Buried Secrets: Deadly Secrets Texas Trilogy - Book 3 : (A Standalone, Enemies-to-Lovers, Romantic Suspense Novel)

After going through a serious reading slump, "Buried Secrets" by Denise Diana Huddle was exactly what I needed to fall back into my reading. From start to finish, this book just kept me hooked. I could not sleep just because I needed to know what happened next. That is the sign of a great mystery-romance novel, people. The story follows Samantha, a genealogist who is trying to solve an unsolved murder with a detective, Nick, who is trying to keep her from solving the murder (because of some political reasons). The pair is so fun to follow throughout the story. The tension, chemistry, and the frustrating dynamic between the two are so well written. The layer of slow-burning romance mixed with the mystery plotline is a chef’s kiss. What impressed me the most was that no elements, whether it is mystery, romance, or life-threatening dangers, are overdone at any time. The backstories of the characters also blend so well with the current mystery they are facing. The pacing keeps you on edge, the twists genuinely surprised me, and the settings feel so real you can picture yourself there. The book is professionally edited with limited profanity. The dialogues are sharp and natural. The spice level in the book is also limited (depends on your preference). The only tiny complaint I have with the book is the third-person POV. I usually like first-person perspective as it gives the readers more insight into the character’s emotions. That is a personal preference; it might not be the same for others. The book is fun, suspenseful, and well-written. I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I wish I could give you more about the book without giving spoilers. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves romance, suspense, and mystery because it has it all. I would love to read more books by the author.

“Buried Secrets” by Denise Diana Huddle is a fiction book released this year, and the third volume of the Deadly Secrets Texas Trilogy; the remaining volumes being “Stolen Secrets” and “Burning Secrets”, respectively. It is published by Crimes & Passion, LLC, edited by Laura Bartha, proofread by Beth Artwood, and its cover designed by Damonza.com. The book is available in paperback and ebook formats. Denise Diana Huddle is a retired Texas private investigator, forensic genealogist, and author of the Iris Raines series, who currently resides in Alabama and San Antonio. The author’s website is https://denisedianahuddle.com. This story takes place in San Antonio, Texas, and focuses on Samantha Jordan, a sleuthlike researcher and director of the Office of Historical Preservation who partners with police detective Nick Ballard to solve the mystery behind a twelve-year-old alleged homicidal case involving skeletal remains amid a bombing incident where both of them are survivors. However, not all are supportive of the investigation, and this makes the case risky. The world is a complicated place, and amid external apathy, mistrust, fear, and uncertainty, the duo must set aside their differences, face reality, and work together to solve the case successfully. As an avid reader of psychological thrillers, I find this book absolutely engaging, with picturesque, action-packed scenes and nice plotlines. The characters are exceptional, and their personality traits are very distinct and relatable; relevant examples being Nick Ballard’s subtle skepticism and obstructiveness, Samantha’s laser-like meticulousness, and Jim Black’s choler. The plot scenes are quite intriguing and emotionally intense, making the readers very expectant of what happens next. Challenged but audacious characters like Wolf and Terrance add to the novel’s epic nature. The duo truly sticks to the motto, “Protect and Serve.” Their personalities and backgrounds may be as different as salt and pepper, but together they make a good team. I applaud Nick’s effort in repeatedly saving Samantha’s life and maintaining his job status amid criticism; his heroism and perseverance play a vital foundational role in their companionship. A knight in shining armor, Nick Ballard is loyal and committed to protecting his companion at all costs, inciting trust, openness, a sense of security, and affection from the latter. Samantha’s sense of character is also instrumental in shaping his character through resoluteness and overcoming past events. So far, Nick has earned my respect and is by far my favorite character in this book. I find Samantha Jordan’s character traits very interesting and notable. Throughout most of the chapters, Nick has some thoughtful attributes about her. A smart, well-reputed woman with elite research skills, she is shrewd, strategic, and strong-willed. For instance, Nick thinks at the beginning of the investigation that Samantha will not give up until she solves the murder case and nicknames her Nancy Drew. She is also intrepid and intelligent, leading the murder case with expertise, thanks to her history background. I have no negative offers to voice out, nor any encountered typographical mistakes or grammatical errors in this book. It offers great insight and subtlety into the unsolicited “Us Against Them” mentality following acts of corruption, lies, apathy, and covetousness among the police departments, and the need to inculcate empathy, transparency, and good work attitudes towards public affairs, to ensure a safe and serene environment for both federal agents and the public, and it has a nice cover page. I give “Buried Secrets” a pristine 5-star rating because of its flawless, powerful, and insightful context and style. I recommend this book to young adults and nonfiction readers who love psychological thrillers. The age range of the readers is essential because of the presence of profanity and mild sexual content.