To catch a killer

…will she risk a life?

When a childhood friend and her family are killed on their Montana ranch, Detective Luna Griffin finds it especially gut-wrenching.

To solve the case, she must work with the victim’s brother, Benjamin, who’ll do anything to get justice for his sister.

But the by-the-book cop must bend the rules­ while not falling for the ex-marine. Until one bullet—and long-buried secrets—threatens everything…

Titles in the Big Sky Justice series include — Danger in Big Sky Country —♥— Her K-9 Protector —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

Title:  Danger in Big Sky Country
Series:  Big Sky Justice #1
Author:  Kimberly Van Meter
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Published:  December 27, 2022
Publisher:  Harlequin Romantic Suspense
My Rating:  4.5 stars

I was caught up in Danger in Big Sky Country from the first page, and the need to continue until the end overpowered the need for sleep this time.  What begins as a horrific crime slowly escalated into so much more with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming at all.  Suspected something more, perhaps, but when they happened it was startling… and when an author can make me jump as if I was watching a movie, well, they certainly had my attention.

Benjamin returned home under the worst of circumstances at the death of his sister and her entire family.  His hatred toward his hometown, and toward events that happened there have kept him far, far away, and only returning on very rare occasions.  Something that he deeply regrets now but cannot change, all he can do is find the monsters who did this… and he certainly doesn’t trust the small-town police force to be able to fumble their way to satisfying answers.

Luna has to set aside her own grief, and her own regrets about the death of her friend and find who could have excuted this senseless massacre without leaving a trace to begin to find justice.  As a police officer, this is her case and the last thing she needs is the victim’s brother showing up thinking he can step into the investigation for his own form of vengeance.  What begins as a reluctant admission on Benjamin’s and Luna’s part that they probably could learn more by working together will soon cross into an interest that neither was looking for but exists nonetheless.

I liked and felt empathy for both Luna and Benjamin for different reasons.  They are realistic in their grief, their determination to find the killer, and the slowly growing feelings that are developing between them.  Their backgrounds are far different as well but equally a part of this story.  I enjoyed the way that Luna’s heritage and her own family problems were slowly brought into the story in a way that explained so much yet left options open for the continuing stories yet to come.  There is so much more to come in the Big Sky Justice series, and I cannot wait to discover more.

There are surprises in Danger in Big Sky Country which kept me fully engaged in Luna and Benjamin’s story until the very end.  And that epilogue *chef’s kiss* was perfect for this couple.

If you enjoy a well-written, intense, and realistic Romantic Suspense that will keep you flipping pages and perhaps, losing sleep then this story is exactly what you need.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent.*

Danger in Big Sky Country releases on December 27, 2022.

Available in print or for your favorite e-reader.