Fatal Identity by Marie Force (Fatal #10)
Released: July 26, 2016
Romantic Suspense
Harlequin

Reviewed by Mandi

This is book ten in the Fatal series, and the first book I’ve read. When I started it, I didn’t realize that this series follows the same heroine, and her family, through the entire series. I really enjoyed this book, and could follow what was happening even though this was the first I’ve read – however, I could also tell I’ve missed out on a lot of back story and dynamics. I’ve already started the first book, because I liked this one so much, I want to go back and read about Nick and Sam’s journey.

For those unfamiliar, Sam is a detective lieutenant in Washington, D.C. and her husband, Nick,  is the Vice President…of the United States. When this book starts, Sam is put on  a four-day suspension for punching a sergeant in the face for a very inappropriate comment. I fell in love with her at that moment *wink*  Sam takes the suspension gracefully and fully admits she would punch the guy again if she had the chance. The suspension comes at a good time for her because her husband and son fall very ill with the flu. While making sure they have what they need, something big falls in her lap. A young adult approaches her and tells her he thinks he was stolen as a baby thirty years ago. He sees a news story about a couple in Tennessee that have never given up looking for their stolen newborn. They have an age progression done and the picture looks exactly like this almost 30 year-old Josh Rollins. Sam is intrigued…but what makes it a case she can’t turn down, is that Josh’s dad is the director of the FBI. Could the director of the FBI have stolen a kid thirty years ago? Although Sam is suspended, she starts to work this case.

I loved Sam from page one. Stubborn, feisty, totally in love with her husband and son, their dynamic and chemistry is really great. I love it when an author takes a couple on in a series and shows us what their life is like after that initial HEA. Although this is the first I’ve read of Sam and Nick, I enjoyed their relationship so much. They have fun with each other, it’s super sexy, and it’s a great dynamic with him as the Vice President and her a detective. I felt like both aspects – political and suspense were presented well.

The mystery in this book is a fun one with high stakes – you just can’t go around and point a guilty finger at the director of the FBI without some substantial evidence. The fact that Sam isn’t suppose to even be working makes her go crazy – she isn’t one to sit around on her hands. She is the type of person that has to be doing something and her love for her job is very evident. There are some side stories with her partner, and a fellow detective that recently lost his partner who is going through a very hard time. There is also a detective that is kind of in love with Sam, but also has a fiance – all of this plus a secret service agent that has eyes for Nick – made the story fast paced and gives the reader different aspects of Sam and Nick’s life besides the main suspense plot. I liked that a lot.

Can’t wait to read Sam and Nick’s journey and how they end up where they are in this book.

Grade: B+

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