This is a character driven mystery set in small town Georgia. The first thing I noticed was that the author uses the same phrases -binging on Netflix. This takes away from the mystery immediately. The officers refusing to use detective...the subject matter is disturbing and instead of a murder mystery, it becomes a story of night life gone wrong. Perhaps other readers will get into this one; I did not.

Rachael Ryder is a detective who recently moved to the Atlanta suburbs while running from her previous life after her also detective husband was killed by contract in front of her.
Hambly is one of the safest places in the country with one of the lowest crime stats in the country, which is pretty much what Detective Ryder needs to help her process her loss in Chicago.

When she receives a call to investigate a suspicious person report (the call should have gone to the uniformed officers), she finds it's actually a DOA in which all evidence points to a sex crime murder, but the Chief ME calls is a suicide without doing an autopsy.

Rachael starts her own investigation dragging her unwilling (in the beginning) partner along with her as she discovers a string of crimes that start with the Mayor who has political aspirations, and the clues go all the way to the Governor's Mansion.

This is a well written story that is a huge step away from the author Carolyn Aspenson's normal works. And she hits a home run with it too.

There are no graphic descriptions of behind the door activities while at the same time letting you know what was going on due to the investigations. There is also the usage of profanity which is not used gratuitously.

I would like to thank Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, Netgalley and SRP for allowing me to have this advanced copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and offer my thoughts.

Damaging Secrets by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson was a new book and author for me. It's always nice to discover a new author with lots of books under her belt. It's a Thanksgiving meal bounty of books - you can read until you're stuffed and then take a nap. No better way to spend an afternoon.

As police procedurals go, this was a a capable entry into the field. The lead, DETECTIVE Rachel Ryder is, on the surface, an annoyingly brash newcomer to a small Georgia town's police department. It seems she does her best to alienate everyone from her partner to the mayor. However, at her heart she is a crusader for justice, even if it puts her personal safety and professional credibility at risk. Pair that with the fact that most of her previous career was spent in the Chicago area and you have the war between the states all over.

What jumps off as an unconvincing attempt by the Chief of Police to cover up a homicide declaring it a suicide, quickly begins to unravel a much more convoluted and involved organized series of crimes involving some heavy hitters. Ryder and her partner soon find themselves involved in an unsanctioned investigation putting both their careers in jeopardy.

Like Ryder, I found the Southern women portrayed to be the stereotypical "belles", with nothing more substantial to do in their lives except cook and clean. I understand the context, but if you're particularly sensitive to this representation, you might find Secrets a bit heavy on the Southern "charm". Otherwise, I'd recommend Damaging Secrets and other books by Aspenson.

Hooked from page 1!
Detective Rachel Ryder, from Chicago finds herself in Hamby, Georgia, for a new start after the death/murder of her husband. A suspicious person call is really a dead body, ruled suicide when it very clearly is murder. Ryder, new kid on the block and female, is told to drop the investigation as it is "clearly" suicide. Not one to give up that easy, and seeking justice, Rachel investigates, makes enemies and friends, bonds with her new partner.
Great new series, looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for an advance copy for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Severn River Publishing, Carolyn Ridder Aspenson and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Wow. Detective Rachel Ryder is a force to be reckoned with in her debut novel. From the first page, the reader is pulled in and can't let go.

Hamby, Georgia is a small town hundreds of miles outside of downtown Chicago, where Rachel Ryder has lived all of her life. She is a Widow who has made promises to her late Husband and has moved to Hamby to fulfill them. She soon finds out that the Hamby police force and government are not what they seem and when a suspicious murder happens, she aims to solve it despite the fact that no one wants it solved.

This book was amazing. I loved the fast pace, the character descriptions and Rachel's own internal dialogue. She never took "No" for an answer and wouldn't let anyone stand in her way. I even loved her relationship with her fish. This is the first book I have ready Carolyn Ridder Aspenson and it won't be the last!

I feel with such an amazing book that it could have a better title. Damaging Secrets doesn't do justice to what this book is about.

3.5⭐️‘S
The Hamby Police Department is stuck in the 1950’s. Rachel Ryder is new on the force and is tired of the lack of respect and being called ma’am instead of detective. When the good old boys start to sweep things under the rug, she wants no part of it. Rachel does not want to play their game and decides to pursue the case on her own, but is there anyone in town she can trust? With dirty politics and corruption at its core, Hamby won’t look quite the same when Rachel gets through with them. Rachel is a great character, one that despite her rough edges, you can’t help cheering for. While the investigation takes up a majority of the book, the resolution seemed a bit rushed. The ending sets up for the next book in the series perfectly and I’m looking forward to spending some time with Rachel again soon!

Fantastic!

From the beginning, I was hooked and completely invested in the characters and the storyline. Loved everything about it! Left me wanting a lot more. I can't wait until book 2.

This is most definitely going on my list of must read crime thriller series.

Thank you so much #netgalley and #severnriverpublishing for the eARC.

This is a police procedural with a very strong female main character, and she's just great. The rest of the characters are excellent as well, and the story is told with just the right amount of dialogue for a first person POV. Very easy and entertaining to read, with some humor, but little suspense.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Detective Rachel Ryder moved fron Chicago to a small town in Georgia. She gets a call regarding a deceased individual who the coroner ruls as a suicide, but Rachel doesn't think so. This book kept me guessing.

This was a first for me from this author and certainly not my last. I finished the novel in 2 days because it is such a captivating read. It’s extremely well written and had me hooked by the end of the first chapter based on the authors writing style. The murder itself contains so many twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. All in all it’s a great solid mystery thriller novel that I highly recommend. I can’t wait to read more from this author!