REVIEW: The Secrets That Lie Within by Elisabeth Rose

The Secrets That Lie Within by Elisabeth Rose is a suspense story with lots of action as well as various twists and turns. The storyline includes intriguing surprises that will make the reader sit up and take notice.

Abbie Forrest is an artist who had been married to a college professor who also happened to be a serial rapist easly finding his victims on campus. That’s the past. She has now moved on with her life – moved from Sydney, Australia on to a new home in Taylor’s Bend, a small town far from Sydney. It’s been a wonderful change for her. Her new home has a fantastic studio and her painting has been going quite well. She has finished and posted to the art dealer three of the six paintings needed for her next show.

Life is good. And then it isn’t. Strange things have been happening; mysterious cars appearing at her house, finding that the groceries left on her front step aren’t missing but have been put away in the pantry, footsteps on the gravel outside in the middle of the night and hearing gunshots, finding a dead animal outside her door and it looks like it has been shot. But the word around town is that there is a prowler around. Maybe that’s who is doing this. But, why? Probably she is just a random victim. Senior Constable Rupert “Rupe” Perry is way more concerned about these incidents. Too many coincidences. There’s something strange and possibly sinister and dangerous going on here. He is determined to get to the bottom of this. He feels a great need to protect Abbie.

The relationship that develops between Abbie and Rupe is a slow buildup to their HEA. They are both strong characters with baggage that will impact their relationship. I enjoyed these characters and how they managed to overcome their issues. Some things are very difficult to move on from. Overall this was an entertaining, surprising read.

Book Info:

Publication: April 12th 2019 | Escape Publishing |

A move to a small town might provide her the solace she seeks – until the once peaceful isolation turns deadly.

After her husband is controversially acquitted of multiple crimes, now-divorced Abbie Forrest escapes to the peaceful rural town of Taylor’s Bend intent on focussing on her career as a landscape artist. Estranged from her sister and daughter, Abbie tries hard to forge new relationships in the small community without revealing her own secrets.

Town policeman Rupert Perry is attracted to the quiet woman who lives alone on a large block fifteen minutes from town. But Rupe is happy with what he has – part time hours, a friendly inclusive community, and freedom to grieve for his late wife away from the well-meaning but overwhelming concern of his old friends.

When a series of peculiar and increasingly frightening events threaten Abbie, she is forced to turn to Rupe for help. But will he be able to prevent the escalation of terror as past wrongs demand revenge?