Dani Pettrey: Dead Drift

By Kelly Bridgewater

Burning debris littering the ground . . . smoke pluming in the acrid air . . . this is just the beginning if he fails.

Seven years ago, operative Luke Gallagher vanished to become part of an elite team set on capturing a deadly terrorist. When Luke returns to face those he left behind, their help becomes his only hope of stopping his target's latest threat of an attack that would shake America to its core.

Private investigator Kate Maxwell never stopped loving or looking for Luke after he disappeared. But she also never imagined he left her or his life by choice. Now he's back, and together they must unravel a twisting thread of secrets, lies, and betrayal, all while on the brink of a biological disaster.

Will they and their love survive, or will Luke and Kate become the terrorist's next mark?

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

I love suspense in any form. I discovered Dani Pettrey when I read the first book in her Alaskan Courage series Submerged. I love the idea of Alaska and a family that works in the outdoors solving mysteries was a unique and wonderful idea. I have fallen in love with each consecutive Pettrey's stories.  So of course, I want to read Dead Drift, the final book in her Chesapeake Valor series. I couldn't wait to see how she concluded the series.

First, there is two parallel stories running the length of the novel. Luke and Kate who are running away from someone who wants to bring harm to them and allow Luke to seek solace in capturing a guy he has been chasing for seven years. The second storyline features Griffin and Finley. If you have read the first book in the series, Cold Shot, then their names should be familiar. They were the main characters. They are working together to hunt for a serial killer who killed Griffin's sister. I actually liked Griffin and Finley's story line better because they were actually hunting for a serial killer, whereas, Luke and Kate's story was focused a lot on their personal romance.

The romance between Luke and Kate is front and center in their storyline. I don't remember, and I might have to return and read the first three books to verify, much about Luke. I remember Kate working alongside the other members, but I don't think she said anything about Luke. Their romance was a little over the top for me. Who has time to apologize when someone is chasing you?

I enjoy stories with serial killers. They are interesting to me. I like seeing how the author will create a plot that captures my attention and doesn't let go. Pettrey did a good job with the serial killer storyline. I wish the story focused more on their story than the other one. I had a hard time putting the novel down. I finished it in one day.

In conclusion, Dead Drift is riddled with non-stop action, and Pettrey does a good job at bringing back familiar characters and creating a story that races against time. I anxiously await her next series Coastal Guardian series. I believe fans of Lynette Eason, DiAnn Mills, Irene Hannon, and Carrie Stuart Parks would love to read this series.

I received a complimentary copy of Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars