Basic plot
Caitlin Strong is a fifth generation Texas Ranger and lives up to every reputation expected of her. The fastest draw in the West, excellent sharp-shooter and a die-hard straight justice woman of substance. Things changed after a deadly shoot-out in the desert turns bad and she loses her partner. Set for a career change she decides to become a counselor for torture victims only to find that her first patient is her husband, presumed dead in Iraq. When conspiracies run rampant and the body count piles up, her only ally comes in the form of Cort Wesley Masters, a man who spent his years in prison plotting to kill her. With bigger enemies to face, their survival depends on trusting each other.
What I liked about this book
The book started out a bit slow but after a few chapters, the fast pace of the plot was quite riveting. Both the main characters were potrayed well, each with their own inner conflicts. The author was able to create an unbeatable enemy, stack the odds and have the reader wondering how the heroine and hero will survive and triumph. It also addresses the issue of justified force, when taking the life of another is the only option, or torturing someone for information may be the only route. The book also highlighted Cotard's Syndrome (a.k.a Walking Corpse Syndrome) where the patient believes that he is dead and does not exist. It was a very interesting phenomenon to read. All in all, well worth the RM5 I spent on it :)
What I disliked about this book
Many people would probably say that the plot is not believable at all, I concur. The conspiracy upon conspiracy, the high body count, was like a Western/slasher/thriller/conspiracy movie all rolled into one. However, for me, the storyline had just the tiniest ring of truth to carry through to the end. However, it took me a little while to really get into the book as the opening chapter, although tense and bloody, lacked a sense of realism. I also am wish that the author had played more on the love triangle that ensues instead of choosing the quick fix that he did.
A quote I liked from this book
The sadness kept them going, clinging to the hope that some day, it will be over.
Rating: 3.5/5
