Series: Carsons and Delaneys (Book 3)
A killer has been hiding for two years.
This Christmas, he’s ready to finish what he started.
He didn’t need her to care, so why did Wyoming loner Will Cooper’s world implode when Gracie Delaney quit helping him solve his estranged wife’s murder? Despite her ties to a rival family, the beautiful coroner had been the stubborn recluse’s one link to humanity -- and his last chance to clear the cloud hanging over him. But when Will and Gracie become the killer’s next target, reviving their platonic partnership is the only option. If only Gracie’s lips weren’t so tempting…
Good book that sucked me in quickly and kept me hooked. Since his wife's death two years earlier, Will was obsessed with proving that her death was murder. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to convince anyone in the sheriff's department that he was right, or even listen to his theories. His only hope was Grace, the county coroner, who has stayed in touch with him and occasionally fed his need for information.
Grace ached for Will. From the moment of Paula's death, he cut himself off from everyone who cared for him. She couldn't explain why she was so drawn to him and continued to check on him. She knew that for his sake, and her own, she had to stop feeding his obsession and hope that he would finally let it go. Instead, he just looked at her in confusion and shock and watched her drive away.
But Will finally found something to support his theories, and after a week of waiting for Grace to come back, he finally came down off his mountain looking for her. I ached for him as Grace confronted him about his obsession and the way it had taken over his life, asking him hard questions. Questions that brought emotions that he'd buried roiling to the surface, things that he didn't want to face, so he buried his hurt and pushed her away. Something else had also changed, and on his way home from that confrontation, Will was badly injured in an accident that was no accident.
From here to the end of the book I was glued to the pages as the tension continued to build. It quickly became clear that both Will and Grace were in danger as they pursued the leads that Will uncovered. At the same time, the chemistry between them also intensified and drew them closer together. I especially liked how having Grace in his life enabled Will to finally allow himself to feel again. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic and perfect for Grace.
The suspense of the story was very good. I loved that Will's instincts were right all along and that he didn't give up. I understood his and Grace's need to get to the truth, and their frustration with Laurel's strictures after the attacks on them. Their escape from the hospital was exciting, but I was most impressed by their decision after the motel incident. It was satisfying to see the cooperation among the various Carsons and Delaneys as they tried to piece together what they knew. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as I waited to see how it would turn out. The resolution was very satisfying as Will's suspicions were vindicated. One of the things I liked best was the realism of the fight scenes. Neither Will nor Cam were made out to be supermen but were honestly shown as handicapped by their injuries.
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