What do you think?
Rate this book
Chief Maggie Riley #5
The Day She Died
Maggie’s heart pounds as she clutches the autopsy report. What she’s reading is impossible. Yesterday, a woman died in a fire. But her remains belong to someone who died twenty years ago.
When the body of Ruby Anderson is found in a burnt-out trailer, Chief Maggie Riley is called to solve the biggest case Coyote Cove has ever seen. Ruby supposedly drowned on a kayaking trip twenty years ago—how could she have been alive today?
For years there have been whispers about how Ruby died. There was one witness who swore they saw the river drag Ruby away. Ruby’s body was never found, and she was presumed dead.
But when the autopsy report is returned, Maggie makes a shocking discovery. It shows that Ruby never drowned at all. She’d been hiding in plain sight for the past twenty years. Who was she hiding from and why would they want her dead?
As Maggie unravels the web of lies around Ruby’s murder, she discovers that the witness to Ruby’s drowning is her closest colleague at the Coyote Cove Police Department. And they’re protecting a dark secret from Ruby’s past that Maggie must uncover before anyone else loses their life.
But how deep do the lies around Ruby’s death truly go? With no one to trust, Maggie needs to uncover a deadly secret alone and it lies at the heart of the police force. How much will she have to sacrifice to discover the truth?
An absolutely gripping crime thriller, The Day She Died will have your heart racing until the final killer twist. Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, D.K Hood, Mary Stone and Melinda Leigh.
Readers love the Chief Maggie Riley
“Yes please!… OMG what an absolute wild ride… I read it in a few short hours… couldn’t believe the HUGE TWIST at the end.” Yorkshire Carly, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Holy cow… I have a new obsession… I cannot get enough of this series…has me hook, line and sinker… I am officially addicted… Warning—sleep will be impossible once you start this book. You will not be able to put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Gripping… so darn good! Wow!… had my mind BLOWN every page down to the last sentence!! My mind was spinning to keep up with all the twists.” Goodreads reviewer
“I am now HOOKED!… filled with so many twists and turns… so good!!!… You won't be able to put down.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow… phenomenal… Breakneck speed, full of twists and turns… kept me guessing and reading way too late. Unputdownable! Amazing read!” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My God what a story… wrapped up just brilliantly at the end with that feeling of 'give me more’ immediately.” Bookreviewercakemaker, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Here. We. Go.
When the body of Ruby Anderson is found in a burnt-out trailer, Chief Maggie Riley is called to solve the biggest case Coyote Cove has ever seen. Ruby supposedly drowned on a kayaking trip twenty years ago—how could she have been alive today?
For years there have been whispers about how Ruby died. There was one witness who swore they saw the river drag Ruby away. Ruby’s body was never found, and she was presumed dead.
But when the autopsy report is returned, Maggie makes a shocking discovery. It shows that Ruby never drowned at all. She’d been hiding in plain sight for the past twenty years. Who was she hiding from and why would they want her dead?
As Maggie unravels the web of lies around Ruby’s murder, she discovers that the witness to Ruby’s drowning is her closest colleague at the Coyote Cove Police Department. And they’re protecting a dark secret from Ruby’s past that Maggie must uncover before anyone else loses their life.
But how deep do the lies around Ruby’s death truly go? With no one to trust, Maggie needs to uncover a deadly secret alone and it lies at the heart of the police force. How much will she have to sacrifice to discover the truth?
An absolutely gripping crime thriller, The Day She Died will have your heart racing until the final killer twist. Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, D.K Hood, Mary Stone and Melinda Leigh.
Readers love the Chief Maggie Riley
“Yes please!… OMG what an absolute wild ride… I read it in a few short hours… couldn’t believe the HUGE TWIST at the end.” Yorkshire Carly, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Holy cow… I have a new obsession… I cannot get enough of this series…has me hook, line and sinker… I am officially addicted… Warning—sleep will be impossible once you start this book. You will not be able to put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Gripping… so darn good! Wow!… had my mind BLOWN every page down to the last sentence!! My mind was spinning to keep up with all the twists.” Goodreads reviewer
“I am now HOOKED!… filled with so many twists and turns… so good!!!… You won't be able to put down.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow… phenomenal… Breakneck speed, full of twists and turns… kept me guessing and reading way too late. Unputdownable! Amazing read!” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My God what a story… wrapped up just brilliantly at the end with that feeling of 'give me more’ immediately.” Bookreviewercakemaker, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Here. We. Go.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2025
410 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Hollinger
30 books317 followersWith degrees in Crime Scene Technology and Physical Anthropology, Florida writer Shannon Hollinger hasn’t just seen the dark side of humanity—she’s been elbow deep inside of it! She’s an avid animal lover, reader, and hiker, and has been known to use her forensic skills to figure out who ate the last cookie in the house.
A multi-genre, Amazon charts top 20 best-selling author, Shannon writes psychological thrillers filled with jaw-dropping twists and shocking endings, the police procedural Chief Maggie Riley mysteries, where the darkness of the Maine wilderness is rivaled only by the deadly secrets it conceals, and the romantic suspense Cassidy Knox mystery thrillers, where the animals will steal your heart and the nights are as hot as the days.
Her novels have been translated into multiple languages, and her short fiction has appeared in Suspense Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and The Saturday Evening Post, among many other magazines and anthologies.
Shannon is a member of the International Thriller Writers and the Short Mystery Fiction Society.
To keep current on book news and to enter monthly giveaways, sign up for Shannon’s newsletter through her website, www.shannonhollinger.com.
Find Shannon on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/thiswritersays
https://www.instagram.com/thiswritersays
https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonhollinger
http://www.pinterest.com/thiswritersays
http://www.bookbub.com/profile/shanno...
https://www.amazon.com/author/shannon...
A multi-genre, Amazon charts top 20 best-selling author, Shannon writes psychological thrillers filled with jaw-dropping twists and shocking endings, the police procedural Chief Maggie Riley mysteries, where the darkness of the Maine wilderness is rivaled only by the deadly secrets it conceals, and the romantic suspense Cassidy Knox mystery thrillers, where the animals will steal your heart and the nights are as hot as the days.
Her novels have been translated into multiple languages, and her short fiction has appeared in Suspense Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and The Saturday Evening Post, among many other magazines and anthologies.
Shannon is a member of the International Thriller Writers and the Short Mystery Fiction Society.
To keep current on book news and to enter monthly giveaways, sign up for Shannon’s newsletter through her website, www.shannonhollinger.com.
Find Shannon on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/thiswritersays
https://www.instagram.com/thiswritersays
https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonhollinger
http://www.pinterest.com/thiswritersays
http://www.bookbub.com/profile/shanno...
https://www.amazon.com/author/shannon...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 10, 2025
Secrets, lies, and deception are the name of the game in The Day She Died! This is the 5th book in the Chief Maggie Riley series and would work nicely as a stand-alone if you have not read the previous books in the series. But the previous books are fast, gripping and thrilling so I do recommend reading them first! As with the previous books, The Day She Died instantly grabbed my attention and held a firm grasp on it throughout the book! I enjoyed the pacing, the investigative work, the twists, the tension, the danger, and the shocking moments in this book!
Ruby Anderson died over twenty years ago - at least that is what everyone thought! Imagine the surprise and complete and utter shock everyone felt when Ruby Anderson's body was found in a burned trailer. How can this be? She died on a kayaking trip all those years ago, didn't she? There were whispers about how she was pulled under by the river rapids. But Ruby did not drown. Her autopsy shows a different story...
I enjoy this thrilling series and those who work with Maggie. I enjoyed the tension, the suspense, the twists, the reveals, and the interactions between the characters. I have always enjoyed the balance between Maggie's personal life and her professional life. She and her fiancé, Steve, have been planning their wedding but Steve is out of town handling what he has been keeping secret for the entire series.
As I mentioned, secrets are the name of the game in this book and everyone has one. Solving this case will not be easy - are they ever easy?????? I enjoyed the tension, the dread, the dark secrets, the feeling of unease and mounting danger that occurred during this book. Maggie is one tough cookie who does not back down, and I admire her tenacity, courage, drive, and spunk.
Gripping, mysterious, well written, well thought out, and dripping with secrets!
I look forward to reading more books in this series!
Thank you to bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Ruby Anderson died over twenty years ago - at least that is what everyone thought! Imagine the surprise and complete and utter shock everyone felt when Ruby Anderson's body was found in a burned trailer. How can this be? She died on a kayaking trip all those years ago, didn't she? There were whispers about how she was pulled under by the river rapids. But Ruby did not drown. Her autopsy shows a different story...
I enjoy this thrilling series and those who work with Maggie. I enjoyed the tension, the suspense, the twists, the reveals, and the interactions between the characters. I have always enjoyed the balance between Maggie's personal life and her professional life. She and her fiancé, Steve, have been planning their wedding but Steve is out of town handling what he has been keeping secret for the entire series.
As I mentioned, secrets are the name of the game in this book and everyone has one. Solving this case will not be easy - are they ever easy?????? I enjoyed the tension, the dread, the dark secrets, the feeling of unease and mounting danger that occurred during this book. Maggie is one tough cookie who does not back down, and I admire her tenacity, courage, drive, and spunk.
Gripping, mysterious, well written, well thought out, and dripping with secrets!
I look forward to reading more books in this series!
Thank you to bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
March 29, 2025
I have been so excited to get a copy of the newest installment of the Maggie Riley series. Last year, I pretty much became addicted to this series from the get-go. From the beginning, it just really checked off all of the boxes of what I love in a great series. I am a dedicated fan of series with strong FMC’s, preferably in law enforcement, and the higher the rank the more likely they’re going to be a fearless bad@$$!!! My fave kind of MC’s! Furthermore, I love stories about small town crime where the crime rate is just as high as any big urban city. Add in an overall creep factor to the town and its residents and all of their secrets, and I’m absolutely hooked!!!
The gangs all back for this installment with Chief Maggie nearly getting killed when she pulls up to a suspected meth lab and the lab is blown up and a charred body lands on the windshield just as Maggie starts to get out of her truck. This is not a spoiler since it’s how the story started. Yeah, that’s the way to grab a reader’s attention from the get-go. It’s not long before Maggie discovers something among the ruins that she needs to keep secret. Then there is all the drama surrounding who was in the lab when it blew up and the subsequent investigation that uncovers a lot more secrets. Then there is the secret surrounding dispatcher, Sue, who has been acting strangely and is determined to keep an eye and tabs on Maggie at all times. Yeah, that’s not suspicious at all – NOT!!! Deputy Kal is back and still holding onto his secret of what happened to him at his last job as well as his engagement and fiancé.
Steve is back too but is spending most of his time in MA because he has decided to get closure from a secret that he has been holding onto the entire series. He came clean with Maggie in the last installment because he didn’t want this secret hanging over him when they got married in less than a month. He didn’t want to start their marriage with this deadly secret from his past. All of this is going on while Maggie’s friends start planning her bachelorette party, that Maggie doesn’t want and is totally dreading.
The story flips back and forth between Maggie and Steve and all the secrets they are still keeping from each other. The investigation of the meth lab explosion and the victims dredges up a 20yr cold case that the former Sheriff, who’s a real scumbag and got voted out making way for Maggie, obviously was covering up a boatload of even more secrets that he didn’t want to get out. It’s deep into the second half that all the storylines and their secrets start to combust ending in a boatload of intense and scary scenes for Maggie and those that she cares about.
The continuing character development of Maggie’s relationships with the people in her life (Steve, Kal, Sue, Dr Ricky) were some pretty big steps for her. I can’t wait until Hollinger gets around to developing more of Maggie’s friends as well as the Coyote Cove townspeople. The pacing was steady to fast, just the way I like it and the storylines interesting. The writing was good, even if I found the Maggie chapters a little more interesting than the Steve chapters. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Bookouture #TheDaySheDied
The gangs all back for this installment with Chief Maggie nearly getting killed when she pulls up to a suspected meth lab and the lab is blown up and a charred body lands on the windshield just as Maggie starts to get out of her truck. This is not a spoiler since it’s how the story started. Yeah, that’s the way to grab a reader’s attention from the get-go. It’s not long before Maggie discovers something among the ruins that she needs to keep secret. Then there is all the drama surrounding who was in the lab when it blew up and the subsequent investigation that uncovers a lot more secrets. Then there is the secret surrounding dispatcher, Sue, who has been acting strangely and is determined to keep an eye and tabs on Maggie at all times. Yeah, that’s not suspicious at all – NOT!!! Deputy Kal is back and still holding onto his secret of what happened to him at his last job as well as his engagement and fiancé.
Steve is back too but is spending most of his time in MA because he has decided to get closure from a secret that he has been holding onto the entire series. He came clean with Maggie in the last installment because he didn’t want this secret hanging over him when they got married in less than a month. He didn’t want to start their marriage with this deadly secret from his past. All of this is going on while Maggie’s friends start planning her bachelorette party, that Maggie doesn’t want and is totally dreading.
The story flips back and forth between Maggie and Steve and all the secrets they are still keeping from each other. The investigation of the meth lab explosion and the victims dredges up a 20yr cold case that the former Sheriff, who’s a real scumbag and got voted out making way for Maggie, obviously was covering up a boatload of even more secrets that he didn’t want to get out. It’s deep into the second half that all the storylines and their secrets start to combust ending in a boatload of intense and scary scenes for Maggie and those that she cares about.
The continuing character development of Maggie’s relationships with the people in her life (Steve, Kal, Sue, Dr Ricky) were some pretty big steps for her. I can’t wait until Hollinger gets around to developing more of Maggie’s friends as well as the Coyote Cove townspeople. The pacing was steady to fast, just the way I like it and the storylines interesting. The writing was good, even if I found the Maggie chapters a little more interesting than the Steve chapters. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Bookouture #TheDaySheDied
April 16, 2025
How is it that Ruby Anderson’s body was found in an explosion at what appeared to be a meth lab? It’s very concerning, especially since Ruby was said to have died two decades previously, and hers was one of three bodies discovered. Moreover, someone very close to Coyote Cove’s Chief of Police, Maggie Riley, filed the police report, which is causing Maggie to question her trust in her friend.
Meanwhile, Maggie’s fiancé, Steve, is away and is dealing with his own drama. At the explosion site, something else was discovered that could definitely ruin Steve’s life and their future together. It’s a true nightmare all around. Maggie is in a constant state of fear, while Steve’s drama could have far-reaching consequences.
The drama for both Maggie and Steve is played out in alternating chapters, and this definitely kept me on tenterhooks for both Maggie and Steve. What an excellent police procedural by Shannon Hollinger and a great addition to a thrilling series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Meanwhile, Maggie’s fiancé, Steve, is away and is dealing with his own drama. At the explosion site, something else was discovered that could definitely ruin Steve’s life and their future together. It’s a true nightmare all around. Maggie is in a constant state of fear, while Steve’s drama could have far-reaching consequences.
The drama for both Maggie and Steve is played out in alternating chapters, and this definitely kept me on tenterhooks for both Maggie and Steve. What an excellent police procedural by Shannon Hollinger and a great addition to a thrilling series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
April 15, 2025
The Day She Died by Shannon Hollinger is the fifth installment of the Chief Maggie Riley series. This is a gripping crime thriller that starts with a bang and does not slow down!
When Chief Maggie Riley is called out to a scene, all hell breaks loose when a trailer explodes right in front of her. What started as a suspected meth lab explosion soon dives deep into secrets that have been buried for decades. A woman who had died in the explosion should have already been dead. The victim had been declared dead twenty years ago after a tragic drowning accident. With her partner, Maggie will need to find out what really happened twenty years ago and how it is connected to the case today.
I definitely feel like this can be read as a standalone novel, but if you are the type of reader that needs the whole backstory to enjoy a series, then give the rest of the books a shot! Hollinger's writing is very concise and the characters are very well developed!! This was a quick read with lots of suspense, action, and secrets that had me hooked from the first explosive page!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Shannon Hollinger, and Bookouture for this ARC!! Publication date is April 14th 2025.
When Chief Maggie Riley is called out to a scene, all hell breaks loose when a trailer explodes right in front of her. What started as a suspected meth lab explosion soon dives deep into secrets that have been buried for decades. A woman who had died in the explosion should have already been dead. The victim had been declared dead twenty years ago after a tragic drowning accident. With her partner, Maggie will need to find out what really happened twenty years ago and how it is connected to the case today.
I definitely feel like this can be read as a standalone novel, but if you are the type of reader that needs the whole backstory to enjoy a series, then give the rest of the books a shot! Hollinger's writing is very concise and the characters are very well developed!! This was a quick read with lots of suspense, action, and secrets that had me hooked from the first explosive page!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Shannon Hollinger, and Bookouture for this ARC!! Publication date is April 14th 2025.
April 14, 2025
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a mystery full of twists and turns, and features a strong female lead. Chief Maggie Riley is tasked with investigating the case of Ruby Anderson, who was supposed to be dead but isn’t. I found that right from the first page, I was completely enthralled and couldn’t wait to see the final reveal. I read this as a standalone, but it was incredibly easy to jump right into the story, and I’m excited to read more about Maggie’s story in the previous four books.
She is such a complex and dynamic character who draws readers in and almost makes it impossible to put the book down. I particularly loved the dual narrative that switches between Maggie and Steve’s point of view. The transitions are seamless due to both characters being so well written; it’s easy to understand who the main focus is at any point in the book. These wonderful characters are a huge part of what makes this story so captivating and I loved reading about them. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Bookouture for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#TheDaySheDied #NetGalley
She is such a complex and dynamic character who draws readers in and almost makes it impossible to put the book down. I particularly loved the dual narrative that switches between Maggie and Steve’s point of view. The transitions are seamless due to both characters being so well written; it’s easy to understand who the main focus is at any point in the book. These wonderful characters are a huge part of what makes this story so captivating and I loved reading about them. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Bookouture for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#TheDaySheDied #NetGalley
April 13, 2025
I was unusually tense as I read the latest Maggie Riley mystery. Hollinger left me hanging in limbo with book #4 and I eagerly dove in.
But as Maggie has a horrible foreboding feeling throughout the book so did I. Anxiety gnawed at my gut, mostly over the status of Steve and Maggie’s relationship and whether they’d make it down the aisle or not,
I used to be Team Steve and I hate to be a turncoat, but Hot Fire Guy Larsen grew on me in the chapters.
I also wanted to give Kal a hug as finally we get a little snippet of his background and what brought him to Coyote Cove.
Hollinger also did it again at the end of the book because I’m asking myself will they or won’t they?? To be continued…
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the early copy.
But as Maggie has a horrible foreboding feeling throughout the book so did I. Anxiety gnawed at my gut, mostly over the status of Steve and Maggie’s relationship and whether they’d make it down the aisle or not,
I used to be Team Steve and I hate to be a turncoat, but Hot Fire Guy Larsen grew on me in the chapters.
I also wanted to give Kal a hug as finally we get a little snippet of his background and what brought him to Coyote Cove.
Hollinger also did it again at the end of the book because I’m asking myself will they or won’t they?? To be continued…
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the early copy.
April 12, 2025
This is a great crime thriller.
Maggie attends a call out and is in for a huge shock as the trailer in front of her explodes just as she arrives.
Her car is severely damaged but luckily Maggie is unhurt. Though she is shaken by the experience and with Steve away, Maggie struggles on her own.
When she finds out that one of the bodies in the trailer is a woman who was recorded as dying 20 years ago, Maggie is confused.
There’s lots of layers to this case and I did get a bit confused with all the different characters at times.
We also have chapters from Steve, who is trying to work out what happened in the past with Wesley.
This is a great crime thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.
Maggie attends a call out and is in for a huge shock as the trailer in front of her explodes just as she arrives.
Her car is severely damaged but luckily Maggie is unhurt. Though she is shaken by the experience and with Steve away, Maggie struggles on her own.
When she finds out that one of the bodies in the trailer is a woman who was recorded as dying 20 years ago, Maggie is confused.
There’s lots of layers to this case and I did get a bit confused with all the different characters at times.
We also have chapters from Steve, who is trying to work out what happened in the past with Wesley.
This is a great crime thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.
April 20, 2025
This latest in the #ChiefMaggieRileySeries is quick-paced & amazing! We get more of our strong female protagonist, Maggie, in her personal life and a riveting storyline that kept me reading until the thrilling end!
March 31, 2025
The Day She Died by Shannon Hollinger
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was very engaged with this exciting and thrilling crime story! This book starts off with a giant bang and doesn’t let up! 💣
A mysterious trailer explosion involving 3 deaths causes Chief Maggie Riley to jump into action.
What looked like a meth cooking explosion, isn’t so cut and dry and Maggie isn’t going to give up without answers!!
This is my first story from this author, but it won’t be the last!! Her writing and character development were excellent. I really felt like I was enjoying an intense movie! It was very exciting and entertaining with lots of twists and turns!
Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this excellent book!!
*It comes out April 14th, so keep your eye out!! *
This is #5 in the Chief Maggie Riley series.
I’ll be checking out the others too!!
1.) The Girl Who Lied
2.) Their Angel’s Cry
3.) The Shadow Girl
4.) One Little Sigh
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was very engaged with this exciting and thrilling crime story! This book starts off with a giant bang and doesn’t let up! 💣
A mysterious trailer explosion involving 3 deaths causes Chief Maggie Riley to jump into action.
What looked like a meth cooking explosion, isn’t so cut and dry and Maggie isn’t going to give up without answers!!
This is my first story from this author, but it won’t be the last!! Her writing and character development were excellent. I really felt like I was enjoying an intense movie! It was very exciting and entertaining with lots of twists and turns!
Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this excellent book!!
*It comes out April 14th, so keep your eye out!! *
This is #5 in the Chief Maggie Riley series.
I’ll be checking out the others too!!
1.) The Girl Who Lied
2.) Their Angel’s Cry
3.) The Shadow Girl
4.) One Little Sigh
March 10, 2025
The Day She Died is the 5th book in the Chief Maggie Riley series by Shannon Hollinger. This book can easily be read as a standalone mystery or enjoyed as part of the series!
This book was filled with so many twists and turns, and when you think everything is wrapped up, it keeps going! This is a fast read and was so good!!! Intense does not even begin to describe this! Wow!!!
I absolutely loved the characters! Chief Maggie Riley is fascinating! I can't wait to get to know her more in the future books.
If you are looking for a book that that you won't be able to put down, this is it! I know I'll be coming back to this series for more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Day She Died (Chief Maggie Riley Book 5) by Shannon Hollinger
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: April 14, 2025
This book was filled with so many twists and turns, and when you think everything is wrapped up, it keeps going! This is a fast read and was so good!!! Intense does not even begin to describe this! Wow!!!
I absolutely loved the characters! Chief Maggie Riley is fascinating! I can't wait to get to know her more in the future books.
If you are looking for a book that that you won't be able to put down, this is it! I know I'll be coming back to this series for more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Day She Died (Chief Maggie Riley Book 5) by Shannon Hollinger
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: April 14, 2025
March 3, 2025
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #TheDaySheDied by #ShannonHollinger. This is the fifth book on the Maggie Riley series and it’s just as amazing as the other four. Shannon is a favorite author of mine and I love her writing style. I will be patiently waiting on book six. Maggie and Steve’s wedding date is just around the corner and while Steve is taking care of some personal business back home, Maggie is in the middle of a dangerous case. Ruby Anderson, who has been presumed dead for 20 years, was a victim in a house explosion. How can that be when she died years ago. Was she hiding for some reason. This is a definite must read!
February 10, 2025
I have been a big fan from day one. I love chief Maggie.
Not only are the cases interesting, I also adore the background story and every day life pieces of Maggie's story. She and her fiance Steve are a peculiar couple, but you cannot not love them. They both had things to hide, but now they have decided to come clean and tell each other everything, their relationship is much stronger. Well, at least let's say they try to tell each other everything, but they are working on it. ;)
Maggie often finds herself in very dangerous situations, but she will never back down. She feels it's her task as the chief of police to do her job: protecting the people of the village and putting the culprits behind bars. Her own safety is something she puts on the back burner.
In this story she learns things about herself and the people around her.
With another baddie behind bars, the village is a safer place. The question is: how long for?
Perfect new part of this already incredibly good series. 5 stars
Thank you
Not only are the cases interesting, I also adore the background story and every day life pieces of Maggie's story. She and her fiance Steve are a peculiar couple, but you cannot not love them. They both had things to hide, but now they have decided to come clean and tell each other everything, their relationship is much stronger. Well, at least let's say they try to tell each other everything, but they are working on it. ;)
Maggie often finds herself in very dangerous situations, but she will never back down. She feels it's her task as the chief of police to do her job: protecting the people of the village and putting the culprits behind bars. Her own safety is something she puts on the back burner.
In this story she learns things about herself and the people around her.
With another baddie behind bars, the village is a safer place. The question is: how long for?
Perfect new part of this already incredibly good series. 5 stars
Thank you
May 7, 2025
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Day She Died by Shannon Hollinger is the fifth book in the Chief Maggie Riley series. A cold case and a current murder investigation raised many questions for Maggie. Despite the stress of her upcoming nuptials, Maggie sets out with determination to find answers and catch a killer
Secrets, lies, and deceit drive the plot of The Day She Died. Based on experience with prior books in the series, expectations were high, and it did not disappoint. There were so much happening and when combined it delivered an exciting and suspenseful read
The story begins when Maggie received an anonymous call, which led to her witnessing an explosion. After the dust cleared, Maggie discovered that one of the bodies belonged to Ruby Anderson. Twenty years ago, the sheriff at the time closed the case regarding her disappearance and declared her dead. To make matters worse, someone Maggie considers a friend reported the supposed death. A discovery that has her wondering if her trust in the person was misplaced.
Her upcoming nuptials in two weeks' time didn't help the situation. Her fiancé, Steve, has his share of drama to deal with. In addition to that, a piece of evidence discovered at the explosion site is likely to bring more chaos into both their lives. Steve's situation, which is linked to that piece of evidence, will significantly impact their lives.
As mentioned earlier, secrets drove the plot. Some secrets came to light. While Steve came clean to Maggie in the previous installment, he still harbors more secrets. Maggie is no better, as she has been keeping things from him too.
The suspense, twists, and surprises all combined kept me on the edge of my seat. It kept me guessing the whole time. This gripping and mysterious tale made a great addition to the series, and it left me looking forward to the next book. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Secrets, lies, and deceit drive the plot of The Day She Died. Based on experience with prior books in the series, expectations were high, and it did not disappoint. There were so much happening and when combined it delivered an exciting and suspenseful read
The story begins when Maggie received an anonymous call, which led to her witnessing an explosion. After the dust cleared, Maggie discovered that one of the bodies belonged to Ruby Anderson. Twenty years ago, the sheriff at the time closed the case regarding her disappearance and declared her dead. To make matters worse, someone Maggie considers a friend reported the supposed death. A discovery that has her wondering if her trust in the person was misplaced.
Her upcoming nuptials in two weeks' time didn't help the situation. Her fiancé, Steve, has his share of drama to deal with. In addition to that, a piece of evidence discovered at the explosion site is likely to bring more chaos into both their lives. Steve's situation, which is linked to that piece of evidence, will significantly impact their lives.
As mentioned earlier, secrets drove the plot. Some secrets came to light. While Steve came clean to Maggie in the previous installment, he still harbors more secrets. Maggie is no better, as she has been keeping things from him too.
The suspense, twists, and surprises all combined kept me on the edge of my seat. It kept me guessing the whole time. This gripping and mysterious tale made a great addition to the series, and it left me looking forward to the next book. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
April 15, 2025
Okay, y’all. Picture this: you’re living your small-town life, eating pie at the diner, when BAM—turns out the girl who drowned twenty years ago just turned up very dead in a burned-out trailer. Welcome to Coyote Cove, where the past doesn’t stay buried and apparently, neither do people.
Chief Maggie Riley is the one left holding the badge and the mess. She’s tough, sharp, and just tired enough to make her my new favorite fictional detective. When Ruby Anderson’s crispy remains are found, Maggie’s first question is the same as mine: Wait a second, didn’t this girl already die once?
What follows is a tangled mystery filled with small-town secrets, suspicious coworkers, and enough plot twists to make me question everyone—including my own neighbors. The writing is vivid without being fussy—I could practically feel the humid air off the river and smell the smoke from the trailer. And every time I thought I had it figured out? Nope. Shannon Hollinger pulled the rug out from under me like I was standing on a trapdoor.
Let’s talk about the suspense: it builds slow like a summer storm, then boom—lightning. The kind of story where you clutch your drink and mutter, “Oh no she didn’t,” at the page. I laughed, I gasped, I side-eyed every character. I mean, when your murder witness works with you at the police department? Trust issues, table for one.
This book has all the good stuff: a smart lead, juicy secrets, and twists that hit like a slap with a wet dish towel. If you’re into crime fiction with a heartbeat and characters who feel real enough to spill your tea with, The Day She Died needs to be on your TBR.
Chief Maggie Riley is the one left holding the badge and the mess. She’s tough, sharp, and just tired enough to make her my new favorite fictional detective. When Ruby Anderson’s crispy remains are found, Maggie’s first question is the same as mine: Wait a second, didn’t this girl already die once?
What follows is a tangled mystery filled with small-town secrets, suspicious coworkers, and enough plot twists to make me question everyone—including my own neighbors. The writing is vivid without being fussy—I could practically feel the humid air off the river and smell the smoke from the trailer. And every time I thought I had it figured out? Nope. Shannon Hollinger pulled the rug out from under me like I was standing on a trapdoor.
Let’s talk about the suspense: it builds slow like a summer storm, then boom—lightning. The kind of story where you clutch your drink and mutter, “Oh no she didn’t,” at the page. I laughed, I gasped, I side-eyed every character. I mean, when your murder witness works with you at the police department? Trust issues, table for one.
This book has all the good stuff: a smart lead, juicy secrets, and twists that hit like a slap with a wet dish towel. If you’re into crime fiction with a heartbeat and characters who feel real enough to spill your tea with, The Day She Died needs to be on your TBR.
April 16, 2025
✅Book 5 in the Chief Maggie Riley series starts out with a huge explosion at a trailer. A trailer that Maggie is pulled up in front of. Maggie has a flash of a face and then, the explosion. What is going on????
Okay, I have to say this….I did enjoy the back and forth chapters between Maggie and her fiancé Steve. But…..oh my gosh, the pacing was so slow at times! And, repetitive. I sure hope everything gets resolved with both their personal issues. And, resolved soon please!
And, the situation with the fire Marshall? A bit confusing to say the least.
So, the story itself is compelling and intriguing. Maggie is one tough lady….can she handle all that is being thrown her way????
The question we are left pondering…will there be a wedding?????
All in all….a must read series for me!
I very much encourage reading the books in order. There is way too much back story you need to know about Maggie, Steve and her team of investigators.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Okay, I have to say this….I did enjoy the back and forth chapters between Maggie and her fiancé Steve. But…..oh my gosh, the pacing was so slow at times! And, repetitive. I sure hope everything gets resolved with both their personal issues. And, resolved soon please!
And, the situation with the fire Marshall? A bit confusing to say the least.
So, the story itself is compelling and intriguing. Maggie is one tough lady….can she handle all that is being thrown her way????
The question we are left pondering…will there be a wedding?????
All in all….a must read series for me!
I very much encourage reading the books in order. There is way too much back story you need to know about Maggie, Steve and her team of investigators.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 13, 2025
Fantastic. It’s a dual pov and follows Maggie who is chief of police and her fiancé. The case a home explosion where the victim has already been presumed dead for 20years. Great thriller
February 24, 2025
This is such an addictive series, and I've been super lucky to have read all books so far in the series by ARC. So when book #5 landed in my inbox, it went straight to the top of my TBR pile, and I dove straight in.
Chief Maggie Riley is a force to be reckoned with. Extremely independent and still healing from past trauma, she's now into her 5th year of being the Police Chief of Coyote Cove. Maggie heads up the unit with her Deputy Kal and office manager Sue.
In book #4 we saw Maggie's fiance Steve heading off to try and put to bed some major issues he hadn't faced from his past, in this installment, Steve is still trying to come to terms with these issues but by delving deeper is he digging himself a hole that is too far away from Maggie to be able to reach him?
Maggie receives a call reporting a smell of rotting eggs, an odour associated with meth laboratories. She drives out to the address given to witness, within seconds, an explosion. The charred remains of a body landing on her car bonnet.
When the forensics and fire departments arrive to investigate, more bodies are found. Including the remains of a woman who supposedly died 20 years previously.
Without going into any details and ruining it for everyone, this is a book that needs your full attention. So much is going on, you wont take a breath. It is a full on rollercoaster ride that twists, turns, and throws you around at lightning speed.
I must admit, this is the first in the series that I slightly struggled with. Not with the plot, or writing style, purely the number of characters to try and keep up with along with the two storylines running alongside each other. It took me a long while to grasp the characters, but I still felt a little rattled at the end (maybe im getting old 😕)
I would HIGHLY recommend reading the series from the beginning if you haven't already. This is definitely one that needs reading from the very start, or you'll be scratching your head the whole way through.
Overall, a fantastic read. Superb plot, high octane pacing, and amazing characterisation. Roll on book #6.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
Chief Maggie Riley is a force to be reckoned with. Extremely independent and still healing from past trauma, she's now into her 5th year of being the Police Chief of Coyote Cove. Maggie heads up the unit with her Deputy Kal and office manager Sue.
In book #4 we saw Maggie's fiance Steve heading off to try and put to bed some major issues he hadn't faced from his past, in this installment, Steve is still trying to come to terms with these issues but by delving deeper is he digging himself a hole that is too far away from Maggie to be able to reach him?
Maggie receives a call reporting a smell of rotting eggs, an odour associated with meth laboratories. She drives out to the address given to witness, within seconds, an explosion. The charred remains of a body landing on her car bonnet.
When the forensics and fire departments arrive to investigate, more bodies are found. Including the remains of a woman who supposedly died 20 years previously.
Without going into any details and ruining it for everyone, this is a book that needs your full attention. So much is going on, you wont take a breath. It is a full on rollercoaster ride that twists, turns, and throws you around at lightning speed.
I must admit, this is the first in the series that I slightly struggled with. Not with the plot, or writing style, purely the number of characters to try and keep up with along with the two storylines running alongside each other. It took me a long while to grasp the characters, but I still felt a little rattled at the end (maybe im getting old 😕)
I would HIGHLY recommend reading the series from the beginning if you haven't already. This is definitely one that needs reading from the very start, or you'll be scratching your head the whole way through.
Overall, a fantastic read. Superb plot, high octane pacing, and amazing characterisation. Roll on book #6.
Huge thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
February 20, 2025
This series is so intriguing to me because for the longest time I was not sure who I liked in this series. I’m warming to Maggie. And I’m so invested in the new guy. I’m still on the fence about Steve. I was a big fan of the storyline with Maggie this book. It was fast paced and non stop. I’m looking forward to the next book.
October 4, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
🔍Shannon Hollinger’s fifth installment in the Chief Maggie Riley series, The Day She Died, is a masterclass in atmospheric tension and emotional excavation. With each book, Hollinger sharpens her scalpel—not just on crime scenes, but on the fragile psyches of those who live in their aftermath. This time, the blade cuts deeper than ever.
When a woman’s body is discovered in a shallow grave, Chief Maggie Riley is forced to confront more than just a murder. The victim’s identity—initially elusive—triggers a cascade of buried secrets, and Maggie finds herself navigating a case that’s as personal as it is political. The investigation unfolds in a coastal town still reeling from past trauma, and Hollinger uses the setting like a pressure cooker: tight, steamy, and ready to explode.
What sets this installment apart is its psychological layering. The murder mystery is compelling, but it’s the emotional stakes—Maggie’s own haunted past, her strained relationships, and the ethical dilemmas she faces—that elevate the narrative. Hollinger doesn’t just write crime; she writes consequence.
👮♀️ Maggie Riley is no longer just a tough, principled cop—she’s a woman unraveling, rebuilding, and resisting. Her evolution across the series reaches a poignant crescendo here. Hollinger gives her space to be vulnerable without compromising her grit. Supporting characters, especially the coroner and Maggie’s deputy, add texture and tension, each carrying their own secrets and scars.
Hollinger explores grief, justice, and the cost of silence. Her prose is lean but evocative, often letting a single line do the emotional heavy lifting: “She hadn’t cried when her mother died, but she cried now—for the woman no one had missed.” The narrative structure—alternating between Maggie’s investigation and flashbacks from the victim’s life—creates a haunting symmetry.
The Day She Died is a reckoning of a police procedural. Hollinger blends suspense with soul, crafting a thriller that lingers long after the last page.
For readers who crave crime fiction with emotional intelligence and moral complexity, this is a standout. Maggie Riley may be chasing killers, but she’s also chasing truth—in others, and in herself.
🔍Shannon Hollinger’s fifth installment in the Chief Maggie Riley series, The Day She Died, is a masterclass in atmospheric tension and emotional excavation. With each book, Hollinger sharpens her scalpel—not just on crime scenes, but on the fragile psyches of those who live in their aftermath. This time, the blade cuts deeper than ever.
When a woman’s body is discovered in a shallow grave, Chief Maggie Riley is forced to confront more than just a murder. The victim’s identity—initially elusive—triggers a cascade of buried secrets, and Maggie finds herself navigating a case that’s as personal as it is political. The investigation unfolds in a coastal town still reeling from past trauma, and Hollinger uses the setting like a pressure cooker: tight, steamy, and ready to explode.
What sets this installment apart is its psychological layering. The murder mystery is compelling, but it’s the emotional stakes—Maggie’s own haunted past, her strained relationships, and the ethical dilemmas she faces—that elevate the narrative. Hollinger doesn’t just write crime; she writes consequence.
👮♀️ Maggie Riley is no longer just a tough, principled cop—she’s a woman unraveling, rebuilding, and resisting. Her evolution across the series reaches a poignant crescendo here. Hollinger gives her space to be vulnerable without compromising her grit. Supporting characters, especially the coroner and Maggie’s deputy, add texture and tension, each carrying their own secrets and scars.
Hollinger explores grief, justice, and the cost of silence. Her prose is lean but evocative, often letting a single line do the emotional heavy lifting: “She hadn’t cried when her mother died, but she cried now—for the woman no one had missed.” The narrative structure—alternating between Maggie’s investigation and flashbacks from the victim’s life—creates a haunting symmetry.
The Day She Died is a reckoning of a police procedural. Hollinger blends suspense with soul, crafting a thriller that lingers long after the last page.
For readers who crave crime fiction with emotional intelligence and moral complexity, this is a standout. Maggie Riley may be chasing killers, but she’s also chasing truth—in others, and in herself.
April 17, 2025
The Day She Died by Shannon Hollinger is the 5th book in the excellent Chief Maggie Riley series. This latest book was superb and I loved reading more about the main character Maggie, and her latest case is full of surprises with twists and turns throughout.
A body is found in a burnt out trailer. Chief Maggie Riley is called to solve the biggest case in Coyote Cove has ever seen. The body is Ruby Anderson! she supposedly drowned on a kayaking trip twenty years ago. . . . . . . .
So, how could she have been alive today?
There has been whispers about how Ruby died for years now, and there was only one witness who swore they saw the river drag Ruby away with it. But, Ruby’s body was never found, and she was presumed dead by so many people.
However, when the autopsy report is carried out and returned, Maggie makes a shocking discovery. It shows that Ruby never drowned at all.
Where has she been or hiding for all these years?
Who and what was she hiding from?
Why would they want her dead?
Ohhhhh, so many questions and Maggie needs to find the answers! But, as Maggie unravels the web of lies around Ruby’s murder, she discovers that the witness to Ruby’s drowning, was her closest colleague at the Coyote Cove Police Department. They’ have been protecting a very dark secret from Ruby’s past that Maggie must uncover before anyone else loses their life.
Maggie need to go deeper into people around her lives to find out the truth about where and how Ruby died, she needs to uncover a deadly secret alone and trust No one especially around her!!!
WoW, this book was excellent from start to finish. If you have not read the other 4 books, it works well as a standalone but I do recommend you read all the books before, they will not disappoint.
I highly recommend this series.
A body is found in a burnt out trailer. Chief Maggie Riley is called to solve the biggest case in Coyote Cove has ever seen. The body is Ruby Anderson! she supposedly drowned on a kayaking trip twenty years ago. . . . . . . .
So, how could she have been alive today?
There has been whispers about how Ruby died for years now, and there was only one witness who swore they saw the river drag Ruby away with it. But, Ruby’s body was never found, and she was presumed dead by so many people.
However, when the autopsy report is carried out and returned, Maggie makes a shocking discovery. It shows that Ruby never drowned at all.
Where has she been or hiding for all these years?
Who and what was she hiding from?
Why would they want her dead?
Ohhhhh, so many questions and Maggie needs to find the answers! But, as Maggie unravels the web of lies around Ruby’s murder, she discovers that the witness to Ruby’s drowning, was her closest colleague at the Coyote Cove Police Department. They’ have been protecting a very dark secret from Ruby’s past that Maggie must uncover before anyone else loses their life.
Maggie need to go deeper into people around her lives to find out the truth about where and how Ruby died, she needs to uncover a deadly secret alone and trust No one especially around her!!!
WoW, this book was excellent from start to finish. If you have not read the other 4 books, it works well as a standalone but I do recommend you read all the books before, they will not disappoint.
I highly recommend this series.
April 22, 2025
The Day She Died by Shannon Hollinger
Chief Maggie Riley #5
Tension undercurrents, secrets, and mysteries that revolve around an explosion, murder, an upcoming wedding, and small town dynamics ~ Great addition to the series
What I liked:
* Chief Maggie Riley: difficulties in her past, bright, capable, skilled detective, works with minimal staff, trust issues, engaged to Steve, loves her dogs, seems unsettled and unsure about a few things
* Steve Winters: Maggie’s fiancé, wealthy, wants to make Maggie happy, is away from Maggie as he tries to resolve something from his past
* The explosive first chapter that sets the stage for further crimes and murders that will take place
* The way Maggie and Kal tackle the police procedural aspects of the story
* The tension between Maggie and Sue and how it is resolved
* Kal Kinshore: Maggie’s lieutenant, supportive, strong, told Maggie why he came to Coyote Cove
* The bachelorette party and getting to know some of the women a bit better
* The cold case(s) that were solved
* Dean Larson: Fire Investigator, shows interest in Maggie, wonder if he may be a secondary love interest if Steve and Maggie don’t stay together, intriguing
* That though I read the ending I was still surprised by the twist and who the killer was
* Having to wait for the next book
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the impact domestic abuse and violence have on the entire family
* The way Maggie and Steve were keeping secrets and not communicating well
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Chief Maggie Riley #5
Tension undercurrents, secrets, and mysteries that revolve around an explosion, murder, an upcoming wedding, and small town dynamics ~ Great addition to the series
What I liked:
* Chief Maggie Riley: difficulties in her past, bright, capable, skilled detective, works with minimal staff, trust issues, engaged to Steve, loves her dogs, seems unsettled and unsure about a few things
* Steve Winters: Maggie’s fiancé, wealthy, wants to make Maggie happy, is away from Maggie as he tries to resolve something from his past
* The explosive first chapter that sets the stage for further crimes and murders that will take place
* The way Maggie and Kal tackle the police procedural aspects of the story
* The tension between Maggie and Sue and how it is resolved
* Kal Kinshore: Maggie’s lieutenant, supportive, strong, told Maggie why he came to Coyote Cove
* The bachelorette party and getting to know some of the women a bit better
* The cold case(s) that were solved
* Dean Larson: Fire Investigator, shows interest in Maggie, wonder if he may be a secondary love interest if Steve and Maggie don’t stay together, intriguing
* That though I read the ending I was still surprised by the twist and who the killer was
* Having to wait for the next book
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the impact domestic abuse and violence have on the entire family
* The way Maggie and Steve were keeping secrets and not communicating well
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
February 23, 2025
The Day She Died is the fifth book in the Chief Maggie Riley series, and even though it’s the first one I’ve read, I was instantly hooked. The author creates an unsettling atmosphere that lingers throughout the story, with short, fast-paced chapters that kept me turning pages. Maggie is a complex, relatable protagonist, grappling with her past while determined to uncover the truth. Her sharp instincts and emotional depth made me root for her, and I enjoyed seeing how her personal challenges intertwined with the case. The writing is vivid and immersive, with just the right balance of tension, action, and character-driven moments. Themes of trust, betrayal, and long-buried secrets add emotional weight without slowing the suspense. The twists are surprising yet believable, making me rethink everything I thought I knew as the story unfolded.
Some elements I enjoyed include the small-town setting filled with hidden dangers, Maggie’s determination to protect her community, and the mystery's layered complexity. There’s a great mix of crime-solving, moral gray areas, and the lingering impact of past choices. Overall, I’d recommend The Day She Died to readers who enjoy crime thrillers with strong, flawed characters, atmospheric tension, and unexpected twists. I’m excited to go back and read the first four books to see how Maggie’s story began! 📖💜
*I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book, and this review is being provided voluntarily.
May 25, 2025
Chief Maggie Riley is on the scene when a trailer explodes, leaving three people dead. The autopsy reveals that one body belongs to someone reported dead decades earlier so was the original investigation bungled…?
The Day She Died is the 5th book in the Maggie Riley series of detective thrillers set in America. There are references to plot threads from earlier books, in particular about her fiance Steve.
Maggie thinks the explosion was due to a meth lab but the evidence suggests that the fire was caused deliberately so the deaths are murder. One body in particular causes concern as Ruby Anderson was declared dead following a water accident and the main witness is Maggie’s friend and colleague Sue. The previous chief mishandled the case and the body had never been found so it is clear that Ruby didn’t die as assumed.
Poor Maggie is reeling from her close call, surviving the explosion through sheer luck. Now she is worried about her friend Sue who is obviously hiding something about the case. Added to this is a hunky fire officer making her feel awkward and an impending hen do that she is dreading. She has to ruffle a lot of feathers by revealing the truth about the past case being handled badly and the reality that Ruby survived until the blast.
There is a significant subplot about Steve trying to find out the truth about an incident from his teens that has haunted him ever since. He is separated from Maggie physically and emotionally while he looks for evidence, and she also holds back from him. Not a great situation when they are supposed to be getting married in a few days!
The Day She Died is a tense detective thriller with a great lead character.
The Day She Died is the 5th book in the Maggie Riley series of detective thrillers set in America. There are references to plot threads from earlier books, in particular about her fiance Steve.
Maggie thinks the explosion was due to a meth lab but the evidence suggests that the fire was caused deliberately so the deaths are murder. One body in particular causes concern as Ruby Anderson was declared dead following a water accident and the main witness is Maggie’s friend and colleague Sue. The previous chief mishandled the case and the body had never been found so it is clear that Ruby didn’t die as assumed.
Poor Maggie is reeling from her close call, surviving the explosion through sheer luck. Now she is worried about her friend Sue who is obviously hiding something about the case. Added to this is a hunky fire officer making her feel awkward and an impending hen do that she is dreading. She has to ruffle a lot of feathers by revealing the truth about the past case being handled badly and the reality that Ruby survived until the blast.
There is a significant subplot about Steve trying to find out the truth about an incident from his teens that has haunted him ever since. He is separated from Maggie physically and emotionally while he looks for evidence, and she also holds back from him. Not a great situation when they are supposed to be getting married in a few days!
The Day She Died is a tense detective thriller with a great lead character.
May 1, 2025
Book 5 in the Chief Maggie Riley series.
I really enjoyed this book. It's told from different perspectives so it's full on. I was, however, left with a couple of questions. Hopefully one of them will be answered in a future book as there is a storyline that continues in each book. Looking forward to reading the next one.
When the body of Ruby Anderson is found in a burnt-out trailer, Chief Maggie Riley is called to solve the biggest case Coyote Cove has ever seen. Ruby supposedly drowned on a kayaking trip twenty years ago—how could she have been alive today?
For years there have been whispers about how Ruby died. There was one witness who swore they saw the river drag Ruby away. Ruby’s body was never found, and she was presumed dead.
But when the autopsy report is returned, Maggie makes a shocking discovery. It shows that Ruby never drowned at all. She’d been hiding in plain sight for the past twenty years. Who was she hiding from and why would they want her dead?
As Maggie unravels the web of lies around Ruby’s murder, she discovers that the witness to Ruby’s drowning is her closest colleague at the Coyote Cove Police Department. And they’re protecting a dark secret from Ruby’s past that Maggie must uncover before anyone else loses their life.
But how deep do the lies around Ruby’s death truly go? With no one to trust, Maggie needs to uncover a deadly secret alone and it lies at the heart of the police force. How much will she have to sacrifice to discover the truth?
I really enjoyed this book. It's told from different perspectives so it's full on. I was, however, left with a couple of questions. Hopefully one of them will be answered in a future book as there is a storyline that continues in each book. Looking forward to reading the next one.
When the body of Ruby Anderson is found in a burnt-out trailer, Chief Maggie Riley is called to solve the biggest case Coyote Cove has ever seen. Ruby supposedly drowned on a kayaking trip twenty years ago—how could she have been alive today?
For years there have been whispers about how Ruby died. There was one witness who swore they saw the river drag Ruby away. Ruby’s body was never found, and she was presumed dead.
But when the autopsy report is returned, Maggie makes a shocking discovery. It shows that Ruby never drowned at all. She’d been hiding in plain sight for the past twenty years. Who was she hiding from and why would they want her dead?
As Maggie unravels the web of lies around Ruby’s murder, she discovers that the witness to Ruby’s drowning is her closest colleague at the Coyote Cove Police Department. And they’re protecting a dark secret from Ruby’s past that Maggie must uncover before anyone else loses their life.
But how deep do the lies around Ruby’s death truly go? With no one to trust, Maggie needs to uncover a deadly secret alone and it lies at the heart of the police force. How much will she have to sacrifice to discover the truth?
March 4, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC copy.
This was my first time reading a book by Shannon Hollinger, and I absolutely loved it! Even though I haven’t read the first five books in the series, I had no trouble following the story, and now I’m eager to go back and read them all.
Hollinger’s writing is captivating, with a fast-paced, page-turning plot and well-developed characters. The character growth and backstory buildup were especially well done, making the story even more immersive.
The book follows Chief Maggie Riley, who prepares to marry her fiancé, Steve. However, before they can start their new life together, they must come to terms with Steve's past. Steve returns to his hometown to confront his history, while Maggie finds herself entangled in the most complex case she’s faced in Coyote Cove yet.
It all starts with a call about the smell of rotting eggs—an odor often linked to meth labs. When Maggie arrives at the address, an explosion erupts within seconds, and the charred remains of a body land on her car. As forensics and fire investigators dig deeper, more bodies are uncovered, including the remains of a woman who was believed to have died 20 years ago.
What follows is a gripping and unpredictable mystery, packed with twists that keep you turning the pages, desperate to uncover the truth. I highly recommend this book—and the entire series! I’ll definitely be going back to read it from the start.
This was my first time reading a book by Shannon Hollinger, and I absolutely loved it! Even though I haven’t read the first five books in the series, I had no trouble following the story, and now I’m eager to go back and read them all.
Hollinger’s writing is captivating, with a fast-paced, page-turning plot and well-developed characters. The character growth and backstory buildup were especially well done, making the story even more immersive.
The book follows Chief Maggie Riley, who prepares to marry her fiancé, Steve. However, before they can start their new life together, they must come to terms with Steve's past. Steve returns to his hometown to confront his history, while Maggie finds herself entangled in the most complex case she’s faced in Coyote Cove yet.
It all starts with a call about the smell of rotting eggs—an odor often linked to meth labs. When Maggie arrives at the address, an explosion erupts within seconds, and the charred remains of a body land on her car. As forensics and fire investigators dig deeper, more bodies are uncovered, including the remains of a woman who was believed to have died 20 years ago.
What follows is a gripping and unpredictable mystery, packed with twists that keep you turning the pages, desperate to uncover the truth. I highly recommend this book—and the entire series! I’ll definitely be going back to read it from the start.
April 7, 2025
Two gripping mysteries in one book!
To start, I hope you are reading this series in order to get the full impact and understanding of what is going on.
Book 5 and Steve has headed home, seeking answers to the death of a college girl, his memories of the time foggy as he suspects having been drugged. He is on a mission to unearth the hidden flashes, to really know what happened that night, to get closure for himself and her family.
Maggie is thrown into an unbelievable case after responding to a call about a rotten egg smell, only to arrive on scene right as a trailer explodes. When the identity of one of the victims is identified as a women declared dead in a drowning accident 20 years before, she and Kal need to find out what really happened all those years ago and is it tied to the deaths that start to pile up.
As in book 4, the book skates the line of right/wrong/gray areas, and I think everyone will react in their own way to these moments.
But let’s not forget there is a wedding coming up and Maggie finally lets her hair down for a hen’s night, but with the time that she and Steve have apart, the communication diminishing, a sense of foreboding for them both, will they make it to the alter…
This book brings more of the background characters to the forefront, learning more about them, and we have the introduction of a new character, a fire inspector who I’m intrigued to know more about.
I’m looking forward to what comes next!
To start, I hope you are reading this series in order to get the full impact and understanding of what is going on.
Book 5 and Steve has headed home, seeking answers to the death of a college girl, his memories of the time foggy as he suspects having been drugged. He is on a mission to unearth the hidden flashes, to really know what happened that night, to get closure for himself and her family.
Maggie is thrown into an unbelievable case after responding to a call about a rotten egg smell, only to arrive on scene right as a trailer explodes. When the identity of one of the victims is identified as a women declared dead in a drowning accident 20 years before, she and Kal need to find out what really happened all those years ago and is it tied to the deaths that start to pile up.
As in book 4, the book skates the line of right/wrong/gray areas, and I think everyone will react in their own way to these moments.
But let’s not forget there is a wedding coming up and Maggie finally lets her hair down for a hen’s night, but with the time that she and Steve have apart, the communication diminishing, a sense of foreboding for them both, will they make it to the alter…
This book brings more of the background characters to the forefront, learning more about them, and we have the introduction of a new character, a fire inspector who I’m intrigued to know more about.
I’m looking forward to what comes next!
April 9, 2025
An explosion at a local home, that was suspected to be a meth lab, sets forth an avalanche of buried secrets. Secrets that have been buried for decades are now coming to light. Chief Maggie Riley is already very shaken up because she arrived at the home literally seconds before the explosion. Now she is even more shocked to learn that the woman who died in the explosion died 20 years ago. Say what? The scene is set and you know this is going to be a gravity defying ride of suspense and intrigue.
If you know anything about Chief Maggie Riley, you know there has never been a mystery or investigation that she did not want to solve. The more complex the puzzle, the harder she works. In this particular book, Maggie is going through some personal issues. I loved that the author includes her issues outside of her being chief of police. This makes the character more real to me. On top of all of these troubles, her soon to be husband, Steve, is dealing with his own personal issues from his past. He is struggling mightily about a tragic night all of those years ago.
Deceit, betrayal and past shoddy police work make this mystery even more intriguing with its twisty turns and danger around every corner. Coyote Cove will not be safe until this mystery is solved.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you know anything about Chief Maggie Riley, you know there has never been a mystery or investigation that she did not want to solve. The more complex the puzzle, the harder she works. In this particular book, Maggie is going through some personal issues. I loved that the author includes her issues outside of her being chief of police. This makes the character more real to me. On top of all of these troubles, her soon to be husband, Steve, is dealing with his own personal issues from his past. He is struggling mightily about a tragic night all of those years ago.
Deceit, betrayal and past shoddy police work make this mystery even more intriguing with its twisty turns and danger around every corner. Coyote Cove will not be safe until this mystery is solved.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 14, 2025
The Day She Died, the fifth book in Shannon Hollinger’s Chief Maggie Riley series, follows Maggie as she investigates the shocking death of Ruby Anderson, presumed drowned 20 years ago. When Ruby’s body is found in a burned-out trailer, Maggie uncovers secrets about her hidden past and suspects a colleague is hiding crucial information. As deception and buried truths emerge, Maggie must navigate betrayal within her own department in this gripping crime thriller.
I am usually not a fan of police procedurals, but this one pleasantly surprised me! I adored the characters Maggie and Kal, and admired Maggie’s humility throughout the story. I also enjoyed that there were chapters from her fiancé Steve’s POV, and he had his own arc in the story.
The one thing I struggled with while reading this was that there were so many characters to keep track of, and they all related to one another in some way, so I often got certain characters confused with others. I think I would have gotten more out of the story if there were less characters.
This was my first book from this author, and now that I’ve finished this one, I would love to go back and read the previous four books in the Chief Maggie Riley series. This one was a great book for my mystery and thriller lovers!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Publishing for providing me with an ARC to review.
I am usually not a fan of police procedurals, but this one pleasantly surprised me! I adored the characters Maggie and Kal, and admired Maggie’s humility throughout the story. I also enjoyed that there were chapters from her fiancé Steve’s POV, and he had his own arc in the story.
The one thing I struggled with while reading this was that there were so many characters to keep track of, and they all related to one another in some way, so I often got certain characters confused with others. I think I would have gotten more out of the story if there were less characters.
This was my first book from this author, and now that I’ve finished this one, I would love to go back and read the previous four books in the Chief Maggie Riley series. This one was a great book for my mystery and thriller lovers!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Publishing for providing me with an ARC to review.
April 19, 2025
BOOK: THE DAY SHE DIED
AUTHOR: SHANNON HOLLINGER
PUB DATE: APRIL, 2025
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
The only aspect I really liked about this book was the actual murder mystery that occurred. I enjoyed reading about how Maggie dealt with the case, turning over all the stones to get what actually happened despite her precarious mental state. The case of Ruby Anderson was a very sad one, especially for her kids, but the mystery was okay.
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
I've read the first two books in the series, and this is the fifth one. Because of this, I had a hard time understanding the changes in Maggie and Steve's lives. It was confusing, and it's what made me rate it lower. Anyway, Maggie and Steve are getting married soon, but Maggie feels undecided. But, the most annoying thing was Steve, I get that he's really guilty about what happened, but if he's so guilty, he should just come clean and confess to the police. It gets tired that what he has been worried about since the first book is still in the fifth book. And he didn't even get to the bottom of it!
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
I liked the mystery aspect, but Steve had better deal with his issue in the next book.
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
AUTHOR: SHANNON HOLLINGER
PUB DATE: APRIL, 2025
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
The only aspect I really liked about this book was the actual murder mystery that occurred. I enjoyed reading about how Maggie dealt with the case, turning over all the stones to get what actually happened despite her precarious mental state. The case of Ruby Anderson was a very sad one, especially for her kids, but the mystery was okay.
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
I've read the first two books in the series, and this is the fifth one. Because of this, I had a hard time understanding the changes in Maggie and Steve's lives. It was confusing, and it's what made me rate it lower. Anyway, Maggie and Steve are getting married soon, but Maggie feels undecided. But, the most annoying thing was Steve, I get that he's really guilty about what happened, but if he's so guilty, he should just come clean and confess to the police. It gets tired that what he has been worried about since the first book is still in the fifth book. And he didn't even get to the bottom of it!
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
I liked the mystery aspect, but Steve had better deal with his issue in the next book.
👮🏼♀️👮🏼♀️
April 4, 2025
Relies heavily on what went before😕
3.5🌟 stars
I've loved the plots and execution of the stories in this series but The Day She Died was a bit of a miss for me. I did not feel I got to know any of the victims and the story relied so heavily on me having read the immediately preceding book in the series to understand almost anything about Wesley, the principal bane in Maggie's fiance Steven's existence, and how Wesley has affected their relationship. And, tell me again because I didn't see one mention here: exactly what kind of work does Steven do when he's not wallowing in his past?
I felt Steven's subplot really slowed the story down (forward three steps and back two) and Maggie is so caught up in introspection and doubting herself that it made for a slower paced read and not what I was hoping for. The main mood I got from the book was sadness, not thrills, despite the racking up of multiple murders to investigate and the mystery of a dead woman seemingly resurrected from the grave. Guess I've been spoiled by how much I liked the previous in the series.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
3.5🌟 stars
I've loved the plots and execution of the stories in this series but The Day She Died was a bit of a miss for me. I did not feel I got to know any of the victims and the story relied so heavily on me having read the immediately preceding book in the series to understand almost anything about Wesley, the principal bane in Maggie's fiance Steven's existence, and how Wesley has affected their relationship. And, tell me again because I didn't see one mention here: exactly what kind of work does Steven do when he's not wallowing in his past?
I felt Steven's subplot really slowed the story down (forward three steps and back two) and Maggie is so caught up in introspection and doubting herself that it made for a slower paced read and not what I was hoping for. The main mood I got from the book was sadness, not thrills, despite the racking up of multiple murders to investigate and the mystery of a dead woman seemingly resurrected from the grave. Guess I've been spoiled by how much I liked the previous in the series.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews