WINNER - Daphne Du Maurier Award for
Excellence in Mystery/Suspense 2nd place
WINNER - Florida Authors and Publishers Assn. for Adult Fiction - Suspense/Mystery 2nd place
WINNER - Book Buyers Best
OCRW - 2nd place romantic suspense
TV Crime Reporter Rylee Lapiz is determined to discover who murdered her best friend’s mother. When her confidential informant is also brutally killed, panic hits her like a tsunami wave. Will she be the killer’s next target?
It’s a horrifying fact that the two homicides are linked, and she knew both victims. What connects the socialite with the drug addict? Reporting these stories is no longer merely an assignment, it’s a personal quest to avenge their deaths. But uncovering the truth is dangerous. Dread drowns her in denial as she delves deeper into the crimes. She’s terrified that she might personally know a murderer.
Her dogged investigation uncovers critical evidence the police overlooked. But instead of listening, she’s astonished and frustrated when detectives begin to suspect her. Is there anyone she can trust?
Shady Justice follows Rylee Lapiz as she navigates a treacherous landscape of deceit and betrayal in search of the facts. Every reveal could be her last. Can she report the truth before becoming the next victim?
Customer Reviews
Could Not Put It Down!
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Koontz draws you in with mystery, intrigue and compelling characters. In Shady Justice, she gives us an intimate glimpse into the helplessness and frustration of detectives in a murder, unable to identify either victim or perpetrator and the doggedness of Rylee, an investigative reporter determined to solve the puzzle.
When the case becomes personal to Rylee, she follows dangerous leads that bring her closer to answers but directly into the murderer’s sights. The writing kept me on the edge of my seat right through the courthouse scenes which Koontz does to perfection. If you’re into mystery and suspense with a dollop of romance, you’ll love Shady Justice.
-- Margo Carey
June 5, 2025
WOW!
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Outstanding read! The plot leaves you hanging until the end and the characters are so engaging. Don’t miss out! Read this today!
a paragraph.
--Marilyn
June 25, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
These characters are so real I feel like they could have jumped off the pages and said hello! Great story with unknowns right up to the end. I couldn't put it down!
--kiskadee
June 18, 2024