Dr. Evelyn Talbot, psychiatrist and founder of Hanover House, can finally breathe and live her life to the fullest. When Evelyn was sixteen, Jasper Moore kidnapped her and nearly killed her after viciously tormenting her. It has taken years, with Jasper close on her tail, and managing to finally grab her, but Jasper has finally been caught and is in prison. Although Evelyn works with the psychopaths who are in her facility, she finally feels safe. Evelyn is now engaged to Alaska State Trooper Amarok, and they are expecting their first child.

After heading home from work one day, Evelyn is kidnapped. Now that she is far along in her pregnancy, it is all Evelyn can do to stay alive and to keep her baby safe. Amarok is beside himself because it seems like Evelyn disappeared into thin air. Evelyn doesn't know who has taken her, and what his ultimate motive is. So, Evelyn does all she can to escape.

I have followed this series from the very first novella, Hanover House, and am just as impressed with this as I have been with every other book in this series. When I finished the last book, Face Off, I really felt that Evelyn and Amarok could lead normal lives.

When it comes to the kidnapper, prepare to be surprised. While this book could do okay s a standalone, this story, and what happens to Evelyn definitely ties back to a previous title. I think readers will be as pleased as I was if they were to read the entire series.

I really hope that this series continues, and just as as I read this book months ahead of the release date, no doubt I will do the very same thing again. Brenda Novak's books are not the type of books to sit on one's TBR for too long.

Many thanks to St. Martin's and to Edelweiss for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )

3.5-star read

Dr. Evelyn Talbot has worked long and hard to establish Hanover House, a one-of-a-kind prison and mental health research facility. Initially, the inhabitants of Hilltop, Alaska were opposed to bringing a bunch of psychopaths to their town and it didn't matter that they would be locked up in a secure facility. But the facility was built despite the N-I-M-B-Y attitude, and despite a rocky start and several area murders, the facility and the workers became accepted, especially Evelyn Talbot after she began a relationship with Alaskan Trooper Benjamin "Amarok" Murphy. Amarok is well-loved and respected in Hilltop and that love and respect gradually transferred over to Evelyn. Now that they're engaged and expecting their first child, the residents of Hilltop are just as anxious about the nuptials and expectant delivery as the waiting couple/parents-to-be. Then Evelyn disappears. Amarok finds that she's been abducted from their doorstep. His first suspicion is that Evelyn's old nemesis, Jasper Moore, must have escaped from Hanover House but he's still safely behind bars. He then checks on the one other person he presumes might have a motive to kidnap Evelyn, but this person suffered a massive brain trauma and other physical injuries is still hospitalized in the lower 48. Evelyn's pregnancy is a high risk given her age and the injuries she sustained from her teenage dealings with Jasper. Amarok has no clues on who took Evelyn or where she might be? How can he find her in time? Will he be able to find her in time?

I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Hanover House a few years ago, so of course, I had to reread it along with Her Darkest Nightmare, Hello Again, and Face Off before I read Blind Spot to refamiliarize myself with Evelyn, Amarok, and Hanover House. I found Blind Spot to be a fast-paced and engaging read but also slightly different from the previous books in this series. Although there is murder, intrigue, and even mayhem, this book didn't seem as dark as the others. Both Amarok and Evelyn remain hopeful and optimistic throughout this ordeal, primarily because of Evelyn's pregnancy but also because of their love, faith, and trust in one another. Having said that, we are also exposed to a side of Amarok we've never seen before. This is an emotionally distraught Amarok and one living on the edge, giving up sleep, and willing to do whatever he can to find his loved ones. Blind Spot is an interesting romantic-suspense read because the romance is one-step removed. Throughout most of the story, Evelyn and Amarok don't see one another and can't talk to one another, but their love sustains each other. When others have given up hope about finding Evelyn, Amarok keeps going, and Evelyn knows throughout all of her trials and indignities that Amarok will find her no matter what. If you've read the previous books in the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, then I strongly encourage you to grab a copy of Blind Spot to read. For those of you that enjoy suspense thrillers with a touch of romance, then I encourage you to start with Hanover House and read through to Blind Spot. I sincerely hope this isn't the end of the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles because I want to know what happens next (trust me, that will make sense after you read Blind Spot). For now, I guess I'll just set these books aside and simply reread them in a few months.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. This review originally published on 08/25/2019 at https://www.thebookdivasreads.com/2019/08/2019-book-256-blind-spot-by-brenda-nov.... ( )