Preyed Upon

by Denise N. Wheatley

Her presence

Is a threat to people in her hometown

Forced into early retirement from the Chicago police department for her own safety, Chloe Grant moves back to Maxwell, Arizona. Her podcast about murdered women starts out as a way to keep herself busy in her sleepy hometown. Reconnecting with Troy Miller—now a rookie in the local PD—also promises to make her new life a little more interesting. Then a copycat starts reenacting the cases she covers on her podcast, and they both realize that Chloe didn’t leave danger behind when she left the big city…

From Harlequin Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the West Coast Crime Story  series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following

Book 1: The Heart-Shaped Murders
Book 2: Danger in the Nevada Desert
Book 3: Homicide at Vincent Vineyard
Book 4: Hometown Homicide
Book 5: Preyed Upon

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Denise N. Wheatley is a lover of happily-ever-afters and the art of storytelling. She has written (and ghostwritten) numerous novels and novellas that run the romance gamut, from contemporary to paranormal, sweet to steamy. Denise strives to pen entertaining stories that embody matters of the heart, while creating characters who are strong, colorful and relatable.

She is an RWA member and received a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, the city where she was born and raised. When Denise is not sitting behind a computer, you can find her in a movie theater, on a tennis court, watching true crime television or chatting on social media.

Reviews

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A West Coast Crime Story (Book #5)

[Katie Mettner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Preyed Upon, author Denise Wheatley tosses the reader into the action from page one. Detective Chloe Grant returns to her quiet hometown of Maxwell, AZ, after her law enforcement career in Chicago ends abruptly when a case goes wrong. Deciding to start a podcast about murdered women, some with killers still on the loose, she finds early success with the project. However, her peace is shattered when an old friend is found murdered, and it’s clearly targeted at her. Maxwell has a small police force, including the chief of police, who is her former best friend, Dani. It also includes Dani’s brother Troy. No longer the boy Chloe remembers, Troy is the first person in town to step up and want to help her.

The serial killer plot is meticulously constructed, filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing. Denise builds the suspense aspect, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension only tempered by Chloe’s budding relationship with Troy. That relationship is a slow-burn delight that reminds the reader of the complexities of forging a connection between two people who have witnessed atrocities firsthand but continue to strive to help others. Their relationship adds a warm, emotional tone to the dark events unfolding around them.

With too many suspects and someone breathing down Chloe’s neck, she must resurrect her career from the ashes and be the detective Maxwell needs. Along the way, she has a chance to write some wrongs and begin a new chapter of her life…if she lives long enough to enjoy it.
Preyed Upon is a story about resilience, the power of community, and the unexpected ways love can find us amidst life's chaos.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. A former Chicago detective moves back to her Arizona hometown and starts a true crime podcast. Chloe ends up in the middle of a search for a serial killer. Chloe also finds romance with an old friend, Troy Miller. I liked their chemistry and their friendship.

The investigation is suspenseful, with plenty of suspects to pick from. The ending is dramatic and satisfying. I look forward to reading more by this author.

I received a gifted copy of this book from the author, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A West Coast Crime Story (Book #5)

[Nadia Latai (Nadiasbookishworld86) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denise N. Wheatley always keeps readers on the edge with West Coast Crime Series . Detective Grant is not only a dedicated crime solver, she is thrown for a curve when her podcast turns dangerous. Forced to stay on guard and not believe what something appears to be, maybe it's better to be safe than sorry.... Blood rushing, edge of your seat excellent read!!! I enjoyed myself in Maxwell, Arizona. 🩶

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe is a young and talented police detective that was working in Chicago. An event happens while Chloe was on assignment, and she was forced into early retirement from her job as a police detective. Chloe moves back to her hometown in Arizona where she has developed her very own crime podcast. Chloe and Dani were the best of friends until Chloe left Arizona following behind her now ex-boy. Now that Chloe is back in Arizona Troy who is Dani’s younger brother who has always had feelings for Chloe but never acted on. Dani is the police chief of the Maxwell police department, and her brother Troy is a police officer. With Chloe being back in Maxwell a series of murders are occurring while she is doing her podcasts and Chloe is finding herself the center of the attention with a stalker that has been re-enacting her podcast murders.

This is a yet another awesome read by Denise N. Wheatley with great characters and plot that held me captive.

Who is re-enacting Chloe’s podcast and why, can and will Chloe and Dani make peace and be best of friends again and is there a HEA in store for Chloe and Troy?

[Sharon Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book held my interest from beginning to end. It's a story about Chloe Grant, a police detective who was forced out of her job with the Chicago PD. She moved back home to Arizona, where she started a crime podcast. She reconnected with old friends, one being local police officer Troy Miller. Not all of her childhood friends were happy to see Chloe back home. A series of deadly events drew her closer to Officer Miller. This book had quite a few twists and turns that you didn't see coming. Chloe's character was a little inconsistent at times and seemed like she forgot that she was a former police detective. I really enjoyed reading this book with its secret romance, past drama and murder's to solve.

[RDH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters in this mystery, but I'm a little biased, since the main character is from Chicago. I have not read the other books in the series, and that did not hamper my enjoyment of book 5.

Detective Choloe is forced to leave the CPD and head back to her home in Arizona. She reconnects with old friends, and they must overcome their differences to find a serial murderer who seems to have their sights set on Chloe.

I enjoyed the writing, the backstory, and the mystery. I did feel the ending was a little rushed, and after a good build-up, it was a little underwhelming.
But I would recommend this as a good read!

[Mia Heintzelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up! Preyed Upon is a breath-stealing, unputdownable thrill ride. From page one, the trap is already set and you’ll be racing through each chapter, desperate to see how it all unravels. Twisted, intense, and laced with a secret romance that burns under the surface, this book delivers suspense with a seductive edge.

If you're into older woman/younger man dynamics wrapped in danger, deception, and nonstop tension, Preyed Upon is your next obsession. Addictive doesn’t even begin to cover it.

[Jennifer BB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preyed Upon - A Gripping Page-Turner
This romantic suspense novel had me completely hooked from the first chapter. I literally couldn't put it down and ended up reading the entire book in one day! The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, while the romantic relationships were beautifully developed and felt genuine. Ms. Wheatley did an excellent job balancing the tension and romance, creating characters you truly care about. If you're looking for a book that will keep you glued to the pages, this is it.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like romantic suspense that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat, Preyed Upon is the book for you. Denise Wheatley blends the usually peaceful event of returning home with brutal murder and budding romance. This is a skillfully crafted tale that ends with a twist I guarantee you won't see coming. I read it in one sitting. You will too.

[TWKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book from this author. It's everything you want in a romantic suspense, both thrilling and swoony, with outstanding characters that you can't help but root for. Hoping for more! :)

[Karen Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had parts of it where the mystery was interesting but for the majority of the book I was bored. I felt Chloe’s character was inconsistent with emotional swings that confused me.

[Christine Ridulfo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story about a cop who has to leave her job because of retaliation from her other police officers. story is really good and pulls you along but the ending is pulled out of the air. too bad

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick easy enjoyable read

[Kelly Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

In true Denise N. Wheatley fashion, the opening pages fill the reader with fear and trepidation for our main character, Chloe Grant. Wheatley has a knack for making us care about the character and her safety in only a few pages where we're fully invested nearly from the beginning. That takes a real talent.

As the story progresses, so does the chilling anxiety as body after body appears and are clearly linked to Chloe's presence back in her home town. This is personal and our heroine feels the pressure on all sides.

Luckily handsome and capable Troy Miller (ex best friend's younger brother) is there to aid Chloe. Soon their chemistry jumps off the page and not only is the reader invested in solving the murders, you're steeped in their romance and HEA.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Wheatley's writing, but even still, I think this might be her best book yet. Run out and pick it up!