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Cady Maddix Mystery #3
A Darker Truth
A radicalized killer, a mute victim and a deputy US Marshal haunted by her dark past collide in the shattering conclusion to the Cady Maddix trilogy.
An arrest warrant goes horribly wrong when Deputy US Marshal Cady Maddix is captured and held captive by a mentally unstable man. She manages to escape, but not before she’s beaten and tattooed with a violent scene from her captor's dark and damaged mind: a burning church and screaming children.
Three weeks later, she’s back on the job and assigned a warrant for Frank Burgess, The Cremator. A corpse and human cremains have been found on the radical zealot’s property, and clues are in short supply. But Cady soon meets a survivor of the killer, a mute young woman who points them to a burnt-out rural church the man attended. Cady is shocked to discover the church is a duplicate of the one she bears on her back.
Cady is determined to find the connection between former church members who’ve died bizarre deaths in recent years. But there's a killer who will stop at nothing to complete his deadly list, even if it means adding Cady as his next victim.
An arrest warrant goes horribly wrong when Deputy US Marshal Cady Maddix is captured and held captive by a mentally unstable man. She manages to escape, but not before she’s beaten and tattooed with a violent scene from her captor's dark and damaged mind: a burning church and screaming children.
Three weeks later, she’s back on the job and assigned a warrant for Frank Burgess, The Cremator. A corpse and human cremains have been found on the radical zealot’s property, and clues are in short supply. But Cady soon meets a survivor of the killer, a mute young woman who points them to a burnt-out rural church the man attended. Cady is shocked to discover the church is a duplicate of the one she bears on her back.
Cady is determined to find the connection between former church members who’ve died bizarre deaths in recent years. But there's a killer who will stop at nothing to complete his deadly list, even if it means adding Cady as his next victim.
- GenresRomantic Suspense
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2020
91 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Brant
87 books645 followersThe mother of five children, Kylie Brant claims she began writing to save her sanity. Plotting stories became her method of escape from the reality of constant ball games, chauffeuring kids, and refereeing "minor" disagreements between her perfect offspring.
In 1992 she was elated to get a call from Silhouette offering to buy her second novel. Home with laryngitis at the time, she still managed to croak out agreement, and her career was born. A few months later she went on to sell Rancher's Choice, the first manuscript she’d written.
Kylie is married to her high school sweetheart, and they make their home in Iowa. She insists that all her heroes are based on her husband of 23 years because he possesses that most heroic of make qualities — ironing skills. Those abilities come in handy, as she juggles a full time teaching job with writing and a family.
Doing things the easy way has never held much appeal for this multi award-winning author. She graduated with high honors from the University of Northern Iowa. A graduation photo shows her in cap and gown holding her two sons, one aged 16 months and the other three weeks. She went on to obtain a teaching job working with learning-disabled children while completing her master’s degree at night and during summers.
"There was a time in my life when I could imagine myself as a life-long student," she recalls. "I actually toyed with the idea of pursuing a doctorate. But instead, my life took a spin and I ended up writing romances. I’ve never regretted it!" Her family has since been completed by the birth of another son and a set of twins, a boy and a girl.
Kylie’s books are regularly featured on bestseller lists such as Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. With over a million copies of books in print, her novels have been distributed in 20 countries and released in seven languages.
Family and friends are the main focus of Kylie’s life. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading and flower gardening. She loves traveling, preferring beach, ocean, and room service.
In 1992 she was elated to get a call from Silhouette offering to buy her second novel. Home with laryngitis at the time, she still managed to croak out agreement, and her career was born. A few months later she went on to sell Rancher's Choice, the first manuscript she’d written.
Kylie is married to her high school sweetheart, and they make their home in Iowa. She insists that all her heroes are based on her husband of 23 years because he possesses that most heroic of make qualities — ironing skills. Those abilities come in handy, as she juggles a full time teaching job with writing and a family.
Doing things the easy way has never held much appeal for this multi award-winning author. She graduated with high honors from the University of Northern Iowa. A graduation photo shows her in cap and gown holding her two sons, one aged 16 months and the other three weeks. She went on to obtain a teaching job working with learning-disabled children while completing her master’s degree at night and during summers.
"There was a time in my life when I could imagine myself as a life-long student," she recalls. "I actually toyed with the idea of pursuing a doctorate. But instead, my life took a spin and I ended up writing romances. I’ve never regretted it!" Her family has since been completed by the birth of another son and a set of twins, a boy and a girl.
Kylie’s books are regularly featured on bestseller lists such as Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. With over a million copies of books in print, her novels have been distributed in 20 countries and released in seven languages.
Family and friends are the main focus of Kylie’s life. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading and flower gardening. She loves traveling, preferring beach, ocean, and room service.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 23, 2023
This was hard for me to get into but I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. Once the investigating started and one clue lead to another things got a lot more interesting. The subject matter was a bit difficult at times. It's all based on this little ole church in the middle of nowhere in NC not far from Ashville.
May 17, 2020
This third installment in the Cady Maddix trilogy is the best yet. Multiple suspense/thrilling plots that present separately at first but as the story and investigations go on you find out they are all tied together by sick and twisted events from the past.
Along with the suspense parts of the story we also get more info about Cady's family past. Cady is still dealing with the trauma's of her past and her run in crazy man who kidnaps her at the beginning of the book adds to her nightmares but she is finally coming to terms with her PTSD which in turn helps her in her relationship with Sheriff Ryder Talbot.
I've enjoyed this series and hope this isnt the last we will see of US Marshall Cady Maddix.
Along with the suspense parts of the story we also get more info about Cady's family past. Cady is still dealing with the trauma's of her past and her run in crazy man who kidnaps her at the beginning of the book adds to her nightmares but she is finally coming to terms with her PTSD which in turn helps her in her relationship with Sheriff Ryder Talbot.
I've enjoyed this series and hope this isnt the last we will see of US Marshall Cady Maddix.
May 18, 2020
I loved it. Surprising ending. One of the few books that I did not figure out who did it. I love the characters and hope that this series continues
June 4, 2020
This book definitely deserves the five stars I give it. Not only do I love the characters, I loved the story (mystery/suspense), how it grabs you right from the start and never let's you go. I was deeply invested in this one from beginning to end. There were a lot of twists and turns with a few surprises, but I certainly didn't see the direction the story was taking. Like always, Cady always finds out what others are hiding whether it be on the job (apprehending fugitives) or her personal life (dealing with her horrible aunt and stupid cousins). She still remembers her life as a toddler and teenager living with her grandfather but she never let's it get in her way of her job. What I really liked and appreciated was how much Cady grew into a more trusting and loving woman with respect to her relationship with Ryder. This was an awesome read. My question to the author is, will there be a fourth? Fingers crossed.
July 1, 2024
I enjoyed this book from beginning to the end. It is very well written and plotted. Kylie Brant is an experienced writer. She keeps you engaged in the story and invested in her characters.
I felt like I was inside of a real-life crime mystery. This series should be written for TV. The story grabbed my attention right away with USMS Cady Maddix and her partners kidnapping, and it didn't stop there. I didn't want to put this book down, but unfortunately real life got in the way.
I could tell Kylie has researched USMS and she did a wonderful job at it too.
Kylie Grant, what a spectacular read! You're an amazing author.
I felt like I was inside of a real-life crime mystery. This series should be written for TV. The story grabbed my attention right away with USMS Cady Maddix and her partners kidnapping, and it didn't stop there. I didn't want to put this book down, but unfortunately real life got in the way.
I could tell Kylie has researched USMS and she did a wonderful job at it too.
Kylie Grant, what a spectacular read! You're an amazing author.
May 18, 2020
Deputy US Marshall Cady is captured by a mentally unstable man when she tries to serve an arrest warrant. After she recovers she is back on the job searching for a serial killer. I was hooked on this book from the first page. It is full of twists and turns with a surprise at the end that I didn’t see coming. It is part of a series but it could be read as a stand alone. I look forward to the next book by this author.
January 12, 2021
This was the best book in the trilogy, hands down. I never would have expected the twist at the ending and now I'm a little sad that I've finished the series! This book was filled with non-stop twists in a way that was remarkably well done and didn't feel over the top. I've loved getting to know the characters and definitely plan to branch out further into Kylie Brant's work because I'm now hooked!
May 23, 2022
Thank you Kylie brant for this book, I won it through your website. I was so excited to win plus it was very nice that you wrote a message inside. Makes it that more special. As for the book. First I read in the series will definitely go back and read the first two. Great characters to read about so much going on in cady life. Great story even though those things are horrible to happen to someone. I’m glad the ending worked out so well. Definitely a great read
June 2, 2020
From page one we are thrown over the edge and what a wild free fall. US Marshall Cady Maddix is such a bad ass.
I am never disappointed in this author, she writes twists, turns and plots that keep me on the edge of my seat. Her characters literally leap off the pages. I hope this isn’t the last that we see of them.
I am never disappointed in this author, she writes twists, turns and plots that keep me on the edge of my seat. Her characters literally leap off the pages. I hope this isn’t the last that we see of them.
June 7, 2020
Brant concludes the Cady Maddix trilogy in much the way it started: creepy serial killers and clues that seem unrelated that somehow manage to connect into a larger fabric by the end. If you are a fan of Deb Webb and Loreth Anne White, this series is a much read. I wanted to keep reading long after my bedtime, but was afraid to read without the lights on.
August 26, 2025
I really like the main character of the series, Cady Maddox. I forget how I first stumbled upon the first book, but I really enjoy the storytelling, the different perspectives, etc.
It’s mostly Police procedural, a tiny bit of romance, but no spice. The story is engaging and turned out completely different than I expected. I do love a bad ass, female, main character!
It’s mostly Police procedural, a tiny bit of romance, but no spice. The story is engaging and turned out completely different than I expected. I do love a bad ass, female, main character!
June 1, 2020
It was a really good book from start to finished. All of the characters in this book were amazing etc. Kylie kept on your toes with this book too just when you thought that you had figured out who done throws a curve ball.
June 2, 2020
Great conclusion to a great trilogy. There was so much drama and intrigue. Cady suffers from a troubling past and PTSD but manages to survive. I enjoyed this series so much and highly recommend it if you like a good mystery/suspense/romance.
June 12, 2020
Great read
Loved this book, great read , edge of your seat thriller with twists and turns to keep you reading. Highly recommend
Loved this book, great read , edge of your seat thriller with twists and turns to keep you reading. Highly recommend
June 28, 2020
3.5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2022
I really enjoy this series, I listened to the last 2 books, I read this one.
October 14, 2022
Fun series to read
I liked the strong female heroine in the series. It moves and flows easily. The storyline is maintained acr the books really nicely
I liked the strong female heroine in the series. It moves and flows easily. The storyline is maintained acr the books really nicely
December 16, 2023
Great story in the Cady maddix series. Lots of action, great characters both good and bad. Loved the book
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews