★★★★ Three Steps Behind by Dani Pettrey | An Intriguing, Romantic Suspense from a Best-Selling Author
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
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About This Book:
A suspicious death. A desperate search for truth. With danger hovering, can they uncover the killer's plan?
Private Investigator Deckard MacLeod is thrilled when Harper Grace returns from her humanitarian trip overseas. It's been three months since he's seen her, but when she shows up on his front porch haggard, with a desolate look in her eyes, he knows something has gone very wrong.
Harper, a forensic botanist, needs refuge, and that can only be found with Deckard, who is a protector at heart. But after what she's endured, how can she possibly move forward with a relationship? Deck deserves someone whole, someone present, and her mind is still imprisoned in that desolate land.
She's barely set foot on Deck's ranch when news comes that her dear friend died suddenly. A heart attack in her early thirties? Something feels very off. As clues surface and suspects become evident, Harper trusts her gut to lead her and Deckard forward, but the closer they come to the truth, the closer they get to death. And if they aren't careful, it'll be their own. . .
Dani Pettrey keeps readers on the edge of their seats in this taut romantic thriller filled with high-stakes action and suspense. For readers of Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, and Elizabeth Goddard.
MY REVIEW: ★★★★/5
Three Steps Behind by Dani Pettrey is such a good read and a great addition to this series! She is always an autobuy author for me - I've read every one of her books!
The way Pettrey expertly wove together danger, conspiracy, murder, and romance in this release is so well done. This story leaned more towards the suspense/mystery thread than edge-of-your-seat thriller and I was here for it.
The intriguing plot, as well as Pettrey's signature "simultaneous stories" (one storyline about Harper and Deckard, this book's main characters, and another storyline about Deckard's sister, Bristol and FBI Special Agent Aubry) within this book kept the pace of the story interesting, but without the constant, breath-caught-in-your-throat, danger-around-every-corner feeling (Don't worry, there is some of that, for sure!).
In my opinion, because of the less-frantic, fun change of pace, this story felt more emotional than the first two books in the series and I couldn't have loved that more, because the characters really endeared themselves to me. One of my favorite things about Dani Pettrey has always been how her characters begin to feel like family as the series unfolds. I genuinely enjoyed watching Harper and Deckard's relationship and romance develop; they're so sweet together and I've been rooting for them for a long time. I also really enjoyed Bristol and Aubry’s storyline and I am already (read: eagerly) looking forward to seeing where their story goes next.
Overall, I loved this newest release. It was emotional, intriguing and filled with characters I’ve grown to care about. If you enjoy mystery and romantic suspense with strong family dynamics and characters who feel like old friends, this is a series worth picking up!
Content and Trigger Warnings: PG. Clean. Kidnapping, imprisonment, murder (past), trafficking of women. Toxic parental relationship / childhood trauma.
About the Author:
Dani Pettrey has sold more than a million copies to readers eager to read her next release. She is the bestselling author of the Jeopardy Falls series, Coastal Guardians series, Chesapeake Valor series, and the Alaskan Courage series. A three-time Christy Award finalist, Dani has won the National Readers' Choice Award, Daphne du Maurier Award, HOLT Medallion, and Christian Retailing's Best Award for Suspense. She plots murder and mayhem from her home with her husband in Florida. She can be found online at DaniPettrey.com.
More Books by Dani Pettrey:
Romance · Investigative · Suspense
A suspicious death. A desperate search for truth. With danger hovering, can they uncover the killer's plan?
Three Steps Behind by Dani Pettrey offers danger, romance and intrigue. From an escape from imprisonment to an angry mob, murderer on the loose and trafficking, this suspense-filled release delivers it all— emotional, intriguing and filled with characters I’ve grown to care about. If you enjoy mystery and romantic suspense with strong family dynamics and drama, you’re going to love this one!