Fatal Bond

by Paige Black

For fans of Michael Connelly and Lisa Gardner comes a pulse-pounding thriller that rips back the curtain on a cult’s darkest secrets.K-9 officer Eden Mercer thought her toughest battles were behind her. With Shadow, her fiercely loyal German Shepherd, she’s trained to take on danger head-on.

Their latest mission thrusts them deep undercover inside SoulBound, an exclusive “soul mate” retreat in Ashland, Oregon, in search of a missing woman. The leaders promise enlightenment and eternal love—but behind the candlelit rituals and whispered vows lurks something far more sinister. Fasting, drugged ceremonies, and disturbing disappearances suggest the retreat hides a dark purpose. And with powerful allies shielding its leaders, the cult is nearly untouchable.

As Eden pushes deeper into the heart of the compound, she risks losing more than her cover. If she fails to expose the truth, the women trapped inside may never escape—and Eden herself could become the next sacrifice.

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Julie Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. This is book eight in the series and what a series it is turning out to be. I think the series is just getting better and better. This book focus less on the investigation side of the story, so not so much of Eden 's partner Hank as the two of them work out who is responsible for committing the crime. Instead Eden, her K9 partner Shadow and a fellow detective go under cover to find a missing woman, who they think has joined a cult and needs rescuing. Of course its never that simple and you spend the whole book wondering how they are going to get themselves out of it alive. The story is mostly told by Eden as they infiltrate the SoulBound community but occasionally you get other characters perspectives, giving you a full picture of what is really going on. The series has a long running back story story of why Eden became a police officer and her childhood, which you learn more about with each book, so while the series does work as a standalone I think it works best when read in order, especially as I think Eden and her Father are heading for a showdown. I love the characters and think the author has created a wonderful character in Eden who is tough but vulnerable, capable but needs reassurance and sometimes backup and most of all caring. Oh and the series contains a dog, what not to love? I can't wait for the next book but in the mean time I will settle for the audio book version of this one.

Hope doesn't often ask her big sister for help, especially as she is the one that rescued the two of them when they were younger and she already owns her her life but when the mother of a former employee turns to her, Hope calls Eden. Her daughter Savannah has broken off contact with everybody she knows, quite her job and moved all under the guise of finding enlightenment. Her mother thinks she has joined a cult and is being brainwashed. She is willing to pay for Eden to go on a couples retreat in order to make contact with her daughter. Eden knows all about cult mentality and joined by detective Dean Wilder and her K-9 partner is willing to step into the lions den. Where she hopes the hardest thing she will have to do is pretend to be in a relationship with Dean. Things quickly turn dicey and staying alive proves to be the hardest thing.
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than the last - each one keeps getting better. This one had a great story, and action. The characters are well-developed and each is clearly distinctive. I was happy that Shadow had a more active role in this one. The one issue I have is Eden's stunted ability to relate to a possible boyfriend. I completely understand that she would be stunted with her past, but I could not comprehend that during an undercover operation - she was afraid to share a bed with her partner - if for no other reason - that if you're in a dangerous situation would not want your partner to get good sleep especially considering some of the other deprivations going on? It just makes good sense. She's a grown woman not a child. He's not going to attack her. Now, maybe considering the situation later, the author thought it would mean more based on her reaction to that situation... I don't know - it still could have happened, just from a closer proximity. It was exacerbated by the fact she didn't have a problem with couples yoga with a strange man.

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

[Andrea J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Bond

The latest Eden Mercer and Shadow thriller by Paige Black is definitely a shocker. From the very beginning you are pulled into an exciting adventure that is exceedingly difficult to put down. Yes, it deals with an another cult, but this one is unlike anything Eden or Wilder could imagine. Unfortunately there really are cults like this that are able to attract so many into them where they are trapped in something evil, and they feel they can’t escape. It is interesting to see the interaction between Eden and Wilder as their relationship grows stronger as they trust and rely on each other. Of course with the ever present Shadow always plays a large part in the adventure.
The ongoing conflicting feelings Eden has for her family, who are still in the religious cult controlled by her father, continue to influence her behavior. The “teaser” at the end makes it clear that her father is still going to be attempting to get her to return. Can’t wait to see what the next book will be and where it takes her.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

intense

Another worthy entry in this excellent series. This time, Eden is hired by a worried mother to go undercover at a cult her daughter has joined. This cult claims to use mystic powers to discover each member’s soul mate, and its members often are women reeling from a devastating breakup, or those facing uncertainty in other areas of their lives. But this cult is worse than a cynical ploy to extort money from wounded souls, it is a human trafficking ring and producer of snuff films. Eden and her crush from another town’s police force, posing as a couple, go through some days of the indoctrination from the cult leaders, eventually finding the evidence needed to destroy the operation, risking their lives to do so. This book is a little more sensational than others in the series, with blatant villains and victims. Still, setting and characters are strongly portrayed, and the main characters are as sympathetic as ever, including Eden’s incredibly well-trained K-9, Shadow, who I wish could come and teach my disobedient little dogs a thing or two.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prologue is a suspenseful start to the story. You’re not sure if this might be some sorority initiation, a coven or even a murder about to happen and this is just the opening pages! In fact, even after that, the next chapter or so, you’re still not quite sure what Eden Mercer and her faithful K9, Shadow, might be agreeing to, only that she feels she must do it to help Bernice, Daniel and Rachel.

Thankfully Hanks manages to talk some sense and it’s with his agreement (but not quite his blessing) that Wilder accompanies Eden on this side gig to look for a woman’s missing daughter in what might just be a cult by any other name and Eden isn’t sure she’s fully prepared to walk into one of those once more.

What they walk into turns into something far more dangerous than they were even aware of.

This book is full of twists that you’re just not quite prepared for and you’ll be hard pressed to put it down.

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

[Valerie Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Bond is one of the most intense yet. Eden goes undercover into a cult disturbingly similar to the one she was raised in, so the emotional stakes are high. Black combines anxious tension and vulnerability, making Eden’s journey feel both terrifying and personal.

I was so nervous for Eden that I had to put the book down a few times just to breathe. The fear of her being discovered was real, and the psychological weight of her past colliding with her present made every scene feel real.

If you’ve followed Eden through the series, this book will hit you hard in the best way. I can’t wait to see where she goes next!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having to wait until February for the next one is pure torture🤣. Especially with the way this one ended. I'm very nervous for the boy. This series just gets better and better. I wanted to know what happened with Rainy. This one will get to you. Unfortunately because this is so close to truth. Makes for a great book though. I love how much Eden has grown herself. It's a hard thing but she's come so far. I love the characters. Even the hateful ones, because they add so much depth. I get started on these books, and I can never put them down. They're so good. Hurry up February!.

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

[Selah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige Black has delivered another gripping, page turning Eden Mercer mystery. This time, Eden, Shadow, and Dean Wilder go undercover with a suspected cult. I missed the Night Fall, Oregon setting and our usual cast of characters. However, I enjoyed more time with Wilder—his romance with Eden is the slooooowest of slow burns. The ongoing background story, involving Eden’s family, continues to develop in its twisting way.

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

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this as a eighth entry in the Eden Mercer K-9 Mystery Thriller series, it had that mystery element that I enjoyed from the previous books. The characters were written perfectly for this type of book and from the other books I read from Paige Black. It had that suspenseful atmosphere that I was looking for and was hooked from the first page until the end. It had that cult element that I wanted and was glad it worked well overall.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As K-9 officer Eden, along with Shadow her German shepherd and Detective Dean Wilder infiltrate a weekend couple’s retreat in Ashland, Oregon the riveting anticipation begins! Each chapter builds on gut-wrenching scenarios that will keep you reading and holding your breath to see what happens next. The story line ends way too soon and I am ready for the next book in this series!.

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

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden and Wilder are undercover at a supposed yoga retreat but all is not as it seems and danger surrounds them. The psychological tension in the story is evident from page one and the story quickly draws you in. The story flows swiftly, I loved Wilder and Eden’s interaction and of course Shadow as always plays a part in ensuring their safety. I love this series.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to find a young woman inside a cult is a nightmare for Eden. But Savannah’s mother has requested her help. Wilder and Shadow will go inside with Eden. But can she face her past and help Savannah scape or will they surrender to a danger even worse that they’ve ever imagined? Fast paced, gripping novel.

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

[Robert Foland · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fatal Bond" is an intense thriller, packed with action and highly engaging. It's another fantastic addition to this series, with each book revealing more intriguing details about Eden Mercer and her dog Shadow. A police drama with a twist, it features well-developed characters and intricate mysteries to unravel. Superb.

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

[Michelle Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely and keep you on the edge of your seat type of book. Eden Mercer and her K-9 partner Shadow are back for another thrilling book. Her latest mission puts them deep undercover inside of SoulBound and exclusive retreat in Oregon. It seems like it's a cult that draws people in, but when disappearances start happening things go south quickly.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Bond Book 8 of Eden Mercer K-9 Mystery Thriller series by Paige Black is the scariest story in this series so far! This series just gets better with every subsequent story and sucks me in every time!! Can't wait for more!.

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

[Linda Smock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Bond. by Paige Black

What an awesome book ! I love the progression of Eden and her growth with Wilder
The style of each mystery and storyline always have me wanting for more! She is to me a fantastic writer. I am sad I have to wait till February for next book. But I will wait till then of course!

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cult getting old

I was enjoying most of this series as Eden strove to become a detective under Hanks mentorship. But all the cult stuff is getting old, not just about the cult Eden escaped from, but this book is about another type of cult. To my extreme disappointment, I discovered that book 9, hopefully the conclusion, isn't due out until February 2026!

[Cher Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly spellbinding and intense

Cults, besides Eden's father's Cults, a newer, wealthy one that is hiding dark secrets, involving politicians, and exploitation of women. Eden is hired to find one by the girl's mother.
Can and her comrade play the charade well enough to get into & out of this cult alive?
You won't want to stop reading til the end!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

This book and series deserves more than five stars. The writing is incredibly good. The story, its characters and the setting will keep you on the edge of your seat and the pages rapidly turning. I had a hard time putting it down. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Marie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Can't wait for the next book to be released. It's crazy we have to wait until February for it. I guess it's worth the wait. I really hope Eden and Wilder start actually dating. It's taking a little too long for them to date.

[Sally · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very slow book, so tired of cult storyline, I almost quit halfway through. Ending was a little better, not sure I will read next book. Oh, Shadow actually acted like a K-9 dog.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her best one yet! I really enjoyed some forward movement in a particular relationship

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

another suspenseful story

Interesting twist to getting out, then in, then out with leaving readers wondering what is it. I would recommend to any reader

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cult thing is getting repetitive. I wish the author would focus on other mysteries.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another action packed book

Couldn’t put this down. Another excellent story of Eden and Shadow. With of course the great ending for Eden and Dean. On to the next book. Can’t wait!!

[Terre Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

I love everything about this series. I have read lots of mysteries and this is one of my favorites. I will re-read this one. Can't wait for the next book

[SUSAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing is much tighter here than in Book 7 and the author continues her crusade to free the exploited, even those within her own family.