Time Under Tension by Kristina Fox is a captivating murder mystery that introduces readers to Kelsey James, an energetic and determined personal trainer whose life takes an unexpected turn when her client's mother is brutally murdered. Kelsey's unique position as the local Chief of Police's daughter gives her access to the investigation and this spurs her into sleuth mode. Her natural curiosity sees her getting deep into dark secrets in the allegedly peaceful small town. As the unofficial investigation goes on, Kelsey realizes that she is in dangerous territory where long-buried secrets are worth killing to protect. The intricate web of small-town relationships, psychological tension, and carefully concealed motives keeps readers guessing until the final shocking revelation of the killer's identity and motives.

Author Kristina Fox blends humor and tension with remarkable skill, creating a protagonist who is authentic and engaging even in extraordinary circumstances. The brilliant pacing kept me invested from beginning to end, with surprises happening at just the right moments. I liked the way Fox develops the small-town setting with its close-knit yet secretive atmosphere where everyone seems friendly but nobody fully trusts their neighbors. The supporting characters all have their secrets and motivations that complicate Kelsey's investigation in unexpected ways and their dialogue was great fun. Fox knows the traditions of amateur detective fiction well, but the fresh, modern perspective makes the story contemporary and relevant. Overall, Time Under Tension delivers a compelling mystery that balances suspense with character development well, and I strongly recommend it.

Get ready to immerse yourself in a tantalizing murder mystery with Time Under Tension. Written by Kristina Fox, the book follows Kelsey James, a dedicated fitness trainer and nutrition coach working at Fox Fitness in Oakview, California. When one of Kelsey's favorite clients, Tina Scott, arrives at the gym wearing clothes soaked in her mother's blood, Kelsey is shocked yet determined to help her friend. Tina's mother, Anna, has been brutally murdered, but before her body is cold, Tina disappears, presumably abducted. Following the clues on Tina's phone, Kelsey investigates the matter, only to discover a link between Anna and her own father, Oakview Chief of Police Randy James. Furthermore, Anna's family has a few other secrets. Meanwhile, Kelsey's new boyfriend has to deal with his past. Will Anna's killer be caught?

Some of the best whodunnit stories have a villain who is difficult to identify until the last few pages. Time Under Tension excels at that and more. Author Kristina Fox has woven an intricate plot that features curveball after curveball to keep you guessing what's going to happen next. Your eyes will be glued to the pages until the end, be it for the shocking reveals or the unexpected twists and turns of the plot. Within the first few pages, Fox sets the tone with a grisly murder plot that becomes more and more complicated as the narrative propels forward. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of humor in the book. The banter between Kelsey and her friends was one of the book's highlights for me. If you're a fan of sleuth mystery tales, definitely grab a copy!