Murder At Ragged Falls: An Inspector Hilary Casgrain Murder Mystery

by Anne Shillolo

What do white-collar crime, a missing person, and a robbery have in common? Two murders!

Inspector Hilary Casgrain takes on her first undercover assignment in decades. It’s supposed to be a quiet weekend retreat at Ragged Falls Lodge for a financial seminar. With any luck, she’ll be able to gather evidence to convict Lucien Harrow of big-time investment fraud.

But early on the second morning, a man is found dead on the river bank, a visiting tourist has gone missing, and an elderly guest is furious that she’s been robbed.

Hilary and new constable, Marcus Evoy, have to steer clear of those investigations and work on the Lucien Harrow sting operation. But Monday morning, back in Elk Ridge, multiple crimes are committed with a twist not even Inspector Casgrain could have predicted. As the team works the cases, the scope widens in a confusing tangle of criminal activity, suspects, and motives.

Unexpectedly, Hilary’s partner, Kendall Hart, is drawn into the investigation. It could mean the end of their hard-won relationship.

As the team struggles to make connections, one thing is for sure. Lives hang in the balance.

Murder At Ragged Falls is Book 7 in a new crime fiction series that promises to sweep you up in twists, turns, and a truly unputdownable story.

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ Another great series by Anne Shillolo! (Amazon Review)

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ There were plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader involved. What an entertaining, intriguing storyline. The camaraderie between the characters showed how committed they were to the job. Looking forward to the next story! I would give this more than five stars if I could! (Amazon review)

⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ Inspector Hilary Casgrain is another very likable character I can relate to and this book in her series is action-packed and suspenseful. I can’t wait for the next book! (Amazon Review)

Genres: Crime

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2026

About the author

I love writing every day and the result so far is three mystery series, and counting. I’ve been retired from teaching for a couple of years, and am totally immersed in my new career as a mystery writer. I hope you enjoy the results!
The Murder In Season trilogy features injured detective constable Claire Beckett.
The longer Poodle Versus… series is a reader favorite. It features small-town action, zany characters, and a Nasty Small Poodle who will capture your heart.
This year I plan to release several books following DC Holly Towns, starting with Goodbye Port Alma.
The Free Prequels to all my series are available on my website, AnneShillolo.com.
You can find me on Facebook as Anne Shillolo Writer.
Happy reading!

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good series! The storyline is intricately plotted, interesting and convoluted in a good way! Figuring out whodunnit shouldn’t be easy! The methodical police procedural component of the story keeps the investigation moving forward, but yet keeps readers guessing and is never dry or boring. The teamwork and the relationships between the characters continues to evolve, is realistic and is a standout aspect of each installment.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex is just the beginning

It all started with a simple mission to get information and start to build a case against an investment fraudster. That was the only simple thing. It’s spirals into murders, drugs, trafficking and a whole lot of confusing pieces of a puzzle that don’t make sense until a simple conversation over a beer. I really love how this team works as a unit even when they have individual tasks it’s all about building a case together. I also liked seeing more of the personal side of things even when it wasn’t all tea and roses. Gave some balance to the heavier police stuff and just enriched the story in general. I felt the frustration, the excitement, the adrenaline and the fear along with the team as they worked this thorny case to its conclusion. A very enjoyable and realistic procedural. Definitely looking forward for more cases with this team!!

[Aparna J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Anne Shillolo returns with yet another exceptional addition to the Inspector Hilary Casgrain Murder Mystery Series. Reading this novel feels like an exhilarating roller coaster ride, filled with unexpected twists, thrilling turns, and edge-of-the-seat suspense from start to finish. With her masterful storytelling and remarkable attention to detail, Ms. Shillolo once again captivates readers and showcases her extraordinary talent as a mystery writer. This latest installment is a testament to her creativity, skill, and ability to keep audiences completely engrossed until the very last page.
Inspector Hilary Casgrain goes undercover in a high-stakes sting operation to expose the dangerous financial fraud schemes of Lucien Harrow. Accompanied by the newly recruited Constable Marcus Evoy, she heads to the mysterious Ragged Falls Lodge, where Harrow is hosting an exclusive seminar. But what begins as a covert investigation soon spirals into chaos when a dead body is discovered, a tourist suddenly vanishes without a trace, and a woman falls victim to a shocking robbery.

With tensions rising and panic spreading through Elk Ridge, the Elk Ridge PD barely has a moment to recover before an explosive wave of crimes rocks the town. Are these disturbing incidents connected, or is something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface?

Packed with breathtaking twists, shocking revelations, and relentless suspense, this novel keeps readers guessing at every turn. Just when you think you have solved the mystery, the story takes another jaw-dropping detour. The climax is absolutely electrifying and left me completely stunned. This is the kind of gripping, cinematic thriller that deserves to be adapted into a Hollywood blockbuster. An unforgettable read that is simply too good to miss.
Highly recommended for all mystery lovers. This book deserves more than 10 stars

[Valeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m addicted to this series, and every time I think I’ve read the one I like best the next book comes out and takes that place.

The convolutions and red herrings in this book were delightfully twisty, and the way new information cropped up even after thorough investigations became a pattern and almost comic relief that it kept happening, but all the same the reveals were perfectly distributed.

I really like how the author is developing the characters and their relationships at work, personally, and where they cross over. Some characters are lovable from day one, others take time to become appreciated, and occasionally they’re absolutely unredeemable and I wish they weren’t recurring or I’m glad they’re not recurring. That adds so much to the realism, like any truly good character development.

This book was overflowing with bit characters, new characters, and characters we haven’t spent time with in recent books. The way the whole town is becoming three-dimensional is intriguing and a marvel to me. The topics covered were a mix of things we would expect from a title like Murder in Ragged Falls, and totally out of the blue additions. Again the reality is that what we’d never think of a cozy resort town is exactly why those things we’d ever think do happen there.

I can’t wait to see what Anne Shillolo writes to top this because she invariably will. I still can’t believe my lucky stars that I found this author and I get to be part of her ARC team, when all I have to do is read the book and tell everyone what I thought about it.

[Denise Zendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspector Hilary Casgrain takes on her first undercover assignment in years. It’s supposed to be a “safe” undercover assignment, gathering information on possible far-reaching investment fraud. On day two of the “quiet” assignment, a man is found dead on the riverbank, a visiting tourist disappears, and an elderly guest is furious that she’s been robbed. Back in Elk Ridge after the assignment, multiple crimes are committed; at least one of them involves someone close to home.

Hillary Casgrain is one of my favorite characters – she’s tightly wound, which contributes to her being a good cop, but she’s working on being more human and a better boss. I like that she makes the hard, right decisions, even when they impact her personally, and she walks the talk – she sets high standards for her officers and holds herself to those standards as well.

This topical plot (financial shenanigans and human trafficking) held my interest all the way through. I liked going along for the ride with Hillary and her crew, figuring out the who and why dunnit. I appreciated that each character got to spend time in the spotlight, and everyone had a contribution to solving the cases.

I thoroughly enjoy this series. There’s a great mix of mystery and day-to-day life. The author does a good job of filling in the backstories so new readers can keep up, but I have a personal bias for reading series in order. I very much enjoy watching the team grow and change from book 1 to now. Getting to spend time in Elk Ridge is a treat and I hope there will be many more visits.

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspector Hilary Casgrain is asked to take on her first undercover assignment in years. Soon she is in a luxury suite at Ragged Falls Lodge for a financial seminar led by Lucian Harrow, who is believed to be involved in investment fraud. Casgrain’s job is to find if that is true and report back to her superintendent. The next morning, after a body is found near the lodge, and not wanting anyone to know who she really is has Casgrain quietly asking her officers to investigate the death. When Hilary returns to her regular job it is to discover that multiple crimes have been committed while she was gone. It will be a busy few days investigating them all when she discovers that more criminal activity than she ever realized is happening in her own backyard. Meanwhile her partner, Kendall Hart becomes personally involved in the investigation, leading Hilary to wonder if their relationship will survive the stress. I love Shilollo’s books and this one is another great story line with well-developed characters and a terrific series of mysteries that need solving. A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Ragged Falls is the seventh book of the Inspector Hilary Casgrain series. Anne Shillolo's writing just keeps getting better and better, and this is a very enjoyable read that I didn't want to put down.

Hilary Casgrain is under cover at Ragged Falls Lodge in an attempt to gather evidence about Lucien Harrow's suspected investment scam. As she is signing in to the Lodge she overhears two conversations. The first one is about a couple discussing a possible missing woman and the second is a woman reporting a theft. As Hilary is undercover she cannot become involved.

The story has many twists and turns and murders thrown in for the team to solve. The red herrings keep you guessing. Hilary's partner, Kendall Hart also becomes involved when his daughter Robyn turns up. This places a great strain on the relationship of Hilary and Kendall, to the point of Hilary wondering if they will part.

Find out why Mills has taken a dislike to the new member of the team, Marcus Evoy.

A very enjoyable read and highly recommended.

I received and ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

DI Hilary is undercover at a Financial Planning weekend at the Ragged Falls Lodge. She’s there to get early evidence that the whole scheme is a scam. On the first morning a man is found dead in the river, clearly murdered. Being undercover and not in her own district she cannot do anything but alert her team back at Elk Ridge. After the weekend she returns to her job and later is told there was a dead man in the Town Square! Turns out to be the man running the “scam”! Several suspects are in the running, but a side issue becomes very important. Hilary gets a call quite late at night, please come to the restaurant. When she gets there she finds her friends Celeste, Shelley & Ruby Lee with a scared looking Asian lady. She has escaped from being kidnapped when she arrived in Canada & along with seven others, all Asians, forced to do cleaning work. So a really big case to solve besides the two murders. Once again, a great read, one I am glad I could finish before going to sleep!

[Cmikulasikgmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Ragged Falls
I read an ARC copy provided by the author.
Another great book with Inspector Hilary Casgrain. She starts out the book going undercover trying to help catch a white collar criminal. What should be a quiet weekend turns into a murder scene.
Hilary doesn’t get involved because she is undercover so finishes off her weekend and goes back to Elk Ridge. Once there, they are soon dealing with several cases, a missing woman, a theft and another murder. Some of the cases deal with the same people that were at Ragged Falls. Hilary is sure there is a connection but it takes lots of work from her team to sort out all the clues. Lots happening in this book. Several red herrings are introduced but they are legitimate possibilities. I never had a clue about the actual culprit until close to the end. I enjoy this series because, within reason, the entire team works well together. They aren’t trying to undermine anyone else.

[Jacqui Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspector Hilary Casgarin goes undercover at the prestigious Ragged Falls Lodge. It’s her first undercover assignment in twenty years. She has been a Police Inspector, so the skills are revisited. An investment firm is exploiting their investors for their life savings. Hilary, in her undercover role, must gain intel on the firm. Also, a* murder occurs beside the falls.

Can Hilary Casgrain uncover the plot before more investors are ripped off?

The excitement increases as the coroner confirms the man at the falls was murdered. Back at the station, Inspector Hilary Cosgarin balances a busy home life, with all the crimes at the Elk Ridge Detachment. She has an excellent team of officers, but as the leader she must find answers before another crime related to the lodge happens. It’s a tall order, but Hilary is a trooper.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a roller coaster ride. You are hooked from the very beginning. In this book, our Inspector Hilary Casgrain takes an undercover assignment at a luxury suite at Ragged Falls Lodge for a financial seminar with hopes of getting enough evidence to take down Lucien Harrow, a financier involved in investment fraud. And so we begin. Now we add to that so many threads, murders, a missing guest and a robbery. With so many threads to pull and so many suspects, can Hilary and her team not only have to work to take down a white collar criminal, but they also get involved in the murders and other crimes. Can all the loose threads be tied in a neat little package? This book keeps you guessing until the very end. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Becky Collins]

This is the last book of this series and it was awesome. Inspector Hilary Casgrain has been tasked to bring down the Future Fund president Lucien Harrow. He was a slime ball and was taking lots of individuals life savings in a scheme. Hilary was posing as Felicity Harding to get his attention but unfortunately she had one murder that had happened already down at the river. Then Kendall’s daughter Robyn had a date with Lucien and he dies by a possible poisoning. And, Kendall and Hilary were living together so this caused a big blow up. Tess Daniels was a mystery writer and she became a suspect as well. This author keeps you guessing clear up to the end. Loved this series.

I received this ARC from the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story filled with action-packed twists and turns to keep your interest. Hilary is on her first undercover assignment and what is suppose to be a quiet weekend gathering evidence, not only leads to a murder, but also a missing tourist and a possible robbery. Back at the station, multiple crimes are committed that even has Hilary confused. Kendall gets involved and Hilary is worried that this could affect their relationship. Are these crimes connected and what type of criminals are involved? Can the team handle multiple cases and still keep their sanity? Wonderful characters and great story-line!
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all things Anne Shillolo, and this does not disappoint; this is part of the Inspector Hilary Casgrain Murder Mystery series! Hilary Casgrain takes her first undercover assignment in decades. It's supposed to be a quiet retreat at Rugged Falls Lodge for a financial seminar. She is to get evidence that it is all a scam. On the first day, we have a man found dead by the river. Then a dead man is found in the town square. We have someone report a watch and money stolen. We have a woman reported missing for the second time. What is going on??? Are these all separate incidents, or are they all related, or some of them? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I looked forward to reading more from Ms. Anne Shillolo!!!

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest installment of the Inspector Hilary Casgrain series is the best so far. What starts out as a simple undercover assignment, gathering evidence in a financial scam case, quickly spirals into multiple other crimes. Hilary and her team are soon dealing with theft, a missing person, murder, human trafficking and more. As well, Kendall's daughter has arrived in town and unfortunately becomes a murder suspect. This causes tension in Hilary and Kendall's relationship.
Are the crimes related and how? Plenty of suspects and twists keep you engaged and make this an interesting book. I can't wait for the next book .
I was given an arc copy of this book, and this is my freely offered and honest review .

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Exciting murder mystery that kept entranced to find what might happen next. This was the first time that Inspector Hilary Casgrain has been asked to go undercover to get information for a case. It's a change of pace and somewhat exciting. They're not expecting anything to happen other than gathering information on the company and owner. A death is reported the first day of her undercover assignment and it turns out to be a murder. From there on things get more and more complicated as more incidents occur putting the whole Elk Ridge police department on overtime and requesting additional help from the mounties. A hard story to put down once you start reading.

[Linda Collister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Multiple murders and plot twists that will keep you guessing. Interconnected crimes but how can they prove it? Hillary and her squad are stretched thin trying to solve murders, trafficking, thefts, a missing person and scamming. There's too many suspects, including her boyfriend's daughter Robyn, which leads to some tension between them all. Establishing motives also seems hard to pin down for some of the crimes but they work together to come to a surprising conclusion. A great story with plenty of tension and lots of satisfaction when the crimes are resolved. I loved it! I received the ARC of this book and I am freely leaving this honest review.

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilary Casgrain is undercover at the plush Ragged Falls hotel, investigating a financial fraudster. And while it's not long before someone ends up dead, it's not her patch; not her crime. Back in Elk Ridge more crimes, including another murder, bring the suspicion that there's a connection between the two locations and the two deaths. Soon Hilary and the team are pulled full speed into a raft of cases that keep getting more complex and more intertwined. And more dangerous. Not to mention, personal for Hilary. This is another smashing read from Anne Shillolo, that kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommended.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilary is on a murder case and stumbles onto something much much darker, after she receives a phone call. This was an absolutely absorbing and riveting read, that I admit to reading twice to be sure I didn't miss anything. These books of Anne's are like candy-- I can devour them in no time and still crave more. I enjoyed when Hilary goes back over the scenes and questions some of the interviews and finds something false, so she's after it like white on rice.
Will Hilary and gang get their killer and more?? Dig in. I know you'll want more. Fantastic read and some romance. It's the small details- pinnacle- that count. Awesome, awesome!

[Judyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest entry in this 7 book series does not disappoint. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the characters of Elk Ridge. They are a close knit team keeping the peace. The characters are well defined and feel like old friends. You absolutely can read this book as a stand alone. But starting with book one would give you the background and growth of the characters. If this is indeed the last book in this series, I will look forward to whatever this author comes up with next because she always comes up with an entertaining story.
Disclosure: A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another case

Another great book from Anne Shillolo. Inspector Hilary Casgrain goes undercover and overhears conversations about a theft and a missing woman. Soon enough the cast of characters moves to Elk Ridge and there is a murder while trying to solve all 3 crimes it becomes clear they are connected. Hilary and her team work to pull alk the threads together. In each book we learn more about the characters and their personalities, which add more drama. I love this series and the town we've come to know. I'm always sad when the book ends and I have to wait for the next installment.

[Leona Ennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story! It had me guessing a good portion of the book. There were many twists and turns throughout. I ended up finally finishing the book a little after 2:30am and I usually follow the theory of early to bed, early to rise. It is the best storyline in this series! I don’t want to give away anything, other than to say there are liars, undercover investigations, murders, theft and danger to mention a few. Read this one and you won’t be disappointed!
I read an ARC of this book, but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Robin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspector Hilary Casgrain goes undercover in a neighboring jurisdiction. Of course nothing goes to plan, and soon there are multiple investigations and hidden dangers. I really love this series, the suspense, the twists and turns, and the unpredictability of the plots. The camaraderie between the characters and their realistic interactions make them feel like people I would like to know. Highly recommended police procedural!
I received a free copy from the author, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Shillolo delivers again. I have devoured all the Inspector Casgrain books. This one did not disappoint, other than I finished reading it, and I have to wait for the next book. I stayed up way into the night reading. Hillary and her team are true to form, bringing their unique personalities and strengths to solve this murder. This can be read as a standalone. However, once you read it, I think you will be hooked and binging on the previous books.

I received an ARC, and I am leaving my own thoughts voluntarily and without influence from the author.

[Steven Greenlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilary Casgrain is back with another story that stretches her abilities to the limit. If you liked earlier books in this series, you’ll almost certainly like this one. Like the pattern in several of the books, early on there is an event that starts the mystery. Then the story calms down for a while as new characters are introduced and relationships established. About half way through the book, the action explodes, keeping the reader's attention through a number of unexpected turns until the mystery is solved near the end. This book has probably the most plot twists of any in the series.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a lot happening with twists, turns and surprises.
There are multiple crimes committed at almost the same time, multiple characters, both good and bad.
Hilary's character has grown so much over all these books and its really evident in how she handles her partners whining daughter who's caught up in the murder investigation.
This is such a good , enjoyable story...part of a series but still a stand a lone. It also has a very satisfying ending....highly recommend it....My husband agrees too!

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!

Another fantastic book with Inspector Hilary Casgrain and the Ragged Falls folks investigating a murder.  I love the plot in this book as well as following the characters through the Elk Ridge series. An excellent twist leading to an unexpected conclusion.  I can easily recommend this book to others.

I read this book as part of an advance reader series.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[J Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting!

Murder isn’t pretty. It’s messy and investigations involve a lot of hard work. Anne Shillolo shows it like it is. Inspector Hilary Casgrain and her officers dig for clues and suspects, lose sleep, and spend hours on stakeouts and watching security films in this titillating crime thriller. It feels realistic and kept me reading until dawn. I received an advance copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh! This was a good one! I’ve enjoyed reading the Hilary Casgrain mysteries. This one kept me on my toes with so much happening and so many suspects. Anne Shillolo weaves a great story where you can clearly picture the details of the setting and the characters. The small resort town provides an intimate look at a small department, including the great teamwork and the challenges of being small. As always, I can’t wait for the next one.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this entry in the series. The mystery was interesting. There was some relationship drama that resolved. I felt the characters continued to grow. We got to see a new member of the team try to integrate into what is a well formed team. Overall, very good. I would recommend this book if you enjoy small town mysteries where there is an emphasis on the procedural aspects of the case.