Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer is book two in her Bringing Maggie Home series.

As cold case detectives, husband and wife, Sean Eagle and Meghan DeFord are familiar with the turmoil and pain often associated with mysteries of the past. Now they are presented with cases from the past and a new present-day mystery at the same time. The couple emphasize faith in a higher power in all things but as work situations and secrets from the past begin to invade their home life, will they be able to hold onto their faith in God and their trust in each other?

Kim Vogel Sawyer knows the Bible. She doesn’t just spout vague spiritual references; she gives full scriptures with book, chapter and verse. There are great literary elements in this novel. The plot is smart. The characters and dialogue are inspirational. This is a real tear-jerker with joyous highs and heartbreaking lows. In Unveiling the Past the author has struck the right balance between Christian fiction and contemporary mystery. I rate it 5 out 5 stars and recommend it to all readers of Christian fiction.

My thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

I could hardly set this book down! The two investigations that Meghan and Sean were working on were fascinating to me, especially Meghan’s investigation. I guess I am a fan of cold case stories because I felt the same way about the first book in this series and loved watching as the detectives pieced together the clues. If you haven’t read the first book, Bringing Maggie Home, I believe you could still enjoy this story. However, you will appreciate the characters in this book more if you read Bringing Maggie Home first.

I loved the many different situations that were going on in this book in addition to the investigations. There were personal and important decisions for Meghan and Sean to make, as well as answers that Meghan and her mother wanted from the past. The author did a good job of creating characters who tried to live their faith, struggled sometimes, but ultimately tried to trust in God’s direction for their lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I devoured this book as my favorite go to author penned another I can not put this down winner. Bringing Maggie Home was an all time favorite of mine and this was a wonderful continuation of it. I pray there is another sequel coming as I don’t want to leave these characters here. God has our written story in His hands and He works all things out to His glory and this story is a perfect example of that. We all need to either ask for forgiveness or grant forgiveness and this shines brightly with the giving and receiving. I found I needed tissues as it is so heartfelt and touching in many places especially in the redemptive power of Christ. I found it to be encouraging and eye opening into flawed characters and how changes are possible. I find it hard to describe without spoilers so I will just say I wish I could give more than five stars as it deserves it. I highly recommend as Ms. Sawyer hit a home run.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

This fast paced book was an easy read that enveloped me. I enjoy a good mystery and real life crime. This book shares multiple different characters's point of view as the story unfolds. But it's easy to follow and track, and you invest in the characters lives. My favorite dimension of the book is the clear faith, spiritual growth, and authentic thoughts that come across clearly in the characters perspective and self discovery. I didn't read the first book in the series and i didn't feel disconnected at all. Thankful to partner with Waterbrook and read an advanced copy.

Sean and Meghan work well together in their work as cold-case detectives, but things aren't so easy at home: he wants kids, but she's frightened by the whole idea because her mother's and grandmother's dysfunctional relationships have left her believing she would be a terrible mother. When she decides to get to know her previously unknown father in the hope that he might provide a better example, she sets off something that will change all their lives. Meanwhile, Meghan and Sean are put on different cases and she is left to deal with a young woman whose father went missing after being accused of embezzling a large sum of money and has never been found. Will Meghan be able to discover, once and for all, whether Sheila and her family were really just abandoned or whether something more sinister was at work? And what will the discovery do to her relationship with her own father?

Though initially a little confused because of the number of characters being considered, I soon found myself drawn into the characters' lives - even Kevin's, eventually, once he shed enough of his obnoxiousness (I don't like people who treat others like scum). The bits of mystery involved in the two cold cases were interesting, and added to the story nicely, and the character development was done well. All in all, the writing was good and clean, and I really enjoyed it. I hope to read more by the author in future.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

So I have never read anything by this author before so I didn't know what to expect. However I was not disappointed. The author does have four main characters, however it was not hard to follow the author labeled when the change happened. I liked how there was suspense to the book and it really draws you in and leaves you wanting more with every turn of the page. I really liked Hazel so much, she spoke her mind but had a way of doing it in such a loving way, also had me laughing. Meghan and Shelia had a way of making you feel like you could relate with them and the author made it feel like I was catching up with a friend. This book did not disappoint at all, I really like that this was a good clean read suitable for all readers.

Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer was so good and I was wishing it had a sequel. Talk about wishes coming true! The main couple in Unveiling the Past, Sean and Meghan, are from her first book, Bringing Maggie Home.


Actually we get to revisit several characters from Bringing Maggie Home. Hazel, Diane, Meghan and Sean were all a big part of the first book. Sean and Meghan are cold case detectives who are working to solve cases. There are a few other new characters we follow in this book too. Amazingly, it was easy to follow them all. I also enjoyed them by the end of the book. Sawyer has a way of helping us see the flawed characters good points. I just love that! This book also involves some mysteries that are uncovered and I didn't figure out the ending, which was a plus for me.


Those who want to read fiction with solid Christian themes will appreciate Unveiling the Past. There is definitely solid Christian teaching woven throughout the storyline. My one pet peeve is couples calling each other Babe so that was a little annoying to me with Meghan and Sean, but that was a minor thing. It may not bother you at all. As a whole, this book offered mystery, romance, and solid Christian themes. At the same time, we realize characters aren't perfect and we find them lovable in spite of their flaws. Unveiling the Past could stand alone but it would be much more enjoyable having read Bringing Maggie Home first.


I received an early edition of this book for review purposes. All opinions within this review are my own.

I enjoyed this book so dang much! Everything about it was great. This is the second book I have read by this author but I believe I have a new one to add to my favorites list. The story was exciting and captured my attention from the first chapter. The characters were fun and inviting to know. I love the way the story came together and the amount of faith throughout the book. This is exactly what I am looking for when I read a book. I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. The reviews are my own.

Kim Vogel Sawyer explores the impact of fatherlessness, both when the father is absent and when he is only present by location but not in spirit. She also explores the difference it makes for those who know God as Father. The theme of forgiveness is essential to the story of Unveiling the Past, without it one cannot easily move forward after the past has been unveiled. Sawyer treats these themes with the grace and sensitivity they deserve and require. Both her talent and her heart shine in this, her latest, novel.

Unveiling the Past is made up of three, well managed, story lines. In one Meghan DeFord Eagle is separated from Sean, her partner in the Arkansas Cold Case Investigations Department and her husband, in order to pursue a case of a missing father while also contemplating contacting her own father whom she has never met. In the second Sean is partnered with Tom Farber, a very difficult person to get along with who is fighting his own demons, to continue the case he and Meghan had begun in the search for the killer of eight-year-old twin boys. Finally Meghan's mother must come to terms with her own feelings about the man who abandoned her before Meghan was born now that his coming back into their lives is a very real possibility.

I am very grateful to have received a copy of this book from Multnomah in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation. #PRHpartner

Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a unique read. I liked several things about this story, but I struggled a bit too. I liked the characters. They are well written. I appreciate their development and felt that for most the character arcs are realistic and relatable. I very much enjoyed the two cold cases and found these specific plotlines to be highly engaging. And, I really loved the discussion on parenting and raising children. I could very much relate to several of the struggles and conflicts the parents deal with. While I did find these aspects enjoyable, I did struggle to read this book. I found the pacing to be seriously slow, which made several moments in the story drag. These slow moments made me want to put the book down. Overall, I consider Unveiling the Past to be a 3-STAR story.

I’ve always been a little nervous about being a mom. My number one worry is the end product. No one wakes up and says, “I want my child to turn into the worst adult ever.” I genuinely believe that most every parent on this earth wants to do a good job and raise quality humans. I want to do a great job and raise my daughter well. But that’s the thing, you can do everything right — raise your child knowing that Jesus is Lord and Savior, hug, praise, and spend quality time with your child, and discipline lovingly — and still your child could turn out “wrong.” Add to that an awareness about potential negative genetic traits or negative family habits that could pass down, and having a kid seems fraught with nothing but negative. When so much could go wrong, why would anyone bother to have a kid?

Meghan, the protagonist of Unveiling the Past, is very uncomfortable with the idea of becoming a mother. Her husband is more than ready to grow their family from two to more, but Meghan just isn’t there yet. Yes, she loves her mother and grandmother very much, but they weren’t the best role models, and Meghan is afraid that her relationship with her future child could be negative. In Meghan’s family, the legacy passed down from mother to daughter is one of contention and stubbornness, and this is not something she wants to continue. Add to this that Meghan has never even met her father and has no idea the kinds of skeletons he may have in his closet, and Meghan is positive she is nowhere near to being good mother material. There just seems to be too much bad she could potentially pass down to her child.

Being a good mom or dad has nothing to do with genetics or family legacies. Being a good mom or dad has to do with our walk with God. Every success I’ve ever had as a mother has directly correlated to when my walk with God was good. Likewise, every mistake I’ve ever made coincided with times when my walk with God was a bit off. It’s all about our foundations. When our foundations are built upon our SELVES, and our walks with God are shaky at best, we can be assured that mistakes and wrong turns will abound. Make enough of these mistakes and wrong turns as a parent and they are bound to negatively impact our children. But when our foundations are solid and Jesus is our strong cornerstone, when our walk with God is first and foremost, our parenting skills will be solid too. Does a solid foundation with God mean our kids will be perfect? Of course not. Our kids are humans too. They will make mistakes. But mistakes are less likely to destroy the goodness of our kids, of our abilities to be good moms and dads, when we are solid with Jesus. I appreciate this discussion because it is a great reminder for me to make sure I am daily reflecting on my relationship with God. If I want my relationship with my daughter to be solid, I first need to verify I’m solid with Jesus!

There really is a TON to love about this book even though at times the pacing became really slow. Unveiling the Past allows the reader the opportunity to wrestle with some big-time issues and struggles, and because of this, I do recommend this story.

***Unveiling the Past is the second book in the Bringing Maggie Home series. While I do think reading book 1 would have been beneficial in my understanding of the characters’ backstories, I did not have any problem grasping any of the storylines in Unveiling the Past.***

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Waterbrook Press, via NetGalley in order to review. I also received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher as well. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a fast moving story of searching for a missing person. That’s not exactly true since it sounds so simple which this story is not. It is much more complex. The themes of forgiveness, trusting and redemption are evident as well as becoming the person God designed you to be. It is a stand-alone with strong ties to Bringing Maggie Home.

Sean and Meghan Eagle are marriage partners and work partners with the Cold Case Squad in Arkansas. They work on different cases this time but are still incredibly involved with each other’s work and life. Because the missing person case has a parallel personal one, much of Sean, Meghan and their new partners comes out in the story it is an intensely emotive poignant read that kept me turning the pages.

The publisher through Net Galley provided an ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

"The past can knock on the door all it wants to. You don't have to answer."

This book has quite a few pasts that come knocking on the door and multiple subplots make for an interesting story with themes of forgiveness, coming to terms with the past, and restoration that can only be found through faith in God. There are several third person point of view voices in the story - Sean and Meghan who are a cold case detective couple, Diane who is Meghan's mother, Kevin who is Meghan's father whom she never knew, and Sheila who has a personal cold case that approaches Sean and Meghan's team for help. Each character has a subplot, some more shrouded in cold case mystery than others, and all the characters and their stories converge as Sean and Meghan live out their lives dedicated to God. The author addresses some tough emotional issues like abandonment, alcoholism, and dysfunctional parent-child relationship with tenderness and understanding. There are flashbacks to fill in the gaps of the past and the transition between the past and the present is fluid and well-connected. The characters and their emotions are real, the plot moves at a good pace to unveil the details needed for the big finales of the two cold case pursuits, and the faith element provided by Sean and Meghan's grandmother Hazel is phenomenal. If you enjoy a well-written contemporary women's fiction with a dash of mystery, you will enjoy this book. It is book 2 in Bringing Maggie Home series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I received a copy of the book from WaterBrook & Multnomah and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

The author does a great job of keeping you guessing at what will happen next!

With family secrets and strange dynamics, you wonder if will ever work out - or if it should be left alone. But the author offers you enough along the way to make you try to think on your own as to what should happen or maybe even a time or two where you might think - "I know what I would say to that!"

This author always offers up terrific writing and a storyline that is realistic and full of faith - the doubts and strengths in the characters faith makes her stories very relatable and believable. And once again, she has delivered.

Disclaimer: I received a digit copy of this book through NetGalley from WaterBrook Multnomah publishing with no expectations in return. The thoughts above are my own and in my own words.

This is the sequel to Bringing Maggie Home but reads well on its own. Relationships are an important part of this novel so if one wanted to get the full impact of the relationships involved, the earlier book should be read.

As in the first book, Meghan is a cold case detective. Her captain assigns her to a case that separates her from her detective partner and husband, Sean. She works on discovering what happened to a man who went missing years ago while Sean concentrates on the unsolved death of two boys.

The investigative procedure makes up a good part of the plot but personal issues are really the main focus. Meghan was raised by a single mom with no father around. The case she is working on involves a loving father who went missing and his daughter who wants to be an integral part of the investigation. A missing father in both their lives makes for good conversations about having a heavenly Father. Sean has the opportunity to witness to his crusty and hurting detective partner.

This is a good novel for readers who like to read about relationships being healed and people being transformed by the gospel. There is a very strong element of Christian faith included as well as the healing nature of forgiveness. Sawyer does a good amount of head hopping, jumping around people and places and even going back in time for a few scenes. I don't particularly like that style of crafting the plot of a novel but it does offer a broad exploration of personalities. There is a good discussion guide included so this novel would be a good choice for reading groups.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Unveiling the Past continues Kim Vogel Sawyer’s Bringing Maggie Home series. Since this is part of a series, I highly recommend readers to start it with book one, Bringing Maggie Home.
I adore this author’s writing and Unveiling the Past is no different. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense in this story and enjoyed the beauty of faith and grace within the pages.
I am giving Unveiling the Past five plus stars. I highly recommend it for all readers.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

As Kim Vogel Sawyer’s sequel to Bringing Maggie Home, this novel continues the emotional saga about Meghan, Diane and Hazel. Although this can be read as a stand-alone novel, some knowledge of the back history would be helpful. Several different story lines appear in this book, and at times I found it difficult to keep up from the bouncing back and forth. However, I did enjoy reading about the interesting cold cases Meghan and Sean were working on and their quirky detective partners. The author addresses several serious familial issues while also weaving throughout the message of God’s love and forgiveness.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks goes to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary copy of Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer for the purpose of reading and reviewing prior to publication. My opinions are my own and no one has influenced me.

Unveiling the Past is a well written Christian mystery with interesting characters and an involved plot. There are two mysteries, and two separate cases involving the two main characters. I felt like I was reading two novels at once. Personally, I found it distracting, other readers may not.

Meghan DeFord is the female lead. I have mixed feeling about her character. I believe it’s because there is so much going on in Unveiling the Past, it was hard to become fully vested in Meghan. Her back story is interesting though, but her emotions toward it are a bit weak.

Sean Eagle is the male lead. He is also an investigator of cold cases. I had a bit of a hard time becoming vested in his character as well. Again, because there is so many different directions in this book. From what I did see of his character, I liked.

The mysteries are involved and have a multitude of characters. Sheila Menke, the young girl involved in the case Meghan is working, her partner, Sean’s partner on his case, and the villains of this story. Again, It was like reading two books at once.

I don’t normally read many mysteries, so I may not be the best judge of Unveiling the Past since I am not well versed in this genre, especially one where there isn’t much romance. Nonetheless, I enjoyed Unveiling the Past. I loved the strong Christian message in it. If you enjoy whodunits with intricate plot lines, then Unveiling the Past may be the book for you. Happy reading!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a beautiful Christian fiction story. Meghan is at a crossroads. She wants to learn more about her biological father, she is trying to convince her husband to start their own PI business, and her husband just dropped a bomb he wants to start having children. She is overwhelmed and has a new cold case to solve as well. The story really displays God's love and our faithfulness in a very beautiful way. Very enjoyable.

It's well written and the characters are fleshed out but the story didn't keep my attention and it fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Meghan Eagle always wanted to know about and have answers of who was her father.
A story filled with grace and forgiveness and the riches of knowing and living for God. The circular route that our own lives take. This story is a warm filled ride into the many lives touched by one person and the choices they make.