It might be because I read a lot of mysteries, but I knew who the serial killer was right away. Since I already knew who the villain was, I found myself not enjoying the story as much. Still there are a lot of suspenseful moments in the story. I also like the relationship that restarts between Nathan and Alexis. I received a free copy of this story from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This story was too predictable for me.

Counter Attack, the first of the Pearl River series, is an action-packed, suspenseful start to what is bound to be a great new series. I really liked the characters with a second chance at romance and the small-town setting where everyone knows each other. Alexis Stone, raised by her grandparents, moved back to Pearl Springs after her sheriff grandfather's heart attack to act as his chief deputy from Chattanooga. Some were not happy to be passed over by Sheriff Stone. When someone tries to kill her, could one be responsible? Or could it be the serial killer who seems to have followed her from Chattanooga?
Police Chief and former boyfriend, Nathan Landry is happy to rekindle his friendship with Alexis and hopes for more. He and Alexis work well together investigating local cases. Can Alexis overcome her fears to let someone close again? What about her dreams? Nonstop action, multilayered mystery with twists, turns, edginess, and danger abound in this exciting story. I highly recommend for those who enjoy romantic suspense with a faith element.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

Patricia Bradley has written another winner with her latest book Counter Attack . The plot and character dynamics and setting are great. If you enjoy romantic suspense you will enjoy this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

This first book in a new series is action-packed and addictive reading. The plot has multiple layers and the threads are intricately and seamlessly woven together into what is a rich story with a lot of depth and details. The story is centered around Sheriff Nathan Landry and his former girlfriend Alexis Stone, a Chattanooga detective on the fast track to one day be police commissioner. But her plans are derailed when her beloved grandfather has a heart attack and needs her to take over as his deputy sheriff. When Alexis arrives in town, she brings with her the thought that she will only be staying a few months and the threat of the Queen’s Gambit killer who seems to have followed her there. Encountering drug dealers and a serial killer with a strange attachment to the dark web, Alexis and Nathan combine forces to find the culprits and bring them to justice before Alexis dies as a target of the determined killer. This book is well-written, with deliberate misdirection and a fast pace that kept me engaged. The drama between the characters was believable and the characters were well-rounded and fascinating. This book is a cleverly written page-turner that is one I couldn’t read fast enough but I was also sad to see it end. Intriguing and intense suspense with dynamic and relatable characters, there is nothing not to like about Patricia Bradley’s new book in her new Pearl Springs series. I am already looking forward to the next one!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This book didn't draw me in as much as I would have thought with the suspense. It took me a while to read it. I think it may have just been a little to complicated to draw me in or I just couldn't relate to the characters. I'm not sure what it was. There nothing that I didn't like about the book, it just didn't draw me in until I got closer to the end.

Patricia Bradley is an awesome author, and she always writes a great story. In my opinion this is her best book ever. I would give it ten stars if I could. The action and mystery were beyond exciting. The hunt for a highly intelligent and depraved serial killer will take you into the world of the dark web, dark chat rooms and an evil video game designed by a disturbed individual who thrives on the shock of the grisly details.

Alexis Stone has been sworn in as Deputy Sheriff at the request of her grandfather who is unable to fulfill his duties for the moment. Almost immediately after being sworn in, a body is found clutching a white pawn from a chess set. This is the signature of a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer. Alexis was working undercover in Chattanooga trying to catch this killer, and it seems that the killer has followed her to Pearl Springs. It is all a game to this killer. A game this killer wants to win. She has to work with Chief of Police Nathan Landry, as it is all hands on deck for this investigation. Nathan has always loved Alexis and never truly got over her. Alexis' feelings are a different story as she is career oriented and single minded in getting to the top of the food chain in her job.

Alexis is now in the crosshairs of this demented killer. The action was non-stop, edge of your seat, tense and suspense filled.

Alexis was not my favorite character at first, but as her character developed in the story, I found a strong woman with a heavy burden of self-imposed guilt who just needed to forgive herself and lean on her faith and those around her. Nathan was my favorite character because he never gave up. He knew his feelings for Alexis were strong and his pursuit of a relationship was worth it all.

Sleep is overrated anyway. You will forget about sleep, work and your surroundings as you flip pages deep into the night. Thank you for Revell Books and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Engaging and exciting page turner. While I did have my suspicions early on there are still some surprises at the end. Nice to see this is the first of a series. I am eagerly awaiting the next one. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Wow! 'Counter Attack' certainly checked all the boxes I look for in an electrifying suspense novel! So cleverly written, tough as nails, yet vulnerable characters, plenty of twists and turns, a smidgen of romance (not too mushy, guys 😉), and a whodunit I didn't see coming. I suspicioned the killer for a fleeting moment, but hey...isn't everyone a suspect in a suspense?

Although a serial killer story always has a certain measure of creep factor, 'Counter Attack' wasn't as graphic as some—more of a cat and mouse game involving taunting of the protagonist, the dark web, and chess. Nicely done, Patricia Bradley!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book by the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review.*

The book starts out with someone who goes by Phate on the dark web who's looking for revenge of some sort. We jump to Alexis who is undercover looking for someone who might be a serial killer, and the timing of the next victim is drawing near. We meet Alexis (Alex), Kayla, Nathan and a few others at the beginning. Later we meet Alex's grandparents and people of both the Sheriff's office and police crew. The book focuses on two investigations. One Nathan is in the middle of and the serial killer. Which keeps them hopping. The story will draw you in quickly and is well paced to keep the pages turning until the conclusion. The story is set in Tennessee.
A complimentary copy was provide by Revell via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Nathan and Alexis have a history but Alexis has bad feelings toward Nathan for something dating back to high school.

When her Grandpa has a heart attack she comes back to run the Sheriffs office for him but a serial killer appears to follow her back to Pearl Springs.

As they dig into the killer their lives are threatened daily. Can they rely on their Faith and each other to solve this case?

Counter Attack is just what I would expect from Patricia Bradley. This thrilling suspense filled book is getting five plus stars from me.

Patricia Bradley has become a must-read author for me after her Natchez Trace Park Rangers series. Now she presents us with a new series called Pearl River.

In the first book, Counter Attack, we meet Alexis Stone. Her whole life has been spent reaching one goal: to become police chief of Chattanooga. But, as most of us know, life has a way of sending us in a different direction than we intend. Alexis returns home after her grandfather has a heart attack. There, she runs into an old flame, Nathan Landry. Alexis and Nathan are drawn into a deadly duel that looks a lot like a game of chess. Their opponent is an anonymous online gamer known as Phame. As Phame begins dropping bodies, why do all the women all look like Alexis? Who is out to get her and why? To find the answers to these questions, you should read Counter Attack.

For as long as she can remember, Alexis Stone has dreamed of becoming the first female police commissioner of Chattanooga, TN. But her dreams get sidelined when she gets shot in the line of duty.

Her grandparents see it as the perfect excuse for Alexis to come home to Pearl River for an extended visit. When her grandfather, Russell County Sheriff, suffers a heart attack, Alexis promises to accept his invitation to become the county's chief deputy and acting sheriff. Even if it means living in the same town as her high-school sweetheart and Police Chief of Pear River, Nathan Landry.

Moments after her swearing-in, Chattanooga’s Queen’s Gambit Killer strikes—this time, in Pearl River. Alexis will need all the help she can get to solve the serial murder mystery and form a working relationship with her colleagues, who might feel slighted when Sheriff Stone passes them over for the deputy job.

Nathan Landry never stopped loving Alexis Stone. He’ll have to walk a fine line between supporting Alexis in her new job and doing everything he can to let her know he still cares about her. But his opportunity to rekindle their romance may get cut short because the Queen’s Gambit Killer moves into Pearl River, with Alexis in the killer’s crosshairs.

Can he help her solve the crime before it’s too late? Or has he become a target, too?

What I Loved About This Book

Bradley’s fast-paced suspense story will keep readers turning pages late into the night. The second-chance love story adds depth to the characters. Like any good whodunit, Bradley leaves plenty of red herrings and false leads. Readers will also relate to Alexis’ realization about her need for a personal savior, not just a religion.

Fans of Kelly Irvin and Elizabeth Goddard will enjoy Counter Attack.

I enjoy Patricia Bradley's novels, and what I liked best about Counter Attack was the interesting premise (involving chess and the dark web). The main characters (Alex Stone and Nathan Landry--both in law enforcement) were likeable and realistic. The story featured a reunion/second-chance type romance. I like how Bradley organically wove the the faith element into the plot.

Fans of romantic suspense and suspense should enjoy this latest release from Patricia Bradley.

Another great romantic suspense novel from Patricia Bradley! This is the start to a new series and it starts off with a bang! This book follows Alex Stone who is a police detective in Chattanooga with a goal of being the first female police commissioner. She's well on her way when her life ends up in danger and she finds herself recovering at her grandparents' house in her small town home town of Pearl Springs. Bring in Nathan Landry, Pearl Springs' police chief and Alex's high school sweetheart. When it seems a serial killer has followed Alex from the big city, can they catch the villain before Alex herself is killed? And will they realize their feelings for each other before it's too late?

This book hit the ground running and did not let up. With a plot-line that kept me turning pages and great character development, this was a really great read! Though I prefer much more suspense than romance, fans who enjoy more of a 50/50 balance will enjoy this one a great deal. The romance worked for me as the couple had some history, but I personally would have preferred it be less a part of the story line. The killer left both chess pieces and chess moves with the various bodies, which brought an interesting twist. And I learned all sorts of things about both chess and the dark web by reading this one. I did have the killer pegged pretty early on, but I think it will be a surprise to most readers, and it did not really hamper my enjoyment of the story. And the ending after the killer was caught was something I did not see coming. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read and one I'd recommend to fans of romantic suspense. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

What a terrific start to a new series! Patricia Bradley never fails to deliver interesting, page-turning, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense!

Alexis Stone has great career plans in Chattanooga, but when a family emergency sends her home to nearby Pearl Springs, the danger of a serial killer follows her.

"If tonight had done nothing else, it had shown him he'd never stopped loving Alexis and that he wanted a second chance with her."

Alexis (Alex) is on a path where she needs to figure out her faith and her future. “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 may have figured out the killer, I did not see the other twist coming! The author is a master at redirecting and having the reader be suspicious of several people. From the first line to the last, I could not stop turning pages! I learned a bit about chess and what some of the different moves mean (the killer leaves a chess piece with each victim), there were drug deals, sweet grandparents, and a patience and protective hero.

Fans of romantic suspense are sure to love Counter Attack!

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

Alexis Stone has only one ambition. To become the first female police chief of police of Chattanooga. But life has thrown her a curve. Her grandfather has had a heart attack and has ask her to become the interim sheriff for Russell County, TN. Her grandparents took her in and raised her after the death of her parents. So she feels like she has to do this for her grandfather. Nathan Landry is chief of police of Pearl Springs. He and Alexis were high school sweet hearts. Trouble seems to follow Alexis from Chattanooga in the form of a serial killer. The victims all look like her and leave a white pawn. Also, several attempts have been made on Alexis' life.

This is a fast paced mystery that kept me reading way past bedtime. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series.

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

** “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.” **

Once again Patricia Bradley delivers another incredible action-packed, heart-thumping romantic thriller with “Counter Attack,” the first in her new Pearl River series.

Undercover detective Alex Stone has big plans for her future. But when her grandfather suffers a heart attack, he asks her take over as the county deputy sheriff for him in small-town Pearl River, near Chattanooga. In her new role, she runs into her old flame, Nathan Landry, Pearl Springs police chief, as they are both drawn into the Queen’s Gambit Killer case she had been investigating.

As a series of dangerous and deadly events draw closer and closer to Alex and Nathan, they must decide if they can work together — and deny the feelings they find growing stronger and stronger. Whom can they trust, and who is out to seek revenge?

Bradley creates an incredible plot filled with twists and turns, leaving the reader guessing. She also develops very real and relatable characters, as well as fills “Counter Attack” with several great themes, like relying on prayer and turning to it first when trouble hits; God has a plan for each of us; to be satisfied in whatever position you find yourself in; and “I (God) will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Fans of authors like Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon and Terri Blackstock will love “Counter Attack,” which is due out May 16.

Five stars out of five.

Revell provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Alexis family is glad to have her back in Pearl Springs even if it was because she was attacked by a possible serial killer. Nathan wants a second chance with her. When her grandfather has a heart attack and has to go on leave as Chief of Police he instates Alex as his second in command until he can return. As Nathan works on trying to get Alex to stay in Pearl Springs they encounter a possible drug ring and someone truly wants Alex dead. Thank you Netgalley and Ms. Bradley for the ARC copy.

There's quite a lot of suspense although the intended surprise was no surprise and there were some redundant passages. Some things should have been clear from the beginning (they are after Alex for killing Philipp), but the cops are still guessing for too long what it's all about. The novel could have been one third shorter with the same storyline and the same amount of suspense and would have been more gripping.