I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold Series: Detective Amanda Steele #13
Published by Bookouture on February 20, 2025
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As the wall is peeled back, everyone falls silent. Then they see her. The near-perfect remains of a young female, two jelly bangles and a neon necklace being the only clues to how long she had been hidden there. But who was she? And who could have possibly wanted to take such an innocent life?
When the body of a girl is discovered in the walls of a Woodbridge church, Detective Amanda Steele is immediately called to the scene. On arrival she meets FBI Special Agent Sandra Vos who explains that while negotiating a hostage incident moments before, a gun was fired. The bullet missed its target but exposed human remains.
The victim has been perfectly preserved, her jewelry and summer dress taking Amanda back to her own teenage years. DNA quickly confirms that the victim was taken over thirty years ago. Thinking about her own daughter, Amanda cannot imagine the devastation for the young girl’s family and vows to find the killer.
Amanda and her partner Trent determine the suspect behind the attempted shooting, Cameron Cofell, had a very clear reason for exacting revenge on the church’s priest. As they question the wider community, a neighbor reveals her long-held suspicions too. But when she is found murdered, Amanda knows this killer is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their dark secret from ever coming to light.
Soon the investigation takes Amanda and Trent to an abandoned farmhouse—a place that haunts Cameron’s nightmares—where they find a faded photograph that holds the mystery of another chilling cold case. But just how far back does this evil go, and how much will Amanda and Trent need to sacrifice to find the killer?
Attention grabbing and highly addictive! Arnold’s Amanda Steele series is always top notch when it comes to having a detailed crime plotted out to take the detectives on the ride of their lives as we readers delight in the hijinks and the behind the scenes drama playing out. This particular story has a lot of twists that we weren’t expecting and keeps us on our toes as we are trying to figure out who the culprits are. There’s still some tension between Amanda and Trent that still hasn’t played out, but maybe one day. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a strong female lead who always gets to the bottom of the crime and sees justice is served. Well detailed crime scenes, a well oiled police team and always lots of drama and emotions flying.
