Don't you just love a series of books that just keeps getting better and better and loses nothing of the wonderfulness that drew you to the series in the first place? Dead Secret by Noelle Holten has done just that. This 4th book in the Maggie Jamieson series delivers yet another punchy, thrilling story that had me gripped from start to finish. 

Maggie has barely caught her breath from her last case when another one lands in her lap. Maggie is in danger of feeling burned out but what can she do? She doesn't have a choice. She must find the murderer of a young man and solve the clues about the strange marks on his face. Who would commit such a heinous crime? And, as if life wasn't exhausting enough, there's trouble closer to home when one of her own colleagues and his family go missing. Her good friend Kate is no longer on hand to offer her practical support but can provide a listening ear at the end of the phone. Maggie misses her terribly but given the horrific experience Kate had to endure in the last book, its hardly surprising she is seeking comfort with family. 

I found the character of Lucy an interesting one and liked how she had developed from book 1. Her role providing safe haven to those who have suffered domestic abuse was one I could totally relate to. I worked in a women's refuge for 3 years so was impressed by how the author has written about the experiences of survivors of abuse and the desperate need to find a safe place to go. The fears and anxieties just jumped out of the book and really hit home. When Ronnie first came to Lucy for help I felt anxious on her behalf. Ronnie turning up at Lucy's door the way she did left me a little bit unsettled.

I think the best thing about this entire series is the development of each character and the way they lean on one another, although not in an entirely obvious way. Each person brings their own unique skills which ultimately seem to click with another person's skills and everyone seems to compliment one another. I love a good procedural crime novel and this was without a doubt a real hit with me. And I have to admit to being one of those people who love a good gory, twisty, shocking spine tingling crime! Does that make me weird? Probably! Does it make Noelle Holten a good writer who is able to deliver the goods? Most definitely! A highly recommended read that left me sitting open mouthed!