🏦🚓🚨 "The Chase" (U.S Marshals Book #2) (2021) 🚨🚓🏦 - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Revell (July 6, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800737318
ISBN-13: 978-0800737313
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“US Marshal Madison James may not be sure who shot her three months ago, but she does know one thing--it's time to get back out into the field. When her partner, Jonas Quinn, receives a message that a federal warrant just came in on a man connected to a string of bank robberies, Madison jumps at the chance to get back to work. What she and Jonas find is a bank robbery in progress that's gone wrong--and things are about to get worse.
For these bank robbers, it's never been just about the money. It's about taking risks and adrenaline rushes, and getting caught is not part of the game. When the suspects escape, Madison and Jonas must hunt them down and bring them to justice before someone else--someone close to them--gets hurt . . . or worse.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books) for providing an advance review copy through Library Thing. A positive review was not required or requested, all words are my own.
This is not my first introduction to the author’s writing, and it won’t be the last either. The first book I read was The Traitor’s Pawn and I LOVED it! I do have A Secret to Die For which is on the “eventually will read TBR”. And, since I loved the 1998 Tommy Lee Jones movie U.S. Marshals, as soon as I saw the first book of this series – I had to read it. And, it is a romantic suspense story.
Let me just state in advance – readers will HAVE to read book #1, The Escape, prior to reading this as the events from that book will be referenced here and they’re also what begin this novel. In fact, the cover is very similar to the first book – exciting and intense. And, from the sneak peak of book #3 – it’s about the same.
With that said, readers will also want to read book #3 The Catch which will be the conclusion of this series and the reader will learn who killed Madison’s husband. So, don’t expect any information on that case in this book. There is, towards the end, a nugget of information. But, nothing to really solve the case or feel like there has been a lead. Frustrating. But … makes for a great segue into book #3.
Just like the previous novel; this one is written in short chapters which only adds to the intense suspense. The two main POVs are Madison and Jonas.
As this picks up after the events of The Escape, both Deputy U.S Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn return and are getting pretty close romantically.
Madison’s sister Charlotte also returns as does Felicia (who was only mentioned I believe in book #1). Of course, Madison and Jonas are “just friends”. Even Felicia (Jonas’ ex) and Charlotte (Madison’s sister) see there is something between Jonas and Madison, even if they want to deny it. And, this relationship is one that readers are sure to want to see blossom. It does … in a slow, but not sluggish way. After all, they’ve got fugitives on the run and business comes first.
And, these fugitives are dangerous!
This picks up 12 weeks, or rather three (3) months after Madison is shot at the end of The Escape. Sorry for the spoiler, but the first page of this book kind of gives that away. Anyone reading a chapter excerpt or the blurb of this book is going to see that “plot spoiler” right off.
Jonas is doubtful about her abilities to return to work. After all, anyone who read the previous book will know that his past relationship with a co-worker, Felicia, ended because of a botched raid. So, he’s being EXTRA cautious with Madison who is confident in her abilities.
The two are out to serve a warrant for a suspect in a string of bank robberies – Ben Galvan. But, as we all know – that isn’t going to be easy.
Past chapter two, things get even more exciting – and they don’t believe one of their “witnesses” – Kira. And, for a very good reason.
The robbers aren’t done – they decide to rip off another bank. And, this time it goes awry with a gut-wrenching death. Usually the four have a plan – this time, they don’t.
And, to be honest, I didn’t trust one of the federal agents they were dealing with, and I was wrong. There was also someone I didn’t trust in the U.S. Marshals office, and I am still not sure about them – I’ll wait until book #3 to decide if I really trust this person.
After a daring escape, the fugitives are on the run while Madison and Jonas learn a few things – Ben and Kira are the main two, and they’re looking for another man and woman.
Madison and Jonas catch up to Ben and Kira – and the readers meet up with Felicia again.
While Madison and Jonas get two of the fugitives, two are still on the run. And, there is yet another death. Grab the tissues for this one folks! I was beginning to wonder if either Kira or the second woman had something to do with Luke’s death five years earlier (before book #1). This story kept me guessing and second-guessing.
Two people have died and two more fugitives are on the loose. Who are they?
It is clear that Ben nor Kira want to turn on their “friends”, it seems the foursome had a pact, though why is elusive. When they don’t want to help, even to save themselves – someone else comes forward. [I’ll bet they wish they had spoken up sooner].
Still, how did these four meet? There’s no time to figure it out as The Chase is on for the other half of the group. The two mysterious robbers always seem to be one step ahead of Madison and Jonas. [See why I don’t trust certain people??]
Just to add some excitement to the mix – there are a few break-ins that leave the two Deputy US Marshals to wonder what is going on. One of the victims is Madison. It’s more traumatizing for her since had been shot in her own home. The last time she was home alone. A few things go missing, but Harris leaves this particular break-in up for debate –> connected or not? And, even that doesn’t help trigger her memory of the shooter from the end of book #1.
But, it’s not bad enough with one break-in – someone comes back a second time, or do they? Neither Madison nor Jonas can tell which case it is related to or who it was. And, that doesn’t see a conclusion – at least her break-in – even by the end of the book.
Harris draws out the conclusion of this case until nearly the very end with some exciting drama aboard a ferry. This conclusion can either be very satisfying or disappointing depending on the kind of reader you are. I found it between the two. I was relieved it was over though, more so for the two law enforcement officers.
And, it isn’t until the end of this book where a lead towards Luke’s murder comes up. It isn’t a major lead, but it is something.
The reader is also treated to a shock regarding Jonas and a career choice. As before, Harris leaves the reader with a cliffhanger ending much like the previous book. Though heads-up, if you read the blurb for The Catch, it pretty much gives away part of this book.
Harris; just like with The Escape; has created another pulse-pounding, exciting, non-stop action, gripping, riveting read that at times had me on the edge of me seat alternating with needing tissues to get through a chapter. Murders, blackmail, robbery, daring escapes – this had everything I’d see in an action movie. I couldn’t put this down, and in all respects, it is a one (1) to two (2) day read for me.
There were times my heart was racing and times I needed tissues. There wasn’t too much to dislike about this book. Okay, my main problem is having to wait for book #3 to see some romance or conclusion (just joking) to finding out who killed Luke.
I loved how Harris continued the previous story while including a new “case”. The focus, at least the way I saw it, was about 25% on the old case and 75% on the new one. It was as if she only brought up the past book’s events as they related to the newer story/case.
And, there was an interesting moment when four (4) “punks” tried to threaten Jonas. I almost laughed at their audacity.
There is also a “human” element with Madison coming to terms with her father’s battle with Alzheimer’s. It is a stirring and realistic moment that is jarring and yet a reminder we’re all touched by this terrible mind-robbing assailant.
While this is distributed by a predominantly Christian/faith-themed publisher, there are not a lot of references to God or biblical passages. There are some mentions, but these are rare and are not integral to the plotline of the story.
Anyone who has read the first book won’t want to miss this book. Fans of the author and genre are sure to enjoy it.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Previous Books in the Series:
Publisher: Revell (November 3, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 080073730X
ISBN-13: 978-0800737306
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“How do you catch a fugitive who has nothing to lose?
US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn have orders to transport two high-profile prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest.
With both pilots and one prisoner dead--and one fugitive on the run--Madison and Jonas must negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry as they track a murderer who is desperate to disappear . . . and will do anything to stop them.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Harris is a USA Today bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel from Romantic Times for her novels Blood Covenant and Vendetta. The author of more than forty books, including The Escape, The Chase, The Traitor's Pawn, Vanishing Point, A Secret to Die For, and Deadly Intentions, as well as The Nikki Boyd Files and the Southern Crimes series, Harris and her family have spent over 17 years living as missionaries in southern Africa. She is currently stateside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.
You can also find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaHarris
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heart_of_africa_photography/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heartofafrica
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