Review: The Wages of Sin: An Ozarks Mystery by Nancy Allen

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1008 KB
• Print Length: 277 pages
• Publisher: Witness Impulse (April 26 2016)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers CA
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0166JUGPM

Book Description


“The Elsie Arnold series deserves to run and run.”— Alex Marwood, author of The Wicked Girls and The Killer Next Door

In rural McCown County, Missouri, a young pregnant woman is found beaten to death in a trailer park. The only witness to the murder is Ivy, her six-year-old daughter, who points to her mom’s boyfriend—father of the unborn child. County prosecutor Madeleine Thompson promises the community justice, and in the Ozarks, that can only mean one thing: a death sentence.

When Madeleine’s first choice for co-counsel declines to try a death penalty case, she is forced to turn to assistant prosecutor Elsie Arnold. Elsie is reluctant to join forces with her frosty boss, but the road to conviction seems smooth—until unexpected facts about the victim arise, and the testimony of the lone eyewitness Ivy becomes increasingly crucial. Against Elsie’s advice, Madeleine brings in the state attorney general’s office to assist them, while cutthroat trial attorney Claire O’Hara joins the defense.
Elsie will not let the power of prosecution—of seeking justice—be wrested from her without a fight. She wants to win the case, and to avenge the death of the mother and her unborn child. But as the trial nears, Elsie begins to harbor doubts about the death penalty itself. Meanwhile, the child Ivy is in greater danger than anyone knows.

“Unflinching and gritty.” — Library Journal

About the Author

 Nancy Allen practiced law for 15 years as Assistant Missouri Attorney General and Assistant Prosecutor in her native Ozarks. She has tried over 30 jury trials, including murder and sexual offenses, and is now a law instructor at Missouri State University. Her first novel,The Code of the Hills, was published by Harper Collins in 2014. A Killing at the Creek, the second book in the Ozarks mystery series, will be released on February 17, 2015.

My Review

I have been a fan of Nancy Allen since her first book in the Ozark Mystery series...A Code of the Hills. She is an excellent writer who understands the court system first hand. And she is a realist. And James Patterson obviously noticed what a great author she is as well because she is his latest co-author. Already looking forward to that book.

The Wages of Sin is the third book in the Ozarks Mystery series. And it is another winner from Ms. Allen. It has some fabulous twists and turns at the end that left me breathless as I was racing toward the conclusion!

Elsie Arnold is a smart lawyer who does not take any crap from anyone. And author Allen has surrounded her with an interesting cast of characters including her boss Madeleine and boyfriend Detective Ashlock. All of the characters were fleshed out more in this latest book and they are all very multidimensional. I found that I was much more sympathetic to all of them. And my heart broke for the tiny victim Ivy...what a horrid life she had endured. And was continuing to endure.

The Ozarks drug and poverty issues are once again front and center in this latest book from Nancy Allen. She had a front seat view during her time as an Assistant Prosecutor and as the Assistant Missouri Attorney General. I feel like I am right there in the midst of the action.

The Wages of Sin is a great read and I highly recommend the Ozarks Mystery series by author Nancy Allen.