🐕‍🦺🚓🪦 “Buried Grave Secrets” (Crisis Rescue Team #4) (2024) 🪦🚓🐕‍🦺 – Book Review

MY REVIEW 

 

Series: Crisis Rescue Team (Book #4) 
Paperback: 224 pages 
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (December 26, 2023)  
Language: English 
ISBN: 1335597816
ISBN-13: 978-1335597816
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information 

 

“Standing guard…

 

with threats on all sides.

 

When bones are found at an unmarked grave site—and then shots are fired—forensic anthropologist Jordyn Miller knows someone wants old secrets to remain buried. She’ll do anything to uncover the truth about these suspicious deaths, including accepting the protection of her ex-boyfriend, Constable Colt Peters, and his K-9. But with targets on their backs, can Jordyn stay alive long enough to bring a serial killer to justice?” 

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Darlene L. Turner, for providing a complimentary review copy through her review team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own. 

After reading Turner’s debut book, Border Breach, Turner has become one of my “must-read” authors, and that is a VERY LONG list – only because romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres. That’s not to say I don’t like romance – if there is a question of either/or – romantic suspense wins every single time. 

 

Back in the early 2000’s, I subscribed to Harlequin’s Intrigue line. And, those were what I call “day” books – they still are, and these books are the same size. For a time, I would read faster than I’d get books. Then, “life” got in the way, and I have literally hundreds of unread Intrigue books, among others. 

 

In 2019, I discovered the Love Inspired Suspense line. And, today, I can’t even count how many I’ve read, which is far less than how many books I have in my never-ending TBR stack. 

 

That said …

 

While this is part of a series – Crisis Rescue Team – the characters from this book are new to the story, and none of the characters from the previous books appear in this one. So, it is more or less a “series by theme” and this book can function as a standalone. Though – if you’re a fan of the author – you likely have her books, or you’re looking for them.

 

The title alone grabbed me, especially with that dog on the cover. 

 

Since there are new characters, Tuner introduces readers to: 

 

🚓 Colt Peters

🔬 Jordyn Miller

👩🏻 Morgan Miller (Jordyn’s twin sister)

🔬 Nick Elliott

🔬 Eve Harrison

👨🏻‍🦳 Russ Miller (Premier; Jordyn & Morgan’s father)

🥼 Vance Chambers (Medical Examiner)

🥼 Zechariah Jones (Jordyn’s Boss)

🚒 Chief Dennis Peters

🐕‍🦺 Bones (Colt’s K-9 partner)

📺 Ursula Baine (Reporter)

☠️ The “BoneDigger”

 

For anyone who’s seen the Harry Potter movies – Ursula reminded me of Rita Skeeter and irritated me just as bad 🤦🏻‍♀️ I get that reporters have a job, but could they be a little less annoying and a *BIT* more respectful? 

 

Right off Turner throws the readers and the characters into the midst of something sinister and creepy. Jordyn arrives on a scene where human remains have been found. No sooner is she on the scene when her father texts her that someone has made a threat on her life. 

 

As a result, Constable Colt Peters is tasked by Premier Russell Miller to watch over Jordyn. Though there’s a problem – Colt “dumped” Jordyn without giving her a reason, thereby breaking her heart. While she’s not happy to see him, his K-9 Bones is happy to see her – she’s happy to see the dog. [Honestly, I had to laugh about that – she’s happier to see the dog than her ex-boyfriend].

 

Before the two can even discuss the situation or their past, someone shoots at them. And, it’s clear that whoever left the remains, doesn’t want them disturbed. However, as most know – that isn’t going to happen. But, it isn’t just the person who left the bones there that Jordyn, Colt, and Jordyn’s team are battling – it’s also a hurricane. 

 

In addition to keeping Jordyn safe, Colt is also interested in the remains. They were discovered in the area where he last saw his brother alive 10 years earlier. It is one of the reasons he didn’t pursue a relationship with Jordyn, along with another secret he is keeping from her.

 

If Jordyn doesn’t have her hands full with the scene, Colt, or her father – her twin sister Morgan calls her and finds out. As the two are not on the best of terms after Jordyn’s fiancée left her for her twin, Morgan lashes out at Jordyn about her job endangering the family. It gets nerve-wracking when Ursula Baine shows up wanting an exclusive – naming the culprit “The BoneDigger” – much to Jordyn and Colt’s chagrin, then Morgan is kidnapped. 

 

Peril is an understatement – there is a drone attack, Jordyn is poisoned, a fire is set – all before most of the remains can be identified. It’s definitely clear, there is foul play, and something deeper is going on. But what, and who are involved? And, why?

 

There’s also a hint to a secret in Russell’s past, and Jordyn keeps having nightmares about an accident she and her father were in when she was younger. Is he lying, like she suspects? Is Morgan’s kidnapping related to the discovery of the remains, or the secrets of Russell’s past? Is the BoneDigger connected to her father or is it a ruse?

 

While uncovering secrets, in more ways than one, Jordyn and Colt find themselves drifting together. It is clear that they do still care for the other – this is demonstrated by Colt’s loyalty and his protectiveness to her; as well as Jordyn’s sympathy and concern for Colt. But, their pasts threaten to keep them apart in a story that has one twisted turn after another that keeps the reader’s attention until the very last page. 

 

Like most books in the line – Buried Grave Secrets is a fast-paced, intense, suspenseful, heart-pounding, and an edge-of-the-seat thrill. While this is a romantic suspense story, it tended more towards the suspense, almost like a 90/10% – which was fine for me. 

 

I was sucked in right off, and the only thing keeping me from reading it until the end was “life”, and being in desperate need of sleep this, I couldn’t stop reading. At times, Turner had me feeling as though I was right there with them. I know there were a few heart-pounding and heart-stopping moments.

 

I did find one of Colt’s reasons for not wanting to be with Jordyn a bit “silly”. While I could understand the sentiment, times did change – I will not say more though. And, while the bad guy was a definite surprise; my main issue was the “baddie” that wasn’t a “baddie – Russell. To allow one’s child to lie to keep a secret, and another to be in peril – I was disgusted by him. When some of the truths started coming to light, I just wanted someone to smack him, preferably his wife. The BoneDiggers’s motives were – in a word – almost understandable, which is saying a lot. However, the BoneDigger is summed up with one word – diabolical. 

 

There was a cute reference to a TV medical examiner who wore bow ties, and I can’t help but wonder if Turner was referring to NCIS’ Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, portrayed by the late David McCallum. The show is entering its 21^st season as of February 21, 2024 due to a delay with the writer’s and actor’s strike of 2023. I became a “late” fan despite the insistence of family and friends’ demands to watch it 🤣 but, eventually I caved. One of my favorite characters was Ducky, which is why I had the suspicion I did about the reference. 

 

With that said, there is ONE tiny aspect I did want more of – Eve and Nick. And, I HOPE there is something about them down the road in future novels. 

 

As Love Inspired/Love Inspired Suspense is the Christian line of Harlequin, this will have some elements of faith. These are usually forgiveness, second chances, characters who pray and rely on faith to see them through situations. Turner never disappoints in grabbing the readers in, creating wonderful characters, and showing God’s work in their lives. Many times we can see it mirroring in our own. 

 

The author has two more books coming out (April 2024 and September 2024), and I honestly can’t wait to read those. Thankfully, There’s less than three months until the next book. I don’t think I could wait any longer! 

 

 

 

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;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html) 

 

DATE(S) READ: January 8, 2024 – January 11, 2024

 

 

 

Previous Books in Series:

Series: Crisis Rescue Team (Book #1)

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (June 28, 2022)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335555110

ISBN-13: 978-1335555113

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“Remembering a serial killer’s face…

 

could be deadly

 

While interviewing the Coastline Strangler’s only surviving victim, forensic artist Scarlet Wells is attacked and left with amnesia. Now she’s his next mark and has no choice but to work with constable Jace Allen to unlock the criminal’s true identity trapped in her mind. Will they be able to recover the hidden memory and hunt down the killer before he strikes again?”

Series: Crisis Rescue Team (Book #2)

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (October 25, 2022)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335587357

ISBN-13: 978-1335587350

Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️

 

“A bomber brings terror to Christmas

as the presents go tick…tick…boom.

With criminal investigative analyst Olive Wells at the center of a bomber’s dangerous game, she’ll do anything to catch the culprit—even work with her ex-fiancé and his K-9 detector dog. But with the Christmas rampage drawing ever closer, Zac Turner’s convinced the attacks are personal. Can they piece together their ties to the bomber…before another gift explodes?”

Series: Crisis Rescue Team (Book #3)

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (August 22, 2023)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1335597581

ISBN-13: 978-1335597588

⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information

 

“A wildfire threat…

becomes a missing person search. 

A serial arsonist is out for revenge in the Canadian Rocky Mountains—and kidnaps park warden Hazel Hoyt’s son and his camping troop. Now Hazel must team up with the man who broke her heart, firefighter Mitchell Booth, to find the missing boys as wildfires blaze around them. But someone has no intention of letting the pair get off the mountain alive… ”

 

 

Next Book in Series:

 

Series: Crisis Rescue Team (Book #4)

Paperback: 208 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (April 24, 2024)

Language: English

ISBN: 1335598080

ISBN-13: 978-1335598081

Click Photo for Purchase Information ⬆️

 

“Solving a cold case

 

could rob her of her future.

 

When skeletal remains are uncovered in the Yukon forest, forensic botanist Keeley Ash is called to the crime scene—and ends up abducted. She never expects her ex, paramedic Brett Ryerson, to come to her rescue, or her gathered evidence to be linked to a cold case. And when their son—who Brett never knew existed—is kidnapped, they’ll stop at nothing to save him and outrun the hunters determined to silence Keeley.”

 

 

 

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/darlenelturnerauthor

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenel.turner/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/darlenelturner/

 

 

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