Critical Threat

Author: Lynette Eason
Genre: Romantic Mystery/Suspense
Series: Extreme Measures #3
Release Date: January 3, 2023
Publisher: Revell

Working with the son of a serial killer? That's a first.

FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer--in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with startling similarities to Peter's MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They've met before, and though Grace thought they'd made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They'll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case--especially because it's about to get personal.

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Reviewer: Elisha Varela

I loved this book! From the romance to the mystery, it was so beautifully made and written. I was intrigued throughout the whole book. 

I enjoyed that I could guess along with the detectives and not end up in a rabbit hole. The book also ended really well. I feel like the author did a great job explaining everything without leaving us with any questions or anything unturned. There were a few instances where the scene was confusing to understand, but thankfully it was over quickly and not as important. But other than that, it was really good. I enjoyed it and can definitely see myself rereading it. 

Sam and Grace were so cute. 

Sam’s protective father persona was the best thing ever. What Sam went through made my heart go out to him. He had very difficult situations happen, but his stance on God never wavered. He always trusted Him, which is a good example that we should also trust God. 

This book was clean. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. This is my own opinion.

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Reviewer: Joy Hannabass

When I pick up a Lynette Eason book, I know it will be a nail-biting, stay-up-all-night suspenseful read, and I'm ready for it. Critical Threat is book three in the Extreme Measures series, and each one has been awesome. 

FBI Agent Grace Billingsley and prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe are teamed together to find a serial killer, which at best takes readers on a wild and intriguing journey that might leave you a bit scared at times! Eason writes a fantastic story with her excellent writing skills and super thrilling research, with a cast of characters who will leave you guessing for much of the story.

Some twists and turns will change your mind a few times to where you can't figure anything out. I look forward to the next book in this series, and I can't wait to see what Eason has for us next. If you enjoy good heart-stopping suspense, you can't go wrong with Lynette Eason and her new book, Critical Threat.

A special thanks to Revell and Library Thing for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

If you love romantic suspense with a different twist, this book is for you. Lynette takes you on the ride of your life from one to sixty and keeps revving up the action.

Sam has spent eight years dealing with the fallout from his serial killer father. The author delves deeply into Sam’s emotions, making you feel every insecurity and doubt. Will he allow God to bring forgiveness and healing into his life? Now he’s called to observe a crime scene a little too similar for comfort.

Grace works as a behavioral psychologist and is determined to catch the killer even if she becomes a target. With Sam working alongside her team, will they be able to chase down the clues, keep everyone safe, and maybe find time for a relationship before it’s too late?

Critical Threat is well-written, with believable characters you can connect with and a tightly written plot that moves along at the perfect pace. An excellent book!

 I was given a copy courtesy of Revell. This is my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Amy Smelser

This was a very intense, creepy thriller that has the FBI racing against time to stop a serial killer before he kills again. And on top of the case is FBI agent Grace Billingsley, who is bound and determined to catch and put away this very sick person who, for some reason, is targeting women in their 50s. Why? Grace had a message for the killer that he missed, and now his target is her and what she said. So very creepy and nail-biting, especially when Grace has no problem being the bait.

Working alongside her is psychiatrist Sam Monroe who knows only too well how devious and well-hidden a serial killer can be. His father is one and is now locked up. And except for the difference with the chosen victim, this killer and his father's kills are eerily familiar. Sam, trying to juggle family life and issues and helping Grace, has his hands full. Could his father have something to do with all of this?

This nail-biting suspense kept me turning the pages late into the night. This has really been one of the most intense reads I have read in a while. Very good.

I received a copy of this novel from Revell publishers through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review. All views and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

Lynette Eason never disappoints. Packed to the brim with intense suspense, fast-paced action, and hair-raising plot twists, you won't be able to put this book down once you start. The perpetrator's voice adds a different dimension to the storyline yet his identity remains well-concealed until the very end.

I enjoyed Grace and Sam's camaraderie as fellow psychiatrists doing their best - one to track down serial killers and the other to help them heal while in prison. Grace's troubled teen years and her brother's addiction are raw and real, as are Sam's guilt and anger at his father. Sam's teenage children  are awesome secondary characters in the story, as is his mother-in-law. Grace and Sam's healing of past wounds is redemptive and inspiring.

If you enjoy thrilling suspense with a side of tender romance, you will love this book.

I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Kristina Hall

Lynette Eason is a master at romantic suspense!

Her sympathetic characters, Sam and Grace, drew me into the story, and I enjoyed “seeing” them work together to catch the serial killer. I needed to keep reading thanks to plenty of action, high stakes, and a developing romance. This definitely wasn’t one of those books that I got bogged down reading. 

I also appreciated the themes of family, justice, and love that wound through these pages. Lynette’s fast-paced, clear writing style brought this book together and made it an easy read. I need the fourth book in the series now! 

Like Lynette’s other books, Critical Threat didn’t have any questionable content that would take away from my reading enjoyment. Although this is the third book in a series, I believe it could stand fine on its own. 

Characters from previous books in the series appeared. But even though my memory of the last two books is a little thin, I didn’t have any problem following along with the action. I’d definitely recommend this novel to those who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense.

Disclosure: I received this book free from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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Reviewer:  Nikita Wells

Whew! This book definitely took me for a ride! This is the third book in Lynette Eason's "Extreme Measures" series. Of the three, #2, Crossfire is my favorite so far. The action, twists and suspense in this one were great, but some of the crime details were a bit rough. 
I wouldn't really recommend this to young readers.

Prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe/Romanos was interesting, and his kids were amusing. I loved Grace's character as a advisory special agent, and her tenacity for crime solving was admirable. Hers and Sam's dry humor was to die for. This mystery constantly kept me guessing until the last few chapters.

Age rating: 16 and up for blood, violent deaths, and crime scene details.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the complimentary paperback as part of Lynette's launch team. Thank you to Netgalley for the complimentary e-book. A positive review was not required of me, and the thoughts above are my own.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise
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Definitely high-stakes, heart stopping suspense in this one. Grace and Sam are psychiatrists working for the FBI. Ever since Sam learned his father was a serial killer, he has wanted to help the mentally ill and help catch more killers. When a new case comes up, they work together to profile the person who is committing these bizarre crimes. It is early in their relationship, but things in the past could slow down the romance brewing.

The suspense is non-stop, the killer is crafty and now Grace is in danger. The characters are well represented and have issues that they want to overcome. The faith element is believable and solid.

Ms. Eason is a long time favorite who manages to come up with intriguing, fresh storylines that keep your brain active, trying to figure out who the culprit is.

Kudos to another fast-paced puzzler.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

" . . . he paid attention to details, everything had gone according to the plan so far. No one would ever trace anything back to him. Ever. Because he was smart."

"Got a body." And just like that, Supervisory Special Agent Grace Billingsley's schedule changed for the day. As a trained psychiatrist and behavioral analyst for the F. B. I., it was up to her to create a profile of the person leaving the bodies of his female victims in public parks with a disturbing number of other similarities. They were now after a serial killer. . . . . with at least some knowledge of the Bible, "the mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, but the perverted tongue will be cut out."

When prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe shows up at the scene, Grace is a bit surprised, but not necessarily in a bad way (their brief interaction in the past left her wanting more, but apparently Sam's feelings had not coincided with her own), but in a curious way . . until he unloads the reason why he has been called into the case. No wonder he hesitates to pursue relationships.

Apparently, words mean an awful lot to this killer, for shortly after Sam makes sure Grace arrives home safely after the day that never seemed to end, she comes dangerously close to being the next victim … the intruder's only demand being, "I want to know what you said."

The criminal elements of this book are impressively intricate and very cleverly telegraphed, leaving a sparse amount of space for relational depth between Sam and Grace . . . . and yet, when the story ends, you're convinced "for the rest of our lives" is definitely a possibility. What a great addition to Eason's "Extreme Measures" series!

I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. I also purchased a copy.

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