Angels in Disguise
Betty Sullivan LaPierre
http://bettysullivanlapierre.com
Pub: http://writeronlinebooks.com/genres/ebooks-mystery1.htm
Mystery/Suspense
4 1/2 Stars
Reviewed by Ingrid Taylor
When Carlotta Ryan goes missing,
her estranged husband, Paul, hires private investigator, Tom “Hawkman” Casey,
to locate his wayward wife. It appears
the lady has no friends, and from what Hawkman learns from the family, it comes
as no surprise that Carlotta is no lady.
Two handymen, a butcher and a frumpy waitress later, Hawkman learns more unsavory facts about the missing Carlotta. Uncovering her nocturnal liaisons and drug
experimentation in the same house she shares with her ten-year-old daughter
leads Hawkman to believe it’s more likely she’s been the victim of foul play
than missing in action. When an
anonymous caller warns Hawkman to stop the investigation and threatens the
welfare of Tiffany Ryan, Hawkman is touched by a deeper tragedy much closer to
home—his beloved wife, Jennifer, has been diagnosed with cancer.
The butcher, the two handymen, the spurned husband, a jealous acquaintance,
an overprotective mother-in-law--an untimely death shortens the suspect list by
one. Another anonymous warning results
in tightened security around young Tiffany, but to no avail. The youngster disappears and the only clue is
a very expensive handbag. When an
attempt is made on Hawkman’s life and almost ends his career, his resolve to find
the little girl is strengthened. Fighting the clock and his own limitations,
Hawkman is determined to save Tiffany and be his wife’s cheerleader throughout
her terrifying ordeal.
Angels in Disguise is my first Hawkman adventure, but it won’t be my
last. LaPierre has created very likable
characters with heart and soul in the Caseys.
Tom, a tough, no-nonsense hero whose dealings are both compassionate and
sympathetic, not only with his wife but his clients as
well, makes it easy to see why Hawkman has such a following. The story was well written with good pacing
and the ending (which I thought I had figured out well in advance) had a twist
I didn’t see coming.
I admire LaPierre’s writing technique as a storyteller and in the deft way
she incorporates a mini-course in cancer into the storyline. I was entertained and educated and give
Hawkman a hearty two ‘thumb’s up’ as recommended reading.
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Title: Angels in disguise
Author: Betty Sullivan La Pierre
Publisher: SynergEbooks
Genre: Suspense
Publication date: 2006
ISBN: 1419633171
Pages: 319
Series:Hawkman
Rating: 5
Reviewer: Sylvie
Hawkman is getting a new assignment when Paul Ryan walks into his office.
His wife has been missing for four days now and Paul wants to hire Hawkman to
find her.
He and his wife live separate, they have a daughter, Tiffany Lynn who is
ten years old. Tiffany stays with her grandmother Delia during the time that
her mom is missing.
There seem to be some odd things going on; Paul and Carlotta lived
separate, but weren’t divorced. Paul still kept on paying for the bills and
kept his wife and daughter pretty comfortable. But Carlotta seemed to have a
lifestyle of her own; she wanted Tiffany to wear clothes that were far beyond
clothes for children. She also approved that Tiffany is allowed to wear
make-up. This seemed to be the reason for all sorts of conflicts between
Tiffany’s grandmom and Carlotta.
Then things are getting a turn, when Hawkman finds out that Carlotta might
have a drug-problem. When he later discovers a suitcase (that was missing from
her bedroom) filled with new clothes beneath her house, he suspects foul play.
Besides, Carlotta has been missing for almost two weeks at that time… it really
doesn’t look good.
In the middle of his investigation, Hawkman also gets some problems of his
own to digest; when his wife Jennifer gets sick. They don’t know what is going
on, but Jennifer never ever gets sick. He worries about her, because he really
loves her so much.
Again, I loved reading this book from Betty Sullivan La Pierre. But then
again, she is my absolute favourite author when it comes down to e-books. She
knows how to let you think one thing, while something completely different
happens. You feel the tension and you keep on reading and reading because you
really want to know what happens next. And each time you’ll get surprised!
Angels in disguise is the 8th book in the Hawkman Series; I’d say it’s another
great success and I can’t wait for the next book to read!
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Deeply touching, terrific novel, September 4, 2006
5 Stars
Reviewer: Kristina O'Donnelly "Scribe" (Atlantis)
This is one of the novels that read like a real life story. It's my second
book in the Hawkman series, the first one being Dirty Diamonds, which was
fast-paced and enthralling.
But Angels in Disguise is an emotional tour de force. Indeed it is hard to
concentrate on the business on hand -- better said on the who-done-it
aspect) when one's beloved wife is ill, is undergoing so many tests, and they
face an uncertain tomorrow. Yet, ah yes, life goes on, and Hawkman has to do
his best to do justice to his calling. Recommended not only as a pot-boiler, but as an inspirational read.