Series:
Eagle Mountain: Critical Response (Book 4)
He can't keep his secrets
If he wants to save her
Search and rescue rookie Caleb Garrison has just
retrieved a skeleton from a mine shaft. Forensic reconstructionist Danielle
Priest wants to give this Jane Doe a face. Even though he's intensely attracted
to Danielle, Caleb knows that his past makes a new relationship impossible --
especially with a woman expecting a baby. But when their investigation puts
Danielle in danger, he'll stop at nothing to protect her and her child.
This was one of the most interesting and enthralling
books I have read in quite a while. The book opens as Caleb is about to descend
into a mine shaft to retrieve a skeleton recently discovered. Though a little creeped out at first, as a
historian, Caleb soon finds himself wondering about the victim's story.
The story then switches to Danielle, a forensic
reconstructionist in Denver. When she ends her relationship with the assistant
district attorney she's been dating because of his reaction to her pregnancy,
she also quits her job with the Denver coroner's office. Her mentor has invited
her to visit him in Eagle Mountain. The last thing she expected was to be asked
to help identify the Jane Doe from the mine. I was fascinated by Danielle's
work as a forensic reconstructionist. I did not know the science and artistry
behind giving a victim a face. Danielle clearly enjoys the challenge of her
chosen occupation, in addition to being emotionally committed.
Like Danielle, Caleb has a failed relationship in his
past. I ached for him and his feelings of shame over being taken in by a con
artist. His backstory was heartbreaking, and I understood his reluctance to
talk about it. When he learns that the bones belong to a young woman, he wonders
if they could belong to the wife he hasn't seen in two years. He has a PI
looking for her so he can serve her with divorce papers.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Danielle and
Caleb develop. Neither is interested in anything more than friendship, as Danielle
is wary of trusting her judgment, and Caleb is technically married. I liked
watching them get to know each other as Danielle worked on the reconstruction
and hung out together. It doesn't take long for trust to build between them or
for sparks of attraction to appear. I liked how their similar relationship woes
made understanding each other's issues easier and ultimately made them realize
they were perfect for each other.
When Danielle's reconstruction was complete and the
"face" was released to the public, it was interesting to see how many
people thought she looked familiar, but no one could positively identify her. In
the meantime, Danielle gets to know a neighbor woman who is also pregnant. I liked
how she and Carissa bonded; they looked like they would become good friends.
A lot is going on in the story. Caleb's search for Nora turns
up surprising results with a shocking resolution. Danielle finds her talents in
demand and contemplates remaining in Eagle Mountain. She becomes worried about
her friend Carissa, who she suspects is being abused by her husband. And the
identity of the Jane Doe is on everyone's mind. I was glued to the pages as the
pieces started to come together, but I did not expect what happened next. The final
confrontation was a nail-biter that had me on the edge of my seat until it was
over.
The epilogue was a great wrap-up to the book and detailing
of what was in store for the various characters. I hope there will be more
Eagle Mountain stories.
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