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A dangerous reunion they may not survive

In this Mount Shasta Secrets novel

FBI agent Tori Peterson intends to find her sister's murderer, even if someone's willing to kill her to keep the truth hidden. But that means returning home and working with the lead detective--her ex-boyfriend, Ryan Bradley. Though sparks still fly between them, Tori and Ryan must stay focused on catching a killer...before they are silenced for good.

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2019

170 people are currently reading
319 people want to read

About the author

Elizabeth Goddard

132 books1,551 followers
Elizabeth Goddard is the PW, ECPA, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of over sixty novels, including the Missing in Alaska and Rocky Mountain Courage series. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and Reader's Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website.



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5 stars
239 (56%)
4 stars
123 (28%)
3 stars
48 (11%)
2 stars
13 (3%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,879 reviews209 followers
November 25, 2019
Deadly Evidence is an action-packed beginning to the new Mount Shasta Secrets series. This story started off with a big dose of danger and just didn’t let up. There was plenty of romantic tension between the two main characters, which added even more interesting moments as Tori and Ryan raced to uncover the truth behind Tori’s sister’s murder.

I liked that these two characters had a past relationship and that they now had to work with each other so much in this story. Tori frustrated me at times, as she didn’t seem to value the importance of passing along information to Ryan, only to find herself in trouble time and again! However, I still liked her, and hoped for the best for the two of them. The author kept me guessing all the way through the book as to why Tori’s sister and others had been killed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews272 followers
August 19, 2019
FBI Agent Tori Peterson returns to her hometown in California following her sister's murder. Tori is convinced that there are factors at play to keep her from discovering the ones responsible. She intends to work this case, but that means working with her former boyfriend, Ryan Bradly, a police detective. She left him to follow a career across the country and he hasn't forgotten that.
Soon Tori is also in the crosshairs of a murderer. Can Ryan keep her safe? Do they have a future?

Once again Elizabeth Goddard has written a great suspense novel. And this one is the start of a series! She keeps us guessing until the very end, too. Recommended.

*My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. All opinions stated here are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Patrizia.
1,945 reviews42 followers
November 25, 2019
Le descrizioni dell'ambiente naturale sono ispiranti e la storia gialla non è male, piena di suspence, ma trovo che non siano stati forniti gli indizi necessari per risolverla (il colpevole appare solamente nella scena clou finale, mai sentito nominare prima).
La storia d'amore non è molto soddisfacente: i due protagonisti erano fidanzati fino a 4 anni prima, quando lei se ne va per seguire una carriera nella FBI. Durante tutto il libro si capisce che nutrono ancora dei sentimenti l'uno per l'altra e viceversa, ma li nascondono. Poi, all'ultima pagina (ripeto: all'ultima pagina!!!) lei gli dice "Che dici di dare una seconda possibilità alla nostra storia?" e lui risponde subito "Sposiamoci". Ora, a me sembra del tutto fantascientifico...
581 reviews
September 7, 2019
One minute Tori is calmly kayaking down Wind River in Mount Shasta California enjoying the scenery and the next minute she's being shot at, and forced to go tumbling over the waterfall to escape. Now how's that for an opening scene?

Tough-as-nails FBI agent Tori Peterson isn’t afraid of anything, even when she’s faced with being a killer’s target. She’ll go galloping into danger faster than a speeding bullet with guns blazing! Except for when it comes to falling in love with ex-boyfriend Ryan Bradley again. She’d rather go down fighting the still-there attraction than surrender her heart. But if she wants to help solve her sister’s murder, she must find a way to work with the lead detective while keeping her feelings buried. Ryan, the ever protective one, has to contend with her prickly nature while taking lead of the multiple murder investigation. Still reeling from Tori leaving town—and him—to pursue a career in the FBI, is his heart too bruised to heal from the still-tender feelings?

This was action packed, adrenaline laced, with plenty of nail biting scenes. The high tension between these two shot enough sparks to light a bonfire! Goddard knows how to keep you on your toes with the suspense and romance perfectly balanced. You never know what’s coming next in this one! Prepare yourself for a wild ride all the way to the end in Deadly Evidence!

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Profile Image for Hannah.
2,846 reviews1,436 followers
February 23, 2020
An enjoyable thriller about a woman whose sister has just been murdered. I really enjoyed the characters and I liked the clues to solve but some major reality questions kept it from being a new favorite Aside from that, a really enjoyable story of second chances and a well-plotted set of clues.
Profile Image for Suzie Waltner.
Author 13 books148 followers
September 26, 2019
Elizabeth Goddard takes readers to the town of Rainey, California and introduces them to the surrounding Mt. Shasta area in Deadly Evidence.

From the first page to the final, Goddard drew me in and thrust me into an investigation that moves at a sprint with little time to catch my breath.

Tori is determined to find out who killed her sister, but between grief, regrets, and someone trying to stop her by any means possible, will she survive long enough to uncover the truth?

The history Tori and Ryan have together make the romance in this introduction to a new series believable with a relationship that will weather future storms if they make it through the current torrent. The suspense kept me guessing until the end with new evidence and suspects added along the way.

Is it too soon to ask if Ryan’s twin sister gets the spotlight in a future book?

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
1,760 reviews33 followers
August 22, 2019
Another superb action book by Elizabeth Goddard and this one begins a new series! I happen to live not far from the Mount Shasta region in California so that made it even more fun for me! I could visualize the area she was writing about. The two main characters were interesting to me. The lead detective in a murder case, Ryan Bradley, I could relate with. He's driven yet compassionate. He feels for the victims' families and is especially careful because the victim in this case is the sister of his former girlfriend so he knew her. However, he wants the killer caught so he's very driven to find him/her. The heroine, Tori Peterson, I couldn't relate to as much. It happens sometimes in books where you just don't "click" with a character! I found her somewhat too prideful and not very compassionate. She didn't treat Ryan very well. Granted, he was her ex-boyfriend but still, he was doing everything he could to find her sister's killer. I just wanted her to be nicer to everyone she came in contact with and she wasn't. However, the story itself was great and I loved all the action. You never knew what would happen next! So many twists and turns to keep you guessing! Definitely recommend this book!
Profile Image for Kara.
812 reviews
September 1, 2019
Really liked how this book opens, with Tori placed in immediate danger as she kayaks in a familiar place starting to look for clues in her sister's murder. The book is non stop action from there, which I really enjoyed, but I had trouble connecting with Tori as the story develops.

She's an FBI agent, but despite her training as a special agent, I really didn't see her as aware of her surroundings and the danger existing.
She loves her job, but I really didn't understand why she loves her job since her dedication is finding her sister's killer.

Ryan is such a great detective, but his resources are limited and it was frustrating that Tori insists on helping him despite his efforts to get her to leave the investigating to him and his team. I loved how he protected her and listened to her.

This was another great book by Goddard and I look forward to the rest of this new series!

I received a free copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Heather Pickett.
384 reviews27 followers
March 18, 2020
Elizabeth Goddard’s Deadly Evidence starts out with a bang! FBI Agent Tori Peterson is out kayaking when someone attempts to take her life. She’s been gone across the country for several years, but she’s back home in California to lay her sister to rest. She’s also home to investigate her sister’s murder, but with the attack on her own life, she needs to reach out to the one man she’d rather not, the man she left behind four years ago for the FBI - Detective Ryan Bradley. Tori and Ryan need to focus on keeping Tori safe and solving the murder, but can they also work on rebuilding their personal relationship and find love again? Another fantastic suspense that keeps you on your toes!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. My opinions here are my own.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,189 reviews
September 10, 2019
Deadly Evidence ( Mount Shasta Secrets #1 )
By; Elizabeth Goddard
Wow, this book has danger around every corner and curve, mystery, and lots of questions unanswered. This is a fast paced story that will have you on the edge of your seat trying to read faster to see what is going to happen next. I love the story and the characters, both were realistic. FBI Agent Tori has to find answers to the murder of her sister. Will she find them before it is too late?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All open ions are my own.
Profile Image for Melissa.
351 reviews37 followers
September 8, 2019
Deadly Evidence By Elizabeth Goddard is a christian suspense novel centered around an FBI agent who returns home to try and find her sister's killer. Tori Peterson comes home to her small town near Mount Shasta in California. She has been gone 4 years when she chose to move to South Carolina and take a job with the FBI over staying and building a life with former boyfriend Detective Ryan Bradley. Their paths cross again when Tori comes home to lay her sister to rest and again when an attempt is made on her life while she is kayaking. Will Tori be able to survive all these attacks and find her sister's killer? Anything is possible with the help of Detective Ryan.

I really enjoyed this book. Action starts right away when Tori is out kayaking and someone starts shooting at her. It never really stops after that either. The surroundings are good. I loved Mount Shasta looming in the background. The mystery even better. It draws you right in. My only complaint is that I had a hard time connecting with the Main character. I loved Ryan right away. Tori really kept me at a distance. I understood where she was coming from...sorta. I still wanted to shake some sense into her many times. Despite not liking her as much as I wanted to, it's a really good suspense book. It kept me on my toes and was a surprise to find out who had murdered her sister. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of Mount Shasta Secrets series.
1,068 reviews
July 3, 2025
This is my first book by this author and I struggled to finish it. There were so many things that annoyed me. I don’t like authors making law enforcement people look stupid. Ryan and Tori are two of the dumbest law enforcement people I’ve ever read.

I did not like Tori at all. She was selfish, heartless (her words when in the hospital talking about her parents) and just plain stupid. She was also a liar. She continued to promise Ryan that she would share information with him and did not.

Then, there is someone trying to kill her and she goes about her business as if it’s a beautiful sunny day with no cares. Three times someone tried to kill her and what does she do? She meets a total stranger in a motel room to get information. Luckily Ryan was following her and again saved her. This is attempt #4. Did she learn from this? Of course not! I lost count but there were five or six attempts to kill her.

Then there was Ryan. I liked him but he was like a little puppy dog waiting to be petted by Tori and all she did was give him a kick.

A lot of the book was about their prior romance from years ago. It was repetitive, boring and added nothing.

A happy ending would have been if Ryan had met a nice woman for his HEA. He deserved better than Tori.
Profile Image for Theresa.
23 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2019
Deadly Evidence is full of action from the very start. Waterfall wipeouts, car crashes, explosions, it really is a page turner and a fast read. Tori is investigating the murder of her sister and becomes the new target. She joins forces with her ex Rayn to find the killer but with constant attempts on her life, investigating is harder than usual. Add in confused feelings towards each other and you have a crazy ride. I have to admit, the end felt a little rushed on this, but otherwise it's very enjoyable. Full of beautiful scenery and adventure, this is one I'd recommend for the reader who loves lots of action mixed in with their romance.
Profile Image for Allyson Anthony.
1,150 reviews47 followers
February 12, 2022
This suspense story is action packed and exciting starting from the first chapter. FBI agent Tori Peterson returns home to bury her sister and to investigate her sister's murder. While she is kayaking, someone shoots at her.
Tori is determined to find her sister's murderer. Her ex boyfriend Is a police detective, and there is romantic tension between the two of them. Nevertheless, Tori and Ryan are in a race to figure out who Toni's sister's murderer is and who is targeting Toni. This story kept me guessing until the very end.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
343 reviews
August 16, 2025
Good read, full of suspense, a lot of twiests and turns. FBI lady flies clear across the country after hearing her twin sister was murdered in the CA wilderness, to help find the killer(s). Where her high school sweetheart is now the lead sheriff on the case. And of course, those old feelings never truly dried up. But solving the case, its never what the reader is thinking. Only thing that bothered me is author kept referring to using oars with kayak. You don't use oars when kayaking, you use paddles. If it wasn't for this jarring, I could have really sunk into the book, thinking I was there!
Profile Image for Laura Hamby.
191 reviews12 followers
March 15, 2021
Seeking Justice

Tori has returned to her hometown to grieve the loss of her sister as well as find out who is responsible for Sarah’s death. Ryan is not only the lead detective on the case but also Tori’s former boyfriend. The journey for answers keeps putting them both in danger. What affect will their time together have on their future? Read this first book of the Shasta Mountain series for yourself to find out.
Profile Image for Laura.
148 reviews
February 18, 2023
Twists & Turns!

Love how this plot was woven together. Was it unbelievable at times? Um, yes. Sorry, not sorry, lol. I won’t spoil the plot for any one, but while it would make a great movie, it just doesn’t ring “true life” & that is 100% okay! Reading books is enjoyable especially when it’s not true to life. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series. This is a great read if you’ve a couple hours to kill!
383 reviews3 followers
March 6, 2022
Deadly Evidence

This story was such a mix of personalities some good, some that just made you want to shake Tori. She had such a big ego and was always right. Then there was Ryan whose self esteem was in the bottom of the barrel. Alas both of them overcame and were victors. Good job!
Profile Image for Jeanette Revie.
136 reviews4 followers
April 2, 2022
Good Series Start

I've been reading these love inspired books for a little while now. Good stories with an encouraging message and feel good endings. The world could certainly use more of this. I've downloaded book two in the Mount Shasta Secrets series. Looking forward to it. Love following characters.
Profile Image for Moira.
1,262 reviews12 followers
September 17, 2022
Lots of action and mystery

A new author for me and the first book in the series was full of action and mystery, but I found myself skimming through the book. The story just seemed a bit disjointed. I'll read the end book to see if the writing style makes a bit more sense. 3.5 stars is my rating.
28 reviews
March 6, 2022
On the run!

Love Ms.Goddard's books. She always keeps me in suspense! Trio and Ryan seems to barely stay ahead of getting killed. Ryan manages to keep them safe and catch the bad guys.
48 reviews
July 20, 2022
Deadly Evidence

Deadly Evidence by Elizabeth Goddard is the story of Tori and Ryan. Together they work to solve the mystery of her sister's death while trying to stay alive from her killer. Tori learns what is truly important to her and its not her job.
Profile Image for Jan.
751 reviews23 followers
February 23, 2022
Couldn't put it down

I liked the suspense and the interactions between the characters. The conflicts and the attraction. I couldn't put it down.
Profile Image for D Crawford.
45 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2022
Excellent book for lovers of Love Inspired Suspense. True to the fast-paced danger mixed with romantic tension that is the highlight of these books. Highly recommend. Clean.
1,405 reviews16 followers
March 25, 2022
tori is back looking for who killed her sister but she is going to have to work with her ex but she will do it and make it work a very good story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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