Review: The Kill Sign by Nichole Christoff

Title: The Kill Sign by Nichole Christoff
Jamie Sinclair Series Book Four
Publisher: Alibi
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Security specialist and PI Jamie Sinclair finds herself in deadly waters off the steamy Gulf Coast in this combustible thriller from the award-winning author of The Kill Box.

Never in her life has Jamie Sinclair anticipated a weekend getaway more. After four months apart, she’s flying to Mississippi to see her would-be boyfriend, military police officer Adam Barrett. Barrett’s currently stationed in the same Gulf Coast town where Jamie got her start as a private investigator, and she’s equally excited to reconnect with her old mentor, Ray Walther, and his pregnant wife, Corinne, who’s Jamie’s best friend.

But all hopes for a relaxing and romantic weekend are shattered when a dirty bomb explodes on a riverboat packed with military, killing dozens of soldiers. In the chaotic aftermath, Jamie believes that she spots the bomber—and recognizes him from her past. As Barrett and Jamie race to catch the terrorist before he strikes again, Ray and Corinne become targets themselves. And this time around, Jamie won’t let a little thing like the law keep her from protecting the people she loves most—no matter the cost.

Review:

The Kill Sign, the fourth installment in Nichole Christoff’s Jamie Sinclair series, is a spellbinding mystery about an investigation into a deadly explosion on a riverboat.

Jamie Sinclair is looking forward to her weekend getaway with Lt. Colonel Adam Barrett, who is now stationed at Ft. Donovan, Mississippi.  Returning to the base where she lived many years ago with her now ex-husband stirs up a bittersweet mix of memories about her failed marriage and her unexpected career path as a private investigator. Happy to reconnect with her mentor Ray Walther and his wife pregnant Corinne, Jamie does not know what to think when she finds out Ray has taken Brandon “Bran” Laurent on as a partner in his investigation firm.  Equally disquieting are her suspicions about Corinne’s relationship with Bran.  Trying to put these unpleasant thoughts out of her mind, she and Adam head to the riverboat for a military function but Jamie is surprised to see two familiar faces on board as well.  After a stunning explosion leaves forty one people dead and several others wounded, Jamie decides to investigate the case on her own after Adam is assigned to the federal investigation.

Jamie immediately recognizes the bomber as Eddie Jepson, a man she knows from her time working with Ray.  She cannot help but wonder how on earth a self-serving scam artist like Eddie could pull off such a well-thought out attack.  She is also rather puzzled by Eddie’s apparent  connection to Ray’s new partner, Bran.  And she is also quite curious about the reason both men were so interested in live lingerie model Monique Wells right before the bomb exploded.  The deeper Jamie digs into the case, the less things add up and as her investigation takes one shocking turn after another, she is thrust into the dangerous world of high stakes gambling, homegrown terrorist plots and a search for a missing stripper.  Jamie becomes even more confused once Corinne goes missing but she is determined to find her friend before it is too late.

The investigation into the bombing moves at a breakneck speed, but Jamie has a great deal of difficulty figuring out how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Jepson is an unlikely terrorist and Jamie wants to talk to him before the feds take him into custody. She is also deeply suspicious about Bran and the information she uncovers does little to dispel her misgivings about him. Jamie is also quite shocked about some of the changes in Ray but she is even more concerned about what is going on with Corinne. Another murder on the heels of Corinne’s disappearance makes it imperative that Jamie get answers to her very troubling questions, but will she discover the truth in time to save her friend?

Jamie has barely begun tracking down leads when DEA Agent Marc Sandoval arrives in town.  While his assistance on the case is appreciated, he further complicates her already confusing relationship with Adam.  Not one for long term commitments, Jamie is spooked by the direction Adam seems to want to take their romance.  Marc is not at all shy about letting Jamie know his interest in her runs much deeper than friendship.  Jamie is conflicted by her attraction to Marc but she is in love with Adam. Isn’t she?  Hmm, an interesting love triangle  but which man will Jamie choose?

The Kill Sign is a suspense-laden, action-packed mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats as Jamie’s investigation takes some very unexpected detours.  With plenty of plot twists, red herrings and clever misdirects, Nichole Christoff adroitly conceal the truth about the incongruous crimes right up until the novel’s pulse-pounding adrenaline-filled conclusion. Another outstanding addition to the Jamie Sinclair series that old and new fans are going to love.