Blood on the Badge
"Blood on the Badge" is the gripping first installment in Mary Stone’s "A Villain’s Story" series, an FBI mystery thriller that dives deep into the complexities of justice, morality, and the shadows of a troubled past. Published in 2023, this novel introduces readers to Justice Hall, a 26-year-old rookie detective in the Elmaeder County Sheriff’s Office in East Texas. Justice is no ordinary cop—born Timothy Stewart, his life was irrevocably altered when the serial killer Justin Black, known as "The Disciple," murdered his family and groomed him as a child. Emerging from this trauma, Timothy reinvented himself as Justice Hall, a name that hauntingly echoes his tormentor’s, raising questions about whether it’s a mere coincidence or a lingering mark of his dark history.
The story unfolds with Justice grappling with a high-stakes case: the disappearance of a senator’s son, a case his superiors want prioritized. But Justice has a chilling secret—the missing man is buried beneath his own apple tree. Meanwhile, a more urgent threat emerges as a brutal killer begins mutilating young women, leaving behind gruesome scenes that hint at a deeper connection to Justice’s past. As the pressure mounts from both the senator and his own department, Justice must navigate his dual existence—part cop, part man haunted by his demons—while questioning whether he’s hunting a killer or becoming one himself.
Mary Stone crafts a fast-paced, enigmatic thriller that keeps readers on edge with its blend of psychological depth and relentless suspense. Justice Hall is a compelling protagonist, a morally ambiguous figure whose traumatic upbringing blurs the line between hero and villain. Readers familiar with Stone’s earlier "Winter Black" series will recognize Timothy Stewart’s origins, but "Blood on the Badge" stands alone as a fresh exploration of his adult life. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to make readers question justice itself—is it served by the badge, or is it a mask for something darker? With vivid characters, a richly drawn East Texas setting, and a plot full of twists, this book is a page-turner that sets the stage for an intriguing series. Fans of dark, character-driven crime fiction will find plenty to sink their teeth into here.
You can buy Blood on the Badge by Mary Stone with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3Eb5OUs
The story unfolds with Justice grappling with a high-stakes case: the disappearance of a senator’s son, a case his superiors want prioritized. But Justice has a chilling secret—the missing man is buried beneath his own apple tree. Meanwhile, a more urgent threat emerges as a brutal killer begins mutilating young women, leaving behind gruesome scenes that hint at a deeper connection to Justice’s past. As the pressure mounts from both the senator and his own department, Justice must navigate his dual existence—part cop, part man haunted by his demons—while questioning whether he’s hunting a killer or becoming one himself.
Mary Stone crafts a fast-paced, enigmatic thriller that keeps readers on edge with its blend of psychological depth and relentless suspense. Justice Hall is a compelling protagonist, a morally ambiguous figure whose traumatic upbringing blurs the line between hero and villain. Readers familiar with Stone’s earlier "Winter Black" series will recognize Timothy Stewart’s origins, but "Blood on the Badge" stands alone as a fresh exploration of his adult life. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to make readers question justice itself—is it served by the badge, or is it a mask for something darker? With vivid characters, a richly drawn East Texas setting, and a plot full of twists, this book is a page-turner that sets the stage for an intriguing series. Fans of dark, character-driven crime fiction will find plenty to sink their teeth into here.
You can buy Blood on the Badge by Mary Stone with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3Eb5OUs
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