Enduring Justice
Amy Wallace
Reviewed by Teresa Konopka
“Enduring Justice” by Amy Wallace is a tough book. It tackles the
emotional issue of child kidnappers and child molesters. The story
becomes even more complicated as the main character Hanna is dating an
FBI agent named Michael. Hanna has a troubled past that made her leave
town suddenly and return recently. Not many people know why she left or
where she went, but that secret is revealed as the book progresses.
The friends of Michael, as well as Hanna’s brother, are working towards
finding the culprit who abducted a small Asian girl. As the story
heightens, the agents find more clues and tragedy. What was just their
search for a simple kidnapper ends up involving many evil men. They
soon find themselves on the lookout for an old rapist (who harmed Hanna
when she was a child) and many bigots with guns.
Hanna’s psyche is unraveled. She has never told anyone about her
childhood rape. That is because the old man who attacked her was not
only her neighbor but her father’s close friend, as well. Eventually,
Michael finds the culprit and Hanna confesses everything. In a twisted
psychological state, Hanna seduces Michael but is interrupted by
Michael’s father before things get too far. Luckily, by the end of the
novel, Hanna and Michael have managed to fight temptation and keep
their promise rings on (rings that signify no sexual intercourse before
marriage).
The book ends with the bad guys in jail--and some killed. Friends
reunite and racism quells. Hanna even manages to comfort a little girl
she encounters that was raped. She shares her story with the girl, and
both lend each other support. Also, Michael and Hanna get married on
the very last page (this isn’t really a spoiler since the reader
expects it). Overall, this is an adequate mystery novel for those that
are interested in criminal chases.