Criminal Intent

by Laurie Breton

The police said it was an accident -- a late-night crash on a fog-drenched Mississippi highway that took the life of Robin Spinney's deputy sheriff husband, Mac.

Two years later Robin stumbles across his journal -- and the frantic final entry -- and she is certain Mac's death was no accident. Terrified, she goes to the only person she can trust with the damning evidence. In less than twenty-four hours he, too, is dead. Convinced she is in grave danger, Robin flees to Serenity, Maine, and attempts to build a new life for herself as Annie Kendall.

Davy Hunter is Serenity's reluctant temporary police chief. All he wants is to get through the next two months as quietly as possible, but Annie Kendall's arrival puts that idea on the shelf. Davy can see through the careful facade that Annie has constructed and knows that this woman is hiding something.

With a past that won't disappear, Annie must decide if she can trust Davy enough to tell him the truth, or whether to take justice into her own hands.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Laurie Breton is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic suspense and women's fiction. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her two grown children and with her two grandchildren, who are the light of her life. If you went looking, you might find her at the beach, or attending a sidewalk art festival, or walking the streets of Boston. Laurie lives in a small town in Maine with her husband and two adorable dogs named River and Jasmine.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older book that the plot was a familiar one – woman on the run with her child. What make are breaks these is the why and the characters. I thought the story was a good one and the heroine wasn’t TSTL. The hero was a very tortured one and with what they had both been through one needed the other to heal from his past demons and the other got not only a second chance at love but one that would be a good protector for her and her daughter.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two years after Robin Spinney's husband was killed she found the evidence her husband had dug up exposing a cover-up involving the chief of police and the district attorney. When a friend is killed trying to help her, Robin knows that it is time to take her daughter and get as far away as she can. After months of running, Robin decides to settle down in Serenity, Maine and change her name to Annie Kendall. While she is there, she begins a reluctant relationship with the temporary police chief, Davy Hunter, but she worries that it may just be a matter of time before she is found.

Criminal Intent is a pretty average small town romantic suspense but does include realistic dialogue that moves the story along. However, the mystery involving Robin is nothing special and the story lacks emotion. Also, the plot drags, especially in the middle where very little is mentioned about the mystery, and the protagonists have almost no interaction. In addition, character development is weak, most notably with the villains as well as with the supporting characters. Overall, Criminal Intent begins with a bang, but that energy isn't maintained throughout the book.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much unnecessary details that without all of those the book could be in half and the story would be the same. Actually skipped a lot and you wouldn't even know you've missed anything. The focus was on those details especially with the other characters and the conclusion was too abrupt. It has potential but wasn't done properly. And with all the escape and effort to find Robin, you would've thought the crime and mystery would be so big but was just meh. But overall I liked Davy and Robin/Annie.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robin is trying to save herself and her daughter by leaving her old life behind and beginning anew in Serenity, Maine. She feels an instant attraction to the local sheriff, but how will he feel when her past starts to catch up to her? I enjoyed this book - romance and intrigue - a great combination!

[Thelma Fountain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book over a couple of days. I thought the story was interesting. it kept my attention but I didn't think it knocked it out of the park. I didn't think the reason she was on the run was fully developed in the story. It was not awful but not a favorite either.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good suspense novel with an fairly good plot and some interesting characters. The plot revolves more around the romance, but I think suspense fans will also like this one.

[Lisa Brick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice read. I did think the whole cover up issue was a bit lame. I know the death of a kid is nothing to laugh at, but there could have been more to the issue than just a drunk sheriff.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, good characters, good ending.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fast paced & predictable

[Mande Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book. Had mixture of suspense, romance and humor.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! Nice story. Little mystery & romance

[Shela Feldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this twice now. The 1st was a number of Years ago. I liked the private investigator. A believable guy. Some romantic scenes.

[Janice Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

suspenseful.

[LaDonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure where I picked this one up, or how long it has been sitting around the house, but glad I picked it up for this weekend's read. I really enjoyed it. Reminded me of some of my favorite Nora Roberts reads - had that great mixture of mystery and romance that I adore when looking for a fast and perhaps a bit fluffy read. Some situations were perhaps a bit over the top and the ending a tad predictable, but I found myself invested enough in the characters to want a happy ending for all involved. I may need to track down some other titles by this author.

[Danielles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost as good as Final exit, the writing was good, but the story in this book was not so nice as Final exit.

Annie was a woman with great power, she did everything by herself, after the death of her husband.
But the flying away from the problems is not my thing, with a teenage girl as daughter!

Davy, yes, I liked him, he is great, TOP!
He is my hero!

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those "woman on the run/in hiding" books. One of my favorite plots. I felt this one was handled fairly nicely. The story held a comfortable pace and kept my wandering attention pretty good. I think it deserves the 4 stars I'm giving it.

[Geraldine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book about a brave mother who was on the run with her daughter. She did whatever it took to protect herself and her daughter from dishonest policemen.

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical cop type romance. Woman on the run type story. Kinda lame. Though I'm not really a romance person to begin with.

[Thelma · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable but A good summer read.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Laurie Breton provides a decent suspense. Ex-DEA agent Davy Hunter knows things aren't always simple

[Marci Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!!!!!!!!,

I was really surprised by this book!!!! It moved along quickly tho the plot was pretty weak!!!! I enjoyed it.

[Wendy]

I haven't read Laurie Breton books before this one. I really enjoyed it. I always love a good romance with a bit of mystery.

[Shawneebookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent and quick read. This book grabs you from the beginning

[Char · Rating 3 out of 5]

three and a half

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author for me and one of her older books and I really enjoyed it. A story that just kept drawing me into the characters. I loved Hunter and Rachel. I am going to check into some of her other books.