Always Look Twice (Uncommon Justice, Book Two)

ELIZABETH GODDARD

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, Revell, 2019.

How acquired: Via the Revell Reads Blogger Program

First line: Harper Reynolds inched forward, hoping she hadn't made a mistake in coming there.

My thoughts: I loved the first book in this series, so much, that I was excited to see this book on offer from Revell, and thrilled to learn I was getting a copy. And the book did not disappoint!

Once again most of the action takes place in Grayback, Wyoming, and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Harper is a crime scene photographer who has taken a sabbatical from photographing crime scenes to photograph nature instead. But while photographing a bear, she inadvertently witnessed a murder – a man shooting a woman. That first chapter brought the action on quick, and the pace continued throughout the book. When the shooter turns his sights on Harper, Heath McKade comes to the rescue. Harper and Heath were best friends as kids, but haven't seen each other since Harper's father was murdered and her mother moved her and her sister, Emily, away.

We met Heath in the first book, which was about his brother, Austin. Austin ticked a lot of boxes for me – former FBI agent, cowboy, a secretive tortured hero – and Heath ticked those same boxes, except instead of former FBI agent he's a part-time deputy, which works just as well. He's also a cowboy, running a guest ranch, and while not particularly secretive he's still a tortured hero, with emotional wounds that run deep.

Ms. Goddard is very good at keeping tensions high! There is a harrowing ride in a camper, and every time Harper was out anywhere I was constantly on edge waiting for a rifle shot to occur. As in the first book, the characterizations are very well done, as is the narrative descriptions. Not to mention the descriptions of Harper taking photos and some of the process she uses for documenting crime scenes. We also meet Liam, another brother, partway through the book, and I'm very excited to know that his book is coming next.

I know it sounds cliché to say, but this book is truly a thrill ride from beginning to satisfying end.

Goodreads synopsis: While photographing the Grand Tetons, Harper Reynolds unwittingly captures a murder on film. But when she loses the camera fleeing the scene, can she and rancher Heath McKade find the camera and solve the murder before the killer makes her his next victim?