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Spiked: A Kris Redner Mystery
For Ottawa Citizen crime columnist Kris Redner, the corruption trial of a disgraced former Conservative cabinet minister opens the door to a secret world of espionage and ruthless political double-dealing. Who is the Chinese embassy employee who falls to her death from the roof of Kris’s apartment building? How is the dead woman connected to what is being billed as the political trial of the century? Is turncoat cabinet minister Luc Champagne the man who connects all the pieces of the puzzle?
Political pressure and national security concerns have tied the police’s hands. It’s up to Kris to get to the bottom of an apparent homicide and uncover evidence that could prevent an innocent man from going to jail.
Political pressure and national security concerns have tied the police’s hands. It’s up to Kris to get to the bottom of an apparent homicide and uncover evidence that could prevent an innocent man from going to jail.
300 pages, Paperback
Published June 17, 2024
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June 10, 2025
Randall Denley's fourth (I think.) book in the Kris Redner mystery series, was published in 2019, and I read it in 2025. The protagonist, Kris Redner, is approximately 40 years old and serves as a freelance writer for the Ottawa Citizen. Portrayed as an independent individual, in both personal and professional lives, who dislikes commitment. As a crime writer for the Ottawa Citizen, she maintains strong connections with both police officers and criminals. This occasionally helps her in solving perplexing crimes. Her intuition often leads her in directions different from those of the police, and she finds it troubling when the authorities opt for the easiest arrest. In this case, Kris is living with her boss, Colin, but unsure whether she wants to stay. Colin saved her life on her previous investigation; however, she is uncomfortable with her unusually long stay.
The book opens with Redner seeing a young lady fall past the apartment balcony. The death appears accidental however Redner is assigned to another case involving political corruption by a disgraced cabinet member. The case seems weak however political pressure and national security resulted in police inactivity. After the first day of trial, Chris decides to work the lady’s death since police have called it a murder. The dead lady is falsely identified by the Chinese Ambassador who immediately requests the body before the postmortem is even started. Redner agrees to share the story, with another reporter adding complexity to the plot.
Soon other players enter the picture but nobody, especially Redner knows who. Her Citizen partner is grabbed, taken out to the rurales where she is beaten, raped, stripped and left to find a way home. Redner knows who these thugs are and decides to play the same game against them. She finally determines who the dead girl is and publishes the hottest story of the year which she shares with her beaten friend. Parts may be missing however, Redner cannot publish entirely as she would have to violate secrecy laws with no documentation to support her.
Denley writes in a clean, crisp manner. Regardless of what is happening the plot is always moving ahead. The mystery is always threatening and nothing is unearthed before its time. Without overdoing it, Denley makes no bones about the fact the story has a link to Ottawa, Ontario. It is very interesting that several major characters are female. I would like to know from female readers if Denley gets the voice and feeling of the women correct.
I enjoyed reading Denley in this book. A good fast paced and challenging mystery. The drama is not overdone but is gradually increased as Kris learns more about the dead girl’s death and the family story. Four stars.
The book opens with Redner seeing a young lady fall past the apartment balcony. The death appears accidental however Redner is assigned to another case involving political corruption by a disgraced cabinet member. The case seems weak however political pressure and national security resulted in police inactivity. After the first day of trial, Chris decides to work the lady’s death since police have called it a murder. The dead lady is falsely identified by the Chinese Ambassador who immediately requests the body before the postmortem is even started. Redner agrees to share the story, with another reporter adding complexity to the plot.
Soon other players enter the picture but nobody, especially Redner knows who. Her Citizen partner is grabbed, taken out to the rurales where she is beaten, raped, stripped and left to find a way home. Redner knows who these thugs are and decides to play the same game against them. She finally determines who the dead girl is and publishes the hottest story of the year which she shares with her beaten friend. Parts may be missing however, Redner cannot publish entirely as she would have to violate secrecy laws with no documentation to support her.
Denley writes in a clean, crisp manner. Regardless of what is happening the plot is always moving ahead. The mystery is always threatening and nothing is unearthed before its time. Without overdoing it, Denley makes no bones about the fact the story has a link to Ottawa, Ontario. It is very interesting that several major characters are female. I would like to know from female readers if Denley gets the voice and feeling of the women correct.
I enjoyed reading Denley in this book. A good fast paced and challenging mystery. The drama is not overdone but is gradually increased as Kris learns more about the dead girl’s death and the family story. Four stars.
Displaying 1 of 1 review