Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch

Publication Date: June 28, 2022

Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 349

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Crime Fiction, Christian

Content Warnings: One of the possible motives for the murders is that the killer is targeting people that took advantage/hurt children and we see different aspects of this during the investigation.

Rating: 4/5

Her Darkest Secret is a well balanced romantic suspense novel that follows a team of specialized FBI agents that are trying to finally solve the Nursery Rhyme Killer crimes. It seems like every member on the team has a reason for investigating the darker and twisted crimes their unit is in charge of and this book in particular focuses in on Fiona and her ex husband, Asa. Their marriage fell apart and Fiona transferred jobs after the NRK case kept coming between them and Patch brilliantly weaves them trying to overcome their differences with the renewed investigation upon more murders happening.

Another aspect of this book that I loved was that we get the perspective of NRK sprinkled throughout the story and it added so much to the already creepy atmosphere. Patch delivered on a twisty and thrilling ride where you can never quite anticipate where the story is going to go next. I thought that it would be fairly easy to see who the killer was but I found myself constantly questioning everyone and I was blown away by the ending. This is one of those books that keeps you on the edge of your seat and could easily be adapted into something for the screen.

Her Darkest Secret is a part of Harlequin’s Love Inspired category romances and while the book doesn’t shy away from the dark elements of the story it is also heavily influenced by the spiritual theme of the book. I thought Patch did a fantastic job blending the two together. In fact, I think she was able to use the characters belief or questioning of God to help propel the story forward which I appreciated.

Sometimes these Harlequin category romances can feel like they’re missing a little something since they can be a bit formulaic at times but Her Darkest Secret easily stands on its own and I think will appeal to a lot of readers. Patch also did an incredible job of hooking the reader into the next novel that follows a new character on the team that I can’t wait to know more about.