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Maggie Novak #4
Her Only Regret
What if you loved someone so much it killed them?
When the body of a young woman is found at a popular island party spot, supposedly the victim of an accidental drowning, homicide detective Maggie Novak immediately suspects foul play.
In the eyes of her parents, Christie Coleman is a good girl. But her siblings know her better. Christie has dark secrets and boyfriends with shady pasts. And now her family must face the real possibility that Christie's murder is the result of her dallying with danger one too many times.
As Maggie digs deeper into Christie's private life, she soon comes to learn that the brightest sunlight casts the darkest shadow. The killer is trying to cover his tracks and send the investigation into a dead end, and it's only a matter of time before another innocent party falls victim.
Can Maggie catch Christie's killer before he slips through her grasp?
When the body of a young woman is found at a popular island party spot, supposedly the victim of an accidental drowning, homicide detective Maggie Novak immediately suspects foul play.
In the eyes of her parents, Christie Coleman is a good girl. But her siblings know her better. Christie has dark secrets and boyfriends with shady pasts. And now her family must face the real possibility that Christie's murder is the result of her dallying with danger one too many times.
As Maggie digs deeper into Christie's private life, she soon comes to learn that the brightest sunlight casts the darkest shadow. The killer is trying to cover his tracks and send the investigation into a dead end, and it's only a matter of time before another innocent party falls victim.
Can Maggie catch Christie's killer before he slips through her grasp?
- GenresMysteryProceduralFiction
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2021
265 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Keith Houghton
21 books277 followersMILLION SELLING AUTHOR of the Kindle bestselling Gabe Quinn Thriller Series and the Maggie Novak Thrillers, including Kindle Store #1 books KILLING HOPE and DON'T EVEN BREATHE, as well as psychological standalone thrillers CRASH, NO COMING BACK and BEFORE YOU LEAP - roller-coaster reads with totally unexpected twists and turns - published by Thomas & Mercer.
More than ONE MILLION Crime Thrillers Sold.
100,000+ Audiobooks Sold on Amazon and Audible.
12,000+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five-Star Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Audible.
13 Kindle Store Number Ones and more than 140 individual category bestsellers.
Latest novel TOLEDO BEND is out NOW!
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 2, 2021
I started this series last year during the pandemic & really enjoyed each one, so I've had this one on my TBR list. Couldn't wait to see what case Maggie would solve next. While this is part of a series, I think it could easily be read as a standalone. At the same time I was delighted to see the return of many characters I remembered.
This case starts with the discovery of a dead young lady on Bird Island in a Florida lake. The vivid descriptions of that creepy island almost made me break out in hives! The bugs, snakes, alligators, and thorns made my skin crawl. The affluent residents surrounding this lake have mansions, boats, Audi's and secrets.
Maggie still tends to go rogue and doesn't always follow direct orders. This results in nonstop action, no sleep, (for me too!) in this police procedural. I found the mental deductive thought process she used to solve the case very interesting.
Every time I thought I knew who the suspect was there would be another surprise twist. I highly recommend the entire series.
This case starts with the discovery of a dead young lady on Bird Island in a Florida lake. The vivid descriptions of that creepy island almost made me break out in hives! The bugs, snakes, alligators, and thorns made my skin crawl. The affluent residents surrounding this lake have mansions, boats, Audi's and secrets.
Maggie still tends to go rogue and doesn't always follow direct orders. This results in nonstop action, no sleep, (for me too!) in this police procedural. I found the mental deductive thought process she used to solve the case very interesting.
Every time I thought I knew who the suspect was there would be another surprise twist. I highly recommend the entire series.
April 10, 2022
There wasn't a lot of personal development for Maggie in this volume, just bits and pieces of reflection on various parts of her life. The action, on the other hand, was pretty much non-stop. I don't think she even napped for two days straight. I'm a little disappointed in the use of a look-alike two books in a row, although they were used in very different ways. It's still a little hokey to overuse it like that.
Again, the final resolution is more complex than a single point for a single reason, and it's amazing how much damage people can do to their own families for what they think are justifiable reasons.
I don't think I like the new detective, Ronnie Lambert. She tries too hard. I could say the same about Patrol Officer Singer, but she comes across more eager little sister than competitive rival. It was nice to see interagency cooperation written like this instead of the barely-disguised pissing contest it usually turns into.
Again, the final resolution is more complex than a single point for a single reason, and it's amazing how much damage people can do to their own families for what they think are justifiable reasons.
I don't think I like the new detective, Ronnie Lambert. She tries too hard. I could say the same about Patrol Officer Singer, but she comes across more eager little sister than competitive rival. It was nice to see interagency cooperation written like this instead of the barely-disguised pissing contest it usually turns into.
April 6, 2021
A step backward for Mr. Houghton and the Novack series. The intent (I believe) was to weave multiple storylines and then surprise the reader by how they dramatically intersect. Instead, this story was all-to-obvious in some ways (who killed the girl), and painfully coincidental (a murder across the street and a kidnapper just stumbled upon) in others. Combined with a few other details that were maddening (this takes place one week after the the previous book, though it’s been a year for us readers. This detail added nothing to the story and could easily have been changed; the over use of “to be honest”), and I found myself frustrated.
I can’t imagine the talent it takes to write a novel, and Houghton does it well, just not this time.
I can’t imagine the talent it takes to write a novel, and Houghton does it well, just not this time.
May 10, 2021
Keeps you on edge of seat!
This was truly a Page turner to the very end! It keeps you wanting to continue reading just to see what happens next. I was quite surprised with the end results. If you enjoy suspenseful thriller then you definitely need to read the full series of Maggie Novak!
This was truly a Page turner to the very end! It keeps you wanting to continue reading just to see what happens next. I was quite surprised with the end results. If you enjoy suspenseful thriller then you definitely need to read the full series of Maggie Novak!
April 15, 2021
Good
I found this book slightly more predictable than the other three, although there is twist which u can’t see coming.
Well worth a read have thoroughly enjoyed the series and hope there are more to come
I found this book slightly more predictable than the other three, although there is twist which u can’t see coming.
Well worth a read have thoroughly enjoyed the series and hope there are more to come
May 6, 2021
Great homicide police thriller.
Keith Houhton writes a great murder mystery . This one will keep you on the edge of your seat. Although in my opinion not quite as good as his Gabe Quinn series of books.
Keith Houhton writes a great murder mystery . This one will keep you on the edge of your seat. Although in my opinion not quite as good as his Gabe Quinn series of books.
August 30, 2021
The 4th installment of the Orlando Sheriff detective, Maggie Novak thriller series is a no nonsense, well written police procedural. In this one, Maggie investigates the death of a young woman found on an unpopulated island in a lake with her sergeant subbing for her usual partner.
March 25, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up. I couldn't put the book down and there was a great twist, but also there were two overly coincidental events that were an easy way to drive the plot forward but could never conceivably happen.
April 3, 2021
Her Only Regret
The is an exciting thriller. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait until the next book in this series comes out. I highly recommend this book
The is an exciting thriller. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait until the next book in this series comes out. I highly recommend this book
April 22, 2021
4.5 stars
May 9, 2021
Good
a murder mystery that has more victims than just the murdered person. the young woman's boy friend was killed also.
a murder mystery that has more victims than just the murdered person. the young woman's boy friend was killed also.
May 24, 2021
Love it! Maggie Novak is one of my favorite characters ever.
Not a dull moment when it comes to Maggie. I can't wait until Loomis is back in action with her again.
Not a dull moment when it comes to Maggie. I can't wait until Loomis is back in action with her again.
April 21, 2024
MAGGIE Novak thriller number 4
Although I have not read the first three books in the series, it made fun reading the 4th one. Good plot
Although I have not read the first three books in the series, it made fun reading the 4th one. Good plot
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews