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Rachel Emery #1
The Truth About Rachel
Everyone believes Rachel is dead. But she’s very much alive.
Rachel Scott Emery’s life unravels when she comes upon an old news article online that states she was killed thirty-five years ago at the age of eight. Even more shocking is her murderer was her then sixteen-year-old brother.
Realizing she must untangle the mess, Rachel leaves her Tallahassee, Florida home and goes back to Casita, California to prove she is still alive. But going home again isn’t easy. Believing that her parents had relinquished custody of her years ago to her beloved aunt and uncle, she slowly learns what really happened. And unearthing the truth, when so many in town want to leave it buried, becomes a daunting and dangerous task. What really happened the day little Rachel left town? And who is the little girl buried in the grave?
Rachel Scott Emery’s life unravels when she comes upon an old news article online that states she was killed thirty-five years ago at the age of eight. Even more shocking is her murderer was her then sixteen-year-old brother.
Realizing she must untangle the mess, Rachel leaves her Tallahassee, Florida home and goes back to Casita, California to prove she is still alive. But going home again isn’t easy. Believing that her parents had relinquished custody of her years ago to her beloved aunt and uncle, she slowly learns what really happened. And unearthing the truth, when so many in town want to leave it buried, becomes a daunting and dangerous task. What really happened the day little Rachel left town? And who is the little girl buried in the grave?
218 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2021
454 people are currently reading
2039 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Lynn Sletten
42 books633 followersDeanna Lynn Sletten is the author of MRS. WINCHESTER'S BIOGRAPHER, THE ONES WE LEAVE BEHIND, THE WOMEN OF GREAT HERON LAKE, MAGGIE'S TURN, THE LAKE HARRIET SERIES, and several other titles. She writes compelling historical fiction, heartwarming women's fiction, romance novels, and murder mysteries. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime.
Deanna has recently begun a new murder mystery series, The Rachel Emery Series which includes THE TRUTH ABOUT RACHEL and DEATH BECOMES YOU.
Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing on the lake in the summer.
Deanna loves hearing from her readers. Connect with her at:
Her blog: deannalynnsletten.com
Twitter: @DeannaLSletten
Facebook: facebook.com/DeannaLynnSletten
Deanna has recently begun a new murder mystery series, The Rachel Emery Series which includes THE TRUTH ABOUT RACHEL and DEATH BECOMES YOU.
Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing on the lake in the summer.
Deanna loves hearing from her readers. Connect with her at:
Her blog: deannalynnsletten.com
Twitter: @DeannaLSletten
Facebook: facebook.com/DeannaLynnSletten
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 8, 2021
Wow! I loved it!! I've been a huge fan of Deanna's for years and I've loved all of her books. When I found out she was branching out and trying her hand at writing a mystery, I was excited to see what she had created. Once again, she has created a winner!
I really liked the Rachel character in this story and boy does she have to go through a lot. She's basically living her best life when she finds out that she was ''murdered' thirty-five years ago. What the heck?
Uncovering the truth of her past is the driving force in the story and you will relish the twists that Rachel discovers as she tries to get to the bottom of things. Who does she believe? Who can she trust?
And I love how there are still questions to be answered at the end and that the possibilities in Rachel's life are wide open—that means that there'll be more to come. That's right, Deanna plans to make this a series and I, for one, am super excited about that!
I highly recommend The Truth About Rachel—publication date May 11, 2021. It's the perfect start to what I hope is a long, exciting series!
I really liked the Rachel character in this story and boy does she have to go through a lot. She's basically living her best life when she finds out that she was ''murdered' thirty-five years ago. What the heck?
Uncovering the truth of her past is the driving force in the story and you will relish the twists that Rachel discovers as she tries to get to the bottom of things. Who does she believe? Who can she trust?
And I love how there are still questions to be answered at the end and that the possibilities in Rachel's life are wide open—that means that there'll be more to come. That's right, Deanna plans to make this a series and I, for one, am super excited about that!
I highly recommend The Truth About Rachel—publication date May 11, 2021. It's the perfect start to what I hope is a long, exciting series!
July 11, 2024
This would have been a solid 4.5 star book, I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I’m removing a star just for that half-a-page phone call at the end
June 9, 2022
This was ok, a bit rushed and I didn’t really gel with any of the characters. The ending when she met her brother and they were immediately close after everything that had happened when they were younger was very unrealistic.
June 13, 2023
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for a review.
As an 8-year-old, Rachel Scott is picked up by her aunt and uncle. She’s told that she will be living with them from now on. Life at her home hadn’t been easy… she was ignored by her mother and threatened by her older brother. Only her father seems to care about her, and he’s gone frequently for work. So young Rachel figures her parents want her to live with her relatives. Decades pass, and Rachel is a widow with a college-age daughter. She’s working from home as a graphic designer and overseeing the care of her aunt, who has Alzheimer’s disease. On one of her visits, her aunt hints at secrets that are being kept. When she gets home, Rachel decides to do some research on the family she left behind. She was beyond shocked to discover that her brother was in prison, serving time for killing HER. Obviously, she isn’t dead. But then who is the little girl in the grave? How was she misidentified? And did her brother kill this little girl? Rachel has lots of questions, but no answers. Her first thought is to return to Casita, California, and let the authorities know she isn’t dead. One would think that would be easy. But it isn’t. And the more she pushes the authorities for answers, the more pushback she gets.
But there is more buried than just a little girl… secrets, lots of secrets. And Rachel must be willing to dig deep to find answers.
This book is thrilling, fast-paced, and absorbing. I didn’t want to put it down. It’s the best suspense I’ve read in a while. I’ve already purchased the second book in the series and can’t wait to read it.
As an 8-year-old, Rachel Scott is picked up by her aunt and uncle. She’s told that she will be living with them from now on. Life at her home hadn’t been easy… she was ignored by her mother and threatened by her older brother. Only her father seems to care about her, and he’s gone frequently for work. So young Rachel figures her parents want her to live with her relatives. Decades pass, and Rachel is a widow with a college-age daughter. She’s working from home as a graphic designer and overseeing the care of her aunt, who has Alzheimer’s disease. On one of her visits, her aunt hints at secrets that are being kept. When she gets home, Rachel decides to do some research on the family she left behind. She was beyond shocked to discover that her brother was in prison, serving time for killing HER. Obviously, she isn’t dead. But then who is the little girl in the grave? How was she misidentified? And did her brother kill this little girl? Rachel has lots of questions, but no answers. Her first thought is to return to Casita, California, and let the authorities know she isn’t dead. One would think that would be easy. But it isn’t. And the more she pushes the authorities for answers, the more pushback she gets.
But there is more buried than just a little girl… secrets, lots of secrets. And Rachel must be willing to dig deep to find answers.
This book is thrilling, fast-paced, and absorbing. I didn’t want to put it down. It’s the best suspense I’ve read in a while. I’ve already purchased the second book in the series and can’t wait to read it.
June 14, 2022
Usually I don't write reviews but I gotta say this book was not for me, although I'm glad others enjoyed it.
It felt both rushed and slow, the characters lacked dimension, the solving of the "mystery" made zero sense and was really predictable, the relationships kind of fell flat, and overall I kept waiting for it to get better.
Why would Rachel happily accept her brother back into her life? How did she never hear about the murder? Why did she trust Avery and not Jeremy? Yeah he was sketchy but she didn't know Avery from Adam. Also why did she steal the bracelet? Why do I feel like I know nothing of Jeremy's past even though he, somehow, ended up being the most well rounded of them all.
How did Archie get away with rape and murder so long?
Idk man, like I said, not for me.
It felt both rushed and slow, the characters lacked dimension, the solving of the "mystery" made zero sense and was really predictable, the relationships kind of fell flat, and overall I kept waiting for it to get better.
Why would Rachel happily accept her brother back into her life? How did she never hear about the murder? Why did she trust Avery and not Jeremy? Yeah he was sketchy but she didn't know Avery from Adam. Also why did she steal the bracelet? Why do I feel like I know nothing of Jeremy's past even though he, somehow, ended up being the most well rounded of them all.
How did Archie get away with rape and murder so long?
Idk man, like I said, not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2021
Wow, What a PageTurner!
I was so intrigued I read this book in one sitting. Imagine that scrolling the internet and came across a story that you were killed at the age of eight and by your own brother who has been in prison all these years. So you return to the hometown some 30 years later, (you hadn’t been back since your aunt and uncle kidnapped you) to try to find out who the little girl in the grave is, but run into resistance by the local police chief, her brother’s best friend who was instrumental in his conviction.
I was so intrigued I read this book in one sitting. Imagine that scrolling the internet and came across a story that you were killed at the age of eight and by your own brother who has been in prison all these years. So you return to the hometown some 30 years later, (you hadn’t been back since your aunt and uncle kidnapped you) to try to find out who the little girl in the grave is, but run into resistance by the local police chief, her brother’s best friend who was instrumental in his conviction.
January 6, 2022
wow.. what a read!
This was a great read with many twists to it. Imagine finding out 35 years later that you were thought to be dead! Who was the supposed killer! Who could Rachel trust? I was literally chopping and changing my mind throughout the book but also never expected the twist at the end! Definitely recommend to anyone who likes detective/crime/murder/psychological books.. this will have you turning the page to find the truth!
This was a great read with many twists to it. Imagine finding out 35 years later that you were thought to be dead! Who was the supposed killer! Who could Rachel trust? I was literally chopping and changing my mind throughout the book but also never expected the twist at the end! Definitely recommend to anyone who likes detective/crime/murder/psychological books.. this will have you turning the page to find the truth!
October 11, 2022
This was an easy, fast-paced book that was a joy to read. I enjoyed the twists and was especially relieved that the dead girl was not who I thought it was from the start! The unveiling of the real murderer was exciting and suspenseful, and I loved how the novel also included family drama and a budding new love.
I liked the ending and felt that everything was rounded off nicely. It also has a fun finish to set us up for Book 2.
I liked the ending and felt that everything was rounded off nicely. It also has a fun finish to set us up for Book 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2021
The Truth About Rachel: A Rachel Emery N...
WOW this book was FANTASTIC.. When Rachel was 35 yrs . Old ....she went looking who her real parents were.. She found out everyone in her home town thought she was killed when she was 8 yrs. Old.. Rachel didn't know who to trust and who the killer was...
WOW this book was FANTASTIC.. When Rachel was 35 yrs . Old ....she went looking who her real parents were.. She found out everyone in her home town thought she was killed when she was 8 yrs. Old.. Rachel didn't know who to trust and who the killer was...
September 27, 2021
Ok read
I chose to read this after seeing a pop up on Facebook. Reviews were positive so I decided to give it a go. All in all I thought it was an ok read. It kept me interested but I wasn't overly keen on the ending. It felt a little rushed & a bit farcical! I mean why would anyone contact Rachel and ask her to solve another mystery? I would have liked a little more closure.
I chose to read this after seeing a pop up on Facebook. Reviews were positive so I decided to give it a go. All in all I thought it was an ok read. It kept me interested but I wasn't overly keen on the ending. It felt a little rushed & a bit farcical! I mean why would anyone contact Rachel and ask her to solve another mystery? I would have liked a little more closure.
March 21, 2023
Lots of twists
A well written story that keeps you engaged until the last page. Who was the little girl that was murdered? Who did it? And who knew? These are just some of the questions you'll ask yourself as you go on the journey with Rachel as she discovers the dark secrets from her own past.
A well written story that keeps you engaged until the last page. Who was the little girl that was murdered? Who did it? And who knew? These are just some of the questions you'll ask yourself as you go on the journey with Rachel as she discovers the dark secrets from her own past.
November 24, 2024
Overall a really solid premise, but it felt surface level and rushed. It felt like answers came a little too easily, and the “solution” felt about five pages long. I wish the author would have really dug in. The writing is a bit clunky at times, too. It’s a fast read, and overall really interesting, but not enough for me to read the sequel.
May 19, 2021
4 Stars
4 stars for The Truth About Rachel. What would you do if you googled yourself and found out you were murdered 35 years ago? So begins this book with lots of twists and turns. You just have to keep reading to get to all the secrets!
4 stars for The Truth About Rachel. What would you do if you googled yourself and found out you were murdered 35 years ago? So begins this book with lots of twists and turns. You just have to keep reading to get to all the secrets!
August 7, 2021
WOW!
This story keeps you guessing to the very end. It was a most believe able story with so many ways it could have gone. I'm very happy that the good people ended up having a decent life.
This story keeps you guessing to the very end. It was a most believe able story with so many ways it could have gone. I'm very happy that the good people ended up having a decent life.
August 31, 2021
Prepare to lose sleep
I have read hundreds of books have come across the ones you read when you go to bed, and can’t put down but then you drift off to sleep, well you won’t with this one it is brilliant
I have read hundreds of books have come across the ones you read when you go to bed, and can’t put down but then you drift off to sleep, well you won’t with this one it is brilliant
October 12, 2021
Such an enjoyable read.
Rachel’s story in this book is amazing. The characters are great as always. So many twists and turns. So hard to put down. Great read and keeps you guessing what can happen next.
Rachel’s story in this book is amazing. The characters are great as always. So many twists and turns. So hard to put down. Great read and keeps you guessing what can happen next.
January 29, 2022
I honestly thought I knew exactly how this was going to end, but I was wrong. A good crime novel, especially it being the authors first go at crime instead of history/romance. This one hooked me right from the first chapter.
June 23, 2022
I can’t say enough about Deanna Lynn Sletten, this one of my favorite authors. I have read so far three of her books all great! And I have just purchased two more. So glad I took a chance on the first book highly recommend this author you will not be disappointed !
July 12, 2022
the Truth About Rachel
Great plot, really interesting characters and a mystery to solve.
Rachel was adopted by her Aunt and Uncle.
One day she researches her parents on line and discovers her brother is in jail for killing her.
Great plot, really interesting characters and a mystery to solve.
Rachel was adopted by her Aunt and Uncle.
One day she researches her parents on line and discovers her brother is in jail for killing her.
December 28, 2022
This is a well put together mystery with a tightly scripted plot. Couldn't wait to see if had correctly unraveled the clues, so I read the book in one night. The mystery was so well put together that I missed only two clues. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
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January 29, 2023Beginning of a series
You can read the synopsis so I won't rehash the story. The book kept me turning the pages. It is a good mystery with a unique storyline. The last chapter does set up for another book, but the story in this one is complete, not a cliffhanger.
You can read the synopsis so I won't rehash the story. The book kept me turning the pages. It is a good mystery with a unique storyline. The last chapter does set up for another book, but the story in this one is complete, not a cliffhanger.
October 18, 2023
Review of "The Truth About Rachel: Book 1
Another great novel by Deanna Sletten. Enjoyed it very much and could not guess the ending. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
Another great novel by Deanna Sletten. Enjoyed it very much and could not guess the ending. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
February 4, 2024
The book had me hooked up on why there was no mention of Uncle Gordon until the very end. It made for a major distraction for me and lose interest in the book. I think the author should have done a better job.
December 10, 2024
Great read!
I don't read a lot of mysteries, but I did enjoy this one. It could have been one of many possible people, but there were hoops to jump through, before the truth, and the end. This will be another Sletten novel that I will remember!
I don't read a lot of mysteries, but I did enjoy this one. It could have been one of many possible people, but there were hoops to jump through, before the truth, and the end. This will be another Sletten novel that I will remember!
February 25, 2025
Well written suspense story with plenty of twists and turns. Is Rachel really Rachel? Is Avery a good guy or bad guy? What about Jeremy - good or bad? Who is the murdered girl?
Looking forward to the other books in the series.
Looking forward to the other books in the series.
July 15, 2021
Good story , perhaps a little bit cheesy at times , but I couldn't stop turning the pages . This author definitely creates memorable characters .
September 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! I have already bought the next one.
September 29, 2021
Intriguing
Well written page Turner! Loved it.
Keeps you guessing until the end. Can't wait to read the next in the series
Well written page Turner! Loved it.
Keeps you guessing until the end. Can't wait to read the next in the series
October 9, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up to a 5. I really enjoyed The Truth About Rachel!
October 9, 2021
Enjoyable quick moving read
Enjoyable quick moving read with engaging character and a building plot.
Not exactly what I expected but enjoyable easy read
Enjoyable quick moving read with engaging character and a building plot.
Not exactly what I expected but enjoyable easy read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews