Also by this author: Don't Keep Silent, Present Danger, Deadly Target, Critical Alliance, Shadows at Dusk
Series: Missing in Alaska #1
Published by Revell on February 7, 2023
Genres: Fiction, Christian, Romance, Suspense
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Police Chief Autumn Long is fighting to keep her job in the quiet Alaska town of Shadow Gap when an unexpected string of criminal activity leaves her with a wounded officer, unexplained murders, and even an attack on her own father. Despite her mistrust of outsiders, she turns to Grier Brenner, a newcomer who seems to have the skills and training Autumn needs to face this threat to her community.
Grier is in Alaska for the same reason so many others are--to disappear--when Chief Long enlists his help. He emerges from the shadows and proves his mettle, but his presence in her life could be a deadly trap for them both. If his secret is exposed, all will be lost. And he's not sure even Autumn could save him.
As the stakes rise and the dangers increase, Autumn and Grier must rely on each other to extinguish the deadly threats.
Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard joins the ranks of romantic suspense novels set in the frigid north of Alaska. At this point, I couldn’t tell you how many Alaska books I have read, as for some reason or another, it seems to be a very popular setting. Elizabeth Goddard is a talented, imaginative author who no doubt entertains her readers. The truth, however, is that Cold Light of Day fell short for me for a variety of reasons. That being said, I did not dislike it enough to not read the upcoming books in the Goddard’s “Missing in Alaska” series.
I struggled with the chemistry between Autumn and Grier. They were like oil and water. You can mix the two substances in a cup as much as you want. The oil might dilute, but it will never combine with the water completely. Mistrust and secrets are on every page of Cold Light of Day, and instead of pushing Autumn and Grier apart, they bring the two together. Granted, the danger probably contributes to that, as well. No one can handle high-stakes situations completely alone. And while Autumn mistrusts outsiders for the most part, for some reason she defends Grier—a man with big things to hide.
For me, the book moved too slowly. Nothing much happened until halfway through the novel, and then everything happened at once. This includes the professions of love, which took me by complete surprise. As I said, I didn’t feel the connection. Acknowledging the attraction and deciding to explore it? I could believe that. But love? Nope, Goddard lost me. Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard is exciting, with unexpected twists but a predictable ending. Dramatic? Yes. Did I read it quickly? Yes, as I did not want to put it down.
That was not, however, because I had an emotional attachment to the characters. I wanted to know how Goddard managed to bring all the story’s crazy elements together. Amazingly, she succeeded. I really like Elizabeth Goddard and am looking forward to the series’ second book. Cold Light of Day just was not one of her better novels.