Fatal Encounter

Romantic suspense writer Gallant launches her Counterstrike series with a less than enthralling mystery set in rural New Hampshire. Jaimee Fleming left a career as a covert agent for a quiet life as a dog walker. When Maureen Croft, the elderly owner of her canine client, is murdered, Jaimee sees the murderer and is winged by his bullet before she escapes. Knowing the killer may come after her, Jaimee decides to find him first. She hides out with the victim’s dog until she encounters bland but handsome novelist Eli Croft, Maureen’s step-grandson, on whom Jaimee had a crush back when they were both students at Dartmouth. As she works with Eli to identify the murderer, Jaimee tries to overcome the trauma of her complicated past to trust the sizzling attraction that develops between them. The reader knows from the beginning who plotted the murder and why, so the only question is how the truth will be revealed. There are a few twists, but the overall lack of suspense creates a lukewarm feeling. (BookLife)