Member Reviews
A dog is a man's best friend... and best defense against killers! (kind of)
Fatal Witness was a pretty good read. Of course, it is a K-9 thriller, so the dogs were amazing! There were actually two dogs in the book, and they each seemed to have characters of their own, which is a testament to Patricia Bradley's talents. All of the characters were built pretty well in my opinion. The grandmother seemed a little cliche (stubborn, fiercely independent, etc.), but I still enjoyed reading it!
I will say, I did not read the first book in the series, but honestly, you can totally understand this without reading the first one. The only thing is there is a minor character who might have been mentioned in the first book who makes a small return in this one. However, you can totally read this without reading book 1 and it will still make sense.
Okay, the twist. I guessed/suspected who the killer was about halfway through the book. I was disappointed by the predictability of the book, which is why I gave it four stars. Overall, I still really enjoyed reading Fatal Witness. The plot was well-constructed and easy to follow, and I liked the writing style. I would recommend this to people who like Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason, Nancy Mehl, and other similar authors.
**Thanks to Revell Publishing for giving me an ARC of Fatal Witness through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! These thoughts are entirely my own.**
Patricia Bradley's latest book, "Fatal Witness", the second of the Pearl River series, is certainly long on suspense. Dani, the heroine, has suppressed childhood memories of her parents' murder, and was raised by an uncle who hid the truth from her. When a coincidence leads to her learning who she really is, she starts a journey to reunite with family, regain her lost memories, and find justice for her parents. But the murderer from all those years ago will do anything to stop that from happening.
I was drawn into the story right away, and it held my interest to the end. I enjoyed the growing relationship between Dani and Mark, a deputy and K-9 officer trying to protect her. I was, however, disappointed with the revelation of the killer at the end. It was not unfair, the killer was one of several possible suspects, and clues were given along the way. But I found the killer's motivation and actions unconvincing. I could possibly buy into the original murders happening the way it was explained, but not the killer's subsequent actions both in the intervening years, and resuming the killing spree when Dani shows up. There is a lot to like about this book, but a shock ending like this story has, deserves a more compelling explanation.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed "Fatal Witness" by Patricia Bradley. This novel felt a little different than Patricia Bradley's other novels, but it was still as good as all of her other ones, which I loved! This book had had several twists and turns along the way, and it ended with a twist. I highly recommend this book.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.
Another one hit out of the park.
Dani has asked her Uncle for years about her family and the only answer she get is that the past is best left alone.
While on a trip to give a lecture and demonstration of her work she gets a phone call from Mark Lassiter the K9 officer of Pearl Springs. When she tells her Uncle that she is going to meet a friend for a couple of days Dani doesn't realize the set of events she has set off and the length's someone will go to stop her even if that means she is dead.
A gripping story right from the beginning, there were some twists in the plot that kept the reader engaged. A strong message to Trust God even in the dark places and keep scripture in your mind. An encouraging story.
Dani has just appeared on the civet of magazine and a woman several states away believes her to be her missing granddaughter.
Dani has had pieces of her childhood missing due to a traumatic event and wonders if this could be a missing piece. Little does she know the danger that she and this woman are going to be in.
As Dani arrives in town so do the attempts to stop her from remembering the truth. As a killer gets closer the casualties get worse. Can she remember in time to save this woman?
What a great story. Twists and turns will keep you reading and guessing.
Thank you #NetGalley #FatalWitness for this ARC
Dani has been living with her Uncle in Montana. He has dodged questions about her past and kept her as close to home as he can. She has no memories of her time before Montana. When her picture is mistakenly put in a pottery magazine she is recognized. Now someone is out to stop her before she regains her memories. I had a hard time putting this book down. I suspected who the guilty party was but still had doubts until the reveal. This is the 2nd book in a series but can be read as a stand alone. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
A grandmother’s love can be far reaching, and one person doesn’t realise she even has that love. When Dani Bennett finally finds that love, she is unaware of the far reaching consequences of embracing it.
While she might be hoping her lost memories can bring to light the tragedy she forgot. There are those determined the details never come to light. Mark Lassiter however, makes her feel safe, and together they are unwavering in trying to not only find the truth, but building on their connection.
First read of this author, it had plenty of action, twists and turns, great characters, as well as the budding romance, and I really enjoyed it.
Engaging romantic suspense. Great characters. Wouldn't want to live in this small town, but it sure is interesting to read about the folks in it. Exciting page turner. Not required to read the first in the series to enjoy this one. As usual it does add to one's enjoyment to read them all and in order. I am eager awaiting the next one. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Fatal Witness
Patricia Bradley
Pub Date: Feb.6, 2024
REvell
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is the second book in the series. It can work as a stand-alone, but I recommend you read the books in order.
As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With no memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past 25 years.
Mae Richmond has spent the same stretch of time searching for her granddaughter, who went missing the night her daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Convinced the woman she saw in a pottery magazine feature is the woman she's been searching for, she enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, who tracks Dani down.
Skeptical but curious, Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and reclaim her true identity. But someone close to her is determined to keep the truth of what happened all those years ago hidden.
If you liked the first book you will want to be sure to read this one too! Stunning!
4 stars.
Dani's parents were murdered when she was a young child. Her uncle finds her that night and whisks her away to raise her in a new life. After a publication posts her picture, she's reconnected with family and friends, but when her life is threatened she realizes the killer has found her too.
If you've enjoyed the previous book, you'll want to grab this next one in the series. The storyline keeps you guessing until the end.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Wow! Another awesome read from Patricia Bradley that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.
I just couldn't put down this action packed adventure down! Wow!
This author never disappoints! I love the many twists and turns that she adds into her action packed novels that will leave your heart thumping wildley.
Sit on the edge of your seat to see who is after Dani, Mark and Gem!
Gem is just the sweetest. I almost lost it when I thought something happened to her. She's my most favorite character.
Times I wanted to strangle Mark because he couldn't or didn't want to see what was right in front of him.
I truly loved and appreciated all the characters that made this fine story come alive for me. It's worth the reread.
5 stars for one wild rollercoaster ride!
I highly recommend this novel.
My thanks to Netgalley and Revell for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Talk about kicking things off strong! Patricia Bradley started this book off with some intensity that had me absorbed right into the story. I forced myself to slow down while reading it because as badly as I wanted to devour the entire thing in one sitting, I also didn't want it to be over so soon. It was just so good! This is the first book I've read by Patricia Bradley and I genuinely cannot believe I haven't read anything else by her before. Something I'm definitely going to remedy ASAP!
This is the second book in the Pearl River series and while it is fine as a standalone, it's clear that the same characters from the first book are involved and I'm hopeful the series will continue and keep bringing back more of the characters that I met for the first time. And I can't wait to go back and read the first book to really get the background details on some of the others.
When Dani is faced with meeting a woman who insists she is Dani's grandmother that she has never known, it opens a pretty good sized can of worms that end up coming with some danger as well. She doesn't remember much of anything before her uncle Keith and his wife took her and raised her. The way Patricia Bradley represented and made me feel all the different conflicting emotions Dani was experiencing was absolutely phenomenal. I was blown away!
Mark is the man Mae sends to meet Dani, who she believes is her granddaughter and bring her home. He also happens to be an officer. When secrets continue to be revealed about not only Dani's past but the death of her parents, things go from mysterious to dangerous very quickly. And they don't let up until the end. This was a Christian romantic suspense and it was really well done. I loved the development and the relationship between Mark and Dani. I strongly recommend this book!
This book was so good, I didn't want to put it down! I thought I knew who was the mastermind to all of the drama but definitely was guessing until the end.
I had a lot of favorite characters in this story: Gem, Dani, Mark and Nonny to name just a few.
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
Bradley has written another excellent romantic suspense. Dani was a child when a horrific event occurred. Protected by her uncle for twenty-five years, she discovers an unbelievable truth. Mae Richmond has never given up the search for her granddaughter, and Officer Mark Lassiter and his canine Gem will do whatever they need to to protect Dani. With many twists, turns, and truths, Fatal Witness will keep you reading into the night. This is book two in the Pearl River series. I received a free copy, and this is my own opinion.
Dani/Danielle Bennett's parents had been killed and her uncle Keith showed up and took stole away to Montana. Dani didn't remember anything about her life or about the murders. Her grandmother was determined to find her. She never gave up.
Dani and her grandmother both worked in pottery and Dani was famous. And Dani was also an artist. Her photo appeared in a pottery magazine and her grandmother saw it. She was sure it was her granddaughter. So she took the picture to the deputy sheriff and had her run facial recognition. It was 95% certain that it was her. She had Mark, a sheriff, phone her and tell her about her grandmother. Dani had been in Cincinnati and decided to drive to Pearl Springs, Tennessee where her grandmother was.
When she got there, there was no mistaking that she was indeed indeed Danielle. She had little snippets of memory but she couldn't remember the murders. When she met Alex, the deputy sheriff, she remembered her and she remembered that she had been her best friend. And there was a third person, Morgan. Her grandmother had called them the three musketeers. And Dani remembered that.
Her father, along with his brother Keith and another friend Toby had robbed a jewelry store and stolen diamonds. Bobby, her father, had the diamonds and he had hidden them away.
Alex had decided to re-open the murder case of Bobby and Neva Bennett, Dani's parents. In the meantime, someone had gone to Montana and killed Keith. And someone was trying to kill Dani. It was believed that she knew where the diamonds were.
No one knew who the ring leader was for the diamond heist except Toby. Mark had gone to the store where he worked to interview him but he wouldn't tell him anything. And then Morgan, an investigative reporter, had also gone there to interview him because she wanted to do a documentary on the murders. He told her to meet him at the coffee shop. But when she got there he didn't show up. Turns out he had been killed.
Dani get everything she could to try to remember and it'll buy a little. Her memory was coming back. Finally, one day she went to her parent's house and all of a sudden she remembered the murders and who had committed them.
This story held my attention from the very beginning. And near the end it was a bit of a nail biter. I was really able to get into each of the characters and I had no problem keeping up with the flow of the tale. I gave this book five stars.
I can always count on Patricia Bradley for a heart-stopping roller coaster ride story. Fatal Witness was no exception. It is full of exciting twists and turns while promoting trusting in God when things get bad.
In this story, Mae Richmond has never stopped looking for her granddaughter who's been missing since her daughter and son-in-law were killed. One day, Mae sees a young woman in a pottery magazine that she just knows is her missing Danielle. Meanwhile, Dani Bennett is living a quiet life in Montana, creating and teaching her unique pottery. K9 officer Mark Lassiter is tasked with contacting Dani and seeing if she would like to take a DNA test to determine if she is the missing girl. Dani has so many questions after being raised by her closed-mouth uncle, and would give anything to learn about her past. But someone doesn't want the past to be revealed and will stop at nothing to silence Dani before she remembers what her mind has blocked out.
I thought the book was exciting and engaging. It moves along well, has likable characters, and has Biblical themes about trusting God in good times and bad. I think any fans of Inspirational suspense will like Fatal Witness!
What happens when the past you have buried so deep gets revealed? Having no memories of her life before Montana, Dani Collins a famous artist is featured in a magazine for her outstanding work. Her grandmother recognizes her and hires Mark to find her. Together Danielle and Mark set out to find the truth about her parent’s murder twenty-five years earlier.
A good suspenseful Christian read.
Thank you NetGalley and Revell for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Fatal Witness" is a Christian romantic suspense. It's the second book in the series but works as a standalone. Mark once failed to protect the woman he loved, so he avoids romantic relationships. Now he has to keep Dani (and Mae) alive while they finally solve what happened 25 years ago. Mark admired Dani's character as they spent time together and got to know each other. They worked well together and brought out the best in each other. Dani was brave and refused to be a passive victim of events.
The main characters were likable, complex, and reacted realistically to events. The high level of suspense came from repeated attacks on Dani and Mae. Whodunit was guessable but not obvious or easy to narrow down. The case went cold years ago due to lack of definitive clues, and Dani struggled to remember anything about when she lived in Pearl Springs. Several characters were bitter because of unforgiveness, and Dani faced having to forgive others. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable suspense.
Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley opens with a young girl hiding in a closet than hearing gun shots. From this moment on, readers are trying to guess what actually happened to her parents. Why were they shot? Who killed her parents? Dani, the heroine, goes home to Pearl Springs, and try to piece together the pieces of her memory from this fateful day. The plot features many moments of bullets flying and questioning others to try to figure out what happened. Of course, what is a romantic suspense novel without a touch of romance. Dani and Mark, the hero cop, protects her and helps her figure out her memories and maybe fall in love. It was nice to return to Pearl Spring and see what Alex, the heroine from the first story, has been up to. While the plot read like a suspense novel, there were moments that I personally, would like to have had more suspense elements. Just enough more to keep me flipping through the pages. Overall, Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley was a predictable, yet sometimes not as suspenseful as I would have liked it, with a hint of romance.
I received a complimentary copy of Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.