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Ivy Bishop Mystery Thriller #1
Her Dark Secret
A headless body washes up on the shores of western Oregon...
And newly-minted Detective Ivy Bishop has been assigned the case. Having been abandoned by her family when she was twelve and navigating much of her young life on her own before joining the force, Ivy has a lot to prove.
Discovering what really happened to her family has plagued Ivy for years. And the trauma of the night she can’t remember has left her unable to touch another person without experiencing violent panic attacks.
Begrudgingly accepting a new partner, Ivy is pushed to the limit of what she thinks she can handle in order to track this killer down.
Except, when more bodies start showing up, both detectives realize the problem is bigger than they thought.
And when Ivy learns the truth behind the killer’s motives, it will not only tear open old wounds she long thought had been sealed, but connect back to that night fifteen years ago when her world fell apart.
The one night that changed everything.
Tick, tock, Ivy. Time is running out.
And newly-minted Detective Ivy Bishop has been assigned the case. Having been abandoned by her family when she was twelve and navigating much of her young life on her own before joining the force, Ivy has a lot to prove.
Discovering what really happened to her family has plagued Ivy for years. And the trauma of the night she can’t remember has left her unable to touch another person without experiencing violent panic attacks.
Begrudgingly accepting a new partner, Ivy is pushed to the limit of what she thinks she can handle in order to track this killer down.
Except, when more bodies start showing up, both detectives realize the problem is bigger than they thought.
And when Ivy learns the truth behind the killer’s motives, it will not only tear open old wounds she long thought had been sealed, but connect back to that night fifteen years ago when her world fell apart.
The one night that changed everything.
Tick, tock, Ivy. Time is running out.
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2024
860 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 27, 2024
Another fantastic series from Alex Sigmore!
Alex strikes gold again with another female lead that captures your attention and makes you await her every move.
Alex has a gift for the macabre and for the suspense of unraveling a mystery. The characters are well defined and do not feel like the usual clichéd cardboard cutouts found in this genre - right down to snooping press.
Again, Alex is off to a great start, and I predict another wonderful series lies ahead.
Alex strikes gold again with another female lead that captures your attention and makes you await her every move.
Alex has a gift for the macabre and for the suspense of unraveling a mystery. The characters are well defined and do not feel like the usual clichéd cardboard cutouts found in this genre - right down to snooping press.
Again, Alex is off to a great start, and I predict another wonderful series lies ahead.
March 25, 2024
Abandoned by her family when she was twelve on a night so traumatic, Ivy Bishop can’t remember what happened. Her trauma also sends her into a panic attack if she’s touched by another human being. But it has also led her to her calling as a police detective. Newly appointed as a detective and assigned a new and unwanted partner, Ivy’s first case with Jonathan is a string of murders that inevitably leads back to the worst night of her life 15 years ago. And while her dark secret isn’t revealed in the first book of this new series, it will leave you dying to know what that secret is!
I really liked this new character and her quirky aversion to being touched. And her understanding and hunky partner is a nice plus one.
This series available for free with #KindleUnlimited.
Thank you, @AlexSigmore for the advanced copy of this book. I’m looking forward to more in this series.
I really liked this new character and her quirky aversion to being touched. And her understanding and hunky partner is a nice plus one.
This series available for free with #KindleUnlimited.
Thank you, @AlexSigmore for the advanced copy of this book. I’m looking forward to more in this series.
May 2, 2025
Promising first installment
As the introductory book of the Ivy Bishop series, Her Dark Secret has a lot to set up. Not only is Ivy, a newly promoted detective, assigned the case of a serial killer in her sleepy costal Oregon town, but she’s got some serious issues of her own. Between a missing family, huge gaps in her memory, and a phobia against physical contact of any kind… she’s a hot mess.
Alex Sigmore does a great job keeping all these elements balanced. It would be easy to allow Ivy’s personal issues to take center stage, yet they work to highlight her successes as a detective and in her budding friendship with her partner Detective White.
Looking forward to the next installment.
As the introductory book of the Ivy Bishop series, Her Dark Secret has a lot to set up. Not only is Ivy, a newly promoted detective, assigned the case of a serial killer in her sleepy costal Oregon town, but she’s got some serious issues of her own. Between a missing family, huge gaps in her memory, and a phobia against physical contact of any kind… she’s a hot mess.
Alex Sigmore does a great job keeping all these elements balanced. It would be easy to allow Ivy’s personal issues to take center stage, yet they work to highlight her successes as a detective and in her budding friendship with her partner Detective White.
Looking forward to the next installment.
March 27, 2024
GREAT NEW SERIES…
From Alex Sigmore. At first, I wasn’t keen on all the physical and emotional impairments exhibited by the new detective, Ivy Bishop. When I got more into the story I fully came around to liking Ivy and Jonathan too. I’m sure this new detective series will be another winner.
From Alex Sigmore. At first, I wasn’t keen on all the physical and emotional impairments exhibited by the new detective, Ivy Bishop. When I got more into the story I fully came around to liking Ivy and Jonathan too. I’m sure this new detective series will be another winner.
March 31, 2024
Off to a good start
New series are sometimes hard to get into. Almost like you walked into the middle of a movie and are left trying to figure out what happened. This one did not have that feeling. Everything flowed in to place and made for an enjoyable days read. Think this book is the start of a one to follow.
New series are sometimes hard to get into. Almost like you walked into the middle of a movie and are left trying to figure out what happened. This one did not have that feeling. Everything flowed in to place and made for an enjoyable days read. Think this book is the start of a one to follow.
March 28, 2024
Exciting new series
Ivy Bishop's story is ominous and intriguing. Now that most of the main characters have been introduced ( I think) I look forward to learning more about her past and future.
Ivy Bishop's story is ominous and intriguing. Now that most of the main characters have been introduced ( I think) I look forward to learning more about her past and future.
October 13, 2025
⭐️ 3.5/5
April 1, 2024
another intrepid girl detective with a mysterious past
Homicide investigations with grunt work laid out, step by step.
Headless human remains have washed up on a small Oregon beach, and newly-minted Detective Ivy Bishop is assigned with her partner to uncover the perpetrator.
Homicide investigations with grunt work laid out, step by step.
Headless human remains have washed up on a small Oregon beach, and newly-minted Detective Ivy Bishop is assigned with her partner to uncover the perpetrator.
October 12, 2024
I'm not going to lie, I struggled A LOT with this one. To begin with I found Ivy's whole condition to be utterly ridiculous. I understand that the fear of being touched is a real thing, but when it debilitates a person to the severe extent that it does Ivy, there is no possible way she would have made it through the police academy (where they participate in hand to hand combat), but how did she ever make it through being a beat cop to become a detective in the first place? She even thinks to herself (after reassuring her partner that she would be able to do it no problem) that she would have to wear gloves in the event she had to handcuff a suspect so that her bare skin didn't touch theirs. I was also a bit annoyed at the fact that we had this piece of information repeated to us time and again in Ivy's own thoughts (seriously she spends the first few chapters trying to talk herself out of having a panic attack simply from sitting in the same car as her partner).
I also found it both highly improbable and completely unbelievable that between the three detectives on the case (the one who originally had the case and then Ivy and her partner) and all of the hours they spent on trying to identify their victims, as soon as Ivy makes a visit to a former friend of hers with some dubious (read probably illegal) computer equipment, said friend is able to name their last two victims within 15 minutes. This was especially annoying because one of their victims had a knee replacement and his records were right there, but the original investigating officer didn't bother following it up, and it took these two over half of the book to realize that pesky little detail in the autopsy report (even though they had supposedly been pouring over them for days prior to this).
Although, I suppose I should be thankful she had such a friend on tap because this book was beyond tedious in the grunt work these two had to go through, and then for their superior officer to basically tell them to find someone to pin the murders on? Pardon me? The ending was.... well kind of anti-climatic (at least for me). I knew once the scene started to unfold how it would play out, but the reasoning for the killings was just weird to me.
The sad thing is, Ivy does have an interesting background (her parents and brother went missing one night and she has no memory of what happened), I'm not sure that I will continue on with this series.
I also found it both highly improbable and completely unbelievable that between the three detectives on the case (the one who originally had the case and then Ivy and her partner) and all of the hours they spent on trying to identify their victims, as soon as Ivy makes a visit to a former friend of hers with some dubious (read probably illegal) computer equipment, said friend is able to name their last two victims within 15 minutes. This was especially annoying because one of their victims had a knee replacement and his records were right there, but the original investigating officer didn't bother following it up, and it took these two over half of the book to realize that pesky little detail in the autopsy report (even though they had supposedly been pouring over them for days prior to this).
Although, I suppose I should be thankful she had such a friend on tap because this book was beyond tedious in the grunt work these two had to go through, and then for their superior officer to basically tell them to find someone to pin the murders on? Pardon me? The ending was.... well kind of anti-climatic (at least for me). I knew once the scene started to unfold how it would play out, but the reasoning for the killings was just weird to me.
The sad thing is, Ivy does have an interesting background (her parents and brother went missing one night and she has no memory of what happened), I'm not sure that I will continue on with this series.
June 20, 2024
Ivy
Great new series. I love the Emily slate series and am on book 9 ; Liars Grave. So I've already finished season 1 ( according to the author) of the Slate series. But I often read more than one book at a time.
I wanted something fresh and new ( and was actually going to settle on a different author) but I came across this 💎 and decided id stick with what I know is great writing.
Honestly; I wasn't sure I liked the Ivy character at first given I didn't see how someone who has phobias touching ppl could work in social services or police work. It's too human focused and outgoing and IVy is so withdrawn.
But as the chapters progressed; I liked the way the author showed us how she was overcoming her symptoms ( even though it was often unwelcome contact through work interactions) it did show how IVy was able to progress as a character. It was almost like small steps of exposure therapy as ivy slowly learned to seal with Johnathan in the car and then dealing with the press etc. Anyways by the end of book 1 we can see differences in her attitude and persona. I'd rate the book overall a steady 4.5 but I think the author deserves the full 5 stars so there it is.
I've come to realize that anything Alex Sigmore writes is good because the writing is superb. Well crafted characters; good plot development; great climaxes; but what this author does best is peeling away the layers I feel of the human experience. I enjoy all his books.
Can't wait to find out what's going on with the Baker's in the 2nd installment. Keep writing Alex. I don't know how you write these so fast!
Great new series. I love the Emily slate series and am on book 9 ; Liars Grave. So I've already finished season 1 ( according to the author) of the Slate series. But I often read more than one book at a time.
I wanted something fresh and new ( and was actually going to settle on a different author) but I came across this 💎 and decided id stick with what I know is great writing.
Honestly; I wasn't sure I liked the Ivy character at first given I didn't see how someone who has phobias touching ppl could work in social services or police work. It's too human focused and outgoing and IVy is so withdrawn.
But as the chapters progressed; I liked the way the author showed us how she was overcoming her symptoms ( even though it was often unwelcome contact through work interactions) it did show how IVy was able to progress as a character. It was almost like small steps of exposure therapy as ivy slowly learned to seal with Johnathan in the car and then dealing with the press etc. Anyways by the end of book 1 we can see differences in her attitude and persona. I'd rate the book overall a steady 4.5 but I think the author deserves the full 5 stars so there it is.
I've come to realize that anything Alex Sigmore writes is good because the writing is superb. Well crafted characters; good plot development; great climaxes; but what this author does best is peeling away the layers I feel of the human experience. I enjoy all his books.
Can't wait to find out what's going on with the Baker's in the 2nd installment. Keep writing Alex. I don't know how you write these so fast!
February 7, 2024
Received as an ARC (2023 ); this is an honest review. For Ivy Bishop, all of her hard work has paid off to become a newly minted Detective of Oakhurst's police department and along with her new partner Jonathan White are taking on a very haunting case that has descended upon the town. Bodies of victims of a gruesome serial killer are washing upon Florence Beach leaving the police at a loss of how each of these individuals could be connected together and them point them to a killer. As the pieces begin to fall into place showing that these people were beginning a journey to move from the modern world and back to something that's more connected to the earth- and Oakhurst is a good place to start. Working such an odd case forces Ivy to confront a delicate personal issue that she believed she could really handle on her own; and both she and Jonathan need to trust each other as from their superiors desperate for a suspect to nail the murders to end along side a local female reporter wanting to make her name for herself matter how far she has to work the system to achieve her goals... it's a race against the clock. It's Ivy own haunting past that she wanted to leave behind that allows a killer's identity to be brought into the light. And from this individual, Ivy is provided a thread to a troubling secret that could help Ivy get to the truth she is desperate to understand.
From the author of the wildly successful Emily Slate series, comes the poignant and profound story of Ivy Bishop that is complex as it is enthralling.
Highly recommended.
From the author of the wildly successful Emily Slate series, comes the poignant and profound story of Ivy Bishop that is complex as it is enthralling.
Highly recommended.
August 27, 2025
Pretty disappointed.
I first read the Emily Slate series by this author, which I really liked. I thought the FMC was realistic and seemed proficient at her job. For this series, I had to keep checking the publishing date because I honestly thought this series came far before the Emily Slate series.... because it was that amateurish and flawed.
This FMC Ivy Bishop is just a hot mess. We are told over and over AND OVER again of Ivy's fear of touch. It's the theme of the entire book ad nauseum. In addition, it's utterly unrealistic that someone who has such an extreme aversion to touch -- to the point where she has panic attacks when even approaching touching someone else -- to have made it through the police academy and several years as a beat cop....and NOT touch anyone?? That's just crazy. A good part of the job is taking people into custody for outstanding warrants, something that requires handcuffing. Beat cops have frequent physical contact with others.
Second, [spoiler] the ending scene when confronting the killer, Ivy's partner abandons her, instead rushing over to a secured victim who's injuries are not life threatening. It's a violation of even the most basic policing rules -- secure the scene first, THEN treat victims.
I'm not sure I'll be reading any more of this, which is a shame because I really did like the Emily Slate series.
I first read the Emily Slate series by this author, which I really liked. I thought the FMC was realistic and seemed proficient at her job. For this series, I had to keep checking the publishing date because I honestly thought this series came far before the Emily Slate series.... because it was that amateurish and flawed.
This FMC Ivy Bishop is just a hot mess. We are told over and over AND OVER again of Ivy's fear of touch. It's the theme of the entire book ad nauseum. In addition, it's utterly unrealistic that someone who has such an extreme aversion to touch -- to the point where she has panic attacks when even approaching touching someone else -- to have made it through the police academy and several years as a beat cop....and NOT touch anyone?? That's just crazy. A good part of the job is taking people into custody for outstanding warrants, something that requires handcuffing. Beat cops have frequent physical contact with others.
Second, [spoiler] the ending scene when confronting the killer, Ivy's partner abandons her, instead rushing over to a secured victim who's injuries are not life threatening. It's a violation of even the most basic policing rules -- secure the scene first, THEN treat victims.
I'm not sure I'll be reading any more of this, which is a shame because I really did like the Emily Slate series.
April 13, 2024
This started out well. Decent characterizations, awesome setting and a gruesome crime to solve. However, when the detectives were stuck and had nowhere to go the author writes in a computer nerd/former boyfriend of the detective protagonist and presto a solid lead appears. Then the detective discovers a clue that only she could have uncovered to solve the crime. I have a feeling that these tropes were purposely written in to trim down the page count. This is the last one of these I’ll be reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2024
Never read an Alex Sigmore book but thought I’d give this a try. So happy I did!! I was intrigued from the first page. The author introduces Ivy by giving only small details here and there of her complicated issues she deals with, which made me continue turning pages to learn more about her. The relationship between her and her new partner, Jonathan, is fun and endearing as they try to figure each other out while solving a twisted case involving a serial killer. Excellent storyline, very well written. Alex Sigmore is my new fave author.
September 18, 2024
Disappointed.
The story took forever to gain traction.
Once again we have a lead person without experience, supervision, and hindsight but knows it all.
Once again we have someone carrying a firearm that's unfit to do so!
Once again we have someone with psychological problems.
Once again we have a driver better suited for Rally Cross Cross driving.
Look I know only fantasy, fiction, but at least be realistic.
The story took forever to gain traction.
Once again we have a lead person without experience, supervision, and hindsight but knows it all.
Once again we have someone carrying a firearm that's unfit to do so!
Once again we have someone with psychological problems.
Once again we have a driver better suited for Rally Cross Cross driving.
Look I know only fantasy, fiction, but at least be realistic.
April 11, 2025
Not worth my time
I was excited about this book, set in my home state and my favorite genre. I was so disappointed though. From totally inaccurate geography (even if locations were made up, the author referenced real places that just didn't work together), to sometimes trite writing, to really bad editing, this book just wasn't worth my time. I finished it, hoping for a payout that I didn't find. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
I was excited about this book, set in my home state and my favorite genre. I was so disappointed though. From totally inaccurate geography (even if locations were made up, the author referenced real places that just didn't work together), to sometimes trite writing, to really bad editing, this book just wasn't worth my time. I finished it, hoping for a payout that I didn't find. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
May 9, 2025
Serial Killer
Ivy was a new detective in the Violent Case division and with her partner Jonathan were given a murder case. Two headless bodies were washed up on shore by the Oregon town where they lived with no ID. Lots of hard work and following leads helped them solve their case and get thrust into another.
Ivy was a new detective in the Violent Case division and with her partner Jonathan were given a murder case. Two headless bodies were washed up on shore by the Oregon town where they lived with no ID. Lots of hard work and following leads helped them solve their case and get thrust into another.
August 15, 2025
Page turner of note
Ivy's 'situation' irritated me a little bit once I looked past that, the book got better and better. The author broke the unspoken rule of not ending a book with a cliffhanger but I think it works, especially if you devoured the second half the book as fast as I did.
Ivy's 'situation' irritated me a little bit once I looked past that, the book got better and better. The author broke the unspoken rule of not ending a book with a cliffhanger but I think it works, especially if you devoured the second half the book as fast as I did.
June 3, 2024
Intriguing book
I enjoyed reading this first book. To be honest, at first I was afraid it was just a little too much going on with Ivy. But by the end, I was captivated. Look forward to the next book.
I enjoyed reading this first book. To be honest, at first I was afraid it was just a little too much going on with Ivy. But by the end, I was captivated. Look forward to the next book.
August 8, 2024
Great pace!
This novel (thriller) moved at a great fast pace. I really enjoyed the character of Ivy and the killer being hunted was great for pacing. There’s even a cliff hanger at the end- can’t wait to read the next installment.
This novel (thriller) moved at a great fast pace. I really enjoyed the character of Ivy and the killer being hunted was great for pacing. There’s even a cliff hanger at the end- can’t wait to read the next installment.
June 30, 2025
Loved It
Her Dark Secret was a great start to the Ivy Bishop Mystery Thriller. I love Ivy's character and the mystery of her past. I'm excited to find out what happened to her family.
Her Dark Secret was a great start to the Ivy Bishop Mystery Thriller. I love Ivy's character and the mystery of her past. I'm excited to find out what happened to her family.
May 15, 2024
Good book
Very interesting book and a very strange ending.Alex has a way of crawling you into his books and the endings keep you reading. His books are very good and different.
Very interesting book and a very strange ending.Alex has a way of crawling you into his books and the endings keep you reading. His books are very good and different.
August 10, 2024
Her Dark Secret
Ivy is given her first assignment with a new partner, Jonathon, since her promotion to detective. She along with Jonathan and an old friend from her foster care days, Oliver find the clues and catch the serial killer. Love this author, a true storyteller.
Ivy is given her first assignment with a new partner, Jonathon, since her promotion to detective. She along with Jonathan and an old friend from her foster care days, Oliver find the clues and catch the serial killer. Love this author, a true storyteller.
September 4, 2024
Ivy is not perfect
A new series, by an author I love! The characters are rough and imperfect. It will be interesting to watch them grow and change.
A new series, by an author I love! The characters are rough and imperfect. It will be interesting to watch them grow and change.
Read
January 7, 2025This book was ok. Had good parts. But I couldn't get past missing words or wrong words in a sentence. I have read his other books and didn't have that issue.
July 25, 2025
It was good, but took awhile to get into the really good stuff.
August 19, 2025
This is a great series. I am glad I found it. Ivy is very interesting. I am onto book number 2. N
September 21, 2025
I gave it a solid effort, but just couldn't get into this book. I didn't like Ivy at all, and I just got tired of the dragging story, and constantly hearing about her problems. Just not for me.
December 18, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4! good start to a new series but def need a little more out of it!
January 13, 2026
Found it to be on ok book but it took awhile to get interesting. Don’t like that you have to to read more books to be able to finish the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews