Attention grabbing and highly addictive! Arnold's Amanda Steele series is always top notch when it comes to having a detailed crime plotted out to take the detectives on the ride of their lives as we readers delight in the hijinks and the behind the scenes drama playing out. This particular story has a lot of twists that we weren't expecting and keeps us on our toes as we are trying to figure out who the culprits are. There's still some tension between Amanda and Trent that still hasn't played out, but maybe one day. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a strong female lead who always gets to the bottom of the crime and sees justice is served. Well detailed crime scenes, a well oiled police team and always lots of drama and emotions flying.

I am really enjoying the Amanda Steele books. This one had a very interesting premise and didn’t fail to deliver on it. Twists and turns aplenty. Very well written with well rounded characters. Very much looking forward to the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

It's a good thing I am a speedy reader because I was not going to sleep until I finished this book. Wow! Carolyn Arnold knows how to write a mystery that will snag your attention and immediately pull you into this dark story.

Cameron Cofell holds a priest hostage in his own church, but that is not the real story. The real story happens when he shoots a hole in a the wall of the church, which is where the police discover a young woman's body. A young woman's dead body encased in the walls of the church is disturbing enough, but the things that Cameron was ranting on about make this case even more disturbing. He is definitely not well, but there seems to be some truth to his words.

Amanda and Trent arrive on the scene and are completely disgusted by what they find. As their investigation deepens they will uncover long buried secrets that no one thought would ever see the light of day, or at least hoped not. This was a perfect blend of police procedural and cold case mystery that will have you putting on your amateur sleuthing hat trying to solve this mystery. The hits just kept coming, and I never saw most of them until they hit. This was a sad, dark tale of twisted human beings, but you will not be able to put it down because you will have to know what happened. The pacing was perfect and the teasers were just enough to keep you glued to the pages as you race to the end.

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

Detective Amanda Steele Book 13.

This books plotline is very dark and disturbing. It was a great read and had me totally hooked. I love this series and can't wait to read the next one.

When the body of girl is discovered in the walls of a Woodbridge church, Detective Amanda Steele is immediately called to the scene. On arrival she meets FBI Special Agent Sandra Vos who explains that while negotiating a hostage incident moments before, a gun was fired. The bullet missed its target but exposed human remains.

The victim has been perfectly preserved, her jewelry and summer dress taking Amanda back to her own teenage years. DNA quickly confirms that the victim was taken over thirty years ago. Thinking about her own daughter, Amanda cannot imagine the devastation for the young girl’s family and vows to find the killer.

Amanda and her partner Trent determine the suspect behind the attempted shooting, Cameron Cofell, had a very clear reason for exacting revenge on the church’s priest. As they question the wider community, a neighbor reveals her long-held suspicions too. But when she is found murdered, Amanda knows this killer is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep their dark secret from ever coming to light.

Soon the investigation takes Amanda and Trent to an abandoned farmhouse—a place that haunts Cameron’s nightmares—where they find a faded photograph that holds the mystery of another chilling cold case. But just how far back does this evil go, and how much will Amanda and Trent need to sacrifice to find the killer?

The latest book in Carolyn Arnold’s series featuring Detective Amanda Steele is dark with intense moments, suspense, and solid police investigation. It’s the thirteenth book in the series and one of my top-rated ones. Amanda and her partner, Detective Trent Stenson, are sent to a crime scene at Herald Church. However, they’re not there for the hostage situation that occurred earlier. Instead, the body of a girl was discovered in the church walls after a bullet exposed an area behind the wallboard.

The victim has been preserved and DNA confirms the victim was taken thirty-one years ago when she was eight. However, the body is that of a sixteen-year-old. Where had she been for the eight years since she was kidnapped and who took her? As Amanda and Trent investigate and question the community in and around the church, a picture starts to unfold. Can they determine who kidnapped the young girl and who hid her body in the church wall?

Amanda is determined to get justice for victims and tends to get immediately to the point at a crime scene. She’s sensitive but not soft, inquisitive, resilient, struggles with work-life balance, and tends to rush ahead without back-up at times. Trent is loyal, funny, and always has Amanda’s back. He grounds her when she needs it and is often the voice of reason. He values honesty and views work as a calling, not a day job.

The author has a writing style that quickly pulls readers into the story. With a disturbing prologue, several suspects, a twist or two, some action scenes, and a solid plot, it kept me rapidly turning the pages. The recurring characters grow more dynamic in each new novel as readers learn more about their personal and professional lives. Themes include families, relationships, child abuse, kidnapping, murder, and much more.

Overall, this novel is an engaging, fast-paced, engrossing, dark, and gripping police procedural. The author’s note at the end reveals where she took creative liberties with such things as how fast DNA results were received. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Amanda and Trent. This series is best read in order to fully understand the backstories of the main characters. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy mysteries, crime thrillers, and police procedurals. On another exciting note, FBI Special Agent Sandra Vos is introduced in this book and is getting her own series. I’m looking forward to reading it.

Bookouture and Carolyn Arnold provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 20, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

When the body of girl is discovered in the walls of a Woodbridge church, Detective Amanda Steele is immediately called to the scene. On arrival she meets FBI Special Agent Sandra Vos who explains that while negotiating a hostage incident moments before, a gun was fired. The bullet missed its target but exposed human remains. The victim has been perfectly preserved, her jewellery and summer dress taking Amanda back to her own teenage years. DNA quickly confirms that the victim was taken over thirty years ago. Amanda and her partner Trent determine the suspect behind the attempted shooting, Cameron Cofell, had a very clear reason for exacting revenge on the church’s priest. As they question the wider community, a neighbour reveals her long-held suspicions too. But then she is found murdered.
The thirteenth book in the series & another very well written page turner. Strong characters & a well paced story had me engrossed. I love Amanda & love her relationship with Trent, which has grown & deepened throughout the series. The case is intriguing, as usual, I was kept guessing. A very good addition to the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

OH MY GOSH!
Carolyn Arnold you had me reading late into the night with Hidden Angels…..
What a horrific, heartbreaking and emotionally charged story. I was caught up in the story from the first page to the last. I do feel the end was a bit rushed….I just needed a bit more closure to a few things. BUT…..this story was so addictive!
Can Amanda and Trent figure out a mysteriously hidden murder that happened over 30 years ago? Can they unravel all the secrets that have been kept hidden through the years?
I always look forward to meeting up with Detective Amanda Steele and her partner, Detective Trent. They work so well together as a team. Can I wish there was a bit more going on with their personal relationship???????
I can’t recommend this series enough! Please read the books in order….there is so much back story to the main characters that is very important to know.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

⛪Good police procedural whodunit🙈🙉🙊

A thoroughly satisfying read, though it ends on a quite sad note. The main detectives are relatable, likable and a good team. The plot provided a great investigation related to some decades-old crimes with a child victim that an accidental bullet hole in a church wall brings to Prince William County Police Detectives Amanda and Trent to solve.

With no lulls, this book kept me on edge and guessing. I like that there's an absence of gore, some red herrings that had me totally hoodwinked, and some fast-paced action eventually. Poor Sadie and Cameron: both young kids whose lives are ruined and an atmosphere of adults knowing or guessing what's happening to them but remaining silent.

Although I might want to see a bit more on Amanda and Trent's personal lives, the overarching focus on solving the case, especially as more victims are involved, felt right.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared 2/9/25 with Barnes & Noble, Goodreads and Bookbub.

This is a good story with Detective Amanda Steele and her partner Trent Stenson trying to solve a 23 year old cold murder case. Good detective work as they follow the clues. Fast paced action, mystery, deception and suspense as the puzzle pieces do not fall in place. You will find yourself staying up way past your bedtime to find the killer in the most unexpected place!

Detectives Steele & Stenson are back with another case, this time one involving a decades old kidnapping, a murder, and an entire congregation.

As always, I was absolutely obsessed with this book. Every installment of this book is a five star for me, but this particul;ar one was definitely in my top three for the series. I loved how the initital incident uncovers a totally different case by sheer chance. I also loved how the local church had a pretty good sized congregation while being surrounded by some pretty distrustful neighbords. The priest is a very interesting character in this one too, you're unsure until pretty close to the end if he's part of the problem or truly a bystander which made for a really interestng dynamic.

This installment also has some really good personal growth despite nearly non existent romantic situations; we get slight resolution to the Logan/Amanda arguments, we're still seeing Trent and his girlfriend, and the whole time Trent & Amanda have to navigate those situations as they relate to their own personal & professional relationships. The series continues to be just an amazing slow burn on the personal front, with family storylines, romantic storylines, and friendship growths and set backs all set against the backdrops of fast moving cases. This is hands down my favorite currently running series, I can't wait for more!

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story starts with Sadie Jackson, an 8-yr old girl, and her family at a theme park in Florida. Unknown to the Jackson family, a predator is just waiting for an opportunity to take Sadie. That opportunity comes when they stop for ice cream and her father lets her hand go. Sadie then walks away and is befriended by a stranger. That is the last time the Jackson's saw their daughter.

The story then picks up about 30 years later when a body is discovered in the wall of a church. The body was only discovered because a hostage taker wound up shooting the hostage. As a result, Amanda and Trent were assigned to the case. They later discovered the body's identity when a DNA match that was run matched an individual in the FBI data base. That body was Sadie.

It now became Amanda' and Trent's job to try and discover the killer wo murdered Sadie 23 years earlier. They did not have a lot to go on, so they initial started looking into the church where the body was discovered. Following what little clues they had, then soon received the files from the FBI regarding the search that was taken many years ago.

To discover what they discovered in the files, what role Cameron, the hostage taker played, why a 2nd killing happened, and who was Sadie's killer, then you need to read this book!

The story will keep you guessing right to the end. This is another great story in this series, don't miss out!

This is such a sad book. Anytime a crime involves a child it is difficult to read about. Amanda is deeply troubled by her latest case. This is a well thought out and written book. It kept me turning the pages. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

really enjoy this series. I like how well Amanda and Trent WORK together. I don't want them a couple. Amanda needs to figure out how to balance job and being a mom before she gets into any relationship.
This was a very good read, but I expected nothing less. This is one of my favorite authors. I want to thank Netgalley for the advanced copy. Read this, you will not be disappointed

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold. Number 13 in the Detective Amanda Steele Series. Amanda and Trent are growing as a team and the series just gets better and better. Fast paced with many twists and turns. Ms Arnold treats the sensitive issues revealed during the investigation with a caring and compassionate narrative. Looking forward to the next case.
Thank you to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I have folloewed amanda steele since the beginning so always look forward to reading these the story was good and the end surprised me but it fealt a bit slow and like something was missing compared to the other stories books so it left me a little dissapointed maybe thats just me.

Hidden Angels by Carolyn Arnold is the 13th book in her wonderful Detective Amanda Steele series. As I have noted previously, I am a big fan of Arnold, having read most of her books, and I love this series, which continues with another fantastic addition. Amanda Steele, our heroine, is a homicide detective in Prince William County, Virginia
When a local priest is held captive in his church, a shot is fired, hitting a wall in the Woodbridge church, which exposed a body entombed. Detective Amanda Steel and her partner, Trent are called to the scene. Amanda meets FBI agent Sandra Vos, who was negotiating a hostage situation in the church. Sandra was willing to help Amanda and Trent, getting more information for their needs.
The DNA quickly confirms that the victim was kidnapped from an amusement park over thirty years ago, with the child being 8 years old. Her body was entombed within the wall at the age of sixteen. Cameron Cofell was the one who threatened the priest, as he thought the church was abusive, but his parents were the ones who abused him. Cameron’s parents were killed in an accident a few years ago, and it was suspected that the parents were the ones who kidnapped the girl, and killed her 8 years later.
Amanda and Trent are deep in investigating the past and the present, as they will work long into the night to find the truths. Amanda and Trent go to an abandoned farmhouse, finding faded photos that that holds the mystery of who helped the parents kill the girl.

Amanda and Trent are a great team, and I like them together. Amanda is a great detective, very strong, independent, and always able to solve any case. She also worries about her daughter, Zoey, because she always busy on a case, and feeling guilty about those long days that her job entails.
What follows is an exciting, fast paced, suspenseful, compelling, intriguing, tense mystery, that kept me unable to put the book down, as this was another fantastic thriller. Hidden Angels was a fabulous crime thriller, that was another gripping addition to the Detective Amanda Steele series. Another wonderful police procedural, with great characters, edge of your seat thriller, with some twists and surprises at the end. Hidden Angels was once again so very well written by Carolyn Arnold, which is the norm for this author. If you like mystery thrillers, police procedural, then you need to be reading this series.

Book thirteen in this series featuring Detective Amanda Steele and her partner Trent. An intriguing mystery to be solved going back many years. Will keep you guessing.

This is my first Amanda Steele book and now I need to buy more! What an excellent detective book. I look forward to reading more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Cameron Cofell knew who to blame for his pain and suffering, and he is going to even the score. But his bullet misses and instead it lands in a wall of the church in the small town. While getting the bullet out, a body is discovered behind the wall. Who is this young girl and why is she dressed in retro clothes? Better question is who put her there? Amanda and Trent have their hands full trying to find the answers. Some monsters hide in plain sight. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Carolyn Arnold takes her two leads, Detectives Amanda Steele and Trent Stenson, through an emotional case in Hidden Angels. During a confrontation with a pastor, a young man fires a shot at the pastor and hits a wall in the church's nave. When the FBI investigates the shot, they discover a young woman's body buried in the wall. And it looks like she's been there a while. This falls under Steele and Stenson's jurisdiction, so they investigate with gusto, as they always do. The young woman's DNA comes back to a missing girl who was kidnapped when she was eight years old... and there's evidence that she gave birth. The duo dig into this case, chasing lead after lead... and the circle of suspects keeps getting tighter. This is a fantastic, emotional story. In addition, more of Amanda's relationship with her adopted daughter, Zoe, is brought to light. The next book... I can't wait. Thank you to Bookouture for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.