MoonglotexasThe second in Susan Sleeman’s Homeland Heroes series, Minutes to Die begins with a shooting of, RED team member, Kiley’s confidential informant. The case swiftly expands to a national terrorist threat and Evan, an ICE agent and bomb specialist, joins the team in this race against the clock.
The plot is well-thought through with interesting characters, multiple sub-plots and an unexpected conclusion. Susan had me guessing the whole way through. The agents run into several dangerous situations and the pace is swift!
In addition to the investigation, there is a budding romance between Kiley and Evan which died six years ago when their team member died on an op Evan was leading. Kiley holds him responsible. Throughout the novel, the characters wrestle with forgiveness, of others and one’s self. They are challenged by God’s forgiveness of us and Susan writes the complexities around this well.
Whilst I recommend reading book one, it’s wonderful, it’s not necessary. I liked Kiley in it though and she grew in this book into a woman easy to relate to! I really enjoyed Evan too, he is more than the “tough guy” persona often cast in this type of role and I enjoyed Susan’s more nuanced approach.
If you enjoy a criminal thriller with a great cast, this one is for you! It’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended.
From the back cover:
It’s the intel every agent fears–terrorists have been smuggled into the country, intent on unleashing the most deadly attack since 9/11. With the threat imminent, FBI Agent Kiley Dawson and ICE Agent Evan Bowers are charged with taking down this terrorist cell. The only problem is Kiley blames Evan for the death of her former partner, and she can barely be in a room with him. But with millions of lives on the line, she has no choice.
If it wasn’t for a bad call Evan made, Kiley’s former partner would still be alive, and Evan has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. When he starts falling for her, the agent’s death seems an impossible obstacle–but it’s also the last thing he needs to think about. As the terrorist plot targets Kiley’s family, the two are pushed to the breaking point in a race to save countless lives.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
