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Dangerous Betrayals
She’s tracking a killer, but who is tracking her?
Former journalist, now fledgling mystery writer, Leah Nash receives a heartfelt email from Marguerite, a reader she’s never met. Marguerite’s sister Hannah is in a Wisconsin prison for the murder of her married lover, Matthew Ferguson. She begs Leah to save Hannah from serving life for a crime she didn’t commit.
However, Leah is pretty sure Hannah did kill Matthew. The case against her was very strong and the jury delivered the guilty verdict in less than an hour. But Marguerite’s desperation strikes a chord in Leah due to the deep-seated guilt she feels over failing to save her own sister years earlier. She finds it impossible to turn Marguerite down.
Peeling back the layers of Matthew's complicated life, Leah uncovers multiple suspects who had reasons to want Matthew dead. All of them—Matthew’s betrayed wife, his resentful sister, a bankrupted neighbor, a political adversary, and a cuckolded husband—are concealing secrets. But which one is also hiding the heart of a killer? As Leah navigates a maze of lies and alibis, each clue only deepens the mystery.
Leah becomes so enmeshed in saving Hannah that when she begins to receive odd, anonymous messages, she attributes them to a fan with boundary issues. The county sheriff, who happens to be her boyfriend, isn’t so sure. But as Leah works to prove Hannah’s innocence and bring the real killer to light, is a stalker waiting to close in for the final act?
____________________
Praise for Susan Hunter and the Leah Nash mystery
"...flawless and satisfying." —Cynthia Hamilton, author of the Madeline Dawkins Mysteries
“...will leave readers breathless and ready for more.” —LynDee Walker, Amazon Charts bestselling author of Fear No Truth
[Leah]...encourages the reader to follow her wherever she goes, and I intend to do just that." —Laura Snider, author of Unsympathetic Victims
"Leah Nash is a feisty, determined heroine who fearlessly chases truth, justice, and the next great story." —Shannon Baker, author of the Kate Fox mystery series
"Leah is smart and motivated with a healthy sense of humor. She narrates her story with a good balance between action, conversation, and introspection." —Foreword Reviews
Former journalist, now fledgling mystery writer, Leah Nash receives a heartfelt email from Marguerite, a reader she’s never met. Marguerite’s sister Hannah is in a Wisconsin prison for the murder of her married lover, Matthew Ferguson. She begs Leah to save Hannah from serving life for a crime she didn’t commit.
However, Leah is pretty sure Hannah did kill Matthew. The case against her was very strong and the jury delivered the guilty verdict in less than an hour. But Marguerite’s desperation strikes a chord in Leah due to the deep-seated guilt she feels over failing to save her own sister years earlier. She finds it impossible to turn Marguerite down.
Peeling back the layers of Matthew's complicated life, Leah uncovers multiple suspects who had reasons to want Matthew dead. All of them—Matthew’s betrayed wife, his resentful sister, a bankrupted neighbor, a political adversary, and a cuckolded husband—are concealing secrets. But which one is also hiding the heart of a killer? As Leah navigates a maze of lies and alibis, each clue only deepens the mystery.
Leah becomes so enmeshed in saving Hannah that when she begins to receive odd, anonymous messages, she attributes them to a fan with boundary issues. The county sheriff, who happens to be her boyfriend, isn’t so sure. But as Leah works to prove Hannah’s innocence and bring the real killer to light, is a stalker waiting to close in for the final act?
____________________
Praise for Susan Hunter and the Leah Nash mystery
"...flawless and satisfying." —Cynthia Hamilton, author of the Madeline Dawkins Mysteries
“...will leave readers breathless and ready for more.” —LynDee Walker, Amazon Charts bestselling author of Fear No Truth
[Leah]...encourages the reader to follow her wherever she goes, and I intend to do just that." —Laura Snider, author of Unsympathetic Victims
"Leah Nash is a feisty, determined heroine who fearlessly chases truth, justice, and the next great story." —Shannon Baker, author of the Kate Fox mystery series
"Leah is smart and motivated with a healthy sense of humor. She narrates her story with a good balance between action, conversation, and introspection." —Foreword Reviews
- GenresMystery
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2025
395 people are currently reading
1034 people want to read
About the author
Susan Hunter
29 books193 followersSusan Hunter is a happy introvert who lives with her husband Gary, an extreme extrovert, in rural Michigan.
She spent some years as a reporter and then as the managing editor of a small daily newspaper. From there Susan went on to work at a university in publications and marketing where she honed her skills at appearing engaged in academic meetings, while internally composing her grocery list. She also taught a few classes as well—in English composition, that is, not in faking your way through meetings.
In addition to writing the Leah Nash series, Susan enjoys reading other people’s writing, watching classic films, occasional walks and snarky conversation with old friends and family, eating chocolate chip cookies, and answering emails from her readers. Visit her website, susanhunterauthor.com
She spent some years as a reporter and then as the managing editor of a small daily newspaper. From there Susan went on to work at a university in publications and marketing where she honed her skills at appearing engaged in academic meetings, while internally composing her grocery list. She also taught a few classes as well—in English composition, that is, not in faking your way through meetings.
In addition to writing the Leah Nash series, Susan enjoys reading other people’s writing, watching classic films, occasional walks and snarky conversation with old friends and family, eating chocolate chip cookies, and answering emails from her readers. Visit her website, susanhunterauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 3, 2025
I love it when everything comes together in a novel. The plot is well crafted so it takes time to figure out the mystery. There is a surprising twist near the end. The characters are full of life. I have become quite engaged with Leah. I have read nearly every book in the series and I still find her fun to follow. She's impulsive and moves too quickly on her conclusions some times but she has good support characters to help her along. That Miguel is something else! Coop is a nice calming support. And she also has wise support in Father Lindstrom. There are a couple of quirky characters too. They all come together to make an entertaining novel.
A great plot, really well developed characters, some humor, and twist near the end followed by a surprise, I loved this novel. While it is down the line in the series, it reads very well on its own. I'll be waiting impatiently for the next adventure for Leah.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
A great plot, really well developed characters, some humor, and twist near the end followed by a surprise, I loved this novel. While it is down the line in the series, it reads very well on its own. I'll be waiting impatiently for the next adventure for Leah.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
June 4, 2025
This is another solid entry into this series. The storyline draws you in and gives several potential suspects to examine. It’s always interesting to follow along with Leah as she investigates. The downside to the series for me, is Leah herself. I often struggle with her self centeredness, unwillingness to compromise and look at things from other peoples perspective. I often have found myself thinking that she gets more from her relationships than she gives back. Obviously this personal issue hasn’t kept me from continuing to read the series! The overall quality of the series has outweighed my personal issues with the main character! It is a good series!
July 24, 2025
Lost of twist and turns
Lots of twists and turns happen as Leah investigates a murder. You think you know who it is but the end will shock you.
Lots of twists and turns happen as Leah investigates a murder. You think you know who it is but the end will shock you.
July 17, 2025
Sooooooo good! engaging, thrilling, and exciting, now I have a new series to look at!
December 14, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Let me tell you straight, this book Dangerous Betrayals did not ease into my life. It kicked the door open, dumped a box of secrets on the floor, and told me to keep up. Leah Nash used to be a journalist and now she is trying to write mystery books, which already tells you trouble is coming. Then she gets an email from a woman named Marguerite who is convinced her sister Hannah is locked up in a Wisconsin prison for a murder she did not commit.
Leah does not believe her. Not even a little. Hannah was convicted fast, like blink and you miss it fast. The jury barely had time to stretch, and Leah figures the case was wrapped tight. But Leah has guilt riding shotgun from failing her own sister years back, so her common sense packs a bag and leaves town. Next thing you know, she is right back in the business.
Leah starts digging into the dead man Matthew, and buddy, that man had more problems than answers. Folks all over the place had reasons to want him gone. An angry wife, a sour sister, a neighbor flat broke, a political enemy, and a husband who got played hard. Every single one of them is hiding something, and the deeper Leah digs, the more tangled it gets.
Then the weird stuff starts. Leah begins getting strange messages and shrugs it off like it is just a reader who does not understand personal space. The sheriff, who also happens to be her boyfriend, smells trouble right away. While Leah is focused on proving Hannah innocent, somebody else might be lining her up for a very bad ending.
This book moves quick, talks smart, and keeps slinging suspects at you like it is a competitive sport. It is funny in a dry way, tense in the right spots, and just when you think you cracked the case, it laughs and runs the other direction. I enjoyed the ride, the chaos, and the constant second guessing.
I give it a 4 outta 5 catfish!
Let me tell you straight, this book Dangerous Betrayals did not ease into my life. It kicked the door open, dumped a box of secrets on the floor, and told me to keep up. Leah Nash used to be a journalist and now she is trying to write mystery books, which already tells you trouble is coming. Then she gets an email from a woman named Marguerite who is convinced her sister Hannah is locked up in a Wisconsin prison for a murder she did not commit.
Leah does not believe her. Not even a little. Hannah was convicted fast, like blink and you miss it fast. The jury barely had time to stretch, and Leah figures the case was wrapped tight. But Leah has guilt riding shotgun from failing her own sister years back, so her common sense packs a bag and leaves town. Next thing you know, she is right back in the business.
Leah starts digging into the dead man Matthew, and buddy, that man had more problems than answers. Folks all over the place had reasons to want him gone. An angry wife, a sour sister, a neighbor flat broke, a political enemy, and a husband who got played hard. Every single one of them is hiding something, and the deeper Leah digs, the more tangled it gets.
Then the weird stuff starts. Leah begins getting strange messages and shrugs it off like it is just a reader who does not understand personal space. The sheriff, who also happens to be her boyfriend, smells trouble right away. While Leah is focused on proving Hannah innocent, somebody else might be lining her up for a very bad ending.
This book moves quick, talks smart, and keeps slinging suspects at you like it is a competitive sport. It is funny in a dry way, tense in the right spots, and just when you think you cracked the case, it laughs and runs the other direction. I enjoyed the ride, the chaos, and the constant second guessing.
I give it a 4 outta 5 catfish!
May 24, 2025
Best book of the series!
When I finished the last page of Dangerous Betrayals, I sat back thinking about all the previous Leah Nash stories I’ve read. Over the course of twelve books, I’ve come to know Leah, Carol, Coop, Miguel, and so many more people in Himmel that I feel like I must be a community member.
Dangerous Betrayals finds Leah doing edits on her latest book while planning the next and taking an active interest in the board makeup of her co-owned nonprofit newspaper. But as she is known to do, Leah, despite turning down a plea for help, ultimately gets involved in a closed murder case.
From the point Leah gets involved in looking into the closed murder case this story ramps up into a tale of suspicion, lies, betrayals, and fascinating characters.
I’m not going to provide any more on the story because doing so might provide spoilers and each reader should be able to experience this story without my spoiling it for them.
What I will say is this story, like its predecessors, was much like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Except once I had the puzzle completed, I learned I had way too many pieces left to have truly completed my task. And then the picture on the box changed…..
Of the twelve Leah Nash books, Dangerous Betrayals is easily my favorite. If you are a reader of Leah Nash stories, you must read this book. If you are new the Susan Hunter’s Leah Nash series, sure you could read Dangerous Betrayals as a stand-alone, but you would be missing all the context from the first eleven books, and that would be a shame.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of Dangerous Betrayals from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
When I finished the last page of Dangerous Betrayals, I sat back thinking about all the previous Leah Nash stories I’ve read. Over the course of twelve books, I’ve come to know Leah, Carol, Coop, Miguel, and so many more people in Himmel that I feel like I must be a community member.
Dangerous Betrayals finds Leah doing edits on her latest book while planning the next and taking an active interest in the board makeup of her co-owned nonprofit newspaper. But as she is known to do, Leah, despite turning down a plea for help, ultimately gets involved in a closed murder case.
From the point Leah gets involved in looking into the closed murder case this story ramps up into a tale of suspicion, lies, betrayals, and fascinating characters.
I’m not going to provide any more on the story because doing so might provide spoilers and each reader should be able to experience this story without my spoiling it for them.
What I will say is this story, like its predecessors, was much like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Except once I had the puzzle completed, I learned I had way too many pieces left to have truly completed my task. And then the picture on the box changed…..
Of the twelve Leah Nash books, Dangerous Betrayals is easily my favorite. If you are a reader of Leah Nash stories, you must read this book. If you are new the Susan Hunter’s Leah Nash series, sure you could read Dangerous Betrayals as a stand-alone, but you would be missing all the context from the first eleven books, and that would be a shame.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of Dangerous Betrayals from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
May 24, 2025
I received an ARC through "Severn River" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story begins with Leah awaiting editor comments for her 2nd book and working on a plot for her 3rd book. Leah gets an email from one of her readers asking for her help in looking at a case relating to Hannah, Marguerite's sister, who was convicted of murdering her husband. Leah did a cursory look and what she saw convinced her that the jury got it right. Leah sent a response to that effect, but as a result, Marguerite traveled from Australia to plead her case. Leah finally agreed. She would now be doing her book as well as looking into Hannah's case.
Read along and discovery the steps that Leah took as she tried to find something that would clear Hannah. Things looked bleak until the death of one of the suspects. Learn how Leah's plot wound up putting her in danger from an unknown stalker.
This sory will definitely keep your interest and is well worth the read!
This story begins with Leah awaiting editor comments for her 2nd book and working on a plot for her 3rd book. Leah gets an email from one of her readers asking for her help in looking at a case relating to Hannah, Marguerite's sister, who was convicted of murdering her husband. Leah did a cursory look and what she saw convinced her that the jury got it right. Leah sent a response to that effect, but as a result, Marguerite traveled from Australia to plead her case. Leah finally agreed. She would now be doing her book as well as looking into Hannah's case.
Read along and discovery the steps that Leah took as she tried to find something that would clear Hannah. Things looked bleak until the death of one of the suspects. Learn how Leah's plot wound up putting her in danger from an unknown stalker.
This sory will definitely keep your interest and is well worth the read!
May 22, 2025
Loved it!
Leah Nash has a lot on her plate between resurrecting the Himmel Times, finishing her latest book, and working out the plot for her next one. Despite that, a sisters desperate plea compels her to reinvestigate an old murder case. Coop cautions her, Miguel encourages her, but Marguerite Pierce’s entreaties on her convicted sister’s behalf is what sways her.
Susan Hunter has a writing style that brings her characters to life. The masterful way she spins the clues pulled me into the mystery and held my interest from start to finish. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Leah Nash has a lot on her plate between resurrecting the Himmel Times, finishing her latest book, and working out the plot for her next one. Despite that, a sisters desperate plea compels her to reinvestigate an old murder case. Coop cautions her, Miguel encourages her, but Marguerite Pierce’s entreaties on her convicted sister’s behalf is what sways her.
Susan Hunter has a writing style that brings her characters to life. The masterful way she spins the clues pulled me into the mystery and held my interest from start to finish. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
August 4, 2025
A fitting finale (if indeed that’s what it is)
A final return to Himmel, Wisconsin, and journalist/newspaper owner/author Leah Nash and her close circle of friends.
Asked to review a murder conviction in a neighbouring County, Leah pauses her research on a future novel and her questioning of the friends, family and acquaintances of the victim opens up wounds old and new, whilst also garnering herself a stalker.
And just when she thinks she can return to her regular life she’s rudely reminded that she has a stalker.
This has been an outstanding series of novels, and I hope there’s more to come from the author.
A final return to Himmel, Wisconsin, and journalist/newspaper owner/author Leah Nash and her close circle of friends.
Asked to review a murder conviction in a neighbouring County, Leah pauses her research on a future novel and her questioning of the friends, family and acquaintances of the victim opens up wounds old and new, whilst also garnering herself a stalker.
And just when she thinks she can return to her regular life she’s rudely reminded that she has a stalker.
This has been an outstanding series of novels, and I hope there’s more to come from the author.
August 16, 2025
Leads and dead ends often look the same in "Dangerous Betrayals". The story centers around Leah being asked to look into the murder conviction of woman's sister, and after declining several times, she decides to do it. The story moves along well, with all our fave Leah Nash characters in attendance, however, some of the recurring themes are becoming too familiar - I was actually able to determine the true culprit fairly early on. While I didn't find book #12 to be quite as engaging as most of the others, it is still a good read and I do recommend it.
June 17, 2025
Good but a bit predictable
Not to sound like Leah’s stalker, but I’m usually quite a fan of Susan’s books. Unfortunately I had figured out who the killer was before the end, as well as the stalker’s identity. The book was definitely good as far as the storyline and kept me reading til the end. Hopefully this isn’t the last of the Leah Nash books, as I really love the character!
Not to sound like Leah’s stalker, but I’m usually quite a fan of Susan’s books. Unfortunately I had figured out who the killer was before the end, as well as the stalker’s identity. The book was definitely good as far as the storyline and kept me reading til the end. Hopefully this isn’t the last of the Leah Nash books, as I really love the character!
May 21, 2025
Susan Hunter always delivers! This beautifully complex mystery was a joy to read. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
May 29, 2025
Another great entry in one of my favorite series. I always enjoy spending time with the regular characters, and the mystery is intriguing. My only wish is that the author would write the next one faster!
June 18, 2025
This book is part of a series but read very well as a stand alone. Hannah is in prison for killing her lover but her sister insists she is innocent and asks Leah to prove it. This is a solid mystery with great characters. I will look for other books by this author.
June 22, 2025
I enjoy the Leah Nash series, but I had the killer figured out early on. I liked the characters, the plot and the humor. If you enjoy murder mysteries, you should read Dangerous Betrayals. I received a free copy of this book via Severn River Publishing and I am voluntarily leaving my review.
October 4, 2025
This book makes a good stopping point for me. Sometimes I like this series and other times I don't. And that's in the same book. Leah can go off on some crazy theories and miss what's right in front of her. For me, it's time to move on.
June 6, 2025
A terrific twisty plot with so many suspects and plot treads it’s almost like reading 3 books at once. Look out Jessica Fletcher you’ve got competition.
June 15, 2025
Kind of glad this series is done - good job of tying all the details together to bring it home.
July 1, 2025
Not bad, but not the best
Overall I love the books but I thought the plot of this one was by far the most most obvious and a bit disappointing. But I still can't wait for the next!
Overall I love the books but I thought the plot of this one was by far the most most obvious and a bit disappointing. But I still can't wait for the next!
March 15, 2026
Leah started out a journalist turned writer. Who’s tracking her and why. Filled with suspense and danger, you’ll absolutely love it. Don’t miss out.
June 4, 2025
I enjoyed this instalment of the Leah Nash series better than the previous one. The plot moved and had enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The only thing that seemed a bit too obvious for me was what I would call the B storyline, but overall a good entry into the series.
I received an ARC and am leaving this review willingly.
I received an ARC and am leaving this review willingly.
June 18, 2025
Dangerous Betrayals
Great book! I have read all the Leah Nash books, and this one is another winner. Leah has been asked to look into a murder and she gets all kinds of clues and more bodies turning up. And possibly her own.
Great book! I have read all the Leah Nash books, and this one is another winner. Leah has been asked to look into a murder and she gets all kinds of clues and more bodies turning up. And possibly her own.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews