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The Complete Truth
Justified Homicide follows a woman with a haunted past tied into a world of crime and betrayal who must confront her past actions within the legal system in an effort to reclaim her life. What inspired the setup of your story?
It was an unresolved part of my previous book in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. I thought it would heighten the tension of the storyline and force my main character Madison to face her demons and tell the whole truth. Only she and her confessor knew the complete truth.
It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?
I wanted to feel Madison’s emotions. I wanted to crawl under her skin and know the terror she felt at the possibility of losing everything. If she went to jail for her crime, she would be separated from the one person she adored above all others-her daughter Anna. Madison worried about losing the man in her life who helped her rescue Anna from Mexico. She had betrayed his trust. What would I do if I lost everything I cherished? I kept tightening the screws on Madison. It makes the conclusion so much sweeter.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Retirement from my day job gave me the time and opportunity to explore more emotional depth. When I worked for the federal government, I’d be so tired when I finished work, I couldn’t think. My brain was in overload, so I often wrote early in the morning on the weekends when the house was quiet.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Justified Homicide will be published on November 20th of this Year. The only thing I know about next year is someone’s gonna die in or near Magnolia Bluff. I’m going to relax for a couple of weeks and then start preparing for 2025. My new book should be published in November of 2025. I may slip in another book from my Winston Strom Detective series. I had promised fans of that series I would get another book in for them, but time got away from me. That series is action-packed, graphic, and a lot more sexy.
Author Links: GoodReds | Amazon
Justified Homicide
Kelly Marshall’s Justified Homicide delivers a compelling narrative of resilience and redemption that grips readers from the first page. Madison Tucker, entangled in a world of crime and betrayal, faces the aftermath of her haunted past as it claws its way back into her life. After surviving a harrowing attack from a relentless cartel, she must confront her reality within the legal system, navigating the treacherous journey of reclaiming her life. With the unwavering support of her husband, Dix, and their daughter, Anna, Madison embarks on a painful but determined path to freedom, all while battling her own inner demons. A victim turned fighter, she becomes entwined in a cycle of violence that leaves her with blood on her hands, relentlessly pursued by those who seek revenge. Will society understand her actions, or is she destined to pay the price?
Marshall’s thriller stands out for its intense portrayal of violence’s cyclical grip and the strength of family in adversity. The narrative is skillfully woven, drawing readers deep into Madison’s world, where danger and love collide in startling ways. Madison’s character resonated powerfully with me. Her inner conflict is as raw as her determination, creating an emotional landscape that makes her fight for justice both urgent and heartrending.
With a great pace, the plot balances moments of high suspense with reflective pauses, allowing characters room for meaningful growth. While the plot is richly developed, I think there are instances where the dialogue may not fully capture the depth needed to enhance the story’s emotional impact. Although the secondary characters add layers to the story, I feel that some were underexplored, leaving me yearning for deeper insight into their motivations.
Where Justified Homicide truly excels is in its exploration of resilience and redemption. Madison’s journey, marked by intense lows and triumphant highs, is heartbreaking and uplifting. The climactic conclusion offers a suspenseful and satisfying ending, leaving readers with a sense of hope for her future.
Justified Homicide captivates with a dynamic plot, rich emotional depth, and themes that linger. It’s a story that asks how far one can go to protect loved ones and whether redemption can ever be fully achieved.
Pages: 252 | ASIN: B0CW1HXWYT
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