Secrets Under the Junipers

by Suzie Clarke

Bitsy Hanover has blocked the memory of her childhood friend’s abduction. Now, thirty years later, Hallie Lynn’s body has been found under a cluster of juniper trees just outside Savannah, Georgia. Bitsy wants to help, but she can’t face revisiting the terror and trauma of that night. Relentless questions from the beautiful investigator, Cecilia McConnel, only make it worse.

FBI investigator Cecilia McConnel needs to know who killed Hallie Lynn. It’s personal. If only Bitsy Hanover would have tried harder to remember more details, the police could have found Hallie Lynn and taken her home to her mother. McConnel has nurtured her resentment and anger toward Bitsy for so long it’s a natural part of her, like breathing. But the unthinkable has happened. She’s falling in love with Bitsy, and it’s turning her world upside down and complicating everything.

266 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2026

About the author

Suzie Clarke is a native of Northeast Ohio and has a medical and business background. Before her life as a writer, she specialized in public health, working with women in all aspects of their lives. When not writing, she can be found spending time with her family, backpacking, or out on the golf course.

Reviews

[Autumn Aria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the investigative parts of the story. It tells of a reopening of a cold case that was committed 30 years ago and the solving of it.

The story touches on the tragic and unfortunate cases of abducted and missing children that still happens to this day.

The story was an easy read, straight to the point without too much meanderings. It kept me entertained.

The attraction between the two MCs was fairly obvious from the beginning but McConnel had secrets to keep and conflicts of interest to avoid and so could not and would not act upon said attraction.

There were two endings: the first the solving of the crime and second the resolution of the pair.

Overall the author did a good job in her research and it was really an easy and enjoyable read.

I received this free ARC from Net Galley in return for a voluntary review.

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️1/2 (2.5 Stars, rounded up here)

I really wished I would’ve connected more with the story and characters. Even though the main storyline in general really interested me and kept me hooked a great amount of the time. I just couldn’t feel any chemistry (though the initial attraction was there) between the main characters and was, quite frankly, pretty irritated whenever Cecilia McConnel was only addressed by her last name instead of her first name even by the people close to her. I would’ve completely understood if she would’ve been addressed like that while the main storyline of her twin sisters murder was not concluded. However it continued even after and even her love interest, the other main character, Bitsy addressed her like that which just confused me so much.
I want to say though that in terms of suspense and mystery, the story definitely delivered. What it lacked for me in character building, it made up, at least partly, in the way the search for the murderer of Hallie Lynn. I kept guessing who it might be and actually suspected so many people throughout reading which did own the book at least 2 stars for the enjoyment I’ve had despite my mentioned confusion.
Moreover, I liked the pace of the story and side characters were written really sweet and charming too (especially the way the book described the close knit community and also Bitsy’s family). I would’ve liked to see them more though and maybe also have some extra background information on McConnel for example how she felt when she found out that she had a twin sister.
And I also liked the flashbacks we got from Bitsy’s side when they were figuring out who the murderer was.
Overall though, it was a solid book with a good main story and generally okay written characters. If you enjoy reading mystery, thriller novels then this would definitely be a nice read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this novel in return for a honest and voluntary review.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder mysteries are difficult to write. You have to make the reader very interested in "who done it". And then you have to make interesting characters, an interesting investigation and make it all come together in the end.
This story started out interesting. But then it lost me for a great majority of the story with a whiny self absorbed witness that can't remember anything. Oh the whining. On and on. So feeling sorry for herself. And everyone indulging her.
And then the romance drags on and on with the FBI agent declaring...again, over and over, ...that she can't be in a love affair with a witness. maybe later.
I almost stopped reading at this point.
And then there is a brief action scene with the murderer kidnapping all wrapped up.
At that point I thought the story was over, but no, we need to resolve the romance...that couldn't be....and reveal the deep dark secret the FBI agent carried.
And then...there is an epilogue.
Oh my...too much whining, a secret that wasn't a big deal, no chemistry between the main characters and everyone already knows who the kidnapper is in the first few chapters.
The writing is good, the dialog is natural but too much whining and not enough mystery.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Aleana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bitsy has been haunted by the abduction of her childhood friend Hallie for over thirty years now she has blocked out memories of it. Now she has to receive those memories because her friend been found but it’s hasn’t been easy. FBI Cecilia comes to town to investigate she has a personal connection to the case and Bitsy is the only lead to solve it but things get complicated when she feels more for Bitsy then she supposed to. This was good mystery with a some good red herrings that kept you for guessing who the murder is. I hope this author does another mystery thriller it was well balanced with a romance.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Good start. Layers being built. engrossing. Gripped by the mystery. I have an inkling and although desperate to find out if I am right, at only 35% in I am happy to go the writers road.
As an aside, as someone not from the US, it’s funny to read about the differences from northerners to southerners and the banter resulting from the differences.
Well I was gripped throughout. I’m not sure I totally bought in to the secret or rather it’s fall out in the relationship but totally got the work angle. I loved it! I found the crescendo tense and the aftermath worked well.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 Stars) When Bitsy Hanover was a child she was the last person to see her best friend Hallie Lynn before she disappeared. Thirty years later when the remains of Hallie are found attention is back on the case. Cecilia McConnel is the FBI special agent that arrives to follow up on the cold case. She is part of a cold case unit and special task force that is looking into missing persons, perhaps tied to one killer. She also has a special connection to the case that she hasn’t officially disclosed. She is hopeful that with careful questioning that Bitsy may remember more of that night where previous attempts have failed.

There is instant attraction between the pair but McConnel is professional enough to insist they can’t become involved while the case is active. That isn’t to say they can’t be friendly and let some barriers drop. When people McConnel talks to as part of her investigation end up dead she knows she is getting close to her perpetrator.

I enjoyed the basic parts of the plots. But I will say at a very early point I guessed the killer correctly. I was surprised that there weren’t any red herrings or twists that ever made me doubt my first impression. And even though there are a few current deaths I never felt tension increase. The story felt more like a procedural novel, running down leads till a final showdown.

The other big part of the story is the will they, won’t they become involved. I didn’t mind it being slow burn but I wish it was built on more than initial attraction. Bitsy’s character was a bit over the top, blaming herself for not remembering more. And speaking of over the top her parents were almost cartoonish southern stereotypes. I was excited the story was set in southern Georgia as I have lived in the area and was in Savannah last month. But the location wasn’t a big part of the story. And I was bothered by a couple of plot points that took me out of the story. Why have the sister hit on McConnel when the family is supposed to be so close? Why the reveal about the niece? And there was one line where McConnel decides the outcome for the perpetrator which turns her from professional FBI to vigilante.

I like procedural novels and appreciate that McConnel doesn’t try to do everything herself. She relies on others to gather computer information or to provide security. The romance was good but I wasn’t blown away by their chemistry. I did like how things tied up so you believe they may have a future together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.

[lirissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy Secrets Under the Junipers, and there were elements here that initially drew me in. The premise has a lot of potential, especially as a suspense-driven cold case with a romantic thread running alongside it.

For me, though, the pacing didn’t quite land. Many of the central secrets were revealed fairly early, which made it harder to stay engaged with the suspense aspect of the story. I would have loved to be kept guessing a little longer, particularly around McConnell’s backstory, as discovering that later might have added more tension and emotional payoff.

The romance felt more like a secondary thread, which could have worked well, but I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as I needed to be for the intimate moments to fully land. There is some spice, but without a stronger emotional attachment, those scenes didn’t resonate as much for me.

I was also occasionally pulled out of the story by smaller details, like characters referring to McConnell by her last name throughout, which may have been intentional but felt a little distancing to me as a reader.

Interestingly, the acknowledgements were one of the most compelling parts for me. Learning that the story was inspired by something the author almost experienced added a layer of depth that made me appreciate the intention behind the book even more. I did feel the story could have benefited from a bit more editing and character development to fully realise that potential.

Overall, this wasn’t quite the right fit for me, but I can see what it was aiming for, and I appreciate the personal heart behind it. Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirty years ago, Bitsy Hanover's ten-year-old childhood friend, Hallie Lynn was abducted near Savannah, Georgia. Although Bitsy was a witness to the abduction, she has blocked the painful memory. Now an excavator working on a park expansion has dug up remains under some juniper trees that have been identified as Hallie Lynn's. The haunting memories are back in full force for Bitsy as the FBI sends in Special Agent, Cecilia McConnel (call her McConnel) to work the case. One thing that isn't revealed is McConnel's personal connection to Hallie Lynn and why she desperately wants the murderer caught.

As McConnel begins to work through the case details with Bitsy and attempts to unlock what is hidden in Bitsy's memories, the two women begin to grow close. Will the secrets between them impact a possible relationship when the case ends?

This was a fast-paced book written in a matter-of-fact manner and focused on the case details and Bitsy's state of mind. Through McConnel's investigation the book is peppered with hints of possible suspects as McConnel begins to unlock what is hidden in Bitsy's brain. The reader is also introduced to Bitsy's family (mother, father, and sisters) who form a close-knit southern family throughout the investigation. The conclusion of the book focuses on finding the murderer and discovering the person's many crimes as well as the outcome of McConnel and Bitsy's relationship.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cold case, a reluctant witness and a driven FBI agent with a personal attachment to the case. Sounds like a good recipe for an engrossing mystery. And while the premiss is promising, I felt the story didn't deliver quite as well, mainly due to the characters.
Bitsy, reluctant witness to her best friend's abduction at age 10, has lived under the shadow of guilt from her inability to recall any details of the night for thirty odd years. Enter FBI agent McConnel, intent on solving the crime and possibly linking it to similar abductions across other states.
From their first introduction, the line of professionalism blurs as each feels attraction to the other, and as the story develops I felt the focus shift from cold case to the relationship. detracted from the procedural intent of the investigation.
Bitsy, self absorbed and prone to tantrums, was not a likeable character. I couldn't find any connection at all with her. McConnel, initially portrayed as a serious investigator focused on the case soon proved to be easily manipulated by Bitsy's wants, even to the point of sharing a house and attending family gatherings. Surely no real FBI agent would put themselves in this position with their star witness!
The crime itself was interesting and had promise but unfortunately, played secondary to the romance.

[Sue Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

when hailie janes remains were found its had been over 30 years since she had disappeared.... bitzy had hoped she had had a good life but finding out that she had been hidden under the junipers all those years ago meant only one thing....

the nightmare wasnt over for bitsy or anyone else

mcconnel fbi was in charge of cold cases and this one was hers.... this is the case that got her started on her journey to find out what had happened to hailie jane all those years ago ..... her sister not only her sister but her fraternal twin.... now she just had to keep it together investigate find the perp and not lose her job....

but first she had to interview bitsy and see how that goes.....

the storyline pulled me in cold cases always do but i am not sure with the beginning of this storyline but as i continued reading i got into the authors style of writing a lot more and i did actually enjoy this book....

[En · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a body unearths a cold case, Bitsy steels herself for the stress and potential callousness of the investigator assigned to work on the case. McConnel had been chasing this case for decades and is determined to make the only witness talk. The problem? Sparks seem to fly when they lay eyes on each other.

Secrets Under the Junipers reads like a crime procedural fiction as we follow McConnel on her journey to uncover a murder mystery that took place thirty years ago. Cold cases tend to be messy, and related sources are unreliable. Throw in a witness prone to panic attacks, and I am all in.

The mystery was pretty straightforward with red herrings resolved fairly quickly, though I would have preferred if McConnel had revealed her secret to readers much later in the story.

I’m a sucker for slow burn, but this one took a little too many turns.

If you like a fast-paced mystery with a good amount of tension, give Secrets Under the Junipers a go!

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good story and I loved the investigative parts of the story were great. It's a reopening of a cold case that was committed 30 years ago and then solving it. The story touches on the tragic and unfortunate cases of abducted and missing children. The attraction between the two MCs was obvious from the beginning but McConnel had secrets to keep and conflicts of interest to avoid romantic entanglement . The ending was fairly easy to predict and it was a good read throughout.

I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.