Deception

Author: Patricia Bradley
​Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery
Series: Natchez Trace Park Rangers #4
Release Date: August 2, 2022

She refuses to let someone from her past define her future.
But does she really have a choice in the matter?

After being forced to kill an FBI agent gone rogue in self-defense, ISB ranger Madison Thorn is happy to be working in the fraud and cybercrimes division. At least numbers don't lie. So she's less than thrilled when she's drawn into a violent crime investigation in Natchez, Mississippi. She could also do without being forced to work with former-childhood-enemy-turned-infuriatingly-handsome park ranger Clayton Bradshaw.

When a woman who looks just like Madison is attacked on the same night Madison's grandfather is shot, it becomes clear that there is something much bigger going on . . . and that Madison herself is in danger. Madison and Clayton will have to work together--and suppress their growing feelings for one another--if they are to discover the truth before it's too late.

---

Reviewer: Beverly Laude

Madison Thorn is an ISB ranger, returning to Natchez after killing an FBI agent gone rogue. Her beloved grandfather lives there, so she is looking forward to spending time with him while she investigates a fraud case. Soon, she is drawn into several seemingly unrelated crimes and is paired with handsome park ranger Clayton Bradshaw to try to figure out what is happening.

The author has done a great job creating an intriguing story and bringing the many aspects together at the end. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing as to what is happening. The story unfolds in a believable and interesting way, and I was surprised by many of the revelations along the way.

The book deals with addiction, forgiveness, revenge, and redemption, with each character coming to terms with their belief in God and reliance on Him to resolve their personal issues. The romantic aspect is only a small part of the story but adds a special touch to Madison's healing. 

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews, and all opinions expressed by my review are entirely my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Nikita Wells

Deception literally starts with a bang, diving straight into the clean suspense that Patricia Bradley is famous for.

This was a great conclusion to the Natchez Trace series, and I've loved every book. The settings are wonderfully written and make you feel at home with the realistic Southern lingo and down-home hospitality. She also did a great job of depicting a funeral in the South- good folks and neighbors bringing lovingly home-cooked meals to comfort the deceased's family. When my papaw on my Mom's side died, it was exactly like that and so thoughtful.

Also, the romance in this book was squeaky clean, as I've come to expect and love from Mrs. Bradley's books. I'm glad I can hand any of her books to a younger sibling without worrying about anything sleazy, inappropriate, or gory. It's been a pleasure to review the Natchez Trace series since book one, and I eagerly look forward to the next series Ms. Bradley has to offer.

Thank you to Revell, who provided me with a review copy through Interviews & Reviews. I enjoyed it immensely! A positive review was not required of me, and the thoughts above are my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Monica Huyser
​
I do love a good mystery with some heart-pounding suspense. Deception by Patricia Bradley is full of mystery and suspense. There are more than a few unanswered questions that the reader has while reading this book.

ISB Ranger Madison Thorn is back in her hometown of Natchez to investigate a white-collar crime. It has been a few years since she investigated violent crimes, and she isn't anxious to work in that area again. Unfortunately, she is forced to investigate a violent crime, which is personal in more ways than one. However, a former childhood friend, Clayton Bradshaw, comes alongside her to help with the investigation.

Deception was an intriguing book from start to finish. I really didn't want to put it down. I was amazed at how Bradley wove several mysteries together to create an amazing tapestry of both deceptions of the characters in the book and clues that build up to an exciting conclusion for the reader. I liked Madison and Clayton, and their budding relationship seems realistic. Bradley doesn't shy away from wrestling with some of the hard things within her characters that many people face in the world today. 

This is a complicated story, but I kept all the characters straight as she paced each introduction well. The spiritual aspect is also well woven into the plot. I figured out a few things, but there were also some that I didn't know until the end. Deception was a great read for the mystery and suspense reader who likes a bit of romance alongside a fast-paced plot.

I received a review copy courtesy from Revell through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions within this review are my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Kristina Hall

Characters: Clayton and Madison were both sympathetic characters. Clayton was determined to treat Madison right and not repeat his womanizing past. Madison was also a great character. She went through many hard things in this book, and her reactions were so realistic. Some of the suspense books I've read skimp a little on character development, but the characters were developed so well in Deception.

Language: Clean.

Moral/theme: Dealing with grief and relying on God to overcome addiction were a couple of themes in this book.

Plot: Talk about suspenseful! This book had plenty of action scenes and high stakes to make me want to keep reading. And the villains were quite plentiful.

Romance: Clean. Just kissing. Madison and Clayton worked well together.

Writing: Patricia Bradley's smooth, clear writing style worked great for this book. I'm excited to read her next release!

Overall: Deception was an exciting read that I'd recommend 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.

---

---

Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

This book was the best one yet in this series. It was twisty, thought-provoking, and full of action, not to mention romance.

Each of the main characters had their own strengths and weaknesses that somehow complemented and supported each other. The struggle with faith and its place in their lives was realistic and painted an emotional portrait that made me relate to each character.

The suspense was top-notch, and the action kept me engrossed in the story. The ending was not what I expected, which was surprising and satisfying. I loved this book.

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book.

---