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Hell to Pay: A Texas Private Investigator Mystery
For PI Iris Raines, tracking down a missing witness should have been routine. Instead, bullets fly, blood spills, and an explosion tears through her family’s law office, leaving two people dead in the rubble.
Suddenly, Iris isn’t just chasing a witness—she’s chasing the truth behind a firestorm that threatens to leave her family in financial ruin and destroy everything she holds dear.
But the bodies piling up aren’t coincidences, and the trail doesn’t end with the flames. Iris finds herself unraveling a conspiracy of blackmail, corruption, and murder that no one else dares to connect.
The cops don’t believe her, the criminals want her gone, and the powerful players in the middle will do whatever it takes to shut her up.
Too bad for Iris doesn’t scare easy. She’s sharp-tongued, stubborn, and more than willing to bend a few rules to get to the truth. She may be standing alone against a gang of pit-viper lawyers and their crooked clients, a den of government corruption, and a faceless killer who knows way too much about her, but she’s not backing down.
Because for Iris Raines, the only thing worse than dying is letting the bad guys get away with it.
Fast, darkly funny, and impossible to put down, Hell to Pay is the first book in the Iris Raines Mystery series—perfect for readers who love razor-edged heroines, twisty investigations, and a story that doesn’t flinch when the bullets start flying.
Suddenly, Iris isn’t just chasing a witness—she’s chasing the truth behind a firestorm that threatens to leave her family in financial ruin and destroy everything she holds dear.
But the bodies piling up aren’t coincidences, and the trail doesn’t end with the flames. Iris finds herself unraveling a conspiracy of blackmail, corruption, and murder that no one else dares to connect.
The cops don’t believe her, the criminals want her gone, and the powerful players in the middle will do whatever it takes to shut her up.
Too bad for Iris doesn’t scare easy. She’s sharp-tongued, stubborn, and more than willing to bend a few rules to get to the truth. She may be standing alone against a gang of pit-viper lawyers and their crooked clients, a den of government corruption, and a faceless killer who knows way too much about her, but she’s not backing down.
Because for Iris Raines, the only thing worse than dying is letting the bad guys get away with it.
Fast, darkly funny, and impossible to put down, Hell to Pay is the first book in the Iris Raines Mystery series—perfect for readers who love razor-edged heroines, twisty investigations, and a story that doesn’t flinch when the bullets start flying.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2025
231 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 11, 2025
Excellent novel, didn't want to put this book down. I've read books by this author before and she doesn't disappoint. Denise Diane Huddle keeps readers entertained and on the edge of their seats. I really like the characters and the plot development in this novel. there were lots of things happening, not a dull moment.
Totally recommend this novel and this author. I'm happy to see this is a series, looking forward to the next book
Totally recommend this novel and this author. I'm happy to see this is a series, looking forward to the next book
September 15, 2025
OMG! So good! I literally got nothing done in my actual life today because I was glued to this book. I could NOT put it down. It’s funny, it’s suspenseful…the twists were twisting! All the aspects you want from a mystery/suspense. I loved that the FMC was so smart and badass while also holding onto trauma that made her feel weak. It made her relatable. Seriously 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
September 20, 2025
P.I. Iris Raines gets assigned to find out why the building her fathers were part owners of suddenly blows up during renovation. Nobody knew the path of intrigue this would lead to.
With the help of some friends {hackers and police} she started pulling together things that didn't seem to be connected at first but everything eventually started to fall into place.
My only con for this story was some of the explanation of how things worked were a little long and boring. Otherwise a great read with great characters. Can't wait to meet these characters again in future stories.
I voluntarily read an arc and this is my honest opinion.
With the help of some friends {hackers and police} she started pulling together things that didn't seem to be connected at first but everything eventually started to fall into place.
My only con for this story was some of the explanation of how things worked were a little long and boring. Otherwise a great read with great characters. Can't wait to meet these characters again in future stories.
I voluntarily read an arc and this is my honest opinion.
January 7, 2026
Hell to Pay is a fast-moving crime mystery that follows Iris Raines, a private investigator whose long night of chasing down a missing witness explodes into something far bigger. The book opens with Iris watching her family’s law firm go up in flames just hours after she drags a frightened, drug-addicted witness out of a dangerous alley. From there, the story spirals into criminal entanglements, old secrets, gang threats, and a devastating building explosion that leaves Iris shaken and determined to figure out who is behind it all. The plot blends gritty street crime with legal drama and emotional fallout, and the mystery keeps widening as Iris realizes the disaster may have deeper roots than anyone wants to admit.
What struck me first was how quickly I settled into Iris’s voice. She feels sharp, funny, and deeply human all at once. One minute she’s dodging gunfire in a trash-strewn alley, the next she’s cracking a joke to keep herself steady, and somehow both moments feel true. The writing has that crisp, no-nonsense energy you expect from a crime mystery, but it also lingers in the moments that count. Iris isn’t just tough. She’s tired. She’s scared. She’s grieving places and people she hasn’t even lost yet. When she watches a woman burn in a car outside the exploding office building, it hits her hard, and the book lets her sit in that shock instead of brushing past it. Those emotional beats helped me feel anchored even when the plot moved fast.
I also appreciated the author’s choices around relationships. Iris and her “fathers,” the Raines brothers, give the book a surprising warmth, especially as we learn how she came into their lives. Her friendship with Dean adds another layer, mixing loyalty, dark humor, and the kind of comfort that only comes from years of shared history. Even Maybelline, a character who could have easily been written off as a stereotype, is treated with compassion. Her story is messy and sad, and Iris meets that messiness with more empathy than she gives herself credit for. That mix of grit and heart is what kept me reading. Sure, the book has gang shootouts, legal maneuvering, and explosions that shake entire blocks, but it also has tiny, quiet moments where people choose to take care of one another.
By the time the story shifted fully into unraveling what caused the explosion and who might be responsible, I was hooked. The mystery feels grounded, like something that could happen in a city where money, politics, and corner-cutting collide. And it never forgets the personal cost. Iris isn’t solving a puzzle for the thrill of it. She’s fighting to keep the people she loves alive and to protect the witnesses who fall into her orbit, whether they want to or not.
I’d say Hell to Pay is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven crime mysteries with a mix of danger, sarcasm, heart, and legal intrigue. If you like stories where the investigator has as much going on inside as she does outside, this one will land well. It’s gritty without being bleak, emotional without dragging, and smart without feeling showy. Fans of mysteries with messy heroes will feel right at home.
What struck me first was how quickly I settled into Iris’s voice. She feels sharp, funny, and deeply human all at once. One minute she’s dodging gunfire in a trash-strewn alley, the next she’s cracking a joke to keep herself steady, and somehow both moments feel true. The writing has that crisp, no-nonsense energy you expect from a crime mystery, but it also lingers in the moments that count. Iris isn’t just tough. She’s tired. She’s scared. She’s grieving places and people she hasn’t even lost yet. When she watches a woman burn in a car outside the exploding office building, it hits her hard, and the book lets her sit in that shock instead of brushing past it. Those emotional beats helped me feel anchored even when the plot moved fast.
I also appreciated the author’s choices around relationships. Iris and her “fathers,” the Raines brothers, give the book a surprising warmth, especially as we learn how she came into their lives. Her friendship with Dean adds another layer, mixing loyalty, dark humor, and the kind of comfort that only comes from years of shared history. Even Maybelline, a character who could have easily been written off as a stereotype, is treated with compassion. Her story is messy and sad, and Iris meets that messiness with more empathy than she gives herself credit for. That mix of grit and heart is what kept me reading. Sure, the book has gang shootouts, legal maneuvering, and explosions that shake entire blocks, but it also has tiny, quiet moments where people choose to take care of one another.
By the time the story shifted fully into unraveling what caused the explosion and who might be responsible, I was hooked. The mystery feels grounded, like something that could happen in a city where money, politics, and corner-cutting collide. And it never forgets the personal cost. Iris isn’t solving a puzzle for the thrill of it. She’s fighting to keep the people she loves alive and to protect the witnesses who fall into her orbit, whether they want to or not.
I’d say Hell to Pay is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven crime mysteries with a mix of danger, sarcasm, heart, and legal intrigue. If you like stories where the investigator has as much going on inside as she does outside, this one will land well. It’s gritty without being bleak, emotional without dragging, and smart without feeling showy. Fans of mysteries with messy heroes will feel right at home.
September 17, 2025
"Hell to Pay" by Denise Diana Huddle is a funny, suspenseful, and twisted mystery thriller, and it's the first book in the "Iris Raines Mystery" series. The author keeps readers entertained, keeping them on the edge of their seats throughout as the action never stops! It’s a true page-turner, and you'll definitely be hooked.
In this book, the author introduces the main character, private investigator Iris Raines, who is tasked with finding a missing witness. Instead, she finds herself caught in the middle of a murder investigation. Suddenly, Iris is not just searching for a witness; she’s unravelling a conspiracy involving blackmail, corruption, and murder that threatens her family's future. The dynamics between Iris and her family are both fantastic and heartwarming.
People keep dying, and no one—neither the police nor the criminals—believes her, but she is determined to uncover the truth.
Standing alone against a network of crooked lawyers, government corruption, and a dangerous kiIIer, she refuses to back down, because she will not allow that bad guys to walk free.
Iris is an incredible character; she is kind, brave, vulnerable yet strong, sharp-minded, and possesses excellent intuition. The way she deals with challenges is refreshing and engaging. As the story unfolds, we gradually learn more about Iris's backstory, helping us understand her motivations and emotions.
Absolutely recommend.
In this book, the author introduces the main character, private investigator Iris Raines, who is tasked with finding a missing witness. Instead, she finds herself caught in the middle of a murder investigation. Suddenly, Iris is not just searching for a witness; she’s unravelling a conspiracy involving blackmail, corruption, and murder that threatens her family's future. The dynamics between Iris and her family are both fantastic and heartwarming.
People keep dying, and no one—neither the police nor the criminals—believes her, but she is determined to uncover the truth.
Standing alone against a network of crooked lawyers, government corruption, and a dangerous kiIIer, she refuses to back down, because she will not allow that bad guys to walk free.
Iris is an incredible character; she is kind, brave, vulnerable yet strong, sharp-minded, and possesses excellent intuition. The way she deals with challenges is refreshing and engaging. As the story unfolds, we gradually learn more about Iris's backstory, helping us understand her motivations and emotions.
Absolutely recommend.
October 21, 2025
A Thrilling Start To A New Series!
Spice: 1🫦
Mystery: 3🔍
Laughter: 3😁
Overall: 4⭐
Iris Raines is the best friend, go-getter, sharp-shooter, investigator, and most importantly SURVIVOR while still being imperfectly human. I loved her tenacity at work, emotional depth with her dads (brothers who took her as an infant when abandoned on their law firm’s doorstep), and bravery when trying to rebuild herself after a horrific trauma. We get an initial hint in the beginning, then more details throughout the story as she in-real-time through the book, learns to process and overcome.
Amazing PTSD representation - one of the best and most accurate I’ve read outside of military/first responder auto/biographies.
The mystery wasn’t the best I’ve read by Ms. Huddle yet BUT still highly engaging and entertaining! I figured out the villain pretty early on, but that did not in any way detract from my enjoyment of the whole story.
I can’t wait to see what shenanigans Iris, her friends, and her delightful Saint Bernard puppy get up to next!
Thank you to Denise Diana Huddle for the opportunity to read and review this book!
All opinions are my own.
Spice: 1🫦
Mystery: 3🔍
Laughter: 3😁
Overall: 4⭐
Iris Raines is the best friend, go-getter, sharp-shooter, investigator, and most importantly SURVIVOR while still being imperfectly human. I loved her tenacity at work, emotional depth with her dads (brothers who took her as an infant when abandoned on their law firm’s doorstep), and bravery when trying to rebuild herself after a horrific trauma. We get an initial hint in the beginning, then more details throughout the story as she in-real-time through the book, learns to process and overcome.
Amazing PTSD representation - one of the best and most accurate I’ve read outside of military/first responder auto/biographies.
The mystery wasn’t the best I’ve read by Ms. Huddle yet BUT still highly engaging and entertaining! I figured out the villain pretty early on, but that did not in any way detract from my enjoyment of the whole story.
I can’t wait to see what shenanigans Iris, her friends, and her delightful Saint Bernard puppy get up to next!
Thank you to Denise Diana Huddle for the opportunity to read and review this book!
All opinions are my own.
October 24, 2025
Hell to Pay by Denise Diana Huddle is a hard-hitting, darkly witty private investigator thriller that grabs you by the throat from the first explosion and never lets go. PI Iris Raines isn’t the kind of woman who plays it safe or quiet and in this electrifying debut, that refusal to back down puts her squarely in the crosshairs of corruption, cover-ups, and cold-blooded killers.
What begins as a simple search for a missing witness spirals into a firestorm of betrayal and conspiracy when Iris’s family law office is reduced to rubble and two people die in the blast. With the cops dismissive, criminals circling, and powerful enemies pulling strings from the shadows, Iris does what she does best: she fights back.
Huddle delivers a taut, voice-driven mystery with sharp dialogue, relentless pacing, and just the right edge of gallows humor. Iris is cut from the same gritty cloth as Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone or Sara Paretsky’s V.I. Warshawski but with a Lone Star twist and a bite all her own.
Fast, fierce, and fearless, Hell to Pay proves that justice isn’t always clean, but it’s worth bleeding for.
What begins as a simple search for a missing witness spirals into a firestorm of betrayal and conspiracy when Iris’s family law office is reduced to rubble and two people die in the blast. With the cops dismissive, criminals circling, and powerful enemies pulling strings from the shadows, Iris does what she does best: she fights back.
Huddle delivers a taut, voice-driven mystery with sharp dialogue, relentless pacing, and just the right edge of gallows humor. Iris is cut from the same gritty cloth as Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone or Sara Paretsky’s V.I. Warshawski but with a Lone Star twist and a bite all her own.
Fast, fierce, and fearless, Hell to Pay proves that justice isn’t always clean, but it’s worth bleeding for.
December 18, 2025
This book had me from the first paragraph! What a thriller of a book with a Private Investigator by the name of Iris Raines. Iris was raised by two Dad's..Confused, well the Dad's are lawyers with a law firm and one day a woman comes in, has a baby, and leaves it on the front steps of these two men. They step up and while building their law firm, they take Iris in and give her all the love she could have had.
Now she is working with them as their PI and this case is close to home. Iris is out late at night after having a case and is just pulling out of the parking lot of their temporary home, as their offices are being renovated. That office is just across the street, when she starts to pull out, she see the office building where the Raines family has been in practice for 50 years, go up in smoke!
Iris has to step up and take care of whoever tried to destroy their building and are they after her family. Can't wait until until the next one comes out!!!
Now she is working with them as their PI and this case is close to home. Iris is out late at night after having a case and is just pulling out of the parking lot of their temporary home, as their offices are being renovated. That office is just across the street, when she starts to pull out, she see the office building where the Raines family has been in practice for 50 years, go up in smoke!
Iris has to step up and take care of whoever tried to destroy their building and are they after her family. Can't wait until until the next one comes out!!!
October 6, 2025
Iris is a PI in Texas that makes her living unearthing secrets others are willing to hide at all costs. A building burns and when the fire dies down, two bodies are found in the ash. Were they killed in the fire or before? Which crime happened first? Iris is hired to find out the truth but everyone wants to cover it up from the lawyers to the politicians and the cops don't buy her story. A killer is waiting in the wings watching Iris. Can Iris discover the truth before the killer decides to stop her for good? This story pulls you right in from the get go. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read more in this series. I did receive an advanced copy but this is my honest and voluntary review.
October 7, 2025
This is the first book in the Iris Raines series and I can not wait for the next one to see what trouble lands on her doorstep that she along with support with her friends and family can unravel. I do recommend reading this in one sitting if you can as there are a lot of moving parts and quiet a few characters to keep track of.
I thought the slow reveal of what had happened to Iris was really good and helped you put the pieces together on how her Dads and friends are so protective. There were some intense moments to go through especially the apartment scene, but it all added to the suspense and secrets and distrust happening around her. I will be re reading this again just before the next book comes out!!
I thought the slow reveal of what had happened to Iris was really good and helped you put the pieces together on how her Dads and friends are so protective. There were some intense moments to go through especially the apartment scene, but it all added to the suspense and secrets and distrust happening around her. I will be re reading this again just before the next book comes out!!
November 28, 2025
I'm happy to say my mystery solving abilities were right on for once lol. Maybe I'm getting my mojo back. I don't know how I knew, but I knew immediately who was behind all this. I didn't know the full extent of some of the things until they were revealed in the end, but most of it I got. I knew something was off when her computer croaked and it just went worse the more time went on. But man, was it so good. I couldn't put it down. I love characters so much and their backstories. How everyone just weaved together. It made everything just that much better. And who wouldn't love Festus? I'm hoping the next book comes along very soon because this was incredible.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 5, 2025
I love a good mystery. Iris Raines is a PI who has been through some things that have left her with some things she hasn't been able to leave behind. Honestly, I think she's brave for doing what she is. As I got to see more of her character, I loved her best friends and the fact they are all fighting for truth and justice while trying to protect the one's they love. There are some things that happened that I knew weren't quite right, but I didn't put all the pieces together until closer to the end. If you love a mystery and strong female protagonist, then you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series.
October 2, 2025
Denise Diana Huddle has been a must read author from the beginning. This book has not changed my mind a bit. It is a funny, intense, action-packed mystery from the first bullets to the end conclusion. Iris Raines is not afraid to get her hands dirty and find the truth of who is targeting her family's law firm and building. What is actually going on is a minefield of dangerous characters and hidden agendas mixed with special friends who go the distance with Iris to get the job done. I am looking forward to more in this series.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 6, 2025
A strong new female PI
Iris Raines is a private investigator working mainly for her fathers' law firm. When their offices that are being renovated blow up in front of her she is convinced that it is not just an accident, or carelessness. Iris doggedly searches into the people and circumstances surrounding the explosion along with doing her regular cases. This story is well built with characters explained and interesting. The plot covers several weeks and is carefully worked out, no solved in a day TV show type story. The beginning of I hope a long running new series.
I received a free advance copy.
Iris Raines is a private investigator working mainly for her fathers' law firm. When their offices that are being renovated blow up in front of her she is convinced that it is not just an accident, or carelessness. Iris doggedly searches into the people and circumstances surrounding the explosion along with doing her regular cases. This story is well built with characters explained and interesting. The plot covers several weeks and is carefully worked out, no solved in a day TV show type story. The beginning of I hope a long running new series.
I received a free advance copy.
October 6, 2025
Oh my! P.I. Iris Raines is the person I want to be. Sure she has some issues, but who doesn’t? This smart, strong-willed, woman takes on the toughest. Along the way she has support from the 2 brothers who adopted her and life-long friends who are always there for her.
This fast-paced, well-plotted suspense story has great characters and so much action to keep you turning the pages. It’s a great read all the way to the end.
Hell to Pay is my favorite Denise Huddle book so far, but I can’t wait to read the whole series.
This ARC was provided by the author, but the opinion is definitely my own.
This fast-paced, well-plotted suspense story has great characters and so much action to keep you turning the pages. It’s a great read all the way to the end.
Hell to Pay is my favorite Denise Huddle book so far, but I can’t wait to read the whole series.
This ARC was provided by the author, but the opinion is definitely my own.
October 4, 2025
This book really has the feel of a grungy, hard-hitting, classic detective novel, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
The combination of mystery, action, major plot twists, and intellectual analysis made this such a fun and engaging read. The author is able to have multiple story lines woven beautifully together, and takes the reader on a heck of a roller coaster.
There are robust and unique friendships, quirky yet badass characters, jump scares, and a particularly adorable fuzzy sidekick that round out the entire novel.
If you like a great detective thriller, this book is definitely for you!
The combination of mystery, action, major plot twists, and intellectual analysis made this such a fun and engaging read. The author is able to have multiple story lines woven beautifully together, and takes the reader on a heck of a roller coaster.
There are robust and unique friendships, quirky yet badass characters, jump scares, and a particularly adorable fuzzy sidekick that round out the entire novel.
If you like a great detective thriller, this book is definitely for you!
October 5, 2025
Ooooh, I loved this book! It’s the first in a new series featuring Iris Raines as a private investigator, and she’s a great main character. There’s a lot of excitement and suspense that is well-paced throughout the book. The story is intricate with a lot of twists and unexpected connections, and I’m eager to read the next book in this series, definitely. I’ve read other books by this author that were really good, but I especially enjoyed this one and highly recommend it. I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.
October 1, 2025
This author is worth following. I think I've read all her books, and they are all 5 star!. Lots of action, suspense, and usually some romance. You come away feeling like you know the characters; they are so well developed. I loved Iris's relationship with her school friend, now a highly talented hacker (not his real job, but maybe it is). An interesting plot, with lots of twists and engaging side characters.
October 28, 2025
Allow two days (or an extremely long one) or this dark, twisted, adult, laugh-out-loud, contemporary, serial-killer, murder mystery procedural thriller in San Antonio, Texas, beginning in August, featuring Private Investigator Iris Raines, abduction, adventure, best-friends, drugs, families, humor, prostitution, PTSD, readers-and-writers, and Officers of the Court.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2025
This book leaps out of the gate with wit, pacing, and a hell of a fun protagonist in Iris Raines. It's like all the fun of a Sue Grafton or Janet Evanovich female detective but sassier, faster paced, and more dangerous. I highly recommend Hell to Pay and I hope there are a lot more book in her series.
September 20, 2025
PI Iris is one of a kind, if there’s a bad guy to catch, she’ll find him. Lots of suspense and surprises to keep you trying to guess who committed the crime and why. Don’t miss out on this fantastic book, you won’t be disappointed.
September 29, 2025
Book received for free in exchange for an honest review
I really liked this book. The characters were really interesting and well-developed. It had a great fast pace. There wasn't a dull moment. Lots of twists. I can't wait to read the next one.
I really liked this book. The characters were really interesting and well-developed. It had a great fast pace. There wasn't a dull moment. Lots of twists. I can't wait to read the next one.
October 7, 2025
Fantastic start to a new series. The book starts strong and keeps at it. Interesting characters, great plotting and action that makes the pages turn. Author Huddle has a tough, tenacious and complex lead in Iris Raines. This is a series to watch.
October 25, 2025
great book
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that she never stops writing. Her books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that she never stops writing. Her books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
January 14, 2026
Really enjoyed it!
Love books that keep you guessing. Was kind of iffy on the romance aspect moving so fast but that was answered as the plot thickened. Will read the next one as soon as I can.
Love books that keep you guessing. Was kind of iffy on the romance aspect moving so fast but that was answered as the plot thickened. Will read the next one as soon as I can.
September 19, 2025
This was a fantastic, twisty, action packed mystery that also had humor. The female main character is a mix of bad-ass and vulnerable due to past trauma. I recommend!
September 19, 2025
Excellent book that keeps you guessing with great characters and an intense storyline. I highly recommend this one.
September 24, 2025
Fast paced, complicated characters, rapidly evolving storyline. Wonderful!
October 1, 2025
OMG! So good! I . I could NOT put it down. It’s funny, it’s suspenseful…the twists were thriling. All the aspects you want from a mystery/suspense.
October 8, 2025
A real page turner, with fun, and interesting characters, and a plot with twists, and turns, and surprises!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews