Silenced by Dani Pettrey

This fourth book in the Alaskan Courage Series centers on Kayden McKenna. She is relaxing with a day of rock climbing when she comes upon a dead climber. Evidence points to murder. The sheriff asks Jake Cavanaugh to help in the investigation, deputizing him. Jake, who long hid his previous law enforcement career, is back on a case.

Kayden and Jake team up to find the killer, someone within the tight climbing community. Soon it appears the killer is after Kayden and Jake. Woven into the suspenseful story is the romance between Kayden and Jake.

I have read all the books in this series and I found this one the least satisfying of them all. The initial murder seemed to serve only to get Kayden and Jake working together on a case. That seemed a little strange to me since the (ultimate) murderer already knew that Jake loved Kayden so the planned revenge could have happened without the two working together on the climber's case. So I am not sure of that murder's role in the over all plot. Also, the romance between Kayden and Jake was simple and fast. No great obstacles to overcome, although I suppose one could say those obstacles happened in previous novels. It did seem too simple and too rushed to me.

Also, I wish there was more description of the Alaskan landscape. I do appreciate novels grounded in a setting with the characters noting the scenery.

Nonetheless, I did enjoy this novel. There is plenty of action and the importance of Christian faith is prominent.

Go to http://www.danipettrey.com/books/ to download a discussion guide, read an excerpt, and much more.

Dani Pettrey is the author of three previous romantic suspense novels, winner of the 2013 Holt Medallion for First Novel and the Colorado Romance Writers 2013 Award of Excellence. She and her husband have two daughters and live in the D. C. Metro area. You can find out more about her and her books at www.danipettrey.com.

Bethany House Publishers, 336 pages.

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