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mochagirl's review
3.0
The Savior is a story of three troubled childhood acquaintances, children of drug abusers, who have grown up but are still dealing with baggage from their impoverished and dysfunctional pasts. Suave and debonair, Rich Marvel is now a detective in the newly formed homicide division. He is doing all the "right things" to escape his humble beginning and elevate his social status. He's determined to solidify his position and career by "marrying up," that is, becoming the fiancé of a gorgeous socialite who happens to be the daughter of a local judge.
Kendra Hamilton is a dedicated, goodwill physician who operates the free clinic in the worst area of town. She escapes the streets via education when a local philanthropist funded her studies through medical school. When she learns of her mother's death, she immediately suspects foul play and insists that it is investigated as a homicide. Kendra calls upon her benefactor to use his influence to pull strings in City Hall, thereby angering Detective Marvel for going over his head to investigate a seemingly insignificant drug overdose case as a homicide. Tensions rise and memories are relived when the investigation takes Rich back to the old neighborhood that he so desperately wants to escape and forget. When Kendra's suspicions of murder seem valid, a list of suspects is formed. There is no surprise when the neighborhood's biggest drug dealer, Raymond Smalls, is brought in for questioning. However the plot thickens when Raymond is romantically linked to Kendra, romance also blossoms between Rich and Kendra leading to jealousy between Rich and Ray, and a link is established between the victim and cold case files involving the Chief of Police and pregnant, missing, teenaged runaways.
The novel was well written with steady pacing. The author handled dialogue well and developed sturdy, but flawed characters with interesting pasts. However, the story seemed a bit elongated, especially when it was obvious (to me) who the culprit was within the first 50 or so pages of the 369 page book. Discovering the culprit's motive was the only impetus for me to keep reading. So the passages following the detective's reasoning skills as he zeroes in on the killer were not that "illuminating" as they should have been. There were aspects that were a bit predictable and overplayed as with the love/hate relationship Rich had with the victim's daughter-turned-suspect, Kendra. Nonetheless, the solid writing along with the handling of the drama and suspense combine to make The Savior a decent offering.
Kendra Hamilton is a dedicated, goodwill physician who operates the free clinic in the worst area of town. She escapes the streets via education when a local philanthropist funded her studies through medical school. When she learns of her mother's death, she immediately suspects foul play and insists that it is investigated as a homicide. Kendra calls upon her benefactor to use his influence to pull strings in City Hall, thereby angering Detective Marvel for going over his head to investigate a seemingly insignificant drug overdose case as a homicide. Tensions rise and memories are relived when the investigation takes Rich back to the old neighborhood that he so desperately wants to escape and forget. When Kendra's suspicions of murder seem valid, a list of suspects is formed. There is no surprise when the neighborhood's biggest drug dealer, Raymond Smalls, is brought in for questioning. However the plot thickens when Raymond is romantically linked to Kendra, romance also blossoms between Rich and Kendra leading to jealousy between Rich and Ray, and a link is established between the victim and cold case files involving the Chief of Police and pregnant, missing, teenaged runaways.
The novel was well written with steady pacing. The author handled dialogue well and developed sturdy, but flawed characters with interesting pasts. However, the story seemed a bit elongated, especially when it was obvious (to me) who the culprit was within the first 50 or so pages of the 369 page book. Discovering the culprit's motive was the only impetus for me to keep reading. So the passages following the detective's reasoning skills as he zeroes in on the killer were not that "illuminating" as they should have been. There were aspects that were a bit predictable and overplayed as with the love/hate relationship Rich had with the victim's daughter-turned-suspect, Kendra. Nonetheless, the solid writing along with the handling of the drama and suspense combine to make The Savior a decent offering.
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