Her Final Secret by Paul J. Teague is a great addition to the Detective Hollie Turner series, blending cold case intrigue with present-day drama. I received a copy from Storm Publishing via Netgalley.

The story revolves around Detective Hollie Turner, who is drawn into a murder investigation at Hull Fair—a location tied to the mysterious disappearance of her university friend, Moira, 25 years earlier. As Hollie delves deeper, she uncovers connections to historical abuse allegations and a web of lies that spans decades.

Teague masterfully weaves past and present, creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and suspenseful. The character of Hollie is well developed, with her personal stakes adding depth to the investigation. The setting enhances the tension and mystery. I enjoyed the novel as its a great read.

4,5/5 ⭐️

“Her Final Secret” follows D.I. Hollie Turner, a detective who joined the police force after her friend went missing in their college years. The event was so traumatizing the only way to get past it was to join those whose goal is to prevent such terrible things happening.

This is another book I was able to read prior to realizing it was a series, and again I’m ecstatic to find there’s more cases to read with these characters. Hollie Turner is a fantastic protagonist, although at times she seems a little too noble to be real, I still find myself believing not only in her but that there really are more like her in the world. She’s a prime example of what a good cop looks like, both in her career and her goals, unwavering in her commitment to excellence, the truth, and protecting others regardless of who they are or what they’ve done. In that respect she could be a little more lax in my opinion, regardless I still fell for her character hook, line, and sinker as they say.

This book in particular gave me vibes of the PBS show Unforgotten, which for those who are not fans or haven’t heard of the series let me clarify that from me that is high praise. I’m a super fan of that show and its detectives, so if it gives those vibes it’s an amazing thing. It honestly helped make me a fan of this series as well, I fully intend to invest in the rest of the books and hope it continues to provide the same level of entertainment.

Something I hit on earlier I’ll explain better here, that Hollie is a great example of a good cop/detective. This story also provides an example of the bad sort of cop, for all that may entail or suggest. I like this a lot, as it doesn’t paint a police force as altogether good, but shows there are those who are and intend to push for improvement in their ranks. I think it’s a great thing and a positive effort; excellent work Mr. Teague!

All this being said, I loved this book; it was a lot of fun and even gave a taste of nostalgia as it referenced what to me felt like a UK version of “Unsolved Mysteries”, a show featuring cases which remain, as suggested, unsolved. There’s no shortage of good things to say about it, so for now I’ll leave you with the score of 5 out of 5 stars, and the recommendation to read this and the rest of the series by Paul J. Teague. Fantastic, thank you so much for the ability to read this one.

Her Final Secret is book 5 in the Detective Hollie Turner series.

I really enjoyed this series and would recommend reading the books in order. You can probable just jump in but I think this is a series worth reading the whole thing. The FMC is a detective that will do whatever it takes to find out what happened to her friend. Great story and characters.

Book 5 in Detective Hollie Turner series, this can be read as a standalone. The annual Hull Fair is always a traumatic time for DI Hollie Turner. A quarter of a century earlier, when they were both students, she and her best friend were enjoying an evening on the rides when Moira disappeared. Now, the body of an ex-cop has been discovered in the same area, and, like it or not, Hollie's memories are returning to the surface as she and her team find links between the two cases. As her previous involvement in Moira's disappearance becomes common knowledge, the danger increases, and Hollie is determined the sins of the past won't become the failures of the present day.

Her Final Secret is a gripping, suspenseful thriller that weaves together a current murder investigation and the haunting disappearance of a young woman from twenty-five years ago. Detective Hollie Turner is a compelling lead, as her personal connection to the case makes her quest for answers deeply emotional and personal. The mystery of her university friend Moira's vanishing is intricately tied to a new murder investigation, making for a captivating storyline.

The book does a fantastic job of blending the present-day case with the unresolved secrets of the past, creating a layered narrative filled with tension and twists. The involvement of historical abuse allegations adds depth to the plot, while Hollie's personal stakes bring a human element to the story, making her both relatable and sympathetic.

The pacing is steady, with a well-crafted sense of urgency as Hollie delves deeper into the mystery, uncovering long-buried secrets that threaten to shatter lives. Though some parts of the plot can feel a bit predictable, the emotional payoff and the unveiling of the truth keep the reader engaged.

Overall, Her Final Secret is a strong, 4-star read for fans of mystery and crime fiction. The story is well-written, suspenseful, and full of twists that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

Please let there be more of this. Oh – there is I was just late joining the party so my new addiction is Paul Teague books !

What a book – fast paced, addictive and I raced to the finish.
Getting to see a glimpse into Hollie’s past and the reasons as to why she went for a career in the police was really engaging and really helped to understand the character.

Gripping British police procedural at its best.

I quite enjoyed this book. It was a little slow at first, for me anyway, but as I kept reading it picked my interest back up pretty fast. I will be recommending this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Paul J. Teague for this great read!
I love how this story evolved into Hollie’s detective work and how the pieces all fit together! I’m a true crime fan and this one hit the mark!

Detective Holly Turner is back in the fifth book in this series. Twenty five years ago, Holly’s friend, Moira disappeared one night without a trace. It was put down as a runaway case, but Holly was never convince Moira would without speaking to her first. Now, a retired superintendent of the police is found murdered at a funfair and evidence has emerged of historical abuse at a children care home, coincidentally, where Moira lived. Then a body is discovered and Holly is convinced it is Moira and she has to advise superiors of her connection to the case.
Holly is allowed to continue investigating this gripping cold case, determined to get answers and what really happened to Moira all those years ago.

Brilliant, tense thriller about a historic case of a girl disappearing in the late 1990's at a fairground intertwined with a present day detective who has links with the girl's disappearance. Beautifully threaded together and although the author takes time to set the scene, it very worthwhile as the end result is edgy and compels you to continue reading! Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy

I enjoyed every minute of this book. It is the first time I have read anything from this author, and I was not disappointed. It was an intense and fast paced read that I could not put down. I highly recommend this. I can't wait for more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Storm Publishing.

If you like British crime thrillers with strong female leads, you will enjoy Her Final Secret. Detective Hollie investigates the gruesome murder of a former police chief in an amusement park setting- the same annual fair from which her close friend Moira disappeared 25 years earlier. While absorbing, the story was not thrilling to me. It included content involving allegations of sexual abuse of teenagers, which sensitive readers should be informed about. I appreciated the opportunity to review an advance copy from Storm Publishing.

I didn’t realise that this book was part of a series, and I do think this influenced my take on this book, I did enjoy this book but I think I would have understood more if I had read the rest of the series first.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In the ever-expanding realm of psychological thrillers, Paul J. Teague’s Her Final Secret stands for its gripping narrative and its profound exploration of the human psyche. As the fifth installment in the Detective Hollie Turner series, this novel boldly plunges into the depths of mystery and betrayal while maintaining an intricate choreography of suspense and emotional depth.

Teague crafts his narrative with precision, introducing us to Detective Hollie Turner, a character who has evolved drastically over the series. In this latest installment, Hollie is faced with not just a complex case but also her own internal struggles. The author does a talented job weaving this character's personal narrative with the central mystery, establishing a compelling duality that enriches the reader's experience. As Hollie grapples with the shadows of her past and the burdens of her profession, her journey becomes about self-discovery as well as solving a chilling crime.

The plot unfolds with a meticulous pace, drawing readers into the heart of a seemingly straightforward case that quickly unravels into a labyrinth of secrets and lies. Teague excels at building tension, utilizing well-timed twists and unexpected revelations that keep the stakes high and the reader guessing. Each chapter ends with just enough intrigue to compel readers to turn the page, embodying the hallmark of a truly gripping thriller.

What elevates Her Final Secret is Teague’s keen observation of human behavior. Characters are not simply vehicles for plot progression; they are sketched with depth and complexity. From the enigmatic suspects to Hollie's own trusted colleagues, each character adds a layer of tension and unpredictability to the narrative. The intricate web of relationships reflects the novel’s central theme: trust, and how easily it can be shattered.

Teague’s prose is engaging and accessible, with a keen sense of rhythm that carries the reader seamlessly through the story. Descriptive yet succinct, his writing paints vivid images that evoke the dark and brooding atmosphere befitting a psychological thriller. He balances dialogue and exposition expertly, allowing the characters to reveal themselves organically through their interactions.

The heart of the story lies in its jaw-dropping twist—one that is shocking that resonates with the story’s emotional journey. It forces the reader to reevaluate everything they thought they understood about Hollie and the case at hand. This twist is a testament to Teague's ability to layer his narrative with suspense while still providing a satisfying resolution.

Her Final Secret is a masterclass in psychological thriller writing. Paul J. Teague has not only woven a gripping story filled with unexpected turns but has also delivered a thoughtful examination of trust, betrayal, and the human condition. Whether you are a long-time follower of Detective Hollie Turner or a newcomer to the series, this installment is sure to captivate and thrill, leaving you eagerly anticipating what comes next for this compelling detective.

Teague’s ability to blend tension with emotional resonance marks this book as not just a read but an experience—one that lingers with the reader after the last page is turned.

This story dives deeper into Detective Hollie Turner's past, and what happened that made her want to become a detective. 25 years ago, Hollie's best friend disappeared into thin air, leaving Hollie to wonder what had happened to her friend and the case went cold. Now, Hollie is called to investigate another murder, and as the investigation continues, things come up that point to this new case potentially being connected to the disappearance of her friend.

This book was just non-stop from the beginning and was thoroughly entertaining. This story is told in two different timelines, the present, and 25 years ago when Moira disappeared. The chapters that tell about the past, let the reader experience more of Hollie and Moira's friendship, and how Hollie handled Moira's disappearance. Being able to become emotionally invested in their friendship and heartbreak was fantastic and is something that is often missing from these types of books.

This book was full of constant twists and turns and even brought in extra layers to the dark themes. If you decide to give this book a read, please be aware that there are heavy topics such as sexual abuse of children, on top of the already promised topic of murder and solving a cold case.

This book caught my eye because it was a female detective investigating a murder that had haunted her for years. Cold case solutions are very interesting to me, and I enjoyed watching Hollie put the pieces of the past puzzle together to find the truth. I will definitely be watching for more books in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this advance reader copy in exchange for my free and honest review. Paul Teague has become one of my favorite authors and this character, Hollie Turner, one of my favorite leads. Her story is captivating and each novel in this series gets better and better. This one was a heart breaker for sure but kept me on edge and I. Suspense u til the very end. Paul Teague has a way of making you think you’ve got it all figured out and the. Bam, proves the reader wrong. It’s awesome and I can’t wait for Hollie’s next case.

So gripping - a must read for thriller fans! New author to me - I need to check out his other books now. Wow - good one.

This was my second Hollie Turner mystery. I really liked the previous novel "The Killing Circle", and looked forward to reading this one. I was not disappointed!

This time around, Hollie and her team are called to investigate the murder of a retired police superintendent at the Hull Fair. It is a grisly scene at one of the rides at the fair. While at the scene, Hollie is disturbed to find that there is a possibility that this case ties all the way back to her friend from university- Moira. Moira disappeared from the same fair 25 years ago, and Hollie was the last to see her.

This is written with a dual timeline (which I love!). I really love Hollie- she is strong, smart, and vulnerable and the author does a fantastic job of showing all these sides of her. I also love the dynamics between her team members, and seeing how they work well together is nice. I also loved that we get to see what Moira was like, and the effect she had on Hollie's future. It was her disappearance that led Hollie to become a detective.

There is the difficult subject matter of abuse in the story, and it is the center of the plot. I feel the author does a very good job in being respectful about the issue and highlighting it's many affects on all types of victims- but wanted to give that TW.

The story is well paced incredibly well written. I found myself staying up later than I should have to finish! And I absolutely love when the setting becomes a character in the story- a catalyst for the plot! It is a dark tale- but so good. This series is becoming one of my favorites! If you are looking for a bit of a deeper series to sink your teeth into- I highly recommend this!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I didn’t realize this was part of a series. I definitely think it would help to have trigger warnings listed in the beginning of the book, especially when it comes to the abuse allegations at the local children’s home. I did find it to be slow but maybe I would have felt different if I had read the other books. Thank you NetGalley, Paul and Storm Publishing for the ARC!