Book Review: Oath of Honor by Lynette Eason

Oath of Honor (Blue Justice #1)

Author:  Lynette Eason

Publisher:  Fleming H. Revell (2018)

363 pages

Genre:  Suspense

First Line:  "Officer Izzy St. John plopped down at the table of one of Columbia, South Carolina's, finest Chinese restaurants and opened the fast-food carton of General Tso's chicken and white rice."

Isabelle (Izzy) St. John is part of a large family with many members in law enforcement.  In fact, her mother is the current Chief of Police.  They are a close family that meets for Sunday dinner each week at the elder St. Johns' home.  Her parents still live in the home Izzy grew up in.

Across the street is the Marshall family.  Ryan Marshall is the oldest of three boys in the Marshall family.  He and his brother Kevin are in law enforcement.  Their other brother was in the military and was killed in the line of duty.  The St. John's and the Marshall's have known one another for years.

Izzy and Kevin Marshall are law enforcement partners.  Kevin receives information from an informant about some illegal guns in the area.  He asks her to go on a stakeout with him.  She agrees, even though it is her day off.  After watching the building for a few hours, Kevin see some movement near one of the doors.  He asks Izzy to look through the binoculars to check for cameras on the building.  While she is occupied with this, Kevin slips out of the car and runs toward the building.  When Izzy realizes what he has done, she follows him.  What is Kevin thinking?  Will the gun runners see him?  Will Izzy be able to back him up before it's too late?

This book has all the things that make for a great suspense novel; well-developed characters, a well-crafted mystery with lots of suspense and a little romance to lighten things up.  The action starts early in the story and doesn't let up until the mystery is solved.  The family dynamics in the St. John family are great!  They are a loving family with strong personalities, which makes for exciting conversations.  I would love to have Sunday dinner with them some time.  Both characters are dealing with issues from their past while also growing in their faith. 

Some of the themes in the book are trauma, grief, proving yourself, courage, family, betrayal and faith.

After several twists and turns the story comes to a satisfying conclusion.  I can't wait to read the second book in the series!