The Past Awakens

The Evidence Speaks #1

by W.L. Knightly

Just when CSI Madison Corman thinks settling into her new job is going to give her the advantages she needs, a new case comes along that proves too good to be true. Together with Warren, she’ll right old wrongs and prove that the past is sometimes better left unsolved.

Detective Silas Warren has gone years dealing with regret. Just when he thinks his life is under control, old ghosts come back to haunt him when new cases take on characteristics from cases past and threaten his future.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Detective, Mystery Thriller, Amazon

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2021

About the author

WL Knightly is a thriller/murder mystery co-writing pen name for two USA Today Best Selling Authors. "W" when not writing can be found dealing in Antique Jewelry and hanging out with her awesome hubby and three kids. And "L" is a full-time writer that lives near Nashville, TN and spends her time cooking, hanging out with her hubs and 3 kiddos, or wrangling new ideas as they float by!
Their love of a good mystery novel caused them to combine forces and go after their dream of telling stories that sent a shiver down your spine. I'm thinking they figured it out!
These two friends met years ago when they both started writing and publishing in various young adult genres and needed a critique partner.
The rest is history...They'd love for you to join the fun!
Website-http://thezodiackillerseries.com/
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/wlknightlyau...
Insiders Group- https://dl.bookfunnel.com/j1rryhvu53

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a good read till near the end when the writer decided to put a graphic sex scene in it which was not needed. Then the story does not end and you have to get another. Sorry but I enjoy stand alone books or books with sequels that continue with previous people and themes.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Are you kidding me?

This book had the makings of a decent mystery. I didn’t find the characters to be particularly realistic. I’ve never known a spineless cop, detective or otherwise. I’m sure there are those who ignore evidence to lay the blame and close the case. I suppose there are some inept ones, some glory grabbers, ladder climbers via someone else’s back. But all in the same precinct? Then, about the time I decide I can overlook all that, the story ends. Just stops. No solution. No possible perpetrator. But you can buy the sequel. Not me. It just wasn’t that good.

[Annika Hoogendoorn-Van Oosten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madison is net van baan veranderd als CSI als ze een zaak krijgt die veel lijkt op een zaak van 5 jaar geleden.
Samen met detectie Warren zoekt ze naar de waarheid. Is het een copy-cat of hebben ze 5 jaar geleden de verkeerde man achter tralies gezet?

Om daar achter te komen moet je deel 2 lezen. En dat is nou net jammer. Niet dat het een slecht boek is, maar het is het alsof het verhaal in stukken is geknipt om meer boeken te verkopen.

[Sheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t like books that are continued and you have to read the next one to see how it ends.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

No conclusion-have to read another book in series

First of all, both of the main characters are unappealing. Then, this is just the initial installment of a series; the story doesn't wrap up in this book. Explicit sexual content.

[Rogi Moulton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was quite enjoying this book and then it suddenly stopped in the middle of the story. Boo! I will never read this writer again. Seriously, don't treat your readers like this. If you publish a book, make it a complete book. I don't mind sequels and follow ups but it is unforgivable to treat your readers like this.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Never again"

It's been a long time since I resorted to a 1* review. I'm sick and tired of discovering I've only bought part of a story. This would be a 5*, but as this was one of three, then I need to buy two more to get the ending I deserve. Was this made obvious in the synopsis? Or was it reasonable to assume it was book 1 of a 3 book series? A series with the potential to expand. I read plenty of books from series where writers manage to fashion a standalone story within the framework of an ongoing cast of characters. I prefer that approach to one where the reader is sucked into buying the first in a series without a specific warning that this is only the opening chapters.

[Jerry B · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a ripoff! There was absolutely no indicative warning that this long-ish novella eBook, first in “W.L. Knightly’s” six-“book” “The Evidence Speaks” series, was in fact merely the first episode in a serialized set. So the book ends abruptly after several murders with absolutely no conclusion, no hunt for evidence, no nothing! To add insult to injury, a gratuitous, offensive, and explicit sex scene between the main characters, not even a likely development, had no place in a police procedural – and did nothing to endear protagonist CSI Madison to us readers. We certainly have no intention to pursue this open case in further “novels”.

What a ripoff!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "THE PAST AWAKENS" Setting the scene for this intense crime thriller grabs you from beginning to end full of mystery, secrets, lies, suspense, intrigue, deception, angst, guilt, murder, serial killer twists that have you glued to your seat.
CSI Madison Corman got a job back in Chicago just where she needs to be she has an agenda, her brother Aiden shows up on her doorstep he left Tennessee to follow her he's a bit of a mystery.
Detective Silas Warren has been dealing with guilt for 5yrs his boss Captain Fletcher made sure the wrong man went to jail for crime he didn't commit & Warren told him he had the wrong man but it was all about him getting promoted at the time he didn't care.
CSI Madison & Silas become allies both hate Captain Fletcher for their own reasons Silas is treated like crap by his boss & his fellow officers they work a case to similar to a 5yr old serial killer case the one that Silas still feels guilty & haunted over.
I definitely recommend to get this amazingly well written first book in this series things start to heat up with the old serial killer case which comes back to bite them, now to figure out who the killer is & keeping Cpt. Fletcher out if it.
The cliffhanger leaves you with so many more questions & why Madison wants to take down Captain Fletcher it's a shocker, will Madison & Silas be able to work together to find the right serial killer on the loose & stop his killing spree before it gets out of hand you have to get this book to see what happens I'm so looking forward to the next book "THE PAST REVEALED.

[Linda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I didn’t invite him. He showed up. He even peeked in the window before he knocked. Apparently, he thought the neighbor’s car was a visitor. I guess he thought he would catch me in the act.”

The Past Awakens is the first book in new series The Evidence Speaks. I was hooked into this story from the very beginning and felt an empathy to both of the main characters. A plot that has you playing detective and leaving you with more questions than answers. Looking forward to gathering more facts in the rest of the series and seeing a certain person take the fall. I’m so intrigued and wanted to keep reading, so please don’t leave me hanging for too long.

Silas Warren was treated appallingly by his superiors and not much better by the rest of his fellow workmates. Madison Corman is new to the team and there are rumours about a workplace affair. Each of them have their reasons and find unlikely allies in each other. Evidence can’t be disputed and the new cases are similar to an old serial killer case that had been put to bed years earlier. Silas is still haunted by the past cases and now they’ve been awakened, taunting him. Madison has her own agenda, but she is a damn good detective and will leave nothing to chance. Still trying to decide if the self important Tyler is a creep or if he is playing a game of corruption.

[Munira Vahed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even have to think before saying yes to Any book this author writes. They are always full of mystery, suspense, murder, angst and lots of twists and turns.
This new series doesn't disappoint at all. It grand your attention from the get go.
It follows a detective, Silas Warren who is haunted by a 5 year old case which he believes they had the wrong person jailed for it. A new csi, Madison Forman enters and investigates a very similar scene to 5 years ago. He believes the 2 are connected. He expresses his concerns to Madison and thus decide to investigate without telling their Captain who both have for their own reasons.
what secrets will be uncovered during this investigation remains to be seen.
a fabulous start to a new series. Can't wait to read more and find out how Silas and Madison will find answers to their questions?
Was an innocent man accused and imprisoned for the crime? What is the mystery behind Madison past?
Read this series to find out.
I received an ARC from the author. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the first book in a new series, The Evidence Speaks. In this book, Madison is a CSI and recently returned to Chicago to start work. Madison has secrets of her own and the reasons why she is there slowly unfold as the story continues. Madison also works closely with Detective Silas Warren and she has to earn his trust so she can learn more about a past case. Silas also is very attracted to Madison and they fight their attraction to one another. Madison doesn't want to confuse her feelings for Silas, but she needs to get close to him. There appears to be a killer that Silas thought was caught that dies in prison killing again, or there is a copycat. Silas always wondered if they had the right man and he is slow to accept the killer could be back. I liked this book, it does end with a cliff hanger, but it will be continued in more books. I like Madison, i have a lot of questions about her past, but i am enjoying the mystery.

[Angela Hodgetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Past Awakens is book 1 of 6 in the Evidence Speaks series. My interest was captured immediately and I couldn't stop reading.

Madison returns to her hometown where she has accepted a position as detective. How she managed to get the offer is a whole story on its own.

Teaming with Detective Silas, who is seemingly oppressed and subdued, they discover The Ghost, a serial killer, has returned... but a man was already convicted of the murders and and died while incarcerated.

The man who was convicted starts to weave into the storyline about halfway through, and appears to tie in with why Madison transferred to her hometown PD.

This book contains misdeeds and cover ups by the local police force, a weird stalker-type relationship, a little bit of romance and plenty of suspense.

If you're looking for a book where all of the answers are revealed, this isn't for you. The story is just getting started, but I can't wait to read Book 2 to see if any of the answers are revealed.

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Silas Warren meets a new CSI Madison Corman. A new case comes their way which is strikingly similar to one Silas was involved in years ago. The “bad guy” went to jail….and passed away. Now there are a string of similar cases. Silas wants…”needs” to solve it correctly this time. Madison has a hidden back-story, attaching her to the case. The story slowly introduces us to these two characters and some other police and CSI staff who were involved previously. The author slowly lets out little pieces of the previous cases. Right at the end, an important piece of info comes out… I won’t say what it is but I can’t wait until the next book.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A crime scene investigator with a hidden agenda pairs with a beleaguered detective. A serial killer has apparently been resurrected, brutally murdering women. Only problem is the killer was convicted years before and killed in prison. The detective believes there was a rush to judgment and the wrong man was blamed to further an ambitious cop's rise to the top. The CSI is out to make everyone responsible pay.

This is an interesting if flaws read. The CSI does not hesitate to use her sexuality to get what she wants. The cops for the most part are stupid and obvious. The most annoying thing is the cliff hanger ending. Nothing is resolved and the story drags on through multiple books. Sorry, just not that interested.

[Jennifer Soppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started off running

Madison, newly hired and overqualified CSI, beat Silas, semi downtrodden police detective, to the scene of a crime that brings back some haunting memories for him. As the story progresses the crime seems to be unrelated, opinions shared are broadcast, and lines may be crossed that could have far reaching implications as they try to catch a killer. W.L. Knightly started off running in The Past Awakens and keeps throwing some pretty hard turs in to their way. There were a few hints dropped that allow the reader to see some of the events yet to unfold, but not enough that the reader can state definitively who the culprit is.

[Magali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good set-up of the series
This is the first episode of this detective series. The setting up of the events and the characters is slow, but we feel that the rest will be more eventful as well between Silas, a policeman and Madison, the scientific expert who hides the reasons why she returned to Chicago and who doesn't hesitate to manipulate others if it serves her cause.
The story has a good base with a serial killer who is supposed to have died in prison and who leaves corpses fresh in his path, all with police officers who had been more than incompetent and who do not take responsibility for their past behavior.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has layers upon layers of possibilities. It seems that nobody is quite what they appear to be and when the past comes back to haunt them all will the truth finally be set free? When I first started reading it, I wasn’t sure where this book was going to take me. But it snared me with tendril after tendril until there was no escape for me before the end. And now that I’ve reached the end, I’m absolutely rabid to find out what’s going to happen next.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.

[AL · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I cannot give this a higher rating. First of all, there is absolutely no call for descriptive sex in a mystery. Save intimate narratives for a romance novel where readers who seek that type of rubbish can wallow in it. My second complaint is that the book didn’t end. The authors want you to purchase another book to solve the mystery. Really! I realize it is the first in a series but this murder should be solved here and the detective can solve a different mystery in the next book.

[Suzanne Paschke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading a few reviews I noticed a number of people gave lower stars for the fact this is part of a series. That didn't bother me in the slightest - in fact, I quite like cliff hangers. I struggled to keep my head in this book though. I've read other novels of this author and have really quite liked them, but this time I found my attention wandering quite frequently as I was reading - to what had happened in my day, what I have to do tomorrow, whether the person I met six years still has the same colour hair. The book was okay, but not enough to keep me reading this particular series.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit it took me a while to get into this book. I just couldn't connect to either Silas or Madison. About mid way, three quarters into the book I started to get hooked.
We now know why Madison is back in the city.
I look forward to seeing how capturing the killer plays and how Silas and Madison team up.
There are still a lot of unanswered questions and how deep the cover-up goes.
The author is always good for a cliffhanger but this is more just a continuation of the story.

[Jacqueline Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this new series The Evidence Speaks you get secrets, lies, murders, and so much more. The storyline was intriguing from the very first page to the cliffhanger last page. Detective Silas Warren and CSI Madison Corman are racing trying to figure out who "The Ghost" really is. They both want to take Captain Fletcher down but for totally different reasons. They are working together to find the devious killer who leaves no trace evidence behind. I'm excited to see what these two get into in the next book.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison Cornman, CSI gets her first case in her new job. Detective Silas Warren is the lead on a murder that looks strikingly familiar to an old case. A man was convicted of the crime headed by Fletcher, now chief. Silas worked the case with Fletcher and the memories are haunting him. This is a good start to this series. I did not want to stop reading. I am anxiously awaiting the next one in the series.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison is a CSI and new to her job but really qualified. She gets her first case. Silas is a Police Detective and comes to the crime scene after Madison. He looks at the scene and finds it looks vaguely familiar to an old case he has worked on. As they work together to find answers it talked twists and turns as they try finding the murderer. I can’t wait for the next book! I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison is a young CSI agent who has finagled a job in Chicago. Silas is a detective haunted by a case five years ago that he fears the wrong man was convicted for. Together they are beginning to cover a new case starkly resembling the first case. Some interference from their bosses looms. Good characters and the beginning of a really intriguing story. I enjoy police procedurals and certainly anticipate being entertained by this new series.

[Jim Bean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same ole tricks

This was an interesting criminal mystery that never ended at the completion of the book. The criminal mystery won't end until you purchase the second book. Sorry, I can stop where book one ends. I have my suspicions on who tge killer may be but I don't care to continue to follow the contineous bulling and political climate of Chicago's finest to find out for sure. Read all you want and hope you enjoy tge read. I am moving on to something more entertaining

[Liane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stopped at a weird place, so much not answered. Also had a weird split writing style. The majority of it was quite good but then it got to the 'romantic' part and it was just plain strange. Like a different person had wrote it or it had been cut and paste from a totally different book. It was completely cheesey cliché unimpressive writing, so much so that I thought it was a glitch or a different book I had accidentally opened 😳

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series that promises to be thrilling and action-packed. There is mystery, intrigue, murder, and realistically portrayed main characters. The main characters are relatable, intelligent, and very good at their respective jobs. I enjoyed this entertaining and engaging read. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in the storytelling but lost it when there was no ending to the book . I read many authors that continue their series with many books but to end the book with no conclusion is unforgivable . Would not take a chance and try the next book to experience the same thing over again . This author is on my not to read list .