Book Review: The Law of Betrayal

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Law of Betrayal     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Tess Collins
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Port Town, Oct 2003, $8.95, 304pp

During a hostage situation in which she was the prime captive, Crimson County, Kentucky Prosecutor Alma Bashear learns of a link between her missing father and an unknown female, Allafair Adair. However, before she finds out specifics, a SWAT member kills the culprit.

Almost three decades ago, Alma’s father Esau left to work in Michigan with the promise to see his family during Christmas. Esau never came back breaking the heart of his nine year old daughter Alma. A few years ago Alma heard of the link between Allafair and her father from the vindictive dying breath of the Gentry matriarch. Now her boyfriend Police Chief Grady Forester renews his search, but instead of success someone kills him. As Alma renews her quest with increased vigor, she finds herself looking into the Melungeon race that hides secrets from their neighbors.

More an investigative tale than a legal thriller, readers will enjoy the LAW OF BETRAYAL, an exciting tale that shines a deep light on rural Kentucky. The main ingredient to the plot is the strong cast that orbits around Alma. She makes the tale fun to follow as the audience can feel her frustration over her father’s vanishing without a trace that occurred when she was a child and still haunts her as an adult closing in on forty. Readers will never guess what really happened then and now, but will enjoy this captivating Appalachian thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner