TLC Book Tours Book Review: How Secrets Die

Author: Marta Perry
Title: How Secrets Die
Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: June 28, 2016
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley & TLC Book Tours
Book Blurb: As Laurel Ridge embraces a stranger hungry for answers, a sinister truth is awakened

A hard-hitting reporter, Kate Beaumont unearths the deepest lies and brings harsh truths to light. But the story that lures her to the gentle town of Laurel Ridge, Pennsylvania, is closer to her heart than anyone knows. The details of her half brother's sudden death have never made sense. She owes him justice, yet the one man who can help her is the stubborn sheriff she can't stand.

Protecting his town is Mac Whiting's top priority. Everything else—including pacifying a beautiful crusader on a mission best left resting in peace—is secondary. But as Kate's search embeds her in his world and attracts a skilled criminal, she needs Mac's protection. Drawn together by deadly secrets, they must find a way to trust each other before a killer silences them both.

Review:  I'm a huge fan of Marta Perry's books. I've read several of her Amish romances and one of her Amish mysteries. This is the first contemporary novel she's written that I've read.

This book is romantic suspense that's more suspenseful with a touch of romance.  That's actually how I like my romantic suspense. I prefer the mystery to be front and center.

Kate comes to Laurel Ridge looking for answers to her half brother's death. Kate isn't the most likable heroines. In fact, for most of the book, I found I didn't like her much at all. She seemed to have a chip on her shoulder and really did her best to plow into her investigation head on no matter how many toes she steps on or who she annoys. (She annoys a lot of people and gets herself in a fair amount of trouble on her quest for answers)

Laurel Ridge reminded me of a northern Mayberry. It was a small town with a small police force. Mac is very protective of his town. He keeps that peace in town and Kate isn't making things easy for him. He knows that if he want the peace he's going to have to work with her.  Together they try to find answers to the questions that Kate has from watching her half brother's video diary.

I liked that the relationship between Kate and Mac was kept to a minimum even though there was chemistry there.

There were enough twists in their investigation to keep me interested though I admit from the beginning I had an idea where the killer was going to come from, but I was totally surprised at who the killer was.

I was glad that Kate got closure in the end, but I wasn't happy that her brother's name wasn't officially cleared. That left me feeling a little upset. I though Jason deserved to be vindicated totally not just to his sister.

Rating: 4 flowers