In this contemporary mystery, Paradise Alden has come back to her childhood town in Alabama. When she was a child, both her parents were murdered and the crime has never been solved. As a result, she grew up in a series of foster homes where in one case, she was abused.
She is now a veterinarian and accepts a job at the local wild animal sanctuary. The owner happens to be the mother of her first love, Blake Lawson. She feels he betrayed her confidence which prompted her being placed in the abusive foster home, and she struggles to forgive him. She has recently been attacked by a jaquar and is recovering from that injury.
As soon as she arrives at the sanctuary, a woman is murdered and Blake is the main suspect. A series of break-ins, sabotage, gun fire and arson occur at the sanctuary. Is someone trying to frame Blake? Who is committing these crimes and why is the sanctuary being targeted?
Can Paradise and Blake work together to find the answers and can Paradise discover who killed her parents and why? Blake’s faith has seen him through his military service and the tragic loss of his best friend. Can he help Paradise rediscover her faith?
This is from the back cover:
“The first book in the riveting new series from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble, where a young woman will do anything to uncover the truth of her parents' murder--even work alongside the man who once broke her heart.
Paradise Alden's childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then, life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love's betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust--in men, in God, and maybe in even in herself.
After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She's hoping the wildlife refuge where she's accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died. But the day she arrives at The Sanctuary, a body is discovered on the grounds. And soon, a series of deadly events threatens not only her future, but the man who, despite all odds, still makes her pulse stutter. Arson, a shooting, a break-in, and multiple instances of animals being freed from their enclosures all point back to him, but Paradise knows Blake Lawson isn't responsible. Not the man who has been helping his mother manage The Sanctuary these past six months and care for his stepbrothers in the wake of their father's death . . . even if his betrayal years ago cost her everything.
Someone dangerous is lurking beneath the town's moss-draped trees, and Paradise refuses to let another murderer disappear into the shadows.”
The first book in the series, this suspenseful romantic mystery will keep your attention to the end. There are some unresolved questions that I hope will be addressed in the future books of the series.
Faith plays an important part of the story but it is in no way offensive or “preachey”.
I look forward to the next book in this series, and give this a 5 out of 5 star rating.
I received a complimentary ARC** of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
**A word about ARC books. Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing. My reviews may include some things that vary from the final published book.
