I think Double Take is now my top thriller/mystery read of the year, maybe ever! With high, personal stakes, deep themes relating to relationships and family, and a great worldview, Double Take is a stellar read.
Here is the blurb from Goodreads for context before getting into the review:
Detective James Cross has been honorably discharged from the Army Criminal Investigation Division due to wounds sustained when an IED blew up near him. Now with the Lake City Police Department, he’s rooming with this good buddy and partner, Cole, while he figures out his family dynamics.
Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson is eighteen months out from an attempted murder perpetrated by her ex, which ended when she managed to grab the weapon and shoot him. When he appears to have survived and is back to finish the job he started, Lainie insists it’s not possible. But someone keeps trying to kill her, and she keeps seeing his face.
Together, Lainie and James must work together to find out who, exactly, is after her and why he wants her dead. And failure is not an option.
USA Today bestselling author Lynette Eason will leave you breathless with this fast-paced first book in a brand-new series
Ratings for Double Take
Story: 5/5
Worldview: 5/5
Story
I normally dislike prologues, but Double Take picks up at breakneck speed from the first page and doesn’t let up until the very end. The tension is strong and the plot twist at the end really threw me for a loop! I loved the suspense–it really never felt convenient or contrived for the sake of keeping the reader interested.
In terms of the characters, Lainie and James were awesome to follow. I especially loved their moments together, and not just because of the romance. They are in their 30s, and they actually speak like it. They don’t dance around pretense or act like lovesick teens. James and Lainie own up to their flaws, call each other out, listen when the other asks for help, and I loved their mutual respect for each other.
Lainie’s arc has to do with dealing with setting boundaries but also trying to be there for her family. That really resonated with me, and I loved the way the author broached the subject. James was a strong, protective male lead, but he also wasn’t afraid to admit when he was hurt or needed help. He would ignore the pain and work through it, but he was also vulnerable as well. The characters really felt mature and that added so much depth to their interactions.
Worldview
The novel is written from a Christian worldview, and the faith elements really shine here. The characters pray to Jesus, not just in dire moments but also for guidance and wisdom. Lainie talks about her testimony of coming to Christ and how that impacts her relationship with her parents. I loved that just because they’re Christian doesn’t mean they don’t have flaws that need to be worked out–especially with James’ father.
Another theme dealt with in the novel has to do with mental illness. Lainie and James both struggle with PTSD and mention therapy, but they also rely on prayer and grace from God. I know therapy can be helpful, but sometimes contemporary fiction idolizes therapy and ignores Christ, so I like that this author didn’t do that. I also loved the nuances in the family relationships and the difference between having grace but also setting boundaries. So many difficult topics were discussed but in a sensitive way.
Content Notes
Violence: mentions of gunshots and gunshot wounds (not descriptive), gashes and injuries (not descriptive); a character is kidnapped
Other: Two characters are mentioned as having an extra-marital affair (they are not Christian); one character was mentioned as having committed suicide (off page); one character prays with a rosary; reoccurring mentions of domestic violence (emotional and mental) and abuse (physical and emotional).
Overall Thoughts
This was a phenomenal read, and I’ll be picking up the next books in the series for sure! If you are looking for an engaging thriller with strong themes of faith and family, I highly recommend this book. And it was great getting to meet some of the characters who will feature in the upcoming books too!
Book Information
Title: Double Take (Lake City Heroes #1)
Author: Lynette Eason
ARC: No
Published: January 9th, 2024
Genres: Adult, Christian fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Romance
