Facing the Enemy

By: DiAnn Mills

Narrated by: Gregory Abbey, Suzy Jackson

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

For the past five years, FBI Special Agent Risa Jacobs has worked in the violent crimes against children division of the Houston FBI. She’s never had reason to believe there’s a target on her back... until now.

When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly.

Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger.

For fans of romantic suspense comes a heart-pounding thriller about loss, betrayal, and finding the strength to trust again.

Full-length suspense novel

Standalone novel

Book length: approximately 96,000 words

Includes discussion questions for book groups

©2023 DiAnn Mills (P)2023 Recorded Books

Another Great Story

DiAnn never fails to bring a fast paced suspense story that keeps you interested until the end.

Listened to it straight through

I pre-ordered FACING THE ENEMY and have been waiting for it to come out on audio since it came out in print a month ago, and I read all the rave reviews.

The day it came out, I listened to it straight through, at regular speed. Paired with DiAnn Mills's panache for writing dialogue, the dual narration is excellent and really makes main characters Risa and Gage pop to life. These characters' fears and struggles are realistic, and they each bring something unique to the story to make them memorable.

"Not all of life was shadowed by dark corners."

I always appreciate Mills's descriptive writing and her way with words that brings comfort amidst the chaos. Plus, her expert pacing allows readers to relax at just the right times after tense moments have us on the edge of our seats.

With a complex plot, action, suspense, and a hint of romance, FACING THE ENEMY checks all of my boxes to be considered time well spent between the pages.

Mixed feelings

I love this author and will continue to read and listen to her books. I did, however, feel this one started unusually slow. The first several chapters could be eliminated to speed up the action. Knowing the author, I kept listening and the story did eventually pick up the pace and became more enjoyable. Although I did like these characters overall, I did find find the female lead to be reckless with the safety of herself and others and too stubborn to be likeable in several instances. Reckless decisions don't make her courageous, likeable or considered a strong female lead in my eyes. Her intelligence and experience went out the window when she decided what was best and proceeded in her arrogance without thought to the consequences. I also don't like cops that lie to get the answers they need from suspects. Lastly, the romance was sweet but seemed to go from zero to sixty seemingly overnight. Not her best, but otherwise, I did enjoy the story and recommend to others.

Good listen

I’m really happy that I picked this book. I listen to the sample but, then I also read the reviews left and I have to say some really got it wrong. They said it started off slow but, I like the build up to the ending, which will have you like omg😊

Great Listen!

The story line kept me engaged and the narrators did a great job! I did struggle a little discerning voices with the male narrator but not enough to keep me from listening.

God is always working

I love all of DiAnn Mills Christian suspense novels. She’s one of my 3 go to authors in this genre. Her books are detailed and engaging as are her characters. Just when it looked like we had discovered the villain, the book took a twist. Very clever. A small detail I enjoyed is Risa’s driving skills. Faith and relying in faith is also a nice detail. As always, there is light romance. I was surprised when the villain was revealed. Great conclusion to segue into another novel, the big Boss of this kidnapping ring remains unknown. Looking forward to the next in the series. Outstanding narration. Highly recommend.

Awesome Suspense

My husband I both love this book. It is uplifting, suspenseful, and I didn’t figure out the bad person until the end when the book told me. All the main characters are well developed. Suzy Jackson is a wonderful narrator. It was the first time listening to Gregory Abbey and he was wonderful reading the parts of Gauge. We pretty much have all the DiAnn Mills books and hopefully she will write many more. It so nice knowing that there won’t be bad language, wholesome relationships that do not make it boring, and Faith based.

a romance this is NOT!

Gage & Risa: triggers- extreme violence, adoption ring, stealing babies, assault, grief, depression.

So, a romance this is not. However it was found on the romance section on audible. It's very, very slow and focuses more on the mystery portion of the book. I mean the author spends more time dealing with the cases than with the main characters.

Extremely clean. This is a Christian book. There's not one chapter in the book where prayer, religion, God and/or forgiveness is not discussed. Do I have a problem with these subjects? No, however I don't come to the romance section of my audible account to be preached to. Also, the author uses clean language in place of curse words which sounds really weird in the many extreme circumstances.

For a 10 and a half hour audible listen, the author doesn't pay attention to the relationship until hour 9. But it's mentioned in hour maybe 6ish that they love each other (have not kissed) and chapter 8 it's announced that they are together (which shocked the hell out of me since they never discussed being together and STILL have not kissed).

I honestly don't know how I finished this.

Annoying!!

Aspects of the dialogue throughout the book were SO annoying and distracting from the story.

Not for me

I listened to the whole thing but I was ready for it to be over pretty quickly. It was a bit hokey for me, the story was eh. It was VERY religious, which I didn't realize going in. That might be my fault for not reading the description enough, I just read some reviews and those did not mention it. I'm not opposed to religion at all, it was just a lot.