Jo Larsen left the Dallas Police Department to become a detective in the small town of Plainfield, Texas. Jo and her partner, Hank Phelps, get called to a terrible scene in which a teenaged girl has jumped to her death from an old water tower. Although it's an apparent suicide, Jo is determined to find out what drove this beautiful young woman to make such a drastic and tragic decision.

"Walk a Crooked Line" is the second book in the Jo Larsen series. However, returning readers as well as newcomers can equally enjoy this book. Jo is a complex character with real problems and earns the respect of readers. Jo has a lot to deal with in her personal life. Her mother wasn't always there for her growing up, but now Jo's mother suffers from Alzheimer's and needs her help. Jo is tough, but vulnerable because of her past. She seeks justice for victims because she was once a victim herself.

In addition to the realistic characters, the plot of the book is relevant and something to which readers can relate . The story shows a sad twist to the ever increasing problem of cyber-bullying. The clues to what the victim was going through are there, but when the full truth of what happened is revealed, it is shocking and heartbreaking. The book also includes a sad and disturbing side-plot dealing with stolen dogs that is sometimes hard to read, but shows neither Jo nor Hank will give up on getting justice for crime victims, even four-legged ones.

"Walk a Crooked Line" is a well-written, compelling novel with a complicated main character who is easy to root for as she refuses to give up before she gets to the truth of her cases. I also like Jo's partnership with Hank and how well they work together. I read a lot of mysteries and procedurals, and the Jo Larsen series is becoming one of my favorites.

Thank you to the author and Thomas and Mercer for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.