Concealed Identity by Jessica R. Patch

Concealed Identity by Jessica R. Patch
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (January 1, 2017)

Review by Gwen M. Plano

This fast-paced story takes place in a small town near Memphis, Tennessee. DEA agent Holt McKnight goes undercover in search of his Confidential Informant with whom he had lost contact. He meets Blair Sullivan, the sister of the man who is missing, and discovers that she had been married to Mateo, a drug lord of a major cartel. Blair is now a widow because Mateo was murdered by the rival cartel.

As the story unfolds, readers learn that Holt’s great love died of cancer. And with her passing, he angrily closed his heart to a merciful God. When he meets Blair, however, something deep within him stirs. He knows he wants to protect her, but at the same time, he is skeptical of her explanation that she knows nothing of her late husband’s drug world. Then there is an attack that changes everything. Blair is targeted as payback for her deceased husband’s actions. Holt jumps into the situation to protect her, and eventually because of his actions, a trusting friendship emerges … and maybe more than a friendship as revealed in his prayer:

God, I’ve wasted a lot of years. I’ve been angry and cold for so long. And yet You still have worked on my behalf to bring me healing, even when I didn’t realize I needed it. I want to live, but I want Blair to live more. So give her the strength and the courage to do what’s right. To do what’s best. Help her make a wise decision. I’m okay with coming home if You’re ready for me.

Jessica R. Patch, Concealed Identity

This story leaps into action within the first few paragraphs. After reading several pages, I had to stop, go back, and reread what I had just read. It is so fast-paced that I found it a little confusing. There are competing drug lords, undercover agents, death threats, a wife who supposedly knows nothing, and much more. I was lost. It wasn’t until a chapter or two later that I began to understand the unfolding situation and identify with the characters. The intensity never lets up, but by then my attention was able to accompany the action.

In contrast to the intense suspense, the ending of the book is a feel-good experience, especially with the added epilogue and its glimpses of a new life. I wish both the conclusion and the epilogue could have been extended.

Patch’s writing style is well groomed. Her ability to capture a dynamic scene is truly impressive. With the hesitations mentioned above, I’m giving Concealed Identity four and a half stars.

I purchased the Kindle version of Concealed Identity.