Cold Shot

November 23, 2015
Forensic anthropologist Finley Scott and Ranger Griffin McCray get closer to a murderous sniper as they get closer to each other in Pettrey’s (Shattered) first book in her new Chesapeake Valor series. On assignment unearthing Civil War remains at Little Round Top hill on the Gettysburg, Pa., battlefield site, Scott is summoned for a late-night investigation by McCray (who works for the park) when he discovers grave diggers at work on an oddly placed grave. Expecting to discover a 19th-century corpse, they instead find a body buried sometime within the last year. Scott and McCray are joined by Declan Grey (who owns the land where the battlefield is) and CSI investigator Parker Mitchell—both childhood friends of McCray’s—as they begin to search for the killer. As clues begin to surface, so do the obscure details of McCray’s former life, intriguing and worrying the infatuated Scott. Although they are dealing with professional killers, the budding couple manages to find room for their romance and spiritual growth. Readers will empathize with the well-crafted and believable characters in this tense opening to her new series.

February 1, 2016

SWAT team sniper-turned-Gettysburg park ranger Griffin McCray routinely catches treasure seekers illegally searching for a piece of Civil War history. However, when he surprises a pair of thieves digging in the park, he realizes that they have uncovered the remains of a recently murdered woman. An impromptu meeting arranged by forensic anthropologist Finley Scott reunites Griffin with his childhood friends, FBI agent Declan Gray and crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell. The relationship of the trio had been damaged by past secrets and things long left unsaid. When the investigation takes a violent turn, the friends realize that their survival hinges on their ability to forgive themselves and one another. VERDICT Fans of Pettrey (Sabotaged) will adore this new romantic suspense series. Dynamic protagonists and an increasingly tense narrative set the scene for a harrowing and thrilling ride. As the tension ratchets up, a growing romantic chemistry between Griffin and the charming Finley builds as well. The author provides just enough backstory to set up the rest of the series nicely. A solid pick for adrenaline fiction junkies and readers of Lis Wiehl and DiAnn Mills. [Previewed in Julia M. Reffner's "Trials and Tribulations" Genre Spotlight feature, LJ 11/15/15.]

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from January 1, 2016
Best-selling Pettrey (Sabotaged, 2015) begins a brand-new romantic-suspense series, Chesapeake Valor. In the first installment, forensic anthropologist Finley Scott finishes her dig near Gettysburg, only to be drawn into the case of a much-more-recent burial. Gettysburg park-ranger Griffin McCray discovers the body, and he sticks with Finley throughout the investigation, as his past life as a sniper quickly becomes essential to their effort. Griffin's childhood best friends, also in law enforcement, join in, and old wounds resurface as the group tracks down a killer. Finley is still dealing with the aftereffects of a previous case, in which she became a victim, and Griffin is wracked with guilt and insecurity after two deaths for which he holds himself responsible. Pettrey's fast-paced tale offers smart characters who know romance won't work until they are able to deal with their personal issues. As they confront their pasts, their tracking of the killer leads them into a tangled web of historical violence, guaranteeing that readers will stay on the edge of their seats.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)