Critical Threat by Lynette Eason

 Critical Threat

Book Summary

FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer--in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with Peter's MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They've met before--and though Grace thought they'd made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They'll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case--especially because it's about to get personal.

USA Today bestselling author Lynette Eason doesn't give you time to catch your breath in this breakneck race to stop a serial killer.

My Thoughts

Critical Threat by Lynette Eason is the third book in the Extreme Measures series.  It can be read as a standalone.  There are references to the characters from first two books in the Extreme Measures series.  It can be a little confusing if you have not read those books.  I found Critical Threat to be a slow starter.  The pacing does pick up later in the book.  The characters are realistic.  We get to know Grace Billingsley and Sam Monroe.  I like that they are not law enforcement officers.  We get a different perspective.  Grace is a behavioral analyst (like the characters on Criminal Minds) and Sam is prison psychiatrist.  It was interesting learning about their professions.  I did not enjoy the drama in Grace and Sam’s lives.  I felt it was a bit much.  Grace has a brother who is an addict.  Grace’s family blames her for getting him addicted.  Sam has two kids and an ex-wife.   I could have done without the ex-wife drama.  Sam is also the son of a serial killer.  

The crimes were interesting.  There is graphic detail (the victims’ tongues are cut out).  I wish the mystery had not been so easy to solve (I wanted it to be challenging).  Some details do not seem realistic.  I am amazed at how often the killer was able to get close to Grace despite an alarm system and a security detail.  Plus, Grace is an FBI agent.  If she is as good as she claims, Grace should have picked up on him tailing her or being nearby.  The ending was fast paced.  There is romance interspersed with finding dead women and threats from the killer.  The romance progresses slowly.  I wish I had felt chemistry between Sam and Grace.  It felt like they were close friends instead of two people falling in love.  The Christian element is light.  Sam and Grace are Christians.  They talk about how they came to be Christians and there is prayer.  The point of view alternates between Grace, Sam, and the killer.  With the alternating POV, there are repetitive details especially with the Grace related incidents.  I would have enjoyed the story more if the pacing in the beginning had been snappier and there was less repetition.  Critical Threat will slay you with the son of a serial killer, an enraged inmate, a chancy killer, observant behaviorist, a teen wanting a telephone, and a terrible threat.  

Critical Threat is available from Amazon*.  The first two books in the Extreme Measures series are Life Flight and Crossfire.  Countdown is the fourth book, and it will be out on August 1, 2023.  You can follow Lynette Eason on Amazon and you will receive an email when she has a new book release. I appreciate you stopping by today.  I hope that you have a delightful weekend.  I will return on January 17 with The Courtship Plan by Kathleen Fuller.  It is the first An Amish of Marigold Novel.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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