The Real Enemy
Sophie Trace Trilogy Book 1
by Kathy Herman
Paperback
Price: £9.99
Publisher:Xlibris distributed by Gardners
Published:01 April 2009
ISBN:978-1-434-76786-8
GoodBookStall Review:
The Real Enemy is the first instalment of the Sophie Trace Trilogy by CBA best-selling author, Kathy Herman. The series – which sells itself as suspense fiction – follows the personal and professional trials of Chief Brill Jessup and her family. This first book sets the scene as Brill settles into Sophie Trace’s small-town life following an abrupt decision to relocate from her home, and eighteen-year career, in Memphis. Broken and bitter after being betrayed by her husband, Brill struggles to build a happy home for her nine-year old daughter, Emily, while still living with the man who broke her heart. Not only does she have to stay strong for her impressionable child, she also has to prove herself as the town’s first female chief of police. When innocent people start disappearing and Indian spirit legends are resurrected, the pressure mounts for Brill as she furiously attempts to solve the case and protect her family.
The main issue covered in this story is that of betrayal and forgiveness. Brill – understandably - cannot come to terms with her husband’s infidelity and refuses to accept his heartfelt apologies. Her relationship with God also suffers as she delves deeper into her anger, and we eventually see her being brought to a point of real vulnerability where healing can begin. Some aspects of the storyline and dialogue are repetitive, and the characters are perhaps not as dynamic or memorable as they could be. But all in all, the crime-based plot is interesting and the overall message is one that continually needs to be heard in our broken world.
Reviewer: Sarah Broady (16/03/11)
The Real Enemy is the first instalment of the Sophie Trace Trilogy by CBA best-selling author, Kathy Herman. The series – which sells itself as suspense fiction – follows the personal and professional trials of Chief Brill Jessup and her family. This first book sets the scene as Brill settles into Sophie Trace’s small-town life following an abrupt decision to relocate from her home, and eighteen-year career, in Memphis. Broken and bitter after being betrayed by her husband, Brill struggles to build a happy home for her nine-year old daughter, Emily, while still living with the man who broke her heart. Not only does she have to stay strong for her impressionable child, she also has to prove herself as the town’s first female chief of police. When innocent people start disappearing and Indian spirit legends are resurrected, the pressure mounts for Brill as she furiously attempts to solve the case and protect her family.
The main issue covered in this story is that of betrayal and forgiveness. Brill – understandably - cannot come to terms with her husband’s infidelity and refuses to accept his heartfelt apologies. Her relationship with God also suffers as she delves deeper into her anger, and we eventually see her being brought to a point of real vulnerability where healing can begin. Some aspects of the storyline and dialogue are repetitive, and the characters are perhaps not as dynamic or memorable as they could be. But all in all, the crime-based plot is interesting and the overall message is one that continually needs to be heard in our broken world.
Reviewer: Sarah Broady (16/03/11)
