Jersey Girl Book Reviews: Closer Than She Knows by Kelly Irvin (VBT: Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Closer Than She Knows by author Kelly Irvin!

Closer Than She Knows by Kelly Irvin

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: June 9, 2020

Format: Paperback - 352 pages

Kindle - 897 KB / 352 pages

AudioBook - 11 Hours 39 Minutes

Nook - 741 KB / 352 pages

ISBN: 978-0785231868
ASIN (ebook): B081MR171K

ASIN (Audible): B082DQ164J

BNID: 978-0785231875

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

Book Description:

A serial killer bent on revenge . . . and striking too close to home.

Teagan O’Rourke has always loved murder mysteries. In her job as a court reporter, she has written official records for dozens of real-life murders. She’s slapped evidence stickers on crime scene photos. She’s listened to hours of chilling testimony. But she’s never known the smell of death. And she never thought she might be a victim.

Until now.

A young police officer is murdered just inches away from her, and then a man calling himself a serial killer starts leaving Teagan notes, signing each with the name of a different murderer from her favorite mystery novels.

Panicked, Teagan turns to her friend Max Kennedy. Max longs for more than friendship with Teagan, but he fears she’ll never trust someone with a past like his. He wonders how much of God’s “tough love” he can take before he gives up on love completely. And he wonders if he’ll be able to keep Teagan alive long enough to find out.

As Teagan, Max, and Teagan’s police officer father race to track down the elusive killer, they each know they could be the next victim. Desperate to save those she loves, Teagan battles fears that once haunted her in childhood. Nothing seems to stop this obsessed murderer. No matter what she does, he seems to be getting closer.

Book Excerpt:

“We’re almost there, Ms. O’Rourke.” Officer Moreno came to a full stop at the corner of Park and Academic Court, where the glass-covered police department recruitment center and property room facilities glinted in the late-afternoon sun.

A smile brought out dimples on Moreno’s cherub-cheeked face. Her assignment to escort a court reporter and the evidence to the property room was almost to the halfway point. Teagan had told Moreno to call her by her first name, but the patrolwoman couldn’t seem to manage it. “I’ll get us through security, we’ll stow the evidence, and I’ll have you back to your car in a jiffy.”

Did people still say “in a jiffy”? Teagan’s grandma might, but this woman was no more than twenty-four. A couple of years younger than Teagan. She studied the officer’s face as she turned onto Academic Court and accelerated. The woman was for real. A straight shooter determined to be successful in a man’s world.

Teagan smiled, but Moreno had already returned her gaze to the road, hands at the proper ten and two positions on the wheel. “I know there’s plenty of other things you’d rather do than babysit evidence—”

The driver’s side window exploded.

The force knocked Teagan’s head against her window. Sudden pain pricked her face. Fragments of glass pierced her cheeks and forehead.

The car swerved, jumped the curb, and crashed into the wrought-iron fence that protected the academy.

Was this what Mom felt the day she died? The inevitability of it?

Air bags ballooned.

Teagan slammed back against her seat.

I’m sorry, Max.

I’m sorry I never said it.

A second later the bag deflated. The smell of nitrogen gases gagged her. Powder coated her face. The skin on the back of her hands burned.

Time sped up in an odd, off-kilter tick-tock.

Teagan struggled to open her eyes. Pain pulsed in her temple. Her stomach heaved. Waves of adrenaline shook her body as if she’d grasped a live electrical wire.

I’m alive. Today’s not my day to die.
The evidence. Protect the evidence.

My Book Review:

In Closer Than She Knows, author Kelly Irvin transports the reader to San Antonio, Texas for an intriguing Christian Romantic Suspense story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

Teagan O'Rourke is a court reporter, who knows the criminal justice system inside out, she comes from a family of law enforcement officers.

Max Kennedy is a retired Army medic and now a part-time Youth Minister, who is romantically interested in his friend and fellow church group volunteer, Teagan.

Teagan becomes the target of a person claiming to be a serial killer, when he starts murdering people close to Teagan, and leaving her his signature calling card, tantalizing letters ending with literary fictional characters. Teagan's father, Dillon O'Rourke is retired from the San Antonio Police Department. Dillon recognizes the serial killer letters, and thinks the serial killer has Teagan in his cross-hairs to get personal revenge. Can Teagan, Dillion, and Max find the serial killer before time runs out and he gets to Teagan, or is the serial killer closer than she knows?

Author Kelly Irvin weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the third person narrative that follows Teagan, Max, and Dillon as they search for the serial killer before he can get to Teagan. The reader will be easily drawn into this action-packed and well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, possible motives, and clues are uncovered during the search for the serial killer. Just when you think you know who the serial killer is, the author teases the reader with more possible suspects until the surprising ending. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I loved the intertwining of a Christian themed story with intriguing suspense, and the close friendship and angsty underlying attraction between Teagan and Max, you can't help but hope that they find love amongst the craziness of the search.

Closer Than She Knows has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

RATING: 5 STARS

About The Author

Kelly Irvin is a bestselling author and two-time Carol Award finalist. She is a former newspaper reporter and retired public relations professional. Kelly lives in Texas with her husband, photographer Tim Irvin. They have two children, three grandchildren, and two cats.

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Contest Giveaway

Win A Copy of Closer Than She Knows

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Harper Collins and Kelly Irvin. There will be 1 winner of one (1) CLOSER THAN SHE KNOWS by Kelly Irvin (Print). The giveaway begins on June 22, 2020 and runs through July 26, 2020. Open to U.S. addresses only. Void where prohibited.

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