Elizabeth Goddard’s second book in her Rocky Mountain Courage series – Deadly Target– is now available! Here’s what it’s all about:
Criminal psychologist Erin Larson’s dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her own life in a boating accident on Puget Sound and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job as a criminal psychologist to care for her mother in Montana. At least she is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.
Nathan Campbell’s father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin’s help to solve the case. She’s good at what she does. The only problem? She’s his ex.
As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted–and that the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.
Deadly Target is one of those thrilling suspense stories that’s really fun to read – and you won’t be able to put it down! I love when a story is truly suspenseful, keeping me on the edge of my seat, with lots of twists and turns that keep me guessing. I don’t want it to be scary, though, and Goddard writes in such a way that it’s really not, and I think that takes skill. There’s clearly danger lurking around every turn for Erin and Nathan, but she keeps you reading faster and faster so you can find out what happens – not closing your eyes in fear. I appreciate that fine line.
Even better, though – or maybe it’s partly because of this? – but the danger that hems in the heroes isn’t your traditional type. There’s not a massive chase scene through a city, nor are they pushed over a cliff while in a truck – there’s always a twist to the action. These episodes are both creative and suspenseful, and they’ll keep you guessing.
Deadly Target really did that for me. It could be partly because I couldn’t put the book down long enough to think deeply about the plot, but Goddard kept surprising me. I had a few glimmers of what might be coming a few times, but I never had real, fleshed-out solid guesses. Mystery-suspense stories are the most fun to me when they keep me on my toes, and this book does that.
Goddard always writes the setting as if it was a character in the book, and Deadly Target is no different. I love the way that she captures the mountains, valleys, and rivers – and even the history and traffic of Boston.
I really enjoyed the hidden side of Erin. Goddard dribbled out her backstory at the perfect speed, letting you become engaged with the characters all while wanting to know more. There were surprises in Erin’s story, too, and these really came out of left field. Goddard dug into Nathan, too, giving him a big lesson to learn that I really enjoyed.
Deadly Target is a fantastic new offering in the Rocky Mountain Courage series and the suspense genre in general. This is one you don’t want to miss!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
Do you want to know more about Elizabeth Goddard’s other books? Click here to read my review of Don’t Keep Silent.
