Book Review-A Broken Life (Paula Mitchell, P.I. Book 2)-Jan Christensen | Miki's Hope

Book Review-A Broken Life (Paula Mitchell, P.I. Book 2)-Jan Christensen

Thursday, June 25, 2015


The first time I read a book by this author was back in 2014--it was "Blackout" (see my review here)which is a gripping story of a girl with total amnesia. I suggest you read it if you haven't already! A Broken Life is a whole lot lighter but no less interesting and readable. I did not read the first in this series and had no problems so it can definitely be read as a stand alone.

Identity theft--it is happening all the time these days and that is what happens to one of the people Paula Mitchell knows from way back when. She bumps into Martha who is now homeless, and at the end of her rope. Paula takes her back to her home and attempts to find out who and what happened--and to get her identity back! The doctor who fired Martha from her last job because the person who had stolen her identity had been arrested is murdered and now there seems to be danger at every turn. Of course Paula has a boyfriend who tries to convince her to stop investigating-----

Will Paula be able to help her friend and keep all of them alive at the same time? Will she uncover who was behind the identity theft? Read the book and find out!

About the Book: (from Amazon)

While in the middle of investigating a domestic case, Rhode Islander PI Paula Mitchell finds an old friend, ragged and homeless. Paula learns that Martha Hendricks is the victim of identity theft. Three years earlier a woman, with ID confirming her as Martha, was busted on a drug charge. After Martha’s boss found out about it, he fired her.

Soon Paula begins to receive threatening phone calls. The doctor Martha worked for is murdered. And Martha disappears--until Paula finds her, beaten and left for dead, in her own backyard.

For two days, Martha is unconscious. As Paula investigates further, she learns more about the doctor’s employees, meets Martha’s old boyfriend, and one of her former roommates. Paula’s suspect list grows. When she’s almost run down in a parking lot, her lover pleads with her to stop her investigation.

Paula refuses. Not only is Martha in danger, but if Paula doesn’t push harder for answers, she knows she’ll be the next person on the killer’s hit list.


Read a chapter or two here

Purchase the Book Here


About the Author: (from Amazon)


Jan Christensen grew up in New Jersey and now resides in Texas. 'Revelations" is her second published novel, more gritty than her first one, "Sara's Search."

She's had over fifty short stories appear in various places over the last dozen years, two of which were nominated for a Derringer Award. She has a series of short stories called the Artie Crimes about an intrepid burglar who always seems to get entangled in some woman's dilemma. Three of her previously published short stories are in the "Warning Signs 1" collection, with more to come.

Jan mainly enjoys writing mysteries, but every once in awhile steps out of that comfort zone and goes for something else. When not writing and reading, she's hanging out on most of the social networking sites and doing email.

Learn more at her website: www.janchristensen.com

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I received a paperback edition of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

38 comments :

just the woods said...

this sounds like a great book. Im always looking for new reading material. I will def have to check it out

Jen said...

Sounds like an interesting read. I like suspenseful stories and this sounds like it would be a good one.

Regan said...

I love mysteries and I grew up near the RI border and have family there. I love "local" books so I will have to check this out. Thanks!

The Mommy-Files said...

I wish I had more time to read. This sounds like an interesting book.

Sandy a la Mode said...

this definitely sounds like an intense book!! i wish i had more time for reading!!

xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode

rosemary@myhomeandtravels said...

I'm starting a list of books for our upcoming cruise and think I will look into this one. Thanks for the suggestion.

Unknown said...

As a Rhode Islander and a book lover I will have to read this! Love a good thriller and this sounds like one!

Literary Winner said...

It's interested how an everyday problem like identity theft is tied into this story. Thanks for sharing!

Scott said...

People who steal others' identities really get to me. I'm sure I'd hate the character right away!

Patricia said...

Identity theft is such a scary subject. I wish more would be done to protect us. This looks like a great read.

Eat To Live said...

My sister was actually a victim of identity theft. They latched on to her income tax returns. She got it straightened out, but it wasn't easy.

ourfamilyworld said...

Identity theft stories always scares me. I would love to read this book and find out how the victim got her identity back.

Mama to 5 said...

This read sounds sad. unfortunately it happens everyday. I hope the victim got it all fixes and got her identity back!

Liz Mays said...

Man, there's a lot to uncover in this one. I'd probably read it super fast; I've a feeling it's a real page turner!

DC said...

Mysteries, especially when they star a female detective, are such fun to read. She should set one in NJ!

Samantha said...

sounds like a good read. i've not read this one

Linda A Kinsman said...

I love finding books that can stand alone! I enjoy a book that draws you in.

Unknown said...

I love a good mystery. I've always feared identity theft. Sounds like this book is my nightmare come true!

Katherine Bartlett said...

This is a very scary sounding book!

Mary Yaroscavitch said...

We need to add each other to Goodreads. What's your account on there so I can see all the reviews you have done on there too.

Unknown said...

This sounds like something my best friend would like- I'll have to recommend it to her next time we go out for coffee!

Lesley said...

I love a good mystery, this is a serious issue that can be a reality to many. I've never had my identity stolen but it sounds horrific!

Theresa Mahoney said...

We've had our credit card number stolen before and it was awful! I can't imagine what it would feel like to have your whole identity stolen!

Theresa Mahoney said...

My gosh, Terry! I would be really upset if my tax returns were stolen, then used like that. Glad she got it all straightened out!

Jacob from Local Adventurer said...

This sounds like a great book! Identity theft is so scary. I know we don't take the proper measures to protect ourselves.

lauriel said...

Wow, that sounds like an intense story. And quite relevant (I've had my identity stolen; not fun). Reading the dramatization of the story might make me more anxious about what could happen. The first book sounds like a great one for me to check out!

xo,
lauriel of EyeForElegance.com

Julie @ Director Jewels said...

It's been so long since I've had a chance to sit down and read a book. This sounds like an interesting summer read, though identity theft kind of freaks me out!

tiarastantrums said...

now this sounds like a book that I would really enjoy. I am so worried about this issue that it sorts of sends me into super sleuth mode all the time

Ron Leyba said...

Another great book to read during my free time. Thanks for sharing this title with us.

Unknown said...

I've had identity theft three times now, so I would definitely read this one! I need a little humor for that situation for sure!

Unknown said...

Identitiy theft is definitely an issu we wall need to be be aware of - and also realize that it can happen to anyone!

Unknown said...

Sounds truly exciting and identity theft is a serious problem. I had someone get a credit card in my name and ran it up. Luckily I was able to get it resolved.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great book will have to check it out!

Joyce Duboise said...

This book sounds really good. I’d imagine I would be at the edge of my seat with this one! I love books that I can’t put down. I am curious to find out what happens. It sounds a lot like a movie I’ve seen.

mail4rosey said...

Well if she's going to be in danger either way... might as well go through with it. That's what I think! :)

Rebecca Swenor said...

This sounds like an amazing mystery read. I love the ones that the main character is the investigator. Blackout sounds like a great read too so I will have to get that one as well. Thanks for sharing.

Tough Cookie Mommy said...

Identify theft is a serious thing and I have actually been a victim of it myself. It's so important to safeguard your identify whenever possible.

CourtneyLynne said...

Identify theft is an interesting topic!!!! This book sounds like a goodie. Totally going to add this to my summer reading list!

 
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