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Thomas Shepherd Mystery #12
Black Heart Cove
A Chilling Crime Thriller and Murder Mystery
Sheriff Thomas Shepherd returns from his honeymoon and finds human bones at a secret hangout called Black Heart Cove.
Together with his wife Chelsey and her team of private investigators, Thomas tries to determine who the bones belong to. But the remains remind Thomas and Chelsey of a girl who disappeared during their teenage years.
Thomas confronts lost loves, dark secrets, and a family who wants to put the past to bed.
Can he bring justice to the girl and solve a deadly mystery?
Sheriff Thomas Shepherd returns from his honeymoon and finds human bones at a secret hangout called Black Heart Cove.
Together with his wife Chelsey and her team of private investigators, Thomas tries to determine who the bones belong to. But the remains remind Thomas and Chelsey of a girl who disappeared during their teenage years.
Thomas confronts lost loves, dark secrets, and a family who wants to put the past to bed.
Can he bring justice to the girl and solve a deadly mystery?
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2025
285 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Dan Padavona
101 books611 followersAuthor of the Wolf Lake and Darkwater Cove series.
Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.
I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.
My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.
More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.
Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.
I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.
My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.
More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 24, 2025
meh
This story was predictable. The emotions of the characters were convoluted and wildly exaggerated to the extent that I felt sorry that these people were so emotionally stunted it amazed me they supposedly have excelled in their careers.
This story was predictable. The emotions of the characters were convoluted and wildly exaggerated to the extent that I felt sorry that these people were so emotionally stunted it amazed me they supposedly have excelled in their careers.
October 18, 2025
Good morning Goodreads, I want to give a shout out to Chris Steeden. He is the only Goodreads member that actually reads my reviews. Just want to say Thank you for taking the time to read them. I really appreciate it!! You are awesome!!! 🤩 Well I gave the book 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It was pretty good. This book is about a murder that was hidden for 17 years and it was discovered by 2 teenagers. This story line could have happened in real life. This case was a special one for the Sheriff Thomas Sheppard because he knew the victim in this storyline. The victims name is Carolyn and she was 17 yrs old when she was murdered. On this particular story not all the characters were involved so it was clear cut on who committed the crime and who solved it. I wish it could have been more exciting but it was still a pretty good book. This book is #22 in the series. There are 2 more books to read to finish the series. I’m already starting to read #23. The reading challenge continues…… 😊
June 14, 2025
I had the honor of being an advance copy reader of this latest novel by Dan Padavona, his latest entry in the Thomas Shepherd Wolf Lake series. Thomas is the sheriff in a small idyllic upstate New York lakeside village, where all kinds of mayhem manages to occur. In this novel, a 17 year old missing persons case, a girl Thomas was getting close to in high school, has finally been found. No spoilers here but a discovery at the edge of a run-down mansion sets off an intense investigation into her case, Thomas vowing to bring to justice whoever had a role, and bringing some closure to her parents. There are many leads developed and Thomas, an Asperger person, methodically weaves all the complex clues that will lead to a “cut to the bone” finish. A very enjoyable read, and I was not able to solve the case until Thomas beat me to it! Enjoy the series.
June 24, 2025
I LOVED Black Heart Cove! It gives you more about Thomas during his school years. I've read all of Dan Padavoana's Thomas Shepherd books from the start. I knew he had a hard time in school. Now you get more of the story. In my opinion Dan Padavona did a good job of interweaving past and present. He gave me suspense, mystery and justice. When bones appear Thomas vows to get all the answers. I have to say I had a hard time figuring out who did it. In my Dan Padavona did a good job of keeping guessing. Dan Padavona did something with Black Heart Cove that doesn't happen often for me, it brought tears to my eyes and made me emotional, that doesn't happen very often. I really enjoyed Black Heart Cove and recommend it. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy.
June 27, 2025
Black Heart Cove - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
The discovery of human remains near the eponymous Cove, reanimates a decades-old mystery that stirs up secrets a killer wanted kept buried.
Wolf Lake's Sheriff Thomas Shepherd must unravel tangled relationships dating back to his own time at high school, and find the truth about a couple living at the scary mansion.Told in flashbacks by the victim, interspersed with the present day search for the truth and the effects it may trigger in those with something to hide.
Dan Padavona cleverly weaves a tide of doubt and suspicion around the action that ebbs and flows.
Get Black Heart Cove today, to see if you worked it all out before the reveal!
The discovery of human remains near the eponymous Cove, reanimates a decades-old mystery that stirs up secrets a killer wanted kept buried.
Wolf Lake's Sheriff Thomas Shepherd must unravel tangled relationships dating back to his own time at high school, and find the truth about a couple living at the scary mansion.Told in flashbacks by the victim, interspersed with the present day search for the truth and the effects it may trigger in those with something to hide.
Dan Padavona cleverly weaves a tide of doubt and suspicion around the action that ebbs and flows.
Get Black Heart Cove today, to see if you worked it all out before the reveal!
June 29, 2025
Excellent book and excellent series !
I’m always so excited for one of Dan Paavo’s new books to come out , especially the Thomas Shepherd series. I really enjoyed this one so much, especially the past connection with Thomas Shepherd to the victim. I would like to have seen more of Scout and Levar in this book , I love all the characters, but they are two of my very favorite. I can’t wait to read the next book. If you have never read one of Dan Padavona’s books you are missing out, pick one up and start today. They are all amazing. !
I’m always so excited for one of Dan Paavo’s new books to come out , especially the Thomas Shepherd series. I really enjoyed this one so much, especially the past connection with Thomas Shepherd to the victim. I would like to have seen more of Scout and Levar in this book , I love all the characters, but they are two of my very favorite. I can’t wait to read the next book. If you have never read one of Dan Padavona’s books you are missing out, pick one up and start today. They are all amazing. !
November 7, 2025
A fantastic story and
A heartbreaking story that had a tragic ending, but one that will finally allow the family and certain friends, as well as the community, to heal. With a complex situation and twisted circumstances, Thomas and his Deputies will have to bring their A game if they hope to solve the case that has plagued the community for years. It's certainly not a story or series that you'll want to miss!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
A heartbreaking story that had a tragic ending, but one that will finally allow the family and certain friends, as well as the community, to heal. With a complex situation and twisted circumstances, Thomas and his Deputies will have to bring their A game if they hope to solve the case that has plagued the community for years. It's certainly not a story or series that you'll want to miss!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
June 29, 2025
Easy, enthralling read
Dan P makes his characters easy to relate to and remember. They become a familiar person to the reader as we go thro each book. The current story of Thomas and his adopted and bio family are written so you feel like you are stepping back into Wolf Lake and into the community. I didn't anticipate how the murderers accomplished their evil deeds until toward the end. Therefore I eagerly kept coming to each page looking for answers.
Dan P makes his characters easy to relate to and remember. They become a familiar person to the reader as we go thro each book. The current story of Thomas and his adopted and bio family are written so you feel like you are stepping back into Wolf Lake and into the community. I didn't anticipate how the murderers accomplished their evil deeds until toward the end. Therefore I eagerly kept coming to each page looking for answers.
August 28, 2025
Black Heart Cove: A Chilling Crime Thriller and Murder Mystery(Wolf Lake Mystery Thriller Suspense S
This series has been wonderful and this has been the best in the series. It was more personal and chilling. An old classmate who was missing for almost two decades has been a possible find. This leads the team to follow a who did this. It is intriguing and personal. The team researches all possibilities and what they find is a true mystery.
This series has been wonderful and this has been the best in the series. It was more personal and chilling. An old classmate who was missing for almost two decades has been a possible find. This leads the team to follow a who did this. It is intriguing and personal. The team researches all possibilities and what they find is a true mystery.
July 2, 2025
Sloppy plot and details
No spoilers, but the author contradicts his own writing and storytelling several times, and the police overlook obvious elements during the book.
I normally enjoy this series, but this one was a letdown.
No spoilers, but the author contradicts his own writing and storytelling several times, and the police overlook obvious elements during the book.
I normally enjoy this series, but this one was a letdown.
July 3, 2025
Dan did it again, thought I had it figured out, nope. What a grudge that that family carried. Seemed to really hit everyone hard when they finally got the answers. They brought closure to the family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2025
Never disappointing
It is very hard not to enjoy a Sheriff Thomas Shepherd thriller. There seems to be a lesson of sorts in every story. Reminding everyone of kindness, togetherness and family as well as compassion for peoples differences.
It is very hard not to enjoy a Sheriff Thomas Shepherd thriller. There seems to be a lesson of sorts in every story. Reminding everyone of kindness, togetherness and family as well as compassion for peoples differences.
July 16, 2025
deep, deep plotting
The past rears its head with the discovery of old, old bones lakeside, apparently buried years ago and now exposed by drenching rains.
A long-ago disappearance with heart-rending connection to Thomas, reemerges as puzzle pieces grimly fall into place.
The past rears its head with the discovery of old, old bones lakeside, apparently buried years ago and now exposed by drenching rains.
A long-ago disappearance with heart-rending connection to Thomas, reemerges as puzzle pieces grimly fall into place.
August 14, 2025
PHENOMENAL!!!
This book is Dan Padavona at his best. Absolutely riveting; will have you captivated from the beginning. I devoured it in a single sitting. Was burning through pages so fast I thought I would burn out my kindle.
This book is Dan Padavona at his best. Absolutely riveting; will have you captivated from the beginning. I devoured it in a single sitting. Was burning through pages so fast I thought I would burn out my kindle.
July 4, 2025
As usual, a great book! Dan knows how to make you love Thomas, his deputies and Chelsey and her crew. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat from page one. Highly recommend it!
September 27, 2025
Excellent book
Great book, kept you turning pages and interested till the last page. Great characters and storylines. Can't wait to see what this author writes next.
Great book, kept you turning pages and interested till the last page. Great characters and storylines. Can't wait to see what this author writes next.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews