Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

The charming and resourceful Luke Daniels was successful at drug dealing and cybercrime until the law caught up with him. Facing a lengthy jail term, he was recruited by Special Agent Troy Wilson to infiltrate the Costa Crew, an organized crime family headed by the intriguing but deadly Sophia Costa. Sophia was the daughter of a crime boss and had risen through the ranks to head the organization after her brother Rocco was jailed for murder. Wearing that crown did not sit easily with Sophia. She was the target of assassination attempts, jealousy, and internal rivalry within the ranks of her associates. Sophia wanted out. The problem was that one did not simply walk away from that secretive and sinister environment without consequences. Enter Luke Daniels, who survived rigorous loyalty tests and was initiated into the crew. Their mutual attraction offered a distraction from reality, however inappropriate, and finally a route to freedom. Luke had to weigh up the dangers of being an informant, and whether it was a smart move to fall in love with his boss. In turn, Sophia wrestled with family loyalties, codes of honor, and her ingrained training as a tough lady. In Bad Guy, Ana Diamond reveals how an escape plan was hatched, but who could be trusted?

A life of crime may generate quick cash, but it comes at the cost of a lifestyle that alternates between protecting your turf, while constantly looking over your shoulder for trouble with rival crime families and the law. Ana Diamond expands on this theme and has created a different type of hero in the form of Luke Daniels - a man with a conscience that only surfaced after a life of crime, soul searching, and finding a new love interest. Sophia faced inner turmoil as she had two distinct sides to her personality - the vulnerable self looking for love, and the ruthless nature of her upbringing. Luke and Sophia both wanted change, but their loyalties were conflicted. Could the leopard change its spots? Bad Guy relates the saga of two people trapped by circumstance, the wisdom of befriending the enemy, and a quest for identity. It results in a familiar clash between the opposing forces of good and evil, set against violence, deception, death, and simmering love. Tension builds to an unexpected climax that is skillfully crafted, exploring the interaction between the diverse protagonists in a highly entertaining manner.