Unraveling Intrigue: A Review of "Objects of Desire" by Valerie Webster

Objects of Desire

by Valerie Webster

March 11-22, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

It’s August in Baltimore City. Nothing’s hotter - until Rita Mars gets a shocking visit from the police. Her ex-partner is missing and police are relentless in trying to pin her to the disappearance. One cop in particular has made her his crusade to indict. In the meantime, Rita accepts a client who suspects someone is out to destroy the charitable foundation she works for. Rita hires a hacker named Roswell and a cyber game of cat and mouse commences. This is a high-speed chase of a read that will leave you wondering – could it happen here?

Book Details:

Genre: Thriller
Published by: Ignited Ink
Publication Date: November 19, 2023
Number of Pages: 372
ISBN: 9781952347085 (ISBN10: 1952347084)
Series: A Rita Mars Thriller, 2
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Prologue

“I ain’t here to clean the house.” The person on the porch blocked the usually sunny opened doorway.

“I’m sorry?” The woman inside the house stood waiting for an answer. She was a tiny person, slim, noticeably agitated by the unexpected break in her routine.

“I brought you something.”

“I have a meeting this morning. I’m afraid I have to get ready. Maybe later.” The woman inside started to close the door, but a booted foot wedged in the frame to stop progress.

A broad hand with thick stubby fingers rested against the door. “Just take a minute.”

The woman inside hesitated, irritated, undecided.

“Promise. A minute.” The boot in the door sill stayed in place.

“Uh, ok. “The woman ran a hand through her hair. “But I really need to finish dressing for my meeting.”

“No problem.” The beefy palm touched the door but did not push. The woman inside opened her house.

The figure outside stepped in, overshadowing the home owner by almost a foot. “Nice house. I always wondered what it was like in here.”

“You have something for me?” asked the woman.

“I do.” The visitor took time surveying the foyer and living room as the two stood by the still open door.

“Can we hurry this up, I need to leave.” A trickle of sweat beaded at her temple. She glanced toward the kitchen where her cell phone lay on the counter.

“Ok, so let’s get you ready to go.” The figure’s paw snagged the woman’s arm and clutched it so that the woman’s sleeve crushed with the pressure.

“Hey, let go.” The woman pulled against the grip but she was no match. “Stop.” She dug her nails into the grasping arm.

“Let’s go upstairs.” The woman was half dragged, half lifted toward her stairwell.

“What is the matter with you? I’m going to call the police.” The woman threw all her weight away from her trapped arm trying to loosen it. “Stop,” she cried. She began to flail with every ounce of strength.

The intruder shook her head. “Now you know you don’t want to do that. We need to get you packed up and ready.”

The woman now grabbed the banister as the intruder strong-armed her up the steps. She could not hold against the brute strength of her attacker who easily drew her upward.

“Gotta suitcase?” The attacker maintained the commanding grip.

The attacker held fast while she went through the woman’s chest of drawers, her closet and bathroom, throwing clothes and toiletries into a small roll-aboard that had been in the bedroom closet. All the while, the impinged victim wrestled, clawed and dug her teeth into the arm that tightened around hers.

The woman screamed again, but the free meaty hand covered her mouth. The attacker drew out a roll of duct tape and secured the woman to a vanity chair. She then took a pillow case and made a gag.

“Get you all set up here,” said the attacker. “You’ll need stuff. Now I know this is a little bit of a surprise for you. But don’t worry, I will take care of you.”

The woman in the vanity chair bowed her head as tears streamed down her face.

“Ok, so we’ve got everything, I think.” The attacker shut and snapped the suitcase closed. “I wanna take that pillow case off your mouth but you need not to scream. You gonna be good?”

The woman nodded and her intruder unknotted the pillowcase.

“Uh, I think I should leave a note,” said the woman.

“I don’t think so.” The intruder had removed the gag, but made no move to release the woman from the vanity chair.

The woman’s eyes roved quickly back and forth as she scoured her brain for an escape plan. “People will wonder where I am and we don’t want them to know, do we?”

“That’s my girl,” said the attacker. “Good idea.”

***

Review:

Rating: 4/5 Characters: In "Objects of Desire" by Valerie Webster, readers are introduced to a diverse cast of characters embroiled in a gripping tale of mystery and suspense. Rita Mars emerges as the enigmatic protagonist whose life takes a tumultuous turn when her ex-partner goes missing. Rita's complex personality and unwavering determination make her a compelling character, as she navigates the treacherous landscape of Baltimore City while grappling with accusations and suspicions that threaten to unravel her world. Detective Diane Winter, Rita's ex-partner, adds layers of intrigue to the narrative as her disappearance sets off a chain of events that unravels long-buried secrets and hidden agendas. As Rita delves deeper into the investigation, she must confront her complicated history with Diane while untangling a web of lies and deception. Supporting characters, including the relentless police officers and Rita's client with suspicions about her charitable foundation, contribute to the story's depth and complexity. Each character brings their own motivations and conflicts to the forefront, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. Plot: "Objects of Desire" unfolds as a thrilling mystery set against the backdrop of Baltimore City's steamy August heat. Rita Mars finds herself at the center of a high-stakes investigation when her ex-partner, Detective Diane Winter, goes missing under suspicious circumstances. As Rita grapples with the relentless scrutiny of the police and the mounting pressure to clear her name, she embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind Diane's disappearance. With the help of a skilled hacker named Roswell, Rita dives headfirst into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where every clue brings her closer to the heart of a sinister conspiracy. As the stakes escalate and the danger mounts, Rita must confront her own demons and navigate a maze of lies and deception to unravel the mystery that threatens to consume her. Along the way, she discovers unexpected allies and faces betrayal from those she once trusted, leading to a thrilling climax that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. With its fast-paced narrative and unpredictable twists, "Objects of Desire" is a high-speed chase of a read that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Valerie Webster masterfully blends suspense, intrigue, and drama to create a gripping mystery that will leave readers wondering: could it happen here? Conclusion: "Objects of Desire" by Valerie Webster is a pulse-pounding mystery thriller that grips readers from the first page to the last. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and atmospheric setting, the novel delivers an adrenaline-fueled ride that will satisfy fans of the genre. Whether you're a seasoned mystery enthusiast or new to the genre, "Objects of Desire" is sure to keep you guessing and leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in Rita Mars's thrilling saga.

Author Bio:

Valerie Webster is a crime fiction author whose 30+ year career was focused on developing and implementing technology applications for the purpose of criminal surveillance and tracking, information security, crime deterrence and homeland security. She interlaces her work on real cases and policing applications throughout her writing and her storytelling leads you through the shadow worlds of the criminal as well as the crime fighters. She has written two books in the Rita Mars Series: DRIVEN: A RITA MARS THRILLER is her debut novel in the series. Her second book is OBJECTS OF DESIRE: A RITA MARS THRILLER. Valerie makes her home near Boulder, CO. Learn more about Valerie and her work at valeriewebster.com

Catch Up With Valerie Webster:
ValerieWebster.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @vwebster
Instagram - @rmarsauthor
Facebook - @RMars4Hire

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