Completely different from the heartbreaking “In an Instant” and the comedic “”Hadley and Grace”, the latest from S. E. Redfearn, (Suzanne Redfearn) is darker than previous work, and one of the better thrillers that I have read this year!

Otis Parsons, a violent pedophile, has been released from prison, and Dick’s sister Dee is the one who helped put him behind bars. He has written Dee a letter, telling her how much he is looking forward to meeting her 11 year old son, Jesse, and now he has moved back into his family home-just two doors down.

Her brother, Dick Raynes, is a scientist who has developed a formula which is able to predict which pedophiles have the traits in common which make them most likely strike again, and the numbers are staggering.

It could be as high as 86%.

He isn’t about to let Jesse become another statistic so he does what the law is unable to do, and protects his family.

FBI agent Steve Patterson investigates crimes against sex offenders, running a department that he personally created after his own son was killed by a vigilante mother who targeted the wrong person.

Because of this, he believes that our laws are founded on the principle of “presumed innocence” allowing forgiveness for past mistakes even though these same laws also leave us vulnerable. Civilians and Cops cannot be permitted to take justice into their own hands, because if there are no checks and balances, we would become a mutinous, violent society ruled by prejudice, assumption and fear.

When he follows up on the reported death of Otis Parsons, he meets Dee-and it’s practically “love at first sight”. So, his sense of right and wrong will be challenged when his suspicions lead him straight to her brother.

It’s a conundrum-and there is no good answer, especially when he learns that for some reason, Dick didn’t just stop with Otis.

TWO GOOD MEN-with differing beliefs and one woman in common.

This is a unique, thought provoking story that I really enjoyed from beginning to end, and it’s one which may have you pondering how you would feel if you were Steve, and alternately, if you were Dick.

It was interesting to learn from the authors note at the end of the book, that this was actually the second novel she wrote, but never published and it’s original name-“Average Dick” which she now admits was a terrible name. ☺️

I am definitely recommending this one, and you can pick up a copy on October 8, 2024!

Thank You to Blackstone Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

Another great one by Redfearn. It took me a little bit to figure out what was going on at the start of this. It was like we were dropped into a story that already started. Then I figured it out and was hooked on the story. I felt some parts were confusing, like the perpetrator’s stories. I liked both Dick and Steve. I liked the idea of a scientist using his skills to kill people.

This certainly was different from an author that I love. Not a book she usually writes but Im impressed. She has a habit of writing books that really make you think and thats what she has done with this one.

Sometimes the line between right and wrong is a foggy wisp of smoke. This is a superb novel that gets a reader to really delve into and examine their own beliefs. This novel is also still an excellent read if you don’t want to do the mental self introspection as the story line keeps a great pace with plenty of action and twists and turns.

I always enjoy this authors work. This one was a slow burn at first; took me a bit to get into it and put together the characters. From there on it definitely kept me entertained how it would all play out. I would like to have the main character (Dick) as my brother! The authors note is also very interesting, so don’t miss that! A good psychological thriller to add to your list. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

Dick works at Pentco Pharmaceuticals as a chemist. His marriage is over and his career is a mess. When his sister Dee calls for a solution regarding Otis’s release Dick takes on a new purpose in life. Otis is a convicted sex offender who lives next door to Dee and her eleven year old son Jesse. Fearing for their safety Dick formulates a plan of action.
…
FBI Agent Steve Patterson investigates crimes against sex offenders. When sex offenders are released from prison they need a place to live except most people don’t want them living in their neighborhoods. It’s stands to reason that someone would purposely target them. It’s Steve’s job to make sure any injustice against them is investigated.m
…
Dee lived across the street from a sex offender. After he was found dead Agent Steve Patterson showed up to investigate. Dee was first to be questioned. Steve got more than just answers to his questions. A little mixing of business with pleasure never hurt anyone unless you date the sister of the guy you believe is killing sex offenders.
…
It’s a story about fighting for justice. One good man doing what he believes to be a good deed. An agent protecting sex offenders who are reformed back into society doing his good deed. It’s an interesting topic. One that is thought provoking and one to cause quite an argumentative discussion about. It’s that morally grey area that really begins to create that thought provoking debate.
…
This right here is why I enjoy reading Ms. Redfearn’s books. The writing is sensationally informative and thought provoking and on point. Sure this was a controversial topic, yet a necessary debate to be discussed. I enjoyed reading about both sides of the work being done by both good guys. Good writing skills gets readers thinking and that’s what makes this an excellent book. This was a well thought out and executed story.

Dick Raynes feared this day would come. Otis Parsons, a violent pedophile, has been released from prison, and Dick’s sister Dee is the one who helped put him behind bars. Dick’s marriage is over, and his career is in shambles, so with nothing to lose, he sets out to do whatever it takes to keep Dee and her son Jesse safe.

FBI agent Steve Patterson investigates crimes against sex offenders, running a department he created after his son was killed by a vigilante mother who targeted the wrong person. Recognizing a disturbing pattern of untimely deaths in recently released felons, he sets out to figure out who’s behind it. What he doesn’t expect to find is another chance at love—with the sister of the man he is chasing.

Warning, this contains strong themes relating to pedophilia so this book may not be for everyone. At times it is hard to read and my heart was breaking when we are told how many lives men like Otis have destroyed while they carry out their perverted crimes.

Dick has seen the suffering that his sister and nephew have been through and becomes obsessed with damaging the life of the man who has destroyed his family's world. He soon sets off on a path that may not end well for him but is tunnel visioned and unable to keep himself away from trying to put men like this down. Steve is all about the law, even though men like Otis has committed the most abhorrent of crimes, he also does not believe in murder.

Soon these men will become part of each other's lives and even though they are on different sides of the law, a relationship and understanding between the two does develop. I will not say anymore as to do so may give away how this book concludes but as I said above at times this does make for uncomfortable reading but the author has done a great job regarding this sensitive subject. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

I have read several by Suzanne Redfearn and was eager to pick this one up. It is a different type of story than her later books; in the acknowledgement she tells that this was either her first book or maybe her second that she wrote. It was a good story, but with some triggers of a sexual abuse storyline. It jumps between viewpoints and the formatting of the ARC was wonky, so at times it was hard to follow. All in all, a good story.