Face of Betrayal

Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl

This is the first book by Wiehl that I have read. I purchased a few of her books because she came highly recommended. I know why.

Katie Converse is home for the holidays from DC where she has been acting as a Senate page. One morning she takes her sister's dog, Jalapeno, for a walk and never returns. The search is on for the 17 year old and the part the Senator who sponsored her played in her disappearance.

Allison Pierce, a federal prosecutor, is 1/3 of the Triple Threat Club. After asking for the case, Allison teams with Nicole Hedges, FBI Agent, to find Katie and build a case against Senator Fairview. Rounding out the club is Cassidy Shaw, news reporter, determined to keep Katie on everyone's mind and get her big break with the national story.

Wiehl writes a compelling book. Her experience as a  prosecutor gives Face of Betrayal an authenticity that is lacking in many crime novels. She draws from her experience as a CNN correspondent and her father's days in the FBI to ensure the story is covered from all three angles.

There are times where it gets a bit too technical. For instance some fat could be trimmed when talking about the make up that news crews must wear on HD TV.  The story flows though from beginning to end. Will Katie be found alive? Did the Senator have anything to do with her death? Amidst the search for Katie, life still goes on for Allison, Nicole, and Cassidy. There is good news and bad news and day-to-day happenings that catch their attention.

My biggest complaint is that I purchased the e-book. I don't know if I am just old school and refusing to adapt to the new technology or if there is truly something wrong with the formatting of some books.  Scene changes and time changes don't seem to be clearly marked. I often have to go back and read a paragraph or two again to clarify because it wasn't meant to be part of the previous section.  It may just be my bias but with a book as well-written and fast-paced as Face of Betrayal, you want to keep reading and not taking a break because of annoyance with formatting.