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Every Deadly Suspicion
Thirty years after a federal agent and two suspects disappeared in the wilderness, the case is cold, and they’ve never been found. Now their suspected killer is about to go free. But is the truth really what it seems?
In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned for his crimes. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case of his alleged murders, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.
Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she needs distractions the least. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.
With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.
In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned for his crimes. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case of his alleged murders, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.
Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she needs distractions the least. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.
With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2025
51 people are currently reading
5185 people want to read
About the author
Janice Cantore
21 books814 followersA former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She’s always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today’s Christian Woman before tackling novels. Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Her first series of novels is the Pacific Coast Justice series, featuring Carly Edwards in books Accused, Abducted and Avenged. Janice also authored the Brinna’s Heart series, which includes Critical Pursuit and Visible Threat. Another three book series is the Line of Duty series, featuring Crisis Shot, Lethal Target and Cold Aim. Additionally she has also penned five stand alone novels, Breach of Honor, Code of Courage, One Final Target, Every Deadly Suspicion and Edge of Truth.
www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.
www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 11, 2025
There are so many things about this book that are just wonderful and some that aren't. The characters faith in God and the themes of repentance and forgiveness resonate throughout this very intriguing suspense/mystery plot. When Hanna says "Church is my family" I know exactly what she means. The fictional town of Dry Oaks in the Gold Country of California is an area I know well and visit often. I love it when I can relate to the scene of the crime. Cantore took a few liberties in the area of police procedure. I had trouble with the style of writing. I didn't feel drawn into the story or the characters in a way that made my heart pound when they were in danger. I felt very much the observer in their lives, not with them in the story.
When a plane crashes in a field, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes knows that this is not going to be a good day, and she's right. The pilot is Scott Buckley, the scion of a wealthy dynasty in the Gold Country community of Dry Oaks, California. When his cause of death is poisoning, Hanna has her first murder case. Later Hanna receives a call that her father, Joe Keyes, is dying and can be released from prison if he has a place to go. Hanna has never known her father who was sentenced to life for throwing acid on Chase Barkley, disfiguring him and the murders of three people, whose bodies have never been found. Hanna believes that this is her chance to bring closure to the victims' families if she can get Joe to tell her what really happened and where the bodies are.
Hanna has a lot on her plate, her old high school flame, Jared Hodges, is back in town working as a firefighter, her current boyfriend, County Sheriff Detective Nathan Sharp, has his own cases involving several murdered women and a pesky, nasty piece of work and muckraker, self-published author and true crime podcaster, Marcus Marshall, is intent on reporting salacious and misleading information. As secrets are revealed, the old murders have someone very nervous and seeking to keep their secret buried at any cost.
3 1/2-Stars
My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
When a plane crashes in a field, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes knows that this is not going to be a good day, and she's right. The pilot is Scott Buckley, the scion of a wealthy dynasty in the Gold Country community of Dry Oaks, California. When his cause of death is poisoning, Hanna has her first murder case. Later Hanna receives a call that her father, Joe Keyes, is dying and can be released from prison if he has a place to go. Hanna has never known her father who was sentenced to life for throwing acid on Chase Barkley, disfiguring him and the murders of three people, whose bodies have never been found. Hanna believes that this is her chance to bring closure to the victims' families if she can get Joe to tell her what really happened and where the bodies are.
Hanna has a lot on her plate, her old high school flame, Jared Hodges, is back in town working as a firefighter, her current boyfriend, County Sheriff Detective Nathan Sharp, has his own cases involving several murdered women and a pesky, nasty piece of work and muckraker, self-published author and true crime podcaster, Marcus Marshall, is intent on reporting salacious and misleading information. As secrets are revealed, the old murders have someone very nervous and seeking to keep their secret buried at any cost.
3 1/2-Stars
My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
March 3, 2025
When Dry Oaks, California’s Chief of Police Hanna Keyes finds herself in a position where she questions the integrity of those around her, it drives her to rely on the one person she’s most vulnerable around. Her father, Joseph Keyes, was imprisoned for murder and Hanna subsequently cut him out of her life. Now an opportunity for grace arises; her father is granted compassionate leave from prison.
We all have had to reconfigure our boundaries at some time or another and so readers can relate to the anxiety and inner tension that Hanna is experiencing. We may not feel we need to welcome an accused killer into our home, but we’ve all had our boundaries shifted and our hearts softened and done things our former self said we’d never do. Realizing he needs a second set on eyes on a cold case and knowing in her heart it’s the right thing to do, Hanna welcomes her father back into her life.
We’ve all had challenges dumped on us at the most inopportune time. We all have crazy busy lives. This is why we as readers can identify with the roadblocks placed in Hanna’s life. She’s got enough on her plate to deal with, but the opportunities for second chances keep piling up. Will she pass on them? Or deal with them and allow them to enrich her life?
This allows her to contemplate if the ‘truth’ is really what it seems.
This is a riveting story, full of twists, and new-to-me author Janice Cantore has been added to my auto-read list.
I was gifted this copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review
We all have had to reconfigure our boundaries at some time or another and so readers can relate to the anxiety and inner tension that Hanna is experiencing. We may not feel we need to welcome an accused killer into our home, but we’ve all had our boundaries shifted and our hearts softened and done things our former self said we’d never do. Realizing he needs a second set on eyes on a cold case and knowing in her heart it’s the right thing to do, Hanna welcomes her father back into her life.
We’ve all had challenges dumped on us at the most inopportune time. We all have crazy busy lives. This is why we as readers can identify with the roadblocks placed in Hanna’s life. She’s got enough on her plate to deal with, but the opportunities for second chances keep piling up. Will she pass on them? Or deal with them and allow them to enrich her life?
This allows her to contemplate if the ‘truth’ is really what it seems.
This is a riveting story, full of twists, and new-to-me author Janice Cantore has been added to my auto-read list.
I was gifted this copy by Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review
March 16, 2025
Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore
4 stars
BLOG POST: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
This was a really unique take in Christian Romantic Suspense! I have not seen this type of plot before and really enjoyed it. My first Janice Cantore book and not my last. This would be a 3.75-4 star read for me.
The book is set in Dry Oaks, California where Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murdered, justly imprisoned for his crimes. She learns he is dying and is given compassionate release from prison. She doesn't consider him her father and doesn't want anything to do with him because of his crimes. But can he be the one to help her with cracking the cold case of the alleged murders? She agrees to oversee his care.
Hanna's first love Jared shows up and they are working together. Feelings emerge but we also have a bit of a love triangle involved some. I really liked the suspense aspect, but found the romance could have been more strong. There is also a lot going on here with the case, her father, Jared and her, Nathan's case etc. so sometimes the book felt like it was trying to do too much at once and the pacing was affected some, but I overall really enjoyed the book because it felt like a unique twist on the stuff with her father. I did figure a lot out about the ending though for once. I would recommend to those who like Christian Romance Suspense - but more so on the suspense then romance side.
The faith elements were also really well done, with threads of forgiveness and mercy.
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content: Drug use mentioned and shown, meth lab operation shown, murders discussed and bodies discovered, romance is clean with a few kisses - this is more so a suspense then a romance to me. Loss of parents.
4 stars
BLOG POST: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
This was a really unique take in Christian Romantic Suspense! I have not seen this type of plot before and really enjoyed it. My first Janice Cantore book and not my last. This would be a 3.75-4 star read for me.
The book is set in Dry Oaks, California where Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murdered, justly imprisoned for his crimes. She learns he is dying and is given compassionate release from prison. She doesn't consider him her father and doesn't want anything to do with him because of his crimes. But can he be the one to help her with cracking the cold case of the alleged murders? She agrees to oversee his care.
Hanna's first love Jared shows up and they are working together. Feelings emerge but we also have a bit of a love triangle involved some. I really liked the suspense aspect, but found the romance could have been more strong. There is also a lot going on here with the case, her father, Jared and her, Nathan's case etc. so sometimes the book felt like it was trying to do too much at once and the pacing was affected some, but I overall really enjoyed the book because it felt like a unique twist on the stuff with her father. I did figure a lot out about the ending though for once. I would recommend to those who like Christian Romance Suspense - but more so on the suspense then romance side.
The faith elements were also really well done, with threads of forgiveness and mercy.
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content: Drug use mentioned and shown, meth lab operation shown, murders discussed and bodies discovered, romance is clean with a few kisses - this is more so a suspense then a romance to me. Loss of parents.
March 6, 2025
Small town police chief Hanna Keyes will forever be linked to her notorious father Joe, a meth cooker who was arrested the day she was born, confessed to killing two people whose bodies have yet to be found, and is still suspected in the disappearance of a DEA agent who’s been missing the same thirty years. It’s a case that left a lot of emotional wounds and unanswered questions in Dry Oaks, especially for the families who were directly affected. Now another person related to the case is dead in a suspicious plane crash just as Hanna learns Joe is dying and has been granted compassionate release for his last few remaining days – if she agrees to take him in. Wow! Talk about intense!
I’m telling you… the deep layers this plot twist adds to the story, on a personal level for Hanna and others but also to the newly-stirred-up cold case, is one of my favorite things about Every Deadly Suspicion. I really loved how thought provoking the whole situation was, feeling it particularly from Hanna’s perspective and wondering what I would do if – unthinkably – I were in her shoes. Rubber-meets-the-road forgiveness (the kind only possible by the grace of God) shares space with completely-understandable hesitations, and I appreciated the author allowing authentic room for both sides of the coin. The police procedural suspense threads, as well as the cold case mystery that Joe’s been in prison for and a secondary mystery involving a serial killer, all kept me invested in this story just as much as the personal subplot involving Hanna’s dad, though. Every time I thought we had it all wrapped up (as though I were helping lol), the story takes another turn and there’s more to uncover.
Bottom Line: Compelling characters, intriguing mystery, harrowing suspense, a hint of romance, and nuanced layers you can really sink your readerly teeth into are all hallmarks of Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore. I really liked getting to know Hanna as a police chief, a daughter, a Christian, a friend, and a woman in love. I also enjoyed the varying perspectives that the story is told in, including those of the two men competing for her affection (current ‘steady’ Nathan and first love Jared), and the way the story allowed me to put myself in different characters’ shoes and imagine how I would respond in their shoes. There are no easy answers here – either on a personal/faith level or in the cases being investigated – and that’s what will keep you thinking about this story even after you’ve finished it.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at my link text
I’m telling you… the deep layers this plot twist adds to the story, on a personal level for Hanna and others but also to the newly-stirred-up cold case, is one of my favorite things about Every Deadly Suspicion. I really loved how thought provoking the whole situation was, feeling it particularly from Hanna’s perspective and wondering what I would do if – unthinkably – I were in her shoes. Rubber-meets-the-road forgiveness (the kind only possible by the grace of God) shares space with completely-understandable hesitations, and I appreciated the author allowing authentic room for both sides of the coin. The police procedural suspense threads, as well as the cold case mystery that Joe’s been in prison for and a secondary mystery involving a serial killer, all kept me invested in this story just as much as the personal subplot involving Hanna’s dad, though. Every time I thought we had it all wrapped up (as though I were helping lol), the story takes another turn and there’s more to uncover.
Bottom Line: Compelling characters, intriguing mystery, harrowing suspense, a hint of romance, and nuanced layers you can really sink your readerly teeth into are all hallmarks of Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore. I really liked getting to know Hanna as a police chief, a daughter, a Christian, a friend, and a woman in love. I also enjoyed the varying perspectives that the story is told in, including those of the two men competing for her affection (current ‘steady’ Nathan and first love Jared), and the way the story allowed me to put myself in different characters’ shoes and imagine how I would respond in their shoes. There are no easy answers here – either on a personal/faith level or in the cases being investigated – and that’s what will keep you thinking about this story even after you’ve finished it.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at my link text
January 2, 2025
The number of problems I have with this book...ridiculous.
Once I finished this book, my first thought was "okay, so that explains a lot." And what do I mean by that? The last page of this book says it is "christian crime fiction."
Whilst reading this book I felt like there was some super weird messaging that felt very icky to me. And now I know why.
This book was not advertised as christian when I was searching through mysteries on NetGalley (and the blurb of this book mentions nothing of it either). I know that it seems like I'm harping on this, but that is a very important distinction to make. The same way I go out of my way to not read books by men, I go out of my way not to read christian books (have you seen the state of this country??). Sorry if that's harsh, but so is religion.
And I know it now sounds like that was my biggest complaint about this book, funnily enough, it really wasn't. There was a lot I didn't like about this book, the religious aspect is just the easiest to rant about. And is connected to a lot of my other problems with it.
This was so incredibly slow and boring. The writing style did not help. It felt so old-fashioned that I just could not connect with the characters or the plot. And the mystery/thriller aspect was also so very unsatisfying. That's the one thing I ask of a book in this genre: have a satisfying ending. The characters aren't developed enough to be liked or understood and they don't go through any development either.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Once I finished this book, my first thought was "okay, so that explains a lot." And what do I mean by that? The last page of this book says it is "christian crime fiction."
Whilst reading this book I felt like there was some super weird messaging that felt very icky to me. And now I know why.
This book was not advertised as christian when I was searching through mysteries on NetGalley (and the blurb of this book mentions nothing of it either). I know that it seems like I'm harping on this, but that is a very important distinction to make. The same way I go out of my way to not read books by men, I go out of my way not to read christian books (have you seen the state of this country??). Sorry if that's harsh, but so is religion.
And I know it now sounds like that was my biggest complaint about this book, funnily enough, it really wasn't. There was a lot I didn't like about this book, the religious aspect is just the easiest to rant about. And is connected to a lot of my other problems with it.
This was so incredibly slow and boring. The writing style did not help. It felt so old-fashioned that I just could not connect with the characters or the plot. And the mystery/thriller aspect was also so very unsatisfying. That's the one thing I ask of a book in this genre: have a satisfying ending. The characters aren't developed enough to be liked or understood and they don't go through any development either.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
March 12, 2025
In Every Deadly Suspicion (Tyndale Fiction), Janice Cantore blends a 30-year-old cold case with Police Chief Hanna Keyes’ personal struggle as she faces her dying father’s plea. Drawing on Cantore’s law enforcement expertise, this intricate mystery weaves faith, forgiveness, and small-town secrets into a quietly gripping tale. A standout for fans of Lynette Eason and Irene Hannon, it delivers depth and suspense in perfect balance.
March 1, 2025
Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore is a fantastic small-town suspense story. Hanna Keyes is the police chief in Dry Oaks, CA. The town has so many secrets - like what happened 30 years ago when her father was sent to prison for murder? Hanna faces off with the past while chasing a serial killer in the present. She joins forces with her ex, Jared Hodges, to help her piece together a mystery spanning her entire life.
I'm a big Cantore fan. I find her police procedurals intriguing and true-to-life, and in Every Deadly Suspicion, the characters and plot had me hooked from the beginning. Hanna goes from no relationship with her father to being thrown together with the accused murderer who holds the keys to her investigation. With lots of red herring and twists and turns, Every Deadly Suspicion had me trying to solve the mystery right along side of Hanna. The story isn't heavy on the romance side of romantic suspense, but that's fine with me. There's still enough sparks between Hanna and firefighter Jared Hodges to keep romance fans happy.
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I'm a big Cantore fan. I find her police procedurals intriguing and true-to-life, and in Every Deadly Suspicion, the characters and plot had me hooked from the beginning. Hanna goes from no relationship with her father to being thrown together with the accused murderer who holds the keys to her investigation. With lots of red herring and twists and turns, Every Deadly Suspicion had me trying to solve the mystery right along side of Hanna. The story isn't heavy on the romance side of romantic suspense, but that's fine with me. There's still enough sparks between Hanna and firefighter Jared Hodges to keep romance fans happy.
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 31, 2025
I enjoyed listening to this romantic suspense. The story was riveting and the narrator did a great job!
April 21, 2025
Hanna Keyes lives in Dry Oaks, where she was born and raised in Janice Cantore’s “Every Deadly Suspicion.” Her life has been marked by tragedy from a young age, as her father, Joe, committed a horrific murder when she was just a baby. The victims were the parents of Mandy, who lost their lives in a devastating meth lab explosion during a drug transaction that went wrong. In addition to this, Joe was accused of injuring another man, Chase, leaving him with permanent scars. The weight of her father’s actions has been a heavy burden for Hanna throughout her life.
Now serving as the Chief of Police in Dry Oaks, Hanna grapples with the complex legacy of her father’s sins and a past that refuses to fade away. With Joe now battling cancer, he has requested parole to spend his final days with Hanna, the daughter he has never known. This request stirs a mix of emotions within her: Can she fulfill her father’s dying wish despite the pain his actions have caused? How will this decision reshape her life and her understanding of family? As she navigates their complicated relationship, Hanna starts to see her father in a different light, realizing that he may not be the villain everyone believes him to be. Exploring their bond adds a poignant layer to her journey, inviting us to consider the nuances of love, forgiveness, and the scars that shape us.
Janice Cantore has expertly crafted a gripping narrative that compels readers to turn the pages quickly, filled with suspense and anticipation about what lies ahead. The dynamic between the characters Hannah and Joe is anything but ordinary for a father-daughter relationship; their struggles and conflicts are deeply portrayed, making their journey toward reconciliation all the more compelling. As I followed their story, I wholeheartedly rooted for them to overcome their misunderstandings and rebuild their bond, highlighting the profound impact of familial ties and the complexity of human emotions.
“Every Deadly Suspicion,” written by Cantore, a retired police officer from Long Beach, is a mesmerizing thriller that has left an indelible mark on me. This was my first encounter with her work, but it won’t be my last. I was utterly captivated by the richly developed characters and the intricate layers of suspense and mystery that flowed seamlessly throughout the narrative. I could not put the book down until every last page was turned.
With its breathtaking twists and turns, the story kept me on the edge of my seat, guessing until the dramatic conclusion. I wholeheartedly give this book five stars and genuinely hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Now serving as the Chief of Police in Dry Oaks, Hanna grapples with the complex legacy of her father’s sins and a past that refuses to fade away. With Joe now battling cancer, he has requested parole to spend his final days with Hanna, the daughter he has never known. This request stirs a mix of emotions within her: Can she fulfill her father’s dying wish despite the pain his actions have caused? How will this decision reshape her life and her understanding of family? As she navigates their complicated relationship, Hanna starts to see her father in a different light, realizing that he may not be the villain everyone believes him to be. Exploring their bond adds a poignant layer to her journey, inviting us to consider the nuances of love, forgiveness, and the scars that shape us.
Janice Cantore has expertly crafted a gripping narrative that compels readers to turn the pages quickly, filled with suspense and anticipation about what lies ahead. The dynamic between the characters Hannah and Joe is anything but ordinary for a father-daughter relationship; their struggles and conflicts are deeply portrayed, making their journey toward reconciliation all the more compelling. As I followed their story, I wholeheartedly rooted for them to overcome their misunderstandings and rebuild their bond, highlighting the profound impact of familial ties and the complexity of human emotions.
“Every Deadly Suspicion,” written by Cantore, a retired police officer from Long Beach, is a mesmerizing thriller that has left an indelible mark on me. This was my first encounter with her work, but it won’t be my last. I was utterly captivated by the richly developed characters and the intricate layers of suspense and mystery that flowed seamlessly throughout the narrative. I could not put the book down until every last page was turned.
With its breathtaking twists and turns, the story kept me on the edge of my seat, guessing until the dramatic conclusion. I wholeheartedly give this book five stars and genuinely hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
September 16, 2025
Great suspense with a lot going on, but not in a confusing way. New author to me, definitely will seek out more of her books.
June 15, 2025
As always, an excellent story by Janice Cantore, hence the reason her books are always auto-buys for me!
February 9, 2026
Wow. What a ride!
This book had me hooked from page one. Three different incidents—a haunted, murderous past; a fatal plane crash that reeks of foul play; the Lonely Heart Serial Killer. Three completely different mysteries. Is there some connection? Can they solve them before it's too late?
Yikes, guys, this book was so much fun! Janice Cantore has a gripping writing style with twists and action galore. I don't think I've read a mystery like this in quite some time, so refreshing and new it was. I also highly appreciated how the "romance" was back-burner to everything going on. There was a love triangle, but the drama was at a minimum, and all the touchy-feely stuff was limited to thinking about each other and a few kisses that went as far as "they shared a kiss."
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go scour the internet for more of Cantore's books. ;)
CONTENT: Injuries, blood, dead bodies ( Descriptions are concise but not gratuitous.) Lots of talk about drugs: Meth, fentanyl, someone was a cooker, talk about several people who ODed. A serial killer. Someone is permanently disfigured by acid.
This book had me hooked from page one. Three different incidents—a haunted, murderous past; a fatal plane crash that reeks of foul play; the Lonely Heart Serial Killer. Three completely different mysteries. Is there some connection? Can they solve them before it's too late?
Yikes, guys, this book was so much fun! Janice Cantore has a gripping writing style with twists and action galore. I don't think I've read a mystery like this in quite some time, so refreshing and new it was. I also highly appreciated how the "romance" was back-burner to everything going on. There was a love triangle, but the drama was at a minimum, and all the touchy-feely stuff was limited to thinking about each other and a few kisses that went as far as "they shared a kiss."
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go scour the internet for more of Cantore's books. ;)
CONTENT: Injuries, blood, dead bodies ( Descriptions are concise but not gratuitous.) Lots of talk about drugs: Meth, fentanyl, someone was a cooker, talk about several people who ODed. A serial killer. Someone is permanently disfigured by acid.
May 28, 2025
Christian mystery/thriller is a favorite genre of mine, though I have found it difficult to find work that strikes a balance I enjoy between danger and faith. Consequently, I’m always searching for new authors and will devour their catalog when I find one.
This is the first book I’ve read by Janice Cantore, and I’m already excited for the second.
I love multiple mysteries in a single story. This one covers two timelines—drug-dealing and murders in the past and murders in the present. Compounding problems? The chief of police (Hanna Keyes) is the daughter of the man convicted of the past crimes, and though he’s serving a life sentence, he’s dying and is granted a compassionate release into her care. She doesn’t even know him, as his crimes were committed before she was born.
Hanna, a devout Christian, is torn on what to do. She seeks advice from many and receives unsolicited advice from others. The whole town was affected by these past deeds and many feel they have a stake in his release. She ultimately decides to take him in, and that only exacerbates the problems facing the town and confuses the current investigation.
I should probably say investigations (plural), as there are two contemporary crimes—a pilot who was poisoned and a serial killer targeting women on a dating app. The investigation gets murkier when the serial killer’s MO seems to change.
Throughout the novel, the politics and secrets that seem to plague small towns add layers of confusion and intrigue, and a past love returns and rekindles feelings that took a lot of time and strength to bury.
This novel has it all… and then some. The way the seemingly unrelated threads are woven together is so satisfying, and some resolutions are bittersweet, reminding us that God answers all prayers but maybe not the way we hope. The relationships felt real, the faith element wasn’t overbearing, and the intricate plot developed at a comfortable pace. An easy 4 stars from me.
This is the first book I’ve read by Janice Cantore, and I’m already excited for the second.
I love multiple mysteries in a single story. This one covers two timelines—drug-dealing and murders in the past and murders in the present. Compounding problems? The chief of police (Hanna Keyes) is the daughter of the man convicted of the past crimes, and though he’s serving a life sentence, he’s dying and is granted a compassionate release into her care. She doesn’t even know him, as his crimes were committed before she was born.
Hanna, a devout Christian, is torn on what to do. She seeks advice from many and receives unsolicited advice from others. The whole town was affected by these past deeds and many feel they have a stake in his release. She ultimately decides to take him in, and that only exacerbates the problems facing the town and confuses the current investigation.
I should probably say investigations (plural), as there are two contemporary crimes—a pilot who was poisoned and a serial killer targeting women on a dating app. The investigation gets murkier when the serial killer’s MO seems to change.
Throughout the novel, the politics and secrets that seem to plague small towns add layers of confusion and intrigue, and a past love returns and rekindles feelings that took a lot of time and strength to bury.
This novel has it all… and then some. The way the seemingly unrelated threads are woven together is so satisfying, and some resolutions are bittersweet, reminding us that God answers all prayers but maybe not the way we hope. The relationships felt real, the faith element wasn’t overbearing, and the intricate plot developed at a comfortable pace. An easy 4 stars from me.
March 26, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Tyndale House publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, Police chief Hannah has overcome a difficult childhood with a convicted murderer for a father and a bitter unhappy mother. As the story unfolds, secrets come out and all is not as it seems. I enjoyed this police procedural very much. Secrets, mystery and romance!
September 16, 2025
I saw the killer of this story coming the minute a certain person didn’t want to and avoided talking to Hannah the police chef.
The story was well written the second killer didn’t pop up on my radar for a while… but Janice Cantore is a very good writer and given her former job in law enforcement it’s no surprise she writes a good cop book!!!!
The story was well written the second killer didn’t pop up on my radar for a while… but Janice Cantore is a very good writer and given her former job in law enforcement it’s no surprise she writes a good cop book!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2025
I have come to expect Janice Cantore books to be either a hit or a miss. Sometimes I love her novels; others, not so much. Unfortunately, Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore falls in the latter. Crimes bubble up in Dry Oaks, California under Chief of Police Hanna Keyes’s jurisdiction. Hanna’s father confessed to drug offenses—and not to mention two murders—that occurred thirty years ago. But now he’s being released due to severe illness…and the authorities ask Hanna to take him in. Hanna must deal with this, the reemergence of a childhood friend, and violent murders. It’s an intriguing plot, but Every Deadly Suspicion didn’t have the “wow factor.”
The book is slow. As a former cop, Cantore’s depictions of police procedure and experiences are no doubt accurate. But that means the story stops and starts. We chased down a lead—but oh, no, it’s a dead end. This person blamed someone else. This person had a faulty alibi. The book, too, had too many subplots, which made it occasionally very hard to follow. I forgot characters’ names and would’ve appreciated the occasional reminder. We have:
• Hanna’s case
• Her dad’s case (and illness and release)
• Nathan’s case
• Hanna’s relationship with Nathan
• Jared – his background, Hanna’s relationship with him
• Hanna’s relationship with Mandy (childhood friend, also daughter of Hanna’s dad’s victims)
• An obnoxious, arrogant true crime author searching for a story
Once you can wrap your head around everything, the book moves faster and makes more sense. The second half is far better from the first, but even then, Every Deadly Suspicion lacked emotional depth. Cantore wrote of characters’ turmoil, but I didn’t feel it. The writing was straight and to-the-point, no embellishment. Embellishment may bump up the word count and page count, but it is desperately needed in novels.
But I can always count on Janice Cantore to leave me with a quote that digs into my brain like a screw: “Holding bitterness, unforgiveness against someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” This applies to several characters in the novel, but it’s a concept by which all of us can live. Unforgiveness only hurts us—not anyone else.
Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore is thorough and thoughtful. But it lacked the suspense and intensity I associate with other books of the romantic suspense genre.
Note: I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All views expressed are my own.
The book is slow. As a former cop, Cantore’s depictions of police procedure and experiences are no doubt accurate. But that means the story stops and starts. We chased down a lead—but oh, no, it’s a dead end. This person blamed someone else. This person had a faulty alibi. The book, too, had too many subplots, which made it occasionally very hard to follow. I forgot characters’ names and would’ve appreciated the occasional reminder. We have:
• Hanna’s case
• Her dad’s case (and illness and release)
• Nathan’s case
• Hanna’s relationship with Nathan
• Jared – his background, Hanna’s relationship with him
• Hanna’s relationship with Mandy (childhood friend, also daughter of Hanna’s dad’s victims)
• An obnoxious, arrogant true crime author searching for a story
Once you can wrap your head around everything, the book moves faster and makes more sense. The second half is far better from the first, but even then, Every Deadly Suspicion lacked emotional depth. Cantore wrote of characters’ turmoil, but I didn’t feel it. The writing was straight and to-the-point, no embellishment. Embellishment may bump up the word count and page count, but it is desperately needed in novels.
But I can always count on Janice Cantore to leave me with a quote that digs into my brain like a screw: “Holding bitterness, unforgiveness against someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” This applies to several characters in the novel, but it’s a concept by which all of us can live. Unforgiveness only hurts us—not anyone else.
Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore is thorough and thoughtful. But it lacked the suspense and intensity I associate with other books of the romantic suspense genre.
Note: I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All views expressed are my own.
February 25, 2025
I have absolutely loved most of Janice Cantore’s books in the past. I love that she’s a former cop, and all of her books ring with authenticity in regards to procedure and lingo. For some reason, Every Deadly Suspicion was hard for me to get into.
I think the biggest challenge for me was how slow it started. I actually feel like maybe the author’s experience was a bit of a hindrance this time around, strictly in a plotting sense. While the investigations in the first half of the story hit dead ends and spun their wheels (very realistic, I’m sure), so did the story. The book had a hard time taking off! Waiting for results, waiting to interview people, not finding evidence… my interest kept stalling. There was also a lot happening. Hanna’s case, her father’s case, her father’s pending release, Nathan’s case, her relationship with Nathan, her history with Jared, detailing Jared’s background, her friendship with Mandy, the fire, the most annoying ambulance chaser/true crime author character ever… it was just a lot in the first 50% of the book.
However, if you stick it out to the halfway point (somewhere between 50 and 60%), this book sucks you back in. I must say, it really picks up and everything starts clicking and falling into place. Connections start making sense. Like you finally understand everything that had been slowwwwly building with “ah ha!” after “ah ha!” The pace is so much better and the story moves once you reach that point. There’s still A LOT going on, so hold onto your hat and maybe keep a notepad nearby lol.
I’m not the biggest fan of a love triangle, and this book does have one, of course I don’t know how serious Hanna and Nathan really are at the start. I have to admit I was rooting for first-love Jared just because their chemistry was SO much better, while Hanna and Nathan just seemed so professional together, even off duty. I don’t know… just another thing to juggle in the story. I probably would have just had Hanna be single and the only relationship conflict coming from Jared’s return just to simplify everything. There was enough good drama there as it was. Nathan’s character could have just been a friend/colleague like all the other detectives and officers in the book.
I will say again the second half of the book was really good once things started happening. I enjoyed how everything came together and how it ended.
I hate knocking a book down to a 3, but I have to on this one. Books that receive a 3 star rating from me are usually well-written, just not my cup of tea for some reason or other. Another reader may love this book, but for some reason I either had a hard time getting through it or there was something about the story didn't enjoy. I may love the author's other works but for some reason this one wasn't for me.
Content- drug use mentioned and witnessed, meth lab operations in the beginning, murders discussed, bodies discovered (detailed), and the true villains are quite depraved and unrepentant. Descriptive injuries to characters. Very limited romantic content, a few kisses with almost no detail. Triggers- loss of parents, bullying
I was given a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.
I think the biggest challenge for me was how slow it started. I actually feel like maybe the author’s experience was a bit of a hindrance this time around, strictly in a plotting sense. While the investigations in the first half of the story hit dead ends and spun their wheels (very realistic, I’m sure), so did the story. The book had a hard time taking off! Waiting for results, waiting to interview people, not finding evidence… my interest kept stalling. There was also a lot happening. Hanna’s case, her father’s case, her father’s pending release, Nathan’s case, her relationship with Nathan, her history with Jared, detailing Jared’s background, her friendship with Mandy, the fire, the most annoying ambulance chaser/true crime author character ever… it was just a lot in the first 50% of the book.
However, if you stick it out to the halfway point (somewhere between 50 and 60%), this book sucks you back in. I must say, it really picks up and everything starts clicking and falling into place. Connections start making sense. Like you finally understand everything that had been slowwwwly building with “ah ha!” after “ah ha!” The pace is so much better and the story moves once you reach that point. There’s still A LOT going on, so hold onto your hat and maybe keep a notepad nearby lol.
I’m not the biggest fan of a love triangle, and this book does have one, of course I don’t know how serious Hanna and Nathan really are at the start. I have to admit I was rooting for first-love Jared just because their chemistry was SO much better, while Hanna and Nathan just seemed so professional together, even off duty. I don’t know… just another thing to juggle in the story. I probably would have just had Hanna be single and the only relationship conflict coming from Jared’s return just to simplify everything. There was enough good drama there as it was. Nathan’s character could have just been a friend/colleague like all the other detectives and officers in the book.
I will say again the second half of the book was really good once things started happening. I enjoyed how everything came together and how it ended.
I hate knocking a book down to a 3, but I have to on this one. Books that receive a 3 star rating from me are usually well-written, just not my cup of tea for some reason or other. Another reader may love this book, but for some reason I either had a hard time getting through it or there was something about the story didn't enjoy. I may love the author's other works but for some reason this one wasn't for me.
Content- drug use mentioned and witnessed, meth lab operations in the beginning, murders discussed, bodies discovered (detailed), and the true villains are quite depraved and unrepentant. Descriptive injuries to characters. Very limited romantic content, a few kisses with almost no detail. Triggers- loss of parents, bullying
I was given a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.
March 19, 2025
A small town has inherited big city problems—from the past and present. Retired cop and author, Janice Cantore has done it again. Her latest release, EVERY DEADLY SUSPICION, has more twists and turns than a roller coaster. And that creepy sense of bad guys around every corner kept me glued to those pages.
THE STORY: In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned for his crimes. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case of his alleged murders, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.
Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she needs distractions the least. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.
With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.
I love a good thriller, suspense, mystery, and can zip through them in a day or two. Not with a Janice Cantore book. Her writing is brisk—almost like reading a police report with feeling—and detailed. Here characters are fascinating and not stereotypical, at all. This would be a great story for a youth group or book club.
Recommended for Janice Cantore fans, suspense, mysteries, thrillers, faith journeys, page turners. Clean read but true to life crime.
I received an ARC from the publisher for my honest review.
THE STORY: In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned for his crimes. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case of his alleged murders, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.
Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she needs distractions the least. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.
With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.
I love a good thriller, suspense, mystery, and can zip through them in a day or two. Not with a Janice Cantore book. Her writing is brisk—almost like reading a police report with feeling—and detailed. Here characters are fascinating and not stereotypical, at all. This would be a great story for a youth group or book club.
Recommended for Janice Cantore fans, suspense, mysteries, thrillers, faith journeys, page turners. Clean read but true to life crime.
I received an ARC from the publisher for my honest review.
March 5, 2025
** “No, I forgave him because Jesus forgave me. Forgiveness is something we all need, whether we know it or not.” **
Janice Cantore delivers another thrilling story with “Every Deadly Suspicion.”
Hanna Keyes has raised to the ranks of Dry Oaks police chief, even though her father has been in prison for 35 years for injuring and killing several people. She is shocked when officials approach her to accept her father into a compassionate release as he’s on his deathbed. Hoping to only find the truth behind what Joe did, Hanna reluctantly agrees to bring him into her home.
Meanwhile, the normally quiet town is also facing horrific wildfires that her first crush, Jared, is helping to fight. And her current special friend, Nathan, is investigating the Lonely Heart Killer case — where a man lures women on the internet and ultimately kills them.
Dry Oaks has become a town filled with activity, and Hanna hopes to find the truth and stop the deadly events. Will she also find love while looking to solve the crimes?
Using her own experience, Cantore always does an incredible job of creating fast-paced, high-action, heart-thumping stories that leave readers guessing until the very end. She creates characters that are intriguing and also includes great themes, like redemption; we must forgive because Jesus forgave us; God works all things for good (Romans 8:28); God can redeem any soul; “Holding bitterness, unforgiveness against someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”; and we need to make peace with history.
Fans of Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, Terri Blackstock or Lisa Harris will love this novel.
Five stars out of five.
Tyndale Fiction provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Janice Cantore delivers another thrilling story with “Every Deadly Suspicion.”
Hanna Keyes has raised to the ranks of Dry Oaks police chief, even though her father has been in prison for 35 years for injuring and killing several people. She is shocked when officials approach her to accept her father into a compassionate release as he’s on his deathbed. Hoping to only find the truth behind what Joe did, Hanna reluctantly agrees to bring him into her home.
Meanwhile, the normally quiet town is also facing horrific wildfires that her first crush, Jared, is helping to fight. And her current special friend, Nathan, is investigating the Lonely Heart Killer case — where a man lures women on the internet and ultimately kills them.
Dry Oaks has become a town filled with activity, and Hanna hopes to find the truth and stop the deadly events. Will she also find love while looking to solve the crimes?
Using her own experience, Cantore always does an incredible job of creating fast-paced, high-action, heart-thumping stories that leave readers guessing until the very end. She creates characters that are intriguing and also includes great themes, like redemption; we must forgive because Jesus forgave us; God works all things for good (Romans 8:28); God can redeem any soul; “Holding bitterness, unforgiveness against someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”; and we need to make peace with history.
Fans of Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, Terri Blackstock or Lisa Harris will love this novel.
Five stars out of five.
Tyndale Fiction provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
February 25, 2025
The past and present are about to have a major collision with life changing repercussions for everyone in Dry Oaks.
Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has lived under the shadow of having a father who is a murderer. Everyone in town knows Joe Keyes, and what he confessed to doing many years ago. Hanna never truly knew her father. She allowed her mother and the rest of the town to provide the juicy information about her father's felonious past.
When she gets a phone call from the prison asking her to take care of her father during his final weeks of life. She is torn between what she believes is the right thing to do, and the fact that she does not even know this man that is her father.
There is so much mystery about what really happened on that fateful day when two people died and one person was severely injured. The bodies of the two individuals were never recovered and a federal agent is still missing as well. Joe's arrival back in town brings the past back to light, and it appears there may be more to this story.
This is a Christian fiction book and the message is one of forgiveness. The mystery was interesting. It was nice to see the puzzle pieces finally falling into place as more and more secrets are revealed. There were plenty of characters that were unlikable and were on my radar as possible culprits, but you better make sure you do not assume anything in this mystery.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Fiction through Interviews and Reviews. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has lived under the shadow of having a father who is a murderer. Everyone in town knows Joe Keyes, and what he confessed to doing many years ago. Hanna never truly knew her father. She allowed her mother and the rest of the town to provide the juicy information about her father's felonious past.
When she gets a phone call from the prison asking her to take care of her father during his final weeks of life. She is torn between what she believes is the right thing to do, and the fact that she does not even know this man that is her father.
There is so much mystery about what really happened on that fateful day when two people died and one person was severely injured. The bodies of the two individuals were never recovered and a federal agent is still missing as well. Joe's arrival back in town brings the past back to light, and it appears there may be more to this story.
This is a Christian fiction book and the message is one of forgiveness. The mystery was interesting. It was nice to see the puzzle pieces finally falling into place as more and more secrets are revealed. There were plenty of characters that were unlikable and were on my radar as possible culprits, but you better make sure you do not assume anything in this mystery.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Fiction through Interviews and Reviews. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 11, 2025
Another fantastic police procedural by Janice Cantore!
Hanna Keyes has lived her whole life with knowledge that her father is a murderer. She is the Chief of Police in Dry Oaks, California and gets a call that her father is dying. He is given a compassionate release, and she is asked to let him live with her in his final days. Even though she never got to know him and can’t really think of him as her father, she feels led to say yes to the request. When Joe, her father arrives in Dry Oaks, not everyone is happy to see him there and things start to go from bad to worse. Joe starts making comments to Hanna that lead her to believe he might not be as guilty of murder as everyone thought. With each new piece of the puzzle more danger comes their way and Hanna isn’t sure what to believe anymore.
Janice Cantore has always been one of my favorite’s when it comes to romantic suspense; the way she writes police procedurals is one of the best. I enjoy the way she writes characters and situations that are believable and enjoyable to read about. Her stories flow with ease and I find all aspects of them more believable than most written now a days. So many books out there are not worth the time and have served to put me in a reading slump lately. It is nice to find a book that is enjoyable to read and makes me want to keep reading. I would recommend this book to those that enjoy good, clean romantic suspense thrillers.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Hanna Keyes has lived her whole life with knowledge that her father is a murderer. She is the Chief of Police in Dry Oaks, California and gets a call that her father is dying. He is given a compassionate release, and she is asked to let him live with her in his final days. Even though she never got to know him and can’t really think of him as her father, she feels led to say yes to the request. When Joe, her father arrives in Dry Oaks, not everyone is happy to see him there and things start to go from bad to worse. Joe starts making comments to Hanna that lead her to believe he might not be as guilty of murder as everyone thought. With each new piece of the puzzle more danger comes their way and Hanna isn’t sure what to believe anymore.
Janice Cantore has always been one of my favorite’s when it comes to romantic suspense; the way she writes police procedurals is one of the best. I enjoy the way she writes characters and situations that are believable and enjoyable to read about. Her stories flow with ease and I find all aspects of them more believable than most written now a days. So many books out there are not worth the time and have served to put me in a reading slump lately. It is nice to find a book that is enjoyable to read and makes me want to keep reading. I would recommend this book to those that enjoy good, clean romantic suspense thrillers.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
May 21, 2025
I won a paperback copy of Every Deadly Suspicion from a goodreads giveaway. I like the cover of the book. The car with its lights on says this book is a mystery.
The most interesting parts of the book had to do with who killed Blake and Sofia and the 3 women. Its said that Joe Keys killed Blake and Sofia however there is more to the story. I kind of knew it had something to do with Chase Buckley but, I never I never suspected that Marcus Marshall would have been involved so that was a surprise.
One of the best scenes in the book was when Jared is jogging around Buckley like with other firefighters and they see that two fishermen are struggling with something and it turns out to be two oil drums or was it barrels.
I also liked the scene towards the end of the book Hanna and Jared go to Marcus Marshall's mansion and I supposed I wondered if they were going to get out of it. Though I don't think I was in doubt that they would escape the fire.
I did not think that there was any suspense that Jared and Hanna would get back together and I thought their relationship was not as interesting as the rest of the book.
That reminds me of when Hanna and Jared are looking for Nathan and they go to the Buckley Estate . I thought that was also another part of the book I liked. It had me wondering what Chase did with Braden and Nathan.
So I thought that Every deadly suspicion kept me reading even though for me I never had much doubt that joe was not the killer everyone thought he was and that Chase was involved in the murders of Blake and Sofia and the 3 women.
The most interesting parts of the book had to do with who killed Blake and Sofia and the 3 women. Its said that Joe Keys killed Blake and Sofia however there is more to the story. I kind of knew it had something to do with Chase Buckley but, I never I never suspected that Marcus Marshall would have been involved so that was a surprise.
One of the best scenes in the book was when Jared is jogging around Buckley like with other firefighters and they see that two fishermen are struggling with something and it turns out to be two oil drums or was it barrels.
I also liked the scene towards the end of the book Hanna and Jared go to Marcus Marshall's mansion and I supposed I wondered if they were going to get out of it. Though I don't think I was in doubt that they would escape the fire.
I did not think that there was any suspense that Jared and Hanna would get back together and I thought their relationship was not as interesting as the rest of the book.
That reminds me of when Hanna and Jared are looking for Nathan and they go to the Buckley Estate . I thought that was also another part of the book I liked. It had me wondering what Chase did with Braden and Nathan.
So I thought that Every deadly suspicion kept me reading even though for me I never had much doubt that joe was not the killer everyone thought he was and that Chase was involved in the murders of Blake and Sofia and the 3 women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2025
Janice Cantore has written another suspenseful, faith based police procedural mystery. The characters are well developed and the plot moves at a fast pace with the author putting out red herrings and twists and turns as the past and the present collide.
Hanna Keyes is the police chief of a small town, Dry Oaks, CA, where things are usually quiet. This is also a town with a big mystery, a federal agent went missing and two people died thirty years ago. It was suspected they were killed by Hanna's father, Joe. Now Joe is in failing health and Hanna is called by the prison to allow her father to come home for his last days. Hanna has always believed in her father's guilt and now she must care for him. In addition, Hanna is dealing with the town's first murder in thirty years. A plane crash with a prominent citizen on board is ruled a murder.
Joe's release seems to be the catalyst, as things are brought to the surface. Hanna's first love, Jared Hodges, returns, does he have information about this cold case? Are the criminal acts being played out in present day related to the past? Will Joe reveal what he knows?
I am a fan of the author, having read all of her books. Her experience has a police officer lends authenticity to the story. I look forward to the author's next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Tyndale House Publishers, for an ARC. The review is my own.
Hanna Keyes is the police chief of a small town, Dry Oaks, CA, where things are usually quiet. This is also a town with a big mystery, a federal agent went missing and two people died thirty years ago. It was suspected they were killed by Hanna's father, Joe. Now Joe is in failing health and Hanna is called by the prison to allow her father to come home for his last days. Hanna has always believed in her father's guilt and now she must care for him. In addition, Hanna is dealing with the town's first murder in thirty years. A plane crash with a prominent citizen on board is ruled a murder.
Joe's release seems to be the catalyst, as things are brought to the surface. Hanna's first love, Jared Hodges, returns, does he have information about this cold case? Are the criminal acts being played out in present day related to the past? Will Joe reveal what he knows?
I am a fan of the author, having read all of her books. Her experience has a police officer lends authenticity to the story. I look forward to the author's next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Tyndale House Publishers, for an ARC. The review is my own.
April 18, 2025
"There was another way out. Joe already had planned to destroy the kitchen. The people outside would witness the destruction. The booby trap was dangerous for those standing too close to the trailer, maybe even deadly. Joe refused to consider the consequences. He didn’t invite them here. He flicked the booby-trap switch and hurried for the back of the trailer . With all the caustic chemicals, it would not take much to level the place."
Do the sins of a prior generation affect the next?
Chief Hanna Keyes wants to uphold the law. But first she has to convince people that she is not her dad - the one who has been in prison ever since she was a baby. When the choices that he made seem to come back to haunt her, can she discover the truth?
This law police procedural suspense book screams authenticity since it was written by a former police officer. Every time I read a book by Janice Cantore, I feel like I learn more about law enforcement. Determining who continued breaking the law and who had really changed was certainly challenging.
Overall, this is a good book. It starts out with a scene in the past, and previous events are referenced. But not all of them are actually in the flashback scene, so I was a bit confused. I kept thinking I missed something. Other than that, I enjoyed the book.
I am so glad I could read a copy of this book through NetGalley. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.
Do the sins of a prior generation affect the next?
Chief Hanna Keyes wants to uphold the law. But first she has to convince people that she is not her dad - the one who has been in prison ever since she was a baby. When the choices that he made seem to come back to haunt her, can she discover the truth?
This law police procedural suspense book screams authenticity since it was written by a former police officer. Every time I read a book by Janice Cantore, I feel like I learn more about law enforcement. Determining who continued breaking the law and who had really changed was certainly challenging.
Overall, this is a good book. It starts out with a scene in the past, and previous events are referenced. But not all of them are actually in the flashback scene, so I was a bit confused. I kept thinking I missed something. Other than that, I enjoyed the book.
I am so glad I could read a copy of this book through NetGalley. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.
January 6, 2025
Oh, Lord, please bring the truth to the light, and heolp me to process everything that’s happening.
This quote/prayer is from the main character, Police Chief Hanna Keyes inEvery Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore. I was able to connect with Hanna, and my sympathy went out to her as she was asked to take in her dying father. A father the whole town thought was a murderer. Through faith and forgiveness, she received far more than expected. The truth. If she’d abandoned her father to the town’s wishes (death in prison), I believe she would’ve viewed him with a skewed perspective forever, despite claiming forgiveness before he even got released. Great story, nice faith element and even though the town was full of people who didn’t like her dad, I really appreciated how one character, so close to her, was able to forgive. And forgive at such a young age. That is amazing.
The romance took a backseat to the author’s ability to spin a crime story, so I’d call this an rS, instead of your standard Romantic Suspense. I will always appreciate the love triangle, though very subtle in this story, I’m here for it. However, what truly matters to me is an author’s expertise, and Janice Cantore had served as a Long Beach, CA police officer for over two decades.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All words are my own.
This quote/prayer is from the main character, Police Chief Hanna Keyes inEvery Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore. I was able to connect with Hanna, and my sympathy went out to her as she was asked to take in her dying father. A father the whole town thought was a murderer. Through faith and forgiveness, she received far more than expected. The truth. If she’d abandoned her father to the town’s wishes (death in prison), I believe she would’ve viewed him with a skewed perspective forever, despite claiming forgiveness before he even got released. Great story, nice faith element and even though the town was full of people who didn’t like her dad, I really appreciated how one character, so close to her, was able to forgive. And forgive at such a young age. That is amazing.
The romance took a backseat to the author’s ability to spin a crime story, so I’d call this an rS, instead of your standard Romantic Suspense. I will always appreciate the love triangle, though very subtle in this story, I’m here for it. However, what truly matters to me is an author’s expertise, and Janice Cantore had served as a Long Beach, CA police officer for over two decades.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All words are my own.
January 25, 2025
I have loved the author’s books that I read in the past. Unfortunately I didn't love this book and was sad to feel this way about a Janice Cantore book. The plot was interesting and lots of twists and turns kept me reading the book as the current murder investigation ran parallel with a thirty-five year old murder case. But the pace of the story was slow and I found myself skimming some of the descriptions and characters’ thoughts to get to the investigation parts. I don’t like love triangles so Hanna’s relationship with Nathan and Jared did not endear me to the romantic aspect of the story. I found it surprising that both Nathan and Jared had voices in the story since they were vying for Hanna’s heart but the approach worked to set both men as heroes. There were too many characters from the onset and I had a hard time keeping track of the secondary characters. The main characters themselves got lost in the shuffle and were not fully fleshed out. The dialogue and personalities felt flat and one-dimensional. I did like the faith component of the story which emphasized forgiveness, repentance and sacrificial love.
Even after putting all the pieces together, I still felt like I missed something. Though I didn’t love the book, fans of Janice Cantore and romantic suspense will likely love it.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
Even after putting all the pieces together, I still felt like I missed something. Though I didn’t love the book, fans of Janice Cantore and romantic suspense will likely love it.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
February 12, 2025
"Every Deadly Suspicion" is a Christian romantic suspense. The main characters were engaging, complex, and reacted realistically to events. Hanna's father was arrested for murder as she was being born, and her mother never had anything good to say about him. A local true-crime writer wrote a book full of sensational speculation, so she grew up never able to forget what her father did. But now he's dying. Some of her friends urge her to allow him to come home. Maybe he'll confess where the bodies are. But then the bodies turn up anyway (a God timing thing), and Hanna digs into the past case only to realize the murderer couldn't be her father.
Hanna and her boyfriend, who was investigating a serial killing, got along well. But a close male friend from the past returned, and he understood how she's struggled because of her father. So there was both romantic and familial relationship tensions in addition the the danger from the job. The police work was interesting, especially as we had hints about what really happened but don't know the actual whodunit.
Several main characters were Christian. They prayed for help or forgave past hurts because of their faith. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting suspense.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Hanna and her boyfriend, who was investigating a serial killing, got along well. But a close male friend from the past returned, and he understood how she's struggled because of her father. So there was both romantic and familial relationship tensions in addition the the danger from the job. The police work was interesting, especially as we had hints about what really happened but don't know the actual whodunit.
Several main characters were Christian. They prayed for help or forgave past hurts because of their faith. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting suspense.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 3, 2025
Janice Cantore worked in law enforcement in Long Beach, California, for 23 years. The author’s experiences make the characters richer, complex, and full of life. Janice says she wants to "inspire and keep the reader interested." That is true of this story. Chief Keyes is kind of surprised by the town's reaction to the mystery surrounding a 30-year-old cold case; this adds drama to the investigation. Readers are captivated and prompted to consider their own actions given Police Hanna Keyes’s situation.
I was amazed by the depth of this story. Just when I thought everything was settled, a new layer appears, and I learn something I didn't know before. This would be great as a book club pick; there is so much to talk about. If you haven’t read a book by this author, I recommend you start with this one.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
I was amazed by the depth of this story. Just when I thought everything was settled, a new layer appears, and I learn something I didn't know before. This would be great as a book club pick; there is so much to talk about. If you haven’t read a book by this author, I recommend you start with this one.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
March 6, 2025
Since her childhood, Police Chief Hanna Keyes has lived with the taunts about her father, Joe, who confessed to murder in their small town of Dry Oaks. The two bodies have never been found, along with a missing FBI agent. Joe is near death and Hanna has been asked to have him in her home, as he is released from prison for the last month of his life. When a wealthy local man dies in a plane crash, Hanna is called to the scene and the investigation will prove that he was murdered. Who would kill one of the wealthy Buckley family and why? Questioning the family is vital as there are those members of the Buckley family who were once involved with her father. She and her team are also working the case of two women whose bodies were found in the area while trying to stay under the radar of a local podcaster who seems to appear at each scene. When another body is dumped, do they finally have a witness who may provide a clue to the killer? She will need to put her personal life on hold when her past love returns to town. A brilliant, twisted mystery that reaches back into the past to solve crimes that have haunted the community for decades. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
March 11, 2025
Every Deadly Suspicion by Janice Cantore is a multilayered suspenseful read perfect for fans of intriguing mysteries with a hint of romance.
Police Chief Hanna Keyes has had to live with the stigma of her father confessing to murdering two people. Both bodies have never been found and to top it off an FBI agent has been missing since her father was arrested for the murders. Now she has to decide what to do when her father is going to be given a compassionate release from prison because he is dying. Can she put the past hurt to the side to take care of Joe in his final days? As she struggles with that situation, a wealthy local man dies in an airplane crash and the investigation shows he was murdered. Her father's crimes are connected to everything happening around Hanna, now she just needs to figure out what that connection is.
This was such a a high action, multi-storied novel!! So many different things were going on in this town! It does feel like it is a slow buildup the first half of the book, but then it starts to pick up and you can start to see all the pieces clearly. This book definitely has me racing to figure out what was going on!
Thank you to NetGalley, Janice Cantore, and Tyndale House Publishers for this ARC. Publication day was March 4th 2025.
Police Chief Hanna Keyes has had to live with the stigma of her father confessing to murdering two people. Both bodies have never been found and to top it off an FBI agent has been missing since her father was arrested for the murders. Now she has to decide what to do when her father is going to be given a compassionate release from prison because he is dying. Can she put the past hurt to the side to take care of Joe in his final days? As she struggles with that situation, a wealthy local man dies in an airplane crash and the investigation shows he was murdered. Her father's crimes are connected to everything happening around Hanna, now she just needs to figure out what that connection is.
This was such a a high action, multi-storied novel!! So many different things were going on in this town! It does feel like it is a slow buildup the first half of the book, but then it starts to pick up and you can start to see all the pieces clearly. This book definitely has me racing to figure out what was going on!
Thank you to NetGalley, Janice Cantore, and Tyndale House Publishers for this ARC. Publication day was March 4th 2025.
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