Best character development I've read in a long time!

Wow - new to this author but I was completely captivated. Didn't realize it was a sequel and I've already ordered the first. The character development in this story was amazing. I knew Alice/Emily so well in the just the first few chapters and I loved her. The contrast between her "good girl heart" and her "rough, often brutal actions" was intriguing. It made you root for her even in her poor choices. I absolutely lover her ability to look beyond the flaws of others and see brokenness. The way the book draws you to admire and appreciate the father figure in her life who actually has arranged to have someone done away with is an excellent example of the author's skill. The plot was fast moving, no down time. Even lesser characters, like her attorney, were well defined. I especially appreciated the author's ability to tell a really tough story, involving a really rough environment, and not use foul language in every paragraph. I recommended it to my 16 year old granddaughter.