Suspense – Ridge Top Book Blog

Present Danger #1
By Elizabeth Goddard / Revell

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A mystery with great action and a sophisticated plot. Elizabeth Goddard’s Present Danger was a joy to read. It’s book #1 in her Rocky Mountain Courage series. At the story’s close, you’ll hope the release of book #2 is near. The main characters are experienced investigators working a search and rescue mission in Montana’s Gallatin National Forest. The original search mission ends positively, but the discovery of a body at the foot of a steep cliff sets in motion a new murder investigation. The veteran detectives on the case, Jack Tanner and Terra Connors, have a history together. In their youth they were a romantic couple but Jack left Terra cold for a FBI career. Terra moved on, but always carried the hurt Jack caused and never came to terms with the reasons that prompted his abrupt departure. Now with a case to solve, and plot details that put Terra in mortal danger, the couple are embroiled in solving the case, and find their feelings for one another rekindled.

A major clue to the mystery is a remote mountain cabin stocked with Native American artifacts and a remnant of a Middle Eastern tablet buried in the ground. If Terra and Jack can unravel the mystery surrounding the illegal network of trafficking these historic artifacts, they will find the guilty suspects responsible for two murders in addition to theft.

The Rocky Mountain setting adds an intense backdrop to the action. The mountain hiking required to investigate clues is both arduous and dangerous for Jack and Terra. The roster of suspicious characters expands to eventually cast doubt on Terra’s grandfather and brother. The suspicion of doubt hanging over their lives makes the investigation more personal for Terra.

Dogs and horses have great roles to play in this story. No spoilers here, but you’ll like how the author wove them into the action. Overall, readers will appreciate the intricate plot and dramatic ending with more than one surprise reveal. I received and advanced reader’s copy of from the publisher, Revell, in exchange for my honest review.

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Network of Deceit
By Tom Threadgill / Revell

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A great suspense novel with a contemporary plot. Threadgill is a new author to me. The characters were original, well drawn out, and all woven together into a very satisfying reading experience. At mid-point, I said to my husband, “You would like this book. You can have it when I’m finished.” He didn’t wait. The next day he picked it up and jumped right in. From that point forward we managed two bookmarks until its conclusion; “His” and “Mine”. He finished before me but offered no spoilers. At the end he asked, “So this author has another book?” We both want to read Threadgill’s first book titled Collision of Lies. Isn’t that the best compliment an novelist can earn? Two satisfied readers looking for the author’s other published works.

The female protagonist, Amara Alvarez, is smart and competent. The story opens on her first days at her new assignment in the San Antonio’s Homicide Division. Her desk is a card table. It’s not like they rolled out the red carpet to welcome the newbie. Mostly she wins negative attention from one veteran detective who mocks her earlier work, harangues her with belittling language, and talks about the office pool he initiated to see just how long she will last. From this point forward, she’s the underdog you’ll root for hoping the snarky veteran will have to eat crow. One detective, Starsky Peckham befriends her and eventually assists on a case. Their story line is superb with funny banter studded with nuggets of wisdom.

The crime is quite a mystery that is a tough puzzle to solve. You’ll be glad to follow the cast through to the end. In exchange for my honest review, I received a print copy from the publisher, Revell.