Protector — Laurel Dewey

Here is the gut-wrenching, heartrending story of hard-bitten Denver homicide detective Jane Perry and nine-year-old Emily Lawrence. Emily has witnessed the murder of her parents  -- murders authorities believe have ties to a larger wave of crime. But Emily can't recall a thing about the killings. When the murderers come after Emily, Jane's boss sends the two of them to a remote town in Colorado. There, Jane, who doesn't have a maternal bone in her body, must pose as Emily's mother and serve as her protector. At the same time, she needs to help Emily slowly remember the devastating event without traumatizing her further.

And while she does so, the killer is closing in . . . .

Protector marks the debut of Jane Perry, an immensely flawed, utterly sympathetic character. She will shock you, confound you, astonish you, and ultimately grip your soul.