The Pledge

In Edgar finalist Kent’s thrilling third and final novel featuring Sgt. Betty Rhyzyk of the North Central Dallas PD (after 2020’s The Burn), two of her past enemies return to Dallas, each seeking revenge. Evangeline Roy, the ruthless head of a cultlike drug cartel, sends Betty a message through one of Evangeline’s disciples: “Evangeline is going to take your life apart, piece by piece. And then she’s going to take you apart, piece by piece.” El Cuchillo, Evangeline’s rival, has his own message for Betty: “Once I give you the location of Evangeline Roy, you’ll have two weeks to capture or kill her.” Meanwhile, teenage mother Mary Grace and her baby, Elizabeth, whom Betty and Betty’s wife, Jackie, rescued from the streets, vanish. Mary Grace’s stepfather, a wealthy property developer, is intent on finding Elizabeth and blames Betty for the disappearance. Fortunately, Betty, who has one of the strongest marriages in detective fiction and has earned the respect of most of her fellow police officers, is up to every challenge. Kent does a fine job weaving the various plot strands into a satisfying and action-packed whole. Agent: Danny Baror, Baror International. (Nov.)