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Justice #3
Justice in the Shadows
In a shadow world of secrets, lies, and hidden agendas, Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye and her lover, Dr. Catherine Rawlings, join forces once again in the elusive search for justice. Rebecca is aided in her struggle to uncover a pornography ring and expose its connections to a traitor within the police department by a rag-tag team of dedicated cops and JT Sloan, a cybersleuth committed to avenging her lover's devastating injury who walks the fine line between justice and revenge; Dellon Mitchell, a young police officer who discovers an unforeseen talent for undercover work; and Sandy, a prostitute who develops an unexpected passion for cops. Ultimately, this secret investigation may risk not just their careers, but may cost one of them their life.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
31 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Radclyffe
142 books1,667 followersRadclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 12, 2022
3,5 stars
A great continuation of the previous book in this series.
My only issue were the sex scenes. They were well written, don't get me wrong, but I always got annoyed when one popped up, because I found the investigation far more interesting and the sex scene completely disrupted the flow of the story.
A great continuation of the previous book in this series.
My only issue were the sex scenes. They were well written, don't get me wrong, but I always got annoyed when one popped up, because I found the investigation far more interesting and the sex scene completely disrupted the flow of the story.
October 24, 2021
I love this series. I can’t get enough of these characters. The women are all fierce, strong, and incredible brave. They all hold a piece of my heart and it bleeds when one of them is hurt or in pain.
My heart aches for Sloan and Michael, but it also rejoices as Michael’s recuperates and gets better. I love how Dell discovers another part of herself in her undercover person Mitch. Also the way Sandy just seems to see into the hidden parts of Dell, and the acceptance and love that continues developing between the two. I love Rebecca and Catherine’s relationship. They came together in a whirlwind and now they have to figure out how to nurture their love and continue to grow to as a couple. I feel so much for the girls who no choice but to turn to sex work to live. I hate the assholes who exploit them. The take down at the end was intense. I was so worried about Sandy getting hurt and having to do things she should never have to do. Then Dell was hurt! We get introduced to Ali Torveau! I love her in the first book of the First Responders series and in all the little cameos she has in the Justice Series. Another pair of great supporting characters is Dee Flanagan and her lover Maggie Collins. I’d love their story. How they met and came to be.
My heart aches for Sloan and Michael, but it also rejoices as Michael’s recuperates and gets better. I love how Dell discovers another part of herself in her undercover person Mitch. Also the way Sandy just seems to see into the hidden parts of Dell, and the acceptance and love that continues developing between the two. I love Rebecca and Catherine’s relationship. They came together in a whirlwind and now they have to figure out how to nurture their love and continue to grow to as a couple. I feel so much for the girls who no choice but to turn to sex work to live. I hate the assholes who exploit them. The take down at the end was intense. I was so worried about Sandy getting hurt and having to do things she should never have to do. Then Dell was hurt! We get introduced to Ali Torveau! I love her in the first book of the First Responders series and in all the little cameos she has in the Justice Series. Another pair of great supporting characters is Dee Flanagan and her lover Maggie Collins. I’d love their story. How they met and came to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2019
I am loving this series. It has a wide variety of characters, tied together in a great mystery.
November 24, 2025
*** 3.24 ***
I am enjoying the mystery and the police procedural, and I have grown attached to the characters, but I am having an issue with the sexy times dialogue... Not only has it been extremely repetitive throughout the series, but it is also too .... I don't know how to describe it, too samy across all the couples... Don't get me wrong, I don't mind that all the couples are very fond of each other, but there has to be a different reaction when different humans are involved, that's all I am saying...
Overall, I tend to enjoy Radclyffe's storytelling and I want to know how this group of misfits gives the child porn crime ring its comeuppance 😎👍!
I am enjoying the mystery and the police procedural, and I have grown attached to the characters, but I am having an issue with the sexy times dialogue... Not only has it been extremely repetitive throughout the series, but it is also too .... I don't know how to describe it, too samy across all the couples... Don't get me wrong, I don't mind that all the couples are very fond of each other, but there has to be a different reaction when different humans are involved, that's all I am saying...
Overall, I tend to enjoy Radclyffe's storytelling and I want to know how this group of misfits gives the child porn crime ring its comeuppance 😎👍!
July 26, 2017
Very good book
I'm enjoying the series very much! The characters are evolving seamlessly. I think Sandy and Dell are adorable. Would like to know more about their background history. Rebecca and Catherine's relationship is developing well. Maybe some bumps but doing well so far. The suspense as to who is the leak is killing me!
I'm enjoying the series very much! The characters are evolving seamlessly. I think Sandy and Dell are adorable. Would like to know more about their background history. Rebecca and Catherine's relationship is developing well. Maybe some bumps but doing well so far. The suspense as to who is the leak is killing me!
December 12, 2025
The continuation of Dr. Catherine Rawlings and Rebecca Frye's relationship as they try to bust the internet porn ring together with JT Sloan and Michael, Sandy the prostitute informer and some other very very hot characters. Highly recommend if you like masc characters, drag queens and kick-ass crime solving lesbians.
December 18, 2025
3.5
curious about the random side character that will be added in the next book that has either themself or their girlfriend get injured as that’s how it seems to be going
curious about the random side character that will be added in the next book that has either themself or their girlfriend get injured as that’s how it seems to be going
April 4, 2016
It is interesting to watch the relationship develop between Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye and Dr. Catherine Rawlings. Rebecca is trying to be present in the relationship and Catherine is not pushing too hard. Some might say Catherine is not pushing hard enough. I believe you have to meet people where they are and go from there. It is also interesting to watch the growth of the relationship between Dellon and Sandy. JT and Michael, aas established couple working through a very challenging situation. Oh yeah, there is much sex.
November 18, 2018
I love this series. I read one Radclyffe book at the beginning of this year very reluctantly as I laughed at the cover art and description and now I’m 15 books in. My name is Lindie and I definitely have a problem.
November 2, 2022
Too many POVs! But still good.
March 5, 2024
Rating: 3.5
Spicy: 1.5/5
Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye is part of the SVU and is on desk duty after being shot on duty. Desk duty doesn’t mean hard work, and she has been tasked to track down criminals who watch and record child p*rn, but on her terms. This means no backup from the department if this task goes sour.
Doctor Catherine Rawlings’ is a psychiatrist that works with rape survivors and is Detective Frye’s life partner and is helping out on the case as a profiler. To make things more complex, she is also the therapist of one of Frye’s team members.
Michelle (F) is a cop tasked to help Frye with whatever she needs. While on duty, she develops feelings for a prostitute who is also Frye’s CI. To make matters worse, she is Dr. Rawlings's patient and didn't know that her therapist was also her boss's life partner. Talk about awkwardness.
Sloan owns her own network security company and has been tasked to work with Frye to bring down criminals who get off on watching minors. While also determined to track down the criminal who hurt Michael (F), her life partner.
All these lives and more are interloped in personal and professional ways. Will these complex connections cause issues with completing the task at hand?
Spicy: 1.5/5
Detective Sergeant Rebecca Frye is part of the SVU and is on desk duty after being shot on duty. Desk duty doesn’t mean hard work, and she has been tasked to track down criminals who watch and record child p*rn, but on her terms. This means no backup from the department if this task goes sour.
Doctor Catherine Rawlings’ is a psychiatrist that works with rape survivors and is Detective Frye’s life partner and is helping out on the case as a profiler. To make things more complex, she is also the therapist of one of Frye’s team members.
Michelle (F) is a cop tasked to help Frye with whatever she needs. While on duty, she develops feelings for a prostitute who is also Frye’s CI. To make matters worse, she is Dr. Rawlings's patient and didn't know that her therapist was also her boss's life partner. Talk about awkwardness.
Sloan owns her own network security company and has been tasked to work with Frye to bring down criminals who get off on watching minors. While also determined to track down the criminal who hurt Michael (F), her life partner.
All these lives and more are interloped in personal and professional ways. Will these complex connections cause issues with completing the task at hand?
November 7, 2017
This is the third book in Radclyffe’s Justice series. It follows the characters introduced in the first two books. The storyline was also begun in the previous books.
The stor line is a little light in this outing. This book is heavy on romance and light on plot with all the events happening in a previous entry and wrapped up in this book. So if you haven’t read the other books, you may find yourself trying to figure out what’s going on in this book far too often.
If this is the first book in this series you’re reading, be aware that Radclyffe does not give much backstory so you’ll be on your own in trying to figure out the relationship of the large number of characters and what the events were from previous books. You would be better served to put the book back on your TBR pile and read the first in the series so you can keep up with the many characters in this book.
The stor line is a little light in this outing. This book is heavy on romance and light on plot with all the events happening in a previous entry and wrapped up in this book. So if you haven’t read the other books, you may find yourself trying to figure out what’s going on in this book far too often.
If this is the first book in this series you’re reading, be aware that Radclyffe does not give much backstory so you’ll be on your own in trying to figure out the relationship of the large number of characters and what the events were from previous books. You would be better served to put the book back on your TBR pile and read the first in the series so you can keep up with the many characters in this book.
July 13, 2021
Complex and satisfying police drama thriller/romance from 2005. Evidently this is the third in the series so I will have to seek out the others. It was easy to pick up but clearly the beginning is after a major police action was overtaken federal officers. Detective Rebecca Frye pulls together a ragtag group to uncover a pornography ring. Also they must be careful who they share information with as someone is giving information to the other side. It takes sloan a cybersleuth and Dellon Mitchell a young police officer willing to go undercover in addition to profiling by Dr. Catherine Rawlings who is Frye's romantic partner. This is compelling and page turning. And considering it is 16 years old it doesn't feel too dated. Also a golden Crown Literary Award winner for Mystery/Action/Adventure/Thriller in 2005.
June 15, 2019
Loving this series!!
An intriguing series continues with another good, entertaining story with interesting characters & loving passionate scenes extremely well written.
Loving the journey of attraction, recognition, understanding & love as it developed & intensified between all the couples (poor Watts! Lol) — all while in the midst of redefining self-discovery, understanding, acceptance & appreciation of their identities & interactions, was crafted marvelously!!
An intriguing series continues with another good, entertaining story with interesting characters & loving passionate scenes extremely well written.
Loving the journey of attraction, recognition, understanding & love as it developed & intensified between all the couples (poor Watts! Lol) — all while in the midst of redefining self-discovery, understanding, acceptance & appreciation of their identities & interactions, was crafted marvelously!!
May 5, 2025
I want to cancel life to finish inhaling this series.
This is first series and books I've read by this author - I. Am. Obsessed.
Great thriller plot, twists. Radclyffe does an amazing job setting up the plot, keeping me obsessed.
All. The. Queer. Characters - with the token straight white man.
Amazing love and tenderness with a badass women edge.
This is first series and books I've read by this author - I. Am. Obsessed.
Great thriller plot, twists. Radclyffe does an amazing job setting up the plot, keeping me obsessed.
All. The. Queer. Characters - with the token straight white man.
Amazing love and tenderness with a badass women edge.
October 28, 2019
Getting better! I actually enjoy how intimacy and lives could and should happen despite high adrenaline jobs. It is indeed comforting to see how in the fiction realm characters are able to maintain as well as to establish intimacy. On to the next book
February 12, 2022
I recommend this series
This is my second time to read this series. The characters are interesting and likable. The love stories between the characters is very well written and sweet. Thanks for another winner.
This is my second time to read this series. The characters are interesting and likable. The love stories between the characters is very well written and sweet. Thanks for another winner.
July 20, 2023
This is my favorite book of the series. I love that the side characters are developed and the new relationships formed.
November 22, 2024
Just too complicated, too many strands and the first 5% was back tracking…. I needed reference cards to work out who was who, who baddies, goodie or dead.
October 5, 2018
Exciting and infuriating, all at once. Radclyffe pulled me in from the start in this novel.
September 15, 2013
So I'm making my way straight through the justice series. I am loving it. I love Sloan/Michael but always wish their story was developed more. I think Rebecca/Catherine are perhaps one of my favorite lesbian fic couples. They are just written so...real. They aren't perfect. They have real issues. They work on those issues. I do have to say that I don't think it's ok that Rebecca leaves at night after they make love more often than not. I really don't see that sustaining a relationship. I'm hoping in the next book she curbs that. The stars of this book, however, are Dell and Sandy. I LOVE this couple. I hope they pick up in the next book too. Lots of meaty stuff for those two to work through. I'm diggin' it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2015
OMG, Jasmine is so awesome. My favorite character, ever!
This book is the third or fourth book in the series, depending on how you count (there's a prequel). I was introduced to Jasmine in that prequel, and so excited to see her return, finally, in this book. She was lurking in the shadows of the previous two books, and I was so hoping she would be able to make an appearance.
I am enjoying this series for the tension and drama, and the complex emotional lives the characters lead.
This book is the third or fourth book in the series, depending on how you count (there's a prequel). I was introduced to Jasmine in that prequel, and so excited to see her return, finally, in this book. She was lurking in the shadows of the previous two books, and I was so hoping she would be able to make an appearance.
I am enjoying this series for the tension and drama, and the complex emotional lives the characters lead.
March 3, 2018
Just gets better!
Radclyffe at her best. This book has everything. Humour, action, romance and an exhilarating storyline. You are hooked from the first word to the last. Her characters are very realistic and you feel connected to them. Sounds weird I know but that's what I really love about Radclyffe is her ability to involve you with her characters and actually care. I'm off to find the next one, you enjoy this book you won't be disappointed.
Radclyffe at her best. This book has everything. Humour, action, romance and an exhilarating storyline. You are hooked from the first word to the last. Her characters are very realistic and you feel connected to them. Sounds weird I know but that's what I really love about Radclyffe is her ability to involve you with her characters and actually care. I'm off to find the next one, you enjoy this book you won't be disappointed.
October 25, 2013
For me, This is one of the best books in the series. The Book is lengthy, a little rushed in the sense of the plot development but still fantastic all around. I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great lesbian action novel.
August 13, 2014
My favorite book in the Justice Series which is my favorite Rad series ; )
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews