This suspenseful novel set along the Natchez Trace in Mississippi was filled with intrigue and rivalry and a touch of romance. Rangers Madison and Clayton need to work together to find out the truth of what's going on. This read will keep you engaged to the end. Recommended.

Deception
by Patricia Bradley
Pub Date 02 Aug 2022
Revell
Christian


I am reviewing a copy of Deception through Revell and Netgalley:



Madison Thorn is comfortable with her move to the fraud and cyber division, after being forced to kill an FBI agent gone rogue in self-defense while working in the violent crimes unit for the Investigative Services Branch. At least she doesn’t have to worry about numbers lying to her. So she's less than thrilled when a white-collar crime investigation in Natchez, Mississippi, turns violent. She could also do without being forced to work with her former-childhood enemy-turned-infuriatingly-handsome park ranger Clayton Bradshaw.





After a woman who looks like Maddison is attacked on the same night Maddison’s Grandfather is shot, it becomes clear someone is out to get her. Madison and Clayton will have to work together and suppress their growing feelings for one another--if they are to discover the truth before it's too late.



I give Deception five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Patricia Bradley concludes her exciting Natchez Trace Park Rangers series with Deception, an intriguing and action-packed finale to a intricately woven crime-fighting series. I have always enjoyed Ms. Bradley's exceptional books and this series is my favorite of her writings. I enjoyed the exciting and increasingly complex plot full of completely unexpected twists and turns. There were many times where I had to second guess who I suspected as the criminal. It makes me happy when the author of a work such as this develops a plot with a deep web, leaving the reader guessing until the last page. I also enjoyed the well-developed and understandable characters in the spotlight of Deception as well as the kind reflection on the characters from Ms. Bradley's previous books in the series. I always enjoy seeing how an author brings a series full-circle, and I absolutely enjoyed Ms. Bradley's engaging and adventurous conclusion in Deception. Another aspect of this book that I appreciated was how Ms. Bradley brought a sweet romance into the storyline without taking away from the mystery and suspense of the plot. I appreciate how Ms. Bradley keeps the romance from being unwholesome or cheap by keeping it clean and sweet.

Madison Thorn carries a heavy burden from a difficult situation in her past after having to be the one who shot and killed her former partner who turned against the law. Madison is a ranger in the Investigative Services Branch and has moved from investigating violent crime to crunching numbers in the investigation of fraud and cyber crime. Although Madison is comfortable and excels in her new line of work, she still ends up being roped into an investigation that leads to be far more deadly and dangerous than her previous work. As Madison is thrown back into the world of violent crime investigation, she also has to deal with another ghost from her past. Park ranger Clayton Bradshaw and Madison knew each other as children, but Madison hesitates to trust anyone after her previous experience. Clayton and Madison reluctantly work together. They soon realize that there is a mutual need for their combined efforts when the danger and depth of the case becomes even bigger than either of them realized. Can Madison and Clayton discover who is behind all the varied and violent attacks before it is too late? Can Madison learn to trust Clayton? Will Madison be able to put her past behind her? What will happen when Madison and Clayton are forced to realize that they care for each other? Will the criminal find ways to get past the determined investigators? Read Deception to find out for yourself. Happy readings!

Disclaimer: Revell graciously provided me with a copy of this book through Net Galley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

5 stars for this fast-paced book!
Deception literally starts with a bang, diving straight into the clean suspense that Mrs. Bradley is famous for. This was a great conclusion to the Natchez Trace series, and I've loved each and every book. The settings are wonderfully written, and makes you feel right at home with the realistic Southern lingo and down home hospitality. She also did a great job of depicting a funeral in the South- good folks and neighbors that bring lovingly  home-cooked meals to comfort the family of the deceased. When my papaw on Dad's side died, it was exactly like that, and so thoughtful. Also, the romance in this book was squeaky clean, as I've come to expect and love from Mrs. Bradley's books. I'm glad I can hand any of her books to a younger sibling without worrying about there being anything sleazy, inappropriate or gory in it. It's been a pleasure to review the Natchez Trace series since book one, and I eagerly look forward to the next series Mrs. Bradley has to offer.

Thank you to the publisher, author and Interviews and Reviews for this book!
I enjoyed it immensely!
A positive review was not required of me, and the thoughts above are my very own.

As an FBI agent, Madison is happy with her transfer to white collar crimes after she had to fatally shoot a fellow agent who turned traitor. As far as she was concerned, she never wanted to be involved in another violent crime. That all changes when her grandfather is shot and left for dead. Then another person who looks exactly like her is attacked. She reconnects with Clay, who she always looked at as someone who tormented her as a child. Clay is now a park ranger who has been tasked with helping her in the investigation.

This book has a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. As I read the book, a lot of characters were introduced that was at first hard to keep straight. But they all played a role in the story. It seemed they were out in left field. But they were all brought around to being vital parts of the story. I was never bored with book and stayed up reading several nights.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

ISB ranger Madison comes to Natchez Trace to work on a fraud cause, but is quickly pulled into investigating violent crimes with Park Ranger Clayton. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I love the layers of this suspenseful mystery. I also love that the characters have their own personal struggles. Madison is struggling with trust in her personal relationships, especially with men. Even though Clayton is no longer gambling, he is struggling with his gambling addiction. Both of them struggle with forgiveness. I also love that there is a romance interwoven into this interesting mystery.

Deception by Patricia Bradley

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes

I have so enjoyed getting to know the members of the Natchez Trace Park Rangers. Patricia has made both the Trace and the people who live and work there come alive in a fantastic way. This time around we get to see the redemption of Clayton Bradshaw as well as his chance to be the hero of his own story. He's about to be challenged with a case that includes murder, greed, mistaken identity, and lots of secrets someone would kill to keep hidden. The whip smart Madison Thorn is the answer to Clayton's need for help as well as the one around whom the case revolves. Can they figure everything out before more lives are lost? You're going to have to read it to find out. I really loved the intense suspense and the hidden culprits. We were given momentary looks into their thinking at times but nothing to give away their identity. The way that Patricia led us through the story as if we were working the case alongside Madison and Clay was just perfect. It lent a true air of reality to the story as well as some good depth. Seeing inside their thought processes was helpful to me in connecting with them and getting to know them better. The addition of the romance to the story was also well done. It was a fairly prominent theme but it didn't take over the mystery, which I appreciated. Mind you, I love a good romance but not if it means making a suspense book less intense or believable. Patricia gave us a nice blend of all her themes and included just the right amount of detail about law enforcement to keep me interested without being bored with technicalities. The faith elements she wove into her story were also well done and I loved the rawness of both Clay and Madison's journeys. There was plenty in their pasts that could have broken them but instead it drove them to be better than their mistakes. Readers could definitely find good lessons and connection points to the characters throughout the story and I was certainly one of them. I'm definitely going to be sharing this wonderful story and the series with others. It's one that should not be missed, especially for those who love suspense with a side of romance. I'm only sad that this will be the last one of the series; I'll miss getting to come back to the Trace for a new story. I'll just have to reread these books again and again to get my fix, I guess!

I received this temporary complimentary E-ARC from Revell Publishing via NetGalley. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review but am most pleased to do so. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Deception is the fourth book in Patricia Bradley's Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. While there are some familiar names that pop up, I do feel like this could be read just fine as a standalone. While I had personally read the previous books in the series, my recollection of them was fuzzy and I didn't feel like I was missing anything.

This story had a lot going on. That made for a really great and interesting story... though I'll admit at the beginning I found myself a little confused as to who was who and what was going on. Once I got it all sorted out, I was 100% invested in each and every character. As someone who reads a lot of suspense novels, I find that I often figure out what is going to happen fairly early in many stories. This one had so many twists and surprises that kept me guessing from start to finish. I enjoyed the suspense, I enjoyed the romance and I enjoyed every little surprise that popped up. There were great messages of forgiveness mixed in there as well that helped take the story to another level too.

Overall, I thought this was a great read and one that fans of romantic suspense are sure to want to experience for themselves.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

This was a great finish to the series. When Madison returns to Natchez to work on a case and see her grandfather, weird things begin to happen. It's clear her grandfather has something to tell her but he can't bring himself to do it. There is a lot of action. The danger is ramped up. People from Madison's past keep showing up. There are so many potential villains that make this a great whodunit. To top it all off, there are a few big reveals and twists that added a fascinating layer of complexity. It was a great read!

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was a fantastic finale to the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. I really liked all the moving pieces of this story and how Patricia wove them together to make an exciting and fun book. I had trouble putting this one down! It really grabbed my attention. Sorry to see this series end!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

My thoughts: Deception is the 4th book in this series, but it easily stands alone. Parts of the book were really familiar to me, as if I read them before, but I know I haven't. I had part of the who-dun-it figured out in advance, but the rest was a surprise. Lots of twists and turns and some hurting characters. I enjoyed this book and the series. I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

I have read all four of the Natchez Park Ranger series and I feel that this one is the best of them. I loved the excitement and trying to figure out who the culprit was. Madison Thorne is an ISB Ranger and returns to her home town of Natchez to investigate a white-collar crime. She has been more so demoted because she killed a co-agent who had gone rogue, who was also the man she was in love with. Once she is back in Natchez and staying with her beloved grandfather where she spent many happy summers, she faces many obstacles, like many attempts on her life plus a murder and child trafficking. Things she never expected to find in the sleepy town of Natchez. Plus she has to work with an old childhood friend, fellow park ranger Clayton Bradshaw. I do not want to give anything away about this most exciting book, but believe me it is full of excitement and suspense. It will have you guessing from chapter one throughout the entire book. Bradley is a master with words, characters and suspense. Also there is a bit of romance added to the mix. This book is definitely five stars and more. Thanks to the publisher and author for allowing me to read and review this interesting book. Loved it.

'Today was not a good day to die.'

How's this for an attention grabber? This is the first sentence of Patricia Bradley's newest book, Deception, and it sets the stage for a fascinating story. There are attempted murders, mysterious deaths, the mention of human trafficking, and the possibility of an illegal adoption ring that has been operating in Natchez, Mississippi for many years. Throw in multiple twists and turns, mix with constant danger, and you have a book that's hard to put down. Bradley throws in a lot of deceptive clues to keep readers guessing but she manages to tie them neatly together at the end. All of this intrigue is woven together with a faith message of trust and forgiveness, sweet but tantalizing romance, and a few happy surprises also!

This is another feather in Bradley's writing cap and a captivating conclusion to the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. I recommend Deception to all who enjoy inspirational romantic suspense.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.

Who can Madison trust?

How do you describe a book that takes you down many suspenseful roads? Enduring through danger, secrets, stresses, surprises, and shocking revelations mixed with emotional wounds and hurts, Madison faced real and perceived deceptions around every corner from the beginning of the book through to the end. How will she handle the greatest deception she never dreamed would ever happen?

Another great addition to the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. I have really enjoyed each book! And I recommend reading this one.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

Madison was one tough cookie. But her last case really got to her. She couldn't forget how she felt. The loss. The sadness. She is attempting to move forward but her past has come back to haunt her.
There is more than one storyline throughout this book. There is the personal side and the professional side. They both merge together into a fast paced story that is difficult to put down. Madison has been involved in Deception from the day she was born. Now is the time to find out the truth.

Deception was a quick read for me. I was entertained right to the end.

I received this from Revell to review.

This is book four in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series, however I feel it is. stand alone book. This book is full of mystery, drama, suspense, surprise and more. You can jump right into this one and enjoy it or go and read the others in this series, they are all good reads.
ISB Ranger Madison Thorn has come through a very traumatic past and therefore changed divisions at work, when she is sent to the town her Grandfather lives in to investigate, things really start to get interesting. The handsome Clayton Bradshaw must work together with Madison on finding what is actually going on.
This book does a great job at keeping the drama going all while developing great characters.
I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.

The Natchez Trace Park Rangers series has been great! I may not drive the Trace at night though! Ranger Madison Thorn returns to her judge grandfather's home while working an investigation for fraud but he is killed her first night there! Who is this woman in the hospital with a gunshot wound and who looks like Madison? Are there family secrets? Can her father be trusted? Deception will keep you turning pages to see what happens next! I recommend Deception to anyone who enjoys suspense! I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Wow, this book had me on the tip of my toes with a lot of twists and turns and a few possible suspects.

Clay and Madison were easy to like and connect with. Their relationship development also felt realistic. Both had a past struggles, Madison with her adoptive parents not having the best relationship and Clay with his past addiction. I appreciate that the author showed that an addiction can be overcome, but not with temptation to return when things get difficult. Sometimes authors can edge on the line of characters overcoming struggles with no issues, which for me is a bit…fictional. Real people, even Christians with a close relationship with God, has daily struggles and temptations to overcome.

The suspense plot was intriguing and fast paced. And with multiple scenarios and suspects, it was easy to be kept guessing, though there were a few hints I put together faster than the characters and I did wonder why the characters did make the connections sooner. This however did not take away any of my enjoyment reading this story.

The fourth book in the Natchez Trace series has Bradley at her very best with non-stop action and thrills from the first page!

Madison Thorn has tried to put the night she had to kill an FBI agent out of her mind while working for the Investigative Services Branch and has moved to the fraud and cyber division. She is good at her job and able to see things in the numbers most can’t. She is sent to Natchez, Mississippi to investigate a white color crime that turns very violent quickly. She must work with Clayton Bradshaw, an enemy from when she was a child that is now a park ranger. It doesn’t take long for both of them to realize things in Natchez Trace are not what they seem, and Madison has a target on her back.

Deception finishes up the Natchez Trace series and it is not to be missed. This novel is multi-layered deeper with the layers of family dynamics. When Madison returns home, she is hoping to help solve a white-colored crime and move on; what she doesn’t expect to find is a deep dark secret involving her family and others in town. The depth of this secret and the lengths so many are willing to go to in order to keep it hidden drives the story forward at an incredible pace. These characters and what they go through make for a nail-biting suspense novel. I loved the way the adoption scandal played into Madison and her family along with others in town. A lot of romantic suspense novels read the same and can be skimmed without missing a lot, but this is probably my favorite of all the Natchez Trace novels. I recommend this to readers that love romantic suspense novels.

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

This book was a fascinating read. It is a complex story that keeps you engaged and on your toes. Lines are blurred between good and bad as family secrets come to the surface. The suspense keeps you turning the page and the romance and characters makes you care about them. Those who enjoy inspirational romantic suspense will enjoy this book.