Standoff

Standoff is the first book in a new series called Natchez Trace Park Rangers by Patricia Bradley. Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down. The setting was a great mix of historic small town and eery wilderness. The pages are filled with mystery and suspense with a bit of romance. With the villain being someone who is supposed to defend the law, it becomes a real mess trying to figure out who can be trusted. This brought about many plot twists as the story develops. The romance did not overwhelm the story and is sprinkled throughout. Overall, it was a fast read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

3.5 stars

While I really enjoyed the solid mystery and the relationship between the two characters, it simply didn't catch me and sweep me off my feet. It could easily be a problem with my mood. However, it's a solid story and I really in particular enjoyed the adult relationship the two leads have: instead of pouting and weeping like kids, they have real conversations about issues. They meet problems head-on.

The one gripe I have is the semi-pedantic reiteration of the supposed position that “legalized drugs will make marijuana less profitable to gangs” which is not proven by the numbers in states with legal drugs and was rather laughable in a gang which was transporting heroin. I live in a state that legalized two years ago and the only result is the consumption of an extra few tons of weed. There was also a very alarming suggestion of someone wanting to take it legally for seizures, which is not a suggested use (is actually dangerous) and the studies about seizures are done with an extract, not with “medical marijuana” which is not standardized and is warned against by the American Epilepsy Association. There was no end note to specify where the author sourced her data on this opinion.

Drug issue considered, I'd recommend this book to those over 18 because of the drug aspect.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. My review is based on a final copy from my library.