Series:
Eagle Mountain Search and Rescue (Book 1)
A fight for survival in the snow
While on the trail of a killer
Responding to the reports of a car accident, newcomer
Deputy Jake Gwynn finds a murder scene instead. Search and rescue paramedic
Hannah Richards tried to care for the likely suspect before he slipped away --
and now he's gone from injured man to serial killer on the loose. Jake hadn't
planned to put down roots in this quiet little town, but his need to protect
Hannah may be more than just professional…
Terrific start to the new series focusing on Eagle
Mountain's Search and Rescue unit members. The book started with a rush and
kept me hooked to the end. Hannah, an EMT with the SAR unit, was the first
arrival at the scene of an accident. A white box van had gone over the edge of
the road into a ravine. As she called down to let them know help was coming,
she saw an injured man climbing up. But when she looked away to see a deputy
arrive, the man disappeared. When the rescuers climbed down to the van, they
discovered both remaining victims were dead - with one obviously murdered. They
later found out the man she saw was an escaped serial killer.
Jake is new to the Eagle Mountain Sheriff's Department. He
plans to get experience there before moving to a larger department. He has
handled everything from speeders to stray animals, but a manhunt for a serial
killer is new. I loved the scene of Jake trying to catch the stray dog. I was
not surprised by what happened with the dog, though I laughed out loud at the
scene in the jail. Also new is his interest in the pretty EMT.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. From the moment
Cutler escaped, the race was on to catch him. The process is complicated by
Cutler's military experience with extreme weather. I could feel the frustration
of the sheriff's department as they always seemed to be a step behind him. The
search hits particularly close to home when it becomes evident that Cutler has
fixated on Hannah as his next victim. The intensity ramps up as Cutler taunts
his pursuers by showing how close he can get without being caught, even causing
an avalanche. As the threats against Hannah grow, Jake is determined to keep her
safe. The final confrontation is a nail-biter involving weather, a hair-raising
rescue, and a fight on the side of a cliff.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between
Jake and Hannah. Hannah was a little wary at first because she knew Jake didn't
plan to stay in Eagle Mountain, and she had no interest in leaving. But they have
a lot in common, and their attraction is undeniable. Besides spending time
together and getting to know each other, they frequently work together at
accident scenes. I loved that Jake was protective yet respectful of Hannah's
capabilities. I liked seeing their feelings for each other deepen. Hannah
dreamed of a future together but worried about what would happen if Jake got a
job offer that would take him away. The ending is perfect and shows a bright
future for them.
I loved the setting of a Search and Rescue unit in the
Colorado mountains. Each member has a unique personality, and I look forward to
learning more about them. The rescue situations portrayed in the book felt
realistic and kept me interested in their actions. I also liked Hannah's father
and found his backstory as a competitive climber intriguing. His willingness to
help Jake at the end was critical to the successful resolution of the
confrontation.
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