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When the call comes in that sixteen-year-old Minnie Benton’s body has been found at the bottom of Midnight Ridge, Detective Ellie Reeves is first on the scene. The local sheriff insists that Minnie’s death is a suicide… but Ellie can’t believe this beautiful young girl would kill herself in such a brutal way. When a witness confirms there were two people up on the ridge, and Ellie finds strands of Minnie’s dark hair in the thorny bushes, the thought of Minnie’s terrified final moments sends a shiver down her spine.
Minnie’s suicide note should provide answers but instead brings a shocking new twist to the case. The note is addressed to her baby daughter Iris, and as Ellie dispatches her team to hunt for the little girl, she can’t forget the shaky handwriting, as if Minnie was forced to write it. And Minnie’s love for Iris shines through. Why would she leave her daughter all alone in the world?
Desperate for answers and to find Iris, Ellie discovers that in the past year two other teenage girls plummeted to their deaths from Midnight Ridge, written off as suicides. But when Ellie realizes that they both left much-loved babies behind, she knows she is dealing with a serial predator.
With no sign of Iris anywhere, a call about a young mother and her baby missing from a nearby town fills Ellie with dread. Her mind races as she tries to get inside the head of this depraved killer. Can she stop their deadly mission before they claim another victim?
No matter how many crime scenes Detective Ellie Reeves attends, facing death up close is never easy. Each victim leaves a mark, reinforcing her determination to find justice for those who can no longer speak for themselves. Park Ranger Cord McClain shares that same unwavering commitment, making them a formidable team when tragedy strikes.
At first glance, the latest death appears to be another suicide connected to the dark legend of Midnight Ridge, a place that has drawn troubled souls for years. But as Ellie begins to investigate, she quickly realizes that something far more sinister is at work. What seems like a suicide is actually murder, and when another victim is found, a chilling pattern begins to emerge.
The investigation becomes even more urgent when a suicide note left behind by the first victim is addressed to a young daughter. Convinced that a toddler may be in danger, Ellie launches a desperate search to find the missing child before it is too late.
Adding another layer of tension are the chapters told from the killer’s perspective. Watching him grow increasingly confident with each murder is both fascinating and disturbing. He relishes the media attention surrounding his crimes and takes pride in leaving behind few clues, believing himself untouchable. These glimpses into his mindset create an atmosphere of dread that builds steadily throughout the novel.
Running alongside the murder investigation is an ongoing thread that has stretched through several books in the series is a secret that Cord is hiding. The longer he keeps it hidden, the more concerned he is about his relationship with Ellie. Their romance has weathered plenty of ups and downs, and this unresolved issue adds an emotional undercurrent that keeps readers invested in their future as much as in the case itself.
Rita Herron once again delivers a gripping blend of suspense, heartbreak, and emotional complexity. With a relentless investigation, a chilling villain, and the continuing evolution of Ellie and Cord’s relationship, Midnight Ridge is a tense, fast-paced thriller that keeps the pages turning. Fans of the series will find plenty to love, while the shocking twists and high-stakes search for justice make this one of the most compelling installments yet.
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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