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Rachel Ryder #1
Damaging Secrets
Damaging Secrets, the first book of her newest crime thriller series, is an engaging story of corruption and cover-up that you won’t soon forget.
New to town and a little rough around the edges, Detective Rachel Ryder finds herself on the receiving end of a suspicious person’s call in Hamby, Georgia. When the call turns out to be a dead body, the medical examiner is quick to rule the death a suicide. But was it something more sinister?
Everyone in the small department believes the case is closed—except for Rachel. The sudden passing of a local politician during the mayor’s run for Congress strikes her as a little too coincidental, and Rachel is eager to follow her instincts. Her partner, Rob, a 30-year veteran, isn’t the type to disobey his boss or ruffle any feathers, but he can’t convince strong-willed Rachel to let it go.
Obsessed with finding out the truth, Rachel begins to examine the evidence and drags her reluctant partner along for the ride. But the clues are confusing. Nothing is adding up.
Puzzled and running out of time, Rachel and Rob rush to work every angle and bring the elusive killer to justice before someone else ends up dead.
New to town and a little rough around the edges, Detective Rachel Ryder finds herself on the receiving end of a suspicious person’s call in Hamby, Georgia. When the call turns out to be a dead body, the medical examiner is quick to rule the death a suicide. But was it something more sinister?
Everyone in the small department believes the case is closed—except for Rachel. The sudden passing of a local politician during the mayor’s run for Congress strikes her as a little too coincidental, and Rachel is eager to follow her instincts. Her partner, Rob, a 30-year veteran, isn’t the type to disobey his boss or ruffle any feathers, but he can’t convince strong-willed Rachel to let it go.
Obsessed with finding out the truth, Rachel begins to examine the evidence and drags her reluctant partner along for the ride. But the clues are confusing. Nothing is adding up.
Puzzled and running out of time, Rachel and Rob rush to work every angle and bring the elusive killer to justice before someone else ends up dead.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2021
4505 people are currently reading
1019 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
147 books542 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson writes cozy mysteries, thrillers, and paranormal women's fiction featuring strong female leads. Her stories shine through her dialogue, which readers have praised for being realistic and compelling.
A multiple number one bestseller on Amazon, her first novel, Unfinished Business, was a five-star Reader's Favorite, a Rone Award finalist, as well as a number one bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In 2021, she introduced readers to detective Rachel Ryder in Damaging Secrets, also a number one bestseller on Amazon. Overkill, the third book in the Rachel Ryder series, was one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021.Reviews have praised her work as ‘compelling, and intense,’ and ‘read through the night, edge of your seat thrillers. Carolyn’s most recent Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, has been submitted for an Edgar Award by her publisher, Severn River Publishing.
Prior to publishing, she worked as a journalist in the suburbs of Atlanta where her work appeared in multiple newspapers and magazines. She wrote a monthly featured column in Northside Woman magazine.
Writing is only one of Carolyn's passions. She is an avid dog lover and currently spoils an American Staffordshire terrier boxer mix. She lives in the mountains of North Georgia as an empty nester (who misses her kids terribly but loves having a lower grocery bill) with her husband, a cantankerous cat, and her very spoiled pup.
Connect with Carolyn via carolyn@carolynridderaspenson.com
A multiple number one bestseller on Amazon, her first novel, Unfinished Business, was a five-star Reader's Favorite, a Rone Award finalist, as well as a number one bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In 2021, she introduced readers to detective Rachel Ryder in Damaging Secrets, also a number one bestseller on Amazon. Overkill, the third book in the Rachel Ryder series, was one of Thrillerfix’s best thrillers of 2021.Reviews have praised her work as ‘compelling, and intense,’ and ‘read through the night, edge of your seat thrillers. Carolyn’s most recent Rachel Ryder novel, Deadly Means, has been submitted for an Edgar Award by her publisher, Severn River Publishing.
Prior to publishing, she worked as a journalist in the suburbs of Atlanta where her work appeared in multiple newspapers and magazines. She wrote a monthly featured column in Northside Woman magazine.
Writing is only one of Carolyn's passions. She is an avid dog lover and currently spoils an American Staffordshire terrier boxer mix. She lives in the mountains of North Georgia as an empty nester (who misses her kids terribly but loves having a lower grocery bill) with her husband, a cantankerous cat, and her very spoiled pup.
Connect with Carolyn via carolyn@carolynridderaspenson.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
January 12, 2021
Moving from Chicago to a small rural police station, Detective Ryder is a savvy woman in the men’s world of the American South. Her feistiness, rejoinders and detective skills are not wanted, but she refuses to accept a coroner ruled suicide is anything but a homicide. So, the battle for truth and credibility is on, with little initial support, but a determination to battle the politics that may be the root of the problem. Great characters and story, a most enjoyable read with a three-and-a-half-star rating. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes.
January 18, 2021
Damaging Secrets is the first instalment in the Detective Rachel Ryder thriller series and is a captivating case of corruption and cover-up. When her husband, Tommy, is shot in the head and killed in the line of duty it breaks Rachel, and when she hears about an upcoming appeal for Petrowski who hired contract killer Johnson to slay Tommy it begins to cause Rachel major anxiety, not least because he had enlisted the prominent and successful Anthony Rossi as his defence attorney. Having moved from the bright lights of Chicago to the suburbs of Hamby, Georgia, Rachel hoped to gain a sense of peace and get back on the job albeit at a much slower pace in an area with a lower crime rate. She's ready to show Hamby Police Department that she can be an indispensable part of the team but it's clear that the equality she was used in the inner city doesn't always translate to more rural areas and she experiences this first hand. But beyond the discrimination and bullying there's corruption and it isn't just contained to the lower ranks. Meanwhile, Rachel’s on call when she is asked by Chief Mike Cochran to attend Hilltop Suites, 12467 Winder Parkway where a suspicious person had been reported. He tells her to let her more established partner, Rob Bishop, take the lead much to her annoyance. She pulls up to The Hilltop Suites Hotel in her trusty Jeep Wrangler, greeting Officers Michels and Merrill who were stood guard outside the entrance.
She has a feeling that someone is manipulating the crime statistics for the area as suspicious persons calls are recorded and calculated differently to Dead On Arrival calls; only the latter impacts the safety ratings of the city. A maid called in the body but Room 226 had been paid for in cash under the name Jane Doe. The victim is 56-year-old city councilman Troy Light found laying on the king-size bed with a thin blue rope around his neck, possibly pointing to death by erotic asphyxiation. It soon becomes evident that he was murdered despite the rest of the police department insisting it was suicide. Rachel cannot accept the case just being swept under the rug and believes that Chief Cochran and medical examiner Bubba Anderson were pressured into ruling it a suicide. She begins a clandestine investigation which soon puts her in extreme danger and reveals the prevalence of corruption throughout her department. Can she achieve justice for Light and stay alive in the process? This is a compulsive and enthralling procedural with enough action, twists, turns and shady, underhand dealings to keep you riveted and thoroughly entertained throughout. Moving at a quickfire pace, it's impossible not to become immersed and absorbed effortlessly into the world the characters inhabit; you really feel as though you are at Rachel’s side cheering her on as a strong, independent female in what is still very much a male-dominated environment. A scintillating and engrossing read. Highly recommended.
She has a feeling that someone is manipulating the crime statistics for the area as suspicious persons calls are recorded and calculated differently to Dead On Arrival calls; only the latter impacts the safety ratings of the city. A maid called in the body but Room 226 had been paid for in cash under the name Jane Doe. The victim is 56-year-old city councilman Troy Light found laying on the king-size bed with a thin blue rope around his neck, possibly pointing to death by erotic asphyxiation. It soon becomes evident that he was murdered despite the rest of the police department insisting it was suicide. Rachel cannot accept the case just being swept under the rug and believes that Chief Cochran and medical examiner Bubba Anderson were pressured into ruling it a suicide. She begins a clandestine investigation which soon puts her in extreme danger and reveals the prevalence of corruption throughout her department. Can she achieve justice for Light and stay alive in the process? This is a compulsive and enthralling procedural with enough action, twists, turns and shady, underhand dealings to keep you riveted and thoroughly entertained throughout. Moving at a quickfire pace, it's impossible not to become immersed and absorbed effortlessly into the world the characters inhabit; you really feel as though you are at Rachel’s side cheering her on as a strong, independent female in what is still very much a male-dominated environment. A scintillating and engrossing read. Highly recommended.
January 16, 2021
Damaging Secrets by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Rachel Ryder #1
Excellent introduction to a new series. I have read and enjoyed previous books by this author but this one, I believe, is my favorite.
What I liked:
* Detective Rachel Ryder: A Chicago homicide detective who moved to the South, a widow, sharp, intelligent, nobody’s fool, snarky, still grieving, has a few trust issues, hates the politics of her job and could have a big future once she settles into her new job.
* Detective Rob Bishop: Rachel’s partner, a bit older, divorced, father, dedicated, honest, competent, worried about rocking the boat, a good partner for Rachel once they break the ice
* The dynamics between Rachel and Rob…it wasn’t easy for them to develop the trust necessary to work seamlessly
* The writing – excellent plot, pacing, character development and writing
* The police procedural aspect of the story
* Jimmy and Savannah Abernathy: Jim has a future in the police department and Savannah could end up a good friend to Rachel
* Lenny: an old friend of Rachel’s from Chicago – almost a father figure but also a mentor
* Sean Higgins: potential love interest or good friend for Rachel in the future
* Wondering what will happen in book two – I really want to find out more about the characters on a personal level, and also what they get up to next at work
* That the case was solved, and the criminals rounded up by the end of the story
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* The knowledge that was happening in this story, the crime and abuse, happens in real life and can be as devastating as it proved to be in this book.
* The idea that the person responsible for the death of Rachel’s husband might try to harm her in a future book.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Rachel Ryder #1
Excellent introduction to a new series. I have read and enjoyed previous books by this author but this one, I believe, is my favorite.
What I liked:
* Detective Rachel Ryder: A Chicago homicide detective who moved to the South, a widow, sharp, intelligent, nobody’s fool, snarky, still grieving, has a few trust issues, hates the politics of her job and could have a big future once she settles into her new job.
* Detective Rob Bishop: Rachel’s partner, a bit older, divorced, father, dedicated, honest, competent, worried about rocking the boat, a good partner for Rachel once they break the ice
* The dynamics between Rachel and Rob…it wasn’t easy for them to develop the trust necessary to work seamlessly
* The writing – excellent plot, pacing, character development and writing
* The police procedural aspect of the story
* Jimmy and Savannah Abernathy: Jim has a future in the police department and Savannah could end up a good friend to Rachel
* Lenny: an old friend of Rachel’s from Chicago – almost a father figure but also a mentor
* Sean Higgins: potential love interest or good friend for Rachel in the future
* Wondering what will happen in book two – I really want to find out more about the characters on a personal level, and also what they get up to next at work
* That the case was solved, and the criminals rounded up by the end of the story
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* The knowledge that was happening in this story, the crime and abuse, happens in real life and can be as devastating as it proved to be in this book.
* The idea that the person responsible for the death of Rachel’s husband might try to harm her in a future book.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
January 5, 2021
Suspense, crooked cops, murder, prostitution and small town politics that are every bit as dangerous as Chicago create a plot to have you on the edge of your seat and flipping pages as fast as you can read them! An entertaining read with characters that are intriguing and engaging to draw you in and a multi-faceted plot woven with twists and turns to keep you guessing. I am hopeful that this is the start of a beautiful new relationship with these characters as I hope many more books are to come. I am anxious to see what happens next!
July 19, 2021
3.5 stars
Damaging Secrets by Carolyn Ridder is the first in the Detective Rachel Ryder series.
First, let me thank the publisher Severn River Publishing (in particular Cate Streissguth) and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Information:
Detective Rachel Ryder left her 15 year career on the Chicago police force, and moved to Hamby Georgia, after the death of her husband. Her old boss Lenny, was like a father to her. Her new boss Chief Cochran, is under the impression that women should be home baking. Rachel is not up for that. She has a bit of an attitude, and insists on the truth coming out. Her new partner is a veteran of 30 years, Rob Bishop.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Rachel is not getting along with her boss, and she can't see that ever happening. He's chauvinistic, and she has an attitude. Never the two shall meet. Apparently the "South" is still in the "old boys club" stage, and Rachel's Chicago equality influence is not welcome here. She is still not sure about her partner either.
When a councilman is found dead in a hotel room, Rachel immediately sees it as an auto-erotic strangulation, and it looks like homicide. No one else sees it that way. There is an election coming up, and the Mayor, Police Chief, and Medical Examiner don't want a homicide in their town. They decide it was a suicide, and insist Rachel tow the line.
Rachel can't let it go but not even her partner will rock the boat. Corruption in the police force cannot be tolerated, and Rachel continues to work the case, even after everyone else considers it closed. Reluctantly, her partner goes along for the ride. But things aren't adding up, and this may be a whole lot bigger than Rachel knew.
My Opinions:
I admit to not liking Rachel (which makes it difficult to like the book). She is an opinionated woman who has never learned that a little sugar goes a long way. She is in your face antagonistic, and I hate that in a person (or character). She comes across as a know-it-all, and refuses to give any ground.
Second thing I admit to is not liking political-based novels....and the corruption in this town is all political, and the whole book is about it.
Are you wondering yet how this book got more than 1 star in my rating system? Because the plot ended up being really interesting. The writing was great. The characters were different, and I finally learned to admire and like Rachel. I found myself turning those pages to see what would happen next. It ended up being a twisty and intriguing read, with a very strong female lead. It just took a little too long to get there.
I'm now looking forward to the second in the series!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and a favorite quotation or two from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
January 15, 2021
This book drew me in and held me delightfully-captive from beginning to end. The plot keeps you guessing, the characters are realistic, likable and identifiable and the scenery is described in such a way as to make you feel that you are an actual bystander in every scene. Once I started reading this story, the desperate need for sleep is the only thing that made me put my Kindle down. I am SO excited to move on to the next book in the series!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
December 22, 2025
Enjoyed this whodunit, but did find it a bit predictable. I found the cover did not relate to the story much at all. Overall, a good read.
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July 22, 2025Thanks for reading my book! This is my first thriller in the Rachel Ryder series. If you’re a cozy mystery reader and don’t read cozies, this is not the book or the series for you! If you like thrillers, I hope you enjoy Rachel and Bishop!
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
December 18, 2020
Thank you to Severn River Publishing, Carolyn Ridder Aspenson and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Wow. Detective Rachel Ryder is a force to be reckoned with in her debut novel. From the first page, the reader is pulled in and can't let go.
Hamby, Georgia is a small town hundreds of miles outside of downtown Chicago, where Rachel Ryder has lived all of her life. She is a Widow who has made promises to her late Husband and has moved to Hamby to fulfill them. She soon finds out that the Hamby police force and government are not what they seem and when a suspicious murder happens, she aims to solve it despite the fact that no one wants it solved.
This book was amazing. I loved the fast pace, the character descriptions and Rachel's own internal dialogue. She never took "No" for an answer and wouldn't let anyone stand in her way. I even loved her relationship with her fish. This is the first book I have ready Carolyn Ridder Aspenson and it won't be the last!
I feel with such an amazing book that it could have a better title. Damaging Secrets doesn't do justice to what this book is about.
Wow. Detective Rachel Ryder is a force to be reckoned with in her debut novel. From the first page, the reader is pulled in and can't let go.
Hamby, Georgia is a small town hundreds of miles outside of downtown Chicago, where Rachel Ryder has lived all of her life. She is a Widow who has made promises to her late Husband and has moved to Hamby to fulfill them. She soon finds out that the Hamby police force and government are not what they seem and when a suspicious murder happens, she aims to solve it despite the fact that no one wants it solved.
This book was amazing. I loved the fast pace, the character descriptions and Rachel's own internal dialogue. She never took "No" for an answer and wouldn't let anyone stand in her way. I even loved her relationship with her fish. This is the first book I have ready Carolyn Ridder Aspenson and it won't be the last!
I feel with such an amazing book that it could have a better title. Damaging Secrets doesn't do justice to what this book is about.
December 22, 2020
Wow
This is A Totally different type of book For this Author.
And I Loved It..
So Rachel Ryder is From Chicago.
She's A detective, whom everyone in Hamby Georgia seems to Forget she's a Detective.
And a Damm Good one at that....
From Chicago from the windy city.
A girl with a lota spunk.
Not afraid to say what she means..
Now folks in Hamby Georgia..
Believe ever one should walk on egg shells...
But not the new Detective..
See
There's Something going on, they
Just don't want, there new Detective... on this high priority case... so sticking Detective Rachel and her Partner on odd ball cases watching kids Vandalise the concession stand.... then letting them go.
Makes no sense....
But the real reason..
Is Bigger than any one in This Town could believe.
I truly am a fan of this author.
Love every book I have read.
I was given a copy of this arc for my unbiased review.
All Thoughts are my Own.
Elaine sapp.
This is A Totally different type of book For this Author.
And I Loved It..
So Rachel Ryder is From Chicago.
She's A detective, whom everyone in Hamby Georgia seems to Forget she's a Detective.
And a Damm Good one at that....
From Chicago from the windy city.
A girl with a lota spunk.
Not afraid to say what she means..
Now folks in Hamby Georgia..
Believe ever one should walk on egg shells...
But not the new Detective..
See
There's Something going on, they
Just don't want, there new Detective... on this high priority case... so sticking Detective Rachel and her Partner on odd ball cases watching kids Vandalise the concession stand.... then letting them go.
Makes no sense....
But the real reason..
Is Bigger than any one in This Town could believe.
I truly am a fan of this author.
Love every book I have read.
I was given a copy of this arc for my unbiased review.
All Thoughts are my Own.
Elaine sapp.
January 26, 2021
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is a favorite cozy mystery author of mine. What made her a favorite was the way she didn’t flinch away from life’s struggles. Her characters had problems, some very real ones. Still the books were cozy mystery and she stayed within those perimeters. It was an amazing balancing act that she made look easy. When I heard she was doing a grittier mystery I was excited. I knew she would do an awesome job and I feel she succeeded.
In Damaging Secrets we meet Detective Rachel Ryder, new to small town Georgia. Rachel comes from Chicago, a place I know well. I could easily picture Rachel as a Chicago detective. Actually, I was picturing a police officer, that I knew there, in my head as Rachel. Ryder has a lot going against her in this small town. The fact that she is a female in a male dominated field there is part of it. You need to be able to trust your partner and have your partner trust you. That’s a tough one without the battle of the sexes. Her experience in Chicago, though, already seasoned her. I really liked Rachel. She absolutely repped Chicago, (even though I’m a Southside Sox girl). Haha. I liked her partner, too, though he took longer for me to warm up to. Another character that I absolutely enjoyed was Savannah. She could be the southern version of Rachel. I enjoyed their friendship and am hoping to see more of it.
The mystery was a surprising one for me. Yes, there was a body and no that wasn’t the surprise. The surprise was the mystery deals with a very real issue that is happening everywhere. There was a political slant to it, which my coming from Chicago, was totally believable. Everything in Chi is political. I live in a much smaller town now and politics play here, too, (something I became much more aware of during the lockdown). Seeing how it was handled by the author in this book was interesting. I’m trying not to go deep into the mystery because I really think the book is worth reading and, if I tell too much, why would you need to? The author took a serious issue, and added in realistic political agendas and hidden adult activities of suburbia and small towns to create a mystery you will want to see solved. I couldn’t put it down and I’m betting you won’t be able to either. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I received an uncorrected ecopy of this book for review consideration. I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. The opinions expressed are my feelings as I read the book and how I felt afterwards.
In Damaging Secrets we meet Detective Rachel Ryder, new to small town Georgia. Rachel comes from Chicago, a place I know well. I could easily picture Rachel as a Chicago detective. Actually, I was picturing a police officer, that I knew there, in my head as Rachel. Ryder has a lot going against her in this small town. The fact that she is a female in a male dominated field there is part of it. You need to be able to trust your partner and have your partner trust you. That’s a tough one without the battle of the sexes. Her experience in Chicago, though, already seasoned her. I really liked Rachel. She absolutely repped Chicago, (even though I’m a Southside Sox girl). Haha. I liked her partner, too, though he took longer for me to warm up to. Another character that I absolutely enjoyed was Savannah. She could be the southern version of Rachel. I enjoyed their friendship and am hoping to see more of it.
The mystery was a surprising one for me. Yes, there was a body and no that wasn’t the surprise. The surprise was the mystery deals with a very real issue that is happening everywhere. There was a political slant to it, which my coming from Chicago, was totally believable. Everything in Chi is political. I live in a much smaller town now and politics play here, too, (something I became much more aware of during the lockdown). Seeing how it was handled by the author in this book was interesting. I’m trying not to go deep into the mystery because I really think the book is worth reading and, if I tell too much, why would you need to? The author took a serious issue, and added in realistic political agendas and hidden adult activities of suburbia and small towns to create a mystery you will want to see solved. I couldn’t put it down and I’m betting you won’t be able to either. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I received an uncorrected ecopy of this book for review consideration. I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. The opinions expressed are my feelings as I read the book and how I felt afterwards.
January 13, 2021
Damaging Secrets is a new genre for Ms. Aspenson and she excels in this face paced mystery. I love Rachell Ryder, who speaks her mind, does not pull her punches and refuses to bow to the corruption she finds in her new home town. This book kept my attention riveted on the next development in this compelling mystery. The ending is awesome. You need to read this fascinating new book.
June 21, 2024
2⭐️⭐️ 🎧
It was so very meh, I was bored to tears for most of it.
I wish there wasn't so much sexism. Good ole boys club. I just felt very lazy.
I am very glad it didn't end on a cliffhanger because I don't think I could have listened to the second book just to hear the outcome.
The narration was fine nothing too that really stood out.
It was so very meh, I was bored to tears for most of it.
I wish there wasn't so much sexism. Good ole boys club. I just felt very lazy.
I am very glad it didn't end on a cliffhanger because I don't think I could have listened to the second book just to hear the outcome.
The narration was fine nothing too that really stood out.
November 15, 2021
Good story line
I enjoyed the main character of the book. She’s funny and smart. The plot is good but a bit lacking in suspense and seems to go on and on in details.
I enjoyed the main character of the book. She’s funny and smart. The plot is good but a bit lacking in suspense and seems to go on and on in details.
October 12, 2023
The book took 300 pages to set up the sting to eventually capture the killer. A slight twist at the end but with that much time the reader will narrow suspects down.
December 13, 2020
Wow, this is not a Carolyn Ridder Aspenson cozy that I'm used to but I sure was hooked. Very strong female lead character. Wonderful progression of watching partners learning to trust each other when trust is so difficult given their backgrounds and current circumstances. Excellent mystery with a great many surprises (shocks). Great first in the series.
September 3, 2022
I loved this book. There's not any single thing on this book which wasn't on the level of perfection. The plot kept me in the book till the end and kept me guessing what will happen next. The writing been extremely well which any reader can feel right away starting the book. Characters & their characterization is really brilliant. Language also felt easy which helped me read and understand this book easily. There's so much goosebumps, suspense and thrill all around the story. Plot sometimes feels down as it's little bit fast paced than usual in some moments but it's ok. Leaving some moments aside, the plot took me on the edge of my seat and i kept flipping pages till the end. Above all climax is just mind-blowing, which is also a positive point of this book.
The story of this book runs around a girl named "Rachael". After suffering some tragedy in her past she wanted to stat her life new at new place, she moved to Humby, Georgia from Chicago. She was the newest detective in police department of Humby. Story proceeds with Rachael's hardwork as she had to find a place in the male dominated police department. Soon an one of the important person of town died which everybody thinks he committed suicide. But Rachael's detective mind maked her sure that he was murdered and she started investigating. There's so many problems she have to face at once like she must fight against the men opposing her, the political power who was controlling the town, the peoples who had special privileges and the peoples who wanted nothing but her to leave.
Anyone who likes police procedurals, mystery and not have problem with smart and tough female being the protagonist, this book will be a great pick for them. There's nothing but a deep respect for author's talent in my heart now. This book is the first of series of book, and i really can't wait more to explore next book.
The story of this book runs around a girl named "Rachael". After suffering some tragedy in her past she wanted to stat her life new at new place, she moved to Humby, Georgia from Chicago. She was the newest detective in police department of Humby. Story proceeds with Rachael's hardwork as she had to find a place in the male dominated police department. Soon an one of the important person of town died which everybody thinks he committed suicide. But Rachael's detective mind maked her sure that he was murdered and she started investigating. There's so many problems she have to face at once like she must fight against the men opposing her, the political power who was controlling the town, the peoples who had special privileges and the peoples who wanted nothing but her to leave.
Anyone who likes police procedurals, mystery and not have problem with smart and tough female being the protagonist, this book will be a great pick for them. There's nothing but a deep respect for author's talent in my heart now. This book is the first of series of book, and i really can't wait more to explore next book.
December 14, 2020
Damaging Secrets is a new thriller by Carolyn. It is about a Chicago Detective named Rachel Ryder who moves to Hamby, Georgia. Although she didn’t know it at the time, she was hired to fill a void in the female population on the police force. As she finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a Good-Ole-Buddies club, she is called to check out a suspicious person and finds a dead body. Everyone is quick to rule the death a suicide but was it?
Rachel becomes obsessed with finding out the truth and along with her partner, secretly investigate it. As more and more clues are examined, they discover the Good-Ole-Buddies club is alive and well. As the story develops, the relationship between her and partner, they learn to not only trust each other but also work together to solve this crime.
The narrative is great, setting the scene and helping to further develop the characters’ personalities. Rachel has a great attitude and spunk. The mystery itself is twofold, the murder of a politician and the secrets happening in the town. The investigation is filled with pitfalls, unexpected twists, multiple motives and surprises that keep you glued right to the end. This is an emotional thriller, where lives are exploded and perceptions are twisted and shattered. What a great beginning to a new series! Look forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Rachel becomes obsessed with finding out the truth and along with her partner, secretly investigate it. As more and more clues are examined, they discover the Good-Ole-Buddies club is alive and well. As the story develops, the relationship between her and partner, they learn to not only trust each other but also work together to solve this crime.
The narrative is great, setting the scene and helping to further develop the characters’ personalities. Rachel has a great attitude and spunk. The mystery itself is twofold, the murder of a politician and the secrets happening in the town. The investigation is filled with pitfalls, unexpected twists, multiple motives and surprises that keep you glued right to the end. This is an emotional thriller, where lives are exploded and perceptions are twisted and shattered. What a great beginning to a new series! Look forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2020
Rachael Ryder is a detective who recently moved to the Atlanta suburbs while running from her previous life after her also detective husband was killed by contract in front of her.
Hambly is one of the safest places in the country with one of the lowest crime stats in the country, which is pretty much what Detective Ryder needs to help her process her loss in Chicago.
When she receives a call to investigate a suspicious person report (the call should have gone to the uniformed officers), she finds it's actually a DOA in which all evidence points to a sex crime murder, but the Chief ME calls is a suicide without doing an autopsy.
Rachael starts her own investigation dragging her unwilling (in the beginning) partner along with her as she discovers a string of crimes that start with the Mayor who has political aspirations, and the clues go all the way to the Governor's Mansion.
This is a well written story that is a huge step away from the author Carolyn Aspenson's normal works. And she hits a home run with it too.
There are no graphic descriptions of behind the door activities while at the same time letting you know what was going on due to the investigations. There is also the usage of profanity which is not used gratuitously.
I would like to thank Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, Netgalley and SRP for allowing me to have this advanced copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
Hambly is one of the safest places in the country with one of the lowest crime stats in the country, which is pretty much what Detective Ryder needs to help her process her loss in Chicago.
When she receives a call to investigate a suspicious person report (the call should have gone to the uniformed officers), she finds it's actually a DOA in which all evidence points to a sex crime murder, but the Chief ME calls is a suicide without doing an autopsy.
Rachael starts her own investigation dragging her unwilling (in the beginning) partner along with her as she discovers a string of crimes that start with the Mayor who has political aspirations, and the clues go all the way to the Governor's Mansion.
This is a well written story that is a huge step away from the author Carolyn Aspenson's normal works. And she hits a home run with it too.
There are no graphic descriptions of behind the door activities while at the same time letting you know what was going on due to the investigations. There is also the usage of profanity which is not used gratuitously.
I would like to thank Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, Netgalley and SRP for allowing me to have this advanced copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 16, 2022
Damaging Secrets is a poignant and compelling story, an expertly written detective thriller, the suspenseful plot that eventually drives the action is only one component in this ambitious, multifaceted novel. Damaging Secrets is a gritty and exciting ride, Carolyn skillfully weaves together a mysterious murder filled with twists and turns, I was riveted as each layer of the past peeled away, revealing the secrets and unfolding the story.
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A powerful synthesis of police procedural and magnificent thriller, the lyrical prose is mind-blowing and overall this is a wild and twisting crime thriller filled with secrets, betrayals and complex characters that will keep you up until you reach the last darkly satisfying page. It is an addictive, intense, and oozing book, I couldn’t put it down. I can't believe some of the twists that were unraveled, I can't get enough of this gloriously entertaining and compelling writing style.
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An intriguing cast of complicated characters, led by the compelling Detective Rachel Ryder had me holding my breath until the last page.
A well constructed thriller and characters that gave heart and brain to the plots, my mind was blown with this intense and intelligent book and I recommend it to every suspense, thriller, mystery, crime reader, this book is for you!
.
A powerful synthesis of police procedural and magnificent thriller, the lyrical prose is mind-blowing and overall this is a wild and twisting crime thriller filled with secrets, betrayals and complex characters that will keep you up until you reach the last darkly satisfying page. It is an addictive, intense, and oozing book, I couldn’t put it down. I can't believe some of the twists that were unraveled, I can't get enough of this gloriously entertaining and compelling writing style.
.
An intriguing cast of complicated characters, led by the compelling Detective Rachel Ryder had me holding my breath until the last page.
A well constructed thriller and characters that gave heart and brain to the plots, my mind was blown with this intense and intelligent book and I recommend it to every suspense, thriller, mystery, crime reader, this book is for you!
January 12, 2021
A suspicious pers call in a hotel turns into a dead body. Detectives Rob Bishop and Rachel Ryder are already inside the room looking at the body of councilman Troy Light. The room is checked out to a 'Jane Doe', not the councilman. Detective Ryder knows this is NOT a suicide by the way the body is on the bed, but she is over-ridden by the mayor, her boss, and the medical examiner. She's seen enough homicides to know the difference and she also noticed all the 'hookers' or 'escorts' in the hotel that night. But she is working in a 'good ole' boy' place and her experience is not wanted. Does she let it go? You must be kidding! But as the investigation continues she and Detective Bishop need to learn to trust each other as partners. This isn't an easy task for either one of them as they both have 'damaging secrets' of their own. Can Ryder prove her case about murder or will the 'good ole boys' club finally be the one thing that defeats her? More secrets come out in this 'low-crime' small town that isn't so small town or low crime.
December 23, 2020
An excellent start to what promises to be a gripping series! Rachel Ryder is a complex new character in the crime genre and her story is leaving its mark. New to the force, she is dogged about finding justice while juggling building trust with her partner and going against the grain of the good ol' boys network.
The case in this story is full of intrigue, action, and suspense. The pacing is flawless and kept me completely engaged. The players are many and the conclusion was one I didn't see coming.
We are slowly introduced to Rachel's past in Chicago. The buildup is interesting and unfolds to add to the character's development. The ending leaves you wanting more while setting things up for book two. I can't wait to see what happens next!
The case in this story is full of intrigue, action, and suspense. The pacing is flawless and kept me completely engaged. The players are many and the conclusion was one I didn't see coming.
We are slowly introduced to Rachel's past in Chicago. The buildup is interesting and unfolds to add to the character's development. The ending leaves you wanting more while setting things up for book two. I can't wait to see what happens next!
March 4, 2025
Rounded up to 4.5 stars.
Okay, full disclosure, I don’t normally read police procedurals, but after I was offered a publishing deal with this press (Severn River Publishing) I wanted to check out one of their books in the flesh.
Carolyn’s book appealed to me because of the sassy heroine, and I figured if I was going to give a police procedural a go, this might be a good one to start with.
Rachel Ryder, a detective with over a decade of experience, has recently moved from Chicago to a small department in Georgia. She’s not used to the “old boys club” she encounters there, nor the constant roadblocks put in her way to preserve the town’s crime rate statistics.
But when a prominent member of the town’s political elite turns up dead in a hotel room under suspicious circumstances, Rachel is compelled to investigate secretly, even when the rest of the department seems keen to accept the verdict of suicide.
As Rachel digs deeper into the town’s secrets, what she discovers might just tip the sweet little southern town on its head.
So I decided quite early on that police procedurals are just not my thing. I don’t enjoy the tropes nor the “close to reality but not totally real” aspects of it. That being said, I feel like this is an excellent addition to the genre, and if you enjoy police procedurals you should definitely give this series a go!
Rachel Ryder is a strong, sassy, and capable main character. I enjoy her inner voice, and those moments where her inner voice comes out and she says the things she most definitely should not say. In a world full of “nice” girls, Rachel isn’t afraid to rock the boat. I’m glad that Aspenson didn’t take it too far though, making Rachel seem invulnerable, or so jaded that she becomes one of the “too untouchable” heroines we are inundated with. Rachel has some vulnerabilities, some real tenderness, and a heart. That matters too. I don’t want a superhuman woman, because that’s just not reality. A strong woman aware of her limitations is much more appealing to me, and I think Aspenson delivers that with style.
The storyline is well thought out, and while I did have my suspicions pretty early on, the motives and exact ways the mystery played out were still enjoyable to follow along with.
The characterizations are well plotted as well, with Rachel and her new partner Bishop taking a long time to trust each other, but still finding ways to work with each other. I liked that Aspenson didn’t use a cheap “harrowing experience” to instantly bond these two, but relied on a much more realistic building of their partnership. It felt real, and earned, and much more satisfying that way.
My only qualms that bring this story below the five-star threshold were fairly minor, mostly around questions that other readers might not have. I’ll admit my frame of reference for reading a police procedural is skewed by being married to a cop and being Canadian. So a few of the issues or questions I had (ex. pulling a gun on some teenagers stealing candy—that would be pretty shocking up here) might just stem from that place.
I also felt that Rachel's photographic memory didn’t seem to make her that different from any other cop. She was constantly checking things against her real pictures, and despite her rating of photographic memory being insanely high, it never seemed to play out that way. This might be ignorance on my part as well on how photographic memory really works.
Also, and this is very minor, there were a few too many characters with very similar names, and that gets confusing. Merril, Michels, and Miller are all cops she interacts with and… those names are just too close to keep them apart easily.
So overall, this is a finely plotted, well-characterized addition to the genre. If you’re looking for a procedural with a strong, believable heroine with some bite and balancing vulnerabilities, this is the book for you!
Okay, full disclosure, I don’t normally read police procedurals, but after I was offered a publishing deal with this press (Severn River Publishing) I wanted to check out one of their books in the flesh.
Carolyn’s book appealed to me because of the sassy heroine, and I figured if I was going to give a police procedural a go, this might be a good one to start with.
Rachel Ryder, a detective with over a decade of experience, has recently moved from Chicago to a small department in Georgia. She’s not used to the “old boys club” she encounters there, nor the constant roadblocks put in her way to preserve the town’s crime rate statistics.
But when a prominent member of the town’s political elite turns up dead in a hotel room under suspicious circumstances, Rachel is compelled to investigate secretly, even when the rest of the department seems keen to accept the verdict of suicide.
As Rachel digs deeper into the town’s secrets, what she discovers might just tip the sweet little southern town on its head.
So I decided quite early on that police procedurals are just not my thing. I don’t enjoy the tropes nor the “close to reality but not totally real” aspects of it. That being said, I feel like this is an excellent addition to the genre, and if you enjoy police procedurals you should definitely give this series a go!
Rachel Ryder is a strong, sassy, and capable main character. I enjoy her inner voice, and those moments where her inner voice comes out and she says the things she most definitely should not say. In a world full of “nice” girls, Rachel isn’t afraid to rock the boat. I’m glad that Aspenson didn’t take it too far though, making Rachel seem invulnerable, or so jaded that she becomes one of the “too untouchable” heroines we are inundated with. Rachel has some vulnerabilities, some real tenderness, and a heart. That matters too. I don’t want a superhuman woman, because that’s just not reality. A strong woman aware of her limitations is much more appealing to me, and I think Aspenson delivers that with style.
The storyline is well thought out, and while I did have my suspicions pretty early on, the motives and exact ways the mystery played out were still enjoyable to follow along with.
The characterizations are well plotted as well, with Rachel and her new partner Bishop taking a long time to trust each other, but still finding ways to work with each other. I liked that Aspenson didn’t use a cheap “harrowing experience” to instantly bond these two, but relied on a much more realistic building of their partnership. It felt real, and earned, and much more satisfying that way.
My only qualms that bring this story below the five-star threshold were fairly minor, mostly around questions that other readers might not have. I’ll admit my frame of reference for reading a police procedural is skewed by being married to a cop and being Canadian. So a few of the issues or questions I had (ex. pulling a gun on some teenagers stealing candy—that would be pretty shocking up here) might just stem from that place.
I also felt that Rachel's photographic memory didn’t seem to make her that different from any other cop. She was constantly checking things against her real pictures, and despite her rating of photographic memory being insanely high, it never seemed to play out that way. This might be ignorance on my part as well on how photographic memory really works.
Also, and this is very minor, there were a few too many characters with very similar names, and that gets confusing. Merril, Michels, and Miller are all cops she interacts with and… those names are just too close to keep them apart easily.
So overall, this is a finely plotted, well-characterized addition to the genre. If you’re looking for a procedural with a strong, believable heroine with some bite and balancing vulnerabilities, this is the book for you!
June 14, 2021
A Totally New, Different Kind of Series with a Strong, Snarky Female Lead You're Going to Love!
Former Chicago Detective Rachel Ryder is the only female Detective in small town, Hamby Georgia Police Department. Having met their female higher quota, Ryder finds herself in good old boys club territory where everyone hopes she quits so they can just say, they tried but real police work isn't for 'girls.'
They don't know Detective Ryder, not Ma'am, not Ms, not Officer, but Detective Ryder. Ryder had cleared more murder, drug or other high profile crimes while in Chicago, than anyone in Hamby Police Department combined. Then why hasn't there been any crimes reported? When she and her tenuously strained partner, Detective Bishop called in a vandalism and theft crime against the city Parks Department, when patrolman call in a curfew violation over the radio? The adolescents parents that they caught are all friends of the Mayor, who's campaigning for state office. It would go against the mayor's platform that his city is tough on crime and Hamby is the safest town in Georgia. Ryder smells a cover-up. When a prominent city council member is found dead in a local hotel with a noose around his neck and dressed in nothing but his socks and underwear with his eyes closed and his hands at his side, murder is the only conclusion Detective Rachel Ryder can see. Their police chief, medical examiner and Mayor all conclude suicide and there's no reason to put the widow through an autopsy, Ryder is told to stand down and let her partner handle the case, she knows there is a cover-up here,but just how high up the chain of command does it go!
Not your typical story by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson at all. No paranormal, no romance but plenty of suspense, mystery and intrigue you've come to expect from this author. They only thing that ties this story to any of her other books is there is a strong, female lead character! Enjoy reading this one. Its part of a new series too.
Former Chicago Detective Rachel Ryder is the only female Detective in small town, Hamby Georgia Police Department. Having met their female higher quota, Ryder finds herself in good old boys club territory where everyone hopes she quits so they can just say, they tried but real police work isn't for 'girls.'
They don't know Detective Ryder, not Ma'am, not Ms, not Officer, but Detective Ryder. Ryder had cleared more murder, drug or other high profile crimes while in Chicago, than anyone in Hamby Police Department combined. Then why hasn't there been any crimes reported? When she and her tenuously strained partner, Detective Bishop called in a vandalism and theft crime against the city Parks Department, when patrolman call in a curfew violation over the radio? The adolescents parents that they caught are all friends of the Mayor, who's campaigning for state office. It would go against the mayor's platform that his city is tough on crime and Hamby is the safest town in Georgia. Ryder smells a cover-up. When a prominent city council member is found dead in a local hotel with a noose around his neck and dressed in nothing but his socks and underwear with his eyes closed and his hands at his side, murder is the only conclusion Detective Rachel Ryder can see. Their police chief, medical examiner and Mayor all conclude suicide and there's no reason to put the widow through an autopsy, Ryder is told to stand down and let her partner handle the case, she knows there is a cover-up here,but just how high up the chain of command does it go!
Not your typical story by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson at all. No paranormal, no romance but plenty of suspense, mystery and intrigue you've come to expect from this author. They only thing that ties this story to any of her other books is there is a strong, female lead character! Enjoy reading this one. Its part of a new series too.
December 13, 2020
Rachel Ryder is an awesome leading character!
Rachel Ryder is a complex woman who is starting over in a new city, in a new state. I doubt she realized that moving a few hundred miles south would be such a culture shock. Rachel has relocated in a small town in southern Georgia and found herself working through not only the usual PD politics she had maneuvered through the last 15 years of her career in Chicago, but has found herself smack-dab in the middle of a Good-Ole-Buddies club reminiscent of the 70’s. She had no idea that she was a “token hire” when she interviewed and accepted the position. She has her work cut out for her in more than one way which makes for an interesting, and entertaining, story. I really like her attitude and spunk. I know I’ll want to read this story more than once.
I really enjoyed reading this first book of a new series by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson. I follow many of her other series because she is such a gifted and versatile author who I know will deliver a well-written book every time. This story was hugely different from the mystery stories that I have come to expect from one of Ms. Aspenson’s series. Although this story does not fall into my favorite genre of a cozy mystery, it was an extremely entertaining and intriguing whodunit that gripped my attention from page one. I will be following this series as they become available.
I generally read clean stories, this one I will rate as PG-13.
Language… strongest was the f-bomb dropped a few times.
Sex… no graphic sex scenes, although the description of sex crimes are prevalent in the story.
Violence… no excessive violence, although there are after-the-fact descriptions of violent crimes.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Severn River Publishing. This gift did not affect my review of the book. This review is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Rachel Ryder is a complex woman who is starting over in a new city, in a new state. I doubt she realized that moving a few hundred miles south would be such a culture shock. Rachel has relocated in a small town in southern Georgia and found herself working through not only the usual PD politics she had maneuvered through the last 15 years of her career in Chicago, but has found herself smack-dab in the middle of a Good-Ole-Buddies club reminiscent of the 70’s. She had no idea that she was a “token hire” when she interviewed and accepted the position. She has her work cut out for her in more than one way which makes for an interesting, and entertaining, story. I really like her attitude and spunk. I know I’ll want to read this story more than once.
I really enjoyed reading this first book of a new series by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson. I follow many of her other series because she is such a gifted and versatile author who I know will deliver a well-written book every time. This story was hugely different from the mystery stories that I have come to expect from one of Ms. Aspenson’s series. Although this story does not fall into my favorite genre of a cozy mystery, it was an extremely entertaining and intriguing whodunit that gripped my attention from page one. I will be following this series as they become available.
I generally read clean stories, this one I will rate as PG-13.
Language… strongest was the f-bomb dropped a few times.
Sex… no graphic sex scenes, although the description of sex crimes are prevalent in the story.
Violence… no excessive violence, although there are after-the-fact descriptions of violent crimes.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Severn River Publishing. This gift did not affect my review of the book. This review is my voluntary and honest opinion.
December 28, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and offer my thoughts.
Damaging Secrets by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson was a new book and author for me. It's always nice to discover a new author with lots of books under her belt. It's a Thanksgiving meal bounty of books - you can read until you're stuffed and then take a nap. No better way to spend an afternoon.
As police procedurals go, this was a a capable entry into the field. The lead, DETECTIVE Rachel Ryder is, on the surface, an annoyingly brash newcomer to a small Georgia town's police department. It seems she does her best to alienate everyone from her partner to the mayor. However, at her heart she is a crusader for justice, even if it puts her personal safety and professional credibility at risk. Pair that with the fact that most of her previous career was spent in the Chicago area and you have the war between the states all over.
What jumps off as an unconvincing attempt by the Chief of Police to cover up a homicide declaring it a suicide, quickly begins to unravel a much more convoluted and involved organized series of crimes involving some heavy hitters. Ryder and her partner soon find themselves involved in an unsanctioned investigation putting both their careers in jeopardy.
Like Ryder, I found the Southern women portrayed to be the stereotypical "belles", with nothing more substantial to do in their lives except cook and clean. I understand the context, but if you're particularly sensitive to this representation, you might find Secrets a bit heavy on the Southern "charm". Otherwise, I'd recommend Damaging Secrets and other books by Aspenson.
Damaging Secrets by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson was a new book and author for me. It's always nice to discover a new author with lots of books under her belt. It's a Thanksgiving meal bounty of books - you can read until you're stuffed and then take a nap. No better way to spend an afternoon.
As police procedurals go, this was a a capable entry into the field. The lead, DETECTIVE Rachel Ryder is, on the surface, an annoyingly brash newcomer to a small Georgia town's police department. It seems she does her best to alienate everyone from her partner to the mayor. However, at her heart she is a crusader for justice, even if it puts her personal safety and professional credibility at risk. Pair that with the fact that most of her previous career was spent in the Chicago area and you have the war between the states all over.
What jumps off as an unconvincing attempt by the Chief of Police to cover up a homicide declaring it a suicide, quickly begins to unravel a much more convoluted and involved organized series of crimes involving some heavy hitters. Ryder and her partner soon find themselves involved in an unsanctioned investigation putting both their careers in jeopardy.
Like Ryder, I found the Southern women portrayed to be the stereotypical "belles", with nothing more substantial to do in their lives except cook and clean. I understand the context, but if you're particularly sensitive to this representation, you might find Secrets a bit heavy on the Southern "charm". Otherwise, I'd recommend Damaging Secrets and other books by Aspenson.
January 5, 2021
I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.
Wow....just wow!!!
The characters were amazing. I loved reading and getting to know Rachel Ryder and her partner, Bishop. Rachel is such a strong female character and with knowing about her past life, it made the story feel so real and made me want to connect with her.
The storyline was remarkable. Aspenson has a way with storytelling that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and you can't help but be involved with the characters and the story. She is a pure genius with huge plot twists and jaw dropping turn of events and you don't actually see it coming until the last minute that she reveals it. This story had me drawn in from the beginning. There was so much that continued to happen and unravel that there was no way I could put the book down. I was always had thins book taunting me in the back of my mind, making me curious and wanting to get back to it. And that ending, well it was for sure a shocker to me, but I guess you will need to read the book yourself to find out what I am talking about. This is an amazing thriller that will stick with me forever and I highly recommend this read!!
Wow....just wow!!!
The characters were amazing. I loved reading and getting to know Rachel Ryder and her partner, Bishop. Rachel is such a strong female character and with knowing about her past life, it made the story feel so real and made me want to connect with her.
The storyline was remarkable. Aspenson has a way with storytelling that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and you can't help but be involved with the characters and the story. She is a pure genius with huge plot twists and jaw dropping turn of events and you don't actually see it coming until the last minute that she reveals it. This story had me drawn in from the beginning. There was so much that continued to happen and unravel that there was no way I could put the book down. I was always had thins book taunting me in the back of my mind, making me curious and wanting to get back to it. And that ending, well it was for sure a shocker to me, but I guess you will need to read the book yourself to find out what I am talking about. This is an amazing thriller that will stick with me forever and I highly recommend this read!!
January 17, 2021
Rachel Ryder is a strong, complex female character. The seasoned Chicago detective is having a hard time adjusting to life in a small town in Georgia where the “old boys” club rules and male chauvinism runs rampant. Her in-your-face, outspoken approach is at times annoying and it is easy to see how she manages to alienate the chief of police, the mayor, and her fellow officers when she insists that the deceased, a prominent citizen, did not commit suicide. Of course, the fact that she’s a woman plays no small part in their reactions. Still, she is relentless in her determination to uncover the truth, despite orders to leave it alone. Her partner, Bishop, is a good guy, who is hesitant to defy orders, but she gradually wins him over. Their relationship grows as they establish mutual trust. They make a good team. No spoilers here, so suffice it to say that the plot had a good level of complexity and enough tension and twists to keep those pages turning. A commendable start to a new series.
FTC disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
FTC disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
January 15, 2021
Welcome to Hamby, Georgia where nothing is at it seems! Rachel Ryder the newest detective is pared with Bob Bishop to investigate a suspicious person’s call only to find a dead body. The medical examiner is quick to rule the death of the Councilman, Troy Light, a suicide. Suicide? Really? Who's going to believe it? Rachel believes it was murder and drags her partner, Bob to help investigate. But Rachel's past is creeping up on her when she gets a call from Lenny, an old friend. Lets hope that Bishop and Rachel can solve the murder before anything else happens.
This story had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning until the very end with lots of back stabbing, secrets, sex trafficking, and lot of political corruption. Just what we are dealing with in 2021. I can't wait to read the next in the series to find out what is in store for Rachel Ryder. I would highly recommend this book which has wonderful characters, twisted and very realistic.
I was given a ARC of Damaging Secrets in order to give my honest and true feelings about this book.
This story had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning until the very end with lots of back stabbing, secrets, sex trafficking, and lot of political corruption. Just what we are dealing with in 2021. I can't wait to read the next in the series to find out what is in store for Rachel Ryder. I would highly recommend this book which has wonderful characters, twisted and very realistic.
I was given a ARC of Damaging Secrets in order to give my honest and true feelings about this book.
January 12, 2021
A wonderful new series from one of my favorite authors. A snarky female detective who believes in justice and will not overlook her principles of justice. Detective Rachel Ryder, a detective, has moved from Chicago to Georgia. Her decision to move was based upon her desire for a fresh start after the murder of her husband and fellow officer Tommy. When she and her partner are called to the scene of a “suspicious death”, she sees a murder, but the local mayor, chief and medical examiner rule the death as a suicide. Rachel won’t and can’t leave the case alone and continues to investigate, without the permission of the chief. Can she get her partner on board or will there be no justice for the murdered man? The town of Hamby has many secrets, but Rachel will not stop until she brings these secrets into the light. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
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