📻 💣🚨 "Point of Danger" (Triple Threat #1) 🚨💣📻 - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Series: Triple Threat (Book #1)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (October 6, 2020)
Language: English        
ISBN-10: 0800736176
ISBN-13: 978-0800736170
Click Picture for Purchase Information

“Radio talk show host Eve Reilly is used to backlash from her pot-stirring on-air commentary and interviews, but now it seems a disgruntled listener is resorting to more than angry words to express their displeasure. When a suspicious package arrives on her doorstep, Eve turns to law enforcement for help.

Police detective Brent Lange can't find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents that follows, but he's convinced they're connected. As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve's voice silenced--permanently. 

But unless he can track down her foe, fast, the gutsy woman who is willing to take risks for what she believes--and who is swiftly winning his heart--may not survive.”

Thank you in advance to Revell (a division of Baker Books) for providing a complimentary review copy through Library Thing. A positive review was not required and all words are my own. 

I was introduced to Irene Hannon’s writing earlier this year with her romantic Hope Harbor series – “Starfish Pier” (Book #6). So, I was delighted to learn she also wrote romantic suspense which has been my favorite genre for well over 20+ years starting with Harlequin’s Intrigue line as well as Dee Henderson’s “Uncommon Heroes” line which introduced me to Christian fiction. Now I usually read the Love Inspired Suspense line from Harlequin or the Love Inspired line.

Anyway ... 

I have not had the pleasure of reading Hannon’s previous romantic suspense/suspense novels. But, after reading this, I am definitely going to have save my money to get them.

“Point of Danger” is the first in Irene Hannon’s Triple Threat series. This is radio host Eve O’Reilly’s story. And, from the pictures on the author’s social media accounts, it looks like the second book will be Cate’s story.

While the cover is slightly underwhelming and doesn’t stand out – that is a ruse for this smart, thrilling, unpredictable, edgy read that kept me guessing up until the end with multiple suspects that is realistically written with today’s hot issues at the forefront. Hannon’s use of relatively short chapters made this an easy to read, page-turner that I could not put down!

The plot was surprising in that Hannon tackles the tough “conservative” view with Eve’s show despite the current climate, and there are “some” political comments in chapter one (1). This quickly turns into what could very well be a more realistic story rather than fiction. That is this novel’s greatest weakness, BUT, it also its greatest strength, despite coming out at such a time as we are in. Still, the author’s courage and tenacity to tackle this radiates into her main character’s strengths.

Hannon doesn’t shy away from the abortion debate, discrimination, a hotly debated racial shooting, or Antifa. She keeps the pot stirring going up until the thrilling end.

There are also potential triggers with domestic violence inferences and a miscarriage reference.

Starting off with a “bomb” threat, most of the story is devoted to how Eve dodges her “stalker” with the help of Detective Brent Lange. And, it was easy to see right from the beginning that a romance was budding. However, business does come first. And, even if it didn’t, the reader will see Brent’s reluctance.

The two don’t have time for romance anyway as they are as dodging the stalker(s) and trying to find him (them).

Hannon’s cast of characters left me with several suspects – no less than eight (8) – three (3) women and five (5) men. It honestly felt like a game of clue. And, readers will be surprised at the twist that the author throws in there regarding the stalker(s) – one I did see coming and another that I didn’t see coming. She also takes a dual shift with the stalker – is there more than one after Eve? Are they working together or separately?

The mysterious texts between “Dan” and “Al” were interesting and added to the intrigue faction. Though they were aliases for the real people. I did want to see more of what connected “Dan” to “Al”, as well as their motives. I’m hoping that the next book will wrap up that conclusion.

There was a phrase used in this that my mom raised me with – “actions speak louder than words”, which is so true. And, this is demonstrated throughout the book by almost everyone.

Hannon equally balanced the subtle attacks on Eve to the budding romance between her and Brent. Each chapter is one step closer to the main build up. And, Hannon does this in such a manner that it doesn’t feel forced, hurried, or lagging. Eve’s morality, given her views, is called into question – but she easily tackles it with a realistic and believable explanation.

One of the detectives states something about enjoying logical puzzles with solutions versus irrational people. I really enjoyed that perspective. And, it was an interesting nugget in this story.

I absolutely loved this novel and didn’t want to walk away from it. I’m going to be eagerly (overly so) for the next novel in this series.

As this is distributed by a Christian/faith-themed publisher, there are references to God, prayer, talks about faith. These are not central to the plot and in no way (given the tone of the novel) preaching to the reader. This is a “clean read” with no foul language or sex scenes.

Fans of the author’s romantic suspense line and those who enjoy the genre in general will more than likely enjoy this read.

 

RATING:

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  – Goodreads

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  – Bookbub

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including Hope Harbor, Sea Rose Lane, Sandpiper Cove, Pelican Point, Driftwood Bay, and Starfish Pier, as well as Point of Danger and the Code of Honor, Private Justice, and Men of Valor suspense series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. Her many other awards include National Readers' Choice, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers' Choice, Booksellers' Best, Carol, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also honored her with a Career Achievement Award for her entire body of work. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

 

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Irene-Hannon-426433004084567/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenehannonauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IreneHannon

  

*This post contains affiliate links