Synopsis:~
Ann Silver is a cop’s cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region’s most trusted investigative positions. Paul Falcon is the FBI’s top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder. Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking.
Paul isn’t expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention. The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former Vice President. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is…
My take:~
Dee Henderson returns to romantic suspense with Full Disclosure, a character based story about two fiercely independent people, both with highly successful careers in law enforcement that have consumed their energy and focus for many years. For the first time, Ann and Paul open their minds to the possibility of a relationship neither have needed or sought in the past. I am a long time fan of Dee Henderson, my well worn copies of Danger in the Shadows, her O’Malley and Uncommon Heroes series attest to that, so I take no joy in saying that Full Disclosure was a disappointment to me. More on that soon but first the things I dearly appreciated about the story – Ann’s uniqueness as a woman comfortable in her own skin and clearly content with being a single, independent woman; Paul’s strength of character, calm and measured in every way – his appeal was in his determination and integrity as opposed to more superficial characteristics; the fact Ann and Paul are in their late 30s, making for a more mature and intriguing relationship, a meeting of the minds in many ways; and the clarity of Dee’s voice, easily recognisable for those who have read her previous books. Unfortunately I struggled with this story. Simply put, I found Ann difficult to connect with – she is portrayed as the perfect woman and seems unattainable to both Paul and the reader. Dee inserts herself in many ways into her character Ann – some readers love that seeming self disclosure – it made me feel a little uncomfortable and not a natural part of the story. Not a romance in the traditional sense, Ann and Paul connect in a cerebral way more than in an emotional sense and while I appreciate that approach as unique, Dee took it a little to far on the pendulum for me, leaving me wishing for a little more heart connection between the two. The O’Malleys make cameo appearances and while the mystery has some good twists and turns, it moves slowly with minimal action so adrenaline junkies beware. I desperately wanted to love this story but it wasn’t to be. Rest assured, there are plenty of readers who do, so grab the book and make up your own mind. I truly hope Dee can return to the stellar storytelling she exemplified in her O’Malley books.
With thanks to Bethany House for my review copy
Relz Reviewz Extras
Visit Dee’s website and the Full Disclosure site
Buy Full Disclosure at Amazon or Koorong
August 21, 2012 at 5:10 am
Awwww, I’m sad to hear that you were disappointed, but I appreciate your insight! Just like many others, I’ve been looking forward to another book from Dee for years and I’m excited to dive into this one. Plus, cameos from some of the O’Malley’s?! Oh, I’ve missed them. 🙂
August 21, 2012 at 7:50 am
Sara » Hey Sara – dive in! Let me know what you think – lots of fans are writing rave reviews so it’s good to form your own opinion, isn’t it?
August 21, 2012 at 6:08 am
Thanks for sharing your honest opinion! I loved the O’Malley books way back when, but I’ve never re-read them…so in light of this new book releasing I’ve been wondering if I’d still enjoy them as much. I’m still going to give this one a shot, probably…
August 21, 2012 at 7:48 am
Ruth » I’ve reread the O’Malley stories many times over but not for a number of years now – I’m hooked on Ronie Kendig’s novels now! I hope you do read Full Disclosure, Ruth – I’d love to hear your thoughts one way or the other when you do.
August 21, 2012 at 7:29 am
It’s so hard to write a review on a book that wasn’t a good fit. But I appreciate your review…I think I still might try the novel, just because I’ve never read Dee Henderson before and I loved the book trailer.
August 21, 2012 at 7:47 am
Casey » That’s right, you’re not a suspense lover, are you?! Seriously, you really must read the O’Malley books – they are stellar, my friend. And yes, I struggled writing this review and I know you understand that – thanks for the support 🙂
August 21, 2012 at 8:00 am
I’m not a suspense reader by default, but do enjoy the occasional one. Brandilyn Collins is my guilty pleasure and I’ve enjoyed Terri Blackstock and Lynnette Eason’s last two series. My sister is really wanting to read Dee. *She’s* the suspense reader. 🙂
August 21, 2012 at 1:37 pm
Casey » Just like my sister is the Amish reader 🙂
August 21, 2012 at 7:48 am
Aw! Despite that the reviews I’ve read thus far are much the same as yours, Rel, I am still dying to read this come fall! 🙂
August 21, 2012 at 8:27 am
Gasp! How’d you get your hands on a copy???
August 21, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Deena Marie Peterson » If I told you, I’d have to kill you – hehehehehe!
August 21, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Rel, your honesty and integrity as a reviewer are what draw readers back time and again. Thank you for sharing your opinion with us. It is refreshing (and healthy) to see balanced discussion about a book.
August 24, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Lydia » Hey lovely Lydia – thanks so much, friend xo xo
August 21, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Hey Rel
I know how you agonised over writing this review and I can hear your disappointment in having to say that you didn’t enjoy this book as you’d wanted to. As always you write even the difficult reviews with all the integrity and humility that makes you so amazing at what you do.
xo
August 24, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Tracy » Thank you for being a faithful encourager and wonderful friend, Trac. Big hugs xo xo
January 8, 2019 at 9:08 am
I thought it was just me! I moved out of country several years ago and just came back in the last year. I was so excited to read Dee’s books again, but found them exactly as you described…. I did like Before I Wake, but I really wanted an ending!