Although I knew who the murderer was I still enjoyed this book.
I liked how Max wasn’t the alpha male and how “T” was a touch cookie.
The family dynamic with “T’s” family is one everyone wishes for.
A good book for thriller junkies to read.

I loved the fast pace of this story! It's well written and hard to put down, as one tries to discover what is really going on. I highly recommend picking it up!

I love suspense novels, and Irvin has found herself on my favorites list. She keeps me guessing, sitting on the edge of my seat, and always in for a surprise. Closer Than She Knows will have readers hooked from start to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Action, adventure, and romance all wound up together in one great novel. These books just get better and better. I love the way Kelly Irvin weaves the faith, romance, and danger together into a story that I never want to end. Even though you know there is supposed to be a happily ever after, there are times when it just doesn't seem like everything is going to work out, and I love that it kept me on the edge of my seat.

Teagan is a court reporter and mystery lover. When she is almost killed, and a person who says that they are a serial killer keeps leaving her extremely personal notes, she knows that she needs help tp stay alive. She turns to her friend and her father. Can they all come together to save her life?

Excellent! Okay, I did figure out who the killer was when they appeared in the book but I didn't know the why until later. It was excellent in the fact that the action was very fast paced and the killer kept striking and you didn't know who the next victim would be or when it would happen. It definitely kept you on the edge of your seat. I like that the author gave you the process the police go through in investigating a crime, it was very interesting.

I enjoyed Teagan's story but this would not be a go right now and buy for me. I did enjoy the suspense and plot twists. I do think the author kept you on the edge of your seat from about halfway through to the end. It took me a bit to really connect with the characters and truly appreciate the direction the book was going. I did think each letter that the killer was leaving really kept you in the loop with the killer. I think in some suspense books you are disconnected from the some of the characters until the end when they end up capturing or hurting one of the main characters loved ones.

While this book is faith based, I did not find it overwhelming or preachy. The relationship between Teagan and Max was one of my favorite parts. I loved their history and how their friendship finally turned into a romance.

As part of her job, court reporter Teagan O’Rourke was riding with an officer to return evidence used in a recent trial to the police storage facility when a sniper shot and killed the officer. Shocked and frightened, Teagan was suddenly involved in a case that quickly included her retired police officer father as well as her brothers and sister, all officers with the San Antonio police department. The first clue Teagan, a fan of murder mysteries, had that this revolved around her was the note, addressed to T and signed with the name of a character from one of her books. Her best friend and potential boyfriend, Max, was also a target, as was her next door neighbor, Evelyn, and Teagan’s work friend Julie, and each attack brought a new note, signed with the name of a different character from a different novel. It falls to the O’Rourke family to protect its own, and to piece together each clue to discover the killer’s identity before Teagan is murdered.

I really enjoyed this story, and though I suspected “whodunit,” I wasn’t positive until the ending. This was a fast paced and interesting book that captured my attention and definitely kept me guessing. I liked Teagan and the O’Rourke family, and appreciated their closeness and solidarity in protecting Teagan to the best of their abilities. Max’s past haunts him, making him feel “less than,” and his position as a youth pastor was an interesting side note in the story, bringing in a Christian aspect that blended well with the overall theme.

I received an ARC from Thomas Nelson FICTION, via NetGalley. This review is my personal opinion.

This is the first book I have read of Kelly Irvin, I must say I like it. This book is well balanced, with a fast ride with have from chapter one when we first meet Teagan, she works in court as a reporter and she is heading to testify to a trail when something bad happens and from this moment layers above layers come to develop. We learn about Teagan's family, her fears, and how that has stopped her from having a full life. On the other hand, we have Max, who is Teagan's best friend. I truly don’t want to get too much into details it will spoil the book. This cat and mouse situation and all the deaths and at the same time we also have a very human factor, I like that Kelly Irvin knew how to engage and maybe ask you what will you in that same position. Although fiction, I think this book has some interesting and relatable topics about faith, family, love, and additions, it will an interesting discussion between friends. And finally, the name of the book is a clue, so pay attention to little details and enjoy this story.

My favorite quote: “Scripture promise joy in the morning. It had arrived right on time”

Readers will find familiar heroic character types in Kelly Irvin's suspense novel CLOSER THAN SHE KNOWS. First there is the large extended family filled with members who've dedicated their lives to law enforcement. In this novel, that family includes Teagan O'Rourke's father and step-siblings. But Teagan has chosen to go her own way, knowing she can never put her family through the stress of worrying each day about her safety that a police career would mean. But she has not strayed far from the fold, having chosen to be a court reporter. The second character type is Max, Teagan's love interest. Like so many writers, Irvin has chosen to make Max a veteran recovering from PTSD and alcoholism. That he has found his second chance in youth ministry is refreshing. The plot revolves around recent deaths which appear to be the work of a serial killer who leaves behind notes for Teagan which are signed with names from popular crime novels. Clearly the perpetrator knows Teagan's literary interests, and soon the police believe the crimes are in some way tied to her father's past detective work. One particular suspect, already convicted of murder, is now thought to be responsible for other murders decades earlier in another area of Texas. But how could he behind these most recent happenings? As the family and Max rally around Teagan to protect her, it is clear that they must catch this new serial killer before it is too late. I've read a lot of Christian romantic suspense over the years, and while I cannot fault Irvin's writing or plot, I found some of the discussion of serial killers a bit too gruesome. But to balance that, the author includes a very frank and realistic look at Teagan's faith amid her fears over modern society's evils. If you are a fan of Christian suspense, you will like this book. I did figure out the villain quite early, but there was a twist that I did not see coming, making the final chapters a surprise. I received a e-copy of this book from Netgalley and all opinions are mine.

Good physical thriller. The scene of the fist murder was gripping. I enjoy thrillers and I would read this author again.

A great, clean, action-packed mystery with just the right amount of romance at all the right moments!

Instead of going into the family business of law enforcement, Teagan O’Rourke decides to go her own route and become a court reporter. Listening to hours of real-life murders and dealing with crime scene photos, her life is covered in death and destruction, but she has never been the victim of a crime. Until now. As she is riding in the car with a young police officer, the car window explodes and the officer is killed from a sniper rifle shot. The man responsible starts leaving Teagan notes signed by different murderers from some of her favorite mystery novels. Teagan’s family is in law enforcement and come to her aid along with one of her oldest friends, Max Kennedy. Max wants to be more than friends with Teagan but is afraid his past will keep them apart. Teagan is determined to keep those she loves from being hurt, but with each passing moment, the killer comes closer to her and those she is striving to protect proving he is closer than she imagined and doesn’t plan to stop until he finishes what he started.

Closer Than She Knows was a fun, exciting read that was full of mystery and suspense with just the right amount of romance. I flew through the pages of this one and enjoyed the story. While it was predictable at times, it wasn’t one that I knew everything that was about to happen; I just happened to figure out the bad guy quite a bit earlier before it was revealed. The relationship between Teagan and Max was paced perfectly, while they had known each other a long time, nothing was rushed; but when she was in danger, the feelings they had for each other couldn’t stay dormant any longer. It works perfectly in true fashion that when we are in high stress situations our true emotions tend to surface even if we want to keep them at bay. I enjoyed the rest of the family dynamics, the way Teagan related with her stepsiblings and her father was all very realistically written. The ending was not a big surprise for me, but some might not catch on to the clues early on that I saw. I would recommend this book to those that enjoy a good, clean suspense with romance that brings the suspense up a notch.

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

Great suspense that will keep you hooked until the end. I love the message of hope the author gives readers too.

I loved this book!! Intense story!! Love this series!! Can't wait for the next book in the series to release!! Love this author's books!!

This was an interesting Christian suspense book to be sure. It was fast paced and had some cliffhangers. However, I found it to be a little cliche and not very unique. This is just my opinion however and, if you enjoy suspense, definitely try this one!

3.5

When a serial killer uses the names of the villains in her favorite murder mysteries to taunt her, life unravels for court reporter Teagan O’Rourke.

The written taunts are found each time the murderer takes the life of someone Teagan knows. Two women are murdered within hours of each, and the killer promises there will be more… including Teagan.

Her siblings—all members of law enforcement—scramble to keep her safe, but Teagan doesn’t want to be protected or play the victim. When her father, a retired detective and department consultant, figures out the killings are connected to another serial killer he sent to prison, she wants in on the investigation.

As witnesses are questioned and court records combed, Teagan is thrown for another loop when an attempt is made on the life of Max Kennedy, the man she loves but refuses to commit to.

Well-written with a steady pace, this read has a solid plot and good subplots. As each layer of mystery is lifted, the killer seems more out of reach and no one knows who or where he will strike next.

However, I had issues with two points.

Despite the O’Rourke family’s close connections to law enforcement, I found it incredible that so much information was allowed outside of the department, that members of the department held meetings in-home for the family, and that Teagan was allowed to be part of all of it.

Teagan O’Rourke is my other issue.

An only child, Teagan lost her mother at a young age and felt betrayed by her father when he remarries a woman with three children—betrayal she keeps close to the vest for the most part.

A woman of faith, the passive woman didn’t follow her father into law enforcement… but two of her step-siblings did and another went into law. This makes Teagan feel ‘set apart’ and is supposedly the reason for her determination to be independent.

To me, it just made her annoying.

Teagan did all the “right” things… she went to church, volunteered with the youth, and invited others to church, but to me, her spirituality was reactive, not proactive. It was like a cloak left to her by her mother and grandmother she put on to shield herself from the ugliness in the world, especially some of the heinous crimes she transcribed in court. To me, Teagan was not God-led, but rather made her decisions and considered them God-accepted.

As a vet with PTSD and seven years sober from prescription drug abuse and alcoholism… AND a suicide attempt, Max was much more believable, leaning on his faith to see him through and not just calling on it to save him.

But, not connecting with the main character has never stopped me from enjoying a story, and as this one comes full circle, I couldn’t put it down. The killer craves media coverage and notoriety, and Teagan finally gives it to him… and he escalates before showing his hand.

To be honest, I figured out the “who” but not the “how” and I wasn’t ready for the reveal. Well done!

Readers of crime fiction and suspense will enjoy Closer Than She Knows.

Kelly Irvin did a fabulous job with this story, but be warned: It’s intense and a couple of times it’s bordering on scary. The characters are great, and the relationship between Teagan and Max was a strong point of this story. The storyline is almost like a Christian version of a plot from Criminal Minds. I’m in awe and admiration of Kelly Irvin’s ability to write such a riveting story. I have to admit, this book was almost too intense for me at times, but that just goes to show what a strong storyline this is. I appreciated the theme of faith in God that weaved in and out of this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A Christian thriller that is full of suspense, murder and romance ! Pretty good book ! Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this book ! Opinions are solely my own ! #Netgalley #ThomasNelson #CloserThanSheKnows

I found the book to be just the right speed for me. The author did a good job with the story telling. I'd recommend it.

Thanks netgalley for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fast paced, action filled, romantic suspense. This plot was very unpredictable and kept me flipping the pages.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.