The Mountains Bow Down

Book excerpt: FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon novels always bring edge-of-your-seat suspense. Raleigh is sure everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better. That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, the Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance. But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. The ship's security chief tries to rule the death a suicide, but Raleigh's forensics background points to a much darker conclusion: Somewhere onboard, a ruthless murderer walks free. Engulfed by one of her toughest cases yet, Raleigh requests assistance from the FBI and receives her nemesis—handsome Special Agent Jack Stephanson. As the cruise ship sails through the Inside Passage, Raleigh has five days to solve a high-profile murder, provide consultation for a movie filming onboard, and figure out her increasingly complicated feelings for Jack—who might not be as arrogant as she originally thought. And that's only her work life. Family offers even more challenges. Joined on the cruise by her mother and aunt, Raleigh watches helplessly as disturbing rifts splinter her family. Like the scenery that surrounds the cruise ship, Raleigh discovers a mystery so daunting that even the mountains might bow down before it. Gripping suspense The Raleigh Harmon novels are best enjoyed in order, but can also be read as standalones: Book 1: The Stones Cry Out Book 2: The Rivers Run Dry Book 3: The Clouds Roll Away Book 4: The Mountains Bow Down Book 5: The Stars Shine Bright Book length: approximately 110,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs