Special Agent Bethany Sanchez meets her new partner at the scene of a murder her first day on her new job. She's been with the civil rights division of the FBI and has just transferred to violent crimes. Special Agent Thatcher Graves believes this murder is the work of a serial killer. It's the second one in which the victim is shot in the head and a plastic scorpion is left on the body. Bethany isn't so sure it's a serial killer. She wants to explore all the facts related to both murders and investigate other avenues. Bethany goes by the book, whereas Thatcher goes by his gut. Will this partnership last?

The investigation is running into one dead end after another, when a third body is found with a bullet hole to the head and a plastic scorpion left on the body. Now Bethany is a little more on board with Thatcher's serial killer theory. However, nothing seems to tie the killings together, and they don't have a solid profile on the killer. Will Bethany and Thatcher be able to stop this murderer before he kills again? And what are they going to do about this growing attraction between them?

DiAnn Mills brings us another magnificent, inspirational thriller in her FBI: Houston series. DEADLOCK is a riveting, fast-paced adventure that will hold you captive from the opening pages to the closing epilogue. Bethany and Thatcher are realistic, well developed, strong characters, each with their own unique style for investigating crimes. Ms. Mills uses supporting characters from previous books in this series, but the story stands alone as a great read. DEADLOCK explores the question of where God fits into all the evil in the world. Bethany lives her strong faith in God, but Thatcher's faith is new-found, and he struggles to let God take charge of his life. This is a story about family dynamics, a story about patience and grace. Ms. Mills also weaves psychological diseases and diabetes into the storyline, as well as discussing society's view of the homeless. If inspirational thrillers are your genre, do not miss this one.

Book Summary

Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.

Author Note

Dear Reader

Deadlock is the third book in my FBI: Houston series. Special Agents Bethany Sanchez and Thatcher Graves have taken me on a thrilling adventure. I was concerned about them with so many obstacles in the way of their personal, physiological, and professional lives. But they remained true to hero and heroine status, fearless in the face of danger and never a victim.

At times I wanted to pull Bethany out of the family dynamics that stalked her every step. But I wanted to show how those we love can hurt us the deepest. She practiced unconditional love with a tough truth element. Those challenges made her stronger, and she believed it was worth the risk.

Thatcher dealt with a bad-boy reputation, and most of it was true. Although he’d chosen to change his image, how to accomplish it remained the most difficult task. Running wasn’t his style, and a claim to new morals left too many people skeptical.

How do perfectionist Bethany and a free-thinker Thatcher work together? Optimistically, each could compliment the other. Realistically, they could despise the other. Which will they choose in light of a serial murder case before one of them is killed?

I hope you enjoy Bethany’s and Thatcher’s journey in Deadlock.

DiAnn