What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Sarah Spillman #8
Deadly Past
When the body of Shannon Rendon is found in a drainage ditch near a church, Denver homicide detective Sarah Spillman and her team must figure out who the killer is before he slips away again …
Why was Shannon Rendon barefoot, with only her ID?
As Sarah peels back the layers of mystery surrounding the victim, she finds her number one suspect – Kurt Faulkner – was also the prime suspect in the disappearance of another woman twenty years ago. He claimed his innocence then, and still does.
To complicate the case, Faulkner has seemingly airtight alibis for both cases.
At every turn, Sarah uncovers clues that lead to more questions, and she discovers the past has a deadly way of haunting the present.
Why was Shannon Rendon barefoot, with only her ID?
As Sarah peels back the layers of mystery surrounding the victim, she finds her number one suspect – Kurt Faulkner – was also the prime suspect in the disappearance of another woman twenty years ago. He claimed his innocence then, and still does.
To complicate the case, Faulkner has seemingly airtight alibis for both cases.
At every turn, Sarah uncovers clues that lead to more questions, and she discovers the past has a deadly way of haunting the present.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2022
674 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Renee Pawlish
113 books346 followersFrom the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.
Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.
The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off
The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released
The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest
Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.
The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.
To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....
on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/
on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 12, 2022
Review of Deadly Past by Renee Pawlish
Have you ever wondered why a cold case suddenly comes to the fore and is revived? What prompts authorities to take a second look after having exhausted all resources during the first attempt to solve it? In this story, you will find that out in at least one such case.
This story opens with the kidnapping of a child twenty years ago. In spite of all efforts this kidnapping goes unsolved and is considered a cold case.
Twenty years hence, a woman's body is found dumped near a church. There are several suspects, including the pastor of the church who tells investigators falsehoods that are easily proven to be just that, false. As the investigators proceed, several other suspects arise, making this case a complicated and intriguing one.
Renee Pawlish has the ability to put us in the scene of each interaction. We can feel the nervousness, the confusion, the desperation of a character; visualize conversations as though we are in the room watching each person as they speak. We can feel the sun of a hot spring day, experience the calm, peaceful sounds of twilight. We are there.
If you like a multi-faceted, fast moving story that leaves the reader guessing the resolution of a mystery, you will love this story.
I highly recommend it.
Fritzi Redgrave
Have you ever wondered why a cold case suddenly comes to the fore and is revived? What prompts authorities to take a second look after having exhausted all resources during the first attempt to solve it? In this story, you will find that out in at least one such case.
This story opens with the kidnapping of a child twenty years ago. In spite of all efforts this kidnapping goes unsolved and is considered a cold case.
Twenty years hence, a woman's body is found dumped near a church. There are several suspects, including the pastor of the church who tells investigators falsehoods that are easily proven to be just that, false. As the investigators proceed, several other suspects arise, making this case a complicated and intriguing one.
Renee Pawlish has the ability to put us in the scene of each interaction. We can feel the nervousness, the confusion, the desperation of a character; visualize conversations as though we are in the room watching each person as they speak. We can feel the sun of a hot spring day, experience the calm, peaceful sounds of twilight. We are there.
If you like a multi-faceted, fast moving story that leaves the reader guessing the resolution of a mystery, you will love this story.
I highly recommend it.
Fritzi Redgrave
May 12, 2022
Deadly Past continues the story of Homicide Detective Sarah Spillman. In this story she tackles two mysteries, one a murder and the other a cold case of a missing child. They share one connection and she uses that one connection to solve both.
Ms. Pawlish has a polished writing style that holds the readers interest while leaving them wondering. Her mysteries and police procedurals are above par and this one is one of her best.
Much of the story takes place in two different time periods and the author is able to go from one to the other without leaving the reader confused. This is good writing because I have read other stories taking place in different time periods and you often get confused because the author does not make it clear when shifting the story. Ms. Pawlish is excellent at keeping the reader aware of where and when they are and I, for one, appreciate it.
This story is complete and is readable as a stand-alone story. As usual Ms. Pawlish has further developed Sarah’s personal life, but leaves us wondering on an unresolved issue with one her family members. This is her way of keeping those of us who are invested in the stories reading. Well done.
I recommend this to both previous readers of the Sarah Spillman series and newcomers.
Ms. Pawlish has a polished writing style that holds the readers interest while leaving them wondering. Her mysteries and police procedurals are above par and this one is one of her best.
Much of the story takes place in two different time periods and the author is able to go from one to the other without leaving the reader confused. This is good writing because I have read other stories taking place in different time periods and you often get confused because the author does not make it clear when shifting the story. Ms. Pawlish is excellent at keeping the reader aware of where and when they are and I, for one, appreciate it.
This story is complete and is readable as a stand-alone story. As usual Ms. Pawlish has further developed Sarah’s personal life, but leaves us wondering on an unresolved issue with one her family members. This is her way of keeping those of us who are invested in the stories reading. Well done.
I recommend this to both previous readers of the Sarah Spillman series and newcomers.
May 12, 2022
This was a fascinating case of a murder that soon appeared to be connected to a 20-year old cold case. Although the murder victim and one of the suspects had supposedly had alibis for the disappearance and presumed death of an 11-year old girl in the cold case, Detective Sarah Spillman kept being drawn to the former investigation. The superbly plotted story follows the intense investigation into both cases. There were a number of suspects for the current murder, and the reader is held spellbound as the narrative switches between the two events.
Ms. Pawlish is a master story teller. She is on point and stays connected to the job at hand. I especially appreciate that she is not drawn into commentary on current social or political issues. I read for entertainment, rereading my favorites over again. I own nearly every book she has written, including some in her young adult series. It is always a joy to read any of her books, and I highly recommend her. She is one of my favorite authors.
Ms. Pawlish is a master story teller. She is on point and stays connected to the job at hand. I especially appreciate that she is not drawn into commentary on current social or political issues. I read for entertainment, rereading my favorites over again. I own nearly every book she has written, including some in her young adult series. It is always a joy to read any of her books, and I highly recommend her. She is one of my favorite authors.
May 18, 2022
The 8th book in the Sarah Spillman series certainly does not disappoint! On Sarah's first day back at work after her honeymoon, she is called to a crime scene before she even makes into the precinct. A woman's body is found in a ditch behind a small church. Nothing is simple about this murder and it begins to be tied to a 20 year old cold case of a missing young girl. As with the other books in this series, this adds to Sarah's story, but works as a stand alone novel. One of the things I enjoy most about Pawlish's books is that you are kept guessing as Sarah and her partners work to solve the crime! Nothing is ever as it seems. I also enjoy how the supporting characters are depicted as strong, interesting people with lives away from the mystery. This series is a spin off from the Reed Ferguson series and has become my favorite. I received an advance copy in return for my unbiased review. I truly loved the book and highly recommend it, the series and and the author
May 12, 2022
Once again Renee Pawlish has written a winner with Deadly Past, a Detective Sarah Spillman crime mystery.
Fresh off her honeymoon, in Sarah's first moments back on the job there is a dead body discovered. The victim had been interviewed in a long ago cold case of a missing 11 year old girl, but had an alibi. Does that alibi stand the test of time with new eyes and questions about the case?
Working with her detective team on the current case, Sarah starts looking closer at the possible connections between the two cases. Jumping between past and present, building the story, Pawlish subtly drops clues for the reader to discover.
Are the two cases connected? Will the mystery of the little girls disappearance be solved? Who is guilty? You will be flipping the pages, reading fast to find the answers.
Fresh off her honeymoon, in Sarah's first moments back on the job there is a dead body discovered. The victim had been interviewed in a long ago cold case of a missing 11 year old girl, but had an alibi. Does that alibi stand the test of time with new eyes and questions about the case?
Working with her detective team on the current case, Sarah starts looking closer at the possible connections between the two cases. Jumping between past and present, building the story, Pawlish subtly drops clues for the reader to discover.
Are the two cases connected? Will the mystery of the little girls disappearance be solved? Who is guilty? You will be flipping the pages, reading fast to find the answers.
May 24, 2022
The team returns in Deadly Past and it is the best installment yet! Sarah and her partners, Ernie and Spats, take on a new case that is baffling to say the least. Why would someone kill a woman and dump her body behind a church? Unable to find any reason in the present, the detectives look into the woman's past.
Deadly Past is a suspenseful, spellbinding mystery that will keep you guessing until the surprise ending. Readers also continue to learn more about Sarah's familial relationships. I enjoyed getting to know more about Sarah's brother and I look forward to the next "Deadly" installment to find out what happens to that relationship.
Although the subject is murder, there is no graphic violence or explicit language in Ms. Pawlish's books. If you enjoy good, clean mysteries, I highly recommend you add this one to your library and investigate more of her work.
Deadly Past is a suspenseful, spellbinding mystery that will keep you guessing until the surprise ending. Readers also continue to learn more about Sarah's familial relationships. I enjoyed getting to know more about Sarah's brother and I look forward to the next "Deadly" installment to find out what happens to that relationship.
Although the subject is murder, there is no graphic violence or explicit language in Ms. Pawlish's books. If you enjoy good, clean mysteries, I highly recommend you add this one to your library and investigate more of her work.
July 6, 2023
Current Murder Investigation With Links To A Cold Case
This is the 8th book in a police procedural series. This episode deals with a current murder case that has links to a 20-year-old cold case. The story kept me guessing and I could not put it down. Trigger warning; this story deals with the kidnapping and death of a child. This story is as clean as all of this author's books. There is no violence, sex, or bad language. We are not told exactly what happened to the child, and that is just fine with me. It was enough that this book reminded me of so many missing children cases that I have known of in real life that did not turn out well. I have really been enjoying this series and am off to read book #9.
This is the 8th book in a police procedural series. This episode deals with a current murder case that has links to a 20-year-old cold case. The story kept me guessing and I could not put it down. Trigger warning; this story deals with the kidnapping and death of a child. This story is as clean as all of this author's books. There is no violence, sex, or bad language. We are not told exactly what happened to the child, and that is just fine with me. It was enough that this book reminded me of so many missing children cases that I have known of in real life that did not turn out well. I have really been enjoying this series and am off to read book #9.
May 18, 2022
Deadly Past (Detective Sarah Spillman Mystery Series Book 8), my fifty-third read from author Renee Pawlish. I read it in one sitting, in just a few hours. Great characters, great storyline, a must-read! Yeah, it is that good! As Pawlish expands her writings over 3 primary characters it has improved all three. This is be her best book yet. A Renee Pawlish book is like a visit with an old friend. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to the next book in this series when it's published. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
May 11, 2022
Deadly Past, the eighth Sarah Spillman mystery by Renee Pawlish begins with Sarah and Harry returning to Denver from their tropical honeymoon. On her first day back, Sarah and her team catch a dumped body. As the investigation proceedes, there seems to be connections to a twenty year old cold case. There are Pawlish’s usual twists and turns that keep the reader guessing to the very end. I received an ARC for my honest review. I highly recommend this along with all of the Sarah Spillman mysteries.
May 29, 2022
Again, Spillman
The body of a young woman is found in an alleyway behind a church. Detecting ensues. Spillman gets involved, naturally, what with her being a homicide detective and all. The established characters make their appropriate appearances.
Murder is never a light subject. In cozy mysteries, the detecting is generally lighthearted. That approach is not taken with the Spillman books, ever. And this book in particular is darker than most of them. Truly heartbreaking.
Highly recommended!
The body of a young woman is found in an alleyway behind a church. Detecting ensues. Spillman gets involved, naturally, what with her being a homicide detective and all. The established characters make their appropriate appearances.
Murder is never a light subject. In cozy mysteries, the detecting is generally lighthearted. That approach is not taken with the Spillman books, ever. And this book in particular is darker than most of them. Truly heartbreaking.
Highly recommended!
July 9, 2022
Another great book in this series. The storyline and characters are always enjoyable and witty even in a murder thriller. I usually read through though these books quickly but I took my time and it was a good read for sure.
Nothing gory and nothing far-fetched. It’s a good whodunnit mystery style thriller. Each book I’ve read of this series has a different theme but it’s still connected through backstories of the main characters.
Nothing gory and nothing far-fetched. It’s a good whodunnit mystery style thriller. Each book I’ve read of this series has a different theme but it’s still connected through backstories of the main characters.
May 4, 2022
Book 8 in the Sarah Spillman series is another hit, the best yet in my opinion.
A current death has possible ties to the past. Will Sarah, Ernie, and Spats be able to solve the current event, and possibly figure out the past as well? One suspect for both cases or not?
I love the new attitude that Sarah has. She is blooming now.
A current death has possible ties to the past. Will Sarah, Ernie, and Spats be able to solve the current event, and possibly figure out the past as well? One suspect for both cases or not?
I love the new attitude that Sarah has. She is blooming now.
January 22, 2024
DEADLY PAST is a wild ride
This is another great read from Renee Pawlish. I have read 8 books from the series in the past week. I can’t seem to stop so I’ll continue until I have read them all.
This is another great read from Renee Pawlish. I have read 8 books from the series in the past week. I can’t seem to stop so I’ll continue until I have read them all.
April 24, 2025
This is a well written police detective story, but the subject matter is just too dark for my enjoyment. Child abductions and murders are just a big no for me. I have enjoyed the other books in this series.
July 10, 2022
Another great read in this series. This story will keep you reading and guessing until all the answers finally come out in the end. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.
December 30, 2022
Detectives
As always Renee Pawlish has written another story that will take you into the lives of s certain set of homicide detectives. Read you will enjoy their stories.
As always Renee Pawlish has written another story that will take you into the lives of s certain set of homicide detectives. Read you will enjoy their stories.
March 10, 2023
Another good read by this local author.
January 30, 2024
Easy read. Relatable characters. Doable story.
April 2, 2024
Good story. Look for repeated phrases
Stared
Swore
Ran fingers through hair
SPOILER
I couldn’t buy involvement in crime due to “love”, thrills.
Stared
Swore
Ran fingers through hair
SPOILER
I couldn’t buy involvement in crime due to “love”, thrills.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2025
This book was excellent, but the topic was very sad to me.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews