TLC Book Tour: Duplicity

I'm always on the lookout for a good mystery series, and the Julia Gooden series by Jane Haseldine certainly fits the bill.

Usually I read mystery series in order, but I was sent Duplicity, the second installment in this series, without any prior experience with Haseldine or her characters.  Although it might have taken me a little longer to get into this book than readers who had already read The Last Time She Saw Him, the first book in the series, once I oriented myself with the characters and plot, I really liked Duplicity.

Julia is a journalist for a Detroit newspaper, while her husband, David, is the Assistant District Attorney. The two are separated, yet are trying to make a go of their marriage for the sake of their young children.  

David has a big trial that is about to take place as he brings Nick Rossi in on charges of drug trafficking along with a few other charges.  However, before the trial can take place, a bomb goes off in the courthouse, injuring and killing many.  

Julia is sure Rossi is behind the attack which has left David in a coma and begins to search for justice. She and her good friend (and ex-boyfriend, Navarro) team up, finding their own lives in danger as they hunt down Rossi.

I like these characters and feel like as this series progresses I will easily develop a stronger relationship with them.  Although I like mysteries for the actual mystery plotline, a lot of what I enjoy centers around the small glimpses into the personal lives of characters that are always included.  Julia and her husband are interesting, as is Raymond Navarro, who I also hope to see more of.

I enjoyed the Detroit setting of this novel, the twists and turns of the plot, and getting to know Julia and her family and friends.  I am excited to have the first in this series to read, and am hoping a third book will soon follow.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for my review.  All opinions expressed are, as always, my own.