Opal is an amazing introduction to a whole new set of characters and world from this author, and I loved every second of it!
Opal, Onyx and Pearl (code names for Kate, Janey and Raj) met in their teenage years and bonded over their hellish experience at the Transition House, an alleged foster care facility that was a front for human trafficking and sex trade of minors. After the place burned down under mysterious circumstances, they went their separate ways and rebuilt their lives as best they could. Now, 20 years later, they have been recruited by the mysterious Jacob Branch, a man who is no more than a voice on a phone line (a la Charlie from Charlie's Angels) with powerful connections and sometimes omnipresent tendencies it seems, to track and take down the same sorts of lowlifes who hurt them using whatever means necessary.
Opal/ Kate is not meant to stand out in a crowd; her ability to blend and cause the bad guys to underestimate her is part of her power and the path to success of her missions. But make no mistake: she is no pushover with years of military and law enforcement training. The first time FBI Agent Mitch Kenny encounters her, he makes the mistake of falling into that trap but quickly learns through observation that there is definitely more to this woman than meets the eye. His job doesn't lend itself to relationships as his failed marriage has proven, so although he admires what he sees, duty calls and he must move on to the next case. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to find Opal in disguise hundreds of miles away and in the thick of another missing child investigation.
Although Mitch and his team aren't necessarily happy about it, they find themselves working with the GEM operatives in a race to find multiple missing kids before they are harmed or killed. It quickly becomes apparent that this case is much bigger than anyone anticipated, and for every layer that is peeled back, an even uglier layer is exposed leading to some of the most powerful people in the state and country. The secrets of Kate's past are entwined with the current investigation in a way she or the other two girls would never have anticipated, and the intrigue kept me flipping the pages madly to try to figure out what was coming at them next. Of course, having the ability to work outside the constraints of law enforcement is bound to cause some issues for her uneasy alliance with Mitch, particularly since the simmering attraction between them is becoming harder to ignore with each passing day and moment of proximity between them. Throw in an unhappy ex-wife and a sixteen year old daughter who just wants her dad around, and Mitch has his hands full. Yet he can't find it in himself to turn away from the woman who continually surprises him and challenges him on every level.
Little bits and pieces of Kate's past and history with the other 2 ladies are revealed as the story progresses, and I love that she let Mitch in little by little as well. Their relationship progression felt natural, and they are equals supporting each other in no time at all. The investigation is at times fast and furious and at times agonizingly slow, but when the case takes a turn that hits way too close to home, the urgency level is off the charts leading up to the semi-resolution of the case. The sheer size of the operation means that although one piece has been tied off, there is still more work to be done- and that means Pearl's turn in the spotlight is up next! She is a prickly one so far to be sure, and her story should be interesting to say the least.
ARC received from author
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how your past can make you a better person in the future
What I loved most was that the tragedy that Opal/Kate went through as a child made her stronger, more determined, and formidable as an adult. She was a positive out of her past circumstances.The GEM team has a serious dog in the hunt for the atrocities committed on the youth of the world. Even if its just a simple runaway to a series of abduction. Opal, Pearl and Onyx wants to be that difference in the lives of the youth the encounter. Kate was the first to get her chance at something more and beyond the GEM organization. Mitch was a sort of counterpart on a different organizations team. Mitch was not one of a tragic background but he knew the cruelties of he world. He also had a daughter that he valued. To Mitch, Kate was a sort of puzzle.Watching the two of them dance around each other and then fall together was enjoyable. The introduction to various team members on both sides. The meeting of daughter and girlfriend. Then the daughter trying to fix the relationship between father and girlfriend. I loved meeting the other ladies of GEM and getting peeks into a past that was horrible to them.Always up for a story from Freya Barker.
Top reviews from other countries
Tracy ~ Book Loving Pixies
A little different from we’re used to from Freya
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2023