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Noelle Marshall #3
Until She Dies
Detective Noelle Marshall and FBI Agent Max Rhodes unearth bodies and secrets as they become targets of a serial killer in a chilling novel of suspense by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
When a search dog locates a mass burial ground in the Oregon forest, Detective Noelle Marshall is plunged into a hunt for a killer who’s hiding in plain sight. The key to her case lies in a decades-old a lone survivor who escaped and is still out there, living in fear. The murderer is a phantom who left behind a collection of victims with nothing in common but their final resting place.
As pressure mounts to identify the bodies and find the killer, the investigation draws in FBI Agent Max Rhodes—Noelle’s partner in work and in life. They’ve hunted monsters before, but this one has spent years preparing for this moment, and he craves revenge. As the search narrows and the clock tightens, Noelle and Max must confront a predator who knows the terrain—and their weaknesses—better than they do.
When a search dog locates a mass burial ground in the Oregon forest, Detective Noelle Marshall is plunged into a hunt for a killer who’s hiding in plain sight. The key to her case lies in a decades-old a lone survivor who escaped and is still out there, living in fear. The murderer is a phantom who left behind a collection of victims with nothing in common but their final resting place.
As pressure mounts to identify the bodies and find the killer, the investigation draws in FBI Agent Max Rhodes—Noelle’s partner in work and in life. They’ve hunted monsters before, but this one has spent years preparing for this moment, and he craves revenge. As the search narrows and the clock tightens, Noelle and Max must confront a predator who knows the terrain—and their weaknesses—better than they do.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Kendra Elliot
40 books6,996 followersAn Amazon #1 selling author, Kendra Elliot has sold over 14 Million books and been on the WSJ best seller more than a dozen times.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives, but spends most of the time in the high desert in flip flops.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
June 6, 2026
I was looking forward to this book. Noelle and Max have a true connection and the addition of the orphaned Emma made then a true family. To see them connect and be that for each other was great to see. But I really didn't like how this plot played out with Emma in danger, again. She was just beginning to come out of her shell and grow, and Ollie was just wonderful as her first date. Yeah, I am not at all happy how Elliot wrote this one.
When Noelle is on a walk in a remote area with Rowan and her search and rescue dog, Thor, he alerts on human remains and what he has founds turns out to be a serial killer's burial ground with bodies dating back years. That is only the start of a case that involves everyone and from which no one is untouched.
3 1/2-Stars
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
When Noelle is on a walk in a remote area with Rowan and her search and rescue dog, Thor, he alerts on human remains and what he has founds turns out to be a serial killer's burial ground with bodies dating back years. That is only the start of a case that involves everyone and from which no one is untouched.
3 1/2-Stars
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3⭐️This was a solid story with Noelle and Max but honestly I had a hard time following. It just felt like there were a few different, completely separate cases going on at the same time and the author never did anything to connect them?
We open with finding five bodies buried in the woods. The team gets to work on identifying them and during that process realize that the newest victim's young daughter is actually missing. And while there was a team trying to find her, Noelle and Max (he sometimes seemed to be??) weren't on that team so it didn't seem urgent? Like a missing child and they're all just waiting to speak to grandparents and neighbours before putting out an Amber Alert? Then there was all the stuff with Emma and Ollie and Emma's parents and at times it felt a little directionless
This story also falls victim to something I had in a mystery/detective series like this- in that in such a small town, there's just too much crime? Like every single character in this, whether they work in law enforcement or not, has been attacked, kidnapped, shot or stabbed- or all of the above. It's just so unrealistic that it takes me out of the story
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We open with finding five bodies buried in the woods. The team gets to work on identifying them and during that process realize that the newest victim's young daughter is actually missing. And while there was a team trying to find her, Noelle and Max (he sometimes seemed to be??) weren't on that team so it didn't seem urgent? Like a missing child and they're all just waiting to speak to grandparents and neighbours before putting out an Amber Alert? Then there was all the stuff with Emma and Ollie and Emma's parents and at times it felt a little directionless
This story also falls victim to something I had in a mystery/detective series like this- in that in such a small town, there's just too much crime? Like every single character in this, whether they work in law enforcement or not, has been attacked, kidnapped, shot or stabbed- or all of the above. It's just so unrealistic that it takes me out of the story
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own!
3.5⭐️. Going into this one, I was really excited to get back into Max and Noelle’s relationship and see where things would go after the first two books. I also really loved that Emma was brought into this story instead of just being left behind after book two. It made the series feel more connected, and I enjoyed getting to see more of her.
The book definitely grabbed my attention from page one, and for the most part, I stayed interested throughout. Normally, I absolutely love this series, but unfortunately this one just wasn’t the page-turner I was expecting it to be.
There were quite a few moments where I felt confused by everything going on. There was a LOT happening at once, with so much back and forth that I honestly wasn’t sure how everything was going to come together. It did all tie together in the end, but there were definitely points where I felt like my brain was exploding trying to keep track of everything. I didn’t have that same feeling with the previous two books.
That being said, I still enjoyed the story overall and thought the mystery was interesting. The beginning immediately pulled me in, and even when things got a little confusing, I still wanted to know how everything would play out.
Definitely not my favorite of the series so far, but I’m still invested in Max and Noelle and will absolutely be continuing!
3.5⭐️. Going into this one, I was really excited to get back into Max and Noelle’s relationship and see where things would go after the first two books. I also really loved that Emma was brought into this story instead of just being left behind after book two. It made the series feel more connected, and I enjoyed getting to see more of her.
The book definitely grabbed my attention from page one, and for the most part, I stayed interested throughout. Normally, I absolutely love this series, but unfortunately this one just wasn’t the page-turner I was expecting it to be.
There were quite a few moments where I felt confused by everything going on. There was a LOT happening at once, with so much back and forth that I honestly wasn’t sure how everything was going to come together. It did all tie together in the end, but there were definitely points where I felt like my brain was exploding trying to keep track of everything. I didn’t have that same feeling with the previous two books.
That being said, I still enjoyed the story overall and thought the mystery was interesting. The beginning immediately pulled me in, and even when things got a little confusing, I still wanted to know how everything would play out.
Definitely not my favorite of the series so far, but I’m still invested in Max and Noelle and will absolutely be continuing!
September 27, 2026
Before starring in her own series, Noelle Marshall appeared in Kendra Elliot’s Columbia River novels as a minor character. But don’t worry if you, like me, didn't read her prior series. You will be drawn into this new set of characters and events right away. Noelle is a fascinating and complex protagonist, but there's an equal amount of focus on Max Rhodes, the FBI agent who met her while investigating her in the opening installment of this series, HER FIRST MISTAKE.
Noelle was almost killed when her second husband was brutally murdered, but she also became a suspect in that case. The resulting concussion left her with some memory issues, but she has put the past behind her and works as a Deschutes County detective in Oregon. She moved from Sacramento, where she lived with her wealthy husband and his high-society family. Unlike that gilded existence, her life now has purpose.
Noelle inherited her late husband's millions and doesn't need to work, but she enjoys her job. So while she lives in a huge home and wears custom-made Italian suits, she also is down to earth and generous. She lives with Max, her boyfriend, and Emma, whom she met in a previous novel and who had a horrific childhood. Emma has been collecting stray animals, and everyone loves her cat, Cornbread.
Elliot opens UNTIL SHE DIES with a gruesome scene that is clearly labeled as happening 10 years ago. A lady named Crystal follows her husband and a woman from a bar expecting to find that he's having an affair. Instead, she sees them meet a man, and after arguing with her husband, the stranger shoots the woman. Crystal runs, but she is caught by the man, and we don't know what happens to her after that.
The action then switches to the present. Noelle is taking a walk in the forest with her friend, Rowan, and Rowan's search-and-rescue dog, Thor. Suddenly, Thor alerts them to a corpse. Then another. Noelle and Rowan realize they are standing on ground that is littered with buried bodies. It seems there is a serial killer.
But the bodies don't provide much information, and what they do offer is confusing. One of the deaths was recent, but others go back more than a decade. All of them are young females except for one, who is male. One is identified from her breast implants as Sydney Beason. Noelle can't understand why, if she died over a week ago, no one has reported her missing. Even more concerning is that when they go to Sydney's house, they see she has a young daughter who is nowhere to be found. Where is Belle?
This mystery is complex, and between the missing child, the bodies showing up, and people with false identities, there is a lot going on. We also are privy to Emma's growing romance with Ollie. Both are quiet and thoughtful young adults who have much in common. Ollie experienced severe childhood trauma, as did Emma. But Emma somehow is part of the whole mystery in ways that no one can divine.
Elliot manages to keep the different threads aligned perfectly as she also makes sporadic trips back in time so we get an idea of what happened to Crystal. UNTIL SHE DIES clearly demonstrates the importance of family --- no matter how that family was made or who the family members are --- and the love and caring that having a family provides. Elliot creates a balanced novel with an emphasis on the mystery, but also the development of the relationships in Noelle's makeshift family as she, Max and Emma (and, of course, the cat, horse, donkeys and goats) grow to trust each other and bond.
We want to keep reading this series as much for the fine writing as to keep track of Noelle and Max and see what the future holds for them.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
Noelle was almost killed when her second husband was brutally murdered, but she also became a suspect in that case. The resulting concussion left her with some memory issues, but she has put the past behind her and works as a Deschutes County detective in Oregon. She moved from Sacramento, where she lived with her wealthy husband and his high-society family. Unlike that gilded existence, her life now has purpose.
Noelle inherited her late husband's millions and doesn't need to work, but she enjoys her job. So while she lives in a huge home and wears custom-made Italian suits, she also is down to earth and generous. She lives with Max, her boyfriend, and Emma, whom she met in a previous novel and who had a horrific childhood. Emma has been collecting stray animals, and everyone loves her cat, Cornbread.
Elliot opens UNTIL SHE DIES with a gruesome scene that is clearly labeled as happening 10 years ago. A lady named Crystal follows her husband and a woman from a bar expecting to find that he's having an affair. Instead, she sees them meet a man, and after arguing with her husband, the stranger shoots the woman. Crystal runs, but she is caught by the man, and we don't know what happens to her after that.
The action then switches to the present. Noelle is taking a walk in the forest with her friend, Rowan, and Rowan's search-and-rescue dog, Thor. Suddenly, Thor alerts them to a corpse. Then another. Noelle and Rowan realize they are standing on ground that is littered with buried bodies. It seems there is a serial killer.
But the bodies don't provide much information, and what they do offer is confusing. One of the deaths was recent, but others go back more than a decade. All of them are young females except for one, who is male. One is identified from her breast implants as Sydney Beason. Noelle can't understand why, if she died over a week ago, no one has reported her missing. Even more concerning is that when they go to Sydney's house, they see she has a young daughter who is nowhere to be found. Where is Belle?
This mystery is complex, and between the missing child, the bodies showing up, and people with false identities, there is a lot going on. We also are privy to Emma's growing romance with Ollie. Both are quiet and thoughtful young adults who have much in common. Ollie experienced severe childhood trauma, as did Emma. But Emma somehow is part of the whole mystery in ways that no one can divine.
Elliot manages to keep the different threads aligned perfectly as she also makes sporadic trips back in time so we get an idea of what happened to Crystal. UNTIL SHE DIES clearly demonstrates the importance of family --- no matter how that family was made or who the family members are --- and the love and caring that having a family provides. Elliot creates a balanced novel with an emphasis on the mystery, but also the development of the relationships in Noelle's makeshift family as she, Max and Emma (and, of course, the cat, horse, donkeys and goats) grow to trust each other and bond.
We want to keep reading this series as much for the fine writing as to keep track of Noelle and Max and see what the future holds for them.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
September 21, 2026
Noelle Marshall, an Oregon detective, shares her home with FBI agent Max Rhodes. Following a harrowing rescue from a hostage situation, they have brought eighteen-year-old Emma to live with them. During a hike, Noelle, her friend Rowan, along with Rowan's dog, Thor, who has an incredible talent for finding buried human remains, come across a gruesome discovery. Several bodies are found, with deaths spanning from years ago to the recent murder of a local woman, whose five-year-old daughter is missing. Noelle and Max are on the hunt for a serial killer whose victims don't provide a clear pattern.
Until She Dies is the third installment in Kendra Elliott's Noelle Marshall series. While I haven't read the first two books, I'm glad I took a chance and read this one. Noelle is a strong, tough woman, and Max is a perfect partner for her. As police procedurals go, this is a good, solid story filled with suspense and twists. I'll be keeping my eye out for the next book.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing for providing a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Until She Dies is the third installment in Kendra Elliott's Noelle Marshall series. While I haven't read the first two books, I'm glad I took a chance and read this one. Noelle is a strong, tough woman, and Max is a perfect partner for her. As police procedurals go, this is a good, solid story filled with suspense and twists. I'll be keeping my eye out for the next book.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing for providing a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 9, 2026
3.75/4 stars
This is the third book in the Noelle Marshall series. I enjoyed the first book in this series, but missed the second. FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick, from another series, crosses over in this book. Even after being introduced to some of the main characters in a couple prior books, I often got confused by all of the players and how they were connected. I'm sure those who regularly follow Elliot's series wouldn't have the same problem.
It takes the cooperation of everyone - Detective Noelle Marshall, her work and romantic partner FBI Agent Max Rhodes, and Agent Kilpatrick to catch a serial killer in a case that may have a shocking connection to Noelle and Max. Nobody has it easy in this book with multiple characters recovering from past physical and emotional traumas. I was engaged in the quest to catch the killer but distracted by some of the side plots. I may have enjoyed it more if I had read the book immediately prior to this one and not just book one.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Montlake and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
This is the third book in the Noelle Marshall series. I enjoyed the first book in this series, but missed the second. FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick, from another series, crosses over in this book. Even after being introduced to some of the main characters in a couple prior books, I often got confused by all of the players and how they were connected. I'm sure those who regularly follow Elliot's series wouldn't have the same problem.
It takes the cooperation of everyone - Detective Noelle Marshall, her work and romantic partner FBI Agent Max Rhodes, and Agent Kilpatrick to catch a serial killer in a case that may have a shocking connection to Noelle and Max. Nobody has it easy in this book with multiple characters recovering from past physical and emotional traumas. I was engaged in the quest to catch the killer but distracted by some of the side plots. I may have enjoyed it more if I had read the book immediately prior to this one and not just book one.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Montlake and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
September 11, 2026
There was so much going on in this one, both past and present. So many dead bodies, so many missing kids. While most things were resolved, it feels like at the end there are more questions than answers. The only good thing is that a bad guy was permanently taken out. It will be interesting to see how Emma is in the aftermath of this one. It's great to know she has a great support system in Max and Noelle, I hope she will let Ollie in, they had the start of something good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2026
Book 3 in the Noelle Marshall series. I usually listen to Kendra Elliot’s books via kindle unlimited and her books are some of the few that I enjoy on audible. I was offered the opportunity to read and review the newest instalment and it didn’t disappoint.
This book follows detective Noelle Marshall and her partner, FBI agent Max Rhodes as they work together along with characters from some of the other series (Mercy, Truman, Evan, Rowan) to solve a serial killer case and the abduction of a child.
In a previous book in the series, Noelle helped teenager Emma who now lives with her and Max and the animals she has rescued/ adopted. When the current case looks like it could be related to Emma’s past things become personal for Noelle and Max.
I enjoy this series as I have the other series I have read of Kendra Elliots and will definitely be reading/listening to more.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
This book follows detective Noelle Marshall and her partner, FBI agent Max Rhodes as they work together along with characters from some of the other series (Mercy, Truman, Evan, Rowan) to solve a serial killer case and the abduction of a child.
In a previous book in the series, Noelle helped teenager Emma who now lives with her and Max and the animals she has rescued/ adopted. When the current case looks like it could be related to Emma’s past things become personal for Noelle and Max.
I enjoy this series as I have the other series I have read of Kendra Elliots and will definitely be reading/listening to more.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
August 12, 2026
When a casual hike in the forest leads to an off-duty K-9 alerting to buried bodies, Noelle Marshall and her law enforcement friends land into another dark, thrilling mystery. Kendra Elliot’s latest installment in the Noelle Marshall series kicks up the reader’s heartrate nicely.
Until She Dies is the third in the Noelle Marshall series and connects strongly to the second book, No One Knew, as well as the previous Mercy Kilpatrick and Columbia River series so it is best read in order.
Noelle Marshall’s life has come a long way in recent months. She is in a loving relationship with a man who respects her as a work partner as well as his romance partner, she has unofficially adopted a grieving, once-abused teen girl who brought a menagerie of pets with her, and she has forged friendships and community in their part of central Oregon. Max, her partner, has returned home and taken up his FBI career locally.
A body dump site for a serial killer and one of the victim’s young daughter gone missing bring Noelle’s Sheriff’s dept and Max’s FBI investigation work together on a shared case that loops in Evan as the law enforcement community’s lead and the investigation pulls in close friends, Rowan, Mercy and Truman. On the peripheral, young Emma and Ollie carefully reach out past their similar trauma-sufferings to share a first date.
Noelle and the forensics’ team sift through the evidence from the bodies, follow up every lead and find it slow going trying to find the connections that will lead to a serial killer who has been at it for decades. Meanwhile, Max and several others are giving it their all to locate a little girl even as the hours give way to days of nothing. The dead mother had secrets, but someone- likely the missing roommate- have the answers.
Eventually, the evidence and witness testimony leads toward a shocking truth, but will they arrive at the truth in time before the killer strikes again and much closer to home than they could possibly imagine.
Until She Dies is an amazing blend of rural police procedural and combined law enforcement work with careful and well-described character and relationship growth for Noelle, Max, and Emma in the lead roles. I loved seeing them all acknowledge their pasts, work to strengthen what they have together and heal from personal traumas. The inclusion of characters from previous books and series as part of a growing fraternity of found family and friends just made it feel even more comfortable and familiar even while the case itself kept it thrilling and tense.
Utterly satisfactory and left me eager for what comes next with the series and characters. Thriller, Mystery, and Romantic Suspense fans who like clever characters and careful police procedural in a beautiful rural setting should definitely give this series a go.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy 9.28.26.
Until She Dies is the third in the Noelle Marshall series and connects strongly to the second book, No One Knew, as well as the previous Mercy Kilpatrick and Columbia River series so it is best read in order.
Noelle Marshall’s life has come a long way in recent months. She is in a loving relationship with a man who respects her as a work partner as well as his romance partner, she has unofficially adopted a grieving, once-abused teen girl who brought a menagerie of pets with her, and she has forged friendships and community in their part of central Oregon. Max, her partner, has returned home and taken up his FBI career locally.
A body dump site for a serial killer and one of the victim’s young daughter gone missing bring Noelle’s Sheriff’s dept and Max’s FBI investigation work together on a shared case that loops in Evan as the law enforcement community’s lead and the investigation pulls in close friends, Rowan, Mercy and Truman. On the peripheral, young Emma and Ollie carefully reach out past their similar trauma-sufferings to share a first date.
Noelle and the forensics’ team sift through the evidence from the bodies, follow up every lead and find it slow going trying to find the connections that will lead to a serial killer who has been at it for decades. Meanwhile, Max and several others are giving it their all to locate a little girl even as the hours give way to days of nothing. The dead mother had secrets, but someone- likely the missing roommate- have the answers.
Eventually, the evidence and witness testimony leads toward a shocking truth, but will they arrive at the truth in time before the killer strikes again and much closer to home than they could possibly imagine.
Until She Dies is an amazing blend of rural police procedural and combined law enforcement work with careful and well-described character and relationship growth for Noelle, Max, and Emma in the lead roles. I loved seeing them all acknowledge their pasts, work to strengthen what they have together and heal from personal traumas. The inclusion of characters from previous books and series as part of a growing fraternity of found family and friends just made it feel even more comfortable and familiar even while the case itself kept it thrilling and tense.
Utterly satisfactory and left me eager for what comes next with the series and characters. Thriller, Mystery, and Romantic Suspense fans who like clever characters and careful police procedural in a beautiful rural setting should definitely give this series a go.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy 9.28.26.
September 8, 2026
Montlake is known for romance novels but the Noelle Marshall books are very much police procedurals with a side of her relationship. Until She Dies has very little on the romance side. Noelle and Max already moved in together and while they spend time together and clearly have a deepening relationship, romance is a minor part of the plot with more of a family angle to their household.
The storyline is good and gives more context to several characters. It got a little confusing in the middle as there are a lot of women who are quite similar being discussed. There is a lot going on between the bodies found, the missing child, everything with Emma and the links between them. You have to pay attention rather than just enjoy the read. The previous books in the series were more straightforward mysteries, lots of red herrings and confusion but easier to keep track of the characters.
I do question whether Noelle would make detective in most police forces with her medical history. It feels like most lawyers would call out her missing memory and headaches etc to get clients off but I still really like her as a character. But I just love her anyway. She has the money to do whatever she wants but is still pulling on boots and walking through the mud for clues to whatever case.
The note from the author promises more for Noelle and Max so I am looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Montlake for the advance copy for review.
The storyline is good and gives more context to several characters. It got a little confusing in the middle as there are a lot of women who are quite similar being discussed. There is a lot going on between the bodies found, the missing child, everything with Emma and the links between them. You have to pay attention rather than just enjoy the read. The previous books in the series were more straightforward mysteries, lots of red herrings and confusion but easier to keep track of the characters.
I do question whether Noelle would make detective in most police forces with her medical history. It feels like most lawyers would call out her missing memory and headaches etc to get clients off but I still really like her as a character. But I just love her anyway. She has the money to do whatever she wants but is still pulling on boots and walking through the mud for clues to whatever case.
The note from the author promises more for Noelle and Max so I am looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Montlake for the advance copy for review.
September 11, 2026
very slow payoff
This was an intriguing suspense novel with a creepy premise, and I liked the discovery of the mass burial ground and the mystery surrounding the victims. The Oregon setting also added a great sense of isolation and unease.
However, there was a lot going on throughout the story, with plenty of back-and-forth between different pieces of the investigation. At times, it felt like there were almost too many threads to keep track of. I also felt like it took way too long for everything to finally come together, which made the pacing drag for me.
I enjoyed Noelle and Max and thought the overall mystery was interesting, but I would have preferred a more streamlined plot and a little less circling around the same questions.
Overall, it was a solid, creepy thriller with an interesting premise, but the amount of plot twists, back-and-forth, and slow payoff kept me from fully getting into it. 3.5 stars.
This was an intriguing suspense novel with a creepy premise, and I liked the discovery of the mass burial ground and the mystery surrounding the victims. The Oregon setting also added a great sense of isolation and unease.
However, there was a lot going on throughout the story, with plenty of back-and-forth between different pieces of the investigation. At times, it felt like there were almost too many threads to keep track of. I also felt like it took way too long for everything to finally come together, which made the pacing drag for me.
I enjoyed Noelle and Max and thought the overall mystery was interesting, but I would have preferred a more streamlined plot and a little less circling around the same questions.
Overall, it was a solid, creepy thriller with an interesting premise, but the amount of plot twists, back-and-forth, and slow payoff kept me from fully getting into it. 3.5 stars.
September 19, 2026
Thank you Goodreads giveaway, Kendra Elliot, & Montlake Publishing for the free copy of this book. Really enjoying this series with the cross over characters. Kendra delivers as usual with kidnappings, unidentified dead bodies, murder, and mayhem making an intriguing story. Noelle & Max are investigating disappearances and dead bodies with the help of Truman, Ben, & Evan. Emma's past is explored with her maybe missing or dead mother tying in with some recent developments. Ollie and Emma are creating a friendship and support based on their shared experience and trauma when the unthinkable happens. Noelle and Max have their work cut out for them while trying to navigate their relationship along with work, and family. An interesting layered story that all comes together with thrilling action packed chapters and finding that family is everything. Looking forward to the next in the series.
September 7, 2026
3.5 stars for me.
Detective Noelle Marshall and FBI Agent Max Rhodes find bodies,some even from years back,and this mass grave have connection to someone they love.Will they catch a killer in time?
An enjoyable and suspense filled read.Noelle can't catch a brake,she and Max need to find the killer and fast as he get someone they really care about.The twist was unexpected and they have yet another heartbreak to heal.I liked this crime read and the characters were great,well most of them,just was confused as there were to many characters,I had a hard time to follow them all.Still I'm happy with the ending,and hope Emma will get better.
Thank you netgalley and Montlake for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Detective Noelle Marshall and FBI Agent Max Rhodes find bodies,some even from years back,and this mass grave have connection to someone they love.Will they catch a killer in time?
An enjoyable and suspense filled read.Noelle can't catch a brake,she and Max need to find the killer and fast as he get someone they really care about.The twist was unexpected and they have yet another heartbreak to heal.I liked this crime read and the characters were great,well most of them,just was confused as there were to many characters,I had a hard time to follow them all.Still I'm happy with the ending,and hope Emma will get better.
Thank you netgalley and Montlake for arc,my review is honest and my own.
September 8, 2026
This hits a little too close to home for Noelle and Max
Haunting, desperate and terrifying, you can feel Noelle's fear explode off the page as she hunts for Belle and Emma, a hunt that gets stranger with each body they identify and every answer they get. There is never any real doubt that Noelle and Max will solve the case, but the damage to their "family" could be devastating.
There are some exciting possibilities for future relationships, I have high hopes that the budding relationship in this book can be revived once all have healed from their injuries. I listened to this on Audible.
Haunting, desperate and terrifying, you can feel Noelle's fear explode off the page as she hunts for Belle and Emma, a hunt that gets stranger with each body they identify and every answer they get. There is never any real doubt that Noelle and Max will solve the case, but the damage to their "family" could be devastating.
There are some exciting possibilities for future relationships, I have high hopes that the budding relationship in this book can be revived once all have healed from their injuries. I listened to this on Audible.
September 14, 2026
*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Until She Dies is the third installment in author Kendra Elliot's Noelle Marshall series. It is a Pacific Northwest police procedural with romantic-suspense elements, a serial-killer investigation, and the emotional continuity that defines Elliot’s connected Oregon universe. Elliot is known for the Bone Secrets, Callahan & McLane, Mercy Kilpatrick, and Columbia River series. Noelle Marshall first appeared in the Columbia River books; fans asked for her own story, and this series delivers it while remaining set in the same Deschutes County world.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Until She Dies is the third installment in author Kendra Elliot's Noelle Marshall series. It is a Pacific Northwest police procedural with romantic-suspense elements, a serial-killer investigation, and the emotional continuity that defines Elliot’s connected Oregon universe. Elliot is known for the Bone Secrets, Callahan & McLane, Mercy Kilpatrick, and Columbia River series. Noelle Marshall first appeared in the Columbia River books; fans asked for her own story, and this series delivers it while remaining set in the same Deschutes County world.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
September 16, 2026
Maybe my favorite of the series. I think I say that with each book. I really like this series and I love Noelle and Max and the family they’re building. But man, poor Emma, she’s been put through the wringer the past 2 books. I hope she catches a break in the next one. I’m rooting for her and Ollie.
September 12, 2026
Book 3. Another great addition to the Noelle series. Enjoyed the brief snippets of Mercy, Truman and Ollie, as well as Rowen and her search and rescue dog/Thor. Thought the ending was rather sad, but there's hope of healing. Glad there'll be a book 4.
September 14, 2026
these books just never miss
September 23, 2026
I’m never disappointed with Kendra Elliot’s books. They are an auto-read for me. I’m totally immersed in her current series featuring Noelle Marshall, and I can’t wait for the next installment.
September 8, 2026
Okay. This one got DARK. And I liked it!
I was hooked pretty quickly and once everything started connecting, I was ALL IN. A mass grave. Missing people. Secrets buried for years. And then watching those pieces start coming together?! I was completely invested. I kept trying to figure out how everything was connected, but the truth was never on my radar.
And Emma. Oh, Emma. Her story added a whole other layer, and I found myself just as invested in getting answers there as I was in finding the killer. Some of this was seriously messed up. Some of it was downright heartbreaking.
This author gave me the mystery. The tension. The dark, twisted stuff I like. And enough questions to keep me turning pages because I HAD to know what was going on.
Yep. I liked this one!
I was hooked pretty quickly and once everything started connecting, I was ALL IN. A mass grave. Missing people. Secrets buried for years. And then watching those pieces start coming together?! I was completely invested. I kept trying to figure out how everything was connected, but the truth was never on my radar.
And Emma. Oh, Emma. Her story added a whole other layer, and I found myself just as invested in getting answers there as I was in finding the killer. Some of this was seriously messed up. Some of it was downright heartbreaking.
This author gave me the mystery. The tension. The dark, twisted stuff I like. And enough questions to keep me turning pages because I HAD to know what was going on.
Yep. I liked this one!
September 25, 2026
Excellent page-turner. Really enjoying this series and its characters. Can’t ask for much more and look forward to the next one (three)!
June 16, 2026
Until She Dies by Kendra Elliot is the third book in the Noelle Marshall Series. Thebooks are best read in order and are published by Montlake.
This case is a real pageturner.
Detective Noelle Marshall, her FBI boyfriend Mark and their life-in teenager Emma are in for it.
Fast paced, a race against time all of them are in danger, but still have to find answers to a crime that began decades ago.
I just wanted to take a peek at the story. I should have known that's impossible by a book from this aothor. A suspenseful pageturner that soon turned into my fav read in 26 so far.
I recommend the book and the story, all the stars.
This case is a real pageturner.
Detective Noelle Marshall, her FBI boyfriend Mark and their life-in teenager Emma are in for it.
Fast paced, a race against time all of them are in danger, but still have to find answers to a crime that began decades ago.
I just wanted to take a peek at the story. I should have known that's impossible by a book from this aothor. A suspenseful pageturner that soon turned into my fav read in 26 so far.
I recommend the book and the story, all the stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kendra Elliot has once again delivered a suspenseful police procedural and crime thriller with a bit of romance in
Until She Dies,
the third book in the Noelle Marshall series. A search dog locates a mass burial group in Deschutes County, Oregon. Detective Noelle Marshall is one of the hikers there when the dog alerts. The key to the case is with a lone survivor of the incident who has been living in fear for years since she escaped. As pressure mounts, a task force is formed that includes the Deschutes County sheriff’s office where Noelle works as well as agents from the Bend FBI house, including Noelle’s partner, FBI Agent Max Rhodes as well as other state and local law enforcement.
Noelle is confident, security conscious, kind, driven, loves her job, generous, observant, and caring. However, she struggles to connect with many women and she moves tentatively when it comes to relationships, except for her family. She’s also a bit of a perfectionist and a fantastic interviewer. Max is smart, funny, and transferred from Sacramento to be near Noelle, as well as his family. However, he is estranged from two out of his three sisters, as well as is mother. Emma (eighteen), who they met on an earlier case and does not have any parents, is living with them. While there’s not a formal adoption in place, Noelle and Max provide a stable home environment for her. There is cross-over with characters (such as FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and Eagle’s Nest Police Chief Truman Daly) from other series by this author. It was great to catch up with them.
Once again, I was quickly immersed in a story that grabbed my attention with the first chapter and kept me engaged to the last page. This story has great world-building; making it easy to visualize the people and the setting. The plot is multi-layered, with some twists and turns as the story builds momentum during the dual investigations and reaches an action-packed conclusion. The author does a great job of showing the amount of work that happens when deliberately false leads waste police time during a critical case. The author knows how to tug on the reader’s emotions as the scenes unfold. This was especially true with scenes around Emma and Ollie (Truman’s adopted son) and the events that transpired with them in a sub-plot. Themes include found family, secrets, murder, abductions, and a bit of romance.
Overall, this was a tense, clever, gripping, and suspenseful novel with well-developed characters who have strong relationship dynamics. This is a great atmospheric addition to the series that makes it easy to visualize the rugged, dense terrain of the Pacific Northwest. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book. If you enjoy police procedurals, crime novels, and mysteries with a strong female protagonist, then I recommend that you check out this series. While this could work as a standalone novel for the mystery, the first two books in the series gives a lot of Noelle’s background as well as show the character development and relationship changes over time.
Montlake and Kendra Elliot provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 8, 2026.
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My 4.62 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
Noelle is confident, security conscious, kind, driven, loves her job, generous, observant, and caring. However, she struggles to connect with many women and she moves tentatively when it comes to relationships, except for her family. She’s also a bit of a perfectionist and a fantastic interviewer. Max is smart, funny, and transferred from Sacramento to be near Noelle, as well as his family. However, he is estranged from two out of his three sisters, as well as is mother. Emma (eighteen), who they met on an earlier case and does not have any parents, is living with them. While there’s not a formal adoption in place, Noelle and Max provide a stable home environment for her. There is cross-over with characters (such as FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and Eagle’s Nest Police Chief Truman Daly) from other series by this author. It was great to catch up with them.
Once again, I was quickly immersed in a story that grabbed my attention with the first chapter and kept me engaged to the last page. This story has great world-building; making it easy to visualize the people and the setting. The plot is multi-layered, with some twists and turns as the story builds momentum during the dual investigations and reaches an action-packed conclusion. The author does a great job of showing the amount of work that happens when deliberately false leads waste police time during a critical case. The author knows how to tug on the reader’s emotions as the scenes unfold. This was especially true with scenes around Emma and Ollie (Truman’s adopted son) and the events that transpired with them in a sub-plot. Themes include found family, secrets, murder, abductions, and a bit of romance.
Overall, this was a tense, clever, gripping, and suspenseful novel with well-developed characters who have strong relationship dynamics. This is a great atmospheric addition to the series that makes it easy to visualize the rugged, dense terrain of the Pacific Northwest. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book. If you enjoy police procedurals, crime novels, and mysteries with a strong female protagonist, then I recommend that you check out this series. While this could work as a standalone novel for the mystery, the first two books in the series gives a lot of Noelle’s background as well as show the character development and relationship changes over time.
Montlake and Kendra Elliot provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 8, 2026.
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My 4.62 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm pretty sure I will forever love every book in the Noelle Marshall series. Every character feels real, and the situations they're in are high-stakes, especially in their line of work. Each book has a different case that sometimes connects to one of the characters or to past cases. In this one, Noelle and her friend Rowan are out on a hike when they stumble on a burial ground after Rowan’s search dog alerts them to something amiss. They’re in a race against time to find a missing girl, uncover who the bodies are, and deal with the possibility that one of the bodies could be someone they’ve been searching for. What the author does best is piecing everything together at the end, where you start seeing how everything connects. The twists always get me, and once everything starts being laid out, it makes so much sense.
Poor Emma goes through it in this one. She’s gone through so much pain and suffering that you would think, finally having somewhere to call home, she would get a breather, but nope. With everything that happened, she’s in need of so much healing, but luckily, she has people who love and care for her. I don't think I remember Ollie from the past books, but maybe he's in the other series that I haven't read. I enjoyed the addition of his POV. I liked Emma having someone her age whom she could rely on and who had experienced something similar to what she had. And I liked their that was brewing. I want them to be happy, so hopefully we see more of that development.
As much as I enjoyed the story, some things were missing that were what made me love this series. One of them was seeing more of Noelle's personal life. What I've enjoyed about these books is how well they balance the investigations with the romance and personal lives of these characters. I love that Noelle has found someone who loves and supports her in Max, and I just wanted to see more of that. Even in their workspace, they try to keep it professional, but there are tender moments when you see them checking on each other and being supportive. Maybe because the case took so much of their time, there wasn’t really any rest where they could take a breather and have those domestic moments. Hopefully, we’ll see more of these moments in the upcoming books. The other thing I wanted was more action. There was a lot of waiting for results and leads, so there wasn’t much for them to do besides interrogations. Once the unsub was identified, that’s when it really started to pick up. To be fair, this case was more about identifying who these bodies were and finding a missing person, so it makes sense why not much action was happening until a certain point that I don’t want to spoil.
I do hope to see more of Noelle, Max, and Emma, as we saw them in the last chapter. They've gone through so much but remain resilient and love the little family they created. The conversation they have together and their realization of how lucky they are to have each other made me so happy to see, because they’ve gone through so much individually and together that they deserve some peace and happiness.
This series has become one of my favorite romantic suspense series, and I’m already looking forward to the next book.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.
Poor Emma goes through it in this one. She’s gone through so much pain and suffering that you would think, finally having somewhere to call home, she would get a breather, but nope. With everything that happened, she’s in need of so much healing, but luckily, she has people who love and care for her. I don't think I remember Ollie from the past books, but maybe he's in the other series that I haven't read. I enjoyed the addition of his POV. I liked Emma having someone her age whom she could rely on and who had experienced something similar to what she had. And I liked their that was brewing. I want them to be happy, so hopefully we see more of that development.
As much as I enjoyed the story, some things were missing that were what made me love this series. One of them was seeing more of Noelle's personal life. What I've enjoyed about these books is how well they balance the investigations with the romance and personal lives of these characters. I love that Noelle has found someone who loves and supports her in Max, and I just wanted to see more of that. Even in their workspace, they try to keep it professional, but there are tender moments when you see them checking on each other and being supportive. Maybe because the case took so much of their time, there wasn’t really any rest where they could take a breather and have those domestic moments. Hopefully, we’ll see more of these moments in the upcoming books. The other thing I wanted was more action. There was a lot of waiting for results and leads, so there wasn’t much for them to do besides interrogations. Once the unsub was identified, that’s when it really started to pick up. To be fair, this case was more about identifying who these bodies were and finding a missing person, so it makes sense why not much action was happening until a certain point that I don’t want to spoil.
I do hope to see more of Noelle, Max, and Emma, as we saw them in the last chapter. They've gone through so much but remain resilient and love the little family they created. The conversation they have together and their realization of how lucky they are to have each other made me so happy to see, because they’ve gone through so much individually and together that they deserve some peace and happiness.
This series has become one of my favorite romantic suspense series, and I’m already looking forward to the next book.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, first off, Until She Dies is probably my favorite book in the Noelle Marshall series so far. I read long into the night last night to finish up because it was exciting. That said, if you're a romantic suspense reader for the romance element, this series may not be for you. There's a main couple and some supporting couples, a lot of affectionate admiration, and a little bit of mildly described kissing, But that's all you'll get. That is in no way a flaw, but it's worth mentioning since the stated genre is romance/romantic suspense. I guess women aren't allowed to write mystery/thrillers or whatever the man equivalent is.
Anyway, this book is third in a series where each book has its own storyline, though there are connections throughout. I do recommend starting with book 1 because it'll be easier to understand connections—there are a lot of secondary characters. I hadn't read book 1 and read an ARC of book 2 a while back, and after getting a chapter in here, went back and bought book 1 and read the first two books before continuing. It helped. (Note that there are at least two couples from another series with predominant roles too.) <<< If all that sounds complicated, well, yeah.
The basic premise here is a bunch of bodies and missing people and a search for a presumed serial killer. Like the previous books, this one jumps back and forth in time (10 years ago and present day, third person, multiple POVs), slowly forming a picture of the truth. The author does a good job with red herrings, so readers are kept guessing. The end result was a little off for me; I'm not sure we ever learned the killer's motivation. The race to find the killer was increasingly exciting (i.e., the pace picks up as the book progresses), so I expected more from the reveal than we actually got. As for the ending, the conflict resolves but leaves our characters in a bit of a tough spot that made me antsy. Again, it ends, really, but the fallout is lingering. It helped that there's an afterward from the author that indicates there will be at least three more Noelle Marshall books to help tie things up.
There are a few editing issues where it seems like names get mixed up that I hope get tightened up before the book releases (I read an ARC). But it's a good read with strong likeable characters, and where I wasn't sure I would continue reading after I originally finished book 2 I think I would definitely pick up the subsequent books now.
I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
Anyway, this book is third in a series where each book has its own storyline, though there are connections throughout. I do recommend starting with book 1 because it'll be easier to understand connections—there are a lot of secondary characters. I hadn't read book 1 and read an ARC of book 2 a while back, and after getting a chapter in here, went back and bought book 1 and read the first two books before continuing. It helped. (Note that there are at least two couples from another series with predominant roles too.) <<< If all that sounds complicated, well, yeah.
The basic premise here is a bunch of bodies and missing people and a search for a presumed serial killer. Like the previous books, this one jumps back and forth in time (10 years ago and present day, third person, multiple POVs), slowly forming a picture of the truth. The author does a good job with red herrings, so readers are kept guessing. The end result was a little off for me; I'm not sure we ever learned the killer's motivation. The race to find the killer was increasingly exciting (i.e., the pace picks up as the book progresses), so I expected more from the reveal than we actually got. As for the ending, the conflict resolves but leaves our characters in a bit of a tough spot that made me antsy. Again, it ends, really, but the fallout is lingering. It helped that there's an afterward from the author that indicates there will be at least three more Noelle Marshall books to help tie things up.
There are a few editing issues where it seems like names get mixed up that I hope get tightened up before the book releases (I read an ARC). But it's a good read with strong likeable characters, and where I wasn't sure I would continue reading after I originally finished book 2 I think I would definitely pick up the subsequent books now.
I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Noelle and Max are brought into assist when Noelle and poor Rowan find another body (well bodies!)
Deschutes County, Oregon is such a great setting for these murder mystery/thrillers. The remoteness, the close knit communities - they all just make the storyline that much more atmospheric. Once again the local sheriff’s office works with the FBI as the case grow to include a fresh murder and a missing child investigation.
Noelle is so forthright and confident that you sometimes forget that she worries about her mental health/mind blanks. She could just rest on her huge pile of cash and be a lady of leisure but she just wants to help people, solve murders and along the way help as many people as she can. Sometimes that's solving a murder, sometimes it's donating cash to a worthy charity, mostly it's caring for an 18 yr old girl she met through a previous case. Emma is now part of Noelle and Max's life and they work well together, but just like in real life bumps in the road can happen, confidence can falter and doubts can set in.
Max is a great foil for Noelle, where she sometimes doesn't connect well with others he's the extroverted, smart, funny, and let's face it, handsome guy, who can smooth over any rough patches. I love its slightly fearful relationship with his grandmother and we also get glimpses of characters from several other series dropping in to assist - like Mercy Kilpatrick and Truman Daly and of course, Ollie.
There are many layers to the story and the investigations intertwine and leads get muddled. There are more than a few harrowing moments and times when I really thought "oh know let them be safe". All though this is genuinely more a thriller/mystery, the romance subplot with Noelle and Max gives you a glimpse into the "home life" of the main characters.
I genuinely love this series and devour them when I get my hands on them. I'm sad that Emma and Ollie once again got dragged through danger but I'm hoping they'll both get a quieter time for the immediate future! I'm on tenterhooks to see how the future books will tie into the overarching plot snaking through the books.
Deschutes County, Oregon is such a great setting for these murder mystery/thrillers. The remoteness, the close knit communities - they all just make the storyline that much more atmospheric. Once again the local sheriff’s office works with the FBI as the case grow to include a fresh murder and a missing child investigation.
Noelle is so forthright and confident that you sometimes forget that she worries about her mental health/mind blanks. She could just rest on her huge pile of cash and be a lady of leisure but she just wants to help people, solve murders and along the way help as many people as she can. Sometimes that's solving a murder, sometimes it's donating cash to a worthy charity, mostly it's caring for an 18 yr old girl she met through a previous case. Emma is now part of Noelle and Max's life and they work well together, but just like in real life bumps in the road can happen, confidence can falter and doubts can set in.
Max is a great foil for Noelle, where she sometimes doesn't connect well with others he's the extroverted, smart, funny, and let's face it, handsome guy, who can smooth over any rough patches. I love its slightly fearful relationship with his grandmother and we also get glimpses of characters from several other series dropping in to assist - like Mercy Kilpatrick and Truman Daly and of course, Ollie.
There are many layers to the story and the investigations intertwine and leads get muddled. There are more than a few harrowing moments and times when I really thought "oh know let them be safe". All though this is genuinely more a thriller/mystery, the romance subplot with Noelle and Max gives you a glimpse into the "home life" of the main characters.
I genuinely love this series and devour them when I get my hands on them. I'm sad that Emma and Ollie once again got dragged through danger but I'm hoping they'll both get a quieter time for the immediate future! I'm on tenterhooks to see how the future books will tie into the overarching plot snaking through the books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of my favourite parts of being a book reviewer and blogger is getting to read books before they're even out in the world yet. I was scrolling through my Kindle the other night, looking for something to dive into, when I spotted a Kendra Elliot title I hadn't picked up yet. It had been a while since I'd read one of hers, but she's one of those thriller authors I trust completely no matter what she publishes, I know I'm going to love it.
One of the things I adore most about Kendra's books is how she weaves in crossover characters. As you move from book to book, you might suddenly find yourself reunited with someone whose story you've already read, like running into an old friend. It makes her world feel lived-in and connected, and it's part of why I keep coming back.
Until She Dies opens with Crystal, who's convinced her husband Gage is cheating on her. What she actually uncovers is something far darker, he's been helping pick out brides for a serial killer. Crystal sees something she was never meant to see, and from that moment on, she becomes a target herself.
The story then jumps forward a decade, where we meet Noelle and her friend, who stumble upon a burial site. As the timeline unfolds, we learn this discovery is tied directly back to Crystal and Gage who turn out to be the parents of Emma, the child Noelle has been caring for all along.
The two timelines fold into each other so naturally, and watching the pieces click into place kept me hooked the whole way through. But beyond the suspense, what really stayed with me was the quiet emotional thread running underneath it all that no matter how much time or distance separates a mother from her child, that protective, maternal pull never really fades. It's there even from afar, even after years apart.
This was such a satisfying read, equal parts heart-pounding and heartfelt. If you're already a fan of authors like Melinda Woodhall, Kate Watterson, or Melinda Leigh, you're going to fall right into this one too. Kendra Elliot has done it again.
One of the things I adore most about Kendra's books is how she weaves in crossover characters. As you move from book to book, you might suddenly find yourself reunited with someone whose story you've already read, like running into an old friend. It makes her world feel lived-in and connected, and it's part of why I keep coming back.
Until She Dies opens with Crystal, who's convinced her husband Gage is cheating on her. What she actually uncovers is something far darker, he's been helping pick out brides for a serial killer. Crystal sees something she was never meant to see, and from that moment on, she becomes a target herself.
The story then jumps forward a decade, where we meet Noelle and her friend, who stumble upon a burial site. As the timeline unfolds, we learn this discovery is tied directly back to Crystal and Gage who turn out to be the parents of Emma, the child Noelle has been caring for all along.
The two timelines fold into each other so naturally, and watching the pieces click into place kept me hooked the whole way through. But beyond the suspense, what really stayed with me was the quiet emotional thread running underneath it all that no matter how much time or distance separates a mother from her child, that protective, maternal pull never really fades. It's there even from afar, even after years apart.
This was such a satisfying read, equal parts heart-pounding and heartfelt. If you're already a fan of authors like Melinda Woodhall, Kate Watterson, or Melinda Leigh, you're going to fall right into this one too. Kendra Elliot has done it again.
September 8, 2026
⭐⭐⭐✨☆ (3.5/5 stars)
Until She Dies by Kendra Elliot is the third book in the Noelle Marshall series, and while I enjoyed being back with these characters, this one didn’t quite hit the same way the previous books did for me.
The story starts with the discovery of five bodies buried in the woods, which immediately pulled me in. As Noelle and Max investigate, the case becomes even more complicated when they discover that one of the victims’ young daughters is missing. There’s also a separate storyline involving Emma and Ollie, bringing some of the personal relationships and events from the earlier books back into the picture.
I really enjoyed seeing more of Noelle and Max’s relationship and the family they’re building with Emma. I’m glad Emma continues to be part of the series rather than just disappearing after her original storyline. Those connections are one of the things that make me want to keep coming back to these books.
My biggest issue was that there was just so much happening at once. Between the murder investigation, the missing child, and everything involving Emma and Ollie, I sometimes struggled to keep track of how the different storylines connected. It all comes together eventually, but the middle felt a little scattered, and I didn’t have that same “I need to know what happens next” feeling that I’ve had with the earlier books.
That being said, Kendra Elliot still knows how to write an interesting mystery, and I enjoyed the twists and the suspenseful moments. The Pacific Northwest setting is always a plus, and I liked getting to see familiar characters from her other series make appearances.
Overall, this was a solid read, just not my favorite in the series so far. I’m still invested in Noelle, Max, and Emma, and I’ll definitely be continuing to see where their story goes next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Kendra Elliot for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Until She Dies by Kendra Elliot is the third book in the Noelle Marshall series, and while I enjoyed being back with these characters, this one didn’t quite hit the same way the previous books did for me.
The story starts with the discovery of five bodies buried in the woods, which immediately pulled me in. As Noelle and Max investigate, the case becomes even more complicated when they discover that one of the victims’ young daughters is missing. There’s also a separate storyline involving Emma and Ollie, bringing some of the personal relationships and events from the earlier books back into the picture.
I really enjoyed seeing more of Noelle and Max’s relationship and the family they’re building with Emma. I’m glad Emma continues to be part of the series rather than just disappearing after her original storyline. Those connections are one of the things that make me want to keep coming back to these books.
My biggest issue was that there was just so much happening at once. Between the murder investigation, the missing child, and everything involving Emma and Ollie, I sometimes struggled to keep track of how the different storylines connected. It all comes together eventually, but the middle felt a little scattered, and I didn’t have that same “I need to know what happens next” feeling that I’ve had with the earlier books.
That being said, Kendra Elliot still knows how to write an interesting mystery, and I enjoyed the twists and the suspenseful moments. The Pacific Northwest setting is always a plus, and I liked getting to see familiar characters from her other series make appearances.
Overall, this was a solid read, just not my favorite in the series so far. I’m still invested in Noelle, Max, and Emma, and I’ll definitely be continuing to see where their story goes next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Kendra Elliot for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2026
This book kept me completely entertained, but I had some mixed feelings about the direction the story took, especially toward the end.
I was actually surprised by the way the book unfolded because the story didn't seem to match the description quite the way I expected it to. There were several seemingly separate subplots that eventually tied together. I didn't have any trouble keeping track of the characters. What bothered me more was that an event introduced at the very beginning wasn't really addressed again until almost the final third of the book. Everything eventually connected, but it took quite a while to get there.
There was plenty of suspense, danger, mystery, false leads, and bodies being discovered, with events from the past becoming connected to what was happening in the present. There were also a lot of people hurt and lives changed or ruined along the way.
One of my favorite parts was seeing Max and Noelle create a nice family with Emma. After everything Emma went through in the previous book, I was glad to see something positive happening for her. I also really liked her developing friendship with Ollie. Both of them had experienced a great deal of trauma, and I was looking forward to watching their friendship blossom as they helped each other come out of their shells. It was also nice to see Mercy, Truman, and Ollie appear again.
Still, several characters ended up getting what felt like a raw deal, and I think Emma got the worst of it. There was a lot of suffering in this story, and some of it didn't add anything to the book for me. The bad guy's ending was especially unsatisfying, which made the ending my least favorite part of the story.
Even disliking the way certain things turned out doesn't mean I wasn't engaged. I stayed invested until the very end, trying to figure out who was who and what was really going on. The narration was also very good, and despite my frustrations with some of the story choices, I'm looking forward to the next Noelle Marshall book. Rating: 3.5 Stars
I was actually surprised by the way the book unfolded because the story didn't seem to match the description quite the way I expected it to. There were several seemingly separate subplots that eventually tied together. I didn't have any trouble keeping track of the characters. What bothered me more was that an event introduced at the very beginning wasn't really addressed again until almost the final third of the book. Everything eventually connected, but it took quite a while to get there.
There was plenty of suspense, danger, mystery, false leads, and bodies being discovered, with events from the past becoming connected to what was happening in the present. There were also a lot of people hurt and lives changed or ruined along the way.
One of my favorite parts was seeing Max and Noelle create a nice family with Emma. After everything Emma went through in the previous book, I was glad to see something positive happening for her. I also really liked her developing friendship with Ollie. Both of them had experienced a great deal of trauma, and I was looking forward to watching their friendship blossom as they helped each other come out of their shells. It was also nice to see Mercy, Truman, and Ollie appear again.
Still, several characters ended up getting what felt like a raw deal, and I think Emma got the worst of it. There was a lot of suffering in this story, and some of it didn't add anything to the book for me. The bad guy's ending was especially unsatisfying, which made the ending my least favorite part of the story.
Even disliking the way certain things turned out doesn't mean I wasn't engaged. I stayed invested until the very end, trying to figure out who was who and what was really going on. The narration was also very good, and despite my frustrations with some of the story choices, I'm looking forward to the next Noelle Marshall book. Rating: 3.5 Stars
August 30, 2026
If you’re a fan of Kendra Elliott, then you’re most likely familiar with her ever expanding universe of law enforcement characters and their families. If not, getting into “Until She Dies” might seem character-dense at first, but there’s enough explanation of relationships for a satisfying standalone.
This Noelle Marshall-centric thriller opens with her friend Rowan and her search-and-rescue dog Thor of the Columbia River series (and in a Mercy Kilpatrick book as well) alerting on possible human remains deep in the woods. Evan, Rowan’s fiancé, is Noelle's Deschutes County detective partner. These three are also interconnected with Eagle’s Nest police chief Truman and his FBI agent wife, Mercy. And Noelle’s significant other is Max, another FBI agent. Three central Oregon jurisdictions: town, county, and federal all get involved in the discovery of a serial killer dumping ground, while the city police of Bend are looking for the missing daughter of an identified victim along with the FBI.
Kendra Elliot writes true police procedurals, complete with false hopes and misleading sightings. She captures the controlled chaos of multi-force efforts and still manages to make her main characters relatable. “Until She Dies” is action-packed until the very end and the author has promised us a three book arc for Noelle and Max (book four, “Never to Return” comes out in April 2027), retaining the supporting characters you become so invested in (more Thor, please). 4.5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Emma and her mother have light green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The Oregon woods are a character, too — dense, dark, and unforgiving.
Thank you to Montlake/Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.
This Noelle Marshall-centric thriller opens with her friend Rowan and her search-and-rescue dog Thor of the Columbia River series (and in a Mercy Kilpatrick book as well) alerting on possible human remains deep in the woods. Evan, Rowan’s fiancé, is Noelle's Deschutes County detective partner. These three are also interconnected with Eagle’s Nest police chief Truman and his FBI agent wife, Mercy. And Noelle’s significant other is Max, another FBI agent. Three central Oregon jurisdictions: town, county, and federal all get involved in the discovery of a serial killer dumping ground, while the city police of Bend are looking for the missing daughter of an identified victim along with the FBI.
Kendra Elliot writes true police procedurals, complete with false hopes and misleading sightings. She captures the controlled chaos of multi-force efforts and still manages to make her main characters relatable. “Until She Dies” is action-packed until the very end and the author has promised us a three book arc for Noelle and Max (book four, “Never to Return” comes out in April 2027), retaining the supporting characters you become so invested in (more Thor, please). 4.5 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Emma and her mother have light green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The Oregon woods are a character, too — dense, dark, and unforgiving.
Thank you to Montlake/Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.
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