“Risky Pursuit” by Nancy G. West

Risky Pursuit

Nancy G. West
Fire & Ice Young Adult Books (2025)
ISBN: 979-8886533804
Reviewed by Lily Andrews for Reader Views (05/2025)

If you’re into stories that mix mystery, action, and real emotions, Risky Pursuit by Nancy G. West is for you. This tense and emotionally layered mystery follows Decker Savage, a high school senior whose life is already falling apart — he’s still grieving the loss of his baby brother, his parents are about to split up, and school and baseball aren’t going great. But things take a wild turn one night when he sees his mom with a sketchy stranger. Naturally, Decker follows the stranger, and what he stumbles into is a total nightmare: an old man is attacked, and the person behind it disappears.

What’s shocking is that Decker ends up befriending the old man, Mitchell, because they both love baseball. But here’s the kicker — Mitchell has no clue who hurt him. And soon, Decker starts getting the feeling that whoever did this isn’t finished. His grades tank, his friendships start falling apart, and his once-reliable baseball game starts crashing. On top of that, Decker technically broke the law when he entered the house that night, and now he starts getting creepy anonymous threats warning him to back off or else.

Decker’s character is one of the best parts of this book. He’s well hewn not as a perfect, fearless hero but a regular character dealing with grief, stress, and fear, who still wants to do the right thing. You easily feel for him and root for him as he tries to figure things out. His friendship with Mitchell is a central element in this tale and is surprisingly sweet, adding a lot of heart to the story.

The mystery itself is breathtaking. It’s got just the right amount of twists and surprises to keep you guessing without being confusing or over-the-top. Additionally, although the novel is full of suspense, it also delves deeply into heavy subjects like bereavement, family issues, and how difficult it can be to act morally when everything seems to be coming apart. What makes it even better is Nancy G. West’s writing style — it’s sharp, clear, and easy to read without ever feeling too simple. Her characters are developed in a natural and realistic manner, and the narrative flows with measured tension, to keep readers on edge. The writing has a fluid, captivating style that will effectively immerse readers in the protagonist’s world and pique their interest in what will happen next.

In addition to uncovering a murder, Risky Pursuit is about bravery, devotion, and defending those you love, even in the face of fear. Nancy G. West does a fantastic job of striking a balance between the more emotional and dramatic parts, and she makes sure to communicate these themes clearly.

If you enjoy fast-paced, suspenseful stories with relatable characters and a lot of heart, Risky Pursuit by Nancy West will definitely pull you in. Get ready to cheer Decker on — you’ll be hooked until the last page!