Saturday, 8 May 2021

*** NOTHING LIKE A GOOD MYSTERY *** REVIEW *** BRIDGED by Kendra Elliot

 






After a congressman’s tortured body is found dangling from a Portland bridge, the FBI joins the Oregon State Police to investigate the case—and FBI Special Agent Ava McLane, still recovering from a bullet wound, hunts the twisted killer alongside the man who captured her heart, police detective Mason Callahan.

But once a third body appears and all evidence points to a serial killer, the public furiously clamors for answers—and the couple’s relationship grows fractured under the pressure. Ava and Mason search in the past for clues that predict the future. And when Ava’s mentally ill twin spins out of control, the FBI agent who battles monsters every day wonders if she shares her sister’s self-destructive streak…

In the latest thrilling romantic suspense novel from award-winning author Kendra Elliot, the past and the present violently collide…and the fallout can be deadly.




Bridged is the second book in the Callahan & McLane series.  McLane and her FBI team join Callahan and the Portland police in a murder investigation when the victim is identified as U.S. Representative Carson Scott.  Within the next few days two more men show up dead, hanging from a local bridge.  The State Police and the FBI are working together to find out how these deaths are connected.  They know if they can’t find a connection, they will find another body hanging from a bridge. 

The mystery in Bridged is a challenge and tense.  I enjoyed following the police on their quest for clues.  The author takes us down several paths, but I was as stumped at the police.  There did not seem to be any reasons behind this murder or a clear direction pointing to who and why.  I love a mystery that holds back the big reveal until late in the story. 

I am equally happy with the way Elliot developed Mason and Ava’s relationship.  While it picks up immediately after the events of Vanished, their concerns, discussions, and actions are adult and more realistic to me.  The author gives us insight into their fears and hopes with some internal dialogue, but they both talk through their concerns with one another.  Well done!

I’m still mulling over the sub-plot of Ava and her twin sister Jayne.  It is an interesting component of the novel even if it is over the top sometimes.  I want to know how it plays out, but the way Jayne pulls Ava from the case, makes me wonder how long she can continue with the FBI. 

Mason Callahan is a compelling, loving, and an excellent detective.  His biggest flaw right now is his insecurity in his relationship with Ava.  He lets his experience with his ex-wife second guess some of Ava’s actions.  His worry over their age difference is getting old to me, as a reader, even though it is a short amount of time in the book world.  

Mason is bothered by Ava’s response to her twin.  Ava doesn’t share everything about her sister up front, although they do talk.  I was a little disappointed that Mason didn’t connect with his son.  It felt like he was going to spend more time with him after the last book.

Ava is a strong, successful agent, but she is lacking in strength in her personal life.  She is concerned about her sister, who lives on the edge, always getting in trouble.  Ava waffles between cutting all ties with Jayne, and corralling Jayne to get her back in rehab.  It is a tough road for her, but Ava does what she can.

Overall, Bridged (great title for this book) is a good second novel in this series.  I stayed connected to the main characters, enjoyed the quest for the killer and the reasons behind the deeds.  It is a good mix of mystery and romance.  I’m ready for the next installment.  While this book will work as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first book for the backstory. 

4 STARS



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