Review on Silenced by Dani Pettrey

Submerged, Shattered, Stranded and now Silenced- all title’s in Dani Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series and I must say that I have enjoyed each one as you get to know up close and personal the McKenna siblings and all the many suspenseful happenings in their lives. I have to say that I really was looking forward to this one as this time it was Kayden MeKenna’s turn. This is the McKenna  daughter who looked exactly like her mother, but ever since her death had remained  pretty closed off to those around her. The story opens with a bang as Kayden finds a dead body while she is out on one of her recreational rock climbs- so much for a relaxing rock climbing experience.  Kayden teams up with  former police detective Jake Westin (Cavanaugh) as he is coaxed out of retirement by newly appointed local Sheriff Landon Grainger - (Piper McKenna’s fiance’.) As this case unfolds and the two are working closely together to crack it we get a closer look at Jake’s  back story as well- a police detective with a sad story- a case gone wrong which ended the lives of his wife and their precious daughter, not yet born. As the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, a whole other mystery pops up, one which is very dangerous for both Kayden and Jake, but which also draws them closer and closer together. 

I have to say that this story begged the question- “what drives you?” If you think about it we are all driven by something- whether it be fear, guilt, revenge or love, and we get to choose what that might be. Our choices then dictate the course that we set ourselves on.  As the stories of Kayden and Jake come out more fully and even the “bad guy” of the story, it is a clear picture of what drives each character.  I feel it is very well done and so all those choices make sense  and play out well in the storyline . And so  for instance, we understand why Kayden is the way she is in terms of extreme self- discipline with her health etc., and  we get it why Jake’s has a  fierce protective side towards Kayden. And  so of course, that leads to why it makes total sense that Kayden and Jake are attracted to each other and how they help each other see that the thing that we should be driven by is a relationship with God, any other forces lead to ruin. The suspense part of the story, as usual is well played and you will find the pages turning faster and faster towards the end of the book as you reach the climax of the story. 

I am very glad to have discovered Dani Pettrey and have really enjoyed this series. I know that I will be among the many that will be greatly looking forward to the next book in the series- Sabotaged which tell’s Reef McKenna’s story, oh Spring of 2015, hurry up and get here! 

5 stars

I was graciously given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.