Atlanta Justice #2
By Rachel Dylan
Working as a prosecutor for the Fulton County District Attorney's office is Sophie Dawson's passion. She is determined to get justice for those who need it. And her current case seems relatively straightforward - a local bank employee has been cheating his customers and pocketing the extras into his own pocket. The bank's CEO wants a quick settlement to cap any unwanted negative PR but Sophie wants to work through her case before she agrees to a pretrial settlement/plea bargain.
When Sophie is the lone witness to a brutal double homicide she's just found herself in a whole new world, so to speak. She's on the other side of the table as a witness to the prosecution. Worse the person she identified as the killer is the younger brother to the head of Atlanta's biggest gang. So not only is she the key witness she is now target number one to a man not known for his warm cuddly side.
Determined to keep his only daughter safe Randall Dawson hires Cooper Knight of K&R Security to keep Sophie safe. But as the danger to Sophie increases Cooper has to use all of his skills as well as those of his partners to keep her alive. And he needs to keep his emotions in check because for some reason Sophie manages to get past the wall he's erected around his heart - one due to his own pain-filled past.
I liked Lone Witness, which is the second book in the Atlanta Justice series, especially as it got into the book just a touch. Having not read the first book I had no problem getting this one as it appears that a different pair of characters takes center stage in Deadly Proof. While Sophie and Cooper are the main characters we are also introduced to several other characters who play key roles. There is Ashley Murphy a defense lawyer who seems to have no qualms about representing the worst of the worst as long as they have the money. Patrick Hunt a Deputy Chief ADA from Dekalb County is called in to prosecute to avoid any conflict of interest charges. Then there is Whitney Bowman CEO of SIB whose bank has come under Sophie's scrutiny in her investigation. And finally Juan Wade the protective big brother who is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his brother out of prison. The various interactions between these and other key characters keeps the reader in suspense as to the outcome of both cases and the longevity of various persons.
This book deals with the legal system but won't bog the reader down in a lot of confusing legalese jargon. There a definite suspense element and a few unexpected surprises that will keep the reader turning the pages. Those who like an element of romance in their reading there is definitely romance to keep you happy. Overall the book is a well-blended work that an enjoyable escape from the summer extremes.
I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Bethany House through their blogger program with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the Book:
She's the Only Witness to a Brutal Crime.
Now She Can't Outrun the Target on Her Back.
Prosecutor Sophie Dawson has taken a new role at the Fulton County DA's office, and her first case involves a local bank employee who may be cheating customers. She's determined to bring justice to those who've lost their savings . . . but her life is turned upside down when she becomes the only witness to a double homicide involving a vengeful gang.
With her life at risk, friends and family convince her that she needs protection, and private security guard Cooper Knight is hired as a bodyguard. But as threats escalate, neither Cooper nor Sophie knows whom they can trust.
Unwilling to back down on either case, Sophie pursues the truth at any cost. But her bank litigation gets more complicated by the day, and the gang will stop at nothing to keep her from taking the stand. With all sides closing in, steadfast Cooper is the only man she can lean on. But drawing close may be the distraction that costs both of their lives.
