2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Description
As a new year dawns in the capital city, dual scandals rock the Metropolitan Police Department—and Lieutenant Sam Holland is right in the middle of them. Chief Farnsworth is catching heat for the way he handled a recent homicide investigation, and Detective Gonzales is accused of failing to disclose an earlier connection to the judge who decided his custody hearing.

When Gonzo's fight for his child turns deadly and he has a shaky alibi, Sam must defend two of her closest colleagues. All while her husband, Vice President Nick Cappuano, settles into his new office at the White House.

Nick begins to wonder if the president is using him for a political boost, and his worries mount over a complication in the plans to adopt Scotty at a time when Sam is being put through the wringer by the always-rabid DC press corps. As the evidence against Gonzo piles up, Sam suspects someone is gunning for her—and her team.

Cast List
(view spoiler)[
Samantha (Sam) Holland Cappuano: Washington DC metro police lieutenant in charge of city's homicide detective squad. She's married to Nick, mother of their adopted son, Scotty and Second Lady of the United States. She is 35-years old and has toffee-colored hair and pale blue eyes.
Nick Cappuano: Vice President of the United States. Married to Sam and father of their adopted son, Scotty. Former US senator from Virginia, who was elected to his first term after finishing out John O'Connor's. He's 37-years old and 6'4" with dark brown hair and hazel eyes.
Scotty Dunlap Cappuano: Nick and Sam's adopted 13-year old son.
Frederico (Freddie) Cruz: Sam's partner. He lives with girlfriend Elin.
Elin Svendsen: Freddie's girlfriend.
Shelby Faircloth: Nick and Sam's assistant. She runs their household and Sam calls her Tinkerbell.
Avery Hill: FBI agent in charge of the Criminal Investigation Division. He and Shelby are going out.
George Terrell: FBI deputy director of the Criminal Investigation Division under Avery.
Jeannie McBride: Detective on Sam's homicide team. Engaged to Michael. Partnered with Will Tyrone.
Michael Wilkinson: Jeannie's fiancé.
Will Tyrone: Jeannie's partner.
Tommy (Gonzo) Gonzales: Detective sergeant on Sam's homicide team. He's engaged to Christina and is baby Alex's father. He has full custody.
Christina Billings: Nick's former chief of staff who's engaged to Gonzo. She's now home full time taking care of Alex.
Alejandro (Alex): Gonzo's son.
Skip Holland: Sam's father, married to Celia. Quadriplegic who was shot in the line of duty.
Celia Holland: Sam's stepmother, former nurse married to Skip.
Graham O'Connor: Former US senator from Virginia who is married to Laine. He's the father of John, Terry and Lizbeth and is very close to Nick.
Laine O'Connor: Married to Graham and mother of their three children, Terry, John and Lizbeth. She's Nick's surrogate mother.
Terry O'Connor: Nick's chief of staff and son of Graham and Laine. He's Lindsay's fiancé.
Lindsey McNamara: Chief medical examiner. She's Terry O'Connor's fiancée.
Joe Farnsworth: Chief of police.
Malone: Detective Captain, Sam's mentor.
Conklin: Detective Chief.
Archie Archelotta: Police lieutenant in charge of the IT division. He was once romantically involved with Sam.
Darren Tabor: Reporter for the Washington Star.
Leonard Stahl: Former head of IAB now facing trial for attempted murder.
William (Bill) Springer: Defense attorney who's son, Billy, was killed by police when they attempted to arrest him for the murder of his younger brother and eight of his friends.
Billy Springer: William's son who was killed when police tried to arrest him for his brother's murder and his eight friends.
Marissa Springer: Married to Bill Springer and mother of their four children, including Billy and Hugo.
Edna Chan: Springer family live-in housekeeper.
Pamela Desjardens: Bill Springer's admin.
Leon Morton: Family Court judge presiding over Gonzo's custody case.
Andy Simone: Nick's friend and Gonzo's attorney.
Lori Phillips: Alex's biological mother.
George Phillips: Lori's older brother.
Ambrose Pierce: Secret Service Director.
John (Brant) Brantley, Jr.: Lead Secret Service agent on Nick's detail.
Melinda: Agent on Nick's detail.
Darcy: Agent on Scotty's detail.
Beckett: Police officer.
Tony: Gonzo's building superintendent.
Ramsey: SVU detective.
Davidson: Lieutenant who heads SVU.
Cole McDonald: Lieutenant who heads the Vice Squad.
Norris: Lieutenant over Public Affairs.
Haggerty: Crime Scene Unit lieutenant.
Rex Connelly: Lori's ex-boyfriend.
Justine Travers: Social worker handling Alex's case.
Mark Angelo: Gonzo's friend who was with him when he first met Lori.
Sara Angelo: Lori's best friend and Mark's sister.
Lilia Van Nostrand: Sam's chief of staff as Second Lady.
Helen: Farnsworth's admin.
Liam Hughes: Man Lori's dating.
Andre Elliott: Man who assaulted Elin at the gym.
Monica Taylor: CBC television news reporter for Good Morning D. C.
James Donlon: Private investigator.
Tony D'Alessandro: Restaurant waiter. (hide spoiler)]

I really liked this story, but....there's no way Sam would be allowed to go without protection in Washington, DC.

One of my favourite books in the series. I enjoyed the suspense of this one, I didn't pick the villain until just before the big reveal. I like how this plot linked back through all the books, because of that.

Being able to continue to pursue such an active career, linked to such a high profile didn't ring true with me. But I guess if she accepted a desk job, she wouldn't be Sam.

I cheered when Nick stood up against the President, deciding to make his own mark as VP.

First of all, why was Stahl allowed bail? He tried to kill a police officer!!!

I think the president has an unrevealed agenda and is definitely using Nick, who will get the better of him.

I was caught completely off guard when it was revealed that Marissa Springer and Stahl were in cahoots. I did think Sam should have stepped back when she realized Marissa would have seen the killer from the tapes. Why she went back into that house alone was really, really crazy.

I'm hoping that in the next book Sam is forced to update her electronics. Otherwise, I'm going to have serious issues with the credibility of the story if she continues being allowed to operate without protection. She's a walking target and this just is outrageous.

I really like this series. Sam is such a "ballsy" lady. I can certainly understand why her team support her so strongly. There are details that are not totally believable - like Sam ,as the second lady, being allowed to continue her job as a cop in the field without a secret service tail with her, but I really enjoy that Nick as the VP doesn't want Sam to have to quit her job.5 stars from me. Roll on Fatal Frenzy.

I'm with you, Chris. No way should she not have a detail.