This story presents a familiar plot centred around abuse at a children’s home and explores the long-lasting effects on the victims who seek justice. One of its strengths is the atmospheric writing, vividly capturing a funfair's bright lights and excitement. The author does an excellent job of engaging the senses, allowing readers to feel, smell, and visualize the scene while experiencing the palpable teenage excitement.

The transition from a lively funfair to a more sinister atmosphere is cleverly executed, enhancing the overall impact of the narrative. It effectively conveys the complexities of teenage emotions, including disappointment, drama, and distress, as a joyful setting turns dark. The tension builds throughout the story, keeping readers invested in the characters and their journeys.

Overall, it's an exciting read. I would recommend it for its strong character development and atmospheric storytelling. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

**Trigger Warning:** This book contains content related to sexual assault (SA), which may be distressing for some readers.

*Her Final Secret* by Paul J. Teague is a gripping psychological thriller that delves deep into the complexities of crime, memory, and the lengths people will go to protect their own secrets. Set against the backdrop of a chilling investigation, the novel follows Detective Hollie, who is tasked with solving the murder of a retired police Superintendent. What begins as a seemingly straightforward case soon spirals into a web of deception, leaving Hollie to grapple with both professional and personal stakes.

The plot takes a sharp turn when it is revealed that the murder is somehow connected to Hollie’s missing friend, and the twists that unfold are as unexpected as they are compelling. Teague excels in crafting a narrative that keeps the reader on edge, with each chapter offering new revelations that further complicate the mystery.

Hollie, as a protagonist, is relatable and sympathetic, navigating the pressures of the investigation while dealing with her own emotional turmoil. The dynamics of the case and Hollie's personal connections to the people involved add an additional layer of tension, creating an atmosphere where every decision feels high-stakes. The intertwining of her professional and personal life makes for a highly engaging read, as Hollie faces moral dilemmas, deepening suspicions, and the horrifying realization that everything she thought she knew might be a lie.

The pacing of *Her Final Secret* is relentless, with Teague skillfully ratcheting up the suspense. As the investigation unravels, secrets come to light that change the course of the investigation, leading to a climax that is as shocking as it is satisfying. The way Teague handles the revelations around the missing friend and the retired Superintendent is expertly done, with each twist building on the last in a way that will have readers eager to see how it all plays out.

While the thriller elements are strong, the darker themes, particularly the content related to sexual assault, may be triggering for some readers. However, the novel doesn’t exploit these themes but rather uses them to further explore the complexity of human nature and the impact of trauma. It's a story about power, control, and the lengths people go to protect themselves and their secrets.

Overall, *Her Final Secret* is a well-executed psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Teague’s ability to craft tension, develop multifaceted characters, and incorporate unexpected twists makes this a standout in the genre. If you're a fan of thrillers with deep character development and an unpredictable plot, this book is sure to satisfy.

*Note:* Given the sensitive content, readers should be aware of the trigger warning before diving in, as the subject matter may be distressing for some.

Hollie’s best friend, Moira, went missing 25 years ago while they were at the fair. Now, a former police superintendent is found dead at the same fair and Hollie is now a cop who is determined to get to the bottom of this and find her best friend. This was an interesting crime thriller. I gave it 3 ⭐️ as I did enjoy it, however, for me it was a bit repetitive and slow initially and I just didn’t find myself reaching for this book. It took me a long time to get through it. I loved the cover, and the timeline was interesting going back and forth between 1977 and present day. Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Paul Teague for this complimentary copy of this book.

ARC provided by Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

Paul J. Teague’s Her Final Secret is an intricately layered thriller that pulls readers deep into Detective Hollie Turner’s most personal and challenging case yet. When a retired police superintendent is found murdered at Hull Fair, Hollie is forced to confront a painful chapter of her past. Hull Fair isn’t just any crime scene for Hollie—it’s the last place she saw her friend Moira, who vanished without a trace twenty-five years ago. Now, as Hollie dives into the superintendent’s death, secrets buried for decades begin to resurface, revealing chilling connections she never expected.

Teague masterfully balances suspense and emotion, crafting a narrative that not only delivers edge-of-your-seat moments but also explores Hollie’s personal journey. The author does a fantastic job of showing Hollie’s internal conflict as she navigates the tangled web of lies, cover-ups, and painful truths tied to her past. As her investigation unveils potential links to historic abuse allegations at a children’s home and the suspicious death of a former care worker, the plot thickens into a complex puzzle spanning decades.

The writing is taut and immersive, with Teague’s pacing keeping the tension high. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story takes another unexpected turn, making for an unforgettable reading experience. Hollie is portrayed with depth and resilience, her dedication to justice and personal stakes in the case making her a compelling lead throughout the series.

Her Final Secret is a must-read for fans of gritty, character-driven mysteries. Teague has once again proven his skill at crafting a multi-layered thriller that leaves a lasting impact. This latest installment is a testament to his ability to combine suspenseful storytelling with rich emotional depth, making it a worthy addition to the Detective Hollie Turner series.

I couldn't get into this one as easy as the other Paul Teague books I have no idea it was a good story and well written. It just took me a while to get into. The only real problem I find with these books is the overuse of reference to pop culture which I feel date this series.

Exciting police procedural, fast-paced thriller with horrible events in the past that are somehow connected to events in the present. Twists and turns and surprises that keep you guessing and desperate to get to the end to find out how all this can possibly be related and why no one has connected the dots before this. The ending will shock you – and make you ready for the next installment in this satisfying series.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of Her Final Secret via NetGalley. Detective Hollie Turner is a talented police officer who fearlessly digs and digs and puts herself in danger in pursuit of the truth and justice. Hollie’s own history and personal life add to the depth of the series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

A page-turner with twist after twist. This one was packed full of emotions. I'm really enjoying Hollie. The plot moves at a brisk pace keeping the reader engaged. The ending was a perfect conclusion to the mystery.

The premise of this book was really good. Setting a murder mystery at a fair ground always adds an extra spooky effect. I found it to be a little wordy. It felt like a lot of the same things being repeated. I struggled with the very British writing style. Which, of course, is a me problem. Overall I enjoyed it.

Her Final Secret
by Paul J. Teague
Pub Date: Nov 08 2024

The first thing I must mention is, "did you see the cover of this book!" WOW is all I can say, that alone is a 5 star seller! On to my review of "Her Final Secret" by best selling author: Paul J. Teague. This is the fifth book I have read by this author and I have loved every one of them! His books are the best unputdownable thriller books ever!

Her Final Secret is written in a dual timeline, we follow Detective Hollie Turner as she investigates a case that brings back haunting memories in her past when her best friend, Moira disappeared without a trace. Now present day Hollie is called to investigate a similar case, is it all connected somehow?

This is a very fast paced, unforgettable, heartbreaking, thrilling and suspenseful story. Definitely one of my favorites!

Many many thanks to #HerFinalSecret #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for providing me with an E-ARC of this 5 star book!

I thought this was a good intense police/detective procedural book. It was a twisted story which was probably a bit predictable but it was still good. I will definitely be looking for more in this series

This crime thriller starts out with a murder and once the murder weapon is found, it has Detective Hollie Turner questioning whether it is related to the disappearance of her friend over 20 years ago. And if it is, will she be allowed to continue to investigate? This case presents challenges to Turner but thankfully she has a team that has her back and who help her navigate the emotions brought out in her as the case progresses. While it's not hard to guess what had happened at the Ambrose House, it a mystery as to who the current killer is (or are there multiple killers) and why the murders are happening now after all the years that have passed. There are plenty of twists and turns as the murders are solved that will keep you guessing.

I like this series. It's good to "see" Hollie Turner again.

I liked the then and now aspect of the book. I also enjoyed that Hollie had a connection to the case through something that happened many years ago. The things that happened when Hollie was a teenager are what led her to join the police department.

I liked that there were two different cases to solve, but that they were also linked was a bonus.

This case was an emotional one for all involved including the reader.

I couldn't have asked for a better addition to the series.

Keep them coming! I want more.

Thanks to netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc.

This is a great crime thriller.
When a retired Policeman is found murdered at Hull Fair, Detective Hollie Turner is forced to confront an event from her past.
Twenty five years earlier, her friend Moira vanished without a trace at that very same fairground, and memories from that time flood to the surface.
Soon the investigation takes a more sinister turn with historical abuse allegations at a local children's home, and this links to Moira.
Hollie has her hands full trying to solve the recent murder and also tries desperately to find out what really happened to her best friend.
Thanks to Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

This will be a difficult case for Detective Hollie Turner as it transports her back to a traumatic night 25 years ago when her best friend, Moira, disappeared at the Hull Fair. It was if she simply vanished. The only thing that was left of her was a hair tie and a bloody stuffed animal she had just won. Fast forward to the present where a retired police superintendent's body has been found at the same fair.

As the investigation deepens, buried secrets and past allegations of abuse are coming back to the surface. It seems that disgusting past behavior may have future consequences because someone remembers the past.

This fantastic twisty mystery will take you back and forth from 1999 to the present so you can get the full picture of all of the characters and the part they played and are still playing. This was a superb, yet disturbing mystery, which will hook you in the from the first chapter. The twists will fool you into thinking you have it figured out, but then you will learn that you are wrong. Detective Hollie Turner is an intriguing character with a razor sharp mind who presides over her job without fear and a strong sense of justice. This is another winning installment in the Detective Hollie Turner series which earns a solid five stars from this reader.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Detective Holly Turner's back in an investigation that turns personal. A retired superintendent is found murdered as Holly and her team Investigate they find links that lead back to Holly's best friend who disappeared twenty five years ago. Told in two timelines this is a novel has plenty of twists that keeps you hooked till the end. We find out more about Holly's past. Thanks to Storm publishing and Netgalley for this review ARC

The fifth Paul I Teague book I have read this year and another enjoyable read from one of the best authors I have been introduced to this year. Having read over 200 books so far this year I feel that is praise and a recommendation. Looking forward to more of the same.

This is a murder mystery that jumps back and forth from 1999 to the present year. Moira is an 18 year old woman who has disappeared without a trace. The police have never found her body and they have never found any clues to her disappearance.

Next up, in present day at the Hull fair they find a dead retired police officer. Same basic MO as Moira's was 25 years earlier. A bloody mallet, the death at the fair. This time though they aren't expecting Hollie Tucker. Detective Hollie Tucker who was best friends with Moira and at the fair when she disappeared. She became a detective for her friend so she could try to solve it and each case that she did solve was for her. This time things were so close she knew they had to be related to each other so she started digging.

Come along for this very messy and twisted who done it mystery. Paul J. Teague wrote quite an intriguing book! Highly Recommend!

Happy Reading!!

I love how my pace to read ramped up alongside the pace of the plot. I was hooked. I was in from the beginning. I love topics like this. With a dark history to solve around something dark happening in the present.
It was great to read a bit more about how and why our detective came to be the roll she's in and how it effected, and effects her to this day.
When the first few books followed a particular case I was worried how the author Paul was going to carry on the books and better it. But he's managed it just fine. And I'm so glad because I do enjoy this detective and more importantly Paul's books.

This is my first read by this author and I thoroughly loved it.
Detective Holly was transported back in time in her memories to when she was 19. Her best friend vanished, she tried to help the police but it seemed there was a lot of cover up in play. This decided her future, to become a cop.
In the present day a new murder then a suspicious death. They seemingly were tied to the disappearance of her friend.
Corruption in high places, evil and disgusting acts were coming to light.
Was someone seeking vengeance and why are more than two decades?
I read this story in one setting as I couldn't put it down.

Her Final Secret was a chilling read, it’s a dual book set back in 1999 and the present day. Moira lives at the Care Home in Hull when she goes missing at the fair, her friend Hollie is now a police officer, when a body turns up at the fairground she knows they must be linked. She has never stopped looking for her friend.
It’s an intense, quick read that I read in one sitting, it’s a great crime mystery read. The fair was a great location and I liked the different views of the dates involved, plus the lack of support that there was back in the 90’s. Really enjoyed this book and will need to read the previous books in this series. A unputdownable 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.