Detective Jackson is called to the scene of a murder and finds a little boy hidden under the floor. The poor boy is so traumatized he won't let Detective Jackson turn him over to anyone. Now Detective Jackson must not only find a killer but find someone to care for the boy so he can work on the case. But with his girlfriend in the hospital with the mother of her grandson close to death, and daughter hesitant to help him, his case work is hindered.

Meanwhile, Detective Evans one of the best detectives Jackson works with has a murder of her own to investigate and it may be connected to the young mother of his girlfriend's grandson laying in the hospital close to death. As the cases become intertwined and the danger rises Jackson must make a decision that will impact his life and those around him, but first he must catch the killer.

I have not previously read the Detective Jackson series by L.J. Sellers and was able to join into the storyline and fit right in. The characters who were probably developed in previous stories but were explained enough that a new reader could understand the direction of the series. This particular storyline had a few good twists tying together both cases that were being worked on bringing all the characters together. Maybe a few things could have been explained more but I can't get specific without giving away the story.

L.J. Sellers has created an interesting group of characters that have the same flaws every other human on the planet does and that makes them easy to read and enjoy. DEADLY BONDS has mystery, murder, and a little boy that needs help, making for a good story.

Book Summary

When a young mother is found murdered in a derelict Eugene neighborhood—and her terrified young son is discovered hiding beneath the floorboards—Detective Jackson reluctantly takes the case. His own life is already in chaos, with his runaway teenage daughter, Katie, still gone and his girlfriend, Kera, facing her own family crisis.

Matters get more complicated when the orphaned boy bonds with Jackson, triggering unexpected emotions and compromising his ability to investigate. Meanwhile, Detective Evans, one of Jackson’s most valuable colleagues, is pulled off the case to look into the death of a University of Oregon football star—leaving the homicide task force shorthanded.

As Jackson works to solve the murder and find a home for little Benjie, he soon faces devastating choices that threaten everything he holds dear.