Murder Never Forgets

Western Edge #4

by Nicole Helm

When the past knocks, deadbolt the door…

For private investigator Samantha Price, life is finally starting to feel more settled. Working investigations with her live-in boyfriend, Nate Bennet, is both personally and professionally fulfilling. With one of Nate’s brothers engaged and his older brother, Cal, finally moving back home to Marietta, Montana, the only thing that can disrupt the present…is the past.

Mystery author Jill Harrington can no longer pretend that her grandmother’s history isn’t important. She secretly hires Sam to get to the bottom of what caused Glenda’s traumatic muteness decades ago. But Glenda Harrington is a local ghost story to the people of Marietta, and she has no desire to change that. For years, she’s protected Bennet secrets along with her own, and she’ll do whatever she can to stop Sam and Nate from discovering the truth.

But attorney Cal Bennett knows his childhood memories still shield critical secrets. To understand what happened when he was a child, he joins forces with Jill, Sam, and Nate to dig up what Glenda’s been hiding. And what they unearth endangers all of them.

Genres: Mystery

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2026

About the author

Nicole Helm is the national bestselling author of fast-paced romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue and down-to-earth contemporary romance. Her Intrigues routinely land on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list, and she’s received starred PW reviews for her contemporary romances. She’s written over 75 books, known for their emotional depth and happily ever afters.

Nicole also writes with Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews as Hazel Beck writing the Witchlore series, which began with SMALL TOWN, BIG MAGIC in 2022.

In her spare time, Nicole loves losing herself in genealogy research, watching Cardinals baseball, and hiking with her family. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons.

You can contact her via email: Nicole@nicolehelm.com
You can sign up for Nicole’s monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/V973n

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous, twisty story in this series, it was a great trip to Marietta and catching up with Sam, The Bennet’s and The Harrington’s. Things seem to be settling down now for Sam who is now living and working with Nate Bennett, Aly and Landon are getting married and eldest Bennett brother Cal is moving back home but when the past leaps back in front of them again, danger abounds.

At the end of the last book Jill Harrington asks Sam Price PI to investigate why her grandmother Glenda does not speak even though she did speak at the trial for Benjamin Bennett but not many words, Jill has lived in the cabin with Glenda since she had her stoke, Jill is happy with her and writing her mystery books, Sam is not uncovering much but little strings that soon lead to the deaths of a couple of men twenty five years ago, one of them being Glenda’s husband, could this be the trauma that caused her silence and what part does Cal play in this, has he more childhood memories that have been suppressed?

Will Sam uncover what happened before there are more deaths, and will they finally get Glenda opening up? This series just gets better with every book. I was turning the pages in this one, it is a fabulous story and one that I highly recommend, and the ending sets up book five and I can’t wait to read that one.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

Murder Never Forgets is the fourth title in the Western Edge Mystery series, set in my favorite fictional small town, Marietta, Montana… a darker side to that town, and all towns, large or small, have a darker side. I would strongly suggest reading this series in order (if at all possible), as it builds on the “secrets” revealed in the previous titles in many ways. Yes, you could read this one and have a completely enjoyable experience, yet in my opinion, knowing all that went on before will answer questions that might arise.

Throughout this series, Glenda has wandered through, almost ghostlike, definitely silent, as past mysteries have been either explained or solved. Yet, this time, Glenda is more determined than ever to hold tight to her secrets and let the past remain where it is… buried. Her granddaughter, Jill, has quietly hired Sam to look into Glenda’s past to understand what caused her to go mute years ago. Cal Bennett has returned home to stay, and it seems no sooner had he begun to get settled into his new life than threatening notes began to appear on his doorstep. Cal has childhood trauma and memories that stay just beyond recollection, and now, facing threats, he needs to know what really happened and what he’s struggling to remember. His life could depend on those answers.

I have loved this series; the intensity just keeps building as we’ve watched friendships form, romantic relationships strengthen, and, for the most part, family secrets revealed. There are still questions, and we’ll get some answers this time around. Some, not all. Murder Never Forgets is well-written and intense, with laughter and romance scattered throughout. Much like life with ups and downs. Ms. Helm has created an ongoing world full of interesting people, connections, both known and unexpected, to keep us on our toes. I’ve enjoyed getting to know each family member through the book devoted to them while revisiting familiar faces within the ongoing mysteries. Secrets will finally see the light of day… but some still linger in the darkness. If you love a story with well-developed character connections, one that will keep you wondering throughout as you follow clues and red herrings, if fitting puzzle pieces together is your favorite pastime, then you’re going to love this one. Dead Man’s Alibi is up next, so we aren’t yet done with this world.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Never Forgets is the fourth book in Nicole Helm’s fabulous series, A Western Edge Mystery. The book is set in Marietta, Montana and includes the characters from the prior books: Sam Price, Nate Bennett, his brothers Cal, Landon and sister in law Aly, Jill Harrington and her grandmother Glenda. Nate and Sam work in her PI firm, are in a relationship and live together in a house he bought. Cal is an attorney and has decided to move back to Marietta, renting Sam’s apartment. The three brothers are working on their relationships as well as trusting Nate’s girlfriend. Each story has shared new secrets being held by Mr. Bennett and Glenda. In this story, Cal receives threatening letters with drawings left on his door. Nate and Sam decide to make it their case. Also Nate is handling a case to prove a husband is cheating on his wife. Unfortunately, she keeps coming on to Nate and he keeps letting her know he is not interested and is only doing his job. Sam has been hired by Jill to figure out what past trauma caused her grandma to stop speaking years earlier.

Sam looks into Glenda’s late husband - his family, friends and history to see if something in her past is the cause. She learns he had two good friends that went camping together and had been in Vietnam together. Only one is still alive. She is unable to find out the cause of death from Jill so she tracks down the death certificate. The friend that also died is the father of one of the police detectives. His death was declared an accident. Oddly, Sam contacts him about his dad and his friends, then his cousin who he hasn’t been in contact with for years, calls to tell him that remains were found and they believe them to be from his dad. When Cal and the detective go to speak to the third friend, it seems as if the case is connected to his personal threats. Cal realizes that he still has repressed memories that he needs to release for his own peace of mind as well as potential crimes he has seen.

The book is very exciting with lots of suspense, surprises, mystery, drama and romance. I am enjoying reading about all the people in this series. The character growth and interactions makes a very interesting story. The book is well written and the plot is so fascinating. Nicole has given us genuine characters who have all had tragic past experiences and are working on making their lives happier and more enjoyable. I am so pleased with how Sam and Nate’s relationship has evolved. This is a five star book I’m happy to recommend.

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing Company in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As if this family and these friends haven’t been through enough her comes more bad headed their way. Jill just wants to help her grandmother overcome whatever has kept her silent all these years, who could ever imagine that it would lead to this. To know this you’ll just have to read and find out. So many secrets have been floating into the light and now there’s a couple more that no one saw coming. This is a complex tapestry woven seamlessly. I loved seeing all the pieces moving from the perspectives of Sam, Nate, Cal, Jill et al. Not only are we unraveling a mystery in this book the author is subtly setting up the story for the next one. Well done, well done indeed! Just another great book in this series and I cannot wait to see what happens after that cliffhanger!.

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

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Never Forgets by Nicole Helm is one series that has kept my interest high with every book. The Western Edge Mystery Book 4 builds on characters who had questions from the previous books. Glenda Harrington became mute decades ago, now the team is trying to find out why. Also Nate Bennet’s brother Cal still has some memory last from childhood drama. The Bennet family’s history is one of trauma but theirs is not the only one to be so.

This book continues Helm’s complex storyline that is written with sensitivity, and flawed but extremely likable characters working to overcome the past. It has romance blended into the story, but the focus is on the suspense and mysteries to be solved. It is a top-notched series with Murder Never Forgets being one captivating addition.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Never Forgets ~ A Western Edge Mystery, #4 by Nicole Helm is a compelling and heartfelt addition to an already outstanding series. Helm’s writing is polished and engaging, with strong character development that deepens with each instalment.

This novel skillfully builds on unresolved threads from earlier books, offering readers a sense of continuity while maintaining suspense throughout. Without revealing any spoilers, fans will appreciate how certain lingering questions begin to unfold in this installment.

Overall, this is a well-crafted, emotionally resonant mystery that will appeal to both longtime followers of the series and new readers alike. Highly recommended.

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

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Tule Publishing via BookFunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A gripping romantic suspense story, “Murder Never Forgets”, by Nicole Helm, excels in its remarkable characters and the complex, never easy relationships and interactions they have.
As the series delves into Cal’s character, his backstory and mental health issues, Helm gives a superb depiction of the complexities of the human mind and memory.
How the author manages writing about the trauma, pain, anguish, particularly with Cal, combining it with cozy family and domestic scenes and the romantic couples already settled is another remarkable feat.
Cal is becoming perhaps my favourite brother; the intelligence, sarcasm and suffering he’s gone through make him a wonderful hero.
I loved the humor that permeates Nicole Helm’s writing. The characters become more relatable and interesting as the series progresses.
I hope detective Jake Hayes, who can be a nuisanse but is also hot and charismatic, will also have his story told.

[SOMDReigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Never Forgets is book 4 in the series. I recommend you read from the beginning as the storyline continues. Cal really shines in this book as he is struggling from past trauma and memory loss. We get the answer as to the connection Cal feels with Glenda the neighbor. I like how each of the characters are advancing in their lives and how the brothers are finding ways to become a family and depend on one another. As they find out in each book old secrets are causing problems with present day. I’m enjoying this series and look forward to the next release.

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back in Honor's Edge with Samantha and Nate, and the rest of the family. Cal has returned home and is being threatened, Nate is being stalked by a client and Samantha has been asked by Jill to try to find out when and why her grandmother stopped speaking. Just a normal day at the office!
Things start spiralling once they begin investigating, past secrets are being uncovered, but at what cost?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Another great read in the series from Nicole

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been so entertaining with characters that are all interesting and intriguing. Sam is fearless and you better be brave if you are going to follow her. I love that the unexpected is on every page.