I love Pettrey’s writing and have been eagerly anticipating this final book in the series. However, I did not enjoy Dead Drift as much as the previous ones. It was harder to follow as the story flip flopped between several of the characters; however, I did appreciate the resolution to the running storyline throughout the series and would recommend Dead Drift if you have been reading the entire series.

I’ve really enjoyed Dani Pettrey’s Chesapeake Valor series and I thought Dead Drift was a great conclusion.

While I initially didn’t really love the terrorism plot line that first appeared in book two of the series, I thought it worked really well here. It really takes center stage and I was invested it. The secondary mystery circled back to an on-going investigation from the first book and the killer of Griffin’s little sister was finally revealed. I thought the mixture of the urgency and the emotional were balanced much better here than in the previous book, which was probably my least favorite of the series.

I really liked Luke. I was excited for him to finally take a central role and he didn’t disappoint. I would’ve loved to hear a little more of his time away, but I thought the reasons for his disappearance and silence for seven years was well explained, as well as how he felt about it. I liked Kate more than I thought I would, but she’s definitely not my favorite female lead of the series. I loved seeing the whole gang all together. They are a very likable group and I will miss reading about them.

I only have two real complaints. I didn’t like that we didn’t get very much time with Parker and Avery at all. All the other characters got a good amount of page time, but I didn’t feel like they were very present which disappointed me because they’re my favorite couple of the series. I also didn’t like that there’s a really big moment in the conclusion of the terrorism plot line that was just mentioned after the fact instead of being able to experience it with the characters. I thought Pettrey did a really good job with the all the action scenes up to that point and would have liked to have seen that important moment.

Overall, I really enjoyed Dead Drift. I thought the mysteries were intriguing and I really liked getting Luke’s POV. As always, I thought Pettrey did a good job with the Christian elements of the story. It’s never preachy, but just an organic part of the characters’ lives. I’m really going to miss these characters and look forward to the author’s next series.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars

I could not wait for this book to be released. Knowing this was going to be the last book in the Chesapeake Valor series I wanted to savor every second. Instead of reading it all in a day like I wanted to, I forced myself to make it last over several days. It was fun wondering what could possibly happen next, and I enjoyed the anticipation. Pettrey does suspense like no other, so you can imagine my difficulty in setting the book down in the first place, much less multiple times. If you have read any of the other books in this series you know how much I was dying to hear Kate and Luke’s story. Getting to know Luke, he couldn’t be more swoon-worthy. Sure he went MIA for 7 years, but he was only saving our country and all. Surely Kate can see that he always cared about her, shouldn’t that be enough? Unfortunately Luke can’t devote all of his time to gaining favor with Kate, there is also a major threat to the country they both love.

Facing his past has always been a difficult thing for Luke. Being sent on one mission after another keeps his mind occupied and gives him less time to think about the what if’s. His current mission gives Luke no choice but to return to those he loved and left behind. They are not only a group he knows he can trust, but all incredibly smart and gifted in their areas of expertise. With threats coming from all sides Luke will need all the help he can get. Can the team find and stop the terrorists bent on killing so many innocent people?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense. The characters are easy to love, and a lot of fun to watch. I could picture myself being whisked away to safety, and was holding my breath waiting to see what was next. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Dead Drift is an adventurous, mysterious, Faithfilled story. Now isn't that all what we are looking for? It is a twister of a story for sure. Now, I would be remised if I left out the romance between Luke and Kate - that is the undertow of the whole story. Now they have to overcome the proverbial mountain they must climb to get to that romance - trust and forgiveness. Will they be able to do that while they fight the criminal fight? Will they find true love in each other? Will they follow GOD's will for them? This is the fourth book in the Chesapeake Valor series and the author, was able to continue on with the other character's stories along with developing these character's stories. She did a fantastic job.

Dead Drift brings the Chespeake Valor series to an exciting conclusion. From book one to book four you get the chance to know these amazing and brave group of hereos and you get to experience love, suspense and adventure with each of them. In Dead Drift, what was lost finally comes home and there is a terrorist threat that faces the county. The hereos join forces and work together to bring down the dangerous villains. You also get to see an eight year search for a killer come to a very exciting end. You get to see a lost love reclaimed.

I cannot say enough good things about this series. You get to experience emotions that keep you engaged from page one right up to the end of each book. I love the faith that each character possessed. I also love that as a Christian I can read an amazing book and feel happy and pumped up after it because it was an exciting but CLEAN read! It is a book where heroes fight exciting battles and where you have romances where women are respected and boundaries are maintained because of the faith of each character. Pettrey is an author with a God given talent and I love a series like this that comes from that talent.

The final installment of the Chesapeake Valor series ends in a thrilling suspense novel to savor! We finally get to meet Luke Gallagher who's remained a mystery from the start. He disappeared seven years ago on a secret mission and broke Kate Maxwell's heart in the process. Back with some chilling news about a biochemical terriost attack on US soil, he once again joins the gang to stop the threat & catch the assassins all while trying to win back Kate's affection. Will he be successful in both missions or is it too late already?

Fast-paced & gripping, I absolutely loved the edge-of-your seat feel to Dead Drift, as well as getting Luke's story at last! We now know where and what he's been involved in for the last seven years. His one regret is leaving Kate for so long when his missions with the CIA took him far away from home tracking down a terrorist. Getting to know the past relationship between them and what they needed to work through was fascinating to learn. I loved how both Luke & Kate fueled each other with their faith in God who would see them through and be by their side no matter what. Watching Luke grow in his faith & prayer life was the highlight for me. There's also a secondary mystery to solve with Griffin's sister Jenna's murder. With the help of his wife Finley, they track down the clues to close this cold case. Pettrey knows how to seamlessly weave these two together to make a story to keep you on your toes and following along with much loved characters. She's also not afraid to let her faith show in her stories, there's many reminders of how God will see me through my hard times in life. I admire authors who let the light & love of Christ shine in their books.

If you are like me and enjoy a good Christian romantic suspense to keep you up at night not wanting to miss a moment, this book (plus the whole series) is one I highly recommend! Dani Pettrey is a not-to-miss author.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own *

Brimming with adventure, intrigue, suspense, and romance, Dead Drift is the riveting conclusion to Dani Pettrey’s Chesapeake Valor series. Although it can be read as a stand-alone book, I think it’s more enjoyable to read the series in order, as the characters in the previous books also play large roles in this one. Speaking of characters, Pettrey is a master at creating emotionally layered, realistic ones, which she then throws into all sorts of dangerous, risky settings. It’s a good thing they all have their individual skill sets, because they need them to get out of the predicaments, save the country, and see that justice prevails. I enjoyed the messages of courage, hope, and forgiveness that were woven into the story and added extra depth to it. If you like action-packed, thrill-a-minute, books that keep you on the edge of your seat, this series is for you.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful conclusion to this series! I was riveted the entire time I was reading! It is definitely an edge of your seat suspense book. The author has done an excellent job with the research and details within the book. Luke’s story was worth the wait. The relationships between the friends and now their wives and girlfriends was so natural. I’m going to miss spending time with them. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views all my own.

My thoughts: DEAD DRIFT is the fourth and final book in Ms. Pettrey's Chesapeake Valor series, mostly set in Maryland. These characters do get around. Fans will want to read the books in order, Cold Shot, Still Life, Blind Spot and DEAD DRIFT since it is all the same team and there is at least one investigation in common for all four books.



DEAD DRIFT's primary storyline was about chemical warfare that was planned to be launched on USA soil. I won't lie and say this was easy reading. A lot of the chemical talk went right over this readers head, and I was somewhat confused by a lot of it. I also tended to skim when they began talking shop. I am a business major, not a chemist.



It was an exciting race against time as they discovered when it was all planned to go down, and one wasn't sure who they could trust, who they couldn't and who wasn't what they seemed.



With the primary suspense, you knew who did it and why, and even how. You even knew when. But you didn't know where and it was a pretty heavy question. If was even factored in there but since this is the last book in the series it had to have a happy ever after, so that worry was not as heavy as it could've been.



The secondary suspense that tied the four books together (in addition to the same team) you don't know who or why or when or where or anything except how and it was a huge issue.



Ms. Pettrey is an award-winning author of romantic suspense for good reason. I fell in love with her writing with her first book set in Alaska and have read everything she's written since.



I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Wow! What a conclusion to the Chesapeake Valor series. Dani Pettry ties up all the loose ends and answers many of the "unknowns" that have built thru-out the series. Although this book COULD be read as a stand-alone novel, it helps tremendously if you've read the previous 3 books as the characters throughout the series build upon one another and their lives continue from one book to the next. Each book is equally good, equally suspenseful, equally full of action and romance and surprises. I can't wait to read whatever Dani Pettry writes next!

This is the fourth and final (?) book in a series begun in 2016. I have enjoyed each as I read them. The stories built on each other for the most part — though it would not be too difficult to jump in midway and pick up with the story with any one book.

This book brings to a conclusion two stories that have flowed through the entire series — the murder of Griffin’s sister and ten other young women across the southern USA and tracing and dealing with the nemesis that kept Luke away from his one true love for the last seven years. A fitting, if unwanted, conclusion, to a well-written series. My only wish would be to see the characters grow their PI business and families in coming books. Alas, this is fiction, and like real life, a story does not always have a “happily ever after” ending.

The author has promised more in her new series “Coastal Guardians” — but with new characters and problems. I, for one, will be looking for this new series in the coming months.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

This is the fourth book in a series that I have not read so the beginning was a bit confusing. After figuring out the relationship dynamics the story was easy to follow. The ending seemed too tidy and quick to end but overall a great Christian romance/mystery and I plan to read the first books in the series.

This novel is the concluding one of a four book series. If you have not read the previous novels, you may be confused at the beginning. The plot in this novel definitely plays off of previous books so the novel does not read well on its own. There is not enough back story early on to clarify the action but things do become clear later on.

There are two ongoing investigations interwoven into this novel. One deals with a serial killer while the other is about a terrorist. The narrative generally alternates between the two. Both plots have their roots in previous novels so it was hard for me to get up to speed with them both. To muddy the waters even more, some of the characters are federal agents, some are with a private company while others are police detectives. How they all work together again has roots in previous novels.

Pettrey does a good job with the emotional impact of the investigations. Luke had been gone on secret missions for seven years. Now he is back and must face Kate whose heart he broke all those years ago. There is plenty of emotional impact in the terrorist plot involving those two. Griffen's sister was murdered by the serial killer some time ago. He is now investigating the murders so there is emotional impact in that plot too.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a novel of romantic suspense that is heavy in the emotional and romantic aspects. Pettrey's writing style is good. Once I figured out who was who and what was going on, I enjoyed the novel.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Book four of the Chesapeake opens where book three ended and from the opening pages the action never stopped.

I so enjoyed watching Kate and Luke as they tried to determine what the future held for them as a potential couple all the while trying to stop a terrorist attack and stay alive. While one group were fighting terrorist, Griffin and Finlay follow leads in an important cold case.

I can’t say enough good things about this series. As in the other books in the series this one has lots of action, a fair amount of romance and neither are too over the top. All the characters in this book are so enjoyable. The author has a gift for creating characters that you want to have as friends. I’m going to miss them.

Although you could probably read this story as a standalone, I do recommend reading the books in order to enjoy the full impact.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

I've really loved Dani Pettrey's Chesapeake Valor series, and it ends as it began—with a truly excellent story!

Dead Drift is a fast paced, thrilling conclusion to the Chesapeake Valor series. Pettrey skillfully wraps up all the plot threads from the previous books, from what exactly happened to Luke (he was revealed to be for sure alive in the previous book), to the terrorist plot, to Griffin's sister's murder.

For me, the best part of the book was Griffin and Finley's quest to find his sister Jenna's murderer. While I was curious about Luke's story and how it would resolve, Jenna's murder has been a part of the series since the beginning, and I really wanted to know how it all would resolve. And I must say, that resolution was very satisfying!

This is a series best read from beginning to end, as certain plot lines and relationships build throughout the series. The bonus of starting now is that the series is finished, so you can binge it all at once! 4-1/2 stars.

I stepped into Dani Pettrey's Chesapeake Valor series with Dead Drift, the final book in the series. While it was obvious as I read that it would have been preferable to read the books in sequence, Pettrey provided just enough background information to inform a reader new to the series and to refresh the mind of a reader following the series without causing the story to drag.
CIA operative Luke Gallagher was recruited by the agency fresh out of college. He walked away from friends, family and the love of his life, Kate Maxwell, for what he thought would be a short assignment and a big adventure. Now he was back for the first time after a seven year absence. The hunt for the terrorist Ebeid having brought him full circle, back to his hometown. Now he must find Ebeid with the help of Kate and their closest friends, each with their own special skill set for fighting crime, before Ebeid could carry out his plan to unleash anthrax on unsuspecting Americans. He must do this while facing the fact that Kate was still the only woman he had ever or would ever love, working with the friends he had abandoned, and coming to terms with the things he had done while working as an operative.
Kate Maxwell, a private investigator and a federal consultant on the task force to bring down Ebeid, was shocked to have Luke walk back into her life after seven years; seven years in which she had never gotten over loving him or being betrayed by him. No way she was going to risk having her heart pummeled again, but would her resolve hold out? Danger has a way of defining priorities.
I recommend Dead Drift, and do suggest reading the entirety of the Chesapeake Valor series in sequence. Pettrey can always be counted upon for a fast paced, adventure filled read, and this book does not disappoint. I thank NetGalley and Bethany House for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation. All opinions are my own.

As the final book in the Chesapeake Valor series, “Dead Drift” by Dani Pettrey is a wonderful ending to this series. Dani delivered suspense and twists throughout this book, as she does every other book she’s written! Her books, including this one, are so easy to get hooked from the very first page.

This book centers a lot around Luke and Kate. It shows the ups and downs they are going through along with preventing a major catastrophe. Garrett and Finley are also in this book a lot as they are trying to solve Jenna’s, Garrett’s sister, murder. This book really had two mysteries going on. I thought it would be hard to keep up, but it wasn’t. I was able to keep track of both dilemmas.

I definitely recommend this book. If you like good, clean, romantic suspense books, Dani Pettrey is the author for you. I have read all of her books, and I’ve never been disappointed.

I received this book from the author and Net Galley for my honest opinion.

This is the fourth book is this series and is the final book. It is a christian romantic suspense that I can recommend to any mystery reader in my store. I have enjoyed this series and will be watching for the next book in this series

In Dead Drift, when Luke Gallagher vanished seven years ago, leaving the woman he loved, private investigator Kate Maxwell behind, with no answers, only questions. Now he is back to help capture a terrorist and rekindle his relationship with Kate. Can they stop the terrorist’s plot before it is too late? Is there a future for them after they catch the terrorist?

Meanwhile, Griffin and Finley continue to investigate his sister Jenna’s murder, uncovering a string of cases with similarities in several states. Can they catch the killer behind his sister’s murder and finally put the case to rest when others haven’t been successful?

Pettrey pens characters with strong personalities and real flaws, making it easier for readers cares about. As always, the faith element is evident, not preachy, and relationships are clean (appropriate for high school readers). Pettrey excels at creating an ensemble of characters readers enjoy, and when these characters from earlier novels reappear, the reader is delighted to catch up and continue their storyline. The violence is appropriate to the story, much like crime dramas one views on TV. As always, the plausible plot is action-packed romantic suspense at its finest. The reader will be satisfied

A great and fast paced conclusion to this series, and yes we do wrap things up, but maybe not how you thought.
If you haven’t read the other books in this series, this one will make you want to, but you can read alone, enough facts are presented.
The author gives us some surprises, but boy the book sure doesn’t lack for action and keeps you guessing as to whom will survive to the very end. There are some very sad moments here, and most you will not see or expect. Great job!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.