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Special Agent Finn Walker, Ermittler der Küstenwache, steht vor dem bislang schwierigsten Fall seiner Karriere: Ein Kollege wurde ermordet, ein anderer schwer verletzt. War dies das Werk von Drogenschmugglern? Oder steckt mehr dahinter? Je tiefer Finn und seine Kollegen graben, desto unübersichtlicher wird die Sache. Ganz nebenbei muss er Gabby, die Schwester seines Chefs, im Blick behalten. Die Investigativ-Journalistin hat sich mit einer Enthüllungsstory mächtige Feinde gemacht. Unter Finns Schutz sollte Gabby eigentlich zur Ruhe finden, doch sie kann es nicht lassen, ihre Nase in seine Ermittlungen zu stecken. Und nicht nur das: Finns Gefühle für die neugierige Journalistin bringen auch sein Herz in größte Gefahr ...
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2019
672 people are currently reading
4964 people want to read
About the author
Dani Pettrey
39 books2,851 followersPraised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has sold nearly a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today).
Her Alaskan Courage series and Chesapeake Valor series have received praise from readers and critics alike and spent multiple months topping the CBA bestseller lists. Dani has also been honored with multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Christy Award finalist, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award.
She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit danipettrey.com
Her Alaskan Courage series and Chesapeake Valor series have received praise from readers and critics alike and spent multiple months topping the CBA bestseller lists. Dani has also been honored with multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Christy Award finalist, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award.
She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit danipettrey.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 609 reviews
July 25, 2019
I received a copy of this title via the publisher. It does not impact my review.
It’s always a disappointing thing when a book by one of your favorite authors doesn’t end up working for you. This was the case for me and The Killing Tide.
What I Liked
-I thought the actual mystery aspect of the story was well done. It was pretty well-paced and Pettrey did a good job of weaving together multiple cases.
-I liked the setting and that many of the main characters are in the Coast Guard. That’s something new I haven’t read a lot of before and I found it pretty interesting.
-I thought Pettrey did a good job with incorporating the characters’ faith in into the story. There wasn’t really any big lesson, it was just daily life and I liked that.
What Didn’t Work for Me
-Gabby drove me crazy for pretty much this whole book. The first time we meet her she narrowly escapes an attempt on her life and she ends up going to her brother so he and his Coast Guard friends can help protect her. But then she fights against the notion of needing to be protected the whole time and continually runs away from the people who are supposed to be watching her, which I just found really annoying and selfish. And her whole defense is that she needs to chase the story because God made her passionate about it and to ask her not to do it is wrong. Um, pretty sure that’s not how God works. She just really, really rubbed me the wrong way and pretty much ruined the book for me.
-The romance didn’t really work for me. We find out that prior to the events of this book, Gabby and Finn had started a relationship, which was cut short when Gabby moved away. They both already had strong feelings for each other when the story starts and so we miss all of the build up. I never really felt their chemistry when they’re reunited and so I never got invested in them as a couple.
-There are a lot of characters that are thrown out in the beginning. I had a really hard time keeping them straight. It took about half the book before I could start to tell them all apart. While I don’t have a problem with any of them, none of them really stood out to me as someone I would be excited to read about next.
-I think my biggest problem with the book, though, is the way that Gabby was involved in the official investigation. Let me preface this by saying Gabby is not in law enforcement, she is a reporter. Throughout the story Finn has her help him process a crime scene where there were multiple murders, she uses Coast Guard computers to do her own research on the case, she accompanies Finn while he is investigating leads and persons of interest, and she is part of debriefing sessions of multiple cases. And the reason for all this? She’s incorrigible and would just go out and investigate on her own if they didn’t include her, so might as well keep an eye on her. THIS IS NOT HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKS. My brother is a police officer and I talked to him about some of these things and asked what would happen if he involved a civilian like this while working. He would be fired. I understand for the sake of fiction there are certain allowances made, but I feel this is just way too unbelievable. And this is a complaint I have about several books by this author.
Overall
Overall, The Killing Tide was just not for me. Even though the pace seemed steady and there was a lot of action, I found myself bored for most of the book. I found Gabby so unlikable that it made it hard to get through the story at times. However, everyone I know that has read this have all really loved it, so it might just be me and my mood. I do plan on reading more from Pettrey in the future and am hoping my experience with this book is just an anomaly.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 2.5 Stars
It’s always a disappointing thing when a book by one of your favorite authors doesn’t end up working for you. This was the case for me and The Killing Tide.
What I Liked
-I thought the actual mystery aspect of the story was well done. It was pretty well-paced and Pettrey did a good job of weaving together multiple cases.
-I liked the setting and that many of the main characters are in the Coast Guard. That’s something new I haven’t read a lot of before and I found it pretty interesting.
-I thought Pettrey did a good job with incorporating the characters’ faith in into the story. There wasn’t really any big lesson, it was just daily life and I liked that.
What Didn’t Work for Me
-Gabby drove me crazy for pretty much this whole book. The first time we meet her she narrowly escapes an attempt on her life and she ends up going to her brother so he and his Coast Guard friends can help protect her. But then she fights against the notion of needing to be protected the whole time and continually runs away from the people who are supposed to be watching her, which I just found really annoying and selfish. And her whole defense is that she needs to chase the story because God made her passionate about it and to ask her not to do it is wrong. Um, pretty sure that’s not how God works. She just really, really rubbed me the wrong way and pretty much ruined the book for me.
-The romance didn’t really work for me. We find out that prior to the events of this book, Gabby and Finn had started a relationship, which was cut short when Gabby moved away. They both already had strong feelings for each other when the story starts and so we miss all of the build up. I never really felt their chemistry when they’re reunited and so I never got invested in them as a couple.
-There are a lot of characters that are thrown out in the beginning. I had a really hard time keeping them straight. It took about half the book before I could start to tell them all apart. While I don’t have a problem with any of them, none of them really stood out to me as someone I would be excited to read about next.
-I think my biggest problem with the book, though, is the way that Gabby was involved in the official investigation. Let me preface this by saying Gabby is not in law enforcement, she is a reporter. Throughout the story Finn has her help him process a crime scene where there were multiple murders, she uses Coast Guard computers to do her own research on the case, she accompanies Finn while he is investigating leads and persons of interest, and she is part of debriefing sessions of multiple cases. And the reason for all this? She’s incorrigible and would just go out and investigate on her own if they didn’t include her, so might as well keep an eye on her. THIS IS NOT HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKS. My brother is a police officer and I talked to him about some of these things and asked what would happen if he involved a civilian like this while working. He would be fired. I understand for the sake of fiction there are certain allowances made, but I feel this is just way too unbelievable. And this is a complaint I have about several books by this author.
Overall
Overall, The Killing Tide was just not for me. Even though the pace seemed steady and there was a lot of action, I found myself bored for most of the book. I found Gabby so unlikable that it made it hard to get through the story at times. However, everyone I know that has read this have all really loved it, so it might just be me and my mood. I do plan on reading more from Pettrey in the future and am hoping my experience with this book is just an anomaly.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 2.5 Stars
October 10, 2019
..
The heroine and main character of this tale are Gabby Rowley, an investigative reporter under attack by a hit ordered by drug dealer Xavier Fuentes that she did a story on. Her brother takes her to their hometown, where she is surrounded by family, friends, and Coast Guard employees to help protect her. However, she does not take the danger seriously and walks into dangerous situations over and over again (like the dumb girls you scream at in a horror movie) while she delves into a mystery involving the murder of one of the noble Coast Guard agents, already being considered by the Coast Guard Investigative Service themselves.
This story weaves the experiences of too many different characters together, defining their obstacles, fears, hopes, and dreams. Each character faced a different sort of danger in their daily lives, even if they were not aware of the specifics at the moment. This may be justified by this being the introduction to the series, but I found it a bit overwhelming.
So Gabby's brother, Noah, who is also Finn's boss, requests that Finn to allow Gabby to live on his property with assurances Finn will do everything possible to keep her safe. You can't ignore the sparks that fly between Gabby and Finn, who had previously dissolved a romantic relationship within the past year. This man is a romantic dream, even going so far as to bring her breakfast in bed.
The narration of Nina Alvamar left much to be desired for the male characters in the book Since the majority of the characters were of the male persuasion it does bring down my rating for the book.
Unfortunately, the adrenaline some people get from reading a thriller affects me in the opposite manner. I'm not turned on by pulse-pounding anticipation in the least. In fact, it actually turns me off! I guess that means I am wired differently than many others in the world I don't feel different, I feel unique.
So, I liked many parts of the book and did not care for other parts. It is obviously not one of my favorites. But for those readers that get a thrill from a mild mystery thriller, this may work out great for them.
As you are probably aware, this is a clean tale, with Christian inflection, and some kissing. It does conclude a H.E.A. of sorts, an actual solution for the murder/mystery, and a surprise twist that will prepare readers for the next volume. A spoiler is included below.
----------------------------
The Killing Tide
(Coastal Guardians Book #1)
- Kindle Edition
by Dani Pettrey (Author)
Print Length: 351 pages
*** SPOILER HINT ***
EXCERPT from Rissi's Diary about the only man she has ever loved, written on August 17, 2009: :
"That day she felt like she had lost half her heart and the entirety of her hope:
. . . With wings wide, we soared above the clouds.
. . . above the grime, into the blue sublime.
. . . The sweet smell of freedom touched my soul for a blissful moment
. . . until the grip of violence clasped me hard
. . . dragging me back under as he soared.
. . . A prisoner again, I see nights with no end.
Her memories and thoughts about her past and the part this special person played in her life seem to be something she will need to continue to work through or a build-up for the next book perhaps. Only time will tell.
..
The heroine and main character of this tale are Gabby Rowley, an investigative reporter under attack by a hit ordered by drug dealer Xavier Fuentes that she did a story on. Her brother takes her to their hometown, where she is surrounded by family, friends, and Coast Guard employees to help protect her. However, she does not take the danger seriously and walks into dangerous situations over and over again (like the dumb girls you scream at in a horror movie) while she delves into a mystery involving the murder of one of the noble Coast Guard agents, already being considered by the Coast Guard Investigative Service themselves.
This story weaves the experiences of too many different characters together, defining their obstacles, fears, hopes, and dreams. Each character faced a different sort of danger in their daily lives, even if they were not aware of the specifics at the moment. This may be justified by this being the introduction to the series, but I found it a bit overwhelming.
So Gabby's brother, Noah, who is also Finn's boss, requests that Finn to allow Gabby to live on his property with assurances Finn will do everything possible to keep her safe. You can't ignore the sparks that fly between Gabby and Finn, who had previously dissolved a romantic relationship within the past year. This man is a romantic dream, even going so far as to bring her breakfast in bed.
The narration of Nina Alvamar left much to be desired for the male characters in the book Since the majority of the characters were of the male persuasion it does bring down my rating for the book.
Unfortunately, the adrenaline some people get from reading a thriller affects me in the opposite manner. I'm not turned on by pulse-pounding anticipation in the least. In fact, it actually turns me off! I guess that means I am wired differently than many others in the world I don't feel different, I feel unique.
So, I liked many parts of the book and did not care for other parts. It is obviously not one of my favorites. But for those readers that get a thrill from a mild mystery thriller, this may work out great for them.
As you are probably aware, this is a clean tale, with Christian inflection, and some kissing. It does conclude a H.E.A. of sorts, an actual solution for the murder/mystery, and a surprise twist that will prepare readers for the next volume. A spoiler is included below.
----------------------------
The Killing Tide
(Coastal Guardians Book #1)
- Kindle Edition
by Dani Pettrey (Author)
Print Length: 351 pages
*** SPOILER HINT ***
EXCERPT from Rissi's Diary about the only man she has ever loved, written on August 17, 2009: :
"That day she felt like she had lost half her heart and the entirety of her hope:
. . . With wings wide, we soared above the clouds.
. . . above the grime, into the blue sublime.
. . . The sweet smell of freedom touched my soul for a blissful moment
. . . until the grip of violence clasped me hard
. . . dragging me back under as he soared.
. . . A prisoner again, I see nights with no end.
Her memories and thoughts about her past and the part this special person played in her life seem to be something she will need to continue to work through or a build-up for the next book perhaps. Only time will tell.
..
April 14, 2023
Fans of Dani Pettrey can expect a thrilling ride in this first book of what I expect will be another great series.
When I saw that she will bring out a new book, I had great expectations and I was not disappointed. From the first page of the first chapter, right till the end of the book, I was taken on a suspenseful ride with so much happening that I was engaged right till the end and was shocked by the revelation of the villain (who was quite twisted).
I loved the premise of the plot and the Coastal Guard Investigation Service team we meet. Noah, we have met in the Chesapeake Valor series but here we get to know him and his team. All of the members in the team was so interesting and lovable - I am hoping for an extended series with books about each of them. The ending just made me want to pick up book 2 (please release soon!).
Finn and Gabby - Finn quickly stole my heart and I just enjoyed his character more as the story continued. Gabby, with her venturesome personality cause quite a few suspenseful scenes. The author did a great job of introducing small hints of events in their pasts which was revealed as the story developed.
I also enjoyed the Rowley family dynamics and hope to see more of them in the series.
If you loved investigative stories, for example NCIS, and teams where they are more like family, and never-ending suspense, you should definitely go and get this book!
*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.
When I saw that she will bring out a new book, I had great expectations and I was not disappointed. From the first page of the first chapter, right till the end of the book, I was taken on a suspenseful ride with so much happening that I was engaged right till the end and was shocked by the revelation of the villain (who was quite twisted).
I loved the premise of the plot and the Coastal Guard Investigation Service team we meet. Noah, we have met in the Chesapeake Valor series but here we get to know him and his team. All of the members in the team was so interesting and lovable - I am hoping for an extended series with books about each of them. The ending just made me want to pick up book 2 (please release soon!).
Finn and Gabby - Finn quickly stole my heart and I just enjoyed his character more as the story continued. Gabby, with her venturesome personality cause quite a few suspenseful scenes. The author did a great job of introducing small hints of events in their pasts which was revealed as the story developed.
I also enjoyed the Rowley family dynamics and hope to see more of them in the series.
If you loved investigative stories, for example NCIS, and teams where they are more like family, and never-ending suspense, you should definitely go and get this book!
*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 27, 2019
There's plenty of action and suspense in this quick-paced novel that introduces us to a new team of agents, their friends and family. Gabby has a tough shell and is 100% devoted to her job and identity as an investigative reporter- and the risk to her life seems like an afterthought. I was surprised at how cavalier her attitude is about the safety of herself and others, but perhaps that's just her defense mechanism. She and Finn have had a relationship in the past but she left him behind to pursue a new job opportunity in another city. So in this book the chemistry and angst is already present in their interactions. Part of the story is told from Rissi's point of view as well, and I'm hoping the next book features her as the main character. She is the youngest member of the CGI team as well as the only female, and she also competes in various water sports competitions during the story with Gabby's brother Noah and Travis, another agent. The different loose threads and angles they are each investigating in the beginning tighten up as the plot progresses and the reading was full of tension as it drew closer to the climax. A great one for suspense fans!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
August 10, 2019
Finn and Gabby were an interesting couple. It’s always a challenge for an author to show a couple with history meeting again after a space of time, and Pettrey mostly did a good job compensating for all the things we didn’t see about their history.
The danger starts right up on page one and the story is off to a thrilling start. Gabby’s got a target on her back and her brother doesn’t hesitate to call his buddy Finn to help keep Gabby safe. I really enjoyed Noah’s protective streak and how determined he is to make sure his sister lives through this threat.
Finn was a likeable hero who won me over pretty fast. He’s a man’s man and takes his job seriously. I have a nephew in the Coast Guard, and I love finding stories whose protagonists are also. Their investigative service (CGIS) plays heavily into solving this mystery and the thrills never stop as the plot twists and turns on itself countless times. I read it all in a single sitting!
18+ for heavy romantic attraction and focus on romance
Clean with a bit of violence.
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
The danger starts right up on page one and the story is off to a thrilling start. Gabby’s got a target on her back and her brother doesn’t hesitate to call his buddy Finn to help keep Gabby safe. I really enjoyed Noah’s protective streak and how determined he is to make sure his sister lives through this threat.
Finn was a likeable hero who won me over pretty fast. He’s a man’s man and takes his job seriously. I have a nephew in the Coast Guard, and I love finding stories whose protagonists are also. Their investigative service (CGIS) plays heavily into solving this mystery and the thrills never stop as the plot twists and turns on itself countless times. I read it all in a single sitting!
18+ for heavy romantic attraction and focus on romance
Clean with a bit of violence.
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
August 2, 2019
Dani Pettrey is a talented author, and I won't deny that. While I haven't actually found one of her books that I hands-down love yet, I keep coming back and trying more. This series, in particular, seems to have a lot of promise. Plus, I can't get over that gorgeous cover.
Plot and story wise, Pettrey's books are sound and incredibly unique. I am always sucked in by that aspect and can't stop turning pages! I had no idea who the perpetrator was until it was revealed near the end, and I was quite shocked! Although for a moment, I had to remember who that character was, so maybe a little more interaction with him in the book would have made that clearer for the reader. The ending took a pretty creepy turn that I didn't particularly care for, but the action and suspense throughout was on point. My adrenaline was racing at times!
Character and romance wise are where I feel that Pettrey falls short. For me, at least. The characters seem to be based entirely around each other and the romance, leaving little room for character arcs and development. Characters can make a or break a story for me most times, so that is perhaps why I feel a lack of connection with Pettrey's books. Although I will say that her secondary characters seem to be so much more developed and I honestly found myself more attached to them than our main characters. And as for the romance, it ends up being far too steamy for my tastes. There are many heated scenes throughout including passionate kisses, loads of physical attraction and 'tingles' and 'jitters' at the other's nearness\touch. While of course it never becomes an all-out sex scene in any way, I nonetheless found myself blushing and skimming through these scenes. The romance was based so much on physical attraction and not the characters personality or character qualities, which always gets a thumb-down for me.
All in all, if you are looking for a suspense-y, action-packed story heavy on the romance, definitely check this one out! It wasn't my favorite, but it could be yours. :)
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Plot and story wise, Pettrey's books are sound and incredibly unique. I am always sucked in by that aspect and can't stop turning pages! I had no idea who the perpetrator was until it was revealed near the end, and I was quite shocked! Although for a moment, I had to remember who that character was, so maybe a little more interaction with him in the book would have made that clearer for the reader. The ending took a pretty creepy turn that I didn't particularly care for, but the action and suspense throughout was on point. My adrenaline was racing at times!
Character and romance wise are where I feel that Pettrey falls short. For me, at least. The characters seem to be based entirely around each other and the romance, leaving little room for character arcs and development. Characters can make a or break a story for me most times, so that is perhaps why I feel a lack of connection with Pettrey's books. Although I will say that her secondary characters seem to be so much more developed and I honestly found myself more attached to them than our main characters. And as for the romance, it ends up being far too steamy for my tastes. There are many heated scenes throughout including passionate kisses, loads of physical attraction and 'tingles' and 'jitters' at the other's nearness\touch. While of course it never becomes an all-out sex scene in any way, I nonetheless found myself blushing and skimming through these scenes. The romance was based so much on physical attraction and not the characters personality or character qualities, which always gets a thumb-down for me.
All in all, if you are looking for a suspense-y, action-packed story heavy on the romance, definitely check this one out! It wasn't my favorite, but it could be yours. :)
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
August 27, 2019
Nice start to a new series! I didn't guess who the primary villain was which is great. The main female character took some crazy risks that I was shaking my head about. Pettrey set up the next novel in spectacular fashion and I can't wait to read it!
August 6, 2019
I have been a Dani Pettrey fan since her debut and I have anxiously awaited each new novel as was definitely the case with this one!
First of all I have to talk about this epic cover! It’s simple while being unique and interesting! And I love the colors too!
Now for what was inside the stunning cover. Sadly for me this book didn’t quite hit the mark of what I’ve come to expect from a Pettrey novel. The non-stop action and suspense was definitely still there-it seemed like you never knew what was coming next! Every chapter had something else happening! But at times it felt like there was almost too much going on and the connections that were being made came across as a little coincidental at times.
There were quite a few characters introduced at the beginning but as the story progressed it became easier to keep track of them all. I liked Finn and his dedication to rescuing people and finding justice. Gabby though did not make herself very likable. Reporters are always a hard sell for me and the way she put getting a scoop above everything, even her own safety, was more than a little irritating. I did appreciate that there had been a bit of a relationship in the past between Gabby and Finn so that things on that front didn’t seem so rushed. I wouldn’t have minded just a little more actual romance in the story, but with everything going on it was hard to find time for that!
The rest of the group was fun and I’m looking forward to getting more of their stories in the next books! I have a pretty good idea of who will be next and I think it will make for an interesting story!
So while this book didn’t quite live up to my expectations, other people are loving it (so don’t just take my word for it) and I trust this author enough to know that she has more amazing stories in store for us and I cannot wait to read them!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
First of all I have to talk about this epic cover! It’s simple while being unique and interesting! And I love the colors too!
Now for what was inside the stunning cover. Sadly for me this book didn’t quite hit the mark of what I’ve come to expect from a Pettrey novel. The non-stop action and suspense was definitely still there-it seemed like you never knew what was coming next! Every chapter had something else happening! But at times it felt like there was almost too much going on and the connections that were being made came across as a little coincidental at times.
There were quite a few characters introduced at the beginning but as the story progressed it became easier to keep track of them all. I liked Finn and his dedication to rescuing people and finding justice. Gabby though did not make herself very likable. Reporters are always a hard sell for me and the way she put getting a scoop above everything, even her own safety, was more than a little irritating. I did appreciate that there had been a bit of a relationship in the past between Gabby and Finn so that things on that front didn’t seem so rushed. I wouldn’t have minded just a little more actual romance in the story, but with everything going on it was hard to find time for that!
The rest of the group was fun and I’m looking forward to getting more of their stories in the next books! I have a pretty good idea of who will be next and I think it will make for an interesting story!
So while this book didn’t quite live up to my expectations, other people are loving it (so don’t just take my word for it) and I trust this author enough to know that she has more amazing stories in store for us and I cannot wait to read them!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 13, 2022
With such a chillingly, stunning book cover and an engaging first line, I was immediately pulled into this riveting suspense featuring a Coast Guard team's pursuit of justice. The action and plot didn't disappoint - and I was very anxious to see how it would all end! I also really enjoyed learning about the Coast Guard and what they do. The cast of secondary characters from the team were a likeable bunch that was easy to support, root for and relate to. I enjoyed the beach setting as well; the author created wonderful imagery that I could easily picture and take part in.
Unfortunately, I didn't like the heroine and the romance in this book. Gabby Rowley, a career-driven investigative reporter, comes across as flippant by showing little to no concern for her own safety. After narrowly escaping an attempt on her life, she dismisses the protection of the Coast Guard team as unnecessary and puts more value in pursuing a story, heedless of the complications it causes for the people she loves or those who want to help her. She only begrudgingly appreciates the concern of the team and her family. Her behavior was irritating for majority of the book and, in the end, I couldn't bring myself to like her. The romance was also hard to relate to because their relationship had a high-level intensity with little emotional connection. Consequently, there was a disconnect for me since it felt too fast and focused primarily on their physical attraction.
Overall, I enjoyed the suspense and the secondary characters enough, but The Killing Tide wasn't my favorite.
Unfortunately, I didn't like the heroine and the romance in this book. Gabby Rowley, a career-driven investigative reporter, comes across as flippant by showing little to no concern for her own safety. After narrowly escaping an attempt on her life, she dismisses the protection of the Coast Guard team as unnecessary and puts more value in pursuing a story, heedless of the complications it causes for the people she loves or those who want to help her. She only begrudgingly appreciates the concern of the team and her family. Her behavior was irritating for majority of the book and, in the end, I couldn't bring myself to like her. The romance was also hard to relate to because their relationship had a high-level intensity with little emotional connection. Consequently, there was a disconnect for me since it felt too fast and focused primarily on their physical attraction.
Overall, I enjoyed the suspense and the secondary characters enough, but The Killing Tide wasn't my favorite.
August 13, 2019
I'm a huge fan of Dani Pettrey's previous two series, so it's no surprise that I was eager to pick up The Killing Tide as soon as possible.
I found the book easy to read. It started off great and I found the story to be enjoyable. The book was written very well and I liked the characters...although Gabby could be a little frustrating at times withe her carelessness.
All in all, The Killing Tide was very good and I'm looking forward to the next book; I have a feeling I know who the main characters will be and I can't wait for their story.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I found the book easy to read. It started off great and I found the story to be enjoyable. The book was written very well and I liked the characters...although Gabby could be a little frustrating at times withe her carelessness.
All in all, The Killing Tide was very good and I'm looking forward to the next book; I have a feeling I know who the main characters will be and I can't wait for their story.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
August 14, 2019
My Review
3.5 Stars
The Killing Tide has an amazing cover and it’s even better in print. I’m visual, so I base whether or not I want to read a book on the cover first and the blurb second. Both of these things made me anticipate the release of The Killing Tide (Coastal Guardians 1). The mystery and suspense is good too. Anyone who has read a Pettrey book knows she is one of the “big fish in the sea” when it comes to writing compelling stories.
So this was how she was going to die…
Quite a first line, huh? Waves of intrigue crash onto the page right from the beginning. The plot is believable as far as the Coastal Guardians go with their extensive training and investigative techniques.
Gabby, the heroine, is an investigative reporter with a back story involving Finn, our hero. While Gabby is not afraid of danger, many of her attitudes and actions seemed irresponsible and bratty to me. She’s constantly going against wise counsel where her safety is concerned. I just couldn’t connect with her character. And I would have found her inclusion in every aspect of the CGIS case more plausible if she had been introduced as official support personnel.
Regardless of my disconnect with Gabby, I still liked the story and I learned a lot about the United States Coast Guard while reading The Killing Tide. I’m anticipating book two highlighting more of our brave Coastal Guardians.
I recommend this book to fans of contemporary romantic suspense interlaced with strong faith. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
3.5 Stars
The Killing Tide has an amazing cover and it’s even better in print. I’m visual, so I base whether or not I want to read a book on the cover first and the blurb second. Both of these things made me anticipate the release of The Killing Tide (Coastal Guardians 1). The mystery and suspense is good too. Anyone who has read a Pettrey book knows she is one of the “big fish in the sea” when it comes to writing compelling stories.
So this was how she was going to die…
Quite a first line, huh? Waves of intrigue crash onto the page right from the beginning. The plot is believable as far as the Coastal Guardians go with their extensive training and investigative techniques.
Gabby, the heroine, is an investigative reporter with a back story involving Finn, our hero. While Gabby is not afraid of danger, many of her attitudes and actions seemed irresponsible and bratty to me. She’s constantly going against wise counsel where her safety is concerned. I just couldn’t connect with her character. And I would have found her inclusion in every aspect of the CGIS case more plausible if she had been introduced as official support personnel.
Regardless of my disconnect with Gabby, I still liked the story and I learned a lot about the United States Coast Guard while reading The Killing Tide. I’m anticipating book two highlighting more of our brave Coastal Guardians.
I recommend this book to fans of contemporary romantic suspense interlaced with strong faith. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
October 6, 2020
I still love Dani Pettrey. At first I thought this books was confusing at the beginning and again to many characters. I'm glad I continued because it was a really good read. There is one story line in the book I am not sure what its about but the rest of the book was great. I love how Dani has you guessing until the end. She writes a great Christ filled mystery. She is not afraid to speak of Christ and I think that is what best about Dani Pettrey. I can't wait to read the end of the series. Highly recommend!!
tbr-1
June 21, 2022Free on Amazon (6.20.22)!
July 7, 2019
This has a composite cast with the set up for book two. Like other Dani Pettrey books there’s action, romance, and a host of characters working together. A truly enjoyable read.
November 7, 2022
Originally posted on Inkwell Inspirations
“He was drawn to her like the tides were to the moon.”
“He’d done exactly what he vowed not to do. He’d fallen in love with her all over again.”
The Killing Tide, the first installment in Dani Pettrey’s new Coastal Guardians series, is an action-packed romantic suspense novel that takes readers on an extremely dangerous and thrilling ride and keeps them highly invested in the storyline until the very last page. Dani Pettrey is a favorite author of many romantic suspense readers because of her thrilling storylines, her swoon-worthy heroes, and her ability to weave the characters’ faith seamlessly into her novels.
Gabby Rowley finds herself in extreme danger after her work as an investigative reporter leads to $30 million in cocaine being seized by the DEA and a major drug dealer being sent to prison. After Gabby faces an attempt on her life, her brother Noah, a special agent in the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and other members of his team are enlisted to provide protection for her. As Noah, Finn, and the rest of the CGIS team investigate the suspicious death of a Coast Guard officer, the case becomes more complex and dangerous than they ever anticipated. Sparks continue to fly between Finn and Gabby, as unresolved feelings from the past resurface. The chemistry between Finn and Gabby is off the charts, and the romantic storyline will have readers swooning.
Readers will become familiar with the entire Coast Guard Investigative Service team in the novel, and it is heartwarming how this team of special agents has a family-like dynamic and supports each other during the good times and the bad. There are many new characters introduced at the beginning of the novel, which is typical in the first book of a new series, but readers will quickly fall in love with the entire CGIS team. These characters will undoubtedly be featured in future installments of the Coastal Guardians series. Gabby and Finn’s faith helps them face the difficult situations they encounter in their daily lives, and even in their deepest struggles and moments of doubt, God is always with them.
The Killing Tide is highly recommended for readers of romantic suspense, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Rachel Dylan, Natalie Walters, and Elizabeth Goddard, and fans of TV shows such as NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Hawaii Five-0. Readers will be eagerly anticipating the second book in the series, The Crushing Depths, to discover more about their favorite members of the Coast Guard Investigative Service team.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Additional Quotes:
“The ocean settled her soul like nothing else. Being near God’s creation reminded her of His sovereignty and majesty. Setting the moon in the sky to control the tides . . . it awed her. Jesus walking on water, calming the storm . . . Knowing He tamed something so wild and free settled her soul in a way nothing else did.”
“God had most definitely made a masterpiece with Finn Walker. Combining his stellar physique with green eyes, a strong jaw, and chiseled cheekbones made it hard not to sigh when he walked in a room.”
“He was drawn to her like the tides were to the moon.”
“He’d done exactly what he vowed not to do. He’d fallen in love with her all over again.”
The Killing Tide, the first installment in Dani Pettrey’s new Coastal Guardians series, is an action-packed romantic suspense novel that takes readers on an extremely dangerous and thrilling ride and keeps them highly invested in the storyline until the very last page. Dani Pettrey is a favorite author of many romantic suspense readers because of her thrilling storylines, her swoon-worthy heroes, and her ability to weave the characters’ faith seamlessly into her novels.
Gabby Rowley finds herself in extreme danger after her work as an investigative reporter leads to $30 million in cocaine being seized by the DEA and a major drug dealer being sent to prison. After Gabby faces an attempt on her life, her brother Noah, a special agent in the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and other members of his team are enlisted to provide protection for her. As Noah, Finn, and the rest of the CGIS team investigate the suspicious death of a Coast Guard officer, the case becomes more complex and dangerous than they ever anticipated. Sparks continue to fly between Finn and Gabby, as unresolved feelings from the past resurface. The chemistry between Finn and Gabby is off the charts, and the romantic storyline will have readers swooning.
Readers will become familiar with the entire Coast Guard Investigative Service team in the novel, and it is heartwarming how this team of special agents has a family-like dynamic and supports each other during the good times and the bad. There are many new characters introduced at the beginning of the novel, which is typical in the first book of a new series, but readers will quickly fall in love with the entire CGIS team. These characters will undoubtedly be featured in future installments of the Coastal Guardians series. Gabby and Finn’s faith helps them face the difficult situations they encounter in their daily lives, and even in their deepest struggles and moments of doubt, God is always with them.
The Killing Tide is highly recommended for readers of romantic suspense, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Rachel Dylan, Natalie Walters, and Elizabeth Goddard, and fans of TV shows such as NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Hawaii Five-0. Readers will be eagerly anticipating the second book in the series, The Crushing Depths, to discover more about their favorite members of the Coast Guard Investigative Service team.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Additional Quotes:
“The ocean settled her soul like nothing else. Being near God’s creation reminded her of His sovereignty and majesty. Setting the moon in the sky to control the tides . . . it awed her. Jesus walking on water, calming the storm . . . Knowing He tamed something so wild and free settled her soul in a way nothing else did.”
“God had most definitely made a masterpiece with Finn Walker. Combining his stellar physique with green eyes, a strong jaw, and chiseled cheekbones made it hard not to sigh when he walked in a room.”
March 14, 2021
The opening line in this book really grabbed my attention.
So this was how she was going to die….
The Killing Tide has all sorts of dangerous criminals posing a threat to the main characters from the very beginning. This book contains many of the things I love most about Dani Pettrey’s Submerged (one of my favorite books)—interesting family and friendships, action and adventure, thrilling suspense and mystery, an exciting water/dive rescue theme, and a cast of brave heroes and heroines.
That being said, I feel the main characters of this book (Gabby and Finn) are lacking depth, making it difficult to get invested in them. Their romance is also quite superficial and a bit too heavy for my liking, with more of a focus on physical/sexual attraction than their personalities or internal traits. After finishing this book, I felt like I didn't really know or care too much about these two characters and found myself a lot more interested in the side characters.
Dani Pettrey is one of my favorite authors, and while I didn't love The Killing Tide, I enjoyed reading it and look forward to the next book in the Coastal Guardians series. I’m especially interested in finding out more about Noah Rowley and Rissi Dawson.
On a side note, the cover of this book is amazing!
My ⭐ Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
My review of this book can also be seen on my blog, here:
https://tglbookreviews.blogspot.com/2....
So this was how she was going to die….
The Killing Tide has all sorts of dangerous criminals posing a threat to the main characters from the very beginning. This book contains many of the things I love most about Dani Pettrey’s Submerged (one of my favorite books)—interesting family and friendships, action and adventure, thrilling suspense and mystery, an exciting water/dive rescue theme, and a cast of brave heroes and heroines.
That being said, I feel the main characters of this book (Gabby and Finn) are lacking depth, making it difficult to get invested in them. Their romance is also quite superficial and a bit too heavy for my liking, with more of a focus on physical/sexual attraction than their personalities or internal traits. After finishing this book, I felt like I didn't really know or care too much about these two characters and found myself a lot more interested in the side characters.
Dani Pettrey is one of my favorite authors, and while I didn't love The Killing Tide, I enjoyed reading it and look forward to the next book in the Coastal Guardians series. I’m especially interested in finding out more about Noah Rowley and Rissi Dawson.
On a side note, the cover of this book is amazing!
My ⭐ Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
My review of this book can also be seen on my blog, here:
https://tglbookreviews.blogspot.com/2....
August 1, 2019
The Killing Tide was packed with action right from the first page. Gabby Rowley was a very strong willed character whose actions sometimes frustrated me, mostly toward the first half of the book. I felt that she grew a lot within the pages of this novel, and by the end of the story, she had sorted out her priorities.
Finn Walker was a character that I really liked in The Killing Tide. We find that he and Gabby had a past relationship, which Gabby threw away for a job opportunity. The fact that Finn still cared for Gabby and willingly took on the responsibility for her protection, even after she broke his heart, made him stand out to me as a special person in this story.
I liked the way the team ran their investigation into the deaths that occurred toward the beginning of the novel. There were many team members to meet in this first book of the series, and hints of possible romantic interests for future stories. I loved the way this book concluded and am excited to read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Finn Walker was a character that I really liked in The Killing Tide. We find that he and Gabby had a past relationship, which Gabby threw away for a job opportunity. The fact that Finn still cared for Gabby and willingly took on the responsibility for her protection, even after she broke his heart, made him stand out to me as a special person in this story.
I liked the way the team ran their investigation into the deaths that occurred toward the beginning of the novel. There were many team members to meet in this first book of the series, and hints of possible romantic interests for future stories. I loved the way this book concluded and am excited to read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
December 16, 2019
The Killing Tide started out for me to be too many things going on and not enough information for this reader. It took to the middle of the story before it didn't seem like so much was going on, but I started to understand why so much started out in the beginning. I didn't like Gabby in the beginning, but I did like Finn as indicated he was one fine-looking man! You have to admire a man who was willing to put his whole heart on the line a second time after being dumped by Gabby before. I stuck with this novel because I have read several novels by Ms. Pettrey, and they were all in the ending enjoyable, this one proved to be also enjoyable fast-paced, a romantic-suspense novel that I anticipate from Dani Pettrey.
April 1, 2023
It isn’t every day I read a book that features the Coast Guard. Y’all, this book was a treat, simply because of that. The suspense and thriller aspects were fueled by a high body count, fairly brief chapters, and an action-packed plot. The murder mystery angle was intriguing to me, and the drug running and money laundering aspects felt realistic.
What was concerning to me—and disappointing—was the profane word, expletives, and sensual content. These things cast a lewd shadow over the story for me, and for this reason, I cannot grant more than three stars.
Content: profane word, expletives, sexual terms and innuendo, drugs, alcohol, tobacco
What was concerning to me—and disappointing—was the profane word, expletives, and sensual content. These things cast a lewd shadow over the story for me, and for this reason, I cannot grant more than three stars.
Content: profane word, expletives, sexual terms and innuendo, drugs, alcohol, tobacco
July 26, 2020
Suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat! The story was a bit confusing for me at first, maybe because it dived straight into the action without explanation, but a quarter of the way in I was hooked. I did not expect the person behind the crime to be who he/she was at all- the best thing for a mystery read! 3.5 stars.
August 13, 2019
This was an excellent debut to Dani's new series! It was a very easy and quick read but boy did it pack a ton of suspense and surprises within its pages. I love the new crew of folks we are meeting in the Coastal Guardians and I can not wait for ALL of their stories! This a series that will be on must read as they release pile! The story moved very quickly and flowed well throughout and it definitely kept me guessing. There multiple things that happened that I was not expecting. Highly recommend for anyone that loves great Christian fiction suspense stories!
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
August 19, 2019
The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey was a fast-paced thriller with a great romance mixed in. I loved Finn, who is trying desperately to do his job in solving the mystery, getting justice for his friend, protecting the sister his boss foisted off on him despite their past, and trying to convince Gabby to love him again. And then we follow the female coast guard team member, Rissi, every few scenes or two in her own attempt to solve the mystery- and try to ignore the ghosts of her past.
But, wow, hide yo husband, hide yo self if you are the husband- there's a widow maker running around over there.
Anyway, I loved Finn. He was too sweet to be here. Gabby was a reporter so, of course, she got on my nerves a bit. Yes, you should try to get to the truth. But some things are just too far when there are lives on the line. Oh, and the villain was spot-on creepiness.
To conclude, if you like romantic suspense, you will like The Killing Tide. So go enjoy!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.
But, wow, hide yo husband, hide yo self if you are the husband- there's a widow maker running around over there.
Anyway, I loved Finn. He was too sweet to be here. Gabby was a reporter so, of course, she got on my nerves a bit. Yes, you should try to get to the truth. But some things are just too far when there are lives on the line. Oh, and the villain was spot-on creepiness.
To conclude, if you like romantic suspense, you will like The Killing Tide. So go enjoy!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 17, 2019
Warning: you will need scuba gear complete with extra oxygen tanks to make it safely through this read! Yes, The Killing Tide is that breath-snatchingly good!
Pettrey has done a great job of setting up all the key players in this first book of her Coastal Guardians series. There are a lot of characters to meet up front which overwhelmed me a bit at first but I found it easy enough to sort them out as the story progressed. Loved how she gave each one some unique qualities that made them memorable. And the team dynamics are supremely divine! This is something that Pettrey excels at -- the camaraderie and banter, good natured jibes and competitive spirit. Men and women working as a cohesive unit and I'm busy fan girling the whole team! (And the author who created them.)
The reunion aspect to the romance is sublimely toe-curling and temperature rising! There's no question that Gabby and Finn care for each other but they were caught in a snarl of career vs love and Gabby cut and run because investigative reporting is in her blood. Now that she's back in a kind of protective custody arrangement, everyone is worried about her breaking Finn's heart again. And believe me, once you meet him, you'll become his champion too and you'll want to keelhaul anyone who dares hurt him!
But these two have more pressing problems on the horizon -- like murder and mayhem and some really evil villains (I don't know how the author sleeps at night!) And a twisty turny trail of clues that made me want to set up my own white board! I'm pretty proud that I kinda guessed the uber bad guy, though, -- full disclosure -- that's because I pretty much suspected everyone. :-)
One thing I found different from other books I've read by this author is her use of really short scenes -- some of them are just a few paragraphs and they switch among various points of view. I found it a bit choppy at first, but once I got into the rhythm I felt like it really enhanced the frenzied tension in the plot and encouraged me to read voraciously. So much so that I finished the book in one sitting.
In one word, The Killing Tide is unputdownable!
Pettrey has done a great job of setting up all the key players in this first book of her Coastal Guardians series. There are a lot of characters to meet up front which overwhelmed me a bit at first but I found it easy enough to sort them out as the story progressed. Loved how she gave each one some unique qualities that made them memorable. And the team dynamics are supremely divine! This is something that Pettrey excels at -- the camaraderie and banter, good natured jibes and competitive spirit. Men and women working as a cohesive unit and I'm busy fan girling the whole team! (And the author who created them.)
The reunion aspect to the romance is sublimely toe-curling and temperature rising! There's no question that Gabby and Finn care for each other but they were caught in a snarl of career vs love and Gabby cut and run because investigative reporting is in her blood. Now that she's back in a kind of protective custody arrangement, everyone is worried about her breaking Finn's heart again. And believe me, once you meet him, you'll become his champion too and you'll want to keelhaul anyone who dares hurt him!
But these two have more pressing problems on the horizon -- like murder and mayhem and some really evil villains (I don't know how the author sleeps at night!) And a twisty turny trail of clues that made me want to set up my own white board! I'm pretty proud that I kinda guessed the uber bad guy, though, -- full disclosure -- that's because I pretty much suspected everyone. :-)
One thing I found different from other books I've read by this author is her use of really short scenes -- some of them are just a few paragraphs and they switch among various points of view. I found it a bit choppy at first, but once I got into the rhythm I felt like it really enhanced the frenzied tension in the plot and encouraged me to read voraciously. So much so that I finished the book in one sitting.
In one word, The Killing Tide is unputdownable!
August 21, 2019
Dani Pettrey is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors. I love her writing style and her stories always keep you flipping the pages while furiously trying to figure out who the bad guy is! I also love how she incorporates the entire team into each of the stories in that particular series. By the last book, you feel like they are old friends!
I liked reading about this new group of characters and their relationships with each other. I also enjoyed that they were members of the Coast Guard, which is a branch of the Armed Forces that isn’t featured a lot.
My biggest issue with this story was Gabby. I felt like she not only needlessly put herself in danger, but others too. I also didn’t feel like it was realistic to have her help with the investigations, since she was not part of the Coast Guard. I also felt that there was just too much at play in this story, which made it seem a bit improbable.
Even though I didn’t connect with this story as much as I would’ve liked, I will definitely be reading the next story in this series. I think Rissi and Mason have an interesting history and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
I liked reading about this new group of characters and their relationships with each other. I also enjoyed that they were members of the Coast Guard, which is a branch of the Armed Forces that isn’t featured a lot.
My biggest issue with this story was Gabby. I felt like she not only needlessly put herself in danger, but others too. I also didn’t feel like it was realistic to have her help with the investigations, since she was not part of the Coast Guard. I also felt that there was just too much at play in this story, which made it seem a bit improbable.
Even though I didn’t connect with this story as much as I would’ve liked, I will definitely be reading the next story in this series. I think Rissi and Mason have an interesting history and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
August 5, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is the exciting first novel in Pettrey's Coastal Guardians series. It starts with action and doesn't let up until the last page. That's not to say that the book is short on romance, because it delivers a hefty amount of that as well.
I really liked and identified with Gabby's character and appreciated the journey she needed to travel in order to trust again.
One slight shortcoming is the sheer number of characters introduced. I get that it's necessary in the beginning of a series, but I thought that giving back story for so many of them was confusing. I hate to admit that when the ultimate villain was revealed, I had to turn the pages back in my book to figure out who the person was.
Overall, this is the truest definition of a heart-pounding romantic suspense novel--both the action and adventure and the love story make the heart beat in their own ways. I am looking forward to the next books in this thrilling series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is the exciting first novel in Pettrey's Coastal Guardians series. It starts with action and doesn't let up until the last page. That's not to say that the book is short on romance, because it delivers a hefty amount of that as well.
I really liked and identified with Gabby's character and appreciated the journey she needed to travel in order to trust again.
One slight shortcoming is the sheer number of characters introduced. I get that it's necessary in the beginning of a series, but I thought that giving back story for so many of them was confusing. I hate to admit that when the ultimate villain was revealed, I had to turn the pages back in my book to figure out who the person was.
Overall, this is the truest definition of a heart-pounding romantic suspense novel--both the action and adventure and the love story make the heart beat in their own ways. I am looking forward to the next books in this thrilling series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
August 1, 2019
Guess what is releasing this next week? Good news, right? Dani Pettrey is a talented author and one of my favorites in the romantic suspense genre. I've been anticipating this book for what seems like a long time. Oh and just a shout out to the cover! I love when a book cover represents what is inside so well. It just makes me happy. And I love those colors!!
You better buckle up for this book. Seriously. It is nonstop, petal to the metal, fast paced, forward momentum. I was sucked in from the first few pages and had a hard time putting this one down for "real life". haha. Sometimes with suspense novels, it's more about the plot than the characters. I don't know how Dani Pettrey does it, but there is such a fantastic balance of character building in the midst of a growing mystery and death defying scenes. It makes for such an awesome story.
I love the setting for this new series and also the homage it pays to some largely unsung heroes that protect our waters. I'll admit that some of it creeps me out (think underwater fighting, drowning and sharks!) but it's okay, I'm okay. 😨 It could never be my job but I sure am grateful for those who are our coastal guardians.
This book spotlights Finn and Gabby (I LOVE Finn! Gabby, not so much) but also introduces us to a team of people who this series will revolve around. The stage has been set for the next novel and once again, I am left anticipating the next book. It cannot get here fast enough.
Content: violence, death, Christian elements, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
You better buckle up for this book. Seriously. It is nonstop, petal to the metal, fast paced, forward momentum. I was sucked in from the first few pages and had a hard time putting this one down for "real life". haha. Sometimes with suspense novels, it's more about the plot than the characters. I don't know how Dani Pettrey does it, but there is such a fantastic balance of character building in the midst of a growing mystery and death defying scenes. It makes for such an awesome story.
I love the setting for this new series and also the homage it pays to some largely unsung heroes that protect our waters. I'll admit that some of it creeps me out (think underwater fighting, drowning and sharks!) but it's okay, I'm okay. 😨 It could never be my job but I sure am grateful for those who are our coastal guardians.
This book spotlights Finn and Gabby (I LOVE Finn! Gabby, not so much) but also introduces us to a team of people who this series will revolve around. The stage has been set for the next novel and once again, I am left anticipating the next book. It cannot get here fast enough.
Content: violence, death, Christian elements, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 3, 2020
The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing on The Killing Tide.
The good:
I've never read anything by Danni Pettrey before, but man can this woman write. Seriously, she kept me on the edge of my seat even in parts that weren't... amazing. She knows suspense, she knows mystery, and she's not afraid to write real characters that do real amazing and stupid things.
The settings were stellar; the pacing, off the charts. By the time I got just a few chapters in, I knew. This was a series I'd follow all the way through.
That said... there's...
The bad:
This will sound contradictory, but Pettrey wrote some seriously compelling bad guys. I LOVED hating her bad guys. I mean, isn't that one of the benefits of fiction? It's not a sin to hate someone who doesn't exist? Catharsis, baby! But then bad guy turns... stupid? I mean, at the end of the book, all the brilliant bad guy-ness is just conveniently inadequate to the task. Or, anyway, that's how it seemed to me. It felt that rather than the good guys out-smarting the bad guys, the bad guys just got tired and lazy. How convenient. As much as I hate saying that, it's true. Like I said to start off, she wrote COMPELLING BAD GUYS. I just wished they'd stayed compelling. It would have meant the "good guy triumph," had some real teeth to it instead of, "Oh, how convenient. We won." That's how it felt. :(
But then there was Gabby. What did Finn see in her? What are we supposed to see in her? Because, frankly, until the very end, there's almost nothing to like about her. She claims to care about her family and not want them hurt, but then she seriously makes every possible decision she can to ensure they are put in danger. Her job matters more than the people she claims to love most--and that began before the story began. You know, back when she dumped Finn for a job.
Look, I don't mind unlikeable characters. However, I need a reason for them to be unlikeable, and I really need a reason to change my opinion. Unfortunately, I just wasn't given one. In this book. Maybe throughout the series, that'll change. I really hope so.
The confusing:
I was confused in chapter two. Right off the bat. We have heroine showing up and... who are all these people? What connection to the story? Why do I care about--wait, what just happened?
Mostly, it had to do with lots of people showing up all at once and no idea who they were for pages upon pages.
Seriously, though. If that was all I saw, I might have ignored it. I mean, it happens. And sometimes, you just need to get your cast on the page and let them introduce themselves as it fits. I get that.
However, because of her personality, I'm still confused about what Finn saw in her. I want to love them together. I just... don't.
That said, I am not sorry I requested and received a free review copy, and I am definitely planning to read the rest of the series. I'm just certain it's going to be great. As far as this book goes, I enjoyed most of the story. It's better than most suspense out there, and I recommend it for readers who love suspense, enjoy military suspense, and like complex characters who don't fit perfect little boxes. Danni Pettrey's The Killing Tide will keep readers glued to the page to find out what comes next, and isn't that the best part of suspense?
The good:
I've never read anything by Danni Pettrey before, but man can this woman write. Seriously, she kept me on the edge of my seat even in parts that weren't... amazing. She knows suspense, she knows mystery, and she's not afraid to write real characters that do real amazing and stupid things.
The settings were stellar; the pacing, off the charts. By the time I got just a few chapters in, I knew. This was a series I'd follow all the way through.
That said... there's...
The bad:
This will sound contradictory, but Pettrey wrote some seriously compelling bad guys. I LOVED hating her bad guys. I mean, isn't that one of the benefits of fiction? It's not a sin to hate someone who doesn't exist? Catharsis, baby! But then bad guy turns... stupid? I mean, at the end of the book, all the brilliant bad guy-ness is just conveniently inadequate to the task. Or, anyway, that's how it seemed to me. It felt that rather than the good guys out-smarting the bad guys, the bad guys just got tired and lazy. How convenient. As much as I hate saying that, it's true. Like I said to start off, she wrote COMPELLING BAD GUYS. I just wished they'd stayed compelling. It would have meant the "good guy triumph," had some real teeth to it instead of, "Oh, how convenient. We won." That's how it felt. :(
But then there was Gabby. What did Finn see in her? What are we supposed to see in her? Because, frankly, until the very end, there's almost nothing to like about her. She claims to care about her family and not want them hurt, but then she seriously makes every possible decision she can to ensure they are put in danger. Her job matters more than the people she claims to love most--and that began before the story began. You know, back when she dumped Finn for a job.
Look, I don't mind unlikeable characters. However, I need a reason for them to be unlikeable, and I really need a reason to change my opinion. Unfortunately, I just wasn't given one. In this book. Maybe throughout the series, that'll change. I really hope so.
The confusing:
I was confused in chapter two. Right off the bat. We have heroine showing up and... who are all these people? What connection to the story? Why do I care about--wait, what just happened?
Mostly, it had to do with lots of people showing up all at once and no idea who they were for pages upon pages.
Seriously, though. If that was all I saw, I might have ignored it. I mean, it happens. And sometimes, you just need to get your cast on the page and let them introduce themselves as it fits. I get that.
However, because of her personality, I'm still confused about what Finn saw in her. I want to love them together. I just... don't.
That said, I am not sorry I requested and received a free review copy, and I am definitely planning to read the rest of the series. I'm just certain it's going to be great. As far as this book goes, I enjoyed most of the story. It's better than most suspense out there, and I recommend it for readers who love suspense, enjoy military suspense, and like complex characters who don't fit perfect little boxes. Danni Pettrey's The Killing Tide will keep readers glued to the page to find out what comes next, and isn't that the best part of suspense?
June 7, 2019
The Killing Tide follows in the way of Dani Pettrey’s previous titles with a strong mystery story, plenty of action and high-stakes suspense, and charming, faith-filled romance.
When investigative journalist, Gabby Rowley’s life is threatened by the drug lord she helped send to prison, her protective big brother, Noah, insists she return home with him to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he and his Coast Guard Investigative Service team can keep an eye on her. But when bodies begin to pile up, including one of their own, Gabby is drawn to the investigation, even if it means working alongside old flame and the man she left behind, Finn Walker.
The Killing Tide plunges readers straight into the story and lives of the many characters. It took me a little while to work my head around the plot and backstory. It felt like perhaps I had missed a prequel, like I should know these people and the people they know. Instead, the characters’ backstories are mostly filled in throughout the novel, while some are just alluded to, with more details perhaps to be revealed in the second book in the series. The writing jumps around a lot in The Killing Tide. The pace is very quick and the action, deaths, twists and investigation clues just keep coming. Some sections are only a half a page long, before they jump to another thread of the story, another character’s perspective, and then switch again. Once I got my head around who was who and how they fit together, The Killing Tide was an easy story to enjoy.
Aside from Finn and Gabby, there are a lot of other main characters, some of which share in the chapter perspectives. Finn and Noah, Gabby’s brother, are teammates, and their fellow CGIS unit are a tight-knit group. As Dani Pettrey often does, this book is situated around a strong family-like work team.
I really enjoyed the multiple threads of the investigation. Just when you think all the clues have been laid out, another death is revealed or another layer to the organisation was discovered. The end bad guy was a surprise and I liked how that was a plausible and clever reveal. All the main characters are strong men and women, equally capable of saving themselves and others - and they need to do so multiple times over.
The Killing Tide is a fun and exciting first book in a new series. Book two in the Coastal Gaurdians series is set to follow Rissi - another member of the CGIS team and the past that returns to haunt her.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
When investigative journalist, Gabby Rowley’s life is threatened by the drug lord she helped send to prison, her protective big brother, Noah, insists she return home with him to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he and his Coast Guard Investigative Service team can keep an eye on her. But when bodies begin to pile up, including one of their own, Gabby is drawn to the investigation, even if it means working alongside old flame and the man she left behind, Finn Walker.
The Killing Tide plunges readers straight into the story and lives of the many characters. It took me a little while to work my head around the plot and backstory. It felt like perhaps I had missed a prequel, like I should know these people and the people they know. Instead, the characters’ backstories are mostly filled in throughout the novel, while some are just alluded to, with more details perhaps to be revealed in the second book in the series. The writing jumps around a lot in The Killing Tide. The pace is very quick and the action, deaths, twists and investigation clues just keep coming. Some sections are only a half a page long, before they jump to another thread of the story, another character’s perspective, and then switch again. Once I got my head around who was who and how they fit together, The Killing Tide was an easy story to enjoy.
Aside from Finn and Gabby, there are a lot of other main characters, some of which share in the chapter perspectives. Finn and Noah, Gabby’s brother, are teammates, and their fellow CGIS unit are a tight-knit group. As Dani Pettrey often does, this book is situated around a strong family-like work team.
I really enjoyed the multiple threads of the investigation. Just when you think all the clues have been laid out, another death is revealed or another layer to the organisation was discovered. The end bad guy was a surprise and I liked how that was a plausible and clever reveal. All the main characters are strong men and women, equally capable of saving themselves and others - and they need to do so multiple times over.
The Killing Tide is a fun and exciting first book in a new series. Book two in the Coastal Gaurdians series is set to follow Rissi - another member of the CGIS team and the past that returns to haunt her.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
August 19, 2020
2ish stars. Maybe this just wasn’t the book for me, though I generally like Pettrey’s books. I really liked the setup for book 2, and I’ll definitely read that, because it sounds amazing, and I really enjoyed Rissi in this one! Her POV was my favorite.
Ok, now for the rest. I didn’t like the FMC. Really, she can be a bit of a jerk. I thought at one point her introspection would lead to a turning point for her, but it never did. She tried to be noble, but it really came off as more self-centered, “I don’t want to hurt you guys, so let me put myself in lots of danger and then refuse protection. I have a gun, anyway.” I understand the sassy, strong FMC, but Gabby just came off as rude and uncaring, like she couldn’t understand how much her actions could hurt others. Don’t get me started with how she treated Tess.
Second, I feel like I missed something with Gabby and Finn. One scene was all we got to try to understand why Finn would put up with her. We could’ve used a 50-100 page part 1 or a prequel novella. To me, Finn could’ve found someone who valued him more. He seemed like such a great guy that cared about others and just always wanted to do the right thing by people.
Third, it was a little more bloodthirsty than I care for these days, but that’s postpartum me talking, I think. There were just so many deaths. And gory ones, too. There came a point that if people died, I was going to put the book down, because it got to the point that I didn’t feel like it would really add anything to the story without completely being overblown.
Lastly, toward the end (this is a nit picky thing no big deal, really), Finn was talking to Caleb, and Caleb said he sicced Caleb on a suspect. So one Caleb was a mess up. Also, in the beginning Finn didn’t like Caleb much, but that didn’t hold up throughout the book. Weird, but didn’t affect my overall opinion or anything.
Anyway, there’s my opinion. It was fast-paced, I definitely wanted to know what happened and who was behind it, but there were several things that held me back from truly enjoying the story.
Ok, now for the rest. I didn’t like the FMC. Really, she can be a bit of a jerk. I thought at one point her introspection would lead to a turning point for her, but it never did. She tried to be noble, but it really came off as more self-centered, “I don’t want to hurt you guys, so let me put myself in lots of danger and then refuse protection. I have a gun, anyway.” I understand the sassy, strong FMC, but Gabby just came off as rude and uncaring, like she couldn’t understand how much her actions could hurt others. Don’t get me started with how she treated Tess.
Second, I feel like I missed something with Gabby and Finn. One scene was all we got to try to understand why Finn would put up with her. We could’ve used a 50-100 page part 1 or a prequel novella. To me, Finn could’ve found someone who valued him more. He seemed like such a great guy that cared about others and just always wanted to do the right thing by people.
Third, it was a little more bloodthirsty than I care for these days, but that’s postpartum me talking, I think. There were just so many deaths. And gory ones, too. There came a point that if people died, I was going to put the book down, because it got to the point that I didn’t feel like it would really add anything to the story without completely being overblown.
Lastly, toward the end (this is a nit picky thing no big deal, really), Finn was talking to Caleb, and Caleb said he sicced Caleb on a suspect. So one Caleb was a mess up. Also, in the beginning Finn didn’t like Caleb much, but that didn’t hold up throughout the book. Weird, but didn’t affect my overall opinion or anything.
Anyway, there’s my opinion. It was fast-paced, I definitely wanted to know what happened and who was behind it, but there were several things that held me back from truly enjoying the story.
July 1, 2019
Dani Pettrey starts off a new series with The Killing Tide, about a group of Coast Guard Investigative Service special agents. This one centers around Finn Walker, who is facing a very dangerous crime with little to no evidence, while at the same time dealing with the woman who broke his heart coming back into his life again. Gabby Rowley, sister of one of the Coast Guard special agents, and investigative reporter, is supposed to be in hiding because of a threat to her life. But Gabby has a mind of her own and doesn't want to stay hidden and keep her nose out of the crime that's taken place. The crime that the Coast Guard needs to solve, not her.
Pettrey once again gives her readers a book full of suspense and great characters. We get a brief glimpse of all the special agents, and know that they each will most likely have a book dedicated to them. Fans of Pettrey will delight in this kick off to her new series,
*My thanks the Bethany House for a complimentary preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
Pettrey once again gives her readers a book full of suspense and great characters. We get a brief glimpse of all the special agents, and know that they each will most likely have a book dedicated to them. Fans of Pettrey will delight in this kick off to her new series,
*My thanks the Bethany House for a complimentary preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
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