Dark Ambitions – Irene Hannon – Code of Honor #3 – Revell – Published 1 October 2019

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Synopsis

Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently–leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn’t convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn’t want them to succeed–and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.

With her trademark psychological suspense ratcheting up the tension on every page, bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon takes you on a search for a cold-blooded killer with an ambitious goal and deadly intent.

My thoughts

Dark Ambitions is the thrilling third book in the Code of Honor series. It is a fantastic book, with crossover characters from both the two prior books in the series and the Private Justice series. It has scintillating romance and a crime to solve with limited clues to go on and plenty of intriguing suspects.

Heather Shields is the newest member of the Phoenix Inc Private Investigator team. When former Army Night Stalker, Rick Johnson, asks for her help to locate a missing ex-team member, she never could have expected where the investigation would lead them, or the possibility of a blooming romance between herself and Rick.

Heather and Rick make a great investigative team. But more than that they make a great team. Their connection and chemistry is what really drives this story. While the prologue and first chapter lead with the intrigue to set the scene for this mystery, the rest of the first quarter of the book is focused on romance and matchmaking – instant attraction, matchmaking receptionists and fathers, and blooming chemistry. Once Heather and Rick do a bit of investigating and learn what they are up against, the sleuthing intensifies a little, though the romance continues to be the thread that pulls the story together. And there is no denying Rick and Heather’s connection – the chemistry seeps from the page and they work well together, sharing a faith, ideals, past hurts and a desire for a relationship.

The crime itself is intriguing. While the reader is given chapter sections from the perspective of the person behind the killer, due to some clever writing and chapter perspectives from a number of other characters, it is hard to tell just who is behind everything – and I certainly wasn’t sure, even as the big reveal played itself out. There are some tense, dangerous moments to bring the book to climax and a sweet conclusion.

Readers of Irene Hannon’s previous novels will enjoy this third book in The Code of Honor series, as will readers of romantic suspense.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Adult fiction

Genre: Christian – Suspense.

Themes: Missing persons, private investigators, crime, cover-ups, politics, elections, romance, friendship.

Advisory: References to murder and violence.

Published: 1 October 2019 by Revell.

Format: Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook. 384 pages.

ISBN: 9780800727703

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