Action and intrigue

Many fiction authors gain fan loyalty by developing characters within a series. These four books—each part of a series—provide plenty of action and intrigue, some with romantic undercurrents. 

Steven James’ newest thriller is Broker of Lies (Tyndale 2023). After losing his wife in a house fire, Pentagon redactor Travis Brock finds strange clues in a FOIA request. The document submitted by DHS operative Adira Halprin points to arson. Brock is determined to find answers for his wife’s apparent murder, but he isn’t your typical hero. He’s a reclusive nerd. Halprin, an expert in covert operations, makes up for his lack of bravado. The duo uncover a shady group planning a nuclear attack that may have ties to the arson case. The edge-of-your-seat action seems to ­conclude neatly, but the twist ending ensures a follow-up book.

In Cold Pursuit (Bethany House 2023) by Nancy Mehl, former FBI analysts River Ryland and Tony St. Clair need a fresh start after a near-­fatal encounter with a serial killer. They move from Virginia to Missouri to open a private detective agency. Their first client is a mother searching for her son who disappeared four years prior. Meanwhile, the janitor who cleans their office building suffers from schizophrenia, and his erratic behavior puts them in danger. Tony, a Christian, helps River navigate her thorny family situation.

Cold Light of Day (Revell 2023) is the first book in Elizabeth Goddard’s Missing in Alaska series. Shadow Gap police chief Autumn Long is suddenly overwhelmed with a spate of crimes in her normally quiet town. Newcomer Grier Brenner always seems to show up when least expected. Can she trust him, or is he the reason for the rising body count? Plenty of suspense and plot twists keep the pages turning, along with a smattering of romance. The dialogue is sprinkled with mentions of faith and knowing God’s purpose.

Natalie Walters concludes her most recent three-book series with Blind Trust (Revell 2023). This book focuses on Lyla Fox, a member of the SNAP—Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency—a covert team tasked with national security. While chasing down illegal gun runners and counterfeit money smugglers, Lyla’s fearlessness borders on recklessness, much to the concern of fellow SNAP member Nic Garcia, who is developing serious feelings for her. Blind Trust can be read as a standalone, but the previous two books are worth reading to learn the backstories of this fun and unique cast.