Member Reviews

Critical Threat is the third installment of the thrilling Extreme Measures series from Lynette Eason.

In this third installment of the gripping Extreme Measures Series, Special Agent Grace Billingsley, an FBI behavioral analyst is tracking a serial killer. Prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe joins the investigation because his own father is also a killer and the new wave of deaths bear some alarming similarities.

Their collaboration begins awkwardly as they’d met before, with Sam catching Grace’s interest, until he ghosted her. The two put their past aside as the bodies start to mount up, along with the mutual attraction.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced and unpredictable story from one of the romantic suspense greats. I liked Grace’s courage and determination to face down whatever evil is running amok. Sam was relatable as a stressed-out single dad, also focused on doing the best job he can before more lives are lost.

As the killer toys with them both, a crazy twist leads to an ending I didn’t anticipate, but enjoyed nonetheless. For fans of romantic suspense, this is definitely recommended.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley. The opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I'm not going to lie this one was not my favorite of the series. But it wasn't because of the story I actually enjoyed the storyline, the plot and the suspense. As well as the heroes' two kids. And I even loved the hero Sam and the fact that he wasn't the one in law enforcement. It's nice to read a law enforcement suspense without that being the hero's job.

No my problem was with the heroine. I spent the majority of the book not liking Grace or her parents. Her parents for the simple fact that they kept placing blame were it didn't' belong on Grace instead of on the person it belonged to. My problem with Grace was she Unfourntely reminded me too much of a character on Criminal Minds that Unfourntely is a character I don't like. Sorry Grace, but I still enjoyed the story and look forward to the next one in the series.

Was this review helpful?

That was... Wow!

So Critical Threat is definitely suspenseful, wholly unique in plot (kudos to the author for creativity!), and certainly kept me guessing and on my toes the entire time!

The writing style was great - the text flowed flawlessly and was easy to just keep reding page after page!!

My one complaint (the reason I left off a star) is this: I love suspense novels. I read them all the time, in fact. This particular storyline was the goriest I think I've ever read. As in, I literally gagged a couple of times at the descriptions used. For the sake of spoilers, I'll leave it at that but just know that this is not a read for the faint of heart.

All in all, though, this was a pretty incredible read! It could've been tamed down a little, in my opinion, and still been fabulous but what's written is written and that's all there is to it. 😉

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

This is my first book by Lynette Eason but it won't be my last. I was sucked into this story from the beginning and finished it in one day. Grace, a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst with the FBI and Sam Monroe, a prison psychiatrist, are working together to track a serial killer whose MO is similar to another serial killer. When the killer gets fixated on Grace things turn personal and the need to find the identity of the killer and who may be helping them becomes even more pressing.

I liked the relationship between Grace and Sam--the way it progressed felt very natural to me. I liked that we got a viewpoint from the killer but we don't know who they are. This is book 3 in a series but completely works as a standalone. I haven't read the first two but I definitely want to read them now. If you like clean suspense (no language or graphic descriptions) you won't be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Critical Threat is the third book in Lynette Eason's Extreme Measures series. However, I started with this book and haven't read the other two. I didn't feel lost at all, so this can be read by itself. I get the feeling that the other characters, while they show up a little in the book, have their own separate story, so it wasn't a big deal to not have read them.
The take on Sam being related to the serial killer was super interesting, but I never really got creeped out by the serial killer parts. So while I do appreciate a good clean novel, I felt like those parts maybe fell a little flat. I didn't need descriptive details about the victims, but the suspense part was a little bit of a let down.
Sam also wasn't my favorite male lead ever. I found him to be a little...off putting. Maybe a little too timid? I'm not entirely sure what rubbed me the wrong way. So while he was well written, he just wasn't my favorite, and I kept hoping for more from him.
Grace was a fun character to follow, even if she did make some questionable decisions throughout the book.
It was a good book, and I'm not sad I read it, but it wasn't quite what I had hyped it up to be from reading the description, so that made me a little disappointed.

Was this review helpful?

I was so excited to read Grace’s story! She has the most interesting job as a Behavioral Analyst and Psychiatrist. I couldn’t imagine trying to get into the minds of serial killers! Sleeping at night would be impossible. Luckily for Grace, it is her passion to catch criminals before they can hurt someone else, and she is good at her job. Her dating life is another thing altogether. Grace and Sam had a real connection, or at least she thought so. When he ghosted her, she tried her best not to take it too hard. But seeing him at her job brings back those hurt feelings.

Sam has a complicated family life to say the least. Because of things in his past, he doesn’t feel like anyone deserves his baggage. Being the son of a serial killer isn’t easy. But it also pushed him into a career that he enjoys, and he feels like he can actually help people. When murders with his incarcerated father’s MO start happening around town, Sam knows he needs to help the murderer get caught.

Grace and Sam were a lot of fun to watch. Hurt feelings aside, they are a great team. They are going to need all the help they can get catching this criminal that seems to have put Grace in his cross-hairs. Twists and turns galore kept my turning the pages way too late into the night. Critical Threat is the third book in the Extreme Measures series, and I can’t wait to see what Eason writes next! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Romantic Suspense. If you haven’t read the previous books in this series, don’t worry! You can totally pick this one up and enjoy the journey! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Lynette Eason's Extreme Measures series has been fantastic so far, and Critical Threat was no exception. It might even be my favourite out of the series!

As a FBI Special Agent, Grace uses her skills as a psychiatrist/behaviour analyst to track down and apprehend serial killers, putting them safely behind bars where they can't hurt anyone else. Or at least that's the plan. However, with a serial killer for a father, prison psychologist Sam knows that sometimes being in prison doesn't stop a criminal. When bodies start showing up with his father's MO, Sam and Grace come together to consult on the case and work towards bringing the killer to justice. Oh, and Sam ghosted Grace the first time they met, after it seemed like they might have a connection, so that doesn't make things awkward at all.

I was immediately intrigued by the storyline, and thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced plot. I appreciated seeing the characters' faith lived out throughout the story and watching them grow. The romance was a little less in your face than some novels, but what was there was fantastic and fun to "see". I enjoyed seeing Sam work past the stigma of being a serial killer's son, and to truly find his identity. I also really enjoyed Sam's daughter, Eleni. She was a sweet side character, and the twists involving her really threw me for a loop. Grace has come a long way from the juvenile delinquent of the past, and she's definitely one of my favourite characters.

If you enjoy heart-stopping suspense with good dose of faith and a sprinkling of sweet romance, you won't want to miss Critical Threat (or the rest of the series)!

*I received a complimentary copy of Critical Threat through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

Was this review helpful?

Ok y’all. I loved Life Flight and I loved Crossfire, but Critical Threat is my hands-down favorite of the Extreme Measures series so far! Everything about it is just perfection. Deep layers, masterful suspense, swoony romance, great characters, and lots of grace (no pun intended).

Psychiatrist & behavioral analyst Grace Billingsley has intrigued me since I first ‘met’ her on the pages of Life Flight, so I was eager to read her story. And let me tell you – it did not disappoint in the least. Her family layers add some extra tension to her character’s journey, causing her to juggle a heavy weight of guilt over her brother’s addiction (and the boundaries she’s had to set) even as she races against time to stop a serial killer. Grace is such a great character – smart, savvy and strong – who had me solidly in her corner from the get-go.

Family layers are something that prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows a great deal about too. For starters, his dad is a convicted & imprisoned serial killer whose past crimes bear a marked similarity to the disturbing murders that have been ramping up in the area. The fallout of his dad’s identity destroyed Sam’s marriage (though his former mother-in-law lives with Sam so that should tell you something about his ex-wife lol) so he’s hesitant to get involved with Grace even though his heart definitely pulls that direction. I really loved Sam and Grace – individually and together – and their swoony romance gave me all the feels.

Romance doesn’t dominate the story though because, you know, they’re kinda tied up with this serial killer and time is running out to figure out who’s behind the gruesome killings. I have to admit here that I was COMPLETELY taken off guard when they started to figure it out. I caught up quickly but there was an audible gasp coming from my direction when clues started clicking into place. I adore suspense reads that surprise me so fully, and Critical Threat did just that.

Bottom Line: Serial killers are piling up almost as quickly as bodies in Critical Threat and Lynette Eason does a stellar job once again of creating a riveting read that you won’t be able to put down. Sam and Grace make a formidable team in the FBI task force’s high-stakes mission to catch the killer – or killers – before more bodies taunt them, and I loved watching them work together and, of course, fall in love. Their romance is just as sweet as it is swoony, and they equally support the other in their respective struggles. All of the books in this series are outstanding, but this one quickly became my favorite. Looking forward to book four and Raina’s story next!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this book.

I love Lynette Eason’s stories.
Grace is an FBI agent and Sam is a psychologist whose father is a serial killer. They collaborate on a new case. A serial killer who kills women and might be connected to Sam’s father, who is in prison. This story keeps you guessing until the end. Excellent characters and action. An excellent thriller.

Was this review helpful?

If your looking for a good mystery, then this book is it. There is spot of twist and turn. Keeps you guessing and trying to figure out who did it. I love knowing Graces background ,now waiting for book 4

Was this review helpful?

“Critical Threat” is the thrilling third installment in the Extreme Measures series by Lynette Eason and I had such a great time!! This book is perfect for fans of mystery, suspense, light romance, and faith elements❤️

There are so many reasons why I am a fan of this book/series. First off, I loved how Grace’s character glorified the Lord and evidenced His forgiveness and redemption. Grace went from a troubled teen in juvie to a behavioral analyst for the FBI who helps put the bad guys away. What a character transformation!!

I also enjoyed the cameo appearances of the other female leads featured in the previous books! I love the special bond the four gals have with one another and the fact that they met in juvie is fascinating!

As for Sam’s character (the male love interest), I really enjoyed seeing him grapple with his identity and fight through the stigma surrounding the fact that his father is a serial killer behind bars. The way Sam maintained confidence in his faith and ignored snide remarks from his colleagues was both admirable and commendable. Sam’s daughter, Eleni, was a super cute addition to the story too!

Lastly, I’d like to say that I found this novel especially interesting because I love the concept of psychiatry. Both Grace and Sam are psychiatrists who specialize in analyzing serial killers. Seeing the two of them chase leads and get into the serial killer’s mindset was both thrilling and exciting!

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading Raina’s story (coming August 1st).

Was this review helpful?

Put on Your Seatbelt!

From the moment opened this book I was hooked and was not doing anything else until I was finished! Grace and Sam were very interesting characters. Sam and his connection made it even more interesting. Very suspenseful and I was kept on my toes trying to keep track of all the details. I wasn’t far off. The time spent was worth every page turned! I felt this stood out as my favorite of the three books in the series.

I hope there is at least one more book in this series and if not I look forward to the next book Lynette Eason releases!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Was this review helpful?

FINALLY. I have been waiting for this book. Thank you, Lynette Eason, for delivering another exciting addition to the genre of romantic suspense. And let me tell you, this one is a zinger! Grace Billingsley and Sam Monroe are quite the powerful crime-fighting pair. They team up to stop a serial killer whose tactics eerily resemble those of Sam’s father, imprisoned for committing multiple murders. Critical Threat by Lynette Eason is a breathtaking whirlwind from beginning to end.

Eason walks the tight rope of “disturbing” flawlessly. The killer’s victims are not what anyone would expect. Not young women but ones that are more mature. More life behind them. No obvious connections between them, and no clues as to why they are being targeted. Let me put on my “public safety” hat for a second: Eason demonstrates no one is excluded from the threat of violence. While a serial killer may have a “perfect victim,” that could be anyone. Any skin color, any religious affiliation, any sexual orientation, any age. That is why it is so important to be vigilant and observant of your surroundings. Get off the smartphones!

Anyway, back to Critical Threat by Lynette Eason. She transports the reader into the killer’s point of view. You see how he thinks and why he attacks who he does…which includes Grace. Not only is Grace trying to solve the case, she’s defending herself against the killer and dealing with a family crisis. And Sam, too, has enough on his plate without contemplating the connections between his father and a murderer cutting out people’s tongues. See what I mean by “disturbing?” I get chills just thinking about it. But where some authors explicitly describe morbidity, Eason does not. No need to worry about a queasy stomach with Critical Threat!

The book, however, does have the classic “Characters must have dramatic and/or dramatic personal lives” cliché that I dislike. The novel also had some issues that seemed…hard to believe. As an FBI special agent, Grace would have been trained to spot a tail; she didn’t. You would think she’d set her house alarm; she didn’t. With a protective detail, you’d think the bad guy would have trouble getting to her; he didn’t. Eason also talks about her being a behavioral analyst and working on the killer’s profile. Grace eventually finishes and submits it. Great, but I wanted to know the profile, too. Eason drops snippets of the profile throughout the novel, but I never hear Grace present it, and nor does she receive feedback.

And maybe I’ve just read too many romantic suspense novels, but I picked out the “bad guy” from the moment Eason first hinted at his identity in any capacity. The big mystery lacked complexity. Overall, Critical Threat is fast-paced and easy to read. The romance is clean and understated, and I enjoyed the novel…even if it had some problems.

Was this review helpful?

If you are looking for your next suspense book, then look no further. Critical Threat is the third book in Lynette Eason’s Extreme Measures series. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I could not put it down; I needed to know what happened.

I love the twists and turns in Lynette Eason’s books.There is always something happening that will keep you guessing. I also love how Lynette always includes strong Christian themes and a sweet romantic storyline.

Lynette Eason has been one of my favourite authors for over 10 years and I can’t wait to see what books come next. If you love suspense with a bit of romance and Christian themes thrown in, you are going to love this book.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very intense, creepy thriller that has the FBI racing against time to stop a serial killer before he kills again, and again. And on top of the case is FBI agent Grace Billingsley, who is bound and determined to catch and put away this very sick person who for some reason is targeting woman in their 50's. Why? Grace had a message for the killer, that he missed and now his target is her and what she said. So very creepy and nail biting, especially when Grace has no problem being the bait.

Working alongside her is a psychiatrist Sam Monroe who knows only too well how devious and well-hidden a serial killer can be. His father is one and now locked up. And except for the difference with the chosen victim's this killer and his father's kills are eerily familiar. Sam, trying to juggle family life and issues and helping Grace, has his hands full. Could his father have something to do with all of this?

This was a nail-biting suspense that kept me turning the pages late into the night. This has really been one of the most intense reads I have read in a while. Very good.

I received a copy of this novel from Revell publishers through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Critical Threat by Lynette Eason is the third book in the Extreme Measures series. It can be read as a standalone. There are references to the characters from the first two books in the Extreme Measures series. It can be a little confusing if you have not read those books. I found Critical Threat to be a slow starter. The pacing does pick up later in the book. The characters are realistic. We get to know Grace Billingsley and Sam Monroe. I like that they are not law enforcement officers. We get a different perspective. Grace is a behavioral analyst (like the characters on Criminal Minds) and Sam is prison psychiatrist. It was interesting learning about their professions. I did not enjoy the drama in Grace and Sam’s lives. I felt it was a bit much. Grace has a brother who is an addict. Grace’s family blames her for getting him addicted. Sam has two kids and an ex-wife. I could have done without the ex-wife drama. Sam is also the son of a serial killer. The crimes were interesting. There is graphic detail (the victims’ tongues are cut out). I wish the mystery had not been so easy to solve (I wanted it to be challenging). Some details do not seem realistic. I am amazed at how often the killer was able to get close to Grace despite an alarm system and a security detail. Plus, Grace is an FBI agent. If she is as good as she claims, Grace should have picked up on him tailing her or being nearby. The ending was fast paced. There is romance interspersed with finding dead women and threats from the killer. The romance progresses slowly. I wish I had felt chemistry between Sam and Grace. It felt like they were close friends instead of two people falling in love. The Christian element is light. Sam and Grace are Christians. They talk about how they came to be Christians and there is prayer. The point of view alternates between Grace, Sam, and the killer. With the alternating POV, there are repetitive details especially with the Grace related incidents. I would have enjoyed the story more if the pacing in the beginning had been snappier and there was less repetition. Critical Threat will slay you with the son of a serial killer, an enraged inmate, a chancy killer, observant behaviorist, a teen wanting a telephone, and a terrible threat.

Was this review helpful?

I very much enjoyed this book. It was well done, fast paced, intriguing and enjoyable. I would recommend others to read and enjoy it for themselves.

Was this review helpful?

Eason has written another thriller with Critical Threat, the latest in the Extreme Measures series! This book deals with serial killers who FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley works to get locked away! In this case, Grace is working with Prison Psychiatrist Sam Morgan whose father is locked away for serial murders. You will keep turning the pages to see what happens next! All of the complexities blow my mind! You don't want to miss Critical Threat if you enjoy reading suspense! I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

h Tis has been a great series as each book focuses on one of four girls who became friends at an early age and now help each other out when things get crazy. Each one has taken a job that can be tied back to their past.

In Critical Threat, FBI Special Agent, Grace Billingsley uses her skills to track down serial killers. She winds up teaming up with Sam Monroe who works as a psychiatrist a local prison to solve a recent string of killings. They realize that their worlds are tied together more than they realized as the clues start coming together and linking their worlds more and more. They will have to learn how to work together and around their pasts if they want to stop the killer .

Was this review helpful?

What happens when the serial killer you are profiling ends up coming after you? I really enjoyed this story with all the twists and suspense. Eason does a great job of moving this story and keeps you guessing. Like most of her books there is some romance but it is not the main focus and is very clean.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?