Detour from Honor: Charlie Woods Book 2 by Rick Maloy follows Charlie Woods as he sets out to discover the truth about the late Desiree, the woman he loved but perhaps never fully knew. Still haunted by unanswered questions and driven by a stubborn sense of duty, Charlie retraces pieces of her past in towns that offer parts of stories that have no clarity. Along the way, he crosses paths with old friends, strangers who may have information about Desiree’s secrets, and the powerful Granville family, whose own history complicates his search to reconcile memory with reality. As the danger gets worse, Charlie must decide how much he's willing to risk to protect those who need help and face the secrets of a past he had no idea about.

What impressed me most was how Rick Maloy balances movement and emotion throughout the narrative. I easily related to the characters and their struggles. Each chapter advances the story, creates suspense, and adds tension. I appreciated how naturally the events unfolded and how the actions are not just limited to physical events but also stretch to emotional arguments. The characters are complex, and Charlie stands out as a strong and determined figure. Spuv was also a favorite because I loved how the friendship with Charlie was filled with honesty. Lauren Granville adds more conflict by holding back what she knows, thereby complicating and adding mystery to Charlie's search. These relationships shape the course of his search in surprising ways, adding details to the unfolding drama. The book covers themes of identity, loss, redemption, and loyalty. I loved how everything fit together so well, making the final page very satisfying. Rick Maloy’s writing is straightforward and engaging, and I recommend Detour from Honor to readers who enjoy a good suspense novel.

Detour From Honor by Rick Maloy is the second book in the Charlie Woods series. It continues the life of Charlie, a veteran who loses his wife, Desiree, to a murder-suicide. Feeling heartbroken, he decides to try to understand the woman he married and begins a personal search to find out the truth about her past. His search continues, leading to dead ends, until he meets a woman, Lauren, who is linked to Desiree's death. Lauren is willing to help, and together she and Charlie continue the investigation, uncovering Desiree's complex yet painful past. The book follows Charlie as he struggles to reconcile the woman he loved with the secrets he has discovered, while also trying to connect with his lost family and his complicated relationship with Lauren. What starts as a search for answers becomes a test of loyalty, love, and honor.

This was a great read for me. The characters are well-developed, especially Charlie. The way the author built his character from a man lost in grief to a determined man seeking the truth and a new purpose was very human and relatable. The writing is detailed and honest; I loved how the author showed the difficult parts of life. Merry and Reba Wyler are a perfect example; Maloy used their character arcs to show the issues with addiction, broken families, and loss. The pacing is excellent. Each chapter comes with a twist that kept me curious about what was going to unfold until the very last page. The conversations between the characters were natural, real, and easy to follow. I recommend Detour From Honor by Rick Maloy to readers who enjoy stories about family, secrets, romance, and a new life.