BOOK REVIEW- DARK DECEPTION by Nancy Mehl

Kate O'Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her drawing of the attacker--along with some last-minute evidence--that convicted the suspect. 

She's been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn't the murderer and she's been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she'll only agree if the same Marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate's safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.  AMAZON 4.5 STARS

What a great title for this book.  I didn't realize how apt it was until I was near the end of it.  
The Prologue gave the book quite the dramatic start but it doesn't stop there.  The drama continues in a strong way for the first couple of chapters.  Everything is not as it seems and I got the sense of that truth about half-way through the book. 

I liked both Tony DeLuca and Kate O'Brien but I also felt that their "romance" was more told than shown.  I really like a bit more romance in the murder mystery books that I read.  There were times that told how Tony was a source of strength for Kate.  It showed some of their interaction during her protection detail and especially her testimony.  That was good and helped some at least. 
Great secondary characters added a great deal to the story as well. 

 At one point I thought, "Oh no, I'm afraid I'm only thinking this book is just okay.  And I'm going to have to give it 3 Stars on Amazon. " And then suddenly, the story took off like a runaway horse before the 200 pages mark.  And the "hits" kept coming.   Twists, turns, red herrings and flat out cunning began to show up.  Let me say, it got Intense.  I had to lay it down a time or two but not for too long.  It got to the point where I wasn't sure who to trust when it came to several people.  It had me questioning quite a bit.  That says a lot about how well the author did with the story. 
God will be a part of this story but I also believe it was a well written part of the book.  I think non-believers would still enjoy the book.


I received a copy of this book via Bethany House and this is my honest opinion of it.