Fatal Witness by Michelle Godard-Richer

From the dynamite start to the shocking cliffhanger ending, Fatal Witness is an action-filled race to catch a serial killer. Book 2 in Michelle Godard-Richer’s Fatal series, actually takes place before the first in the series. Although the books can be read as stand-alones, if you read Fatal Hunt first (as I did), you will find yourself wanting to revisit it after reading Fatal Witness, which provides the reader with a background story that adds even more depth to the main characters and the danger that stalks them.

The Hitchcockian premise of this book has a witness (Jessica Miller) catching her neighbour (David) carrying his wife’s body to his truck in the middle of the night. From there, it’s a cat and mouse chase across the Canadian border to Montana, where Jess meets up with her old boyfriend, ex-FBI agent Jon Kent. Sparks fly in more ways than one as they rekindle their romance, and David threatens everyone Jess loves. With just the right amount of backstory to make the characters’ motivations clear, the book is a quick and easy read, and I flew through it.

The multiple POVs, alternating mainly between Jess, Jon, and David, added to the suspense and kept me turning the pages as one tense moment melted into another. Even with reinforcements, David seemed to elude capture and be one step ahead. I liked how the FBI, local law, and friends worked together to protect Jess and track the killer. The bond between Jess and Jon adds an element of romance to lighten a horrific situation, as does the theme of family relationships. I love how Jess and her aunt Debbie are portrayed as strong women, but in my opinion, it’s Jess’ eight-year-old son, Bryce, whose bravery wins the prize. Juxtaposing his innocent child POV with the killer’s malicious POV is an effective literary device.

The remote setting in the mountains of Montana adds to the chilling atmosphere of a killer hunting down his witness. If you are looking for a fast-paced page turner you won’t be able to put down, Fatal Witness is the perfect psychological crime thriller. I can’t wait to read book 3 in the series!