The Day She Died is the fifth book in the Chief Maggie Riley series, and even though it’s the first one I’ve read, I was instantly hooked. The author creates an unsettling atmosphere that lingers throughout the story, with short, fast-paced chapters that kept me turning pages. Maggie is a complex, relatable protagonist, grappling with her past while determined to uncover the truth. Her sharp instincts and emotional depth made me root for her, and I enjoyed seeing how her personal challenges intertwined with the case. The writing is vivid and immersive, with just the right balance of tension, action, and character-driven moments. Themes of trust, betrayal, and long-buried secrets add emotional weight without slowing the suspense. The twists are surprising yet believable, making me rethink everything I thought I knew as the story unfolded.

Some elements I enjoyed include the small-town setting filled with hidden dangers, Maggie’s determination to protect her community, and the mystery's layered complexity. There’s a great mix of crime-solving, moral gray areas, and the lingering impact of past choices. Overall, I’d recommend The Day She Died to readers who enjoy crime thrillers with strong, flawed characters, atmospheric tension, and unexpected twists. I’m excited to go back and read the first four books to see how Maggie’s story began! 📖💜

I really enjoy these characters. This was dark and gritty and had a unique plot. This series is a great one to invest in. Twists and turns and a wild left swing at the end. A solid read

Thank you for this ARC! I was excited to receive it, I am a big fan of the Chief Maggie series! This book was good, however, was not a 5 star. For me personally, the ending felt rushed. With that said, this definitely had “edge of your seat” energy that kept me guessing. The plot twists were shocking and exciting!! I absolutely recommend this book :)

The Day She Died (Chief Maggie Riley Book 5)
by Shannon Hollinger

The synopsis says, "Chief Maggie Riley is called to solve the biggest case Coyote Cove has ever seen". But wait, what about what happened in the last four books? How can things keep getting bigger and worse? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!

Good thing Maggie has her upcoming wedding to take her mind off things. She and Steve can just relax into the last days of being unmarried and look forward to a peaceful future together. Or not. Steve has his own problems and he's off looking for proof of bad things, elsewhere. So Maggie is busy with her biggest Coyote Cove case ever while fending off girlfriends who want to spiff her up and make her enjoy all things bridal which makes Maggie want to barf. This stuff is so not Maggie.

Good thing two of her girlfriends are involved in this biggest case so the three of them get to enjoy (and I mean enjoy, this is their thing) talking about bodies and autopsies, and neat, gross things like that. So a good time all around with the local hairdresser thrown in for good measure. The hairdresser knows the score in this town so she fits right in with Maggie's crime sleuthing friends. What more could you want in the women who are planning your walk down the aisle to the guy you love.

Luckily Maggie has Carl to hold down the fort back at the office. Despite a shaky start, Carl has turned out to be a great backup for all this crime going on and he's even become well liked by many of the townsfolk. I really like Carl, he's hardworking, conscientious, and doing the best job he can do while being worried about something in his past being discovered. Then there is Sue, the one who really runs the show, what with having worked for the police department since for the last century or so. But Sue is acting funny and Maggie wonders if she'll even show up for the wedding that Sue had been so excited about until bodies started showing up (again).

I promise you not every small rural town has something like four murders a week, everyone killing everyone else, many hiding what they know, and a woman police chief. I live in the country, right outside our small town and even though things happen, they don't happen on this scale. At least I don't think they do...eek! Maybe we are safer because we don't have a female police chief. These kinds of things happen in little towns with female police chiefs. Hopefully we are safe here...fingers crossed.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

This series is so intriguing to me because for the longest time I was not sure who I liked in this series. I’m warming to Maggie. And I’m so invested in the new guy. I’m still on the fence about Steve. I was a big fan of the storyline with Maggie this book. It was fast paced and non stop. I’m looking forward to the next book.

Great book!! It kept me guessing, I didn’t see all the twists and turns coming! I haven’t read the others in the series but it was great as a stand-alone and I knew what was going on. Really well written!

Some how I missed book 4 in this series, but it didn't stop me enjoying this book anyway. Maggie had so much going on that I found it hard to put the book down. With her fiance off chasing his own dragons she added wedding doubts into the mix too. I completely guessed the wrong murderer too because the twists led me in the wrong direction. A great read!

“The Day She Died” by Shannon Hollinger, had me hooked from the very first page. It’s a suspenseful, mysterious crime thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The twists were unpredictable and shocking. The pacing was spot on, building tension and keeping me turning pages. If you love a dark, twisty thriller with plenty of suspense, this book is definitely one you don’t want to miss.

The Day She Died by Shannon Hollinger. The alternating POVs of Maggie and Steve slowed down the narrative. The ending seemed abrupt and was disappointing. The unexpected twists and turns were exhilarating and intriguing. All in all a pleasant read and looking forward to the next case with Maggie and her team.
Thank you to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

this series is so addictive. Maggie is getting married, but Steve needs to do the right thing. Maggie has a case that is going to test her .and someone does not want her finding out the truth I so recommend this series

Chief Maggie Riley is on the case to solve the mystery of Ruby Anderson,

This is a fantastic read. It has twists and turns you just do not see coming and it's as thrilling as its intriguing.

This is an author who really knows how to spin a tale. It has drama and more drama and as a reader this is what I want from a book..

Great book. Couldn't put it down. I didn't see all the twist and turns coming. Thank you for letting me read.

I was hooked from the beginning! So many twists and turns that kept me reading all night! I need to know more about Steve’s POV

I have not read the previous books in this series but I was ready to start with this and then read the back log and it didn’t disappoint. I would advise reading the previous ones though.

Our main character is Maggie and she is not afraid to confront anything that comes her way. This is it’s not just about some case but some secrets that involves her and the people around her that she trusts. I had a good time reading this. Will continue this series and read the backlog as well.

A huge thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC. My review is completely honest and unbiased.

Shannon Hollinger delivers another exciting installment in the Chief Maggie Riley series with The Day She Died. Immediately, I was drawn into the mystery of Ruby Anderson, whose body is discovered in a burnt-out trailer, raising more questions than answers. The premise is about a woman believed to have drowned 20 years ago suddenly reemerging, which instantly captured my curiosity.

It's fun to be back in Coyote Cove as Maggie navigates through a maze of secrets and lies. The author balances suspense with character development, allowing readers to connect deeply with Maggie as she battles the complexities of the case and the betrayals within her own department. The plot twists are masterfully executed, especially the revelations surrounding the witness to Ruby’s supposed drowning. The author weaves a narrative that keeps you guessing, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, she throws in a curveball that leaves you reeling.

The tension builds throughout the story, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. What I found particularly compelling was Maggie's unwavering determination to uncover the truth, even when it becomes clear that those she works with may not be who they seem.

The Day She Died is a well-crafted story that is a thrilling mystery and a poignant exploration of trust, sacrifice, and the shadows of the past. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see what Maggie Riley tackles next!

#TheDaySheDied #NetGalley @bookouture

Coyote Cove Police Chief Maggie Riley witnesses the explosion of a trailer, and is then shocked to find out that one of its victims was already legally declared dead 20 years prior. What really happened to Ruby Anderson?
This is book 5 in the Maggie Riley series. I had not read the first 4 books and I definitely felt like I was missing some context. The dual stories between Maggie and her fiancé Steve were interesting but the pace was a little too slow for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Chief Maggie Riley and her fiancee, Steve, are still reeling from actions in the previous book. Steve has gone home to Massachusetts to investigate some - and Maggie is on patrol in Coyote Cove. Whilst on patrol, there's an explosion that leaves behind dead bodies... and one of them, a woman, was presumed to have died 20 years ago. Working closely with her second in command, Kal, Maggie starts digging deep into the dead bodies, and she's not liking what she's finding. It's troubling - almost as troubling as the bachelorette party that her friends are throwing for her. Without Steve as her sounding board and partner, Maggie is struggling personally and professionally. As another body is found, it's apparent to her that there's something bigger going on, and her friend, Sue, may just hold the key. A great addition to this series. Thank you to Bookouture for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Day She Died by Shannon Hollinger is a haunting and suspenseful thriller that delves into grief, secrets, and the darkness that can linger after a tragedy. The novel follows the aftermath of a mysterious death, and the story unfolds through the eyes of a grieving family struggling to come to terms with what happened. Hollinger crafts a tense atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge, skillfully blending emotional depth with spine-chilling suspense.

One of the strengths of The Day She Died is its ability to explore complex emotional themes, such as the impact of loss and the secrets people keep from each other. The author’s portrayal of the characters’ grief is raw and relatable, giving the story an emotional anchor that elevates the suspenseful plot. As the mystery unfolds, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of twists and revelations that make it difficult to predict where the story will go next.

The pacing of the novel is well-executed, with each chapter revealing just enough to keep the tension high without giving away too much too soon. Hollinger masterfully builds the suspense, leading to a powerful climax that ties together the various plot threads in a satisfying way.

While the novel excels in its suspense and character development, there were moments where I wished the pacing could have been slightly quicker, particularly in the middle sections. At times, the story felt a bit drawn out, and I found myself eager to get to the heart of the mystery. However, this slower pace ultimately helps to deepen the emotional impact of the conclusion.

Overall, The Day She Died is an engaging and atmospheric thriller that will appeal to fans of suspenseful mysteries with emotional depth. Hollinger’s ability to weave together complex characters and a compelling mystery makes this a standout read. If you’re a fan of stories that explore the darker side of human nature and the effects of tragedy, this book is definitely worth picking up.

This was a fun, easy read. The beginning of the book had a great setup and drew me in quickly. I was really getting hyped for the end but I felt as though it fell flat, I didn’t really get that wow factor. But still a fun read.

Thank you to Bookoture and NetGalley for this ARC. Due to be published April 14, 2025