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Johnston & Fletcher #3
Secrets Never Fade
Char Drake has vanished without a trace. No one has heard from her, and no one knows where to begin looking.
Officer Logan Fletcher and his K9 partner, Riggs, are assigned as the new lead investigators for Highmill PD. But when Logan visits Char’s home, a sense of unease washes over him. Something is wrong.
Very wrong.
What Logan uncovers at the house forces him to reach out to Dr. Skye Johnston, a skilled psychologist he finds himself drawn to—more than just professionally. As the two work together to unravel the mystery of Char’s disappearance, they discover a case tangled in lies, secrets, and deceptions that stretch far beyond the small town of Highmill.
The stakes rise higher with each new revelation. Can they uncover the truth in time to save Char, or will the dangerous web closing in on them threaten everything and everyone they love?
Officer Logan Fletcher and his K9 partner, Riggs, are assigned as the new lead investigators for Highmill PD. But when Logan visits Char’s home, a sense of unease washes over him. Something is wrong.
Very wrong.
What Logan uncovers at the house forces him to reach out to Dr. Skye Johnston, a skilled psychologist he finds himself drawn to—more than just professionally. As the two work together to unravel the mystery of Char’s disappearance, they discover a case tangled in lies, secrets, and deceptions that stretch far beyond the small town of Highmill.
The stakes rise higher with each new revelation. Can they uncover the truth in time to save Char, or will the dangerous web closing in on them threaten everything and everyone they love?
- GenresSuspense
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2025
130 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 13, 2025
This is a Thiller/Mystery, and this is the third book in the A Johnston and Fletcher series. I have read the first two books in this series before picking up this book. This type of book series is one that the character building happens throughout all the books, and I think you will miss some of that if you read this book as a standalone. I really love the case in this book is great, and it keeps you guessing. The connection between the two main characters I just really want it to go somewhere. I feel that they are doing a push and pull thing, and I am sick of it. There is so much packed into this book, and I was living for it. Loved it. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
December 31, 2024
An absolute page-turner!
Officer Logan Fletcher of the Highmill Police Department in New York and his K9 partner, Riggs, are assigned as the lead investigators on a missing persons case. Char Drake, a woman in her mid-sixties, disappeared without a trace and without informing family members of any intended travel plans. When Logan heads over to the woman’s house to conduct a well check and verify whether or not the woman has returned, he is confronted with a startling scene. Her home and property are in a state of severe disarray and Char is nowhere to be found. After consulting with his Chief, Zara Walsh, he gets approval to enlist the help of psychologist Dr. Skye Johnston in the hopes of getting some insight into Char’s state of mind. The investigation leads Logan and Skye on a twisted path filled with danger and shady characters as only K.J. Kalis could devise. This story has something for everyone, a great mystery with more than one red herring, interesting characters, each complex in their own unique way, a hint of government conspiracy theory, a light sprinkling of potential romance, all topped with the absolutely delightful presence of Logan’s lovable K9 partner, Riggs, who will bring a smile to your face as he protects, defends, gobbles down treats and fetches sticks. I highly recommend this “can’t miss” addition to a fast-paced, engaging thriller series by one of Amazon’s wildly popular authors who never disappoints.
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I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
Officer Logan Fletcher of the Highmill Police Department in New York and his K9 partner, Riggs, are assigned as the lead investigators on a missing persons case. Char Drake, a woman in her mid-sixties, disappeared without a trace and without informing family members of any intended travel plans. When Logan heads over to the woman’s house to conduct a well check and verify whether or not the woman has returned, he is confronted with a startling scene. Her home and property are in a state of severe disarray and Char is nowhere to be found. After consulting with his Chief, Zara Walsh, he gets approval to enlist the help of psychologist Dr. Skye Johnston in the hopes of getting some insight into Char’s state of mind. The investigation leads Logan and Skye on a twisted path filled with danger and shady characters as only K.J. Kalis could devise. This story has something for everyone, a great mystery with more than one red herring, interesting characters, each complex in their own unique way, a hint of government conspiracy theory, a light sprinkling of potential romance, all topped with the absolutely delightful presence of Logan’s lovable K9 partner, Riggs, who will bring a smile to your face as he protects, defends, gobbles down treats and fetches sticks. I highly recommend this “can’t miss” addition to a fast-paced, engaging thriller series by one of Amazon’s wildly popular authors who never disappoints.
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I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, but I am sharing my honest and unbiased review on a completely voluntary basis.
January 4, 2025
Terrifying
When reading this book one can not help but be brought into the lives of a soldier that has experienced war and all its horrors. An eye opener for sure but this one could also be a trigger.
When reading this book one can not help but be brought into the lives of a soldier that has experienced war and all its horrors. An eye opener for sure but this one could also be a trigger.
February 10, 2025
Policeman and psychologist team up to look for a missing person - 3.5 stars
When a mother-in-law doesn't respond for over three days of normally daily contact, a son-in-law asks for help. The mother's two children reside locally but the two blood children have a poor relationship with each other as well as their mother. To make the story more interesting, a romance in progress between the police detective in training and psychologist is authorized to help becomes the main story while the missing person search continues in the background. The expected resolution is that the mother-in-law is no longer alive.
Checking the mother-in-law's residence resulted in finding her home ransacked with a lot of her belongings outside on the ground. For most police procedural stories, the neighbor would be asked if they saw anything or knew anything. Rather than try to find anything from any neighbor, the two investigators spend time trying to find out about finances and eventually locate the son of the missing woman. A K9 partner to the deputy helps to add human interest.
The missing woman's son has a severe case of Post Traumatic Stress Symptom after coming back from serving with the US Army in the middle east. There are Veterans Administration officials and a self-help group that meet in a local church. No one seems to know anything about the missing woman. Her son's comments denying knowledge seems off; he keeps repeating "be safe, be strong".
If reading about a pair of employed adults (about 30 years of age) who waiver about coming to terms with their feelings about each other would be of interest, then this meandering few days of investigating with interludes of reviewing incremental findings with the police chief could be interesting. I was disappointed that the investigators could not find a way to talk to each other about their mutual feelings. Their relationship seemed oddly platonic in a current day situation when many young people get sexually involved before considering a long-term
relationship.
When a mother-in-law doesn't respond for over three days of normally daily contact, a son-in-law asks for help. The mother's two children reside locally but the two blood children have a poor relationship with each other as well as their mother. To make the story more interesting, a romance in progress between the police detective in training and psychologist is authorized to help becomes the main story while the missing person search continues in the background. The expected resolution is that the mother-in-law is no longer alive.
Checking the mother-in-law's residence resulted in finding her home ransacked with a lot of her belongings outside on the ground. For most police procedural stories, the neighbor would be asked if they saw anything or knew anything. Rather than try to find anything from any neighbor, the two investigators spend time trying to find out about finances and eventually locate the son of the missing woman. A K9 partner to the deputy helps to add human interest.
The missing woman's son has a severe case of Post Traumatic Stress Symptom after coming back from serving with the US Army in the middle east. There are Veterans Administration officials and a self-help group that meet in a local church. No one seems to know anything about the missing woman. Her son's comments denying knowledge seems off; he keeps repeating "be safe, be strong".
If reading about a pair of employed adults (about 30 years of age) who waiver about coming to terms with their feelings about each other would be of interest, then this meandering few days of investigating with interludes of reviewing incremental findings with the police chief could be interesting. I was disappointed that the investigators could not find a way to talk to each other about their mutual feelings. Their relationship seemed oddly platonic in a current day situation when many young people get sexually involved before considering a long-term
relationship.
January 23, 2025
I received an ARK from "Booksprout" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with Logan being sent to check out a missing person. After speaking with the family members that made the report, Logan gord to Char's, the person missing, house and it is a complete mess. Logan feels he needs help, contacts Skye to assist. When both Logan and Skye return to the house, they discover Gabe, Char's son, moving items from the house. Skye winds up talking to Gabe while Logan stands around. After they leave, Logan states his feelings on Gabe. When Skye gives Logan the profile he requested, they now start looking at things differently.
It seems that the investigation is bothering someone because Logan gets an envelope with a picture of both him and Skye telling to stay out of the case. As they learn more about Gabe's duties, they get a better picture and eventually return to Char's house where Gabe is being attacked.
To discover why Char disappeared, what role Gabe performed in the military and as a result left him damaged and how it all worked out in the end, then you need to read this book.
The story begins with Logan being sent to check out a missing person. After speaking with the family members that made the report, Logan gord to Char's, the person missing, house and it is a complete mess. Logan feels he needs help, contacts Skye to assist. When both Logan and Skye return to the house, they discover Gabe, Char's son, moving items from the house. Skye winds up talking to Gabe while Logan stands around. After they leave, Logan states his feelings on Gabe. When Skye gives Logan the profile he requested, they now start looking at things differently.
It seems that the investigation is bothering someone because Logan gets an envelope with a picture of both him and Skye telling to stay out of the case. As they learn more about Gabe's duties, they get a better picture and eventually return to Char's house where Gabe is being attacked.
To discover why Char disappeared, what role Gabe performed in the military and as a result left him damaged and how it all worked out in the end, then you need to read this book.
January 20, 2025
Secrets Never Fade by KJ Kalis
A Johnston & Fletcher Thriller Book Three
Officer Logan Fletcher has a new case and is unsure where to start. A missing woman, a house where what should be inside the home is spread throughout the outside of the home, an unexpected person at her house…not the missing woman. And on top of all of that…Logas is trying to work out his feelings for the first woman who has grabbed his attention since his wife passed away.
Dr. Skye Johnston may help others with their relationships in her practice as a psychologist, but she’s pretty clueless about her own life. For example, does she have or even want a relationship with Logan? He has a daughter to raise, and they are busy with their jobs. That all goes on the back burner when he calls for her help on his new case.
Another exciting page-turning story that kept me guessing what was going on.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
A Johnston & Fletcher Thriller Book Three
Officer Logan Fletcher has a new case and is unsure where to start. A missing woman, a house where what should be inside the home is spread throughout the outside of the home, an unexpected person at her house…not the missing woman. And on top of all of that…Logas is trying to work out his feelings for the first woman who has grabbed his attention since his wife passed away.
Dr. Skye Johnston may help others with their relationships in her practice as a psychologist, but she’s pretty clueless about her own life. For example, does she have or even want a relationship with Logan? He has a daughter to raise, and they are busy with their jobs. That all goes on the back burner when he calls for her help on his new case.
Another exciting page-turning story that kept me guessing what was going on.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
January 22, 2025
This is the third installment of the excellent Johnston and Fletcher series. It is a stand alone novel but there are references to the first two in the series. The not so subtle electricity between the two main characters continues here, in fact gets more intense. I kept wanting to scream "get on with it already" at them. If there is anything negative about the book it would be that too much time is spent on this tryingtobe/probablywillbe romance.
The gist of the story revolves around a missing woman. Johnston and Fletcher become deeply embroiled in the investigation. It becomes much more than a simple missing person case. I thought a couple of times that I had it figured out only to be foiled again.
K.J. Kalis is a wonderful thriller author. I have read many of her books and plan to read many more. This series is an excellent place to start if you are new to her work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The gist of the story revolves around a missing woman. Johnston and Fletcher become deeply embroiled in the investigation. It becomes much more than a simple missing person case. I thought a couple of times that I had it figured out only to be foiled again.
K.J. Kalis is a wonderful thriller author. I have read many of her books and plan to read many more. This series is an excellent place to start if you are new to her work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 28, 2025
This is the third book in the series. It is standalone and the series can be read in any order. This book finds Logan sent out to find a missing woman. When he gets to the house he sees what looks like the contents strown all over the lawn. He and Riggs began to look around. Riggs alerted to someone on a mattress in the back yard. Logan saw that it looked like blood.
Logan feels he needs someone to help make sense of the mess and contacts Skye who has worked with him on previous cases. When he returns to the house with Skye there is a man in the front yard going through the stuff. He refuses to talk to Logan and Skye intervenes. It was obvious the man the missing woman's son had mental problems.
This is an exciting book that will keep your attention as Logan, Skye and Riggs try to solve the case.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Logan feels he needs someone to help make sense of the mess and contacts Skye who has worked with him on previous cases. When he returns to the house with Skye there is a man in the front yard going through the stuff. He refuses to talk to Logan and Skye intervenes. It was obvious the man the missing woman's son had mental problems.
This is an exciting book that will keep your attention as Logan, Skye and Riggs try to solve the case.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 5, 2025
A gripping psychological thriller that keeps you totally immersed in the case. Officer Logan Fletcher of the Highmill Police Department in New York and his K9 partner, Riggs, are assigned the new case of a missing mid-sixties woman, Char Drake. When they go to the property to see what's up, they find everything from inside the house strewn outside and Gabe, Char's son moving things outside the house and unable/unwilling to be speak to Logan. This is where psychologist, Skye Johnston comes in. Seeing Gabe is in the throws of a psychotic break, Skye gets through. What happened to his mother? Where is she? Is she even alive? Logan and Skye make a great team, but will their relationship ever go forward? This book take you on a real roller coaster ride and keeps you on the edge of your seat guessing. I highly recommend not only this book but the whole Johnston and Fletcher series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
February 2, 2025
Intense amazing and wild! Logan, Riggs and Skye are back with a new case and a whole slew of unusual circumstances. What starts out as a routine well check turns into something very dark and sinister very quickly. As they continue to dig they find out that some secrets are best left in the past.
Amazing story! It’s thrilling if you’ll pardon the understatement. I loved how Logan and Skye work together and I’m hopeful that they’ll get over themselves and finally see what’s obvious to the rest of us. This case was particularly thorny and full of wow moments. Be prepared to not be able to put this one down until you’ve finished!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Amazing story! It’s thrilling if you’ll pardon the understatement. I loved how Logan and Skye work together and I’m hopeful that they’ll get over themselves and finally see what’s obvious to the rest of us. This case was particularly thorny and full of wow moments. Be prepared to not be able to put this one down until you’ve finished!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 16, 2025
There is a missing person. Questions start rising when the son in law seems more concerned than the daughter that the mother is missing. The suspicious feelings don’t stop there for Logan Fletcher or his police chief. Bringing in psychologist Skye Johnston seems to be the prudent way to get inside the heads of those involved.
The secrets seem to grow as you continue in the story, till you start to wonder if Char Drake will ever be found, alive or dead. A mystery wrapped in a thriller that you are unlikely to figure out until the end!
This Johnston & Fletcher Thriller was received through BDM, LLC and BookSprout. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
The secrets seem to grow as you continue in the story, till you start to wonder if Char Drake will ever be found, alive or dead. A mystery wrapped in a thriller that you are unlikely to figure out until the end!
This Johnston & Fletcher Thriller was received through BDM, LLC and BookSprout. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
January 30, 2025
Logan and Skye are faced with a peculiar case when a woman is reported missing and they soon discover that her son's mind (Gabe) is in a very bad shape and he seems to be undergoing a psychotic break. They'll search for details, speak to people that are part of the Gabe's past because in doing so they believe they'll find the mother. The secrets that are buried within his mind are more than enough to put him in a downward spiral from which he may never recover and will uncover unexpected secrets in Highmill.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 6, 2025
The third book in the Johnston and Fletcher series can be read as a standalone, but you may benefit more by having a background on the relationship between these two characters.
In this book, Logan and Skye are trying to locate a reported missing woman, but as it happens with these two, things are never as easy as they first appear.
They get too close to a situation that the perpetrators want to remain hidden, and of course their lives get threaten. But, where is Char? Does her PTSD veteran son has something to do with her disappearance?
With mounting tension, and lots of twists and turns, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the ending.
In this book, Logan and Skye are trying to locate a reported missing woman, but as it happens with these two, things are never as easy as they first appear.
They get too close to a situation that the perpetrators want to remain hidden, and of course their lives get threaten. But, where is Char? Does her PTSD veteran son has something to do with her disappearance?
With mounting tension, and lots of twists and turns, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the ending.
February 21, 2025
I had a feeling things would kind of go the way they did in this. I had a bad feeling Theo was not who he pretended to be. This was such a a good story. I knew things with Gabe were going to be bad but the level of bad it was, was not what I figured. I'm not going to lie either. I really want a story where he comes out ok. I like Logan and Skye as a team too. That was good. They help give each other incites. And of course, Riggs is the best of all lol. I look forward to more from this series. Just an all around great thrill.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 11, 2025
Johnston and Fletcher are tasked with finding a missing mother. The main suspect seems to be her metally unstable son who's suffering from PTSD. Together, they follow the clues and try to untwist growing web surrounding the missing person mystery. This is an interesting, thriller mystery with plenty of tension and secrets mixed into the plot not to mention a growing personal tension between the two main characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2025
Kalis writes such gripping mysteries with just the right amount of mystery and growing attraction between Logan and Skye.
A veteran is struggling with mental health issues which is displayed in his abrupt attitude and his need to create ordered disorder as he removes things from his mother's house out into her yard. Pure chaos!! When two friends of the vet's mother discover that the Char Drake is missing in comes Logan and his police canine, Riggs, to investigate. Riggs draws attention to blood stained mattress in the yard and thus the search for Char Drake begins.
A veteran is struggling with mental health issues which is displayed in his abrupt attitude and his need to create ordered disorder as he removes things from his mother's house out into her yard. Pure chaos!! When two friends of the vet's mother discover that the Char Drake is missing in comes Logan and his police canine, Riggs, to investigate. Riggs draws attention to blood stained mattress in the yard and thus the search for Char Drake begins.
January 28, 2025
Logan and Skye start with a missing person case and find a lot more.
A soldier suffering from the horrors of war trys to deal with life and causes pain for his mother. When confronted, he mentally breaks. What Logan and Skye find is the truth.
There is a nice twist at the end.
The book is entertaining. I enjoyed the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A soldier suffering from the horrors of war trys to deal with life and causes pain for his mother. When confronted, he mentally breaks. What Logan and Skye find is the truth.
There is a nice twist at the end.
The book is entertaining. I enjoyed the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 1, 2025
Another great adventure for these two main characters. You could read this book before the others as it reads well as a stand alone, but to really understand the characters it is better to read them in order.
This story is a search for a missing person. In the process they come across a veteran with serious struggles with PTSD
The author weaves a fabulous tale with great characters. It is a fast paced book with many twists and turns. I can't wait to read what is next for these two.
This story is a search for a missing person. In the process they come across a veteran with serious struggles with PTSD
The author weaves a fabulous tale with great characters. It is a fast paced book with many twists and turns. I can't wait to read what is next for these two.
February 7, 2025
Officer Logan Fischer asks for help from Dr. Skye Johnston on a missing person case. Things are not adding up when they go to her house and find things in the yard, not in the house like they should be. Her son, a veteran won't talk to Logan and barely talks to Skye. Something is not right with him, but I would never have guessed what it was until it was reviled in the story. Good job KJ! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
January 14, 2025
Wow, this is a cracking thriller, full of twists and turns all the the way through till the end. I loved it, very much right up my street so to speak. This author certainly weaves some fascinating crime stories that’s for sure. What are we going to see next I wonder, cannot wait to find out. Highly recommended.
January 26, 2025
This is a gripping read. I was trying to guess what happened to the missing person, and it took me a while to get there. I loved the tension and interactions between the 2 main characters who just seem to need a nudge for more to develop. Well written with interesting characters, I really enjoyed this one.
February 6, 2025
This was the first of this series for me and I was very satisfied with the read. I liked the main character, Logan, and his delightful canine partner. The mystery was quite an enjoyable one with all the right twists and turns to keep the reader turning the page.
I received a copy of this book through Book Sprouts and am leaving my voluntary opinion of the tale.
I received a copy of this book through Book Sprouts and am leaving my voluntary opinion of the tale.
May 30, 2025
The tragedy of war
Logan and Skye are trying to find a missing woman. The case takes them in many directions and they meet her son, Gabe. They try to determine if Gabe had something to do with her disappearance, and feel like they are running in circles. This nook kept my interest from the start and made me anxious to get back to the story. Definitely recommend!!
Logan and Skye are trying to find a missing woman. The case takes them in many directions and they meet her son, Gabe. They try to determine if Gabe had something to do with her disappearance, and feel like they are running in circles. This nook kept my interest from the start and made me anxious to get back to the story. Definitely recommend!!
February 1, 2025
An interesting story that involves the search for a missing woman but there is more to it than that. There are some good twists and turns with the plot and the relationship between Logan and Skye evolves. The finale was not expected by me. I look forward to the next in this series.
February 9, 2025
A missing person investigation throws cop Logan Fletcher and psychologist Skye Johnston together when their prime suspect appears to have some serious mental health issues.
An interesting pairing of 'detectives' that work well together - if only they could resolve their attraction issues
Some excellent characters coupled with an engaging plot kept me entertained.
An interesting pairing of 'detectives' that work well together - if only they could resolve their attraction issues
Some excellent characters coupled with an engaging plot kept me entertained.
March 17, 2025
I have read the 1st, 3 books. They kept me guessing. I recommend them.
March 31, 2025
I loved this book another great book in the series.
KJ Kaliss books are so good you won’t be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
KJ Kaliss books are so good you won’t be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2025
Fletcher gets a weird one
The dueo take one a complicated case. There is plenty of suspense to keep you interested and an ending you won't see comming.
The dueo take one a complicated case. There is plenty of suspense to keep you interested and an ending you won't see comming.
February 3, 2025
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. This was an edge of the seat page turner. I didn't know who the villain was til the very end.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews