Her Buried Past

Madison Knight #14

by Carolyn Arnold

The blade slices deeply into her neck, and arterial spray sweeps across her vision. She puts her hand over the wound, feeling the fight already leaving her. In a moment of surrender, she must believe something marvelous will come after she takes her last breath. Otherwise, she’ll be left with nothing but the blackness that is edging in.

After therapist Sidney Callahan is found dead in her home office, Detective Madison Knight drives out to her remote cabin. Also used as a spiritual retreat to explore past-life regression, the otherwise peaceful property stands out in stark contrast to the messy murder scene. With signs of a struggle but no forced entry, Madison must figure out who would want to harm this woman.

Madison soon discovers that Sidney had planned to release a book featuring her patients’ past lives, and she suspects one of them didn’t want their secrets exposed. But as Madison and her partner, Terry Grant, dig deeper, they make the shocking discovery that the therapist had her own dark past.

As they continue their investigation, Madison and Terry must navigate a web of lies and danger. But just as they are inching closer to the truth, someone tries to stop them with deadly force. Will they be able to bring justice to Sidney? Or will they become the next victims?

A tense and completely addictive crime thriller that is perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Angela Marsons, and Kendra Elliot.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2025

About the author

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has nearly thirty published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolyn Arnold’s Her Buried Past, the fourteenth book in the Madison Knight police procedural series, is a well-plotted story with great characterization. Set in and around Stiles, Michigan, Detectives Madison Knight and Terry Grant are called to the scene of a remote cabin. Sidney Callahan was a therapist who helped her clients explore their past lives and how that might be affecting them in their current life. She was found dead in her home office by her assistant.

Madison and Terry soon find out that Sidney had planned to release a book that featured case studies from her clients. Did one of them want their private information kept secret or is there something else going on? As they continue to work the case, they find Sidney had her own secrets.

Madison is strong, guarded, loyal, intelligent, tenacious, and independent. She tends to react first, often jumping to conclusions without fact, and seems to attract confrontation. She also is quick to judge people, can be sarcastic, and doesn’t like change. Madison is not as likeable as many protagonists, but her faults make her feel more realistic than the perfect strong female lead. Driven to solve crimes and seek justice, Madison often goes on instinct, which doesn’t always mean she keeps an open mind. Terry Grant, Madison’s work partner, provides a calmer nature to counter some of her flaws. He is fair and balanced, good-willed, keeps her grounded, and challenges her when it’s needed. He’s also someone people tend to trust.

Fluid writing, great characterization, and a mystery to be solved kept me engaged. I also enjoyed the threads weaving Madison’s person life into the story. While this is mainly a police procedural from Madison’s point of view, readers also get insight into another character with scenes from the past. The author did a great job of bringing together the past and the present using this technique in the story. The plot has several twists and turns and multiple suspects that kept me guessing. There’s some action in the last part of the novel as well.

Overall, this was a story that hooked me quickly and pulled me into the lives of the characters. The author did a great job of building suspense throughout the story and weaving the threads together. I look forward to seeing what is next for Madison and Terry. Readers who enjoy police procedurals, this author, crime mysteries, and those who like a strong but flawed protagonist with a keen sense of justice and determination will likely enjoy this novel.

Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. and Carolyn Arnold 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 October 16, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.29 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Her Buried Past, by Carolyn Arnold, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book fourteen in the Detective Madison Knight series. Detective Madison Knight has a murder to solve, therapist Sydney Calhoun is dead, who killed her, and will they kill again? This was a good rad, though a long read.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Madison Knight has returned from her honeymoon to a new boss and a chilling case. Sidney Callahan, a past life therapist, has been brutally murdered in her remote home. Sidney was not just a therapist; she also ran retreats and was about to release a book featuring some of her historic cases. Could the murderer be someone close to Sidney, a disgruntled client, or someone unwilling to have their past life exposed? Madison and her partner, Terry, find themselves in danger as they investigate the case.

This is the fourteenth installment in the Madison Knight series; it can be read as a standalone. I love Carolyn Arnold’s police procedurals and although Madison is not the most likable character, I understand her. She sometimes comes off as curt and abrasive because she is so focused. She can be impetuous and tenacious.  Despite those flaws, she is good at her job and has a strong sense of responsibility and justice. Fortunately, Terry tempers that impetuousness when necessary.

Cleverly plotted, this is another addictive read by Arnold. She always pulls in her readers’ attention and doesn’t let go. There are twists, turns, and revelations in this suspenseful story. Flashbacks move the plot along, while smooth writing keep the pace flowing.

If unfamiliar with Arnold’s writing, fans of police procedurals, crime novels, mysteries should check out this series as well as some of her others.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HibbertandStiles for the DRC.

[Harley · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story we follow Detective Madison following the murder of past life therapist Sidney. Madison uncovers Sidney is in the process of writing a book about some of her clients, they are unravelling the story of who Sidney is while trying to figure out who murdered her, and was it one of her clients that didn’t want their story out.

This is a typical crime novel, delving into the suspects as well as who the victim really is. There were so many suspects I was always second guessing. However I do enjoy how the author dives into the lives of the detectives as well as trying to find the killer, we find out about Madison and who she is as a person and well as her partner Terry, I helps me connect with the characters.

Thanks you Hibbert & Stiles as well as NetGalley for this ARC

[Riette Beling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately fell in love with Detective Madison Knight! No nonsense, strong-willed, and tenacious to a fault! @authorcarolynarnold gives us a perfect crime novel! Jam packed with action and suspects. The police procedural was on point, and there were so many legit suspects i was constantly changing my pick for the muredere. Terry and Madison are a great duo, and I loved the banter. There is nothing better in life than a badass female crime series, and I think I've found my new fix! This is the 14th book in the Madison Knight series, and it's being published on 16 October 2025. This is the perfect book for any crime lover!

Thank you to @netgalley
and Hibbert & Stiles Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Her Buried Past
✍🏻Carolyn Arnold
Blurb:
The blade slices deeply into her neck, and arterial spray sweeps across her vision. She puts her hand over the wound, feeling the fight already leaving her. In a moment of surrender, she must believe something marvelous will come after she takes her last breath. Otherwise, she’ll be left with nothing but the blackness that is edging in.

After therapist Sidney Callahan is found dead in her home office, Detective Madison Knight drives out to her remote cabin. Also used as a spiritual retreat to explore past-life regression, the otherwise peaceful property stands out in stark contrast to the messy murder scene. With signs of a struggle but no forced entry, Madison must figure out who would want to harm this woman.

Madison soon discovers that Sidney had planned to release a book featuring her patients’ past lives, and she suspects one of them didn’t want their secrets exposed. But as Madison and her partner, Terry Grant, dig deeper, they make the shocking discovery that the therapist had her own dark past.

As they continue their investigation, Madison and Terry must navigate a web of lies and danger. But just as they are inching closer to the truth, someone tries to stop them with deadly force. Will they be able to bring justice to Sidney? Or will they become the next victims?

A tense and completely addictive crime thriller that is perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Angela Marsons, and Kendra Elliot.

My Thoughts:
Cleverly plotted, this is another addictive read by Arnold. She always pulls in her readers’ attention and doesn’t let go. There are twists, turns, and revelations in this suspenseful story. Flashbacks move the plot along, while smooth writing keep the pace flowing.
This is a typical crime novel, delving into the suspects as well as who the victim really is. There were so many suspects I was always second guessing. However I do enjoy how the author dives into the lives of the detectives as well as trying to find the killer, we find out about Madison and who she is as a person and well as her partner. If you enjoy mysteries I would suggest this book. This book is a part of a series called Detective Madison Knight Series.
Thanks NetGalley, Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. and Author Carolyn Arnold for the complimentary copy. I am leaving my voluntry review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Hibbert&StilesPublishingInc.
#CarolynArnold
#HerBuriedPast
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Buried Past by Carolyn Arnold features Detective Madison Knight who has just returned from her honeymoon. She turns around almost immediately to investigate the murder of Sidney Callahan, aged forty-four, who was killed in her home. The most interesting thing about her was her profession: she was a past-lives regression therapist; one of the best. Her assistant had found her and the desk sergeant had been correct when he told her it was a very messy crime scene. Blood everywhere. One bloody footprint. The alarm was off, which Madison was told was very unusual. Where to begin? It turned out that the woman had a past, an interesting one.

Madison is a clever and competent detective. She has married a SWAT officer so they both understood the demands of the job. Terry Grant was her partner and they got along well. Piper had been Sidney’s assistant and was more than cooperative, both with information and obtaining things Madison requested. This was a puzzling case and the obvious answers were not the correct ones. The more they knew, the less they knew. Then, when they were working outside the house someone tried to shoot them; nearly got Grant and he was understandably upset. They figured out who the shooter was but that didn’t lead them directly to the killer. This was an outstanding police procedural with plenty of twists and turns.

I was invited to read Her Buried Past by Hibbert & Stiles Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HibbertAndStilesPublishing #CarolynArnold #HerBuriedPast

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure. This is a review of a book I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.

This is book 14 in the Detective Madison Knight series but works fine as a stand-alone read.

Unusually for this series, this time there is no prologue but the blurb had already hooked me, which was lucky as the short chapter 1 was more of a continuity piece for the series. But from chapter 2 onwards, Detective Madison Knight and partner Terry Grant delve into the case.

Victim Sidney Callahan, a past-life regression therapist has been stabbed in her own remote log cabin.

Madison and the team get to work on clues, possible motives and identifying suspects. Could Sidney’s upcoming book or most recent retreat play a factor in this?

Lots of obstacles to overcome in finding answers, when data has been destroyed.

I also liked how the book is interspersed with what turn out to be flashback chapters from Sidney’s past. What relevance does this play?

Plenty of twists in this riveting page turner as suspects are crossed off or other crimes are revealed. And a very surprising ending that I would never have guessed.

Plus another side to this story is how Madison seems to have issues with new colleagues, both CSI Devon Barrett, filling in for Madison’s best friend Cynthia who is on maternity leave and her superior officer, Sergeant Snow. We also follow how these working relationships pan out.

A brilliant thrilling read.

[Pournami Rathnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping, twist-filled police procedural that keeps you hooked till the end.

This book delivers exactly what I want in a true crime thriller. It has a sharp writing, a compelling mystery, and detectives I genuinely enjoy following. This time, Madison and Terry take on the case of a therapist found dead in her own home, and from the very first chapter, I was invested in uncovering the truth.

The pacing is smooth and the tension builds steadily as the detectives dig deeper, revealing layers of secrets, lies, and motives. There are several suspects, each with just enough depth to make you second-guess yourself throughout. I loved the balance between the procedural detail and the emotional moments that make Madison such a relatable and strong lead.

One touch I really appreciated was how the author used italics to separate past and present timelines, it made the story easy to follow and added an extra layer of intrigue.

If you’re into well-constructed police procedurals with plenty of suspense and satisfying twists, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions are my own

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with Madison returning back to work from her honeymoon. Once she gets back, she is told that the sergeant wanted to see her. Her partner Terry was already there and when she arrived, she met Snow, who was the new sergeant. Madison and Terry were told to go to a crime scene where a murder had occurred. On arriving, she also met a new CSI lead, Devon, since Cynthia was on maternity leave. Once they had been on the scene they found that they had little to go on. The next day when they returned to the scene, they were checking out the wounds when they were shot at.

Read along as Madison and Terry sift through the evidence and lay out a plan how to find the killer. Follow the steps that they took as the put the pieces of the puzzle together. Discover what the background of the victim was and how it ultimately would lead them to the killer.

The story is well done and will keep your interest right to the end. This definitely a book well worth reading, you won't be disappointed!

[Carol Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read Carolyn Arnold sometimes, and although I have not read the Madison Knight series in order, they can be read as standalones, as the story the author puts across is the main synopsis, and Madison's private life gets a mention, but not overpowering, so that you don't know what's going on.
The story unfolds around a therapist who employs a slightly different technique to get patients to
explore their past life regressions.
The therapist Sidney Callahan has also written a book which features her patients, which is usually not done as the patient and doctor relationship should be kept private, so when she is murdered, who is likely to be the culprit? Is it a patient who does not want to be in the book, or is it a random kill, so Madison, who has just returned from her honeymoon, must pit her wits against some very nasty characters?
Most enjoyable story, lots of twists and turns, as always with Arnold's books.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. for an advanced copy to read, and this is my true reflection of this novel.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mystery was like a game of Clue only you would need to throw the game pieces in the air and cause complete chaos on the board. That was how crazy and twisty this mystery ended up being. The players in this game were all over the board. Just when I thought I had it figured out, there was another twist thrown into the mix.

I love the Detective Madison Knight series because I love her snarky, no-nonsense attitude. She usually speaks first and thinks second, not caring what others think, even her boss. Her partner, Terry, is the calm to her storm which evens out their work partnership. He can sometimes talk her off the ledge. Think what you want about her attitude, but Madison Knight gets the job done. They have their hands full with this whacked out mystery and the strange people involved.

Carolyn Arnold knows how to write a gripping, addictive mystery that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

Thank you to Hibbert & Stiles and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Carolyn and NetGalley for allowing me to read Her Buried Past before the publication date.
Returning to work after her delayed honeymoon, Madison has to deal with the changed dynamics of the unit.
Carson Snow, a man with whom she has history (and not in a good way), has taken over the role of sergeant in charge.
Recent events have resulted in Terry, her work partner, reviewing his work / life balance. Now he is aiming for a safe desk job with regular hours. This results in a shift in his relationship with the feisty, impatient workaholic, Madison.

Sidney Callahan has a thriving business as a Past Life Regression Therapist.
When she is murdered, Madison and Terry, find the suspect pool is increasingly expanding.

They have to contend with the secrets and lies that are related to the victim and suspects.
Intriguingly, the author has introduced chapters about an unnamed person in earlier years.

[Jamie Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC read. This was my 2nd read by CarolynArnold but my first in the series starring Madison Knight.

I enjoyed the other book I read of hers but I seemed to enjoy this character series much more.  Im definitely going to be reading more cases solved by Madison Knight.

For this case Madison and her partner Terry are thrown into a case filled with murder and pasts that some people have tried thier best to hide.
Sydney a hypnosis therapist that specializes in bringing people past lives up to the forefront of thier memories is found murdered in her home.  It seems that even the closest people to Sydney really didnt know her at all. All of her past comes to fruition during the investigation of her unexpected departure.

Walk through this murder and discover that many of the characters all have a past and a future that might connect. Not everyone is who they seem to be. Not even the ones they love.

[Laura R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Madison Knight has just returned from her honeymoon and not only does she have a new boss, but her and her partner get sent out on a murder investigation. Throughout the story, Madison has to reconcile the differences between how her new boss operates versus the micromanaging of her previous boss.

Madison is not a big person on change and she has plenty to contend with in this story - from her new boss to a new (temporary) CSI. The dynamics between her and Terry, her partner, also seems to experiencing same changes.

At the beginning, there is no clear motive for Sidney's murder nor any clear suspects. Sidney has almost no online presence and they can't find any history beyond 10 years back. As they follow the clues, Madison and her partner are led down a twisty path with many surprises. They also encounter plenty of danger. But in the end, they are able to find the killer.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I absolutely adore about this series if that Madison isn’t as likable as most FMCs - she’s unapologetically flawed, and that makes her feel so much more real. Although I haven’t read every book in the series, I’ve enjoyed the ones I have, and this was no exception. Madison and Terry are back, but I must admit, a past life therapist was an interesting victim. The story moves along at a smooth pace, and there are so many suspects to sort through, that just when you’re sure you know who it is, another one starts looking more likely. I loved getting to dive further into Madison’s life, it adds depth to her character, and makes her feel more human than just having her be flawed does. If you enjoy thrilling mysteries with strong FMCs that aren’t perfect, and aren’t afraid to be a bit abrasive, then you absolutely should dive into this series! (This does work fine as a standalone, final note).

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Buried Past is the fourteenth book in the Detective Madison Knight series. Carolyn Arnold delivers another wonderful thrilling adventure for us to enjoy. Madison returns from her honeymoon to immediately be thrown into a murder investigation.

Sidney Callahan, a past-life regression therapist has been stabbed in the early hours of the morning with a treasured letter opener. As Madison and her partner Terry arrive on the scene to uncover the truth. But the suspects as well as the victim all have secrets which they desperately want kept hidden.

This is a fast-paced story that the takes many twists and turns along the way, including Terry who is already feeling anxious about his job, when he and Madison get shop at on the second day of the investigation.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison is skeptical in relation to everything that is related to past lives, paranormal, or that cannot be materially proved but she'll have to listen and will eventually learn a few things in order to solve the murder of Sidney Callahan a therapist who was found dead at her home. The story has quite a few possible culprits, it merges past and present and Madison will need sharp eyes and an open mind to reach the one who is responsible for such a horrific killing. Her Buried Past has a different plot from past stories in the series and shows Madison not only as a professional but as a woman realizing how many possibilities she might have in her life. Highly recommended!
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sidney Callahan, a therapist who assists people to find out about their past lives, is found dead in her remote cabin. Detective Madison Knight is called to investigate the murder.
They find out that Sidney had a past of her own, but in this life, not a previous one.

As always, I enjoyed this police procedural by Carolyn Arnold.
It is fast paced, the police work solid, and there are suspects galore.
Madison has a new boss, who she immediately distrusts, but he helps so much, compared to the old boss, that she soon warms to him.

Gripping, tense and believable, I recommend this crime thriller to readers.

[Lisa Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Madison Knight's life is never boring. She and her partner, Terry, are called to the scene where a therapist has been murdered. With few suspects, they begin to explore the victim's past and find some bizarre information. The woman helps people learn about their "past lives" at retreats and through individual appointments, having left a previous career as a regular therapist. When Madison discovers that the victim had a book being published in which she talks about her patients (deidentified, of course), new possibilities for the murderer emerge. Will she and Terry be able to solve the case and get justice for the victim? It will keep you guessing until the end.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madison is back from her honeymoon and her claws are out! She is prickly as a desert cactus particularly toward a new member of the team. I did laugh at the description of the newbie hovering like a bat.
The mystery was good and took a long time to track and trace all the clues with both Terry and Madison going the distance both mentally and physically.
I think Madison is in for some more changes on the squad in the future but she and Troy are solid.
Thanks Hibbert & Stiles Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Rary ⏾ ❤︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Read: NetGallery & Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc.

A nice crime thriller I enjoyed reading. Her Buried Past is packed with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming with the timeline on why would someone want to kill Sidney and everyone little secrets that are then exposed.
One detail I really liked was the use of italic text to distinguish the past chapters from the present chapters.

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this author books, they have twists and turns and a good flowing plot.
A therapist has written a book which includes her patients and her past lives
causing her to be murdered . I enjoyed this books as well as the other books
I have read. Given arc by Net Galley and Hibbert. & Stilles. Publishers.

[Vickie Raynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I’m still sitting on the edge of my seat! So many possibilities, and I was wrong at every turn, except one, but even that one had twists. This author is off the charts with suspense in every book, and this had it to spare. I was constantly surprised. Buckle up as you try to discover the killer in this thriller. Book provided by NetGalley.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madison Knight is back in Her Buried Past, the fourteenth book in the series. Suspenseful and thrilling, this crime thriller is a very well written story with strong characters. The plot moves quickly, and it is an intriguing read as the investigation unfolds. Another great book by Carolyn Arnold. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brenda Ploegstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past lives?

Madison and her partner Terry have to learn who wanted to kill the past-life therapist. Was it a previous patient whose past life she plans to reveal in her upcoming book, a current patient, her ex husband or someone else. With plenty of suspects to look at the story takes them through many twists and turns before they find the right path.

[Barbara Lack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of twists and turns. There are a lot of suspects. It takes you on a roller coaster ride. I loved the dynamic between Madison and her partner Terry. Madison has a lot of layers to her. The writing is terrific. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

Twists and turns that keep you mystified. Love the characters and how they change and mature during the series. Very interesting plot really kept me turning the pages. Very well done as are all your books.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Lots of twists and turns in this book. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy a good murder mystery.

[Christin A Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Madison Knight books are great reads. Full of suspense and great characters