Payback Time - Brittany Weddle

Chicago Detective Mary Lorrence became a cop because of the sudden and brutal death of her little sister. Nearly eleven years later the killer hasn't been caught and a new murder brings back to the surface the memories of Clair's demise.

Together with her partner Luke Talon, they investigate the crime which takes on a new twist to become a murder and a missing person's case. Besides all of this, Mary also has to deal with Kurt, the father of her ten year old daughter, who suddenly wants to be a part of their lives. And then there's her growing affection for her best friend Ryan. Will she and Ryan eventually go on a date? What does Kurt want and will she ever find Chloe Jackson's killer and Emily Nichols the missing girl of a well known lawyer?

Weddle's murder mystery is an enjoyable walk through how two almost clashing personalities work their way through solving a frustrating case. With red herrings cropping up here and there, Mary and Luke have their work cut out for them. Their stubbornness and outspoken ways leads to the FBI taking over the case and Mary being temporarily suspended.

Awash with emotion as well as some humor, Weddle's mystery is certainly entertaining. There is a little inconsistency with reactions and information that I don't think mar's the overall story line too much but I did feel that the ending was almost anti-climatic. As a first time author, the characters are well defined and descriptions are clear and concise. It certainly kept me interested and when I thought that Weddle needed to explain things a bit more here and there, it was disclosed (at the end of the book) that Payback Time is a 'volume one'. With this in mind, I'm looking forward to reading the next installment of Detective Lorrence. A recommended read for anyone who's after a mystery that isn't too complicated.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not expected to give a positive critique.