Reunited by Danger by Carol J. Post – a review

It goes without saying that I thoroughly enjoy a good mystery. When I was a kid, my mom read them like crazy and always encouraged me to try them. Nope. I was all into the Sweet Valley High craze (which, in their defense, had SOME mystery from time to time), Beverly Lewis’ Amish fiction, and Robin Jones Gunn’s (and a smattering of other authors!) books. All of those were loaned to me by my grandmother (who was, to my joy, a hoarder of multiple genres of delightfully good books!). It wasn’t until I was an adult that I decided to give mysteries more of my time. My mom was right–I’d deprived myself.

Introduction

If you’re a reader of my reviews, you probably know that I’ve read several of Carol J. Post‘s novels. And Love Them. This one is no different.

Reunited by Danger is the fifth novel in the Cedar Key series. Each book in the series has provided clean entertainment and suspense with creative plots and richly-developed characters.

Amber Kingston is a cop in Cedar Key. Ramona, high school friend, sent her a Facebook message asking her to go to their 10-year class reunion. Amber would like to move ahead in her life and forget the past. She wants to forget what happened in high school, the death of classmate Landon. But when she hears that her old friend is dying, Amber finds her way to the reunion. When all of the old group of friends show up except for Ramona, Amber is confused and wants answers.

Detective Caleb Lyons was present at the reunion. Always having been on the clean and squeaky side, Caleb hadn’t been part of Amber’s wild group of friends. However, he’d heard the stories surrounding them.

Upon the mysterious falling death of one of the six, each of the four remaining in Amber’s group of friends received a chilling line written on a piece of paper. Each of those lines combined formed a poem telling the tale of a debt being paid–for Landon’s murder.

Amber and Caleb team up to solve the mystery, and in the process of working together, they both learn that each of them holds secrets. Amber struggles to let go of her previous mistakes and harbors feelings of self-condemnation. Caleb, in turn, blames himself for the death of a loved one.

Initial Thoughts

Reunited by Danger grabbed me from the first page. As she’s setting the stage, Carol was brilliant at introducing action right from the start. Putting questions in my head, making me feel part of the investigation–that’s what makes a mystery enjoyable for me!

As the scenes changed surrounding the plot, there was clear flow and no confusion. Every chapter built on previous ones, and the story developed naturally and smoothly. Also, the drama, danger, and suspense built fluidly and with more intensity with each page.

The characters of Reunited by Danger are all developed so neatly and their conversations are unique to their individual personalities.

Final Words

I had a hard time putting Reunited by Danger down. It’s been a busy week, and unfortunately, I had to put it down more times than I wanted to!

The final action scene had me on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all go down. I wasn’t disappointed by the ending.

I would recommend this book for people who enjoy a clean suspense novel with lots of continual action. There is a light focus on forgiveness, redemption, and grace throughout this novel, but it is not super preachy.

Carol Post is an author that I could read over and over again, and I look forward to more great stories from her!

 

Reunited by Danger
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (September 1, 2017)
Publication Date: September 1, 2017
Sold by: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp.
ASIN: B01MR6LQGM

About the Author

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special events decorating company, Carol’s resume reads as if she doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love for writing. She currently pens fun and fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. Her books have been nominated for a RITA® award and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award.

Carol lives in sunshiny Central Florida with her husband, who is her own real-life hero, and writes her stories under the shade of the huge oaks in her yard. Besides writing, she works alongside her music minister husband singing and playing the piano. She enjoys sailing, hiking, camping—almost anything outdoors. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund.

Carol’s Links
Facebook
Twitter
Website

Other reviews I’ve written about Carol’s novels:

Trust My Heart (the “Jami” book–the heroine just so happens to share my name 😛 )
Buried Memories