Come Back To Me

The Bishop Smoky Mountain Thrillers #11

by Lauren Street

A long lost daughter. A remote cabin. A deadly mistake.

Rileigh Bishop and Mitch are called to investigate the murder of an old man at a bus station. They’re prepared for blood and death.

They’re not prepared for a survivor – a woman named Michaela. She says she’s looking for the woman who gave her up for Rileigh’s sister, Jillian Bishop.

But while Michaela is looking for Jillian, someone is looking for Michaela.

And they’ve got a lot of reasons to want her – and Rileigh – dead.

Come Back to Me is the 11th novel in the Bishop Smoky Mountain Thrillers series by Lauren Street.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[Lori Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come Back To Me is book 11 in the Bishop Smoky Mountain series by Lauren Street. Rileigh and Mitch are on a date when they get a call about a dead man at a bus stop restroom. They decide to go as the department is short staffed due to sickness and vacation. When they arrive on scene, the man is elderly and got off the bus to use the restroom. A young woman helped him get off the bus with his walker. That's the last anyone saw him. While interviewing people from the bus, another victim is found in the surrounding woods. A young woman has been stabbed several times, but is alive. She's rushed to the hospital. No one knows what happened or who could've done this.

The young woman is recovering in the hospital and will recover. When Rileigh and Mitch try to talk to her about what happened, they find out her name is Micaela. She says she's in town to find the woman who gave her up after giving birth to her. The woman she's looking for is Jillian Bishop, Rileigh's sister! She tells them someone has been following her and that's who stabbed her. She calls him Uncle Dan. Why would someone want to hurt Micaela? Does Jillian really have a daughter? Things get complicated and danger moves much to close to home in this book. Will Rileigh and Mitch be able to keep everyone safe? When they offer Micaela a place to stay and recover surrounded by family, is that a good idea? Did they just invite danger into their home?

I read this book in one sitting and the suspense builds and builds until the frantic end. Like all books in this series you will have trouble putting Come Back To Me down. If you're a fan of thrillers this is the book for you. This book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone if you haven't read any other books in the series. The author does a nice job of filling the reader in on important information from past books. Come Back To Me comes out on February 4 so add it to your TBR pile. I rate Come Back To Me 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for an advanced copy of Come Back To Me in exchange for a fair review.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come Back to Me by Lauren Street
Bishop Smoky Mountain Thriller #11

Intense, emotional, and immersive ~ Couldn’t put it down

What I Liked:
* Rileigh Bishop: retired military, ex-police sergeant, consults with local sheriff, lives with her mother and sister, loves Mitch, bright, capable, caring, lethal, survivor, strategic thinker
* Mitchell Webster: sheriff, intelligent, good at his job, intriguing, has scars and history that were shared in book six, is in love with Rileigh, calm under pressure, capable caring, good leader
* Jillian: Rileigh’s older sister, survivor, returned home after decades as a slave, has PTSD, is in therapy, is back with her fiancé David after 30 years apart, more of her past revealed, really hope she finds happiness
* David: Jillian’s fiancé now and in the past, strong, dedicated, never stopped loving Jillian, karate expert, protective, caring, seems a good man
* Lily: Rileigh’s mother, wise, caring, has dementia, quirky, big personality, well-known in the community
* Whit Nash: admirable, strong, married, integral to a plan Rileigh and Mitch create to keep her family safe
* The camaraderie of the police department and Mitch’s request to them when he and Rileigh had dinner out the last time
* Being able to dislike the bad guys and wish Karma smites them
* That I could feel sorry for the abuse suffered by more than one character without losing sight of some evil done by at least one who was abused
* The theme that finds Mitch and Rileigh always ending up having to work when out on a date
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* Knowing there is another book to look forward to and wondering what the package that was found will lead to next

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how rough Jillian’s, Micky’s and Farah’s lives must have been
* The idea that slavery still exists in the world and slaves have no recourse

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the ARC – this is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Jacquelyn Dohoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a real heartbreaker for this series! I’ve been reading Rileigh and Mitch from the beginning. Their relationship has really leveled up and it has been wonderful to watch, especially for someone who isn’t into romance. (There’s very little romance in these books, but it’s a point that I wanted to make). But this time, their relationship sort of takes a back seat to Jillian’s story. This is where I come in to warn other readers. While not graphic at all, there is mention of sex trafficking, rape, and child sexual assault in this story. It’s absolutely heart wrenching, and the worst of the worst happens in this newest story. And while I knew from the beginning what was going on, it still tore me up watching it all play out. I’m aware these characters are not real people, but I’ve grown very attached to them over the last couple of years. In any case, parts of the ending did bum me out, but I sort of expected it. Like previous stories in the series, there is a nice set up for the next story, and it looks like we might be getting closer to figuring out who is sending Rileigh those packages!

Huge thanks to Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

[Joan Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rileigh Bishop sets out to help Mitch find who killed an old man at a bus stop. It turns out that a young woman named MIckey, was also stabbed, though not fatally. Rileigh learns that the young stabbing victim is looking for family in the area, and that family includes her own mother, Lily Bishop. In a complex series of events, Rileigh seeks to learn the truth about who Mickey is, who attacked her, and whether or not Mickey is her niece.

Though this book is eleventh in a series, and I have not read the previous ten, it stands alone fine. The characters are well developed and the book maintains suspense on every page, with a heart-stopping conclusion. It's easy to see why the series has maintained its longevity, and I hope there are more titles to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Whispers From · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman named Michaela or Mickey arrives in Black Bear Forge looking for Lily Bishop. An old man was stabbed in the bus station restroom and then a young woman stumbles out of the woods with stab wounds. Mickey sent off her DNA and got results back in common with Lily, Rileigh and Jillian’s mother. Jillian had to give her up when she had her. Now a man from Jillian’s past wants to kill both Jillian and Mickey. But someone is also after Mickey and hiding in the woods might not be the best place for them.
This was good but where it’s an ARC there were lots of mistakes and it totally confused me. Mitch and Rileigh are back to solve another mystery. Jillian reveals a secret. Pulse pounding action.

* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY *

[Judith Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Death

Once again Lauren Street has brought East Tennessee and the mountains that shape it to vivid life. Raleigh Bishop, Army veteran and former police officer, once again is protecting her family. At the same time, she is trying to manage her love life with the local sheriff.
Ms Street understands and speaks with a true voice of these mountains and the people who live here. The mystery involved and the solving of same, is a masterpiece of writing.

If you haven’t read any of these books, start with the first and go through in order! That way you can enjoy the writing and your vacation in the Smokies.

[Anita Burger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving it 3 stars

Read 11 Books from this series. The storyline is interesting and I love a good murder mystery.
However the books are full of errors, and inconsistency missed by the proof reader(s).

And then there's the fact that all the women in that household is a bit looney 😀

Reilligh is also quite clumsy in a dangerous situation, which you won't expect from someone who has been in the military for so long.

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of serendipity in this part of the series, and an unbelievable streak of joy mixed with sadness. It seems that every time there is a chance of happiness for the Bishop girls, it gets snatched away.

But there is well written non stop action, with surprising twists and turns, and I honestly can't guess what's next and look forward to finding out.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitch and Rileigh are back to solve another mystery. I really enjoyed reading this book and I think this is the best one so far even though I like the other books in this series too. Just when you think you figured it all out there's a twist. I recommend it, the entire series by the way.
I received an advance review via NetGalley/Sterling & Stone and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rileigh and Mitch have another date interrupted when an elderly man is found murdered at a bus stop. This book had so many twists and turns. I cont to love Momma and we finally found out more that happened to Rileigh’s sister Jullian. This is such a great series.

[C.L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Editor needed

This was a good book, but it could have been a great book with some editing. Several obvious mistakes, including changes to characters’ names and relationships. Very sloppy.

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Rileigh, Mitch & Momma!
If you haven’t been reading this series, get it on your TBR list.
Spoiler: the “big” date —- still not completely happening.

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

Couldn’t stand the way this book was written unfortunately and couldn’t get into it. DNF’d at 24%.

[Riley K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[Anne Szlachcic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest book in the Rileigh Bishop Smoky Mountain series starts with yet another disruption to
Rileigh and Mitch's attempts at a date - an old man has been found dead in the bus station
and the young woman who helped him get off the bus is nowhere to be seen - that is
until her badly stabbed body is found in nearby woods - she manages to say "Uncle Dan" is
after her . Remarkably as she recovers in hospital she tells Rileigh that she is searching for
her birth mother , Jillian Bishop - who just happens to be Rileigh's . traumatised and recently
returned from captivity . sister .
It appears there is more to Jillian's captivity for all those years than has been previously revealed .
Jillian's past has come back to haunt her and those who trafficked her are determined that not only
Jillian but Michaela also must be silenced no matter the collateral damage .
It becomes a race against time to keep the women safe along with those who would help guard them
............. for those in the trafficking gang are even more determined to ensure their deaths at all costs

This is yet another fast paced , action packed thriller by the Author with held my attention from the
first page to the last - will we ever discover who is sending the parcels and why ?? I look forward
to finding out in the next book(s) .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BISHOP SMOKY MOUNTAIN THRILLERS:
COME BACK TO ME, #11 - Interesting but sad, with good characters and good story lines. Proper editing needed. Source: Netgalley. 4*

BECAUSE ONE OF US WAS WRONG, Novella - This is a funny, interesting, intriguing and entertaining introduction to the Bishop Smokey Mountains series. Likeable characters, crimes like crazy, good story lines, and good humor. A must read first. Basic editing would have been nice. Source: Download through Hide Me Away, book one of the series. 5*

HIDE ME AWAY, #1 - Interesting. Intriguing. Good pacing. Hard to put down with all the happenings, the variety of characters, and some intense story lines. It was easy to figure out the murders, even with all the suspects. Good team work between the acting sheriff and the veteran in solving the crimes. I like the writing style of the author. Basic editing would have been nice. Source: the author. 5*

FUEL TO THE FLAME, #2 - This story picks up four months after Hide Me Away ends. I'm not sure why the author though it was important to rehash HMA in the first four chapters, and others, which made it difficult for me to keep reading since I read HMA. The story kicks into gear and turns out full of gory but not graphic crimes, mixed with more crimes and plenty of action. Thar's a bit of crazy going on in those mountains. Intense story lines. Basic editing would have been nice. Source: BookSprout. 4*

CLOSER BY THE HOUR, #3 - Rather intriguing and a bit gory, but not graphically detailed, and definitely difficult to put down, the interesting, well written story lines and good characters made for an immersing, entertaining read. A good pace, terrible crimes and poor ole Rileigh getting herself into plenty of "Oh, snap" situations. Some humor, and Lily and Daisy are hoots. A little predictable but well worth reading. Now, a little bit of editing .... Source: BookSprout. 5*

A GAMBLE EITHER WAY, #4 - Interesting and hard to put down with all kinds of happenings, and on a paddlewheel steamboat. Hairy story lines with good characters and a constant pace. Intense. Intriguing. Editing is better. Source: The author, ARC. 5*

HERE YOU COME AGAIN, #7 - Very interesting and intriguing and too easy to solve, but still a good read. Enjoyable characters with a dark story line balanced with a possible romance brewing. I enjoy this series, eventhough I do not understand the lack of basic editing; closing a sentence before a partial quote, Bible Belt and such in lowercase, etc. Source: NetGalley. 4*
THE BISHOP SMOKY MOUNTAIN THRILLERS end.