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Jaxon Wilder didn’t plan on returning home to Fog Lake, Tennessee, following his tour of duty in Iraq. But after a gut-wrenching failure during his stint in the Army, he now faces a new challenge: his family.

Abby Brennan always did her best to be the good girl and to live by the rules. When a wrong decision changes her entire life, she tries to hide from the world. However, a madman known as the Executioner is determined to find her and enact his own brand of justice.

When Jaxon and Abby are thrown together in the killer’s crosshairs, they’re forced to depend on one another to survive. Will Jaxon’s sense of duty be enough to help keep Abby safe? Or will deadly secrets lead to the penalty of death?

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2021

775 people are currently reading
154 people want to read

About the author

Christy Barritt

335 books1,662 followers
Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,354 reviews164 followers
February 28, 2022
3.5 stars
"I would be Abby's judge, jury . . and executioner. And it was going to be so much fun."

Stalked. Abigail Brennan was being hunted down. "How had this man found her? She had no idea. But she couldn't let him catch her. Her life depended on it." After running blindly through the forest to escape certain death, Abby slowly regains consciousness after slipping down the the side of a mountain. Injured and disoriented, salvation appears in the form of another man, Jaxon Wilder. . . . . who has no idea what he has stepped into.

"Coming home was like trying to return to the past, only to find everything had changed."

Jaxon Wilder was slowly reacclimating to Fog Lake, Tennessee after his tours of duty in the military. Happening upon Abby Brennan in the middle of the forest was not on his agenda, but the lovely young woman displayed obvious signs of trauma with a head injury that necessitated medical treatment. Her story seemed a little hard to believe, some of it didn't even make sense, but Jaxon was determined not to repeat the mistakes of his past.

"We can't change what happened. But we can make the best of things and change the future, instead."

It's impossible not to love this story. The pace is pitch perfect, with a villain who is terribly devious and obviously unhinged. And then there's Jaxon and Abby, who complement each other like coffee and cookies, if they can only survive.
Profile Image for Fiction with Phoebe.
68 reviews11 followers
August 18, 2025
Blog Post: https://fictionwithphoebe.com/line-of...

Her boyfriend’s betrayal and the ensuing media firestorm are the least of Abby Brennan’s problems. A depraved vigilante has discovered she’s hiding out in Fog Lake. And it’s up to Jaxon Wilder and his siblings to keep her safe.

Ooh, the villain in this story got on my nerves so much! (In a good way 😉) The other villains in this series either knew what they were doing was wrong (they just didn’t care) or were trying to protect something important to them (although in very twisted ways). But the Executioner was just so self-righteous despite the horrible things he was doing/attempting.

I did feel that Jaxon went from doubting Abby’s innocence to believing she deserved the benefit of the doubt a bit abruptly. It was also frustrating how Abby kept withholding details that would come out later and make things harder for her.

While the next few books in the Fog Lake series will be focusing on new characters, I hope we’ll get to see more of the Wilder siblings (even if it’s just a brief cameo) 😊

Favorite Moments:
⚖️ baking cookies
⚖️ Abby meeting Jaxon’s family
⚖️ houseboat rescue

Content Notes:
chapters from the villain’s POV (showing his messed up thought process), mention of a psychologist and delusions of grandeur, mention of someone being “a psychopath,” mention of mutilation and torture, death and dying, blood, injuries, mention of tattoos and piercings, mention of a woman’s “curvy figure,” a massacre is part of the town’s history, mention of curses, mention of thinking someone is “the devil,” mention of men being inappropriate, mention of divorce and infidelity, guns, domestic abuse, mention of a terrorist leader, mention of a woman being beaten to death (no graphic details), some mild innuendo, mention of couples getting “frisky,” mention of a prostitute, touching, noticing and awareness, mention of having a “fling”
Profile Image for Wade.
750 reviews26 followers
May 12, 2022
“Someone’s trying to kill me.”

“He was going to break one of my bones for every sin I’d ever committed. He was going to keep me alive so he could delight in my cries of pain. And he would make an example of me for all the world to see.”

“Sometimes, the hardest times in life brought about the most beautiful moments.”

This was a well written book by Christy Barritt in the Fog Lake Suspense series. I really liked learning more about Jaxon Wilder and newcomer Abby Brennan. This one had a great villain named The Executioner. Abby is on the run from a past mistake and Jaxon is there to keep her safe. I enjoyed the suspense of Abby’s past and found it very interesting. I will say that the further the book goes along, the killer is very obvious. Wish there were a few more red herrings on this one. But it was nice to get back to Fog Lake and a cozy Christy Barritt book.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 39 books655 followers
February 29, 2020
LINE OF DUTY is book 4 in the series, but I am reading them out of order and they stand alone.

LINE OF DUTY starts with a strong creepy factor which made me hesitate to read this late at night, but it never really got overly-keep-me-awake-scary. The suspense is nonstop and i couldn't figure out who was behind it until it was revealed. I didn't want to stop reading this fast-paced story so you might want to read it when you have uninterrupted hours.

Don't miss LINE OF DUTY by Christy Barritt. She is one of my top five favorite suspense writers.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Melmo2610.
3,619 reviews
October 30, 2021
This was a really exciting and fun read. I have enjoyed the Fog Lake set a lot and can’t wait for book 5! Jaxson and Abby were likable characters and it was cool to see Luke and the other Wilder family members again. Enjoyed!
Profile Image for Kim.
717 reviews14 followers
January 18, 2020
Flog Lake has a tumultuous and violent distant past which has resurfaced in the last few years. Within the idyllic mountain town, evil hides in the thick treeline. A delusional force terrorizes its citizens, believing his vigilante and lethal bran of punishment is justice. Currently, Abby Brennan is dead center of the crosshairs as the stalker chases her down the mountain.

Jaxon Wilder, recently discharged from the military, returns to his brothers in Tennessee. He, too, has tragic memories best forgotten. Since he found Abby, Jaxon feels responsible and protective of her yet determined to learn why she is secluded and from whom she is hiding.

Hope can rise from destruction. We can't change the past...but we can make the best of things and can change the future instead." We all have regrets and dream of a second chance to make things right. Christy Barritt reminds us that there is always hope.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.
Profile Image for Kelly Bridgewater.
1,206 reviews62 followers
February 20, 2020
A Stalker. A Hunt for a Killer whistling in the woods. What a different style of mystery. Fans of the previous fog lake mysteries will be happy to see the returning siblings and their dates. The mystery does happen pretty fast as does the romance. I think it takes place in about three to four days before the climactic ending, so I had a hard time buying the romance in this one. It would have been nice for them to start having feelings or questioning those feelings before jumping into I can't live without so and so. The villain did come out of left field. Took me for a loop. Overall, Line of Duty is a good mystery to spend a couple of hours with and understand the hero's perspective, but the romance made me shake me head.
Profile Image for DianFlow.
435 reviews43 followers
September 18, 2020
Another nail-biting, action-packed thriller by one of my favorite go-to suspense authors, Christy Barritt! With likable characters, a burgeoning romance, and never-ending excitement, 'Line of Duty' is an absolute must read! By the way, if you figure out whodunit, you're better than this armchair sleuth. Time for me to retire. 😉
Profile Image for Staci Troilo.
Author 35 books162 followers
July 7, 2025
This book focuses the last Wilder sibling, Jaxon, and a woman he rescues in the wilderness, Abby. The two seem like an odd pairing. He’s quiet, downright stoic since he returned from military service in the Middle East. She’s outgoing, or so she claims… when she’s not running for her life.

That’s the crux of this mystery. Someone not only wants to kill her but is threatening to torture her first. It would be easier for Jaxon to protect her if he knew the whole story, but she won’t reveal details. As he has his own secrets—past and present— he doesn’t push her or investigate on his own.

It’s always a lack of communication that complicates things, isn’t it?

I love the character development and the cameos by the leads of earlier books. The plot moves at a steady pace, and it took me a long while to figure out who the villain was (which always pleases me). The romance is clean, the faith elements subtle.

Fans of romantic suspense (on the mild, non-graphic side) will enjoy this book and series.
Profile Image for Faith Posten.
313 reviews11 followers
January 14, 2020
Beyond Belief

Jason has just been hanging out with his family since his discharge from the Army. The war changed him forever so for now, he is trying to figure out what he wants to do with the rest of his life.
Abby came to Fog Lake to escape her horrendous ordeal. Her whole life is a nightmare now. The worst part is that she hasn't even done anything wrong, but someone wants to kill her. After she rents a cottage in the mountains, she soon realizes that he is also right there too. She has so much to live for, but it will take a miracle for her to even escape the madman who is so determined to kill her. She really needs somebody to believe her first before she can get any help.
Christy Barriett has written another mystery that will haunt you from the beginning to the end. Then you'll want to read more!
1,422 reviews10 followers
January 28, 2020

Line of Duty by Christy Barritt is book 4 of the Fog Lake series. While I am a fan of this author's work, I have to say that the Fog Lake series is my favorite of her books by far. Every book in this series absolutely bursts with suspense and they keep me up way to late at night. This book tells Abby's story. She is on the run from someone determine to kill her. Jaxon tries to help but both of them have secrets they are hiding. This is what I love about this author's writing-- the novel is full of suspense but still packed with interesting characters and emotional depth. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Cara.
275 reviews13 followers
February 1, 2020
Another great Fog Lake suspense

The Fog Lake series is my favorite suspense series that Christy Barritt writes (and she writes a lot) and it was refreshing to get a bit of a different book in the trilogy. The first three books had a similar pattern, and I'm glad this one strayed from that a bit. Yes, someone still ends up tied up, but it was a bit different.

I didn't enjoy Jaxon's character as much as the rest of the family, but I thought that Abby was an interesting character. This book had a more subtle faith to it, but it is less subtle than the rest of the books, with the characters praying a bit more. Hopefully as the series continue there will be more and more God present.

4 stars for another book that will keep you up late reading!
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,372 reviews7 followers
April 16, 2020
A perfect blend of mystery, crime and romance

This family can’t catch a break and neither can fog lake! The youngest brother is back and before he can get settled he is embroiled in the mystery revolving around a young women he helped rescue in the wilderness.

The facts are shared, but do not fit neatly into an seer to describe what is happening and how it has followed across state lines. We see the rest of the family and their loved ones so it was great seeing how their HEA is working. There are some community members I don’t like, but they were not the criminals of the story so alas they get to be rude another day in the town. Enjoyed this story and this series! Engaging characters with captivating backstories.
Profile Image for Mary Hake.
Author 4 books414 followers
January 14, 2020
These Fog Lake mysteries are intriguing and suspenseful. They’re a bit more scary than some of the author’s lighter-hearted novels but still clean and exciting to read without too much on-page violence. This one focuses on the youngest Wilder brother, Jaxon, and we learn of his past and struggles. He comes to the aid of a stranger, Abby Brennan, and ends up trying to help keep her safe and stop whoever is trying to kill her. The identity of “the Executioner” surprised me. The story can stand alone, but the series is best read in order. You don’t want to miss each installment. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Megan Byrd.
Author 10 books46 followers
January 16, 2020
Jaxon Wilder has been home from the military for a few months and is reconnecting with his family as he decides on a new career. On a camping trip with his brothers, he finds a woman (Abby) who is pale and injured, apparently being chased. She is hesitant to come clean for fear that she won’t be believed but the truth comes out and it is equally apparent that someone is trying to harm her. Women are being kidnapped in Fog Lake and no one can identify the culprit. Will they discover who is behind it all before the man is able to exact his gruesome form of justice on Abby?

An intriguing and suspenseful mystery.
195 reviews4 followers
March 1, 2020
This fourth book in the Fog Lake Series centers on Jaxon, the Wilder brother returned from military service in Iraq and Abby, hiding out in Fog Lake from all the rumors and hurt back home. When she is brutally attacked and left almost dead in the woods, Jaxon has doubts about her story, and Abby is terrified for her life. All the Fog Lake books have a degree of something really weird going on, and all of them keep me in suspense as to who is the culprit. This one kept me guessing until the end, and I always enjoy "catching" up with the main characters from previous books in the series. A great 4th installment!
Profile Image for Katharine Showman.
60 reviews
April 30, 2020
Abby Brennan is in Fog Lake to escape bad press about a murder in which she was not involved. No one believes her. Now "The Executioner" is chasing her! She escapes THIS TIME, but is injured. Jaxon Wilder saves her and his brother, Luke, the sheriff, investigates. Things get more complicated, more secretive, scarier and even deadlier. People find Abby in Fog Lake. (People involved in the murder in Minnesota and the Minnesota Police.) Will Abby survive? What is her real story? Read this exciting book to find out. This is #4 in a series, but it can stand alone. I bought this book at a very reasonable price.
Profile Image for Jenny.
81 reviews5 followers
October 24, 2021
Another great romantic suspense story

This was another exciting and suspenseful mystery from Christy Barritt. All four of the Fog Lake Suspense books are good. She is so blessed to be inspired by God to create so many good stories. I have read so many and they are all great. I also appreciated being able to read all four Fog Lake books on Kindle Unlimited but I did preorder the last one. I enjoyed getting to know each of the family members in this series. Each one centers around a different sibling and can all be read as a stand alone. You won't be disappointed with any off them.
Profile Image for Valerie Hartup.
116 reviews2 followers
January 11, 2020
Love love love

I’m a huge Christy Barritt fan and love the Fog Lake series. This book 4 is awesome. I love all the suspense. When a killer know as The Judge, Juror, and Executioner shows up in town, a women on the run from him needs help! Jaxon, home from the military is ready for a quiet life. Until a women drops into his arms he realizes he must keep her safe no matter what!
Profile Image for Debbie.
283 reviews12 followers
January 12, 2020
Time to visit Fog Lake again! This time Jaxon Wilder is trying to find his place again after leaving military service. Abby Brennan is hiding in Fog Lake from a person who is determined to "render justice" for a mistake that she made. The two of them try to find who is targeting Abby while both of them must come to terms with past mistakes they have each made. Lots of danger and suspense keeps you reading long past your bedtime!!
1,040 reviews11 followers
January 18, 2020
Nail biting suspense

Christy Barritt always starts her books with a bang, and this one is no exception. I like how she gives the criminal perp a voice so we know what evil lurks in his head, and it certainly builds the suspense as we see his increasing level of derangement. This is book 4 in the Fog Lake series, and I fear it may not have a follow up. That will make me sad. Maybe Christy will help Renee find a new life in Fog Lake!
144 reviews
January 19, 2020
This is a great story! Christy Barritt has an amazing way of getting the reader to know the main characters, Abby and Jaxon. I felt like I was right there with the characters while they experienced the craziness of the "executioner's" attempts at killing Abby. I couldn't put this book down from start to finish. There is a lot of suspense intertwined with a touch of romance. This is an outstanding book. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for April Perry.
41 reviews2 followers
March 31, 2020
Fog Lake book 4 is the best of the bunch! I thoroughly enjoyed this series and this book in particular. Christy Barritt has a try talent for combining suspense, mystery and romance into the perfect story. The last of the Wilder siblings has returned to Fog Lake and has rescued a beautiful woman in the woods...will this be the beginning of a beautiful relationship or just a huge mistake? I encourage you to read and see!
Profile Image for Mary Johns.
Author 5 books257 followers
April 2, 2021
Loved this conclusion to Christy Barritt's Fog Lake Mysteries. I particularly liked hero Jaxon Wilder's attitude of forgiveness toward his Mom when the other siblings aren't quite there yet. Though innocent, Abby's one bad decision had dire consequences. I also liked how the role of media played out--not a direct culprit, but definitely unhelpful. Looking forward to more from this author. She's one of my go-tos.
289 reviews
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July 26, 2021
I have read all of the Fog Lake Series one of the first my this author. I enjoyed the series. This review is about Line of Duty the last one in the series. It kept me not wanting to put the book down so I could see what was going to happen next to Abby and Jaxon. I like how all of them have worked out family problems showing love can find a way. The suspense is good and not too gruesome. The book would be okay for a young adult to read. I will be reading more by Christy Barritt.
Profile Image for Jan L.
1,002 reviews22 followers
January 12, 2020
When things go wrong...

With the unique style of Christy Barritt, this book once again offers drama , suspense, and sweet romance along with characters that have integrity and a special presence. The atmosphere of the small North Carolina town of Fog Lake adds to the fun but also has a dark side. I hope there will be a lot more visits to Fog Lake!
1,427 reviews12 followers
January 20, 2020
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Another interesting book in the Fog Lake Series from Christy Barritt. I enjoyed the suspense, story line and characters in this latest book. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the previous books. Christy is adept at storytelling and keeping your interest.
Profile Image for Andrea Chatman.
44 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2020
A thrilling and chilling 4th book in a series that had me sleeping with the lights on.
A must read if you've read the first three. This one follows Jaxon, recently returned from the front, looking for peace and purpose. Enter a beautiful, terrified woman on the run from a deranged vigilante. Is she truly innocent? How far will Jaxon go to find the truth?
7,757 reviews50 followers
November 28, 2021
Killer who came by whistling first. Abby rents a cottage in Fog Lake he is there taunting her with her life. Jason trying to finding his place after being in the service, wandering the darkness of the mountain. Hears her cry and a chilling nightmare begins. The past has a hold on them both, being together would that help Abby. Tight woven plot to enjoy
2 reviews
January 12, 2020
Another fabulous book!

This entire series is great! You're kept on the edge of your seat throughout! I really like how this author brings faith in God into her stories. It's inspirational and entertaining!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews

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