Later this month my new novel, Accidental Allies, will leap into the book world. Today, I’m continuing my series of character spotlights to introduce readers to the key characters and their storylines.
This post features a brand new character to the Unde(a)feated Detective Series, Renee Hart. Though Minka Avery, the protagonist, gets to reunite with her old police department, she can’t step back into her old shoes entirely. Her former partner—and current brother-in-law—Cael has been partnered with Declan Schuster for the past six years, so Lieutenant Channing decides to pair Minka with Renee, the partner of the detective Minka’s replacing. That said, he cautions Minka that she may not enjoy the same easygoing dynamic she had with Cael.
His intuition proves true, with Minka and Renee having chilly relations from the start. Not helping matters, they’re immediately thrust into investigating the courthouse bombing. After Minka learns a little more about her sad history of losing her daughter, however, she strives to bond with her as a fellow mom.
Can they manage to overcome their differing methods to crack the case and perhaps become accidental allies?
To give you a glimpse into Renee’s personality, here’s a fictitious news article that doesn’t appear in the book.
Lead Detective Hart Provides Update on Bombing Investigation
By Doreen Packard
While Chief of Police Friedman has been outspoken about the Orange County Courthouse bombing, we’ve heard very little from the FBI or OPD’s Detectives Minka Avery and Renee Hart, who are heading up the investigation. Though Detective Avery still hasn’t responded to our requests for a comment, her partner provided some insight into where the baffling case stands.
“We’ve been following a few solid leads this past day or two and are closing in on a suspect,” Hart reports.
The detective wouldn’t name the person of interest but confirmed it was an employee at the courthouse.
“Truthfully, it’s been pretty straightforward from day one, but gathering evidence takes time. My partner’s not the type to act hastily.”
At the mention of her new partner, who just returned to the department after a six-year absence, I asked how they were settling into working together.
“Given the explosion happened the night we met, we haven’t had much time for chitchat,” Hart states. “We have a mutual respect, though, based on our experience on the force. Minka’s time away has left her with some catching up to do, but we’re getting through her rusty period. Even she’s admitted she didn’t expect landing such a major case right away.”
For the sake of our city, let’s hope Hart’s veteran leadership coupled with Avery’s acute skills of deduction will weed out the anarchist among us.
Will Renee and Minka hit their stride in time to
catch a bomber?
Preorder Accidental Allies Now!
Also See
Character Spotlight: Minka Avery
KarinaBartow.com 
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