 Author: Lisa Harris Genre: Mystery/Suspense Series: U.S. Marshals #1 Release Date: November 3, 2020 How do you catch a fugitive who has nothing to lose? US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn have orders to transport two high-profile prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest. With both pilots and one prisoner dead--and one fugitive on the run--Madison and Jonas must negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry as they track a murderer who is desperate to disappear . . . and will do anything to stop them.
 Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt “This had become a game of cat and mouse. Chasing the fugitive who had managed to stay a step ahead of them so far. Anticipating his next move was the only way of winning.” The Escape is a definite page turner! You will want to clear your schedule for this one....I mean after all, the dishes and other chores can wait, right? Lisa Harris is one of those suspense writers that will draw you in hook, line & sinker. What should have been a routine prisoner transport turns into a nightmare for US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn when their airplane crashes in the middle of a National Forest in Idaho. The surviving convict uses this as his escape route thus causing these two Marshals to go on a wild goose chase, somehow staying one step ahead of the game. Intense is how I would describe this! Heart-pounding action, breathless anticipation for what will happen next, and edge-of-your-seat thrills would be other adjectives I would use to tell someone about this book. So many unexpected things happen and the story just kept getting better and better. I also loved that the romance never took precedence, but you know it's there under the surface somewhere promising the reader a future for Madison & Jonas. This was ALL about the suspense for me, watching these two work together to capture their escapee was pure magic. And then Harris teases you with the next book at the end, making you WANT to read it even before it's written! A true treat for inspirational romantic suspense fans!  Reviewer: Kara Linaburg I always enjoy a well-delivered suspense novel, and Lisa Harris is right up there as a popular author in the Christian genre for mysteries. I've read her books for a long time and was excited to read about US marshals Jonas and Madison. Boasting a unique storyline and high-stakes, this was a read I was ready for! I grew up on books like Hatchet, and the thought of reading a plot with survival/wilderness vibes was exciting. As I got into the story with Madison having to transport two prisoners in a private plane with Jonas and there's the wreck and the survival, I realized very quickly it was only going to go on for a few chapters and not for a big part of the book like I assumed. That being said, it is still well-written with an exciting plot, but I was just disappointed by the fact that this wasn't a survival book but more a cat and mouse game. Slightly cliche and teetering on just a little too convenient (them getting out of the woods was brief and almost too unbelievable), this wasn't my favorite of Lisa Haris' books. It was interesting reading about US Marshals, and while I found myself at times caught up in the action, I struggled to connect with the characters despite the decent writing style. Overall, still a solid read for fans of Christian fiction, and the theme of processing grief was beautifully done. Three stars because it was still a good book, just a little misleading in the back cover copy. This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews and Reviews.  Reviewer: Mindy Houng Lisa Harris consistently delivers adrenaline-filled, fast-paced suspense and this book that kicks off her newest series is quite enjoyable. The intensity and speed of the fugitive chase reminded me of the movie The Fugitive. From a terrible plane crash, to combat in the middle of the forest, to tracking down the fugitive's contacts, there is never a dull moment in the plot. Madison and Jonas are great characters in their dedication and determination as US Marshals. They both have deep wounds that still need healing and this first book lays down the groundwork for their friendship and partnership, as well as the underlying current of attraction. I expect the subtle threats against Madison in regards to her deceased husband to continue throughout the series and am anxious to find out why he was killed and who the murderer is. I'm not a huge fan of books that build upon the same set of main characters in the series but I'm totally hooked and will be reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy heart-pounding suspense and action, you will love this book. I received a copy of the book from Revell/Baker Publishing Group via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own. Reviewer: Anna Bottoms I loved every part of this stay up late, can’t put it down winner. A plane crash, a manhunt, a mysterious black rose—from Seattle across the western United States to Texas and beyond, the action never stops in this heart pumping thrill ride. Madison and Jonas must use their finely honed skills to catch a escaped killer. For both this case is too close to home, pricking at past tragedy in each of their lives. Will they be able to navigate their personal issues, catch the fugitive, and walk out their budding attraction? I recommend this book to suspense lovers everywhere. I received an advance copy courtesy of Baker Publishing Group through NetGalley and this is my honest review. Reviewer: June McCrary Jacobs Another engaging romantic suspense novel by the talented Lisa Harris . . . This contemporary story begins in Seattle, Washington, with U.S. Marshal Madison Jones telling her older sister, Danielle, about her request for a transfer down to the district office in Portland, Oregon. Danielle is not happy to learn about this change in the family's dynamics and quickly begins her crusade to keep Madison close by in a suburb of Seattle. The reader is immediately drawn further into the story when the author reveals that Madison is marking the fifth anniversary of when her physician husband, Luke, was gunned down in the hospital parking lot. His killer has never been identified. This emotional aspect of the story was very well-written and the burden that Madison carried around about her loss was palpable throughout the story. Madison is chosen to accompany U.S. Marshal Jonas Quinn on an airplane flight to transport two highly dangerous criminals to Denver, Colorado. Jonas was Madison's task force training instructor a few years ago, and they share a mutual respect for the other person's abilities and skills. Everything seems to be running smoothly on the transport until the plane develops engine trouble during the flight. The airplane crashes, and from that moment on the story arc makes a tremendous shift that I would never have expected. In my experience, the unexpected is what makes a suspense story so enjoyable. Jonas and Madison learn to rely on and trust each other during the ensuing adventure. They talk about their faith, and I enjoyed reading what Jonas had to say about his journey with Christ. Both individuals are flawed and have regrets about events in their respective pasts, but these two strong, determined individuals forge a strong relationship outside of their jobs. The villain in this story is the quintessential outlaw. He's mean, manipulative, and willing to do anything to get what he wants—or needs. He will stop at nothing, it seems, to escape capture. He leaves a wide swath of damage in his wake as he bounces from situation to situation to gain his freedom. The ending of this book was completely unexpected, and I am eager to read the next installment in this series, 'The Chase', scheduled for release in 2021. The book is completely clean in language and content. I recommend this book for fans of Christian fiction, Christian romantic suspense, and Christian romance. This book was provided courtesy of Revell Publishing, through Interviews & Reviews. Reviewer: Marie Edwards This is not the first book I’ve read by Lisa Harris (and likely won’t be the last either). Earlier this year, I read The Traitor’s Pawn. As a fan of Suspense and Romantic suspense, along with enjoying stories about law enforcement agencies, I couldn’t wait to read this. My draw was not only the genre – but the fact that this is the first book in Harris’ U.S Marshals series. I loved the 1998 movie of the same name, which was a sequel of “The Fugitive” (1993), so this was definitely a “must grab” book, especially when the real action for both of them begins following a plane crash of a JPATS (Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System) flight that leads to a fugitive chase. [Side note: these flights are also nicknamed “Con Air”]. With that noted, the cover on this is very eye-catching and grabbed my attention, which made me quite curious. The characters: Madison and Jonas are both well-rounded and solid leads. Each one having their own tragic back story that still connects them. Madison’s is the unsolved shooting of her husband some five years earlier, and Jonas’ is the shooting/wounding of an ex-girlfriend. But, Harris leaves little time for romance between the two in this non-stop, action-packed, whirlwind read that is far more suspense than romance. Madison and Jonas are too busy tracking down the other survivor. Damon Barrick is not only dangerous (a presumed killer), but a master-manipulator as well. There is little time to investigate his claims of being innocent. But is he? Right off, the first sentence of chapter one grabbed me: “There is a razor-thin edge between justice and revenge, where the two easily blur if left unchecked.” How can you not want to continue reading this? Very seldom has a first-line grabbed me like that. In addition, the first chapter ended on a creepy note as well. I thought I had a feeling about Barrick, and when I closed this book, I didn’t know whether I was right or wrong as an incident with Madison’s sister was not really solved per se. Whether or not this is the author’s fault – towards the last few chapters, I almost devoured an entire HERSHEY’S XL chocolate bar as I was nervously reading this awaiting the end, and at one point, almost in tears. To state it is an exciting read would be grossly understated. This felt more like an edge-of-the-seat thrill ride through an uncharted wilderness territory with never-ending loops, twists, and turns. And, after it stopped, I wondered what just happened? I definitely needed time to catch my breath. The references to Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, two well known U.S Marshals, also added to the thrill of this, along with a Gunsmoke reference. My mother definitely schooled me in those old Western T.V. shows. Written in short chapters, this is a highly addictive book that is hard to let go of and made me hold my breath in a few places. Although there were a few issues with present/past scene transitions, it didn’t seem to hinder my enjoyment of the book. And, after seeing “U.S Marshals,” this definitely played out like an action movie. Readers should be warned that this is NOT a standalone read. The end is left “open” (meaning a few unresolved plotlines), and the sneak peek from the next book clearly indicates this is a series that will need to be read together. And I will definitely be reading book #2. There is a slight “plot hole,” though it may reveal itself in book #2 – one character who had a connection to Barrick is somewhat “missing” by the end of the book (Bianca). I was trying to figure out who Barrick was and if this case was personal to Madison, yet at the end, there was nothing – or was there? Harris definitely left several things open, whether intentionally or not. This does have a high “body” count regarding murders. Harris spares the readers the graphic details, though. Although distributed by a Christian/faith themed publisher, there are few references to faith in this book. There is a slight mention of God and some faith talk, but no bible quotes, church talks, or character insights. Readers who are fans of Lisa Harris, and particularly her romantic suspense/suspense books, will definitely want to check this out. Thank you to Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group) for providing a complimentary review copy through Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required, and all words are my own. Reviewer: Raechel Kelly
Lisa Harris really does write some of the most captivating suspense fiction! Right from the start, The Escape grips you and doesn't let go as we follow two US Marshals, Madison James and Jonas Quinn, as a routine escort goes horribly wrong. I really enjoyed this novel. It was engaging and very hard to put down. Even when I wasn't reading, I was thinking about it. The characters are real, and the plot extremely well-written. Every piece of the story came across as believable, and it carried the suspense excellently. But that ending - I need the next book! Just when you think things are going to be wrapped up....well, book two can't come soon enough! I appreciated how tame and slow-burn the romance was in this novel. Sometimes romance can feel forced or unnatural in a suspense setting, but it was handled well in this, and definitely was not the main focus. I'm looking forward to seeing how the relationship continues to play out in the rest of the series. A great read! This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group (Revell), through Interviews & Reviews. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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