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Member Reviews

Teens will enjoy this mystery as Decker tries to figure out who is following his family and if it’s the same person who attacked an elderly man in the neighborhood. Will appeal to reluctant guy readers as it is a quick read with lots to plot twists. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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Tension mounts with every turn of the page in a book with bite and a teen, who carries a world of trouble on his shoulders.

Decker is in a bad spot after the death of his brother and the approaching divorce of his parents. But his life isn't all dark. He's already landed a baseball scholarship and has a pretty bright future ahead of him...if he can steer the family issues. When he sees his mother meeting a strange and suspicious man at a dingy cafe, he decides to follow the guy, since it appears his mother might be having some troubles. Against better judgement, he follows the man into a dark house, and while there, hears an argument right before the same man injures the other and the EMTs show up. Even more sure that something isn't right, he decides to befriend the injured old man at the hospital, but the guy has lost his memory. All of Decker's efforts, however, are being noticed, and now, the lives of his family are being threatened too.

Decker starts this book out with a ton of baggage. It's not said what exactly is going on during those first pages, but the fact that he's sneaking around to spy on his mother speaks volumes. The reasons for his attitude and actions, as well as other background information, pops up slowly during the story, dribbling in the information bit for bit as it's woven right into the scenes. By doing this, the author sets the action and immediate tension on center stage and lets it drive each moment forward...and there is a lot of drive in these pages. Decker gets himself into very sticky situations, which aren't really his fault, but the possible threats they carry make it impossible for him to ignore everything. His resolve and desire to help those that he loves make him easy to root for the entire way through.

This isn't a light read but carries quite a bit of darkness and bite. Decker is facing dangerous players, and that comes across with the brutality it requires. So, he has a lot to steer, while under the weight of baggage from the past. (His life is anything but simple). Still, there are moments I wanted to slap him, since some of his actions lack common sense and brought him unnecessarily into more danger or bad predicaments. It definitely keeps the tension high.

The intrigue and mystery is well-laid, and the side characters carry personality as well. It's hard to guess what will happen next or even if Decker can make it through. Fans of crime drama, mystery, and dangerous predicaments are going to enjoy this one.

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Risky Pursuit is a bit darker and grittier than what I'm used to from Nancy G. West and let me tell you, I'm loving it. The story follows Decker Savage through an impending divorce, shady characters, and dangerous circumstances. After Decker finds his mom meeting with a stranger in the local diner, he finds himself following they mystery man right into a dark house, where an assault takes place. Finding friendship with the assault victim leads Decker into a mystery that he may not find his way out of before its too late.

Filled with suspense and tension, Risky Pursuit takes the reader through a gamut of emotions as we watch Decker work through this gripping mystery. He can't help but want to solve the mysterious assault on his new friend. His life and the lives of those he loves are in danger. I was on the edge of my seat throughout this entire fast-paced young adult cozy mystery.

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Risky Pursuit pulls you right into the mind of Decker Savage, a teen carrying way too much on his shoulders—and then heaps on a mystery that makes everything worse. What I really liked was how real Decker felt; his grief, his guilt, and even the way he second-guesses himself made the suspense that much more intense. The mix of baseball, family drama, and high-stakes danger made this one of those books I had to keep reading “just one more chapter” at a time. It’s gripping, but also emotional in a way that sticks with you.

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his book hits like a fastball to the gut—and I mean that in the best way possible. 😵⚾

Okay, let’s talk Risky Pursuit. It's got a grieving teen, a creepy house, a maybe-murder, mystery notes, and a ton of “WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!” moments—and I was living for it. I totally yelled at Decker more than once (dude, why are you sneaking around that house?!), but I was rooting for him the whole dang time. It’s messy, twisty, and way too relatable if you’ve ever felt like the world’s falling apart and still tried to do the right thing. Wild ride. Loved it. 10/10 would stalk a mystery again. 🕵️‍♂️📚

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Some mysteries are worth breaking the rules for...

Risky Pursuit is a curveball of a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat and rooting for Decker like it was the bottom of the ninth!

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