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Noelle Marshall #2
No One Knew
For a detective and an FBI agent, two seemingly disparate murder investigations collide with a twist in an explosive novel of suspense by a
Wall Street Journal
bestselling author.
In the crisp mountain air of central Oregon, a teenage girl’s search for discarded cans leads to a horrifying a body, brutally murdered and abandoned in the woods. The case falls to Deschutes County Detective Noelle Marshall, who finds herself navigating a community steeped in secrets, suspicion, and distrust of outsiders—especially law enforcement.
Miles away, FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes investigates a different kind of darkness—chatter about a violent uprising from a shadowy militia group preparing for war. The two cases seem worlds apart. But as Noelle digs into the murdered man’s past and Max closes in on the source of the terror plot, their paths begin to converge in a terrifying way. This was no random killing. It was a message. A merciless killer and a hidden army are operating in the same shadows, and finding the link between them is the only thing standing between a single murder and a full-blown massacre.
In the crisp mountain air of central Oregon, a teenage girl’s search for discarded cans leads to a horrifying a body, brutally murdered and abandoned in the woods. The case falls to Deschutes County Detective Noelle Marshall, who finds herself navigating a community steeped in secrets, suspicion, and distrust of outsiders—especially law enforcement.
Miles away, FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes investigates a different kind of darkness—chatter about a violent uprising from a shadowy militia group preparing for war. The two cases seem worlds apart. But as Noelle digs into the murdered man’s past and Max closes in on the source of the terror plot, their paths begin to converge in a terrifying way. This was no random killing. It was a message. A merciless killer and a hidden army are operating in the same shadows, and finding the link between them is the only thing standing between a single murder and a full-blown massacre.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2026
3048 people are currently reading
7232 people want to read
About the author
Kendra Elliot
41 books6,497 followersAn Amazon #1 selling author, Kendra Elliot has sold over 14 Million books and been on the WSJ best seller more than a dozen times.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kendra Elliot books build the relationship, and I have come to love how the characters, Max and Noelle, have their hot attraction, but it doesn't detract from a great mystery/suspense. Each have their own baggage and some issues that prevent them from being fully immersed in each other. But, for Max, solving the case may require reveling things that he may not be ready for Noelle to know. This growing relationship between Max and Noelle takes a back seat to the fantastic mystery/suspense plot. This book joins a rare selection of books that I just couldn't put down and turn off when I turned off the lights. Yep, I reached that sweet point in the book where you just have to finish it because you just have to know how it ends. Well, I found out at 2:00 am this morning, but I'm not going to tell you. I'll let you discover that for yourself. I will say this much - this book is more suspense than romance, but the romance was wonderful to see unfold.
Deschutes County Detective Noelle Marshall and FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes are in a new, budding relationship and now they have cases that cross. When a nude man is discovered by a young woman at a teen party spot deep in the forest, Noelle catches the case. She knows that there is more to Emma Chambers's story, but Noelle has a dead body with no ID, and he has to come first.
Max and the Bend FBI office have been alerted to chatter regarding a possible attack by an elusive militia group, then the car of a judge is blown up in the courthouse parking lot. A dead, nude man is discovered in the trunk. Turns out the cause of death in both cases is the same, linking them. With little to go on, Max and Noelle, with help from Mercy and Truman, start their investigation. The path glances off the elusive Emma and her life. They have no idea how she is involved, they just know she is.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
Deschutes County Detective Noelle Marshall and FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes are in a new, budding relationship and now they have cases that cross. When a nude man is discovered by a young woman at a teen party spot deep in the forest, Noelle catches the case. She knows that there is more to Emma Chambers's story, but Noelle has a dead body with no ID, and he has to come first.
Max and the Bend FBI office have been alerted to chatter regarding a possible attack by an elusive militia group, then the car of a judge is blown up in the courthouse parking lot. A dead, nude man is discovered in the trunk. Turns out the cause of death in both cases is the same, linking them. With little to go on, Max and Noelle, with help from Mercy and Truman, start their investigation. The path glances off the elusive Emma and her life. They have no idea how she is involved, they just know she is.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
January 14, 2026
4.75
No One Knew (Noelle Marshall #2) by Kendra Elliot is another near-perfect crime thriller. Elliot packs the story with everything that works—terrorism, mystery, suspense, likable characters, and just enough romance to keep it grounded. The narration by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker is well done and adds real polish, keeping the tension sharp throughout. The story moves with confidence and never loses focus. I’m genuinely glad there are two more books coming in this series—this one earns that anticipation.
No One Knew (Noelle Marshall #2) by Kendra Elliot is another near-perfect crime thriller. Elliot packs the story with everything that works—terrorism, mystery, suspense, likable characters, and just enough romance to keep it grounded. The narration by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker is well done and adds real polish, keeping the tension sharp throughout. The story moves with confidence and never loses focus. I’m genuinely glad there are two more books coming in this series—this one earns that anticipation.
August 26, 2025
I started reading Kendra Elliot’s books starting with the Columbia River series where Noelle Marshall made her appearance. This is the 2nd book dedicated to Noelle and in it, we get to know her a little better.
This story starts out with a young girl out in the woods looking for cans when she happens to stumble upon a dead body. Within the next couple of days, 2 more dead bodies turn up. Local authorities, along with the FBI, are tasked with these investigations and to determine if these deaths are related. Kendra Elliot is a master of creating the perfect amount of tension & pacing. Her books bring me back to my days of watching “Criminal Minds.” I will read anything she puts out.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Montlake for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
This story starts out with a young girl out in the woods looking for cans when she happens to stumble upon a dead body. Within the next couple of days, 2 more dead bodies turn up. Local authorities, along with the FBI, are tasked with these investigations and to determine if these deaths are related. Kendra Elliot is a master of creating the perfect amount of tension & pacing. Her books bring me back to my days of watching “Criminal Minds.” I will read anything she puts out.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Montlake for the opportunity to read an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
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January 28, 2026Noelle Marshall leaped to the eye as soon as she was introduced in the Columbia River series and the first book in her series blew me away. To say I was anticipating No One Knew is an understatement. Kendra Elliot captivates me from the first page every single time.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy TBA.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy TBA.
January 6, 2026
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this action packed book
book two in this series and boy does it start with a action action action
when the first dead body is discovered in the woods near a favourite spot that kids hang out nobody could identify him... the poor girl that found him would have nightmares for days
but her home life wasnt stable either with her dad missing and she not telling anyone her life was full of angst.... she avoided most people as they gave her a hard time so her finding this body was huge...especially if her dad ever found out... luckily for her he hadnt been around for months....
but when the second body turned up in a car after a bomb exploded what were the connections... if any.... a puzzle ....
and with hints of something big about to happen everyone was twitched....
a great storyline that keeps you hooked right to the end... cant wait to read more from this author
book two in this series and boy does it start with a action action action
when the first dead body is discovered in the woods near a favourite spot that kids hang out nobody could identify him... the poor girl that found him would have nightmares for days
but her home life wasnt stable either with her dad missing and she not telling anyone her life was full of angst.... she avoided most people as they gave her a hard time so her finding this body was huge...especially if her dad ever found out... luckily for her he hadnt been around for months....
but when the second body turned up in a car after a bomb exploded what were the connections... if any.... a puzzle ....
and with hints of something big about to happen everyone was twitched....
a great storyline that keeps you hooked right to the end... cant wait to read more from this author
January 10, 2026
Excellent! Danger, murder, mystery, intrigue, this was a suspenseful fast read for me. Great team of players here, Noelle & Max, of course, but I also enjoyed the authors inclusion of Mercy & Truman from another series. The last part book was edge of my seat intense. The ending, absolutely perfect. Glad to know at least 2 more books in the series are coming.
December 23, 2025
This was a suspenseful, emotional story that kept me invested from start to finish. The mystery unfolded gradually, with strong character development and tension that built as secrets from the past began to surface. Elliot did a great job exploring how long-buried truths could ripple through the present in unexpected ways.
The pacing was on the slower side, especially in the beginning, and the presence of multiple story lines meant it took some time for everything to fully connect. That said, once the pieces started falling into place, the story became increasingly compelling and rewarding.
The audiobook experience was enhanced by Stephanie Németh-Parker’s narration. She delivered a clear, engaging performance that helped distinguish between characters and maintain emotional depth, even during the more deliberate sections of the story.
Overall, this was a solid, well-crafted suspense novel that fans of character-driven mysteries would appreciate.
Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.
The pacing was on the slower side, especially in the beginning, and the presence of multiple story lines meant it took some time for everything to fully connect. That said, once the pieces started falling into place, the story became increasingly compelling and rewarding.
The audiobook experience was enhanced by Stephanie Németh-Parker’s narration. She delivered a clear, engaging performance that helped distinguish between characters and maintain emotional depth, even during the more deliberate sections of the story.
Overall, this was a solid, well-crafted suspense novel that fans of character-driven mysteries would appreciate.
Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.
August 24, 2025
Another wonderful book by the great Kendra! This book has so many layers, as do all of her books, but this one in particular really kept me guessing at every chapter. The development of Noelle’s character has me anxiously awaiting (hoping!) that we get more of her and Max’s story in future books! Add it to your list! You won’t regret it!
Disclaimer: a NetGalley reviewer
Disclaimer: a NetGalley reviewer
September 24, 2025
Absolutely FANTASTIC!
This follow up did not disappoint. I’m loving this series so much. It fast paced…like whiplash fast. Noelle is such a great character…fierce, flawed and so smart. I am going to say that I did tear up at a part near the end.
Noelle has a big heart and this town does too. I’m looking forward to more on this series. If you love authors like Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh and Charly Cox…Kendra Elliot is a must read.
This follow up did not disappoint. I’m loving this series so much. It fast paced…like whiplash fast. Noelle is such a great character…fierce, flawed and so smart. I am going to say that I did tear up at a part near the end.
Noelle has a big heart and this town does too. I’m looking forward to more on this series. If you love authors like Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh and Charly Cox…Kendra Elliot is a must read.
October 23, 2025
Kendra Elliott made a main character out of Noelle Marshall in “Her First Mistake” and we have more Noelle (and her budding romance with FBI agent Max Rhodes in “No One Knew.” Elliott already has plans for #3 and #4 to be published in September 2026 and April 2027.
Central Oregon is still the star of Elliott’s thrillers and this police procedural also feels like an offshoot of the Mercy Kilpatrick/Bone Secrets/FBI agent series: Noelle, of the Deschutes County detective division, is assisting Mercy’s husband, the small town police chief, Truman Daly, of Eagle’s Nest; and Mercy’s co-FBI agent in the Bend office is Max Rhodes, Noelle’s love interest. Also, Detective Evan Bolton from the Columbia River series appears as well. Three jurisdictions: town, county, and federal all get involved in a series of murders, which keep on multiplying.
Central to the story is that there are rumors of possible domestic terrorism threats from “sovereign citizens” in central Oregon, but to what extent is unknown. Elliott slowly unveils the plot, also involving a teenage girl, Emma, who Noelle takes under her wing. It takes awhile to understand that Emma is closer to her investigation than Noelle knows.
In any case, there’s a believable murder investigation that branches out as more contacts are made, eventually building to an action-packed climax that Elliott superbly orchestrates. These books are like popcorn to me and I love the law enforcement characters even more each time as their backgrounds are revealed. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Emma has pale green eyes, and Eleanor has green eyes, too.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO I learned that a completely dead tree is called a snag.
Thank you to Montlake/Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Central Oregon is still the star of Elliott’s thrillers and this police procedural also feels like an offshoot of the Mercy Kilpatrick/Bone Secrets/FBI agent series: Noelle, of the Deschutes County detective division, is assisting Mercy’s husband, the small town police chief, Truman Daly, of Eagle’s Nest; and Mercy’s co-FBI agent in the Bend office is Max Rhodes, Noelle’s love interest. Also, Detective Evan Bolton from the Columbia River series appears as well. Three jurisdictions: town, county, and federal all get involved in a series of murders, which keep on multiplying.
Central to the story is that there are rumors of possible domestic terrorism threats from “sovereign citizens” in central Oregon, but to what extent is unknown. Elliott slowly unveils the plot, also involving a teenage girl, Emma, who Noelle takes under her wing. It takes awhile to understand that Emma is closer to her investigation than Noelle knows.
In any case, there’s a believable murder investigation that branches out as more contacts are made, eventually building to an action-packed climax that Elliott superbly orchestrates. These books are like popcorn to me and I love the law enforcement characters even more each time as their backgrounds are revealed. 5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Emma has pale green eyes, and Eleanor has green eyes, too.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO I learned that a completely dead tree is called a snag.
Thank you to Montlake/Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
January 8, 2026
No One Knew is a book so gripping that you will have a hard time putting it down! I finished this book in 2 days and It was a very busy 2 days! Every free moment I had was spent reading this book. No One Knew is book 2 in the Noelle Marshall series by Kendra Elliot and it has quickly become one of my favorite series to read. Emma Chambers is out riding her bike looking to add cans to her bag. She's heading for a high school party spot in the woods where she knows she'll find lots of beer cans. What Emma doesn't anticipate finding is a dead body and it freaks her out. She calls the police and has to stay and answer way too many questions for her liking. Emma has been drilled day in day out by her father not to trust the police. Detective Noelle Marshall is the one questioning Emma and feels for the young girl.
Noelle's boyfriend and FBI Agent, Max Rhodes. is across town and investigating a rumor about a violent event that's being planned. There's chatter online about a militia group planning something, but no details on who is involved and what their plan is. As both Noelle and Max investigate their respective cases it starts to look as if they could be connected. As the danger gets close to home, Noelle and Max must make sure their families are safe and take precautions themselves. Will Noelle and Max be able to find the people in the militia before they do something horrific? Who are they targeting? This book is high octane and will have your heart racing as you read. I love the characters in the book and you'll find yourself rooting for them throughout. I rate No One Knew 5 stars with my highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy of No One Knew in exchange for a fair review. #NoOneKnew
Noelle's boyfriend and FBI Agent, Max Rhodes. is across town and investigating a rumor about a violent event that's being planned. There's chatter online about a militia group planning something, but no details on who is involved and what their plan is. As both Noelle and Max investigate their respective cases it starts to look as if they could be connected. As the danger gets close to home, Noelle and Max must make sure their families are safe and take precautions themselves. Will Noelle and Max be able to find the people in the militia before they do something horrific? Who are they targeting? This book is high octane and will have your heart racing as you read. I love the characters in the book and you'll find yourself rooting for them throughout. I rate No One Knew 5 stars with my highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy of No One Knew in exchange for a fair review. #NoOneKnew
January 9, 2026
The second installment in the Noelle Marshall series continues to follow the detective and FBI Special Agent Max and their blossoming relationship. They both have their own issues that they're working on and I love how they were able to bond over some of that trauma together. I really love how Max is patient and sweet with Noelle. I truly enjoyed seeing their character growth in this book. This one pulled at my heart strings for poor Emma. It’s a teenager that you will meet and she plays a big role in this book. This story follows a dangerous militia group and other killings that both Max and Noelle are working on. As the story progresses, the cases collide.
This was an addicting read that kept me engaged till the very end. I’m sure I held my breath several times at certain intense moments. The narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker did a wonderful job portraying Noelle, Max, and Emma throughout the story. I was surprised with how well she also portrayed some of the men in the militia group. The variety of tones and inflections were great.
This is great for readers who enjoy high stakes, police procedural, small town, and domestic terrorism thrillers.
A very special thanks to Brilliance Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC. No One Knew by Kendra Elliot is now available.
This was an addicting read that kept me engaged till the very end. I’m sure I held my breath several times at certain intense moments. The narrator, Stephanie Németh-Parker did a wonderful job portraying Noelle, Max, and Emma throughout the story. I was surprised with how well she also portrayed some of the men in the militia group. The variety of tones and inflections were great.
This is great for readers who enjoy high stakes, police procedural, small town, and domestic terrorism thrillers.
A very special thanks to Brilliance Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC. No One Knew by Kendra Elliot is now available.
November 7, 2025
4.5/5 rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this one a lot more than the first book, which I also enjoyed! With a relationship and familiarity with the characters it was much easier to jump into this book and the storyline, which is centered around a group of men who are non-conformist terrorists looking to seek revenge on their local judicial system, leaving dead bodies and taking hostages in their wake. Noelle Marshall, a detective for her county, and the FBI are on a race to find the men responsible and put an end to their terroristic plans before they can act on them. A gripping thriller from beginning to end, No One Knew is an entertaining installment in Elliott’s new series and I can’t wait to read the next two she’s got planned!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this one a lot more than the first book, which I also enjoyed! With a relationship and familiarity with the characters it was much easier to jump into this book and the storyline, which is centered around a group of men who are non-conformist terrorists looking to seek revenge on their local judicial system, leaving dead bodies and taking hostages in their wake. Noelle Marshall, a detective for her county, and the FBI are on a race to find the men responsible and put an end to their terroristic plans before they can act on them. A gripping thriller from beginning to end, No One Knew is an entertaining installment in Elliott’s new series and I can’t wait to read the next two she’s got planned!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an advanced copy of the audio book in exchange for an honest review!
This book was ok. I think maybe because I went into it thinking it was going to be a psychological thriller like the other books I've read by this author and it was definitely not. This book is more along the lines of a mystery with little clues popping up throughout the story. The narrator did a fine job, but when the characters have so much internal dialog it makes it kind of hard to follow the story and stay in the moment of what's going on. I liked the basic plot of the story and I enjoyed most of the characters (especially cornbread!) I think i was just hoping for more action. Overall a decent read, especially if you love a mystery.
This book was ok. I think maybe because I went into it thinking it was going to be a psychological thriller like the other books I've read by this author and it was definitely not. This book is more along the lines of a mystery with little clues popping up throughout the story. The narrator did a fine job, but when the characters have so much internal dialog it makes it kind of hard to follow the story and stay in the moment of what's going on. I liked the basic plot of the story and I enjoyed most of the characters (especially cornbread!) I think i was just hoping for more action. Overall a decent read, especially if you love a mystery.
December 27, 2025
This is the second book in the series and while I had not read the first, I was still able to follow the story without too much difficulty. There were a few moments where it felt like I was missing some background, mostly around the relationship aspects, which did not add much for me personally.
The pacing is fast and the story is packed with action, with a strong cast of supporting characters that really helped move everything along. Overall, this was an engaging and high energy read and a series I would definitely like to continue.
The pacing is fast and the story is packed with action, with a strong cast of supporting characters that really helped move everything along. Overall, this was an engaging and high energy read and a series I would definitely like to continue.
January 11, 2026
3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy of No One Knew.
Detective Noelle Marshall feels as recovered as possible from her previous traumatic ordeal. She has also begun a romantic relationship with Max the FBI agent she met during her ordeal. Noelle is called to the scene of a teenage girl who found a dead body. When more bodies start turning up she realizes that it is no coincidence.
This is the second book in this series and I will say it was a little too slow moving for me. I did a combo of audio and physical reading and I just felt like this one just had too many different things going on.
Detective Noelle Marshall feels as recovered as possible from her previous traumatic ordeal. She has also begun a romantic relationship with Max the FBI agent she met during her ordeal. Noelle is called to the scene of a teenage girl who found a dead body. When more bodies start turning up she realizes that it is no coincidence.
This is the second book in this series and I will say it was a little too slow moving for me. I did a combo of audio and physical reading and I just felt like this one just had too many different things going on.
December 21, 2025
This is my first book by this author and I loved it! I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. This was quick paced, I don’t want to stop listening and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen on the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for letting me listen to this advanced copy!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for letting me listen to this advanced copy!
January 14, 2026
This one started off fairly benign, a dead body being found. But man...did things really explode from there. It was interesting to see the crew investigate and all that they found as more bodies piled up. At times things got very dicey and force a few characters to look at what was important to them. I liked how one person, how really went through somethings, was in such a better place by the end. Finally has people around that care about them and now their future looks great! I also think that Noelle and Max are moving closer to more too, both deserve it!
January 19, 2026
I love a fast paced suspense story and Kendra Elliott is one of my favorites. The pace makes you not want to put the book down and her characters are real. I love her crossover of characters from other series, I’ve never gotten bored with her crime stories.
January 19, 2026
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Once again, Elliot does a crossover with Mercy and Chief Truman Daly in order to deal with murder and possible terrorism.
*Genre* Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Once again, Elliot does a crossover with Mercy and Chief Truman Daly in order to deal with murder and possible terrorism.
January 26, 2026
Better…
Not a fan of the audiobook narrator though…
Not a fan of the audiobook narrator though…
January 9, 2026
I really like the characters of Noelle and Max in this series but this story really felt like an overly tired premise that wandered aimlessly throughout the book with lots of dead bodies and a very weak motive. I liked the scenes with our main characters but the story itself wasn’t my favorite.
Read
August 25, 2025⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kendra Elliot has done it again with No One Knew! This second installment in the Noelle Marshall series pulled me in from the very first page and kept me gripped until the final reveal.
What stood out most to me was Noelle’s growth as a protagonist. She’s no longer just a detective reacting to events around her—she’s finding her own strength and learning to trust both her instincts and the people around her. Watching her navigate a community steeped in secrets while also confronting her own vulnerabilities made her feel layered and authentic.
The relationship between Noelle and FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes was another highlight. Their connection deepens in this book, balancing tension with genuine tenderness. I loved how their professional respect evolves into a partnership built on trust, shared danger, and a slowly blossoming intimacy that never overshadows the central mystery.
And what a mystery it is! Two seemingly unrelated cases collide in a way that’s chilling, clever, and completely unpredictable. The pacing is flawless—every chapter delivers new twists, and the creeping sense of danger builds beautifully to an explosive climax. Elliot masterfully ties together the threads of small-town suspicion, militia violence, and a killer with a hidden agenda, leaving the reader breathless.
This is everything I want in a romantic suspense novel: compelling characters, a gripping and intelligent mystery, and a relationship that feels real and earned. I can’t wait to see where Noelle and Max go next!
Kendra Elliot has done it again with No One Knew! This second installment in the Noelle Marshall series pulled me in from the very first page and kept me gripped until the final reveal.
What stood out most to me was Noelle’s growth as a protagonist. She’s no longer just a detective reacting to events around her—she’s finding her own strength and learning to trust both her instincts and the people around her. Watching her navigate a community steeped in secrets while also confronting her own vulnerabilities made her feel layered and authentic.
The relationship between Noelle and FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes was another highlight. Their connection deepens in this book, balancing tension with genuine tenderness. I loved how their professional respect evolves into a partnership built on trust, shared danger, and a slowly blossoming intimacy that never overshadows the central mystery.
And what a mystery it is! Two seemingly unrelated cases collide in a way that’s chilling, clever, and completely unpredictable. The pacing is flawless—every chapter delivers new twists, and the creeping sense of danger builds beautifully to an explosive climax. Elliot masterfully ties together the threads of small-town suspicion, militia violence, and a killer with a hidden agenda, leaving the reader breathless.
This is everything I want in a romantic suspense novel: compelling characters, a gripping and intelligent mystery, and a relationship that feels real and earned. I can’t wait to see where Noelle and Max go next!
January 7, 2026
rapidly becoming a favorite!
I love Kendra Elliot’s writing style and the way all of her novels have little Easter eggs to other story lines/books. This one was another banger!!!
I love Kendra Elliot’s writing style and the way all of her novels have little Easter eggs to other story lines/books. This one was another banger!!!
January 13, 2026
Escapist reading
I love everything I have read from Kendra Elliott. She knows how to bring characters to life and embed them in your heart. She moves secondary characters to the lead and leaves the other previous lead characters in supporting roles so you get to keep up with them. The plots aren’t repetitive and the storylines are addictive. I rarely put one down once I have started. They are the perfect length for me.
I love everything I have read from Kendra Elliott. She knows how to bring characters to life and embed them in your heart. She moves secondary characters to the lead and leaves the other previous lead characters in supporting roles so you get to keep up with them. The plots aren’t repetitive and the storylines are addictive. I rarely put one down once I have started. They are the perfect length for me.
January 6, 2026
Another exciting installment of this fantastic series. Just when you think you know what’s going they throw you a curve and Boom!!
Our old favorites are back with new characters in the mix. The crazy is real. Definitely a must have!!
Our old favorites are back with new characters in the mix. The crazy is real. Definitely a must have!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I first came across Elliot’s work through another of her many books, and this one sounded really intriguing. The fact that it was an audiobook only made it more appealing, since I tend to do a lot more audiobook reading than any other kind. However, this is the second book in a series, which I didn’t realize until after I had already started. Luckily, I didn’t feel as though I started watching a movie in the middle of the action, and instead was able to follow along even without knowing anything about the series.
Stephanie Németh-Parker narrated this story, and I thought that she did a wonderful job with the story and the characters. She speaks in a range of tones, accents, and pitches believably, and at times it felt as if more than one person was narrating.
The story opens with a teenager named Emma scrounging for discarded cans and instead finding the victim of a murder. Quickly, Detective Noelle Marshall is dispatched to investigate and discovers an insulated and closed off community who is intensely distrustful of outsiders in general, especially law enforcement. She’s got her own issues, though, and knows when to push and when to back off and try another technique. She uses them to connect with the characters, and Noelle becomes concerned about Emma’s living situation when she sees the backwoods cabin without heat and bare shelves in the fridge and cupboard. Instead of drawing attention to it, she finds out how to take action and connect with some community members who can help without making it feel like a big deal or an insult to Emma or her father.
It’s hard not to love Emma. She’s got a wonderful mix of naïveté and practical knowledge that can often be found in rural communities who homeschool rather than sending their children to public school. Emma has been taking care of the home while her father doesn’t seem to do much more than provide her with the basic necessities, although he isn’t at the cabin and clearly hasn’t returned for some time, since she has nothing to eat or warm the cabin with.
It isn’t long before FBI agents are dispatched to investigate rumors of a plot involving a secretive militia group preparing for a war, and there is a link discovered between the corpse found in the woods and the far-right extremist group plotting acts of domestic terrorism. The FBI agents and county police officers work together to solve both crimes and hopefully prevent a tragedy.
Max Rhodes is one of the FBI agents and is dating Noelle. I liked Max as well as Noelle, and really enjoyed seeing their dynamic on the page as they got closer, but I would have liked to see more of these two together. Instead, they pass like ships in the night for so much of the story, aside from one really meaningful scene between these two. I had a hard time seeing what attracted them to each other as a partner. Since I didn’t read the first book, there must have been something that I missed, because I didn’t really have the context on the relationship: how they typically interact, what drew them together, what challenges they face as individuals in demanding and dangerous situations, and how the relationship impacts their ability to work together effectively since they are both in law enforcement. I personally would have liked to see the growing relationship between them on page a little more than I got.
The story starts out at a moderate pace, but picks up rapidly and slows down when building up to a twist or big reveal. I found the plot line to be exciting and there were some parts that had me on the edge of my seat. Any good mystery has to have some plot twists for me to really enjoy it, and Elliot peppered the story with twists and turns. Some were predictable, but others were real surprises, and the faster pace made it feel like the story was flying by even if there were some slower parts throughout the book.
Overall, this was a good read. Sure, I would have liked to see a bit more romance blooming between Noelle and Max, since their interactions are mainly work-oriented in the story. This book did have some pacing issues and made use of tropes similar to Criminal Minds, so at least the second part worked well for me. I happen to love Criminal Minds and have seen all of the episodes except for the most recent season and an episode featuring a clown but I’d rather not discuss how I feel about clowns. Back to the story at hand (pun intended), I don’t know if the first book also has the same issues that didn’t work so well for me in this book, namely the ebb and flow of the pace and the lack of romance and scenes between Noelle and Max, but I am going to give the first book in the series a read and find out for myself. Basically, this is right up your alley if you are a diehard fan of law enforcement procedurals in television or other books.
I first came across Elliot’s work through another of her many books, and this one sounded really intriguing. The fact that it was an audiobook only made it more appealing, since I tend to do a lot more audiobook reading than any other kind. However, this is the second book in a series, which I didn’t realize until after I had already started. Luckily, I didn’t feel as though I started watching a movie in the middle of the action, and instead was able to follow along even without knowing anything about the series.
Stephanie Németh-Parker narrated this story, and I thought that she did a wonderful job with the story and the characters. She speaks in a range of tones, accents, and pitches believably, and at times it felt as if more than one person was narrating.
The story opens with a teenager named Emma scrounging for discarded cans and instead finding the victim of a murder. Quickly, Detective Noelle Marshall is dispatched to investigate and discovers an insulated and closed off community who is intensely distrustful of outsiders in general, especially law enforcement. She’s got her own issues, though, and knows when to push and when to back off and try another technique. She uses them to connect with the characters, and Noelle becomes concerned about Emma’s living situation when she sees the backwoods cabin without heat and bare shelves in the fridge and cupboard. Instead of drawing attention to it, she finds out how to take action and connect with some community members who can help without making it feel like a big deal or an insult to Emma or her father.
It’s hard not to love Emma. She’s got a wonderful mix of naïveté and practical knowledge that can often be found in rural communities who homeschool rather than sending their children to public school. Emma has been taking care of the home while her father doesn’t seem to do much more than provide her with the basic necessities, although he isn’t at the cabin and clearly hasn’t returned for some time, since she has nothing to eat or warm the cabin with.
It isn’t long before FBI agents are dispatched to investigate rumors of a plot involving a secretive militia group preparing for a war, and there is a link discovered between the corpse found in the woods and the far-right extremist group plotting acts of domestic terrorism. The FBI agents and county police officers work together to solve both crimes and hopefully prevent a tragedy.
Max Rhodes is one of the FBI agents and is dating Noelle. I liked Max as well as Noelle, and really enjoyed seeing their dynamic on the page as they got closer, but I would have liked to see more of these two together. Instead, they pass like ships in the night for so much of the story, aside from one really meaningful scene between these two. I had a hard time seeing what attracted them to each other as a partner. Since I didn’t read the first book, there must have been something that I missed, because I didn’t really have the context on the relationship: how they typically interact, what drew them together, what challenges they face as individuals in demanding and dangerous situations, and how the relationship impacts their ability to work together effectively since they are both in law enforcement. I personally would have liked to see the growing relationship between them on page a little more than I got.
The story starts out at a moderate pace, but picks up rapidly and slows down when building up to a twist or big reveal. I found the plot line to be exciting and there were some parts that had me on the edge of my seat. Any good mystery has to have some plot twists for me to really enjoy it, and Elliot peppered the story with twists and turns. Some were predictable, but others were real surprises, and the faster pace made it feel like the story was flying by even if there were some slower parts throughout the book.
Overall, this was a good read. Sure, I would have liked to see a bit more romance blooming between Noelle and Max, since their interactions are mainly work-oriented in the story. This book did have some pacing issues and made use of tropes similar to Criminal Minds, so at least the second part worked well for me. I happen to love Criminal Minds and have seen all of the episodes except for the most recent season and an episode featuring a clown but I’d rather not discuss how I feel about clowns. Back to the story at hand (pun intended), I don’t know if the first book also has the same issues that didn’t work so well for me in this book, namely the ebb and flow of the pace and the lack of romance and scenes between Noelle and Max, but I am going to give the first book in the series a read and find out for myself. Basically, this is right up your alley if you are a diehard fan of law enforcement procedurals in television or other books.
January 18, 2026
NO ONE KNEW is a thriller that grabs you from the first page as a lonely teenager finds a dead body. Kendra Elliot knows the central Oregon setting well. Through her capable descriptions, we feel the bitter cold of winter as Noelle Marshall, along with her coworkers and FBI boyfriend, tries to figure out who is behind the man's murder and two other corpses that appear in succession --- and why the FBI is getting whispers about something big being planned by domestic terrorists.
This is the second Noelle Marshall book, and there are characters who have appeared in previous series. If, like me, you haven't read those other novels, you might be tempted to do so. Elliot provides just enough backstory so that it all makes sense without sharing too much, which is exactly the delicate balance that makes for a successful series.
Noelle met Max Rhodes, an FBI agent, in HER FIRST MISTAKE. Despite the fact that he was investigating the cold case murder of her husband, and she was a suspect, there was an attraction. Now Noelle is a Deschutes County detective, even though her husband's death left her wealthy beyond imagination. She loves her job, the excitement and helping others.
In NO ONE KNEW, Noelle gets a chance to try to help Emma Chambers, whose father disappeared months ago and left the teenager to survive on her own. He was abusive and cruel, and she's thankful he's gone. Now she lives in their small home with little food or heat. Her only companion is the stray cat she feeds with food that she buys with the money she gets from collecting bottles and cans. She has dropped out of school because of the constant torment from other students about her lack of decent clothing and her ragged lifestyle. It's while she's gathering bottles and cans that she finds the body of a murdered man. She's a fabulous character, and through Elliot's touching narrative, we immediately feel for her and want better for her.
Max's FBI office is busy working to investigate the rumor of some kind of disruption that is being planned by domestic terrorists. They don't know what kind of violence it might bring, and it's frustrating to proceed with little concrete information. He works with Mercy Kilpatrick, a special agent with the bureau who was featured in Elliot’s eponymous series.
Max and Noelle's work has a lot of overlap, and they quickly realize that the dead bodies just might be connected to the vague threats that the FBI is concerned about. As they both work to figure out what is going on, we see their relationship growing and evolving. Elliot manages to keep the tension high throughout the story as Max and Noelle eke out information but always feel that they are a step behind the criminals.
Elliot's soft spot for animals is apparent as there is not only a stray cat in the story but also a senior horse. There's a perfect balance of action and emotion, of threatened violence and compassion, and of those seeking revenge versus those who are determined to protect those in need. This is the kind of book that is difficult to put down not only because we want to know how it all ends, but because we have become emotionally invested in the characters and want to make sure they are finally all right.
NO ONE KNEW stands beautifully alone, but it also works perfectly as part of a series as we watch the overarching development of the characters. It's all so lovely.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
This is the second Noelle Marshall book, and there are characters who have appeared in previous series. If, like me, you haven't read those other novels, you might be tempted to do so. Elliot provides just enough backstory so that it all makes sense without sharing too much, which is exactly the delicate balance that makes for a successful series.
Noelle met Max Rhodes, an FBI agent, in HER FIRST MISTAKE. Despite the fact that he was investigating the cold case murder of her husband, and she was a suspect, there was an attraction. Now Noelle is a Deschutes County detective, even though her husband's death left her wealthy beyond imagination. She loves her job, the excitement and helping others.
In NO ONE KNEW, Noelle gets a chance to try to help Emma Chambers, whose father disappeared months ago and left the teenager to survive on her own. He was abusive and cruel, and she's thankful he's gone. Now she lives in their small home with little food or heat. Her only companion is the stray cat she feeds with food that she buys with the money she gets from collecting bottles and cans. She has dropped out of school because of the constant torment from other students about her lack of decent clothing and her ragged lifestyle. It's while she's gathering bottles and cans that she finds the body of a murdered man. She's a fabulous character, and through Elliot's touching narrative, we immediately feel for her and want better for her.
Max's FBI office is busy working to investigate the rumor of some kind of disruption that is being planned by domestic terrorists. They don't know what kind of violence it might bring, and it's frustrating to proceed with little concrete information. He works with Mercy Kilpatrick, a special agent with the bureau who was featured in Elliot’s eponymous series.
Max and Noelle's work has a lot of overlap, and they quickly realize that the dead bodies just might be connected to the vague threats that the FBI is concerned about. As they both work to figure out what is going on, we see their relationship growing and evolving. Elliot manages to keep the tension high throughout the story as Max and Noelle eke out information but always feel that they are a step behind the criminals.
Elliot's soft spot for animals is apparent as there is not only a stray cat in the story but also a senior horse. There's a perfect balance of action and emotion, of threatened violence and compassion, and of those seeking revenge versus those who are determined to protect those in need. This is the kind of book that is difficult to put down not only because we want to know how it all ends, but because we have become emotionally invested in the characters and want to make sure they are finally all right.
NO ONE KNEW stands beautifully alone, but it also works perfectly as part of a series as we watch the overarching development of the characters. It's all so lovely.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kendra Elliot has once again delivered a suspenseful crime thriller with a bit of romance in
No One Knew,
the second book in the Noelle Marshall series. A girl, Emma Chambers, finds a body while searching for discarded cans at a secret teenage party site. Deschutes County Detective Noelle Marshall is called to the scene near the town of Eagle’s Nest. Miles away in Bend, Oregon, her boyfriend, FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes and his partner Mercy Kilpatrick are investigating another dark matter. There is chatter about a violent uprising from a militia group in Central Oregon. As the two investigations continue, their paths begin to intersect.
Noelle is confident, security conscious, loves her job, generous, observant, and caring. However, she struggles to connect with many women and she moves tentatively when it comes to relationships, except for her family. She’s also a bit of a perfectionist. Max is smart, funny, and transferred from Sacramento to be near Noelle and his family. However, he is estranged from two out of his three sisters, as well as his mother. There is cross-over with characters (such as Mercy) from other series by this author. It was great to catch up with them.
The story grabbed my attention with the first chapter and kept me engaged to the last page. While the story is told largely from Noelle’s point of view, there are chapters from Emma’s and Max’s points of view too. This story has great world-building; making it easy to visualize the people and the setting. The author knows how to tug on the reader’s emotions as the scenes unfold. The plot is multi-layered, with some twists and turns as the story builds momentum during the dual investigations and reaches an action-packed conclusion. Themes include family, secrets, murder, militias, domestic violence, trust, community, and a bit of romance.
Overall, this was a tense, clever, gripping, and suspenseful novel with well-developed characters. It’s a great addition to the series. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book. If you enjoy police procedurals, crime novels, and mysteries with a strong female protagonist, then I recommend that you check out this series. While this could work as a standalone novel, the first book in the series gives a lot of Noelle’s background so it sets the stage for the series featuring her.
Montlake and Kendra Elliot provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 06, 2026.
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My 4.48 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Noelle is confident, security conscious, loves her job, generous, observant, and caring. However, she struggles to connect with many women and she moves tentatively when it comes to relationships, except for her family. She’s also a bit of a perfectionist. Max is smart, funny, and transferred from Sacramento to be near Noelle and his family. However, he is estranged from two out of his three sisters, as well as his mother. There is cross-over with characters (such as Mercy) from other series by this author. It was great to catch up with them.
The story grabbed my attention with the first chapter and kept me engaged to the last page. While the story is told largely from Noelle’s point of view, there are chapters from Emma’s and Max’s points of view too. This story has great world-building; making it easy to visualize the people and the setting. The author knows how to tug on the reader’s emotions as the scenes unfold. The plot is multi-layered, with some twists and turns as the story builds momentum during the dual investigations and reaches an action-packed conclusion. Themes include family, secrets, murder, militias, domestic violence, trust, community, and a bit of romance.
Overall, this was a tense, clever, gripping, and suspenseful novel with well-developed characters. It’s a great addition to the series. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book. If you enjoy police procedurals, crime novels, and mysteries with a strong female protagonist, then I recommend that you check out this series. While this could work as a standalone novel, the first book in the series gives a lot of Noelle’s background so it sets the stage for the series featuring her.
Montlake and Kendra Elliot provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 06, 2026.
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My 4.48 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
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