This cover caught my attention. Then I read the blurb. I am intrigued by this book for a couple of reasons. First - I worked in Long Beach, CA where the heroine was a cop. Second - I have been camping in the San Bernardino Mountains for more than 60 years. So, like I said, I'm intrigued. It is rare that I read a book and know, first-hand, every scene site. This book more than met my expectations and the narration by Jeannie Sheneman was a delight. I love the organic references to these character's faith in God. I know a lot of cops and most of them have a deep-seated faith. That faith helped both Jodie and Sam cope with the tragedies they endured and sustained them through the tumultuous investigation.

Two tortured, grief ravaged souls come together with a new purpose: find the bomber who killed Jodie King's team before he can kill Jodie also. While serving a warrant an IED in a cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains killed her team and Jodie is having trouble coming to terms with what happened. Three months after the blast, she takes a trip to the site and a sniper opens fire on her.

Sam Gresham has suffered the loss of his partner and is just now returning to the San Bernardino Sherriff's Department. He has just been assigned to the IED case and decided to take a look at the site. What he encounters is a sniper trying to take out Jodie. With the shooting, the focus of the investigation is renewed and refocused. This time on Jodie and if the attack could have been personal. Now Sam and Jodie must find the person responsible.

My thanks to the Publisher and Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

A clean thriller full of explosives and double crossing. Who is the killer? Is there only one or are there more? Who is safe? Who has a personal grudge against our protagonist and to what lengths with they go to get rid of her?

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this gripping audiobook!

I love a good romantic suspense and romantic thriller and was excited to read this. I failed to notice that it was Christian fiction. I have read a few that I didn't mind, but this one was a religious novel with a murderer in the background. I felt like the story was thin and lacked real depth. All the scripture references and give it to God and it will work out bothered me. God helps those who help themselves. This really missed the target for me.

Astounding! I listened to this book in a day because I just couldn’t tear myself away! And there’s so much I want to say but can’t because of spoilers but — ohhhh — this is more than a riveting suspense novel (though it definitely is that.) But there are complex characters with hard back stories and lots of tough conversations as they grapple with the why’s and wherefores and the looming question of where God is in all the mess.

The faith thread is amazing! So many great lines I wanted to write down but I never had pen and paper handy since I was always on the go while listening to Jeannie Sheneman’s exceptional narration. She has a kind of gritty timber to her voice that lends itself to this type of tense suspense novel really well.

Impeccable pacing in the plot — the way the author starts to draw everything together for the hair-raising climatic conclusion, well, just wow! I was mesmerized by it all. Great police procedural scenes fraught with emotion. Cantore’s policing background shines in the intricate depths she brings to all the little nuances us regular folk wouldn’t even know to think about.

If you enjoy phenomenal suspense with an honest ‘friends to the potential for more’ trope expertly woven in amidst danger and trauma, then ‘One Final Target’ definitely belongs on your TBR.

My thanks to the publisher, Dreamscape Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Somehow I missed the fact this was Christian fiction. No matter, it was a wonderful title showing the frailty and fault of simply being human. The emotions were well portrayed and I really enjoyed the story. The narration was well done and it was an easy listen.

One Final Target by Janice Cantore
Audiobook Edition
️

From the very first minute of "One Final Target," Janice Cantore establishes a firm grip on the listener's attention, a hold she maintains skillfully throughout this twisting, action-packed narrative. Cantore's latest offering in contemporary romantic suspense is a vivid exploration of themes like grief, guilt, and the resilience of faith amidst trials.

The central characters, Long Beach Sergeant Jodie King and Detective Sam Gresham, are drawn with a keen sense of empathy. Both law enforcement officers, united by their experience of loss in the line of duty, navigate their survivor's guilt with strikingly different approaches. Their layered personalities add depth to a plot already brimming with suspense and intrigue.

One of the audiobook's standout features is its treatment of faith. Cantore doesn't shy away from the complexities of spiritual struggles. The story resonates particularly with those who have ever felt their prayers echo into a void, as Jodie does. A memorable quote from Jodie's friend Estella encapsulates this theme beautifully: "Faith doesn't always take away the pain, but it does give you the ability to handle the pain. God is good even when life isn't."

Jeannie Shenaman's narration is a key component of this audiobook's success. Her voice, imbued with a range of emotions, brings the characters and their challenges to life. Shenaman's performance enhances the storytelling, adding an extra layer of engagement to Cantore's already compelling narrative.

In conclusion, "One Final Target" is an audiobook that should not be missed by fans of romantic suspense, especially those who appreciate a strong Christian message. Cantore's skillful storytelling and Shenaman's expressive narration make this a must-listen. Its exploration of faith, grief, and healing is both timely and timeless, appealing to a wide range of listeners.

I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This book was well written, it hooked me from the beginning, and it kept me guessing the entire book.
I loved these characters, they felt real and relatable. They were the kind of people I'd like to know in real life.
The narration was really good. Her voice was soothing and it was easy to get lost in the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own *