Also by this author: Don't Keep Silent, Present Danger, Critical Alliance, Cold Light of Day, Shadows at Dusk, Hidden in the Night
Series: Rocky Mountain Courage #2
Published by Revell on November 2, 2021
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Romance, Suspense
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Criminal psychologist Erin Larson's dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her own life in a boating accident on Puget Sound and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job as a criminal psychologist to care for her mother in Montana. At least she is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.
Nathan Campbell's father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin's help to solve the case. She's good at what she does. The only problem? She's his ex.
As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted--and that the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.
The race is on for the truth in this gripping and complex tale of suspense, intrigue, and murder from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard.
Going to try to turn off my romantic-suspense cynicism for this review, because Deadly Target by Elizabeth Goddard does not deserve it. While unrealistic in many ways, Goddard’s second installment of her Rocky Mountain Courage series is a whirlwind adventure from the first chapter to the conclusion. It features typical genre clichés—a past relationship that went sour, a “damaged” character, and a big secret. The novel, however, is so action-packed that you cannot focus on its boilerplate characteristics. While maybe not for everyone, Deadly Target hit the bullseye for me.
Erin is a forensic psychologist with an up-and-coming cold case podcast. She returns to home to care for her mother. She originally moved away for her career, leaving Nathan behind with a hurt and confused heart. Someone shoots Nathan’s father due to his connection to a case. Nathan’s instructed to trust no one, but he brings in Erin believing her special skills can help. Little does either of them know what dangers they would face: Shooters, bombs, floods. As the questions and threats erupt, so do Nathan and Erin’s feelings for each other. Mysteries abound, and dots eventually connect together to reveal a bigger conspiracy than anyone could anticipate.
I enjoyed Deadly Target by Elizabeth Goddard. It is such a fun read, exciting every step of the way. The characters are not very relatable, but they are still likeable. Nathan was, to me, too perfect. And Erin’s focus on her big secret and how she could never reveal it because no one would accept her ever again…really? But the twists and turns in the novel’s plot—goodness! Goddard is brilliant. I didn’t know what to expect next. I figured everything connected together, but I never anticipated how. Saying much more about the how would reveal too many spoilers, so I’ll stop there. Just know it’s about as thrilling as you might be thinking!
This novel has it all—heartbreak, forgiveness, redemption, flirting, humor, explosions, gunshots, criminal activity…everything. In some novels, it might’ve been too much. But if this book were an episode of Food Network’s Chopped, Goddard would be the unanimous champion. She combines what might be “too much” with some authors into a “just right” story that will leave readers breathless. From the moment I began reading Deadly Target, I rarely put it down. Could I physically set it on my table? Absolutely. But I could not mentally let it lie. I evaluated it, asking questions in my head and aloud.
Deadly Target has its imperfections—like all novels—but all things considered, it’s a great rainy-day story. One you can pick up and finish in four hours without feeling guilty. With its exhilaration and fast-paced, never-stopping-for-a-breath plot, time will fly by for you as it did for me. The novel is a wonderful addition to Goddard’s “Rocky Mountain Courage” books, and I can’t wait to read the third one…if there is a third one. If it’s not in the works already, Elizabeth Goddard, consider this review my personal and official request!