Standoff

Starred review from May 1, 2020

All Brooke Danvers has ever wanted to do was be a ranger. Not just a tour-leading, interpretive ranger, like she has been, but a law enforcement ranger like her father, John. Just before Brooke can be officially sworn in as an enforcement ranger, her father is killed on the job. The police may have written it off as a suicide, but Brooke knew her dad would never kill himself. She's on a mission to find out what really happened, no matter where that leads. The mystery brings her back into the life of former flame, Luke Fereday. Luke is back in the town of Natchez, supposedly to check in on his ailing grandmother, but something about his story just doesn't add up. The truth is, Luke is an undercover agent, working on busting a drug ring that Brooke is closer to than she ever realized. Bradley's ("Memphis Cold Case") first book in a new series delivers all the twists, double-crosses, and action readers expect in a thriller but rounds it out with strong family relationships and a bit of romance. While there is violence and death in the story (it does involve an international drug ring after all), it's not explicit. Though there are references to God, His plan, and prayer, overall this title reads more like a thriller than an inspirational or Christian fiction work. VERDICT Recommended for libraries where readers want action, mysteries, and suspense without gore.--Heather Webb, Worthington Lib., OH

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2020
Brooke Danvers knows that her father's death while on the job as a Natchez Trace Park Ranger was the work of a killer. She was going to join him in his department, and he was looking forward to working with her. Luke Faraday is an undercover park ranger who can't let anyone know what he knows about drug activity in the area, especially his old friend, Brooke. But once other rangers seem to be involved, Brooke finds herself in danger. While trying to sort out both clues to the murder and her feelings about Luke, Brooke also uncovers a family secret. Plenty of possible suspects and fast-moving action make this an exciting launch to Bradley's (Justice Delivered, 2019) romantic-suspense Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. Brooke is smart and capable, and the perfect partner for Luke off and on the job. The work of the park rangers makes for a fascinating police-procedural angle in Bradley's latest clever tale. Fans of Nevada Barr may also enjoy this new series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)