Where Secrets Lie

Deception in the Mountains #1

by Rebecca Lake

Some secrets refuse to stay buried...

Anna Stanten thought she'd left her past behind when she fled to Texas after her mother's death. But a haunting phone call shatters her new life, luring her back to Idaho with promises of long-buried truths. As she delves into a labyrinth of family secrets, Anna finds herself face-to-face with Wyatt Stone, the first love she'd all but forgotten. Can she trust him with her heart as she unravels the web of lies surrounding her family?

Confronted by the enigmatic figure of her great-uncle Atticus and pursued by an unseen threat, Anna must summon the courage to face the darkness of her family's history. With each revelation, she steps further out of her mother's shadow and into her own strength. But as the secrets pile up and the danger mounts, Anna realizes that uncovering the truth might cost her everything – including her life.

From the pen of Rebecca Lake comes a gripping tale of suspense and sweet romance that will keep you turning pages long into the night. "Where Secrets Lie" is more than just a mystery – it's a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of love to light even the darkest corners of our past.

Unearth the secrets alongside Anna. Will you dare to venture into the shadows where truth and danger intertwine?

Genres: Mystery, Romance

307 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2024

About the author

Rebecca grew up in the rural West, where abandoned gold rush towns, remote caves, and the rugged Idaho mountains stirred her imagination. The stories remained unwritten until one day she decided she could no longer wait for tomorrow and began writing. Within a year, she penned Where Secrets Lie, His Last Text, and The Mistaken Witness.

Her clean novels provide unique twists, white-knuckle suspense, and sweet romance. The characters inspire with their courage, grounded in hope.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel held my attention from beginning to end. I was invested in the characters’ lives and intrigued by the mystery. When I’d have to set this book aside to tend to real-life things, I couldn’t stop wondering what was going to happen next.

This featured a slow-building mystery where the tension and danger grew the further into the story it got. It kept me guessing. And while I did eventually figure out one thing, another twist threw me for a loop. I sure didn’t see that coming.

I will say that there were a few moments where some suspension of belief was needed and some things seemed to fall into place a little too easily, but, overall, this was an enjoyable read that has me looking forward to the next one.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clean, mystery, albeit somewhat confusing!

This was my first read by this author, and I enjoyed the read, but overall I feel that not enough time was taken to plot out this story properly. I often felt like I was in the middle of reading an unfinished novel. There were a lot of names to keep track of, and even as I just finished it, there is a lot of confusion as to the purpose of some of the characters and why they played such an important role, e.g. Garrett. It could be that next books will clarify the situation, but I am not interested enough to keep reading.

I don't know how I originally received this Book 1, but had it on my Kindle and striving to read many different authors. I think this story has good potential but needs more editing.

[Gwen Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of mystery and suspense. Lots of twists and turns and tons of secrets will be revealed. Who is telling the truth and who is lying? Will Anna ever find out? But it seems that the closer Anna gets to the truth the more danger she puts herself in. Who can she trust? And who does she turn to?

After her mother passed away Anastasia "Anna" Stanten drops out of college and flees. She ends up in Texas waitressing in a diner. She receives what she thinks is a prank phone call, the caller is trying to lure her back to Idaho and promises to right some of the wrongs done to her mother. But before she can get to Idaho or even consider going someone is in the break room and attacks her one night. She wakes up in the hospital and meets the nicest doctor, Garrett. He seems to really like her and takes special care to help here with recovery.

Then she receives an envelope of money and a letter from her uncle Atticus begging for forgiveness or how he treated her mother. Saying he wants to make everything right before it is too late. She goes to Idaho and tries to get all of her questions answered. There she is reintroduced to Wyatt Stone, a neighbor and friend that she has know for years but had forgotten. Wyatt tries to protect her and shield her from the past. It seems like every obstacle that she overcomes she steps out of her mothers shadow and finds her own strength.

I got this book from Book Sprout and will be happy to leave my review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Secrets Lie has a twisty plot and interesting characters. I enjoyed reading it with a caveat or two. I don't think the main character responded how normal people would to being drugged, and there's a scene at an airport terminal that would never have gone down that way. I found the main characters likeable and was definitely rooting for the romance to work out in this romantic suspense. There is a satisfying ending to this clean novel, but there is one question that I hope will be answered in a sequel. Rebecca Lake is a new-to-me author, and I would definitely read a sequel to this book. I found her writing style to flow well and be easy to read.
I was given a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this romantic suspense that's full of mystery.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Anna and Wyatt's story. Where Screts Lie has solid characters and backstory. The mystery is slow-building, and the plot is full of tension and it was compelling.

The small-town atmosphere is perfectly done. The diner is atmospheric. I'm glad this is the first book in the series. It's well written. I'm looking forward to wherever the next book takes me when it's out.

4 stars

Rebecca Lake writes in a gripping way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. When Anna Stanton is contacted to return to Idaho to find the secrets of her mother’s past, and strange things begin to happen to her, she returns and comes in contact with Wyatt Stone who was her childhood friend. He has always loved her and stands with her to help her through whatever her great uncle has planned. As secrets continue to pile up, she must find the strength within to face them. Definitely an interesting read full of suspense and romance.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna is a poor waitress with no family. Someone is trying to harm her. Who and why? Wyatt, a handsome and successful businessman, says he knew her as a child and remembers her. Another handsome and successful man also seems interested in her. Who can she trust, and who has ulterior motives?

This is an exciting, suspenseful romantic novel with intriguing characters.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[AMBER CLARK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Lake is a new (to me) author but on that I will definitely put on my TBR pile. Anna returns to Idaho determined to learn the long-buried secrets of her family. But some things are better left buried. And someone wants to keep it that way. With each new discovery she makes the danger grows until her very life in on the line. With twists and turns to keep you guessing and edge of your seat tension you will be glad you picked this one up!.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! What a start to a new series. Rebecca Lake is a new to me author but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book. You might want to be like Anna and start a list to help figure out what is going on and who she should trust. The do not trust list will be longer than the trust one. We get potential romances (yes, more that one), humor, danger, deaths, questions, and more than a few surprises twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading Book 2.

[Mr Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery and romance book with its well drawn characters and interesting and unusual plot.
I have to confess to being somewhat confused at times but persevered to the end when all was made clear!
Rebecca's writing style is good although occasionally I found her descriptions somewhat mannered, she was trying too hard to be interesting perhaps?

[Sherry Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost didn't finish

I'm sorry, but I had to force myself to finish this book. The main female character was so whiney and childish acting. She was always getting mad or upset over the most simple things. I've already purchased the next book and I don't know if I have it in me to even start reading it.

[Charline Romine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Quest

This story was confusing and hard to get into. It felt disjointed. I thought it would become clear the more I read but it really didn’t. When the reveal came it was even harder to understand. Anna was on a quest. She remembered little of her childhood. Wyatt was part of that memory.

[Nati · Rating 3 out of 5]

A debut novel with a good but sometimes complicate plot, twist that keep you reading and a lot of secrets. Burning the past is not always the answer, and the more Anna discover about her mother’s past the more in danger she is. But alongside the journey to her past she will find love and support.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secret Lives

Anna thought she was alone. Her mother had told her before she died that there was no more family. When she began getting strange letters and requests to right a wrong done to her mother she needed the aid of an attorney. By

[Sara J. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where secrets lie review

I loved this book , It held my interest from beginning to end. Every chapter opened up a new idea about how it would End. I would never have guessed the ending. 1 Would recommend this to anyone who loves a good mystery.

[Dawn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Money, inheritance, deaths and dark evil drive people to kill.

This is a very dangerous search to find out about family set to hide old secrets and criminal activity. A lot of different people get pulled into murder and secrets. Dark mystery.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting but….

A mystery that kept me wondering just who was behind the letter Anna received and what it meant.
Unfortunately, the ending was convoluted and difficult to follow.

[_booknerd.4ever_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy cow! I have found me a new favorite author! I was hooked from the very beginning. The different plot twist kept me entertained and intrigued. The storyline flowed smoothly throughout. The characters were well developed and easily relatable. The plot was well thought out. I love the author’s writing style! I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading! This is a must read!

[MileHighSunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’re guessing right to the end!

An elaborate plot with vivid characters! You don’t want to put it down, so plan on some really late nights.

[Mary Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many secrets

Many accidents and attempts in her life but nothing made sense. Why her? Thus was a truly a twisted mystery of a young woman being targeted, but why? Good read.