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A Cooper & Quinn Mystery #3
Dark Secrets
Jackie Rose is a mother on a mission. Determined to prove her eldest son did not commit suicide, she enlists the help of her best friend’s husband, Homicide Detective Charlie Cooper.
Reluctant to reopen another team’s closed case, but even more reluctant to upset his wife, Cooper and his partner Joey Quinn investigate. They soon discover Jackie Rose is right – someone’s killing kids.
As Jackie struggles to cope with the circumstances surrounding her eldest son’s death, a new threat emerges. Her ex-husband, unhappy with the effect of the case on the family and concerned Jackie’s becoming increasingly unreliable, wants to take their remaining children to the other side of the country. Will Jackie’s fight to clear her son’s name cost her the two children she has left?
Part police procedural, part domestic thriller, Dark Secrets is a fast-paced page-turner involving the difficult themes of teenage suicide and bullying. The deeper Cooper and Quinn dig, the more they realise everyone has a secret to hide. Can they find the killer before more young lives are lost?
Reluctant to reopen another team’s closed case, but even more reluctant to upset his wife, Cooper and his partner Joey Quinn investigate. They soon discover Jackie Rose is right – someone’s killing kids.
As Jackie struggles to cope with the circumstances surrounding her eldest son’s death, a new threat emerges. Her ex-husband, unhappy with the effect of the case on the family and concerned Jackie’s becoming increasingly unreliable, wants to take their remaining children to the other side of the country. Will Jackie’s fight to clear her son’s name cost her the two children she has left?
Part police procedural, part domestic thriller, Dark Secrets is a fast-paced page-turner involving the difficult themes of teenage suicide and bullying. The deeper Cooper and Quinn dig, the more they realise everyone has a secret to hide. Can they find the killer before more young lives are lost?
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2016
About the author
Catherine Lee
27 books101 followersAustralian author of fast-paced, mostly clean, crime fiction.
The Detective Charlie Cooper Mysteries tackle some topical issues with crimes at their heart, set in Sydney, Australia.
The Getaway Bay Cozy Mysteries feature a charming collection of eccentric locals and visitors working their way through the alphabet of cozy crimes.
Missing, featuring Detective Bonnie Hunter, picks up where Charlie Cooper left off.
The Detective Charlie Cooper Mysteries tackle some topical issues with crimes at their heart, set in Sydney, Australia.
The Getaway Bay Cozy Mysteries feature a charming collection of eccentric locals and visitors working their way through the alphabet of cozy crimes.
Missing, featuring Detective Bonnie Hunter, picks up where Charlie Cooper left off.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 7, 2019
When Charlie Cooper was asked by Jackie, a grieving mother if he could have a second look at her teenage son Lachlan's death, ruled as suicide by the coroner, Cooper didn't expect to find anything, let alone a cluster of similar deaths in the same area of Sydney.
This is the third episode in this engaging series featuring Detectives Cooper and Quinn. A rapid read, the plot deals with the difficult issues of teenage suicide and bullying as well as their effects on the remaining families who feel a mixture of guilt and sadness. Well paced, with a degree of tension as the police try to find clues to the identity of the killer before he can kill again.
This is the third episode in this engaging series featuring Detectives Cooper and Quinn. A rapid read, the plot deals with the difficult issues of teenage suicide and bullying as well as their effects on the remaining families who feel a mixture of guilt and sadness. Well paced, with a degree of tension as the police try to find clues to the identity of the killer before he can kill again.
July 4, 2017
The third in what is proving to be a very readable series. I like the main characters especially Cooper although if he does not start paying some attention to his wife and family soon there will be a disaster!
This story deals with bullying and teenage suicide and has some sad moments. As usual the police work is portrayed well and the characters are realistic. The book is fairly short and well paced. I enjoyed it and I am glad there is already one more to read.
This story deals with bullying and teenage suicide and has some sad moments. As usual the police work is portrayed well and the characters are realistic. The book is fairly short and well paced. I enjoyed it and I am glad there is already one more to read.
August 10, 2017
4.5★s
ER nurse Jackie Rose wasn’t coping with her grief – her son Lachlan had committed suicide two months previously and Jackie was convinced he would never do that. But no one would listen to her, especially her ex-husband Marcus and their fifteen-year-old son Ethan, who had found his brother’s body. Jackie’s best friend Liz, whom she worked with, was married to Homicide Detective Charlie Cooper and she begged Liz to ask Charlie to look into Lachlan’s case…
When Cooper and his partner Joey Quinn reluctantly began the investigation, their scepticism turned to horror when they discovered two more suicides that were very much the same. And Coop didn’t believe in coincidences. As they dug deeply into the deaths of the three teenagers they realised they had a serial killer on their hands – someone was killing teenagers and making it look like suicide.
Jackie, Ethan and her daughter Emma who was six, had more than the trauma of Lachlan’s death to worry them though. What would happen to the family? And what would Cooper and Quinn discover? Would they be too late?
Dark Secrets is the 3rd in the Cooper & Quinn series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in the suburbs of Sydney, NSW the police procedural is filled with twists and turns, gripping tension and the sadness of teenage suicide. Coop and his partner are great characters – the only person I didn’t have much “love” for was Jackie! I highly recommend Dark Secrets, but recommend the series is read from the beginning.
ER nurse Jackie Rose wasn’t coping with her grief – her son Lachlan had committed suicide two months previously and Jackie was convinced he would never do that. But no one would listen to her, especially her ex-husband Marcus and their fifteen-year-old son Ethan, who had found his brother’s body. Jackie’s best friend Liz, whom she worked with, was married to Homicide Detective Charlie Cooper and she begged Liz to ask Charlie to look into Lachlan’s case…
When Cooper and his partner Joey Quinn reluctantly began the investigation, their scepticism turned to horror when they discovered two more suicides that were very much the same. And Coop didn’t believe in coincidences. As they dug deeply into the deaths of the three teenagers they realised they had a serial killer on their hands – someone was killing teenagers and making it look like suicide.
Jackie, Ethan and her daughter Emma who was six, had more than the trauma of Lachlan’s death to worry them though. What would happen to the family? And what would Cooper and Quinn discover? Would they be too late?
Dark Secrets is the 3rd in the Cooper & Quinn series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in the suburbs of Sydney, NSW the police procedural is filled with twists and turns, gripping tension and the sadness of teenage suicide. Coop and his partner are great characters – the only person I didn’t have much “love” for was Jackie! I highly recommend Dark Secrets, but recommend the series is read from the beginning.
April 7, 2026
Dark Secrets by Catherine Lee
Synopsis /
Jackie Rose is a mother on a mission. Determined to prove her eldest son did not commit suicide, she enlists the help of her best friend’s husband, Homicide Detective Charlie Cooper.
Reluctant to reopen another team’s closed case, but even more reluctant to upset his wife, Cooper and his partner Joey Quinn investigate. They soon discover Jackie Rose is right – someone’s killing kids.
As Jackie struggles to cope with the circumstances surrounding her eldest son’s death, a new threat emerges. Her ex-husband, unhappy with the effect of the case on the family and concerned Jackie’s becoming increasingly unreliable, wants to take their remaining children to the other side of the country. Will Jackie’s fight to clear her son’s name cost her the two children she has left?
My Thoughts /
Dark Secrets - book #3 in Lee's Cooper and Quinn Mystery Series, and I have to say that this is the best one yet. Which excites me, because I'm only @ book #3 out of 7. Does this mean the best is yet to come?
When ER Nurse Jackie Rose’s teenage son, Lachlan, is found dead, hanging in the garage of the family home, the police quickly rule it a suicide. But Jackie is certain her son would never take his own life, and pleads with her friend’s husband, Homicide Detective Charlie Cooper, to investigate. As the story unfolds, the reader begins to understand that what started out as a mother’s desperate hunch evolves into a chilling hunt for a predator who is exploiting the vulnerabilities of teenagers.
Written by Australian author Catherine Lee, and originally published back in October 2016, this police procedural and domestic thriller is set in Sydney, Australia, and focuses on the dark undercurrents of teenage bullying and suicide. It may be, given the content, this book might not be to everyone's tastes, and if you are a reader who finds these topics triggering you might need to decide whether to pick it up or leave it.
While it is the third in the series, Dark Secrets functions well as a standalone thriller. It’s a fast-paced 'page-turner' that prioritises character development alongside the more procedural elements of the story.
The compelling duo of Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper and partner, Senior Constable Joey Quinn continue to remain a series highlight – with their professional chemistry and differing investigative styles, they provide a solid anchor for this reader.
As mentioned above, this instalment tackles some heavy issues – cyberbullying, teenage mental health and suicide – which were all written with sensitivity and realism. In this story, the author excels at portraying a mother's maternal grief and her subsequent descent into a dangerous obsessive mental state.
As the investigation into the death of young Lachlan Rose continues, the team uncovers certain similarities with other teenage deaths that have occurred in the area. This quickly turns into a high-stakes investigation as the risk of losing more children becomes a very real possibility.
Part police-procedural, part domestic thriller, I'm excited for what's to come.
Synopsis /
Jackie Rose is a mother on a mission. Determined to prove her eldest son did not commit suicide, she enlists the help of her best friend’s husband, Homicide Detective Charlie Cooper.
Reluctant to reopen another team’s closed case, but even more reluctant to upset his wife, Cooper and his partner Joey Quinn investigate. They soon discover Jackie Rose is right – someone’s killing kids.
As Jackie struggles to cope with the circumstances surrounding her eldest son’s death, a new threat emerges. Her ex-husband, unhappy with the effect of the case on the family and concerned Jackie’s becoming increasingly unreliable, wants to take their remaining children to the other side of the country. Will Jackie’s fight to clear her son’s name cost her the two children she has left?
My Thoughts /
Dark Secrets - book #3 in Lee's Cooper and Quinn Mystery Series, and I have to say that this is the best one yet. Which excites me, because I'm only @ book #3 out of 7. Does this mean the best is yet to come?
When ER Nurse Jackie Rose’s teenage son, Lachlan, is found dead, hanging in the garage of the family home, the police quickly rule it a suicide. But Jackie is certain her son would never take his own life, and pleads with her friend’s husband, Homicide Detective Charlie Cooper, to investigate. As the story unfolds, the reader begins to understand that what started out as a mother’s desperate hunch evolves into a chilling hunt for a predator who is exploiting the vulnerabilities of teenagers.
Written by Australian author Catherine Lee, and originally published back in October 2016, this police procedural and domestic thriller is set in Sydney, Australia, and focuses on the dark undercurrents of teenage bullying and suicide. It may be, given the content, this book might not be to everyone's tastes, and if you are a reader who finds these topics triggering you might need to decide whether to pick it up or leave it.
While it is the third in the series, Dark Secrets functions well as a standalone thriller. It’s a fast-paced 'page-turner' that prioritises character development alongside the more procedural elements of the story.
The compelling duo of Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper and partner, Senior Constable Joey Quinn continue to remain a series highlight – with their professional chemistry and differing investigative styles, they provide a solid anchor for this reader.
As mentioned above, this instalment tackles some heavy issues – cyberbullying, teenage mental health and suicide – which were all written with sensitivity and realism. In this story, the author excels at portraying a mother's maternal grief and her subsequent descent into a dangerous obsessive mental state.
As the investigation into the death of young Lachlan Rose continues, the team uncovers certain similarities with other teenage deaths that have occurred in the area. This quickly turns into a high-stakes investigation as the risk of losing more children becomes a very real possibility.
Part police-procedural, part domestic thriller, I'm excited for what's to come.
December 6, 2016
One of the worse things for parents is when their child commits suicide, and they were not there to help them. In Dark Secrets mother of a boy called Lachlan committed suicide however his mother Jackie does not believe it even after the coroner officially ruled it as a suicide. Lachlan mother Jackie is a friend of Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper wife, Liz. Liz is worried about her friend Jackie and asks Charlie to investigate the suicide of Lachlan and another boy. What Charlie found out during his investigation and how it affected everyone involved would shock and keep readers glued to their chair until they finish the book. I recommend this book.
January 30, 2026
Unbelievably brilliant!
What a set of circumstances and themes, but Lee does an outstanding job with some of the most difficult concepts an author could choose to tackle.
Copper and Quinn are truly brilliant, authentic, believable characters. This is not just a whirlpool, but an entire vortex I was sucked into and (successfully) ejected on the other side!
I am truly astounded this author’s name is not being blazed across everyone’s screens. A chance read of Book 1 in this series has seen me power through three in three weeks and I’ll be straight onto four.
What a set of circumstances and themes, but Lee does an outstanding job with some of the most difficult concepts an author could choose to tackle.
Copper and Quinn are truly brilliant, authentic, believable characters. This is not just a whirlpool, but an entire vortex I was sucked into and (successfully) ejected on the other side!
I am truly astounded this author’s name is not being blazed across everyone’s screens. A chance read of Book 1 in this series has seen me power through three in three weeks and I’ll be straight onto four.
May 9, 2026
This is the third instalment of the Detective Charlie Cooper series. As with the first two, I felt the writing was not as polished as some other crime series I enjoy, but the story drew me in and I enjoyed it overall. Like book 1, the author made some dark (?)... interesting choices and directions that I found a little odd. The story is told from two perspectives, Detective Cooper and a mother named Jacqui. Note: This book had a lot of talk about suicide in it.
February 21, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up
I really enjoy this book. First of all the plot is chilling to the bone. Teenagers committing suicide….. but really are they actually suicidal or are they being murdered?
Despite the fact that it's a very heavy subject, tangled with a lot of pertinent subjects like bulling (online, face-to-face etc), divorce, loss, death of a child, parents grieving, trying to find ways to cope or just continue living with that burden, the book is very well written.
I particularly like the relationship between the two detectives. It is so good, so fluid. They complement each other so well.
It is quite beautiful to see the story of a detective relationship prior to eat going south or something happening to one of them and all the beautiful parts of those relationships being just memories. It is nice to see them hanging out ,having barbecues over the weekends, getting to know each other so well, like they are family or part of the family.
I really enjoy this book. First of all the plot is chilling to the bone. Teenagers committing suicide….. but really are they actually suicidal or are they being murdered?
Despite the fact that it's a very heavy subject, tangled with a lot of pertinent subjects like bulling (online, face-to-face etc), divorce, loss, death of a child, parents grieving, trying to find ways to cope or just continue living with that burden, the book is very well written.
I particularly like the relationship between the two detectives. It is so good, so fluid. They complement each other so well.
It is quite beautiful to see the story of a detective relationship prior to eat going south or something happening to one of them and all the beautiful parts of those relationships being just memories. It is nice to see them hanging out ,having barbecues over the weekends, getting to know each other so well, like they are family or part of the family.
October 27, 2019
I stumbled upon this book in a bookbub email or something. It was free and I was looking for a mystery sort of book to read.
This book was really readable, which is certainly a good thing. It was a bit predictable, but there was some good suspense and what not as well. Some of the dialogue was a little bit awkward, especially for cops and teens, but maybe it’s an Australian thing, as that’s where this story takes place.
I enjoyed the read, overall, and will totally check out another book in this Catherine Lee series.
3.5/5
This book was really readable, which is certainly a good thing. It was a bit predictable, but there was some good suspense and what not as well. Some of the dialogue was a little bit awkward, especially for cops and teens, but maybe it’s an Australian thing, as that’s where this story takes place.
I enjoyed the read, overall, and will totally check out another book in this Catherine Lee series.
3.5/5
September 2, 2017
Catherine Lee never ceases to amaze me with the Dark series. Dark Secrets is another wonderfully written and executed book featuring Cooper and Quinn a set of detectives striving to find answers to cases with twists I was honestly shocked by.
Dark Secrets bring to light the unfortunate series of supposed teen suicides happening in a small suburb but thanks to one determined mom they realize they have a killer on their hands.
It is another must read for mystery fans!
Dark Secrets bring to light the unfortunate series of supposed teen suicides happening in a small suburb but thanks to one determined mom they realize they have a killer on their hands.
It is another must read for mystery fans!
December 4, 2019
When the coroner gives his verdict that Jackie Rose's eldest son committed suicide by hanging, Jackie knows that it is wrong. She asks for the help of her best friend's husband Detective Cooper. Cooper and Quinn start their investigation and soon realise that she is right.
An interesting and well-written crime story
An interesting and well-written crime story
January 30, 2018
An amazing read even though I have children it was hard to read about it as its a touchy subject, but I did read it and I loved it!!!! My only complaint is, there needs to be more books in this series. I just love the characters and this series!!! please write more books!!
October 30, 2019
While I was quickly turning pages and enjoying every aspect of this story I unfortunately was able to quickly figure out how it would end.
Otherwise this was a well developed and well written book.
I highly recommend it.
Otherwise this was a well developed and well written book.
I highly recommend it.
September 30, 2021
Really good
The characters are really great and the storyline was good. Liked the way the one boy, who was upset because of his proclivity for younger children, was handled by the author.
The characters are really great and the storyline was good. Liked the way the one boy, who was upset because of his proclivity for younger children, was handled by the author.
October 22, 2019
Secrets
It does not take long to realize there are no secrets that this author has a liking for bad language. Not for my tastes.
It does not take long to realize there are no secrets that this author has a liking for bad language. Not for my tastes.
November 15, 2019
A bit predictable but a good story nevertheless.
December 30, 2019
great mystery -couldn't put it down - will be reading more of her books in the future
(but will wait until they go on sale)
(but will wait until they go on sale)
February 22, 2021
One of the best books I have read in a long time. Kept me guessing throughout and I found the characters extremely likeable. Will definitely be reading more of this series
May 30, 2023
Great!
A great story and told with great empathy. Coop is top bloke and I love reading about him! Such a good series.
A great story and told with great empathy. Coop is top bloke and I love reading about him! Such a good series.
December 16, 2023
I don’t know how she does it
Every book in this series I’m on book four and I’m hooked I can’t put them down and they always have a twist
Every book in this series I’m on book four and I’m hooked I can’t put them down and they always have a twist
February 28, 2024
Dark Secrets
So many secrets,another great story, what a nightmare for Jackie,couldn’t guess who was the murderer,Awesome characters and a good end to their woes!
So many secrets,another great story, what a nightmare for Jackie,couldn’t guess who was the murderer,Awesome characters and a good end to their woes!
February 11, 2025
Dark Secrets
Really enjoyed reading this book just as much as the previous two and highly recommend that you read them as well. Looking forward to reading the next in this series.
Really enjoyed reading this book just as much as the previous two and highly recommend that you read them as well. Looking forward to reading the next in this series.
February 9, 2026
Really enjoyed this one - and good narration too. Lots of twists that I didn't see coming too early. Now i just have to wait to borrow the next one.
March 6, 2026
Fab narrator. A solid and compelling police procedural. I am off to read the next one.
March 11, 2026
Really enjoying this Detective Cooper and Quinn series (Book 3)
April 29, 2026
Really enjoyed this audio book .
February 17, 2026
Story was good. I was annoyed by the constant (and incorrect) reference to "hung" vs "hanged". Grammar matters.
March 12, 2017
Once again, a great read. Love Coop and starting to love Joey too as he grows into the partnership. This was a bit of a tough one to read as a mother of a 16 year old, overall well written without being overly gloomy despite the tough themes in there - teen suicide, divorce, custody, losing a child, bullying. Will definitely be reading the next one, which I'm guessing is going to address vigilante justice, but I could be wrong. I think I've read all of this author's offerings for now so will look forward to the next release.
November 14, 2016
‘What do you say when someone asks how many children you’ve got?’
Jackie Rose is convinced that her eldest son Lachlan did not commit suicide. Lachlan was only seventeen. But when the police investigating the case advise Jackie that Lachlan’s death has been officially ruled a suicide, Jackie is reluctant to accept it. Jackie enlists the help of her best friend Liz’s husband: Detective Charlie Cooper. While Cooper is reluctant to investigate another team’s closed case at first, he doesn’t want to upset his wife. So Cooper and his partner Joey Quinn start looking at the case and soon form the view that someone is killing kids and making it look like suicide. Who? And why?
In the meantime, Jackie’s preoccupation with Lachlan’s death is causing her ex-husband Marcus concern. He’s worried about the impact on their other two children, Ethan and Emma. Especially after Jackie forgets to pick Emma up from school and she goes missing. Will Jackie’s increasing unreliability cause her to lose her two remaining children?
The action shifts between Cooper and Quinn’s investigation into a number of teenage deaths that have been ruled suicide. The deeper Cooper and Quinn dig, the more secrets they uncover. Cyber-bullying is a factor, but will Cooper and Quinn be able to put all the pieces together before another teenager dies?
I couldn’t put this novel down. Ms Lee has written a fast-paced novel involving the sad and tragic issues of teen bullying and suicide, and on some of the consequences for family members where relationships breakdown. How do families cope with the death of a child? How do children address and survive bullying? Ms Cooper maintains tension throughout novel as the story moves between Jackie’s personal issues and the police investigations. At the same time, the characters of Charlie Cooper and Joey Quinn are further developed, and Charlie Cooper has his own family responsibilities to consider.
This is the third novel in Ms Lee’s ‘Dark Series’. I will now wait as patiently as I can for the fourth novel: ‘Dark Chemistry’ (which is, according to Ms Lee’s website, due in July 2017).
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Jackie Rose is convinced that her eldest son Lachlan did not commit suicide. Lachlan was only seventeen. But when the police investigating the case advise Jackie that Lachlan’s death has been officially ruled a suicide, Jackie is reluctant to accept it. Jackie enlists the help of her best friend Liz’s husband: Detective Charlie Cooper. While Cooper is reluctant to investigate another team’s closed case at first, he doesn’t want to upset his wife. So Cooper and his partner Joey Quinn start looking at the case and soon form the view that someone is killing kids and making it look like suicide. Who? And why?
In the meantime, Jackie’s preoccupation with Lachlan’s death is causing her ex-husband Marcus concern. He’s worried about the impact on their other two children, Ethan and Emma. Especially after Jackie forgets to pick Emma up from school and she goes missing. Will Jackie’s increasing unreliability cause her to lose her two remaining children?
The action shifts between Cooper and Quinn’s investigation into a number of teenage deaths that have been ruled suicide. The deeper Cooper and Quinn dig, the more secrets they uncover. Cyber-bullying is a factor, but will Cooper and Quinn be able to put all the pieces together before another teenager dies?
I couldn’t put this novel down. Ms Lee has written a fast-paced novel involving the sad and tragic issues of teen bullying and suicide, and on some of the consequences for family members where relationships breakdown. How do families cope with the death of a child? How do children address and survive bullying? Ms Cooper maintains tension throughout novel as the story moves between Jackie’s personal issues and the police investigations. At the same time, the characters of Charlie Cooper and Joey Quinn are further developed, and Charlie Cooper has his own family responsibilities to consider.
This is the third novel in Ms Lee’s ‘Dark Series’. I will now wait as patiently as I can for the fourth novel: ‘Dark Chemistry’ (which is, according to Ms Lee’s website, due in July 2017).
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews