REVIEW : What Lies Behind by J.T. Ellison

RELEASE DATE : May 26, 2015

Waking to sirens in the night is hardly unusual for Samantha Owens. No longer a medical examiner, she doesn't lose sleep over them, but a routine police investigation in her neighborhood has her curious. When her homicide detective friend, Darren Fletcher, invites her to look over the evidence, she jumps at the chance and immediately realizes the crime scene has been staged. What seems to be a clear case of murder/suicide—a crime of passion—is anything but. The discovery of toxic substances in hidden vials indicates that something much more sinister is at play… 

As Fletch and Sam try to understand what and who they are dealing with, they are summoned to a meeting at the State Department. High-level officials are interested in what they know and seem to be keeping secrets of their own. It's up to Sam and Fletch to uncover what lies behind the deception as the threat of bio-terrorism is exposed, and her boyfriend, Xander Whitfield, may be in the line of fire. 

Unsure who to trust, Sam and Fletch find themselves up against very powerful people at every stage in the investigation. No one is who they appear to be and with every minute that passes, the danger escalates. It's Sam's most complex case yet and the terrifying reality is beyond anything she could have imagined.

Thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin books for the copy.

Sorry, it took me some time to finish this one with real life getting in the way. I tend to go for more fast paced mystery thrillers so this was a little slow on the build for me but it was enjoyable.

What Lies Behind, is set in the current time in Washington, DC and is part of a series featuring former medical examiner, Samantha Owens. When a murder takes place close to her home, Samantha is curious if a friend is on the case. That friend being Darren Fletcher, he fills her in on the situation.

Samantha is suspicious when she is also put on the case and quickly figures out that nothing about this murder is what it seems. From snipers to outbreaks, there are so many conspiracies and scenarios that feel like they were pulled from a national fear list.

I actually found myself wondering how much of this stuff could be brought to reality or HAS been under the radar. My paranoia went ape shit lol. Solid and intriguing read.

What Lies Behind (A Samantha Owens Novel) by J.T. Ellison via @amazon