Fiction Addict

Genre: Dramatic/Suspense

Publisher: Urban Books / Kensington Publishing Corp

Publication Date: January 2012

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

D.L. Sparks, recently voted in as the newest member of the Atlanta Georgia Peach Authors, caught the attention of readers with her debut and sophomore novels is back with her latest dramatic suspense novel Between Friends, about A DEA agent and an APD Lieutenant who lock horns during a joint investigation that unearths cold-blooded corruption and heartless manipulation in this fast paced drama.

Between Friends opens as DEA Agent Orlando “Trip” Spencer has returned to his home town Atlanta to help with a complicated investigation. Trip didn’t want to take the case, he didn’t want to be back in Atlanta, but what he least wanted to do was to work with APD Lt. Lincoln Briscoe.

Between Friends, draws heavily on drug kingpins turning up dead and weapons being funneled into the county jail, but there is more than just a cat and mouse game of intrigue being played as this drama unfolds it is also packed with romantic complications and there is no telling what will happen when Trip and his closest friend, Idalis Arrington come face to face again.

Although they have been friends since early childhood, there is a wedge between Trip and Idalis’ relationship and that wedge is none other than Lincoln “Linc” Briscoe, Trip’s nemesis who’s been on a collision course with Trip since college. And just so happens to be engaged to marry Idalis, a complication that may very well affect Trip’s ability to focus on the case.

Trip learns that Idalis is in trouble and his efforts to protect her and investigate the slaughters taking place on the streets of the Dirty South take him all over the city of Atlanta – from Atlantic Station through Spaghetti Junction to a house in Cascade – a house full of secrets.

As the investigation gains speed the novel peaks up even more; emerging secrets threaten the pending marriage between Idalis and Linc. Unfortunately while trying to protect Idalis Trip’s partner, Philip “Big Phil” Porter is shot and left for dead.

Readers will appreciate that Between Friends does not disappoint once the mystery of Phil’s shoter is revealed,  as other suspense dramas tend to do. The adrenaline does not stop pumping and instead the rapid pace continues. The story does not become boring and readers will learn that the innocent aren’t always as innocent as they seem.

Sparks may not win an award of excellence (though there’s no reason she shouldn’t), she is still an author of quality that deserves recognition and merit for the realism she brings to her characterization skills. The realistic characterization of Trip comes to life while he investigates corruption, his relationship with his best friend Idalis and some childhood demons.

Some books defy expectations, some books defy critics, they are often the books readers call a darn good read – and Between Friends is one of those books. I have no doubt that Between Friends could very well become a New York Times bestseller and I’m hoping it will be adapted into a big-screen movie.

Between Friends is a must read and highly recommended for anyone who wants to become engrossed into a suspenseful entertaining storyline. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book for the story content and the characters that come alive throughout the pages. I want to thank both the author for her talent for being able to tell a story in such an entertaining matter.

Review copy provided by publisher.