A Cop's Life in Novel Form ~ Accused by Janice Cantore ~ Review

“Accused” gives a glimpse into the life of a cop from the perspective of a cop author, which is what drew me to the novel.

          

  Carly is an extremely tormented character. A fresh divorce, a conspiracy theory that the agency she works for is corrupt and a cop-related shooting has taken her off the streets and put her behind a desk. Her bitterness drove me away from her a bit. For the first quarter or so of the book she is very much against a faith in Christ and makes that very clear to the reader and those in her life. I was searching for something that would make her more likeable and struggled until just about half way when she started to soften.

            

There was much going on, both on an emotional level for Carly and a greater story level for the suspense of the story. A part of the ending did surprise me (in that it actually happened), but there is certainly much to keep the book from being dull –I would have liked a faster pace through the middle of story, but that is my personal opinion in what I want in suspense.

           

“Accused” is a pretty quick read, I thought parts of the actual writing could be improved, but at the close of the novel, it makes me wonder how Carly will become a stronger character in later books.

            

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

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More about the novel...

Detective Carly Edwards hates working in juvenile—where the brass put her after an officer-involved shooting—and longs to be back on patrol. So when a troubled youth, Londy Atkins, is arrested for the murder of the mayor and Carly is summoned to the crime scene, she's eager for some action. Carly presses Londy for a confession but he swears his innocence, and despite her better judgment, Carly is inclined to believe him. Yet homicide is convinced of his guilt and is determined to convict him.

Carly's ex-husband and fellow police officer, Nick, appears to be on her side. He's determined to show Carly that he's a changed man and win her back, but she isn't convinced he won't betray her again.

As the investigation progresses, Carly suspects a cover-up and strikes out on her own, uncertain whom she can trust. But when danger mounts, she begins to wonder if she made the right choice.