Birdie Elizabeth Keane is a Pulitzer-prize winning investigative journalist who writes true-crime novels. However, she's not written anything since she gave up alcohol less than a year ago. That's not to say she isn't the same detailed thinker using her deep-rooted character trait of logically checking out facts and leads to arrive at sensible conclusions and continually doing research. Birdie is the first in her family to graduate college and one of the few girls in a large, extended family of several generations of LAPD cops.

The love of Birdie's life is LAPD cop Matt Whelan, whose family is closely knit with the Keanes, and he feels the same about her. But their relationship has been complicated from the first day they met, and now it has come to an end. Following a passionate encounter between them with promises of a future together, Matt is found dead the next morning from an apparent accidental drug overdose. Birdie is devastated by his sudden death and cannot believe he would die that way, not after everything he said to her the night before.

Suspicious of the cause of Matt's death, Birdie decides to investigate the situation further. When she learns she's inherited his estate, she also discovers Matt was leading a double life working undercover on a 16-year-old cold case and compiling evidence that is now in Birdie's hands. Evidence that some people will gladly kill to obtain, as Birdie soon finds out. As she follows the clues Matt has left for her, it becomes apparent he's also left the choice up to her what she does with the evidence he's acquired. But it's a nearly impossible choice to make when it means destroying reputations, as well as families. All too soon, Birdie realizes there is another more personal betrayal she must deal with -- and it's worse than anything she could have ever imagined in her life.

Terri Nolan's BURDEN OF TRUTH is a gripping, fast- paced police procedural thriller with realistic characters and a riveting plotline. I was hooked first page to last -- and its explosive element was the perfect finale. Lucky for readers, this is the first book in a new ongoing series featuring Birdie. I can't wait for the next installment!