Fatal Deception

by Nicole Helm

He wants her

And someone wants her dead

When Audra Young walks into his office, Detective Copeland Bennett is surprised that this cool, self-assured rancher is asking for his help. At first, he assumes that the urn full of human remains delivered to her house was just a macabre mistake. Yet as the threats against her life become more chilling, he realizes that she needs protection—protection he’s determined to provide. But it’s going to take a deep dive into her family’s hidden past and all of Copeland’s skills as an investigator to identify Audra’s ruthless antagonist…

From Harlequin Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the Bent County Protectors series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following

Book 1: Vanishing Point
Book 2: Killer on the Homestead
Book 3: Fatal Deception

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2025

About the author

Nicole Helm is the national bestselling author of fast-paced romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue and down-to-earth contemporary romance. Her Intrigues routinely land on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list, and she’s received starred PW reviews for her contemporary romances. She’s written over 75 books, known for their emotional depth and happily ever afters.

Nicole also writes with Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews as Hazel Beck writing the Witchlore series, which began with SMALL TOWN, BIG MAGIC in 2022.

In her spare time, Nicole loves losing herself in genealogy research, watching Cardinals baseball, and hiking with her family. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons.

You can contact her via email: Nicole@nicolehelm.com
You can sign up for Nicole’s monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/V973n

Reviews

[Karen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite so far. Great mystery and romance with nice character development. Love how Andra stands on her own two feet but learns to lean a bit on others as needed. But in the end, she saves herself. This book can be read stand alone but if you read the first two in the series you will have a better background on the characters. My only minor complaint is the cover - that is not how I picture Copland at all - he should look older and less cowboy.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This book was fun to read and the MCs complemented each other.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I did not like either of the main characters but they did grow on me. It was a good story, but I need to go back and read the sisters stories.

[Ann C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the book to be boring. I did not like the first book in the series, either. So I don't plan on reading anymore in the series.