REVIEW: Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters

Hey everyone!  I had the wonderful opportunity to read and review Natalie Walters' newest novel, Deadly Deceit, as part of the Revell Reads program.  Granted, I had never read any of Walters' novels before, but I'd heard so much about Deadly Deceit on social media that I decided to try it out.  Although it is part of a series (it's book two of the Harbored Secrets series), I was still able to follow its plot with ease.

SYNOPSIS

Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason - to do her job and get out.  When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth - and the next big story - is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost.  But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes.  False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called the Watcher force Vivian to fight for answers - and her life.

MY REVIEW

This book is fantastic, and arguably one of the best romantic suspense novels of this year (that I've read, anyway).  DeMarco and Frost work extremely well together, and I loved their chemistry.  Their back-and-forth is perfect and keeps the romantic subplot working, constantly under the pressures of finding the Watcher and keeping each other alive.  I have to admit that I absolutely adored the pop culture references in the book - lots of Disney and Marvel mentions, which I'm 100% here for all the time.  Early on, when DeMarco is referenced to as Rapunzel from Tangled because DeMarco wielded a frying pan, I decided that I loved the book.  The characters were almost tangible and their struggles were very real.  

Within the book, there are several instances where minor characters are featured, having received a threat from the Watcher.  While it was initially difficult to see why they were featured and then dropped off the radar temporarily, every character and every threat is interwoven as DeMarco and Frost get closer to finding the Watcher.  The plot is constantly moving and keeps you guessing until the last possible second - it's not one of those crime dramas where you know who the villain is right off the bat.  

While there were some parts of the book that were a bit slower, I ended up reading the last hundred pages or so all in one sitting, with only one brief intermission so I could remember to blink.  The characters and plot were written well enough that I could jump right into the book without any prior knowledge from the first book, Living Lies.  I appreciated that about Deadly Deceit, and it definitely encouraged me to check out Living Lies as well as the upcoming books in the Harbored Secrets series.  After reading this, I think Natalie Walters can join Lynette Eason for the ranks of my favorite romantic suspense authors!  

Have you read Deadly Deceit or Living Lies from Natalie Walters yet?  What did you enjoy most?  If not, do you plan to read either of them?