I Am Grace

Stewart’s badass Band of Sisters romantic suspense series adds a high-octane installment with this satisfying roller-coaster ride. Computer whiz and dance club owner Gracie was adopted as a child by the Parish family, a large and ever-growing group of benevolent, mostly female vigilantes. She has been raised to fight for truth and justice, but some days she’s just tired of it. FBI agent Leif “Dusty” McAllister has been on the Parish case ever since a frustrated Gracie revealed some of her family’s actions in an anonymous email. Convinced that Mukta Parish, the family matriarch, is conscripting unwilling children into her personal army, Dusty plans to infiltrate the group through feisty Gracie—but then he falls in love with her. Very little is as it seems in this intricately plotted novel. Stewart skillfully drags a number of red herrings out regarding a would-be killer, delivering an unexpected ending. The author also coyly suggests that family member Tony Parish, presumed dead early on in the series, is still alive. Enjoyable all on its own, the novel drops tantalizing story lines for future books in the series and neatly builds upon the prior installment, I Am Justice. Stewart’s talent shines in this suspenseful story. Agent: Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary. (Sept.)