Introduction

*2021 PenCraft Book Award Winner*

A tangled web of deception and duplicity where predators are shielded by respectability and no one is safe

Kate Medina had been working as a forensic psychologist and loving every minute until a violent attack left her shaken to the core. Retreating to her hometown where it's safe, she accepts a job where the prospect of violence is slim to none. As a high school psychologist, Kate tends to the emotional needs of the students. It's not the career she envisioned for herself.

Five years later, a student disappears, leaving the school in crisis and Kate at the helm of another traumatic event. Roman Aguilar, the lead detective, reaches out to Kate for assistance. Kate's position at the school and her training make her an ideal ally, but her complicated relationship with Roman puts them at odds.

When the girl's body is found, changing the focus of the investigation to homicide, Kate finds herself in the middle of a situation she never anticipated. What started as her desire to help puts Kate directly in the crosshairs of an enemy who remains largely in shadows. As her past and present collide, Kate is dragged into the middle of a dangerous game where only one thing is clear-no one can be trusted.

"A haunting deep dive into the demons all women must face. A brilliant masterpiece."-Rea Frey, author of Until I Find You

"Complicit is a rare powerhouse of a literary thriller with a profound moral compass."- Joe Clifford, author of The Shadow People and the Jay Porter Thriller Series

"In Complicit, Amy Rivers has woven threads of a local conspiracy, betrayal, and family secrets into a captivating thriller that you can't put down. Gripping!"- Margaret Mizushima, author of the award-winning Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries, including Hanging Falls

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Excerpt

Complicit
A Legacy of Silence Book 1
By Amy Rivers
Copyright ©2021
Kate had never seen a person so changed in such a short time. When they’d first met, Mandy
Garcia had alternated between glaring at Kate and shooting murderous glances at her mother who’d
requested the sessions, her ponytail swinging each time she moved her head, her glossed lips
pressed tight with disdain.
Today the teen sat slumped in the chair near Kate’s office door, hair hanging over one eye,
baggy clothing hiding her figure. This was only their third appointment, and so far Mandy hadn’t
spoken to Kate—not even to say hello or goodbye. When Kate opened her office door Mandy oozed
into the room, settling into the chair furthest from Kate’s where she barely moved throughout the
session.
The clock in Kate’s office ticked loudly as she stared at the silent girl. Mandy’s eyes never
left the floor, like she was studying every fiber in the threadbare carpet, if she was looking at
anything at all. Only the rise and fall of her shoulders indicated the teen was alive. Kate had waited
patiently, but toward the end she had to stop herself from drumming her fingers on the desk. Time
was almost up.
“Look, Mandy. We’re down to our last few minutes. You might not believe this, but I want to
help you. I care about the time we spend here, and I’m not blind or stupid. I can see that something
is bothering you.” Kate shocked herself by being so blunt, but she’d learned quickly that the high
schoolers she counseled reacted more favorably to frankness than to being coddled.
Unfortunately, her plea seemed to die between them. Mandy didn’t react at all. Kate would
have been relieved to see her roll her eyes or even shrug, but Mandy stayed still and silent.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of a period, Kate shifted in her chair. She pulled out her
notes with a heavy sigh. “I’ll see you next week, then.”
Mandy grabbed her backpack and was out the door almost before Kate had finished the
sentence. A disappointing end to a stressful day.
Mandy was one of Kate’s repeat clients but Kate had seen a steady stream of shell-shocked
teens drifting in and out of her office all day, clearly needing to talk about their missing classmate,
Gabby Greene, but never quite knowing what to say. Kate had done her best to calm them, to
Excerpt
reassure them, but the disappearance had the whole school on edge. Even Kate was struggling to
keep her emotions in check as the hours wore on.
For a moment Kate wondered if that was Mandy’s problem too but her gut told her no.
Everything about Mandy’s appearance and demeanor screamed trauma. Kate knew that Mandy’s
parents’ divorce was not amicable. She wondered if something had happened to the girl on her
weekend visit with her dad. It wouldn’t be the first time a child had gotten caught in the crossfire of
their parents’ anger and frustration.
The final hour of the school day dragged by, but Kate was grateful that she hadn’t had any
more unscheduled visits. She took advantage of the lull to try and soothe her own nerves, practicing
her breathing techniques. When she finally got back to her paperwork, she felt calmer and proud of
herself for keeping a cool head despite the chaos of the day.
Mandy’s face smiled up at Kate from the folder on her desk. Kate liked to have a picture of
her clients in their files. It served as a reminder that the circumstances under which a client sought
help were not the sum total of that person. After finishing her notes and replacing Mandy’s file in
the cabinet Kate packed her bag and walked into the front office, closing the door softly behind her.
A couple of Kate’s favorite teachers walked past, waving good night. As much as Kate
grumbled about being back home, she’d always been scholastically inclined and the school held a
lot of good memories. She was especially fond of the overworked but incredibly concerned and
caring teachers. If only the administration showed as much concern.
“I’m done for the day. How’re you holding up, Steph?”
Stephanie Kramer had worked the front desk at Centennial High School for more than a
decade, but she’d never looked as harried as she did that day. Kate and Steph had graduated the
same year, but while Kate had gone away to college Steph had stayed in their hometown of
Alamogordo, New Mexico. Usually she was upbeat and snarky, but it seemed that Gabby’s
disappearance had everyone spooked.
“I wish we could just go home when the kids do. This last hour is torture.”
Kate smiled. “I know what you mean. Did Mandy’s mom fill out that packet I sent home?”
“Not yet,” Steph said with a roll of her eyes. “Honestly, from what I hear she’s spending most
of her time with her new man these days. Not surprised Mandy’s having such a hard time.”
“I’ll follow up with her on Monday,” Kate said with a sigh. “Again.”
... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the author:

1. Complicit is set in a small town in the Southern New Mexican desert. How did the setting and atmosphere of the book affect the mood and tone of the story? Did it create a sense of danger, mystery, dread or unease?
2. What did you think of the main character, Kate Medina? Did she make any decisions that you didn’t agree with in response to the conflict of the novel?
3. Generational trauma and family relationships are central themes in Complicit. How did the complicated relationship between Kate and her sister Tilly impact the story?
4. Most crime stories have a villain. Who is the villain in Complicit? Did you understand their motives? Did they have any redeeming qualities or human emotions?
5. Which character did you relate to or empathize with the most and why?
6. Are there any characters you wish you could have given advice to? What would you tell them?
7. How did the author explore themes such as justice, truth, deception, or morality?
8. What was the most memorable or shocking scene in the story and why?
9. What was the most satisfying or disappointing part of the story and why?
10. Complicit is the first book in a series. Were you satisfied with the resolution in this part of the story, knowing that there is more to come? Did it make sense and tie up enough loose ends to make you read more?
11. What do you think happens to the characters after the story ends?
12. Did Complicit change your understanding of domestic human tracking in any way?

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