When a frail and pregnant Stephanie comes asking for help in locating her father, Vince, whom she hasn't been able to reach in a month, naturally Kelly wants to help her old friend. She discovers that Vince had some trouble holding a job as of late and was also gambling pretty heavily. It seems he had also managed to anger several people in Riverview, the town where he lived and worked, not the least of which is a mobster named Mickey who holds court at the local casino. When she speaks with him, Mickey also claims to have known Kelly's dad fairly well. Could it be yet another side to her deceased father, a side Kelly wishes she hadn't discovered?
In tracing Vince's last days before disappearing, she encounters several former bosses, none of which seem very nice, whether it be Chuck at the local bowling alley or Jackson Wheeler of Enterprise Trucking. She even runs afoul of the local Mayor's wife, Olivia Chambers, who is involved in a big land deal surrounding the development of a huge waterpark, which could mean big tourism money for Riverview. There's a lot going on in such a small town and everyone seems to know Kelly is poking around. The question is, what are they willing to do to shut her investigation down?
Once again, Kelly finds herself neck-deep in danger as she is determined to get answers for Stephanie, who had an argument with her dad six months before at Thanksgiving and they hadn't spoken since. Stephanie desperately needs to find her dad to make amends, especially with his first grandchild on the way, and Kelly knew the kind-hearted Mr. Burnotas when she and Stephanie were kids, so she feels compelled to get answers, even when all signs are saying to stop looking. Throughout her dangerous trials, she'll learn that the love of family is stronger than anything. Even her ex, Jeff and his often annoying mother, Arlene and their importance in the lives of her and her young daughter, Mitz, will come sharply into focus as circumstances change in their lives. Good thing she has dependable and handsome cop Kyle to help her navigate these strange, new waters and their relationship is only getting stronger.
Overall, I enjoyed Denied as much as I loved Derailed. Mary Keliikoa is a gifted writer and I hope she continues Kelly Pruett's adventures. Her books are very readable and to be honest, I read this one in two nights. Her characters are relatable, yet loveable. Highly recommended.
