If you like nail-biting, page turning suspense novels that you won’t be able to put down, then this is your book." Closer Than She Knows" by Kelly Irvin is the book for you....Teagan O’Rourke is a court reporter who likes her job, likes her neighbors and pretty well content with her life until a passenger {female cop} riding in the car with her is shot and killed and no trace of who shot her. Then it begins, more women are killed and each time Teagan receives a note with a phrase from a book, so she knows she is being targeted, but why? Her father Dillion is a retired cop and her close friend Max, along with her step siblings, which are also cops are doing everything they can to stop this mysterious madman from hurting anyone else in their circle of friends. It seems he is always a step ahead and seems to kill to torment Teagan. Who is this crazed serial killer and why is he targeting Teagan?  “Closer Than She Knows” is an incredible suspense thriller with overtures of romance and filled with faith and trusting in God. With a surprise twist at the end that you did not suspect........
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion.

If you want to enjoy a thrilling, riveting and suspenseful story about a serial killer that is holding the city of San Antonio, Texas hostage, this is the book for you! I haven't read anything by this author before so I didn't know what to expect but I really enjoyed her characters and her crafting of the drama that kept me wondering what was going to happen next! The heroine, Teagan, is a court reporter and I don't think I've ever read a book about that occupation before. It was very interesting! Her whole family is in law enforcement but she went a different route and now, when a serial killer starts targeting her, she is very glad that she can turn to her family! I can't imagine what it would be like to have a serial killer fixate on a person and start killing the people I'm involved with! The guilt alone would destroy a person! There's nothing you could do about it either! Teagan is beside herself, and for good reason! She wants this person stopped! Her best friend, Max, is always there to support her but he's been in love with her forever and he wants more. I certainly felt for Max and I kept hoping that he'd stick around until Teagan made up her mind about him! But he also wants to help her catch the killer, along with the police. So many possible suspects but not enough time - will they catch the killer? Check out the book!

In Ms. Irvin’s latest suspense, be prepared for all of the twists and turns throughout this book! Readers will be on a fast-paced track to discover what and who is behind the crimes that are happening in this book. I have read her other suspense books and loved those just like this one! The main character, Teagan, is a court reporter who has seen and heard all types of criminal acts in the courtroom. At the beginning of this book, a young police officer is killed in her presence. Then, she realizes a serial killer is on the loose and has his/her sights on her. Along with her friend Max, they are in a race to discover the true killer. As readers read they will constantly encounter another twist as the plot thickens. This book is really good and once you start you won’t want to stop. I highly recommend this book! If you love Christian suspense books, then this is a book for you!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

A spine-tingling psychological thriller, that keep me on my toes.



Teagan O'Rourke was raised around law enforcement and she works as a court reporter, in charge of labelling and presenting incriminating evidence in the courtroom. She's heard the grisly details of countless crimes, but never thought that she would become the victim of a killer bent on revenge.



Fast-paced, with heart pounding suspense that kept me guessing up to the very end. I loved the Teagan's close knit supportive family, and how they work hard to help her along the way. She and Max are opposites in many ways, but I liked that they were able to find compromises and work together to find the killer.



This is a very intense read and even kinda creepy to be reading at night time. I didn't know what would happen next, or even have a clue as to who could be behind it all. There were also great conversations and moments that built the relationship, throughout.



In the end this was a very well written read, with great characters, and stellar plot. I definitely wanted to find out what would happen next, and that kept me reading. While it was gripping and well written, I personally found it to be too intense for my personal taste, but I believe that a lot of people will really enjoy it!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Kelly Irvin is a new-to-me author, and I enjoyed my first encounter with her writing. The story of court reporter Teagan O'Rourke's being targeted by a serial killer is gripping and well-written. The intricacies of familial relationships were thoughtfully addressed and built empathy for Teagan and her friend, Max. The themes of fear and worry were handled carefully, not belittling the grip they can have on someone's life, but also directing attention to the source of peace, a peace that truly does pass all understanding. Mystery fans and fans of psychological thrillers will be happy spending time between the covers of this book.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Closer Than She Knows from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All opinions stated here are my own.

Closer Than She Knows by Kelly Irvin – Interesting storyline, characters and setting. Christian faith was portrayed rather worldly.

I became acquainted with author Kelly Irvin’s writing through her Amish themed books and was excited to read her newest book Closer Than She Knows.

Closer Than She Knows is about Teagan O’Rourke, a court reporter in San Antonio, Texas. She comes from a family that works in law enforcement. Teagan’s life is about to unravel as people around her are being targeted by some sicko and she finds herself at the center of an investigation. Why are these innocent people being targeted? How are they all connected? What can she do to stop this before another innocent life is taken?

One of the things I like about Kelly’s writing is how she portrays relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. I especially like the O’Rourke family, Teagan, her father Dillon and step-family Billy, Gracie, and Leyla. My favorite character was her friend Max who seemed like a real gem, and her friends Julie and Evelyn. They were a tight-knit group that cared for one another and were there for each other.

I found Teagan’s job as a court reporter fascinating and learned a few details about that job. Kelly does a great job describing the setting in the San Antonio downtown area and neighborhood where historic homes were being rehabbed. It seems inviting and picturesque. The story is very suspenseful and will keep you guessing until the end.

This book is written by a Christian author and the Christian faith is part of the story. The best example of that was Max, a man redeemed and dependent upon the Lord each day. He was gracious and caring. I found Teagan’s faith to be immature and nominal. When talking about her reluctance to having children her explanation seemed very secular and lacking faith. She seemed to care more about the environment than lost souls and sin. At one-point, Teagan describes herself in very politically correct terms and does not mention that she is a Christian. Her understanding of the death penalty was not in keeping with what God has declared in the Bible. Teagan and Max’s physical attraction could have been portrayed a little less worldly.

If you are a fan of Kelly Irvin’s novels or like mystery, intrigue, and trying to solve a whodunit, you may like Kelly’s newest book Closer Thank She Knows.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Closer Thank She Knows by Kelly Irvin. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

This is an action packed story that starts off with a punch and keeps it up until the end. Court reporter Teagan O'Rourke comes from a family of law enforcement officers, from her retired father to her stepbrother and stepsister, and a close family friend. Everyone is on deck when an officer taking her to drop off evidence is shot and killed while Teagan is in the car with her. Her best friend, Max, a youth pastor, is in on the action later when her elderly neighbor is stabbed to death. Max is at Teagan's house to feed her dog when he discovered the neighbor. Things really amp up as letters are left with the victims and the killer/writer predicts more deaths. And there are more. It is personal to Teagan and seems to be tied to her dad and a serial killer he put in jail. But he couldn't have committed the murders. So who did it? His son? A copycat?
In addition to the killings, there is friction between Teagan and Max. They both want their relationship to go the next level but Teagan is holding out because she doesn't want children. Teagan is a confused, at times, seemingly bitter person. She loves her dad and her step siblings but has always resented her stepmom replacing her mother. She and her dad do have some good talks but she has a lot to work out, both in that situation and her feeling that this world isn't a place to bring children into. Sometimes, I wanted to shake her. She is a person of faith and needs to rely on it. All in all, this one kept me reading to find answers to the mystery of the serial killer. A great read!
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

A great thriller which grips you from the first page and keeps you guessing. First book for me by this author so I will definitely be looking for others. Highly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley, Kelly Irvin and Thomas Nelson for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

O’Rourke has always loved murder mysteries. In her job as a court reporter, she has written official records for dozens of real-life murders. And so the story begins. Little does she know she will be involved in a real live murder. With her father a retired cop and her step brother and sister cops, her whole family gets involved in the murders of a serial killer.

This is a new author I found when offered an ARC from #Netgalley and I really enjoyed it. Fast pacing and a page turner I really could not figure out who the serial killer was until it was revealed in the end. I also loved the family feeling the author chose to show in the story including the separate love story between Teagan and Max.

This book is being released on June 9, so place it on your TBR list today.

** “Faith is believing God is good even when bad things happen. Not just when life is good.”

“(God) says 365 times, ‘Do not fear.’ … I just haven’t figured out how to do that.” **

Kelly Irvin has delivered a nail-biting, heart-thumping suspense novel you just won’t be able to put down with “Closer Than She Knows.”

When court reporter Teagan O’Rourke becomes the target of a sadistic serial killer with a literary bent, she must figure out why this person is coming after her and her loved ones. With the help of her law enforcement family — father Dillon, a retired cop, and step-siblings Billy and Gracie, and her very close friend Max, the group has to race the clock to stop the mysterious madman from hurting anyone else in their circle of friends and family.

While figuring out the case, Teagan and Max come to admit their feelings for each other while attempting to overcome their own demons — she not wanting to bring children into a very hurt and damaged world, he battling an alcohol addiction while dealing with post-war PTSD.

“Closer Than She Knows” is an incredible suspense thriller with just enough romance to lighten the story’s intensity. It is a story that deals with faith and overcoming fear. It reminds us that wounds of the heart take much longer to heal; faith is believing God is good … at all times; good still remains in the world, even when all we can see is evil; we must trust in God’s plan; and it is important to keep our faith tank full.

Major themes include evil will not prevail and God’s grace covers our fear (see Joshua 1:9).

I also love that author highlights foster care, as well as promotes fellow authors like Cara Putnam in this story.

Fans of authors like Terri Blackstock, Patricia Bradley and Lynette Eason will love “Closer Than She Knows,” which is set to release on June 9.

Five stars out of five.

Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I've read many of this author's books, mostly Amish, this one is so different, and wow, most I didn't see coming.
Evil, but who is this horrible individual, I was sure guessing, but I was fooled all the way to the end. Got part of it right, but I really didn't know.
Kelly Irvin has given us a Suspense Novel that will have you looking over your shoulder, you will never see or know whom the next victim is. The big question is why? There are hints as to who, but then that becomes impossible, a copy cat, or more.
We are given a young court reporter, along with a young man who is crazy about her, and her wonderful family that surround her with love.
Don't get to comfortable here the killer has no regard for life, sadly!
I received this book through Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Teagan O’Rourke is a court reporter caught in the crosshairs of a serial killer who is bent on making Teagan’s father suffer. Although I figured out the identity of the killer before the ending, the story is suspenseful with a few twists along the way to keep it interesting. Definitely not light reading—the story deals with divorce, alcoholism, murder, and abuse. It was a bit hard to keep all the characters straight in the beginning of the novel with a pseudo-boyfriend, various family members, neighbors, and church friends. By the end of the novel I had everyone straight, though. Four stars!

This book had me hooked from the first page. I fell in love with mystery books at a young age and this book just helped keep my love a live. The author did a good job of pulling the reader in and making them feel like a part of the action and in doing so brought a simple story to life. Each twist and turn makes the reader feel like they are on a roller coaster. There was one point in the story where I got chills and did not want to put the book down due to the action (unfortunately I had to as I was baking brownies, but went straight back after they came out of the oven). While I kinda figured out what was going on and who the killer was early on, the way the book was written still allowed me to enjoy the story for what it is and that is a mystery that will keep me coming back for more. I appreciate the opportunity from Netgalley and the publisher to read this book in advance and all the opinions in this review are my own.

eagan O’Rourke has always loved murder mysteries. In her job as a court reporter, she has written official records for dozens of real-life murders. She’s slapped evidence stickers on crime scene photos. She’s listened to hours of chilling testimony. But she’s never known the smell of death. And she never thought she might be a victim.
Until now.
A young police officer is murdered just inches away from her, and then a man calling himself a serial killer starts leaving Teagan notes, signing each with the name of a different murderer from her favorite mystery novels.
Panicked, Teagan turns to her friend Max Kennedy. Max longs for more than friendship with Teagan, but he fears she’ll never trust someone with a past like his. He wonders how much of God’s “tough love” he can take before he gives up on love completely. And he wonders if he’ll be able to keep Teagan alive long enough to find out.
As Teagan, Max, and Teagan’s police officer father race to track down the elusive killer, they each know they could be the next victim. Desperate to save those she loves, Teagan battles fears that once haunted her in childhood. Nothing seems to stop this obsessed murderer. No matter what she does, he seems to be getting closer . . .

An edge of your seat mystery that kept me guessing till the end. Tegan is used to violence as a court recorder. But she has been able to tune that out as she works. It's another thing when the violence is happening around her. Those near to her are being murdered. She turns to Max, her best friend, for help. Max would like to be more than friends with Teagan. He fears his history is something that she can't accept. But he will do everything in his power to keep her safe. Even as the risk of his own life. This is a fast paced book and one that I didn't want to put down. I recommend this book to mystery buffs.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way

I finished this book last night 🌙.
I received the book through netgalley.
I love all her book's, but I love her Amish book's the most.
But this book was very good.
I couldn't out it diwn.
I loved the character's and setting.

Closer Than She Knows
By Kelly Irvin

Since losing her mother as a child, Teagan O'Rourke fears the thought of losing the people closest to her. With her father, step-sister, and step-brother all police officers, it is a possibility. Opting for a safer career, Teagan works as a court reporter, but soon she finds herself and those she loves targetted by a killer.

Now she is getting an up-close look at death as the killer taunts her using her love of mysteries to communicate his intentions with each murder he commits. Can Teagan, her family, and closest friends discover the killer's identity before he kills one of her family?

Max Kennedy will do anything he can to keep Teagan safe. Max knows Teagan sees him as one of her best friends. He wants something more that involves a lifelong commitment but doesn't want to lose the friendship that they have. With a killer targeting her, he needs to work with Teagan's family to keep the killer from exacting his revenge. But Max has a secret that he fears will alter Teagan's opinion of him, a secret that he's not ready to share.

Closer Than She Knows is not a book to read before bed if you have an early morning because you won't be able to put it down. The identity of the killer is well hidden so that the reader is wondering, is this him? The taunting letters have a unique signature that only has significance to Teagan, and the contents reveal just how close the killer has gotten to her. And he is getting closer to his end goal, making Teagan and her family feel the full force of his revenge. This is the perfect read if you are looking for suspense that keeps the pages turning.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion ~ all thoughts expressed are my own.

Without a doubt, this is my favorite book by this author. Even though I guessed who the bad guy was pretty early, there were some twists and surprises along the way. I really liked the relationship between Max and Teagan. They already have a close friendship. Max wants more but something is holding Teagan back. I loved the vivid scene at the end of them dancing in the yard. It was a wonderful image.

I'm hoping that this is the start of a new series that will focus on Teagan's family members. I haven't seen any indication of that but I hope it's the case. She has an interesting blended family and I would like to get to know them more. Teagan is a court reporter and I enjoyed getting a peek into that world.

I thought this was a great read and I'd recommend it. Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Closer than she knows
By Kelly Irvin

Brilliantly written book with an excellent plot. Which really keeps you on your toes until the very end. An excellent suspense thriller which
I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre of book. You really won’t be disappointed.
I would like to thank both net galley and the author for allowing me to read this book.

I loved this book--didn't want to put it down! It follows a law enforcement family in Texas. The retired father helped put away a serial killer. Now, that killer has targeted the daughters and their friends to make the father suffer. Lots of intrigue. I highly recommend this book for suspense lovers.

This is a great book with a fantastic premise. It will keep you guessing until the very end. However, it's just a little bit disjointed & needs to be tighten up somewhat. All in all, a good read.