Description:

When Tina Evans gets a call from her brother in the middle of the night, she doesn’t think much of it; she’s been fielding distress calls from Bill for the last twenty years, ever since the day their father killed their mother.

At first, this call seems just like all the others: Bill’s holed up in a Brooklyn drug den and needs her to come rescue him. But when Tina gets there, her brother’s nowhere to be found. Instead, she discovers the body of a private detective hidden in the junk heap out back. He’s been shot to death, and his gun is missing from its holster.

Tina’s about to dial 911 when she receives a three-letter text message from a number she doesn’t recognize: “Shh…”

Tina doesn’t believe in coincidence—the death of this detective and her brother’s disappearance must be related. But how? Could it be her father pulling the strings from his prison cell? And is she willing to risk her own freedom—and her life—to uncover the truth?

Adele’s Review:

Not By Blood is an enjoyable read and the first book by Chris Narozny written without a partner. His writing and plotting skills kept me turning the pages until I finished the book in two or three sittings. I admit, the dark and gritty opening chapter made me hesitate to go further, but I decided to continue to give the story a fair reading, and I’m glad I did.

The story construction makes this book reader-friendly after the opening. It’s told in first person POV in linear fashion. Beginning, middle, end. There are no past/present chapters told in multiple POV to confuse the reader. The protagonist, Tina, is intelligent, realistic, and capable. (Sidebar–I loved that Tina actually ate food when she got hungry. This reviewer has read too many books where the female protagonist doesn’t eat, day after day, claiming she’s “not hungry.” Give me a female protagonist who enjoys a burger now and then, and I’m a fan.)

Not By Blood includes twists and turns I never saw coming, and the author ties the loose ends logically. The ending is satisfying. I’ll be on the lookout for Narozny’s next release.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5320057386

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BJNQM8BB