When the body of a social worker is found on the stairway inside the building where she works, a mouthful of Scrabble letters tells Detective Valentine that this is not a random killing. And it's not. A brutal killer with a sinister connection to Child Protective Services is prowling the streets in Detective Sydney Valentine's jurisdiction. More letters are needed to piece together the puzzle, but that means more people will die. A dead juvenile court judge, a single mother - the body count climbs. Detective Valentine becomes a target and the stakes rise. Her sister is attacked and Valentine realizes she needs to step it up before it's too late. Her courage and investigative skills are put to the test. She must protect her family and take down the killer before any more people die. A fast-paced novel of mystery and suspense, The Protector will grip you from the very beginning, so hold on tight and leap into the dangerous world of Detective Sydney Valentine. She's a sassy, contemporary cop with an edge and an attitude. Tough and potty-mouthed, she's going to see justice served-no matter what. Sydney Valentine is the friend you wish you had. She's the cop you'd be wise to fear if you're walking on the wrong side of the law.