🚗💥🔥💊 "Lethal Cover-Up" (Border Patrol #3) 💊🔥💥🚗 (2021) - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Border Patrol (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (July 27, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335554475
ISBN-13: 978-1335554475
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Some secrets are dangerous…
But uncovering the truth could be deadly.
Border patrol officer Madison Steele knows her sister Leah’s fatal car crash was no accident. Someone’s willing to kill to cover up a pharmaceutical company’s deadly crime of distributing tainted drugs. Now they are after Madison to tie off loose ends. But with her high school sweetheart, Canadian police constable Tucker Reed, at her side, can Madison expose the company’s deadly plan before she becomes the next victim?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Darlene L. Turner, for providing a complimentary copy of the book. A positive review was definitely not required or requested in any way; all words are my own.
Whew! Honestly, I needed to catch my breath after reading this one! This was ONE wild roller coaster ride.
With that said …
In 2020, I participated in a social blitz for Border Breach, as a result I ended up winning the “host” prize from JustRead which was a gift card from the author. And, I should've bought book #1 then. I didn't. But, I did get it earlier this year. I read it prior to the second book.
This this year I ended up on Turner’s “Border Patrol” –> a review/launch team group. I know, I’m part of so many.
Anyway …
Knowing I was going to review Abducted in Alaska, I finally read Border Breach, which was very exciting. It was also book #1 in the Border Patrol series. That introduced the characters for Abducted in Alaska, which was just as exciting as the previous book, if not more so. Tucker and Madison were briefly mentioned in Abducted in Alaska he was mentioned in chapter 6, she in chapter 8, so I kind of knew this book was their story.
While this is a “series” by just a few connections, it really isn’t necessary to read all the books, this truly acts as a standalone book. It is worth noting that the other characters from the previous two books (Border Breach’s Hudson Steeves and Kaylin Poirier; Abducted in Alaska’s Hannah Morgan and Layke Jackson) do not make an appearance in this book nor are they mentioned.
Like the other couples, Madison is a Canadian Border Patrol officer and Tucker is a police constable. I found it a bit interesting all the ladies in this series were CBSA while the guys were police constables.
And, like the previous two books, Turner’s characters are complex. Madison has turned away from God while Tucker is a believer. And, it is easy to see why she has turned away – finding out she was adopted, adoptive parents killed in a crash, an issue with another man … and now? Losing her sister.
Then there are some not-so-savory along with “I just didn’t trust them” characters – Charlotte, Teddy, Annabelle, Emerson, Jenkins, Hyatt, Sam, and Daniel.
And, I was wrong about a few of them.
It is worth noting some (NOT ALL) authors tend to lose momentum as a series goes along. The first book comes out swinging, the second book kinda lags, and the last few? They’re usually waning.
This one? Lethal Cover-Up is one of those “it just keeps getting better and better”. But, this one was a bit much at times. Where to start?
Well, let’s put it this way, this book has no end of action:
💥 Car Accidents (including the one that starts it)
💥 Multiple people dying [pretty sure there was only 5] (one of a drug overdose, so trigger warning there)
💥 Shots Fired (multiple times, multiple suspects)
💥 Explosions (or was that just one …)
🔥 Fires!! (2)
Yup, Turner certainly packed all that into 212 pages of the story (it begins on page 7, ends on 219).
I really should’ve expected all that given the cover – intense, grabbed me right off, terrifying. And, it as if you can feel the flames (or is that our 118° high temp). Potential readers are in for a gripping, engaging, emotional, fast-paced read.
Oh, and you might want to grab some tissues, they might be needed for some heart-breaking scenes.
There is also a slight, but recognizable mention of chronic pain. It is slight, but it is definitely a factor because of this book dealing with a pain medication.
Moving on …
Madison has just discovered she had an older half-sister, who ends up killed in a car accident. Which, as we’re all going to learn – it isn’t an accident. That brings Madi face to face with her old high school sweetheart Tucker. Her lack of faith and his having faith in times of a disaster were what caused her to leave him.
Leah’s father is a well-known, and seemingly despised (at least by a few people) politician – Emerson Peters.
Madi knows right away her sister was murdered. A letter in the glove box is addressed to Madi. And, right there, her late sister urges her to come back to God.
Then there is Charlotte, the EMT who arrives on scene. I really disliked her right off. I don’t know if that’s what the author intended – but, that’s honestly what happened. Even Madi has issues and at one point references Elsa (Frozen) and tries to “Let It Go” because of how much the woman flirted with Tucker. And, even at halfway, I was done with Charlotte. I just got tired of her.
Right away Madi and Tucker are led to Leah’s employer – Dolumhart Pharmaceuticals. And, right off there are issues there. Leah apparently found out something about a drug – Morvecet, which seems to be tainted. It’s not only personal for Madi, but Tucker whose mom is taking the drug.
The ending to chapter one (1) had me wondering if I should head to bed. How could I with that ending?
Already I was uneasy when everyone at Dolumhart seemed to know about Madi being Leah’s sister. One woman claimed it was annoying how much Leah talked about her. Always one of those.
Despite Madison’s obvious “well-to-do” status, she works. Turner brought up a good point – if she didn’t, she be judged as spoiled by society.
After an incident with a woman at a beauty salon that Madi frequents, I didn’t like Teddy (Charlotte’s partner) either. Poor Dolly. That’s all I’ll say, and it wasn’t an accident either.
Emerson Peters wants answers in his daughter’s death, and when he mentioned Madi as his step-daughter, I was like her – what is he up to?
Madi gets a package from Leah with some interesting things – and, another mention of “coming back to God”, in addition to a letter from Madi’s birth mother. Really creepy thing – as soon as Madi finishes reading it, Emerson called her. That had me worried. As a result of Leah’s love of Indiana Jones (I’m slightly partial to him), she leaves clues in a treasure map.
Every time the two get a lead, something happens – explosion, shooting, accidents, fires, evidence going missing.
There is hardly anytime for the romance because of the investigation and trying to avoid the henchman (henchmen) for the main baddie who is only known as Cicada (I had my suspicions here). In addition, Madi is holding out because of her departure from God while Tucker has his own reasons for holding out.
And, every time something happens, Madi’s boss Sam was getting worried. I was beginning to wonder about him as well. In addition, I didn’t know whether I was supposed to like Emerson or despise him.
Turner had wonderful surprises, twisty turns, and some unpredictable moments. There were some moments I saw coming as a result of my own feelings and suspicions. The end is predictable since it is a romance, but wow – just getting there is a harrowing journey.
As this is distributed by Love Inspired Suspense, expect mentions of God and prayer along with themes of redemption. While not integral to the plot, they do factor in quite heavily, especially when Leah is reaching out from the beyond to ask Madison to come back to God in certain notes she’s left behind.
This was definitely a “non-stop” can’t put it down book. It was not only pulse-pounding, but I found myself tearing up at times. And, I love how Turner creates fascinating characters whose journey to God begins with their little doubts as well as major events.
The only reason this took a few days to read was because of needing a replacement dryer in my place when mine died the weekend I wanted to read this book. There was a LOT of rearranging needing to be done. Otherwise, books like this are a 1-2 day read. The length of time it took me is in no way a reflection on the author’s writing or this book which is why I made the note I did. I absolutely LOVED the short chapters. It kept me reading “just one more chapter”.
And, another thing I loved was Leah’s birthday of July 28th, which is my mother’s birthday.
I am excited that this series has a fourth (4th) book coming out February/March 2022 which was announced by the author on her Facebook page on July 9th. It will be the last book of the Border Patrol Series.
With that said, I’m very much looking forward to it as well as any future books she has planned. Darlene L. Turner has definitely become one of my MANY “must-read” authors in the romantic-suspense genre. Another “must-read” author is mentioned in this book – DiAnn Mills. I haven’t read her books, but her fans will delight in the mention.
Those who’ve read the previous two books in this series might want to check it out. Those who enjoy a riveting, non-stop read – check this out!
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)
Other Books in the Series:
Series: Border Patrol (Book #1)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (April 7, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335402772
ISBN-13: 978-1335402776
⬅️ Click Picture for Purchase Information
“When drugs are smuggled across the border
it’s their duty to stop the culprits…at any cost.
Forming a joint task force, Canada border officer Kaylin Poirier and police constable Hudson Steeves have one objective: take down a drug-smuggling ring trying to sell a new lethal product. But when the smugglers come after Kaylin and Hudson, this mission becomes more than just a job. Can they live long enough to solve the case?”
Series: Border Patrol (Book #2)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (March 9, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335405119
ISBN-13: 978-1335405111
Click Picture for Pre-Purchase Information ➡️
“Protecting a child…
could cost them their lives.
Saving a boy who has escaped his captors puts Canadian border patrol officer Hannah Morgan right into the path of a ruthless child-smuggling ring. Now with help from police constable Layke Jackson, she must keep the child safe. But can they rescue the other abducted children and bring down the gang…all while protecting a little boy and keeping themselves alive?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darlene.turner.902/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenel.turner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/darlenelturner/
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