Sunday, February 12, 2017

My Review: Still Life


"I want to know why you love me."
"Because I don't make sense without you.  You're part of me."

Description:
Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright--and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart.

Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, who modeled for the show. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead--and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot. Worse, her friend can't be found. She immediately calls Parker for help. As Avery, Parker, and his friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.



About the Author:
Dani Pettrey is the bestselling author of the Alaskan Courage series and winner of the 2014 Daphne du Maurier award for Inspirational Novel, the 2014 Christian Retailing's Best Award for Suspense, and the 2013 Holt Medallion for First Novel. She and her husband reside in the D.C. Metro area. She can be found online at www.danipettrey.com.




My Review: 4.5 stars

I was so excited to read this book after loving Cold Shot, the first book in Dani Pettreys Chesapeake Valor series.  I adore diving into a new series and meeting new characters, but theres just something about the second book in a series, where youve already met the characters and kind of know them and now you have the chance for them to become dear friends.  And these characters definitely do that in this book!  I was so stoked to dive into Parker and Averys story and found I didnt want to come up for air after opening the first page.  The story takes off and left me hanging on and occasionally scrambling to catch up and remember what all was happening.  I loved the dual mystery going on, and how Ms. Pettrey managed to bring all of the loose ends together in a way that left me simultaneously sighing at the ending and wanting to know when Declans book would be releasing.      

One of my very favorite things about Ms. Pettreys writing is how she creates this community of characters in her series and has them stepping in and out of each story.  This book was primarily Parker and Averys, but it was also a little bit Declans and a little bit Kates, with Finley and Griffith stepping in to help and letting us keep track of where theyre story is going.  Everyone is back from the first book, along with Tanner, who brings an intriguing expectation for the next book, and the mystery of the fourth friend that is carrying over.  As aforementioned, I immensely enjoyed the mysteries and the twists and turns, therein.  I appreciated the detail the author put into the story for both cases, explaining some of the procedures to clue in the curious, without bogging down the story with information.  I was left guessing whodunitthroughout the book and I was so close!  I loved reading a book that left me thinking, and rethinking, and trying to guess motive, and wondering if I was right, and then that surprise ending just blew my plotting out of the water!  

Despite how thoroughly Ms. Pettrey tied up all of the loose ends with the mystery, I did think a couple of the personal issues with Avery and Parker were glossed over a bit, in order to keep the story flowing.  I wouldve actually been okay with the suspense taking a break for a few pages in order to bring a bit more resolution to their relationship.  Though with the way the author keeps the characters consistent and continuing to play leading roles in each book, Im hopeful more of it will carry over into the next book.  And Im really hoping Declans book will be next (hint,hint)!

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed romantic suspense with a mystery that will keep you guessing!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review!  I've been falling behind in my posting lately, though hopefully I'll get back on track again.  How many times have I said that, now?  Haha!  Anyway, hope you enjoyed!  As always, links are below!
Have a colorful day!








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