Dangerous Game

Dangerous Game, features female deputy Trish Franklin, in this second book in the series. I liked the first book so much, I couldn't wait to read this one, and I wasn't disappointed. The plot twists and turns, there are a variety of suspects as far as who is playing a dangerous game trying to set Grey Larson up to go back to prison. As the plot unfolds we understand the characters and what drives them. Grey Larson has just come home to Winfield after seven years in prison for causing the a fatal car crash. Trish Franklin picks Grey up hitchhiking his first day in town and soon comes to believe he's a changed man. For one, he got saved in prison and he really seems to want to turn his life around, but many in the town are far from ready to forgive. In one heartbreaking scene, Trish's dad, instead of reading the Bible verse at the Sunday services causes an ugly scene because Grey is sitting in the pews. In additon, someone is playing a dangerous game, mimicking the game of chicken Grey played as a drunken youth that cause the fatal accident. Someone is driving an old car through thick fog scaring other motorists and Trish and the Sherriff are afraid they will have another fatality soon. Who is trying to set up Grey by playing this deadly game of chicken came as a surprise to me. Lyn Cote doesn't shy away from the hard issues of alcoholism, drunk driving, as well as how vengence debilitates and the need for forgiveness.

This novel had me in high expectations from beginning to end and would not let me set it down. Many suspense novels let the reader down with too many red herrings, too few revelations or insights and then reveal all in a page or two in the last chapter. Lyn Cote's novel, Dangerous Games, is one of the best suspense stories I have read. Plots and characterizations develop, unfold and then reveal....with new plots and characterizations taking over and holding the reader's interest and excitement throughout the story. When I finished the book, I was so glad there was still the third one in the series because I did not want to leave this little town and its heartwarming people by Lake Superior. Amidst the cascading plot lines, Lyn has included contemporary issues, interesting and real personalities, local culture, interpersonal love and conflict, and forgiveness. Her basic premise that if we only keep striving to overcome the struggles of life while putting our faith in God, "good" will win out over "bad," gives the reader renewed hope in human kind and in our own ability to live the good life.

Grey Lawson returns to Winfield after being paroled from prison. After causing this fatal hit and run accident, how dare he return to this community where the wounds have yet to heal? Trish Franklin, the town's female deputy, is stuck tight in the middle. As a law officer and Christian, she must seek the truth, but when accidents begin to escalate --- accidents a little too close to that terrible past event --- can she find the culprit? Can Trish protect the town as well as Grey from the town? Can she protect her heart from the dangers Grey poses? In this second novel of the Harbor Intrigue series, Lyn Cote grabs the reader with the first paragraph! Wow! What a way to lead into the crux of the book and the suspense! This second book steps up the suspense a couple of levels and shows Lyn Cote's skill at creating suspense in an inspirational romance. Dangerous Game draws the reader into both the suspense, the characters, and the romance. The hero and heroine are well matched here and their dilemmas deep and intriguing. In terms of the inspirational aspect of this romance, once again Lyn Cote provides the reader with meditations on two well chosen scriptural passages and real life issues sometimes difficult for people and Christians in particular. In her "Dear Reader" note at the end of the book, Lyn Cote reflects upon the figure of Judas Iscariot. Her inscriptions talk about 2 issues: 1. God trying people like silver is refined (Psalms) and 2. faith as being more important over works lest one boast (Ephesians). The apostles never had to deal with Judas returning to the community, but the residents of Winfield have to deal with the return of Grey Lawson. Can divorce have that Judas feel of betrayal? Sometimes even a child caught up in the middle feels like a Judas pulled in two directions even though the child is innocent. Sometimes the loss caused by death and grief feel like a betrayal to the loved ones left behind. How can a Christian deal with betrayal and the Judas figures that try his/her faith? How does a Christian community deal with betrayal, wrong deeds and the one who betrays when they come back to the community with a scarier history than the Prodigal Son? How does the community deal with those who did nothing wrong, like children of divorce? Lyn Cote examines all these types of betrayals and more in this inspirational novel with many suspenseful twists and turns. I applaud Lyn Cote for bringing alcoholism and AA into the context of a Christian community. Lyn Cote does not simplify or shy away from these tough issues in an inspirational romantic suspense novel and thus she enriches the depth of inspirational fiction. As with the first book, Lyn Cote's writing skill can be seen in the multi-level readings offered. Dangerous Game can be enjoyed as a light inspirational romance but can also provide reading groups and individuals with interesting discussion points for a more thorough examination.