Romantic Suspense’s Rising Star Continues to Win FansBlacklisted 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 … 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.
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As I’ve come to expect from this author, lots of wonderful characters, nicely blended romance with suspense, and page-turning thrills fill the covers of this book. I was especially interested in reading this one because I loved Parker and Avery in the first book of this series.
I received this book complimentary in a giveaway. I was not required to give a review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are honest and my own.
I enjoyed this fast-paced, romantic suspense! Pettrey skillfully weaves spiritual truths in the midst of the investigation. I devoured this novel in one sitting.
Recommend to readers who enjoy heart-pounding, romantic suspense.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Still Life is Dani Pettrey’s edgiest novel to date. Inspired by The Black Dahlia, The story opens at a macabre art show in which a photographer has attempted to capture the beauty of death. Shock ripples through the gallery on opening night when it’s discovered that one of the pieces has been replaced with a fake. When Skylar, who appears to have modeled for both the original and forgery fails to appear, her friend Avery becomes concerned—something about the second portrait is eerily unsettling. Thus the stage is set for crime thriller that is rather unusual for it’s genre.
The most notable deviation from the Christian fiction formula for romantic suspense is the dark subject matter. I would go as far as to say Still Life leans towards a psychological thriller. There’s an undeniable attraction between Parker and Avery, but I felt the primary suspect’s morbid fascination with death almost upstaged their romance. Furthermore, Avery and Skylar’s checkered pasts exemplify the difference between a life redeemed by Christ and one lived in the flesh.
Aside from Parker and Avery; Declan, Finley, Kate, Tanner, and Griffin (who is now a homicide detective) also reunite to collaborate on this case. With Pettrey’s knack for bringing new readers up to speed, Still Life could stand on its own. However, in order to have a more complete understanding of the secondary storyline which involves Luke, refugees, and a terrorist plot, I advise beginning with Cold Shot.
In summary, Still Life is an edgy, suspense/romance sure to satisfy those who crave diversity in Christian fiction. The darker tones of the novel do not diminish the author’s overarching message surrounding Avery’s character. That is, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I look forward to the continuation of the Chesapeake Valor series.
Many thanks Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are my own.
Another edge of your seat story in this series by Dani Pettrey. Great main characters and a supporting cast of interesting people. Even if you haven’t read any of the other ones, you should still be able to read this one on its own.
I have read one other book in this series and it made me want to read Avery and Parker’s story. The other book hinted that Avery had plenty of secrets in her past that she didn’t want anyone to know. She was ashamed and especially didn’t want Parker to know what she had done before she came to Christ. Yes, there is a theme of faith in God to this story but there is also a pretty good story there too.
There is a couple of mysteries that need to be solved and the team of friends are working them as fast as they can. There is plenty of surprises, action. About the time you think you know what is going on a big twist comes at you. One of the mysteries has to do with Avery’s missing friend, Skylar. And that journey along had it’s share of twists until you get the truth of what is going on.
Parker had his own terrifying memories of a young love lost violently. He exudes Irish charm and is top notch when it comes to his profession. He is also a fiercely loyal friend to those around him. He keeps running from his feelings about Avery. Well, that only works for a while. Until it doesn’t.
I also want to say that Avery had some mad skills when it came to providing her own physical self-defense. And that is going to come in handy in this story too. She is also top of the field when it comes to photography. She was excellent when it came to helping Parker at crime scenes. But she ran away because she figured she was never going to get anywhere with Parker romantically. But as you read you see that they ARE headed for their own H.E.A.
My last words are that I really enjoyed the story!
If you haven’t yet read my review for ‘Cold Case’, the first book in the Chesapeake Valor series by Dani Pettrey, well it’s really quite similar to the review you are about to read for ‘Still Life’. I think my understanding and feel into the story is better since I read the books back to back, but there’s still things I am struggling with. The same things that I struggled with before. I really want to like this author but I’m halfway through this series (as it stands right now) and I’m just meh.
To be fair, I have a better grip on the characters this time around. I’m starting to consider the idea that I can keep them straight. Truth, some of the characters make better sense to my brain if I switch their names around. Crazy right? The faith elements still don’t feel authentic. Too formal and too forced. I don’t know many people that speak about their faith and God so formally. It detracts from the idea and feel of a true personal relationship. Finally, again, off screen everything. I felt disconnected from what was happening, not only with the characters, but also with the mystery with so many things being told after the fact.
I was still drawn into the mystery, I was still trying to figure it all out when it was laid out for me. I didn’t fall for the obvious distraction so for that I get something right? I’m still invested in this series, I’m still interested in this author. This book was a bit better than the first so the next book will be a bit better than this one right? That’s the theory I’m going with today, anyway.