Calculated Revenge

by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Tormented by her sister’s killer, a single mother is desperate to protect her daughter in this twisting romantic suspense novel.It’s been eighteen years since Laney Thompson’s sister was abducted and killed, but the pain Laney feels has never faded. And now the murderer is back, taunting Laney with mementos of her sister and threatening Laney’s young daughter. School principal Noah Ryder is her best hope for protecting her daughter—if she can convince the former investigator to take the case.As the killer closes in, Laney begins to uncover dark and disturbing secrets. But without Noah’s help, how can she piece together the puzzle before her child—like her sister—is lost to a killer’s revenge?

Genres: Love Inspired Suspense, Love Inspired, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Christian, Fiction

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Jill Elizabeth Nelson writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith, earning her the tagline: Endless Adventure, Timeless Truth. Jill speaks regularly at conferences, writer’s groups, library associations, and civic and church groups. When teaching classes for writers, she thrills to bring the Ahah! moment to her students as they make a new skill their own. Jill and her husband live in rural Minnesota where they raised four children.

Reviews

[Brooke Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book packed the suspense from the start! There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Laney and Noah were barely a half step ahead of the danger the whole time. I really enjoyed it! I liked their relationship and how their tragedies that once pushed them from God brought them to Him. I will read more from this author for sure.

I checked this book out of the library and am sharing my honest review.

[JaneReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laney discovers a backpack on the school playground that was owned by her sister, who disappeared 18 years ago. How did it get there and why? I was sucked right into this story and couldn't put it down. The case kept me guessing who was responsible. The romance did develop kind of quickly, but it helped knowing that they had worked alongside one another for almost a year before anything happened. The 8 year old daughter had some great lines and made me smile. The reveal of the villain shocked me. Very well done.

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new to me author. And I really enjoyed this book! While parts of the plot were slightly predictable many things surprised me! I really liked the characters, Laney and Noah were great and Laney's daughter Briana was adorable!

Overall, this was a really nice suspense story, and while it didn't quite make my favorites shelf, Calculated Revenge was a story that definitely kept me flipping pages!
I recommend it! :-)

[charmaine White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Done

Jill Elizabeth Nelson wrote a really good story.I couldn't put this one down.Mystery,thrills,suspense and a plot that you hold you from the very beginning to the end.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The different suspects and the shock at the end had me enthralled!

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book towards the end of the book but it was hard to get into the beginning. But the middle and ending were great.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eighteen years ago, Laney Thompson's eight year old sister went missing. After an extensive FBI investigation with no clue but a large amount of Gracie's blood, the case went cold. But as she was on playground duty one day, Laney found her sister's backpack - just the way her sister had it all those years ago. She runs hysterically, first to her eight year old daughter, then to the principle, her boss,

Loving parents, a mutual attraction with the principle, a sweet eight year old daughter, and several interesting characters set this book up to be a marvelous read.The action and romance are both exciting and kept me turning pages until the end. Once I started reading this, I could hardly put it down. I loved both Laney and ex-PI hero, Noah. An over-zealous FBI officer made my skin crawl, but added an element of excitement to the book. Other characters who are later introduced also added to this book.

Though I figured out the motive and the 'who' early on, I was still surprised at the twists (and the who and why) that came out in the end. Very good story!

[Paula Hrbacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laney Thompson is a special education teacher in Cottonwood Grove Minnesota. She finds a backpack on the playground during recess. It belonged to her sister, Grace, who was abducted eighteen years ago. Laney blames herself for not watching her autistic sister.
Noah Ryder, the school principal, used to be a private investigator. He has always been attracted to Laney, but is afraid to love again because his fiancée was killed in a FBI investigation and he blames himself for her death.
At first they assume that the kidnapper has come back to go after Laney’s daughter, Bianna, but as they uncover clues, they find more motives that go back all the way to her childhood. Each character needs to learn about forgiveness in order to let the past go.
The story is well told, and has several false leads. Once the story picks up, it is a page turning chase scene. Although it isn’t anything new, it is still captivating and believable.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laney Thompson's autistic sister was abducted and killed when she was eight. It is now 18 years later and the killer is back taunting Laney and threatening her daughter. School principal Noah Ryder who happens to be a former PI ends up helping Laney find who is threatening her and who killed her sister.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This love inspired book was very relaxing. Laney and Noah had faith in themselves and each other to get through their so-called guilt of doings in their past. They trusted each other and that is why their mystery was solved.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sad story about a family's loss and it coming back to haunt them. I thought that I had figured most of it out, but was actually shocked when I found out who did it. Ended up staying up late because I couldn't put this book down until I got to the end.

[Pianosue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspense.

[Melenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good book, great summer read!!

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an exciting mystery but it seemed wordy and slow read. The ending was exciting and surprising. It was an ok read.