Title: Obsession
Author: Jane Henry
MC: Violet (FMC), Cain (MMC)
Setting: Salem
Genres: Dark Romantic Suspense, Mystery
Tropes: Alpha Hero, Badass Heroine, Forced Proximity, Touch Her and Die, Vigilante
Triggers: gun and knife violence, sexual assault, murder
Epilogue: Yes (a very cute one)
Synopsis: Violet approaches the elusive Cain Masters for his private investigative help. He has a notorious past, which leads her to believe that he is the only person who can help her find her parent’s murderer. Unbeknownst to her, Cain has been “stalking” Violet for months, secretly formulating a plan to have her come to him. Upon their meeting, Cain receives an emergency alert for his sister, who has gone missing. Cain has to up his timeline on recruiting Violet to his PI team, and immediately begins tracking down leads regarding his sister’s disappearance. Through her research, Violet believes a serial rapist has Cain’s sister. After parting for the night, Violet finds herself as the potential next victim, as she is attacked in her apartment and left flowers (the rapist’s signature). Cain insists on Violet staying at his home, where she meets the other team members, continues researching, and training. They finally track down the rapist and rescue Cain’s sister. Cain and Violet move on to their next mission of tracking down those responsible for her parent’s murders. A clue leads them to her former foster father, but are thwarted from getting further information by his death. Violet and Cain then have to regroup, only for Violet to learn Cain has kept his obsession with her a secret. He had been watching her for months before getting together. Violet feels betrayed, lost her trust with him, and no longer wishes to be with him, but stays until they get to the bottom of her parent’s case.
They discover the employee Cain fired is apart of the family behind her parent’s deaths. Violet and Cain set a trap, where they kill the murderer despite being injured. Violet forgives Cain, deciding to stay together and eventually start a family.
Thoughts: This was such a page turner! Full of action and mystery right from the start. Both our main characters have dark, complicated pasts, and carry many secrets. Violet and Cain are so similar and each recognize the heaviness they shoulder, which leads to major tension between the two. I love how they both are experts and skilled in many things, but still learn and teach each other. Their banter is very entertaining, but the scenes where they show vulnerability draw you in more. I think it’s great when such strong characters show vulnerability because it gives them depth and makes them more relatable. Violet and Cain were really perfect for each other, even through their mistakes. I love a good mystery, and this story has two to follow. There is also a fun crossover with one of our favorite families (Rossi’s). I would love to read more about Violent and Cain, or see characters like Joe or Skylar have their own stories.
*ARC Review*