Sins of the Lines


Fiction - Mystery - Murder
250 Pages
Reviewed on 05/11/2023
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Sharhonda Exantus is a practicing pharmacist with a love for whodunits and cozy mysteries. A native of Miami, Florida, she received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. In her spare time, she enjoys writing and binge-reading mystery and crime novels, particularly psychological thrillers. Sins of the Lines is her debut novel. Sharhonda currently resides in Florida with her husband and three children. To learn more, visit her website at www.sharhondaexantus.com.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Sins of the Lines is a work in the murder mystery, crime, and suspense subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and is penned by Sharhonda Exantus. In this intense crime thriller with plenty of twists, we follow the chilling storyline of a missing person, Nia Bryant, who initially seems to be a straightforward sorority girl looking forward to her bright future at college. But when Detective Chris Evans and his team delve into her disappearance, they discover more about Nia and her fate than they could ever have imagined.

Sharhonda Exantus delivers a fantastic mystery novel that is unlike anything else I’ve read this year, and it was a welcome gear-shift in the genre to see so many unexpected twists that were all credible and engaging. I found the procedural elements of the storyline to be well-balanced against the character development and atmosphere of the plot, which helps you to settle into the story whether you’re more of a fan of cozy mysteries or hardboiled crime stories. I also really enjoyed Detective Evans and his refreshing perspective on the grim realities of life as an investigator. I found him very different from your average lead character in these types of novels, and his dialogue is sharp, intellectual, and full of natural exposition for the plot. Overall, I recommend Sins of the Lines for fans of intricately penned mystery and suspense, and I can’t wait to see more from this fantastic author.

Maria Victoria Beltran

Sins of the Lines is a gripping mystery murder novel by Sharhonda Exantus. It revolves around the disappearance of Nia, the daughter of Congressman Dwight Bryant. A college freshman at MSU, she goes missing on the day of her Kappa Theta Theta sorority reveal ceremony. Her disappearance is the top story of the day, attracting national attention and putting extra pressure on lead agents Evans and Cramer to solve the case as soon as possible. But, as they dig deeper, they discover that Nia has secrets of her own, and several people may have had motives to want her gone. Leaving behind only her abandoned car as a clue, the detectives must navigate through a maze of suspects and false leads to uncover the truth and bring justice to Nia and her family.

Sharhonda Exantus’ Sins of the Lines will keep you on the edge of your seat; the mystery unravels in the first few pages. Followed by clues throughout, the plot draws us in to join the investigation. As detectives Evans and Cramer race against the clock to solve the case, the tension and sense of urgency heighten. The characters are well-developed, making it almost impossible to ascertain the real culprit. A rich backstory and a plot with various twists and turns make it a fascinating tale. This narrative's many layers are seamlessly woven to keep us guessing until the last page. It sure leaves me wanting to read more from this author!

Sherri Fulmer Moorer

Nia Bryant has it all: a father who is a Congressman, and a perfect boyfriend. She is pledged to join her mother’s sorority when tragedy strikes. Nia disappears just before the line ceremony. What should be the happiest day of her life is suddenly a mystery. Detective Chris Evans and his partner start with the sole clue of Nia’s abandoned car to figure out why Nia would go missing on the eve of the biggest day of her life. However, bringing her friends together reveals secrets; some run deeper than anybody expected. As clues and stories emerge about pieces that do not fit, Detective Evans and Nia’s friends are forced to face the fact that there are deeper secrets at Magnolia College, and somebody has broken the bonds to make them pay for their lies and sins that are too mortal to forgive.

Sins of the Lines, by Sharhonda Exantus, is an exciting story that pulls together all of the best parts of a mystery and captivates us in a tale you won’t put down. The author has successfully mixed a regular mystery with a police procedural. We see both sides of the investigation, from the friends discovering secrets amongst themselves to the police uncovering clues that tie into these stories and reveal the true picture of Nia Bryant’s life. I could see myself interacting with the characters as a college student and an adult, and watching their lives intertwine was another layer of the mystery that added intrigue to this story. This is an excellent novel that mystery fans will love.