Also by this author: Don't Keep Silent, Present Danger, Deadly Target, Critical Alliance, Cold Light of Day, Shadows at Dusk, Hidden in the Night, Storm Warning
Series: Hidden Bay #2
Published by Revell on July 15, 2025
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Romance, Suspense
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Three years after her mother's suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder--and becomes a target.
More surprising to Jo than being in danger is the identity of the person who steps in to protect her--none other than her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Now a private investigator, Cole has been looking into her mother's death. If he can just uncover the truth, maybe Jo can end her self-imposed captivity and the two of them can pick up the pieces and build a future together.
As Cole and Jo search for answers, the past rushes in like a dangerous tide before the truth can be revealed.
Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard is the second novel in her “Hidden Bay” series, and what a novel it was! It is well connected with the first model; however, it stands well on its own. Goddard found the perfect balance between romance, faith, and suspense. I never have to worry about boredom with her novels! The action is well-written and quick-paced, and the dialogue is believable. I liked both Jo and Cole; they’re characters you cannot help but root for. Overall, though, there were a few things about Perilous Tides that I did not like. Would they prevent me from reading the novel? Absolutely not.
The plot of Goddard’s newest work is thorough, thought-out, and believable. I enjoyed it. Goddard kept me guessing, kept me awake, kept me thinking about Perilous Tides even when I wasn’t reading. The action scenes…sometimes had me asking questions. I had some qualms. How was the bad guy always able to find them? They move from one place to another, no mention of a tracker or anything of the sort. And somehow, the antagonist always locates Jo and Cole. Oh, there’s a bomb. Oh, we’re getting shot at, and wow, we’re getting shot at again. If they’re always taking precautions, how are they always in the crossfire?
The book had so many names, too many for me to follow at times. Maybe it was because I read the novel when I was tired, but I kept having to remind myself who characters were. Sometimes I didn’t, and I just gave up and continued reading. Additionally, while Goddard did a good job of explaining the antagonist’s motives, I wish he would’ve been in the book more prevalently. He’s more of a “hitman” style character than anything else
Overall, I enjoyed Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard. It’s exciting. It keeps you on your toes, and the tides do indeed rush you along like whitewater rapids. Jo and Cole are wonderful characters with good hearts. I’m looking forward to discovering what Goddard has in store for the third book.