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Mystery Lake #2
Exposed
A missing person, a stalker seemingly back from the dead, and a woman who isn’t going to let the past ruin her future.
When Sofia Parisi’s marriage ends, she knows it’s an opportunity, not a loss. Without blinking an eye, she packs up her business and moves to Mystery Lake. After all, why wouldn’t she want to live in the beautiful mountain town that gave her so many wonderful childhood memories? Of course, she didn’t plan on uncovering evidence of a serial killer hidden in her new home. Nor did she expect a stalker to seemingly come back from the dead and track her down. Now she’s caught between the past and present and neither is quite what it seems.
Between raising his son and running his own construction company, Josh Warwick has never had time for a relationship. Nor has he ever met a woman who tempted him into one. That is until his son introduces him to their new client, Sofia. She’s quirky, fun, and successful in her own right, and he’s more than a little intrigued. Unfortunately, danger is knocking on her door, and they don’t have a choice but to answer if they want their shot at a happy ever after.
As Josh and Sofia untangle a web of deceit, terror, and betrayal, they find the past and present colliding in ways no one could anticipate. And when threats come at them from unexpected sources, exposing the truth is the only way to protect their future.
When Sofia Parisi’s marriage ends, she knows it’s an opportunity, not a loss. Without blinking an eye, she packs up her business and moves to Mystery Lake. After all, why wouldn’t she want to live in the beautiful mountain town that gave her so many wonderful childhood memories? Of course, she didn’t plan on uncovering evidence of a serial killer hidden in her new home. Nor did she expect a stalker to seemingly come back from the dead and track her down. Now she’s caught between the past and present and neither is quite what it seems.
Between raising his son and running his own construction company, Josh Warwick has never had time for a relationship. Nor has he ever met a woman who tempted him into one. That is until his son introduces him to their new client, Sofia. She’s quirky, fun, and successful in her own right, and he’s more than a little intrigued. Unfortunately, danger is knocking on her door, and they don’t have a choice but to answer if they want their shot at a happy ever after.
As Josh and Sofia untangle a web of deceit, terror, and betrayal, they find the past and present colliding in ways no one could anticipate. And when threats come at them from unexpected sources, exposing the truth is the only way to protect their future.
- GenresRomantic SuspenseMystery
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2022
298 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Tamsen Schultz
42 books349 followersTamsen Schultz is the author of several romantic suspense novels and American Kin (a short story published in Line Zero Magazine). In addition to being a writer, she has a background in the field of international conflict resolution, has co-founded a non-profit, and currently works in corporate America. Like most lawyers, she spends a disproportionate amount of time thinking (and writing) about what it might be like to do something else. She lives in Northern California in a house full of males including her husband, two sons, three cats, a dog, and a gender-neutral, but well-stocked, wine rack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 12, 2025
Decent suspense romance. A couple of suspense plots intermingled in this one, made it fun. You can see the twists coming, but it was still a fast and fun read. Finished it in a day with TTS while I cleaned, gardened, and knit.
July 26, 2022
After her divorce was finalized, Sofia Parisi bought the home on Mystery Lake that was once belonged to her aunt, moving in immediately after her death. After a marriage spent on the needs of her selfish ex, she was looking for a home to make completely her own. She had many happy childhood memories of her days spent in the lake house of the mountain town with her family, and her cousins agreed to the purchase. Sofia asked the real estate agent for her advice on a contractor. A young man by the name of Matt Warwick was chosen because he seemed to be the best fit for the job, and she called him for an estimate. Matt liked Sophia right away because of her quirkiness and personality, not to mention her exciting career, and he described her to his father, Josh, as their new client. Interested in meeting her himself, Josh decided to pay her a visit after hearing all that Matt had to say about her, using a cracked window as an excuse. Things between Sofia and Josh turn pretty spicy pretty quickly. However, as they navigate their relationship, things turn dangerous as well. Together with the help of family and friends, they race to solve a riddle of clues, deception, murder, and terror happening in Sofia’s life, or their life together will be over before it begins.
“Exposed” was a nail-biting suspense, and I loved every minute of it! The action and guessing game were intense, and the storyline flowed smoothly between fear and romance. The writing was interesting, the dialog was real, and the characters involved were wonderful (even when they weren’t the “good guys.”) I loved the relationship between Josh and Sofia (and Josh’s family, especially Matt), and thought the good-natured teasing behind the love and support of the family was real, fun, and heart-warming. Of course the usual suspension of disbelief was involved as well in order to fully appreciate the fictional narrative. Tamsen Schultz has a flair to her writing style that I truly love and appreciate. Her novels are infinitely readable and never disappoint. If you have yet to read any of her work, do yourself a favor and start today. I can’t recommend her work enough. Trust me on this—you’ll thank me later.
I’d like to thank Tamsen Schultz and Devil’s Gate Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
“Exposed” was a nail-biting suspense, and I loved every minute of it! The action and guessing game were intense, and the storyline flowed smoothly between fear and romance. The writing was interesting, the dialog was real, and the characters involved were wonderful (even when they weren’t the “good guys.”) I loved the relationship between Josh and Sofia (and Josh’s family, especially Matt), and thought the good-natured teasing behind the love and support of the family was real, fun, and heart-warming. Of course the usual suspension of disbelief was involved as well in order to fully appreciate the fictional narrative. Tamsen Schultz has a flair to her writing style that I truly love and appreciate. Her novels are infinitely readable and never disappoint. If you have yet to read any of her work, do yourself a favor and start today. I can’t recommend her work enough. Trust me on this—you’ll thank me later.
I’d like to thank Tamsen Schultz and Devil’s Gate Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
July 19, 2022
Just when I think I've found my favorite book by this author, bam! Out comes another one that is just as good or even better!
Exposed is the second in this wonderful series focusing on Mystery Lake. The characters of Sofia and Josh were awesome, but then, I was yanked into this book - and I do mean yanked - because ALL the characters are so very well done.
This book is a delicious mix of danger, romance, action, and nerdy geeky tech stuff. I love all of it and can't wait for the next book in this series.
If you haven't yet tried this series, now is the time and if you haven't yet read Tamsen Schultz, what are you waiting for?
Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.
Exposed is the second in this wonderful series focusing on Mystery Lake. The characters of Sofia and Josh were awesome, but then, I was yanked into this book - and I do mean yanked - because ALL the characters are so very well done.
This book is a delicious mix of danger, romance, action, and nerdy geeky tech stuff. I love all of it and can't wait for the next book in this series.
If you haven't yet tried this series, now is the time and if you haven't yet read Tamsen Schultz, what are you waiting for?
Thank you to the publisher and author for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.
August 6, 2022
Josh and Sofia
This was a book that had an extremely slow start but ended up picking up at the story went on. The first half of the book was slow but ended up setting up the mysteries of the second half of the book. There were plenty of twists that were very well written and effortlessly added into the story.
Sofia moved to Mystery Lake after her divorce from a marriage where she carried all the weight. She wasn’t looking for anything more than peace and freedom but found a whole lot more in Mystery Lake. Josh had lived in Mystery Lake most of his life and ran a successful contracting company. Sofia hired Josh’s son, Matt, to renovate the house she bought that originally belonged to her deceased aunt. While going through her aunt’s belongings she finds clues that lead to evidence of a serial killer that was in Mystery Lake 20 years ago. At the same time, Sofia starts getting messages from a stalker that is supposed to be dead.
Josh and Sofia’s relationship starts out as a secret, friends-with-benefits arrangement and evolves into something lasting. The added stress of the cases involving Sofia push them even closer together. Josh and Sofia had an instant connection but Sofia’s past relationship made her hesitant to jump into anything with Josh and he spent a lot of the book proving that he wasn’t anything like Sofia’s ex. I loved that Josh never discounted Sofia’s feelings or hesitation. He never blamed her for not being ready for something, he let her come to terms with their relationship at her own pace.
Although this book started slow, I ended up loving it. I loved Sofia’s relationship with Matt, Josh’s son. I loved the relationships the Warwicks had with each other. I loved Sofia’s relationship with Ava. There was a lot of mystery in Sofia’s life and although I did catch on to who the culprits were, it was very well written and kept me on the edge.
This was a book that had an extremely slow start but ended up picking up at the story went on. The first half of the book was slow but ended up setting up the mysteries of the second half of the book. There were plenty of twists that were very well written and effortlessly added into the story.
Sofia moved to Mystery Lake after her divorce from a marriage where she carried all the weight. She wasn’t looking for anything more than peace and freedom but found a whole lot more in Mystery Lake. Josh had lived in Mystery Lake most of his life and ran a successful contracting company. Sofia hired Josh’s son, Matt, to renovate the house she bought that originally belonged to her deceased aunt. While going through her aunt’s belongings she finds clues that lead to evidence of a serial killer that was in Mystery Lake 20 years ago. At the same time, Sofia starts getting messages from a stalker that is supposed to be dead.
Josh and Sofia’s relationship starts out as a secret, friends-with-benefits arrangement and evolves into something lasting. The added stress of the cases involving Sofia push them even closer together. Josh and Sofia had an instant connection but Sofia’s past relationship made her hesitant to jump into anything with Josh and he spent a lot of the book proving that he wasn’t anything like Sofia’s ex. I loved that Josh never discounted Sofia’s feelings or hesitation. He never blamed her for not being ready for something, he let her come to terms with their relationship at her own pace.
Although this book started slow, I ended up loving it. I loved Sofia’s relationship with Matt, Josh’s son. I loved the relationships the Warwicks had with each other. I loved Sofia’s relationship with Ava. There was a lot of mystery in Sofia’s life and although I did catch on to who the culprits were, it was very well written and kept me on the edge.
September 25, 2024
I was unsure going into this book how it would hold up compared to Mystery Lake book one. I was pleasantly surprised to like the main characters of Exposed just as much, if not more, than the main characters on the first book in the series. There's two twists in this book, that left me guessing the whole time until they unfolded. Definitely going to be a series I keep reading.
I also really enjoyed how the author incorporated Sabina and Chad (main characters of book one) into this book. I believe she did a good job of including them, without explaining too much of their back story to make it repetitive of book one. Overall, I would recommend this series. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series, along with other work from Tamsen Shultz.
I also really enjoyed how the author incorporated Sabina and Chad (main characters of book one) into this book. I believe she did a good job of including them, without explaining too much of their back story to make it repetitive of book one. Overall, I would recommend this series. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series, along with other work from Tamsen Shultz.
June 12, 2024
A Skimmer
This is the 3rd book I’ve read by this author, and frankly they are just average reads with a lot of unnecessary filler. The characters are likable, but not noteworthy. The romance has chemistry, but lacks true passion. The suspense is predictable, so I skimmed through this one just to make sure I’d predicted the right villain. Ultimately, I need more passion and intrigue in my romantic suspense.
This is the 3rd book I’ve read by this author, and frankly they are just average reads with a lot of unnecessary filler. The characters are likable, but not noteworthy. The romance has chemistry, but lacks true passion. The suspense is predictable, so I skimmed through this one just to make sure I’d predicted the right villain. Ultimately, I need more passion and intrigue in my romantic suspense.
November 18, 2024
Friends with benefits during crime is tough!
Wonderful read. Characters again are great, the new ones excellent. Moving through the story and covered somewhere makes the mystery great. Poor Josh and Sophia have a rough time keeping their fun from Matt, Josh's son. But with HICC it's hard to keep anything private. Certainly with all that's happening around Sophia's new abode. You will enjoy tis read for sure.
Wonderful read. Characters again are great, the new ones excellent. Moving through the story and covered somewhere makes the mystery great. Poor Josh and Sophia have a rough time keeping their fun from Matt, Josh's son. But with HICC it's hard to keep anything private. Certainly with all that's happening around Sophia's new abode. You will enjoy tis read for sure.
September 26, 2023
Decent plot
I liked the plot okay. Some criticisms:
If you are so disrespectful to write the word God in a book that borders on porn, God must be capitalized. Every single time!
Also, the explicit sex is definitely not needed. I skipped over those sections. Because of those two things, I have no desire to read anymore of this author's books.
I liked the plot okay. Some criticisms:
If you are so disrespectful to write the word God in a book that borders on porn, God must be capitalized. Every single time!
Also, the explicit sex is definitely not needed. I skipped over those sections. Because of those two things, I have no desire to read anymore of this author's books.
September 27, 2022
Fantastic
Could not put my e reader away until I was finished!!!
Loved the plot and the characters idiosyncrasies! Believable story line. Loved the family interaction and complexities. Great author and everyone needs to begin this series!
Could not put my e reader away until I was finished!!!
Loved the plot and the characters idiosyncrasies! Believable story line. Loved the family interaction and complexities. Great author and everyone needs to begin this series!
November 5, 2022
Great series! Great book!
I love this series. This is the second book. I love books that have families as the main characters. I love the setting, the mystery, the romance, and the writing. This book kept me glued to the story. I really enjoyed it!
I love this series. This is the second book. I love books that have families as the main characters. I love the setting, the mystery, the romance, and the writing. This book kept me glued to the story. I really enjoyed it!
January 15, 2023
Mystery Lake holds many secrets
When Sofia becomes heir to some fun secrets in a friends with benefits arrangement with Josh, she also stumbles over much darker secrets looking likely to be lethal
action and drama packed suspense and romance
When Sofia becomes heir to some fun secrets in a friends with benefits arrangement with Josh, she also stumbles over much darker secrets looking likely to be lethal
action and drama packed suspense and romance
August 8, 2023
Enjoying this Series
Even though this is a series and I had read book 1, this can be read as a stand alone. I do recommend reading them in order for true enjoyment. Sofia is awesome. Intelligent, funny and honest. Josh was just as awesome. This had suspense, moments of snickers and smiles as well as some insta lust that grew into a wonderful relationship.
Even though this is a series and I had read book 1, this can be read as a stand alone. I do recommend reading them in order for true enjoyment. Sofia is awesome. Intelligent, funny and honest. Josh was just as awesome. This had suspense, moments of snickers and smiles as well as some insta lust that grew into a wonderful relationship.
December 4, 2023
Exposed
A magnificent read, characters, and storyline. Sofia had divorced her husband and bought her aunts house since she had passed,,because none of her children wanted anything to do with it. This is a fantastic mystery/romance read. Definitely a must read
A magnificent read, characters, and storyline. Sofia had divorced her husband and bought her aunts house since she had passed,,because none of her children wanted anything to do with it. This is a fantastic mystery/romance read. Definitely a must read
August 6, 2022
Another great mystery lake book!!!
I enjoyed this book a great romantic suspense I can't wait for the next one! Tandem is one of my new favorites.
I enjoyed this book a great romantic suspense I can't wait for the next one! Tandem is one of my new favorites.
August 26, 2022
Very good reading. I finished it in 2 days. Can’t wait for the next book to come out.
October 4, 2023
A well developed yarn
The author has created an amazing and innovative plot with several threads and an excellent collection of characters making this hard to put down
The author has created an amazing and innovative plot with several threads and an excellent collection of characters making this hard to put down
January 23, 2024
This was a cute book full of turns. I have began to truly enjoy this series!!
May 9, 2024
Review of Exposed
I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense novels. She is an awesome writer!
I absolutely loved this book and I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic suspense novels. She is an awesome writer!
Read
August 8, 2024I liked the first book in the series, but not this one.
It seems that all Sofia and Josh cared about was how often they could go to bed. The mysteries seemed to be thrown in as an afterthought.
It seems that all Sofia and Josh cared about was how often they could go to bed. The mysteries seemed to be thrown in as an afterthought.
October 25, 2024
Exposed
I thought the story was well written. This is the first one I read of this author and will now buy the first book and read that one!
I thought the story was well written. This is the first one I read of this author and will now buy the first book and read that one!
July 30, 2022
Unlike many of the other books I've read by Tamsen Shultz, this book isn't about governments or FBI or anything like that, it has a murder mystery feel to it. When Sophia buys her aunt's old house, she begins to uncover some secrets that have long been unknown in the small community.
I liked Sophia and Josh, both as characters and a couple. Their romance was believable as was the mystery itself.
There were a couple of minor things that I struggled with initially. It might just be me, but if I found a secret cellar in a house I bought, I'd be down there like a shot, checking it out, not sealing it up! Also, Josh's son Matt was 20, but they spoke to him and about him often as though he were a child. I don't know if the author forgot how old he was, but at times it was almost like he was 16, not 20. That didn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
A really good and gripping read.
I liked Sophia and Josh, both as characters and a couple. Their romance was believable as was the mystery itself.
There were a couple of minor things that I struggled with initially. It might just be me, but if I found a secret cellar in a house I bought, I'd be down there like a shot, checking it out, not sealing it up! Also, Josh's son Matt was 20, but they spoke to him and about him often as though he were a child. I don't know if the author forgot how old he was, but at times it was almost like he was 16, not 20. That didn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
A really good and gripping read.
July 31, 2022
Somehow, this book managed to be more suspenseful than the first in the series, but that is because this author is so versatile that she can write such interesting characters and family units, not to mention the newest additions to the character list.
Once I began to read EXPOSED, I knew that I would be up until I finished it or when my eyes closed (unwillingly). I am always up to read a new novel by Tamsen Schultz; she never fails to produce a winner.
If you have not read the first book in this series, I would recommend that you begin there. It's not a deal-breaker, but it will add to your inclusion of characters and the investigative people who are introduced there.
Once I began to read EXPOSED, I knew that I would be up until I finished it or when my eyes closed (unwillingly). I am always up to read a new novel by Tamsen Schultz; she never fails to produce a winner.
If you have not read the first book in this series, I would recommend that you begin there. It's not a deal-breaker, but it will add to your inclusion of characters and the investigative people who are introduced there.
July 22, 2022
The Mystery Lake series continues with Exposed, featuring Cody Warwick and Sofia, a newcomer to the area. I loved everything about this book. It's equal parts romance, suspense and mystery with steamy scenes, emotional moments, witty banter and of course, hair-raising situations. There are great side characters, too, especially Matt. And we get to meet up with the crew from HICC. A definite addition to my keeper shelf!
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
July 26, 2022
Lights! Camera! Action!
Yes, it has them all!! Exposed, the next in Tamsen Schultz’s Mystery Lake series, will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat until pretty much the end of the story! The main characters of Sofia and Josh are thoroughly likeable and engaging and the supporting cast just fills in the blanks all along the way. The interaction between them all will keep you riveted to the story without wanting to put it down. Another great read by Tamsen! Can hardly wait til the next one comes out 😊
Yes, it has them all!! Exposed, the next in Tamsen Schultz’s Mystery Lake series, will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat until pretty much the end of the story! The main characters of Sofia and Josh are thoroughly likeable and engaging and the supporting cast just fills in the blanks all along the way. The interaction between them all will keep you riveted to the story without wanting to put it down. Another great read by Tamsen! Can hardly wait til the next one comes out 😊
July 26, 2022
Exposed continues to provide intrigue & excitement in Mystery Lake. Sophia Parisi is new to the area, but events related to her adopted aunt’s house that she bought and moved into quickly get her involved with the Warwick clan which has many brothers, cousins etc. There should be no expectation of danger for Sophia in this pleasant and scenic small town, but it finds her anyway, several times. The blend of romance, sleuthing and survival make this book one to not put down. I’m glad there will be many more books in this exciting Mystery Lake series.
July 26, 2022
Sophia Paris left her ex-husband and LA behind, bought a house in Mystery Lake and hired Matt Warwick to do remodeling for her. Mysterious incidents start happening and then Josh Warwick comes to repair a cracked window to help his son. He is drawn to Sophia, as she is to him.
Add a stalker and a serial killer and you have an intriguing storyline!
This is the second book in the Mystery Lake series.
Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Add a stalker and a serial killer and you have an intriguing storyline!
This is the second book in the Mystery Lake series.
Looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 26, 2022
This one kept me on the edge and up way past my bedtime! Josh will be your next book boyfriend. Sofia is a quirky and strong character that I quickly became invested in. The Warwick family presence is strong and I can't wait for more. This series will be a big hit with Windsor fans. There's mystery, suspense, humor, sexy romance and a great community. I was surprised by the reveal which I also love. This is becoming my favorite series by this author and I can't wait for the next one.
July 26, 2022
Another great romantic suspense story from Tamsen. I highly recommend you read her books if you haven't. While this is book two in the series, its a standalone. This one features Sofia who is moving into her Aunts old house on Mystery Lake. Solid writing, a good strong plot, solid characters and steam thrown in the mix. Already looking forward to the next book in the series! I received an ARC and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
July 27, 2022
Another terrific visit to Mystery Lake. Interesting characters. Family banter and help. Exciting moments kept me turning the pages. Grateful that after the first intimate moment including details the rest were left more to my imagination. Some surprises while others were expected. Thanks to the author for providing an advance reader copy. My review is voluntary. I look forward to reading the further adventures of those living in Mystery Lake.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews