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Just Cause
"I didn't kill my husband!"
But no one believed Laurel Hatcher. On trial for murder, Laurel prayed for a miracle. And she got one, sort a deadlocked jury. A mistrial meant going through the ordeal all over again, but at least she'd have more time to prove her innocence. And now handsome police offi cer Dan Ryan was on her side, determined to fi nd evidence that would clear her name. But Laurel didn't even know what to look for— or who would want her husband dead. Until Dan took her back to the scene of the crime…where a killer was waiting.
But no one believed Laurel Hatcher. On trial for murder, Laurel prayed for a miracle. And she got one, sort a deadlocked jury. A mistrial meant going through the ordeal all over again, but at least she'd have more time to prove her innocence. And now handsome police offi cer Dan Ryan was on her side, determined to fi nd evidence that would clear her name. But Laurel didn't even know what to look for— or who would want her husband dead. Until Dan took her back to the scene of the crime…where a killer was waiting.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
122 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Susan Page Davis
176 books529 followersFROM AUTHOR'S WEBSITE: I'm a native of central Maine, and grew up on a small farm with a wonderful mom and dad, three sisters and a brother. Most of my books take place in small towns, many of them in Maine.
My husband, Jim, and I moved to his birth state, Oregon, for a while after we were married, but decided to move back to Maine and be near my family. It allowed our six children to grow up feeling close to their cousins and grandparents, and some of Jim's family have even moved to Maine!
Our children are all home-schooled. When Jim retired from his vocation as an editor at a daily newspaper, we moved from Maine to Kentucky.
I've always loved reading, history, and horses. These things come together in several of my historical books.
Another longtime hobby of mine is genealogy, which has led me down many fascinating paths. I'm proud to be a DAR member! Some of Jim's and my quirkier ancestors have inspired fictional characters.
For many years I worked for the Central Maine Morning Sentinel as a freelancer. This experience was a great help in developing fictional characters and writing realistic scenes. I also published nonfiction articles in several magazines and had several short stories appear in Woman's World, Grit, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
My husband, Jim, and I moved to his birth state, Oregon, for a while after we were married, but decided to move back to Maine and be near my family. It allowed our six children to grow up feeling close to their cousins and grandparents, and some of Jim's family have even moved to Maine!
Our children are all home-schooled. When Jim retired from his vocation as an editor at a daily newspaper, we moved from Maine to Kentucky.
I've always loved reading, history, and horses. These things come together in several of my historical books.
Another longtime hobby of mine is genealogy, which has led me down many fascinating paths. I'm proud to be a DAR member! Some of Jim's and my quirkier ancestors have inspired fictional characters.
For many years I worked for the Central Maine Morning Sentinel as a freelancer. This experience was a great help in developing fictional characters and writing realistic scenes. I also published nonfiction articles in several magazines and had several short stories appear in Woman's World, Grit, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 28, 2015
Its one of those books that you cannot put down once you star reading. The interest is equal in romance and suspense. Unlike some other LIS books, this one was pretty heavy on the romance. I like how they have the cop chasing after the supposed criminal - not to catch her in the act, but to get her to fall in love with him!
Not only did the suspense kept me guessing on "who done it," but the romance kept me interested. I loved how the author allowed it throughout the whole book. I loved that the man never doubted her innocence for a second. Though I wonder how real this would be in real life, I loved just the same! Susan Page Davis' LIS books are some of my favorites!
Not only did the suspense kept me guessing on "who done it," but the romance kept me interested. I loved how the author allowed it throughout the whole book. I loved that the man never doubted her innocence for a second. Though I wonder how real this would be in real life, I loved just the same! Susan Page Davis' LIS books are some of my favorites!
July 26, 2008
WOW, this is a phenominal author! wish she'd write longer novels!! this is the 2nd of her's i've read this wk/. i'm going to try and track down more of them. this one so far is my favorite, as there were actually 2 different mystery plots going on, but you don't always realize it. which keeps you on your toes trying to deduce what facts go w/ which mystery, or if they're combined, or ...
again, WOW!!!
again, WOW!!!
November 7, 2019
Very good story. It's one of those stories that frustrate me because all the cops have is circumstantial evidence and they jump to a conclusion and then don't go any farther. It's like Perry Mason used to be. He'd dig and dig until he found the truth - the cops were happy with the surface information. But in this story our heroine has a cop for a hero and he is able to help her ferret out the truth.
This is a clean read.
This is a clean read.
April 4, 2008
This is another suspenseful story by Susan Page Davis. The main character is accused of murdering her husband, and she has just about given up hope of proving her innocence. The ending was a surprise to me.
April 14, 2017
This was more a mystery than a suspense, since there was hardly any suspense. The ending surprised me, so that was good. However, this book seemed too unrealistic .
July 4, 2018
Suspense Suspense
Susan Page Davis brings us another page turned with nail biting,stay up til dawn suspense.
I loved the fantastic storyline and the varied cast of characters.
This book is recommended for those that love Inspirational romantic suspense.
Susan Page Davis brings us another page turned with nail biting,stay up til dawn suspense.
I loved the fantastic storyline and the varied cast of characters.
This book is recommended for those that love Inspirational romantic suspense.
November 23, 2018
Great characters
It was wonderful to read a story with characters of strong integrity. I especially appreciated how Laurel stood strong in belief of her murdered husband's Godly character. Dan's belief in her and his encouragement to trust God was very uplifting.
It was wonderful to read a story with characters of strong integrity. I especially appreciated how Laurel stood strong in belief of her murdered husband's Godly character. Dan's belief in her and his encouragement to trust God was very uplifting.
November 23, 2019
AMAZING!!!!!!
Another amazing book by an amazing author. Wow!!!!! What a story. Laurel went through alot. But God sustained her through it all and blessed her at the end with a beautiful ending.
Another amazing book by an amazing author. Wow!!!!! What a story. Laurel went through alot. But God sustained her through it all and blessed her at the end with a beautiful ending.
March 11, 2009
this was an amazing book of love, suspense, and thoughtfulness. i loved the way Susan Davis managed to glue everything in place!
January 21, 2024
JUST CAUSE by Susan Page Davis is part of the Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense series. It’s the fabulously written, edge of your seat suspense, can’t put down story of Laurel Wilson Hatcher, a suspect in her husband’s murder, and police officer Dan Ryan, who despite all the “facts” - believes in her and her innocence. Now all they have to do is prove it before someone stops them – one way or the other!
Laurel was happily married to Robert living the life most only dream of. The only distraction from her happily ever after was her in-laws, who made it quite clear from the beginning that they didn’t approve of her. Robert being a Christian man, had often went against his parent’s ethics in their business ventures, which threw up lots of obstacles as well. When Laurel knew something was bothering him, but refused to talk to her about it, she had asked their pastor to speak to him. Before that conversation could take place, Laurel came home from shopping to found Robert murdered in their living room. Finding no other evidence of anyone else being in the home, the police eventually charged Laurel with murder. Refused bond, she had to stay in jail well over a year until the trial, where she was accosted by her cellmate demanding favors. The trial ended in a mistrial because of a deadlocked jury. With another trial in her future, but having been let out on bond this time, she needed to find a job to support herself since her in-laws had taken or sold everything she owned, including her home. Unable to find a job in Maine due to all the publicity, the judge had allowed her to move to Ohio, with lots of provisions - find a job, an apartment and make scheduled appoint calls to the officer over her case. Maybe it would give her attorney time to find more evidence in her case. When she found a man breaking into her car as she was leaving from a job interview, she feared “they” had found her to take her back to prison. Ryan, a part time, night shift security guard at the same place, had ran to her assistance even though the criminal had already run off.
Ryan wasn’t looking for any female companionships. He’s recent venture in that area had left him severely heart broken. He knows that if he ever does start looking again, that they will have to have the same Christian values that he has. However, there was something that immediately drew him to this woman in distress one evening on his night watchman job. Maybe part of it was in the mystery of her, but it was her eyes that drew him in. Beyond the fear and desperation in them, it was like he could see deep inside her to see the goodness that laid there.
Laurel fears that her past is catching up with her when the attacks on her privacy keep coming. Are the two home invasions connected? What will Ryan think of her once the truth of her past is revealed? Will he abandon her like everyone else has? How will Laurel react when she finds out Ryan is police officer in his day job? Can Ryan figure out what’s going on in order to keep Laurel safe after the attacks seem to be escalating to wanting one or both of them dead? Knowing his past with women and finding out about all of it, can he stay objective as a police officer and still be able to help Laurel? What is that they think she has? Where is it and why does it hold such power? Is what they want what cause her husband’s murder? Laurel can’t believe that he was ever tangled up with anything illegal. Will helping bring danger to the ones extending a hand of kindness to Laurel? How are they finding them after each move as cautious as they have been? With a new trial date, they have to find the answers – and quickly.
JUST CAUSE is a spellbinding book full of mystery, suspense, danger, intrigue and sweet romance all wrapped in a wonderful thread of faith. Susan Page Davis has the reader pulling for Laurel and Ryan as they maneuver through the trials and tribulations trying to find the answers to all their questions and evidence to set Laurel free for good. You can’t help but feel the connection between Laurel and Ryan and hope they can find their happily ever after. JUST CAUSE is most definitely a can’t put down, FIVE STAR book that I can highly recommend to anyone that loves a great suspense filled, sweet romance, and clean Christian read!
I receive a copy of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#JustCause #SusanPageDavis #LoveInspiredSuspense #InspirationalRomance #CantPutDownBook #mustread
Laurel was happily married to Robert living the life most only dream of. The only distraction from her happily ever after was her in-laws, who made it quite clear from the beginning that they didn’t approve of her. Robert being a Christian man, had often went against his parent’s ethics in their business ventures, which threw up lots of obstacles as well. When Laurel knew something was bothering him, but refused to talk to her about it, she had asked their pastor to speak to him. Before that conversation could take place, Laurel came home from shopping to found Robert murdered in their living room. Finding no other evidence of anyone else being in the home, the police eventually charged Laurel with murder. Refused bond, she had to stay in jail well over a year until the trial, where she was accosted by her cellmate demanding favors. The trial ended in a mistrial because of a deadlocked jury. With another trial in her future, but having been let out on bond this time, she needed to find a job to support herself since her in-laws had taken or sold everything she owned, including her home. Unable to find a job in Maine due to all the publicity, the judge had allowed her to move to Ohio, with lots of provisions - find a job, an apartment and make scheduled appoint calls to the officer over her case. Maybe it would give her attorney time to find more evidence in her case. When she found a man breaking into her car as she was leaving from a job interview, she feared “they” had found her to take her back to prison. Ryan, a part time, night shift security guard at the same place, had ran to her assistance even though the criminal had already run off.
Ryan wasn’t looking for any female companionships. He’s recent venture in that area had left him severely heart broken. He knows that if he ever does start looking again, that they will have to have the same Christian values that he has. However, there was something that immediately drew him to this woman in distress one evening on his night watchman job. Maybe part of it was in the mystery of her, but it was her eyes that drew him in. Beyond the fear and desperation in them, it was like he could see deep inside her to see the goodness that laid there.
Laurel fears that her past is catching up with her when the attacks on her privacy keep coming. Are the two home invasions connected? What will Ryan think of her once the truth of her past is revealed? Will he abandon her like everyone else has? How will Laurel react when she finds out Ryan is police officer in his day job? Can Ryan figure out what’s going on in order to keep Laurel safe after the attacks seem to be escalating to wanting one or both of them dead? Knowing his past with women and finding out about all of it, can he stay objective as a police officer and still be able to help Laurel? What is that they think she has? Where is it and why does it hold such power? Is what they want what cause her husband’s murder? Laurel can’t believe that he was ever tangled up with anything illegal. Will helping bring danger to the ones extending a hand of kindness to Laurel? How are they finding them after each move as cautious as they have been? With a new trial date, they have to find the answers – and quickly.
JUST CAUSE is a spellbinding book full of mystery, suspense, danger, intrigue and sweet romance all wrapped in a wonderful thread of faith. Susan Page Davis has the reader pulling for Laurel and Ryan as they maneuver through the trials and tribulations trying to find the answers to all their questions and evidence to set Laurel free for good. You can’t help but feel the connection between Laurel and Ryan and hope they can find their happily ever after. JUST CAUSE is most definitely a can’t put down, FIVE STAR book that I can highly recommend to anyone that loves a great suspense filled, sweet romance, and clean Christian read!
I receive a copy of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#JustCause #SusanPageDavis #LoveInspiredSuspense #InspirationalRomance #CantPutDownBook #mustread
July 2, 2020
This one was a tricky one to assign a star rating.
I like romantic suspense a lot. There were threats and danger. I liked the characters although I kept thinking any parent or friend would be worried about Dan falling in love with a woman charged with murder. However this felt a little more like a cozy mystery than true suspense.
There were some things procedurally that I don’t think would have happened. I don’t think there would have been the need for Tina’s testimony, for example. The prosecutor would have dropped the charges prior to assembling everyone again. Additionally, the defending attorney would not have been in the dark about any new information being used by the prosecutor for the new trial.
I like romantic suspense a lot. There were threats and danger. I liked the characters although I kept thinking any parent or friend would be worried about Dan falling in love with a woman charged with murder. However this felt a little more like a cozy mystery than true suspense.
There were some things procedurally that I don’t think would have happened. I don’t think there would have been the need for Tina’s testimony, for example. The prosecutor would have dropped the charges prior to assembling everyone again. Additionally, the defending attorney would not have been in the dark about any new information being used by the prosecutor for the new trial.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2026
Just cause
Laurel is in jail awaiting trial for murdering her husband. A hung jury gave Laurel a reprieve until a new trial was set. She moves far away to wait. Leaving work one night she finds someone breaking into her car. The security guard runs over and is immediately taken with Laurel. He becomes her protector and her private investigator. I was wrong in my guess about the guilty party. I figured all along it was the evil mother-in-law. In my head I rewrote that part of the book. Susan Page Davis always does a great job with mystery and suspense.I
Laurel is in jail awaiting trial for murdering her husband. A hung jury gave Laurel a reprieve until a new trial was set. She moves far away to wait. Leaving work one night she finds someone breaking into her car. The security guard runs over and is immediately taken with Laurel. He becomes her protector and her private investigator. I was wrong in my guess about the guilty party. I figured all along it was the evil mother-in-law. In my head I rewrote that part of the book. Susan Page Davis always does a great job with mystery and suspense.I
January 5, 2026
Suspense, Mystery, and a Twist at the End!
I bought this book because I like other books by this author, and this book was just as enjoyable as the others! It is filled with an intriguing, suspenseful plot, and cloaked with unsolved mystery. I cannot even imagine being falsely accused and being made to suffer, imprisoned for it! Well written and great characters, whom I hope to read more about them in another book.
I bought this book because I like other books by this author, and this book was just as enjoyable as the others! It is filled with an intriguing, suspenseful plot, and cloaked with unsolved mystery. I cannot even imagine being falsely accused and being made to suffer, imprisoned for it! Well written and great characters, whom I hope to read more about them in another book.
January 5, 2026
This book explores the complicated premise that a person is innocent of a crime that almost everyone believes she committed, yet she didn't. She is convicted for it and spends some time in jail, then has to deal with the fact that in her hometown she is basically retried daily as she tries to move on with her life. The author also explores how meaningful it is to have people in your life who believe in you and will fight for you.
I enjoyed the book.
I enjoyed the book.
August 17, 2024
just cause
It was a mystery to the very end of who committed the murder. It was Christened based which I liked. It held hurt, frustration, turmoil … hope for love and a new life to begin once again. The plot was most interesting and I’m sure this “plot” occurs daily … greed and the love of money!
It was a mystery to the very end of who committed the murder. It was Christened based which I liked. It held hurt, frustration, turmoil … hope for love and a new life to begin once again. The plot was most interesting and I’m sure this “plot” occurs daily … greed and the love of money!
July 20, 2024
Great plot…Great writing.
I Especially love her mystery/romance stories. The message of Christ is in each story. They are believable. I recommended them to my daughter and to anyone who enjoys good clean, Christian fiction.
I Especially love her mystery/romance stories. The message of Christ is in each story. They are believable. I recommended them to my daughter and to anyone who enjoys good clean, Christian fiction.
May 3, 2024
another good mystery from Susan Page Davis
Engaging story line. This was good but I liked the authors other books better. Looking forward to more mysteries from Susan
Engaging story line. This was good but I liked the authors other books better. Looking forward to more mysteries from Susan
June 17, 2011
Wasn't a big fan of this one. It seems that it was written for extremely conservative Christians that involved too pure of a romance that it didn't even seem realistic, and way too much crying. I couldn't buy into it. No woman cries that much!
September 11, 2015
3.5, not as good as her other books
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews