Book Review: The Secrets They Left Behind by Lissa Marie Redmond

I just LOVE Lissa Marie Redmond’s police stories… She has a marvelous ability to write female protagonists who have been through the wringer but remain capable, tough, and willing to do what it takes – even when what it takes threatens to tear them apart. It probably doesn’t hurt that I grew up near Buffalo, either – it’s always extra engaging when I know the locations and personality types being referenced in a character-driven story like this one.

Shea’s tale – both present and past – is a dark one, full of secrets and betrayals and horrific violence against young women. Redmond tells it with no holds-barred, but also with an element of compassion and a voice that rings with brutal clarion truth but never devolves into extraneous graphic depictions, which so often feel thrown in for shock value. She seems to recognize that there’s no need to make things extra shocking – the elements of her tale provide more than enough horror without needing any of that…

This is a great mystery/thriller – it held me in its claws from the opening and never let go until the bitter end. The pacing was spot-on, the settings worked beautifully, and the characterizations were excellent. I picked it up and within a day, had finished. I did not see the bad guy for who he was; the misdirection and teasing revelations worked beautifully for me. And Shea is a great character – and definitely one that I’d love to see more about in future installments!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my obligation-free review copy.