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Hanna Braver #1
The Lesser Sin
At What Cost, Vengeance?
Hanna Braver is a CIA sniper in the service of her country. A devout Catholic, she prays for forgiveness with every enemy life she takes. But when the judicial system acquits her sister's killer through back room dealing, she crosses the line. Seeking absolution for a sin she has yet to commit, her childhood priest denies her permission to commit premeditated murder. Furious with the priest, with God, and the Church, she ignores his counsel and sets out on a quest that will damn her Immortal Soul for all time.
Hanna Braver is a CIA sniper in the service of her country. A devout Catholic, she prays for forgiveness with every enemy life she takes. But when the judicial system acquits her sister's killer through back room dealing, she crosses the line. Seeking absolution for a sin she has yet to commit, her childhood priest denies her permission to commit premeditated murder. Furious with the priest, with God, and the Church, she ignores his counsel and sets out on a quest that will damn her Immortal Soul for all time.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2017
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
D.B. Corey
7 books29 followersDB Corey lives in the Richmond suburbs with his lovely wife Maggie, an offish Chocolate Lab named Murphy, and a sleepy American foxhound aptly named Dozer. After a rather uninspired stint in college, he signed with Uncle Sam to fly aircrew on NAVY P-3 Orion sub-hunters seeking Russian subs in The Cold War. He began his writing career in his mid-50s.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 5, 2016
Hanna Braver is a CIA sniper. Raised in a Catholic home, she's never felt that it was against God's wishes that she kill during a time of war. However, when the man who tortured and murdered her sister is acquitted because of a rookie cop's error, she leaves Afghanistan and heads for home.
Hanna is so conflicted. On one hand, she wants to kill the man who slaughtered her sister. On the other hand, it is a mortal sin should she kill for revenge.
As she makes her decision, there are three very adversaries in her life. One is a detective who understands why she's doing this, but knowing that he also has his job to do. Another is the CIA Deputy Director who has his own agenda for Hanna. And then there is God, who she feels has abandoned her as he abandoned her sister.
This is a riveting story of good vs evil ... making choices ... living with the consequences of your own actions. While there is a good amount of religious talk, this is not a 'preachy' book. The book is extremely well written.
Hanna is such a great character .... the reader understands her dilemma from the start, but in some ways you cheer her on hoping she does find some kind of peace by getting rid of the human monster who is still out there, and taking more women.
There were two areas that I, personally, did not care for. I am a girly-girl, so reading several pages of putting a car together with all those strange car parts, was a bit boring. Another place I skipped over most was the detail about guns. I don't find that interesting .... but I still could not put the book down until the very last page.
There is no cliff-hanger as such, but it definitely leaves room for a follow-up.
The Lesser Sin is a very compelling story and highly recommended.
Many thanks to the author who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Hanna is so conflicted. On one hand, she wants to kill the man who slaughtered her sister. On the other hand, it is a mortal sin should she kill for revenge.
As she makes her decision, there are three very adversaries in her life. One is a detective who understands why she's doing this, but knowing that he also has his job to do. Another is the CIA Deputy Director who has his own agenda for Hanna. And then there is God, who she feels has abandoned her as he abandoned her sister.
This is a riveting story of good vs evil ... making choices ... living with the consequences of your own actions. While there is a good amount of religious talk, this is not a 'preachy' book. The book is extremely well written.
Hanna is such a great character .... the reader understands her dilemma from the start, but in some ways you cheer her on hoping she does find some kind of peace by getting rid of the human monster who is still out there, and taking more women.
There were two areas that I, personally, did not care for. I am a girly-girl, so reading several pages of putting a car together with all those strange car parts, was a bit boring. Another place I skipped over most was the detail about guns. I don't find that interesting .... but I still could not put the book down until the very last page.
There is no cliff-hanger as such, but it definitely leaves room for a follow-up.
The Lesser Sin is a very compelling story and highly recommended.
Many thanks to the author who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
November 21, 2017
Hanna Braver is a sniper for the CIA. Although she is very religious, so has no problem killing people during a time of war. But when she returns from Afghanistan, she returns home to the torture and murder of her sister. If that wasn’t bad enough, the man that killed her sister is left free. Hanna is now torn. She has her CIA handler that has plans for her. She has her family and everything that has been thrown to the wind. And then there is God. How could he abandon her sister in her time of need? How can she kill the one that needs to die if it is against God’s word?
This is an amazing story. Hanna is a sniper and kills people for her job but it is justified since it is during a time of war. But, in a time of peace, the man that killed her sister needs to be put down and Hanna is torn with killing is against the Lord. But there is so much more happening than just this internal battle.
I really loved this book. It makes you think about the injustice of the world, vigilante justice, and how important a belief system can be for a person. There is no cliff hanger but I love how there is the possibility of more books to come.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend everyone check it out. You will not be disappointed.
I received The Lesser Sin from the author for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
This is an amazing story. Hanna is a sniper and kills people for her job but it is justified since it is during a time of war. But, in a time of peace, the man that killed her sister needs to be put down and Hanna is torn with killing is against the Lord. But there is so much more happening than just this internal battle.
I really loved this book. It makes you think about the injustice of the world, vigilante justice, and how important a belief system can be for a person. There is no cliff hanger but I love how there is the possibility of more books to come.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend everyone check it out. You will not be disappointed.
I received The Lesser Sin from the author for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
July 9, 2017
I have to admit, I love a deeply conflicted and morally ambiguous hero. One who you know you shouldn’t really root for, but can’t help yourself. D.B. Cory gives us one such hero in the form of Hanna Braver. A sniper who forged her warrior prowess in the fields of Afghanistan, only to return to a pretty screwed up world, which sees the torture and death of her sister.
“The Lesser Sin” is a complicated story and really sets itself up to be a sequel from the first half of the book. Aside from Hanna’s dogged pursuit of the man who killed her sister, you are also presented with Cole, her CIA handler who has more skeletons in his closet than one can count. We don’t know the true nature of those skeletons, but get the sense D.B is going to give us a glimpse of that in the next book.
If there is one thing I would caution you about is that there are a couple of places where I felt the police procedure end of things were a little weak. For example, there were a few places where I thought the character of Detective Finn would have acted differently in the real world. However, I will also point out that I also have a background in law enforcement, so I look at these things with a critical eye.
However, “The Lesser Sin” has the one thing that I love to see in a novel. Characters I can care about. I find myself concerned for Hanna’s safety, disliking Cole, and not being entirely sure how I feel about Sonja. I get the impression, D.B. meant for me to have mixed feeling about Sonja at the end of the book. I kind of like her, but feel like she has something up her sleeve.
“The Lesser Sin” is overall a great ride and well worth the trip. I can highly recommend it to all my readers who like a good dark thriller.
“The Lesser Sin” is a complicated story and really sets itself up to be a sequel from the first half of the book. Aside from Hanna’s dogged pursuit of the man who killed her sister, you are also presented with Cole, her CIA handler who has more skeletons in his closet than one can count. We don’t know the true nature of those skeletons, but get the sense D.B is going to give us a glimpse of that in the next book.
If there is one thing I would caution you about is that there are a couple of places where I felt the police procedure end of things were a little weak. For example, there were a few places where I thought the character of Detective Finn would have acted differently in the real world. However, I will also point out that I also have a background in law enforcement, so I look at these things with a critical eye.
However, “The Lesser Sin” has the one thing that I love to see in a novel. Characters I can care about. I find myself concerned for Hanna’s safety, disliking Cole, and not being entirely sure how I feel about Sonja. I get the impression, D.B. meant for me to have mixed feeling about Sonja at the end of the book. I kind of like her, but feel like she has something up her sleeve.
“The Lesser Sin” is overall a great ride and well worth the trip. I can highly recommend it to all my readers who like a good dark thriller.
August 8, 2018
A new female crime fighter
DB Corey writes tough and delivers an action packed story when he introduces us to Hanna Braver in The Lesser Sin. Watch out for this character driven, page turner with the possibility for a sequel.
Hanna is a refreshing crime fighting heroine. She’s a CIA sniper back from Afghanistan set on avenging her sister’s murder. Molly died a horrific death at the hands of Daemon Goode, who literally has gotten away with murder thanks to the American justice system. Braver is intent on finding Goode and making him suffer until death. She needs Intel and to get it makes a deal with an old friend. The sniper turns vigilante.
Despite her strong Catholic upbringing, she struggles with her faith after her sister’s death and the injustice of the world we live in today. She ponders about the inept judicial justice. “Too many times the evening news reported a vicious assault, or rape, or murder…or a family destroyed by a drunk driver, all offenders who were convicted of the same crimes perpetrated months or even years earlier, yet were back on the street; either with an active warrant, or on parole, or Hanna’s personal favorite- awaiting trial.” You can taste Braver’s blood lust for revenge, not only for Goode but others who have gotten away with crimes that’ll make you cringe and then cheer as Braver serves up cold justice.
Eventually, Braver comes to terms with what she’s done. Is she a killer? Can she continue this arrangement? A tragic family incident finds her leaning on her faith and belief in God again. However, justice must be served in the end… No spoilers from this reader!
Corey doesn’t disappoint, taking us on a wild ride in a classic, suped-up Chevelle with Braver behind the wheel. Buckle up and get ready…
DB Corey writes tough and delivers an action packed story when he introduces us to Hanna Braver in The Lesser Sin. Watch out for this character driven, page turner with the possibility for a sequel.
Hanna is a refreshing crime fighting heroine. She’s a CIA sniper back from Afghanistan set on avenging her sister’s murder. Molly died a horrific death at the hands of Daemon Goode, who literally has gotten away with murder thanks to the American justice system. Braver is intent on finding Goode and making him suffer until death. She needs Intel and to get it makes a deal with an old friend. The sniper turns vigilante.
Despite her strong Catholic upbringing, she struggles with her faith after her sister’s death and the injustice of the world we live in today. She ponders about the inept judicial justice. “Too many times the evening news reported a vicious assault, or rape, or murder…or a family destroyed by a drunk driver, all offenders who were convicted of the same crimes perpetrated months or even years earlier, yet were back on the street; either with an active warrant, or on parole, or Hanna’s personal favorite- awaiting trial.” You can taste Braver’s blood lust for revenge, not only for Goode but others who have gotten away with crimes that’ll make you cringe and then cheer as Braver serves up cold justice.
Eventually, Braver comes to terms with what she’s done. Is she a killer? Can she continue this arrangement? A tragic family incident finds her leaning on her faith and belief in God again. However, justice must be served in the end… No spoilers from this reader!
Corey doesn’t disappoint, taking us on a wild ride in a classic, suped-up Chevelle with Braver behind the wheel. Buckle up and get ready…
September 16, 2018
Local author. A little more gory than I would like in places, but I did enjoy the story. Would be interested in possibly reading more in the series, but am unsure about how graphic they may be.
December 6, 2016
It’s been many years since I’ve read a book that was at the same time captivating yet disturbing, violent yet compassionate. DB Corey’s. The Lesser Sin kept me up at night needing to see what was coming next, and would wake me from a nightmare about Daemon. The character development in this novel is outstanding and Corey’s writing can easily be compared with that of John Sanford, Michel Connelly and even Patricia Cornwell. The way this book ends leads me to believe that we will hear from Hanna again in a sequel to The Lesser Sin. There are a lot of subtleties in this book that may raise a few eyebrows, particularly when Corey writes about the inadequacies of our justice system and rules of law. Personal beliefs aside, the longer you let these ideas roll around in your head, the more they begin to click. While I do not condone vigilante justice, nor do I believe Hanna’s way is ideal, I do believe that change is needed. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a genuinely good thriller full of suspense, intrigue, and a truly believable story line. I can only hope this is only the tip of the iceberg for a very good author.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews