🐕🚓 “Detecting Secrets” (Deputies of Anderson County #3) (2023) 🐕🚓 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Paperback: 224 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (February 21, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335587586
ISBN-13: 978-1335587589
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Tracking the scents of the missing
might be the only way to save them.
Partnered with her air-scent dog and Sheriff Dennis Monroe, marriage and family therapist Charlotte Bradley is desperate to put an end to a black-market baby smuggling ring in Anderson County. Who is kidnapping the pregnant girls she counsels and taking their babies? As Charlotte searches for answers, she and Dennis must dodge gunfire and deadly attacks. But the sinister agenda they uncover just might include her.”
Thank you in advance to the author, Sami A. Abrams, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
This is another author I’ve been a fan of from her first book. Then again, this is only her third book. Still, Abrams has become a “must-read” author, especially this series.
I REALLY had to have this book, after all, it was Sheriff Dennis Monroe’s story.
I will state that the books definitely should be read in order. And, here’s a bit of trivia as to why I had to read this – in the first book, Buried Cold Case Secrets, I suspected Dennis as a suspect. Even in the second (2nd) book, Twin Murder Mix-Up. I had him figured as a suspect. I did note that I wanted a book about him to clear my doubts. Abrams delivered. And, my doubts are no more.
Still, to quote a meme … “not gonna lie, she had me in the first half”. For two books, I thought Dennis might be shady. Not sketchy. Sketchy is kinda cute.
In fact, I trusted him less than I did Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series. Actually, I trusted Snape more (Alan Rickman was far too good in that role).
So, right off – those thinking like me about Dennis – we’re wrong. If you didn’t, be glad you didn’t. There were just vibes he gave off, and I have to admit, that kept me on the hook waiting for his story.
As this is a series, some characters will return or be mentioned which is why I recommend reading those books first.
🔬 Melanie
🚓 Jason
🚓 Kyle
🚓 Keith
📸 Amy
Also, anyone looking to avoid spoilers without reading those books, I would definitely not read this until the previous ones are read.
So, obviously, by now … I know Dennis is a decent guy.
Abrams brings in a few new characters to the Anderson County family:
🎀 Amelia
⛑️ Charlotte
🐕 Theo
While this isn’t a gritty read, I’d say it is edgy due to some of the themes in this: baby trafficking, kidnapping, pregnant teens, drug use, infant loss. These might be triggering to some readers.
Like she usually does – Abrams plunges readers right into the action from the first page.
Charlotte is looking for a missing teen (Hannah) with Theo. Her girls are a personal subject for her, she lost her own baby, and she wants to be there for the girls no matter what they decide.
She finds the girl’s scarf, but ends up finding a different girl’s body (Stella). And, the baby she was carrying has been viciously taken.
Dennis is called to the scene, leaving his 5-year-old daughter with one of his people. He only found out about Amelia six (6) months earlier. Her mother, a drug addict, had died. And, Dennis is worried because of Amelia always wanting to take care of him.
Instead of one missing teen, there is now a missing infant.
Charlotte, Theo, and Dennis continue the search for Hannah because of a snowstorm coming in. But, they have to take cover from a shooter and the weather. Dennis is worried that Amelia will think he abandoned her, and it is a rough night.
Though once he and Amelia are reunited, all is forgiven.
Given the fact her own child would be 5, Charlotte is uncomfortable around Amelia. That turns Dennis a bit off from Charlotte, not understanding why. Still, Amelia doesn’t notice. Theo, Charlotte’s dog, takes to the little girl with no issues.
It is through Hannah’s boyfriend, Jordan, that they get their first lead. Turns out that Hannah had changed her mind about adopting her baby out, deciding to keep it instead. Jordan is then wounded.
Charlotte soon finds out the connection between the girls and their disappearance when another girl contacts her for help. It leads to a baby-selling ring. That then triggers the memories of the birth of her child and she begins to wonder – did her baby really die as the nurse told her. She then tells Dennis about her baby, Kayley.
They get another lead when a nurse is found dead and Charlotte recognizes her. That caused the team to dig even deeper to bring to light what is going on.
As usual – the romance develops slowly as Charlotte and Dennis work together. Abrams definitely kept me reading until nearly the end with the suspects. I will say that the ending was what I expected (and was hoping for), though it ended way too soon. I’m hoping book #4 gives us more details.
Given that this is a suspense read; there was a lot of action, peril, danger, shootings, and dead bodies. It didn’t disappoint and held my interest. At times I just couldn’t put this down.
I related a little bit to Amelia. Usually the “wanting to do things” occurred when I was in school. In second grade I had a habit of wandering around and cleaning up the classroom – straightening bookshelves, wiping down the art tables and counters, feeding and petting the pet.
Unlike Dennis, my teacher (female) at that time didn’t appreciate my “helpful” efforts. I was punished by being sent to a 4th grade classroom. I seemed to enjoy that more. My vocabulary and comprehension, when tested in grade 2.7 (.7 being the 7th month) was 8.9 (9th month of 8th grade). I basically needed more challenging work to keep me interested and challenge me, instead of more of the same kind of work.
Even in first grade, I had issues staying in my seat and staying interested in my work due to being “advanced” (I was “operating” at a 3rd to 5th grade level).
Halfway through 2nd grade, I ended up being put into a higher second grade where the “issue” was resolved. My teacher (a man) appreciated my helpful efforts, and the work did manage to hold my attention.
Thus, I had no issues with Amelia’s behaviors despite her only being 5.
And, like the other two books, I loved the police department’s family-like vibe. Of course, Dr. Doom is mentioned. Sorry, but I still only have ONE Dr. Doom in my book.
There was equal time spent on the returning and new characters.
Despite some of the seriousness, there are moments of romance and levity. I laughed so hard it hurt when Jason told Dennis “Let me see. You took a wrong turn at Albuquerque.”. If you’ve never seen Bugs Bunny, you won’t get it.
As of note, I have visited Albuquerque. I went through it and stopped a bit on my way to a NASCAR race in Texas in November 2005 with my mom. Didn’t stop on the way back as it was way too late at night. She drove straight through from Las Vegas to Ft. Worth, and Ft. Worth to Las Vegas, only stopping for food and gas.
Like that trip, Detecting Secrets was a non-stop, fast-paced, head-spinning, unpredictable read.
I’m excited to see what Abrams has planned for the deputies in her next book. I do know that book #4 comes out later this year and is Kyle’s story.
As this is Christian suspense, this will have themes and elements of faith espoused. It isn’t related to the plot, but more in the characters’ own personalities.
Those who’ve read the first two books will definitely want to get this book.
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;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Series: Deputies of Anderson County (Book #1)
Paperback: 224 Pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (December 28, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1335554785
ISBN-13: 978-1335554789
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Recovering her missing memories
could be the key to solving a murder
Searching for her best friend’s remains could help forensic anthropologist Melanie Hutton regain her memories of when they were both kidnapped—unless the killer gets to Melanie first. For her safety, Melanie must rely on Detective Jason Cooper, who still blames her for his sister’s death. Can Jason set the past aside to solve the cold-case murder…and shield Melanie from the same fate?”
Series: Deputies of Anderson County (Book #2)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (August 23, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN: 1335587241
ISBN-13: 978-1335587244
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“A case of mistaken identity … has lethal results
After capturing a murder on her camera, photographer Amy Baker becomes the next target—but her identical twin is killed instead. Now on the run with her sister’s newborn, Amy has only one person to turn to—Detective Keith Young, her childhood crush. But when they discover Keith is the baby’s father, can he regain Amy’s trust to keep them safe…before the killer strikes again?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Two-time Genesis award winner, Sami A. Abrams and her husband live in Northern California, but she’ll always be a Kansas girl at heart. She enjoys visiting her two grown children and spoiling their sweet fur babies. Most evenings if Sami’s not watching sports, you’ll find her engrossed in a romantic suspense novel. She thinks a crime plus a little romance is the recipe for a great story. Visit her at https://samiaabrams.com/.
You can find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samiaabrams/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samiaabrams/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/samiaabrams
* This post contains Amazon affiliate links
Comments
Post a Comment