No Place to Hide by Lynette Eason

Eason is a master of suspense and she provides it nonstop in this novel.

Ian Lockwood has been wrongly accused of treason. He was working on malaria for a private lab when he happens to see something not meant for him. He has no idea what the coded message means but, as a lover of puzzles, keeps a copy to figure out later. Before long, however, he finds he is suspected of terrorism and his life is in danger. Jackie Sellers, working with the Operation Rescue group, sees her childhood friend on the national news and sets out to help him. She is convinced of his innocence but unable to prove it. When bad guys and the FBI come after them, the two have to run for their lives.

The novel begins with immediate action but we don't know the above information until about fifty pages in. I would have preferred to know the reason for the danger as suspense needs meaning behind it for impact. Once we know the reason for Ian being on the run, the suspense heightens and continues through to the end.

Overall, I really liked the novel. There is plenty of suspense interspersed with heartwarming scenes. A couple of issues make it less than perfect. Jackie's friends at Operation Rescue seem to have unlimited funds, friends in high places, and resources. That was a little unrealistic although the reasons they have it all is explained in the story. Also, the security at the CDC appeared weak, considering what is kept in that facility.

This is a Christian romantic suspense. Jackie is mad at God throughout most of the novel because she feels God let her husband be killed. Some of the anger directed at God is really from her own feelings of guilt. Ian is a believer and gently tries to redirect her toward faith in God. The Christian witness in the novel is not pushy, but it is there and comes to the surface in the end.

The emphasis in the novel is suspense. While there is some character development, it is not the focus of the novel. If you like nonstop suspense, you'll like this novel. There are a couple of great twists near the end that are surprising. Somehow Eason makes it all fit together.

Lynette Eason is the award winning, bestselling author of several romantic suspense series. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and went on to earn a master's degree in education from Converse College. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and their two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

Revell, 337 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.