Cypher

Life throws curve balls…and sometimes it hits you right between the eyes. Cara Wainwright is still processing her mother’s diagnosis of terminal cancer when her house guests turn up dead. She’s devastated by their loss, horrified their killer is on the loose and furious when the police tag her as their number one suspect instead of catching the murderer. Luckily for her, Detective David Morris isn’t buying the obvious clues. The political and familial ties revolving around the investigation complicate his job. But he’s got questions, and he’s not afraid to rattle a few doors to get the answers. The investigation throws Cara and David together, forcing them to trust one another in order to solve the case before anyone else gets hurt. Mutual attraction and dangerous circumstances create a bond between the two, but obligations and the reality of their circumstances could tear them apart. I love when a book’s plot line and character development are equally strong. Ms. Perkins kept me guessing who was behind the murders and why until the real killer was revealed. The characters were interesting and well-developed. Cara is a strong heroine, both in personality and relatable faults. Detective Morris is a solid alpha hero with a gentle, nurturing side. I also appreciated the theme of strong family ties that gelled these characters at their core. Cypher delivers a solid mystery with satisfying elements of romantic suspense. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Perkins’ work.