Deadly Encounter by DiAnn Mills

Mills has given us a complex FBI suspense novel. The plot and motives were so intertwined I knew who the bad guy was near the end but had no idea why he did what he did.

The lead female character is Stacy, a veterinarian who finds a body on her Saturday ride as a Houston airport ranger. Along with the body is a dog and a drone that has been shot up. Mills says in a note that there are such rangers, volunteers who ride the many acres surrounding the airport, checking for illegal activity.

Enter the FBI in the form of handsome Alex. He's a special agent assigned to the case. Finding the disabled drone brings in the possibility of terrorism. But the dead man seems to have no background leading to terrorism and the dog was not his.

Mills has added a couple of extra aspects to the plot. One is Witt, a twelve year old with an IQ of 147. His parents are totally irresponsible and abusive. Stacy is working on adopting the young man. Another is a deadly and contagious disease Stacy unknowingly introduces into the community. We find out that the disease is part of the complex plot and motive structure.

I was a little surprised that this was the first in a series. Stacy has been estranged from her parents and is now trying to reconnect. Alex had a investigation where he trusted a woman who subsequently betrayed him. These two aspects of the characters' past have an impact in this novel and I would have liked to know a little more about both situations.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy an FBI suspense novel with engaging characters and a complex plot. You'll learn a bit about airport protection and dogs and their diseases.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling of several romantic suspense novels. She has won two Christy Awards and been a finalist for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader's Choice, and Carol Award contests. She and her husband live in Houston, Texas. You can find out more at http://www.diannmills.com/.

Tyndale, 390 pages.