I thoroughly enjoyed Her Darkest Secret! The characters were personable, yet not predictable and the plot twists and turns definitely kept me guessing until the last dramatic scene. Kudos to this new author for developing a story that wove a man’s faith journey throughout in a natural, realistic manner without being predictable and artificial. I am ready to read the next book in this series!

Let me begin by saying I don't read thrillers often because I am scared of my own shadow. But, this book sounded too good not to face my fear for and I'm incredibly glad I did.

Fiona Kelly is the type of heroine that knows what she wants and works to get it. What she wants is to catch a killer and her entire life has been wrapped up in trying to do just that. Her determination and bravery immediately made me like her, but it was her unashamed questioning of faith that made me connect with her. God is big enough to take our questions and I was so glad to see that sentiment not only expressed in the novel but ultimately worked out throughout the story line in an organic way.

Asa Kodiak is made up of all the stuff that makes me swoon for a hero. Protectiveness. Willingness to admit he's wrong. Devotion. I had no choice but to fall for him as he swallowed his own emotions down and worked diligently and professionally with his ex-wife, Fiona, as they hunted down the Nursey Rhyme Killer. My heart ached for him throughout the story and that ache kept me turning pages.

As did the suspenseful nature of the plot. Trying to find a killer who is actively pursuing Fiona? The premise kept me guessing who and why. Even with me being the scaredy-cat that I am, I read into the night to finish this book. I didn't see the ending coming and was completely blindsided by the way the story concludes. The author does a wonderful job tying up all the loose ends and delivering on the happily ever after ending romance readers expect.

More than that, though, the message of God's light among the darkness, our call to shine as He shines, and a rising hope lingers long after the book is closed. That sticking inspiration made the book amazing! I can't wait to read the next story in the series.

Thank you for Jessica R. Patch and the publisher for the arc copy and the privilege of being an early reader. All the opinions expressed are my own and freely given. I highly recommend this book. In fact, I've already been telling people about it LOL

Her Darkest Secret was the first book written by Jessica R. Patch that I read and therefore I can't say that I had high expectations. That being said, this book sounded like everything I could love and I did end up really enjoying it.

To be honest, I do not have much to say about it. What attracted me to this novel was the fact that the romance is a second-chance between a divorced couple and I definitely don't read enough of those. But while I really liked Asa and Fiona, they weren't mind-blowing nor unforgettable. They were the kind of characters/couple that you like enough to follow their story but you're not too sad when you reach the ending.

As for the story, it was good. But I wasn't completely convinced. It was entertaining, though. But the reason why I couldn't bring myself to love it more is because of the writing. I don't really know how to explain it but while Jessica R. Patch's writing style is super easy to follow, I just couldn't get lost in it. Somehow, I couldn't get used to it. I was not the biggest fan and therefore I spent more time paying attention to the fact I didn't really like it more than to the story itself.

Also, and that's very important, I don't read Christian romances. I hadn't paid attention when I requested the ARC and that's my bad.

In other words, Her Darkest Secret was enjoyable and I'm sure a lot of people will love it once it's published June 28th. I did, although I won't be waiting impatiently for the second book. I feel like it's a "it's me, not you" kind of situation since I fixated on the writing style so hard for some reason that I cannot even explain.

FBI Agents Fiona Kelly and Asa Kodiak are thrown together to hunt down and bring in the serial killer known as NRK ( Nursery Rhyme Killer), he stages his victims to portray a nursery rhyme, each killing, a different rhyme. He had not been active for a while which made hunting him down a near impossible job. Both of them have been working this case since they became agents many years ago. They were also married through some of the early days that they were working the case. But their marriage did not last long, Fiona became obsessed ( some would say) with catching him. Especially since he killed her sister and a friend after kidnapping all three of them when they were teens. Fiona was the only survivor.
They have not seen one another since they divorced a couple of years ago. But they were both determined to be professional, to find Rhyme and bring him to justice.
Both of them have moved on in their careers but in her personal life Fiona had not. Whereas Asa was trying. He met a detective that he had gone out with a couple times. but their schedules made it difficult to make a date and keep it.
This case was bringing up a lot of triggers for both of them but Asa has his faith in God to rely on, that makes it easier. Fiona, on the other hand, was not a believer, like many nonbelievers, she felt he was a good man but did not believe He was God, if there was one He was not doing a good job. He was letting a lot of bad things happen.
Can they work together with their team to bring this killer to justice and be able to move forward with their lives? Can Fiona open her heart to the Lord? to Asa?

Thank you Jessica Osborn Patch for allowing me to be an early reader. This was the first I read from you and I'm looking forward to the next one!

Ok I'm in the WAY bar minority here but I couldn't get into this one at all... It's gruesome and not really in an interesting way so much as one that seems explicitly designed to disturb rather than to be disturbing in the course of telling a larger story. I read a lot of dark thrillers and mysteries but this one creeped me out more than most - and on top of that felt like the story meandered all over the place. I couldn't connect with the protagonist and just never found my way into it the way i hoped to...

FBI SA Fiona Kelly is living in Chicago now. After blowing up her marriage to her husband and fellow agent, Asa Kodiak. It’s been almost twenty years since she and her sister and other girls were abducted and later found dead with a feather on their bodies. She was the only one who survived. Escaped. Dubbed the Nursery Rhyme Killer due to the posing of the victims, no one has been able to figure out who he is.

But now Asa is dealing with a murderer with the same MO. And Fiona wants in. Asa has tried to move on with his life after Fiona, but it just isn’t working. But the killer hasn’t moved on either. He still wants her. The one that got away. This time Fiona’s own secret about that time in her life will come to light and her life will be in even more danger. Someone wants her dead and someone wants her for himself.

Fiona has put her life on hold until she finds the killer. It has become the only thing in her life and she is taking chances she should not be taking. It just might get them all killed.

A really good serial killer novel! And the ending was perfect!

NetGalley/June 28th, 2022 Harlequin

Author Jessica R Patch took it up several notches in this psychological thriller debut and I'm not sad about it. It seems the Nursery Rhyme Killer has turned life upside-down for many in the FBI special unit and has an obsession with one agent in particular - Fiona. For FBI Agent Fiona, it is an obsession to stop him. It has affected her life and those who love her.

Her Darkest Secret is more than a thriller. The author delves into the multi-dimensional characters' secrets from the past, forgiveness, and redemption.

If you like psychological thrillers, this one is for you.

I was given a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are mine.

In Jessica R Patch’s latest novel “Her ndarkest secret” FBI special Agent Fiona has been in search of the elusive “nursery rhyme killer for over 2 decades. The nursery rhyme killer has taken so much from Fiona including her marriage. To find the killer Fiona and her ex-husband FBI special agent Aza kodiak must work the case together, uncovering every detail including their feelings for each other. This book has so many unexpected twists and turns in both Fiona’s and Azas relationship and in finding the killer. Just when you think you know who the killer is, they find new clues and the plot thickens. I strongly recommend this book to any reader who loves a book you can’t put down. This book is better than any criminal show you could watch.

Jessica R Patch has wrote a psychological thriller that you won’t want to put down. NRK (The Nursery Rhyme Killer aka Rhyme) has become an obsession of FBI Special Agent Fiona Kelly. He haunts her every waking moment for the last 17 years when he kidnapped her and her sister. Her sister was murdered, but he let her go. No one knows the reason why except Fiona. It’s her darkest secret. One that she hasn’t even shared with FBI Special Agent Asa Kodiak her teammate and ex-husband. Asa has tried to get over Fiona since he divorced her two years ago. She’s transferred to Chicago and he’s the head of the bizarre and strange crimes unit in Memphis. He’s found God. He’s even started dating again. That all comes to a halt when NRK strikes again. Now Fiona must come home and work with her former team to help find out the identity of Rhyme before he murders again.
I really enjoyed reading about her and Asa’s story. We got to learn so many secrets these two were keeping. It was great finding out how Asa came to know God and how he worked on changing even despite all the stuff they dealt with each and every day. I also loved trying to guess who NRK is and how he became who he became. It was a very twisted and dark novel. Not your every day Love Inspired Suspense. If you enjoy psychological thrillers then you won’t want to miss Her Darkest Secret. I know I can’t wait to read book 2!

Wow! If I could give this book 20 stars, I would not hesitate to do it! I was totally absorbed into this book and this story from the first few pages. I actually felt as if I had slipped into the book and lived for a few days. This was so creepy that I seriously considered sleeping with the lights on! Jessica Patch masterfully manipulated my assumptions on how this one was going to end. This is a dark tale of a woman, FBI Agent Fiona Kelly, who suffered at the hands of a depraved serial killer when she was just a teenager. She survived, but her sister and friends did not survive. This killer haunts her dreams, and it has basically destroyed her life. Her obsession with finding this killer decimated her marriage to a fellow FBI agent, Asa Kodiak. She lives and breathes her voracious hunt for the serial killer known as the Nursery Rhyme Killer, apparently due to the killer's disgusting obsession with Mother Goose. When a goose feather is found at a crime scene, she knows the Nursery Rhyme Killer has struck again. She knows she has to be involved in this investigation even if it kills her. The cast of characters in this book are well written, and very easy to get to know and love through the author's writing. I found myself feeling real empathy for Fiona and what she went through as a mere child. How can you escape that horror? The author works in an inspirational message through this story showing Asa leaning on his faith and his faith changing his outlook on life. The mystery was as taut and intricate as a spider web, while also being disturbing. It is an action packed thriller with terrifying events that will have you suspecting everyone, but trust me... you will be shocked to your core at the ending of this book! If you are a reader who loves a thriller full of suspense and intrigue, I promise you will not be disappointed!

Thank you to Jessica Patch, NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is one of the best books I have read in quite awhile. Jessica R Patch keeps you jumping with most of her books but this one really had me guessing until the end.

4.5 stars

Wow! This book was intense and very difficult to put down. Fans of Nancy Mehl’s Kaely Quinn and Quantico Files series will definitely want to check this one out! Mystery, suspense, twists and turns, some romance, and faith are all present throughout the book.

You are going to read about some gruesome, horrible, evil things in this book. However, this is balanced by the message of hope in Christ. The characters are real and struggle with what it means to have faith and to live out faith. They aren’t perfect and make mistakes. This made me appreciate the message all the more.

I am often able to figure out “whodunit” easily. In the case of this book, I was still able to figure it out before it was revealed, but it took me a little longer. There was one twist, however, that I did not see coming. I love being surprised by a book.

I am so excited that there is another book in this series. I can’t wait!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow! This book is GREAT! It’s an amazing “Criminal Minds-esque” story that keeps you sucked in from the first page to the last. I was absolutely captivated from beginning to end with this wonderful story. My favorite part about the book is the theme of the constant love, hope, and grace that God gives in the midst of the pain and suffering that this Earth brings. I enjoyed every minute of reading this book and I hope you will enjoy it too!

If you want a page-turner, riveting, drop-the-mouth suspense/thriller, full of action, with a twist, then Jessica R. Patch is the author for you!
I think out of all the suspense books Jessica Patch has written, this is my favorite! OH MY!
It is so full of nail-biting moments with added creepy stuff, that there really isn’t time to breathe! You think you know what’s happening and who the bad guy is, then WHAM . . . the author throws a twist in, and you keep shaking your head!
I’m one of those readers who LOVES to “figure it out” and with this story, I was totally stumped. I was held captive from the very first page to the last. It was one of those books where you don’t want to put it down, but yet, you do because it gets under your skin and into your head and you don’t really want to know what’s going to happen, but yet you do! UGH! This makes for a GREAT creepy, scary, suspense.
Now, it wasn’t only full of scary stuff, it had some strong relationship plots, some crazy co-workers, and a beautiful message of God’s love and protection.
Jessica Patch is a very skilled author who weaves intriguing stories which will grip your heart and captivate your soul. Her stories also have wonderful examples of how God can take broken, worn, and lost individuals, and fill them with peace, and grace.
I was given this book by the author and all the opinions are my own!
I highly recommend picking up this book. However, I need to warn you, that you might not get much sleep until you finish reading it!

I received an ARC of this book. Five stars are not enough for this book! I am not sure I will be able to wait for the next book in this series. Nothing was what it seemed to be as I read this story. Every time I thought I understood who did it and how, the author would throw another twist in the story! Sometimes the twists would make me squeal out loud! This is a story that I constantly thought about. Be sure to read this book if you need some excitement added to your life!

I have enjoyed every book by Jessica Patch that I have read. This book is no exception. Once I picked it up I just could not put it down. It had a great cast of characters and I loved the story line.

Fiona was kidnapped when she was younger and so was her sister and three other girls. She was let go but the other girls were murdered. Now she has made it her life's work to find the murder they have named as the Nursey Rhyme killer or NRK. She has been so obsessed with finding him that she has thought of nothing else.

Will she finally find the killer and end this obsession and get on with actually living her life or will she remained haunted by this man for the rest of her life.

Check out the story. I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.

This book was non-stop! It kept me turning pages as fast as I could and guessing right up to the very end. This is the best suspense novel I’ve read in quite a while. I can’t wait for more from this new line of books!

Her Darkest Secret
By: Jessica R. Patch
Wow, what a ride I had reading Her Darkest Secret. Patch has really penned one of her best this Psychological thriller. I was captured at the start and could not put it down. It is packed with action, suspense, and twist and turns. I thought I had it all figured out, but no way. Patch takes you inside the mind of a serial killer. I was given a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Jessica R. Patch has written an outstanding psychological thriller with a little bit of romance and an element of faith that is well balanced. FBI Special Agent Fiona Kelly along with FBI Supervisory Agent In Charge, Asa Kodiak, are hunting a serial killer that wants to catch Agent Kelly. This is an intense, edge of your seat, don’t want to put it down book! From start to finish this holds the reader spellbound wanting to see what will happen next. There are unexpected twists to keep things even more interesting. I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher with a request for an honest review. The opinion stated is mine alone.

Patch's psychological thriller features a masterfully textured plot with complex realistic characters. Fiona and Asa are believable as ex-FBI teammates, as well as ex-spouses. The author does a fantastic job of showing the awkwardness of trying to solve a string of murders that are inextricably linked to Fiona and to the breakdown of her and Asa's marriage. The presentation of faith, without preaching and without shying away from exposing hypocrisy, is refreshing and avoids the standard cliches and pat answers. The suspense level is maintained from start to finish. I didn't want to put the book down and re-read it as soon as I finished. Nursery rhymes definitely don't seem benign and innocuous after reading this book. This book will appeal to fans of Patch's Cold Case series as well as Nancy Mehl's Kaely Quinn Profiler novels.