BEHIND THE BADGE - Patricia Sargeant
Justice Hunters (Book #1)
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
BUY
Brenda Larnell (A)
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
REVIEW: BEHIND THE BADGE by National best-selling and award-winning author Patricia Sargeant, launches an exciting new series centered on the Rashaad sisters, Crystal, Amber, and Jade. This first installment immerses readers in the world of Crystal Rashaad, a rookie homicide detective whose personal and professional lives collide in unexpected and suspenseful ways.
At its heart, BEHIND THE BADGE is a romantic suspense novel that expertly blends the intensity of a criminal investigation with the emotional complexity of its characters. The story follows Crystal Rashaad as she navigates her new role in the homicide department of the Columbus, Ohio police department. When a string of murders shakes the community-including the tragic loss of her beloved aunt and her partner- Crystal is thrown into a dangerous and deeply personal investigation. Unbeknownst to Crystal, Special Agent Lucas Gilchrist has been assigned to covertly investigate her. Lucas’s professional duty soon becomes tangled with his growing feelings for Crystal, leading to a compelling dynamic that adds another layer of tension and intrigue to this story. Ms. Sargeant takes readers step by step through an intricate investigation marked by twists, red herrings, and a relentless search for the truth. The “who-dunnit” aspect is masterfully handled, keeping readers guessing until the final pages.
To add to this suspenseful narrative, the author crafts multidimensional characters whose relationships form the emotional core of the story. The supporting cast, especially Crystal’s sisters, Amber and Jade, provide depth and foreshadow future stories in the series. What is more, the story also shines a light on police corruption at the highest levels, adding realism and urgency to the story’s central mystery. It is truly a page-turner!
BEHIND THE BADGE is a strong start to the Rashaad sisters’ series, skillfully combining romance, suspense, and social commentary. Kudos to Sargeant’s writing skills to weave together complex characters and a gripping plot ensuring that her readers will be eagerly expecting the stories of Amber and Jade. BEHIND THE BADGE is a must-read for fans of romantic suspense and anyone who enjoys a compelling, character-driven mystery. I recommend it for your reading pleasure.
25 February 2026 | romcol@caribsurf.com
At its heart, BEHIND THE BADGE is a romantic suspense novel that expertly blends the intensity of a criminal investigation with the emotional complexity of its characters. The story follows Crystal Rashaad as she navigates her new role in the homicide department of the Columbus, Ohio police department. When a string of murders shakes the community-including the tragic loss of her beloved aunt and her partner- Crystal is thrown into a dangerous and deeply personal investigation. Unbeknownst to Crystal, Special Agent Lucas Gilchrist has been assigned to covertly investigate her. Lucas’s professional duty soon becomes tangled with his growing feelings for Crystal, leading to a compelling dynamic that adds another layer of tension and intrigue to this story. Ms. Sargeant takes readers step by step through an intricate investigation marked by twists, red herrings, and a relentless search for the truth. The “who-dunnit” aspect is masterfully handled, keeping readers guessing until the final pages.
To add to this suspenseful narrative, the author crafts multidimensional characters whose relationships form the emotional core of the story. The supporting cast, especially Crystal’s sisters, Amber and Jade, provide depth and foreshadow future stories in the series. What is more, the story also shines a light on police corruption at the highest levels, adding realism and urgency to the story’s central mystery. It is truly a page-turner!
BEHIND THE BADGE is a strong start to the Rashaad sisters’ series, skillfully combining romance, suspense, and social commentary. Kudos to Sargeant’s writing skills to weave together complex characters and a gripping plot ensuring that her readers will be eagerly expecting the stories of Amber and Jade. BEHIND THE BADGE is a must-read for fans of romantic suspense and anyone who enjoys a compelling, character-driven mystery. I recommend it for your reading pleasure.
25 February 2026 | romcol@caribsurf.com
