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Burden of truth
Investigative journalist Birdie Elizabeth Keane would give anything—even her Pulitzer—to see Matt Whelan, the love of her life, one more time. The sudden death of the Los Angeles cop has left her devastated, angry, and baffled. Coming from a traditional Irish-Catholic family of cops, Birdie can’t ignore the bizarre coincidences surrounding his “accidental” death—or her suspicion that he planned it. A twisting trail of clues leads her to a sixteen-year-old murder, a cold case she’s always wanted to solve. With dangerous forces closing in, Birdie races to decipher Matt’s last message for her. Each stunning revelation brings her closer to the dark truth about a man she thought she knew—Was he a dirty cop?—and unimaginable, painful secrets about the people she loves most.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
24 people want to read
About the author
Terri Nolan
6 books4 followersTerri Nolan is a California native and lives in Orange County. She has a B.A. in Radio/Television from the University of Texas at Arlington and is a former freelance crime reporter. Her Birdie Keane novels include Burden of Truth, Glass Houses, Blue Bird, and the short story, Hobo Joe. Please visit her at www.terrinolan.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 28, 2020
The incongruity of people's characteristics / past way of being and their involvement in the overarching crime makes this book frustrating and unbelievable. I also thought the use of jargon and acronyms was over the top.
January 14, 2015
Matt Whelan is Birdie Keane’s best friend. She’s known and loved him since she met him when she was fifteen. When he dies, she is devastated. She doesn’t believe he died as the result of a drug overdose which is what the police investigation shows. A police officer, Matt has been coping with extreme pain since a family dispute call landed him in the hospital and almost killed him.
Another possibility is that Matt killed himself. He left Birdie everything he owned which included three houses, several million dollars plus a substantial insurance policy. Birdie can’t believe he died of a drug overdose or that he killed himself. Nor does she believe the rumor that he is a dirty cop. Birdie grew up in a cop family. Now a journalist and crime writer, Birdie begins an investigation that takes her much too close to home.
The romance between Matt and Birdie makes this a different kind of mystery even though the novel begins with Matt’s death. This is a page turner with an abundance of clues that keep you guessing until the end.
Another possibility is that Matt killed himself. He left Birdie everything he owned which included three houses, several million dollars plus a substantial insurance policy. Birdie can’t believe he died of a drug overdose or that he killed himself. Nor does she believe the rumor that he is a dirty cop. Birdie grew up in a cop family. Now a journalist and crime writer, Birdie begins an investigation that takes her much too close to home.
The romance between Matt and Birdie makes this a different kind of mystery even though the novel begins with Matt’s death. This is a page turner with an abundance of clues that keep you guessing until the end.
December 22, 2012
Birdie Keane, investigative journalist and recovering alcoholic, gets suspicious when the love of her life, LAPD officer Matt Whelan, is suddenly dead (an apparent suicide). Matt had left Birdie clues regarding a cold case he'd worked on some 16 years ago. Birdie has to look both to her family (her father is an LAPD captain) and the Whelans (six of their seven sons in their proud Irish Catholic family are LAPD). Things get dangerous for Birdie as she delves further into possible corruption in the LAPD; what Birdie finds out may be shocking in more ways than one!
This one's intense with a lot of detail and has a dark tone. I would not call this a breeze-thru by any means. Maybe a bit melodramatic for my taste, but can be like a roller-coaster ride in parts.
This one's intense with a lot of detail and has a dark tone. I would not call this a breeze-thru by any means. Maybe a bit melodramatic for my taste, but can be like a roller-coaster ride in parts.
May 9, 2016
Loved this book! It was full of twists and turns, and fully engrossing from start to finish. Just couldn't put it down! Birdie Keane is a character full of depth, flaws, and beauty. Her struggles were so real, and her blend of faith and secularism was just so perfect. Loved this book, through and through!
April 1, 2013
Fun read. Surprising twist at the end. Met the author at our book club. She was great. Will read #2 and #3 in the series when they come out. Liked the setting (LA) and the characters. Especially Birdy with all of her flaws.
February 24, 2014
A good mystery full of twists and turns. I did get a bit frustrated as Birdie talked her way through things, but I kept on going. I'm looking forward to the next installment!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews