💀🔎🚧 “Yukon Wilderness Evidence” (Crisis Rescue Team #5) (2024) 🚧🔎 💀 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Crisis Rescue Team (Book #5)
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (April 23, 2024)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335598081
ISBN-13: 978-1335598080
⬅️ 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.”
Thank you in advance to the author, Darlene L. Turner, for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
First …
This is the author’s 10th Love Inspired Suspense book. Some authors I’ve been following and reading, have been “new-to-me”. In Turner’s case, I was there from the start. In fact, the first book, Border Breach, has a rather cute story to its origins.
The book was released April 2020, and I had wanted to read and review it, but I wasn’t unable to get a copy. I did participate as a host for the JustRead social blitz. I ended up winning the host prize, which was an Amazon gift card from the author. However, that went for an unexpected expense. But, it wasn't until I became a part of her Border Patrol review team in early 2021 that I decided I should get the first book in the series and read it.
From there – I KNEW she’d be a “must-read” author. [I have far too many, but is that ever really a problem?? ]
It’s interesting that the first book I read as part of her “Border Patrol” review team was Abducted in Alaska.
Why’d I mention Abducted in Alaska? Because, Layke Jackson returns. Yes, another character from a different series appears in this book (haven’t seen that happen too much in the LIS line). It isn’t a cameo. Layke has a starring role alongside Keeley and Brett. Even Hannah makes an appearance.
If you haven’t read Abducted in Alaska, you will definitely need to find a copy.
Is Yukon Wilderness Evidence connected to the others in the Crisis Rescue Team series? Not really. None of the other places or characters from the other books return. It’s more a “theme” based series as opposed to being connected by place or characters.
In addition to Keeley, Brett, and Layke … Turner introduces readers to Keeley’s controlling mother (and judge) Olivia, as well as Keeley’s sweet son MJ.
Of course, there are the baddies and the people who help the good guys (and gals) along the way.
There is going to be some triggering content with regard to the characters’ background. There will be mention of a Molotov cocktail resulting in an arson and a contributing factor in a teen’s death, gang homicide, parent suffering from cancer, and an incident of infidelity. Some of this is prior to the story. Only Brett’s father’s cancer battle is a part of the story.
The creepy and intense cover is only the beginning of the wild ride Turner has planned for her characters and readers. And, she doesn’t wait to drop everyone in the middle of danger. It doesn’t bode well when you have an opening sentence where a woman is alone in a creepy forest. Keeley is there to study some plants to see how long a set of remains has been buried.
That is how Turner starts off the story.
And, that is how Brett and Keeley reunite after he “dumped” her some 5-6 years earlier. She knew him under a different name – a nickname some of his college buddies gave him. One thing he doesn’t know – he’s the father to Kelley’s son. Of course, when that is brought up, he has his doubts because of another girl. Last Keeley knew, Brett was going to be a police officer, he’s now a paramedic. Not only did an incident change his course, but his father’s health. Still, his old supervisor will hold his job for him, which makes Keeley uneasy.
It's clear someone, or a group of people, don’t want the remains disturbed. They’ll go to any lengths, including kidnapping and murder, to prevent it. Even though Brett is a paramedic, his police training hasn’t left him. He wants to watch over her – even more so after her/their son is put in harm’s way.
Her mother, a domineering and controlling woman, has her own thoughts about Brett. And, she has her own thoughts about the work her daughter is doing – none of them good.
Keeley isn’t certain about Brett being around MJ, she doesn’t want her son’s heart broken – not after a disastrous breakup she had with another man. Still, she can’t deny the slow building bond between father and son. If only Brett’s own doubts didn’t cloud everything. Before any of them can have a future – whatever it is – they need to solve the case.
And, solving it won’t be easy without figuring out who they’re up against.
Turner keeps readers (and her characters) in the dark about everything. Despite even knowing who “might” be the baddies, there’s always something being missed, and some false lead. There are enough twists that this almost turns into a NASCAR road course. Circuit of the Americas (Austin, TX) comes to mind with 20 turns (The NASCAR cup series has raced there since 2021).
Turner keeps the story’s intensity flowing as well as packing edge-of-the-seat suspense into it. It’s hard to step away for any amount of time – but one has to; if only to catch their breath.
I absolutely loved the friendship between Brett and Keeley despite the tension over their son. Despite Brett’s doubts, he knows what the right thing to do is – protect them. Even his father is convinced about MJ without even meeting him. The father/son dynamic between Brett and his father was also beautiful and moving, and MJ was the cutest and sweetest little boy. The relationship between Brett and his father was a polar opposite from Keeley and her mother’s dynamic.
That was one character that I absolutely couldn’t stand – Olivia. Oh, that woman! All I will say is … hypocrite. She had her own secrets, then treated Keeley the way she did? And, then to act like Keeley was an irresponsible parent? 😡 I feel bad because, at times, I wanted Olivia to go away.
While this is a romantic suspense story, it tends more to the suspense end rather than romance. That’s not to say there isn’t SOME romance there. It’s clear Brett and Keeley still have feelings for each other. But, the story is mostly Brett and Keeley trying to outwit, outlast, outplay, and certainly OUTLIVE the baddies. I did have to praise Brett for not being intimidated by Olivia, and standing up to her in a calm manner 👏🏻
Even though I really despised Olivia, I loved the story. Despite held my interest from beginning to end.
This is distributed by Harlequin’s faith line so the story does have a strong, but not overpowering message about coming back to Jesus, in addition to embracing faith.
Obviously – being a fan of the genre and the author – I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. And, I do hope we get an update on how Brett, Keeley and MJ are doing.
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)
Read 7/7-7/10 (2024)
Connected Book to the Series:
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?”
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)
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (October 25, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335587357
ISBN-13: 978-1335587350
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“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
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“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… ”
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?”
Next Book in Series:
Series: Crisis Rescue Team (Book #6)
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (September 24, 2024)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335980148
ISBN-13: 978-1335980144
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“A killer on the loose.
A K-9 keeping watch.
Police constable Izzy Tremblay knows her father’s death was no accident, so when she finally discovers a lead and is immediately attacked, her suspicions are confirmed. The ambush leaves her in the hospital with three hours of crucial memory missing, which she knows holds the key to finding her father’s murderer. For protection, she takes refuge with her ex-partner, Austin Murray, on his K-9 ranch while she races to uncover the truth. But with danger still lurking, can they stay alive long enough to take down a killer?”
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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