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Title: Deception (Natchez Trace Park #4)
Author: Patricia Bradley
Pages: 400
Year: 2022
Publisher: Revell
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
In the final installment of the Natchez Trace Park series, readers will enjoy the high-octane story revolving around ISB ranger Madison Thorn. Early in the book audiences discover that Madison’s life is in peril at the hands of a rogue agent in league with the very adversaries they are supposed to stop. After that encounter and several years later, we see Madison has changed direction in her career. Now she investigates white collar crime in the fraud and cyber division of law enforcement.
Madison visits with her grandfather, Judge Anderson, who is someone Madison adores and trusts. Trust is not easily given to men since Madison’s last love interest turned into a deadly foe. When Madison starts working with Clayton Bradshaw, her heart just might be willing to try love again. When her grandfather is murdered, Madison’s life is set on a trajectory that will unveil her unknown past and turn her world upside down!
Readers will want to keep turning the pages of this book that has tons of plot twists, surprises, and unbelievable heart grabbers! It was interesting that even as I neared the end of the book, the intrigue and thrills just kept right on building. Madison’s past was very interesting to me with how she took negative life experiences and turned them into strengths. Clayton’s gambling addiction every day was very poignant, and I enjoyed reading where he learned to rely on God, sometimes moment by moment in an effort not to return to destructive behavior.
Patricia Bradley did a masterful job weaving a tale that was exciting, engaging and almost lifelike. Audiences will be able to follow the many threads of the plots without a problem, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself rooting for the good guys! Nadine is a very likeable character who worked decades for the judge. Her personality and faith just warmed my heart! She had known Madison for years and held a special place in Nadine’s heart. I hope people will grab a copy of this book as it was exceptionally good, and read the prior books as well: Standoff, Obsession and Crosshairs! Watch for the author’s upcoming book, Counter Attack, coming in May 2023 that starts the brand-new Pearl River series.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )

This story began with the familiar character of Patricia Bradley's "Natchez Trace series" Madison Thorn. Her grandfather is a famous judge and she loves him dearly.

The story also starts off with a real bang with a sniper type shooting at a rest stop. Investigation into which the agents past lives converge in familiarity. What is the connection? Who is the connection and who is the culprit. Another death ensues and the clues become entangled in a web of deception, deceit, threats, more shootings. It seems that Madison is a draw for danger at every turn.

As layer after layer of clues unfold, the danger seems to continue to persist. Just when you think you know who the culprit is, you are foiled again. But so are the characters in the story. The climatic ending wraps the story up nicely. This is a book that will keep you wondering who, what, and why. Clues abound but don't coalesce until the final pages.

Definitely a good read and I recommend. ( )

Deception is an entertaining, fast paced read. I am a growing fan of Patricia Bradley. Her romantic suspense novels are well written, suspenseful, full of twists and turns, and contain plenty of characters to keep readers guessing on who the perpetrator is. I had read book 1 of the series and thought it was excellent, so when I came across this one (I know, I skipped over 2 books!), I knew I wanted to read it. I was not disappointed. The characters were relatable and realistic, and the plot line developed well. I’d like to read the other two books in the series but think that these novels could be read as stand alone stories if needed. This book also contains a spoiler for her next series. Definitely intending to read that one as well.

I received a complimentary word this book. Opinions expressed are entirely my own. ( )

DANGER, DECEPTION, AND DEPRAVITY!

Patricia Bradley’s Natchez Trace Park Ranger Series is special to me as I live five minutes from the famed Trace. As a native Mississippian, I always enjoy books set in places that I am familiar with. This is Book 4 in the Series and it is my favorite! Bradley has written a masterful mystery full of danger, deception, and depravity. Her main character, Thorn, is a ranger with the Investigative Services Branch. Her Grandfather, a powerful Judge is found shot and ruled a suicide. Madison knows her Grandfather and knows he would never commit suicide. Complicating matters, that same night, a woman who looks exactly like Madison is attacked. As Madison is trying her best to get her Grandfather’s death investigated, she finds herself forced to work with her old childhood enemy who has grown into a disarmingly handsome park ranger, Clayton Bradshaw. The more layers they uncover in this mysterious death, the more danger, deception, and depravity they uncover!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence. ( )