Fatal Strike {A Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.

As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is Director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Conference, and Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

Connect with DiAnn here: diannmills.com

I read a LOT of suspense/romantic suspense novels, but I have to say right from the start Fatal Strike struck me as different than most of those. Where often those novels feature a main hero and well, we'll say damsel for lack of better term (though not always a completely accurate descriptor either), this romance was between two FBI agents. As such, the crime aspect seemed to really focus more on the investigation--- reminding me very much of the fantastic procedural type TV shows that so many enjoy. I thought this was a great change--- and while I cannot say I know much of anything about the inside working of a murder investigation, I felt like this seemed very well researched. I certainly believed it. I really enjoyed that aspect of the story.

But I do always love a good romance. This one was a sweet romance, but quite subtle too. It was certainly there and a focus of the story, but I really did feel like the crime was at the forefront of the story at all times.

Fatal Strike had a lot going on...a whole cast of characters who all seemed to be keeping secrets, making it difficult to figure out the whodunnit. I will say at times it was a little confusing trying to keep up with who was who with so many names to recall, but I liked that it kept me guessing too. Just when I thought I'd start to figure it out, more secrets would be revealed having me second guessing everything I'd read and assumed up to that point. There were a few places throughout that did seem a bit rushed, but overall it was a really great story that kept me on the edge of my seat!

If you love a good romantic suspense, Fatal Strike is certainly one to check out!