By Kirsty McKay

Cover Blurb:

Accused of murder, Rena is forced to flee the dangerous reach of the real killer, her uncle and planetary leader, Geran Kelshan. Using his political and criminal connections, Geran seeks to dispose of her before she can prove her innocence and expose his complicity. He enlists the aid of her twin sister, Beka, who is a captain in the Guardians, a branch of the Galactic Defense Forces responsible for pursuing criminals. Past animosity between the sisters ensures that there will be no cooperation between the two, and that Rena will find no allies in her sister’s squad. However, she is not without resources of her own, and using unrevealed telekinetic talents, she is able to escape off world to Fenaira, a planet obsessed with protecting their environment no matter the cost in human lives.As Beka and her squad attempt to track Rena down, they are forced to battle the dangerous wildlife and difficult terrain with the limited equipment and supplies allowed by the Fenairan officials. Rena’s illusions and tricks slow them down even more, allowing her to increase the distance between them. Geran’s other forces, including his chief-of-security assigned as liaison with Beka’s squad, further hinder their efforts, threatening to not only prevent them from completing their mission, but also endangering their lives.The Illusion of Murder is a science fiction story set in the midst of the corrupt democratic society of the Galactic Confederacy. Beka and Rena, forced onto opposite sides of the law, must put their past, with its tangle of old hurts and misconceptions, behind them as they face predator cats, dangerous betrayals, and a shadowy group that believes they know too much. Their very survival depends on them achieving a level of cooperation that neither of them desires, nor believes to be possible.

The Illusion of Murder By Author Diane Henson – Book Review

The Illusion of Murder is a well written blend of the science fiction and crime/mystery thriller genres by Author Diane Henson which introduces the reader to the characters of Beka and Rena. Two very strong, feisty and completely relatable female protagonists. Beka and Rena are sisters enstranged by past hurts and misunderstandings who are brought together but on opposite sides of the Galactic Confederancy law. Beka is enlisted by their corrupt Uncle to hunt Rena down when he falsely accuses Rena of committing murder. She is skilled, determined, intelligent and loyal to the Guardians, determined to bring the guilty to justice no matter who they are. Rena is a softer version of her sister but with untapped and deadly talents that come to the fore when she is placed in life threatening situations.

This is a really highly entertaining plot, moving at a good pace and propelling the reader forward through a fascinating world with its complicated and questionable politics, conspiracies, betrayals, secrets, and deadly predators. The characters are really well developed, the dialogue relevant and there is very little to distract from the story. The reader is hooked from the offset and completely engaged from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and it is a brilliant start to a series which I hope will continue further as there are still quite a few threads to resolve. I was completed endeared and captivated by Rena’s character and especially her relationship with Edaja which I definitely wanted to read more of.

I highly recommend and have no hesitation in awarding 5 stars.

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