Every Breath You Take by M. K. Gilroy

Detective Kristen Conner is back in Gilroy's second novel. A young man from a wealthy Chicago family has been murdered. Suspects include women from an online “companion” service the dead man and his friends used. Kristen is asked to go undercover to find out more about the women providing the service and the group of men who hire them.

I like police detecting novels and this is a good one. Gilroy has done a great job in creating and developing the character of Kristen. She has relationship issues. She is “dating” and FBI agent but the relationship is often rocky. Kristen is a tomboy, coaching her niece's soccer team. How ironic that Kristen is asked to go undercover as a companion with a dating service! Make up? Jewelry? High heels?

Kristen's family is an essential part of the novel. One sister is a well known TV news anchor in Chicago. Another is ready to give birth. Kristen's brother-in-law is a pastor. Kristen interacts with her family in a heartwarming yet realistic way.

Kristen has learned to hold her own in a man's world. She keeps herself in great shape, frequently exercising by boxing or practicing other combat sports. Her combat abilities are a necessary part of the exciting final scenes.

This novel has a good combination of relationship issues and intense action. I am usually critical of a male author writing about a female heroine. But Gilroy has done a good job of creating a believable female Chicago police detective.

One loose end is her stalker. What he can do (the equipment he can get) just doesn't seem to add up yet. Perhaps that will come together in the next in the series.

While this is the second novel about Detective Conner, it can easily be read on its own.

M. K. Gilroy is a thirty year publishing veteran, having worked his way up to vice president and publisher at Thomas Nelson. Gilroy, his wife and six children live near Brentwood, Tennessee. 

Go to http://www.mkgilroy.com/ to find out more about the author, watch a video about the book and more.

Worthy Publishing, 400 pages. Publisher product page.

I received a complimentary egalley from the publisher for the purpose of this review.