Redemption Point by Candice Fox

Two books into Candice Fox's Crimson Lake series and one thing is clear: she's got a hit on her hands. In Redemption Point, accused of the attempted rape and murder of a child, Ted Conkaffey has partnered with the most unlikely person in Amanda Pharrell; herself a convicted murderer. But there is more to each of their stories. The first book revealed that Ted didn't actually commit the crime that he's accused of and that while Amanda did commit the crime she was convicted of there were extenuating circumstances.

Redemption Point sees Ted attacked in his home by the father of the girl he is accused of raping. Ted is finally convinced to look harder for the person who actually raped Claire Bingley. Meanwhile, Crimson Lake suffers a double homicide when two bartenders are murdered. Amanda is hired by one of the murder victim’s fathers to find out what really happened. The action alternates between the two plots as each of the partners attempt to unravel their own thorny cases.

The partnership between Ted and Amanda is unusually fascinating. Ted is a former cop who even though the justice system did him no favors is still fairly by the book. Amanda is as unconventional as they come but with surprisingly gifted insight and detection skills. They're largely unbothered by each other's eccentricities such as Ted's relationship with his pet geese and Amanda’s refusal to ride in cars. Each of their skills plays nicely off the other and help each of them get to the root of the crime but they are investigating.

The diaries of the pedophile who actually abducted Claire Bingley are shockingly disturbing. They also serve to ratchet up the tension as it becomes clear he intends to strike again. Both Ted and Amanda rely on their own skill set as well as assistance from some unlikely partnerships which tests everyone's ability to operate within the law.

Candice Fox’s writing is as gripping and gritty as it comes. She's created absolutely unique characters and her setting in a remote and unglamorous part of Australia plays into the mood of the story. The leads that both detectives uncover and the places their investigation takes them hold your attention throughout. In particular Ted's pursuit of the pedophile who committed the crime he was accused of takes on special urgency as the predator circles his next victim. Both plots are filled with a combination of anticipation and dread, which pull you along to an exciting conclusion.

Fox's ability to pair dark and intriguing plots with strong characters who are among some of the most eccentric and fascinating in crime fiction makes this a winning series. Redemption Point is a great thriller and I can't wait to see what Fox has up her sleeve next.

Euan Morton’s narration of the series is outstanding. He conveys all the grit and darkness of the story along with the subtle humor and eccentricities of its main characters. His sense of pacing and inflection perfectly complement the story. His skill makes the audio version of these books my preferred way to read them.

Highly recommended.

I was provided a copy of this audiobook by the publisher.

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