Fatal Chapters ~ Reader Friday

Patricia Bradley Reader Friday 26 Comments

Fatal Chapters by Ruth Douthitt is this week’s Reader Friday! Here’s the first line:

New Year’s Eve, 2022
Desert Hills, outside of Butte, AZ

Sheriff’s Detective Liam Harper bundled up in his thick winter coat, anticipating the icy chill of the dead body before him would match the icy cold desert hill on that early December evening.

But first the photo and verse. I love to catch the sun coming up over the trees. But that means I have to get up early and I don’t do that as much as I used to. Once I get this book in, that may change. And the opening verses of Psalm 121 are some of the first verses that comforted me as an adult and encountered difficulties. And they still comfort me.

Now onto Fatal Chapters by Ruth Douthitt. Here’s the back copy and cover:

Emma Fortier, a suspense author and former forensic psychologist with a haunted past, is thrust into a mystery when a cunning serial killer uses her books as inspiration to prey on young women in her hometown of Butte, Arizona. When her sister is one of his victims, Emma is pulled back into the chaotic world of criminal investigation.

Detective Liam Harper with the Butte Sheriff’s Department is on the case. A seasoned investigator with a haunted past of his own, Liam hopes to solve the serial killer mystery before he can retire into the quiet life he desires. Drawn to Emma’s strength and resilience, Liam becomes not only her protector but also her unlikely ally in the pursuit of justice.

As the stakes rise, so does the undeniable tension between Emma and Liam. In the vast expanse of the desert, they navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse, fueled by the killer’s deadly obsession with Emma and her books. An obsession that threatens to consume them both. Can Emma and Liam decode the killer’s sinister motives before Emma becomes the next victim? Or will the killer have the last word?

My take:

This is Ruth Douthitt’s debut romantic suspense, and it’s an edge-of-the-seat read! Fatal Chapters had me turning the pages to find out what the killer would do next.

Douthitt created characters in Emma and Liam that I quickly came to care about as they faced the dangerous serial killer who used Emma’s books as his blueprint for murder. Just about the time I thought I had the villain figured out, there would be another twist that sent me in a different direction. And the ending was so good–one that will satisfy suspense readers!

You can purchase Fatal Chapters on Amazon.

Okay, Readers, tell me what you’re reading this week. Leave the title or first line in the comments and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a $10 gift card!

And, drum roll please, …..I am so excited that I’m on the cover of Family Fiction!!! And there’s an article about my writing in the online magazine! Click on the Family Fiction link to download the magazine: Family Fiction Link.

Family Fiction Magazine featuring Patricia Bradley on the cover

AND…don’t miss this interview on A Writer’s Day Podcast! 

Yep, Ruth Dothitt is not only an author…she interviews writers on her podcast. So check it out here.

A Writer's Day Podcast with Patricia Bradley

 

Discover more from Patricia Bradley

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Comments 26

    1. Post
      Author
  2. Tim Johnson

    Stunning photo! That verse you chose to go with it is also one of my favorites. Kudos for making the cover of Family Fiction! “Final Chapters” sounds like a good book. I’m putting it on my TBR.

    I’m currently reading “Flynn” by Laura Scott. It begins with “Taylor Templeton frowned at the sound of breaking glass. It was three in the morning and she was giving three month old Max his bottle. She rose, cradling the baby close and moved toward the nursery door.”

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author
  3. Barbara Diggs

    Another of my favorite verses!

    That was a great interview with Ruth, relaxed, enjoyable and as always, I learned new facts. lol I loved your review of Fatal Chapters. Definitely sounds like a page-turner. Adding it to my TBR pile.

    Congrats on being on the cover of Family Fiction. Yay you!!!

    “Get in, get out. . . a blizzard’s coming,” is the first line of Elizabeth Goddard’s, Hidden in the Night. I’ve been trying to read this for weeks now, but keep getting waylaid. Hopefully I’ll get to start it soon.

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author
    1. Post
      Author
  5. Gail Hollingsworth

    I find so many great little nuggets in both Psalms and Proverbs. Great verse! I too rarely see a sunrise but we have some of the most beautiful sunsets here. God has an awesome paintbrush. Final Chapters sounds like a book I’d really get into. I enjoy the ones with lots of twists and turns.

    Reply
      1. Post
        Author
    2. Post
      Author
    1. Post
      Author
  7. gda523

    I got the email with your picture on Family Fiction. Congrats, Pat! This sounds like a great book.
    June 1932
    Sea Blue Beach, Florida
    The sight of the Starlight just on the edge of her kitchen window eased her lingering regret over her fight with Leroy last week.
    Meet Me at the Starlight by Rachel Hauck

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author
  8. Edward Arrington

    Love the picture and verse. You do a great job matching these up!

    Congratulations on making the Family Fiction cover.

    I’m reading Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills. First line:
    My role as a hostage negotiator often plunged me into the evil designs of the human mind.

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author
      Patricia Bradley

      I have Lethal Standoff on my TBR table, Edward…so many good books and so little time…but that will change once I get the book in! And thank you. I was so honored to be on the cover of Family Fiction!

      Reply
    1. Post
      Author
  10. Dottie

    That’s a beautiful sunrise and Psalm 121 still comforts me also. Fatal Chapters sounds like another good read to add to my list. I’m still currently reading Shadow of Doubt by Susan Sleeman.
    I also got the email for the new Family Fiction magazine, and saw your picture on the cover. Congratulations to you and looking forward to reading Deadly Revenge!

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author
  11. frazierhlhs

    Last night I started reading Deadly Revenge by you! I have only gotten a few chapters read but I am hooked.

    Carolyn Frazier

    Reply
    1. Post
      Author
    1. Post
      Author

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.