* Review * HER BURNING LIES by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Her Burning Lies by Pamela Fagan Hutchins
Series: Detective Delaney Pace #5
Published by Bookouture on April 15, 2025
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As a blazing wildfire rages through Kearny County, homes are destroyed and the town is in turmoil. Amongst the debris, the body of a young woman lies totally still, her eyes looking to the sky, a silver sword pinning her to the ground.

When fire wardens search the scorched remains of an abandoned farmhouse, underneath the rubble, they make a shocking discovery—a young woman, stabbed and left to die in the middle of the fire zone. Detective Delaney Pace and Sheriff Leo Palmer are called in to investigate.

Leo takes in the woman’s petite features, his voice shaking as he turns to Delaney. He knows the victim—they had met on an online dating site. How did she end up in the middle of the wildfires, and who would want to kill an innocent young woman?

As a second body is discovered at a remote ranch, also stabbed with a silver sword, Delaney is sure the victims are linked—both young mothers, both looking for love. Could Kearny County have a serial killer preying on single women?

Delaney’s heart pounds when she learns that her close friend, Clara Eckhardt, is missing, last seen driving towards the fires. She ignores the evacuation orders and races towards the inferno. But when shots are fired, she knows the murderer has her in their sight. Will she turn back and save herself or chase the killer further into the fire to save her friend’s life?

Non-stop action and suspense! It’s always a joy to head back to visit Delaney, Leo, Clara and the gang to solve the next mystery they find themselves knee deep into. This book was particularly intense because things hit close to home on several fronts. I found the olden mindset a little hard to sink my teeth into with the crime scenes, so it drug a bit in places but I enjoyed the gist of the mystery. I really enjoyed things moving forward a bit with how the friends and family atmosphere is playing out. I look forward to visiting again soon to continue the storylines.