Book Reviews:    Cop's Daughter: Victoria

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Cop's Daughter: Victoria by Laura Marie Henion

Rockland County author, Laura Marie Henion, may just be the next queen of suspense. Ms. Henion, a mother of three, writes fast paced romance-mysteries and has cranked out 3 books in 18 months. Cop's Daughter: The Series-Victoria, is the third one to hit Pickwick's shelves this 2006-2007-winter season. All Henion's characters lead edgy, steamy lives and Victoria is no exception.

The book has a shotgun start with Victoria struggling to escape from an abductor. The heroine is a journalist whose investigative style drives her to find the killer of her father, police detective Danny Mardullo. Victoria is as fearless as the men in her life. Her family is populated with police officers, firemen and marines. Being a young woman doesn't stand in her way of seeing justice served, even if it means going undercover to romance a man that the FBI suspects of other crimes.

I found the plot held surprises with homicide detective, Tod Kafrey, who carries more than a torch for Victoria. I also enjoyed reading about Victoria's family gatherings replete with quirky relatives. Cop's Daughter entertains with an exciting but believable plot. Laura Marie Henion packs a one-two punch on the pages of her newest book.

Published 2006, Paperback 200 pages $12.95 at Pickwick's of Nyack or from Whiskey Creek Press www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Local authors are welcome to send review copies to Book Talk c/o Joan Reid at The Nyack Villager, PO Box 82, Nyack NY 10960


Cop's Daughter: Victoria by Laura Marie Henion

5 Star Rating: "very rare, extraordinary read"

Victoria Mardullo has suffered the past year with the loss of her father, who was murdered, and the loss of her boyfriend, who went to fight for the Marines and disappeared. Trying to pick up the pieces, she has two men who desire her - Tod Kafrey, the officer investigating her father's murder and Bret Collins, a local, not too scrupulous, businessman. Her family is full of police, fire fighters and military and they are all not happy with her choice of Bret for a date. They are even more unhappy when her boyfriend Steven Soranno reappears back from the military and Victoria refuses to return to him. Well aware that she is not acting normal, her family is suspicious and knows they must do something for her. Victoria is nothing if not stubborn and she is determined to find who murdered her father. No one, including her family and her returned boyfriend, will get in her way, especially now that there appears to be information coming to light which would smear her father's reputation.

Victoria is the perfect heroine. Strong, capable and determined, she will do whatever is necessary to bring her father's murderer to justice. She has a warm, loving family if a bit controlling seeing as most of her family are also members of the police department, fire fighters or military. In spite of this, she was able to do what she needed to do. Steve's re-entry into her life was a surprise and both handled it well. Steve's reasons for no contact were made clear as the story progressed. The conclusion was quite suspenseful and was not something you would have guessed. From the intriguing beginning to the nail bitting end, Cop's Daughter: Victoria was fast paced and suspenseful. This is Ms. Henion's second book and I know I for one will run out and get the next one right away. Laura Marie Henion is one to add to you auto buy list.

Reviewed by Elise Lyn for Ecataromance

Cop's Daughter: Victoria by Laura Marie Henion

Cop’s Daughter: Victoria, is the first in a series about women who are, like the author, the daughters of policemen. In this first dramatic entry, Victoria Mardullo is facing not only a memorial for her father, Danny, marking a year after his death in the line of duty, but also the loss of her fiancé in the dunes of the Iraq War. She knows that the local police force has not given up the search for Danny’s murderer, but she also is realistic when it comes to over-burdened detectives chasing down a crime that is a year old. She sets out on her own, using resources made available to her as the daughter of a town’s beloved family and the skills she has honed as an investigative reporter.

I enjoyed this book for several reasons. The big ones are that the mystery is very well crafted and the interpersonal relationships within the Mardullo family. I suspected the bad guy about mid-way in, but didn’t really believe he did it until he revealed himself at the end. It kept me guessing, and wasn’t a last-page, butler-in-the-closet solution either. In almost every big family there is an incarnation of the characters of Aunt Jane, Uncle Patrick, Brother Peter and Momma Sherry. Victoria’s responses to each are founded on respect and courtesy, but personalized by her individualism and grief.

Keeping secrets in an extended family is not the easiest thing to do, and neither is dating somebody who is not readily accepted by them. Victoria alienates everybody she loves doing both helping the federal authorities solve her father’s murder and restore the Mardullo family well-being.

Reviewed by Beth Ellen McKenzie MyShelf.com

Cop's Daughter: Victoria by Laura Marie Henion


River Point and Creek Valley, New York - Present Day

Victoria Mardullo is a writer for the magazine Search and Seizure so she knows something about researching criminal cases.

Tory's uncle, Patrick Malley, is a police sergeant; her brother Peter is a SWAT team member, and her brother James is in the Army, stationed in Iraq. And she has cousins . . . Connor and Brian are also on the police force; Tom is a firefighter, and Andy is a sheriff. Tory is surrounded by civic-minded relatives, and each is determined to be her guardian.

Tory's father Danny, the cop she loved best, is dead, and his murder has yet to be solved. His loss and the mysterious unsolved disappearance of Steven Soranno, the man she still loves, have made her put up barriers and concentrate on her career.

Detective Tod Kafrey is the investigator of record regarding her father's case. He would very much like to give aid and comfort to Tory. So would Bret Collins, a Town Board member who aspires to be Town Supervisor. He is an older man with a poor political track record, and his fear that his shady dealings will be discovered always nags at him. With someone like Victoria at his side, he would be much closer to achieving his goals.

Victoria agrees to help Federal officials gather information that would bring positive proof of Collins's illegal activities. There is also the chance that he might know more about her father's killing, although he is not the prime suspect. Much to her own distaste and her family's chagrin, Victoria begins dating him. It is not just her brother, uncle, and cousins who are against her seeing the politician. Detective Kafrey is furious. Only her mother seems to trust that Victoria knows what she is doing. Because of the secrecy imposed on her, she cannot tell anyone in the family her reasons for seeing Collins and she has left herself open to danger. To further complicate matters, Steven suddenly reappears with secrets of his own, throwing her heart and head into a tailspin.

Laura Marie Henion manages her stage with smooth finesse. The town of River Point is alive, peopled with fully developed characters. There are several other dead bodies along the way, and the action builds to a crisis so relentlessly one can almost hear the background music. Everything with the plot works, and the identity of the killer was certainly unexpected. Fix a glass of ice tea and enjoy. I very much recommend VICTORIA.

Reviewed by Vi Janaway for Romance Reviews Today

Cop's Daughter: Victoria by Laura Marie Henion
Rating: 4-1/2 flags

Most of the men in Victoria's family are or were in the police department or army, like her cousins and her father. So Victoria goes to her aunt just like the rest of the family to watch the military parade. But seeing the parade pass by, it makes her realize even more how much she misses her father, he would have been walking there too if he was still alive. And she also misses her boyfriend Steven, she can only hope he's safe, the only thing they know is that he's missed in action.

But her first worry now is how she is going to tell her brother who stands next to her about her plans? She already knows he doesn't want her to get involved, to leave it to the cops and investigators, but she can't.

Detective Tod is in love with Victoria, but she doesn't want to get involved in a relationship with him. He gets called away from Victoria's aunt's house as the body of a young girl has been found. If the people find out that a young woman has been killed on Memorial Day, panic is going to break loose, the investigators have to be extremely careful now.

Victoria has a trail. She knew that she would find something, she's no police investigator but she's good at finding out things and she doesn't give up. She will find out who has killed her father and hopefully make them pay. She has to do this to find some peace in her life.

Cop's Daughter: Victoria is a story with a high dosis of suspense in it, a woman is so overwhelmed with pain and grief that she can't accept what has happened and tries to handle it in her own way, only her way is extremely dangerous. And difficult, especially when she finds out who probably killed her father, the only way to get to him is to seduce him. Laura Marie Henion has written a book with a high quality level, if you like a good mystery book with plenty of suspense, stop looking any further, you have found one!

Reviewed by Annick for Euro-Reviews

Cop's Daughter: Victoria by Laura Marie Henion
Rating: 5 Angels

Victoria is dealing with the murder of her father. As a detective, Victoria’s father was found slain nearly a year ago. Dealing with his death is hard enough, knowing the killer is still out there is even worse. Victoria has had it with waiting and starts looking into it herself.

Playing with fire, she is caught in the middle of an investigation. She must risk hurting her family and those she loves to capture a killer. Murders are piling up and the killer has just set his eyes on the next victim.

With more twists than a corkscrew, Laura Marie Henion will leave you guessing until the thrilling conclusion. The intensity of Cop’s Daughter: Victoria makes this a novel that is difficult to put down. Beware, some may find it difficult to sleep until this story is completed.

Emotions are easily felt in this gripping read. Characters are brought to life with such clarity, that it is difficult not to feel as if you know them. Such an ability is a signature of a truly talented author.

In itself, the storyline presented is rich in detail and is delivered at an effortless pace. Stopping points are not included for this tale. Overall Cop’s Daughter: Victoria is a welcome addition to any keepers shelf.

Reviewed by Jayne for Fallen Angels

Cop's Daughter: Victoria by Laura Marie Henion
Rating: 5 Angels

Victoria is dealing with the murder of her father. As a detective, Victoria’s father was found slain nearly a year ago. Dealing with his death is hard enough, knowing the killer is still out there is even worse. Victoria has had it with waiting and starts looking into it herself.

Playing with fire, she is caught in the middle of an investigation. She must risk hurting her family and those she loves to capture a killer. Murders are piling up and the killer has just set his eyes on the next victim.

With more twists than a corkscrew, Laura Marie Henion will leave you guessing until the thrilling conclusion. The intensity of Cop’s Daughter: Victoria makes this a novel that is difficult to put down. Beware, some may find it difficult to sleep until this story is completed.

Emotions are easily felt in this gripping read. Characters are brought to life with such clarity, that it is difficult not to feel as if you know them. Such an ability is a signature of a truly talented author.

In itself, the storyline presented is rich in detail and is delivered at an effortless pace. Stopping points are not included for this tale. Overall Cop’s Daughter: Victoria is a welcome addition to any keepers shelf.

Reviewed by Jayne for Fallen Angels

Cop's Daughter: Victoria by Laura Marie Henion
Rating: 5 Stars

Victoria Mardullo has suffered the past year with the loss of her father, who was murdered, and the loss of her boyfriend, who went to fight for the Marines and disappeared. Trying to pick up the pieces, she has two men who desire her - Tod Kafrey, the officer investigating her father's murder and Bret Collins, a local, not too scrupulous, businessman. Her family is full of police, fire fighters and military and they are all not happy with her choice of Bret for a date. They are even more unhappy when her boyfriend Steven Soranno reappears back from the military and Victoria refuses to return to him. Well aware that she is not acting normal, her family is suspicious and knows they must do something for her. Victoria is nothing if not stubborn and she is determined to find who murdered her father. No one, including her family and her returned boyfriend, will get in her way, especially now that there appears to be information coming to light which would smear her father's reputation.

Victoria is the perfect heroine. Strong, capable and determined, she will do whatever is necessary to bring her father's murderer to justice. She has a warm, loving family if a bit controlling seeing as most of her family are also members of the police department, fire fighters or military. In spite of this, she was able to do what she needed to do. Steve's re-entry into her life was a surprise and both handled it well. Steve's reasons for no contact were made clear as the story progressed. The conclusion was quite suspenseful and was not something you would have guessed. From the intriguing beginning to the nail bitting end, Cop's Daughter: Victoria was fast paced and suspenseful. This is Ms. Henion's second book and I know I for one will run out and get the next one right away. Laura Marie Henion is one to add to you auto buy list.

Reviewed by Elise Lyn for Ecataromance.com

Cop's Daughter: Victoria by Laura Marie Henion

A year after Victoria's father was killed, the murder still remains unsolved. For months, the reporter has been working on its solution, and now, her work has entered its most dangerous phase. At the risk of forever alienating her family and losing the man she truly loves, Victoria has agreed to go undercover and "romance" the lead suspect in not only her father's death, but in a series of crimes that has caught the FBI's attention. Victoria has no idea how much danger she is in, or who her enemy is.

*** Small town politics and murder make for an intriguing plot that moves rapidly. Victoria is a strong heroine who carries the story well. This works as a stand alone novel, though it is part of a series. ***

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore for Whiskey Creek Press
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