Colby Conspiracy

Debra Webb returns to the mystery surrounding her son's kidnapping and eventual return in this enjoyable read. Victoria Colby-Camp hires Daniel Marks to investigate the murder of Homicide Detective Carter Hastings after her son, Jim, is accused of the murder. Carter's daughter, Emily, insists on participating in the investigation and soon the plot complicates as Victoria is forced to re-evaluate all that she has known about her first husband and Jim's father. This Colby agency book, along with "Striking Distance" (in which Jim first appeared as an adult), are darker than some of the prior Colby agency novels. I would recommend reading some of the prior novels first, particulary "Striking Distance", as the plot could be a bit confusing to a newcomer to the series. "Colby Conspiracy" is a thrilling addition to the series and fans of the series will enjoy reuniting with many of the familiar characters of the past. In addition, one of the bonus features of the book is a section updating readers on what is going on with the characters from the previous novels in the series.

Though she is honored to be Chicago Woman of the Year, Victoria Colby-Camp is more euphoric over the mental improvement that her son Jim has shown recently especially since he and Tasha North fell in love. Jim was snatched almost twenty years ago when he was seven and turned into the killing Seth whose goal was to murder Victoria for abandoning him. However, her elation would turn to despair if she knew Seth resurfaced and started to rape a pregnant Tasha. Former military strategist Daniel Marks is in town complements of the Colby Agency that wants to hire him. Also in Chicago is Emily Hastings whose father a veteran homicide detective was murdered. She finds letters linking her dad to Victoria, the woman's long ago murdered first husband James, and her dad's first partner Marelyn Rutland that confuses her. Soon she will meet Daniel and they will be embroiled in the COLBY CONSPIRACY that goes back almost two decades ago. Though the subplots can become confusing at first, once the audience comprehends how this complex superb suspense thriller starts to come together, they will want more Colby Agency tales; (see FILES FROM THE COLBY AGENCY: THE BODYGUARD'S BABY PROTECTIVE CUSTODY). The ensemble cast is solid as fans will feel with Victoria who has overcome so much tragedy, hope Jim "defeats" Seth with Tasha at his side, and root for Daniel and Emily to make it while wondering what really happened two decades ago. A final twist marks a strong Webb of deceit tale that showcases a fine author on her A-game. Harriet Klausner