Letters in the Pines

Detective Riley Quinn Pine Brooke #5

by A.J. Rivers

When Detective Riley Quinn receives a bloody letter,
a note filled with peculiar riddles arranged like a crossword,
she launches an investigation against her peer’s advice.
Some believe that it’s a prank, but Riley is convinced it holds vital clues to a murderous case.

Although every clue and attempt to solve the puzzle initially leads her to dead end,
Detective Riley Quinn perseveres against all odds.
With enough time, she follows the puzzle's clues to a famous site.
An infamous construction area once destined for a huge mansion and elaborate grounds,
until money ran out and it was abandoned.

While exploring the deserted yet lavish entertaining area in the backyard,
Riley stumbles upon a strange area that changes the entire trajectory of her case.

Bloody trails, deadly codes, secret letters, and a twisted game that seems to have no end in sight.
Play sickening games, pay the eternal judgement.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2025

Reviews

[Phoebe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm fairly certain this is AI slop as this series contains sooooo many editing errors. For example, Riley's sister is named Alaya in the first and 5th books but Agatha or something in the 3rd or 4th. I kept going because I wanted to wrap up the Jamie-Dani situation.

Also how are there 5 different serial killers working this "small town" at one time??? The writing and editing are so lazy. This author has also put out like 18 books so far in 2025 and it's only June so it's either AI or ghost writers. I wish I could unread these.

[Robin Okane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley

Another nail biter… love all these characters and can’t wait to read the next one. I read all A.Js books and suggest them to friends all the time

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! this book was packed with so much going on! There was non stop action from page 1! I don't think anyone expects so much to be going on in a small town. Of course the story takes off searching for Jaime and Dani, but add in a case from the past and a whole new serial killer. It is so realistic and hut wrenching, it is impossible not to feel like you are in the story. Rylie is running on fumes. Logan is desperate and unwillingly is confronted by having his mother's unwanted visit. The story is very well written and characters are well developed. The ending is another cliffhanger hanger and I am anxiously going to be waiting for more! Despite loving the Emma Griffin, Dean Steele and Ava James Series, this is my favorite.

[Louisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anticlimactic

Anticlimactic. The story line was drawn out over three books. The resolution felt like an afterthought. Ending with yet another hastily put together cliffhanger was disappointing. I don’t think I will be reading the next book.

[Maureen Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another case closed

Raven and her partner Zelena are stressed out when bodies are showing up everywhere. They have two serial killers and no idea where to begin to look. The first serial killer was apprehended but then bodies were found buried and dismembered. Clues kept popping up from letters that appeared on Riley's desk. They finally figured out who the murder was but couldn't be found. Jamie had been caught but wasn't talking. She finally admitted that she didn't know where Dani was because she ran away when she fell and hurt her ankle. The hunt was still on for Dani. Riley arrives home after another long day to find her house on fire and a man dressed in black. The smoke is definitely hard on her and she passes out. You have to read the next book to find out what happens to Riley. The series continues with Detective Riley you don't want to miss it.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several things are going on the same time in this series. Basically these books are not standalone and it helps to start with Book 1 to get to know the main characters. We basically follow Doctor Logan who is looking for his daughter who was kidnapped by his sister in law (who has already killed several people). Riley is looking at one Cold Case which keeps bothering her because she knows things do not add up. She also gets a new case where a person sends her a puzzle with a bloody handprint and is to locate the victim. All of the victims are bad guys and should have gone to jail but never did. She locates several of them and then finds a car which appears to be near the victims. In the meantime, they are able to locate the person who kipnapped the doctor's daughter but not his daughter. There is another cliff hanger at the end towards Book 6.

[Pamla Messinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letters in the Pines

Quinn is really a down home cop but she is good at her job. But with all the stuff that goes on, I vote for more police force. Serial killer, kid napped children. Logan seems like a normal guy, good doctor. Him and his brother are learning to reconnect, their mother is wacked, issues for sure. It is just when you start reading these books you want to go the distance and finish it. Enjoy the read, hang in there with Logan, Issac, the diner peeps and look forward to more of Riley Quinn.

[Cynthia Mello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi all, quick review for this nail biter of a book

This series ended up becoming my obsession. There's some wacky characters but the wonderful characters make up for them. The authors telling of the tale is intriguing as you are engrossed in one characters current situation ,she switches gears in the next chapter. Only making this reader curiouser and curiouser. 🙄 It's well written and I'm glad I found A.J. Rivers. Thanks and you have found "a constant reader" as Mr. King would say. Keep on writing.

[Maggie Noll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waited so long for this book to come out after that last one! I thought it was good, but I wish that they were able to keep Jamie out on the run a little longer with Dani than having her be found within the first 6 chapters or so of the book. The ending of this book was... interesting to say the least, but at the same time, I'm excited to read the next one, but hope that it's not a flop when she could have made this one a little bit longer and ended it with this one. We shall see I guess!

[marcia potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A missing girl, pieces of buried bodies of bad people

We start the story with the disappearance of a little girl who is kidnapped by her aunt who is really her sister, who murders a woman in front of the little girl. There is also a murderer who dismembers, and buries bad people and sends notes with riddles to the policewoman who figures out where the bodies are buried. Lots going on in this book!!

[Kelly Smelcer · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the FBI has been called in to find Jamie and Dani, Detective Riley Quinn and Zelina have been assigned a new case. Letters begin appearing on Riley's desk with cryptic clues. Unraveling these clues leads to bodies of bad people. Who is killing off these people? There's virtually no evidence to go on. But Riley is determined to get to the bottom of it.

[Janice Stansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley is like a bulldog, not stopping until she gets answers

Wow, this was a busy story! So many things going on, and Riley and Zelina are on the job. Never doubted Riley would get closure, and definitely agree with Agent Anderson, small towns can be busy! A.J. Rivers sure is good at these cliffhangers!

[JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC Again 😁

This series has got me hooked 😃. I no sooner finish one book, then I'm off to the next 😄. Non-stop action, intense situations, extreme emotions, scary bad people and exciting characters 😉. Thanks again A.J., I'm looking forward to reading the next book 🤓.

[Donna Said · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pine Brooke Mystery Series

This series is amazing, each book is a page turning and you don't want to put it down! Just finished book five (best one yet) and of course the cliff hanger at the end has me wishing the next book was already available. I honestly cannot wait to find out how the story continues.

[Diana Cason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of questions

Overall, I am enjoying these books so far. Can't wait to continue the series. But just a couple of questions...

Can't understand why search & rescue dogs weren't used to find Dani? And why didn't they follow up with where the guy, who escaped from the killer, was found by the passerby? That could have been a lead as to where the killer lived?

[Paula B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roller coaster ride!

This book has more ups and downs and twists than a roller coaster! And it moves just as fast. There's something new going on at every turn. And just when you think the ride is over, it's not. Now I need the next book ASAP.

[Esther Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Riley Quinn series is amazing! Characters all work so well with one another that it wants you to keep reading and seeing what is going to happen next. If you like twist and turns with the mystery of crime solving this series is for you! Check it out!!!!

[Carol Dickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letters in the Pines

I enjoyed every word of this book! The plot with all its twists and turns held me captivated. My only complaint was the end. I was not ready for that. I can't wait for the next book to come out.

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a awesome story about Riley trying to find out what is going on with so many clues to figure out and somebody playing games and she is figuring it out with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this great story.

[Maggie Erxleben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one with riveting chapters

Reading and reading and you can't put it down. Then...the end. But its not the end because there is another compelling read coming up! I just cannot believe this author can have all these stories in her mind. Yes, compelling!!

[Diane Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one ☝

This is the best of all . Lots of excitement and suspense . Tied up some more questions about the characters and the storylines . Definitely worth the time to read .

[Judith E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read!

Didn't enjoy this book as much as the others. Too much going on and I was able to put I down because of no interest. Ill try one more but if I lose interest again that's it.

[Mary L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading

So happy they found Dani safe and unharmed. Now they can all begin to heal. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I feel that Riley and Logan will make a good match.

[Janey Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay!!

Yay!! I’m so glad this one was able to take care of some things! This book was much better written than the last two. The main crime of the story didn’t seem rushed to be finished. A.J. Rivers did a great job of telling two stories at once.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

more and more complications

Dismembered body parts in the ubiquitous black trash bags are turning up, and anonymous letters from the perpetrator with clues to the next victim of carnage left on her desk….

Dani remains missing, although Jamie is in custody and knows nothing.

[Holly Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so addicted to Riley and her knack for figuring out why and who commits a crime, I can’t wait to see what she’s going to have to figure out next. I am also so glad they found Danny with yet another crazy lady but she will be ok.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My Goodness! Such a great thriller! This story is jam-packed with suspenseful twists and turns! I just finished it and can't wait for the next one.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of suspense and action. Riley Quinn has an uncanny ability to see beyond the obvious. I couldn't put it down.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

five stars

This is a great series and I have already preordered the next book ! Thank you AJ and keep writing😊

[Paula Galehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

These books hold my attention every time. The sadness of them is what I hate. The plot was so fast. If you want a good read,this is one.