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Southern Fraud Thriller #1
Absolute Liability
A woman was abducted in her place. Now, time is running out for Julia Jackson to save herself from the same fate. A woman is taken at gunpoint from a downtown office building, and the police believe the victim is Special Agent Julia Jackson. Only it isn’t true. Now, with the help of her new partner Mark Vincent, state fraud investigator Julia Jackson must find justice for the woman who was taken in her place. As Vincent and Julia begin to unravel the multimillion-dollar scam that led to the abduction, they encounter several quirky suspects, one of whom will go to desperate lengths to hide a deadly secret. Things only become more dangerous as bodies begin accumulating around town, and Julia must uncover the truth before the abductor comes to rectify his mistake. The six-book Southern Fraud Mystery series blends gripping suspense with humor and a slow-burn romance.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
October 15, 2012
Julia Jackson is a former Mercer Police Officer. She was laid off during budget cuts and finally found work with the Georgia Department of Insurance as a fraud investigator. She finds that she really enjoys this type of work - checking on insurance companies and people with fraudulent claims. She is investigating a couple of different claims, but the big one is a wastewater treatment plant that has an employee injury suit and she also has a fire claim that is probably arson. She is working at the insurance company office, Southeastern Insurance, when she decides to take a coffee break and asks one of the interns if she would mind scanning some files she needed. As she is coming back from the coffee shop with everyone's orders, Julia hears on the radio that she has been kidnapped. Rather stunned, she pulls off the road and calls a good friend in the police department to tell him she has NOT been kidnapped, at least that she is aware of. It turns out the intern scanning files for her was grabbed along with Julia's laptop, files and tote bag containing her camera, planner, notes and her house key. Her boss has also called in a Special Agent in the DOI. He is ex-military and very efficient. She calls the police to check her house since her key had been taken and called a locksmith to change her locks immediately. The Special Agent, Mark Vincent, follows her home and waits with her while the police check to make sure no one is in her house. There is a strong suspicion that the kidnapper had grabbed the wrong person, the intern had been taken from Julia's office, so someone was apparently uneasy about an insurance claim or policy she'd been checking. The two she had been working on were immediately closely scrutinized.
The book is written interestingly. There is a chapter or two from Julia's point of view, then one on the unknown perpetrator of the scheme. His name is never mentioned until Julia finds it out on her own. All you know is this person is a partner of the inept kidnapper.
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The book is written interestingly. There is a chapter or two from Julia's point of view, then one on the unknown perpetrator of the scheme. His name is never mentioned until Julia finds it out on her own. All you know is this person is a partner of the inept kidnapper.
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December 23, 2011
I had such high hopes for this book. It was a good read, but I really wanted the characters to be more involved with each other.
September 14, 2011
I love mysteries and thrillers. I was raised right, which means on a healthy doses of Columbo and Murder She Wrote. I am very picky about my mysteries/thrillers because so many authors either try to hard (the wise-cracking lead comes off more like someone who missed a career in standup as opposed to someone whose just quick on their feet), or don’t try hard enough (I know who dunnit by chapter 4). When I find a really good mystery I cannot put it down and that is the case with Absolute Liability, which I read straight through as fast as I could.
Julia Jackson is a really believable lead character. She’s funny without being annoying, she’s vulnerable and insecure enough to not be a superwoman, and she yet she is clever and dedicated enough to keep me interested and rooting for her.
Her new partner Mark Vincent is, um . . . hot. Yes, I said it! But he’s got layers and layers that I so want Julia to start unraveling. I love the chemistry between them and I cannot wait to read more about these awesome characters.
I really enjoyed Absolute Liability and can't wait for more in this series!
Julia Jackson is a really believable lead character. She’s funny without being annoying, she’s vulnerable and insecure enough to not be a superwoman, and she yet she is clever and dedicated enough to keep me interested and rooting for her.
Her new partner Mark Vincent is, um . . . hot. Yes, I said it! But he’s got layers and layers that I so want Julia to start unraveling. I love the chemistry between them and I cannot wait to read more about these awesome characters.
I really enjoyed Absolute Liability and can't wait for more in this series!
April 16, 2019
Mercer, GA. WMER news flash: SA Julia “Jules” Jackson (32, GA Department of Insurance fraud investigator, former officer with the Mercer PD, CJ) has been kidnapped at gunpoint.
Jules called Detective Tripp Carver (MPD VCU) to let him know she was OK.
Amber Willis (intern, Asbury U, comm.) was really kidnapped.
Roger McKade warehouse had burned to the ground.
Eva Sinclair (GA fire marshal) & her arson dog combed the remains.
SA Jackson. & SA Mark Vincent (partner, DoI) were doing the investigation.
Detective Lieutenant Elaine Norris sent Detective Winston, & Detective Diaz to interview Ron “Rubik’s” Raleigh, & Sandra Browning (Hugh’s admin. asst., Southeastern agency).
FBI SA Mark Vincent (Atlanta, USN Chief Petty Officer Master at Arms) was making sure Julia stayed safe.
SA Jackson. & SA Mark Vincent interview list included: Cat Smaha (Mercer Water Reclamation Facility), Leona Winchell (former MWRF supervisor), James Gerwalt (35+, son, U of Georgia), & Geraldine “Gerry” Gerwalt (mother, Gerwalt Insurance Agency co-owners).
Officer Bishop (MPD), & Officer Washington (MPD) had arrived on the crime scene.
It was Amber Willis’ corpse.
Is Roger McKade the murderer?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written legal thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great legal thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Whiteley Press, LLC.; EBookStage; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Jules called Detective Tripp Carver (MPD VCU) to let him know she was OK.
Amber Willis (intern, Asbury U, comm.) was really kidnapped.
Roger McKade warehouse had burned to the ground.
Eva Sinclair (GA fire marshal) & her arson dog combed the remains.
SA Jackson. & SA Mark Vincent (partner, DoI) were doing the investigation.
Detective Lieutenant Elaine Norris sent Detective Winston, & Detective Diaz to interview Ron “Rubik’s” Raleigh, & Sandra Browning (Hugh’s admin. asst., Southeastern agency).
FBI SA Mark Vincent (Atlanta, USN Chief Petty Officer Master at Arms) was making sure Julia stayed safe.
SA Jackson. & SA Mark Vincent interview list included: Cat Smaha (Mercer Water Reclamation Facility), Leona Winchell (former MWRF supervisor), James Gerwalt (35+, son, U of Georgia), & Geraldine “Gerry” Gerwalt (mother, Gerwalt Insurance Agency co-owners).
Officer Bishop (MPD), & Officer Washington (MPD) had arrived on the crime scene.
It was Amber Willis’ corpse.
Is Roger McKade the murderer?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written legal thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great legal thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Whiteley Press, LLC.; EBookStage; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
March 15, 2017
A classic mystery/suspense thriller that keeps you guessing. Who thought the world of insurance fraud could ever be so cut throat. They meant to kidnap Special Agent Julia Jackson. They got the wrong person. Now it's up to Julia and her new partner Mark Vincent to figure out who is after her and why before they try again and get it right this time.
This is a great start to a series. It's an entertaining and enjoyable book from start to finish. The story pulls you in almost immediately and never lets go. The twists throughout the story keep you guessing. It's well written with an engaging storyline, plenty of suspense and a great cast of characters.
Really like that the connection between Julia and Mark is building slowly and naturally, not rushed and hurried. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. More mystery's as well as seeing how things develop between Julia and Mark.
Heather Masters did a great job with the narration. This is the first time I have listened to her narrate a book. Nice voice. Easy to listen to for long periods of time. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Really good character voices. Both male and female. You could always tell which character was speaking. Very enjoyable
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.
This is a great start to a series. It's an entertaining and enjoyable book from start to finish. The story pulls you in almost immediately and never lets go. The twists throughout the story keep you guessing. It's well written with an engaging storyline, plenty of suspense and a great cast of characters.
Really like that the connection between Julia and Mark is building slowly and naturally, not rushed and hurried. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. More mystery's as well as seeing how things develop between Julia and Mark.
Heather Masters did a great job with the narration. This is the first time I have listened to her narrate a book. Nice voice. Easy to listen to for long periods of time. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Really good character voices. Both male and female. You could always tell which character was speaking. Very enjoyable
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.
January 20, 2018
Received an ARC copy of Absolute Liability (Southern fraud thriller 1), by way of Goodreads giveaway.
About SPECIAL Agent Julia Jackson. She's in search of several things. Her sister's rapist. An abducted woman, who should have been her. A person capable of murder and mayhem.
She gets paired with another Special Agent, whom soon becomes an interest for her as well.
While there is a mutual interest with each other, I'm glad it was slow and not the authors focus. I definitely enjoyed watching the two become partners as well as friends.
I enjoyed the storyline as it evolved and looked forward to each chapter, while of course trying to figure out the who did it, of course and the reasons. Would have liked to have seen a bit more justice on the part of the guilty. But generally, liked this books progression of storyline and it's characters.
This author was a first time read for me and it won't be the last. Eager to read the next steps for the main characters and where they go next.
Highly recommend this book of suspense to all.
Thank you JW Becton for a really good book and for your lovely words.
About SPECIAL Agent Julia Jackson. She's in search of several things. Her sister's rapist. An abducted woman, who should have been her. A person capable of murder and mayhem.
She gets paired with another Special Agent, whom soon becomes an interest for her as well.
While there is a mutual interest with each other, I'm glad it was slow and not the authors focus. I definitely enjoyed watching the two become partners as well as friends.
I enjoyed the storyline as it evolved and looked forward to each chapter, while of course trying to figure out the who did it, of course and the reasons. Would have liked to have seen a bit more justice on the part of the guilty. But generally, liked this books progression of storyline and it's characters.
This author was a first time read for me and it won't be the last. Eager to read the next steps for the main characters and where they go next.
Highly recommend this book of suspense to all.
Thank you JW Becton for a really good book and for your lovely words.
June 22, 2018
Absolute Liability
Straight-forward detective thriller - quite good
In this detective novel, Julie is an insurance fraud investigator who gets involved in cases concerning murder, arson and corruption with inevitably dramatic results. We learn a lot about her family and friends in preparation for 5 further novels.
The pace is steady and engaging and the book is good enough as a simple thriller.
Straight-forward detective thriller - quite good
In this detective novel, Julie is an insurance fraud investigator who gets involved in cases concerning murder, arson and corruption with inevitably dramatic results. We learn a lot about her family and friends in preparation for 5 further novels.
The pace is steady and engaging and the book is good enough as a simple thriller.
June 6, 2019
I'm very glad I gave this a try--new author and new series for me. I liked it a lot. There were a handful of slow bits from introspection or description, but most of it was well-paced. There were a couple of possible suspects I thought they should have taken a look at, but otherwise, the mystery worked well. I*will* be reading the next book.
Read
September 16, 2021Excellent tale of lies, deceit and greed. One bumbling mistake after the other escalates the tale from simple fraud to kidnapping, murder and the inevitable coverup. Mixed in with the main story is the protagonists quest to find justice for her family destroyed by an unknown perp who has evaded dete
July 11, 2021
Mystery
I loved this. Its a great mystery that kept me guessing almost until the end. The characters are great and they tug at your heart strings. There is a hint of romance but its nothing that is developed in this book. A perfect start to what I'm sure will be a great series.
I loved this. Its a great mystery that kept me guessing almost until the end. The characters are great and they tug at your heart strings. There is a hint of romance but its nothing that is developed in this book. A perfect start to what I'm sure will be a great series.
November 12, 2021
Absolute Liability
What a great read with lots of action and emotion. The mystery of who done it keeps you reading to discover the outcome. I look forward to reading more by this author.
What a great read with lots of action and emotion. The mystery of who done it keeps you reading to discover the outcome. I look forward to reading more by this author.
November 29, 2023
The book started off fine. I thought oh this will be interesting but in the end I didn’t finish it. I really didn’t care what happened in the end. It was more about the insurance side of the book rather than the kidnapping of Amber. To be frank I didn’t really care what happened to her in the end
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2017
Book was a quick and easy read. Kept me interested the whole time even though I was able to guess the killer about half way through. Solid 3.5 stars
May 10, 2018
This was a thriller that hooked me from the start. Read with a wonderful southern US accent. I shall be looking out for more books by JW Becton.
September 2, 2018
Well now...
Loved this book. Great characters. Interesting plot. Kept my interest and I definitely want to read more in this series.
Loved this book. Great characters. Interesting plot. Kept my interest and I definitely want to read more in this series.
September 7, 2018
An excellent mystery, with enough red herrings to mislead even the above-average reader. I plan to continue the Southern Fraud series.
August 4, 2019
Insurance can be a deadly game!
Becton introduces her characters well. I like the first person narrative. If all the books in the series are as well written they will be a success!
Becton introduces her characters well. I like the first person narrative. If all the books in the series are as well written they will be a success!
April 13, 2020
Great, fast paced (not a cozy)
Very good. Well written. Fast paced. Some serious subject matters though so not a cozy mystery but I recommend it.
Very good. Well written. Fast paced. Some serious subject matters though so not a cozy mystery but I recommend it.
January 30, 2022
Completely enjoyed this book.
January 14, 2022
This book was fast-paced and a nail-biter all rolled into one. For those who like suspense and like some humor you will enjoy this.
March 5, 2017
I enjoyed listening to this audio book. Heather Masters does a wonderful job of reading this story and bringing the characters to life. The story is the first in this series and did a great job introducing and creating the characters. Leaving room for the characters to grow. Will look forward to more in this series. I was gifted this book with the understanding I would leave an honest review.
August 10, 2011
I love Jennifer Becton's work, so when I heard she had a mystery out, I bought it immediately for my holiday reading. Mysteries are hit or miss with me--more often than not, the supposedly quirky heroine is only annoying or daft. Cozy mysteries leave me wanting a little more edge, and thrillers keep me up at night. The plot is either way too predictable or the ending is such a surprise that it doesn't make sense looking back. Despite all this, I trusted Becton to navigate the perilous waters to deliver a worthy tale. She did not disappoint.
Julia Jackson's story grabbed me from the opening paragraph. Julia is an insurance fraud investigator who ran out for a cup of coffee. On the way back to the office, she learns she's been abducted. The mystery then focuses on who wanted to abduct Julia, with a suspect list pulled from her current cases. Her employer, the Georgia Department of Insurance, assigns her a partner to finish those pending investigations.
I have to agree with a previous reviewer. Mark Vincent is hot. He's a reserve Naval enlisted man whose specialty is personal defense. Since it doesn't take a genius to see that Julia was obviously the intended target of the abduction, Mark's presence makes sense. The two of them work well together, and there's also a fair amount of chemistry.
Or maybe it was just hot in there--after all, Absolute Liability is set in the South during summer. Becton's setting details were as exquisite as they were subtle. I could feel the heat without being told it was hot. I actually wanted my own glass of sweet tea to cool myself down.
So how did Absolute Liability stack up against my list of typical complaints?
1) Julia was a fantastic heroine. The story is told in first person, which allows the reader to learn things about her that she doesn't actually share with anyone. Her background and her dysfunctional family go a long way to establishing who she is, so it was important to learn that upfront. Beyond that, she's clever without being a know-it-all, funny without being slapstick, and flawed without being annoying.
2) I wouldn't classify this as a cozy, but it also wasn't a heart-racing thriller. There was definitely an undercurrent of danger--our heroine was the target from the first page. Somehow though Becton managed to convey that element of suspense without making me double check my locks before I went to bed.
3) The solution to this case was twofold. I figured out one half on my own, but the second was an absolute shock. After I thought about it for a moment, it made perfect sense. It also solidified my hunch regarding the other half... which did turn out to be correct. That's the perfect blend of logical solution and suspenseful whodunit.
Absolute Liability was the best mystery I've read in ages. The best part? It's the first in a series.
Julia Jackson's story grabbed me from the opening paragraph. Julia is an insurance fraud investigator who ran out for a cup of coffee. On the way back to the office, she learns she's been abducted. The mystery then focuses on who wanted to abduct Julia, with a suspect list pulled from her current cases. Her employer, the Georgia Department of Insurance, assigns her a partner to finish those pending investigations.
I have to agree with a previous reviewer. Mark Vincent is hot. He's a reserve Naval enlisted man whose specialty is personal defense. Since it doesn't take a genius to see that Julia was obviously the intended target of the abduction, Mark's presence makes sense. The two of them work well together, and there's also a fair amount of chemistry.
Or maybe it was just hot in there--after all, Absolute Liability is set in the South during summer. Becton's setting details were as exquisite as they were subtle. I could feel the heat without being told it was hot. I actually wanted my own glass of sweet tea to cool myself down.
So how did Absolute Liability stack up against my list of typical complaints?
1) Julia was a fantastic heroine. The story is told in first person, which allows the reader to learn things about her that she doesn't actually share with anyone. Her background and her dysfunctional family go a long way to establishing who she is, so it was important to learn that upfront. Beyond that, she's clever without being a know-it-all, funny without being slapstick, and flawed without being annoying.
2) I wouldn't classify this as a cozy, but it also wasn't a heart-racing thriller. There was definitely an undercurrent of danger--our heroine was the target from the first page. Somehow though Becton managed to convey that element of suspense without making me double check my locks before I went to bed.
3) The solution to this case was twofold. I figured out one half on my own, but the second was an absolute shock. After I thought about it for a moment, it made perfect sense. It also solidified my hunch regarding the other half... which did turn out to be correct. That's the perfect blend of logical solution and suspenseful whodunit.
Absolute Liability was the best mystery I've read in ages. The best part? It's the first in a series.
July 4, 2011
I love a good mystery. I was spoiled on Agatha Christie and Anne Perry on account of my mother when I was growing up. I was introduced to author Jennifer Becton when I read her debut novel Charlotte Collins: A Continuation of Pride and Prejudice so it was with mild surprise that her next published book was a thriller, but hey if Georgette Heyer can write Regencies and then mysteries then so can Jennifer Becton.
Absolute Liability: A Southern Fraud Thriller is the first in what will be a six part series from author Jennifer Becton. I loved every minute of this book. It is a great weekend or beach read and I didn’t have a clue who the killer was until practically the end. I found this book to be in the vein of Gemma Halliday another mystery writer who I adore.
The heroine, if you will, of Absolute Liability is Julia Jackson and she investigates insurance fraud. Julia is extremely likable. She can handle herself and yet she still has her vulnerabilities. In the course of her investigations she is abducted---or rather someone abducted what they thought was Julia----which brings out a sense of responsibility and justice in her. So the hunt to unfold the mystery begins. Who really wants Julia Jackson gone?
Throw in Tripp, an ex-high school sweetheart who is just a friend and a cop and a hunky and extremely mysterious Special Agent, named Mark Vincent, sent down especially from Atlanta to partner with Julia and the south just got a bit hotter. I really just want to talk about Mark Vincent. I think I drooled just a little when he was introduced. Mark Vincent was intriguing because he’s so mysterious and we don’t know much about him. I do hope he turns up again. Yum!
The mystery of the abduction is solved by the end, but there are some unanswered questions in the book in regards to an incident with which happened in the past. There are also some more opportunities to explore Julia’s family dysfunctions. This is to set up the rest of the series. Miss Becton has a great series on her hands. She wove a fantastic mystery/thriller and I look forward to book two in the series.
Final Recommendation: If you love a mystery where you are guessing till the end who did it.
FTC Disclaimer: ARC ebook provided by author
Absolute Liability: A Southern Fraud Thriller is the first in what will be a six part series from author Jennifer Becton. I loved every minute of this book. It is a great weekend or beach read and I didn’t have a clue who the killer was until practically the end. I found this book to be in the vein of Gemma Halliday another mystery writer who I adore.
The heroine, if you will, of Absolute Liability is Julia Jackson and she investigates insurance fraud. Julia is extremely likable. She can handle herself and yet she still has her vulnerabilities. In the course of her investigations she is abducted---or rather someone abducted what they thought was Julia----which brings out a sense of responsibility and justice in her. So the hunt to unfold the mystery begins. Who really wants Julia Jackson gone?
Throw in Tripp, an ex-high school sweetheart who is just a friend and a cop and a hunky and extremely mysterious Special Agent, named Mark Vincent, sent down especially from Atlanta to partner with Julia and the south just got a bit hotter. I really just want to talk about Mark Vincent. I think I drooled just a little when he was introduced. Mark Vincent was intriguing because he’s so mysterious and we don’t know much about him. I do hope he turns up again. Yum!
The mystery of the abduction is solved by the end, but there are some unanswered questions in the book in regards to an incident with which happened in the past. There are also some more opportunities to explore Julia’s family dysfunctions. This is to set up the rest of the series. Miss Becton has a great series on her hands. She wove a fantastic mystery/thriller and I look forward to book two in the series.
Final Recommendation: If you love a mystery where you are guessing till the end who did it.
FTC Disclaimer: ARC ebook provided by author
January 15, 2013
Julia is fighting to find someone from her sisters past who tore her family apart, but in doing so, she has put her life on hold. She stopped living her life at 15 and started focusing on Tricia and how to find this person and became a police officer. When the police department downsized, she became an employee with the state department of insurance(DOI), but little known to everyone else, she took something along with her when she left the PD about her sisters case. Tripp, her boyfriend at the time of Julia's world falling apart and also a now a detective, is still in her life. When it is reported that Julia has been kidnapped on a fact finding mission, she is in shock, when in fact, she just went to get coffee for herself and for a few interns. She calls Tripp and he can't believe she is okay and nearly cracks a few of her ribs when he sees her. But the person taken was to have been Julia and they continue to want to see her dead. The DOI decides to change its policy starting now and it will only send out 2 people when going on the fact finding missions for fraud and in comes Vincent. Tripp and Vincent are both so yummy. Julia realizes her family is at risk as well as her home because address book and house key are amoung the items taken from the office she was working at. Naturally, the guilty parties fumble and continue to mess up. Julia and Vincent conitnue to get to know one another and soon find out that they are somewhat alike. Tripp can't rest because the case is not turning over any leads. When Julia stumbles over something at a warehouse waiting on someone she is so horrified. And she struggles with it because it takes her back to the memories of how she could not help Tricia. I loved how the book took the time to give you the guilty persons side of it, without ever knowing who that person was. Julia figured it out but it was almost too late. And she again suffered for it. I just hope she gets closure for Tricia so she and Vincent can work on, it seems they have a bond that I hope will continue to grow in the next book of this series and I look forward to continuing it.
January 3, 2018
2 stars
Synopsis: Julia used to be a cop and now works for the state insurance fraud investigators. While she is out on a coffee run, she hears that she has been abducted at gunpoint and is missing. When she gets back to the insurance company that she is investigating, she determines that one of the interns has indeed been taken. It looks like the perpetrator was after her, so Julia figures that the best way to find the missing girl is to go over all of the open cases that she has going. She is helped by Mark Vincent, who has been sent by the head office to help investigate. Along the way, Julia solves some of her cases, but more questions turn up than answers.
What I liked: I liked that Julia wasn't a damsel in distress, and that, even though she could protect herself, she wasn't independent to the point of stupidity. I liked that Julia took her job seriously and did the best job she could. I liked that Julia didn't take finding her first body in stride, and that she didn't take shooting someone lightly.
What I didn't like: A couple of things. First was the fact that Julia was supposed to be good at her job, and was supposedly good at reading people, but she seemed to miss a lot of clues that she should have caught with regards to insurance fraud. She also thought that all the people who were suspects couldn't have done it because she didn't get the vibe from them. Second was the fact that Julia didn't have any qualms about breaking the law when it came to trying to solve her sister's rape case, and actually focused on that when she was involved in a shooting so that she could be cold about the shooting. Third was the fact that, apparently, "real men" don't get facials or mani/pedis. While I don't know about pedis, I do know several "real men" who get facials. The inference was also there that gay men that gay men would be the only men who get facials (and therefore aren't "real men"?) when Mark lisps a joke about going to the spa.
Synopsis: Julia used to be a cop and now works for the state insurance fraud investigators. While she is out on a coffee run, she hears that she has been abducted at gunpoint and is missing. When she gets back to the insurance company that she is investigating, she determines that one of the interns has indeed been taken. It looks like the perpetrator was after her, so Julia figures that the best way to find the missing girl is to go over all of the open cases that she has going. She is helped by Mark Vincent, who has been sent by the head office to help investigate. Along the way, Julia solves some of her cases, but more questions turn up than answers.
What I liked: I liked that Julia wasn't a damsel in distress, and that, even though she could protect herself, she wasn't independent to the point of stupidity. I liked that Julia took her job seriously and did the best job she could. I liked that Julia didn't take finding her first body in stride, and that she didn't take shooting someone lightly.
What I didn't like: A couple of things. First was the fact that Julia was supposed to be good at her job, and was supposedly good at reading people, but she seemed to miss a lot of clues that she should have caught with regards to insurance fraud. She also thought that all the people who were suspects couldn't have done it because she didn't get the vibe from them. Second was the fact that Julia didn't have any qualms about breaking the law when it came to trying to solve her sister's rape case, and actually focused on that when she was involved in a shooting so that she could be cold about the shooting. Third was the fact that, apparently, "real men" don't get facials or mani/pedis. While I don't know about pedis, I do know several "real men" who get facials. The inference was also there that gay men that gay men would be the only men who get facials (and therefore aren't "real men"?) when Mark lisps a joke about going to the spa.
August 25, 2013
This is the first in a new mystery series and I look forward to reading the next entry.
We meet Julia an insurance investigator for the Dept of Insurance in Georgia. And eventually we meet Vincent, another investigator who comes along to help "Jules". He will help her find out which of her fraud investigations might prompt someone to abduct her. Or to abduct someone they believed to be her.
There is an arson investigation at a furniture store. The man suspected of that crime is a gun collector.
There is an investigation into an accident at the sewage treatment plant. It appears that when that policy was first written there were issues that were overlooked in order to write the policy. There may have been a great deal of money involved in the deception.
The people involved in either investigation do not appear to be the type to abduct anyone. And all the while, the young lady who was taken by mistake is still not found.
This is a good mystery. Julia has a history of trying to solve an old crime that affected her family in a major way. She is a good investigator and when she has the chance to work with a partner like Vincent she feels that she becomes even more effective. The two of them make a good team.
All the while there is the ongoing hope that the young woman will be found.
I like this mystery. The author is new to me and I definitely feel she has done a good job of creating a plot that is interesting. The characters, including the secondary characters, are well rounded and complete. Slowly but surely we are getting to know who these people are and what is their motivation.
If you like a well developed mystery, this will be a book you will enjoy. I did figure out the shadowy figure who was the bad guy before the end of the story, but it was still a page turner.
We meet Julia an insurance investigator for the Dept of Insurance in Georgia. And eventually we meet Vincent, another investigator who comes along to help "Jules". He will help her find out which of her fraud investigations might prompt someone to abduct her. Or to abduct someone they believed to be her.
There is an arson investigation at a furniture store. The man suspected of that crime is a gun collector.
There is an investigation into an accident at the sewage treatment plant. It appears that when that policy was first written there were issues that were overlooked in order to write the policy. There may have been a great deal of money involved in the deception.
The people involved in either investigation do not appear to be the type to abduct anyone. And all the while, the young lady who was taken by mistake is still not found.
This is a good mystery. Julia has a history of trying to solve an old crime that affected her family in a major way. She is a good investigator and when she has the chance to work with a partner like Vincent she feels that she becomes even more effective. The two of them make a good team.
All the while there is the ongoing hope that the young woman will be found.
I like this mystery. The author is new to me and I definitely feel she has done a good job of creating a plot that is interesting. The characters, including the secondary characters, are well rounded and complete. Slowly but surely we are getting to know who these people are and what is their motivation.
If you like a well developed mystery, this will be a book you will enjoy. I did figure out the shadowy figure who was the bad guy before the end of the story, but it was still a page turner.
March 30, 2013
This book lurked on my kindle from mid-November last year until last night! I wish it hadn't because I didn't realise I was missing out on an excellent read.
I won't tell the story again - reviewers have repeated the synopsis many times - but what I do want to say is that this novel is unusual because it is so calm. I don't mean it is flat or slow, because it is not. However, there is an air of calmness about the plot and the characters. No one is hysterical, no one is running off half-cocked to take "matters into their own hands."
Julia's investigation into her sister's rape many years previously, is more of a watching brief to see if a suspect will rise to the pond. Having previously been a police officer and finding that gung-ho-ism it is not in her nature, Julia has, nevertheless, secreted some evidence - fingerprints. Her contact in the fingerprint department notifies her if any are taken which could be a match, but neither woman holds out much hope that this will eventuate.
For me, the characters are believable, likeable and the romance is a wonderfully refreshing change from the usual fare. I don't want to give a spoiler, so anyone curious will just have to read the book for themselves to find out why this is so!
The end of the story is vague with promise of more to come, but this didn't worry me because I know there is a sequel which I am just about to get my hands on.
Well-written and plotted, good characters - what's more to say? Only, I really enjoyed this book and wish I'd read it sooner.
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August 9, 2016
Meet Julia Jackson. Apparently, she's been abducted....
A woman is taken at gunpoint from the downtown office of Southeastern Insurance, and the police believe the victim is Special Agent Julia Jackson. Only it isn't true.
Now, with the help of her new partner Mark Vincent, state fraud investigator Julia Jackson must find justice for the woman who was taken in her place.
As Vincent and Julia begin to unravel the multimillion-dollar frauds that led to the abduction, they encounter a cast of quirky characters, one of whom will go to desperate lengths to hide a deadly secret. Things only become more dangerous as bodies begin accumulating around town, and Julia must discover the truth before the abductor comes to rectify his mistake. Meet Julia Jackson. Apparently, she's been abducted....
A woman is taken at gunpoint from the downtown office of Southeastern Insurance, and the police believe the victim is Special Agent Julia Jackson. Only it isn't true.
Now, with the help of her new partner Mark Vincent, state fraud investigator Julia Jackson must find justice for the woman who was taken in her place.
As Vincent and Julia begin to unravel the multimillion-dollar frauds that led to the abduction, they encounter a cast of quirky characters, one of whom will go to desperate lengths to hide a deadly secret. Things only become more dangerous as bodies begin accumulating around town, and Julia must discover the truth before the abductor comes to rectify his mistake.
A woman is taken at gunpoint from the downtown office of Southeastern Insurance, and the police believe the victim is Special Agent Julia Jackson. Only it isn't true.
Now, with the help of her new partner Mark Vincent, state fraud investigator Julia Jackson must find justice for the woman who was taken in her place.
As Vincent and Julia begin to unravel the multimillion-dollar frauds that led to the abduction, they encounter a cast of quirky characters, one of whom will go to desperate lengths to hide a deadly secret. Things only become more dangerous as bodies begin accumulating around town, and Julia must discover the truth before the abductor comes to rectify his mistake. Meet Julia Jackson. Apparently, she's been abducted....
A woman is taken at gunpoint from the downtown office of Southeastern Insurance, and the police believe the victim is Special Agent Julia Jackson. Only it isn't true.
Now, with the help of her new partner Mark Vincent, state fraud investigator Julia Jackson must find justice for the woman who was taken in her place.
As Vincent and Julia begin to unravel the multimillion-dollar frauds that led to the abduction, they encounter a cast of quirky characters, one of whom will go to desperate lengths to hide a deadly secret. Things only become more dangerous as bodies begin accumulating around town, and Julia must discover the truth before the abductor comes to rectify his mistake.
February 3, 2013
I am going to say this book is great read.It keep you with the book the whole time i read up to 4 week and getting caought up with reviews.
The author give credit to her dad and then you like the idea of the way the book is made.The book start off with a cop who get laid off of the job she held and then now she doing insurance fraud now and then hears on the radio she was kidnapped form the office but she was on a coffee and pastry run.
What is going on now i got to call dad mo and my sister dam this pisses her off and she going to find out why they are saying this.I am investigation a fraud at the water waste plant and then who did they take. There is a temp who work with me who look like me did they make a mistake and take the wrong person and why.
Now she got to figure what going on so her boss brings in a agent to help me investigate what going on the murder and then now the plant and then what i am going to do is going to astound you see i am not going to let the girl down and then i am going to finish it till i have to do till death
i got the book and then what the opinion i do write good review and try not to tell you to much of the book i love the way she did it and would love to read it more off them
The author give credit to her dad and then you like the idea of the way the book is made.The book start off with a cop who get laid off of the job she held and then now she doing insurance fraud now and then hears on the radio she was kidnapped form the office but she was on a coffee and pastry run.
What is going on now i got to call dad mo and my sister dam this pisses her off and she going to find out why they are saying this.I am investigation a fraud at the water waste plant and then who did they take. There is a temp who work with me who look like me did they make a mistake and take the wrong person and why.
Now she got to figure what going on so her boss brings in a agent to help me investigate what going on the murder and then now the plant and then what i am going to do is going to astound you see i am not going to let the girl down and then i am going to finish it till i have to do till death
i got the book and then what the opinion i do write good review and try not to tell you to much of the book i love the way she did it and would love to read it more off them
December 29, 2011
I was searching for a book to try out the lending library on amazon.com & came across 'Southern Liability'. I like series, I'm not going to lie, so that played in it's favor. A mystery & claims of a southern setting? Sold.
It was a quick & easy read. It was sort of slow to begin with. I felt like there was some unnecessary details along the way to pad the pages.. I figured out the 'who-dun-it' before the book revealed it, but that's nothing new for me, so I wouldn't knock it for that.
What it lacked for me was depth of character, across the board. Julia seems a little flat, as does every other character. We don't get to know much about anyone other than 'what they do'. Knowing that this is a series, I hope that I get to know a little more about Julia & the characters in it (especially Vincent!) down the road. I didn't FEEL her feelings like I do while reading most characters, and that's the only bad thing I can really say.
I will defintely pick up the next book when it comes out, because while the main character may have been a little, well, boring to be honest, she was more REAL than some female heriones are these days.
It was a quick & easy read. It was sort of slow to begin with. I felt like there was some unnecessary details along the way to pad the pages.. I figured out the 'who-dun-it' before the book revealed it, but that's nothing new for me, so I wouldn't knock it for that.
What it lacked for me was depth of character, across the board. Julia seems a little flat, as does every other character. We don't get to know much about anyone other than 'what they do'. Knowing that this is a series, I hope that I get to know a little more about Julia & the characters in it (especially Vincent!) down the road. I didn't FEEL her feelings like I do while reading most characters, and that's the only bad thing I can really say.
I will defintely pick up the next book when it comes out, because while the main character may have been a little, well, boring to be honest, she was more REAL than some female heriones are these days.
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