Review: Thin Ice by Irene Hannon

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

After losing her parents in a car accident and her sister to a house fire, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Life is finally starting to feel normal again when an envelope arrives in the mail--addressed in her sister's handwriting. And the note inside claims she is still alive.

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case, but he's coming up with more questions than answers. If Ginny Reed is still alive--who is the woman buried in her grave? Where is Ginny? And is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game--or the target of a sinister plot? As he digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: whoever is behind the bizarre ruse has a deadly agenda.

Bestselling author and two-time Christy Award finalist Irene Hannon warms readers' hearts as they root for a romance between Lance and Christy, but she pulls out all the stops as this high-stakes thriller chills to the bone in a race to the finish.

My Review

A suspenseful plot, a creepy villain, a vulnerable victim, and themes of sacrifice and family make this a compelling book. The villain was creepier than I expected, and the scenes from that point of view kept the  pace moving forward. At first Christy is looking for answers, but Lance soon realizes she is in a desperate situation. Her anxiety is palpable as she waits for the next clue or discovery, and I was biting my nails in trepidation. There is also a subplot with Lance's brother serving in special forces overseas, and Lance's devotion to his family is admirable. The romance between Lance and Christy followed the same formula as the previous book in the series- they verbally acknowledge the attraction to each other and make a plan to pursue a relationship after the case is closed. It kind of kills the anticipation and romantic tension. They still shared some special moments and I especially enjoyed the ending scene which is heart-warming.

(Thank you to Revell Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)