More Great Reviews for Revenge!

Natalie McMasters, the heroine from Tom Burns’s novel Stripper, is back in another fast-moving mystery–Revenge. I really like this lead character. She’s a smart, sexy, hard-edged detective but the story reminds us that she’s also a naïve and vulnerable college-age girl. The plot is full of perplexity that kept me guessing about the source of the many troubles that threaten Nattie and the ones she loves. I found myself applauding her pluck and determination, while cringing at her tendency for putting herself in danger.
I appreciate authors who do their homework and Burns has certainly done his research. Besides the obvious background on police procedures, the story takes us into the ins and outs of CCTV signaling, trends in street narcotics, the arcane rules of federal deportation proceedings and the psychology of a young woman dealing with her history of violent confrontations and a same-sex relationship. These details helped make the story real and relevant.
Revenge gives us plenty to chew on while taking us through the heroine’s misadventures. Great reading for people who appreciate intelligent and exciting mysteries.