Customer Reviews

Shield of Justice

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye is assigned to track down a serial rapist/murderer. She appears to get a break when there is a witness to the latest assault. Unfortunately, the witness was badly beaten and traumatized as the rapist escaped. The witness can not recall much of the encounter, but is Rebecca's best hope to catch the murderer. Janet Ryan, the witness, is hospitalized and also under the care of her psychiatrist, Dr. Catherine Rawlings. Rebecca must go through the therapist to interrogate Janet. The cop and the psychiatrist are drawn to each other as the search for the murderer and their attraction to each other intensify.

The story is a first-rate suspense novel. The sex is hot and often! The ending is terrific. This story is even better than Safe Harbor and Innocent Hearts!

Radclyffe has done an excellent job of bringing the reader into this book and making them forget everything except turning the next page. You hold your breath, bite your lip, and sit on the edge of your seat in anticipation.

These two strong characters, Rebecca Frye and Catherine Rawlings are complemented by Rad's equally strong storytelling skills, including realistic background that isn't sugarcoated; intrigue that rounds out the plot but doesn't overpower the love story; and, perhaps her greatest gift, depth of emotion. We readers slowly learn the hearts and minds of the people in this novel, even as they are learning and growing themselves. We can identify with the feelings of honor and responsibility as well as the yearnings for friendship, love and belonging--oh yes, and passion--not just sex, not just lust, but true passion.

The gist of this novel is as described elsewhere.

This is an excellent mystery - full of twists and turns and full of suspense. A real page turner. Added to the mystery is the tension between the two main characters, Detective Rebecca Frye and psychiatrist Catherine Rawlings - well done and maintained throughout the book.

There is also romance. Radclyffe continues to develop the romance between the two women from the first meeting through the end of the book. However, one disappointment is the love scenes - terse and, well, too clinical. If you want better written love scenes, try reading Gerri Hill.

Be prepared to stay up well beyond your bedtime reading this novel. And you might as well put the second and third books in this series in your Amazon cart right now because you'll certainly want to read them too.

...Radclyffe's newest offering, "Shield of Justice", is a captivating combination of police procedural and what Radclyffe has become known for -- wildly erotic romance. Once again, the story involves two strong-willed, independent women who find in one another the challenge of equals. Set in a large northeastern metropolis, Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye's search for a serial rapist stretches from the seedy back alleys of the city's underbelly to the picturesque parkland which has become the madman's hunting ground.

Within the context of a well-plotted, action-packed thriller, the author seamlessly weaves the elements of a heart-stopping romance between the emotionally remote Rebecca and her reluctant ally, Dr. Catherine Rawlings. The balance between intrigue and romance is just right, something which is not often seen in the average mystery, where romance usually takes a backseat. The tone is gritty and fast-paced, as befits a police procedural, with interesting secondary characters including a new investigative partner whom Rebecca would rather leave behind.

Radclyffe's previous works, particularly "Safe Harbor", "Love's Melody Lost", and "Innocent Hearts", have proven that she excels at romance, creating in-depth characterizations within love stories at once tender and erotic. With her first action-thriller, "Above All, Honor", she demonstrated the ability to cross genres into suspense without leaving passion behind. Now with this newest entry, she reminds us that romance and danger can go hand-in-hand.

"Shield of Justice" is a ride not to be missed and promises to be the first in an intriguing series.

Shield of Justice by Radclyffe is the first book in the Justice series. Radclyffe is not shy about giving us what we want. This book is full of hot, passionate sex intermingled with a serial rapist investigation. Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye is in hot pursuit of the rapist, when she meets psychologist Catherine Rawlings. Rawlings is in a position to help in the investigation, but loyalty to her patient puts her at odds with Rebecca. There is an immediate attraction between the two and as they begin to explore their attraction, there are a few turns for the worse in the case and Catherine finds herself right in the middle of the investigation and in extreme danger. This puts Rebecca in a precarious situation, and tension builds as the story continues to develop.

Radclyffe develops a wonderful and insightful character in Dr. Rawlings who seems to be able to read Rebecca's inner feelings as well as her fears. Rebecca draws from her strength and finds comfort in just being with Catherine. It is a real touching bond they seem to develop over this short period of time. Because the book is the first in a series, Radclyffe allows for this relationship to first build as a physical relationship, hopefully giving time for the characters to grow more in future novels. This is a good recipe for writing a successful series. You have to give the reader something to come back for.

Radclyffe is also good at wrapping up major parts of the story but leaving a few dangling for the sequel. In this case, it's not sure if Catherine will be able to handle the fear of loving a police office and if Rebecca will be able to fully let Rebecca in. Also, we don't know what happened to Rebecca's partner. I guess we'll have to read In Pursuit of Justice to find out (book 2 in the series).

I love coming home from a hard day's work and curling up with a good, trashy novel. I have read and enjoyed all of Radclyffe's books. Okay, so her characters are one-dimensional. So what. And maybe they are a little dysfunctional -- loners with no friends or loved-ones to speak of. Who cares -- it's still a good read.

Sometimes, though, her sins against logic are hard to overlook. How can a good cop be THAT petulant and temperamental? Why would someone who has everything to live for, arrogantly cast aside her bullet-proof vest before marching into a dangerous situation? Why would she not take a moment to call for back up when the person she loves is about to be murdered?

Sometimes I get so exasperated with her characters I want to throw the book at the wall. But, hey, then I pick it up and keep on reading; because no matter how poor the credibility of her plots, I will always love coming home and curling up with a good, trashy novel... And nobody writes them like Radclyffe does.

It's no secret to anyone who has read my reviews that Radclyffe is my favorite author. That doesn't mean she automatically rates a 5, but it's certainly deserved here.

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye, a tall, blonde, blue-eyed cop, is investigating a series of sexual assaults on prostitutes. In her investigation, she meets Doctor Catherine Rawlings, a psychiatrist who specializes in women, lesbians, and sexual abuse. Rebecca doesn't believe herself worthy of another woman's love because, as a cop, she lives for her job. Catherine finds Rebecca special, but has difficulties accepting her profession.

Things are especially tense when Catherine is placed directly in the hands of the murderer Rebecca is trying to capture. The only question is whether either woman can listen to her heart instead of her head.

Fantastic start to a great series.

Police Sergeant Rebecca Frye and Psychiatrist Dr. Catherine Rawlings, two women from completely different walks of life, are thrown together after another woman survives a brutal attack. The confidentiality of psychiatry and the fact finding of the police clash when the survivor is discovered to be a patient of the doctor's. Who attacked the woman? Was she a witness to a crime or did she inadvertently become a victim? Will there be others? How do you find out what you need to know without further traumatizing the patient and before another woman becomes a victim?

And, if things couldn't be any more complicated, entering in to the fray are feelings from each woman for the other. Should they act on them? Should they not? How do you balance job and personal time without feeling like you are being analyzed or interrogated? Working desperately on solving the clues, both women are faced with these questions? Also, how do you keep from becoming a victim yourself when the target falls on you?

Shield of Justice is a fantastic tribute of how both police and psychiatry constantly tread a fine line when dealing with life, drama, conflict and the ever-changing world of human emotions.

This was such a great book because it was an interesting plot and the intelligence of the gay characters made me proud to be a gay woman. IT was well written, and sexy but mostly a great story , well told by a master at blending the sexy with the frightening.

Kudos to you Radclyffe

You will love the characters in this novel. They act the way adults act. If you are looking for a romance where the lovers are mature and believable you know you don't see it often but you will find them here. The action is exciting. The writing flows beautifully - you won't put this down once you start.

Also look for the newest edition from Bold Strokes Books published September 2005.

This is a Keeper !

Don't miss any of the books in this tremendous series -

A Matter of Trust
Shield of Justice
In Pursuit of Justice
Justice in the Shadows
Justice Served

from the publishers web site - Special Crimes Unit investigator Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye is attempting to solve a series of sexual assaults and running into dead ends at every turn. Finally, she has a break in the case-a witness-one person who may help her bring a madman to justice. But, the witness is a victim herself and Rebecca must convince the injured woman's physician, Dr.Catherine Rawlings, to assist her-a task that will force both women to confront their own personal demons. Amidst professional conflicts and a growing mutual attraction, the two women become reluctant allies in the battle to stop the perpetrator before he strikes again.