SNITCH is the second in Rene Gutteridge’s Occupational Hazards series, the stories of home-schooled siblings from a family of clowns. After their parents’ accidental deaths, they must learn to make their way in the world. Each book features one of the siblings. SNOOP, the first book in the series, focused on Hayden Hazard and her career in news broadcasting. 

In SNITCH, police woman Mackenzie (Mack) Hazard, is chosen to be part of “Task Force Viper,” an undercover operation formed to solve a string of auto thefts in Las Vegas. Her openness and boldness in her Christian faith sometimes make her partners uncomfortable. Yet her faith is natural and honest, not “preachy.” 

Sergeant Ron Yeager, nearing retirement, heads up the task force without telling his wife, Nan, who has spent her married life worried about her husband’s dangerous occupation. When Ron allows his pastor, Kyle, to help in the investigation, tension mounts.  

Both Ron and Jesse Lunden, a know-it-all, yet superstitious undercover agent, have doubts about Mack’s ability and inexperience. When drug lords and the Mafia enter the picture, can this rag-tag group succeed? Or even survive? 

Gutteridge’s characters are unique and she writes with a subtle humor. I look forward to reading her next book in the Occupational Hazards series.

December 19, 2007