Book Review: "Close Call" by Elise Hart Kipness

I read the first book in the Kate Green series last year, the second book last month, and with this book, I’m now caught up. So now, Elise Hart Kipness, the ball is in your court! (Pun intended.)

Sports reporter Kate Green is now the co-anchor of a weekly TV show. She also has an Emmy under her belt. Her current assignment is to cover the U.S. Open, with particular focus on two American tennis stars—Lucy Bosco, the 10-time Grand Slam champion, who doesn’t suffer fools gladly and isn’t ready to quit yet, and 17-year-old Brynn Cole, whose bubbly personality is exceeded only by her talent on the court.

Tennis fans all over the world are waiting for the showdown between Lucy and Brynn. But it’s not going to happen, because inexplicably, Lucy pulls out before her first match.

Well, that’s the story, at least. It turns out Lucy gets kidnapped, and Brynn receives a picture of Lucy, bruised and tied up, and she’s told if she goes to the police, Lucy will die. And Brynn isn’t out of danger either.

The list of suspects is a mile long, and Kate helps the police with their investigation. It appears the kidnapper also has their eye on Kate, and despite her father’s pleas to stay out of the case, Kate felt a connection with Lucy because of her own sports background. Will they identify the perpetrator before it’s too late?

Kate is such a great character. She’s a fantastic reporter, which means she throws herself into the search for the truth, but she’s not superhuman. She’s flawed, and even a little petty. (Aren’t we all?) I’m a huge tennis fan so this really appealed to me, but it’s a terrific series even if you don’t like sports!