Review: Still Life by Dani Pettrey

It isn't often that the second book in a series exceeds my expectations. However, the second book in Dani Pettrey's Chesapeake Valor series is as good, and maybe even better, than the first.

Cold Shot, the first book in the series, introduced Griffin, Finley, Parker, Avery, Declan, Tanner, Kate, and Luke (who is missing and presumed dead by all except for Kate). The second book, Still Life, picks up nine months after the end of Book 1 and, except for brief explanations for why some of the friends have moved into different work positions, gets right into the action.

Synopsis: Blacklisted in the photography business over a controversial shot, Avery Tate answered an ad for a crime scene photographer. She expected to be laughed at, but crime scene analyst Parker Mitchell hired her outright--and changed her life. But six months ago, when her feelings for Parker became too strong, she left his employ to sort out her heart.

Now, for the first time, Avery is facing the world that rejected her to attend the gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, who modeled for the show. But the only image of her friend is a chilling photo of her posing as if dead--and the photographer insists he didn't take the shot. Worse, her friend can't be found. She immediately calls Parker for help. As Avery, Parker, and his friends in law enforcement dig into the mystery, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.

The search for Avery's friend, Skylar Pierce, is as creepy as it is thrilling. Is Skylar dead? What had she been up to in the days leading up to the gallery exhibit? Did she cross the wrong people? Why can't Parker and Avery find her? Since I'm trying to keep this review spoiler free, I'm not answering any questions, but I highly encourage readers to pick up a copy of the book and read it. (For the male reading population who wouldn't ordinarily pick up a romantic suspense novel, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how little of the book focuses on the "will they or won't they get together" romance aspect.)

As with the first book, there is a subplot dealing with human trafficking that I expect will pay off in the fourth -- and final??? -- book in the Chesapeake Valor series. In the meantime, I am eagerly awaiting the third book, Blind Spot, which is set to be released in October 2017.

Highly recommended, with a suggestion for the author and publisher: How about spinning a Charm City Investigations mystery series out of this series? Author Pettrey has created characters who work well together and have experience in several different law enforcement areas. A series of mysteries featuring these friends seems like a logical thing to do.

Rating: 5 Stars

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.