Standoff

Standoff by Patricia Bradley

3 stars.  Thanks to Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for sending me this book to review. 

This is the first in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series.  Brooke Danvers is becoming a Law Enforcement Ranger.  She is ready to be commissioned by her father, a LE ranger himself,  and work  while learning from him.  Unfortunately, there are many road blocks in her way to becoming LE Ranger Brooke Danvers.  This book starts out with drug, money laundering, and accounting books that the numbers don't add up.  Within the first chapter you are introduced to Brandon who is gathering information to build a case to show the unlawful actions of his employer.  Chapter 2 you are introduced to Luke Fereday (former high school sweetheart of Brooke Danvers) who is working undercover back in his home town.  His excuse for visiting is his grandma Daisy's recent surgery and her needing care following rehab.  Chapter 3 another character is introduced- Kyle- the father of Brandon- who is staking out a drug drop going down within the national park.  As you can see multiple characters, multiple story lines, and that is where I struggled with following the book and finding the story believable. 

I liked Brooke a lot, but felt like it really was more Luke Fereday's story- high school jock returns to home town, while no one knows he is undercover trying to find evidence to put a major drug dealer behind bars.  I liked the premise of setting mystery/murder in a national park.  Alas, just not the right mystery for me.