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Diversion: A Probation Case Files Mystery

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Phoenix probation officer Casey Carson could use a change of scenery to clear her head and make some major life decisions. When the opportunity arises to take on a side job wrangling juvenile delinquents on a wilderness adventure for a diversion program, she’s skeptical. But she wants to support her cousin, a counselor. The extra cash in her pocket sweetens the deal.

Unfortunately, one of Casey’s clients—an escaped murderer after one of her charges—threatens to upend her plans. Facing wildfire, flash floods and an angry mountain lion are nothing compared to the murderous intentions in store for one of the kids.

On a crash course with the killer and with her faithful pup Felony by her side, Casey desperately tries to lead the group to safety. She doesn’t realize that her two love interests, ex-husband Betz, and hunky ex-neighbor, Marcus, are frantically looking for the group. Casey must utilize every negotiating skill she possesses to not fail, or she’ll lose all she holds dear.

278 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2026

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Cindy Goyette

6 books95 followers

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
1,268 reviews14 followers
April 14, 2026
Diversion: A Probation Case Files Mystery by Cindy Goyette is a high-stakes wilderness thriller that blends procedural crime fiction with survival suspense. The story follows Phoenix probation officer Casey Carson, who reluctantly joins a juvenile diversion program in the wilderness, only to find herself caught in a deadly situation when an escaped murderer targets one of her charges.

Goyette builds tension effectively by placing characters in an isolated, unpredictable environment where natural hazards like wildfire and flash floods intensify the danger posed by human threats. Casey emerges as a resourceful and grounded protagonist, balancing professional responsibility with personal emotional strain, while her loyal dog adds an additional layer of warmth and connection.

The pacing steadily escalates as the group’s situation becomes increasingly perilous, leading to a gripping survival driven narrative. With its blend of crime investigation, outdoor survival, and emotional stakes, Diversion will appeal to readers who enjoy action-oriented mysteries set in rugged, atmospheric environments.
Profile Image for Wanda McLaughlin.
Author 3 books2 followers
March 5, 2026
What a ride! I couldn't stop turning the pages of Coyette's latest thriller in her Probation Case Files series. Protagonist Casey Carson finds herself and those she loves in danger as the antagonists change from dangerous killers hot on the trail of one of her young charges to the environment around her in the forests and deserts of Arizona. Fans of the series will find a satisfying ending, and a new beginning, for Casey. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Jeanne M. Ferguson.
8 reviews
April 9, 2026
Cindy Goyette is a brilliant writer. I’ve loved every single one of her books and this one is no exception. She pulls you in right from the start with fast paced writing and wonderful character development. I could not put this book down.!! I only hope she writes a sequel so I can find out what the future has in store for Casey.
Profile Image for Kim Hirota.
2 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2026
I love this series. You really should read it in order starting with Obey All Laws. It is the first book I have read about probation officers and I really enjoyed it. This was my favorite in the series. The main character Cassie is fun and the book is laugh out loud funny.
Profile Image for Sharon.
Author 15 books119 followers
February 27, 2026
Diversion is book three of Cindy Goyette’s acclaimed Probation Files Mysteries featuring Phoenix probation officer Casey Carson. Although I have not yet read the first two books in the series, I had no trouble enjoying this one as a stand-alone and becoming invested in the characters.
Point of view alternates between Casey, the main protagonist, told in first person, and Betz, her ex-husband and still smoldering love interest, told in close third person. Interspersed are some chapters from the POV of Marcus, her other love interest, also told in close third person.
In this story, Casey takes time off from her regular job for a side gig: helping her cousin Hope, who has been hired as a counselor in a diversion program for troubled teens, on a wilderness adventure. Casey is looking forward to the time away to sort through her conflicting feelings about the two men in her life, Betz and Marcus. Also, she suspects she’s pregnant and isn’t ready for whatever life changes that might bring.
Everything that can go wrong on the trip does. The teens don’t get along. Rico, fighting with another boy, throws his backpack off a cliff. Except the backpack Rico threw away actually belongs to the group leader. It contains their satellite radios and most of their essential supplies for the trek. The next morning, Rico is deathly ill from altitude sickness, and Hana, another of the campers, gets stung on the foot by a scorpion; neither teen is in any condition to continue the journey. The leader makes the decision to abort the trip and separate the group. Hope and Casey (and Casey’s faithful dog, Felony) stay behind with Rico and Hana while the others hike out to call for help.
Trouble continues to find them; this author is ruthless to her characters. Casey narrowly escapes an attack by an angry mountain lion, a raging wildfire threatens the campground, and while on the run, they encounter a thunderstorm. Then a flash flood swells the river and almost washes them away. A dilapidated bridge over a canyon gives up while the hikers are crossing, leaving Casey and Hana all alone on one side of the crevasse.
Adding to the danger, an escaped killer is wandering the area where the group is hiking, and he happens to be one of Casey’s charges. Little do they know, he’s after Hana.
Meanwhile, Betz and Marcus have to put aside their rivalry and team up to try to rescue Casey; their quest is also fraught with peril.
This was quite a page-turner, yet it took time to examine complex human emotions and relationships. The ending was satisfying. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Kevintipple.
929 reviews21 followers
March 14, 2026
Diversion: A Probation Case Files Mystery is the third book in the highly enjoyable series that began with Obey All Laws. While it would be best to read that book and the second one, Early Termination, before embarking on this read. There are backstory and character development aspects in this read that build on storylines of the previous books.

Pulled from very boring mandatory staff training, Phoenix probation officer Casey Carson teams up with Betz, her ex-husband and cop, to pay a visit to one Martin Phills as the read begins. He is a murder suspect and hasn’t been on parole supervision long. Her plan is to tell him she needs to conduct the usual home visit. Her home is that with his guard down, Betz and his partner, Anita Moody can get the double murder suspect in custody before he knows what hit him.

For Casey Carson, it is her last day before she takes a vacation. Not that her time off is really going to be that relaxing or even a vacation. She is going to go on a diversion program to support her sister, Hope, on her new job. (What happened is just one of several reasons to read the earlier books, so I am not telling you why.) the program is aimed to help kids with issues better ways of getting high on life instead of drugs and alcohol. They will be hiking in the mountains around Flagstaff and on their own.

Because Martin Phillips is very much armed at the time of custody, as well as his violently resisting arrest, it should be easy to keep him in custody, regardless of how the murder investigation pans out. She can go on vacation secure in the knowledge that everything is handled.

It does not take long for everything on the diversion program vacation has gone wrong in every way possible. Casey Carson, Hope, and others face a lack of supplies, an out-of-control wildfire, and, among other issues, a killer who wants what he wants and is stalking one of them order to get it.

An interesting and fast-moving read, Diversion: A Probation Case Files Mystery by Cindy Goyette is also a mighty good book and well worth your time. This read is published by Level Best Books, as are the earlier installments of the series.


My digital ARC came by way of the author with no expectation of a review.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
Profile Image for Ivanka Fear.
Author 6 books74 followers
March 2, 2026
An excellent addition to the Probation Case Files mysteries, Diversion follows the main character, probation officer Casey Carson, as she accompanies a group of teenage delinquents on a diversion wilderness journey. Although it’s the third book in the series, it also works well as a stand-alone read.

Author Cindy Goyette expertly creates intrigue with her attention-grabbing prologue, then smoothly transitions to Casey’s personal and professional life. The suspense builds at break-neck speed as personal conflicts amongst the teens, natural dangers in the woods, and an escaped murderer transform an adventure into an ordeal. One threat after another assaults the campers, as author Goyette delivers a breathless plot with chapters that literally leave the reader hanging and wanting more.

The multiple points of view help to keep the story moving at a fast pace from one exciting scene to another. Goyette effectively uses a first-person point of view for her main character, along with third-person points of view for her two love interests, allowing the reader into the mind of each of the main players. I enjoyed the romantic sub-plot, with Casey’s dilemma of having to choose between two men she loves and the complications that affect her decision. Emotions run high with personal stakes added to the struggle to survive the elements and human threats.

The beautiful but treacherous wilderness setting comes alive without an excess of description. The force of a raging river, vegetation that impedes the hikers’ progress, majestic but barely-traversable mountains, and a raging fire are easy to visualize, putting the reader right into the scenes. That in itself would be enough to make this book an exciting read, but when it becomes evident that the murderer on the loose is connected to the camping party, the sense of urgency escalates. If you are looking for a mix of adventure, danger, romance, and crime thriller, Diversion fits the bill perfectly.
Profile Image for Melissa Ammons.
475 reviews32 followers
March 25, 2026
Casey, a probation officer.
Betz, her ex-husband.
Marcus, an ex-probation officer.
These three characters are the main ones in this tale of diversion, an appropriate title for this book. Pretty much what I said for the last book I read in this series, Early Termination.
Casey still hasn’t figured out her life … that being who to choose – Betz or Marcus. They both have qualities that Casey likes. Enter a test … enter the results of said test. Enter Casey needing some money so she goes off on a wilderness adventure in support of her cousin, Hope, and some troubled teens. She gets more than she bargained for on this trip. Enter a forest fire. Enter a flash flood. Enter Betz and Marcus, two opposing forces, looking for Casey. Enter some bad guys … because a good story needs bad guys and a money trail. And Felony, Casey’s dog, who completes this series.
What I like about this series – the relationships between Casey and Betz and Marcus. And let’s throw in Betz’s sister who apparently doesn’t appreciate Betz’s feelings for Casey. She doesn’t understand why Betz can’t move on. Anywho … Casey’s decision-making skills are called into check and she still can’t decide, but she can help a troubled teen out of a tough spot … or so she thinks.
I also like the fact that this series is told in Casey’s voice as well as the voice of Betz and a chapter in Marcus’s voice. I enjoy Casey’s sense of humor, her internal thoughts that are so spot-on, even in the roughest of circumstances. And let’s not forget that test result! Not something she was expecting but it changed her perspective on a few things. Poor Betz, though. I kind of feel sorry for him and his heartache where Casey is concerned. I enjoy this series and all that entails. I look forward to more Casey adventures.
Profile Image for Country Mama.
1,581 reviews74 followers
March 13, 2026
Diversion by Cindy Goyette is a mystery/thriller by the author about our FMC named Casey Carson. Casey is a probation officer who the readers have met in the first two books. You do not need to read the first books, but it does help to understand the story and also get a better idea of Casey overall. Casey in the beginning of this one, is at a training seminar to be a better probation officer when a call comes in from Betx, her ex-husband and sometimes significant other, about one of her underlings Martin who is accused of a double murder. Casey wants to help this case solve quickly,but she also needs time off as she is going through some personal issues. Casey has two love interests in this one, Betz and also her neighbor Marcus. Casey decides to help her cousin with a diversion program for troubled teens in the desert. But what is supposed to be an easy job turns out to be so much more! And then she gets taken by an escaped killer and Marcus and Betz need to work together to help get Casey home in one piece! I liked the writing style in this book, it is an engaging read and Casey is a relatable MC. And that ending was not what I expected but I was happy for Casey! I look forward to checking out the rest of the series soon!
Profile Image for Danielle Urban.
Author 12 books169 followers
March 25, 2026
Diversion by Cindy Goyette is an action-packed thriller with high stakes, deadly scenarios, and enough suspense to kill. A woman is needing a change and then an opportunity opens up that she thinks will be great. Last words ever...the worst of the worst happens and it is all up to Casey Carson and her fury partner to help get the delinquents to a safe place. The danger escalates as a murderer that Casey knows is after one of the delinquents. Wilderness, danger, and problems galore await both readers and the heroine in this exciting adventure of a lifetime read. This story was not just another epic crime solving tale. Instead it offered that and much more. Inside was a female lead characters struggling with life's decisions and choices while tackling a job that should have been fine but then everything went wrong in every way possible. There's also the messy love triangle and a surprise for readers! The ending was great! I loved it. Amazing characterization, dialogue, and plot developments. I cannot wait to read more books by this talented writer, Cindy Goyette in the future!

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for The Page Ladies Book Club.
2,031 reviews127 followers
March 27, 2026
Nothing says “I need a life reset” like taking a group of troubled teens into the wilderness, right? 😅

Reading Diversion by Cindy Goyette felt like being dropped straight into a survival thriller with the stakes constantly climbing. Casey Carson, a Phoenix probation officer just trying to clear her head and figure out her life, signs up to help with a wilderness diversion program for teens and things spiral fast.

Between wildfires, flash floods, a mountain lion, and the terrifying possibility that a murderer is tracking them, I was fully stressed for Casey and the kids the entire time. What I loved most was Casey herself. She's tough, quick-thinking, and fiercely determined to protect the teens in her care. Honestly, her loyal dog Felony might have been my favorite character.

The mix of survival danger, suspense, and a little romantic tension hello ex-husband and attractive neighbor 👀 kept the story moving at a really fun pace. It’s the kind of book that makes you think, “just one more chapter” and suddenly you’re halfway through.

✨️Thank you, Partners in Crime Tours and Cindy Goyette, for sharing Diversion with me!
Profile Image for Joan.
4,436 reviews127 followers
March 15, 2026
Goyette has created a survival situation for Casey where she must overcome treacherous elements from nature and from a villain. Danger on the mountain with a forest fire yields many suspenseful moments. Goyette is good at describing the desperate situations and heart pounding action. A deceptive villain increases Casey's troubles. Will she make it out alive?

There is also some relationship elements for Casey that make her survival all the more important. There is a surprise in that area of Casey's life I did not see coming. It makes me wonder what is in the future for Casey.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent review.
560 reviews23 followers
March 20, 2026
4.4

*Thank you to Partners in Crime Tours for including me on this tour!

Fake, key, ranger…


Phoenix probation officer Casey returns with familiar faces in this action-packed Book 3 in the Probation Case Files series.

She participates in a juvenile delinquent wilderness adventure for a diversion program to pick up some spare cash. What could possibly go wrong with 5 hikers & 5 staff, right? Turns out EVERYTHING under the sun! “Every imaginable item, resource, and tactic in a situation” is included.

A twisty plot with unexpected turns, action, danger, and excitement.

Characters - IMO:

Casey - spunky / determined
Jasmine - I liked her. / a go-getter
Betz - clingy? / loyal
“Felony ” - IYKYK !! Loved him!

I read Books 2 & 3 of the series. I did not read Book 1 but was able to follow the plot and characters. I would read future books in the series.

Nothing will be as easy as it looks!
It’s true! Things can go from bad to worse!
Profile Image for Elaine .
1,077 reviews65 followers
March 24, 2026
I have loved this series from the beginning,
This book has been my favorite.
I hope the author writes more books in the series.

I love the fact these books have short chapters.
Danger lurks around every bin in this story,
Phoenix probation officer casey carson is back with another case.

This case she goes above and beyond.
A wilderness trip to help with misbehaved children. But what happens on this trip No one will forget.

I absolutely love this author's work.


Casey, carson has a few surprises for the men in her life. i loved everything about this story.

I feel like these books could be read as standalone's as well. Grab one today, you'll be hooked.I know I have been.
Profile Image for Connie Morgan.
20 reviews10 followers
April 3, 2026
This is the 3rd book in Goyette's Probation Case Files Mystery series, and my favorite thus far. The protagonist, Casey, always has good intentions. This time, she is taking some time off to help her cousin with a group of juvenile delinquents on a wilderness adventure. She's also taking a break from the two men who want her heart and a commitment. Casey has a knack for putting herself into dangerous situations and for bravely protecting others from harm. With escalating situations and plot twists, you'll be turning pages as fast as a speed reader. Buckle up, Goyette takes you on a wild ride!
2 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2026
Loved Cindy Goyette’s third book in the series! If you haven’t read the series, it’s a great book to start with. It’s full of twists and turns and will keep you on the edge of your chair. If you have read the other two in the series, this one won’t disappoint. The book has the same characters but new escapades in the AZ wilderness. It is action packed like your favorite streaming thriller.
3 reviews
March 19, 2026
I love an author that can make you "see" a character. You can't just see Casey, you can hear her. I love series like this , you get to know them, love them, yell at them (run!) and just want more. I'm so invested in this series, can't wait for the next one! and just wait till you 'see" Markus 😍
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews