When a highway construction crew discovers two skeletons in a shared grave, Florida state prosecutor Claire Talbot is assigned the case. With her reputation as a ruthless prosecutor and thorough investigator, Claire is not well- liked by some of her colleagues. Nevertheless, no one can deny her strong tactics produce results. Claire soon finds she will need all that strength and intelligence as her investigation leads to a series of unsolved abductions dating back to the 1970s.
Marc Hastings, a retired detective who worked those earlier abduction cases, contacts Claire to provide his expertise. Not only is he knowledgeable of everything she is researching, but Marc seems excessively familiar with Claire's behavior. How can he know so much about her when they have never met before? Or have they? His unusual and cryptic responses have Claire continually on edge, especially as more graves are uncovered. When catastrophe strikes, Claire has to believe what Marc has known all along -- and the secret uncovered will be devastating.
I found TIME OF DEPARTURE to be a tautly developed crime thriller by debut author Douglas Schofield. With an exciting and intricate plot, TIME OF DEPARTURE is filled with many surprising elements and intriguing characters. As the relationship between Claire and Marc develops, the reader discerns that Marc's connection to the case is something Claire will find hard to believe. The reality Claire eventually comes to accept also means she has some life-altering decisions to make about her past and her future. I am always looking for new authors in the thriller genre, and I am very impressed with Douglas Schofield's skillful writing. TIME OF DEPARTURE is spellbinding reading, which has me anticipating this author's next novel.
Florida state prosecutor Claire Talbot is as tough as they
come, and not everyone loves her for it. Newly promoted
Felony Division Chief, Claire has about as many jealous
detractors as she does supporters. Some colleagues are
openly skeptical about her youth, her abilities, and even
her gender. When a highway project construction crew
unearths two skeletons in a common grave, Claire reopens an
investigation into a string of abductions that took place
before she was born.
While researching the file, she meets retired cop Marc
Hastings, who once worked on the case. He maneuvers his way
into the investigation-and into Claire's life. Marc has an
uncanny familiarity with Claire's habits, and she begins to
realize that not all is as it seems. The detective urges
Claire on, mysteriously convinced that only she can solve
the case. Together, they unearth more graves. But then,
disaster strikes ... and Claire finally discovers what
Hastings knew all along. It's a secret almost too shocking
for a sane mind to grasp. The key to the killings may lie
deep in Claire's own past.
But what if Claire's past lies in her future? Full of
spellbinding twists, Time of Departure will appeal not only
to thriller aficionados, but to readers who appreciate a
strong female lead and a compelling love story. A
page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their
seats, Time of Departure heralds the arrival of an immensely
talented new crime novelist.
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