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Small Town Secrets #5

Cassi is in a Coma

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A Small Town Secrets Novel Standalone Series - (Book #3)

A cross between If I Stay and Remember Me

"You are not wanted"

Cassi Walker has been Royal High School's most-liked girl for the past four years, but a lot can happen in two days. Suddenly, she's the school's most-hated girl, but before she can figure out why, a ten-story fall off a water tower sends her into a coma. Soon, rumors start to fly that it was attempted suicide. Unfortunately, she has no memory of those final seconds before the harrowing event. Through a strange barrage of dreams, flashbacks, and an out-of-body journey, Cassi will attempt to expose the secrets and uncover the mysteries behind what happened to her. But will she be able to handle the truth?

204 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2018

55 people are currently reading
51 people want to read

About the author

Krista Wagner

19 books85 followers
Amazon Bestselling Author Krista Wagner writes clean mystery suspense stories that reach into those chasms of darkness where deception and betrayal lie, but where faith, and victory over evil, ultimately win. Her books offer a psychological suspense twist on cozy mysteries like the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys series, brimming with realistic characters, a dash of romance, and soul-inspiring intense storylines.
If you like books by authors like Lynette Eason, CC Warrens, and Alana Terry, you will love Krista's books too!

"Dealing with danger and handing out hope"
Krista Wagner, author of mysteries, thrills, and all that is real

Krista also writes clean billionaire romance under the pen name Cristina Ryan.

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5 stars
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13 (30%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Krista Wagner.
Author 19 books85 followers
June 2, 2018
Dear Readers~I dedicated this YA supernatural mystery thriller to those who have been betrayed in the worst kind of way. I wrote the novel when I saw a need to tell a story about someone who is liked by everyone at her school and then is suddenly treated like a pariah without any explanation. Unfortunately, this is an experience that many of us can relate to.

There is a lot of mystery and thrill here. You will find a surprising story that uncovers many secrets through a barrage of flashbacks, dreams, and an out-of-body journey.

Enjoy!

~Krista
Profile Image for Ann.
2,624 reviews3 followers
June 3, 2018
This book is amazing!! If you are looking for a clean, well written book that will keep your attention until the very last word, this is it. I loved when Cassi's brother told her "We don't know what is going to happen, but God lights the way." Cassi said "I guess my light went out." Her brother replied "But God is still with you. Always." Thank you Krista Wagner for an ARC copy of this book. I will be ordering a copy as soon as it is available.
Profile Image for Neelam Aziz.
1 review
December 14, 2018
Cassi Is in A Coma was a great book full of suspense which kept me on my feet. The main character Cassi was really relatable as God put her through a test. Looking at the hardships Cassi went through before she ended up in a coma were heartbreaking, confusing, and frustrating which made me feel so much more connected to her. This book jumps from the present to the past which I thought was a good way to tell this story to ensure that there were no pieces missing from the narration and even helped with understanding the characters backgrounds. What I really loved about this story is how realistic it is. This kind of a situation is very plausible for anyone. The only critique I have about the novel is how unrealistic I felt the ending was based off of everything Cassi had been through. It was the only time during the novel I felt most disconnected from her. Overall it was a good quick read with suspense that kept you on your toes just wanting more and more.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,362 reviews12 followers
October 5, 2025
This YA story had me racing through the pages. Cassi has fallen from a water tower and is in a coma. Everyone thinks it was a suicide attempt because of what she was going through at school. Told from Cassi's point of view as she tries to remember what happened, she goes back to where it all started- at school. I like the way the reader is brought along as Cassi examines who might have hated her and who among her friends might have done this to her. The unexpected twists and the excellent plot kept me glued to my seat. I would definitely recommend this book. I received an advance copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving my review.
628 reviews5 followers
October 19, 2021
Secrets can be deadly

I received this book for free and I am freely giving an honest review . I highly recommend this series . Don't let the YA fool you . Anyone will see it's merit .Well done !😁
2 reviews
December 9, 2018
A very interesting and well written novel. This novel was very interesting and enjoyable to read with its suspense twists and heartbreaking tale of revenge. The various twists really helped build suspense within story making it even that more rewarding to continue reading to find out what happens next. Additionally, the novel’s characters, setting, and background information certainly helped it become a more memorable book in my opinion, as it helped make the characters and the setting feel that much more real as if they could of actually be real. Furthermore, this was one of my more favorite books to read as due it’s fast pace action, as while compared to other reads where the plot would usually slow down after a bit, this had me on the edge of my seat after every event. It feels as if almost every event occurring was just filled with action and excitement which was really refreshing to see as most novels slowly build to the suspense. On top of that, the book’s plot was also very interesting to see as in sense it could be what seem realistic which further adds to this exciting tale of betrayal and cold-hard revenge. In all, I would definitely recommend this novel for anyone who are into these type of genres as this book was like no other book I had read.
2 reviews
December 8, 2018
Cassi Is In A Coma is such as good read!! I have never read a book filled with suspense before so this book actually set my expectations pretty high. The beginning of the book is filled with so much detail which keeps the reader hooked. I began to imagine how Cassi and those around her looked based off the details that were given. I felt in tune with this book because I myself have experienced some terrible moments similar to the ones she faced and it reminded me that there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. The beauty of this book is that there is an emphasis on mystery, struggles and problems that no one can escape. Loved ones and authority worked endlessly to have the desired outcome. The author tackles real issues: from alcoholism, divorce, teen pregnancy, high school friends, boys, violence&abuse...Accidents can happen at any given time and we never know when life can "hit us hard". The main character, Cassi, remained positive, loving, kind, and genuine through out the book. The ending blew my mind, as I did not expect for Cassi to react in such ways. I highly recommend this book to those who desire something different and suspenseful.
Profile Image for Betty  Bennett.
416 reviews5 followers
July 23, 2025
The setting for this novel is a small town. The protagonist moves here with her Mother. She has a genetic condition that causes visual disturbances but has adapted to it. She makes friends easily but suddenly they turn against her. In a quest for space to sort her thoughts, she climbs a water tower during a snowstorm. A fall results in TBI. The mystery revolves around the fall and who may be responsible. The author has done thorough research on all related issues. Her writing is crisp, character development is thorough and the outcome will surprise the reader. The story addresses a number of issues faced by teens today.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1 review1 follower
August 4, 2018
A fun read that keeps you wanting more.

This book takes you on a journey into the mind of a young girl who had a mysterious fall from a water tower that left her in a coma. As she tries to figure out what is going on we see many different twists and turns that leave us wanting to know what the next chapter holds in store.
Profile Image for poppy.
4,589 reviews28 followers
January 9, 2019
This is the third book in the series but is the first I have read. I really enjoyed it they plot was really good with plenty of twists and turns it held my interest all the way through. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series
1 review
December 13, 2018
Cassi Is In A Coma is a book that you think starts off as typical teenage drama and then you quickly realize that is not the case. This book takes you on a good but different spiritual level. It will test your ideas of what you think you would do in a situation and how you would handle it spiritually. Cassi Is In A Coma is very nicely written with just the right amount of adjectives for everything to give the reader the intellectual freedom to feel like your in the book. You can picture what the people look like, hear what they sound like and even feel like your in the same room as them. I like this book and highly recommend it to anyone who has been down a road of betrayal and it would be a good book to gift to someone who is a bully or someone who isn't or hasn't been. As you read you think you can determine what happens next but end up being surprised. Cassi isn't for the faint of heart, it touches on faith, friendships, family even broken families. This book has characters who have relatable real-life problems. I started off having a hard time getting into it but the hook had me in and I couldn't stop and I am glad I did not.
Author 1 book68 followers
June 4, 2020
In Silver Canyon faith is tested. Cassi Walker, Royal High School's most-liked girl suddenly the most-hated. She falls off a ten-story water tower plunging her into a coma. Through dreams, flashbacks, and the out-of-body journeys she discovers who pushed her.

What a gripping story. I started reading and couldn't put the book down. It's a unique plot that stays suspenseful throughout the story. I loved the Christian element of the book. Faith lived out in the characters. High School can be cruel. Cassi in a Coma takes it to a new level.

Rated: Clean with no curse words or sexual situations.

All books in the Small Town Secrets series are clean YA and can be read in any order.
Profile Image for The Endless Unread.
3,419 reviews63 followers
April 8, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised reading this book. I absolutely loved it. It was full of action from start to finish and it was something a little bit different to what I am used to reading. It breathed fresh air into the genre and I cannot wait to devour the next book and its contents.
Profile Image for Rebel.
2,654 reviews
March 22, 2025
Some books entertain you. Others make you think. And then there are books like Intent in a Coma—ones that pull you into a waking dream, leaving you questioning everything even after you’ve turned the last page.

From the very first line, I felt the weight of this story. One minute, she’s the most-liked girl in school. The next? She’s trapped in a coma, with no memory of how she got there. The rumors say she jumped. But the threats waiting for her to wake up tell a different story. And suddenly, her fight isn’t just about regaining her memories—it’s about survival.

Krista Wagner masterfully blends psychological suspense with a touch of the supernatural, using dreams, flashbacks, and eerie out-of-body experiences to unravel a mystery that feels both deeply personal and impossibly vast. The way the story unfolds—bit by bit, dream by dream—feels so immersive, almost like being trapped in the coma alongside her, trying to claw through the haze for the truth.

And let’s talk about the tension. It’s relentless. Just when I thought I had a grip on what happened, another revelation threw everything into question. The notes. The whispers. The looming sense that someone doesn’t want her to wake up. It sent chills down my spine.

But beyond the mystery, what really got to me was the heart of the story—her journey of faith, resilience, and self-discovery. The idea that even in the darkest moments, even when you’re lost in the in-between, there’s still a thread of hope.

If you love:
🌀 Mind-bending psychological suspense
📖 Short, gripping chapters that keep you turning pages long past bedtime
🔍 A protagonist you root for, even as the odds stack against her
💫 A touch of the supernatural woven into a grounded, emotional mystery

Then Intent in a Coma is the book you need to read next. Krista Wagner delivers a haunting, unputdownable ride—one that lingers in your thoughts, long after the final page.
Profile Image for Bev.
3,267 reviews97 followers
April 11, 2023
Cassie is well liked in school. She's not the smartest person, her family isn't rich, but she knows how to organize things to get things done for the school. After her parent's divorced, she and her mother moved, and life is good----then it isn't. Her friends turn on her, say and do horrible things and she doesn't have any idea why. Then she ends up in a coma--what happens then will get the reader thinking. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Tami Willard.
2,301 reviews14 followers
April 8, 2025
This is the 5th book in the series. It can be read as a standalone but does mention characters/places from previous books. This book centers around a teenage girl and takes place mainly during the time period that she is in a coma. It includes several of the severe issues that a teenager can face including bullying, depression, self harm and eating disorders...

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for DesertReal.
317 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2019
This book started off compelling, then lost steam, then veered sharply into born again territory. I mean I'm a spiritual person- but it kind of came out of nowhere for the character towards the end.
So...fans of the 700 Club will love this...everyone else though...
No so much.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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