Review of A TWIST OF THE KNIFE by Becky Masterman

This third in the Brigid Quinn series, starring a fifty-nine year old female former FBI Special Agent, takes place in Florida instead of Tucson: specifically Fort Lauderdale, Vero Beach, and Raiford. FBI Agent Laura Coleman, prominent in the previous novel, FEAR THE DARKNESS, also encores. We learn a lot of backstory of Brigid's dysfunctional family {I am reminded of the family of cops in Karin Slaughter' s COP TOWN}. We are also treated to defense attorneys on a quest to overturn a possibly wrongful conviction, and the terrors of children missing. A horrible crime committed sixteen years ago resulted in the disappearance of three children, and the convicted is finally scheduled for execution.--but was the conviction righteous, or juggled?

Loved this book
Didn't want it to end
Highly recommended

In "A Twist of the Knife," by Becky Masterman, sixty-year old retired FBI agent Brigid Quinn travels from her home in Arizona to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to visit her seriously ill father and distraught mother. As if this isn't enough to occupy her mind, Brigid becomes involved in the death penalty case of Marcus Creighton, thanks to her former colleague, Laura Coleman. Laura works as an investigator for William Hench, an attorney who does pro bono work on behalf of felons on Death Row. Creighton, who has been in prison for fifteen years, has little time left. If no new exculpatory evidence comes to light, he will soon be put to death by lethal injection for murdering his wife, son, and two daughters. Laura believes that Marcus is innocent, and is working with Hench to gather information that she hopes will earn the doomed man a stay of execution. Brigid goes over the case notes and agrees to assist Laura in any way she can. When another victim's body turns up, Brigid suspects that the latest murder is linked to the Creighton inquiry.

Not only must she cope with her father’s decline, but Brigid is also the target of her mother’s resentment. The three Quinn siblings have not been not dutiful children; in fact, Brigid is the only one who visits her hospitalized father regularly. However, her relationship with her mother is prickly, and Brigid has no desire to engage in verbal sparring during this difficult time. When she is not at the hospital, Brigid is busy tracking down anything she can learn about the Creightons: She interviews the detective who was in charge of the case; studies the transcript of the trial testimony; speaks with Marcus; and wrangles with a woman named Alison Samuels, who is a passionate advocate for missing and exploited children. Alison wants Creighton to pay the ultimate price for his crimes.

This is an intense novel that deals with such themes as the pros and cons of capital punishment; the often contentious relationship between parents and children; and the tragic consequences of the terrible mistakes people make, the secrets they keep, and the lies that they tell. The darkly humorous dialogue is terrific; the forensics are fascinating; Masterman wisely avoids sentimental contrivances; and the characters are, for the most part, flawed human beings whose good intentions do not prevent them from making horrendous decisions. This is an engrossing entry in a quirky series whose heroine hides her goodhearted nature behind a tough and sarcastic façade. Brigid Quinn uses her considerable intellect, common sense, and blunt but effective communication skills to help uncover the truth at last.

What makes this series work so well is the unique and real character, of Bridget Quinn. She is not your normal lead character in a mystery series, which makes this such a good read. I did like to see more of her back story in this one. The mystery seemed to kind of take a backseat to the storyline of relationships and family dynamics but it was still engaging and interesting. I gave this 4 stars on goodreads.

3.5 stars. I've read Becky Masterman's two previous books in the Brigid Quinn series. Brigid is a middle aged retired officer. What I like most about these books is Brigid's character, but Masterman also does a good job with the settings and stories. I felt the same about A Twist of the Knife. And this one had the added bonus of a pretty pointed perspective on the death penalty. Brigid goes to Florida to see her ill father, and while there gets involved in an investigation involving an inmate on death row who was found guilty of killing his wife and three children. The book has two parallel stories focusing on Brigid's relationship with her family and on her work with a former colleague who is trying to exonerate the death row inmate. What I liked was Brigid's ongoing character development through her family relationships. I also really liked how Masterman developed the death row aspect of the story. What kept me from giving this one four stars was that some of the characters' emotions didn't always ring true -- especially those involving Brigid's colleague -- and Masterman touches on the issue of cops cutting corners with what felt like too much of a light hand. The flaws feel like the mild growing pains of a series still in its early days. They won't keep me from reading the next one in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

Life and death and all the twists and turns it takes. A roller coaster of a read, nothing is as it seems, nobody as they appear, and life and death keep moving along. A definite must read, and waiting doe the next in the series. Thank you for the advance copy.

This book is not your normal every day mystery. The heroine is older and has to deal with a lot of family issues. She is not perfect and this book does go into details about her past life. This is the third book in this series and I have not read the first two but that did not detract from the story line

I have read the first two books in this series and love that Brigid Quinn is an older woman who is still active in law enforcement and a sane private life. Although I prefer her in Arizona with Carlo rather than in Florida with her original family, this book gives us an excellent look at her thoughts and experiences of the past as well as the present. Told in first person, Brigid acknowledges mistakes and weaknesses, always with humor and a little defiance. This book is very well written and an excellent read.

Good read! I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book and Brigid as a main character! The story held my interest throughout and I emphasized with this relationship with her sick father. A book I will recommend!