Review: Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey

Book Four in the Chesapeake Valor series

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Private Investigator Kate Maxwell never stopped loving Luke Gallagher after he disappeared. Now he's back, and together they must unravel a twisting thread of secrets, lies, and betrayal while on the brink of a biological disaster that will shake America to its core. Will they and their love survive, or will Luke and Kate become the terrorist's next target?

My Review

This is a fast-paced, gripping, and intense book, the conclusion of the Chesapeake Valor series that follows a group of friends that serve in various fields of criminal justice. I was so excited to read Kate and Luke's story, especially since he's been such a mystery from the beginning. This is a series that I think is best read in order, but honestly you could still read Dead Drift on its own and be fine. I appreciate that the author catches the reader up with the characters and their relationships without info-dumping the plots of the previous books, so even if you read this book first, you can still go back and enjoy the stories of the other friends in the previous three books (which are all excellent!)

I loved learning more about Luke and Kate's relationship from when they were together before his prolonged absence courtesy of the CIA. It showed why they never gave up on each other and made their reunion that much sweeter- after Kate gave him heck to pay, of course ;) The highly dangerous cases they are working on solving and attacks they are trying to prevent bring them closer together, and also heighten the fears they have of losing each other again. They have issues to work out and also get to know each other again as the changes people they have become- although the important things haven't changed. They have amazing chemistry, and I also loved the deeper ways they connect, through their faith and supporting each other.

Besides the terrorist case Luke is leading, Griffin and Finley are following up clues from his sister Jenna's murder, and the two plots woven together create a nice balance and kept the pace cracking along, making the book impossible to put down. With twists and turns along the way and dramatic, nail-biting climaxes, the story wraps up with satisfying conclusions for this group of friends that have become tight-knit and stalwart once again. Highly recommend this book and the entire series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the previous books in the Chesapeake Valor series . . .

Book One

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet--until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern--a young social justice lawyer missing since spring--and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he--and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.

Book Two

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

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.

 Book Three

Read my 5 star review here

Synopsis

FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that "the wrath is coming," Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She's sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner.

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can't deny, and she's pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell--and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming "wrath" that could cost thousands their lives.