Power Struggle (Detective Madison Knight, #8)

by Carolyn Arnold

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I had the pleasure of meeting Detective Madison Knight when I read In the Line of Duty book #7 in the Madison Knight series. I admired her for tough as nails demeanor, her tenacity and her dedication in doing her job. I also saw the lengths she would go through to protect those she loved. I related to her on so many levels and so I could not wait to dive into the latest installment featuring this no- nonsense detective. I was not disappointed. All the traits I came to love was on display once again in this installment.

The story began with Madison at the murder scene of the man who had murdered her grandfather. This is the first time she feels no empathy for a victim, but as a professional, she would do her best to find out who was responsible. The scene mimics another murder, committed by the Russian Mafia’s top assassin, the man responsible for her current nightmares. Still reeling from the recent loss of a friend and colleague, the thought that the cause of her nightmares may be back was not appreciated. Therefore, when the receipt of a threatening letter revealed that her speculations were a reality she faced the knowledge that her life and those of her loved ones was at stake.

Power Struggle is more than a story about a detective trying to solve a case. It demonstrated the emotional upheavals officers of the law face while trying to carry out their duties. Not only did Madison had to deal with a psychopath determined to kill her she had to deal with a mother who did not approve of her career choice and who blamed her for the danger facing their family. In addition, she also had to deal with the emotional challenges of being in a relationship with a fellow cop.

Tensions and fears were high and the character’s emotions leapt off the pages. I understood Madison’s need to protect those she loved, no matter the cost. She acted reckless on occasions, but I could not fault her. One never knows how they would react to danger until they are facing it. Although I did not start the series from the beginning. I can see based on my limited knowledge that Madison has come a long way as it relates to her personal relationships.

Knowledge of the villain’s identity from the outset did not make me enjoy the story any less. What made intriguing was waiting to see what he had planned for Madison. I curious to know how his plans for Madison tied in with his current spate of murders. Was he working for the mafia or has he gone rogue? The suspense laid in the fact that Madison had no clue as to the villain’s next move. Waiting to see what his next move would be, kept me on edge for most the story.

The author’s impeccable writing style had me glued to the pages. Her attention to details and the manner in which she presented the story made it easy for me to connect with every aspect of the story. She pulled me and kept me entertained to the end.

Conclusion/Recommendation.
Overall, this was a good story and one I recommend for fans of police procedurals.