Bree Taggert is back in Right Behind Her by Melinda Leigh, Book 4 in the Bree Taggert Series.
Even though the terrifying tragedy of Sheriff Bree Taggert's family happened 27 years ago, the history is always right behind her. Her younger brother Adam, a successful artist, wants Bree to return with him to see the family homestead, just the two of them. He was only a toddler when their dad killed their mother and then himself as Bree, their sister (now deceased), and Adam hid under the porch shielded by their big sister Bree.
It took all the courage she could muster to accompany Adam to the old farm where her hateful father had conducted his shady businesses and blamed Bree's mother when he beat her. She managed to walk into the house, but clearly she suffered the traumatic stresses of remembrance. When she and Adam went out to the barn, there was a visitor who'd camped out up in the loft. Bree took chase when she realized he'd just run out of the barn. Finally capturing him, backup came and took him to the station. But what Bree and Adam discovered out back and in the stranger's bed gave Bree's visit a whole new set of fears.
The political entanglement of the stranger presents a problem in the investigation of the bones they found which happened to belong to a 30 year-old cold case. Bree and her special investigator Matt, who is also her love interest, plus her detectives must ferret out the possible suspects, not the least of which is Bree's father.
When the investigation threatens Bree's family, it gets personal.
Melinda Leigh writes well and always gives the reader a good mystery with plenty of probables that don't make the investigation easy. Always entertaining, Bree Taggert is a strong and interesting character who tries to compartmentalize her emotions in order to remain in control. Her past has dominated her present, but towards the end of Right Behind Her she finally wants to set herself free from the trauma that has partially kept her bound. This is a good series, and I recommend it for mystery lovers who enjoy strong characters with touches of vulnerability and plenty of stone-cold villains in the mix.
Father, only you give good and perfect gifts, the source of inspiration. Thank you for them all and please continue to bless the life and career of Melinda Leigh. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.