Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch is this week’s Reader Friday review. Here’s the first line: “Here, kitty, kitty.” His voice echoed through the forest.”
But first the photo and Scripture verse. My lantana is outdoing itself this year! This is the way it looked when I returned from Florida and the verse in Matthew popped out at me–I knew I was going to use it with the photo. 🙂
When I see beautiful flowers, it reminds me not to worry. God knows what I need, and if He can create something so beautiful, He can provide for me.
Now for Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch. Here’s the back copy and cover:
When a cold-case serial killer returns, FBI s
pecial agent Fiona Kelly has one last chance to stop him before he claims the prize he’s always wanted—her.
The sight of a goose feather at a murder scene modeled after a children’s poem is enough to make FBI special agent Fiona Kelly’s blood turn to ice. Almost two decades ago, a feather was left with her sister’s body—and with every subsequent victim of the Nursery Rhyme Killer. Now he’s back. Only this time, his latest gruesome murder is a message to the only one who ever got away: Fiona.
Finding “Rhyme” is an obsession that’s fueled Fiona’s career—and destroyed her marriage to fellow FBI agent Asa Kodiak. Now Fiona and Asa have to put their past tensions aside and work together one last time. But Rhyme is watching, and catching this killer may force Fiona to reveal her biggest, darkest secret…the one only he knows.
My Take:
This book kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end. Jessica Patch is a master at writing suspense. I’ve been reading her Love Inspired Suspense books for several years and love them. Her Darkest Secret is a trade-size book, and it gives her more room to develop her characters and the suspense.
I really liked Fiona Kelly and Asa Kodiak–don’t you love those names! The story has enough twists and turns to keep suspense readers flipping the pages and the romance just enhances the story. There are several characters that I hope Jessica features as the hero/heroine in the next books–they are that interesting! This is a story that will keep you turning pages until you discover the identity of the killer.
Leave a comment, perhaps with the first line of the book you’re reading, or just about reading in general. Or tell me if you’ve read Jessica’s LIS books. Whichever will get you an entry in the drawing for a book from my library.
Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R Patch is this week's Reader Friday review. Leave a comment and I'll enter you in a June drawing for a book from my library! Share on X
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Comments 51
This is a new to me author that I will definitely be checking out. This sounds like a great book.
Author
It is a really good book, Nicole!
Her Darkest Secret sounds good! I’m reading a serial fantasy story called Dead of Winter by Teagan Geneviene. The first sentence of the final installment: “Cold mist curled around Forlorn Peak.” Not very optimistic-sounding, eh? The protagonist and her friends are in a bleak situation.
Author
What imagery, Priscilla. I love the way the author uses words to emphasize the bleak situation they’re in!
haven’t read this author
Author
Oh, BN, I think you would enjoy her books very much!
Ah, lantana. They are beautiful, and you’ve picked a good Scripture match. I have several lantana in my yard. They been there long enough that their roots always have enough water even here in Tucson.
I love Jessica Patch’s books. I just counted and I’ve read 15 of them. I have “Her Darkest Secret” on preorder, and am looking forward to it. She does know how to ratchet up the tension.
“The Chevy Tahoe sloshed to a stop in the soggy patch of unseasonably thick snow, and Creighton Melice stepped into the twilight.” is the first line of “The Rook” by Steven James. It’s part of the Patrick Bower series. Bower is a unique FBI analyst for sure. Some parts of Steven’s books are tough, but they are so well written, and the protagonists so interesting, it’s hard for me to put them down. This one is set in San Diego where I lived for nine years. I could picture the parts of the city where the action took place. That is can make a book very interesting on top of everything else.
As I reread my post, I realized I should explain that the first line of the book I’m reading mentioning all that thick snow took place in Washington, D.C. The rest of the book takes place in San Diego where I assure you snow is very, very rare.
Author
Love it! I have those books in hardback, Tim. 😉
Author
Steven James is one of the best writers I know, Tim. And he’s a good teacher–I’ve taken several of his classes. And I loved the Patrick Bowers’ books, even though parts of them are gritty.
I love my lantana and they are so easy to grow around here. 😉 Otherwise they’d be dead. lol
Sold. I’ll be looking for this book! (And beautiful lantana.)
Author
It’s very good, Delores!
I’ve had lantana at other houses and now I will have to have it again! It gives and gives. Your chosen verse is beautiful and fitting. Thank you Pat.
I finished reading ‘The Forgotten Garden’ by Kate Moron a few weeks ago, but the first few lines grabbed me and set the direction for the entire novel.
London, 1913
It was dark where she was crouched but the little girl did as she’d been told. The lady said to wait, it wasn’t safe yet, they had to be quiet as larder mice. It was a game, just like hide-and-seek.
Author
What an intriguing opening! I’ll have to get that book, Debra! Good to see you yesterday!!
Sounds like another great book to go on my TBR pile!
Author
It is, Jeanna!
I haven’t read Jessica’s books yet. But one of hers I’d previously ordered arrived last week. Her Darkest Secret looks like a good one. Thanks for giving us reviews. It’s fun reading new authors!
I’m getting ready to start Fatal Code by Natalie Walters. “ Death has no sting”
“ He studied the pastor speaking from the stage, a giant cross hanging behind him, and smirked.”
“Depends on how you kill someone.” I had to add a few extra lines, because it pulled me right in.
I’ve never seen lantana before! Oh! They’re beautiful. Maybe I’ve finally found the perfect flowers for my bare yard. I guess they’re perennials? Easy to maintain? Sorry got sidetracked, ADHD you know. 😉
Author
I must get Natalie’s book! As for Lantana, mine comes back every year and in the spring, you can actually break off a limb and stick it in the ground and it will grow–that’s what I did with the one in the photo. I don’t think the ones you buy now in the nurseries return every year. Very easy to maintain, though.
I concur regarding lantana. They are tough as nails even here in the desert of Tucson. Mine get only water from the sky and they bloom in quick cycles throughout the year. They rest in the winter, and come roaring back as soon as it warms up.
Author
Tim, I’ve decided that lantana is something you can’t kill…although my son-in-law has managed to kill every sprout I’ve taken him. lol
Love the photo and verse. Our day lilies are blooming now and that’s always the verse that comes to mind.
Jessica’s book sounds wonderful. And the character names are great. Thinking about names while viewing your photo, I think I’ll have to name a character “Lantana” in an upcoming book!
I’m reading John D. MacDonald’s novel “Cinnamon Skin.” It has a great first line: “There are no hundred percent heroes.”
Author
Thanks, Kay! John D. MacDonald. One of the best writers I’ve ever read, IMHO. The way he describes things puts you right there. I read Cinnamon Skin again earlier this year.
I just recently discovered Jessica Patch’s books. I finished reading her Cold Case Investigators series this week. I thoroughly enjoyed them! I’ll definitely be looking for Her Darkest Secret! Your weekly reviews have led me to discover several new authors and great books. Thanks!!
Author
L. I love Jessica’s books!! I’m so glad you enjoy my reviews!
I have had my eye on this book. My first line: “I need an Adam and Eve on a raft, and cry over it.” Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard
Author
Love Amy’s books, Gloria!!
Sounds like a late night page Turner!
I’m reading Undercover Assignment by Dana Mentink
First line: “Sam Kavanaugh rarely took the time to hike the boundaries of his remote Cliffside Lodge in southwest New Mexico, but worry compelled him into the sizzling summer night.”
Author
It was, Gail. Make sure you have plenty of time before bedtime or you’ll be up reading half the night. l0l
Your lantana is beautiful and what a beautiful Bible Verse you chose for it! Jessica’s book sounds and looks very intriguing thank you so much for sharing your view of it, you have got me hooked on it now, thank you . Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Author
Thank you, Alicia! I think you’ll enjoy any of Jessica’s books, but this one in particular. 🙂
I’ve never read any of Jessica’s books before but I keep hearing such wonderful things that I think I’m going to have to change that fact very soon!
Author
You won’t be sorry, Megan. Jessica is an amazing person. She actually stepped away from writing for a year to focus on teaching the Bible.
Cold Case Investigators series – very good!
Author
It is!
The flowers are pretty and the verse suits the picture very well.
I am still reading Ed Stetzer’s book between proofreading, planning our anniversary trip, and then starting a first read. I don’t have a first line to share. I have read two or three of Jessica’s books.
Author
I hope you enjoy your anniversary trip!! Which anniversary is it, if you don’t mind saying? And you sound very busy!
Pat, it’s our 56th. We got married before air conditioning was prevalent. Just open the windows and hope a little breeze passes through. LOL! That kind of heat almost stifles us now because we are not used to being hot all summer.
Author
Congratulations!! I well remember the days of our house being conditioned by air–a breeze, that is. 🙂 We had an attic fan that would nearly freeze you at night, though.
Pretty flowers! The verse fit’s the picture well. I have read a few of Jessica’s books. They are really good. Looking forward to reading this one soon. I’m reading In Honors Defense by Karen Witemeyer. Invisible people rarely received correspondence.
Author
Megan, I keep hearing people talk about Karen Witemeyer’s books and I must get one and read it! Maybe I’ll find one and review it for next week…Can you believe next weekend is 4th of July????
I have read Jessica’s LIS, but just the first ones she put out years ago when she first started writing for Love Inspired. I have heard “Her Darkest Secret” is amazing & I definitely want to read it….that first line gives me the shivers GAH! 😀
I’m going to be starting a new book tonight. It’s “The Souls of Lost Lake” by Jaime Jo Wright & I know it’s going to be a good one! I’ve read every single title of hers, and I also know I may be reading it only during the day….LOL! But I enjoy her writing so much, she definitely keeps me glued to the pages well into the night. She has a unique way with words that seem to wrap themselves around you. First few lines give me the shivers already (imagine sitting around a campfire at night):
“Campfires were meant to be places of shadows. In between the flickering light or orange-and-blue hues, raging white centers, and filmy smoke tendrils lingered the dark places. In these places hid the stories that flavored the tongue of every storyteller, tightened the chest of every listener, and perked the ears of the most afraid.
“This is the tale of Ava Coons,” the story begins…..
Author
Wow, Trixi! That’s a powerful opening. Must.Get.That.Book!
Love the flowers.
My first line comes from Long Way Home by Lynn Austin. Just released.
Hudson Valley, New York. June, 1946
“I know it looks hopeless,” I told Jimmy Barnett’s father. “But we can’t give up until Jimmy is better. Until he’s home again.”
I won Jessica’s book but it hasn’t arrived yet. I can’t wait!
Author
Love those opening lines, Paula. And I think you will really enjoy Jessica’s book.
I love Jessica’s books!
Author
Me, Shelia!
Love the scripture and photo! Fire was easy! The Burning Sky – Sherry Thomas
Happy Weekend!
“Fannie O’Brien stepped inside through the back porch screen door.”I just started Season of My Enemy by Naomi Musch.
Author
Sounds good, Joan!!
This book gripped me from the beginning pages. I even considered sleeping with the lights on! Jessica did a great job in building the suspense and mystery. It is refreshing for readers like myself to be able to find solid mysteries that are clean written by authors like Jessica and yourself! I would highly recommend this book to anyone following this thread! I also enjoy your blog posts!
Author
Thank you so much, Tammy! I’m glad you enjoy our books. 🙂