Fatal Witness

Author: Patricia Bradley
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Series: Pearl River #2
Pages: 400
Release Date: February 6, 2024
Publisher: Revell

She doesn't remember the death of her parents--and someone will do whatever it takes to keep it that way

As a child, artist and potter Dani Bennett witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. With little memory of the incident or her true identity, she was forced to take on a new name and a new life, hidden away in Montana for the past twenty-five years.

Mae Richmond has spent the same stretch of time searching for her granddaughter, who went missing the night her daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Convinced the woman she saw in a pottery magazine feature is the woman she's been searching for, she enlists the help of K-9 officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, who tracks Dani down.

Skeptical but curious, Dani sets out on a journey to uncover the secrets of her past and reclaim her true identity. But someone close to her is determined to keep the truth of what happened all those years ago hidden.

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Reviewer: Elisha Varela

Wow! I love the suspense and the way Patricia Bradley unfolds everything.

This is the second book in the Pearl River series. I like the whole idea of changing the identity and the main character not knowing. And in steps, a K-9 officer to help her. Got to love a man in uniform.

Mark Lassiter was just the best. If you need any more convincing, Mark is reason enough to read this book. I like being able to guess who the killer is, and for this book, I was correct.

The romance was cute. I quite enjoy the romance in a mystery book, and this one is no different. Although I’m sure there will be some who think it happened too quickly, don’t be deterred by that. Yes, it’s a romance book, but it is also a murder mystery, so if you do not like fast-paced romance, read this book for the mystery and suspense. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer

If you are looking for action from the first page, this mystery doesn't disappoint!

Dani, a young artist who witnessed her parents murder, finds her life turned upside down when she is contacted by a sheriff. Mark, a war veteran trying to live his life normally on a police force, does all he can to protect his town of Peal Springs.

Alex, an acting police chief, is proving to everyone that she can handle her professional career and move out of the shadow of her grandfather. This mystery is a who done it from the first page. All the characters work together to figure out a years-old mystery. You won't want to miss this action! 

I received a complementary copy courtesy of Revell Publishing through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Kristina Hall

A good continuation to the Pearl River series!

Patricia Bradley is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors, and I was excited when my copy of Fatal Witness arrived in the mail.

Dani and Mark were both sympathetic, well-developed characters, Dani especially. I would've liked to know a little more about Mark's backstory. I liked "seeing" Alexis and Nathan again. Their struggles, even after their happy ending in the first book, were a realistic touch.

The plot was intriguing and had plenty of high-stakes action and suspenseful moments. I did think some of the lead-up to some of the action scenes felt a little contrived. I know the villains needed access to the main characters, but it felt a little too easy.

I appreciated that Patricia Bradley kept both the language and romance clean, and I enjoyed that Mark and Dani trusted God.

Overall, I found Fatal Witness to be an interesting read that I'd recommend to those who love Christian fiction and romantic suspense. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

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.

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Reviewer: Trinity Caver

Bradley brilliantly captures humanity through the character of Dani, creating moments of genuine emotional impact. Additionally, the themes of deception and mystery intertwine throughout the plot, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Fatal Witness also shows the impact of love and grace. Keith, Dani’s uncle, shows unconditional love and willingness to care for Dani, despite their troubled past. This can symbolize the grace of God, who loves us and forgives us despite our mistakes.

Ultimately, this is a beautifully crafted story that offers hope, forgiveness, and second chances while throwing in elements of suspense and mystery. It demonstrates the depth of Bradley's skill in bringing together faith, suspense, and complex relationships in an intriguing way. The captivating plot is layered with thought-provoking themes that touch on matters of faith and the possibility of redemption, even in the face of deceit and betrayal.

Patricia Bradley's Fatal Witness is an absolute must-read for those who enjoy thrilling mysteries filled with emotional depth, a touch of faith, and plenty of surprising twists. Through her eloquent writing and in-depth character development, Bradley delivers a powerful message of God's constant presence, patience, and endless love for His children.

All in all, Fatal Witness is a gripping, spiritual suspense novel that portrays a beautiful story of love, grace, and the transformative power of faith. It’s an exquisite reminder that it’s never too late to turn back to God. Readers are left contemplating their own relationship with God and the mystery of faith that encompasses it. A suspenseful and poignant journey that will captivate and move every reader.

I received a complimentary copy from the author through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

If you love twisty tales with multiple suspects and a touch of romance, Fatal Witness is the book for you. The action is perfectly paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. Patricia definitely knows how to draw the reader into her stories and had me hooked from the very first page. 

Dani is an artist raised by her overprotective uncle and has no knowledge of her life before age nine. When she gets a call from an officer in a small Tennessee town, she’s not sure what to think, but knowing she might have a grandmother who’s searched for her all these years stirs something in her. When she arrives in Pearl Springs, she may find more than she bargained for.

Mark is intrigued by Dani’s story, and when he meets the woman herself, he finds himself interested in a way he isn’t sure he’s ready for. His past mistakes make him keep his distance, but when things heat up, he has no choice but to be right by her side. Her life may depend on it.

Along with great suspense, I love how Patricia continues the story of previous characters Alex and Nathan as they move toward marriage. All of the characters are memorable, and the community is one I’d like to be a part of.

I loved this book.

I was given a copy courtesy of Bethany House. This is my honest opinion of the book.

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"I want you to get in this cabinet, and no matter what happens, you stay here until Mama or I come get you. Can you do that?"

Dani Bennett has no memory of that fateful day when both of her parents were brutally murdered, after which she was whisked away from the only home she had ever known and moved across the country to a remote property in Montana, quietly residing under the watchful eye of her uncle and his wife for the next twenty-five years.

Upon receiving an unexpected phone call from Officer Mark Lassiter of Pearl Springs, Tennessee, regarding her photograph featured in a pottery magazine, she realizes that perhaps the isolated life she has lived is not the only life she could be living. Dare she hope to find answers to the questions that have plagued her for years, or will returning to Pearl Springs put those she is growing to love in mortal danger, for after all, someone thinks she remembers?

Hang tight as Dani and Mark not only surprise themselves by forming a strong personal bond but also determine to survive a perplexing, action-packed journey towards family, faith, and an entirely new kind of future, for "whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91). A wonderful blend of story and character as the author advances her popular "Pearl River" series.

I received a copy of this book from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

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