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Martina Monroe #5
Secrets She Kept
A ritualistic murder. Multiple suspects. Can the cold case detectives find the truth before the killers strike again?
Ten years earlier, two teenage girls were found murdered by what appeared to be a satanic sacrifice. The case had dominated the news headlines for months before the original investigators failed to arrest the perpetrators of the crime - despite multiple suspects. Without solid evidence to prosecute, and even with the near-heroic efforts of the original detectives, the homicide investigation turned cold. For years, the families of the two victims fought to keep the young women’s memory alive and to get the attention of law enforcement to not give up on finding those responsible.
In an election year, and with a stellar record for the CoCo County Sheriff’s Department Cold Case Squad, the Sheriff hands cold case investigators Martina Monroe and Detective Hirsch the most notorious decade-old murder case - named by the press, ‘The Twin Satan Murders.’ Unlike most of their previous cold cases, The Twin Satan Murders were thoroughly investigated by the original detectives. Undeterred by the lack of evidence and answers from the first investigation, Martina and Hirsch investigate the murders as if it were day one.
Knocking on doors, Martina and Hirsch are surprised by the lack of cooperation from the original witnesses. With pushback from the community, the two investigators are forced to dive into the world of the occult. What the two detectives find is more disturbing than any case they’ve worked on before. Soon, Martina and Detective Hirsch find that some powerful people will go to all lengths to keep the truth buried.
Will Martina and Detective Hirsch find the actual killers before they become victims themselves?
Ten years earlier, two teenage girls were found murdered by what appeared to be a satanic sacrifice. The case had dominated the news headlines for months before the original investigators failed to arrest the perpetrators of the crime - despite multiple suspects. Without solid evidence to prosecute, and even with the near-heroic efforts of the original detectives, the homicide investigation turned cold. For years, the families of the two victims fought to keep the young women’s memory alive and to get the attention of law enforcement to not give up on finding those responsible.
In an election year, and with a stellar record for the CoCo County Sheriff’s Department Cold Case Squad, the Sheriff hands cold case investigators Martina Monroe and Detective Hirsch the most notorious decade-old murder case - named by the press, ‘The Twin Satan Murders.’ Unlike most of their previous cold cases, The Twin Satan Murders were thoroughly investigated by the original detectives. Undeterred by the lack of evidence and answers from the first investigation, Martina and Hirsch investigate the murders as if it were day one.
Knocking on doors, Martina and Hirsch are surprised by the lack of cooperation from the original witnesses. With pushback from the community, the two investigators are forced to dive into the world of the occult. What the two detectives find is more disturbing than any case they’ve worked on before. Soon, Martina and Detective Hirsch find that some powerful people will go to all lengths to keep the truth buried.
Will Martina and Detective Hirsch find the actual killers before they become victims themselves?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2022
1779 people are currently reading
1791 people want to read
About the author
H.K. Christie
54 books447 followersH. K. Christie watched horror films far too early in life. Inspired by the likes of Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, true crime podcasts, and a vivid imagination she now writes suspenseful thrillers. When not working on her latest novel, she can be found eating & drinking with friends, walking around the lakes, or playing with her favorite furry pal.
She is a native and current resident of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The MARTINA MONROE series featuring Private Investigator Martina Monroe and her unofficial partner, Detective August Hirsch of the Cold Case Squad, is a nail-bing crime thriller series full of suspense. If you like high-stakes games, jaw-dropping twists, and embattled seekers struggling to do right, then you’ll love the thrilling Martina Monroe series.
The SELENA BAILEY series is a collection of suspenseful stories detailing one young woman's turbulent path to becoming a top-notch, kick-ass private investigator. If you like thrilling twists, dark tension, and smart and driven women, then you’ll love this new dark thriller series. A Permanent Mark is a suspenseful murder mystery featuring a grown-up Selena Bailey.
www.authorhkchristie.com
The MARTINA MONROE series featuring Private Investigator Martina Monroe and her unofficial partner, Detective August Hirsch of the Cold Case Squad, is a nail-bing crime thriller series full of suspense. If you like high-stakes games, jaw-dropping twists, and embattled seekers struggling to do right, then you’ll love the thrilling Martina Monroe series.
The SELENA BAILEY series is a collection of suspenseful stories detailing one young woman's turbulent path to becoming a top-notch, kick-ass private investigator. If you like thrilling twists, dark tension, and smart and driven women, then you’ll love this new dark thriller series. A Permanent Mark is a suspenseful murder mystery featuring a grown-up Selena Bailey.
www.authorhkchristie.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 29, 2023
It’s currently 4:25am…needless to say I could NOT put this one down
June 26, 2022
Each book in this series is better than the last. The characters keep evolving with more depth and facets as this series progresses. The storyline, with the cold case squad cases is both engaging and tugs at the readers heartstrings. Each case is different and yet the same. Ensuring their closure is vital to the families of those who have waited years to bring their loved ones home.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
January 10, 2024
how can you hit me with a brush with death “Thank goodness. *I could not lose Martina*. We could not lose Martina.” AND THEN CONTINUE TO PLAN YOUR WEDDING TO ANOTHER WOMAN OPEN YOUR GODDAMN EYES AUGUST HIRSCH MY GOD
June 17, 2022
What an exceptionally well written mystery. So many twists and turns. And secrets, in this book secrets are deadly. All of the law enforcement team are very realistic. The way that the crime was described was very descriptive, it was actually stomach turning. But very realistic. Just a word of warning, do not read the book before bedtime if your sensitive to something that reads like a true crime novel. That is why this book comes very highly recommended. If you enjoy reading who dunits that reads like true life, this is the book for you.
I offered to give a honest review in exchange for a copy of this book.
I offered to give a honest review in exchange for a copy of this book.
June 8, 2025
Book#5 - Martina Monroe and Detective Hirsch are working a cold case where two teenage girls were brutally killed 10 years ago, in what appeared to be a satanic sacrifice. Back then the police gathered several suspects and investigated leads, but no arrests ever resulted. So now the cold case team has to begin at ground zero to try to work the case. They interviewed the family and friends. However they do meet quite a bit of opposition from several people close to the victims. This immediately sends ups flags. They dig in and continue to press forward to find the truth about the murder of these young girls. Their superiors put them in a time table to solve the case so they have a lot at stake to close the case.
January 10, 2024
i was so set on giving this four stars until a trope i have dreamed of came on the scene in that last 10%. five million stars.
September 21, 2023
I have read the entire series and I will continue on. I like the idea of closing all the cold cases. Having lived close to a cold case in my home state, I was very thankful and relieved when it was finally solved over 20 years later. It brought a feeling of peace through knowing what happened to that young boy and knowing that the horrible man who took him would spend the rest of his life in prison. That's why I really like that all of the cases in this series are closed. There were a few things that I didn't like in this particular book, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. I didn't like that Martina seemed to take a back seat in this case. She went from confident in her own skills in previous books to seeming timid and unprepared here - she's been an investigator for how many years - where's her grit? It seemed that she didn't know a lot about the law, which she should, instead of always deferring to Hirsch. She also thought/commented numerous times about how this could happen to Zoey (I understood that the first 4, 5 or 6 times it was mentioned). I really don't care if Hirsch is in love (I don't care if anyone's in love). Those parts seemed to be fillers, rather than enhancing the real story. Last of all, I so wanted it to come out in the trial that Odie's father was a child molester. He made her into a sociopath, but he got off scott free. And, just a question...if Martina gets shot one more time, will she get a reduced rate from her insurance company?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2023
This is the fifth book in the series. It was a great read. There were some surprises thrown in that I didn’t expect. Highly recommend!
Martina Monroe is a private investigator who has teamed up with Detective Hirsch from the CoCo County Sheriffs Dept. to help solve cold cases. The team is asked to take on a high profile cold case just in time for elections. Can they solve it?
Ten years ago, two local teenage girls were murdered. There seems to have been a satanic sacrifice involved based on the evidence but no suspect was ever charged. Now, the case named ‘The Twin Satan Murders’ has gone cold.
The team decides to start over from scratch and reinterview the original witnesses. When they have trouble with cooperation they must discover what is being hidden. What really happened to these girls?
Martina Monroe is a private investigator who has teamed up with Detective Hirsch from the CoCo County Sheriffs Dept. to help solve cold cases. The team is asked to take on a high profile cold case just in time for elections. Can they solve it?
Ten years ago, two local teenage girls were murdered. There seems to have been a satanic sacrifice involved based on the evidence but no suspect was ever charged. Now, the case named ‘The Twin Satan Murders’ has gone cold.
The team decides to start over from scratch and reinterview the original witnesses. When they have trouble with cooperation they must discover what is being hidden. What really happened to these girls?
January 14, 2024
Storyline was good
I found the plot very good. For the most part it was a good read. Better than many, I finished it. The main characters were fairly well curated, but most of the secondary characters were names without much personality. I think this book, maybe series (I'm not sure cuz this was the first one I read because it was a freebee) is pretty simplistic in the way the investigators, Hirsch and Martina, investigate. There's are a lot of "I can't believe it's not butter" moments to this story where the investigators are continually surprised at the violence. The writing doesn't portray them as seasoned investigators. For those readers who prefer their investigators to portray innocents, and a big dose of repetitive shock expressing that innocence, this series could work out well.
I found the plot very good. For the most part it was a good read. Better than many, I finished it. The main characters were fairly well curated, but most of the secondary characters were names without much personality. I think this book, maybe series (I'm not sure cuz this was the first one I read because it was a freebee) is pretty simplistic in the way the investigators, Hirsch and Martina, investigate. There's are a lot of "I can't believe it's not butter" moments to this story where the investigators are continually surprised at the violence. The writing doesn't portray them as seasoned investigators. For those readers who prefer their investigators to portray innocents, and a big dose of repetitive shock expressing that innocence, this series could work out well.
August 23, 2023
The only thing that bugs me about this book is the sudden short paragraph about god. It adds nothing and only shows stupidity in how it’s written
“I wondered how something so magical and bright, filled with God's love, could be in the same vicinity as that monster's dark force that snuffed out too many lives too soon. My pastor said you couldn't have good without evil. If that was true, I supposed that explained it. We couldn't have the sun in the sky and happy, healthy babies without the presence of darkness like James Ranger and other people who did heinous acts to the innocent.”
This makes no sense. You need serial killers to have happy healthy babies?
Plus. I guess the speed at which they can solve cold cases is amazing! 🙄
“I wondered how something so magical and bright, filled with God's love, could be in the same vicinity as that monster's dark force that snuffed out too many lives too soon. My pastor said you couldn't have good without evil. If that was true, I supposed that explained it. We couldn't have the sun in the sky and happy, healthy babies without the presence of darkness like James Ranger and other people who did heinous acts to the innocent.”
This makes no sense. You need serial killers to have happy healthy babies?
Plus. I guess the speed at which they can solve cold cases is amazing! 🙄
June 15, 2022
What an intriguing book. There are several twists and some tense moments. The writing is superb and will hold your attention thru out the book. I liked how this story was so real feeling, like it could of been ripped from the headlines. I could not stop reading it and hated for it to come to an end. Two teenage girl are killed in an horrific manner and there are seven possible suspects. The murders took place ten years ago and getting evidence is proving tough for the Cold Case Squad.
June 17, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
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 found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
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 found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 21, 2022
HK Christie
Secrets She Kept
What started out to be a near impossible cold case turned out to be anything but. It had me flipping those pages to keep finding out more and more.
I had my anger growing at the uncooperative suspects, friends and family. Martina and Hirsch never gave up and savoured a favourable ending for
their hard work. There was also good news with upcoming wedding bells ringing!
Secrets She Kept
What started out to be a near impossible cold case turned out to be anything but. It had me flipping those pages to keep finding out more and more.
I had my anger growing at the uncooperative suspects, friends and family. Martina and Hirsch never gave up and savoured a favourable ending for
their hard work. There was also good news with upcoming wedding bells ringing!
June 25, 2022
Investigator Martina Monroe and Detective Hirsch are given a cold case of two girls murdered 10 years earlier. I love how they keep digging and digging to solve cases. As usual, the author has twists in the story, and it is very exciting. They are going up against people who want to keep secrets now. I really liked the story. You don’t want to put it down once you start. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.
September 15, 2022
Reminiscent of years gone by.
I know this story was about a cold case of a double homicide. Which in itself is horrible. No justice for the dead while the guilty go on living. But within that story was a story that could fit into the past of many a teenager. I know it did for me. Cliques! The popular, privileged against the not so. Brought back so much. Never want to relive those days again!
I know this story was about a cold case of a double homicide. Which in itself is horrible. No justice for the dead while the guilty go on living. But within that story was a story that could fit into the past of many a teenager. I know it did for me. Cliques! The popular, privileged against the not so. Brought back so much. Never want to relive those days again!
August 12, 2024
Best of the series so far
I’m a little late to the party of reading this series and authors books. But wow, Secrets She Kept is by far my favorite of this series. It had everything a good mystery/murder story has. Twists, turns, lies, family loyalty. I really liked the flashbacks within the story. My heart was hurting for the two victims and how the crime came to be. I enjoy how each of the characters Martina and her partner Hirsch are bonding and are true partners. Looking forward to reading book 6
I’m a little late to the party of reading this series and authors books. But wow, Secrets She Kept is by far my favorite of this series. It had everything a good mystery/murder story has. Twists, turns, lies, family loyalty. I really liked the flashbacks within the story. My heart was hurting for the two victims and how the crime came to be. I enjoy how each of the characters Martina and her partner Hirsch are bonding and are true partners. Looking forward to reading book 6
December 16, 2024
I liked this book, a fast paced thriller that kept my attention the entire time through. If I had to nit pick, I’d say that I was a little surprised that all the evidence wasn’t thoroughly looked through initially 10 years prior when the investigation happened, but other than that I liked the entire book!
I liked the perspective of Tinsley throughout the book, too, especially at the beginning when the voices were general neutral. Odie got what she deserved!
I liked the perspective of Tinsley throughout the book, too, especially at the beginning when the voices were general neutral. Odie got what she deserved!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2025
Holy moly this book is will keep you in suspense!!
The story of Two young girls being murdered will keep you on the end of your sit, page after page was so intriguing trying to figure out who did the deed . l personally thought it was her but then I had second thoughts about it, but when all came down to it , it was her ! I recommend it to you with a 5 Stars review by the way I didn't reveal the name of the killer or anything else
The story of Two young girls being murdered will keep you on the end of your sit, page after page was so intriguing trying to figure out who did the deed . l personally thought it was her but then I had second thoughts about it, but when all came down to it , it was her ! I recommend it to you with a 5 Stars review by the way I didn't reveal the name of the killer or anything else
April 22, 2025
The premise is not very feasible, a PI working with the police like she's one of them? They also keep involving civilians. When they can't find the culprit, they involve the victims' families in a manhunt. Huh? Also, who wrote this? The PR person for the church of Satan? Yes, it is pertinent to the plot, but if they repeated one more time how they don't really worship Satan and they are just agnostics and perfectly normal, reasonable people, I was going to douse the audiobook in Holy Water.
May 15, 2025
A solid police procedural. Enjoyed the systematic progress from beginning to end. There’s not much tension because the outcome is telegraphed almost from the beginning. The characters and relationships are described matter of factly, following a calm sweet path. Not too much oomph, but a relaxing good enough story. Life is fraught enough that I welcomed this predictable and soothing tale where justice prevails and the good investigators move forward serenely with their lives.
June 16, 2022
Ten years ago two young girls were murdered, now the cold case is being reworked. From teenagers to young professionals, are they all holding something back? This book keeps the reader guessing. To my distress, I started this after dinner. I didn’t want to put it down. This author knows how to draw in the reader and keep the attention until the end.
June 27, 2022
If you enjoy reading fast-paced mystery stories, with a good plot, and main characters that you can relate to, Secrets She Kept, is the book for you. Martina and Hirsch are relentless in searching for truth in the Cold Case Unit, and this horrid case was an open sore for the Police. A very entertaining read!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and this is my honest opinion.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and this is my honest opinion.
September 8, 2023
twist and turns
Wow! This book has it all, hang on grab a coffee and hope for a rainy day!
Teenage mean girls, can the smile from the Queen Bee be real or is she jealous? Do they know the truth of what happened to a girl from their group? The guy group may know more than they’re saying.
Wow! This book has it all, hang on grab a coffee and hope for a rainy day!
Teenage mean girls, can the smile from the Queen Bee be real or is she jealous? Do they know the truth of what happened to a girl from their group? The guy group may know more than they’re saying.
October 10, 2023
It was 10 years ago when someone or some ones took the lives of Emmy Olson and her best friend, Tinsley Reed. Now the CoCo County Cold Case Squad has been basically ordered to solve it by the sheriff with uncooperative witnesses, decade old evidence to work with. It's an uphill climb for Hirsch and Martina, can the impossible be done? I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
September 9, 2024
Cold case solved and not so cold solved!
Wow great read. Loved the tug of war with the candidates in this unsolved mystery. Cold for ten years and no good news in site the team works really hard to get some info on this case. Love is in bloom for August and Kim which is getting Martina anxious. Stay tuned.
Wow great read. Loved the tug of war with the candidates in this unsolved mystery. Cold for ten years and no good news in site the team works really hard to get some info on this case. Love is in bloom for August and Kim which is getting Martina anxious. Stay tuned.
September 27, 2024
Excellent
A powerful and well told story! The author allowed the reader to analyze the clues and make sound guesses about the crimes! The fun part was how the laddled out storyline, validated the original assumptions! As each piece of the puzzle was revealed, the reader could pat themselves on the back, for great deductions!
A powerful and well told story! The author allowed the reader to analyze the clues and make sound guesses about the crimes! The fun part was how the laddled out storyline, validated the original assumptions! As each piece of the puzzle was revealed, the reader could pat themselves on the back, for great deductions!
October 9, 2024
Miss Christie done it again with book 5!
I started this and finished in a night. It isn’t a long book so, isn’t that impressive. But, I couldn’t stop myself😂 THE PLOT TWISTS WERE INSANE. Especially Odie’s secret. Made sense as to why she was the way she was but, also didn’t give her the right to do what she did. THEY ARE COWARDS!! Arlo pissed me all the way off. Scumbag. 5/5 as always🫶🏼
I started this and finished in a night. It isn’t a long book so, isn’t that impressive. But, I couldn’t stop myself😂 THE PLOT TWISTS WERE INSANE. Especially Odie’s secret. Made sense as to why she was the way she was but, also didn’t give her the right to do what she did. THEY ARE COWARDS!! Arlo pissed me all the way off. Scumbag. 5/5 as always🫶🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2025
I am not a series girl. Even if I really like a book I usually don’t read the next book because I always get disappointed but HK Christie never misses! Her books just keep getting better and better! I love the detail in each case along with the background stories of the characters. This one was a little predictable but I still loved it and read it sooo fast.
May 27, 2025
This was one of the more enjoyable books I’ve read in the series. While I was able to figure out the suspect fairly early, the twist involving them was a pleasant surprise. The story kept me engaged throughout. I think my only challenge with these books is that I listen to the audio version, and I’m not a big fan of the narrator.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
Secrets She Kept (Martina Monroe Book 5) H.K. Christie
A great read and the best in this series. Two horrible deaths that went ten years with no one found guilty. A cold case that deserves to be solved. It takes the entire team working endless hours to find the answers. How many are involved and why so much covering up?
A great read and the best in this series. Two horrible deaths that went ten years with no one found guilty. A cold case that deserves to be solved. It takes the entire team working endless hours to find the answers. How many are involved and why so much covering up?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews