Trace of Doubt

Billie Quinn, criminologist, is back and better than ever in TRACE OF DOUBT. Billie's entire life has been overshadowed by her mother's disappearance and murder when Billie was just a child. As a member of the Justice Foundation, she seeks to free men who were wrongly imprisoned, like her beloved David Falco. Billie's work has brought her to the attention of someone deadly who claims to know what happened to her mother. Will Billie survive when her own past is the very case she hopes to solve? Erica Orloff hits the mark with TRACE OF DOUBT! In the first book, the foundation of the story was just too difficult for the shorter format of a Silhouette book. However, Billie Quinn takes off in this one as she is developing into the sort of character that simply screams for further books in the series. Perhaps part of the reason for the significant improvement is the tighter storyline, as TRACE OF DOUBT focuses mainly on Billie's case without wandering off course too much into her love life, the mobster antics of the Quinn family, or the politics of the Justice Foundation. Readers expecting TRACE OF DOUBT to stick to the confines of a typical category romance will be surprised by this one, and perhaps even a bit disappointed. Silhouette Bombshell books tend to be very cutting edge and this is exactly the sort of book that makes me mourn the demise of the Bombshell line. TRACE OF DOUBT breaks all of the rules of a category book and is probably more aptly designated a mystery with some romance in it. Readers seeking a strong new mystery series will greatly enjoy TRACE OF DOUBT. Erica Orloff does an excellent job at fully realizing Billie Quinn's potential in TRACE OF DOUBT. The crisp writing style keeps the story flowing while the action takes off. Erica Orloff is to be commended for the chances she takes with this book as TRACE OF DOUBT doesn't necessarily have the expected ending but rather, has the right ending. TRACE OF DOUBT is easily recommended. COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Forensic criminologist Billie Quinn of The Genetic Testing laboratory did not trust witnesses as many misstate the facts with conviction or suspects may lie. She preferred hardcore data like DNA that works one hundred percent of the time without falsehoods. Her recent involvement in the David Falco case (see TRACE OF INNOCENCE) has thrown her world belief upside down. However, her current case involving the conviction of Marcus Hopkins has national attention but takes an odd frightening spin when someone surfaces who knows too much first hand information about her murdered mother, killed years ago. Billie sees an opportunity for justice finally coming to her mom and to her as this has been the tragic event that has motivated her career. However, her unknown assailant has plans for Billie to star in the replay of the scene in which the culprit killed her mother. Billie's obstinacy can be a two edged sword for the audience as she refuses to back down especially on this investigation, but makes poor decisions that constantly place her in peril yet also brings excitement to her over the top inquiry. Still the story line is action-packed and like its predecessor brings into question a justice system that seeks unreliable closure not valid outcomes. Harriet Klausner