Full of suspense and mystery! A great continuation of the series, with a new main character, but still including the one from the first book. I did not figure out who the killer was before the end of the book this time!! So good, but read the first book, Counter Attack, first!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Immersed in a tale of stolen diamonds, an unsolved double-murder, and a missing little girl, Dani Collins grapples with the enigma of her past. Her uncle Keith's mysterious protectiveness and reluctance to discuss her life before Montana have always intrigued her. However, the unexpected phone call from Russell County deputy Mark Lassiter marks the beginning of unraveling memories buried for over two decades.

Once again, Patricia Bradley crafts a riveting narrative of suspense intertwined with action, mystery, and a subtle touch of romance. Both Dani and Mark carry their own burdens of brokenness. Dani struggles to recollect the haunting night of her parents' murder, while Mark grapples with forgiving himself over the loss of someone dear.

As they join forces to unearth the truth behind her parents' killer, the journey of healing and forgiveness unfolds. The story expertly keeps readers in suspense, presenting more than one potential antagonist, leaving them guessing until the very end.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. I was under no obligation to provide a review and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Another great page-turner! I enjoyed the suspense as you think you know who the killer is, but then you are thrown a curve that makes you rethink everything.

I can not wait until the next installment.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Revell through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fatal Witness - Patricia Bradley - 4.5 rounding up to 5 Stars on Goodreads

Fatal Witness is book 2 in the Pear River Series and it will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat needing to know ALL the things! Fans of book 1 will be happy to see Alex and Nathan back in book 2 as they help K-9 Officer Mark Lassiter work the cold case of Dani Bennett's parents murder and her learning her true identity after being in hiding in Montana for the past 25 years. Dani has no memory of her life in Tennessee or the murder of her parents. She returns after her Grandmother, Mae Richmond, finally finds her from a photo she notices in a pottery magazine and the story goes on from here as Dani starts to uncover her past and relive old memories to figure out what happened many years ago.

This book kept my interest from the first chapter. As a Tennessean myself, I love the Tennessee setting in this series. The suspense in this one is top tier as you are eager to continue to see all the reveals to come. Someone is always breaking in somewhere, watching and tracking our characters and with many suspects, you'll find it difficult to figure out the killer up until the very end. It will keep you guessing, which I loved!

The faith content in this book was very nice and woven in beautifully. Dani's Grandmother Mae also truly steals the show - she is feisty and strong willed - we love to see it!

The romance between Mark and Dani was sweet, even thought I did want a little bit more between them in the ending. :) Mark is such a great guy who had some past trauma he was trying to work through and scared to love again but Dani was willing to be right there with him through every emotion and I loved that.

I also loved seeing Nathan and Alex from book 1 helping throughout the suspense and getting some additional backstory with them.

This book could technically be read as a standalone, but I think you best enjoy it after reading book 1 in the series. If you love a good Christian romantic suspense, I highly recommend this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fatal Witness kept me guessing in the best of ways.

Bradley threw out several red herrings and tricked me into thinking that I knew who the bad guy was, and then she’d throw out another red herring that made me doubt myself. So when I made it to the end I was shocked by the reveal but it also made a lot of sense. In other words, the mystery was incredibly satisfying.

The romance was sweet. I loved watching Dani and Mark’s relationship develop. Mark is a swoonworthy hero who works hard to protect Dani while also respecting her decisions.

It was also nice to see Alex and Nathan again. I liked getting a chance to catch up with them without having them taking over the story.

Overall, Fatal Witness is a compelling supsense with a jaw-dropping conclusion.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley for review. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Another great romantic suspense by Patricia Bradley that kept me up way past my bedtime.

Mae Richmond had been searching for her missing granddaughter for over two decades. When she sees a picture in a magazine of a woman she knows has to be her missing granddaughter, she sets in motion all she needs to find her. Dani Bennett saw her parents murdered when she was a child but doesn’t remember it and since that day, she has lived with her “Uncle Keith” who was always overprotective, but she never understood why. When she is contacted by her grandmother and goes back home to try and find all the memories, she can’t seem to remember. But it all goes wrong when she makes it back and finds someone coming after her for what she doesn’t know.

While this was a good romantic suspense, it had moments that left me underwhelmed. I flew through the pages but somewhere less memorable than others. Patricia Bradley is a great romantic suspense writer, but this story did fall a little flat for me. The story was a little on the more original side with the focus being more on Mae and her mission to find her granddaughter, which was what kept me connected to the story. Mae was a fun and spunky character, and it would be nice to see more from her in coming stories. Dani couldn’t remember some of her past, but she didn’t let that define her future and I liked that about her. The romance aspect came on a little strong with Mark and some at times I wasn’t as interested in seeing them come together as a couple as I would have liked. I do recommend this book to those that love romantic suspense, it is the right book for that genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Wow! This second book in the Pearl River suspense series is more intense and even better than the first! From the first chapter, Fatal Witness grabbed hold of my attention and didn’t let go. This compelling mystery centers around a young woman who can’t remember what happened 25 years ago when she witnessed her parents’ murder. Now found by her grandmother after her picture appears in a magazine, she’s slowly regaining her memory. When she returns to the small Tennessee town where the murders took place, her life and those of her loved ones are put in danger by a killer who is determined to prevent her from remembering.

This story kept me hurriedly turning the pages. When Dani Bennett decides to return to Tennessee, the suspense ratchets up even before she gets there when someone breaks into her grandmother’s home and Mae suffers a stroke. From there, the intensity increases as someone’s determined to take Dani out before she can remember who killed her parents.

Handsome K-9 Officer Mark Lassiter who helped in finding Dani is a huge support. Their instant attraction turns to more as they find themselves constantly in danger when Dani’s parents’ cold case is reopened. I enjoyed the romance between them and the touch of faith that’s woven throughout their story. I also loved Dani’s feisty grandmother Mae who’s an amateur detective with her own crime board.

The mystery kept me guessing with several red herrings. There are quite a few suspects and while I had my suspicions, it wasn’t until close to the end that I started putting pieces together. I also enjoyed seeing Alex and Nathan again from the first book. It’s an edge of your seat story that’s hard to put down and easily read in a day.

Although Fatal Witness is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. However, those familiar with the first book will enjoy seeing familiar characters again. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
4 1/2 stars raised to 5.

This is the second book in the Pearl River series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I liked seeing familiar faces (and catching up with Alex and Nathan was great). Mark and Dani have traumatic backgrounds holding them back and obstacles to overcome while trying to solve who is trying to kill her (which I figured out early in the book but I was interested in the motivation and the how it would come to light so that did not bother me). There were some really sweet moments. I really liked the part that Scripture played in the story. It felt like a natural part of Mark's life. Highly recommend this book and the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I liked this novel of romantic suspense. There is plenty of suspense and I was happy to see that little of it was a result law enforcement error. There is a pretty smart villain who has waited a long time to get what he thinks is his. The villain was a bit of a surprise to me although there were some subtle hints along the way.

Dani has forgotten the traumatic events of her childhood. Though this technique is often used in a plot, I felt it really had validity in this novel as it seemed very possible. I like the pace of the romance too, nice and slow. There are some thought provoking examples of the necessity of forgiveness included in the plot. There is a good faith message presented too.

Bradley's writing style is clear and a pleasure to read. I think this novel was crafted better than the first one in the series and I will certainly be looking for the next one.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I absolutely loved Fatal Witness even if it did mean staying up way too late. There was just never a good spot to quit until the end. How could I leave Dani in danger and go to sleep? No way! The suspense starts on the first page, and I was hooked. I liked both main characters and their dogs. Also Mae is an absolute treasure. The mystery had me stumped. If you like twisty plots with lots of action, mystery, suspense, and romance; Fatal Witness will be the perfect book for you. I would definitely read more of the Pearl River series and other works by author Patricia Bradley.
I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley and am sharing my opinion of this extremely well-written and exciting book.

“Being a Christian doesn’t mean we won’t encounter bad things. I’ve learned that the bad things that come my way make me depend on God more.”

This story started with a horrible murder and a nine-year-old witness.

A cold case murder and diamond theft which remains unresolved, added to action, suspense and the adult Dani finding herself in danger again as the murder and thief are still trying to get their hands on the diamonds.

I loved the K9 character, and even Dani’s Puli was included in the story. For some reason when there is a four-legged hero, it just adds to the enjoyment of the story.

I did suspect the murderer correctly at one specific scene, but enjoyed seeing the characters also discover who it was.

I enjoyed seeing how Dani reconciled with lost friends and family and how her memory slowly returned.

It was also enjoyable to see how Alex and Nathan’s relationship further grew in this second installment of the series and how it their relationship was not just perfect after book one, but that there were some small things they had to work through.

This book is amazing as it follows the story of Dani Bennett whose parents were murdered when she was just a young child. Ripped away from her familiar surroundings by her Uncle Keith, she has been working as an artist in the badlands of Montana when she begins to get curious about her partial memories that keep surfacing. Returning to the little town of Pearl Springs, TN, Dani finds her grandmother and a protector named Mark Lassiter. She didn’t even know she needed protection until multiple attempts are made on her life. This book has riveting suspense and characters who are relatable with complicated personalities. This well-crafted story is totally addictive, with its non-stop action and its sensitive exploration of trauma as well as the way Dani’s lost memory is teasingly revealed slowly. I loved the descriptions of the settings, especially in Tennessee where the author made it easy for me to picture the winding roads and the isolation of some of the homes. With intricate plot threads that the author draws seamlessly together into one well written story, this book is one filled with depth and is brilliant in the way the multiple layers come together in the end. My favorite characters were the Puli dog that Dani owns who is well trained to protect her and Mark’s dog Gem who is nothing short of remarkable in his abilities and intuitiveness. This is a cleverly written page turner with a fast pace, tight plot and good chemistry between the characters. Fans of romantic suspense will love this book as it is one I could not put down!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Clay artist Dani Collins has always been warned by her seemingly overprotective uncle to avoid having her photo displayed publicly anywhere, including social media or other means. When Dani’s photo appears in a pottery magazine, along with an article about her business, a chain of unforeseen events is unleashed that throws her life into a tailspin. Suddenly, Dani learns she has a grandmother she never knew about as well as a traumatic past her memory has blocked out. Will the killer who murdered her parents now target Dani? Deputy Mark Lassiter, a former Army sniper, takes on the high-stakes protection duty, risking his life and his heart in this suspenseful page-turner with a surprise ending.

I loved the slower pace of this suspenseful read!
Fatal Witness engages readers as pottery artist Dani Bennett and K9 Officer Mark Lassiter work together to discover who murdered Dani’s parents over twenty years ago. The problem is, Dani doesn’t remember anything about the day her parents died.
Faith is strung throughout the pages. It’s refreshing to read a story where the characters aren’t struggling with their faith or coming back to God, but they lean into what they know to be true of God’s character.
There’s a huge cast of characters providing plenty of suspects to question! The true identity of the killer isn’t easily guessed, and is a surprising twist to the mystery. I loved Dani’s grandma Mae, a no-nonsense woman who adds humour and lightness to the situation.
There are new murders that happen that help Dani and Mark connect the dots, and they’re running from the unknown killer often. Those scenes are pretty intense, but for the majority of the book, Dani and Mark work with the police department to figure out the mystery.
I quite enjoyed this book and haven’t read the first book in the series. I didn’t find it mattered to my reading experience.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the second book in the Pearl River series and while you don't need to read it to enjoy this book it is so good that you should and we get to reconnect with characters from it again

This is a fast paced thrill ride that will keep you totally engaged until the last page. Twenty five years earlier Dani saw the murder of her parents after they placed her in a cupboard to keep her safe Her uncle swept her far away to keep her safe but Mae Richmond her grandmother has been searching all that time and she is sure that the young potter she saw in a magazine is her grand daughter so when Dani returns to Pearl River Mae is determined to keep her safe and enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter and his boss Alex Stone. But someone is determined to keep Dani quite they don't want the secret of what happened that night to come out can they keep Dani alive and maybe you will be like me and totally stunned at who the culprit is.

Another great book, by a great author. This is book 2 in the series. It will keep you reading & guessing til the very end! Thankful for clean Christian fiction that is intriguing and entertaining!

Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley is an awesome romantic suspense story. It is the second book in the Pearl River series, but I had not had the chance to read the first book. Thankfully this didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book. From what I was able to tell, the stories themselves don’t interconnect, it’s just the people that were introduced in the first book. Which is one reason I usually prefer to read books in order. Unfortunately my library system was taking forever to get book one to me. So, if relationship spoilers are an issue for you, I recommend reading Counter Attack first.

Moving on to my thoughts on Fatal Witness. The author begins by showing Danielle as a child, at the time when her parents are murdered in their home in Tennessee. It then moves ahead 25 years to when she is living with her uncle Keith in Montana. She now goes by the name Dani, is an artist and potter, and has no memory of her childhood before living with her uncle. She's getting ready to go to some workshops and is the subject in a magazine article where her picture has been printed, against her wishes.

We are then introduced to the elderly Mae Richmond who happens to see Dani’s picture and believes with all her heart that Dani is her missing granddaughter. And we are also introduced to Mae’s neighbor, Mark who is a K-9 officer. So, another plus for this book, there is a cute K-9 animal named Gem, plus Dani’s uncle Keith has a Puli named Lizi who is also well trained and loves being with Dani. We also get to know chief deputy Alex Stone, or if you’ve read the first book, get reacquainted with. I’m assuming more of the officers have also been introduced in the first book.

From the first page this book grabbed my attention and it didn’t let go. Whenever I had the opportunity I was opening up my phone to see what was going on. It was obvious of course that once Dani’s picture was shared, and her grandmother recognized her, that the killer of her parents would be alerted. But who exactly was the killer? Had she seen him when he murdered her parents? Is that why her grandmother and her are now in danger? Will Dani remember the details or will the truth remain in the shadows of her memories? Are there other reasons why the killer is after Dani?

The author did a great job rounding up potential suspects. I was not sure at all who the killer was until around the time when it was revealed. I had my suspicions, but was never quite sure. I loved the mystery of it, the suspense, and the twists. And I also loved the relationship that was developing between Dani and Mark, and getting to know Mark better. The author did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and I cared for them and what was happening. And I appreciated the spiritual truths and Bible verse that a couple of the characters use for strength through the trying times.

Definitely a book I recommend.

I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

What would you do if pieces of your forgotten past suddenly appeared? Fatal Witness is a fast-paced story of danger and betrayal. Unpredictable characters draw the reader through a heart-pounding plot with ever-increasing stakes. I enjoyed piecing together the “whodunnit” with clues sprinkled throughout the story. This book is hard to put down! Now I need to read book 1.

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a review. The honest opinion is my own

This is my first read by this author. I found Fatal Witness a runaway thrill ride. Lots of well-developed characters, and a great storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat holding my breath.

The story had lots of suspense, mystery, and a who-done-it that entered into the story a few times. It kept me guessing until almost the end. Also, included in the story was a K-9 dog and another smart dog owned by Dani.

The ending of the story wrapped up nicely. Fatal Witness is one of those stories that once you're engaged, keeps you there until the end. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read her next book.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own

Dani Bennet has no memory of her early childhood. For twenty-five years she has lived with or close to her Uncle Keith who brought her up after her parents died.
Mae Richmond has not given up her search for her daughter and son-in-law's killer. For twenty-five years she has held on to the need to find her granddaughter who disappeared that day at the age of nine.
K-9 Officer Mark Lassiter lives close by Mae and he feels protective toward the elderly woman. He knows she has faith she will have answers one day.

Now, a photo could change everything.

This is an excellent story. I want to thank Revell Publishing, the author, Patricia Bradley and NetGalley for my advanced reader's copy of this book. I had the privilege of reading the first book in the Pearl River series last year, so some familiar characters are here again. Chief Deputy Alexis Stone had been Danilee's childhood friend. This is an intense story. Years have been lost, lies have been told. Greed and revenge have caused destruction and loss. It is a book that I found hard to put down and it promises a third story in this excellent series too. I'm a happy reader.