* Reviewed for Netgalley*After the dramatic events in [b:Final Approach|6533761|Final Approach|Rachel Brady|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266747586s/6533761.jpg|6725890], Emily Locke is working hard at restablishing a relationship with her daughter, and in her new role as an assistant for Richard Cole in Texas. Richard tasks Emily with investigating the murder of Wendell PLatt, a plastic surgeon, of whom their difficult client, Claire Gaston has been accused. It doesn't look good, Claire's fingerprints are in his house, on the murder weapon and she is less than forthcoming with the truth. Yet Emily is convinced that their client is innocent and tries to untangle the web of betrayal, adultery, and theft. Soon she finds herself the target of the killer in a nailbiting showdown.Emily Locke is a sympathetic and likable character. She is struggling to find her place in her daughter's life and still mourning the loss of her husband, while trying to move on and rebuild her shattered life. Her motivations seem sincere and believable, she is singleminded in her pursuit of the truth. Perhaps more of her character was established in the first novel, since I did find it a bit of a stretch that she was a little cavalier with her saftey, and by extension her daughters, when directly threatened. The book paints broad strokes of the events that must take place in Final Approach and I felt that someone who had had those experiencs would have been more cautious. However, Emily's character is mostly consistent and feels natural. Emily's best friend lends support and adds warmth with the push/pull of a longstanding friendship.{"Men and details," she said"Like men an condoms. They only use them if the have to."}Vince, her love interest, is very much in the background of the story but like Jeannie plays a part in rounding out Emily's character.The subject of identity theft and cyber vulnerabilities is topical and interesting. Dead Lift is a well written mystery with a solid plot that leads you deftly through the maze of suspects to reveal the killer. ( )

n Dead Lift, Emily has left her unpleasant job in Ohio and moved to Houston where she works as a part-time investigator for Richard Cole, with whom she's made peace, in order to forge a relationship with her daughter Annette, who was found as a result of the search investigation at Gulf Coast Skydiving.

Emily is living in a small apartment, and though she has primary custody of her daughter, she's trying to make the transition easier for Annette by allowing her frequent contact with the people who had adopted her.

She goes to visit a jailed client, and discovers that she and Richard have been hired by the attorney who defended her husband's murderer. As one would expect, this causes some friction between Emily and her employer, but she finds herself drawn to Claire Gaston, the client charged with the murder of a local plastic surgeon. Emily appears to have a true talent for detective work, as well as an incredible tenacity. She's a real hands-on investigator, which becomes dangerous at times, though she always manages to survive.

Like its prequel, Dead Lift is gripping and exciting, and will most likely be read in a single sitting. ( )