This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Mystery Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published by Indie/Self Published
Released on September 29, 2020
Pages: 308
Format: eARC
Source: Author
The Delight
A peaceful night of photographing the moon and a time of reflection turns into a breath-stealing rush of terror. After the page-turning excitement of the author’s previous adventure romances, I was keen to pick up this standalone thriller and dive into some more pulse-pounding extreme entertainment.
Review
Edge Malone has been on leave from the San Francisco police force trying to get his head on straight. Pursuing an interest in photography seems like a harmless and peaceful hobby until a drone streaks out of the night sky nearby and he witnesses two harmless campers get murdered in the killer’s need to retrieve the drone. Edge doesn’t hesitate to snatch the drone and get out of the line of fire. His mad dash to safety accidentally drags Nina, a waitress at a nearby diner in his wake. Nina is tougher than expected and they just might survive long enough to discover the secrets behind the drone that are worth killing and covering up for.
Nina Hamilton is looking after her mom’s diner while her mom is on a much needed vacation and it’s her time to get away from her life and contemplate the direction when a horrid incident with a trucker is closely followed by a wounded man leading a killer right to her. She ends up on the run for her life with Edge and discovers that life isn’t so dull after all when at the side of the right guy while working a case off the books. What they discover shows the far-reaching network of conspiracy that reaches farther than the nearby small town but has it’s roots in the town’s past.
Jagged Edge launches into action from the early pages and barely comes up for air until the click of the last page. There is a mystery to solve, a romance slowly percolating, two people hurting from their pasts that need healing, and the ever-driving beat of a multiple person danger on their trail. I love this sort of book and whipped through the pages swiftly.
Both Edge and Nina are strong characters with smarts and skills. They were electrifying the way they melded as a partnership and I loved the spicy hints of attractions that they wisely didn’t act on when running for their lives and working through their pasts. Both have heartbreaking things that they draw out from each other and quietly lend understanding and strength over. I loved them together and really hope there are more books with then working together and working on a relationship.
As a whole and looking back, there is much that is far-fetched, but the author has a gift for keeping the reader in the moment and dashing right along with her characters. I finished this book quickly because of this reason. There was some good action scenes and some moments of luck or stupidity on the part of the villains.
Speaking of villains, one gets to be the third point of view along with Edge and Nina. I have mixed feelings about this. It is a way to explain what is going on with the villains, but it also gave early answers that I think might have been more suspenseful to discover as Edge and Nina solved the mystery. Not that there was no suspense. The tension was quite taunt and I was figuratively biting my nails a few times.
There ends up being some extra twists and a grand climax in the end with a few loose threads and open-ended hints that there can be more in a series.
All in all, it was abso-fab and just what I expect from a favorite author. Those who love adrenaline-pounding romantic suspense or thriller romance should definitely give this standalone story a go.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #183
About the Book
JAGGED EDGE BY KENDALL TALBOT
A grieving detective with nothing to lose.
A dying town with everything to hide.
After the shocking death of his daughter, suspended detective Edge Malone seeks oblivion in a bottle and plans to photograph a rare blood moon in isolated Whispering Hills, Montana. But his night takes a deadly turn when a high-tech drone is shot from the sky—and a ruthless gunman murders an innocent bystander who dares to visit the crash site. Driven by instinct, Edge seizes the drone and escapes into the woods.
Now being hunted, Edge unwittingly thrusts Nina Hamilton into the chase—a street-smart beauty who is no stranger to men with dangerous motives. But when the drone data leads them to a shocking discovery, they quickly learn that no one in Whispering Hills can be trusted. The truth of the small town is anything but quiet, and the price of secrets runs six-feet deep…
Jagged Edge is a full-length, stand-alone thriller that will have you turning the pages all night long.
Fans of Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne, Tim Tigner’s Kyle Achilles, L.T. Ryan’s Jack Noble, Jeff Carson’s David Wolf, Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, and Steven Konkoly’s Ryan Decker will enjoy this pulse-pounding thriller.
Preview
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My kind of book. Exciting and intense.
Her books really get your blood pressure pumping, Nadene. 🙂
Excellent review! I haven’t heard of this author but this sounds like a book I would love.
Yes, I think you would. I’ve been a big fan since her debut book. 🙂
Thanks for sharing and I love that cover!
Same here! It matches the tone of the story so well, Debbie.
It’s been a while since I haven’t read a book like that and it looks good so why not!
For sure, it’s an exciting one. 🙂
Fun!! 😀
I can’t wait for book two.
That sure sounds like a fast paced and action packed read with a lot going on. I like the sound of how both characters are smart and capable, I like that in a book. Sounds like they make for a good couple too. Having the villains point of view can sometimes work, but other times I feel it kills a bit of the mystery and suspense as you get that information. Glad to hear this was a solid read!
Yes, smart characters in a thriller make it so much better. I can’t wait for book two.