Easy read, serial killer mystery with humour and romance. I really liked the book even though I worked out the killer well before the end, but not the whole answers. But as I enjoyed the characters interactions this made no difference to my enjoyment of this book. Wonderfully no cliff hanger, but better still more books are to follow. Thank you to Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Counter Attack is the first book in the Pearl River series by Patricia Bradley. When her father the sheriff takes ill, Alexis Stone returns home from the big city police force to fill as a sheriff in small town Tennessee. A serial killer leaves behind a chess piece at the scene of the crime in her jurisdiction, and interim county sheriff Alexis Stone teams with friend and Pearl River sheriff Nathan Landry to hunt for Queen Gambit's killer. Bradley has blended chess with a high-octane thriller. Readers can't wait for the next one in the series.

Counter Attack

by Patricia Bradley

Alexis (a.k.a. Alex) has a multi-step plan to achieve her goal of becoming a Police Commissioner. She works hard as a detective, keeps her head down, and is known to be skilled and reliable. Just as she is about to reach her intermediate goal of homicide detective, she is injured on the job and her grandfather who raised her has a heart attack. As county sheriff he appoints her to be Chief Deputy Sheriff during his recuperation. Her first week on the job she has to deal with officers who resent her appointment, a serial killer who has followed her from Chattanooga to her new job in a neighboring county, and a bomb threat. She has to keep on her toes to try to find the murderer who seems to delight in taunting her using mysterious messages as if they were in a chess game. Alexis has the cooperation of the Pearl Springs Chief of Police who was her high school flame. He not only “has her six,” but to her dismay she is still attracted to him.

Both Alexis and the reader will be running at top speed to keep up with all of the events, injuries, deaths, and possible motivations. The serial killer aspect is especially troubling as this murderer could be one of many people (even someone in the police department), has lots of 21st century tech skills, and puts Alexis’ life in danger as he or she enjoys employing near misses to keep her off balance. As if that isn’t enough to keep Alexis up late, the killer uses the dark web and it is creepy.

I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, so I particularly enjoyed the setting. Although it has grown in size since I lived there, I could easily picture both the city and the rural areas near the Chattanooga. Watching Alexis handle the deputies and detectives working under her, especially when they challenge her, is inspiring. She grows a lot too as she comes to realize what is truly important to her. Although the book is not in any way preachy, it does have the theme of trust in God and His plan woven through. This is a clean book with a flow of attraction between Alexis and Nathan, but the mystery is always the central focus. The challenge for Alexis, Nathan, and the reader is to discover and stop the serial killer before death comes to Alexis’ doorstep.

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

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery, Christian, Romance

Notes: #1 in the Pearl River Series

Publication: May 16, 2023—Revell

Memorable Lines:

“ You’ve been so focused on this goal that you’ve ignored everyone else in your life, including me and your grandfather. You’re living a one-dimensional life, and that’s not good.”

But this home had always been her safe haven, probably because her grandparents had always encouraged her, even when Alex feared she’d fail. Gram always said a person learned more from their failures than successes.

Was she going to die here? For once, had she met a problem she couldn’t solve? Lord, help me. Shame burned in her chest. Praying should’ve been the first thing she thought of, not the last. Why did she have to come to the end of herself to realize she wasn’t God? Her plans might sound good, but right now they were futile.

While I haven't seen the show the Queen's Gambit, I know a bit about chess, so I could appreciate the references to it in this story. I enjoyed the fast paced mystery and that there was quite a bit going on. I look forward to reading the other books in this series!

Another thoroughly engaging mystery by one of the best. It really had me guessing until the very end.

If you have not read any of this author's series, this is a good one to start with. This is the first in the series called Pearl River. As always, author Patricia Bradley delivers a fast, exciting and fun read. From beginning to end it keeps you interested and wanting to turn the page to see how the circumstances play out. I read it in one sitting! If you enjoy Christian fiction with anxiety filled action, you will love this book!

One of Patricia Bradley’s best books yet and a great start to her newest series!

Alexis Stone moves back to be with her grandparents in Tennessee after being wounded trying to catch the Queen’s Gambit Killer. She is only there a short time when her grandfather asks her to become the interim sheriff while he recovers from heart surgery. The Queen’s Gambit killer follows Alexis to Pearl Springs, and she is going to have to fight harder than ever in order to stop him. She has help from Nathan Landry, her high school sweetheart she hasn’t seen in years. Together they must work to stop the killer and see if the feelings they once had for each other are still there.

This book was very good but also predictable, I was able to figure out the twist long before it was revealed. So many romantic suspense books are the same, still enjoyable but predictable. Patricia Bradley is great at writing clean romantic suspense that many will enjoy. This series started out great and I enjoyed the interactions between Alexis and Nathan even if their romance was a little rushed. The small-town Tennessee setting was great and when the serial killer followed her it did bring the story up another notch. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a clean well written romantic suspense.

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

Patricia Bradley's newest series have been hit or miss for me, but this one was a hit! At times I felt that the romance got in the way of the plot but I still very much enjoyed the suspense and mystery as Alex and Nathan hunt down the mastermind criminal. At times I struggled to relate to Alex's character and struggles, but I admired the way she stepped up in a bad situation to lead her team. Nathan was a great counterpart to Alex, although I at times felt like he was more of a supporting character than a main character and wanted more of his POV. The mystery is delightfully creepy and twisty and kept me on my toes the whole time!

Full of suspense and interesting twists and turns. I always e joy Patricia Bradley's books and this was no exception.

A serial killer that leaves a white pawn and a chess move at the scene of the crimes has targeted Alexis Stone a police officer in Chattanooga. After her grandfather has a heart attack she agrees to be interim sheriff in her home town of Pearl Springs which brings her back in contact with her old boyfriend Nathan Landry who is Chief of Police in the town. The killer still has a target for Alexis and follows her to Pearl Springs. The book is full of action, suspense, romance, faith, and tracking down a serial killer before Alexis is the next victim. I enjoy playing chess so the chess moves were an interesting part of the story.

As always, Patricia Bradley gives her readers an edge-of-your-seat ride through the pages of her books. It was no different with "Counter Attack". This book has it all, intrigue, suspense, romance and a roller coaster ride as well.

Well worth your time to pick up a copy of this one.

5-stars!

I am not a chess player but I was intrigued by this new series from Patricia Bradley. I was left guessing the next move up until the very end. If this first installment is any indication, this is going to be a riveting series.

The main character is Alexis Stone. She grew up Pearl Springs where her beloved grandfather is the chief deputy of the Sheriff's department. Alexis' aspirations center on climbing the ladder at the Chattanooga police department. But through a series of events she finds herself temporarily taking her grandfather's place in Pearl Springs.

Pearl Springs is supposed to be a sleepy little community but a serial killer that has been dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer has begun to prey upon the town. This puts Alexis and Nathan Landry, Pearl Springs Chief of Police, on high alert. Do they have what it takes to match wits with this serial killer?

I enjoyed all the maneuvering and plot twists that this story had. Patricia Bradley is on top of her game with this one. I had suspicions about several of the characters but truthfully I was stumped as to who the serial killer was until right before it was revealed. It is very well written and if you enjoy romantic suspense I think you'll be pleased with this book.

This was such a twisty book and plot. I found it fresh and engaging with the use of the chess moves a strategy that had me wanting to break out a chess board as I tried to solve the crimes with the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Counter Attack is the first book in a new series by Patricia Bradley. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading her earlier novels, and I also loved this one.
Alexis returns to her hometown to take her grandpa's place as sheriff when terrible things begin to happen. And it all seems to be directed at her. But she has no idea who or why.

Nathan, an old friend from way back, just happens to be her hero. I loved watching the progression of their relationship, both professional and romantic.

This book has a serial killer. Nathan and Alexis must work together to figure out what is going on before more people die. Strangely enough, the victims all resemble Alexis, and Nathan is determined to keep her safe.

Twists and turns, lots of action, danger, and murder. This book has it all. Phame is the serial killer, and I had an idea of who it might be before I reached the end of the story. But I enjoyed the reading to see how it all played out.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel.


Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley is a solid thriller from start to finish. I read this genre often but I have to admit I did not figure out who was behind the crimes in this book as I usually do. I loved the dynamics among the characters. I found this book a bit harder to finish than other books by this author, because it seemed to move at a bit slower pace. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Christian action/suspense fans need to read this book! Bradley sets the stage, introduces the players, and the action begins right away. The action never seemed to end and the entire time I was wondering if the murderer was who I thought it was. The mystery kept me page turning and the romance and sparks between Alex and Nathan was palpable. The natural and easy way the characters spoke of faith was believable and felt just right. A completely intriguing book, Counter Attack will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

# Counter Attack
by Patricia Bradley
Pub Date 16 May 2023
Revell
Christian/Romance

As soon as Alexis Stone was sworn in as the interim sheriff of Russell County, Tennessee, a serial killer known as the Queen's Gambit Killer struck again in her hometown. Pearl Springs is merely a stopover on the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief in Chattanooga. The killer's calling card, a white pawn and a note that contains a chess move, cannot be ignored.



The chief of police in Pearl Springs, Nathan Landry, cannot believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) has returned, and he cannot resist protecting her. Can Nathan fulfill the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it is too late as the danger mounts and the killer closes in on him?


I give Counter Attack five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Action from the get-go with this story!
Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee and serial killer they are calling the Queen's Gambit Killer has killed once again. This time in Alexis' hometown. Has the killer followed Alexis? Left with each victim is a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it.
Nathan Landry is Pearl Springs Chief of Police, AND Alexis' old high school flame. Nathan still has feelings for Alexis and wants nothing more than for her to be safe.
This story was action, drama, suspense and romance all rolled into one!
I was given a complimentary ecopy by the publisher, Revell through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Counter Attack is a great christian suspense. The message is clear. You must trust that GOD will do His job, but you must trust and let Him do it. Even if you are the Sheriff or police Chief.
Another terrific novel from Bradley.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

Phame wanted revenge. Alex Stone wanted to live. Alex would soon become the newly appointed Chief Deputy Sheriff of Russell County, TN. Nathan Landry was the Police Chief of Pearl Springs, the county seat of Russell County. Together they would track down Phame and identify the drug dealers that had recently arrived in town - if they could survive each other.

As in the past, Patricia Bradley has written an enjoyable, exciting, and suspenseful tale that captivated this reader, The book moves between Chattanooga, TN, and Pearl Springs. Both sound like, except for the murders, a wonderful vacation destination. Counter Attack serves as the first book of a new series being written by the author.

The book easily earns the 5+ stars given it by this reader. This reader will look forward to the next book in the series.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.