Patricia Bradley is the author of Counter Attack and Fatal Witness, as well as the Natchez Trace Park Rangers Series, Memphis Cold Case Series, and Logan Point Series. Bradley is the winner of an Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, a Selah Award, and a Daphne du Maurier Award; she was also a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. She makes her home in Mississippi.
I this interview, Patricia talks about the third book in her Pearl River Series, titled Deadly Revenge.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, Deadly Revenge?
Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.
That’s where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.
As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled when another suspect comes into play, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?
FF: The main character, Jenna Hart, is back home in Pearl Springs working for the police force. Why do you think readers are drawn to stories where their main characters return to their hometowns?
There’s just something about coming home and reconnecting that appeals to readers and people in general. When we’re young, we often think we have to leave our roots and go out into the world in order to become successful, but most of the time we learn—like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz—there’s really no place like home.
FF: Part of the backstory of Deadly Revenge is the construction of a dam that caused people to lose their homes and the resulting grudge that kicks off some of the action. Can you tell us more about that? Why do you think events of the past have such impact on actions in the future?
As I started brainstorming about Deadly Revenge, a friend reminded me of the effect eminent domain had in our county years ago. There are people I know who still hold a grudge over losing their property. Wars have been started over boundary line disputes, and while we didn’t have a war in my little corner of the world, some of the events in the story are based on what happened when our state used eminent domain to condemn land for a new four-lane highway.
As for events of the past affecting the future, I think some events simmer below the surface until something triggers an explosion. Homeowners rarely take kindly to losing their home and land that had maybe been in the family for generations, so it was easy for me to envision someone brooding about losing their property.
FF: Jenna and a former colleague, Agent Maxwell Anderson, are supposed to protect a public servant from Pearl Springs who is expanding into national politics. What makes this character particularly vulnerable to attack?
The public servant was mayor of Pearl Springs and the one who pushed through the dam and reservoir that took property that had been owned by the same families for generations. He is also hard to protect as he is campaigning, because by its very nature, a political campaign is public, making him an easy target. He is also arrogant and has made more than one person angry. That makes discovering who his attacker might be even more difficult.
FF: Thinking of antagonists, why do you think it’s important for readers to understand the motivation behind seemingly random or unforgiveable actions that cause harm to other people?
I think understanding why an antagonist does terrible things is one reason people read. In real life, we often never know the motivation of a person who does horrible things, but in a novel, when a reader can see the motivation behind an antagonist, it helps them to understand how this might happen. I also think showing justice being served gives comfort to readers as well.
Jenna and Max have a past that includes romantic attraction. What are the factors that have kept them apart until now?
FF: In the beginning Max was her boss, and even if it hadn’t been his police department policy, he would not cross that line. Also, he’d recently been dumped by his fiancée, and he was hurting.
Jenna didn’t think Max was interested in her after he left the Chattanooga Police Department for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and didn’t contact her. She went on to date and become engaged to another detective who broke her heart. So at the beginning of the story, she doesn’t trust men and is not interested in dating a cop in particular. Plus she is angry with Max for never getting in touch. She feels he let her down too.
FF: What are the challenges they currently face as they feel those old attractions ignite once more?
They both have trust issues, Jenna especially when Max doesn’t believe her. It takes seeing the strength and character and love in each other to overcome their distrust.
FF: What do you love most about writing romantic suspense?
I love the intrigue and twists that my mind comes up with as I torture my main characters.
Deadly Revenge
Pearl River Series #3
Patricia Bradley
Revell
Genres: Mystery/Suspense, Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 5, 2024
ISBN-10: 0800741641
ISBN-13: 978-0800741648
Book Summary:
Old grudges, new attractions, and a killer bent on revenge
Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.
Agent Maxwell Anderson used to work with Jenna in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.
As the sparks of romance reignite and the threads of the investigation get tangled, Jenna and Max will have to draw on all of their skills to stay alive and prevent the wave of disaster poised to hit the community of Pearl Springs. The question is, can either of them fully trust that the other has their back?
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