Caffeinated Reviewer

Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliot is the first novel in the Noelle Marsall series. If you’ve read the Mary Kilpatrick & Columbia River series, you’ll remember Noelle. Noelle is a detective for the Deschutes County sheriff’s office, whose husband was murdered in an unsolved home invasion years ago. A suspenseful introduction to the series that is not to be missed.

When a very personal cold case murder is reopened, a detective’s secrets come to light in a novel of shocking twists and suspense by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

Thirteen years ago, Assemblyman Derrick Bell was murdered in his home by an intruder. His wife, Noelle Marshall, was left for dead. The crime was unsolved, but it wasn’t forgotten.

Today the FBI is tackling a fresh perspective on the case and looking to Noelle, now a detective for the Deschutes County sheriff’s office, for new clues. It is reopening everything Noelle thought was behind her. Memories of her escape from a traumatic childhood. A marriage that wasn’t the perfect love story she’d been promised. And a husband whose charm and privilege hid a dark side. But Noelle has been hiding something a secret about the night Derrick died that she has never told anyone.

As past and present and leads and misleads collide, one thing is frighteningly clear. Derrick’s murder wasn’t just unsolved. It’s unfinished. And only the truth—no matter the risk—can save the next victim.

I enjoy Elliot’s stories, so I was excited to dive into this new series featuring Noelle Marshall. Thirteen years ago, Assemblyman Derrick Bell was murdered in his home by an intruder. His wife, Noelle Marshall, was left for dead. It’s an unsolved cold case, and it is now being reopened. Noelle is now a detective for the Deschutes County sheriff’s office and learns it’s been reopened when she is called in for questioning. Right away, I was pulled into the story that unfolds.

This story shares both past and present timelines and really allows the reader to understand Marshall and what motivates her. Noelle is keeping some secrets, and it becomes apparent that this case is far from over. Alice, the detective who handled her case and still communicates with her, guided her career in law enforcement. Elliot did such a great job, and I loved how this unfolded. We get plenty of twists as we realize Noelle is still in danger. I devoured it quickly and look forward to the next book in the series.

Her First Mistake was a gripping mystery and the perfect introduction for the Noelle Marshall series. I highly recommend it to folks who enjoy suspenseful police procedural novels with complex character development.

Amazon* | Audible

*kindleunlimited

About Kendra Elliot

An Amazon #1 selling author, Kendra Elliot has sold over 4 million books. She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives there with her husband, three daughters, two cats, and a Pomeranian. She's fascinated with forensics, refuses to eat anything green, and dreams of living every day in flip flops. The BONE SECRETS NOVELS: HIDDEN, CHILLED, BURIED, ALONE, KNOWN and VEILED (a novella) The CALLAHAN & McLANE novels are a spin-off of the Bone Secrets books. VANISHED, BRIDGED, SPIRALED, and TARGETED. The MERCY KILPATRICK series, a spin-off of the CALLAHAN & McLANE series, A MERCIFUL DEATH, A MERCIFUL TRUTH, and A MERCIFUL SECRET. She also writes the Rogue River novella series with author Melinda Leigh. A four-time Wall Street Journal best selling author, 2014 International Thriller Writers finalist, a three time Daphne Du Maurier winner, and a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice finalist.

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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