This is a great romantic suspense story and just shows how versatile a writer Katee Robert really is.

This book brings Eden back to her hometown and the cult she escaped when she was 18, lead by her Mother. When someone leaks a photo of a young girl murdered and ties to the cult, Eden now returns to that hometown to bring it all down. Eden is now an FBI agent.
There she meets Zach, ex Marine, now Sheriff of this quiet small town, just the way he likes it. He has little trouble with the cult as they keep mostly to themselves. He's suspicious of Eden when she first arrives until he understands what's going on and they start to work together. The storyline and suspense just build from there. This is light on romance I would say, and more real story than Katee's usual but again I point to her versatility as an author. She wrote a great story here. Plotline, character depth and the damnedest twists and turns. Kept me on the edge on my seat a few times. If anyone can 180 a story, it's Katee.

This book gets 4.5 from me. I loved it and highly recommend.

**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for a fair review**

This is one of those books that just leaves your jaw on the ground. The characters and their story was passionate as well as highly suspenseful. I was blown away by Eden and Zach's intense adventure in The Devil's Daughter.

So someone is murdering girls in Zach's town (he's the sheriff). The crimes are brutal and as another girl disappears, Zach finds himself worried how bad the situation is going to get before he finds the killer. He's worried that it is tied to the local cult and it will be difficult to find the answers he desperately needs.

Eden is finally returning to the home and parent she fled from years ago. Not because she was homesick but because someone has lured her there. Whomever is murdering the girls, wants Eden back home. Is it her mother (the cult's leader) or someone else who is using that as a cover??

Zach isn't sure what to make of Eden landing on his doorstep. Is she here to help or the reason bad things are happening?!? Either way, the case is compromised by the overwhelming feelings of attraction they have for one another. They know it's inappropriate for the current situation but they cannot help themselves whenever they are near each other. The stress of the situation creates a weird but exciting dynamic to their budding relationship.

The plot moves along at a swift pace and I was easily caught up in all of the drama. I thought the author did an incredible job of keeping me guessing until the very end. It's awesome. So I would definitely recommend checking this romantic suspense book out!

When I read this, I totally missed the fact that it was romantic suspense and basically only focused on the mystery portion of it. Because when you have an ex-cult member coming back to investigate a murder that said cult (which was started and is run by her mother) may be involved in, you basically have me hooked.

In The Devil's Daughter, Eden is the ex-cult member I mentioned. She was brought back when someone mysteriously emailed her the photo of a recently found corpse - a corpse which has tattoos very much like hers. The sheriff of this town happens to be Zach Owens, who just wants to solve the case. The two have an instant attraction to one another but I wasn't that interested in it. Mostly, I was interested in the mystery.

And luckily for me, the book totally delivered. There were a few chapters on how their relationship progressed - which I admittedly skimmed - but most of the book is focused on the cult and the murder. And of course, Eden's relationship with her mother, Martha. The mother-daughter relationship is the one that fascinated me, because I can't tell whether Martha is manipulative but loves her daughter or just manipulative. And of course, Eden's need to break free from her mother's hold had me rooting for her from the start.

The case progressed at quite a fast pace, although sometimes it seemed like things were being propelled forward by the culprits rather than the two solving things. But then again, I think the star of this book is the cult, how it operates, and the mother-daughter relationship going on, so I'm not that concerned about whether this is a traditional whodunnit that the reader can solve.

This is a fairly quick, thrilling read that features a fascinating cast of characters.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

As a huge fan of this author’s mafia romance series, The O’Malleys, I was more than happy to be gifted an ARC of The Devil’s Daughter in exchange for an unbiased opinion. Unfortunately, despite the multi-pronged drama, simply put, folks, I just didn’t particularly enjoy this book. At 50% into it, I realized the main couple still weren’t a couple at all. With all their inner monologues, I felt they talked in their head more than they did to each other, as well. Yeah, eventually they had a smexy encounter, but it felt more like a stress reliever session, not a romantic connection.

If you enjoy more of mystery/suspense over romance and don’t mind it being very slow paced, you might want to consider reading The Devil’s Daughter. Though the ending was action packed, it was rather predictable but at the same time somewhat as bizarre as the Persephone themed cult aspect. Here’s to hoping others enjoy it. It was just an average mystery read for me.

Title: The Devil’s Daughter, Series: Hidden Sins, Author: Katee Robert, Pages: 316, stand-alone, no cliffhanger, sheriff hero, FBI heroine with past forced cult history, some graphic violence, disturbing abuse of young women, cult backdrop.

(This review is based on advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased, fair review. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley. It will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, and Barnes & Noble.)

A haunting read with interesting characters and a good premise. I liked the protagonist though the mystery element was too much for me.

Great romantic suspense; I am so excited that this is a new series.

What a great start to a new series by Katee Robert. I don't read a lot of mystery novels but I'm a huge KR fan. I was sucked in from the beginning to the nice twist at the end. Didn't see it coming !! Our h/h are Zach and Eden. The romance is light in this story but there is chemistry with our couple that keeps you rooting for them as they try to figure out who is kidnapping and murdering girls in Clear Springs. We meet a lot of secondary characters to keep you guessing who the bad guy is. The story never lags and for me, I couldn't put it down till I finished. I had to find out who did it!
Loved it and I can't wait for the next one in this great new series.

Title: The Devil’s Daughter
Author: Katee Robert

4 unexpected stars

I love how Katee Robert has the capacity to draw you in her stories like no ones business, making you feel as though you’re part of it, no matter what style she decides to write it. The Devil’s Daughter is the kind of suspense and thrilling ride that will give you shivers down your spine while making you warm as things heat up between the characters. Eden lived in a cult all her life until she got out, becoming an FBI agent that lands her a case where the victims all sport the same tattoo as those of the cult members that she was part of While investigating, she comes face to face with Zach, the sheriff of the town, who wants to protect her from the pain and suffering that could accompany her homecoming, all the while trying to find the killer.

4 breath taking dreams

It was thrilling. Suspenseful. Action filled. And so much more. I couldn’t wait to read it again when I had to put the book down, and I wanted to find out who the killer was and how Eden and Zach would make it out- would they catch the killer? Can they fight their feelings for one another or will they succumb to them? When all is said and done, would a relationship be possible for the both of them? I can’t wait to read more from Katee Robert since she’s always a thrill to read, no matter what she writes.

*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Kathleen, The Small Girl from A small girl, her man and her books

I found tis book very slow to get into and i couldn't take to any of the characters.

From reading her O’Malley’s series, I thought I knew what to expect from Katee as she ventured into romantic suspense, but I was totally unprepared for The Devil’s Daughter. This book blew any expectations I had out of the water. I opened this book last Friday afternoon and did not put it down until the last page was turned – FIVE. HOURS. LATER. Even then I had to go back and read the last chapters again to fully comprehend what I had missed the first go-round. Never mind the fact that I am a solver and just when I thought I knew who was behind the disappearances, I was proven wrong.

From the first page, you are pulled into the web of Clear Springs, Montana and the secrets behind the gates of Elysia. The very tenuous existence between this bucolic town and this cult is equally intriguing, with Sheriff Zach Owens charged with trying to keep the peace.

The how and why of Eden Collins’ return to Clear Springs are equally parts fascinating and wrenching. But as you get to know her, appreciation for not only this woman’s courage, but also her intelligence and determination will grow exponentially. She is just such an amazing heroine.

Sheriff Zach Owens is the perfect opposite for Eden. He is a fixer and while Agent Collins is no damsel in distress, he feels compelled to be her white knight. It is impossible not respect his character, he is best kind of man.

The winner of Scariest Mother of the Year goes to – Martha Collins. This woman is a sociopath of the very highest order and her top priority is Martha Collins. Katee did an amazing job constructing this character, as Martha is the boogey person who will inhabit your nightmares. On the outside, she is motherhood personified, but get in her way and she will use every weapon in her psychological arsenal to make your life uncomfortable. She really is the perfect villain.

What you also gain from The Devil’s Daughter is understanding – what goes thru the mind of an FBI profiler. Trying to get into the head of a charismatic cult leader. As well as the myth of Persephone – which honestly, filled in a lot of gaps for me, since I only knew enough to be dangerous, thanks to multiple viewings of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. All of this speaks to the detail of the research that Katee did for this book and as a reader I really appreciated it because it really enhanced my reading experience.

Get this book and do not allow it get lost in your reading queue – read, enjoy and share it with your friends.

Happy reading!!!

Laurie’s Rating: 6++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ STARS

I don’t normally read suspense/mystery/romance types of books but when I saw that Katee Robert was coming out with one, I thought I’d push my boundaries and take a chance. I had enjoyed reading her O’Malley’s series so why not? The writing and character driven romances appealed to me and even those had elements of suspense in them.

I might not be the best person to review the suspense genre but I’m going to give it a try. Just keep in mind that I’m a “virgin” to the genre. Be gentle…

Whenever I read a story that has a mystery, I always go into it looking for the perp (or UNSUB as they called the person in this book) right away. The Devil’s Daughter wasted no time in allowing me to do just that. Bam! Ms. Robert has us in the victim’s point of view in the first sentence of chapter one. The story flows back and forth between different character’s point of view but it does it seamlessly without any hiccups. I could easily figure out who was talking. Sometimes multiple POV stories get confusing but this one was easy to follow.

The majority of the story is told from the point of views of the sheriff Zach Owens and FBI Agent Eden Collins. Zach is the town’s golden boy who left town to join the Marines. After the Marines, he came back to his hometown to become their sheriff. He is definitely protective of “his” town.

Eden is whole other story. Raised in the commune (read: cult) just outside of the small town where Zach was the golden boy, Eden couldn’t escape town fast enough when she turned eighteen. Ten years later, the last thing she wants to do is get anywhere near her mother and her mother’s cult. Unfortunately, a killer is intent on making sure Eden is compelled to come back. I liked how Ms. Roberts wrote Eden’s character because while Eden is having to relive a horrible time in her life, she doesn’t fall apart and stays pretty put together. She’s human, she makes mistakes. But she’s a pretty darn strong human and I liked that.

The rest of the characters were just as well written. Each served their purpose and did it extremely well. Martha was a true devil, consistently!! Abram was the constant soldier – scary! Vic was scary, too and I really, really liked him! I’d like to read more about his story because of what happened to him towards the end of the story. I’m purposely being vague on who is who so I don’t spoil the book for you. I’m hoping that if you pick up the book to read, you’ll never remember my review 😉

Like I said in the beginning, I had a perp all picked out but then it was leading another way so I kept my options open. I was still leaning towards my original pick but then Ms. Robert completely surprised me!!! That’s outstanding in my book!

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Devil's Daughter by Katee Robert
Book One of the Hidden Sins series
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publication Date: January 24, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Growing up in a small town isn’t easy, especially when you’re the daughter of a local cult leader. Ten years ago, Eden Collins left Clear Springs, Montana, and never once looked back. But when the bodies of murdered young women surface, their corpses violated and marked with tattoos worn by her mother’s followers, Eden, now an FBI agent, can’t turn a blind eye. To catch the killer, she’s going to have to return to the fold.

Sheriff Zach Owens isn’t comfortable putting Eden in danger, even if she is an elite agent. And he certainly wasn’t expecting to be so attracted to her. As calm and cool as she appears, he knows this can’t be a happy homecoming. Zach wants to protect her—from her mother, the cult, and the evil that lurks behind its locked gates. But Eden is his only key to the tight-lipped group, and she may just be closer to the killer than either one of them suspects…

What I Liked:

Katee Robert does it again! I'm convinced there is nothing she can't write. I've read most of her steamy, sexy adult romance novels, her dark crime/mafia adult romance novels (O'Mallley's series), and now this series, featuring murders and cults. I knew this wasn't specifically a romance novel (though there is romance in it), which is different from what Robert usually writes. I'm really happy that I loved this story despite the usual heavy-romance expectation being taken out of the story.

Sheriff Zach Owens has a dead body to identify and a missing girl to find, within days of each other. The first instinct would be to point fingers at Elysia, a cult group run by religious fanatic Martha Collins. But with no evidence, he can do little more than ask questions. But things change when Eden Collins, daughter of Martha Collins, shows up in the precinct with a photo of the dead girl's body. Someone sent Eden the photo, and Eden believes whoever sent it is trying to draw her back to Elysia. She vowed she'd never come back, but now she is involved, even if she's not back in Clear Springs on official business, as an FBI agent. Zach doesn't like the idea of involving Eden, for her safety, but he has no other options when it comes to Elysia. Zach and Eden are determined to find the killer, before more girls are taken and killed.

There is such a dark, creepy tone underlying this story, which is probably Robert's intent. I'm assuming that's the case, and I must say, Robert did an excellent job building up the creepy factor. Chills and goosebumps were definitely present as I was reading this book. There is something about cults that has always freaked me out, but add raped and beaten murder victims with ritualistic patterns to the murders, and the creepy factor is significantly upped. Like I said, Robert really did a good job with setting the tone.

The world-building is well-written too. I don't think I've read many novels set in Montana, but here we are, with a story set in Clear Springs, Montana. I've always thought Montana was creepy, but this novel sort of seals the deal. I know this is fiction but I'm assuming there is some sort of authenticity to the setting (mountains, small town, cabins, fishing, three cops total). Robert painted the picture of Clear Springs and Elysia really well. Montana is a very different place from Baltimore, and Robert made this extremely evident.

Of the two, I liked Zach more, but I liked them both. Zach is the white knight in shining armor type. He isn't overly alpha or macho, but he is extremely protective of his town, the citizens, and eventually, Eden. He feels responsible for each murder and any crime in the town. He tries to do the best for everyone, and often takes care of himself last. He has the makings of a devoted family man, but his job and his dedication to it has him very single. Zach is smart, honest, and protective, but he is also a hardened ex-Marine who is ruthless when it comes to protecting his town.

Eden is the more complex of the two. She wears a lot of emotional armor and puts up walls with everyone. Growing up in Elysia left her extremely scarred, and she has tried to block out a lot of what happened. Coming back and reliving those memories is extremely difficult for her. But she is an FBI agent and a stronger woman than she ever was. She doesn't want Zach's help (as much as she really does need it - him), and she often wants to do things her own way, even if (to me) her actions seem reckless and impulsive.

Like I said, this isn't a romance novel (it's a mystery/suspense novel), but there is romance in the book that isn't at the forefront. Zach and Eden have chemistry between them, and they complement each other well. But with Eden's walls, a relationship between them would be impossible. I was a little frustrated because I wanted more from the romance, but at the same time, I definitely understand why there wasn't more. Still, the progression of the romance is sweet.

Back to creepy! The premise of this book is very intriguing, being a mystery/suspense story about several murders that seem to follow the same patterns. The victims are young with pale skin and dark hair, and they all have tattoos, specific to the Elysian cult. All fingers point to Elysia and Martha Collins, but there is no concrete evidence. Zach and Eden must hunt down every clue and every scrap of knowledge they have. Robert had me going in one direction or another, but it really didn't take me long to hone in on one person - and I turned out to be correct. There was another aspect that I didn't quite aspect. Really, the ending is both surprising and not surprising. Robert crafted an excellent and twisted story, keeping readers guessing until the end.

Overall, I liked the story. It was complex and unique, not just about the murders of several girls and trying to catch the killer before more girls disappear. Eden works through a lot of emotional pain throughout the story. Zach has to deal with the crushing guilt he feels every time someone else is missing, or shows up dead. And the pair share a lot more than a common goal to find the murderer - they grow closer, but Eden doesn't know what to do with her feelings. There are many layers to the story, which all come together in the end.

The ending is good in that it wraps up well (in terms of the murderer and the mystery of it all). I wish there was more concreteness to the romance's ending - it's a HEA, but I think I need an epilogue to be fully satisfied. Still, I liked this book and I can comfortably say that it is one of Robert's best.

What I Did Not Like:

This is nothing against the main aspect of the story (the "murder mystery")! But my complaint would be that I wanted more from the romance, especially at the end. The ending is a nice one, in terms of Zach and Eden, but it's also slightly open-ended. Like I said, I would love an epilogue. I don't really love not knowing how things are going to be concretely resolved and worked out. If that makes sense (hopefully I've been vague enough to avoid spoilers but also specific enough to make sense).

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend this novel if you like murder stories, mystery/suspense novels, or the like. A warning - there is a creepy cult, and mentions of beatings, rape, non-consensual acts. All of these horrible acts happen to the murder victims (and not out protagonists (Zach or Eden). But I thought I'd mention that. This book has a pretty heavy dose of creepy in terms of the cult, but that definitely makes the novel interesting, and it kept me reading. My attention was captured and I could not stop reading until I reached the end!

There is "mature" adult content, in terms of the romance. Another thing to note. Not as steamy as Robert's contemporary romance novels, but definitely explicit enough for adult readers only.

Rating:

4 stars. This is one of Robert's more complex and thought-provoking novels! It was dark and chilling, but with some warm and hopeful moments (such as the romance). I hope that there will be Zach/Eden cameo appearances in subsequent novels, because I really want to know how they work things out logistically! I'm a facts/logic person, and I must know. I'm excited to read the next story (Vic's)!

Crack this one open and prepare to hang on!

The mystery of The Devil's Daughter kept me guessing, right up until the big reveal. I had an idea about one of the antagonists--though that one felt like an outside chance--but the other one took me by complete surprise. The suspense was well-written, keeping the reader right on the edge for the entire book. I've never been so glad to have one last weekend before classes start up again, because it was going to be next to impossible to put this one down for more than a few minutes at a time--fortunately, I didn't have to :)

I liked how Eden's mother used a hybrid blend of the myth of Persephone, Demeter, and Hades and other similar world myths to base her "religion" on--the creepy practices of the people of Elysia, combined with the way the killers twisted them to their own purposes gave me chills. Every time that Zach glanced up toward where the cult's compound was, even when he couldn't see it from where he was in town, I swear it gave me the chills.

I can't wait to see where Ms. Roberts is going with this series!

My only complaint is that the romance here really takes a back seat to the suspense part of the story--understandable, since there's so much going on, with dead bodies and more lives at stake and all--but once the mystery is solved and the antagonists are dealt with we're left with more of a HFN than a HEA--the specific "hows" of their relationship are very much still up in the air. Hopefully, that's because Ms. Robert is going to give us (a lot) more Eden and Zach in future books; I definitely want to see more of these two together, watching them grow as a couple. (subtle hint) Either way, though, sign me up for book two!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

The Devil's Daughter is another fantastic book from Katee Roberts. It's the first book in the new Hidden Sins series. It's a thriller with some romance and such well written characters. Eden returns to her home town as an FBI agent. She had escaped from town years ago because her mother was the leader of a cult. She returns because of the mysterious murder of a young girl. Sachs is the sheriff in town investigating the murder. He reluctantly accepted Edens help because the cult is not being cooperative. They eventually are drawn to one another romantically. It was fascinating reading about the cult and its members. All the characters had a mystery to them and were well written. The mystery was great and it had plenty of twists. A well written book and I can't wait until the next in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley. I provided an honest review.

What can I say, really? I loved this book! I would buy it for a friend!

I loved the plot twists, the strong characters, the heat between Eden and Zach, and the nuances leading up to a great ending. This was, to me, a perfect thriller.

THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER was a fantastic read! I couldn't put it down.

Rated 4.5 Stars

The Devil's Daughter was very suspense driven with the romance being secondary. I quite enjoyed it. I loved that it kept me guessing and just when I think I have it figured out the author threw me for a loop and had me second guessing who I thought it was. I am very happy to report that none of the persons on my list turned out to be behind the killings. It is very rare that I don't figure out who the killer is before it's revealed but that was the case with this book and I loved that. When it was revealed I can honestly say my mind was blown I really did not see it coming which made me love the book all the more.

I think the author did an amazing job crafting this suspense filled tale. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I just cannot wait to see what she comes up with for the second book also I can't help but wonder if I'll figure it out before hand or have to wait for the big reveal.

If you love suspense that keeps you guessing and at the edge of your seat I highly recommend this book you won't be disappointed.


ARC provided by publisher through Net Galley in exchange for a honest review

Holy monster sauce The Devil’s Daughter is amazing! Katee Roberts has done it again. I was completely blown away by how amazing this book was.

Eden Collins got a picture of a dead body in her e-mail and knew she had to go home. Her mother controls a cult. After Eden escaped she joined the CIA, using her knowledge to bring down other cults. Coming back to Clear Springs was the last thing she wanted to do but she couldn’t help but feel as if the body was left for her. After getting into town she meets Zach Owens. Zach went into law enforcement after leaving the service. Now his town is full of dead women and he’s realizing he let some people in his town down.

I really enjoyed The Devil’s Daughter. Eden was a super amazing female lead. I love how she was just taken through the ringer time and time again throughout this story and continued to kick butt and carry on. I liked Zach as well. I felt that he was honest and strong and protective, but he never did anything to try and hold Eden back in any way. He was awesome.

The Devil’s Daughter is such an appropriate title. I really felt that sense of evil whenever Eden met or thought about her mother or her past. This book drew me in from page one. I felt for each and every character and I hope to see what comes next for these characters someday. I don’t want to say too much because this book is full of mystery and surprises that I don’t want to ruin for anyone. I’ll just say that you’ll be shocked when you find out who was behind everything.

The Devil’s Daughter, go grab this one ASAP because it is glorious.

A deeply harrowing intense thriller that is interlaced with mystery, suspense, and intrigue. If you are familiar with Katee Robert, then you are all aware that she has this ability to pull in readers to get lost in her story and in the case of The Devil’s Daughter, Katee went beyond the hearts and flowers that we are used to but instead gave her readers a story that will leave chills as she explores the hidden secrets of a cult.

The Devil’s Daughter is not your standard romantic suspense since I would say romance takes a major backseat in this story of uncovering the secrets of this specific cult. Eden Collins left her childhood life behind when she escaped Clear Springs, Montana ten years ago. She started a new life but it seems she couldn’t escape her past or her family. As it turns out, Eden’s mother is a cult leader and when bodies of young women starts emerging, all signs points to her mother’s cult. As an FBI agent, Eden was trained to be strong, independent, and fierce but what happens when she arrives back in Clear Springs and is bombarded of the lifestyle that she tried to run away from. Will Eden be able to help the local sheriff find those missing girls? Or will Eden discover that she can’t truly run away from home?

If you are looking for a story that is a real page turner then I highly suggest you read A Devil’s Daughter as you discover the unfolding of secrets and the reasoning for the killings of the young girls. Roberts did a fabulous job in writing this book as she slowly laid out the pieces of the puzzle in order for readers to guess who the killer is. If you are like me and are looking for a book that was written with such intensity and fervor then I highly suggest you read this book.

Katee Robert is probably best known for her sexy contemporary romances, several of which have been positively reviewed at AAR. With The Devil’s Daughter, she’s moved into romantic suspense territory, and has done so with a reasonable degree of success, penning a well-paced and gripping tale that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

Sheriff Zach Owens, a former Marine, saw enough killing, bloodshed and violence during his various tours of Iraq to have made him want to leave it behind him and settle down in the relatively quiet Montana backwater of Clear Springs. The worst he usually has to deal with involve the odd DUI, theft and minor crimes, and sometimes keeping a lid on the suspicion harboured by some of the locals towards Elysia, the large compound outside of town which is home to a religious cult. Most of the time, the town and the cult manage to co-exist peacefully, but when a local girl goes missing and her ultra-conservative, church-going parents insist that someone from the cult is responsible for her disappearance, Zach has to walk a tight-rope between doing everything he can to find the girl and keeping the simmering resentment of her parents and their supporters from igniting the tensions between Clear Springs and Elysia and provoking a serious incident.

Zach’s fears are confirmed when he receives news that the naked body of a teenager has been found just outside town and he fully expects this to be the missing girl – but it isn’t. It’s another local girl, one who was believed to have left town to attend college, hence the fact she’d not been missed. And to make things worse, the girl is linked to Martha Collins, the head of the commune at Elysia, by virtue of the fact that Martha wrote her letters of reference for college. Zach knows that any direct approach to Martha or her inner circle will be shut down and met with their usual brand of stonewalling, but with a murder directly linked to the group, and suspicions mounting that they have something to do with the other girl’s disappearance, Zach is going to have to tread carefully if he’s to stand any chance of getting answers, finding the missing teenager or solving the murder.

Eden Collins escaped from the commune and her mother’s influence when she was eighteen. Now an agent working for the Behavioural Analysis Unit at the FBI, she’d never thought to return to Clear Springs, wanting to remain as far from there as possible, but when she’s anonymously sent a picture of the murdered girl, which clearly show tattoos identical to the ones Eden has, she knows she has to go back. Zach is initially suspicious of her presence and her motives. As Martha Collins’ daughter, Eden is not the most popular new face in town, and even Eden can understand why Zach feels the way he does. But she insists he needs all the help he can get in order to find the missing girl before she becomes the killer’s next victim.

The small-town setting of this story is used to great effect in creating an atmosphere of oppression and insularity which helps to build a sense of menace in the mind of the reader. Another thing the author does very well is to show just how deeply affected Eden was and continues to be by her upbringing and life as the daughter of a clever, manipulative and ruthless woman. Eden has been out of Elysia for a decade; she’s an intelligent, independent, capable woman who is obviously good at her job, and yet coming back to Clear Springs almost threatens wipe out those ten years. She knows how controlling and devious Martha is, and knows she has to keep her wits about her if she’s not going to get sucked back in; and Ms. Roberts communicates Eden’s complicated feelings about Martha and Elysia with insight and skill.

The suspense plot is well-executed and especially unsettling on the few occasions the story is told from the PoV of the murdered girls. I had my suspicions as to the identity of the villain, but it wasn’t too obvious, and overall I was satisfied with the way that storyline played out.

I can’t say the same of the romantic aspect of the book, however, which comes as a surprise given Ms. Robert is known as a romance writer. Zach and Eden are a good fit; intelligent, competent people who are dedicated to their jobs and who are both carrying around a bit of emotional baggage. But the romance isn’t really given enough time to develop, and as a result, it feels as though it has just been tacked on. Their first kiss, for example, comes out of the blue when their relationship really only consists of suspicion and work-related disagreements. In this context, sniping at each other doesn’t work as verbal foreplay, and there isn’t much chemistry between them. The book ends with an HFN rather than an HEA for Zach and Eden, with both of them agreeing to pursue a relationship while continuing with their jobs and lives in different places

The Devil’s Daughter is billed as being the first book in the Hidden Sins series, and I’m certainly not averse to reading more, but I’m hoping that Ms. Robert will be able to achieve more of a balance between the romance and the mystery in the next book.