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Hidden Deception
Her own father had killed her mother. Afterward, Elena Segura Jackson had been adopted by a loving Santa Fe family. For years she'd tried to focus only on the present and future—not the past. But now another murder, in her family's antique shop, brings the old memories rushing back. Detective Daniel Stillwater, widowed father of a little girl, vows to find the killer. In Daniel's presence, Elena dares feel safe. Yet the killer keeps coming back, wreaking havoc in the shop, looking for…something.
Like a moment when the good detective isn't by Elena's side.
Like a moment when the good detective isn't by Elena's side.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2007
About the author
Leann Harris
45 books38 followersI am a teacher of the deaf, specializing in high school math and science. I also am a avid gardener and compostor.
I've been writing most of my adult life, creating stories and letting my mind imagine all sorts of things. I've been a detective, lawyer, veterinary, and antique dealer.
I teach writing now at the local community college in their continuing education department.
I am a Westerner, growing up with that mindset of the west.
I've been writing most of my adult life, creating stories and letting my mind imagine all sorts of things. I've been a detective, lawyer, veterinary, and antique dealer.
I teach writing now at the local community college in their continuing education department.
I am a Westerner, growing up with that mindset of the west.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 10, 2019
The good: The suspense/mystery part is well done. There are several possible suspects who who is breaking into the antique shop and they all have potential motives. I liked the two main characters (Daniel and Elena) and Daniel's daughter April. Elena's personal history has shaped her to be able to help April with an understanding that others might not have.
I didn't guess whodunit or why until it was revealed though I did guess someone from nearby the antique shop was at least involved in some way.
There's humor in the book.
The bad: As with most of the books in this series, it bothers me that the two main characters go from meeting each other to getting married in a short period of time. I'm just not convinced that that scenario works well in the real world. I'd probably have given it an extra half to full star if the book had ended with engagement instead of them getting married.
I didn't guess whodunit or why until it was revealed though I did guess someone from nearby the antique shop was at least involved in some way.
There's humor in the book.
The bad: As with most of the books in this series, it bothers me that the two main characters go from meeting each other to getting married in a short period of time. I'm just not convinced that that scenario works well in the real world. I'd probably have given it an extra half to full star if the book had ended with engagement instead of them getting married.
August 12, 2011
Leann Harris weaves an intricate mystery in her "Love Inspired Suspense" novel Hidden Deception. This has the flavors of a traditional whodunit and I licked my chops at the challenge.
Set amidst the charm of the older area of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Ms. Harris draws a picture of deceit, personal agendas and hushed connections. The secrets in this book are so thick, they unfold in layers, enticing the reader to expose a little more.
Elena Jackson's childhood horror of seeing her mother die at the hands of her father returns full-force when she finds the body of a co-worker in the antique store belonging to her adoptive parents. Police Detective Daniel Stillwater is assigned to solve the case. As the tendrils of a romance begin to form between them, he finds his greater priority is to keep Elena alive.
The characters are well-drawn with quirks, deep-seeded pain, and strong faith that makes them interesting, however they are not very deep. The relationship between the two protagonists is sweet, but not intense, and their comments tend to lean a little toward the preachy side.
While this was a pleasant mystery, I didn't consider it suspenseful at all. At the end, the culprit's path could just as easily veered toward several other characters. That's not really such a good thing. As a reader, I don't want to have to guess who the murderer is, even if I'm right. I want to be able to deduce the solution.
I liked it, even more toward the middle and end than at the beginning. It was an easy-going ride and sometimes I need those to breathe between the intensity of other books.
Set amidst the charm of the older area of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Ms. Harris draws a picture of deceit, personal agendas and hushed connections. The secrets in this book are so thick, they unfold in layers, enticing the reader to expose a little more.
Elena Jackson's childhood horror of seeing her mother die at the hands of her father returns full-force when she finds the body of a co-worker in the antique store belonging to her adoptive parents. Police Detective Daniel Stillwater is assigned to solve the case. As the tendrils of a romance begin to form between them, he finds his greater priority is to keep Elena alive.
The characters are well-drawn with quirks, deep-seeded pain, and strong faith that makes them interesting, however they are not very deep. The relationship between the two protagonists is sweet, but not intense, and their comments tend to lean a little toward the preachy side.
While this was a pleasant mystery, I didn't consider it suspenseful at all. At the end, the culprit's path could just as easily veered toward several other characters. That's not really such a good thing. As a reader, I don't want to have to guess who the murderer is, even if I'm right. I want to be able to deduce the solution.
I liked it, even more toward the middle and end than at the beginning. It was an easy-going ride and sometimes I need those to breathe between the intensity of other books.
March 11, 2009
i honestly couldn't believe that a book that small could hold so much love and suspense, yet light and hilarious at the same time. i was amazed at how often i laughed when a character said something not even intended to be funny!
November 10, 2008
OK. I had to read the back of the book to try to remember what it was about. I guess that about sums it up.
October 21, 2010
If you like Christian romance with some suspense mixed in you will enjoy the book. Easy to read and written well.
September 2, 2014
the story of elana who witnesses her parents murder when she was a child and when her employee ends up murdered in her store the memories come back as she helps the dectective look for the killer.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews