Devil’s in the Details

by Sydney Gibson

Victoria Bancroft is a decorated war hero now teaching naval history and leading a simple solitary life in the suburbs, at least by outwards appearances. In truth her military professorship is a front setup to provide the anonymity necessary to work as a paid assassin for Voltaire, a deep undercover government agency. Paid to eliminate undesirable targets across the globe as inconspicuously as possible, Victoria is considered one of the Voltaire’s best assets. Meticulous and driven, Victoria is always sure not to draw attention to herself, that is until one fateful night on a metro station when Victoria feels compelled to intervene as she witnesses the brutal attack on the woman with remarkable eyes and haunting beauty. Dispatching her attackers with deadly accuracy, she drops the woman off at the nearest hospital with no intentions of ever seeing her again. Brutally assaulted on a metro station, ER Nurse Alexandra Ivers barely escapes with her life thanks to the decisive actions of a complete stranger. Through her slow and painful recovery, Alex feels compelled to search out and thank the woman who saved her. With little to go on, Alex slowly pieces the puzzle together that leads her to Victoria Bancroft, a mysterious Good Samaritan. That is until Alex walks into Victoria’s office months later and changes everything. Slowly the women develop a friendship that quickly transforms into simmering attraction. Determined to protect Alex from the truth of who she is, Victoria tries unsuccessfully to push her away, only to find that their desire for each other overrides every obstacle she puts into place. Surrendering her heart and soul to Alex, Victoria is faced with having to decide how much of her dual life she can reveal to Alex without losing her. As Voltaire draws a noose around them, Victoria must fight to keep the love of her life safe whilst finding a way out of Voltaire. Caught in the cross fire, Alex must decide whether she can reconcile her feelings for the woman she loves and who she really is, whilst running from an organization determined to eradicate them both. Even if they survive the odds, can they survive the collateral damage to their relationship or lose everything? Devil’s in the Details is the second exciting novel by Sydney Gibson. Her first novel, Redemptio Animae, was heralded as an action pack love story that left many breathless and wanting more. Sydney returns to that same formula, offering intrigue, suspense, romance and a page turning story.

Genres: LGBT, Lesbian, Romance, Crime, Lesbian Romance, Thriller, Military Fiction

441 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2016

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series! will definitely reread,its well written..a fascinating story and something that will keep everyone's interest from the first page all the way to the last..highly recommend to all..worth the 5 stars!

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fookin’ A! This long ass read has great spy-action, drama, sexy romance, and thrilling shit. No doubt it has its faults but I’m a sucka for any swoon-worthy female badass who kicks the shit out of ppl. It's dangerous love told epically.

So, from now on…I see a book written by Sydney Gibson, I read it. Simple.

4.5 sterren rounded up like a boss.

[Netgyrl (Laura) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars - I liked it but.....

So yes, I did like it. And 3 might be a bit of a low rating, but I am fresh off reading it and a bit annoyed. I think it's an interesting tale and I will read the next one because the story and characters are really good

the good: The story is solid. Both characters are likable. The action portions were exciting. I was invested 100% in their romance and the surrounding story as well.

the bad: oh my lord this book is way too wordy. there is no single thought these two ladies have that you will not be privy to. the good part of that is you completely understand their feelings for each other, the bad part, at least for me, is I started skimming to get to the next bit of dialog that would move the story along. someone would say something, then there would be 3 paragraphs of inner monologue then the next bit of dialog. it was way too much for me. and it got boring. I was invested in the story so I skimmed a bunch so I could get to the ending.

for a "broken" person, Victoria seems way too normal. to me, the author did not have her acting the way I would think a person that had been through what she had been through and living the life she was living would act or behave. Victoria was kind, thoughtful, loving, generous.. on and on. Very far removed from the cold-blooded killer she supposedly was. with all the time we spend in her head she just comes off as very normal with normal thought processes and such. do I care that much? not really but it did bug me a bit.

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

It hooked me

I really got hooked right away. I’m not sure about the ending and if I liked it. I will try the next book to see if it was worth my mixed emotions.

[Endlesscribbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read
But I shouldn't have read it right after I read Redemptio Animae.
For me the books are to/so similar in just about every way.
I am not that impressed by the fact that both books will require to have sequels for both stories to find an ending. But I hope those sequels are coming soon!

Rating: 3.5

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I've said before, I'm no writer and that makes it difficult for me to do this book justice in a review. I will say that I loved this book so very much. It's one of those books that makes you put the rest of your life on hold until you finish it. And you're at work thinking, "when can I finish that book?" I must admit I'm a touch depressed that the book is over. Seriously, it's a little ridiculous.
It's a love story that unfolds in the most unlikely way and I enjoyed every page (well almost every page). You'll see what I mean if you read the book. READ IT!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why can't all books that are having a second one release inform you of that :(?, I got to end was like this can't be happening. I was so engrossed and couldn't read this one fast enough due to having a life and wanting to just tell everyone I cancel my plans. I want to see what happens next with Victoria and Alex and see how Victoria is going to react once comes face to face with the Colonel, Voltaire rogues and whomever is after Alex.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, but the book sort of lost my attention for the third quarter. And what's worse, since I was slogging through that bit, it really highlighted all the little grammatical errors. I highly enjoyed the first half and the finish was ok. It was a long book so I think some simple editing could have helped the slow parts keep moving. I will give other books by this author a chance though.

[Shaunette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly...

There hasn't been a book that has made me cry and irritated when I don't get the chance to read it when I want to. This is the second book I've read by this author and they're slowing becoming a favourite! I would highly recommend this book despite the numerous grammatical errors the story felt...real. And I loved that the most.

[Sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story in this very long book kept me reading to the end, but please, PLEASE get an editor. I came very close to throwing in the towel several times, but I really wanted to know what happened. That speaks pretty highly of the story (3 stars worth) since I nearly pulled my hair out with all of the grammatical errors, missing words, extra words, incorrect words, etc. A proofreader would be better than nothing, but a good editor could shape this into a really good book.

[Fae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very long journey full of emotional rollercoaster rides that I was debating whether to get off or else it'll crash with my face fell flat on the railing. Hell, their love is the only truth in their relationship. The author did such a great job in expressing the character's emotions and developments. That alone is enough to gain this book a high rating.
I actually related more to Alex throughout the whole things more than Victoria, and I cringed so hard everytime another lie makes it way into their relationship. I felt sorry for what the characters going through, especially Victoria. Still, I find it hard to believe that even after Alex begged for no more lies and only full honesty of everything from now on, that request only being fulfilled right at the very last sentence of this whole damn book. While I understand sometimes you just gotta lie to protect the one you love. However, one shouldn't assume that their partner can't take the truth. Well, in a way, Alex can't take some of the truths, but she forgives in the end isn't she? I felt so good when Victoria received her slap. I think that is the author's way of saying "oh yeah, she totally deserved it, and now reader can forgive her for all the lies"
I just wish the ending could be a little more concluded with the whole colonel business and what they going to do now for their future. The story definitely missing an epilogue. I wanted some kind of a closure to the storyline instead of "Eh, that's it? What will happen now?".

[MizLiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a long book. Well written, a few misspellings and wrong word quite instead of quiet.... am on the edge of wanting to finish and hoping it keeps going. Ex-Military, plus Nurse, the secrets that cannot be shared yet the red flags are waving. I have to take a break every so often to come up for air.

[MEC · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A very loooooooong read. I may not have been in the right frame of mind to settle in and read a longer than average lesfic novel, but I do think things could have been tightened up with less introspection from the main characters. There were things I liked - the premise of Victoria as a former Naval Intelligence Officer turned Professor who has been pushed into the role of a reluctant assassin had lots going for it but I kept getting bogged down with the back and forth and everyday minutiae between the two main characters.

[Jav Elin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, excellent story, pacing, dialogue... was hoping for a sequel, bit I think it's been like eight years since this book came out, so not that hopeful. Yes, needed another edit, but it didn't really detract from the story. Happy to volunteer as a beta reader for the sequel ::hint::

[Elsa Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply one of the best written books. Anxious for the second.

[Ginger Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but painful z

Great characters but not so great choices. This book was difficult to read. Graphic details of violence that became overkill after the first couple of times. Too many unnecessary details made for a slow and sometimes boring read. The ending was painful. Victoria blew it big time. I am not sure what the author intended readers to feel but all I felt was the agony Alex was left in. Perhaps a sequel will help but I doubt it. Victoria and her killing rampage was more important to her then Alex. She turned into a machine without a second thought for the woman she professed to love. Leaving Alex everything in her will did not prove her love. It merely proved killing and revenge was more important. I will read the sequel,if there is one, but it will have to be pretty darn good for me to forgive Victoria and her cohorts that tore Alex to shreds from the inside out. I hope Alex doesn't let her get away with another "I had to protect you" excuse. Victoria, Dani, and a couple of others need to step in Alex's shoes for awhile. Feel her version of hell and realize exactly what they did to the poor girl. Will Alex have trust issues now? If she doesn't then something is wrong. Yeah I want a sequel just so Alex can show Victoria that all is not forgiven and let Victoria feel the complete abandonment that Alex felt. I guess I really did like this book for it to make this emotional over a couple of fictional characters. I want Victoria and Alex to carry on but I want Victoria to have to earn Alex back instead of the "I did it for you crap". Yeah I hated the last two chapters.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gibson rules again...

So another 1am found me finishing another Gibson novel........just why does Gibson have to write such great novels. I just could not put down. The suspense, the mystery, the excitement wow! This novel was just fascinating. Gibson you are a talented author. I would recommend this novel for a great read.
There was such depth to the characters, such mystery that even in the last few pages of the novel you are finding new things out. But Gibson I think I am in love again.....with your novels please write another.

[Lynnae Inama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

This is the second book I have read from this author and I must say that she is good. I really enjoyed this book. The characters have flaws but are very likable while the story keeps you wanting to know more. I didn't want to put it down. Do yourself a favor and get this book.

[Bib · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and engrossed in the book. However, I couldn't buy in the part on human killing machines. Overall, this is above average read, intense full of angst. I'll read other works by the author.

[Z · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book need an editor badly
ebook formatting is pure crap
just couldn't finish reading

[Sascha Broich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it seems the author found her way after the first pages and besides being sometimes lengthy delivered a good story.

[veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This is my first time I read a book from this author in a loved waiting on the next book 💖

[Kay Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommend this author.I am not sure why I chose this book first. Perhaps it was the first one I came to. A lot of questions but no answers emerged from within the pages. Was the meeting in the subway arranged by someone behind the scenes,moving the main characters like pieces on a chessboard? Can one person truly kill that many people without a shiver of emotion for money that she cares little about? Why did Alex tolerate her lies? Was Victoria truly such a coward that she tried to blame Alex for not confronting her with truth sooner? Wasn't there an easier way for Victoria to disappear without Alex having to see it? Could her plane not have crashed?Revenge fueled Victoria and it was obvious at the end when she admitted that four years flew by for her while Alex suffered unbearably.Only saw a couple of pictures of her over those years? No love there. Complaining bitterly to my friend that this book stops and there is no ending she tells me there will be a second book. Alas there has not able which is impossible to understand when the author left so very many questions unanswered. Alex's father. Victoria and her missing family. Who is behind the scenes pulling their strings? Last but not least, Victoria's need for revenge meant more to her then Alex. A pure psycho, no doubt about it.Alex was wonderful. Easily the best one in the book and deserved better. Writer's block huh? How is that even possible for a writer who left so very many empty pages and open-ended questions? I believe I will skip her other books.Afraid of more of the same.The fans of this writer deserved better.

[Ginger Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Years,huh?

Lies,lies,and more lies. Victoria is one great big lie. Completely incapable of telling the truth even when it would serve her better. Alex buried her head in the sand until the truth all but slaps her in the face.I wanted to like Victoria but found it all but impossible as one lie after another Kelly coming and finally ended with the ultimate betrayal. She saw a picture once or twice over four years and then never really thought of Alex again until she shows up. Suddenly the reader has to hear how difficult Victoria's life has been without Alex. Oh! But the killing was nice. And there is,of course, more to come. As for Alex? Well...Better off without Victoria and the lies i am certain she simply cannot give up. Should have shot her instead of slapped her. Alex was the only truly likeable charactein this book. Victoria was just a nightmare of lies and half truths. Never felt like she really loved Alex. There was no way she could have done that to her if she did and then ignore her for four years. A sequel? Not sure it will help as Victoria and Dani were two of the most cruel and twisted chats i have ever read about. Their cruelty seemed to possess no limits. Alex was great. Her heartbreak real , the way a real person would feel. Forgiveness? How in the hell could Alex ever forgive the very people who destroyed her life.Victoria had many chances to tell Alex the truth and ran like the corward she was. "They were going to kill you. I had to protect you". No. She had to get her revenge. Much more important them the woman she claimed to love.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dramatic opening to the book as Victoria comes to the aid of Alex and makes Jason Bourne look soft. This becomes a problem for Victoria, as a government assassin the last thing she should be considering is a romantic relationship. What follows is a really interesting cross between a thriller and a slow build up romance.

I thought the majority of the story was great and I loved the three main characters, Alex, Victoria and Dani. The romantic relationship was slow to develop and at times it seemed like the author was going over the same ground, but it was still an interesting read.

Where the story started to go awry for me was in the last fifty or so pages, the author obviously wanted the ‘messy’ ending, but I found it muddled and frankly irritating. After finishing the book I really couldn’t decide what rating to give. Up to the last section I may have given five stars, but finally decided on three. Part of the problem is that the author promises a second book to answer all the questions, but it has now been three years since this was published without a follow up book.

Writing books isn’t easy and I don’t wish to criticise an author for the time it takes to write the next book, but if it is going to be a long time please don’t finish the first book with a cliff-hanger ending.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Incredible!!!

“There was something brewing between us, something mutual and something that was beginning to scare me about the way it felt. Scared me how much I liked the way it felt.”

“The way my heart pounded when Alex was near, told me the stupid decision I made that night to save her was the best one I had made in a very long time.
Now, I only hoped it wouldn't cost me everything I had.”

“I wished the mystery hanging over her like a dark thunderstorm cloud would just piss off and let me live in the bliss with her. But I knew it wasn't going to be possible, I was too smart to let myself be that stupid.”

“I'm a killer for hire and I am one of the best, because I lack the humanity to falter when the time comes.”
• ~ • ~ • ~ •

…Can't even fathom the words that can even begin to explain my emotions & feelings… IJS— I SO LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!

It made me smile, made me cry, made me angry & made me cheer, broke my heart, pissed me off & gave me hope riding this emotional rollercoaster from the first word to the last in this story about finding, forging & fighting for the redemption & resilience, strength & security, promise & peace of true love!

Wonderfully written, wonderfully developed, wonderfully told, wonderfully enjoyed!!!

[CassTrusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed thoughts

**Possible Spoilers**



The ending feels both drawn out and rushed. I found the plot interesting, but the things said a bit questionable.

For one, Alex said multiple times she’d love her no matter what, that whatever it was she’d be willing to listen and yada yada, but then when she hears the truth, something she’s clearly suspected throughout the story, she suddenly can’t accept it. The weird thing is that is isn’t the whole assassin job thing that bothers her, but the fact that she killed the junkies, something that early on she seemed to find justified. She also acted shocked when she found out, like she never suspected, but clearly she did early on. That just doesn’t add up.

Victoria being an apathetic killer seems crazy since she so clearly acts on rage, the secondary emotion. I mean I get that maybe that’s what she told or tells herself so she doesn’t look to deep into how she feels, but she clearly isn’t an emotionless killer.

Dani was a super confusing character. At the start she’s talked about like she’s nothing, then she’s talked about as an old friend, then now a best friend. The whole relationship between them isn’t murky, but how it’s described isn’t in line with the actions we see between the two characters.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished the paperback copy.
A rollercoaster read with intrigue, murder and a slow burn romance. The main characters Alex (nurse) and Victoria (naval officer/assassin) so thoroughly dragged me into the plot I literally couldn't put the book down. Dani is an ably written supporting character. The author gives us a complicated, flawed woman in Victoria and a perfect foil (all be it nosey) in Alex. I particularly liked the slow build to the romance although some reviewers didn't appreciate that. While the ending seemed somewhat ragged, my longing for a happy ending was satisfied and my imagination and heart hooked and wanting more. In my humble opinion, Ms. Gibson has followed up Redemptio Animae with another hit. Setting aside editing flaws, I strongly recommend this book with 5 stars.

[Parks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay well! As what was said by the others, it’s very similar to Redemptio Animae. Especially that point where one is in a fake death for an extended period of time, leaving their lover changed from the loss and grief. Personally all I kept thinking throughout reading was “How has she STILL not told her?”

Furthermore, I didn’t really like the long-winded explanations at the end because it all kept word vomiting out and to that effect, made the narrative very “tell” rather than “show”.

I really like the plotlines but their execution could have been done better. Overall, quite a read!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second time reading and I still love it. It was a really long read but spreading it across the week made it manageable.
It brings you along on a ride as Victoria and Alex find their places in each other's life. The ending felt a little out of place but that might have just been me wanting more of their story.