Gone Without a Trace {Patricia Bradley}

It's been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds's cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts Livy concerning a missing senator's daughter who was last seen in Logan Point, she notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. But with self-doubt plaguing her and an almost instant dislike of Jennings, Livy is finding this investigation an uphill battle. With her future in law enforcement on the line, can she find a way to work with a man who is her polar opposite?

My Thoughts:

I was so excited to get back into another of Patricia Bradley's books and return to Logan Point. This time around we get to meet Olivia (better known as Livy) and take a closer look at some of the folks in her family. But first we meet Alex Jennings.

Alex is the kind of guy that I think I would like. He grew up in a political family in Texas, but is determined to live his life his way away from the spotlight that his family seems to throw themselves into. He is a private investigator and heads to Logan Point with the determination to find the senator's missing daughter. Alex is strong willed and confident in himself and his abilities. I like that about him, and found myself willing him to succeed from the very beginning.

I admit I didn't really care for Livy as I grew to know her. She is successful detective who is dealing with the aftermath of a case she was involved in a few months earlier. She seems to have a chip on her shoulder and an unwillingness to believe anyone can do her job other than her. I really didn't appreciate her attitude towards Alex during most of this book, but was thrilled when her defenses began to come down.

We figure our pretty quickly that Livy's cousin, Robyn, and the missing girl, Summer Jo, have fallen victim to the same suspect. As Livy and Alex work together we get to see how the entire crime was plotted and carried out. But more than that, we get to see Alex, Livy, and others in this book become human to us as they struggle with feelings and regrets just like everyone else.

This book turned into such a great story, but it also kept me on the edge of my seat throughout most of the pages. I loved this book and appreciate the level that Patricia Bradley continues to write.