How far will a killer go for revenge?
Detective Jessica Foster is exhausted. She’s spent months hunting a crazed killer while juggling a caseload that never ends, her unpredictable family, and forbidden feelings for her partner, Seth Hamilton. When the suspect she sought is finally captured near Denver, she and Seth must bring him back to Texas for trial. Jess dreads the long drive because it means close proximity to the man who haunts her dreams and makes her long for things she can never have.
Seth has known for some time that Jess is the one for him. Instinct tells him the feelings are mutual, but she never lets her guard down. Undeterred, he vows to use the prolonged road trip to get beyond those barriers and uncover the truth.
Until a disastrous turn of events changes everything.
Now a ruthless killer bent on revenge targets Jess, and his thirst for vengeance will only be satisfied by her death.
Quarter Finalist
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The Detail is an engaging read with solid characters and an intense story line. Although Wayne incorporates multiple elements into the book, a strong undercurrent of attraction between the two main characters runs throughout, lending the story more of a romance feel than a classic thriller.
Prose: Wayne is a skillful writer and achieves the perfect tone for the storyline. Dialogue, action, romance, and descriptions are well-balanced, conveying the right information at an ideal pace.
Originality: The combination of a memorable cast and compelling plot elevates the creativity, and Wayne's delivery of fierce action alongside explosive intimacy is spot-on.
Character Development/Execution: Wayne excels at characterization, producing two perceptive main players who will immediately draw readers in. Jessica and Seth—equally aware of their own desires and never hesitant to pursue them—become gradually more transparent, and Wayne subtly unwraps their transformation as the story advances.
Date Submitted: July 23, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic, suspenseful, thrilling
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2022
I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into when I picked this book but I think I found myself a new favorite author. This was the perfect combination of suspense and romance. Detectives Foster and Hamilton are sent to retrieve an inmate and bring him back to Dallas to face justice. They had spent many months hunting the man down and he was hauled in for something minor. The inmate has plans for Ms. Foster and none of them pertain to having a nice chat over coffee. In the meantime these two detectives are fighting to maintain a professional relationship instead of giving in to the sexual tension that runs between them. After picking up their ward they are heading back to base when things take a wrong turn. The killer gets away and he is hell bent on getting his prize, Detective Foster. How will things play out between the detectives? Is there a happily ever after in their future or will she become the victim of a sadistic man?
The Detail by Dana Wayne was a surprising find, in a great way. She might have been a new-to-me author, but now that I have a taste for her stories, that is something I plan to remedy immediately. Ms. Wayne weaves a brilliant romantic suspense here, with all the ingredients that I look for in an engrossing story.
Detective Jessica Foster has been on a manhunt for a serial killer that has had her tied up in knots for far too long. When he is finally captured, she and her partner end up on cross-country journey to bring him back home so justice can be served. But things don’t quite go according to plan. With a deranged killer hell bent on revenge, secret feelings for her partner, family problems, and several crafty twists add to the intensity. Let the cat and mouse games begin!
I can’t wait to explore Dana Wayne’s other books…
Happy Reading!
Reviewed By Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite 5 Stars!
When the fugitive Detective Jessica Foster has been hunting is arrested, you can be sure she will travel three states away to pick him up. The Detail by Dana Wayne takes you down the path as Jessica struggles with the attraction she has for her partner, Seth Hamilton, and the unease she faces traveling with a killer. Everything shifts gears when Seth and Jessica notice a Jeep following them. Tires shot out during a sand storm, Seth wakes up from the accident with Jessica and the prisoner gone. He was determined to let his feelings be known, but is it too late now that she has vanished? Is she in the hands of the deranged prisoner who will enjoy giving her a slow and painful death?
The Detail by Dana Wayne is an intricate weaving of characters, attraction, and danger. The author not only captures the magnetic pull of the detectives, but also the sinister mood of the prisoner toward Jessica. Dana takes a common plot and adds the perfect amount of drama and complexity to make this a dynamic read. As the story progresses, the pace accelerates. The characters are well-rounded with quirks that make them feel real. I was hooked, wanting to know more about Jessica and her dysfunctional upbringing. She saw it as a weakness, but I believed it made her stronger. I was excited to find this author as she holds nothing back when writing about suspense and romance. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves suspense thrillers and Texans.
