photo by Wendy McDonald
Elizabeth Goddard’s Deadly Target is this week’s Friday Reader subject. I loved this story and the characters! Here’s the opening sentence: “For a few hours every Saturday morning, Erin Larson could forget that evil existed.”
Now for the photo and verse. Years ago I saw this photo by Wendy McDonald on Facebook and emailed her to see if she’d let me use it on my blog, and she graciously said yes. Well, somehow, the photo was lost and I was delighted when I ran across it earlier this week. The scripture verse seemed perfect for it!
Now onto Elizabeth Goddard’s Deadly Target.
Criminal psychologist Erin Larson’s dreams of a successful career come to a screeching halt when she nearly loses her own life in a boating accident on Puget Sound and then learns that her mother tried to commit suicide. She leaves her job as a criminal psychologist to care for her mother in Montana. At least she is able to produce her podcast, which focuses on solving missing persons cold cases.
Nathan Campbell’s father was investigating such a case when he was shot, and now Nathan needs to enlist Erin’s help to solve the case. She’s good at what she does. The only problem? She’s his ex.
As the two dig deeper, it becomes clear that they, too, are being targeted–and that the answers to their questions are buried deep within the past Erin struggles to explain and longs to forget.
The race is on for the truth in this gripping and complex tale of suspense, intrigue, and murder from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard.
You can find purchase links here.
My Take:
WARNING! Don’t start this book at night if you plan to go to sleep before midnight! That’s what I did and it kept me up two nights in a row past 1 a.m. This is the second book in the Rocky Mountain Courage Series but it’s a stand-alone, meaning you don’t have to read the first one to know what’s going on. But if you haven’t read Present Danger, you’ll want to by the time you finish Deadly Target!
The story opens with boat trying to run over Erin Larson and her friend as they kayak on Puget Sound. She barely survives that before she’s told her mother tried to commit suicide and she rushes home to Montana to take care of her. But the killer follows her. Erin has no idea if the killer is after her because she’s a criminal psychologist and they’ve crossed paths before or if it’s something else entirely.
Back in Montana, she runs into her old flame, Nathan Cambell. He’s consumed with finding out who tried to murder his father who is a detective back in a small town outside Boston. Nathan is convinced the shooting is tied to a case his father was working on and sets out to discover what the case is. He turns to Erin for help, and she soon becomes a target. But is it because of the cold-case podcast she’s working on?
This story will keep the reader on the edge of their seats (For me, wide awake). There are twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing who the bad guy is. And like all of Goddard’s books, the setting itself is a character. By the time you finish the book, you’ll be vowing to visit the Big Rapids, Montana area.
Readers of romantic suspense will not be able to put this book down!
Leave a comment telling me if a book has ever made you want to visit the setting. I’ll enter you in a drawing for Present Danger, Book 1 in the Rocky Mountain Courage series.
AND I’m interviewing Elizabeth Goddard over at the Suspense Sisters blog today, so hop over there and leave a comment–I’m giving away a print copy to a commenter with a US address and you’ll get two entries for Present Danger and Deadly Target! Digital for outside the US.
Elizabeth Goddard's Deadly Target is what I'm reading this week! Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing for the book! Share on X
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Comments 51
Deadly Target sounds fantastic! Yes, reading a book has made me want to visit the setting. Lakota Grace’s Pegasus Quincy series makes me want to visit Arizona.
Author
Priscilla, I want to visit Arizona one day, too. I’ll have to look up the Pegasus Quincy series! And yes, Deadly Target is fantastic!
Do the settings for the books I read make me want to visit them? All. The. Time. Some I’ve already visited, and that just makes the book seem more alive. I love it when an author uses real places and businesses in their books, too.
I have “Deadly Target” queued on my Nook along with about half a dozen others that all seem to have dropped from the cloud around the same time. The problem is, they all look so good, it’s hard to decide which to read next.
Currently I’m reading Susan Sleeman’s “Night Prey”. It is really good, as are all of Ms Sleeman’s books.
Author
You will really enjoy Deadly Target, Tim! I can’t believe how many books dropped last week! Night Prey is on my list…but do you know how many books dropped last week!!! 😉 lol
That’s a gorgeous photo. Several authors have written books in the northwest regions and I have never been there and so want to. I love stories set in these areas.
Author
It is a gorgeous area, Toni. I want to visit there sometimes…go to the Grand Canyon…Big Sur…thanks for stopping by!
Author
I love Wendy’s photos, Toni. And I’d really like to go out to the NW region again! Thanks for stopping by.
Does Pride and Prejudice count?! I would love to visit Pemberley! And Israel, so the Bible too. Um, like all books set somewhere in the country, especially small-town stories. I would love to live in a small town!
Author
Living in a small town is all it’s cracked up to be, Monique. lol Everyone watches out for you–because they know your business. lol I’d go back to Israel in a heartbeat if I could.
Absolutely have I wanted to visit the settings in the books I read. Your Natchez Trace books come to mind. And Ashley Clark’s books.
I just now ( within the last half hour) finished Deadly Target and wrote my review. Getting ready to post it soon. It was like watching a Bruce Willis or Duane Johnson movie! It was a wild ride!
Don’t enter me because I already have both books ( and more) by Beth Goddard.
Author
The comparison to a Bruce Willis or Duane Johnson movie–Absolutely, Paula! I love Beth’s books. Thanks for stopping by.
The Scripture and photo are powerful. I’m going to copy the verse and put it by my bed. Yes, I definitely would like to visit the places that I read about in books, especially the NW!
Author
I think so, too, Barbara. I love that shot of the moon. And I want to go back to the Pacific NW to visit! I went to a conference in Seattle once and didn’t want to leave.
I think I’d like to visit the setting of most every book I have ever read. I recently finished Crosshairs and would love to visit the Natchez area. I love the detail authors put into the setting – it really brings it to life!
Beautiful picture with a verse that is so appropriate right now.
Author
I love visiting Natchez, Betti! And I’m glad you like the photo and verse. Wendy L Mcdonald takes the best photos!
Thank you for the great review, Patricia! You’re such a great friend and fellow author and wonderful promoter! Love Crosshairs too!!!
Absolutely! So many times I want to go to the places in the books! Especially when they take place in England!! Thanks for the chance to win this book!
Author
Faith, I want to go to England someday! I watch all the British shows and want to visit those quaint little towns. Thanks for stopping by!
I enjoyed Deadly Target and many times a book setting makes me want to visit it. My husband and I drove to a nephew’s wedding in Oklahoma City last week and we drove through Mississippi on the way out and I told my husband I wish we could drive the Natchez Trace because of your books but we didn’t have time. We did see exits for it though, Don’t enter me in the contest.
Author
Oh, Gloria, I wish you could’ve driven the Trace too! I bet you either came across on I-20 or I-10! Unless you traveled the Northern route. I’m glad you had a safe journey!
We traveled on I-20 to OKC and I-10 back. Debated the northern route but decided to go the southern route with a little change up back. We had a great time and I definitely thanked God for a safe trip.
Author
That’s the quickest way, Gloria.
I think I’ve wanted to visit the place were all the books are set.
Hi, what. a great sounding book! Yes, books that I have read have kept me up longer than usual. There are alot of books in which I would love to visit. I enjoyed reading this post. I love your photo and the Psalm. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Author
I’m so glad you enjoyed the photo and Psalm, Alicia! Sometimes I get so mad at myself for losing sleep to read. lol. Especially when I have to get up early the next morning. But sometimes I just have to know how the story ends!
Sounds like a really good book. I like books that just grab you from the start, where you don’t want to put them down. Even though you do end up sacrificing sleep for them sometimes.
Author
Oh, Megan, this one grabs you right away, and I sacrificed several hours sleep with Elizabeth Goddard’s book!
This sounds like an interesting suspense story I’m looking forward to reading.
Author
It’s a great suspense story, Tina! Glad you stopped by.
no, but could be fun
Author
I’m the type that when someone says go, I say I’m ready! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
It sounds like a really interesting book. Yes, some books have made me want to visit the settings where they took place.
Author
Hi Diana! Good to ‘see’ you here. Deadly Target is very interesting…edge of the seat good. 🙂
yes, I have wanted to visit a setting I read in a book especially Ireland. sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com
Author
Oh, Shelia, maybe we can go to Ireland together! I’ve ALWAYS wanted to visit there. Thanks for stopping by!
Love the picture and verse. Also would love to visit areas written about but at 81 and living in Australia wont get back to the USA to visit again. I did love the north west when visiting way back in 76 and if reading about that area imagine places written about it.
Author
Gwenyth, I’d love to visit Australia and have wanted to since the Thorn Birds! That is such an interesting place. Thanks so much for stopping by and adding to the discussion!
Oh yes! And I have so many places on my bucket list
Author
Me, too, Natalya. And going back to Israel and the Seattle area is on mine!
Great picture and verse. It looks like one could simply step beyond the trees and touch the moon. God truly does amazing work!
I read many books and dream about visiting the setting. Some authors do a much better job with word pictures so that I can picture the setting in my mind, but I simply like see new sights. I have gone to Google Maps many times to see if the place is real or made up. Even when the town or community is a figment of the author’s imagination, I can get a general idea of what it’s like by seeing the area on a map. I will be looking for this book to read.
Author
It’s very good, Edward. She describes the area very well. And I sure want to visit it. I’m anxious to see what you think about the setting of new series which will be fictional, although some scenes will be set in Chattanooga, I’m pretty sure.
I enjoy Elizabeth’s books! Thanks for an opportunity to win!
Author
They’re great, MS Barb! You’re entered!
Well, I live in my favorite place to read about (Wild West, specifically Texas.) But I also would like to visit Russia one day. And Spain.
Author
Russia is such an interesting place, but probably too cold for me, Rachel. lol. I really have enjoyed my time in Texas, though!
I want to back in time to Victorian England. And the Northwest. And New England. Reading all these great novels takes me to these places. Patricia, I love your ranger series. Keep writing.
Author
Thank you, Dot! I once thought I’d like to go back in time, but then I got to thinking about not having all our modern conveniences…I think I’ll stay in present time, thank you very much. 😉
I love Lake Tahoe (having grown up there) and like Todd Borg’s books….
Author
Connie, I’ve never been to Lake Tahoe, but have always wanted to! I’ll have to look up Todd Borg’s books.
I would definitely consider visiting the location of a book, especially if it’s somewhere I’ve never been before. I love the pic also and Elizabeth Goddard really does and incredible job with suspense.
Author
I so agree about Elizabeth Goddard, Perrianne! I’m visiting the site of my next series today and having a ball!