🏞️ “Crosshairs” (Natchez Trace Park Rangers #3) (2021) 🏞️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers (Book #3)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (August 24, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800735757
ISBN-13: 978-0800735753
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer's next target--nor that she'd have to work alongside an old flame.
After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn't bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only question is, will it be too little, too late?”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for an advanced review copy through Library Thing. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.
This is the third book of Bradley’s NATCHEZ TRACE PARK RANGERS series, and from the sneak peak in the back – it looks like there is a fourth (4th) one in the works. It looks like I will definitely be adding that to the TBR stack.
This cover is continuing the same “pattern” as the first two books Standoff and Obsession. I can’t wait to see the next one, though as of this review there is no information on book #4 – no synopsis and no cover art.
FYI: for the month of October, Standoff is the Beyond the Book read. You can join their group here:
Like the books before this one – there is a new couple: National Park Services ISB (investigative services branch) Ainsley Beaumont and former FBI Agent Lincoln Steele. Ainsley and Linc have a past.
Readers of Standoff will learn about Brooke and Luke who are mentioned, but do not appear in this book. Hopefully, they’ll return in the next one.
Sam Ryker (Obsession) returns for an appearance, but Emma Winters (also from the second book) isn’t mentioned for most of the book. She has an appearance at the 86% mark. There are no scenes with Sam. Readers won’t get any information about her and Sam in this book or from the characters.
Like the other books, readers need to prepare for a non-stop, suspenseful, twisty, turning, edge-of-seat thrill ride of a story that keeps going RIGHT UP UNTIL THE VERY END (well, at least within 5-10 pages from the end). You blink – you will miss something.
There are mentions of drug abuse/use as well as drug dealing in this book as it relates to a character death. There is a slight reference to human trafficking in this book. I’m wondering if that is going to segue into the next book??
The end of chapter 1 had me hooked and I almost couldn’t put this down! The short chapters make it SO easy to read right through. And, it also keeps the story (as well as the suspense) moving along. Some chapters are barely a page long.
This story has four (4) POVs – Ainsley, Lincoln, Sonny, and Maddox. Each of the characters are intertwined in one way or another.
There are other characters as well: Cora, Gran (Ainsley’s grandmother), J.R (yup, John Ross – Ainsley’s father), and Sarah (a TV reporter).
To keep the reader interested, there are MULTIPLE story arcs. It can, for some readers, get a bit confusing:
📖 Cora working on a book with the diaries from “Charlotte”. She’s trying to prove her great-grandfather Chamberlain wasn’t a killer
🚓 Ainsley is in town to investigate the murder of a pregnant girl (Hannah Dyson)
🚓 Ainsley being stalked by someone (is it related to Hannah’s murder or not)
📖 Someone trying to steal the diaries to sell for money
🗳️ Ainsley’s father’s political campaign (John Ross “J.R.” Beaumont) and his interest in the diaries
💘 Sarah’s “infatuation” with Lincoln
It opens with someone lurking, waiting for Cora to head to bed. And, in of all things – a tornado watch. Given the area – that isn’t too hard to imagine. And, for those who don’t know the difference between warning and watch:
🌪️ Tornado Watch (possible, notice posted well in advance by hours; be ready to act)
🌪️ Tornado Warning (has been spotted or seen on radar, issued within minutes; indicate immediate danger to life and property; action required)
As with everything in life (and fiction, especially suspense) – things escalate quickly.
Cora is attacked just as the tornado arrives. Talk about an attention-grabbing beginning! Bradley isn’t done with surprises, even though this is the literally the beginning of the book. In walks a man that Ainsley hasn’t seen in a long time – former FBI agent Lincoln Steele, the man who sided with her father when it came to her singing career.
It is apparent that Cora’s injury is serious and that will be a long running plot point as Ainsley tries to uncover what happened before Cora’s “accident”. Ainsley learns Lincoln is helping her great-aunt with the book. He learns that Ainsley is in town to investigate the death of Hannah Dyson.
Things are not what they appear to be. Nothing is in a suspense novel.
Ainsley has a feeling her aunt’s “accident” isn’t an accident – she has a feeling someone was there. And, she is right, but proving it is another deal. All she knows is the diaries that Cora has mentioned are missing. And, Ainsley isn’t above suspecting her father.
Despite not wanting to be around a gun, Lincoln is asked to help with the investigation.
As I said, this has multiple story arcs. And, Bradley does a fantastic job keeping them woven together but separate.
Lincoln is also dealing with pesky reporter Sarah. She is Blake’s sister. Blake was someone who Lincoln worked with and got injured as a result of Lincoln’s hesitancy. But, Blake also died later on. There is another problem with Sarah – she is definitely smitten with Lincoln (this was a 🚩 RED FLAG 🚩 to me from the beginning). She also wants an interview with Ainsley.
Ainsley is also reminded about her “finances”, something she seems to think is a motive later on.
Ainsley and Lincoln head out to the trace, particularly the crime scene. We learn why she was called in – hint/spoiler – Brooke and Luke. If you’ve read the first book, you might know what I mean 💍💒
And, the “drama” doesn’t stop there – someone is trying to kill Ainsley. This won’t be a shock to the readers. At least, one of the people won’t be.
The evidence keeps point to a few young men that Hannah went to school with. And, as Ainsley keeps investigating that crime, she’s also trying to figure out what happened to her great-aunt Cora.
Ainsley also learns there is interest from both political sides (her father and Austin Kingston). Ainsley is also trying to reconcile her feelings about Lincoln siding with her father when it came to a promising and yet failed music career.
When J.R learns about the diaries he is interested. A little too interested for my tastes, and Ainsley’s as well. Even an attempt on Ainsley’s life at a party isn’t enough to stop J.R. from asking. Are we sure this isn’t J.R Ewing (Dallas 1978-1991; 2012-2014)? Ainsley begins to question her father’s motives, especially because of the diaries and her finances. She’s seen the worst of people – greed and evil.
Ainsley also learns of a man from Tennessee who swore revenge against her has escaped. Though her boss isn’t sure this is the man who is after her.
By chapter 53, it looks like the story could be near the end – one of the suspects is killed. He won’t be the only one.
Ainsley begins to solve the murder her grandmother was investigating (the one in the diaries). That was definitely a good mystery and honesty, I wouldn’t mind reading that as perhaps a historical fiction book.
Can you see what I mean about the story arcs? Do the missing diaries tie in with the murder? Are they separate? This was definitely an addictive read. I was not only engrossed in reading, but trying to keep it all straight.
Bradley doesn’t tire of taking her characters and readers through another round of peril. And, she expertly surprises us with about 3% of the story left.
I loved the suspense aspect and how everything kept changing. That shocking twist at nearly 97% was a bit close, but certainly an “I should’ve seen that coming” moment. One thing that wasn’t so enjoyable – immediately knowing one of the bad guys. But, it didn’t hinder this from being the 5-star read it is.
There was a plot point that didn’t get wrapped up, so I hope it is mentioned in the next book. It has to do with Ainsley’s finances. I also hope to see a “conclusion” about Sam and Emma as well since Sam was so prominently featured in this book.
Overall – this is high up on my list to EVENTUALLY re-read. Those who read the first two books won’t want to miss this installment. Fans of Lynette Eason and Elizabeth Goddard won’t want to miss this either. And, yes, I am fans of both authors.
Being distributed by Revell, a Christian/faith-themed publisher, this is going to have references to God, prayers, and bible passages mentioned. Faith is important to Linc and will play somewhat of a role in the story.
NOTE: With the sneak peek in the back of this novel, there will be a 4th book in the series.
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; 4/2 edition (May 5, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800735730
ISBN-13: 978-0800735739
⬅️ Click Picture for Purchase Information
“The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It's the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for park ranger Luke Fereday, lately it's being used to move drugs. Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers.
John's daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father's murder, but things are more complicated than they first appear, and Brooke soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her. Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who's going to keep him safe when he realizes he's falling--hard--for the daughter of the man he failed to save?”
Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers (Book #2)
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell (February 2, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800735749
ISBN-13: 978–0800735746
Click Picture for Purchase Information ➡️
“Natchez Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters hoped never to see Sam Ryker again after she broke off her engagement to him. But when shots are fired at her at a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace, she's forced to work alongside Sam as the Natchez Trace law enforcement district ranger in the ensuing investigation. To complicate matters, Emma has acquired a delusional secret admirer who is determined to have her as his own. Sam is merely an obstruction, one which must be removed.
Sam knows that he has failed Emma in the past and he doesn't intend to let her down again. Especially since her life is on the line. As the threads of the investigation cross and tangle with their own personal history, Sam and Emma have a chance to discover the truth, not only about the victim but about what went wrong in their relationship.”
PRE-ORDER THE EXCITING SECOND (4TH) BOOK IN THE SERIES:
DECEPTION
AUGUST 2022
Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers (Book #4)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Revell (August 2, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0800735765
ISBN-13: 978-0800735760
Click Photo for Purchase Information
“After being forced to kill an FBI agent gone rogue in self-defense while working in the violent crimes unit for the Investigative Services Branch, ranger Madison Thorn is comfortable with her move to the fraud and cyber division. At least numbers don’t lie. So she’s less than thrilled when a white-collar crime investigation in Natchez, Mississippi, turns violent. She could also do without being forced to work with former childhood-enemy-turned-infuriatingly-handsome park ranger Clayton Bradshaw.
When a woman who looks just like Madison is attacked on the same night Madison’s grandfather is shot, it becomes clear that there is something much bigger going on here and that Madison herself is in danger. Madison and Clayton will have to work together—and suppress their growing feelings for one another—if they are to discover the truth before it’s too late.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patricia Bradley is the author of Standoff, Obsession, and Crosshairs, as well as the Memphis Cold Case novels and Logan Point series. Bradley won an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award in Romantic Suspense, a Daphne du Maurier Award, and a Touched by Love Award; she was a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. She is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at www.ptbradley.com.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptbradley1/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PTBradley1
* This post contains affiliate links
Comments
Post a Comment