Forest of Regrets: Addictive suspense thriller with shocking twist

by Kate Gable

When a father vanishes with his two-week-old daughter, leaving behind a frantic wife and their eight-year-old son, forensic psychologist and FBI agent Alexis Forrest is called in to investigate. The man's blood-stained truck is discovered abandoned on a dirt road, but there's no trace of him or the baby. As Alexis delves into the case, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets and lies.

With the serial killer responsible for her sister's death now behind bars, Alexis hopes for a fresh start in the small New England town where she grew up. However, peace is hard to find. Alexis tries to move forward and begin a new chapter with Mitch, her high school flame and the owner of a cafe/bookstore in Broken Hill. Yet, some wounds refuse to heal easily. The serial killer still awaits conviction, and the man wrongfully convicted of her sister's murder needs to be freed.

Haunted by the echoes of her past, Alexis races against the clock to unravel the truth of the missing father and daughter before another life is lost. Is the father responsible for their disappearance, or did something far more sinister take place?

Suspenseful and full of thrills, Forest of Regrets is the latest book in the addicting FBI mystery series from bestselling and 3-time Silver Falchion award winning author Kate Gable.

If you are a fan of Mary Stone and Elle Grey's FBI Mystery series, you won't be able to stop reading!

Scroll up to grab your copy today!

Audible Audio

Published January 12, 2025

About the author

Kate Gable loves a good mystery that is full of suspense. She grew up devouring psychological thrillers and crime novels as well as movies, tv shows and true crime.

Her favorite stories are the ones that are centered on families with lots of secrets and lies as well as many twists and turns. Her novels have elements of psychological suspense, thriller, mystery and romance.

Kate Gable lives in Southern California with her husband, son, a dog and a cat. She has spent more than twenty years in this area and finds inspiration from its cities, canyons, deserts, and small mountain towns.

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Reviews

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gave me the chills thinking about a 2 week old baby girl disappearing along w/ her dad. When FBI Agent Alexis Forest is given this case immediately the intrigue begins and the plot thickens w/ every turn of the page drawing you deeper and holding you captive throughout the entire book. I started this story on a afternoon and had it finished early the next morning cause I couldn't stop thinking about what Alexis will discover next. I 100% recommend this mind blowing book.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner!

Alexis does it again. Not who you would expect, and so many things happen in a short time frame. A great read!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book six in The Alexis Forrest FBI Mystery Thriller Series and omg it is definitely a must read. Alexis is still struggling with her sister’s murder years ago and all the questions surrounding it and even though she had put the person responsible behind bars she still needs to settle the score and get the man that was put in prison originally for her sisters murder but was wrongly accused free from prison of the crime that he was accused of and didn’t commit but know Alexis is also ready to settle down in her hometown with Mitch who she had a strong history with and she is also in love with because now they are ready to move forward with their lives and future together. When Alexis gets a call that a father and his two week old daughter is missing which had left his wife and eight year old son worried and confused about what had happened to them things just don’t add up as Alexis starts to investigate where they are, what happened and who had taken them so now it is a race against time to find them as quickly as possible if she will have the time to find them and hopefully bring them home safely especially as the abandoned truck contained a lot of blood and not many clues. When they start getting down to the nitty gritty of what happened to the father and daughter they end up finding more than they bargained for so now they have to put all the pieces together if they are ever going to solve this riddle and take down the people involved before it is too late. The twists and turns keep coming at a break neck speed and now all hands are on deck because not only is there a lot of evidence but also some things are not adding up and then they get the breakthrough that they needed to bring the people involved to justice. I absolutely loved this book so much and I read it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down as it had you on the edge of your seat while holding your breath and turning the pages to see what would happen next and also what the outcome would be in the end for them all. Kate Gable is a amazing author and writer and she weaves such a strong and action packed story with so much description that you feel like you are actually there living through it all with them and I can’t wait to read more books in the future because I absolutely love this series so much.

[Ilse · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI agent, Alexis Forrest, hasn't changed a bit. She still thinks no one does the job as well as she does. She still wants to do it all herself instead of remembering that she belongs to a team and has oodles of resources and other agents to help. She still acts as a lone wolf and has a new case. A man, Ryan McAllister, left home in the middle of the night taking his newborn daughter and promptly disappeared. His wife, Jessica, and older child, Ethan, were left at home. His wife and 8 year old son were sleeping when he left, so she was frantic when Alexis saw her at the scene of the abandoned family minivan. Jessica had no idea why Ryan had left, let alone why he would take the newborn.

Alexis gets called in on the case. It dredges up a lot of memories and emotional reactions of when her sister disappeared. It makes her more sympathetic toward Ethan as she figures he is probably experiencing the same emotions and fears that she had. Now Alexis has to figure out why Ryan left, where he went, why he would take his newborn and hope that she can save them both and restore this family. She does not want them to experience all her family and she had in the past.

Meanwhile, she has to try to balance her personal life with her career. She needs to do this to be fair to her boyfriend, Mitch, those she works with, and for her own mental and physical health. Will Alexis ever get to that point given her obsessive behavior when faced with crime situations?

As usual, Kate Gable does not disappoint. Her story draws you in from the beginning and holds the reader tightly to the very end with a great story line, drama, suspense, great character development, believable dialog, and unexpected twists. A highly enjoyable read, as always!

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25stars-FOREST OF REGRETS is the sixth instalment in Kate Gable’s contemporary , adult ALEXIS FORREST FBI MYSTERY THRILLER series focusing on forensic psychologist FBI agent Alexis Forrest. FOREST OF REGRETS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: Approximately twenty years earlier, Alexis’ older sister Maddie was abducted and murdered, destroying the Forrest family in the process. With her return to Broken Hill to investigate a series of similar abductions, Alexis will reconnect with family, and the man who once held her heart.

Told from first person perspective (Alexis) FOREST OF REGRETS follows Alexis Forrest as she is called in to investigate the possible abduction of a young father and his 2 week old daughter. An abandoned truck with some flecks of blood is Alexis’ only clue until our heroine begins to unearth something darker and more dangerous than anyone could have ever imagined.

FOREST OF REGRETS focuses on the search for a missing father and child but the clues begin to paint a different picture of what happened and why. Meanwhile, Alexis’ romance and relationship with her high school sweetheart Mitch Dutton continues to struggle with Alexis’ almost manic need to uncover the truth, often not returning home for days at a time.

FOREST OF REGRETS is a dramatic story of secrets and lies, influence and domination, greed and obsession. The premise is breath taking, climactic and twisted; the characters are desperate and dogged. FOREST OF REGRETS ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In one word, WOW! This is the sixth book in the The Alexis Forrest FBI Mystery Thriller Series and you can't put it down once you begin. Still suffering from her murdered sister's case by a serial killer, she is called in on a new case. It appears that Ryan McAllister, a family man with two children, left home in the middle of the night taking his newborn daughter with him without a trace or any clues. His wife, Jessica, and 8 year old son, Ethan, were left at home asleep at the time. She takes on this case so seriously and obsessively, since she knows how the son, Ethan must be feeling since it brings up how she felt when her sister was missing. The family minivan was found bloodied and abandoned. Alexis has to find why they left, where they went and find and bring the family back together. But although she likes to work as a lone wolf, she does have FBI agents to help find McAllister and the baby. But things start to unravel and Alexis finds McAllister is more than he seems. This book is a page turner you can't put down once you begin. We also seeing Alexis trying to work on her issues , her obsessiveness with cases and the trauma of murder of her sister with her boyfriend, Mitch helping. With so many twists and turns, you are taken to a surprise ending. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Gabriellina Pedrotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Haunting Descent into Darkness:

Kate Gable's Forest of Regrets is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of human darkness. The novel follows FBI agent Alexis Forrest as she investigates the disappearance of a father and his infant daughter. As Alexis delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and a chilling mystery that threatens to consume her.
Gable's masterful storytelling creates a suspenseful and atmospheric narrative. The author's vivid descriptions of the eerie New England setting and the complex characters draw readers into a world of shadows and doubt. The pacing is well-balanced, with a slow burn that gradually builds to a thrilling climax.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of the psychological impact of trauma and loss. Alexis's own personal struggles with grief and guilt add depth and complexity to her character. The author skillfully weaves together the past and present, revealing how past events continue to shape the present.

While the plot may be somewhat predictable at times, the suspenseful atmosphere and the well-developed characters make up for it. Forest of Regrets is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who appreciate a well-crafted mystery with a dark and twisted ending.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8 stars

Agent Alexis Forrest is back with a vengeance on a new case that has her doing what she does best finding missing persons. Ryan McAllister has disappeared after leaving his home with his newborn daughter in the dead of night, leaving his son and wife Jessica home alone. For Alexis, it stirs what happened to her sister making it easy for her to relate to Jessica. Can she find out what happened? Ms. Gable knows how to draw a reader into her storyline as she weaves a web of intrigue infused with drama, suspense, amazing character development, and unexpected twists that has any reader turning the pages as fast as possible to see where the journey goes. Her use of words creates a living, breathing immersive environment that only heightens this slow burn. If you enjoy a psychological thriller with some dark elements and twists thrown into the mix, then this is one to add to your shelf.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest of Regrets is the sixth book in this series which continues the thrilling FBI case Detective Alexis Forrest attempts to solve which focuses on the double kidnapping of a father, Ryan, and his one month old daughter, Isabel, who disappear from their truck in the night. Ryan's wife, Jessica, reports their disappearance to the local authorities who contact Alexis. This well written and enjoyable crime thriller has mystery, lies, secrets, danger, unexpected plot twists, and the continuation of the romantic relationship between Mitch and Alexis. The book ends on a cliffhanger which will continue in the next book, Forest of
Deception.
I received a book via the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit reticent to read this book as "Alexis", the main character has so many issues that I get frustrated. She puts herself in harms way too often and has a sense that "she alone can fix it". Maybe a bit dramatic on my part but ..... whatever.

I did enjoy the book as Alexis actually got her head out of her..... and started a journey of healing. After six of these books, it is about time. I will give her another chance but will have to wait well into 2025. "and so go the days of our lives"

[Robin Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story but bad procedure - read on KU

The story line here was dent and the twist was OK. However, it just isn't plausible that Alexis would still be doing so much on her own or leading a multi-agency take down with no more than a year's experience. In addition, she speaks to the SAC of her field office like the chain of command is just a suggestion. Her behavior wouldn't fly in the FBI in multiple ways. And she still is giving Mitch grief when he asks her to be safe. She's still unreasonable in her relationship with him.

[Karen Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in The Alexis Forrest FBI Mystery Thriller Series and is a must-read.

The disappearance of Ryan McAllister and his two-week-old daughter, Isabel, leaves behind a trail of anguish and terror. FBI Agent Alexis Forrest faces more than she bargained for as she navigates through secrets and lies. I'm usually good at working things out but I hadn't got a clue with this one. This spine-chilling read is truly unputdownable.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The disappearance of  Ryan McAllister and his two week old daughter Isabel leaves a trail of anguish and terror. FBI Agent Alexis Forrest has more than what she bargained for as she has to deal with secrets and lies. A spine chilling read which is unputdownable.  I received this ARC copy and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is another suspense story. alexis is asked to look into the disappearance of a father and his 2 week old daughter. the more she looks into it the stranger things get. did he disappear on his own or was he taken? could not put the book down if you like suspense you will want to read the book

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an addictive series, can't wait for the next book to come out. The plot line of the book makes for interesting reading that keeps you turning the pages and the surprise at the end was not expected. There is a teaser at the end for the next book and since Alexis is obsessed about find missing persons, you know there will be another adventrure.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexis Forrest FBI agent is helping with a father and baby that go missing. She finds a trail of drugs and human trafficking. A heart pounding thriller that keeps your interest. Agent Forrest is relentless when she is on a case.

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book six in the Alexis Forrest FBI series. It’s a chilling story of a missing baby and her dad. The plot was so exciting and well developed. The drama, suspense, twists and turns kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. It’s a must-read psychological thriller.

[Laura Gimbel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Alexis Forrest, works for the FBI. Takes her job very seriously and doesn’t stop until the case is solved. Kidnapping, drug bust, so much going on and very fast paced.
I definitely recommend this book and can’t wait to read the next.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest of Regrets has all the elements I look for in a good story. Alexis Forrest is one of my favorite characters. This book continues to tell the story of Alexis struggles with her sister’s death and righting the wrong of the accused. The ending was a good twist.

[Norma Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Had a twist closer to the end that I did not see coming. I recommend anyone who loves mysterious, thrillers start reading Kate Bold's 📚. She is an awesome writer. Can't wait for the next book in any of her series.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC

First time I have reqd this Author. This is book 6. Even though its part if a series I didn’t feel I was missing anything. Agent Forrest is an FBI agent who is called in for find a father and daughter who are missing. I enjoyed the storyline and will definitely reqd the precious books

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forest of Regrets

Thrilling and deceptively delicious you can't stop until you finish. Well developed characters that are loyal, determined and tenacious. Fantastic must read series. Enjoy

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a mother reports her husband and young baby are missing Alexis is straight on the case. The more Alexis looks into the more she realises that something isn’t right. This is a tough case for Alexis but she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. A great page turner of a read.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thrilling and exciting addition to the series that keeps you on the edge of the seat.

I love how Kate weaves the tale that keeps one guessing whodunit, the suspense is worthy of the read eyebrows the unexpected twists.

[Jenn Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this! I have really enjoyed Alexis, her determination, and that attitude of never giving up. I was again pulled into the case, the twists, the guessing, and the coaster that this read takes us on! I also like that she has someone in her life that helps keep her life balanced and strong. We get those little bits of emotion as she thinks about her past, the loss she and her family experienced, and how what happened then has built who she is now. It's another great read in this series.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another well written mystery featuring Alexis Forest and disappearing people. This one isn’t quite as suspenseful as the first five, but Alexis remains an intriguing character and the mystery has a couple of surprises that I didn’t see coming.

[Robin Tellier · Rating 5 out of 5]

can’t wait for the next book

Amazing 🤩 absolutely amazing. Every book is getting better and better and I can’t wait. Force of deception is released so I can. Start reading it until then. I guess I will have to start her new series and hope that; that one is just as good.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous 5 books because the primary focus investigation was closed at the end of five, so that tension that made the other books so addictive is no longer part of this story. Still it was an enjoyable read.

[Lisa Naumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mystery with some unexpected plot twists.