P.J. Tracy has always been a favorite author of mine since the Monkeewrench series was published, and the City of Secrets does not disappoint. Her crime novels are written in a gritty style with fascinating characters and non-stop action. Detective Margaret Nolan steps into the underground crime world of L.A. by responding to a car-jacking which in turn reveals twists and turns of a failing corporation turning to murder. Tracy has always developed her characters in an interesting way and the pace of this story is non-stop. I look forward to future Magaret Nolan characters that are so expertly introduced in her novels.

Thank you to St. Martin's Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this book.

Peppy Pets’ Problems Precipitate Plentiful Police Presence!

And I mean plentiful. In the opening scene we are witness to the murder of the CEO and co-founder of Peppy Pets. When Bruce Messane, a successful business executive, is murdered just as his company was ready to be bought out for huge profits, someone like LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan and he crack team are brought to the scene. Of course, when a Peppy Pet’s employee goes to Messane’s house, it was found to have been invaded by burglars. Another investigation begins.

Almost immediately following that, the wife of Dr. Rome Bechtold, the other co-founder of Peppy Pets, was kidnapped. Dr. Bechtold now no longer was part of Peppy Pets, but had returned to his veterinary practice and so a different team was brought into that.

Before long there is another kidnapping and another murder and a whole lot more complication. Nothing goes easily or quickly in any good crime novel, does it? And this is a good crime novel!

This is the second Detective Margaret Nolan novel that I have read and it will not be the last. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good police investigation mystery. I thank NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and honestly review it.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in return for my honest review. This is the fourth book in the Detective Margaret Nolan series set in Los Angeles, and it's a 4 out 5 star read for me.

Detective Maggie Nolan and her partner, Al Crawford are called out to the scene of what appears to be a fatal car jacking. Suspiciously the victim was about to sell his company for millions, and the next day the partner's wife is abducted. In order to figure things out Maggie and Al are drawn into the world of big business, sex and violence.

Maggie is a strong lead character. Intelligent, very relatable and likeable. There's a romance between Maggie and Al but it doesn't detract from the overall book. Lots of secondary characters. Whle the book could be read as a stand alone, it could be an asset to read the earlier books in order to familiarize yourself with the secondary characters. Or just to read them because you liked this novel, as I plan to do.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

P. J. Tracy’s “City of Secrets” is the fourth installment in the Detective Margaret Nolan series, and it continues to deliver the intricate plotting and rich character development that fans have come to expect. The story begins with the discovery of a body in a high-profile location, leading Maggie and her team into a web of deceit that spans the city’s elite and its underbelly.

The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the moral ambiguities that law enforcement officers face daily.

Detective Margaret Nolan is a compelling protagonist whose sharp intellect and unwavering determination drive the story forward. The supporting characters, from the enigmatic suspects to the dedicated members of Maggie’s team, are well-drawn and contribute significantly to the story’s tension and intrigue.

Tracy excels at creating multi-dimensional characters whose personal struggles and professional challenges are intricately woven into the fabric of the mystery.

Tracy’s writing is elegant and gritty, capturing the essence of Los Angeles with vivid descriptions and a keen eye for detail. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, reflecting the high stakes and intense emotions that permeate the story.

“City of Secrets” is a standout entry in the Detective Margaret Nolan series, showcasing P. J. Tracy’s ability to craft a compelling and multi-layered mystery.

4.5🌟

P.J. Tracy's 'City of Secrets' is the fourth book in the Detective Maggie Norton Series. P.J. Tracy is the pseudonym for Traci Lambrecht, and she started these books with her mom.

Maggie and Al are called to crime scene, which end up being the killing of a CEO of Peppy Pet. He is in the part of town he has no reason to be. Sam Easton is asked by his mom to check on a friend whose wife has been kidnapped. Soon, these two crimes become entangled in a mess of other things. Just how big will this case become?

There's a lot going on in 'City of Secrets '. Tracy ties it all up nicely. I was intrigued from the beginning. Maggie and Remy's relationship development is notched up a bit. Sam continues to battle demons but may have a new job on the horizon. His relationship with Melidy takes a step forward. Tracy is developing all the characters, not just the main ones, that gives great depth to the book.

Published August 20, 2024

Thanks to Netgalley, St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Lambrecht for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

😊Happy Reading 😊

#Netgalley #Stmartinspress #minotaurbooks #pjtracy #cityofsecrets #arc #readmytbr #readaway2024

Another good book, but again too many characters. That is the only detracting thing about the book. I love Nolan and the good side characters although the others can be icky. The author slowly weaves the story together from what seems disparate parts leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for providing an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love this author and this series!!

The characters are well rounded, the story is always interesting and fun to follow. I really hope this series continues for many more episodes!

I highly recommend this author and this series, you don't have to start with the first book Deep into the Dark. But this series is wonderful, so you should!

I recently finished reading City of Secrets, the fourth installment in P.J. Tracy's Detective Margaret Nolan series. As a fan of mysteries, I was anxious to dive into this book, especially after I finished reading the previous books in the series before starting this one. I'm glad I decided to read this series from the beginning because the characters had undergone significant changes since book one, and if I had read it out of order, I would have found book four challenging.

Brief Storyline: The main character, Margaret Nolan, who the series is named after, takes on another murder case in book four, where a man is found dead in his car. Initially, the police believe it's a carjacking case until Margaret and her partner, Al Crawford, investigate the man's murder further. The man who has been murdered is the founder of a company that is about to be sold for millions, which makes Margaret and her partner believe that someone at his company may have murdered him. The further they investigate, the more questions arise along the way.

What I Liked: So far, each book has kept my interest when it comes to the cases that the characters have to solve. Just like with the MCs, I'm determined to find out who murdered the man in the car and why he was murdered in the first place, especially when the characters find out he was keeping secrets. This one, I couldn't figure out who was behind the murder, and I love it when I can't figure out who did it. I enjoyed reading about Margaret and how her relationship with Remy (who played a significant role in this book) was growing, even though they are in a tough spot due to working in the same division together. Then there was Sam Easton, who has significantly changed since book one, and I love that he is finding happiness not only with a new job but with Melody.

Issues I had with the Book: Once again, the book became overwhelming, with all the points of view being introduced, and it was hard to keep up with at times. I wish the book had focused more on the main character, Margaret, and her team of detectives and maybe I would have enjoyed this book and the whole series more. I do see the significance of some of the others that were in this book, but it was just confusing a times to keep up with it all.

Other than those issues, I did like the book, but I didn't love it. I give this book 3.5 stars, and I recommend this book/series to readers who have read P.J. Tracy's books before. I am glad I was introduced to P.J. Tracy's books because I do plan on reading her other series, Monkeewrench.

This was a procedural set in greater Los Angeles. The story line is excellent and grabs and holds your attention from the first page. However it has such a large cast of characters and is written in such a convoluted way that it shouldn’t be considered a stand alone. If the reader has not read the prior novels sequentially they will get lost and confused. Additionally, the ending (which is a very satisfactory conclusion) is, in actuality an introduction to the next novel. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC for an honest review.

Well written, has everything. It’s fast paced, murder, intrigue, kidnapping. Twist and turns a little romance. This is book four in this series but can be read as a standalone. Detective Margaret Nolanis witty, smart and fierce love her. Two thumbs way up.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The series has settled into being the Detective Margaret Nolan series written by the daughter from the mother-daughter writing team. Detective Nolan, along with her partner, is sort of a main character, with supporting characters in her friends, family and love interests. But Sam Easton has a strong role, along with the people in his life.

The homicide case in City of Secrets is the owner of a pet food company. It's a twisty road to determine how he died. Then his ex-partner and wife are abducted. The ex-partner, a veterinarian is close to Sam's family. So the investigation here is suspenseful, especially as more bodies pile up.

On the personal side, Maggie is getting closer to Remi. They can't both work in homicide though. Sam is also progressing in his therapy, his relationship and now looking at a new job. These personal developments help to build the characters and make them more realistic.

There were a lot of additional characters in these cases which felt like a lot at times. The investigation was divided between two teams with one for the homicide and one for the kidnapping and that's what really spread the focus. The pacing was strong, though. Overall, I was happy to continues with the series and the main characters.

City of Secrets is the fourth installment of the Detective Margaret Nolan series, written by mother/daughter author duo P. J. and Traci Lambrecht under the pseudonym P. J. Tracy. Although it's part of a series, it can be read as a standalone novel, as the primary plot is a police procedural mystery.

Bruce Messane, wealthy co-owner in a pet food company about to go public, is found dead in his luxury car in a dangerous area in LA. It looks like Bruce was up to some seedy business that went wrong, but as Detective Maggie Nolan and her partner, Al Crawford, investigate, the twists and surprises take them on some weirdly unexpected paths to the killer.

This is my second Detective Nolan novel, and I can now say I'm consistently happy that I can't predict a dang thing while I'm reading Tracy's books. City of Secrets has a wild variety of characters and course changes during the story. The plot is tightly woven and fast paced, but there's enough room to get to know Maggie, Al, Remy, and the side characters well enough to care what happens to them as the tension escalates. I appreciate the threads of continuity from prior novels that show up as well, which help Maggie's world feel fully fleshed out.

City of Secrets is a fast, fun read. I'm becoming a fan of Detective Nolan as a character, and I'm looking forward to more novels in her thriller series.

City of Secrets is #4 in the Margaret Nolan series. It is the first book I've read, and it can be read as a standalone, but as with all series reading the previous ones adds more to the characters. I know I'm going to start with #1, Deep into the Dark.

Chapter one starts off with a bang introducing Bruce Messane's angsty demeanor. He's a wealthy man with many secrets that are unveiled after he was found dead in a presumed carjacking gone wrong. The investigation follows drug leads, the sex underworld, and the angel of death. This all comes together in a fast pace to a satisfying conclusion.

I enjoyed the banter and wit amongst the characters. It's a fast paced read with humor and short chapters. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy.

City of Secrets (Detective Margaret Nolan #4) by P. J. Tracy
Narrated by Abby Craden
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Published: August 20, 2024

City of Secrets is the 4th book in the Detective Margaret Nolan series by P. J. Tracy. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone mystery or as part of the series.

This book is filled with fascinating characters and a brilliantly plotted storyline. This was fast paced with amazing twists! I thought it was amazing!!!

I can’t wait for the next book to be released! I love this series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

P.J. Tracy’s latest complex mystery begins with a murder that will be tied to kidnapping, greed, and a drug cartel. Bruce Messane is the CEO of a pet food company. On the day that he is to sign a deal to sell the company he is murdered, a case assigned to Detective Maggie Nolan and her partner Al Crawford. His CFO and occasional lover Cynthia comes under suspicion when Nolan suspects that Mussane had been embezzling from the company, but with the proposed purchase the accounts had been recently audited. Messane’s shares of the company will go to his former partner. Shortly after he is interviewed, his wife is kidnapped and her disappearance is tied into the murder. Tracy weaves the threads of these cases as well as a drug bust, a second kidnapping and additional murders into a story that is fast paced. Nolan is a strong female lead. She is in a relationship with fellow officer Remy Beaudreau, a relationship that is against department policy. While attempting to be discreet, it is a well-known secret among fellow officers and only a matter of time before their commander will have to address this. It would mean the transfer of one of them, but Remy has been considering their future and may have a solution. Tracy’s characters are well developed and her dialogue flows effortlessly. This is the fourth book in the series and Tracy knows how to keep her readers coming back. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin/Minotaur for providing this book.

I wanted to know how the pieces of the puzzle fit together as soon as the story started. I still struggle a little keeping all of the characters straight in my head, but I enjoyed this installment in the Margaret Nolan series. I don't think it's necessary to read the other books in this series first. The story is stand alone. This mystery was pretty compelling and had a lot of pieces to it. I was still surprised at the end by the twist. I'd definitely look for more by this author. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

In some crimes, truth and justice are not always the same.

LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan has seen more than her share of unusual cases, and her latest is another one that turns out to be more difficult than it initially seems. She and her partner Al Crawford are called to a less than glamorous part of town where Bruce Messane, the wealthy co-founder of a healthy pet food company, has been found shot dead in his expensive car. What looks to be a possible failed carjacking or a walk-on-the-wild-side-turned-bad will prove to be far more complicated than either of those scenarios. His murder has upended the upcoming buyout of his company, and the wife of his former partner in that company, Rome Bechtold, is kidnapped soon after. Rome calls family friend Sam Easton for guidance, and despite having been warned to keep the police out of it they make the call to LAPD. When Rome is snatched off the street, it seems like too large a coincidence for Messane to be killed and the Bechtolds kidnapped without there being a connection between the events. Kinky sex games, a psychopathic love partner, and a new and violent rising power in the street drug scene all play a part in wherever these crimes are leading. Nolan is also dealing with her growing feelings for fellow Homicide Division detective Remy Beaudreau….relationships between members of the squad are not allowed, and theirs is becoming the worst kept secret in the department. One of them may have to transfer out if they continue their involvement. Can Nolan and Crawford follow the threads of the investigation in time to stop any more deaths?
City of Secrets is the fourth in the Maggie Nolan series after The Devil You Know. Maggie is smart and tough, and is working in an elite unit that sees the worst of humanity. From a licorice-guzzling tech to a young cop working in the rough neighborhood where he was raised, there are plenty of interesting supporting characters, and with a villain like the psychopathic Mimi to keep things lively the story drew me in early and kept my attention. Plenty of twists and turns, and a peek at the less than glamorous side of the CIty of Angels make for an enjoyable read. Fans of the other books in the series and/or of the author’s Monkeewrench books will definitely want to read this latest installment, and it would appeal to the audience of authors like Isabella Maldonado, Karin Slaughter and Michael Connelly. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me access to an early copy of the latest in this promising new series….I look forward to Maggie’s next case.

When a body is discovered in a high-end BMW in a deteriorating, crime ridden area of LA, Detectives Margaret Nolan and Al Crawford are called to the scene. As their investigation begins it is soon apparent that this particular case is not your average homicide.
This police procedural is the 4th book in the Detective Margaret Nolan series. Can be read as a standalone but to better know the characters it would probably be best to have read the preceding books in this series since there isn’t a lot of backstory for them in this volume. It has a complex plot that is well developed and flows smoothly. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending though as some things were not tied up. Overall, I enjoyed the twisty plot with its scary criminals and feel like it’s definitely a worthwhile read for people who like police procedurals, crime fiction, and thrillers. 4 stars

City of Secrets by P J Tracy is a police procedural, intriguing and well-plotted. It opens differently than most by the first half dozen or so chapters devoted to one player each in the story. All good guys in varying forms. As the story unfolded, the inter-relationships became clear. It started with a murder. A wealthy man in an expensive car was found shot in the temple on a dangerous street in a rough part of town. The only witness didn’t see much, only a black SUV and a laughing woman. They got a little further when they ID’d the man who lifted the tires. When the went to the man’s residence they found the door open, but nothing touched, they thought, until they came to an undusty spot in a very dusty wine cellar. Meanwhile, some very powerful people were waiting to sign a deal selling the victim’s company to a powerful conglomerate. They got sick of waiting. The victim’s ex-partner received a text showing a photo of his wife, bound and gagged: kidnapped.

What a terrific mystery. There were so many moving parts. Crimes are no longer simple. Good people ended up dead, right along with the bad ones. That happens when organized crime and cartels are involved. The primary investigator is Margaret Nolan, who along with her partner, Al Crawford took to investigating as if it were their second skin. They didn’t sleep. They didn’t eat. Other agencies were involved. Drugs. Kidnapping. This had it all. Rich people… An interesting character was Monserrat De Leon, counsel for the conglomerate buying Pretty Pets, the victim’s company. It’s always disconcerting when the reader can’t tell which side a person is on. Good procedural. Good characters. Good mystery. Intriguing solution when all was said and done. A glimpse into Nolan’s future.

I was invited to read City of Secrets by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #PJTracy #CityOfSecrets

This is the 4th book that focuses on Detective Margaret Nolan - LAPD Homicide. Over the last 4 books, we have also gotten to know several secondary characters who have been nicely developed and fleshed out and we get to see them in this book as well -Sam Easton and Melody, Remy Beaudreau, and her partner Al - to name a few.

This book starts off with an unusual murder, then we add a kidnapping, then another....At the same time, we are also getting additional storylines from different situations occurring concurrently - a case that Detective Remy Beaudreau is trying to close, and then we are introduced to and following a new character, an attorney involved in the current troubled sale of Peppy Pets.

P.J. Tracy (Ms. Lambrecht) has the ability to take the different ropes of each separate storyline and expertly weave them together so that the reader (and by reader, I mean me) can start putting things together at the same time that the case is unfolding. In the past, we were also following along as Detective Nolan dealt with her burgeoning relationship with Remy. That is also evident here, but it is more in the background and actually feels more stable. Getting Remy's side makes things infinitely more serious. I can't remember if we had that in prior books, but I liked it.

This entire case is strange and I will be the first one to say that I did not figure it out beforehand. There are some surprising twists and turns, and a VERY unexpected twist at the very end. Not only did that come out of the blue for me, I'm not sure how I felt about it. I will say this though, ANY time a book can surprise me, I am thrilled. That does not happen as much as I wish it did, so when it does happen, it is definitely a win.

Can this be read as a stand alone? Yes, I think so. There really isn't any part of the history that is not given to the reader, and it is easy enough to follow along with the information in the way it is parsed out.

The ending of this book does tie off the story line of the current case, but it leaves some things in Detective Nolan's personal life open ended and leaves the possibility of a next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.