“DAMAGED is Pamela Callow's debut for MIRA and she's launched her career with a fabulous, chilling tale!
Damaged's heroine, Kate Lange, is a lawyer trying to earn her stripes at Halifax's premiere law firm. After months of working family law cases, her big break comes when she's assigned to a litigation case for TransTissue, a company who processes cadaveric tissue for medical procedures. When teen Lisa McAdam is found murdered, Kate's world is turned upside down and she finds herself in the sights of a serial killer.
There's not a lot of romance here, but there IS a lot of what if. Ethan Drake is a detective and Kate's ex. We're never quite sure how he's going to fit into things, but we know there is unfinished business between them. Then there's the managing partner at the law firm, Randall Barrett. There's a connection there, too, and the tension of whether or not will they explore it is always present when they're in the room together.
I read this book pretty much in one go - all but 50 pages of it yesterday. I was turning pages at a fast rate getting towards the end - just as I should be with a thriller as things rise to a fever pitch. What really impressed me was the depth of character development. It's been a while since I read a thriller, but sometimes because they are plot heavy character is sacrificed for that. Not here. These characters are human and we like them or hate them as the case may be. There is a lot of medical and police procedure too, but for the most part Callow weaves it into the narrative seamlessly so it doesn't read in an instructional sort of way.
A really solid debut with a satisfying ending that left just enough questions to make the reader NEED to get the next book in the series (which is Indefensible and out in 2011).
What happened to Lisa's mother, the judge?
What happened to Kate and her sister when they were younger?
What will happen between Kate and Randall? This is HUGE once you've read the teaser for Indefensible!
Will Finn be back?
Well done Pam! Can't wait for the next book!
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