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Small Town Secrets #3
Intent: Return of Evil
Someone won't let her forget that dreadful night
It's been eleven years since the nightmare ended, when Raylee and Crystal were nearly killed by someone they trusted.
Silver Canyon is back to normal. Raylee and Crystal run a successful business and are finally at peace. Life is good. Until Raylee receives a note--
Fate has opened another door, this time for us.
Fate. The same word the killer used when he revealed his true intentions. Soon, both women are bombarded with clues from that terrible past.
Someone is watching their every move. Someone who knows them personally. Someone who thinks they should have died that night.
And with each clue, their very lives are getting closer to that fatal threat.
Raylee must reclaim her past courage and uncover the stalker before her hometown turns into another deadly nightmare.
This is the exciting sequel to Book#1!
Book #3 is a psychological mystery suspense for young adult and up.
It's been eleven years since the nightmare ended, when Raylee and Crystal were nearly killed by someone they trusted.
Silver Canyon is back to normal. Raylee and Crystal run a successful business and are finally at peace. Life is good. Until Raylee receives a note--
Fate has opened another door, this time for us.
Fate. The same word the killer used when he revealed his true intentions. Soon, both women are bombarded with clues from that terrible past.
Someone is watching their every move. Someone who knows them personally. Someone who thinks they should have died that night.
And with each clue, their very lives are getting closer to that fatal threat.
Raylee must reclaim her past courage and uncover the stalker before her hometown turns into another deadly nightmare.
This is the exciting sequel to Book#1!
Book #3 is a psychological mystery suspense for young adult and up.
Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2020
17 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Krista Wagner
19 books86 followersAmazon bestselling author Krista Wagner lives with her Marine Corp. veteran husband and an entertaining clan of pets. It takes a major sense of humor and a warm heart to fall in love, so those are the kinds of love stories she pens under Cristina Ryan.
Outside of her sweet romcoms, Krista explores themes of betrayal, deception, and hope in the psychological suspense and mystery genre, and writes YA psychological horror mystery under Jessica Blade.
Outside of her sweet romcoms, Krista explores themes of betrayal, deception, and hope in the psychological suspense and mystery genre, and writes YA psychological horror mystery under Jessica Blade.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 5, 2020
This is book five of the series, A Clean Small Towns Secrets Mystery Suspense, and has a main character Raylee, who is being stalked by someone who believes she should pay for events of over a decade ago. Her friend and work colleague Crystal is also pulled into this sick game as well. Ten years ago, Raylee killed her boyfriend Billy, in self-defence, after he had admitted killing her parents and then just weeks later, her aunt, before taking Crystal captive and trying to kill her as well. Raylee managed to get Billy’s gun off him and shot him dead. Now someone is leaving messages for Raylee and Crystal, forcing them to take certain actions and follow their orders, or there will be consequences.
Billy became famous for one film, but was also known as a psycho killer and this has made the town infamous and the numbers of residents and visitors has continued to rise over the years since his death. Raylee had the courage to save Crystal and herself, despite the actions of Billy killing three members of her family in a short period of time. He wanted her to join him in his killing spree, but she was able to uncover his real self in time to survive. It is now eleven years later and someone has decided that she and Crystal must pay for killing him and keeping him from this sick person. They obviously know a lot about both of their relationships with Billy in high school and four years later when Billy and Raylee got together. Raylee trusted him, but he was playing both of them.
Raylee has now been married for some eight years and runs the family business she inherited from her aunt Kim, the diner she had worked at since high school. Someone, unknown to them, followed their every move back in high school and after, following their interactions with Billy and know all of their secrets and fears. For some unknown reason, they have chosen now to restart the nightmare again and they are leaving clues for them to meet at certain memorable places from the past, all at the same time of the night, but neither of them can figure out who it could be. There are lots of suspects, as it has to be someone they went to school with and someone in town now as well. The person is disguising their voice, so they have no idea if the person is male or female, or if there is more than one person, that is playing with them.
It soon gets a lot more serious as a friend and colleague is murdered, for their supposed transgression. The police don’t seem to be able to find who is responsible and Raylee has to rely on her faith, her strength and past courage, which got her through past events, to try and get through a similar situation again. The small town of Silver Canyon has a ghost from the past, still haunting it’s every day. This is the last book in the series and although I hadn’t read any of the previous books in the series, it was easy to follow what was happening and earn who all the characters were. Those targeted before, are having to face another fight for survival and it is a great tale of the insecurities of the high school years and how some people never get over them. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Billy became famous for one film, but was also known as a psycho killer and this has made the town infamous and the numbers of residents and visitors has continued to rise over the years since his death. Raylee had the courage to save Crystal and herself, despite the actions of Billy killing three members of her family in a short period of time. He wanted her to join him in his killing spree, but she was able to uncover his real self in time to survive. It is now eleven years later and someone has decided that she and Crystal must pay for killing him and keeping him from this sick person. They obviously know a lot about both of their relationships with Billy in high school and four years later when Billy and Raylee got together. Raylee trusted him, but he was playing both of them.
Raylee has now been married for some eight years and runs the family business she inherited from her aunt Kim, the diner she had worked at since high school. Someone, unknown to them, followed their every move back in high school and after, following their interactions with Billy and know all of their secrets and fears. For some unknown reason, they have chosen now to restart the nightmare again and they are leaving clues for them to meet at certain memorable places from the past, all at the same time of the night, but neither of them can figure out who it could be. There are lots of suspects, as it has to be someone they went to school with and someone in town now as well. The person is disguising their voice, so they have no idea if the person is male or female, or if there is more than one person, that is playing with them.
It soon gets a lot more serious as a friend and colleague is murdered, for their supposed transgression. The police don’t seem to be able to find who is responsible and Raylee has to rely on her faith, her strength and past courage, which got her through past events, to try and get through a similar situation again. The small town of Silver Canyon has a ghost from the past, still haunting it’s every day. This is the last book in the series and although I hadn’t read any of the previous books in the series, it was easy to follow what was happening and earn who all the characters were. Those targeted before, are having to face another fight for survival and it is a great tale of the insecurities of the high school years and how some people never get over them. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
April 18, 2025
Reading Intent: Return of Evil by Krista Wagner felt like coming home to a place you once loved… only to realize someone left the lights on for a reason—and it wasn’t to welcome you.
I’ve followed Raylee’s journey from the very beginning, and diving into Book 3 felt like reuniting with an old friend who’s been through hell and still carries the scars. The growth in her since that horrific night eleven years ago—her strength, her faith, her love for Paul and the life she’s built—it made me ache when the first eerie note showed up. I could feel my own chest tighten as those chilling words brought back the shadows: “Fate has opened another door, this time for us.”
That word, Fate, it landed like a gut-punch. I remembered how the villain in Book 1 used it, and Krista doesn’t let you forget the weight of that word. The suspense is so masterfully paced, it felt like I was being watched too—checking over my shoulder, heart racing, devouring each page with wide eyes and bated breath. Someone knows them. Someone wants to finish what they started. And the sense of dread builds in that quiet, creeping way that makes your skin prickle.
But here’s what I love most—Raylee doesn’t crumble. She fights. With her faith, her friends, and that fierce spirit I’ve grown to admire, she wrestles with fear while clinging to hope. There’s such an authenticity to her doubt and belief existing side by side. And Crystal? Her loyalty and resilience hit me hard. Their bond is everything.
Intent doesn’t just deliver a thrilling mystery—it delivers soul. It reminded me how trauma echoes, how healing is ongoing, and how even the most ordinary places can still harbor secrets that demand to be unearthed.
Love psychological suspense with heart, a clean story that still knows how to terrify and inspire, and a heroine who leans on both courage and faith, this series is for you. I’m still emotionally recovering from this one, but wow… what a ride.
Silver Canyon may seem peaceful, but its past? It’s never truly buried.
I’ve followed Raylee’s journey from the very beginning, and diving into Book 3 felt like reuniting with an old friend who’s been through hell and still carries the scars. The growth in her since that horrific night eleven years ago—her strength, her faith, her love for Paul and the life she’s built—it made me ache when the first eerie note showed up. I could feel my own chest tighten as those chilling words brought back the shadows: “Fate has opened another door, this time for us.”
That word, Fate, it landed like a gut-punch. I remembered how the villain in Book 1 used it, and Krista doesn’t let you forget the weight of that word. The suspense is so masterfully paced, it felt like I was being watched too—checking over my shoulder, heart racing, devouring each page with wide eyes and bated breath. Someone knows them. Someone wants to finish what they started. And the sense of dread builds in that quiet, creeping way that makes your skin prickle.
But here’s what I love most—Raylee doesn’t crumble. She fights. With her faith, her friends, and that fierce spirit I’ve grown to admire, she wrestles with fear while clinging to hope. There’s such an authenticity to her doubt and belief existing side by side. And Crystal? Her loyalty and resilience hit me hard. Their bond is everything.
Intent doesn’t just deliver a thrilling mystery—it delivers soul. It reminded me how trauma echoes, how healing is ongoing, and how even the most ordinary places can still harbor secrets that demand to be unearthed.
Love psychological suspense with heart, a clean story that still knows how to terrify and inspire, and a heroine who leans on both courage and faith, this series is for you. I’m still emotionally recovering from this one, but wow… what a ride.
Silver Canyon may seem peaceful, but its past? It’s never truly buried.
June 3, 2020
Silver Canyon, California.
Raylee owns a restaurant and is finally at peace. Eleven years ago she was betrayed by someone she trusted, someone who murdered those she loved, someone she killed in self-defense. Now a stalker won't let her forget that dreadful night. Can Raylee reclaim her courage and uncover the stalker before her hometown turns into a second nightmare?
Sprinkled throughout the story is the mysterious past. Pressing forward is the tension of danger. Makes for a great read.
Raylee owns a restaurant and is finally at peace. Eleven years ago she was betrayed by someone she trusted, someone who murdered those she loved, someone she killed in self-defense. Now a stalker won't let her forget that dreadful night. Can Raylee reclaim her courage and uncover the stalker before her hometown turns into a second nightmare?
Sprinkled throughout the story is the mysterious past. Pressing forward is the tension of danger. Makes for a great read.
June 1, 2020
This story takes us back through the trials that Raylee and Crystal went through with Billy Thurman. So if you haven't read the previous books you will still be able to understand what is happening in this one. Raylee and Crystal are again being tormented by someone or someone's. The book is full of action, suspense and romance. The characters are all well drawn out and very lifelike. This book brings back a lot of scary memories for the girls making it an interesting read as you try to figure out who is behind the bad things happening.
I received a free download of this book, this review is my own honest opinion.
I received a free download of this book, this review is my own honest opinion.
June 7, 2020
Just when Raylee’s life is settled and happy, evil returns with a vengeance. Mysterious notes from Billy, no not possible, he’s dead.
No spoilers, must read to find out who can be so evil. Author, Krista Wagner keeps pages turning with suspense building and fear escalating. A tense filled mystery with a thrilling end.
No spoilers, must read to find out who can be so evil. Author, Krista Wagner keeps pages turning with suspense building and fear escalating. A tense filled mystery with a thrilling end.
September 1, 2025
Intent: Return of Evil is the third book in Krista Wagner’s Small Town Secrets series. Raylee and Crystal thought the past was behind them until a mysterious note brings back terrifying memories of a stalker who once tried to destroy their lives. Now, someone is watching them again, leaving clues tied to their high school years and threatening everything they’ve built.
As danger escalates and a friend is murdered, Raylee must rely on her faith and inner strength to uncover the truth before history repeats itself. Full of suspense, emotion, and heart, this clean thriller explores how trauma lingers and how courage and belief can help overcome even the darkest threats.
If you love psychological suspense with a spiritual edge, this one’s a must-read.
Must be read in order.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As danger escalates and a friend is murdered, Raylee must rely on her faith and inner strength to uncover the truth before history repeats itself. Full of suspense, emotion, and heart, this clean thriller explores how trauma lingers and how courage and belief can help overcome even the darkest threats.
If you love psychological suspense with a spiritual edge, this one’s a must-read.
Must be read in order.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 8, 2025
Must read in order. This book takes place 11 years after the second book, 15 after the first. The trauma they survived brought them together. As their high school reunion is coming up unfortunately trouble comes with it. Another stalker is making them relive the worst part of their lives with deadly consequences. Who else from their past has knowledge of everything? Why are they doing it? Will they be able to stop the tragedy from occurring again?.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 8, 2025
I found it a good follow up to the previous one and although I have been reading all the series..I think it is well-written for YA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews