A police detective will do anything to protect a little girl who may have witnessed a murder in this suspenseful romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Laura Scott, part of the Callahan Confidential series.Determined to question the ex-wife of a murder suspect, homicide detective Miles Callahan arrives just in time to save her and her daughter from a shooter. Leaving the scene of a crime goes against his training, but protecting Paige Olson and the little girl is more important than following the rules. But now, on the run with mother and child, Miles must figure out what happened to Paige’s ex-husband…and why young Abby won’t say a word. Her usually talkative child’s silence has Paige worried. Is it possible she witnessed something while video chatting with her dad? If only they can convince the little girl to talk, then they might just break the case wide open…and stop the killer who’s stalking them at every turn.Experience more action-packed mystery and suspense in the rest of the Callahan Confidential series by Laura His Christmas WitnessThe Only WitnessChristmas AmnesiaShattered LullabyPrimary SuspectProtecting His Secret SonFrom Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.
I enjoyed the constant, deadly, fierce action that kept detective Miles Callahan on the run with Paige Olson and her little daughter Abby. This story just mesmerized my mind and the attacks that just kept coming at them, no matter how well they hid from the culprits chasing them, left me breathless and made it impossible to even think about putting the book down until the case was closed. The characters are stellar in the story. Miles with his protectiveness and take charge attitude kept Paige and Abby physically safe, and with his kindness and tender caring made them feel secure as well. He won even Abby over, no matter of the trauma she had suffered, the connection between the little girl and Miles was endearing. Paige is a strong woman, she has learned to survive on her own, relying only on God's guidance and providence, but Miles gets through her shields and walls with his honesty, sincerity, and willingness to share his hurts from the past and the struggles with his faith in God. I loved that they prayed together, often and genuinely asking for God's protection as they run for their lives. The charming Callahan family, with their willingness to help and support the others, has won me over. The interactions between the siblings are delightful, and I am curious to find out about the destiny of the other family members. Laura Scott writes amazing suspense and action filled stories, where the characters battle not only with the criminals but with their future and their faith in God. The characters are solid and alluring, the romance is believable and sweet. Her books are a great balance between amiable and gloomy, and never had let me down with the intensity of the crimes and action or the tenderness of the courtship. Yes, I am enthralled! ~ Five Spoons
This is the second in Laura Scott's Callahan Confidential series, a book I had looked forward to reading. Unfortunately, I found the plot and characters reminded me too much of the first book in the series. It was as if the same events were occurring in both books. If I hadn't read the first book in the series, I wouldn't have known, but I did. I hope the plots in the rest of the series will be fresher.
Paige's five year old daughter was video chatting with her dad when she saw something that really scared her. Miles Callahan is investigating the death of his college classmate who worked with Paige's ex husband. As he pulls up to Paige's house he see someone lurking around the house. He makes his way into the house and get Paige and Abby out just in the nick of time. Miles had lost his faith and his desire to have a long term relationship when his college sweetheart died of cancer. But God had other plans. Even though they were dodging bullets and hiding from the bad guys, Paige never lost her faith and in doing so showed Miles that God has a plan for everything. This book has murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, car chases, and finally love and for Miles a return to his faith. Cannot wait for the next Callahan book.
This is book two in the Callahan Confidential series, even though it is a stand alone book, book one is great too (Shielding His Christmas Witness). Each book focuses on a family member in the Callahan family, you don't have to read book one to understand anything from book two, but those in book one are in book two as well. I look forward to reading more from this exciting, loving family.
Paige Olson and her young daughter Abby are on the run from the get go. This book opens in a very exciting way and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. Paige wants what is best for her daughter Abby, yet is also so worried about her safety physically, mentally and emotionally. When the handsome detective Miles Callahan comes to the rescue will he be able to keep them safe or is she just endangering them all?
Miles Callahan is trying to solve the homicide of his college friend. When shots are fired he is in the middle of a whirlwind. Can he keep Paige and her daughter safe and find who killed is friend? Paige and Abby stir feelings in Miles that he thought were long buried.
This book is full of mystery, suspense, romance and more. I can't wait to read more from the Callahan family.
Miles is working on questioning a friends ex-wife when shots are fired and he's now working on making sure that the ex-wife and her child are safe. Now on the run, Miles will help protect Paige and her child and find out whats really going on that they are being hunted down at every turn.
My favorite part about this book is the constant drama and twist that kept me wanting more. I loved that there was a bit of connection between Paige and Miles but it wasn't where it over powers the book. This book had plenty of faith going on so if you are looking for a clean christian kind of book that has mystery and suspense your going to want to pick this book up. I loved that there was constantly something going on to keep me as a reader hooked.
This is book two to the Callahan Confidential series and I look forward to seeing more.
This was actually extremely similar to the first in the Callahan Confidential series (Shielding His Christmas Witness)--so much so, that I got the 2 storylines confused at times. I hope #3 ends up being a little different.
I found this book to be as enjoyable, exciting, and engaging as the first in the series. Like the first, poor theology docked the rating for me (honestly, I would far rather see no mention of spirituality than universalism being presented as Christianity). The fact that it was SO similar to the first volume in the series also made it a little less exciting. Still an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to #3 (which I'm hoping will feature Mike!)
The Only Witness starts off very good and I liked the characters. I wasn't a huge fan of the mystery, but I can't really explain why.
I liked the romance and I also liked how the child played a key role in the story...although I did feel bad for her and what she witnessed. The way they comforted her while still trying to find out what she saw, was nice.
All in all, a good book. I enjoyed it and recommend it if you like LIS books.
*I received a complimentary eBook copy for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
'Paige ripped off her glasses, letting them fall to the carpeted floor...'
No. I've worn glasses for 25 years of my life, and I have never once ripped off my glasses and dropped them on the floor.
Also, they're in love in 4 whole days.
And they keep being surprised by things they're expecting. Like the cop is thinking maybe his murdered friend sent him something for safekeeping, and then 'his jaw dropped in surprise...' Why? You specifically went to the post office thinking your buddy might've mailed you something, and now you're shocked something's there? Stupid.
I have to congratulate Laura Scott. I dog-ear pages that have things wrong on them when I read. Some pages I dog-ear top *AND* bottom. But never before have I had to tear the page in order to dog-ear it THREE TIMES. Way to go. You've taken LI Suspense to a new low, Ms. Scott!
Paige marries a slimeball, then divorces him (which is refreshing, in a LI book, actually - mostly that's a no-no). He goes on to sleep around a lot and then get involved with business espionage, and gets dead. The book hints at Paige's 5yo daughter witnessing his death on a ChatTime app, but that's too much for LI, by far. So really, "The Only Witness" witnessed a whole lotta nothing. She didn't see a crime, can't ID a baddy... it's really stupid.
The cop hero's bestie also gets whacked (pre-story) for being involved in the business espionage thing. So he's trying to unravel what happened to his buddy, until Paige is targeted (allegedly because her daughter saw, oh hey, nothing). So the three of them are on the run. Only it's STOOOOPID to the nth, I swear it.
First, we're told they can't get a warrant to search Daddy's condo... but at this point, with him missing for days? They *CAN* do a well-check, hello. Apparently the author never heard of such a thing. I can't even.
Second, what mother IN HER RIGHT MIND let's a 5yo use apps unsupervised?!?!?! What the heck? That would be the same mother who shoves the kid in front of the TV every chance she gets, all the way thru the book. It's terrible parenting.
Meanwhile, we're supposed to believe the kid doesn't hear ANYTHING they're saying, at least until pg 198, when someone mentions a 'dolly'. (((sigh.))) They're talking about her DADDY, who she saw with a masked baddy on her tablet. Don't you think she'd be worried about Daddy enough to listen, even a *little*? Nope.
We're supposed to believe that Miles (hero) has been hung up on his college gf's death for FIFTEEN YEARS and unwilling to get involved until a 4-day sprint getting away from baddies? Seriously? No other woman has been able to reach him. Hard to buy, that one. And he did SO much with Dawn back then. Parasailing. Skydiving. Hot Air balloon. He meant to hang glide, but she died, first. WHAT IS UP WITH ALL OF IT BEING IN THE AIR?!?
The kid won't talk, because she thought her daddy told her not to tell anyone... but she's drawing pictures of it. And that's okay, according to her 5yo mind? More, she warms up to Miles in two days' time, hugging him and asking to be held by him... WHILE HER DADDY IS IN TROUBLE?! Wow, fickle kid. This is implausible.
Miles uses his burner phone to call the bad guy, and then the author repeatedly tells us he hasn't called anyone but his captain and brother on it, so HOW ON EARTH did the bad guys find them?!?! (((sigh.)))
And while we're on the topic, wouldn't it be safer to take Paige and kid to a holding cell at the precinct? Additionally, he spends all of his time relying on his non-cop brothers to help him, instead of his partner (who isn't even MENTIONED in the book), or anyone at the precinct (where they could decipher the papers, check out the chip, etc). The whole book is full of more plot holes than swiss cheese.
And the writing... more than once the author wants to 'bust this case wide open'... what are we? A 70s bad TV cop drama?
The detective is an idiot, too. His brother gives him an SUV under a fake name, they get a hotel room, and then when bad guys are scoping out the parking lot, instead of lying low (which would've worked), he freaks out and makes them all run, catching the attention of the baddies. Why? Because the author says so. LOTS of people have carseats in the back of their cars. And any detective making sure they left nothing identifying in the vehicle would've taken the carseat in with him, anyhow.
He calls Cop Krantz, she asks when she can call him again, and he says she can't - he'll be in contact. Um, HE JUST CALLED HER, SHE HAS HIS NUMBER. Apparently we're supposed to be stupid and believe she has no way to contact him. R'something?
Then we find out that the corporate espionage has no evidence and is all alleged, which makes the whole thing MORE ridiculous...
You know an author is grasping when Paige suddenly develops asthma two-thirds of the way thru the book, for plot embellishment. (((((SIGH.)))))) But we're told she's "one of the strongest women he's ever met." Based on WHAT?! She's hid in a bathtub, wheezed her way thru the woods, relied on him to save her butt at every turn, has a breakdown on page 100, has no knowledge that can help him or any inclination to pitch in with ideas of what to do... HOW is she strong, again?!
Because reasons, they don't even ASK the kid what she saw on the phone until halfway thru the book. KIND OF important, but even at that, they don't ask if 1) daddy was hurt, 2) daddy told her anything important... just ridiculous questioning when they DO bother.
There are better books. MUCH better books. Like... pretty much any other suspense book (so long as it's not Love, Inspired... because Davids' "Speed Trap" is the only LI Suspense I haven't wanted to feed to the goats.
The focus was more on the characters than the mystery, and I do like a good clue-driven mystery. After the first intro, I felt like the story fell flat, and I put it aside for a couple weeks without having much urge to return and read more. Also, the big reveal was an info dump, which was a major stretch. I understand that this publisher sets strict limits on space, and I felt that space could have been used much better to build a more exciting mystery. A whole lot of words went to the repeated "oh, if she will only talk!" and "oh, she needs a counselor stat!" while they are on the run for their lives.
I will be checking out more books by this author, though. I own several and probably should have started with book one to get a better feel for the hero and his family.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy.
Paige heard her daughter Abby drop the tablet her father has given her. Then suddenly there are gunshots at her house. Miles is there trying to find information about her ex-husband just as the shots are fired. He manages to get them out of the house but the action never stops as they are found at each hiding place. With Abby no longer talking at all, they don't know what she saw. Will they be able to figure out what is going on? Will Miles be able to keep Paige and Abby safe? Read this to find out!
The pace is breakneck and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with an action and character oriented storyline that has some kissing but no steam. The characters are vibrant and kickass. The Christian values are woven into the story and not preached at you. Read these books in to if you like heart-pounding action in your Christian romances!
I was hooked from the very beginning. I found Miles to be a very complex character since he was introduced in Shielding His Christmas Witness. Being able to find out what made him tick was great. I also loved Paige and Abby. One of my favorite parts of any book I read is when the heroine of the story is a single mother. Paige is used to doing things for Abby on her own, but when hers and Abby's lives are threatened, she must rely on Detective Miles Callaghan to keep them safe. I loved how Laura Scott kept the action coming. Just when you thought they were safe, they'd be found and forced to flee. My jaw literally dropped when the killer was revealed. Usually I'm pretty good at guessing who the culprit is, but I didn't see it coming this time.
I’ve read plenty of action books over the years. I thought I had some of the plot figured out, but I was wrong. I really enjoyed the constant action that kept detective Miles Callahan on the run with Paige Olson and her little girl Abby. Miles, and Paige did everything they could in that situation to stay off the radar. They used cash, they switched cars, they even bought disposable phones. It didn’t matter, the bad guys always seemed to find them. I loved the relationship that grew between Miles, and Paige. Abby sold my heart. She saw something, and it scared her so much, she quit talking. This book was hard to put down. The action, and suspense was excellent.
I love the Callahan family. (Although it's also the name of my kids school principal, so that sometimes takes my mind off the story). This is the second book in the Callahan Confidential series. Abby witnesses something and now she won't talk. People are after her and her mom. Miles is at the right place at the right time. I like all three of these characters. They are well thought out.
Rating: 5 Content: Clean, violence Source: Netgalley - this review is based on my unbiased opinion.
I enjoyed this book's storyline. I really liked the action in this story. I really liked the Christian theme in this story. I really liked Miles's character. I really liked Paige's character. I loved ❤ Abby. I really liked the ending.
Such a wonderful story of Miles coming back to his faith in God. Page's strong faith kept her going under frightening circumstances beyond her control .The strength of love tied it altogether
Good story but dragged a bit in the middle of the story so I found myself skimming over this part. All in all Mile's and Keri's story was a good addition to the series and I'd give it 3.5 stars. On to the next Callahan sibling book!
Yet another great book. Suspense, romance and a HEA ending. The storylines always makes you care about the characters. Wholesome read with no cursing....love it!
I really enjoyed reading this Love inspired book of romance and mystery The Only Witness by Laura Scott. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read.
This had to be my Favourite book out of the Callahan Confidential series, I'm not sure why, it might be Abby or maybe it's Miles whoever it is or what ever it is I'd say this is a pretty good book.