Deadly Devotion by Sandra Orchard, published by Revell, is advertised as romantic suspense. I would classify it as a cozy mystery. And since cozy mysteries aren't my particular cup of tea (pun intended for those who will read or have read this story), all I can say is for those readers who enjoy the amateur sleuth type of investigative stories, you will probably enjoy this one, the first in the Port Aster Series.
Kate Adams loses her mentor and close friend (Daisy Leacock) to what the police have deemed a suicide and closed the case. That doesn't work for Kate who knew the older woman with whom she worked too well to believe she would take her life. Together they worked on an herbal cure for depression and seemed close to a major discovery for a potential cure. Daisy loved God and lived her personal life accordingly plus she treated Kate like a daughter. Supposedly the coroner decided the particular toxic chemical in a certain kind of marigold found in her tea was Daisy's undoing, an intentional means to her end.
Kate Adams storms into the precinct demanding to express her disagreement and of course meets with the handsome former DC FBI agent Tom Parker, now a detective in Port Aster, his hometown. After the discussion with him, she warns him if they (the police) won't find her killer, she will. Detective Tom Parker knows the case is closed, but in spite of Kate's no proof, she makes some valid points, and he's concerned she might possibly be in danger if the information she shared with him is true.
The suspects keep multiplying, Detective Parker develops a fondness for Kate and vice versa even as they keep their secrets from one another. There are herbs, grow-ops, a missing intern from the research station where Daisy and Kate worked, a con artist and his rich girlfriend, a coworker acting strangely, and then there's Tom's boss, the Chief of Police (Hank), best friends with Tom in high school. When Kate as a suspect enters the fray, all kinds of suspicion, hurt, angst, and feared betrayal add to the convoluted mess.
As I said, cozy mysteries are not my favorites, and I didn't anticipate this story as being one of them. The amateur sleuthing, the juvenile attractions and reactions, the conduct of both Kate and Tom just didn't fly for me. While I find plants, herbs, and the intricate knowledge of them interesting, not enough to carry a story for me.
Faith elements are injected periodically.
I'm sure there are many readers who will find their enjoyment served up in a nice cup of herbal tea via Deadly Devotion. And perhaps romantic suspense is the proper genre classification. For me it read more like a cozy mystery which didn't work for me.
Father, you've given Sandra her own special gifting. Please continue to use her for your glory and bless her as she honors you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.