A shrill scream pierced the night air. She caught the fluttering bedroom curtain and held it aside. Her little sister stared over her shoulder, trembling. A figure they knew, in a dark coat and ski hat, emerged from the bushes and stared at the window. If they tried to stop him, they’d end up in the ground…
When the skeletal remains of a teenage girl are discovered buried in a deserted graveyard it’s a chilling case for Detective Ellie Reeves. Her heart catches with emotion as she examines the grave for clues and uncovers a haunting detail. One red shoe lies in the dirt, just like the one sixteen-year-old Ruth Higgins was wearing when she disappeared years earlier. Everyone in the town mourned beautiful golden girl Ruth, but her suspected killer, gravedigger Earl Bramble, escaped from police custody and hasn’t been seen since.
Ellie knows she must work fast, and then a call comes in that turns the blood in her veins to ice. Another teenage girl, a recent runaway, has been found buried with one red shoe. The evidence suggests that Earl must be back. But when Ellie goes to the old clapboard house where Earl’s daughters still live, they claim to know nothing about their father…
Ellie needs her team on side to help her solve this shocking case. But just as she begins to make headway, she discovers a connection from the past between one of her most trusted colleagues and the gravedigger’s daughters that throws everything she thought into disarray. With parents terrified, girls in danger and a cold-hearted killer stealing innocent lives
When the skeletal remains of a teenage girl are discovered buried in a deserted graveyard it’s a chilling case for Detective Ellie Reeves. Her heart catches with emotion as she examines the grave for clues and uncovers a haunting detail. One red shoe lies in the dirt, just like the one sixteen-year-old Ruth Higgins was wearing when she disappeared years earlier. Everyone in the town mourned beautiful golden girl Ruth, but her suspected killer, gravedigger Earl Bramble, escaped from police custody and hasn’t been seen since.
Ellie knows she must work fast, and then a call comes in that turns the blood in her veins to ice. Another teenage girl, a recent runaway, has been found buried with one red shoe. The evidence suggests that Earl must be back. But when Ellie goes to the old clapboard house where Earl’s daughters still live, they claim to know nothing about their father…
Ellie needs her team on side to help her solve this shocking case. But just as she begins to make headway, she discovers a connection from the past between one of her most trusted colleagues and the gravedigger’s daughters that throws everything she thought into disarray. With parents terrified, girls in danger and a cold-hearted killer stealing innocent lives
BUY LINKS:
Author: Rita Herron
Series: Detective Ellie Reeves #11
Publisher: Bookouture
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 404
Date of Publication: August 14, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
MY THOUGHTS:
This 11th installment in the Detective Ellie Reeves series is an intense and gripping read. Ellie and her team have headed to a small town, where old bones have been discovered. However, Ellie’s romantic partner, Cord, a Ranger, is harboring a secret. As the investigation unfolds, Cord becomes increasingly frazzled and desperate to conceal certain truths.
While Ellie’s heart is breaking for the what turns out to be more than one victim, she sees Cord becoming more and more distant. No doubt this has Ellie concerned about the future of their relationship. Despite her concerns, Ellie remains focused and determined to find the killer.
The case begins as a cold case, but the sense of urgency remains palpable, especially as a pattern becomes apparent. Meanwhile, an intriguing parallel unfolds, involving a grave digger whose two daughters are harboring their own secrets. The fact that the grave digger was abusive to his daughters and has mysteriously disappeared adds another layer of complexity to Ellie’s investigation.
This book is a heart-stopping and emotionally charged read. It is a powerful addition to the thrilling series by Rita Herron. You won’t want to put it down, as Ellie’s focus on the investigation and her growing concern for Cord’s emotional state are both critical to her success. The opening chapter sets the stage for an utterly compelling and suspenseful read.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With over ninety books to her credit, she's penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter @ritaherron.
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