Terrific book with excellent suspense as well as tackling two emotional subjects. The story opens with a two-year-old girl kidnapped from her home during the night. The Conard County detective assigned to the case is Guy Redwing, newly promoted to the rank of detective. Complicating matters for him is the arrival of the missing girl's aunt, Valerie, a detective from the city. Guy isn't thrilled to have her involved, but the important thing is to find little Lizzie.

Initially, there is tension between Guy and Val. She is raring to go, while Guy is methodical in ensuring he efficiently uses their resources. Guy also has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder because of the prejudice he experiences as a Native American. He wonders if Val looks down on him because of it. Fortunately, that is not Val's issue - she is simply frustrated by the case's slow progress. I liked seeing them work together and come to respect each other's abilities. Neither expects the sparks of attraction that flare between them as they spend hours together. I liked Guy's protectiveness and understanding as he watched her balance professionalism with a family member's fear.

There were some intriguing scenes as Guy's Native American friends helped with the search, exposing Val to culture and beliefs she had no experience with. I found her sensitivity admirable, and loved her open-mindedness and willingness to learn. The feelings they developed for each other happened quickly, thanks to the circumstances, but there are obstacles to overcome. Guy worries about Val being accepted by his family and receives some excellent advice from one of his tribal elders. Val is concerned about how they'll carry out a relationship when she's back at her job. I liked the realism that there are no simple answers to either question and that both are committed to doing what they must to make it happen. I hope to see more of them in future books because I'd like to know how their romance progresses.

The story's suspense kept me turning the pages late into the night. With Lizzie's parents divorced, did one of them do something heinous in a fit of anger or despair? Or does someone have a grudge against one of them? I loved how the people of Conard County pulled together to search for the child. I could also feel everyone's frustration as they ran into dead end after dead end. There is a hint at the beginning as to who is behind it, and in the last half of the book, the perp's point of view becomes part of the story. Grey Cloud's involvement provides a turning point, and the intensity increases. I was on the edge of my seat as the pieces finally came together. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Guy and Val's suspicions proved correct.

I loved my visit to Conard County and seeing old friends. Both the "old" and "new" sheriffs play important parts in showing the dedication of local law enforcement. Pastor Molly, Kell McLaren and his K-9 Blue, and Maude and Mavis from the diner are just a few of the characters from previous books that make appearances here. ( )