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Double-Edged Reckoning
She seeks the truth, not revenge…
As a teenager, Samantha Price helped bruised and bloody classmate Nate Bennet disappear after his father’s violent attack. Fifteen years later and now a private investigator, she hunts Nate down in Tennessee, needing his help. Her father’s been unjustly accused of a murder that looks tied to a past murder on the Bennet ranch. Sam’s convinced Nate is the key to prove her father’s innocence.
After an injury ended his army career in Special Forces, Nate’s life is at a crossroads. Going home to Marietta, Montana, was never an option until Sam finds him. He’s not convinced his mercurial father is the real murderer, but maybe it’s time to finally unearth the truth. He knows the prodigal son role will rip open bitter wounds, but it’s long past time to face all he left. Including his brothers. Will they protect their father or face the past when he and Sam come asking difficult questions?
As new evidence is unearthed, both Sam and the Bennets are forced to question their long-held beliefs and discover that nothing is what it seems.
As a teenager, Samantha Price helped bruised and bloody classmate Nate Bennet disappear after his father’s violent attack. Fifteen years later and now a private investigator, she hunts Nate down in Tennessee, needing his help. Her father’s been unjustly accused of a murder that looks tied to a past murder on the Bennet ranch. Sam’s convinced Nate is the key to prove her father’s innocence.
After an injury ended his army career in Special Forces, Nate’s life is at a crossroads. Going home to Marietta, Montana, was never an option until Sam finds him. He’s not convinced his mercurial father is the real murderer, but maybe it’s time to finally unearth the truth. He knows the prodigal son role will rip open bitter wounds, but it’s long past time to face all he left. Including his brothers. Will they protect their father or face the past when he and Sam come asking difficult questions?
As new evidence is unearthed, both Sam and the Bennets are forced to question their long-held beliefs and discover that nothing is what it seems.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2025
20 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Helm
296 books498 followersNicole Helm is the national bestselling author of fast-paced romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue and down-to-earth contemporary romance. Her Intrigues routinely land on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list, and she’s received starred PW reviews for her contemporary romances. She’s written over 75 books, known for their emotional depth and happily ever afters.
Nicole also writes with Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews as Hazel Beck writing the Witchlore series, which began with SMALL TOWN, BIG MAGIC in 2022.
In her spare time, Nicole loves losing herself in genealogy research, watching Cardinals baseball, and hiking with her family. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons.
You can contact her via email: Nicole@nicolehelm.com
You can sign up for Nicole’s monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/V973n
Nicole also writes with Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews as Hazel Beck writing the Witchlore series, which began with SMALL TOWN, BIG MAGIC in 2022.
In her spare time, Nicole loves losing herself in genealogy research, watching Cardinals baseball, and hiking with her family. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons.
You can contact her via email: Nicole@nicolehelm.com
You can sign up for Nicole’s monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/V973n
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 18, 2025
What a fabulous start to a new series, mystery abounds and there are many secrets and memories that have been kept for many years in this fast paced story and the fact that it is set in one of my favourite towns, Marietta, makes it even better come along and meet the characters in this one.
Samantha Price was a young teenager when she helped her battered and bruised neighbour, Nate Bennett get out of town after a brutal bashing from his father, now fifteen years later Sam tracks Nate down and asks him to come home and help prove her father was innocent of the murder of his mother all those years ago. Sam is sure that now there has been another murder linked to Nate’s father Ben Bennett that Nate will be the voice needed to get everyone talking and to clear her father.
Nate has not been back to Marietta in fifteen years he is an adult now been in the service had two tours overseas, injury has ended his career and now is thinking about a new life for himself and the last person he expected to show up on his doors step is the person who helped him all of those years ago and what she is asking of him is not an easy task but maybe it is time to go back, face his brothers and his father and clear the past.
Sam and Nate are soon working together to uncover clues new evidence is unearthed and emotions are opening up between the brothers Cal, Landon and Nate, will they all like the answers they find? I really enjoyed this one it kept me turning the pages and the mystery deepens and the twist at the end I didn’t see coming, this is one that I would highly recommend to any lover of a good mystery with wonderful characters and I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
Samantha Price was a young teenager when she helped her battered and bruised neighbour, Nate Bennett get out of town after a brutal bashing from his father, now fifteen years later Sam tracks Nate down and asks him to come home and help prove her father was innocent of the murder of his mother all those years ago. Sam is sure that now there has been another murder linked to Nate’s father Ben Bennett that Nate will be the voice needed to get everyone talking and to clear her father.
Nate has not been back to Marietta in fifteen years he is an adult now been in the service had two tours overseas, injury has ended his career and now is thinking about a new life for himself and the last person he expected to show up on his doors step is the person who helped him all of those years ago and what she is asking of him is not an easy task but maybe it is time to go back, face his brothers and his father and clear the past.
Sam and Nate are soon working together to uncover clues new evidence is unearthed and emotions are opening up between the brothers Cal, Landon and Nate, will they all like the answers they find? I really enjoyed this one it kept me turning the pages and the mystery deepens and the twist at the end I didn’t see coming, this is one that I would highly recommend to any lover of a good mystery with wonderful characters and I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
May 13, 2025
2.5 stars
It has been a couple of years since I’ve read a Nicole Helm book, and over 5 years since I’ve read one of her full-length novels. I always enjoyed this author, so I grabbed the opportunity for an ARC of this book when it was presented to me. While I did read the blurb, I did not pay enough attention to realize this is a straight-up mystery, not a romantic suspense as I had expected. To be fair to me, the blurb and the author had me believing this book would be a Romance. To be fair to the author and the publisher, nobody ever told me it was a Romance.
While this story starts off with Sam and Nate, it is no more their story as it is also the story of Nate’s brothers, Cal and Landon, as well as their neighbor Jill and farmhand Aly. There are many players in this story. The storyline of the brothers finding equal footing and airing their grievances so they could figure out what was happening was the best part of this book. It shows how people view incidents in different ways, especially when they are of different ages, even when they are from the same family and raised with the same parents. The things these men repressed or ignored in their lives were heartbreaking, but they were able to build a stronger relationship when all was said and done.
When it comes to Nate’s story, it just didn’t make sense to me. This boy ran away days after his mother’s murder and funeral and was never to be found again until 15 years later. Although multiple people stated they looked for him diligently, he somehow had joined the service when he was of age and never changed his name. I kept getting caught up in that, and other things about his time between running away and being in the military, that were kept blank or fuzzy. I know I should have chalked it up to storyline reasons and let it go, but it seemed like it should have been a bigger deal than it was. An actual child ran away after his mother was murdered, yet his father was never a suspect in the murder or questioned about where his child went?
Anyway, I don’t read a lot of mysteries, so it’s hard for me to judge this one. I can only say what my experience with the story was. The mystery itself was interesting, and how things play out in the end wasn’t expected. There are things that weren’t followed up on, but this is part of a series so I’m unsure if that was purposeful; if these same characters are going to be the focus of the overall series.
Because there were six characters, none of them felt fully fleshed out. They weren’t hollow, by any means. Yet there was so much missing to help me connect to them. While I’d love to learn more about them, I most likely won’t read any more of these particular books. My rating of this book takes into account that I was expecting a Romance and didn’t get one, so I bumped my rating up a bit.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
It has been a couple of years since I’ve read a Nicole Helm book, and over 5 years since I’ve read one of her full-length novels. I always enjoyed this author, so I grabbed the opportunity for an ARC of this book when it was presented to me. While I did read the blurb, I did not pay enough attention to realize this is a straight-up mystery, not a romantic suspense as I had expected. To be fair to me, the blurb and the author had me believing this book would be a Romance. To be fair to the author and the publisher, nobody ever told me it was a Romance.
While this story starts off with Sam and Nate, it is no more their story as it is also the story of Nate’s brothers, Cal and Landon, as well as their neighbor Jill and farmhand Aly. There are many players in this story. The storyline of the brothers finding equal footing and airing their grievances so they could figure out what was happening was the best part of this book. It shows how people view incidents in different ways, especially when they are of different ages, even when they are from the same family and raised with the same parents. The things these men repressed or ignored in their lives were heartbreaking, but they were able to build a stronger relationship when all was said and done.
When it comes to Nate’s story, it just didn’t make sense to me. This boy ran away days after his mother’s murder and funeral and was never to be found again until 15 years later. Although multiple people stated they looked for him diligently, he somehow had joined the service when he was of age and never changed his name. I kept getting caught up in that, and other things about his time between running away and being in the military, that were kept blank or fuzzy. I know I should have chalked it up to storyline reasons and let it go, but it seemed like it should have been a bigger deal than it was. An actual child ran away after his mother was murdered, yet his father was never a suspect in the murder or questioned about where his child went?
Anyway, I don’t read a lot of mysteries, so it’s hard for me to judge this one. I can only say what my experience with the story was. The mystery itself was interesting, and how things play out in the end wasn’t expected. There are things that weren’t followed up on, but this is part of a series so I’m unsure if that was purposeful; if these same characters are going to be the focus of the overall series.
Because there were six characters, none of them felt fully fleshed out. They weren’t hollow, by any means. Yet there was so much missing to help me connect to them. While I’d love to learn more about them, I most likely won’t read any more of these particular books. My rating of this book takes into account that I was expecting a Romance and didn’t get one, so I bumped my rating up a bit.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
May 18, 2025
I have read and loved Nicole Helm’s work for a long time, yet Double-Edged Reckoning, which begins The Western Edge Mystery series, surpasses anything that I’ve enjoyed before… and I love this author, so that is saying something from my viewpoint.
As a series opener, Double-Edged Reckoning lays the groundwork for an intense romantic suspense that is extremely high on the suspense aspect. Samantha has worked for fifteen long years to prove that her father is not a murderer. That journey has led her to finally track down the one person who could help her prove her case. She once helped Nate at a very dark point for the son of the woman her father is accused of killing. They were teenagers back then, the adult Nate that Sam encounters is far different, and has his own reasons for eventually agreeing to return home to Marietta, Montana.
What follows that decision is an ever-increasing mystery that will draw members of the Bennet family into solving two murders and upend everything they thought they understood about the past and, perhaps, the present as well.
Marietta, Montana, is my absolute favorite fictional town. Yet it was unsettling to see it far differently in Double-Edged Reckoning. I still love the town, but a familiar place now takes on an aura of something dark and unknown.
We meet all the players in this first installment of The Western Edge Mystery series, and my opinion of some changed as their story unfolded. I am looking forward to knowing more of their individual stories as the series continues. If you love a romantic suspense mystery that is well-written, intense, full of emotions, and with believable characters, then you will love this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author's team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
As a series opener, Double-Edged Reckoning lays the groundwork for an intense romantic suspense that is extremely high on the suspense aspect. Samantha has worked for fifteen long years to prove that her father is not a murderer. That journey has led her to finally track down the one person who could help her prove her case. She once helped Nate at a very dark point for the son of the woman her father is accused of killing. They were teenagers back then, the adult Nate that Sam encounters is far different, and has his own reasons for eventually agreeing to return home to Marietta, Montana.
What follows that decision is an ever-increasing mystery that will draw members of the Bennet family into solving two murders and upend everything they thought they understood about the past and, perhaps, the present as well.
Marietta, Montana, is my absolute favorite fictional town. Yet it was unsettling to see it far differently in Double-Edged Reckoning. I still love the town, but a familiar place now takes on an aura of something dark and unknown.
We meet all the players in this first installment of The Western Edge Mystery series, and my opinion of some changed as their story unfolded. I am looking forward to knowing more of their individual stories as the series continues. If you love a romantic suspense mystery that is well-written, intense, full of emotions, and with believable characters, then you will love this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author's team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
May 13, 2025
Secrets, lies and even half truths have made a horrible mess in Marietta, Montana. A murder has fractured a family and it's possible an innocent man went to prison for a crime he did not commit.
Samantha Price has never believed her father was capable of murder, and she has been working diligently to prove his innocence. He has finished serving his time, but she still wants to clear his name. Now another woman is dead on the Bennet ranch, who just so happens to be the girlfriend of the man whose wife was allegedly murdered by Samantha's father. He is the first suspect and law enforcement wastes no time arresting him. This revs Sam's engine up even further, and she is bound and determined to once and for all prove her father innocence.
The three Bennet brothers have been scattered with little or no contact with one another since their mother died. Nate disappeared on the day of the funeral and has not been seen again. Now Sam has brought him back to town because she believes he is the key to unraveling this complex mystery. His brothers soon learn why he disappeared.
This was a phenomenal mystery with many moving parts and some characters that you will love to hate. This mystery will test the boundaries of yesterday's secrets against today's lies and make each person question themselves and their belief in what is really going on at the Bennet ranch.
This phenomenal mystery is emotional and will play with all of your senses with real catch me if you can vibes.
Thank you to Tule Publishing for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Samantha Price has never believed her father was capable of murder, and she has been working diligently to prove his innocence. He has finished serving his time, but she still wants to clear his name. Now another woman is dead on the Bennet ranch, who just so happens to be the girlfriend of the man whose wife was allegedly murdered by Samantha's father. He is the first suspect and law enforcement wastes no time arresting him. This revs Sam's engine up even further, and she is bound and determined to once and for all prove her father innocence.
The three Bennet brothers have been scattered with little or no contact with one another since their mother died. Nate disappeared on the day of the funeral and has not been seen again. Now Sam has brought him back to town because she believes he is the key to unraveling this complex mystery. His brothers soon learn why he disappeared.
This was a phenomenal mystery with many moving parts and some characters that you will love to hate. This mystery will test the boundaries of yesterday's secrets against today's lies and make each person question themselves and their belief in what is really going on at the Bennet ranch.
This phenomenal mystery is emotional and will play with all of your senses with real catch me if you can vibes.
Thank you to Tule Publishing for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 20, 2025
P.I. Samantha Price has been working for fifteen years to prove that her father did not commit murder. He was accused of murdering Marie Bennet, wife of a local rancher and mother to three sons. This has made her an outcast in town, but she has belief in her father. Years ago, she had assisted Nate Bennet after an issue with his father and if she can find him now, fifteen years later, he may give credence to the fact that his father was a violent man and could have killed his wife. Now returning to Marietta with Nate, how will this affect his two brothers, Landon who remained at the ranch and Cal who left the ranch to become a criminal defense attorney. His father and brothers are shocked to see that Nate has come home, but home with Sam Price? A woman who was dating their father has been murdered. Is the killer Sam’s father, who had been recently released from prison, or their father, Ben? As Sam continues to try to prove that Ben was responsible for his wife’s death, new truths are told and new evidence is found. Just when you think the mystery is solved, don’t blink as another twist is revealed. The author weaves a fascinating tale of murder in the past and how it affected so many lives. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
May 12, 2025
Wow, what a great murder mystery by Nicole Helm. Double-Edged Reckoning shows a different side of life in Marietta, Montana with a fifteen-year-old murder that Samantha Price has always believed the wrong person was convicted. She is still out to exonerate her father who was convicted of that crime. Marietta is my favorite book town, but this book makes the town seem more genuine by examining the bad as well as good. It seems more like a real town after reading this story.
Double-Edged Reckoning is a complex character focus story of how the past has affected not just Samantha but the three brothers of the first murdered woman. Now a second murder has happened, involving some of the same characters from the past. Just as it is all coming together a twisty turn happens in the book. Shocking but believable. I admire Samantha, Nate and his brothers as they wade through the past to make sense of what each remembers. This psychological thriller is riveting. I hope there is more soon in this series.
Double-Edged Reckoning is a complex character focus story of how the past has affected not just Samantha but the three brothers of the first murdered woman. Now a second murder has happened, involving some of the same characters from the past. Just as it is all coming together a twisty turn happens in the book. Shocking but believable. I admire Samantha, Nate and his brothers as they wade through the past to make sense of what each remembers. This psychological thriller is riveting. I hope there is more soon in this series.
May 15, 2025
This book is fantastic and I enjoyed reading it immensely. There has to be another book coming and I can not wait to read it as well. I can see Sam and Nate having a future together and I think he is already really liking her.
Samantha "Sam" Price is a private investigator and she has been trying to prove that her dad is innocent of a crime that he did not commit and has served many years of his life in prison for that crime. Sam knows that he is innocent and it is her mission to prove it to everyone that thinks otherwise. She is almost positive that Ben Bennet killed his wife and she is going to prove it. She has gone to Tennessee to get Nate Bennet, Ben's youngest son. He left the area 15 years ago and she has tracked him to Tennessee. He left because his dad had beaten him violently and left his bruised and bloody. Sam had found Nate and given him money to leave town. She is convinced that Nate is he key to prove that her dad is innocent and his dad committed the crime. She is going to convince him to return to Marietta, Montana with her and solve the crime.
Samantha "Sam" Price is a private investigator and she has been trying to prove that her dad is innocent of a crime that he did not commit and has served many years of his life in prison for that crime. Sam knows that he is innocent and it is her mission to prove it to everyone that thinks otherwise. She is almost positive that Ben Bennet killed his wife and she is going to prove it. She has gone to Tennessee to get Nate Bennet, Ben's youngest son. He left the area 15 years ago and she has tracked him to Tennessee. He left because his dad had beaten him violently and left his bruised and bloody. Sam had found Nate and given him money to leave town. She is convinced that Nate is he key to prove that her dad is innocent and his dad committed the crime. She is going to convince him to return to Marietta, Montana with her and solve the crime.
April 18, 2025
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Tule Publishing via BookFunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A mystery about two murders and family secrets, “Double-Edged Reckoning”, by Nicole Helm, introduces a cast of complex, intriguing characters caught in a web of lies and deceit and somehow becoming stronger and closer in the unveiling process.
I loved the relationship between Nate and Sam, I wish it was more developed. It built in such a tentative, cautious, fragile way.
Nate is an amazing character, the prodigal, stoic son who is used to silence and starting over. The loner with no apparent ties to the past and his family that slowly is rebuilding the relationship with his siblings and friends. The little battered boy and the strong, lethal Army Ranger sniper.
Their past history is poignant and resonates in the present.
Sam is a strong, driven, resilient heroine.
I liked how the brothers reconnect and bond naturally and how memories came and secrets were unveiled.
The female characters are compelling, too.
Some twists were unpredictable and really surprised me. Devastating for some characters.
An enjoyable read set in Marietta, Montana, with truly captivating characters.
A mystery about two murders and family secrets, “Double-Edged Reckoning”, by Nicole Helm, introduces a cast of complex, intriguing characters caught in a web of lies and deceit and somehow becoming stronger and closer in the unveiling process.
I loved the relationship between Nate and Sam, I wish it was more developed. It built in such a tentative, cautious, fragile way.
Nate is an amazing character, the prodigal, stoic son who is used to silence and starting over. The loner with no apparent ties to the past and his family that slowly is rebuilding the relationship with his siblings and friends. The little battered boy and the strong, lethal Army Ranger sniper.
Their past history is poignant and resonates in the present.
Sam is a strong, driven, resilient heroine.
I liked how the brothers reconnect and bond naturally and how memories came and secrets were unveiled.
The female characters are compelling, too.
Some twists were unpredictable and really surprised me. Devastating for some characters.
An enjoyable read set in Marietta, Montana, with truly captivating characters.
April 13, 2025
Layers of family secrets, murders, and a broken family
Double Edged Reckoning is centered around the Bennet brothers, their family secrets, two murders, and PI Samantha Price who is trying to clear her father of the murders. The three brothers are vastly different; military, rancher, and a lawyer. They’ve never been close and barely tolerate each other. I liked the complexity of the characters. This is a really well-done mystery. I loved the twists at the end and how Sam handled the situation. This is book 1 of a new series and I am eager to read the next one. There were a few things not addressed that I hope will be in the upcoming books (ie the pocketknife, what led to the muteness of the women on the neighboring property, outcome of current arrest). Very engaging read!
Double Edged Reckoning is centered around the Bennet brothers, their family secrets, two murders, and PI Samantha Price who is trying to clear her father of the murders. The three brothers are vastly different; military, rancher, and a lawyer. They’ve never been close and barely tolerate each other. I liked the complexity of the characters. This is a really well-done mystery. I loved the twists at the end and how Sam handled the situation. This is book 1 of a new series and I am eager to read the next one. There were a few things not addressed that I hope will be in the upcoming books (ie the pocketknife, what led to the muteness of the women on the neighboring property, outcome of current arrest). Very engaging read!
May 14, 2025
Samantha has always believed that her father is innocent of the murder he's been in prison for. She's a private investigator and has spent a lot of time investigating the case.
She was friendly with Nate before he left town when his mother was murdered. Now she's tracked him down to persuade him to tell the authorities what his father was like.
Nate didn't want to be found, he was living in a cabin hidden away, after coming back from the war he'd wanted his privacy.
Now he's been dragged back home. Will his brothers accept his reason for leaving? How does everything fit together?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An entertaining who-done-it by Nicole.
She was friendly with Nate before he left town when his mother was murdered. Now she's tracked him down to persuade him to tell the authorities what his father was like.
Nate didn't want to be found, he was living in a cabin hidden away, after coming back from the war he'd wanted his privacy.
Now he's been dragged back home. Will his brothers accept his reason for leaving? How does everything fit together?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An entertaining who-done-it by Nicole.
April 21, 2025
BOOK REPORT
Quite frankly, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this quick and easy read. I got an advance reader copy (ARC) from BookSirens, which I was _almost_ hesitant to do because it seemed for a while like so many books I was seeing on that site were sickly sweet (and poorly written) cozy romances with usually on a vague semblance of a mystery at play.
I took a chance with this one because it was a Western. Glad I did, even if I did figure things out early on; mainly because the characters were all so believable. Look forward to reading the next in the series, and more by Nicole Helm.
Quite frankly, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this quick and easy read. I got an advance reader copy (ARC) from BookSirens, which I was _almost_ hesitant to do because it seemed for a while like so many books I was seeing on that site were sickly sweet (and poorly written) cozy romances with usually on a vague semblance of a mystery at play.
I took a chance with this one because it was a Western. Glad I did, even if I did figure things out early on; mainly because the characters were all so believable. Look forward to reading the next in the series, and more by Nicole Helm.
April 24, 2025
Great mystery! A man found guilty of a murder he claims innocence is released from prison and another woman is murdered in the same property and area. His daughter has been working for fifteen years to clear his name. When the second murder occurs and her father is arrested, she finds the one son that can attest to the violent nature of his father-the one Carly believes is guilty of both murders. An emotional story of brothers with shattered lives uncovering deeply hidden memories of events that could tear them apart.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 27, 2025
I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion. I enjoyed this book. It's a tragic story of the hold a violent and manipulative man had over his family for many years and how his "divide and rule" philosophy applied to his wife and sons kept his secrets and lies safe . Until they didn't. I would call this a psychological thriller. It only took one woman's determined pursuit of justice to knock down carefully constructed walls. The author skilfully takes the reader through all the stages of the unravelling of beliefs, images long forgotten and ignored, and the reactions of each character to the truth is well portrayed - and the shock near the end is thoroughly believable. A good read.
May 19, 2025
Double-Edged Reckoning is a multi-layered, engrossing family drama/murder mystery with wonderful characters, enough action to satisfy the biggest action/adventure fan, with moments of heartbreaking revelation and touches of romance. I hope Ms. Helm intends to develop this into a series because I think there is a lot of potential here, and I would love to spend more time with her characters. Ms. Helm's writing style is easy to read and immediately engages the reader in her story. I will be looking for more of Ms. Helm's work to read. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
May 23, 2025
I love being back home in Marietta! With a wonderful book starting a brand new series and I cannot wait to read all of them.
This is definitely one of my favorite towns and Nicole did an amazing job with all these new characters.
So much going on while Samantha Price is trying to prove her father’s innocence after many years.
And she’s asking for Nate’s help trying to prove that it was actually Ben Bennett that committed the murder. And then just happens to be Nate’s dad.
We talk about mystery and intrigue , WOW!!
You definitely have to pick this one up because this is an amazing story and I can’t wait for the next installment in this series.
This is definitely one of my favorite towns and Nicole did an amazing job with all these new characters.
So much going on while Samantha Price is trying to prove her father’s innocence after many years.
And she’s asking for Nate’s help trying to prove that it was actually Ben Bennett that committed the murder. And then just happens to be Nate’s dad.
We talk about mystery and intrigue , WOW!!
You definitely have to pick this one up because this is an amazing story and I can’t wait for the next installment in this series.
May 17, 2025
Review: Double-Edge Reckoning #1 by Nicole Helm
A gripping start to the Western Edge Mystery series! Nicole Helm delivers a suspenseful, emotionally rich story set in a small-town western backdrop.
The characters—especially Sam and the Bennett brothers, Cal, Landon and Nate —feel real and relatable, and the mystery unfolds with just the right amount of tension and heart. Highly recommended for fans of
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read
Great world building
Original
Page-turner
Realistic
Wonderful characters
A gripping start to the Western Edge Mystery series! Nicole Helm delivers a suspenseful, emotionally rich story set in a small-town western backdrop.
The characters—especially Sam and the Bennett brothers, Cal, Landon and Nate —feel real and relatable, and the mystery unfolds with just the right amount of tension and heart. Highly recommended for fans of
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read
Great world building
Original
Page-turner
Realistic
Wonderful characters
May 7, 2025
Intriguing romantic suspense. Three brothers are at the heart of the story. Lots of remembering for them. Interesting characters. I look forward to seeing where the tale progresses for all of them. I would have been happier with the use of the "f" word, but that will not stop me from reading this series. At least there were no intimate scenes. Thanks to Booksprout for providing a copy. My review is voluntary.
July 14, 2025
A devoted daughter-turned-PI teams up with a taciturn childhood friend who left their small town long ago, to find answers to a pair of killings--one old, one new--that tie their families together. The family relationships are complicated, but mostly end happily. Good for fans of Melinda Leigh's books, particularly the Bree Taggert series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 7, 2026
loved it
I was quickly drawn into all the secrets and mystery of this book. Though I had a pretty good idea of where it would end up I was still caught up in twists and turns with the characters. First strongly disliking some of them then learning to empathize with them when they handled the uncovering of secrets in a way I didn’t initially expect. I’ve become very attached to the characters and cannot wait to visit them again in the next book
I was quickly drawn into all the secrets and mystery of this book. Though I had a pretty good idea of where it would end up I was still caught up in twists and turns with the characters. First strongly disliking some of them then learning to empathize with them when they handled the uncovering of secrets in a way I didn’t initially expect. I’ve become very attached to the characters and cannot wait to visit them again in the next book
April 29, 2025
Really enjoyed this story. Not a lot of physical action but enough excitement to keep you coming back. Doesn't take too long before you start thinking you know where this is going to end but there are some surprises. Strong character development. Well set for a sequel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 16, 2025
Samantha has been trying to prove her father is innocent of murder for fifteen years but no one believes her. Now a second woman has been murdered and her father is the police's first suspect. Clues are showing up all over but what do they mean. I enjoyed this exciting mystery and learning more about the Bennet family.
May 28, 2025
I'm not a huge fan of westerns at all. Against my better judgement I decided to try this one and I'm glad I did. It was a very good mystery. All kinds of twists and turns that just keep you invested. Definitely sets the tone for the rest of the series. I'd recommend it being read.
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.
May 14, 2025
Like this book because it includes ranches and also other careers that meld together in Marietta. Love this genre and how ti all comes together.
Story starts out with Samantha and she's hot on the trail of who really killed the woman her father went to prison for 15 years. Now that he's out he's staying at his sisters cabins.
Another murder happens and Sam knows what she has to do and sets out for TN to get Nate to help. He left when he mother was killed and his father beat him up. Out of the Army now he has skills. Love their devoted attention to details. He is very familiar with the creek growing up there with his brothers and they are able to find a clue to pass along to the cops.
Cal, another brother, a lawyer also comes back to the ranch to help with his expertise.
Landon has been running the family ranch along with Aly. Love the conversations among the brothers as to how life was when they were growing up, when their mother was alive. SO many dreams, nightmares and scenes of her and how she died come to light.
They know what they have to do and step up to the plate. More clues of recent death and now two will go to prison. Place would be awesome if all brothers hang around and pitch in to help.
Story starts out with Samantha and she's hot on the trail of who really killed the woman her father went to prison for 15 years. Now that he's out he's staying at his sisters cabins.
Another murder happens and Sam knows what she has to do and sets out for TN to get Nate to help. He left when he mother was killed and his father beat him up. Out of the Army now he has skills. Love their devoted attention to details. He is very familiar with the creek growing up there with his brothers and they are able to find a clue to pass along to the cops.
Cal, another brother, a lawyer also comes back to the ranch to help with his expertise.
Landon has been running the family ranch along with Aly. Love the conversations among the brothers as to how life was when they were growing up, when their mother was alive. SO many dreams, nightmares and scenes of her and how she died come to light.
They know what they have to do and step up to the plate. More clues of recent death and now two will go to prison. Place would be awesome if all brothers hang around and pitch in to help.
May 11, 2025
Thought this book was very well written, I loved reading about life on the ranch and imagining what that was like and what the people were like. The plot was solid with a good little twist at the end.
August 4, 2025
Double-Edged Reckoning is the first book in Nicole Helm’s fabulous new series, A Western Edge Mystery. The book is set in Marietta, Montana and features Samantha Price and the three Bennet brothers: Nate, Landon and Cal. Fifteen years earlier, the Bennet’s mother was found murdered and Sam’s dad was charged and convicted. Sam has always believed her dad was innocent of the charges and she dedicated her life to proving it. She started up a PI business where she worked on other cases besides that of her dad’s. As the book opens, there is another murder discovered. It is the woman who was living on the Bennet ranch with the boy’s dad Ben. Sam’s dad is brought in for questioning and held. She decides she needs to find a way to prove her dad’s innocence and influence the police to suspect Ben Bennet himself.
Landon is the only son who remained in Marietta to run the ranch with his dad. In addition, Aly, the daughter of the dad’s late ranch hand has remained and works the ranch with them. She is totally loyal to the Bennets. The oldest son left after graduation and has become an attorney in Dallas. The youngest, Nate, disappeared after their mom’s funeral. Everyone believed he was dead. Sam actually found him after their funeral in front of her house beaten to a pulp by his dad. She passed him some money and helped him get away. Now she hopes to find him and bring him home to help prove his dad actually murdered both women and clear her dad. Her research led her to Nate’s home in Tennessee. After they talk, he agrees to go with her and return home to Marietta. She wants him to share what his dad did to bring suspicion to him instead of her dad. We learn too that he had been in the military after leaving Marietta.
There is a lot of excitement, suspense and family interactions. The book is well written and the character development is fantastic. There is some romance between Landon and Aly which is a nice touch. Sam and Nate progressed from being strangers to allies. Nate and his brothers hadn’t all been together for a long time so they are working on their relationships as well. Sam is determined to discover who murdered the two women, no matter what. The ending was a big surprise for me. I loved the book and look forward to reading the next one. The author has a winner with this book. I’ve given it 5 stars.
I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Landon is the only son who remained in Marietta to run the ranch with his dad. In addition, Aly, the daughter of the dad’s late ranch hand has remained and works the ranch with them. She is totally loyal to the Bennets. The oldest son left after graduation and has become an attorney in Dallas. The youngest, Nate, disappeared after their mom’s funeral. Everyone believed he was dead. Sam actually found him after their funeral in front of her house beaten to a pulp by his dad. She passed him some money and helped him get away. Now she hopes to find him and bring him home to help prove his dad actually murdered both women and clear her dad. Her research led her to Nate’s home in Tennessee. After they talk, he agrees to go with her and return home to Marietta. She wants him to share what his dad did to bring suspicion to him instead of her dad. We learn too that he had been in the military after leaving Marietta.
There is a lot of excitement, suspense and family interactions. The book is well written and the character development is fantastic. There is some romance between Landon and Aly which is a nice touch. Sam and Nate progressed from being strangers to allies. Nate and his brothers hadn’t all been together for a long time so they are working on their relationships as well. Sam is determined to discover who murdered the two women, no matter what. The ending was a big surprise for me. I loved the book and look forward to reading the next one. The author has a winner with this book. I’ve given it 5 stars.
I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
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