A Deadly Wilderness: The Ties that Kill by Kelly Irvin is this week’s Reader Friday post. Here’s the first line: The hunt had been good.
But first the photo and Scripture verse. Another cloud photo! Can you tell I love clouds? I love to see clouds like this especially when I’m on a plane and looking out the window at the clouds below. They look like cotton candy. And I love this verse.
Now for Kelly Irvin’s A Deadly Wilderness: The Ties that Kill. Here’s the cover and back copy:
An idyllic wilderness hike turns deadly when homicide detective Ray Johnson tumbles into a ravine and lands on a corpse.
Not just any corpse, but the son of a prominent citizen that turns the case into a political hot potato. Ray teams up with his troubled partner and their boss to solve the murder before city leaders bump them from the case and out of their jobs. And before the twin temptations of alcohol and lust can derail his colleague.
My take:
This story about the murder of a (fictional) prominent family in San Antonio gripped me from the opening prologue. It’s one of the books I’ve read this year that kept me reading until 3 a.m. because I had to know who did it.
While hiking with his girlfriend’s son, Detective Ray Johnson discovers the body of Joseph Doyle and the investigation exposes a very dysfunctional family, in spite of their money or maybe even because of it. The story has many twists and turns as he tries to root out the truth. At the same time, he’s dealing with a new partner who has an alcohol problem. Irvin does a great job of developing each of the characters.
Ray was a fantastic hero–he’s in love with Susana Acosta, but he’s not making much headway in the relationship. She lost her first husband to an accident and now she’s afraid to love again. Added to that is her fear she will lose her son, so she’s overprotective of him. So, when Marco breaks his arm on Ray’s watch, she blames him for the accident.
Running through the story is the villain’s point-of-view, and he is a very chilling killer. Bit by bit, Ray uncovers the truth for a surprising ending in this layered story. Romantic suspense fans will love it!
This is a re-release of one of Irvin’s first books, but I missed it the first time around. Now, I’m off to find out the next book in the series.
Leave a comment or the first line of the book you’re reading and I’ll enter you in a drawing from a book from my library!
A Deadly Wilderness: The Ties that Kill by Kelly Irvin is this week's Reader Friday post. Read my review of this intriguing, fast-paced suspense story. Leave a comment on the blog and I'll enter you in a July drawing for a book from my… Share on X
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Discover more from Patricia Bradley
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Comments 40
I enjoy Kelly Irvin’s writing. Good review, Patricia! I am reading Mortgage and Mayhem (a cozy mystery) by Carol E. Ayer. The first line: “I seldom found myself in a murderous mood, but this morning several potential victims had offered themselves up for my consideration.”
Author
I love that first line, Vera…been there, done that. lol Kelly is such a good author–I enjoy all her books from her romantic suspense to her Amish books and now she has a women’s fiction out.
Vera, that first line of Mortgage and Mayhem really caught my eye. What an intriguing hook. Now I want to read it.
Isn’t that a humorous first line, Barbara? I’m not very far into the book, but so far it’s shaping up to be fun cozy mystery!
Have never read Kelly Irwin…sure will now! I’m also a cloud person, a cloud gazer. Those “not a cloud in the sky days” are definitely not for me!!!
Author
Me, either, Audrey! I think you will enjoy Kelly’s books!
Pat, in you photo I see two heads, on the right, back to back, looking up. Talk about having one’s head in the clouds. And the verse reminds me that on the Last Day we shall meet Him in the clouds. YES!
I love Kelly’s books, and I think this might have been the first one I read way back when.
“A Mountain too Steep” by Robin Patchen starts with “Camilla Wright was acquainted with late-night phone calls. The first had ripped her world apart. The second might well destroy her.”
This is a gripping book. It’s written in a very different style than what I’m used to in Robin’s books. I’m nearing the end, and I was taken completely by surprise. This is billed as one of the Coventry Saga series books, but it doesn’t have any of the familiar characters from that series, nor does it take place anywhere in New England (Utah, actually). At the end of the book, the first two books of her next series, The Wright Heroes of Maine, are listed. So, I think this is probably the bridge to that series since the main characters’ last name is Wright.
Author
Tim, I love what you see in the clouds! And I almost put the verse from Thessalonians in the meme. I have A Mountain Too Steep on my Kindle and will probably read it this weekend. Robin is a co-author on The Suspense Sisters and she told the backstory on our blog. You can read it here: http://suspensesisters.blogspot.com/2023/07/ripped-for-headlinesof-my-own-life.html
Pat, thanks for that link. Robin mentions in her dedication that her son was in a terrible car accident, but did not go into details. What an experience! When we go through traumatic experiences, we often why God waits so long to help us. The other day, I read a devotion from Time of Grace Ministries that gave an analogy I like. You can read the devotion here: https://timeofgrace.org/wheres-the-shepherd/
Author
Oh, my goodness, Tim. What a great analogy of why Jesus waits to rescue us sometimes!
Y’all be sure to read the devotion Tim posted.
Tim, did you read that the car accident was a real-life event for Robin’s son and his cousin. The cause of the accident and other details are fictional, but her son and his cousin suffered similar injuries, etc. As far as the connection to The Coventry Saga series, I believe Camilla Wright appeared in one of the earlier books after her husband was murdered.
Edward, you clearly have a much better memory than I do. That would explain the connection.
Of course I smiled when I saw all the clouds! Yes, they do look like cotton candy! I think I see the Little Dough Boy, minus his chef’s hat. These clouds actually look kind of huggable. Since the LORD rides through the clouds, I could hug him at the same time. The Scripture is spot on, Pat. 🙂
Loved your review of Kelly’s book. I read it awhile back and I agree, it does keep you up reading till 3 a.m.
Just finished two of Luana Ehrlich’s books this week. So good! I started An Untamed Land by Lauraine Snelling last night. The first line reads, “Ingeborg Bjorklund shifted on the hard bench and fingered the tattered newspaper article in the pocket of her reticule.” So many wonderful books, so little time….
Author
I knew you would smile, Barbara! Oh, I really enjoy Luana’s books and have several on my Kindle just waiting for me…you are so right about so little time! Hope you’re feeling better!
Yes, I read this book. It was very good. I’ve enjoyed several of her suspense books.
Author
Hi Paula! I agree–Kelly is an awesome writer.
Whoa–I just finished and loved her newest Amish book but can tell this is also a Must Read. Thanks!
Author
It is, Delores. I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Love those clouds. I’m like you, Pat, as far as loving to see them from above. I’ve probably told you before about flying up through the clouds from Reagan National in DC and thinking about The Inspirations’ song, “Stepping on the Clouds.” It speaks of stepping on the clouds, going to see Jesus, rise to meet Him in the air. I almost had to bite my tongue that day to keep from shouting out loud. I kept my face glued to the window so I wouldn’t be so obvious as I wiped the tears away. I haven’t flown as much in the 20-plus years, but I still think of that song if there are clouds. I also love to see the clouds when I’m driving on the highway and the clouds keep changing.
It’s interesting that you reviewed a Kelly Irvin book today. I checked out five of her books ar the public library this week. But first I’m finally starting to read Robert Whitlow’s book today. Since I shared the first lines last week, I won’t repeat them today. However, it started with Connor Grnatham being in the woods, dressed appropriately so as not to be mistaken for a buck. The Prologue ends with him getting a call from the church secretary, telling him that a member has just been shot in a ….
hunting accident.
Author
Edward, I totally get it about wiping tears away–I do that every time I see a rainbow. Rainbows just do something to me! I really need to get Robert Whitlow’s book!
I love the fluffy clouds and deep blue sky! A very fitting verse Pat!
I have read several of Kelly’s books and l am looking forward to reading this one.
Pat I FINALLY got Counter Attack from the library – Awesome read! Some intense moments!
I completed reading Robert Whitlow’s Double Indemnity this morning. I have read most, if not all, of his books and have liked them all. Edward I think you will like this one too.
Author
Thank you, Miss Mary! So glad you enjoyed it. I’ve read several of Robert Whitlow’s books, but somehow got off on another track…will have to remedy that.
I enjoyed A Deadly Wilderness and it is my understanding that the next in the series will be re-released next week. It is titled No Child Of Mine. I have it on my wish list.
October 1943
Everything around me whispered lies.
The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel
Author
Yes, Gloria, the next one is No Child of Mine. I’m looking forward to it. And I like the first sentence of Rachel Scott McDaniel’s book.
intriguing
Author
It is, BN!
Hi, wow, this book sounds very intriguing, I love the sound of it and the cover is also very intriguing! Thank you so much for sharing about it , I will be adding it to my TBR. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photo and the beautiful verse that goes with it. Have a great weekend and take care.
Author
I think you’d really enjoy it, Alicia. Hope you have a great weekend, too.
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Hi Diana! It is a very interesting book. 🙂 I think you would enjoy it.
I just finished Can’t Stop Me a book you recommended. I had to read to the end but parts were hard to read.
Author
I agree that parts were hard to read Judy. James Scott Bell has a way of putting you on tenterhooks with the situations his characters get in!
sounds like a great book!
Author
It is, Shelia.
I’ve read her Amish books. This one sounds very different but interesting. I’ll have to check it out.
Author
Kelly is a very versatile writer, Gail!
Kelly Irvin is a new-to-me author. Pat, Thank you for the recommendation.
Enjoy your weekend.
Author
She’s a great writer, Caryl. I think you’d enjoy her books.
Great picture! The verse fits it well. I see a few things in the clouds. A face, rabbit and bear to the left. The big cloud reminds me of a fluffy little dog on its back. This book sounds really good. I’ve never read anything by Kelly Irvin. I just started reading Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl. River Ryland was convinced that madness exits only a breath away from genius. I always enjoy Nancy’s books. They are hard to put down.
Author
I had to go back and look at the cloud again to find the little dog. 🙂 I think you’d really enjoy Kelly’s books. And I couldn’t stop reading Nancy Mehl’s Cold Pursuit!