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Young Angie Howe is desperate to prove her boyfriend did not kill his aging aunt. No one will listen to her, until she finds brand new PI Colton Parker. Angie doesn’t have much money, but Colton has empathy and takes her on as his first case.
Colton Parker has had one heck of a last few months. His wife died, his angst ridden teenage daughter blames Colton for her mom’s death, and, he is fired from his FBI job. Colton let his daughter move in with her maternal grandparents – for her own good, but also so he won’t have to deal with the pain her presence reminds him of. Colton’s in spiritual and emotional anguish. While he already deals with his own darkness, the hollow evil places he must go to find the truth behind the older woman’s death leads him will only further push him into depression. Will he be able to find the truth and will that truth be what the young Angie Howe needs to help her exonerate her boyfriend?
I like what Brandt Dodson presents in Original Sin; a mystery/crime novel with a witty and guilt ridden protagonist. The added conflict with his daughter puts Colton on a human level where we get his struggle with his humanity and his failures. The pious Christians, who try to advise and help, are all too real.
The writing is tight and moves quickly. The glimpse into the dark world of pornography is tastefully dealt with – and I appreciated that the author understands we don’t need to have a glaring raw picture to understand where evil dwells. I found the writing to be similar to another favorite author of mine, J.A. Jance and I think if Peter Colton ever met J.P. Beaumont (J.A. Jance’s protagonist) they’re personalities would either be draw them together, or push each other apart. The difference between a Beaumont book and Original Sin is the love and grace of God is shot through the plot in Original Sin and hits the target every time.
I can’t wait for book number two!!
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
May 12, 2006
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