Review: MAKE NO ASSUMPTIONS!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 24, 2014
When someone shrieks “There she is” and points directly at someone else, one might think they are excited about spotting a friend or relative.  However, not in this shocking incident.  Our protagonist Sophie turns to see a woman pointing accusingly at her followed by three police officers quickly surrounding her. Confused and frightened, Sophie feels herself being propelled across the room of staring finely dressed guests to an impromptu security area.  “There has been a theft” Sophie is told by the police officer.  She consents to the officer’s request to search her, knowing she can’t refuse.  After all, Sophie James is a law student employed by well-respected Attorney Anthony Downs, who requested she attend this political fund raiser in his place.  Imagine her humiliation in this room filled with prominent lawyers and judges.  Imagine her bewilderment at not knowing for what she was being searched.WOW!  What an opening to Amanda Tru’s novel The Assumption of Guilt.  There was no way I would put this book down after reading the first three pages.  Let this be a warning – if you think you’ve solved the mystery, guess again, and keep reading.  What is amazing about Amanda Tru’s writing is how the plot thickens the read that is a short story!  It grows on you.  Before reading this book, Amanda Tru was unfamiliar to me. Although mystery is not my favorite genre, I am honored by her request that I read and review her book and a pleasure to know her.  She indeed proves practiced skill, knowledge, and talent in crafting words.  She obviously has a vivid imagination laced with subtle humor that makes for entertainment to the last word of the story.Sophie’s love interest Tyler Coffron is a cop – at least she has dated him several times.  Her mention of meeting him at church where she teaches Sunday school, inferred the story was based on Christian ethics.  However, other than high standards toward right and wrong written into Amanda’s story, I would not consider it Christian based writing.  Frankly, this didn’t deter my enjoyment of the read and I consider Amanda’s writing of high quality.What was stolen, who stole it, and where was it found that implicated Sophie a thief?  How far will Sophie go to prove her innocence?  Would she admit to a crime she did not commit to protect another close to her?  Is there a happy ending?  This reviewer does not give spoilers to ruin your fun.  I recommend you read this interesting story and share it with a friend.  Then give Amanda Tru the compliments due and credit earned for writing mystery to keep you guessing.  Oh, and just in case you ask, I am a fan of Amanda Tru and will be reading her stories from here on.