Unspeakable

Deadly Secrets #4

by Elisabeth Naughton

In this electrifying novel from New York Times bestselling author Elisabeth Naughton, love can be a risk when it’s explored in such dark places…

All his siblings have moved on from their troubling pasts, but Rusty McClane can’t leave his behind. Not even when his freedom is in jeopardy.

Legal investigator Harper Blake can sense a bad boy. She’s drawn to them—like she is to her mysterious and brooding new client. The police believe that Rusty is involved with the case of a missing underage girl. Harper’s job is to find evidence to defend him. But is her sexy suspect a predator…or something else?

If Rusty is guilty of anything, it’s of stirring something primitive in Harper. The closer they get, the harder it is to believe the worst of him.

But in an underworld filled with sex trafficking, kidnapping, and murder, Harper will need to be cautious about whom she trusts. Because Rusty isn’t the only one with secrets.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Contemporary Romance, Thriller

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2018

About the author

Before topping multiple bestseller lists—including those of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal—award winning author Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A voracious reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Elisabeth now writes full-time.

Though primarily known for her romantic suspense work, Elisabeth has penned over thirty books and continues to write in multiple genres, including paranormal romance and contemporary romance. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have earned several award nominations, including three prestigious RITA® nominations from Romance Writers of America. In 2017, REPRESSED, the first book in her Deadly Secrets series, won the RITA® for best romantic suspense.

Elisabeth's work has been praised by the Chicago Tribune as being filled with "deadly intrigue, high adrenaline action, and scorchingly hot passion.” Kirkus calls her "a writer talented enough at weaving a yarn to get her readers ensnared in it.” When not dreaming up new stories, Elisabeth can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home, wrangling two cats, or chasing after one very rambunctious Dalmatian.

Learn more about Elisabeth and her books at www.ElisabethNaughton.com.

Reviews

[Princess under cover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in a good mood. It's probably 4.5, but I'm rounding up, because I'll be reading more from this author.

Things I liked:

* The mystery and suspense was pretty good. Things were a little too neatly wrapped up but I like the whole "meant-to-be" trope

* The chemistry betw the H/h was good. Though the h annoyed me in the beginning for being so attracted to H that it was basically messing with her ability to be impartial and focus on her case. She's also really headstrong and careless, which I dislike intensely. Why can't we have a brave AND SMART and logical and calm heroine!??! But she redeemed herself later.

* I always like the broody, almost-virgin-just-waiting-for-the-right-woman to let it all hang loose kind of Heroes. He's been celibate (for many reasons) for over 5 years before he met her. I can't tell you how happy I was when I read that he didn't have a condom and she did because he's just not packing for things like casual sex. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE heroes who are the opposite of man whores (but who knows very well how to get the job done!!) who aren't looking for a casual fling, who feels with their heart, not just their dick. So I'll round up to 5 stars for Rusty alone :)

Wanna check out what happens to the redhead maybe in subsequent novels. Likely getting set up with Rusty's younger bro... looking more of her books up right now :)

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

I like a good romantic-suspense with a broody, bad boy hero. In Rusty we get the broody, but his bad boy rep is mostly a screen for this extracurricular activities. The romance between Rusty and Harper is steamy to the max and their chemistry is bubbling throughout the book from beginning to end. Harper is attracted to moody, bad boys too. The plot and Rusty playing the mysterious crusader wore thin toward the end, but the author wrapped it all up with a pretty bow even.

Rusty McClane has a troubled past that he just can't seen to leave in the past. His sister disappeared at 13, presumably into a sex trafficking ring and Rusty can't seem to let it go. He spends a lot of time in strip clubs and is secretly stealing young girls from the trafficker's and they are not to pleased with his efforts. The police show up to question him in a disappearance and he meets Harper, an ex-cop now a investigator working for Rusty's attorney.

Harper Blake drawn to the mysterious and brooding Rusty, but her track record is not so good. Her job is to find evidence to prove his innocence, even though she has her doubts. Harper wants to be reinstated on the police force and Rusty may just be her ticket back. 3 1/2-Stars

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 'Robin Hood' Stars.

Characters & Chemistry.

Rusty McClane was adopted by the McClanes he is the black sheep of the family or at least he puts himself in that category. Although he has moved on from his past he can’t completely let go. Rusty (I just love that name) has the whole bad boy, tortured soul thing going on but really he is a knight in tarnished armour.

I love Rusty in this book in the other books he came across as a douchebag but he really is a different person here. He is loyal, noble and does the right thing no matter the consequences. He is a man on a mission and the past isn’t as buried as he thinks.

Harper Blake now works as a legal investigator after being accused of sexual harassment and the consequences that she had nothing to do with she now is on the other side of the law. She now has to find evidence to prove the client’s innocence even if they aren’t.

Harper is strong willed heroine and I loved her as a character. She is totally kick-arsed and holds her head up high with what has happened to her. She even puts Rusty on his butt because he is being a douchecanoe at the time.

There is an underlying attraction between the two but when you are being questioned for missing girls you will in advance be stamped as evil. She thinks he’s evil. He thinks she’s a man hater but in the end they overcome their prejudice and are a fantastic couple.

Writing, Plot & Pace.

Ms. Naughton’s style is very appealing. It is smooth, engaging and IMO keeps you interested in the characters. The plot is unique and interconnects with some of the previous books. This can be read as a standalone. The pace has the right balance and there’s never a dull moment.


Verdict.

Ms. Naughton is one of the very few that manages to engage me every single time with her romantic suspense. It is hard to get an even balance between the romance and the suspense. This is by far my favourite one of the series. A must read!

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars rounded up.

Unspeakable is book four in Elisabeth Naughton’s  Deadly Secrets  series featuring the adoptive McClane siblings, and although I haven’t read the other books, it works pretty well as a standalone.  There are, of course, some recurring characters and past events referred to, but the author gives enough information about them to satisfy the newbie without getting bogged down in too much extraneous detail.  I did, however, read a few reviews of the other books after I’d read this one, and discovered that Unspeakable’s hero – Russell (Rusty) McClane – was a bit of an arsehole in the others, so I did miss out on that whole bad-boy-redeemed thing.  On the plus side, however, not knowing much about him meant that the first chapters of the book, where the author paints him as something of a questionable character, kept me guessing for a while – even though it was obvious he was the hero the minute the heroine started lusting after him.

Rusty has always thought of himself as the black sheep of the family, the really awful things he’d done in the past making feel as though he doesn’t belong among this group of honest, good-hearted people who love him.  He can normally handle family parties, but this particular day he just wants to be somewhere else, to avoid the questions about the bandages on his hands and the lies he’ll have to tell in response, hating himself for the deception and cringing at the obvious pride his parents take in him.  In the middle of the party, however, things look set to come crashing down around his ears when two detectives show up at the McClane house intent on asking Rusty some questions about a young girl last seen at the local strip club where she’d worked – and where she’d been seen in Rusty’s company.

Ex-cop-turned-investigator Harper Blake knows a bad boy when she sees one, and Russell McClane most definitely pings her evil receptors.  Her boss, lawyer Andrew Renwick, is an old friend of the McClane family, and he’s been asked to do a little digging around on Rusty’s behalf, to see what the police might be using to build a case against him in case Rusty is charged and Renwick has to mount a defence.  Renwick tells Harper that at least eight girls working at strip joints in the area have disappeared over the past few weeks and months, and that McClane is known to have visited the same places, enquiring about their youngest employees.  Harper can’t put her finger on it, but she knows immediately that something is off about McClane.  Is he just some sicko bastard who preys on teenaged girls, or is something else going on?  Either way, she’s determined to find out.

The author sets up the suspense plot well, keeping readers guessing as to Rusty’s true motivations until the story is well underway. Add in the fact that there’s someone out there with a grudge against the McClanes trying to set him up, an unexpected betrayal from close to home for Harper, and that what she and Rusty eventually stumble into is more dangerously gruesome than either of them had suspected, and you’ve got the ingredients for a pretty compelling story of suspense.

Unfortunately, however, while the suspense works, the novel is rather let down by the romantic part of the plot, because the relationship that springs up between Harper and Rusty is based primarily on lust and there isn’t much romantic about it. They hardly exchange more than a sentence or two until around half-way through the book, and then start making out in the middle of a swanky club when they’re supposed to be looking for a possible victim of a sex trafficking ring and are likely surrounded by lots of big men with guns! I get that danger can be a turn on, but – just nope. I was also a bit squicked by the fact that Harper starts lusting after Rusty while she believes him to be guilty of kidnapping, abusing and maybe even murdering teenage girls.

I liked Rusty and understood why he was driven to follow the path he did, especially after we find out the truth about his past and the piece of unadulterated filth who was his stepfather. I also appreciated why Harper’s past – she was dismissed from the police force because some sleazebags made trumped-up accusations of sexual harassment against her – had hardened her and made her reluctant to trust. Still, that didn’t really excuse the way she jeopardises their fledgling relationship by keeping a pretty big secret from Rusty – she knows it’s a bad idea but she does it anyway, and, of course, it blows up in her face near the end.

Neither character really stood out for me and there were times the plot relied on coincidence a little more often than I’d have liked; but for all that, I was invested enough in it to want to know how things would pan out. The author builds the dramatic tension skilfully and creates a real sense of peril for our heroes; the action scenes are well written and I was impressed with the final twist in the tale. The suspense plot works better than the romance, but Unspeakable kept me reading in spite of its flaws, so I’m giving it a cautious recommendation.

[Dísir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elisabeth Naughton’s ‘Deadly Secrets’ is a series that constantly surprises me, and much of that has to do with how Naughton weaves stories built on the unrelated personal histories of each adopted McClane sibling’s varied pasts. ‘Unspeakable’ is an engaging suspense right from the start and one that quite pointedly starts out by shaping Rusty McClane first, as a questionable protagonist and then later, a gruff and compelling shiny knight in armour living a double life and is quite worthy of the romantic-hero-accolade.

And it’s Rusty who shines, along with his demons, his irresistible vigilante persona—Stephen Amell as the Arrow keeps coming to mind—that he hides from everyone. However, I had my reservations about the disgraced ex-cop Harper Blake—her own shady history, her eagerness to work with Rusty and her personal agenda that she keeps from him—because for quite a bit of the story, the self-serving bit of dishonesty just to get her lost career back and her reliance on their sexual chemistry to get things moving kept nagging at me. With a quick-fire conflict-climax-resolution that was offered almost as an aside towards the end, it was admittedly, harder to root for a pairing as solidly as I thought I would after a spectacular beginning.

Danger and intrigue are present throughout which makes the book hard to put down once I dug in. There are brilliants scenes alternating between the gut-churning sex trade and the sultry heat that builds between Rusty and Harper, and coupled with a good number of players (and a series of ‘generational’ coincidences attributed to fate that might be a little hard to swallow) that Naughton juggles quite effortlessly.

So bottom-line here: my own quibbles with the heroine aside, 'Unspeakable' is a sufficiently complex, not too convoluted read and by and large, a pretty good addition to the RS genre that I'm always putting my nose in.

*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley

[Marielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars.
** I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

I was excited to get a chance to read a book by this new-to-me author. Sadly, as you can see by my rating, this book didn’t work for me. Based on the amount of raving ratings, clearly my experience with this book is a case of “it’s not the book, it’s me”.

I liked the premise, and I saw potential in the pairing of the two leads. But after the first pages, the book just didn’t grab me as I’d hoped it would.

For me it went wrong in the execution, and mainly with too much hinging on chance, telling instead of showing, and (at least to me) unbelievable and too-far-fetched choices by the leads. A few examples: The heroine manages to enter a highly guarded location used by a syndicate crime organization by picking a simple lock, after apparently having navigated a tunnel-system for which a friend of her provided the maps... but it was all almost a spur of the moment decision to go there. The hero needed a date, but didn’t ask the heroine although he wanted to, but instead asked a prostitute he met on the street, even taking her shopping beforehand. The romance was mostly lust-based; the couple doesn’t even exchange a single sentence untill almost halfway through the book, but do start kissing in public the first time they’re not getting shot at.

I think the book would have been better if the search had been for one girl, with a direct personal connection, instead of it being a Robin-hood quest against a big syndicate that to me quickly became too unrealistic. I would also have loved to see the hero and heroine actually talking earlier in the book, instead of the lust and sex-scenes.

I will give this author the benefit of the doubt and read another book by her if I’m given a choice.

[Eva Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gritty and emotionally gripping romance pulls readers and refuses to let go until they have unraveled every last secret. Rusty and Harper are two strong, absorbing characters that sizzled with undeniable chemistry and readers can easily connect with their story. The romance between these two is full danger and passion as at first they fight their attraction to each other and slowly give in as they grow closer together. Both characters have emotional scarring that they have to overcome before they can fully commit to a relationship which adds lots of depth to this story and fits in with the plot of the story as the past unravels.

The story has fast pace and flows smoothly from beginning to end and it keeps readers glued to the pages with lots of thrilling suspense. Danger hides around every corner and deciding who to trust can be lethal as surprising twists reveal deadly secrets. Rusty and Harper’s story has some surprising connections that adds wonder and a sense of fulfillment as their story comes to its conclusion. Once again, the author spins a complicated and compelling web of romance and suspense that readers can’t put down.

[Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Suspense books always take me longer to read because I just can't stand all the tension. This one must be the best of the series by far because I could only read a chapter at a time without taking a break from the book.

This one is Rusty's story. Boy is his a doozy! His back story about broke my heart and his secret life now??? What a heart of gold in this man. This is the fourth book but we haven't seen much of Rusty's personality up until now. It seems as though he needed someone like Harper to make him realize he was worthy of someone to love.

Harper is a great lead character. Full of spunk and willing to stand on her own. It takes a bit for her to realize she is worthy of love as well.

Lots of action, lots of plot twists, and over the top suspense. Harper and Rusty together are combustible! Great to see Rusty's siblings and their partners again. Loved it!

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the fourth book in the series, and Rusty’s story is as good as every one of his siblings so far. I was so excited when I got the book, and yet nervous at the same time, as Elizabeth Naughton writes books which take me high and low, and get me hot and cold, and always cause a few (or more) tears. So although I’m sad I’ve finished it, I can happily report that I managed to read the teary bits when alone!

One of the real strengths of this series is that the love stories are deeply enmeshed in a complex plot, which twists and turns us around. This one is no exception, and in fact the very last chapter and epilogue delivers an unexpected extra to the story. The other star feature is that the siblings all fall in love with someone incredibly strong themselves - this makes absolute sense when you think of their parents as role models. Hannah is an inspirational mother for sure, and Michael a wonderful father.

Will we have to wait till Thomas is a bit older for his book? Probably, but I do hope that there is more to come from this lovely family. In the meantime I’m sure Naughton is busy hatching some other cunning plot to entrance and excite her loyal readers - I for one can’t wait.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This story about human trafficking in San Diego Rusty is easily my favourite in the series so far. Rusty is probably the most secretive of the McClane Siblings but it is a shock when police interrupt a family gathering to bring him in for questioning.

Hired to defend Rusty, his lawyer assigns Harper to find out more about his activities. Quickly, Harper finds herself tangled up with a human trafficking ring - and she knows Rusty is involved in some way.

This story moves quickly and I enjoyed the suspicion surrounding both Rusty and Harper. The two characters are attracted to each other - but neither can trust the other. As the story unravels, it gets bigger and bigger and quickly becomes personal for both Rusty and Harper. The story soon feels a little bit OTT when it feels like everyone in the city is dragged into the investigation. I enjoyed the suspense as Harper and Rusty begin to discover how far the corruption goes but the ending is frustratingly over dramatic and all the pieces are only tied together for readers during a long winded explanation by the baddest of the bad guys.

I liked the connection between Rusty and Harper but any real relationship development is sacrificed for suspense and action. This is marketed as romantic suspense but it feels more like suspense with a little bit of sex. I’m not sure this is a terribly plausible story - but it is an exciting read.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars out of 5
This is the second in the Deadly Secret series I have read by Elisabeth Naughton. This can be read as a stand alone novel but I think readers will enjoy it more if they read the entire series.

Rusty is a broken alpha male who is trying to right the wrongs while Harper is trying to find out who is killing young girls.

The story is well paced until the sex starts and the story stalls out having readers flip though endless sex scenes that are "mind blowing" to find the story again. When the story is found readers will be hooked once again but soon sex and romance takes over until the last 80% of the book where if you put it down for a second you will be wondering what is happening to the heroes of the story.


The ending is a little cheesy for my taste when it comes to romantic suspense stories. With that being said if this is the end of the Deadly Secrets series the author put the perfect finishing touches.

Thank you to Netgalley, The author and publisher Montlake Romance for the advance copy of Elisabeth Naughton Unspeakable

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Unspeakable by Elisabeth Naughton
Series: Deadly Secrets #4

4.5 Stars - I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous to read this book after reading her House of Sin series (because those are just not my thing) and with Rusty having a “dark past” I was super worried this was going to follow in the same path. I was wrong! This book is written like all the Naughton books I’ve loved before. Her suspense was good, seeing the family from the previous books was nice and Rusty himself, felt real. He wasn’t an over the top alpha that drove you crazy with possessiveness. He was a perfect balance. Harper’s character fit with him easily. The two had great chemistry and the story progressed well. I am glad I read this book.

*Received and ARC in exchange for an honest review*

~Paragraphs and Petticoats~

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rusty is one complicated sexy smart man. Harper is one smart tough as nails woman. They both have some baggage from their past. They meet under extreme circumstances. The connection they have is life altering. Could not wait to see where the story would go. Did not see the last twist in this story coming. Amazing read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Unspeakable. It was a great book that kept me on the edge of my seat. I wanted to hurry through it to find out what was going to happen, yet never wanted it to end!

[Jennifer Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery. Kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. I didn't want it to end. Great book. Great characters that you want to see again and again.

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unspeakable (Deadly Secrets #4) by Elisabeth Naughton
3.5 stars
M/F Thriller and romance
Triggers: Human Trafficking
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

This is the second book that I've read in this series. And, while I wasn't disappointed, it also didn't gel very well either.

Rusty is kind of known as the black sheep in his family. They are worried that he's constantly trying to redeem himself. Even when his freedom is in jeopardy, he refuses to give in to the questioning and even hides things from his own attorney. His behavior is somewhat suspect and with that behavior, his attorney sends out an investigator to try and figure out the mystery behind Rusty.

Harper is a disgraced police officer and despite that, she knows that she wants to be back on the force. However, even her contacts that she still has on the force either can't or won't really help her cause. She has her own reasons for wanting to help Rusty in his cause but when she truly digs down in to the mystery, her motives change. Her motives also change the more she gets to know Rusty.

The romance is somewhat overdone in this story. I was much more interested in the mystery and chase. I think that's why I didn't enjoy the book as much as I thought I would. However, the mystery is good and I liked reading about that. I do wish there was a little more completion on Harper's behalf - I thought it felt unfinished. But, I did enjoy it.

[Heather Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's another train ride with Elisabeth and the McClane family and I've happily turned my ticket in for punching. I've fallen in love with the family and the dynamics of their relationship between all of them. This time we get to spend some time with Rusty and I can promise you, your heart will break for his story and everything that he has to go through. I'm glad that this book is about him because he's been the one that we haven't really gotten a good peek at in the other stories so this was a fabulous story to read.

Once again, I find that I love the heroine in this book. Elisabeth has this amazing ability to right female leads that are strong and independent but still have that little bit of vulnerability that exists there allowing for an opening that is needed for the story.

This book is FULL of suspense and I'd almost say that there a more than her previous entry in the Dark Secret Series but this is not a bad thing. It keep me on my toes the whole time and I literally couldn't not put it down. I was reading this book everywhere I went (my nose met a wall a couple of times). Aside from that though, I have to say my favorite thing about this book is the actual connection between Rusty and Harper.

It doesn't feel forced or pushed at all. It feels totally natural through out the book and that just makes for such an amazing read. You end up getting really invested in the story and when the end arrives...there is only sadness because you don't want it to end.

Another amazing edition for the Dark Secrets series and I for one, can't wait for the next entry.

*I received an early release of this book to provide an honest review*

[book_luv_r · Rating 3 out of 5]

***AUDIOBOOK REVIEW***

I think I would’ve liked this book a lot better had I read it, instead of listening to the audiobook. Decent romantic suspense. The male voice ruined it for me. Any Landon’s voice sounded breathless throughout. I listened to her narrate Repressed by Elisabeth Naughton and enjoyed that one. Not sure what bothered me so much with this one.

[★¸. • * ° *Jillie* ° *•.¸☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise !! Ms Naughton saved the best book for last in this series. I just love both the H/H. Well developed characters and a solid story line made this book a pleasure to read. Rusty did some maturing for his book.

This book did tie together the stories in the series before this book so I would recommend reading the other books first. The series centers around 4/5 adoptive older children that are now adults.

There was a lot of material covered in this story including, kidnapping, trafficking, illegal organ harvesting, etc. There was a lot to cover in this romantic-suspense book that was covered well in this story. The book tied up all loose ends and then some. I would love to see a book for Thomas in the future.

#FavoriteAutoBuyAuthor #FiveStarReads

You can find me over on Facebook at My Open Book at the Dragonfly. Come over and say hello.


I would recommend this whole series.

This was listened to on Audiobook and read by Amy Landon, soon becoming one of my favorite narrators.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book. I liked the mystery and suspense, the family camaraderie, the sexy times. This is the only book in the series that I've read. Would I read it again or buy the other books in the series? Probably not.
I got this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 20, 2018

All his siblings have moved on from their troubling pasts, but Rusty McClane can’t leave his behind. Not even when his freedom is in jeopardy.
Legal investigator Harper Blake can sense a bad boy. She’s drawn to them—like she is to her mysterious and brooding new client. The police believe that Rusty is involved with the case of a missing underage girl. Harper’s job is to find evidence to defend him. But is her sexy suspect a predator…or something else?
If Rusty is guilty of anything, it’s of stirring something primitive in Harper. The closer they get, the harder it is to believe the worst of him.
But in an underworld filled with sex trafficking, kidnapping, and murder, Harper will need to be cautious about whom she trusts. Because Rusty isn’t the only one with secrets.


•••••••••••

REVIEW: 4.25 stars--UNSPEAKABLE is the fourth instalment in Elisabeth Naughton’s contemporary, adult DEADLY SECRETS romantic suspense series focusing on the four adopted McClane siblings (Ethan, Alex, Kelsey, Rusty). This is vintner and vigilante Russell ‘Rusty’ McClane, and legal investigator Harper Blake’s story line. UNSPEAKABLE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives (Rusty and Harper) UNSPEAKABLE follows vintner Russell ‘Rusty’ McClane, and legal investigator Harper Blake as they cross paths investigating a potential human trafficking ring with possible connections to a number of murdered and missing sex workers and strippers in and around the Portland, Oregon area. When Russell is ID’d as a possible suspect in the disappearance of an underage stripper, former police officer turned legal investigator Harper Blake believes Russell is hiding more than meets the eye. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Harper and Rusty, as our leading couple work together to uncover and reveal the truth.

Rusty McClane has devoted his life to protecting those unable to protect themselves. A past mired in darkness and loss, Rusty specializes in locating the missing and lost- a one man operation determined to avenge for sins of the past. Former police officer Harper Blake has never met a man like Rusty McClane but Harper suspects Rusty is not whom the police report him to be. There is something about our hero that draws Harper like a moth to a flame, a flame that burns hotter with every encounter.

The relationship between Harper and Rusty is one of immediate attraction but Rusty is the Portland PD’s current suspect in a rash of missing under-aged girls, and for all intents and purposes is off limits. Working together Rusty will reveal the truth behind his vigilante tactics, as Harper slowly falls for the man before her eyes. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of Rusty’s siblings: Ethan and Samantha (Repressed #1), Alex and Raegan (Gone #2), Kelsey and Hunter (Protected #3), as well as youngest brother Thomas, their parents Hannah and Michael McClane; Harper’s boss Andrew Renwick, detectives Brett Callahan, and Noah Pierce. The requisite evil has many faces, some familiar to both of our leading couple. I am not sure if the author has plans for Thomas-he is a senior in high school, and his story would require an advance of several years in the series.

UNSPEAKABLE is a story of family, betrayal, vengeance and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing and intelligent; the characters are spirited and dynamic; the romance is provocative and edgy. UNSPEAKABLE is an engaging and intense story of mystery wherein two people are pulled together by the seedy underbelly of the human sex trade.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Romance Rehab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guest Review by mom, romance fanatic, and (someday) published author Summer Raines!

Amazing book, very well written! No surprise there- it’s Elisabeth Naughton after all. I was scared for the characters, I was happy for them, I laughed, I even had to fight back tears a few times. Very emotional roller coaster with twists and turns you’ll never see coming. Read it, read it, read it!
Just like his siblings, Rusty McClane had a rough past. Unlike his siblings, he hasn’t been able to move on and live a normal life. His dark web surfing and late-night proclivities bring cops to his doorstep, and still he can’t stop himself.

Harper Blake is the legal investigator assigned to his case. When she meets this brooding client who supplies only cryptic answers in the conference room of her law office, she vows to dig up everything this bad boy has buried.

Blake’s assignment is to gather evidence and help prove that McClane had nothing to do with the disappearance of an underage girl. She dives into an underworld filled with sex trafficking, kidnapping and murder. The more she’s immersed in this culture, the more she doubts that Rusty could be the predator the police claim he his.

McClane is sex personified and, annoyingly, a distraction for Harper. She can’t understand why he triggers primitive urges that make her want to rip his clothes off, but she’s starting to think that’s the only thing he’s actually guilty of.

Harper Blake is only sure of one thing—she has to be careful with her trust. This mystery has deep layers she didn’t see coming and disparate players that she never suspected. If she leaks info to the wrong person, more girls could go missing. She decides to lay her life on the line and do what she can to uncover the chilling secrets hiding in the shadows of her hometown.

Unfortunately, the whole book happens in the span of a week, so I had to remove a star because the main characters fell in love too fast, but it all feels completely natural when you read it. There’s a burning physical attraction during their forced proximity which is hard for the hero and heroine to resist. They exchange personal stories to get to know each other better and begin to feel like the other person can provide a puzzle piece to complete what’s missing in them.

At least the characters admit to themselves that they haven’t known each other long. And there’s an epilogue that explains a lot more, so I’m happy just knowing I read a gripping story that totally enthralled me.

I’m going to rate this book 4-stars only because the timeline was short enough that it can’t bust the romance stigma. However, in other ways it beats the stigma by having Harper and Rusty get to know each other’s darkest secrets. It’s still 1-click worthy.

Full disclosure: We received an ARC from the author, free of charge.

And don't forget to check out the Romance Rehab blog for more rants, raves, and other fun romance-y stuff: http://www.romancerehab.com/

[Dolly Sickles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elisabeth Naughton’s Deadly Secrets series is consistently well-written, the characters compelling and the plots addictive. UNSPEAKABLE is no different, with its ripped-from-the-headlines plot: underage girls, sex-trafficking, Shanghai tunnels and corruption. Only, Naughton presents it with a great twist: Rusty McClane has a Robin Hood complex, and ex-cop Harper Blake was accused of sexual harassment against her partner.

Harper is an interesting character. In this #MeToo era of sexual harassment, it’s a rarity to read about women sexually harassing men. It happens, but in this case it’s a manufactured claim. Harper lost her job as one of Portland PD’s finest because her partner accused her of sexual harassment when it was discovered they were having an affair. And then, because the department has a tendency of falsifying evidence, another patrol partner claimed she harassed him, too. Hence the reason for her current role as the investigator for a law firm — the very firm that’s representing Rusty. She’s drawn to him from the beginning, a fact that troubles her.

Rusty is one of four McClane siblings with a tragic start in life but won the karma lottery when the McClanes adopted him. He’s the last of his siblings to settle down, but his parents understand his path is different and are still proud of the hard work he’s put into developing his own vineyard and winery, which is on the very cusp of opening. The McClanes are universally recognized in their community as a good, upstanding family — a fact that gives Rusty the only buffer of hope in the beginning of Harper’s investigation into the charges against him for a string of missing underage girls.

The further Harper sinks into the intrigue surrounding Rusty and the missing girls, the more she understands the way his mind and protective instincts work … and the more she realizes Rusty is more of a “dark and brooding bad boy” than a criminal. Whew, right? Having been the recipient of a department frame job, Harper is fully aware of the potential for her ex-colleagues to set up someone else. But framing evidence is one thing, and questionable actions are another, and until she can separate the two with Rusty, he remains a gray area for her.

Naughton writes an addictive hero, every time. Her heroines, for me, sometimes need polishing (even though they come around in the end). It’s a hard balance, in fiction and in life, to be strong and independent, yet open to love and happiness and the hope of a future relying on a partner. Unspeakable sets an exciting pace, and the twist at the end is righteous. What a great wrap-up to the series.

*Originally published at USA Today's Happy Ever After: https://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2...

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Portland, OR. Lake Oswego Dr. Michael McClane (husband/father/grand), & Russell “Rusty” McClane (35+, son/brother) were manning the grill.
Emma McClane (5, daughter/niece) was teasing Thomas McClane (son/brother, HS Sr.).
Dr. Hannah McClane (wife/mother/grand) was making sure the picnic was going as planned.
Alec McClane (husband/Emma’s father), & Raegan McClane (Alec’s wife/Emma’s mother, P/G) were helping out where they could.
Ethan, & Sam (sister-in-law) had just arrived & checked out the beer cooler.

Detective Simms (45+ Portland PD), & Detective Noah Pierce had come to speak with Rusty.
He was taken downtown.
Leather & Lace strip club. It seems Melony Strauss (18) had disappeared.
Harper Blake (PI) was asking Detective Brett Callahan (Portland PD) if he would take on the Strauss case.
The Plague child trafficking gang is domestic/international.
What is going on with Harper & Rusty (35)?
Walter Kasdan, Miriam Kasdan, & Arnold (son) started the Children Are Our Future (CAOF) charity foundation.
Is Lily McClane (Russell’s biological sister) still alive?
Will Melony be found?
Will the Plague child trafficking bunch be caught & prosecuted for their crimes?

Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (child physical/sexual abuse) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written crime thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great crime thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Montlake Romance; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Unspeakable is the fourth story in the Deadly Secrets series by Elisabeth Naughton. I will always suggest reading a series from the start whenever possible, but if you can’t then there are enough mentions within the narrative or dialogue of Unspeakable to explain any references to people or events from the previous stories. There are interconnecting characters though, so even if I think it could stand on its own very well… I’d grab the earlier books, besides, they’re just as suspenseful and intriguing as this one is so there is nothing to lose here.

I was engaged with Rusty and Harper from the start, and this story never let up it just kept building until an almost explosive ending. Since this is Romantic Suspense there is very little that I’m comfortable saying that might be spoilers… so. Unspeakable is full of twists and turns, you may even be blindsided by events if you’ve followed the series from the beginning. Harper and Rusty sizzle as much as they mistrust but working together they will form a bond that is unbreakable… eventually. I was surprised at times, and now I have to go do some re-reading to figure out what I missed. And that is the only thing I”m gonna say on that. I enjoyed stepping back into this world, Rusty and Harper gave me a roller coaster ride from beginning to the final page. If you love Romantic Suspense… then you need to check out this series. I’d definitely recommend this for any Mystery, Romantic Suspense reader who loves surprises, twists and turns and an intriguing couple with their own agendas along the way.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sad that this is the last book in this series. I loved the entire series. I might have to dive into some of her other books. Okay, moving on...

This was Rusty's book. I wasn't sure what to make of him because he's been limited in the other books in this series. The most we got from him was in the previous book where we learned he was very protective of Kelsey. In this book we learn that he's a loner and that he's involved in something shady - in which cops show up at his doorstep during a family get together.

He's set up with an attorney that the family knows and there he meets Harper, who kind of works as a PI for the attorney. Turns out that a young stripper has gone missing and Rusty was the last one seen with her. Harper instantly thinks he's guilty because, after some digging, she discovered that he frequents strip clubs and asks about the younger ones.

But not all is what it seems. This is not a spoiler - obviously Rusty is not involved in something illegal. He would not be a part of the McClane family nor be the subject of his own book. As Harper begins to see that Rusty may actually be one of the good guys, she also begins to develop feelings for him. He's a bit reluctant but their chemistry is off the charts and eventually they fall into bed together. HOT.

The suspense aspect of this book involves Rusty trying to take down an entire organization alone - before Harper decides to help him. There are twists and turns along the way. The "bad guy" might seem obvious to those who read these types of books all the time but even so, I appreciated the climax of this book. It's always great when an author can keep the reader on the edge of their seat - wondering how everything is going to work out - when the reader knows that a happily ever after is guaranteed. Well done.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book, and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.

Unspeakable is a romantic suspense novel that is the fourth book of Elisabeth Naughton’s “Deadly Secrets” series. Even though this is a series, any reader who has not read the first three books can easily enjoy this book. However, I highly recommend them, because all three books in this series are exciting and intriguing.

This book is about Russell “Rusty McClane who was adopted by his family when he was a young boy. He had been taken away after he was rescued from a fire that killed his stepfather.

The heroine in this book is Harper Blake who is a former police officer. She was suspended after another officer accused her of sexual harassment. Since then she works as a private investigator for an attorney.

Harper and Rusty meet when Rusty is accused of kidnapping an under-aged girl. Harper’s boss is Rusty’s attorney. The attorney wants Harper to investigate Rusty to prove that he is not doing anything illegal.

I wasn’t actually a fan of Rusty in the beginning. However, as I learned more about him and discovered more of his true personality, I grew to love this tortured man.

There is, truly, not much else I can disclose without giving away any spoilers. However, I can say that nothing is ever the way it seems, and the reader will have trouble separating the “good guys” from the villains.

In fact, the intrigue and revelations start in the first chapter and doesn’t truly end until the epilogue.

I am not sure how long this series will last. However, I can think of a few interesting secondary characters that would make excellent heroes and/or heroines for future books.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has Elizabeth Naughton been all my life?! Romantic Suspense is probably my all time favorite genre to read. I love the suspense, the danger, the uncertainty, and the chemistry that smolders between the two main characters. Unspeakable is the perfect mixture of everything I LOVE about romantic suspense. There is hidden identity, secrets, danger, life and death situations, and a love story that burns bright amidst the chaos.

Rusty and Harper. These two. Their meeting is due to a misconception and false accusations. Not the best way to start off a relationship of any kind. But the beauty of this story is that not everything is as it seems. I don’t plan to dive too much into the plot of this book because that would spoil it. And this story needs to be savored… scratch that, devoured, so no spoilers here!

Rusty is the perfect broken hero. His past has molded his future and he uses his pain to make a difference in the world, even if it is in a vigilante way. When Harper enters his life, he is both frustrated and intrigued. These two partner so well, fighting for justice and trying their hardest to make it all out alive.

The minute I finished this book, I went straight to Amazon and grabbed the first three in this series. BONUS: you can start in the middle of this series and it all makes sense. It is a series of interconnected standalones and meeting the past characters from the series in this book only made me want to read their stories even more! If you love good writing, fast action stories, and a romance to curl your toes, Naughton’s books are not to be missed!

[Helyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really been enjoying exploring the romantic suspense genre again. I love trying to figure out how the story will twist and turn and who the bad guys are.

Rusty McClane had a rough childhood until he was adopted by Hannah and Michael McClane. Now an adult, he’s building his business by day and playing superhero by night. His goal–to save as many young girls from falling prey to human trafficking like his step sister did. For years now, he’s been working, in secret, perusing the dark web to try to find and help these young girls to somehow make up for the fact that he couldn’t save his stepsister. But someone has noticed him and he’s now being connected to a young girl’s disappearance.

Harper Blake is an ex-cop who is working as a private investigator. When Rusty is arrested, she’s convinced he’s guilty and sets out to prove it. As she investigates, what she learns puts not only herself, but Rusty in danger, but they go forward even with the odds against them.

There are a lot characters making up the underground human trafficking ring that Rusty and Harper uncover and I’m not going to lie-I got a bit confused with who was who and who was good, bad or just pretending to be good or bad. The story woven here goes back many years and it was interesting to note the connections from then to present day. So much conniving and treachery over time. This story definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat and requires you to pay attention.

It was really satisfying how everything came together in the end. I missed books 2 and 3 in this series, but events from those stories are referenced in this one and I’m curious to read about those previous couples.

[Wayward Readers Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being the first novel that I have read by Elizabeth Naughton, I was definitely delighted with the work and feel it is worthy of notability. The plot line was tight and all of the important characters were well developed. The story line itself was interesting and suspenseful. What I find interesting and what makes this book valuable is that the “intimate scenes” could be edited out and this book would still be outstanding. However, the added sexual tension held between the main characters just brings this book to another level. Kudos to Naughton. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Former homicide detective, Harper Blake, has a new job as a legal investigator after she was fired from position on the police force. Her new boss has assigned her to investigate his latest client, Rusty McClane. Rusty is a person of interest in a case of a missing young girl who worked at a strip club. The problem is that Harper is attracted to Rusty. She has some unexplained draw to him. Will she let it cloud her investigation and judgment of him? Rusty has a dark past but does that mean that is the life he lives now? As Harper digs further into the case, a dangerous world of sex trafficking and organ harvesting unravels and she soon realizes that Rusty is not the only one with alternative agendas.

This was a very hard book to put down. The story was engaging and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is fast paced, thrilling, and full of surprises right until the very end. 5 stars!