What do you think?
Rate this book
Black Hat Bureau #3
Black Truth, White Lies
When one of Santa’s reindeer meets a grisly end during the annual A Downtown Dickens Christmas Festival, Rue realizes her enemies are closing in on her location, and Samford will pay the price.
But when one creature turns into two, and two into three, and then three into four, Rue knows the problem is bigger than a singular threat to her new hometown. And that’s before a holiday shopper strolls into Hollis Apothecary claiming to be a long-lost relative. Of her father’s.
As old loyalties are tested and new relationships threaten to unravel the fabric of her identity, Rue must choose either the family she was born into or the one she created for herself, and the losing side might not survive her decision.
But when one creature turns into two, and two into three, and then three into four, Rue knows the problem is bigger than a singular threat to her new hometown. And that’s before a holiday shopper strolls into Hollis Apothecary claiming to be a long-lost relative. Of her father’s.
As old loyalties are tested and new relationships threaten to unravel the fabric of her identity, Rue must choose either the family she was born into or the one she created for herself, and the losing side might not survive her decision.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2021
1048 people are currently reading
664 people want to read
About the author
Hailey Edwards
104 books2,839 followersHailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy.
Hailey isn't on Goodreads.
Please email her via her website:
https://haileyedwards.net/contact-form/
Hailey isn't on Goodreads.
Please email her via her website:
https://haileyedwards.net/contact-form/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
April 27, 2022
This is third in a Paranormal series and character and story arcs build over time. I definitely recommend reading in order.
So more of what you'd expect. Though this has a lot more lore/history to it than previous.
The plot goes along a lot like the previous book—mostly slowly and in the background until the latter parts of the book so we get lots of time for the characters to interact and establish/grow their relationships. I like this aspect of the story.
I'm less of a fan of the lore bits. We learn about Rue's heritage and find out details about her paternal grandmother. There's also more corruption revealed in the Black Hats and you have to begin to wonder why they're an ongoing concern at all. Like, they're pretty much all evil held in check solely by the powerful director (who is also evil, but at least keeps things running smoothly and with the goal of preventing the supernatural world from being revealed). As that control breaks down and more agents go rogue, the benefit of the organization is in question. And that's before we get to the end and actually meet Rue's grandfather (who is the director in question). This has made me less attached to the series, and that surprised me a little bit. Maybe because it's a rift between what I want for Rue and the organization she's taking orders/jobs from?
So I'm going to call this 4½ stars that I'm rounding up because the core group I love is still all my jam. I'm a little worried about picking up the next. It doesn't look like the end of the series and that will mean I've caught up and actually have to wait. So I'm debating about just waiting now because the next looks like a real emotional roller-coaster. This is an odd place to be in.
A note about Chaste: So one of my favorite developments is Asa admitting, reluctantly, that he's a virgin. A never-been-kissed virgin. Which actually makes sense given his background. But his nervousness about intimacy is so very sweet and Rue's care for him even sweeter. They have some lovely kissing in this book, but they're taking it slow. So this is still very chaste, despite a clothes-on snuggle where they fall asleep on the couch.
So more of what you'd expect. Though this has a lot more lore/history to it than previous.
The plot goes along a lot like the previous book—mostly slowly and in the background until the latter parts of the book so we get lots of time for the characters to interact and establish/grow their relationships. I like this aspect of the story.
I'm less of a fan of the lore bits. We learn about Rue's heritage and find out details about her paternal grandmother. There's also more corruption revealed in the Black Hats and you have to begin to wonder why they're an ongoing concern at all. Like, they're pretty much all evil held in check solely by the powerful director (who is also evil, but at least keeps things running smoothly and with the goal of preventing the supernatural world from being revealed). As that control breaks down and more agents go rogue, the benefit of the organization is in question. And that's before we get to the end and actually meet Rue's grandfather (who is the director in question). This has made me less attached to the series, and that surprised me a little bit. Maybe because it's a rift between what I want for Rue and the organization she's taking orders/jobs from?
So I'm going to call this 4½ stars that I'm rounding up because the core group I love is still all my jam. I'm a little worried about picking up the next. It doesn't look like the end of the series and that will mean I've caught up and actually have to wait. So I'm debating about just waiting now because the next looks like a real emotional roller-coaster. This is an odd place to be in.
A note about Chaste: So one of my favorite developments is Asa admitting, reluctantly, that he's a virgin. A never-been-kissed virgin. Which actually makes sense given his background. But his nervousness about intimacy is so very sweet and Rue's care for him even sweeter. They have some lovely kissing in this book, but they're taking it slow. So this is still very chaste, despite a clothes-on snuggle where they fall asleep on the couch.
December 19, 2022
*** 3.25 ***
June 27, 2022
GAH! I know I read this story, I remember I loved it but I can’t believe I forgot to actually write a review! And it has been long enough that I can’t remember the particulars - just the feelings.
April 28, 2022
The holidays have come to Samford and the annual Downtown Dickens Christmas Festival ends on a sour note when one of Santa’s reindeer meets a grisly end. Rue’s home and business the Hollis Apothecary, are in jeopardy. If her enemies discover where she is, none of them will be safe.
Rue, along with Asa, Clay and Colby, fight to protect the life she has carved out and before it’s all over, she’ll confront her grandfather. Woo-wee, this was a fantastic installment. Edwards shares more of Rue’s backstory while giving us an intense case and collecting more strays.
I love the small-town and motley crew Rue calls family. The banter, shenanigans, and love they have for one another feels genuine and continues to endear me to them. Clay makes me belly-laugh and a new character brings excitement.
The romance between Rue and Asa deepens as she shares her past and strengthens their bond. It almost feels like a threesome with Asa’s demon side, but Edwards had me laughing as Rue bargained with the demon exchanging shampoos and hair-braiding for good behavior.
The creatures killing animals in town were creeptastic and all Edwards. She vividly brings them to life and created an intriguing story around them while enhancing and strengthening the overall series arc. Danger, suspense and action-packed moments put our characters in jeopardy. Each character played a role in stopping the threat, even our newest stray. Edwards managed it all while injecting moments of humor, sexy times and more.
Rue continues to grow as she struggles to be a good witch. She works hard to play by the rules, but make no mistake, she is a serious threat when you try to hurt one of hers.
Stephanie Richardson does a stellar job with the narration. She has brilliantly captured these characters from Colby’s curiosity to Asa’s focused demon-side. Her performance enhances the story as she captures the tone Edwards intended for her characters.
Humor, suspense and characters you’ll root for make this se This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Rue, along with Asa, Clay and Colby, fight to protect the life she has carved out and before it’s all over, she’ll confront her grandfather. Woo-wee, this was a fantastic installment. Edwards shares more of Rue’s backstory while giving us an intense case and collecting more strays.
I love the small-town and motley crew Rue calls family. The banter, shenanigans, and love they have for one another feels genuine and continues to endear me to them. Clay makes me belly-laugh and a new character brings excitement.
The romance between Rue and Asa deepens as she shares her past and strengthens their bond. It almost feels like a threesome with Asa’s demon side, but Edwards had me laughing as Rue bargained with the demon exchanging shampoos and hair-braiding for good behavior.
The creatures killing animals in town were creeptastic and all Edwards. She vividly brings them to life and created an intriguing story around them while enhancing and strengthening the overall series arc. Danger, suspense and action-packed moments put our characters in jeopardy. Each character played a role in stopping the threat, even our newest stray. Edwards managed it all while injecting moments of humor, sexy times and more.
Rue continues to grow as she struggles to be a good witch. She works hard to play by the rules, but make no mistake, she is a serious threat when you try to hurt one of hers.
Stephanie Richardson does a stellar job with the narration. She has brilliantly captured these characters from Colby’s curiosity to Asa’s focused demon-side. Her performance enhances the story as she captures the tone Edwards intended for her characters.
Humor, suspense and characters you’ll root for make this se This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
February 16, 2022
Oh my goodness. RUE AND COMPANY. *heart eyes* Rue is this glorious mess (but not nearly the mess she was before) and she's unintentionally and very grudgingly surrounded herself with people who support her and keep her from backsliding and I AM SO HERE FOR IT.
Rue is seriously digging her feet into even the idea of putting down roots without ever realizing just how many roots she has holding her to Samford. Between her business and Arden and Camber, the home she's built for Colby, and the people of Samford who have accepted her as one of their own she's invested. Throw in having her BFF Clay back, a new potential ally she offers sanctuary to, and the slowly progressing relationship with Asa and, well, Rue is practically tied up with a bow.
Beyond Rue's ties she's attempting to downplay, she's also dealing with tracking down the supernatural critters that are causing a little havoc in the area. Trying to fly under the radar while hunting blood-hungry creatures isn't as easy as it sounds.
We get answers to questions that have been simmering in the background plus Rue stepping into a role she needed to step into, a deepening of her relationship with Asa and his daemon, and a whole lot of found family. Good stuff.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Rue is seriously digging her feet into even the idea of putting down roots without ever realizing just how many roots she has holding her to Samford. Between her business and Arden and Camber, the home she's built for Colby, and the people of Samford who have accepted her as one of their own she's invested. Throw in having her BFF Clay back, a new potential ally she offers sanctuary to, and the slowly progressing relationship with Asa and, well, Rue is practically tied up with a bow.
Beyond Rue's ties she's attempting to downplay, she's also dealing with tracking down the supernatural critters that are causing a little havoc in the area. Trying to fly under the radar while hunting blood-hungry creatures isn't as easy as it sounds.
We get answers to questions that have been simmering in the background plus Rue stepping into a role she needed to step into, a deepening of her relationship with Asa and his daemon, and a whole lot of found family. Good stuff.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 27, 2023
At this point, I am sick and tired of the story endlessly circling around her dark past.
I appreciate that she was actually really bad. Like horrifically bad. And now she is good. But the character the reader met in the first book and up to this book experiences no character development whatsoever. And she is ridiculously good. The book can't stop constantly reminding us how bad she was in the past maybe because it's so incredibly unbelievable considering her current personality.
You couldn't find a more naive goodie-two-shoes if you tried which stands in stark contrast to her past. It's almost like she left her understanding of the world behind together with her dark magic.
Another point that frustrated me a lot is that she doesn't do anything proactive.
I already mentioned this in my review of the second book and it's even worse in this one.
She hovers in this precarious situation where her presence alone endangers all the people she holds dear but at the same time, she just lives her daily life, running her shop, and just waits for the next catastrophe to hit. Why doesn't she at least try to lay a false trail about her whereabouts?
Why doesn't she develop active defenses to protect the people that are important to her?
Why doesn't she try to plan ways of getting rid of the constant looming danger of the black hat bureau or at least kill or imprison her father?
Why doesn't she work at eliminating information about her that others might have access to like bureau records?
And she figured out that she is being shadowed by some demon lackey and basically just doesn't do anything about it?
Why doesn't she establish other secret places and stashes to keep her dark magic artifacts?
There is so much she could do to improve her situation but instead she just plays house and at the same time is stuck in a constant and tiresome identity crisis over her dark past.
I am sympathetic to her situation. But 3 books in a row are enough time to move on.
I am so sick of hearing her lament about how horrible she was. Yes, we get it! We got it within the first book! You can stop already!
This series is frozen in time without any actual character development at all. All the character development happened before the first book and we are just constantly reminded of this previous change. That is not how character development works.
I fell in love with the premise of this series but the books just keep baiting me without delivering anything except for a bit of shallow action which is sadly almost always driven by the protagonist's stupidity, and sappy playing house. I am not aversed to a bit of sappy romance and family but there is nothing else here.
I am not sure I will give the 4th book a try. I feel like 3 books have been enough time for the author to get somewhere and if she didn't by now she won't in future books either.
Really sad to see another series with such a promising premise die on execution.
I appreciate that she was actually really bad. Like horrifically bad. And now she is good. But the character the reader met in the first book and up to this book experiences no character development whatsoever. And she is ridiculously good. The book can't stop constantly reminding us how bad she was in the past maybe because it's so incredibly unbelievable considering her current personality.
You couldn't find a more naive goodie-two-shoes if you tried which stands in stark contrast to her past. It's almost like she left her understanding of the world behind together with her dark magic.
Another point that frustrated me a lot is that she doesn't do anything proactive.
I already mentioned this in my review of the second book and it's even worse in this one.
She hovers in this precarious situation where her presence alone endangers all the people she holds dear but at the same time, she just lives her daily life, running her shop, and just waits for the next catastrophe to hit. Why doesn't she at least try to lay a false trail about her whereabouts?
Why doesn't she develop active defenses to protect the people that are important to her?
Why doesn't she try to plan ways of getting rid of the constant looming danger of the black hat bureau or at least kill or imprison her father?
Why doesn't she work at eliminating information about her that others might have access to like bureau records?
And she figured out that she is being shadowed by some demon lackey and basically just doesn't do anything about it?
Why doesn't she establish other secret places and stashes to keep her dark magic artifacts?
There is so much she could do to improve her situation but instead she just plays house and at the same time is stuck in a constant and tiresome identity crisis over her dark past.
I am sympathetic to her situation. But 3 books in a row are enough time to move on.
I am so sick of hearing her lament about how horrible she was. Yes, we get it! We got it within the first book! You can stop already!
This series is frozen in time without any actual character development at all. All the character development happened before the first book and we are just constantly reminded of this previous change. That is not how character development works.
I fell in love with the premise of this series but the books just keep baiting me without delivering anything except for a bit of shallow action which is sadly almost always driven by the protagonist's stupidity, and sappy playing house. I am not aversed to a bit of sappy romance and family but there is nothing else here.
I am not sure I will give the 4th book a try. I feel like 3 books have been enough time for the author to get somewhere and if she didn't by now she won't in future books either.
Really sad to see another series with such a promising premise die on execution.
December 26, 2021
I felt like there was a lot going on in this one and not at the same time. The not part came from the quiet times that Rue had with her friends/family and how some of these relationships changed, for the better I think. I'm glad that her and Asa are working on what they want and taking in the daemon too. I also like the new addition to this group, think they fit in well with everyone.
The a lot going on had to do with Rue learning some new things about her family and her grandfather pulling her back in to work and potentially do his bidding. I think things will go better for Rue this time around due to her not being alone and having people by her side. It will be interesting to see where things go.
The a lot going on had to do with Rue learning some new things about her family and her grandfather pulling her back in to work and potentially do his bidding. I think things will go better for Rue this time around due to her not being alone and having people by her side. It will be interesting to see where things go.
December 25, 2021
I really like Rue and this series. I love that the author hasn't tried to give her an overnight transformation from dark and dangerous to good and light. Yes, Rue is working on being a "good" Witch, but make no mistake, she will END those that threaten those she cares for. 4.5 stars
September 28, 2023
The daemon is not only adorable, but hilarious too. I think he and Clay might be sharing the spot of my favourite so far.
I'm digging this series, I'm digging it a lot!
Over and out
I'm digging this series, I'm digging it a lot!
Over and out
April 25, 2022
When rare and dangerous aquatic creatures start to appear at Samford, and one of them killed one of Santa's reindeer, Rue realizes that she can't no longer stand still. Because her enemies are closing in and if she doesn't do anything, Samford will pay the price anyway. It has become a home to her and Colby, and she can't risk it. In the meantime, the wooing part of Rue and Asa also continues....
Anything after this point is very spoiler-y
I definitely start settling with this series. Bring me more books! I'm ready for Rue, Asa, Clay, and Colby's next adventure.
Anything after this point is very spoiler-y
I definitely start settling with this series. Bring me more books! I'm ready for Rue, Asa, Clay, and Colby's next adventure.
June 7, 2023
Black Truth, White Lies is book three in the Black Hat Bureau series by Hailey Edwards.
The holidays have come to Samford, but it won’t be a quiet family time. Nope. Rue must deal with those that still want to discover her location and , so she must keep her family safe.
This was a fabulous installment and listen. Rue along with Asa, Clay and Colby will fight to protect the little slice of life she’s carved out.
The banter, shenanigans, and love this crew have feels genuine and its endearing. We are also introduced to a new character, we’ll we’ve meet him before, but he becomes part of the family.
Edwards keeps you on your toes and engaged in the mystery. We have creatures killing animals in town and other towns around Rue’s area. Theirs danger, suspense, and action-packed moments. Each character plays a role in trying to stop this threat. Rue also finally confronts her grandfather.
Rue is growing and works hard to play by the rules. I really enjoy her and look forward to seeing her journey. The romance between Rue and Asa deepens. She finally shares her past and who her family is. I look forward to seeing their romance deepen.
Audio: Stephanie Richardson does a superb job narrating the Black Hat Bureau. She captures the characters from Asa and his child like Demon side to Colby’s curiosity. Her performance enhances the story and keeps me coming back to the novel.
Black Truth, White Lies is wonderful listen and story. It’s got humor, suspense and characters to fall in love with and root for. Urban Fantasy fans will enjoy.
Rated: 4 Stars
The holidays have come to Samford, but it won’t be a quiet family time. Nope. Rue must deal with those that still want to discover her location and , so she must keep her family safe.
This was a fabulous installment and listen. Rue along with Asa, Clay and Colby will fight to protect the little slice of life she’s carved out.
The banter, shenanigans, and love this crew have feels genuine and its endearing. We are also introduced to a new character, we’ll we’ve meet him before, but he becomes part of the family.
Edwards keeps you on your toes and engaged in the mystery. We have creatures killing animals in town and other towns around Rue’s area. Theirs danger, suspense, and action-packed moments. Each character plays a role in trying to stop this threat. Rue also finally confronts her grandfather.
Rue is growing and works hard to play by the rules. I really enjoy her and look forward to seeing her journey. The romance between Rue and Asa deepens. She finally shares her past and who her family is. I look forward to seeing their romance deepen.
Audio: Stephanie Richardson does a superb job narrating the Black Hat Bureau. She captures the characters from Asa and his child like Demon side to Colby’s curiosity. Her performance enhances the story and keeps me coming back to the novel.
Black Truth, White Lies is wonderful listen and story. It’s got humor, suspense and characters to fall in love with and root for. Urban Fantasy fans will enjoy.
Rated: 4 Stars
December 11, 2021
I know that every time I pick up a book by this author, I will immediately be so involved in the story, I won’t get anything done. Yes, that happened with this book. Rue is still dealing with her “relationship” with Asa, keeping Colby under wraps, and demons wanting to duel with Asa when a reindeer is slaughtered in town, which turns into a new case. But everything that Rue thinks she knows can change in an instant when she learns a family secret. Oh, my, I just love this series, and we add a new character to Rue’s family who I absolutely adore. This series is getting better and better, and I can’t wait until I’m lost to this world again, hopefully very soon. Well-written urban fantasy with a dash of romance. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
April 5, 2022
I totally missed the release of this one, and I am sad. I would have liked to have read it when it came out if for no other reason that it happens at Christmas.
There is just something special about Rue and Asa and Clay and Colby. I enjoy the time I spend with them. I love the fact that they are all struggling to be better "people" than they think they are - which makes them better people than almost everyone else.
The story here is interesting. We make some movement in the overarching plot without feeling like there was not a complete story.
I can't wait for the next one!
There is just something special about Rue and Asa and Clay and Colby. I enjoy the time I spend with them. I love the fact that they are all struggling to be better "people" than they think they are - which makes them better people than almost everyone else.
The story here is interesting. We make some movement in the overarching plot without feeling like there was not a complete story.
I can't wait for the next one!
May 15, 2022
Still enjoying this series. Rue is continuing to work hard at becoming a better person and it’s refreshing to see her slowly progress rather than make an abrupt 180 personality change. Colby, Asa & Clay still make the best family for Rue and it’s always cute to see them interact.
We find out a bit more about her family/heritage and things are interesting to say the least. Can’t wait for the next in the series.
CONTENT
Romance: Chaste, Innuendo throughout, Kissing
Violence: Moderate, Some gore (not too detailed)
Language: (S**t, A**)
We find out a bit more about her family/heritage and things are interesting to say the least. Can’t wait for the next in the series.
CONTENT
Romance: Chaste, Innuendo throughout, Kissing
Violence: Moderate, Some gore (not too detailed)
Language: (S**t, A**)
August 25, 2025
In the middle of reading this. It has been over 2 years since I read book 2 and struggle to remember the world. The characters have pretty much come back but I probably should have done a reread and maybe that is why I put this off as the 2nd book was as good as the first and I didn't really want to do a reread. So this time, I'm not as invested in the characters. The love interest, Asa, shares his person with a demon that comes out frequently, both are attached to Rue but only Asa is the love interest. After catching up, I just don't have the care if it works out at this point, hopefully the second half of the book will pull me to them. There is humor with this and trying to teach demons a different way, so there is that.
So I got more attached but the plot seemed like a secondary story to the relationships and what Rue learners about herself and growing her adopted family while dealing with her blood. It was good but just.
So I got more attached but the plot seemed like a secondary story to the relationships and what Rue learners about herself and growing her adopted family while dealing with her blood. It was good but just.
January 20, 2022
(3.5 stars)
October 19, 2024
Round up to 4.5 stars.
February 8, 2025
This book in the Black Hat Bureau series is holiday adjacent with Christmas as a secondary theme. It isn’t all light and fun though as a reindeer meets his demise early on!
There is a lot about the plot of this series that I enjoy greatly, but it is the characters and their dynamics that pull me in. There is romance a foot and watching Rue and Asa fumble through it provides endless amusement.
There is a lot about the plot of this series that I enjoy greatly, but it is the characters and their dynamics that pull me in. There is romance a foot and watching Rue and Asa fumble through it provides endless amusement.
December 22, 2021
I really enjoy Hailey Edward's books, in particular I loved The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy and Black Dog series. I like the characters in the Black Hat series, but I feel like it is just that, telling us a story about the characters. Not much is really happening and there is no real suspense or mystery. We keep hearing how fierce Rue is, but haven't seen her be strong or fierce yet. All in all, I kind of feel like Edward's is trying to recreate the magic from the Beginner's Guide to Necromancy and it's fallen a little flat. Rue being a damaged lead female collecting other "misfits" and building a real "family." I'm also having a hard time with the Rue and Asa relationship because Asa's daemon comes off as childlike, which is a little weird to reconcile with the hot and heavy feelings for Asa, being that they are one in the same. I could go either way with this series, I may or may not continue. I'm a little disappointed because every other Hailey Edwards series I have devoured and couldn't get enough of...
January 5, 2022
Secrets from the past
I just love the characters. Well, Rue can be a litte annoying, but she is mostly fun to read about, and Asa, he is the best, well, all characters are really cool and I just don't get tired of their sense of humor and crazy way of interacting with each other. This time trouble falls close to home, and Rue has to work hard to keep people close to her protected, she also discovers more about her past, and even finds she has more connections that she first believed.
After fighting not only her past, but temptation that could have sent her back to who she used to be, she finds more about herself, and finally starts to see that she is not as bad as she always believed herself to be. We also get an interesting situation at the end, and Rue ends up where she didn't want to be, back at the bureau, but at least she has her own allies with her, so it's not exactly like before.
I really loved the book, it was fun and I feel more connected to them. It has some serious situations, but the humor makes everything better and it's so easy to read. I like all I have ready from Hailey, and I love that each series has it's own slogan or motivation phrase, like Grow through what you go through, and how it connects with us. That's something that I like about the books, it's not only entertaining, it also gives you something to think about, something to relate and appreciate.
I just love the characters. Well, Rue can be a litte annoying, but she is mostly fun to read about, and Asa, he is the best, well, all characters are really cool and I just don't get tired of their sense of humor and crazy way of interacting with each other. This time trouble falls close to home, and Rue has to work hard to keep people close to her protected, she also discovers more about her past, and even finds she has more connections that she first believed.
After fighting not only her past, but temptation that could have sent her back to who she used to be, she finds more about herself, and finally starts to see that she is not as bad as she always believed herself to be. We also get an interesting situation at the end, and Rue ends up where she didn't want to be, back at the bureau, but at least she has her own allies with her, so it's not exactly like before.
I really loved the book, it was fun and I feel more connected to them. It has some serious situations, but the humor makes everything better and it's so easy to read. I like all I have ready from Hailey, and I love that each series has it's own slogan or motivation phrase, like Grow through what you go through, and how it connects with us. That's something that I like about the books, it's not only entertaining, it also gives you something to think about, something to relate and appreciate.
April 11, 2022
I started this series about 6 months ago and was excited to see a new book out. I have liked the fact that this is a fairly unique premise - a converted Black Witch who has walked away from that life and is trying to be a better person - or witch, I guess. The whole world building behind the Black Hat Bureau is interesting and Clay and Asa are great secondary characters. Especially Asa - when his "other" side comes out and shows how extremely possessive he can be. Anyway, the relationship between Asa and Rue is fun to watch as they are both are on unfamiliar ground - Asa much more than Rue.
Then there is Colby- the whole adopted daughter/niece (?) whose soul was rescued by Rue and who now resides in a moth-like body. Colby can completely take over the page as the snarky yet vulnerable character who will forever be child-like, yet who is intelligent beyond her years.
So - Rue has settled in a small town and has centered her new life on trying to somewhat make up for her past. She has a business, people she cares about and an almost okay life for Colby. Wouldn't you know it, things can't stay that way.
Enter Aiden. He is the first sign that there is something fishy going on. Aiden is such a nice guy that Rue has second thoughts about bringing someone new into her inner circle. And apparently, she can also "bond" him to her to keep Colby protected. Finding this out and then acting on it just reinforces the fact that she is not 100% witch.
This book has Rue discovering that the family history that she was aware of was not the complete picture. The grimoire is mentioned briefly but is not the main storyline of this book. The relationship with Asa progresses nicely but it is the relationship with her grandfather that is going to end up changing everything....or is it?
I enjoyed this book - maybe not as much as the other two - but still quite a lot. It has set up the next book quite nicely and it seems as if Rue is going back to the Black Hat Bureau......piece of cake, right?
Then there is Colby- the whole adopted daughter/niece (?) whose soul was rescued by Rue and who now resides in a moth-like body. Colby can completely take over the page as the snarky yet vulnerable character who will forever be child-like, yet who is intelligent beyond her years.
So - Rue has settled in a small town and has centered her new life on trying to somewhat make up for her past. She has a business, people she cares about and an almost okay life for Colby. Wouldn't you know it, things can't stay that way.
Enter Aiden. He is the first sign that there is something fishy going on. Aiden is such a nice guy that Rue has second thoughts about bringing someone new into her inner circle. And apparently, she can also "bond" him to her to keep Colby protected. Finding this out and then acting on it just reinforces the fact that she is not 100% witch.
This book has Rue discovering that the family history that she was aware of was not the complete picture. The grimoire is mentioned briefly but is not the main storyline of this book. The relationship with Asa progresses nicely but it is the relationship with her grandfather that is going to end up changing everything....or is it?
I enjoyed this book - maybe not as much as the other two - but still quite a lot. It has set up the next book quite nicely and it seems as if Rue is going back to the Black Hat Bureau......piece of cake, right?
December 14, 2021
*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*Thoughts*
Black Truth, White Lies, by author Hailey Edwards, is the third installment in the authors Black Hat Bureau series. Just when Rue Hollis has made a family and putting down roots in Samford, things are about to change drastically. It has been 10 years since Rue disappeared from the Black Hat Bureau. She's since opened a business (Hollis Apothecary) and her employees (Arden and Camber) were recently traumatized by a real sick villain and trying to regain normality. Plus, there's Colby, the girl who is now permanently bound to her after Rue saved her life and stopped being a Black Witch.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*Thoughts*
Black Truth, White Lies, by author Hailey Edwards, is the third installment in the authors Black Hat Bureau series. Just when Rue Hollis has made a family and putting down roots in Samford, things are about to change drastically. It has been 10 years since Rue disappeared from the Black Hat Bureau. She's since opened a business (Hollis Apothecary) and her employees (Arden and Camber) were recently traumatized by a real sick villain and trying to regain normality. Plus, there's Colby, the girl who is now permanently bound to her after Rue saved her life and stopped being a Black Witch.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
January 16, 2022
The series needs to continuing advancing in more areas to stay as interesting as it started. There are developments - some big ones - but the majority of the book is introspective thinking on relationships and Rue holding herself back, reassurances from her team, and repeats of the previous two books.
February 20, 2024
Probably my favourite installment so far, but I’m still a little perplexed with the author’s pacing and narrative arcs.
If you’re the kind of reader who prefers a fast paced and gripping read, I’m not sure this series will work for you. The way this series is written reminds me of the Slice of Life genre of anime and manga, but with a little action (which lacks enough real threat to be truly impactful, I think) thrown in for good measure. The focus here is mainly on the characters, how they interact and their growing relationships.
I would say that the episodic style that centres around a Black Hat case or mystery serves mostly as a backdrop more than anything else. It’s almost reads as a setting, given how it serves largely as a means to promote fun dialogue and a gradual trickle of world building/expansion.
The tone is a little muddled, as it reads as largely light hearted, but almost unbeknownst to the characters? Does that make sense to anyone else? I mean to say that, if asked, the characters would likely guess themselves to be characters in a thriller, whereas to the reader they appear in a supernatural romcom.
It’s taken me this many books to decide whether I’d recommend the series or not, and even now I’m reluctant to say without reading further (I’ll update). What I will say is that each book is finished quickly, and provides a mostly light hearted, dialogue driven read that does entertain. The world building and the concept driving in is interesting for sure, and I hope that we see a bit more expansion on it going forward!
So that’s to say that so far I would recommend the series, but with the caveat of expecting a low stakes, fun tone that I’m not sure the branding for the series really conveys properly! This is a don’t judge a boob by it’s cover moment!
If you’re the kind of reader who prefers a fast paced and gripping read, I’m not sure this series will work for you. The way this series is written reminds me of the Slice of Life genre of anime and manga, but with a little action (which lacks enough real threat to be truly impactful, I think) thrown in for good measure. The focus here is mainly on the characters, how they interact and their growing relationships.
I would say that the episodic style that centres around a Black Hat case or mystery serves mostly as a backdrop more than anything else. It’s almost reads as a setting, given how it serves largely as a means to promote fun dialogue and a gradual trickle of world building/expansion.
The tone is a little muddled, as it reads as largely light hearted, but almost unbeknownst to the characters? Does that make sense to anyone else? I mean to say that, if asked, the characters would likely guess themselves to be characters in a thriller, whereas to the reader they appear in a supernatural romcom.
It’s taken me this many books to decide whether I’d recommend the series or not, and even now I’m reluctant to say without reading further (I’ll update). What I will say is that each book is finished quickly, and provides a mostly light hearted, dialogue driven read that does entertain. The world building and the concept driving in is interesting for sure, and I hope that we see a bit more expansion on it going forward!
So that’s to say that so far I would recommend the series, but with the caveat of expecting a low stakes, fun tone that I’m not sure the branding for the series really conveys properly! This is a don’t judge a boob by it’s cover moment!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2022
Rue settled in the small town of Samford, hoping to stay off the radar and live a quiet life. Now dangerous aquatic paranormal creatures are being dropped off in the vicinity and she realizes her enemies are closing in on her location. She won’t let that stand, so Rue, Asa, Clay and Colby are off to bring the fight to whoever it is that has threatened the peacefulness of her town. A lot of new information about Rue’s ancestry is disclosed, she shares some of her dark secrets with Asa as they grow closer, she adds a new stray to her little created family, and she finally confronts her grandfather, which goes about as well as expected. I love this series, and the struggles Rue goes through to deny her black witch past and become the good person she wants to be for Colby and everyone else she cares for. I can’t wait for the next installment to see what happens next for Rue and her little family.
June 6, 2022
Moth girl is still benched on the sidelines
Rue still hasn't explored her new potential as a white witch
Things are still chaste with Asa...
But I guess Rue gets one (yes, only 1) answer about her heritage! 🥱😴
We are three books in and there's barely any progress to the characters, story, and romance. Her moth sidekick is still getting left behind at home or in cars, so there's no exciting powered-up action yet. The romance is still progressing as slowly as possible. I'm fine with slowburn romance if the mystery/intrigue is solid, but these stories don't read like a normal mystery, and there's not a lot of intrigue. The major charm to this series are the characters, but even the townsfolk have been pushed to the sidelines, so I'm left wondering how a whole lotta nothing happened in three books.
Rue still hasn't explored her new potential as a white witch
Things are still chaste with Asa...
But I guess Rue gets one (yes, only 1) answer about her heritage! 🥱😴
We are three books in and there's barely any progress to the characters, story, and romance. Her moth sidekick is still getting left behind at home or in cars, so there's no exciting powered-up action yet. The romance is still progressing as slowly as possible. I'm fine with slowburn romance if the mystery/intrigue is solid, but these stories don't read like a normal mystery, and there's not a lot of intrigue. The major charm to this series are the characters, but even the townsfolk have been pushed to the sidelines, so I'm left wondering how a whole lotta nothing happened in three books.
October 8, 2023
More pieces are added to the puzzle and the picture got a bit more clear! The slow burn is very slow and I am enjoying it very much! Although I will need a bood dedicated to just the love interest rules and rituals! I need that information asap!
The mysteries are still there and the big picture seems to always get bigger.
Excited for the next one. When I saw they were nine books written so far I was like heck no! But after this three I am A ok with it! Cause they are smaller books with a topic at ends but the plot that connects them all is not super developed so bit by bit we get more info. It’s not boring at all. It’s a easy nice read. And cause I devoured them in one day they are 5stars!!
The mysteries are still there and the big picture seems to always get bigger.
Excited for the next one. When I saw they were nine books written so far I was like heck no! But after this three I am A ok with it! Cause they are smaller books with a topic at ends but the plot that connects them all is not super developed so bit by bit we get more info. It’s not boring at all. It’s a easy nice read. And cause I devoured them in one day they are 5stars!!
Read
February 17, 2022This entire series is darker and obviously Rue is very much a gray character. She was a black witch by upbringing and is trying hard to redeem herself by turning away from that. It shows more and more in this book, how every day, every moment is a choice for her to walk away from those roots and habits. She has reluctantly built herself a life and a family in this town. Someone threatens that and we learned a lot more about Rue and her heritage and parentage if you will.
I love the progressing relationship between Rue and Asa, it is still weird to have the two halves of Asa, the daemon and when the daemon is suppressed. This book felt less grim and dark compared to the first book in the series that was harder for me to stomach. I look forward to the next one.
I love the progressing relationship between Rue and Asa, it is still weird to have the two halves of Asa, the daemon and when the daemon is suppressed. This book felt less grim and dark compared to the first book in the series that was harder for me to stomach. I look forward to the next one.
December 21, 2021
Hailey Edwards always delivers
I love her books. I love her stories. They're typically slow burn, packed with action, and features a heroine on the road to redemption. I can't get enough. The fact that she offers them on KU helps feed my addiction to her books. I can't wait to see what she has in store for Rue, Asa, Clay, and Colby. The next book can't come soon enough.
I love her books. I love her stories. They're typically slow burn, packed with action, and features a heroine on the road to redemption. I can't get enough. The fact that she offers them on KU helps feed my addiction to her books. I can't wait to see what she has in store for Rue, Asa, Clay, and Colby. The next book can't come soon enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews