For the past two weeks I’ve been downing books like shots, trying to read everything I can think of in the inspy romantic suspense/mystery market. I may have missed a few so if you know of anyone else, please leave me a comment!
I’ve enjoyed all of them. Each author has a unique writing style. Some books a little darker than others, which I personally prefer as a reader. I went into reading them with a writer’s eye, but some of the books swept me up, I stopped looking for pacing, scene set ups, etc…I simply became immersed in the stories. Which is good!
Below are the books I’ve read and I’m starting with my favorite(the rest are in random order), even though I enjoyed all of them. All great authors. Something about this particular story grabbed me and held on. Probably because of the darkness of the story line and the abundance of romantic tension. Here is the 2nd book in Lynette Eason’s Women of Justice series.
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Twelve years ago, forensic anthropologist Jamie Cash survived a brutal kidnapping, torture, and rape. After years of therapy, she has made a life for herself–though one that is haunted by memories of her terrifying past. She finally lets herself get close to a man, FBI agent Dakota Richards, when signs start appearing that point to one frightening fact–her attacker is back and ready to finish the job he started all those year ago. Can she escape his grasp a second time? And will she ever be able to let down her guard enough to find true love?
The next book I thought was good, very dark story line, but no romance–which is probably why I liked Lynette’s book better is The BoneMan’s Daughters by Ted Dekker. What I love about Dekker is his subtle symbolism. I caught onto quickly, as most Christians would, and I thought the ending was perfect, but I read some reviews–mostly by non-Christians and they didn’t like the way it ended. BUT I think it’s because they didn’t catch the symbolism. How could they?
I wasn’t terrified like when reading a Gerritsen novel (Rizzoli & Isles) but it was creepy at times and I like creepy. Mostly I loved the symbolism. And of course, Dekker’s reason for writing the book. I encourage readers to read the “letter to readers” at the end of the book. It made me cry.
They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who’s abducted six young women. He’s the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die.
Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.
Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan’s estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.
But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.
The next book was a new author for me: Irene Hannon. Many of you may have read her Heroes of Quantico series, but I had never heard of her. Sad on my part, I’m sure. Irene has really researched her stuff and is very detailed. Her romance is fun and I enjoy the banter between friends on the HRT (Hostage Rescue Team) For sake of space only, (I’ve read 2 book in the series so far) I’ll put my favorite one to date.
After he accidentally shoots a teenager at a tense standoff, FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Mark Sanders is sent to St. Louis to work as a field agent and get his bearings while the bad press starts to settle. Just weeks away from returning to Quantico to resume his work on the HRT, Mark has a chance encounter with an old flame, Emily Lawson. But their reunion is cut short by a sniper. Now Mark must find the shooter before he tries to strike again. But what is his motive–and who was his intended target? Can Mark put the pieces together, keep Emily safe, and rekindle a long-dead relationship at the same time? A fast-paced tale of romance, suspense, and intrigue, An Eye for an Eye is the exciting second installment in the Heroes of Quantico series.
And of course it wouldn’t be right not to read Dee Henderson. I’ve read her O’Malley series and enjoyed all of them, but I haven’t read all of her Uncommon Heroes series. Dee Henderson has a nice blend of romance and suspense. Her stories aren’t creepy or dark, but I love the way she constructs deep characters. I haven’t met one of them I don’t like (unless I’m not supposed to like them). Here’s the book I read in the past couple weeks:
Dee Henderson wraps up her Christy Award-winning Uncommon Heroes series with a riveting story from the home front. When someone snatches his cousin’s wife and son, FBI agent Luke Falcon hunts the kidnapper. He has never worked a case involving family, and it’s tempting to let his hardened exterior weaken, given the circumstances. But he has to be strong if he’s going to bring them home. When the ransom delivery doesn’t go down as planned and the bodies start piling up, so does Luke’s frustration. He fears that innocent people may not survive this crisis, and neither will his relationship with Caroline Lane . But her rock-solid faith proves to be a far better shelter in the storm than all his law enforcement training and experience.
I’ve read DiAnn Mills, and am reading Breach of Trust at the moment. I’ve already read, Attracted to Fire and did a review here. I’ve read a couple of Robin Carroll’s books. I did a review on Deliver Us from Evil here. I have the other in her evil series in my TBR pile. I like both of these authors as well.
So tell me…who am I missing? Have I tapped the inspy romantic suspense and mystery market? Is there someone out there writing about FBI/evil killers with a heap of romance that I simply haven’t found yet? And of course, have you read any books by these authors?
You're a reading machine, girl! Is it horrible that I've never read a book by Ted Dekker?
I love Irene Hannon's series. I have Lynnette's on my Kindle to read. I've never read one of Ted Dekker's books.
Another author you should consider is Sibella Giorello, who writes the Raleigh Harmon series. It's romantic suspense written in first person, but it doesn't feel as confining as first person. Plus her description is amazing!
Those are some great reads. My favorite book in Lynette Eason's Women of Justice series is Don't Look Back as well. And probably for the same reasons as you — it was darker, more intense. Maybe that's kinda morbid…but that's what I like. lol! Don't Look Back was a great, intense, read!
Oooh, some of those look intense. I was getting creeped out just reading the blurb for Boneman's Daughters!
Ted Dekker!!! Love! (especially his earlier books)If you liked Boneman's Daughters, you might also like The Bride Collector – both creepy and kind of funny actually. But if you haven't read his Circle series, they're some of the best books I've ever read…
Love Dee Henderson!
I haven't read lots of romantic suspense lately, so I'm eager to check out Lynette Eason and Irene Hannon!
My goodness, woman! Where do you find the time?!?! 🙂
I only know one of those authors but then I don't really read that genre. I have 5 books sitting in front of me that I plan to dig through this week–one by Alice Sebold who wrote Lovely Bones–not Christian but excellent writing!
Love them all! Read every single one of those books and more. 🙂
Can't think of any more authors other than the ones I've already gave you. 🙂
Yay for books!
Nice reviews, although I'd probably have to skip the first two books. I don't read a lot of inspy romantic suspense and those two books sound a little too heavy on the suspense part for me. My daughter, Amy, however, loves Ted Dekker, so thanks for a good idea for a Christmas gift!
I've heard of the Bone one, but I've never picked up any of them. Good for you devouring books–that makes for a good writer!
Well I commented on every single one of your comments and blogger ate it. I'm not goin back and redoing it all! I love you guys, but… 🙂
For those of you who've never read Dekker, it's hit and miss in my opinion. And none of them made me scared or edgy, not like a Gerritsen novel or Patterson. So I think you might enjoy them. 🙂
You and my hubby have the same tastes. He has a library of Irene Hannon and Dee Henderson books. He's enjoyed every one of them, too. One day I'll get to those books. One day 🙂
I've read all of those except Dekker's. Here's a few more just to throw at ya:)
Colleen Coble – her darkest one I can recall was Abomination.
Kristen Heitzmann – I really enjoyed Freefall, though Edge of Recall was darker but that one never really pulled me in.
Ronnie Kendig – any.
Kathy Herman – I haven't read any of hers yet, but heard they are good.
Oh – and Terri Blackstock's Predator. Okay, I'll stop now:)
I'm not a huge suspense reader…I've had one too many sleepless nights after reading "pansy" suspense books, lol. But I've heard great things about Lynette Eason's books!
Btw, I watched Big Bang Theory for the first time this weekend after reading your post last week. Definitely distinct characters, lol!
Those are great books, Jess, for sure! I haven't read a couple, but I've read other books by the author. However, I know of a GREAT writer who writes suspense with a good bunch of romance. ME! lol…
Don't Look Back is only $2.99 in the Kindle store right now! I might have to look into that!
I haven't read much in this genre *ducks head* – I think I've read so much non-fiction the last few years, I'm having to rediscover fiction all together!
I've never read Ted Dekker but the Boneman's Daughters just grabbed me. I think I feel a trip to B&N coming on.
I'm also a fan of Lisa Harris who wrote the Mission Hope series. It's set in Africa, but both books that are already out are really good Inspy Rom susp. The third one in the series is out next year.
Wow, you've read a lot! And I haven't heard of any of these. Probably because they are adult books and I've been hounding YA for years instead. 🙂 Have a great rest of the week!!
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