again. Can they solve the case before it is too late? Mills has once again blended suspense and romance with an intricate plot to create a must-read book.

I enjoyed this book. It was interesting reading about someone who just got out of prison and is trying to make a fresh start. I loved that there were people willing to help Shelby out and give her a chance. Not everyone is happy to see her settle in Valleysburg and she soon starts receiving threats. She doesn't realize that her friendly neighbor isn't who he says he is.

This book has one of the most diabolical villains I've ever read about. The villain is so long-sighted and evil. It was creepy. I enjoyed the suspense and the action of the book.

I appreciated the glimpses of faith that helped Shelby through her difficult times. There are shards of wisdom like these: "If God can hold up the stars in the sky, He'll lead you through the mud that Satan slings your way" (location 2978).

My only issue with the book was that some people's affections grew too quickly or changed too fast. Other than that, it was hard to put down.

Thank you to Tyndale House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was an edge of my seat story. I never knew what to expect next! The intensity was off the charts and kept me involved all the way through.
Shelby, wow what a great characters she turned out to be. We get to see her point of view as she tries to navigate her way as a "free" woman. A lot of people resent her having her freedom in their community and aren't slow to show it. She also has others in the town who are trying to help her get that second chance. You can really feel the tension, the emotions and the fear that Shelby experiences.
I also liked that we got to see Denton's point of view as well. He sure had a lot of things to work through. Especially his anger towards Shelby who he spent years trying to get more evidence against her. He blamed her (unfairly) for what he lost in his personal life because of his total focus in her case. It's good to see when he has his "come to Jesus" moments.
At one point over half way through the book I began to suspect someone who DIDN'T have Shelby's best interest at heart. They wanted her dead. I kept thinking, "no, no not ___, please not that person." But oh yes, it was and then the story evolved even more from there.
I liked how the story wove God and faith in God was part of the story.
I kept wondering how in the world the story would end. I was happy to see that the ending did NOT disappoint.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

DiAnn Mills’ latest novel Trace of Doubt, is an intense thriller that’s equal parts mystery, faith, and love, that keeps you invested from the prologue to the epilogue.

Written in first person, mostly from the point of view of recent parolee Shelby and her neighbor, Denton (who may be more than he seems) this novel has everything – believable characters, a small-town setting, a gripping mystery, a dash of romance, puppies, horses and great coffee, and author Mills has wrapped all of that up in a meaty (432 pages) package that was a pleasure to read.

This book is categorized, in part, as Christian fiction, and it’s easy to see why because Shelby’s strong faith in God is both her her strength and part of the glue that binds her to her two biggest supporters, Edie, who is a landlady and friend, and Amy Jo, who runs the local bakery-cafe, but it’s not at all preachy. Their faith is simply part of these Texas women (and men) , and it’s part of what makes them feel so real. As someone who has always struggled with faith, and doesn’t mesh with organized religion, I appreciated the way the author made it a critical part of the novel, and and recommend this book to readers of all persuasions.

What I loved was the detailed character work that the author put into this novel. I really liked and sympathized with Shelby, and was rooting for her from day one. She’s much more than a classic underdog, and I’d happily share a pot of coffee with her. Denton, also, was drawn with real dimension. He felt like a “weathered” soul to me, and I was as committed to his story as I was to Shelby’s. The town sheriff, local cop (also Edie’s brother), and parole officer were equally believable characters, and even the townsfolk, both kind and cruel had perfect moments that really let you see them.

I also enjoyed the pacing of this story. It’s an easy read, in terms of being accessible, but it’s also pretty long. At no point did I feel the urge to skip ahead and see what happened, and I felt the clues and twists in the narrative were all placed well, serving the story, and never letting the reader become too complacent.

If this had been JUST a romance, or JUST a mystery, or JUST a redemption story, Trace of Doutbt would still have been a worthy read. That the author combined all three elements into a satisfying and well-crafted whole just makes the whole thing a literary treat.

Goes well with: a cup of coffee with a dollop of half & half, and a lemon tart.

For readers who like Christian fiction with a focus on conversion and testimony, they will find all of that in this book and more. The romance and suspense have equal billing, and I enjoy reading romantic suspense, especially a story that is about the romance, not sex. I’m not a prude and certainly have nothing against physical intimacy, I just prefer not to have it described in graphic detail. The romance in A Trace of Doubt is sweet and endearing.

Shelby has reformed while in prison and turned her life over to Jesus, and a good bit of the subplot revolves around her faith and testimony, and it was nice to see the gentle way she shared her faith with Denton. The relationship that develops between her and Denton is well played out, and it was a pleasure to see how that happened slowly, with him respecting her hesitancy to enter into anything permanent. It is a truly good man who will have that kind of respect and hold back on pushing for a commitment until the other person is ready. The “will they – won’t they” back and forth in the story is also a realistic aspect of a character like Shelby who never had an opportunity to know a man who could care for her like that. One doesn’t meet good men in prison.

In addition to Denton, Shelby has Edie, the woman who rents Shelby a cabin, on her side, as well as Amy-Jo, who owns the bakery/cafe where Shelby will work in Valleysburg. Shelby is determined to put the past behind her and start living a new life with the help of the new friends in the new town. There are others, too. The pastor of the church. The Sherriff, and Shelby’s parole officer who is presented against stereotype, which I appreciated. He is kind and helpful, as are those other people.

Amy-Jo is a standout supporting player for me, making me smile when first meeting her. She’s a fun-loving person who doesn’t care what anyone thinks about the way she dresses or what she does with her hair or how much makeup she wears. She’s also the kind of strong woman that anyone would want in their corner when facing danger.

In the beginning of the story, I came across a couple of things that jarred just a bit. They seemed odd in the plotting, and I hoped they were not little mistakes. When I got to the explanations of those oddities, I had to smile at the deft way Mills handled the dropping of the puzzle pieces and the later revelations. One of the points that I won’t detail here because I don’t want to give anything away, is actually very important for the turnaround in Denton as he starts to view Shelby and what happened 15 years ago in a totally different light.

That was a perfect example of why things don’t have to always be explained upfront, leaving questions that keep a reader engaged.

Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills showcases why she’s the top of her game. Wow. I couldn’t put this book down until I’d discovered the truth.

Fifteen years ago, Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law. Now she’s out on parole and wants a fresh start. FBI Special Agent Denton McClure was fresh out of Quantico when he was assigned the Pearce case. He’s always believed Shelby embezzled five hundred thousand dollars and goes undercover to befriend Shelby and crack the case. But as Denton gets closer to Shelby, he begins to question her guilt.

I don’t know any convicted felons, but it seems to me that Shelby is written perfectly. She’s quiet and self reliant, guarded but thankful for every opportunity. In fact she’s refreshingly non-entitled. But when Denton starts paying her a little attention, her intellect races to the fore and she quickly guesses his true identity.

But by then, Denton has started to feel uneasy about Shelby’s guilty verdict, and when it becomes clear she’s in someone’s crosshairs, his belief in her innocence grows. The questions are one, who’s trying to silence Shelby and two, if she’s innocent, what really happened fifteen years ago?

Finding those answers gave me two very late nights but the outcome was worth it. A tightly written part psychological thriller with a splash of romance and I’d highly recommend it. So long as you don’t have a project to finish or any kind of deadline. DiAnn Mills is a recognized authority on plotting and that becomes apparent as the pages fly by.

Here’s DiAnn Mills website…

Read an excerpt or buy a copy of Trace of Doubt…

Check out another great Mills novel, Pursuit of Justice…