REVIEW: Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard

Hi, Marji Laine here. I have been reading books by Elizabeth Goddard for almost a decade, and she never fails to totally wow me! The same can be said about PERILOUS TIDES. 

Ferry leaving Seattle for Bremerton

Her newest story begins in a place of my worst nightmares. Not the northwest—Washington is lovely—but being locked in a car that is sinking in the Puget Sound! I had to deal with serious horror as I read through the first chapter of PERILOUS TIDES. Talk about suspense! Wow! And oh, so good!

Beth is a master at the details and allows the reader to live through the story as well and better than some of the greatest suspense writers of our time. The research she does is amazing! For this book, it’s forensic science. I almost feel like I could be a forensic scientist after living in the skin of one for this ten-hour suspense-filled vacay. (Well, if I could draw worth beans! Lol!)

About the research, Mrs. Goddard says, “I based Jo and her mother off a real mother and daughter forensic art team who possessed a unique gift for portraying criminal depictions with extraordinary accuracy, so most of what I used to created Jo and write about her skills I gathered from this specific research.” So cool!

Jo is a wonderful character, rich and deep with layers of experience. “Jo’s experiences, her battles as well as the secrets and answers she discovers along the way, give her a strong sense of who she is and what her real purpose is as someone who will fight for justice against all odds, no matter the cost.” I really like her character, especially how smart she is. 

And I like the romantic confusion between her and her ex-boyfriend, Cole Mercer. That tension is palpable between them. I have to say, second-chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. Mrs. Goddard says, “I love second-chance romances, especially in romantic suspense. If the hero and heroine already have feelings for each other—good or bad—that gives the romance plot of the suspense novel a running start.”

The romance does start at an unexpected sprint, but the suspense races right alongside it. I don't want to give too much away, but history becomes vivid—events that I lived through and remember so clearly. I love how each detail has purpose! 

I also love that a couple of characters from the first book of the series play an important role in this one. I always like the revisits from past main characters. And I hope there is a future main character in this book. There’s a detective in this story that lays his life on the line to help Cole and Jo even though he doesn’t know them very well. I’m hoping we get to see him again. He deserves his happy ending too.

This is a strong suspense! One of my favorite so far this year, right up there with Patricia Bradley, Nancy Mehl, and Lisa Phillips. Here’s a little more about it:

High-Stakes Romantic Suspense from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard

Three years after her mother's suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder--and becomes a target.

More surprising to Jo than being in danger is the identity of the person who steps in to protect her--none other than her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Now a private investigator, Cole has been looking into her mother's death. If he can just uncover the truth, maybe Jo can end her self-imposed captivity and the two of them can pick up the pieces and build a future together.

As Cole and Jo search for answers, the past rushes in like a dangerous tide before the truth can be revealed.

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I can't wait for book three of the Hidden Bay series! DEADLY CURRENTS is due to release next February, but you can get your own copy of PERILOUS TIDES HERE! Leave a comment and you could win a $10.00 Amazon gift card!

I hope you LOVE PERILOUS TIDES!