Obsession

Natchez Trace Park Rangers Series, Book 2

By: Patricia Bradley

Narrated by: Rachel Dulude

Natchez Trace Ranger and historian Emma Winters hoped never to see Sam Ryker again after she broke off her engagement to him. But when shots are fired at her at a historical landmark just off the Natchez Trace, she's forced to work alongside Sam as the Natchez Trace law enforcement district ranger in the ensuing investigation. To complicate matters, Emma has acquired a delusional secret admirer who is determined to have her as his own. Sam is merely an obstruction, one which must be removed.

Sam knows that he has failed Emma in the past and he doesn't intend to let her down again. Especially since her life is on the line. As the threads of the investigation cross and tangle with their own personal history, Sam and Emma have a chance to discover the truth, not only about the victim but about what went wrong in their relationship.

©2021 Patricia Bradley (P)2021 Tantor

Awesome book

This book clears up the last book . I enjoyed the mystery of who done it!!!!lookin for to more books

Some unbelievable parts

Trying not to reveal the plot. Someone who has been shot at repeatedly would not be likely to stand in a home with the curtains and drapes open. Other similar issues might give too much away.

It was entertaining

The story is interesting because it has multiple layers of misdeeds and complex characters. The characters seem real with flaws and virtues. Forgiveness is examined, what happens when we do not forgive others or ourselves. Some characters harbor grudges for no good reason while others are genuinely abused and have a lot to forgive. The reasons why some self-sabotage relationships is discussed.

I liked the direct way in which the female protagonist is eventually confronted. I liked that there wasn’t a huge breakup then grand realization at the very end. The characters got to the place where they confronted their own flaws before the plot crisis came to be. It made the character growth better because it came from internal reasoning and spiritual growth rather than external crisis stirring feelings which may change once the crisis passes.

The plot revolves around a dead body found in a national park. I liked the information about archaeology and anthropology that is woven into the book. The author is good at making the audience have a sense of the vastness of the area covered as well as reverence for its natural and social history. She writes good descriptions.

I did not like that the plot crisis resolution and character epiphanies came within the last 40 minutes of the story. I also fast forwarded a few times to speed the story along. I didn’t do this too much. I find stories without humor and prolonged tension and make me anxious. The book could have been more interesting with some humor.

The themes are embedded in a really well done mystery with multiple layers. The clues are revealed a little at a time. The pacing seemed natural and did not lag too much, though as I said above, at times I did fast forward a small amount when I grew impatient.

The narrator was really good. It is worth the listen if you like a lot of suspense, multiple layered mysteries, good characters which develop better familial and romantic relationships.

All in all…pretty fun!

This is like my 4th or 5th book by this author and so far I’ve enjoyed them all! This book had a good storyline, but I think certain areas could have been focused and spotlighted on a little more and and maybe more finely tuned! The narrator did a decent job! Sometimes the accent seemed a bit over the top, but I’m certainly no expert on accents, AT ALL!
All in all, I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next one! I think some people get way too serious about these books! There here to enjoy, so that’s exactly what I intend on doing! They don’t have to be anywhere near perfect! I’m just grateful to have them! Thank you!

Worst of the series

How “independent” Emma was she put her son at risk repeatedly. It was frustrating to see her repeatedly make dumb choices

Main character is annoying

The main character is a spoiled brat. She’s unlikeable and annoying. She is being shot at and takes no precautions? She is petty and not very Christian like in her actions towards others. I know it’s a romantic story but this is over the top. Not my favorite book by this author.

Great storyline

I highly dislike the accent of the characters the narrator used. I live in the South near Natchez and her character accent sounds like the Cajuns’ accent. Cajuns are from the very deep Louisiana swamplands.
No one in Natchez talks with this accent. It is an embarrassment to Southerners!