Tainted Evidence: A Lieutenant Beaudry Novel, Book 4 is a murder mystery/police procedural novel written by Michael Kent. Lieutenant Robert Beaudry still had two days left of his vacation with Pat, his significant other, and they were enjoying the views of the lake when his boss, Captain Jean O’Neil, called his cellphone. Aldo DiLallo, a cousin of Beaudry’s good friend, Nico, had been killed the night before. The family had reached out to Nico before calling the authorities, and his actions had gotten him suspended. Crucial evidence in the case was also deemed tainted by his behavior. O’Neil did not want Beaudry involved, however. The captain was still steaming over the pool hall incident the week before, which had Beaudry headlining in the news and had him currently under investigation by Internal Affairs. Nico and Beaudry had been good friends ever since they were in academy together, and Beaudry was determined to do what he could without becoming “officially involved,” but he would also have his hands full with the series of cold cases the Captain found to keep him busy.

Michael Kent’s Tainted Evidence is a fast-paced and enthralling police procedural story that kept me engaged and involved through to the end of the book. While this is the fourth book in the Lieutenant Beaudry Series, Kent provides enough background information to allow it to be read as a standalone. I enjoyed following Robert Beaudry as he juggled the murder mystery, handled the cold cases, and investigated a hitman while still making time to visit the gym and interact with Pat. Kent’s plot is well-crafted and clever, and his characters are complex and believable. Tainted Evidence is well-written, thought-provoking, and utterly enjoyable, and it’s most highly recommended.

Lieutenant Beaudry is working on a cold case, a murder, and tracking down an assassin - all at the same time. He's going into dangerous situations alone and taking chances without calling for backup, which often gets him hauled over the coals, but it also gets the job done. As he tries to track down a man who is a known assassin, it becomes more and more difficult as the assassin is an expert at disguises and all of his kills are made to look like accidents. Beaudry keeps getting close but just not close enough to catch his man. There are many who help him along the way; an autistic young boy and his mother, the internal affairs officer, a bikers' group, and others. Beaudry still finds time to work on his cold case and help his cousin’s family solve a murder case. His girlfriend Pat is always there for support as the two plan on moving in together.

Tainted Evidence: A Lieutenant Beaudry novel, Book 4 is a murder mystery that was realistic and up to date. Tainted Evidence is a relatively short book at only 161 pages but each page is action-packed and exciting. This is the first book I have read in the series and while I may not have had all the information, I had no trouble with the characters or plot. Tainted Evidence is a book that all murder mystery fans will enjoy reading and they will want to read more of author Michael Kent’s Lieutenant Beaudry books.