Shadow of Doubt

3.75stars-complex, detailed, multi-layer

3.75stars-SHADOW OF DOUBT is the second instalment in P.A. DePaul’s contemporary, adult SBG romantic, military suspense series focusing on a group of former military and law enforcement personnel. This is thirty-eight year old, former US Green Beret Captain Jeremy ‘Cappy’ Malone, and twenty—five year old, park ranger Michelle Alger’s story line. SHADOW OF A DOUBT should not be read as a stand alone as many of the current story line events are as of a direct result of the events in book one EXCHANGE OF FIRE.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SHADOW OF DOUBT is the re-release of the same 2015 book and title but with some story-line ‘tightening’

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Michelle and Cappy, using dual timelines SHADOW OF DOUBT focuses on the hunt for a killer. Six years earlier, Michelle, as part of an environmental group, was abducted from the Amazon rainforest, and tortured by the Columbian cartel. Days later Michelle would be rescued by the black ops groups known as SBG (SweetBriar Group), never to hear or see from them again. Fast forward to present day, Michelle now physically healed from her ordeal, finds herself the only suspect in the murder of a senator’s son, and knows of only one man who may be able to save her life. Enter former US Green Beret Jeremy ‘Cappy’ Malone, the man with whom she would fall in love. Hired by the Senator Harris to find his son’s killer, the gang at SBG must protect the woman they believe is a cold blooded killer. What ensues is the building but reluctant relationship between Cappy and Michelle, and the potential fall-out as the past refuses to let go, taking aim at our story line couple.

The world building is complex, detailed, and multi-layered with many scenarios connected to the introductory story line. Characters with pre-existing histories between one another, and with events from the past, are part of the focus of the current time-line therefore I highly recommend reading the series in order.

The relationship between Cappy and Michelle begins as a rescue, a rescue in which Cappy gives Michelle his name and number but has to ghost our heroine in the face of the ongoing threats in the Amazon jungle. Suffering with many issues of PTSD, Michelle continues to struggle with the memories from the past, memories that become all too real when the past returns. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, enterprising and spirited secondary and supporting characters many of whom played a significant role in both EXCHANGE OF FIRE and SHADOW OF DOUBT including the team’s original handler and CEO of SBG Victor Dalmingo, Senator Harris, and a ghost from the past.

SHADOW OF DOUBT is a comprehensive, elaborate and multi-layered story line of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, acceptance and love. The slow building premise is raw and gritty ; the characters are animated, real and dynamic; the romance is seductive and emotional.

Once again, I strongly recommend reading book one EXCHANGE OF FIRE, otherwise there may be more confusion than necessary. I had hoped there would have been some detailed references to past events in an effort to circumvent the lack of awareness of previous events.