🕳️🪦🚨 “Texas Buried Secrets” (Cowboy Lawmen Series #6) (2022) 🚨 🪦 🕳️ – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (July 26, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335587152
ISBN-13: 978-1335587152
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“An uncovered grave reveals a deadly secret…
Publicly vowing to bring a serial killer to justice, Deputy Cecile Richardson solidifies herself as the criminal’s next target. And when a newly discovered victim is identified, it becomes even more personal for Cecile. She will solve this cold case. Can Sheriff Josh Avery keep her safe long enough to identify and catch the culprit—or will the killer successfully hunt down his prey?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Virginia Vaughan, for providing a complimentary review copy through her review team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I cannot believe this is the final book of this series! It seems like just YESTERDAY I was reading, Texas Twin Abduction (which came out June 2020 – 2 years ago). As of note, this cover is definitely FAR more spooky and ominous than the other covers of the series. And, only the first one features a person.
Book 1: Texas Twin Abduction (Lawson & Bree [Bree had a twin Ashlee])
Book 2: Texas Holiday Hideout (Miles & Melissa [A])
Book 3: Texas Target Standoff (Paul & Shelby)
Book 4: Texas Baby Cover-Up (Zeke & Kellyanne [A])
Book 5: Texas Killer Connection (Colby & Brooke)
[A] – stands for no physical appearance in the story. In addition, the Avery parents also show up briefly since they are celebrating their 50th anniversary (with those kids – it’s a wonder they’re doing so well 😯🤣).
This book could, like the others, be a standalone read. But, from someone who has read all of them – PLEASE read them in order. It is MUCH better that way. Some of the incidents in a previous book will be referenced in a current or future book. And, it gives the reader a sense of who is who, who met who, and who is with who.
Before I get too far with the review … no. There is no word from or about Ashlee – Bree’s twin from book one (#1). I say this because – and HUGE spoiler – Ashlee was Lawson’s first love. It would have been interesting to have seen or heard how she was doing since the events of the first book. Thankfully this isn’t a deal-breaker 🤣 Maybe we can get an update in a standalone or a connected series?
As stated in the blurb, this is Josh’s story. And, one of the minor/major characters from the series gets her own story as well – yes, Deputy Cecile Richardson. While in some books I wasn’t fond of her, here, readers get a different side. And, a HUGE emotional story with her.
If you’ve read the first five books, going over the characters won’t be needed. If not, please refer back to my blogs. You can search by using the author’s name or the titles of the books. All of the brothers return, Kellyanne is mentioned only, her husband Zeke is in this books as well.
Right off, the first line grabbed me – “Flashing blue lights alerted Deputy Cecile Richardson she was in the right place”.
Vaughan doesn’t waste time – she gets right to it. Cecile is called to a shallow grave the body of a female that was re-buried has been found. But, the body needs to be ID’s. Who is she? Where did she come from? And, where was she originally buried?
Naturally, this brings Cecile’s memory back to the friend she’s been looking for the past 10 years, since graduation.
That isn’t all – the media shows up and Sheriff Josh Avery doesn’t have a good rapport with them. This goes back to his wife Haley’s murder – an unsolved murder he is, according to a few, still a suspect in. However, as it is pointed out later on, most of the county believes him innocent since he’s been twice elected as Sheriff.
Cecile talks with the media in what will become a dance with her and the killer.
It is clear both Josh and Cecile have developed feelings for each other. He doesn’t want to act on them due to the suspicions surrounding Haley’s death. He doesn’t want that sword dangling over Cecile. Though, she knows the truth.
Knowing there are other murders that fit the pattern, a task force is quickly assembled. But, Cecile quickly becomes the killers/stalker’s next target.
She isn’t just the target of the killer/stalker, Cecile has been – due to her work – getting job offers, including one from a neighboring county. She’s staying put for two reasons: #1 – Erica and #2 – hoping Josh Avery acts on his feelings for her.
A search for Eric leads Cecile to the land next to where the party was all those years ago – Henderson Ranch. A man by the name of Frank Henderson owns it, and as of late – has been assembling a security team. Though for what?
It is a call about Cecile that causes Josh to go out there. Cecile finds a necklace in a cave – one that ends up belonging to a victim. Though, what is the connection to Henderson?
Cecile is targeted in a series of events – though who and why remains elusive. It is clear the killer wants her to stop him, but he won’t surrender.
After getting the ID on the victim, Cecile has a change ahead of her. It still doesn’t stop her search, it only intensifies. (To me, this was pretty much as I thought).
Being the smart detective she is, she and Josh go through her notes and information taken from social media. Which, might I add – great idea!
They are certain of one thing – the killer has to be a local due to his ability to blend in. Yet, no one comes close to a “profile”. It becomes more frustrating when the killer shows up during Josh’s parents’ anniversary party. (This guy was also getting on my nerves really bad).
Vaughan takes this one down to the wire for Josh, Cecile, and the readers. And, she even has a side story arc with Frank Henderson as well. That is about 10% from the end.
I had my ideas about the suspects, though one kind of “creeped” me out more so than the others. As I said – even the suspect’s reveal was down to the final pages. Talk about keeping readers glued to the pages!
I loved the entire serial killer/obsessed stalker arc, not because of what they do, because of what was written. I love when authors shake things up and differentiate the modus operandi. It definitely has a realistic tone to it and so easy to see. This was definitely a heart-pounding and alternately heart-stopping, intriguing, and nearly sinister read. A bit predictable on the bad guy, though it was interesting to see Josh and the task force “get there”.
This was definitely hard to put down, despite taking me six (6) days to read it. This is absolutely no fault of the author or story. To be honest – I did have a lot of stuff going on that precluded me from reading.
As of note, there were a few typos missed in editing:
Page 124: “Cecil” instead of Cecile
Page 159: “racidng” instead of racing
These are not major and don’t really spoil or ruin the story. They’re easily overlooked though. The action and pacing were enough to gloss right over because I had to figure out what was going on.
Since this is Love Inspired Suspense, expect some Christian themes and tones. These are more centered towards the characters and not a major part of the story’s arc.
Fans of the author, and those who’ve read the previous books – you don’t want to miss this. And, I’m eagerly awaiting her next series. I still have the COVERT OPERATIVES series as well as Yuletide Abduction (re-issued as part of a Christmas Collection from LIS) on my TBR stack.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Previous books in the series:
Series: Cowboy Lawmen (Book #1)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin] (June 2, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 133540287X
ISBN-13: 978-1335402875
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“This twin’s past is a blank…And she might not have a future.
Waking up in a bullet-ridden car with a bag of cash and a deputy insisting she’s his ex-fiancée, Ashlee Taylor has no memory of what happened—or of Lawson Avery. But with her twin missing and someone hunting her down, she must trust him with her life. Can Lawson save her and her sister—even as Ashlee’s forgotten secrets become an inescapable trap.
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin] (October 13, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335403124
ISBN-13: 978-1335403124
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“When her identity’s exposed,
hiding on a lawman’s family ranch is her last hope.
After her mother is killed, Melissa Morgan’s shocked to learn she’s spent her life in witness protection. Now it’s US marshal Miles Avery’s job to keep her and her little boy safe. And with a mole in his agency, the only way to evade the killer is to hide Melissa on Miles’s family ranch…and pretend she’s his wife for the holidays.”
Series: Cowboy Lawmen (Book #3)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin] (March 9, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335405100
ISBN-13: 978-1335405104
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“A sniper lurks closer…
and only a navy SEAL can save her.
When psychologist Shelby Warren suddenly becomes a sniper’s target, navy SEAL Paul Avery springs into action to protect her. He needs her evaluation to get back to his team…and rescuing her might finally give him the redemption he’s been searching for. But when danger follows them to his family’s Texas ranch, keeping Shelby safe could be his most difficult assignment yet.”
Series: Cowboy Lawmen (Book #4)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin] (June 29, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335405283
ISBN-13: 978-1335405289
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“A mother’s secret got her killed.
Now they must protect her baby…
After the shock of finding her best friend murdered, Kellyanne Avery’s focused on caring for her friend’s sweet baby—until the killer returns, determined to kidnap the child. Now Kellyanne needs the one man she trusts with her life: her ex-flame, Deputy Sheriff Zeke Tyler. But as they hide on her family’s ranch, can Zeke unravel deadly secrets and shield them from harm?”
Series: Cowboy Lawmen Series (Book #5)
Paperback: 352 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (April 26, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335555013
ISBN-13: 978-1335555014
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“To catch a killer
they’ll need to find the evidence.
When the investigation into her look-alike cousin’s death stalls, former army intelligence officer Brooke Moore arrives in Texas searching for justice—and is thrust into the middle of a deadly conspiracy. Now she must turn to her cousin’s ex, FBI agent Colby Avery, for help. But with every clue leading them deeper into danger, they must uncover the truth…before they are buried with it.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Virginia Vaughan is a born and raised Mississippi girl. She is blessed to come from a large Southern family, and her fondest memories Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted around the dinner table. She was a lover of books from a young age, devouring tales of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. Connect with Virginia through her website www.virginiavaughanonline.com or through the publisher.
You can follow her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ginvaughanbooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiavaughanauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gin_vaughan
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