I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good murder mystery. Might be a good pick for Halloween Month 🎃.

Fabulous story that I could not put down. Would highly recommend to fans of this genre. Great writing, and I will look for more from this author.

This is the first time I've read anything by this author, so I didn't know what to expect. I however didn't expect to be entertained until the end, and she will now by one of my new go-to reads! Recommended.

Detective Rachel Ryder is a woman struggling to fine her place in the world after a corrupt politician had her husband murdered. After killing the assassin and putting the politician in jail, Ryder moves to a new city to get away from too many painful memories of her husband, but the cultural change from Chicago to small-town Georgia are making it difficult for her to establish herself. Between the sexism of the Police Department and her blunt approach, Ryder is a fish out of water, and her new partner is not sure what to do with her. However her experience is a real asset when the small town has a scandalous murder to solve. At odds with her boss and still trying to develop trust with her partner, Ryder's skills as a detective are undeniable. She will uncover the truth no matter who is taken down. I look forward to knowing more about Ryder.

Starting a new job is always tough, but even more so when you're a tough Chicago detective hired to fulfill a quota in a rich "crime-free" Atlanta suburb. Rachel Ryder is a seasoned murder cop who moved south after her husband was killed and she took down the corrupt politician who arranged for the hit, but is frustrated by her boss's manipulation of crime stats and decision to sweep a potential homicide under the rug. This is the first book in the Rachel Ryder series, and is a fast-moving police procedural. You have to root for Rachel as she navigates the Southern culture with her tough Yankee ways, and tries to honor her promises to her dead husband.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. Wow what can I say about this title it was just an awesome read. This book was just something so wonderfully different I’ve never quite read anything like this. You should read to find out you won’t be disappointed. I’m definitely going to read more by this author.

Rachel Ryder is a strong, complex female character. The seasoned Chicago detective is having a hard time adjusting to life in a small town in Georgia where the “old boys” club rules and male chauvinism runs rampant. Her in-your-face, outspoken approach is at times annoying and it is easy to see how she manages to alienate the chief of police, the mayor, and her fellow officers when she insists that the deceased, a prominent citizen, did not commit suicide. Of course, the fact that she’s a woman plays no small part in their reactions. Still, she is relentless in her determination to uncover the truth, despite orders to leave it alone. Her partner, Bishop, is a good guy, who is hesitant to defy orders, but she gradually wins him over. Their relationship grows as they establish mutual trust. They make a good team. No spoilers here, so suffice it to say that the plot had a good level of complexity and enough tension and twists to keep those pages turning. A commendable start to a new series.

Damaging Secrets by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Rachel Ryder #1

Excellent introduction to a new series. I have read and enjoyed previous books by this author but this one, I believe, is my favorite.

What I liked:
* Detective Rachel Ryder: A Chicago homicide detective who moved to the South, a widow, sharp, intelligent, nobody’s fool, snarky, still grieving, has a few trust issues, hates the politics of her job and could have a big future once she settles into her new job.
* Detective Rob Bishop: Rachel’s partner, a bit older, divorced, father, dedicated, honest, competent, worried about rocking the boat, a good partner for Rachel once they break the ice
* The dynamics between Rachel and Rob…it wasn’t easy for them to develop the trust necessary to work seamlessly
* The writing – excellent plot, pacing, character development and writing
* The police procedural aspect of the story
* Jimmy and Savannah Abernathy: Jim has a future in the police department and Savannah could end up a good friend to Rachel
* Lenny: an old friend of Rachel’s from Chicago – almost a father figure but also a mentor
* Sean Higgins: potential love interest or good friend for Rachel in the future
* Wondering what will happen in book two – I really want to find out more about the characters on a personal level, and also what they get up to next at work
* That the case was solved, and the criminals rounded up by the end of the story
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* The knowledge that was happening in this story, the crime and abuse, happens in real life and can be as devastating as it proved to be in this book.
* The idea that the person responsible for the death of Rachel’s husband might try to harm her in a future book.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

This is a new series and I believe a new genre for Carolyn Ridder Aspenson. Detective Rachel Ryder has recently moved to Hamby, GA from Chicago. The good old boy network is stifling her detective skills and intuition. When a local politician is found strangled in a hotel room Rachel cannot believe it was suicide.

This is a great mystery that I really enjoyed. Rachel has to make a friend or two, bond with her partner, and solve one of the largest crimes Hamby has seen. Can’t wait for more.

What a great start to a new series! It was suspenseful and had a few unexpected twists. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and Severn River Publishing in return for my honest review. Thank you for the opportunity.

A wonderful new series from one of my favorite authors. A snarky female detective who believes in justice and will not overlook her principles of justice. Detective Rachel Ryder, a detective, has moved from Chicago to Georgia. Her decision to move was based upon her desire for a fresh start after the murder of her husband and fellow officer Tommy. When she and her partner are called to the scene of a “suspicious death”, she sees a murder, but the local mayor, chief and medical examiner rule the death as a suicide. Rachel won’t and can’t leave the case alone and continues to investigate, without the permission of the chief. Can she get her partner on board or will there be no justice for the murdered man? The town of Hamby has many secrets, but Rachel will not stop until she brings these secrets into the light. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Moving from Chicago to a small rural police station, Detective Ryder is a savvy woman in the men’s world of the American South. Her feistiness, rejoinders and detective skills are not wanted, but she refuses to accept a coroner ruled suicide is anything but a homicide. So, the battle for truth and credibility is on, with little initial support, but a determination to battle the politics that may be the root of the problem. Great characters and story, a most enjoyable read with a three-and-a-half-star rating. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes.

Damaging Secrets is the first instalment in the Detective Rachel Ryder thriller series and is a captivating case of corruption and cover-up. When her husband, Tommy, is shot in the head and killed in the line of duty it breaks Rachel, and when she hears about an upcoming appeal for Petrowski who hired contract killer Johnson to slay Tommy it begins to cause Rachel major anxiety, not least because he had enlisted the prominent and successful Anthony Rossi as his defence attorney. Having moved from the bright lights of Chicago to the suburbs of Hamby, Georgia, Rachel hoped to gain a sense of peace and get back on the job albeit at a much slower pace in an area with a lower crime rate. She's ready to show Hamby Police Department that she can be an indispensable part of the team but it's clear that the equality she was used in the inner city doesn't always translate to more rural areas and she experiences this first hand. But beyond the discrimination and bullying there's corruption and it isn't just contained to the lower ranks. Meanwhile, Rachel’s on call when she is asked by Chief Mike Cochran to attend Hilltop Suites, 12467 Winder Parkway where a suspicious person had been reported. He tells her to let her more established partner, Rob Bishop, take the lead much to her annoyance. She pulls up to The Hilltop Suites Hotel in her trusty Jeep Wrangler, greeting Officers Michels and Merrill who were stood guard outside the entrance.

She has a feeling that someone is manipulating the crime statistics for the area as suspicious persons calls are recorded and calculated differently to Dead On Arrival calls; only the latter impacts the safety ratings of the city. A maid called in the body but Room 226 had been paid for in cash under the name Jane Doe. The victim is 56-year-old city councilman Troy Light found laying on the king-size bed with a thin blue rope around his neck, possibly pointing to death by erotic asphyxiation. It soon becomes evident that he was murdered despite the rest of the police department insisting it was suicide. Rachel cannot accept the case just being swept under the rug and believes that Chief Cochran and medical examiner Bubba Anderson were pressured into ruling it a suicide. She begins a clandestine investigation which soon puts her in extreme danger and reveals the prevalence of corruption throughout her department. Can she achieve justice for Light and stay alive in the process? This is a compulsive and enthralling procedural with enough action, twists, turns and shady, underhand dealings to keep you riveted and thoroughly entertained throughout. Moving at a quickfire pace, it's impossible not to become immersed and absorbed effortlessly into the world the characters inhabit; you really feel as though you are at Rachel’s side cheering her on as a strong, independent female in what is still very much a male-dominated environment. A scintillating and engrossing read. Highly recommended.

This book was amazing! Extremely well written with superb characterization. Exciting, entertaining, "unputdownable"!!! You will want to finish this in one sitting. I've read other Aspenson books but this is definitely her best one yet. I can't wait for the next book.

I received an ebook ARC from NetGalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.

I have been provided with a review copy of Damaging Secrets from NetGalley for an impartial review. This is the first book in the brand-new Rachel Ryder series and this was just such a great way to start off a new series. I just really enjoyed this story and I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Damaging Secrets by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is the 1st book in the Rachel Ryder mystery series, and my first book by this author. Wow, this book got me hooked from the very beginning, and kept me reading until I was done. So many twists and turns, like riding on a roller coaster. I can't wait for Detective Ryder's next book in the series. I highly recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Can Rachel Ryder be my new best friend? Carolyn Ridder Aspenson's newest detective is a funny, smart detective who has transferred from Chicago to small town Georgia. When Rachel is called for a dead body in a local motel, she finds the circumstances suspicious. The higher ups in the town don't want her to investigate to closely into this death. The closer she gets to some answers, the less they like it. I can not wait to see what Rachel gets up to next. Thanks to NetGalley, Severn River Publishing and Carolyn Ridder Aspenson for the ARC is exchange for a fair and honest review.

Suspense, crooked cops, murder, prostitution and small town politics that are every bit as dangerous as Chicago create a plot to have you on the edge of your seat and flipping pages as fast as you can read them! An entertaining read with characters that are intriguing and engaging to draw you in and a multi-faceted plot woven with twists and turns to keep you guessing. I am hopeful that this is the start of a beautiful new relationship with these characters as I hope many more books are to come. I am anxious to see what happens next!

Damaging Secrets is a gripping beginning to a new thriller series! New to the force, Detective Rachel Ryder is certain a murder is being covered up by local politicians. Thus begins a complex tale of murder, scandal and secrets in high places. Extremely well written, with a wonderfully twisty plot and well developed characters. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy. Detective Rachael Ryder is new to the small town of Hambly. She receives a call to attend a suspicious person call out at a local hotel. When she gets there it is a different story when a dead body is discovered. All the evidence points to a murder but Ryder's superiors rule it as suicide. The Police chief and Mayor are keen for the crime rate to remain low for political reasons. Ryder is determined to find out the truth and starts to investigate making herself very unpopular. A brilliantly written fast moving thriller.