Three Steps Behind

Author: Dani Pettrey
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Jeopardy Falls #3
Pages: 336
Release Date: August 18, 2026
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

When FBI forensic botanist Harper Grace returns to Jeopardy Falls scarred from a traumatic assignment, she seeks refuge at the MacLeod ranch. Her time to recover is short-lived when she learns her dear friend Taylor Jackson has died of a heart attack in her thirties. As questions arise from Taylor's premature death, Harper wonders if something sinister is playing out.

Deckard MacLeod, PI, is thrilled at Harper's return, though troubled by the haunted look in her eyes. When Harper begins investigating Taylor's suspicious death, Deckard realizes she's walking into dangerous territory and joins her in discovering what happened. The closer they get to the deadly truth, the more treacherous their mission becomes. In a race against time, they cannot fall behind or their next breath might be their last.

---

Reviewer: Rick Norris

Three Steps Behind by Dani Pettrey reaches a dead run in the Preface and doesn’t catch its breath until the last page.
 
Private Investigator Deckard MacLeod is thrilled when Harper Grace returns from her humanitarian trip overseas. It's been three months since he's seen her, but when she shows up on his front porch haggard, with a desolate look in her eyes, he knows something has gone very wrong.

Harper, a forensic botanist, needs refuge, and she seeks out Deckard, who is a protector at heart. But after what she's endured, how can she possibly move forward with a relationship? Deck deserves someone whole, someone present, and her mind is still imprisoned in that desolate land.

She's barely set foot on Deck's ranch when news comes that her dear friend died suddenly. A heart attack in her early thirties? Something feels very off. As clues surface and suspects become evident, Harper trusts her gut to lead her and Deckard forward, but the closer they come to the truth, the closer they get to death. And if they aren't careful, it'll be their own. . ..
 
Dani Pettrey takes on the difficult task of weaving several intense storylines together while developing multiple characters. The author reshuffles the decks several times with shocks and surprises before laying out a royal flush at the end.
 
This novel is fast paced! The author introduces characters quickly in shifting scenes taking the reader on vicissitudes of emotions. This is not a novel that you read a few pages a night, and put it down for a week. Once you jump onto this moving train, stay with it as it changes locations, adds characters, and introduces tension.  
 
This book is for the reader who enjoys a fast-paced, emotionally driven story.

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for an independent and objective review.

---

---

Reviewer: Mindy Houng

 Deckard and Harper had a second chance romance vibe in this book as they reconnected. They already knew each other well but this time around Harper had trauma to heal from and Deckard had to reassess his stance on relationships. Harper’s trauma was the prologue of the book and it was difficult to read. I enjoyed how well they worked together; Deckard protected and investigated while Harper thought through all possible scenarios and connected the dots. Their investigation into Harper’s friend’s death took interesting twists and turns. There was also a subplot involving a colleague of Harper’s. 

We were also introduced to Aubry the FBI agent and Bristol, the oldest of the MacLeod siblings, in this book. They had their own criminal to catch and their interaction was snarky, witty, and full of fire. The fourth book of the series promises to be explosive and redemptive as Bristol and Aubry take the stage. 

I love the MacLeod siblings but there were too many subplots in this book which distracted me. But if you enjoy romantic suspense, I’m sure you will enjoy this book and the series.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

This book drew me in from the very beginning and never let go. I was surprised it followed not one but two siblings as they navigated their personal life choices, dealing with childhood trauma. Throw a brief romance into the mix, and you have an intriguing book that you don’t want to put down until the end.

Harper seeks refuge with Deckard after she’s kidnapped overseas and held in a shipping container. The book begins with her experience and determination to escape when the opportunity presents itself. My heart was pounding right along with hers through her harrowing experience. Well written!

Deckard and Harper have much to navigate, including her questions and doubts about why God allowed others to die while she was saved. His faith helps her to see how God was always present.

Though his parents were criminals, he chose the legal side of justice in his job as a PI, but he doesn’t see himself as worthy because of the things he did when he was young and helping con people. He hasn’t seen his sister in years and isn’t sure he ever wants to since she abandoned her siblings as a teenager. 

My favorite parts of the book were actually with Deckard’s sister Bristol, who chose to follow in her parents’ footsteps conning people and spends time in jail for it. The difference is she cons criminals operating under her own moral compass. 

Aubry, the FBI agent who hunted her down and is now working with her, isn’t sure what to make of her, and that very thing makes their situation interesting. I love how he can’t help but like her, crossing a professional line as his feeling grow. 

The conflict of emotions in both of them had me wondering where things between them would go. I appreciated how Aubrey’s faith began to draw Bristol and change her despite herself. There’s something about her and her situation that had me rooting for her and hoping for a redemptive change in her life.

I received a copy courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion of this book. I recommend it.

---