Title: The Stolen Hours by Allen Eskens
Publisher: Mulholland Books
Genre: Contemporary, Legal Thriller
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
A woman finds herself in a race not only for justice but for her life in this “riveting, hold-your-breath” new mystery from the bestselling author of The Life We Bury (Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Wife).
Lila Nash is on the verge of landing her dream job—working as a prosecutor under the Hennepin County Attorney—and has settled into a happy life with her boyfriend, Joe Talbert. But when a woman is pulled from the Mississippi River, barely alive, things in the office take a personal turn.
The police believe the woman’s assailant is local photographer Gavin Spenser, but the case quickly flounders as the evidence wears thin. It seems Gavin saw this investigation coming—and no one can imagine how carefully he has prepared.
The more determined Lila is to put Gavin behind bars, the more elusive justice becomes. Battling a vindictive new boss and haunted by the ghosts of her own unspeakable attack, which she’s kept a dark secret for eight long years, Lila knows the clock is ticking down. In a race against an evil mastermind, it will take everything Lila’s got to outsmart a killer—and to escape the dark hold of her own past.
Review:
The Stolen Hours by Allen Eskens is a riveting legal thriller.
Lila Nash is working with the Hennepin County Attorney as a law clerk while awaiting the results of her bar exam. After her vindictive boss reassigns her to clerk for Andrea “Andi” Fitch, they are assigned to prosecute the assault and attempted murder of hairstylist Sadie Vauk. Detective Niki Vang and her partner Matty Lopez are also on the case much to accused attacker Gavin Spencer’s dismay. While he believes he will outsmart the prosecution, Niki suspects Gavin is responsible for the deaths of three other women. Will Lila, Andi and Niki find the evidence they need to convict Gavin? Or will the suspected serial killer be set free to kill again?
Lila’s teenage years were tumultuous and culminated with a horrific attack that continues to haunt her. And yet Lila pulled her life together and now she is on the verge of achieving her dream career. She is also in a happy relationship with rising newspaper reporter Joe Talbert but she is content for them to continue living together. Lila has kept parts of her past from Joe so when she is forced to confront it, she decides to go it alone since he is working an on important assignment. But will her unanticipated reactions and a malicious boss end her chance in seeing justice done for Sadie and Gavin’s other victims?
Gavin is certain he has a foolproof plan to avoid prosecution for his crimes. He also has what he considers infallible fail safes in place to help ensure he will not be convicted of his heinous attacks and murders. With everything falling into place as planned, will Gavin’s arrogance be his downfall?
The Stolen Hours is a fast-paced and engrossing legal thriller with a clever, addictive storyline. Lilia has a keen legal mind with an uncanny ability to accurately predict shortfalls and ingeniously find what seem to impossible solutions. Andi and Niki are strong, smart women who stand out in their chosen professions. Gavin is a vile and reprehensible predator who is no match for Lila once she knows exactly who and what she is up against. With a breathtaking twist, Allen Eskens brings this brilliant thriller to a dramatic conclusion.
