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Emily Slate #7

The Secret Seven

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It’s All Come Down to This…

Following the massive revelations about her family and the Organization that killed her husband, Special Agent Emily Slate had hoped she was finally on the right track to take them all down and finally find the answers she needed.

But due to the fallout from her actions regarding the same Organization, Emily has been relegated back to desk duty, and is given a new she’s being transferred to a new office and will need to start all over again.

Fortunately, before her transfer goes through, a new case comes in, one that’s suited to her particular talents. A teenage boy has been brutally murdered, mutilated and staged, and Emily’s new boss wants her to take a look before she’s sent off somewhere else.

Except, when Emily dives into the details of the case, nothing seems to make sense. The evidence isn’t lining up, and she can’t make heads nor tails of who could have done this. All she knows is, if she doesn’t do everything she can to solve this case, she’ll be forced to move and leave everything and everyone she loves behind.

It’s only when she makes a startling revelation that Emily realizes the true motives behind this heinous crime. And they will wreck her to her core. She will find herself alone with the greatest threat she’s ever faced. And there’s no guarantee she’ll make it out alive.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2023

784 people are currently reading
341 people want to read

About the author

Alex Sigmore

46 books223 followers

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5 stars
1,950 (71%)
4 stars
621 (22%)
3 stars
150 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
161 reviews
January 17, 2023
Great series

I happened across this series as I was waiting impatiently for some new releases from prior read authors. I'm pleased to say Alex Sigmore has become one of my new favorites. The Emily Slate series is fast paced, edge of your seat, up all night good! I'll be waiting impatiently for the next book.
Profile Image for Maria Fledgling Author  Park.
967 reviews50 followers
January 12, 2023
Jaeden Peters is going out of his mind. He finally has a date with the prettiest girl in school, Carrie Haines, and he can't find his special dragon totem. After resolving this typical teenage issue with his Mother, he hops into his Jeep Wagoneer and drives off.

Jaeden has the most mind-blowing date of his young life and heads home. Diverted from the main route home by torrential rain and flooding, Jaeden takes a different way home and pays for it with his life.

Enter Agent Emily Slate. Who is still recovering from the loss of her husband, Matt and his brother, Chris and his wife, Dani. Relugated to working on expense requests and other paperwork under her new boss Wallace, who replaced Janice Simmons after the fiasco over the last killings, Emily is severely depressed.

In fact, Emily hasn't shown up for work on time all week, a fact that gets her put on the transfer list despite her impressive career. Agent Zara Foley, her best friend, tries to snap her out of the slump by lecturing her about her boyfriend, Agent Liam Coll but even that backfires on her.

In a quick turnaround, Emily is called into Wallace's office and is assigned the gruesome discovery of Jaeden Peter's body, flayed and displayed in public. Wallace tells her that she is the best agent to solve this, but she will still be transferred at the end of the case.

Emily is back on the rollercoaster of murder and mayhem as the circumstances surrounding Jaeden's murder blend into her ongoing personal investigation for the Father of her ex-husband, Matt, and the seemingly impenetrable Organization behind all of the deaths she's encountered.

Secret Seven is Alex Sigmore 's best nail-biter yet. I held my breath every time I turned the page, trying to keep my eyes open and closed at the same time. Practically the last two chapters are enough to give you a heart attack and the ending is another order of torture. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Jessica Jesinghaus.
Author 10 books183 followers
June 24, 2025
Remove one head from the Hydra…

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

In The Secret Seven we find Emily, and her whole FBI Division, in a state of upheaval. After uncovering a mole in the FBI her boss has been put on leave, a new interim supervisor appointed, and Emily has been told her time in the DC office is limited. One week and she’s being transferred to another state. At the last minute, however, a case comes in that requires her special skill set so she’s given a temporary reprieve.

What appears to be a copycat killing from a violent cult a couple decades earlier turns into a wildly unpredictable case with almost no leads or suspects. But as her deadline for solving the case or being transferred approaches, she catches a lucky break. Or, maybe not so lucky? Emily’s life is on the line (again) as she finally confronts the mysterious “Organization.” The final handful of chapters are full of peril, action, heartbreak and surprises.

Alex Sigmore continues to craft stories that keep the reader engaged. After seven books, it could be easy to ‘get tired’ of a character, especially with such a long over-arching mystery. Yet Emily stays fresh. We get to see her grow a little in each installment, this time it was through her relationship with Liam and her official (murder mystery) / unofficial (the Organization) case balancing act, and that’s what keeps me coming back again and again.
Profile Image for Lori Peterson.
1,207 reviews37 followers
February 10, 2024
Received as an ARC, this is an honest review. Since her husband's startlingly death, all Emily Slate has wanted to know is why and her relentless search has provided some answers... yet so many questions remain as her determination turns to finding Chris and Matt's father. Her obsession with this Organization had made her new boss, SAC Fletcher Wallace feel Emily is not longer super focused on her job as an agent and so is set to transfer Emily to somewhere her skills work better with other agents. Everything changes with the haunting, ritualistic murder of Jaeden Peters, as it seems to be connected back to The Arrow of Guilding Light cult; accompanied by Detective Rodriguez, Emily hopes to prove her worth to SAC Wallace she deserves to serve in the D. C. office. As Emily digs deeper into the cult and speaks with members still alive, she feels that Jaeden was murdered by someone who knows nothing about this cult at all; it's at the home of Albert Rosewater that the horrifying truth of Jaeden Peter's death... and shattering secrets only those involved with the Organization could provide. An earthquake of revelations begins when Emily meets the man whom is the father she is chasing and showing just how deep this group has entrenched itself into society; delivering Emily truths about Matt she could have never realized. The more Emily has learned about this Organization had shown its deadly focus on keeping its secrets, now Emily finds herself in their ultimate cross hairs as Emily down and out proves she's an FBI agent you don't want to mess with. Even as things calm down in Emily's life... one letter she receives shows there are more secrets buried in this agent's life.


As the first season of this gritty, harrowing series comes to a close, author Alex Sigmore clearly has established himself as brilliant member of this genre and is one to watch as he continues to create more unforgettable stories.


Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Cory Chase.
118 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2022
The nailbiter at the end of an arc.

Another fantastic job by an incredible storyteller.

Alex has pulled us into the center of the mystery and left us hanging on their every word from page to page.

If you've not met or spent time with Emily Slate, it is time you did. Everything about this character works.

Final Rating: 4.95435
Profile Image for Diane.
513 reviews8 followers
January 15, 2023
This is the final book in the first season of the Emily Slate series. We finally get some answers about what actually happened to her husband, who he really was, and what he was involved in. We also get a glimpse into what’s coming up next for FBI Agent Slate in the next season. Oh, and there’s also a ritualistic cult killing, a secret society, and family secrets revealed. It was good. Really good!
Profile Image for Susan.
346 reviews5 followers
June 5, 2024
Congratulations to a brilliant Author who's book's when I start reading them can't put it down. I Absolutely enjoyed reading all of these books and would definitely recommend to other avid readers like me 😊📖
Profile Image for Wanda Jewell.
938 reviews4 followers
February 3, 2023
Finally, Emily Slate gets some answers to the mystery surrounding her husband's death through an investigation into a possible serial cult killing. This book had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't put it down. It has a lot of action, friendship, new boss, romance, bad guys, and murder. All I can say is, if you like FBI thrillers, this book is a must read. I LOVED it! It does end with a lead into the next story that will have you wanting to grab the next book asap. I highly recommend it.
21 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2023
Love this series

I couldn't get anything done this month because of this series. I live the characters. Love it! You won't regret it!
Profile Image for Anna.
183 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2024
4.5⭐️ This one got intense at the end
1,985 reviews22 followers
January 20, 2023
Interesting series

This has been a series that doesn't let me down. The twists, the turns and the unbelievable circumstances holds my attention from start to finish. While each story is separate, they are interconnected. Can't wait to see what the next case will be. The ending teaser really wets the reading appetite.
Profile Image for Kerri Lonkey.
29 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2023
Wow, when you ask yourself if Emily Slate has anymore to give.. you find yourself engulfed in this book. With a sprinkle of love, a healthy dose of friendship and a heaping offering of suspense.. this book gives it all!! Grab a blanket and a cocoa.. you won’t want to get up from this one.
136 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2023
Omg

Omg, my heart rate has only just started to slow down, brilliant, have enjoyed all of these books, I love the way Alex sigmore writes, definitely a seat of your pant series, can't wait to start the next one
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,617 reviews8 followers
February 14, 2023
whoa! that was a bunch of existential horror

A random murder that poorly mirrors some past ritualistic killings send Agent Slate on a collision course with powerful, unforeseen foes.
1,507 reviews7 followers
February 5, 2023
The Secret Seven

This has the best book so far in this series. I think maybe because it had a conclusion to it. I can't wait for the next book. This is a great thriller series. I highly recommend this book and series
1,146 reviews7 followers
January 31, 2023
Busted

Emily is on a collision course with the shadowy organization that orchestrated her husband's death. She is a target and other innocent lives are in jeopardy.

This was a decent read. The whole secret powerful cartel thing was farfetched and the murder of the boy was disappointing. Still it closes the story and answers most questions.
1 review
January 30, 2023
Kept reading 1 after another

Well written and intriguing


Inside into FBI and primal minds

Can't wait for next book!


Which comes out in April.




2 reviews
March 6, 2023
The Secret Seven

I've really enjoyed this series, and can't wait for the next book ! Alex Sigmore keeps the story intriguing and fast paced.
Profile Image for Kath.
1,066 reviews28 followers
July 8, 2024
Fantastic, well written, heart-pounding read.
Profile Image for Jas.
1,026 reviews
April 30, 2023
The Secret Seven sees Emily still coming to terms with the events of the last book, and being so close to catching people within the ‘Organisation’, but making the choice to let one of the go, and to save the life (and soul) of a young girl who was to be tortured and most likely killed. However, this has not gone down well with the heads of the FBI, and whilst they do understand her predicament, they also can’t condone her letting a suspect of such value go.
With Janice having been suspended indefinitely pending a review, a new SAC (Wallace), has come into the DC Office, and has made the decision that Emily is out.
However, just before she is sent away, a new case of horrific proportions comes in, what looks like a cult or ritualistic murder. A teenage male has been flayed open, and displayed in a weird way, and given Emily’s track record with these sort of cases, she is given the chance to work the case.
With the help of a veteran Detective from the local county, Det Rodriquez, the two start to look into all aspects of the case. But as Emily delves into the case, nothing makes sense, not the murder, it’s links to another cult, the suspects, none of it makes any sense to her.
As she and Det Rodriquez work harder at trying to find the culprit, desperate to both track down the unsub, but also prevent another vicious murder, Emily suddenly realises that everything is not as it seems, and without giving away any spoilers, she discovers something that blows open not only the case, but her entire world.
This is a really fascinating and intriguing book, as it is not only a fantastic episode in the Emily Slate saga, but it was a really brilliant forensic story following the trail of a murder case. So often on TV or in Movies, you see cases of the Police or FBI managing to solve a case based on ridiculous ‘CSI’ forensic evidence that magically somehow solves their case. They never really show the grunt work, or good investigation that is required to actually solve a case. In this book, we get to see this investigation, as both Slate and Rodriquez investigate every possible lead they can to try and find who killed the young victim. Sigmore has really put a lot of research and time into creating a brilliant story here.
It is the continuation to the main story though, the unfolding of Emily’s continued saga as she delves into the Organisation that is the really outstanding part of this book. You don’t expect what happens, (no spoilers), and there are some amazing parts to what unfolds that leaves you actually going back and re-reading sections to make sure you read it right.
Sigmore has continued to create powerful characters, we see Emily continue to battle with her life, the mix of work, Liam, trying to find the Organisation, all of the trauma with her Family, Zara. She is trying to hold on, work through it, but is becoming obsessive with trying to find the Organisation, and it is impacting all of her life, and she is in real danger of going down a rabbit hole and never coming out again. Her friends (boyfriend?) Liam and Zara try desperately to help her, and their characters continue to develop as well, Zara is becoming a full-on agent, and personality in her own right (She could easily have her own spin-off series!!), whilst Liam is growing quietly in the background.
We get to meet the enthusiastic Det Rodriquez, who is really well done, she is the epitome of a dedicated female cop, having been married, with kids, but now separated and carving her own path. Interested in a career never taken with the FBI because of her kids, the two women get on well, and the dynamic between them is both real and intimate as they investigate this murder.
This is a stunning addition to the series, Sigmore continues to create these compelling mysteries and thrillers that are utterly captivating, and with each story, only get more enthralling. Secret Seven is going to leave you stunned, and as far as the Emily Slater aspects of the story, is nothing short of outstanding.
If you have been a fan of the series – this is the one not to miss!!
Profile Image for Krys.
1,350 reviews31 followers
June 12, 2024
As excited as I was for the over-reaching arc of "the organization" to be solved in this seventh book, the story was just entirely way too far-fetched for me.

Trust me, I completely understand that some people have the ability to infiltrate organizations, and sometimes obtain high-ranking positions within those positions, but to orchestrate an entire event such as this one for the whole purpose of having a face-to-face conversation with Emily before staging her death is a little too extreme.

It seems to me it would have been simpler to have the face-to-face inside of her home (since we know how easy it is to get inside apparently), and then stage a break-in gone wrong. Or sent her an email, and while she was distracted reading it taken her out and made it look like an accident of some sort (or that she had killed herself).

Although for the life of me I don't know why the head person in charge even bothered giving her the answers she wanted when it seems the easiest solution would have been to wait for her transfer, then send the assassin there to quietly take her out (while she was on the way would have been even better, she could have ended up just another missing person). But then, I suppose the series would be over and people who are fans of Emily would have been in an uproar.

Another thing I noticed is that the new SAC (Wallace) is absolutely right in his assessment of Emily. She IS obsessed with dismantling "the organization" (and I'm not saying that is a bad thing as I completely understand her motivation), but when she openly admits that she didn't do her research on her half of a potential suspect list because she was too busy going through information she had gathered just proves that at the very least she should have been taken off-duty for awhile.

As it is, I'm curious as to where the author plans to take this story next (especially with the cliff-hanger this one ended on), but I'm going to need to take a break and read some other stuff before I come back to this series.
Profile Image for Robin Reviewer.
1,003 reviews12 followers
March 2, 2024
Good wrap up to the Organization story line - read on KU

We finally learn a lot more about the organization. I wouldn't be surprised to see it come up again, though.

With all of the books in this series, I find myself skimming through the personal stuff. It doesn't move the story along. Which contradicts what I like better about some similar series I've read by other authors. I like that those others have more robust stories outside of the crime part. I guess the Organization kind of gave us that.

As with all the books in this series, this needs a better editor and/or proofreader. There were errors software, such as Grammarly, would have easily caught. One such error was Emily said someone didn't seem like a "murder" instead of "murderer." In all the books, the author makes some things plural using 's instead of just s. It is correct to say something happened in the 1900s instead of 1900's. In the first book in the series, the author even used the ' to make some common nouns plural.

You cannot read this book as a standalone. It would not make any sense.

The pace was great. I had a harder time putting this one down than any of the ones so far.
Profile Image for Linda Thomas.
842 reviews8 followers
September 16, 2023
Emily on the carpet is handled a new case. A boy is cut from neck to groin and his face has been cut in half

Emily is on the carpet. She is late for work most days. And she hate the work the new director is giving her. But after telling her that she is going to be transferred within a week he gives her a new case? A boy is killed and it looks like a cult. He has been cut from neck to groin, and his face is cut half off. But things just don’t add up and Emily and the local detective are trying to pin down the reasons.
Profile Image for gerry.
458 reviews5 followers
Read
May 14, 2023
This novel raises questions

If the FBI can be so easily infiltrated in a work of fiction, is it possible that it is actually happening now, in Washington DC?? This reader fears that it is happening. It just seems that our present day FBI has lost it's focus to the missjon. Even Emily and Sara express a desire to be instruments of change.
Thanks to Alex Sigmore for another great page turner. Enjoy the exciting plot and marvel at the strength and courage of Agent Emily Slate.
67 reviews
August 10, 2024
I found this book intriguing and suspenseful with a good storyline. But the author went a bit overboard at the end. This comment shouldn’t be a spoiler…..holding shards of glass in her mouth as a weapon???? Come on!! Are you serious??? A head butt to the guys nose would have incapacitated him and been far more believable!!! Her mouth and tongue would have been shredded!!! The dumbest thing I’ve ever read! Come on Mr. Sigmore. You can do better than that!
1,380 reviews
January 21, 2025
If you are willing to suspend belief, this story is very enjoyable. It is almost like a spy thriller. We get resolution to an underlying story that has been a thread in all the previous books. The resolution was satisfying. The case in this book is actually part of that story so it is wrapped up with the conclusion of that case. It will be interesting to see where the author takes these characters next. I would recommend this series.
Profile Image for Carolyn Moon.
170 reviews
May 5, 2023
The best.

All I can say is that when I started this book I did not imagine what was going to happen. Thrilling and terrifying and really messed up, but was great ending, which once again is another surprising beginning. I would anyone who likes a thrilling mystery to start from the first book. I don't think you will be disappointed.
86 reviews
July 9, 2023
It's not what or who you think.

As with all of his books, Alex Sigmore has made this series so believable and exciting. There is a twist at every turn. I was so impressed with all the surprises. Every time I thought I knew the outcome, a new twist was presented. Just love this series.
78 reviews
August 20, 2024
Spell binding

You never know what to expect until the last page. . . It keeps you guessing. A thriller it is. This author is top of the line. I would recommend him to anyone who has a nose for a great mystery thriller.. . You don't put his books down until you finish the last page, but then there is the next book & you can't put it down
Linda Orrs
49 reviews2 followers
February 28, 2025
Wowza!

I failed to review the last few books in this series due to a crazy travel schedule, but just had to take a moment to say that this series has me addicted! The Secret Seven finally gave the answers and Sigmore could have tied it up with a bow and been done, but just when you think things have settled, another curveball comes flying in! Now I can't wait for number 8.
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