Review of:  Minutes to Die

Susan Sleeman.  Bethany House, $15.99 (384p) ISBN 978-0-7642-3396-8

Best-selling author Sleeman (Fatal Mistake, Thread of Suspicion) continues her Homeland Heroes series with this action suspense that will have readers on the edge of their seats.  When FBI Agent Kiley Dawson asks to take the lead in the investigation of the ruthless murder of her confidential informant [p. 15], she is little prepared to face the imminent threat of a major terrorist attack that is somehow connected to the case.  Kiley must struggle to overcome her fear and insecurity stemming from the loss of her father at a young age and the resulting overprotectiveness of her mother [p. 32 ff].  As she races across the county with her team to track down leads and identify the players involved in the nefarious mission, she grudgingly joins forces with ICE Agent Evan Bowers after he uncovers the illegal entry into the U.S. of foreign operatives carrying bomb-making technology [p. 47].  As they work together to stop the pending attack, Evan challenges Kiley to deal with the blame she feels towards him for the death of her previous partner in a take-down gone wrong [p. 47 ff].  Through their current partnership, Kiley re-discovers her faith and the forgiveness that comes after laying down one’s fear, and as she does so, the pair can no longer deny their feelings for each other [p. 168 ff].  Sleeman’s writing is sharp and detailed, but the fast pace may leave readers longing for an index of acronyms and characters for reference.  Smartly crafted with a blockbuster of an ending.