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West Investigations #5
Dark Water Disappearance
A body has washed ashore
Along with her past.
There was no quiet homecoming for Nikki King. Not with a body discovered on her lakefront property and Terrence Sutton’s unexpected arrival. The police detective is convinced his sister’s disappearance and the threats Nikki has been receiving are connected. Nikki would rather avoid the man who once let a family feud tear them apart, but can she afford to refuse his protection? Not with danger lurking in the dark water just beyond her doorstep.
Along with her past.
There was no quiet homecoming for Nikki King. Not with a body discovered on her lakefront property and Terrence Sutton’s unexpected arrival. The police detective is convinced his sister’s disappearance and the threats Nikki has been receiving are connected. Nikki would rather avoid the man who once let a family feud tear them apart, but can she afford to refuse his protection? Not with danger lurking in the dark water just beyond her doorstep.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2022
15 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
K.D. Richards
79 books1,253 followersK.D. is a former attorney and educator. Her books are action-packed, page-turners with strong female characters and twists that will surprise.
Follow her on bookbub https://bit.ly/2TLCA7z.
Follow her on bookbub https://bit.ly/2TLCA7z.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 18, 2025
4.25 Stars / 2.5 Steam Fans
Read in Week 8: Feb 16 – Feb 22, 2025. Video book reviews available on my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk (https://www.youtube.com/@stephsromanc...) and TikTok: Steph's Romance Book Talk
Read in Week 8: Feb 16 – Feb 22, 2025. Video book reviews available on my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk (https://www.youtube.com/@stephsromanc...) and TikTok: Steph's Romance Book Talk
December 17, 2022
Thank you soooo much K.D. Richards for a free copy of the latest book in your West Investigations series for an honest review ❤️
Nikki running from turmoil in her political career, goes back home to the Lakewood house she inherited from her grandfather. She’s barely been in the house it feels like before a body is discovered in her backyard. Not to mention her high school sweetheart who she hasn’t seen in 15 years is on her doorstep. Not only that but his sister, her close friend Jill, is missing. All of this happened in one day LOL Poor Nikki.
Even though I was so mad at him at first, Terrence was definitely one of my favorite characters. It was mind blowing how stubborn he was being in the beginning. I can’t imagine letting a feud alter my life in the ways he had. Especially a feud that was never his to begin with, if we’re being honest. He held on to that anger and animosity for so long. Part of me never wanted him and Nikki to reconcile because I felt like he was being so damn petty. I’m a sucker for a good love story though so these feelings didn’t last for long LOL
The thing I absolutely LOVE about K.D. Richards books is that she doesn’t waste time diving right into the action. Even with that being said the characters are always so well fleshed out. The personal turmoil that’s always in the background of the overall plot is the cherry on top for me.
The ending 🥹😩❤️ I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! I’m hoping Nikki was serious and she really runs for mayor 🤞🏽
P.S. I absolutely loved the cameo from James and Erika 😩❤️
Nikki running from turmoil in her political career, goes back home to the Lakewood house she inherited from her grandfather. She’s barely been in the house it feels like before a body is discovered in her backyard. Not to mention her high school sweetheart who she hasn’t seen in 15 years is on her doorstep. Not only that but his sister, her close friend Jill, is missing. All of this happened in one day LOL Poor Nikki.
Even though I was so mad at him at first, Terrence was definitely one of my favorite characters. It was mind blowing how stubborn he was being in the beginning. I can’t imagine letting a feud alter my life in the ways he had. Especially a feud that was never his to begin with, if we’re being honest. He held on to that anger and animosity for so long. Part of me never wanted him and Nikki to reconcile because I felt like he was being so damn petty. I’m a sucker for a good love story though so these feelings didn’t last for long LOL
The thing I absolutely LOVE about K.D. Richards books is that she doesn’t waste time diving right into the action. Even with that being said the characters are always so well fleshed out. The personal turmoil that’s always in the background of the overall plot is the cherry on top for me.
The ending 🥹😩❤️ I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! I’m hoping Nikki was serious and she really runs for mayor 🤞🏽
P.S. I absolutely loved the cameo from James and Erika 😩❤️
March 21, 2023
Gripping suspense mixed with a second chance romance. Nikki grew up in Carling Lake but hasn't been back since her grandfather's death. With her political career in turmoil, she returns to Lakewood House. She's barely there an hour when a body is found washed up on the shore. Then her high school sweetheart shows up along with the sheriff. She hasn't seen Terrence in fifteen years.
Police detective Terrence has come to Carling Lake looking for his younger sister, Jill. An investigative journalist, Jill hasn't returned his calls in more than a week, and he's worried. He believes she is investigating something there, but no one has seen or talked to her. He's not going to let anything stop him from looking for her.
Terrence is a man who has little use for tact and social niceties when he's on the job. He does an excellent job of ticking off the local sheriff when he refuses to back off from doing his own investigation. He also butts into the investigation into the body at Lakewood House, convinced it has something to do with Jill's disappearance. Nikki isn't too happy to have him there, as he still carries the grudge that tore them apart. But when threats and strange happenings occur, she isn't going to say no to his protection.
Let me say that I wanted to shake some sense into Terrence. How he could allow the old feud between his uncle and her grandfather still eat away at him made no sense. Both men are gone, and the event that drove them apart is over and done with. But he couldn't let it go, ending the friendship and more that he and Nikki shared. Seeing Nikki again brings it all back. Despite those feelings, he can't deny the need to ensure she is safe.
Nikki is no frail flower. She is easily as stubborn as Terrence and makes it clear that any investigating he does will include her. Not only is Jill her friend, but it also appears that her property may be at the center of whatever is going on. I loved seeing Nikki stand her ground and not let Terrence push her into the background. She has it right when she tells him that he may have investigative experience, but she has the people skills to get people to talk.
I loved watching these two work together. It's a cautious partnership at first, with neither one entirely trusting the other. But their old friendship reasserts itself once they've cleared the air (thank you, Aunt Charity). And along with the cessation of hostilities, so do the sparks of attraction. I loved their teamwork and seeing them grow closer amid the increasing danger. I loved the ending and seeing them realize they belonged together.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. It began immediately with Terrence's missing sister and the body found at Nikki's. The graffiti on Nikki's garage door bears out Terrence's suspicion that the body is linked to Jill's disappearance. Terrence isn't about to back off his investigation, no matter what the sheriff says. He and Nikki continue to seek out those they think have answers and find themselves in risky situations. The tension ramps up when they get caught snooping and end up at the mercy of the bad guys. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I loved seeing the teamwork that saved the day.
I liked seeing James and Erika (Shielding Her Son) again. James has embraced his artistic side, and he is still involved with the family business. West Investigations plays a significant role in resolving the mystery.
Police detective Terrence has come to Carling Lake looking for his younger sister, Jill. An investigative journalist, Jill hasn't returned his calls in more than a week, and he's worried. He believes she is investigating something there, but no one has seen or talked to her. He's not going to let anything stop him from looking for her.
Terrence is a man who has little use for tact and social niceties when he's on the job. He does an excellent job of ticking off the local sheriff when he refuses to back off from doing his own investigation. He also butts into the investigation into the body at Lakewood House, convinced it has something to do with Jill's disappearance. Nikki isn't too happy to have him there, as he still carries the grudge that tore them apart. But when threats and strange happenings occur, she isn't going to say no to his protection.
Let me say that I wanted to shake some sense into Terrence. How he could allow the old feud between his uncle and her grandfather still eat away at him made no sense. Both men are gone, and the event that drove them apart is over and done with. But he couldn't let it go, ending the friendship and more that he and Nikki shared. Seeing Nikki again brings it all back. Despite those feelings, he can't deny the need to ensure she is safe.
Nikki is no frail flower. She is easily as stubborn as Terrence and makes it clear that any investigating he does will include her. Not only is Jill her friend, but it also appears that her property may be at the center of whatever is going on. I loved seeing Nikki stand her ground and not let Terrence push her into the background. She has it right when she tells him that he may have investigative experience, but she has the people skills to get people to talk.
I loved watching these two work together. It's a cautious partnership at first, with neither one entirely trusting the other. But their old friendship reasserts itself once they've cleared the air (thank you, Aunt Charity). And along with the cessation of hostilities, so do the sparks of attraction. I loved their teamwork and seeing them grow closer amid the increasing danger. I loved the ending and seeing them realize they belonged together.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. It began immediately with Terrence's missing sister and the body found at Nikki's. The graffiti on Nikki's garage door bears out Terrence's suspicion that the body is linked to Jill's disappearance. Terrence isn't about to back off his investigation, no matter what the sheriff says. He and Nikki continue to seek out those they think have answers and find themselves in risky situations. The tension ramps up when they get caught snooping and end up at the mercy of the bad guys. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I loved seeing the teamwork that saved the day.
I liked seeing James and Erika (Shielding Her Son) again. James has embraced his artistic side, and he is still involved with the family business. West Investigations plays a significant role in resolving the mystery.
April 25, 2023
Suspense and a second chance at love all rolled into one. Nikki King returns to her hometown of Carling Lake uncertain of her future but when a body is found on her lakefront property, she has very little time to focus on her next move in her career. Especially when Terrence Sutton unexpectedly shows up in Carling Lake searching for his sister Jill who has disappeared. These two have some unfinished business involving a family feud. When Nikki starts receiving threats Terrence is certain that it's connected to his sister's disappearance. These two decide to put their differences aside and work together to figure out what happened to Jill and what bought her to Carling Lake. Great read looking forward to Sheriff Webb's story.
December 28, 2023
Nikki King inherits her grandfather’s Lakewood House. When she returns to Carling Lake at LakeWood House there is a body that is found washed ashore. Her high-school sweetheart Terrance Sutton that she hasn’t seen in 15 years shows up looking for his younger sister Jill. He is worried since she hasn’t returned any of his phone calls in a week. He found a note at her house saying Carling Lake. He believes she is investigating something but no one as seen or talked to her. Nikki avoids Terrance but can she refuse his protection .
May 3, 2023
I enjoyed this intriguing romance. I bought this at a local Goodwill store and I voluntarily chose to review this story. While not for the under 18 readers, it did pull me into the story quickly. It tugged at me to keep turning the pages. I think the heroine was more gusty than smart but she kept on going to see things to the finish. Lots of suspense to the end but no cliffhangers.
July 31, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up
This was my least favorite of the West books that I've read so far. The romance between Terrence and Nikki wasn't doing a lot for me. Second chance romance might need a greater ratio of space to work. However, the mystery in this was snappy and suspenseful.
I know I have some criticisms, but honestly this series is great.
This was my least favorite of the West books that I've read so far. The romance between Terrence and Nikki wasn't doing a lot for me. Second chance romance might need a greater ratio of space to work. However, the mystery in this was snappy and suspenseful.
I know I have some criticisms, but honestly this series is great.
February 15, 2023
This book was action packed until the very end. It had a great mystery too. The person who you suspect is guilty. She is only a business woman. Great story. Can't wait for the next West mystery. The characters were believable. It was a just one more page kind of book.
Read
December 1, 2022Romantic Suspense, Mystery & Detective, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
West Investigations (Book #5)
Miniseries
West Investigations (Book #5)
Read
December 1, 2022Romantic Suspense, Mystery & Detective, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
West Investigations (Book #5)
Miniseries
West Investigations (Book #5)
January 6, 2023
Book was a page turner. But I had to stop and start so many things happening ver the holiday weekend. But definitely a great love story, trust and redemption. Highly recommend it.
January 21, 2023
Enjoyed this book a great deal. Starting was decent and keep you interested all the way through. I like how all the characters worked well together as well.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews