Thought I’d check out another Lee Winter book since I enjoyed reading Breaking Character a while back. My life has been pretty busy so I opted for the audio book hoping it would allow me to multitask. However, I found myself too distracted to do anything else as I listened because this story was so engaging!
Here’s the premise-
After attending a business launch party crowded with prostitutes who left on a bus filled with cheap pink champagne, entertainment journalist, Lauren King smells a story. She’s not the only one, Catherine Ayers, an ex-Washington political correspondent, also picks up on the strange scenario. The two decide to pair up and take on the case despite the outright disdain they share for one another. The story that unravels is unpredictable, thrilling, and showcases a frightening future that our two heroines race to prevent.
There was so much plot and well placed action; the romance rode in the sidecar. Which I fully embraced and enjoyed. There was definitely budding tension between Lauren and Catherine throughout, but the main focus was on “the story.” However, the last chunk of the book, after the story wrapped up, everything switched to Romance Mode. With all the conflict the two characters experience while they were covering the story, the drama that occurred once the main action ended felt a bit silly given the weight of everything they had just accomplished. I understood why it happened, ice queens need to thaw, but felt like this could have happened more simultaneously with everything else instead of compromising the climax with a HEA wrap up when the plot was strong enough to carry it all. Take these words with a grain of salt though as I’m not a huge romance fan. This book is well balanced and has a little something for everyone.
Catherine Ayer resembles the “ice queen” in Breaking Character- older, moody, and highly guarded. I thought Catherine was portrayed well. She’s smart, talented, and accomplished despite the unfair position she’s in when the book opens. We see more of Lauren though as the third person narration follows along her view. Lauren is unique in that she’s herself in a place where everyone else seems to be following fads. Lauren’s drive and commitment is admirable and her personality balanced well with Catherine’s. They share some pretty entertaining banter between following leads and deciphering clues.
With a colorful cast of side characters there isn’t a dull moment in this epic ride. If you enjoy strong characters and riveting plots with a dash of mystery then The Red Files might be for you. https://www.amazon.com/Red-Files-Lee-Winter
Follow Lee Winter on Twitter: @LeeWinterOz and Instagram: @leewinteroz