What do you think?
Rate this book
Pennsylvania Parks #1
Grave Pursuits: Pennsylvania Parks, Book 1
Some secrets refuse to stay buried. Some killers never stop.
When DCNR Ranger Emily Davis discovers a human skull buried in the Pennsylvania wilderness, she unwittingly exposes a decades-old crime and a serial killer who has been using her park as a dumping ground. As more remains are uncovered, one set is traced to a long-forgotten cold case involving a missing judge, a mystery that now appears to be just one piece of a disturbing pattern. Clues suggest the judge’s disappearance is connected to several other missing persons cases—each one pointing to a predator who has gone undetected for years.
State Police Sergeant Wade Brunner has spent years chasing justice, but this case is personal. Not only is Emily the woman he never stopped loving, but working alongside her stirs memories of the one case that still haunts them both—Emily’s missing sister, Nora. While her disappearance remains separate from the murders, every uncovered body forces Emily to relive the trauma of losing her sister.
As they work to unravel the threads of a case spanning years and victims, Wade and Emily must confront their past, their faith, and a relentless killer who has no intention of stopping.
But the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes. Someone is watching. Someone is hunting. And Emily may be the next to vanish.
For fans of Colleen Coble, Lisa Phillips, and Susan May Warren, Grave Pursuits is a riveting Christian suspense novel where past sins refuse to stay buried, and faith is the only thing standing between justice and death.
When DCNR Ranger Emily Davis discovers a human skull buried in the Pennsylvania wilderness, she unwittingly exposes a decades-old crime and a serial killer who has been using her park as a dumping ground. As more remains are uncovered, one set is traced to a long-forgotten cold case involving a missing judge, a mystery that now appears to be just one piece of a disturbing pattern. Clues suggest the judge’s disappearance is connected to several other missing persons cases—each one pointing to a predator who has gone undetected for years.
State Police Sergeant Wade Brunner has spent years chasing justice, but this case is personal. Not only is Emily the woman he never stopped loving, but working alongside her stirs memories of the one case that still haunts them both—Emily’s missing sister, Nora. While her disappearance remains separate from the murders, every uncovered body forces Emily to relive the trauma of losing her sister.
As they work to unravel the threads of a case spanning years and victims, Wade and Emily must confront their past, their faith, and a relentless killer who has no intention of stopping.
But the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes. Someone is watching. Someone is hunting. And Emily may be the next to vanish.
For fans of Colleen Coble, Lisa Phillips, and Susan May Warren, Grave Pursuits is a riveting Christian suspense novel where past sins refuse to stay buried, and faith is the only thing standing between justice and death.
Audible Audio
First published January 2, 2023
188 people are currently reading
1957 people want to read
About the author
Elle E. Kay
34 books408 followersElle E. Kay is an Angel Award-winning Christian fiction author known for her gripping suspense and engaging romance novels. She lives on a hobby farm in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, three dogs, and a variety of farm animals. A devoted follower of Christ, Elle is actively involved in her church's youth ministry and shares her love of Jesus through music.
Her writing journey began with non-fiction, poetry, and children's books before she made her Christian fiction debut in 2016. Since then, she has written 24 novels in the genre.
Elle is the author of the Endless Mountain and Pennsylvania Parks series, both romantic suspense collections set in Pennsylvania’s scenic Appalachians.
In addition to her solo projects, she has contributed to several multi-author series, including the Lawkeeper series (three contemporary and four historical novellas), Blushing Brides (two novels), Heroes of Freedom Ridge (three novels), and Christmas in Redemption Ridge (two novels). In October 2024, she contributed Midnight Offensive to the Silent Night anthology, part of the Winter Shivers collection.
Her stories seamlessly weave faith, suspense, and romance, offering readers thrilling narratives grounded in Christian values.
For updates on her latest works and upcoming releases, visit her website at elleekay.com.
Her writing journey began with non-fiction, poetry, and children's books before she made her Christian fiction debut in 2016. Since then, she has written 24 novels in the genre.
Elle is the author of the Endless Mountain and Pennsylvania Parks series, both romantic suspense collections set in Pennsylvania’s scenic Appalachians.
In addition to her solo projects, she has contributed to several multi-author series, including the Lawkeeper series (three contemporary and four historical novellas), Blushing Brides (two novels), Heroes of Freedom Ridge (three novels), and Christmas in Redemption Ridge (two novels). In October 2024, she contributed Midnight Offensive to the Silent Night anthology, part of the Winter Shivers collection.
Her stories seamlessly weave faith, suspense, and romance, offering readers thrilling narratives grounded in Christian values.
For updates on her latest works and upcoming releases, visit her website at elleekay.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 26, 2024
Lots of great faith content. The main character Emily drove me nuts. She never took her safety seriously. Something really awful happens and it was really depressing.
December 28, 2022
This is a well written book with strong characters in Emily and Wade. The author does a fantastic job building the story and pulled me in with the thrilling storyline. She brings an action packed story with suspense and had me glued to the pages reading. Add in the second chance romance and she delivers an awesome read. She moves it fluidly with her detailed and descriptive scenes. Loved and recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
December 12, 2022
This is a fantastic serial killer suspense book! The characters are very realistic, and the plot was engaging. I couldn't put this book down. There was a lot of suspense as the characters raced to stop the serial killer. Although the first murders were 5 years old, the killer is now escalating. Emily works as a law enforcement officer in a state park in Pennsylvania. Wade was her high school sweetheart who broke her heart when he left her to enlist in the military. When Wade is assigned to the serial killer case (who is now a sergeant), they hadn't seen each other in 11 years. Can they work together on this case with all the old, unresolved feelings? Can they catch the killer before he kills again? Is the killer someone they know or someone out of the area who is using the park as a dumping ground? I liked Wade's character a lot. Emily was good at her job but she kind of drove me crazy when it came to how she treated Wade at times. Yeah, he broke her heart but that was high school, and she was going through an emotional time with something going on in her family. A lot of time has passed now and she just kept waffling with Wade which kind of bugged me! However, overall, I loved the book!
January 16, 2023
Author Elle E. Kay has written a delightfully chilling work of romantic suspense. There are several possible suspects, so I didn't know who Emily should watch out for. There are plot twists that kept me guessing. I liked both main characters. They hurt each other in the past, being too young to deal with tragedy and not knowing how to support someone going through it. I really, really wanted Emily and Wade to be able to forgive and have another chance at that HEA, and they have a great one.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and am sharing my opinion of this well-written book.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and am sharing my opinion of this well-written book.
March 30, 2025
WOW! What a great suspenseful read from a new to me author. I especially enjoyed having the story set in a Pennsylvania state park I camped at frequently during my childhood. I look forward to reading the rest of this series and exploring more books from this author.
September 6, 2024
I loved the setting and nod to hiking in this novel. Trying to figure out who the villain was kept my interest throughout.
April 17, 2023
I was provided a copy of this book by the author and the opinions are my own.
This is the first book I have read by this author and was pleasantly surprised at how it grabbed my interest from the start. The characters were realistic and the story kept me reading until the very last word. An intriguing mystery with just a little romance thrown in. Don’t skip this one!!
This is the first book I have read by this author and was pleasantly surprised at how it grabbed my interest from the start. The characters were realistic and the story kept me reading until the very last word. An intriguing mystery with just a little romance thrown in. Don’t skip this one!!
December 22, 2022
Good clean book!
Very intense storyline and great characters.
Emily is a DCNR rangers who finds a body while looking for a missing woman. She hasn’t seen Wade for eleven years after high school. Her younger sister went missing right before he enlisted. She couldn’t take all the loss and told him she didn’t want to see him anymore.
Unfortunately Wade comes back into Emily’s life when she least expects or wants it.
When multiple bodies are found, they realize they have stumbled onto something big and scary.
Can they find the killer before more women die?
*I received this book for free for my unbiased review.
Very intense storyline and great characters.
Emily is a DCNR rangers who finds a body while looking for a missing woman. She hasn’t seen Wade for eleven years after high school. Her younger sister went missing right before he enlisted. She couldn’t take all the loss and told him she didn’t want to see him anymore.
Unfortunately Wade comes back into Emily’s life when she least expects or wants it.
When multiple bodies are found, they realize they have stumbled onto something big and scary.
Can they find the killer before more women die?
*I received this book for free for my unbiased review.
December 23, 2022
Emily is a forest ranger. While looking for a missing hiker, she stumbles across a skull. This leads to finding other bodies buried in the national forest. The state police is called in to investigate. Wade is the lead detective. Wade and Emily were high school sweethearts. Emily's sister disappeared during Emily's senior year. She was devastated. Wade was planning to join the military. When he left, Emily felt betrayed. They haven't seen each other in 10 years. Now they must work together to find a serial killer.
This book kept me guessing as to who the killer might be. Suspenseful to the end!
This book kept me guessing as to who the killer might be. Suspenseful to the end!
January 5, 2023
This is the first book by this author I have read, and after reading this one, I will be reading more. This is a clean romance intertwined with faith and suspense. Emily is a park Ranger who stumbles upon a skull. The discovery escalates to the state level.and now the feds are involved, and her old boyfriend shows up. Together, they try to outrun the seriel killer before he strikes again or at her. Will they be able to find the serial killer and rekindle their relationship. This story will gripe you and keep you glued to the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 3, 2023
Ist in a new series. Fantastic, griping read. Would recommend to anyone that likes romantic suspense stories.
When Emily Davis, park ranger, finds a skull in her park, it sets a series of find that are very disturbing, When Wade Brunner shows up as a detective on the case, she is shocked to see she still has feelings for him. He is clearly still in love with her,but she doesn't want to get her heart broken again.
The serial killer is also watching her, will they be able to catch him before he catches her? This is a griping, fast paced thriller! I recomment it!
When Emily Davis, park ranger, finds a skull in her park, it sets a series of find that are very disturbing, When Wade Brunner shows up as a detective on the case, she is shocked to see she still has feelings for him. He is clearly still in love with her,but she doesn't want to get her heart broken again.
The serial killer is also watching her, will they be able to catch him before he catches her? This is a griping, fast paced thriller! I recomment it!
December 29, 2022
A romantic suspense with a murder to solve between former sweethearts kept me on the edge of my seat. I love romance and mysteries so this one was definitely one of my favorites. Wade and Emily end up working on a case together which is all kinds of awkward. There were moments of "I know that didn't just happen". Loved how the author wove into the story not only their romance but also the search for a serial killer.
December 31, 2022
I was surprised by how well crafted this clean romance was, in terms of reflecting not only the faith of the characters, but also their very human struggles and limitations, alongside their vulnerability, suspense and thriller elements, and well drawn characters with surprising personalities and plot twists.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2023
I had a BETA copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. As bodies are discovered in the state park, ranger Emily and her fellow rangers work with the state police, and in charge of the investigation is Wade, Emily’s former boyfriend who is still in love with her. The plot includes themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and trust in God. A book full of suspense and tender love. I’d recommend reading it.
January 4, 2023
This was a very good and well written murder mystery. The side love story between Wade and Emily was complicated but sweet. Emily is at risk because she is being targeted by a serial killer. Wade is a trooper assigned the case of the killers victims. Time is of the essence before someone else gets killed. There is loss and love. The killer was hard to pin down and it was very surprising who it is.
December 11, 2022
A serial killer on the loose and burying his victims in the National Park where Ranger Emily works. When her sweetheart from high school, police state Wade is assigned to the case, can they both work together and trust God to help them find the killer before is too late? A romantic suspense thriller worth reading it
December 12, 2022
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.
I don't read many truly suspenseful stories, but I do enjoy watching mystery and suspense TV shows and movies. I'm not new to the genre.
This was well done—both the suspenseful storyline and second-chance romance one.
Oh my! The culprit was not my number one suspect, but it didn't come out of the blue.
Very well done!
I don't read many truly suspenseful stories, but I do enjoy watching mystery and suspense TV shows and movies. I'm not new to the genre.
This was well done—both the suspenseful storyline and second-chance romance one.
Oh my! The culprit was not my number one suspect, but it didn't come out of the blue.
Very well done!
January 1, 2023
A real page turner from start to finish.
This is packed with drama, suspense, danger, intrigue, murder and romance. Wade and Emily, former high school sweethearts, reconnect when a body is found at her work site. Loads of suspects, red herrings and unexpected twists. Gripping story throughout.
I received an ARC of this book from Booksprout but voluntarily leave this review.
This is packed with drama, suspense, danger, intrigue, murder and romance. Wade and Emily, former high school sweethearts, reconnect when a body is found at her work site. Loads of suspects, red herrings and unexpected twists. Gripping story throughout.
I received an ARC of this book from Booksprout but voluntarily leave this review.
December 7, 2024
Grave Pursuits by Elle E Kay is my first time reading this author, but it won't be my last. The action in this book was non-stop. A real page turner. The plot was somewhat scary because it's stuff that's happening in this day and age.
But the twist at the end blew me away. I wasn't expecting it.
But the twist at the end blew me away. I wasn't expecting it.
January 3, 2023
This story is so intriguing with edge of your seat excitement. I liked the characters and that they had a history. Kate and Wade have so much in common, their faith, their history and now they have to find the murderer while trying to stay alive.
February 1, 2023
Very captivating
Grave Pursuits was an excellent book. Elle E. Kay did a great job of keeping you guessing who the suspect was. Not until close to the end does it come to light. Most importantly, was how she kept the gospel woven into the story. Job well done!
Grave Pursuits was an excellent book. Elle E. Kay did a great job of keeping you guessing who the suspect was. Not until close to the end does it come to light. Most importantly, was how she kept the gospel woven into the story. Job well done!
December 29, 2022
Fast paced and intense this Christian suspense novel will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
April 19, 2024
Grave Pursuits is the first book of the Pennsylvania Parks Series and also the first book I’ve read by Elle E. Kay.
This is a Christian romantic suspense novel and I do have to say that there were parts I liked more than others.
The suspense part of the book is done well and I kept turning pages, wanting to find out who the killer is. The book is written in third person and some chapters are from the serial killer’s POV, but we don’t know who he ist, only learning more about some side characters as the story progresses. I think the author gave the killer’s identity up a tiny tad too early, because I was still not sure about it and guessing between a few guys and I think one or two scenes more being unaware of this would have added to the tension. But I still think this storyline was well written I also appreciated that while there were absolutely awful things happening, considering we’re dealing with a serial killer, these things (mostly) didn’t happen on page.
What I struggled with was the romance. In the beginning I liked Emily and I could empathize with her and how closed off she was towards Wade. But I grew more and more annoyed by her, thinking she acted like a spoiled teenager who doesn’t know what she wants. It was a back and forth with her that was simply not comprehensible. She was adamant about wanting one thing only to change her mind totally out of the blue. There were just a lot of things I didn’t understand in her thoughts, words and actions. She was extremely and unreasonably jealous even on behalf of other people or when she and Wade weren’t even dating, kind of self absorbed (for example accusing Wade of withholding information when he was literally not allowed to share it) and I really didn’t like her in the end and thought Wade could do much better. At least at one point she acknowledges her stupid behavior -
- but sadly it didn’t make up for all the eye rolling I had to do because of her.
One example of her confusing reasoning (all in her head of course, because open communication isn’t really her thing):
Why would a Christian woman even pursue a “casual relationship”? Shouldn’t we look for a life partner OR stay single and celibate and not buy into this worldly view of fleeting and interchangeable relationships?
Also like she said - Wade hadn’t said anything in this direction. Why assume if she marries him she has to stay home and give up her career? The next situation she’s alone with Wade she doesn’t try to talk to him about it. No, she kisses him, either having no self control at all or having forgotten about this “big obstacle” that isn’t really addressed again later in the book… Her mental ping pong kind of gave me a headache.
So the romance threw me off multiple times and it didn’t help that random people, sometimes even strangers, were asking about or commenting on their relationship/dating life/attraction towards each other without any reason to or in totally inappropriate situations (like after a murder victim was found or someone was abducted).
So I would have enjoyed the novel much more without the whole romance part. Except for Emily I liked most characters (obviously not all, considering there are side characters potential suspects for being the serial killer) and I appreciated the faith elements in this story and how each character dealt with doubts, beliefs, forgiving, growing in faith differently. I also enjoyed reading Elle E. Kay’s personal testimony which is included in the author’s notes. I tried to take all parts - suspense, romance, faith - into account for my rating.
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
This is a Christian romantic suspense novel and I do have to say that there were parts I liked more than others.
The suspense part of the book is done well and I kept turning pages, wanting to find out who the killer is. The book is written in third person and some chapters are from the serial killer’s POV, but we don’t know who he ist, only learning more about some side characters as the story progresses. I think the author gave the killer’s identity up a tiny tad too early, because I was still not sure about it and guessing between a few guys and I think one or two scenes more being unaware of this would have added to the tension. But I still think this storyline was well written I also appreciated that while there were absolutely awful things happening, considering we’re dealing with a serial killer, these things (mostly) didn’t happen on page.
What I struggled with was the romance. In the beginning I liked Emily and I could empathize with her and how closed off she was towards Wade. But I grew more and more annoyed by her, thinking she acted like a spoiled teenager who doesn’t know what she wants. It was a back and forth with her that was simply not comprehensible. She was adamant about wanting one thing only to change her mind totally out of the blue. There were just a lot of things I didn’t understand in her thoughts, words and actions. She was extremely and unreasonably jealous even on behalf of other people or when she and Wade weren’t even dating, kind of self absorbed (for example accusing Wade of withholding information when he was literally not allowed to share it) and I really didn’t like her in the end and thought Wade could do much better. At least at one point she acknowledges her stupid behavior -
“I behaved like a child.”
- but sadly it didn’t make up for all the eye rolling I had to do because of her.
One example of her confusing reasoning (all in her head of course, because open communication isn’t really her thing):
“She wanted to throw caution to the wind and agree to another date, but Wade wasn’t looking for a casual relationship. He wanted a wife and children. She’d made the decision years earlier not to give up her career for a man. She yearned for a husband and kids, but the cost was too great. He’d expect her to stay home. They hadn’t discussed it.”
Why would a Christian woman even pursue a “casual relationship”? Shouldn’t we look for a life partner OR stay single and celibate and not buy into this worldly view of fleeting and interchangeable relationships?
Also like she said - Wade hadn’t said anything in this direction. Why assume if she marries him she has to stay home and give up her career? The next situation she’s alone with Wade she doesn’t try to talk to him about it. No, she kisses him, either having no self control at all or having forgotten about this “big obstacle” that isn’t really addressed again later in the book… Her mental ping pong kind of gave me a headache.
So the romance threw me off multiple times and it didn’t help that random people, sometimes even strangers, were asking about or commenting on their relationship/dating life/attraction towards each other without any reason to or in totally inappropriate situations (like after a murder victim was found or someone was abducted).
So I would have enjoyed the novel much more without the whole romance part. Except for Emily I liked most characters (obviously not all, considering there are side characters potential suspects for being the serial killer) and I appreciated the faith elements in this story and how each character dealt with doubts, beliefs, forgiving, growing in faith differently. I also enjoyed reading Elle E. Kay’s personal testimony which is included in the author’s notes. I tried to take all parts - suspense, romance, faith - into account for my rating.
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
February 26, 2025
I can't decide whether I liked this book or not. The writing seemed uneven to me, some was great and other parts ... just weren't.
What I liked:
The hero - Wade.
His rapport with his partner Jamie.
The dialogue, mostly.
The characters felt real.
The investigation / law enforcement angle of the story. It came across as more true-to-life than many in this genre, the timeline especially.
What I didn't like:
The "heroine" - Emily. Ugh. Though a capable park ranger, she got on my nerves. Yes, she and Wade had a painful history. 11 years earlier. But she was behaving like a sulky teenager. The chapters told from her perspective were mostly empty of any real action outside of her job. It was a lot of her rehashing her jumbled feelings and blaming Wade. She knew what she should do, needed to do, but just never did. Those things did get reconciled, but not out of her intention. Part of me wanted Wade to get over her and find someone else.
At times the book was a bit preachy. I would rather see the characters live out the faith points than read what felt like a short bible study, especially with scripture references (to me, those break the flow of the story).
Similarly, it felt like the author had a bone to pick about church doctrine. That phrase came up more than once, which was strange for a suspense novel. When Wade invited Emily to church, she kinda jumped down his throat about it, which seemed like an overreaction. Not a very Jesus-y response if you ask me.
I thought the story could've used a bit more padding on 2 points. In the investigation, a couple of the victims were only mentioned briefly - and the connective details just once, I think - so when Wade's team made the connection I was both surprised and a little confused because I didn't remember those names or the items they spoke of. Also Wade and Emily's relationship seemed to swing unpredictably between warm and cool. Without much build-up or subsequent explanation, their responses to each other were often not what I expected.
Overall, what I liked in this book, I liked a lot. So I intend to finish the series. But I don't think I'll pick up any more books by author.
What I liked:
The hero - Wade.
His rapport with his partner Jamie.
The dialogue, mostly.
The characters felt real.
The investigation / law enforcement angle of the story. It came across as more true-to-life than many in this genre, the timeline especially.
What I didn't like:
The "heroine" - Emily. Ugh. Though a capable park ranger, she got on my nerves. Yes, she and Wade had a painful history. 11 years earlier. But she was behaving like a sulky teenager. The chapters told from her perspective were mostly empty of any real action outside of her job. It was a lot of her rehashing her jumbled feelings and blaming Wade. She knew what she should do, needed to do, but just never did. Those things did get reconciled, but not out of her intention. Part of me wanted Wade to get over her and find someone else.
At times the book was a bit preachy. I would rather see the characters live out the faith points than read what felt like a short bible study, especially with scripture references (to me, those break the flow of the story).
Similarly, it felt like the author had a bone to pick about church doctrine. That phrase came up more than once, which was strange for a suspense novel. When Wade invited Emily to church, she kinda jumped down his throat about it, which seemed like an overreaction. Not a very Jesus-y response if you ask me.
I thought the story could've used a bit more padding on 2 points. In the investigation, a couple of the victims were only mentioned briefly - and the connective details just once, I think - so when Wade's team made the connection I was both surprised and a little confused because I didn't remember those names or the items they spoke of. Also Wade and Emily's relationship seemed to swing unpredictably between warm and cool. Without much build-up or subsequent explanation, their responses to each other were often not what I expected.
Overall, what I liked in this book, I liked a lot. So I intend to finish the series. But I don't think I'll pick up any more books by author.
May 22, 2025
🕯️Review🕯️
First of all, thank you to Elle for chatting with me when we met! It was such a pleasure to meet you! It’s incredible how God works to interconnect our lives. It was a blessing! Also, thank you for sending me the other two books and the bookish goodies 💜 If you’re looking for a spooky book set in Pennsylvania that interweaves the lives of a park ranger and state police officer, this is the book for you! Wow, this book was incredible. From the faith content to the heart-racing mystery, I was hooked. Also, for my audiobook lovers, I tandem read/listened to this book. The audiobook is awesome!
First of all, I was riveted by the mystery. Elle E. Kay grips her readers with twisty moments and creepy events. The fact that this book involves a state park invokes a suspenseful feeling all throughout. You’ll be intrigued from page one.
Next, I loved the romance. I especially loved how both main characters were passionate about Christ. This was incredibly touching as they rekindled their relationship. From the protective nature of Wade to the scenes at church, I ate it up! If you want a raw, emotional, and realistic romance, this is it
Also, I loved all the Pennsylvania references. I can’t express how fun it was to read a book about my home state. Pennsylvania will always have my heart. The Wawa coffee trips, (coffee gas station girl right here!), the DCNR lingo, and the Pennsylvania places had me so excited.
Finally, if you read this book to the end, you will find Elle E. Kay’s testimony. I was so touched that she chose to include this in her story. I can tell that Christ is the center of Elle’s life. What a wonderful testament to Christ—our beloved Father 💜 Elle, the world needs authors like you! Thank you for writing stories 🫶
Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl
CW: This book deals with heavy themes, such as serial murders, serial killers, grief, death, and kidnapping. DM me if you want specific details!
First of all, thank you to Elle for chatting with me when we met! It was such a pleasure to meet you! It’s incredible how God works to interconnect our lives. It was a blessing! Also, thank you for sending me the other two books and the bookish goodies 💜 If you’re looking for a spooky book set in Pennsylvania that interweaves the lives of a park ranger and state police officer, this is the book for you! Wow, this book was incredible. From the faith content to the heart-racing mystery, I was hooked. Also, for my audiobook lovers, I tandem read/listened to this book. The audiobook is awesome!
First of all, I was riveted by the mystery. Elle E. Kay grips her readers with twisty moments and creepy events. The fact that this book involves a state park invokes a suspenseful feeling all throughout. You’ll be intrigued from page one.
Next, I loved the romance. I especially loved how both main characters were passionate about Christ. This was incredibly touching as they rekindled their relationship. From the protective nature of Wade to the scenes at church, I ate it up! If you want a raw, emotional, and realistic romance, this is it
Also, I loved all the Pennsylvania references. I can’t express how fun it was to read a book about my home state. Pennsylvania will always have my heart. The Wawa coffee trips, (coffee gas station girl right here!), the DCNR lingo, and the Pennsylvania places had me so excited.
Finally, if you read this book to the end, you will find Elle E. Kay’s testimony. I was so touched that she chose to include this in her story. I can tell that Christ is the center of Elle’s life. What a wonderful testament to Christ—our beloved Father 💜 Elle, the world needs authors like you! Thank you for writing stories 🫶
Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl
CW: This book deals with heavy themes, such as serial murders, serial killers, grief, death, and kidnapping. DM me if you want specific details!
September 9, 2024
3.5 stars
"Did the blood of the victims buried here cry out to God like the blood of Abel had?"
When park ranger Emily Davis stumbles in the woods while looking for a missing hiker, what she initially assumed was a rock, turned out to be something far more sinister; a human skull. Detective Wade Brunner shows up to investigate the grisly scene, causing Emily's heart to nearly stop for the second time in one day; he had captured her young heart all those years ago, only to toss it aside . . . . . . . now all grown up, and here in her space. Had he forgotten all about her? She thought . . . even assumed . . . that he had.
Emily Davis. How she could still take his breath away . . . except that her current demeanor didn't exactly exude excitement over seeing him again. In fact, she seemed very cozy with another ranger. Fine . . . they had a job to do, solving what was probably going to be a murder . . .. except it turned into much, much more; both on professional and personal levels. Hickory Run State Park had buried its closely guarded secrets in graves that begged to be pursued and exposed . . . . like yesterday.
Do Emily and Wade risk a second chance at love? How many women are going to die before a serial killer is brought to justice? Where to begin. How will it end?
A quick, meaningful and somewhat intense-at-times story that is attention grabbing without speeding past the human element, purposefully nourishing the reader with faith lessons along the trail to truth, for "trusting God with all your heart" is "easier to say than do."
"Did the blood of the victims buried here cry out to God like the blood of Abel had?"
When park ranger Emily Davis stumbles in the woods while looking for a missing hiker, what she initially assumed was a rock, turned out to be something far more sinister; a human skull. Detective Wade Brunner shows up to investigate the grisly scene, causing Emily's heart to nearly stop for the second time in one day; he had captured her young heart all those years ago, only to toss it aside . . . . . . . now all grown up, and here in her space. Had he forgotten all about her? She thought . . . even assumed . . . that he had.
Emily Davis. How she could still take his breath away . . . except that her current demeanor didn't exactly exude excitement over seeing him again. In fact, she seemed very cozy with another ranger. Fine . . . they had a job to do, solving what was probably going to be a murder . . .. except it turned into much, much more; both on professional and personal levels. Hickory Run State Park had buried its closely guarded secrets in graves that begged to be pursued and exposed . . . . like yesterday.
Do Emily and Wade risk a second chance at love? How many women are going to die before a serial killer is brought to justice? Where to begin. How will it end?
A quick, meaningful and somewhat intense-at-times story that is attention grabbing without speeding past the human element, purposefully nourishing the reader with faith lessons along the trail to truth, for "trusting God with all your heart" is "easier to say than do."
December 11, 2024
I listened to the audiobook and WOW! Five stars for the story and the narration.
This book kept me guessing. I don't read a lot of murder mysteries, but I was so immersed in the story that I was a little jumpy from time to time as I was alone at home during a large portion of listening.
There are some hard things that happen, I didn't full-on cry, but I did tear up a time or two. This book is about catching a serial killer and keeping a woman safe while the investigation is ongoing. Things get messy and intense! There is a little sweet, second-chance romance thrown in to the story too.
I appreciate that the author keeps as good element of Christian faith sprinkled throughout the story. This was the first book I've read by Elle E. Kay and I enjoyed it so much, I'm excited about continuing the stories and seeing what other books of hers I can add to my TBR.
CONTENT WARNING:
This is a story about catching a serial killer. Yes, there is mention of how the victims died, but it is not described in a way that is graphic or gory. Two people die due to being shot in the story and those scenes are very well-written and not overly descriptive. The author does an excellent job at sharing the facts and not making the scene too messy for the reader.
I received a complimentary audio-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This review, thoughts, and opinions about the book are my own.
This book kept me guessing. I don't read a lot of murder mysteries, but I was so immersed in the story that I was a little jumpy from time to time as I was alone at home during a large portion of listening.
There are some hard things that happen, I didn't full-on cry, but I did tear up a time or two. This book is about catching a serial killer and keeping a woman safe while the investigation is ongoing. Things get messy and intense! There is a little sweet, second-chance romance thrown in to the story too.
I appreciate that the author keeps as good element of Christian faith sprinkled throughout the story. This was the first book I've read by Elle E. Kay and I enjoyed it so much, I'm excited about continuing the stories and seeing what other books of hers I can add to my TBR.
CONTENT WARNING:
This is a story about catching a serial killer. Yes, there is mention of how the victims died, but it is not described in a way that is graphic or gory. Two people die due to being shot in the story and those scenes are very well-written and not overly descriptive. The author does an excellent job at sharing the facts and not making the scene too messy for the reader.
I received a complimentary audio-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This review, thoughts, and opinions about the book are my own.
December 8, 2024
Who has been killing women and leaving their bodies in the state park? How many women, and how long has this been going on? Who can stop the escalating killer before he takes out the park ranger attempting to catch him?
This is my first book by Elle E Kay, and it won't be my last! The characters are well thought out and very human (all the way down to some of their more agitating characteristics). The settings seem beautiful (sans a lurking serial killer). The plot is swift moving and leaves you wanting to devour the book to figure out the ending.
One of my favorite parts of this book is how both the MCs had a solid relationship with God. Most Christian fiction has one strong believer and one embittered believer who- going through difficult life situations - has become disillusioned with God. It was so nice to see both characters depending on God throughout and STILL have growth in their relationship with Him.
I also was not entirely sure who the killer was when it was finally revealed. I was shocked at the point it was revealed as I had narrowed down my suspect list. However, I was still undecided.
Overall, a very enjoyable read! I do plan to continue this series and check out some others by the author.
Thanks to Elle E Kay for an ARC audiobook version of this story. All of the opinions are my own.
This is my first book by Elle E Kay, and it won't be my last! The characters are well thought out and very human (all the way down to some of their more agitating characteristics). The settings seem beautiful (sans a lurking serial killer). The plot is swift moving and leaves you wanting to devour the book to figure out the ending.
One of my favorite parts of this book is how both the MCs had a solid relationship with God. Most Christian fiction has one strong believer and one embittered believer who- going through difficult life situations - has become disillusioned with God. It was so nice to see both characters depending on God throughout and STILL have growth in their relationship with Him.
I also was not entirely sure who the killer was when it was finally revealed. I was shocked at the point it was revealed as I had narrowed down my suspect list. However, I was still undecided.
Overall, a very enjoyable read! I do plan to continue this series and check out some others by the author.
Thanks to Elle E Kay for an ARC audiobook version of this story. All of the opinions are my own.
December 8, 2024
Just the facts, ma'am!
This tightly written police procedural starts with a missing hiker in a state park. The Ranger searching for her stumbles upon a human skull--and then, things really start to get interesting! The interjurisdictional investigation is handled quite well by all the parties, contrary to many novels that focus on friction. That's not to say that individuals don't become obnoxious, but focus on the initial crime, which rapidly becomes multiple killings, is not distracted by infighting.
There's a lot going on here. A solid Christian viewpoint is being presented, again without diverting from the story itself, but as part of the characters' inner belief systems that drive them in their daily lives. The well-developed characters have a lot to come to grips with as they face the current case and deal with a number of unresolved past issues. I had read the book when it first came out, and enjoyed it then, but listening to the well narrated audio version gave me an extra appreciation of some of its nuances.
This tightly written police procedural starts with a missing hiker in a state park. The Ranger searching for her stumbles upon a human skull--and then, things really start to get interesting! The interjurisdictional investigation is handled quite well by all the parties, contrary to many novels that focus on friction. That's not to say that individuals don't become obnoxious, but focus on the initial crime, which rapidly becomes multiple killings, is not distracted by infighting.
There's a lot going on here. A solid Christian viewpoint is being presented, again without diverting from the story itself, but as part of the characters' inner belief systems that drive them in their daily lives. The well-developed characters have a lot to come to grips with as they face the current case and deal with a number of unresolved past issues. I had read the book when it first came out, and enjoyed it then, but listening to the well narrated audio version gave me an extra appreciation of some of its nuances.
November 27, 2024
Giving this 4 starts here but originally rated it 4.5 stars. It was easy to keep the pages turning for the fast pacing and straight-forward writing style. Definitely easy to binge read. It had some thrilling and unexpected moments. I read this listening to true crime music, which I recommend and believe enhanced my reading experience.
I appreciated the Christian content demonstrated by both the FMC and MMC. The romance was simple. Really, all the elements of this book were to the point and direct yet effective enough. This book could have used some more fluff, if that makes sense. Not lowering my rating for this criticism below a 4 star because overall the book was consistent and I enjoyed it!
Content Guide:
Romance: clean
Language: clean
Violence: brief & non-graphic
Faith: medium amount
CW: stalking & murder
Tropes & Themes:
- outdoorsy/small town aesthetic
- second chance romance
- park ranger FMC
- detective MMC
I appreciated the Christian content demonstrated by both the FMC and MMC. The romance was simple. Really, all the elements of this book were to the point and direct yet effective enough. This book could have used some more fluff, if that makes sense. Not lowering my rating for this criticism below a 4 star because overall the book was consistent and I enjoyed it!
Content Guide:
Romance: clean
Language: clean
Violence: brief & non-graphic
Faith: medium amount
CW: stalking & murder
Tropes & Themes:
- outdoorsy/small town aesthetic
- second chance romance
- park ranger FMC
- detective MMC
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews