Double Cross by DiAnn Mills

Plot Summary:

FBI Agent Laurel Evertson’s investigation in to a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she’s vowed to forget Wilmington–and what she sacrificed to put him away–he is now her best lead.

Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’ll do anything to protect his family–even force interagency cooperation. But he’s quickly drawn to laurel’s empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead…even if it means teaming up with a felon.

As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington’s claims of redemption, or if he’s leading them straight into a double cross.

As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Share on X

Publisher Information:

Copyright 2015, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. www.tyndale.com

Genre:

Romantic suspense

Characterization Critique:

Most of the characters are very believable. The major characters are Laurel, the FBI agent, Daniel Hilton, the Houston PD officer, Morton Wilmington, the reformed crook, who was sprung from prison early so he could help with the investigation, and Daniel’s grandparents, Abby and Earl Hilton.

Supporting cast includes Marsha Leonard, the director of Silver Hospitality, a senior center where the elder Hiltons spend their days. Two additional characters include FBI agents, Thatcher Graves, who will become the focus of the third book, and Liz Austin, an employee of Silver Hospitality who keeps coming on to Daniel.

The interaction between the three major characters, Daniel, Laurel, and Morton is interesting reading. Daniel, who is Christian, still suspects Morton’s faith is “jailhouse” faith, something to say to get him released from prison. Laurel, who has trouble believing in a God who would allow her parents to be murdered, never believes Morton was really converted. Morton is portrayed as much as possible, as a real Christian, who is not perfect, but who makes the effort. In the end, well, I won’t spoil it for you.

Plot Development:

It generally moved along well. DiAnn is usually noted for unusual twists, but in this case, she was a little too obvious about who the real culprit was, even though that character didn’t “seem” to be the guilty party. It wasn’t apparent at first, but as the characters voiced their suspicions, it was almost a letdown when the truth was revealed, because it had already been suspected.

Other than that, I thought there was enough excitement to sustain reading.

The three major characters move from one problem to the next, trying to solve the mystery. Share on X

What I Liked:

I like that DiAnn creates stories and characters who seem real and who struggle with self-esteem issues, just like all of us do. She also tackled the issue of Alzheimer’s within the parameters of the plot and character development in the story. There are no easy answers, and the grandfather, Earl Hilton, has his good times and his wooly thinking times. A reader favorite (from posted reviews) is Abby, Daniel’s grandmother, who seems to take Earl’s condition in stride, never seemingly frustrated or angry herself that her husband slips by inches.

What I Didn’t Like:

There wasn’t much I didn’t like. Like I said in the plot development section, I wasn’t surprised at who the person behind the conspiracy was, because there had been much suspicion cast on this person already, whereas in Firewall, whew! Didn’t see that one coming at all.