Secrets in the Pines

by A.J. Rivers

We have the perfect marriage.
I had hoped no one would ever find out our secret.

After her best friend was murdered in cold blood,
Detective Riley Quinn left life in the big city for the small town of Pine Brooke.
When she is called to a bone-chilling scene at the Elwood Mansion.
A dinner turned deadly.

It seems there are many dark mysteries shrouding the family.
Resurfacing deep wounds that even Logan Elwood had blocked out of his memory.

While at the manor, Riley receives a call to the scene of a kidnapping.
Soon after interviewing the mother of the missing children, a shot is heard from the house next door.
And Riley's sister is found standing next to her husband’s dead body.

With one nightmare scene after another unfolding.
It feels as though no one in town is safe.

Blood is thicker than water.
But it leaves deeper scars.
Ones that could destroy everything.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2025

Reviews

[Tessa Pollack · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok I got a kindle for Christmas and have been using KindleUnlimited to my advantage. I wanted to read a quick thriller murder mystery and saw how highly this one was rated on Goodreads (4.58 - in what world!!) honestly this was my fault because I assumed it would be a standalone book. I hadn’t realized how much context I missed out on not knowing the characters better, that being said I was disappointed with the plot as a whole anyways so I still feel this is a deserved rating. Spoilers, but why was this book opened with a murder mystery that didn’t end up developing/ getting investigated. I was much more intrigued with the triple homicide than the missing kids who’s parents didn’t even care about them. The switched perspectives between Logan and Riley were enjoyable until I got halfway through the book and realized that Logan’s storyline was going to stay the same. He meets his cousins in the first chapter and every one of his chapters following is just him being excited to have met his cousins. Also, and again I’m not sure how much we are supposed to know about his family from prior books, but I needed more names for sure. Everyone was being referred to as his sisters moms aunt or her husbands cousins in laws sister and it just kinda hurt my brain.

In terms of Riley’s situation, her closure wasn’t much better to me. Having the mistresses daughter revealed to do it in the last five pages of the book doesn’t make me feel shocked at all. There is no surprise because I have no idea who Jessica is, and I was honestly frustrated because having kept track of 50 other characters this book having a random person be the culprit just did nothing for me. We weren’t even supposed to like the guy that was shot so I knew whoever did it had a valid reason to do so.

Anyways, I don’t mean to hate too too much but I was just frustrated because I thought this could be a fun stand alone mystery. I understand having character plots span over multiple books but don’t get why the murders in each book aren’t resolved much. I think that if there were higher stakes in Riley’s cases and Logan’s family’s case was at least partially investigated I would have picked up the next book.

[Maggie Noll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe that this series has 9 books! I thought there was only 7, but here we are finishing up number 8. This one was good, the story line was interesting, took some turns, but it also just felt like a filler book. We still didn't learn too much about Isaac's situation and such, but the family drama(s) do keep getting juicer and juicer! I am excited to read the next one and see what it brings! Either she is going to wrap this series up night and pretty, or there will be another book after.

[Kelly Smelcer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley Quinn is back, and she's still trying to clear Isaac's name. But when kids go missing from their home right under their mom's nose and their neighbor is found dead by his wife - who happens to be Riley's sister - on the same night, things spiral out of control quickly. Can Riley get these cases solved and still retain her sanity? You're not gonna believe how this one shakes out! Get ready for a thrill ride like never before!

[Paula B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting, as always

I raced through this book. The multiple plot lines kept me turning pages and looking for answers. Then there was the famous A.J. Rivers surprise twist, followed by the inevitable cliffhanger. I know I've said this throughout the series, but I can hardly wait for the next book.

[Donna Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery Abound

I absolutely am loving this series but these cliffhangers are stressful. Not to give anything away but I was holding my breath on this one. So glad it ended better. Can't wait for book 9. Highly recommend not only this series but every book written by A.J. Rivers.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

well, that was intense

Logan is plunged into Elwood strife, feuds and grievances as Isaac remains comatose and Riley is returned to duty on a missing children case with her sister’s next door neighbor which ends up convoluted and confusing, with a shocking homicide that hits close to home.

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story about Riley about two different cases about her sisters husband found dead and who done it and Riley boyfriend trying to find out about his past and murder there also. There was lots of suspense and action and one case is solved . Thank you awesome story.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! Enough plot twists to give me whiplash! I love this series!

[Ingrid Eck Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait!

Oh my gosh, when is the next installment coming out? Love this series!
Well written, great characters, and great stories

[Bonnie Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist

With all the twist and turns this book gets better keeps your attention and you don't want to put it down. Can't wait for the next one. You have to read this series

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't figure out you did it and that's rare for me. My only complaint is the abrupt ending. Looking forward to the next one!

[Janice Stansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another twist of a shocker!

Whoa! What a shocker! I never see AJ’s twist coming, and it has become my addiction! Can’t wait to read more about Isaac!

[Mallory McKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was interesting! Enjoyed reading it, but hated that out of the 3 different cases in the book, only one was solved.

[Kathy Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists and turns and can't wait for the next one. So much happening and so many answers still needed! The ending was shocking, but certainly glad it ended the way it did!