Conard County: Covert Avenger

Conard County: The Next Generation #57

by Rachel Lee

His return has stirred up more trouble than he ever imagined…

CIA operative Devlin Paltier never thought returning to his small Wyoming hometown would be riskier than an undercover mission. But Devlin knows that revealing he's no ordinary cowboy could bring danger to everyone in his world. Including Deputy Elaine Paltier, his widowed sister-in-law and the off-limits woman he's never been able to forget. Before long, though, Devlin’s dark secrets come back to haunt him…along with two killers hell-bent on revenge. Now protecting Elaine becomes the most crucial assignment of his career—and the only way to secure a possible shared future.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, though a little different than the usual Conard County book. This one was more of a suspense/mental intrigue than an action-packed one. Devlin is a CIA operative on leave after one of his informants was murdered. Someone revealed Niko's identity, and Devlin blamed himself. Devlin returns to his hometown while the powers-that-be try to find the responsible party. His family is shocked to discover that he plans to stay for as much as a month because he rarely stays more than a few days during those rare times he visits. His family doesn't know about his CIA identity; they believe he works for the State Department.

Devlin's sister-in-law, Elaine, is his brother's widow and the single mother of an autistic daughter, Cassie. She is also a deputy with the Conard County Sheriff's Office. Between her job and Cassie, her life is full. I ached for her and the pain she feels for Cassie and her heartache over her daughter's challenges.

Neither Devlin nor Elaine expected the attraction between them or the deeper connection they felt when spending time together. I loved watching them get to know each other. I especially liked Devlin's interest in Cassie and understanding of her challenges. Spending time together also shows them how lonely they are. They have some decisions to make and fears to face before they can hope for a future together. The ending was sweet and heartwarming.

Tension increases when Devlin gets the feeling of being watched. With his past, there was always a chance that someone would come after him. His protective instincts emerge, and he is determined to keep his family safe. I liked his and Elaine's teamwork as they combined forces to uncover the threat. We get a good look at the people sent to kill Devlin, their motivation, and their worries. I felt bad for them, their loss, and their confusion over the right thing to do. The confrontation with them did not go the way I expected.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overall plot-line was a little confusing; a CIA operative who goes into hiding because of a leak than compromised his informants….but he goes back home (which doesn’t seem very stealth to me), and is being hunted by someone who wants revenge - but I’m not entirely clear as to why. For that alone, I would give 3 stars. However, I REALLY liked the characters. The story centered around a mother whose child had autism, and the author did an amazing job writing about the struggle and frustration and love as the mother would try to communicate with her non-verbal child. There were parts that focused on how they adapted to the child’s needs, and made references to her in-home therapist that would come by to work with her. She really delved into the worries that the mother had, and the emotions she felt when her daughter would say a word or make a sound. It was something that I could relate to, and felt that - even though it was a quick read - the author really captured the complexities and emotions that this mother was feeling. I also enjoyed the uniqueness of the UFO “hunters” showing up in the small town and stirring things up a bit, it added some quirkiness to the story.
Romance-wise, completely non-existent. No spiciness, no PG-13, I don’t even think that they kissed. It was just focused on the story line. Nothing too graphic or scary, a mild suspense novel with a soft ending. Easy to read before bed.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This story was different than what I usually read under Harlequin Intrigue. There was no chase or action.Rather, this book was an aftermath of a leak which happened and due to which hero was forced to return.
The would be assassins were also not assassins.They werent blind in their revenge and were clear that they wont harm anyone else. Once they understood that they had been used,they gave up.
I liked how the author made them also humane and also shared their side of story.
The romance was also minimal. It was more of a need for companionship and support rather than romance. I think both were lonely and liked the connection they developed.

The author kept the characters as real as she could, from Elaine's need for emotional connection,her struggle and feeling of despair as well as happiness due to her autistic daughter,Devlin's introspection of how lonely his life was, the assassins' despair and feelings to do something for their dead brother.

[Kate Vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Conard County: The Next Generation series in which Deputy Sheriff Elaine Paltier is intent on helping her autistic daughter be the best she can be. When people trying to see what those weird red lights in the sky could be start to overrun her little town, she has her hands full. And even more so when the brother of her late husband suddenly comes home, presumably to see his mother, Elaine's mother-in-law. But Elaine suspects it's more than that.

And finally CIA operative Devlin Paltier comes clean, after he suspects he's being targeted and that this may now be placing Elaine and her daughter in danger, too. What is he going to do about it? Even more important, what is Elaine going to do about it?

[Karen Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book. Not a true mystery as you know who the “killer” is from the beginning. Very light on romance. Very minor connection to other books in the series via a handful of minor characters. Truly can be read stand alone. Solid writing such that I wanted to finish.

[Ann C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring book. After about 50% into the book I start skipping chapters just to finish.

No excitement. As I said, very boring. No romance. I don't think they even kissed.

I will read reviews before buying the next Conard County book.

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Conard County: The Next Generation (Book #60)

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Conard County: The Next Generation (Book #60)

[Diane Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read from Rachel Lee, but they all are. I really enjoy the Conrad County books, characters and plots, and this one was no different. Looking forward to reading the next installment.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good read with the bonus of catching sight of old friends in Conard County.