Trace of Doubt by Dianna Mills follows Shelby Pearce, a released convict who finds herself fighting to retain her freedom and her life. When Shelby Pearce is released from prison, she thought she could have a semblance of a normal life. After all, she had spent 15 years behind bars and the system deemed her eligible for parole but someone doesn’t want Shelby to live now that she’s outside.
My Review of Trace of Doubt
Trace of Doubt is a gripping tale told from the perspective of Shelby, an ex-con and Denton, the FBI agent who wants to find the money he believes she has embezzled.
The Characters in Trace of Doubt
From the very beginning, Shelby seemed like someone who was trying to do the right thing but had gotten the wrong end of the stick.
In many ways, I couldn’t help rooting for Shelby. She seemed like a genuinely kind person who had given her life to God. But from the beginning you could tell that she had secrets.
I enjoyed Edie and Amy-Jo and would have loved to have seen more of them in the book. These two women embodied what it means to show grace to others.
The Themes in Trace of Doubt
One of the major themes in Trace of Doubt seems to have been sacrificial love. What would you do for the people you love and how much is too much.
This is something Shelby struggled with and while she made some steps into creating a boundary between enough and too fat, I get the impression that even knowing what she knew at the end she would have done things exactly the same.
Readers will also be reminded that forgiveness should be offered to those who have wronged or persecuted us but it sometimes comes at a high price.
Final Thoughts on Trace of Doubt
It was pretty easy for me to figure out who the real culprit was early in the story, but the level of depravity was staggering and for me, required a little suspension of belief.
I would have liked to see a bit more of the why as it pertained to the perpetrator, but was glad when events were successful resolved.
Overall, Trace of Doubt was a quick, engrossing read filled with lots of action and plot twists.
I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher through NetGalley; a positive review was not required.
About Trace of Doubt
Fifteen years ago, Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and was sent to prison. Now she’s out on parole and looking for a fresh start in the small town of Valleysburg, Texas. But starting over won’t be easy for an ex-con.
FBI Special Agent Denton McClure was a rookie fresh out of Quantico when he was first assigned the Pearce case. He’s always believed Shelby embezzled five hundred thousand dollars from her brother-in-law’s account. So he’s going undercover to befriend Shelby, track down the missing money, and finally crack this case.
But as Denton gets closer to Shelby, he begins to have a trace of doubt about her guilt. Someone has Shelby in their crosshairs. It’s up to Denton to stop them before they silence Shelby–and the truth–forever.
Purchase Trace of Doubt on Amazon | Christianbook
About DiAnn Mills
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com.
You may also like: