If you like British crime thrillers with strong female leads, you will enjoy Her Final Secret. Detective Hollie investigates the gruesome murder of a former police chief in an amusement park setting- the same annual fair from which her close friend Moira disappeared 25 years earlier. While absorbing, the story was not thrilling to me. It included content involving allegations of sexual abuse of teenagers, which sensitive readers should be informed about. I appreciated the opportunity to review an advance copy from Storm Publishing.

I didn’t realise that this book was part of a series, and I do think this influenced my take on this book, I did enjoy this book but I think I would have understood more if I had read the rest of the series first.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In the ever-expanding realm of psychological thrillers, Paul J. Teague’s Her Final Secret stands for its gripping narrative and its profound exploration of the human psyche. As the fifth installment in the Detective Hollie Turner series, this novel boldly plunges into the depths of mystery and betrayal while maintaining an intricate choreography of suspense and emotional depth.

Teague crafts his narrative with precision, introducing us to Detective Hollie Turner, a character who has evolved drastically over the series. In this latest installment, Hollie is faced with not just a complex case but also her own internal struggles. The author does a talented job weaving this character's personal narrative with the central mystery, establishing a compelling duality that enriches the reader's experience. As Hollie grapples with the shadows of her past and the burdens of her profession, her journey becomes about self-discovery as well as solving a chilling crime.

The plot unfolds with a meticulous pace, drawing readers into the heart of a seemingly straightforward case that quickly unravels into a labyrinth of secrets and lies. Teague excels at building tension, utilizing well-timed twists and unexpected revelations that keep the stakes high and the reader guessing. Each chapter ends with just enough intrigue to compel readers to turn the page, embodying the hallmark of a truly gripping thriller.

What elevates Her Final Secret is Teague’s keen observation of human behavior. Characters are not simply vehicles for plot progression; they are sketched with depth and complexity. From the enigmatic suspects to Hollie's own trusted colleagues, each character adds a layer of tension and unpredictability to the narrative. The intricate web of relationships reflects the novel’s central theme: trust, and how easily it can be shattered.

Teague’s prose is engaging and accessible, with a keen sense of rhythm that carries the reader seamlessly through the story. Descriptive yet succinct, his writing paints vivid images that evoke the dark and brooding atmosphere befitting a psychological thriller. He balances dialogue and exposition expertly, allowing the characters to reveal themselves organically through their interactions.

The heart of the story lies in its jaw-dropping twist—one that is shocking that resonates with the story’s emotional journey. It forces the reader to reevaluate everything they thought they understood about Hollie and the case at hand. This twist is a testament to Teague's ability to layer his narrative with suspense while still providing a satisfying resolution.

Her Final Secret is a masterclass in psychological thriller writing. Paul J. Teague has not only woven a gripping story filled with unexpected turns but has also delivered a thoughtful examination of trust, betrayal, and the human condition. Whether you are a long-time follower of Detective Hollie Turner or a newcomer to the series, this installment is sure to captivate and thrill, leaving you eagerly anticipating what comes next for this compelling detective.

Teague’s ability to blend tension with emotional resonance marks this book as not just a read but an experience—one that lingers with the reader after the last page is turned.

This story dives deeper into Detective Hollie Turner's past, and what happened that made her want to become a detective. 25 years ago, Hollie's best friend disappeared into thin air, leaving Hollie to wonder what had happened to her friend and the case went cold. Now, Hollie is called to investigate another murder, and as the investigation continues, things come up that point to this new case potentially being connected to the disappearance of her friend.

This book was just non-stop from the beginning and was thoroughly entertaining. This story is told in two different timelines, the present, and 25 years ago when Moira disappeared. The chapters that tell about the past, let the reader experience more of Hollie and Moira's friendship, and how Hollie handled Moira's disappearance. Being able to become emotionally invested in their friendship and heartbreak was fantastic and is something that is often missing from these types of books.

This book was full of constant twists and turns and even brought in extra layers to the dark themes. If you decide to give this book a read, please be aware that there are heavy topics such as sexual abuse of children, on top of the already promised topic of murder and solving a cold case.

This book caught my eye because it was a female detective investigating a murder that had haunted her for years. Cold case solutions are very interesting to me, and I enjoyed watching Hollie put the pieces of the past puzzle together to find the truth. I will definitely be watching for more books in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this advance reader copy in exchange for my free and honest review. Paul Teague has become one of my favorite authors and this character, Hollie Turner, one of my favorite leads. Her story is captivating and each novel in this series gets better and better. This one was a heart breaker for sure but kept me on edge and I. Suspense u til the very end. Paul Teague has a way of making you think you’ve got it all figured out and the. Bam, proves the reader wrong. It’s awesome and I can’t wait for Hollie’s next case.

So gripping - a must read for thriller fans! New author to me - I need to check out his other books now. Wow - good one.

This was my second Hollie Turner mystery. I really liked the previous novel "The Killing Circle", and looked forward to reading this one. I was not disappointed!

This time around, Hollie and her team are called to investigate the murder of a retired police superintendent at the Hull Fair. It is a grisly scene at one of the rides at the fair. While at the scene, Hollie is disturbed to find that there is a possibility that this case ties all the way back to her friend from university- Moira. Moira disappeared from the same fair 25 years ago, and Hollie was the last to see her.

This is written with a dual timeline (which I love!). I really love Hollie- she is strong, smart, and vulnerable and the author does a fantastic job of showing all these sides of her. I also love the dynamics between her team members, and seeing how they work well together is nice. I also loved that we get to see what Moira was like, and the effect she had on Hollie's future. It was her disappearance that led Hollie to become a detective.

There is the difficult subject matter of abuse in the story, and it is the center of the plot. I feel the author does a very good job in being respectful about the issue and highlighting it's many affects on all types of victims- but wanted to give that TW.

The story is well paced incredibly well written. I found myself staying up later than I should have to finish! And I absolutely love when the setting becomes a character in the story- a catalyst for the plot! It is a dark tale- but so good. This series is becoming one of my favorites! If you are looking for a bit of a deeper series to sink your teeth into- I highly recommend this!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I didn’t realize this was part of a series. I definitely think it would help to have trigger warnings listed in the beginning of the book, especially when it comes to the abuse allegations at the local children’s home. I did find it to be slow but maybe I would have felt different if I had read the other books. Thank you NetGalley, Paul and Storm Publishing for the ARC!

The annual Hull Fair is in full swing. For Hollie Turner it is always a bad time of year as it brings back memories of 1999 when as at the Uni she attended the fair with her best friend Moira. On the night Moira disappeared. Moira had been brought up in care. No-one seemed to be really invested in finding her. The way the whole case was handled, was the spur for Hollie to decide on a change of career. Now twenty-five years later a retired police officer is found murdered near to where Moira disappeared. Is there a connection?

This was a fast paced police procedural. It was great to find out more about Hollie's youth. I enjoy the fact it is set in Hull as that is where I was a student. Although I was there a lot earlier than 1999 it was good to recall the places & road names! The other characters are also interesting & believable. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Her Final Secret is a gripping British police procedural that follows detective Hollie Turner as she tackles a case that stirs up dark memories from her past. The story opens with the murder of a retired police superintendent at Hull Fair, a chilling crime that hits close to home for Hollie. Twenty-five years earlier, her best friend Moira vanished without a trace at the same fair. As Hollie digs deeper, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets involving historical abuse, a mysterious care home, and the suspicious death of a former care worker.

This book marked my first encounter with Paul J. Teague's work, and I didn't realize it was part of a series featuring detective Hollie Turner. Fortunately, it can be read as a standalone, as the narrative provides enough background for new readers to immerse themselves.

The cover is strikingly atmospheric, and its eerie aesthetic was a major draw for me. It perfectly complements the suspenseful tone of the story. The setting of Hull Fair adds a creepy, almost cinematic backdrop that enhances the tension, especially as the narrative alternates between the present investigation and flashbacks to Moira's disappearance. This dual timeline keeps the reader engaged and offers insights into Hollie's character and motivations.

Hollie Turner herself is a highlight. She's a compelling protagonist with a strong emotional arc. Her determination to solve the case and seek justice for Moira makes her an easy character to root for.

That said, the book fell a little short of my expectations. While I enjoy British crime novels, the pacing here was slower than I prefer, and some of the twists were predictable. I kept waiting for a shocking revelation or a jaw-dropping moment, but those never came.

Overall, Her Final Secret is a solid mystery with an intriguing premise, a likeable lead, and an unsettling atmosphere. If you're a fan of police procedurals and don't mind a steadier pace, this might be a good fit. However, if you're looking for a fast-paced thriller with unpredictable twists, this one might feel a bit tame.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 5th book in the Hollie Turner series. This is very much a character based book. Told with a now and then timeline. You can easily read this as a standalone.

Her Final Secret got me hooked from the beginning, past becomes mixed up with present days and Hollie is struggling but fighting hard to be the lead detective on a case that might finally uncover the truth about the disappearance of her friend decades ago. However, beware, if youare not up to reading about exploitation of minors living under perilous circumstances this might be the wrong book for you. Hollie will have flash backs of the ordeal she went through and will end up with some hard evidence that the lies run deep through the force. The story has a good plot, it's fast-paced, and has two different time lines to help explaining how things happened in the past and in the present investigation. It's well-written and a must-read for those who like the genre. Highly recommended!
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I have not read the previous four books in this series. However, that didn't take away the fun ride of this gripping novel. so many twists and turns, it kept my attention from start to finish. An engaging and fantastic story. I will definitely be looking into the four prior to this one.

Thank you #NetGalley #HerFinalSecret

Book 5 in the Detective Hollie Turner series. A great read with a storyline that me hooked from the first page to the last. Highly recommend

I love the whole Hollie Hunter series. Her Final Secret is the best so far (but I have said this about them all, I think)

Teague’s writing style just flows so easy for the reader.

I like the two different timelines and learning more about Hollies past.

Simply Brilliant. I need more.

Her Final Secret by Paul Teague is his fifth book in the Detective Hollie Turner series. Hollie Turner is estranged from her husband Leon following an extramarital affair on his part; their 2 young children Noah and Lily are living with Leon. Hollie is called to the Hull Fairgrounds to investigate the brutal death of former Police Superintendent Gordon Carrick; ironically 25 years ago Hollie's best friend Moira Kennedy went missing at the fair- never to be seen again. Hollie never got over what happened to Moira despite the fact that it became a Cold Case years ago; it certainly impacted her decision to join the police force. Carrick's death raises old memories, and as information about the former superintendent emerges, Hollie begins to think the cases may be related. The book is told from her perspective of the 1999 events and the current investigation. I found it to be an intriguing storyline; at times it seemed just a bit slow to me, however overall a very good read. Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Paul J.Teague for the opportunity to read an ARC of Her Final Secret; this review reflects my honest opinion. 4 stars.

A very well constructed police procedural book with interesting characters. I particularly liked the two time lines which expanded the motivation but also gave in depth reasons behind what had happened. A solid 4 star read.

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this arc copy.

This book was fast paced, dual POV and GRIPPING.

I have never read a DI Hollie Turner before, but I am flying through the first 4 as we speak.

I do think the ending was a tiny bit rushed, and it could have ended in SO many different ways, but it was such an enjoyable thriller!

This book had me gripped from the first page, even though I hadn't read the previous books in the series I found it easy to read as a standalone.
DI Hollie Turner knew that her university friend Moira Kennedy's life at the Ambrose House children's home had been rough, twenty five years later she was going to discover just how rough.
This story is written over two timelines, 1999 and the present day, it's a format that i'm not usually fond of but in this book it flows well.
When Hollie and her team were called to investigate the murder of Gordon Garrick, a former police officer, bizarrely left in the ghost train at the annual Hull Fair, Hollie felt sick, it bore a striking resemblance to the disappearance of her friend Moira at the same fair twenty five years ago, there had never been any sightings of Moira and a body had never been found. Hollie was convinced that the police hadn't taken it seriously, they didn't seem to put any effort into finding Moira and it was this that pushed Hollie into joining the police force.
Hollie's gut feeling was telling her that this was more than a coincidence and as the body count began to escalate, Hollie knew that she was working against time, the common denominator to all these deaths was a children's home, the same children's home where Moira had spent her unhappy childhood.
This story follows the journey of Hollie and her team as they try to unravel the clues to find the killer and hopefully find her friend, the frustration, fear and anger that Hollie feels is palpable as she fights her own demons.
I highly recommend this book, it has nail biting suspense, there are red herrings galore and most important, the characters are well rounded and likeable.
Thank you so much to Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, this review is totally my own.