The Pledge

By: Kathleen Kent

Narrated by: Christie Moreau

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

In this "instantly cinematic and completely compelling" thriller (Hank Phillippi Ryan), Detective Betty has only two weeks to take down her deadliest rival - this time for good.

Things are looking up for Detective Betty Rhyzyk. She’s settled into a happy marriage and been promoted to sergeant in the Dallas Police Department. But when a hostage stand-off puts her on the phone with legendary cartel leader The Knife, things take a turn. The Knife has heard a rival is making a play for the streets of Dallas - none other than Evangeline Roy. The matriarch of a ruthless cult, Evangeline also happens to hold a personal vendetta against Betty. So who better to draw Evangeline out of hiding? Betty’s got two weeks to catch her. Or else.

With Betty’s young charge Mary Grace already missing - having left her seven-month-old baby behind in Betty’s care - and the drug dealers of Dallas donning strange red wigs and delivering cryptic messages, Betty’s in a race for answers. With the clock ticking down, it will take everything she’s got to finally put an end to Evangeline’s reign of terror and to keep her beloved Dallas - and her own family - safe at last.

“The Pledge is the terrific adrenaline punch you’d expect for the grand finale of Kathleen Kent’s Edgar-nominated trilogy starring Betty Rhyzyk, who is as iconic a crime fighter as Kent is a crime writer.” (Julia Heaberlin)

"A police procedural like none you’ve ever read." (Hank Phillippi Ryan)

“A thrilling last dance with the formidable Betty Rhyzyk.” (Steph Cha​)

“Detective Betty is one of my favorite queer characters in crime fiction. The Pledge is fiery and propulsive.” (Kristen Lepionka)

©2021 Kathleen Kent (P)2021 Mulholland Books

Critic reviews

"Terrific. Riveting. Heartbreaking. A police procedural like none you’ve ever read. The Pledge is a devastating story of the depth of vengeance, the passion of motherhood, and the shattering power of belief - gorgeously structured and brilliantly written. The incredibly talented Kathleen Kent has created a haunting, dark, and original character...and gives the iconic Detective Betty an unforgettably personal story. Calling Hollywood - this is instantly cinematic and completely compelling. Do not miss this!" (Hank Phillippi Ryan, best-selling author of Her Perfect Life)

“The Pledge is the terrific adrenaline punch you’d expect for the grand finale of Kathleen Kent’s Edgar-nominated trilogy starring Betty Rhyzyk, who is as iconic a crime fighter as Kent is a crime writer. Kent delivers every time, raising Texas hell in a voice as crisp and meaty as chicken-fried steak. If you haven’t yet met this high-octane series, grab The Dime, The Burn, and The Pledge for your next binge - I promise you won’t come up for air until you’ve become a Betty fan for life.” (Julia Heaberlin, best-selling author of We Are All the Same in the Dark)

"Kent's Dallas setting is so meticulously drawn that one can practically smell the streets, the sour odor of the street people. All of her characters are memorable, and not a single one, even the minor characters, is less than three dimensional." (New York Journal of Books)

Happy rape victims in Texas

I enjoyed this book for the most part—except for one key plot detail. I think it’s time author’s stop using rape as a minor plot device. It’s major and devastating and giving birth to the rapist’s baby isn’t like receiving a nice gift in the end. Mothers and daughters don’t magically learn to love each other again..,it’s not just a cute little bonding experience. It doesn’t matter if they live in a state where women don’t have control of their own bodies—that doesn’t change human feelings.

But the book isn’t only about that. The lesbian couple here is about the most functional romantic pair I’ve read about in many mysteries. I actually wish they’d have more conflicts. There was suspense. The main character struggles with her mental and physical health a lot which makes her more passive. I’d like her to have more external struggles with bad guys. But this was generally a good read.

Great story but...

I have listened to all the books in this series and they are all enjoyable, but... this woman really needs to be more situationally aware. People get the drop on her pretty much twice every book.

Hard to follow

I wasn’t understand story at beginning but slowly I able discovered whole story. Not much twist, was able to predict what’s coming next. Long hours to listen but eventually i able to finished this book.

Heart pounding!

From the first minute, I was back in the fight with Detective Betty. Some of the story was so intense that I had to listen twice. I lost sleep devouring the story, and the terrifying end - well, made my stomach cramp up. I had to pause and grab more coffee to prepare myself. What better writing could you ask for than that which causes a visceral reaction?

The Detective Betty stories just get better and better, and the plot lines flow together seamlessly. This is my favorite so far, not to be missed!

Buckle your seat belt

What a ride, this series and this book in particular are extremely fast paced, and I found myself holding my breath on occasion to see what was going to happen next. The main characters have many layers, and when you think you have them figured out another little fact is dropped. I really hope there are more crime fighting escapades with Detective Betty and crew. The narrator on the last 2 books did a good job.

Barely OK

Although this was a somewhat entertaining listen, the speech cadence of the narrator was annoying causing my interest level to swing up and down.

missing details

apparently this book is part of a series, but is not listed as such so Iistened to the whole book missing major details. Made the book very confusing.

If you like

If you fancy stories about women, drug dealers, drug abusers, lesbians and copious characters introduced throughout....... related to crime, drugs, mentally disabled, with no rhyme or reason for the purpose of this story THEN this book is for you.

Stereotypes of non-white characters

Damaging and dated stereotypes of latinos and indigenous Americans, to put it mildly. Very 20th century cultural perspective in general. Made it impossible to enjoy any slightly redeeming aspects of the audiobook.

HORRID

This was a giant waste of time. Don't bother. Lesbian chick, baby dumped on her, body parts strewn.....very disconnected.