Cover Image: Turning Secrets

Turning Secrets

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

The body of young woman, Nadia Armstrong, is discovered at a construction site, and it is at first thought to be a suicide. Rouleau and his team investigate. While finally it seems that Stonechild's niece, Dawn, has made some friends at school but one of them looks to have problems, is this anything to do with her new and first boyfriend.
Another interesting addition to this good well-written series. The book can easily be read as a standalone though I would recommend reading in order to watch as the characters and their interactions have developed.

Was this review helpful?

Turning Secrets is the 6th book in the 'A Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery' series but it was my first and the fact that I finished reading it in a matter of 2 days (which is very quick for my speed level lol), and my 5* rating speak volumes for the book.

This book deals with two plots running alongside each other. One is the death of a young, single mother, Nadia Armstrong whose body is found on the ground of a hotel construction site. Initially it is ruled as a suicide but as the team of Major Crimes with its lead investigator Kala Stonechild go underway with the investigation, it begins to look like the apparent suicide could actually be murder. As the team get together to solve the case, they have to weave their way through a lot of roadblocks as solving it will bring a lot of skeletons out of the closet of everyone who is remotely connected to Nadia. The second plot deals with Kala's niece Dawn, who is now living with her. Unknown to Kala, Dawn is in contact with her estranged father Fisher, who is out on parole and at the same time Dawn becomes a target of Leo, one of Dawn's friends Vanessa's boyfriend who has sinister motives when it comes to young girls like Dawn and Vanessa. Although each chapter inititally focuses on a different narrative related to a separate character, the author smoothly manages to connect and bring all these separate threads and plots together to a very believable and satisfying conclusion.

A very intelligent and thrilling police procedural with well developed characters and setting. This 6th installment was the first time I heard about this series but after reading it, I can say I am a big fan and have gone ahead and downloaded the first five books in the series since I am now interested to know the back story of all the recurring characters in the book. Superb and highly recommended!

My thanks to NetGalley, Dundurn Press and the author for providing me with an e-ARC of the book.

Was this review helpful?

This book was intriguing and dark but it was a little slow for me to get into. I felt things went back and forth in different directions a bit much but it was still a good book!

Was this review helpful?

An unidentified body of a young woman is found on a concrete slab at an isolated construction site in Kingston.
Major Crimes identifies the deceased as former teenage runaway and single mother Nadia Armstrong. Not sure whether Nadia's death was suicide or murder, the team slowly puts together Nadia's last days.

Meanwhile, Officer Kala Stonechild’s niece Dawn is secretly corresponding with her father who is now out on early parole. Dawn’s friend Vanessa is in a relationship with an older man named Leo. Leo preys on young girls and soon has Dawn in his sights.

This was another strong entry in the Stonechild and Rouleau police procedural mystery series.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Dundurn with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Was this review helpful?

Turning Secrets is the sixth in that series and the first I have read, but I was able to keep up with the characters. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from this author. The writing is good and I liked the characters.

Was this review helpful?

Although this book is in a series I hadn't read them, it didnt take it away from the book it can be read as a standalone.
I really enjoyed this book I was well researched. Loved the twists it was ease to follow and a real page turner. Would easily recommend this.

Was this review helpful?

Turning Secrets by Brenda Chapman is the 6th in the Stonechild & Rouleau Series although it is my first read, it didn’t detract from the enjoyment.

When the body of a young mother, Nadia Armstrong is found on a building site, it is presumed she committed suicide, however Kala Stonechild seems to think differently, while trying to piece together the days running up to Nadia’s death, Kala discovers after having a troubled past, Nadia was trying to better herself for the sake of her baby. What did Nadia get herself mixed up in and can the team on the Major Crime Department figure it out!

A very strong police procedural mystery involving underage prostitution, trafficking etc. A page turner for those that love a good mystery (which I absolute devour!).

Many thanks to Netgalley and Dundrun for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This is not the type of book I usually read. It was interesting and intriguing. It kept my interest, im not one to finish a book if I don’t like it. I would recommend this one.

Was this review helpful?

A very good book by a new author for me. I really recommend reading this book. I do not like writing long reviews or reading them that tell you the whole plot. I do not want to spoil it for you.

Was this review helpful?

Having never read any of the other books in the series I thought I might get lost in the plot of this book but I didn't. Good to read as a standalone. A great read and page turner.
Really enjoyed and will be going to read the rest of the series now

Was this review helpful?

The body of a young single mother lying face down on a concrete slab at a secluded construction site.

That is where the story starts.

What starts off looking like a suicide might have something more to it.

Office Kala Stonechild can feel it in her bones.

As she follows any and all leads, it starts looking more like a murder by the minute.

But not just a murder. This goes much farther….and higher. Way above anyone’s pay grade.

Sexual exploitation, Teenage prostitution, Human Trafficking…. The case slowly unfolds through lines that cannot be crossed.
As Stonechild struggles with pulling proofs out of dead ends, her world comes crashing down around her.

Dawn, Kala’s fifteen year old niece has been kidnapped. And if the kidnapping is related to Kala’s case, as is most likely

Then Dawn is in grave danger.

Can Kala win in her race against time to save Dawn and countless other young girls brutally shoved into darkness.
Brenda Chapman has got a precise grasp on teenage psychology and has managed to put it into words that hit home. It is painful to see how the desire to look unbreakable leads to so many broken teenagers.

Through the dynamics between Dawn and her friends Emily, Vanessa and Chelsea, the author explores the delicate issues of teenage and how they can go out of hand without any warning.

From Emily’s predisposition to self-harm to Chelsea’s attempts to make herself a reflection of her friends to Vanessa’s desperate search for escapism and belonging through an older man who exploits her. Brenda Chapman crafts a minutely detailed picture of the teenage mind.

Kala and Dawn’s interactions were beautiful. Two people with walls built around them from years of hurt, trying to reach out to each other the best they can.

‘Turning Secrets’ is a story that is dark. Yiu bet it is. But it has hope too. Hope of a better tomorrow. I would gladly call it a book worth reading.
[This is a part of my original review on my blog 'Trails of Tales']

Was this review helpful?

Thankyou to NetGalley, Dundurn and the author, Brenda Chapman, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Turning Secrets in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I thought this book provided a good, gripping read. I enjoyed it and would definitely read more from this author.
Worth a read.

Was this review helpful?

Having not read the previous books in the Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery series (I am sooo bad at requesting mid-series books. Someone really needs to stop me from doing this) I was a little wary about diving into Turning Secrets. Obviously I knew nothing about the characters, their backgrounds and relationships or the writer herself but the synopsis for this book had me so completely intrigued that going in blind didn’t matter one bit to me. I needed to read this book!

Even without reading the previous books in the series, I enjoyed Turning Secrets so much! Brenda Chapman has written such a dark, gritty and compelling story that I felt I had no choice but to be wholly pulled in to the mystery. Chapman also managed to work around the one issue I tend to have when reading a detective thriller, especially one where I come in part way through a series: boredom! Between the characters, the mystery and the pacing I never once found myself rushing to finish. Not once. No wandering eye, no skimming pages…just sheer, thrilling enjoyment.

While Chapman wrote this book in such a way that it can be read as a standalone, and I was able to effectively read it without seeming to miss too much, I think that it would be beneficial to follow the entire series. Also, it is just a great read so why wouldn’t you want to read all the books in this series?

With amazing character development, quick pacing and a plot that just keeps giving Turning Secrets is a detective thriller that will leave you wanting more.

Bonus: Canadian author. Can we just have a moment to appreciate a great Canadian writer because we Canucks do NOT always get the recognition that (I feel) is deserved.

4.5 rounded to 5 stars for this one. Though I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I was able to follow along without reading the earlier books, I do feel that the information dump early in the book could have been a little less overwhelming had I had previous character knowledge. I fully believe, that this would be a 5 star read had I read the earlier books so this is just me picking at my own foolishness for not finding this series earlier.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Without doubt this is solid stuff.. I did find it all on the one hand derivative and then an awfully lot of coincidence (that the newly released father would get in touch again with his daughter after release from prison, and her best girl friend he seems to want to move in on, and the reporter conveniently learning things they shouldn't etc .. got in the way of my being totally engaged. But it's readable and would be an entertaining easy to send an evening, despite its content being rather dark. .

Was this review helpful?

This is book 6 in the Stonechild and Rouleau series, and though I normally recommend starting from the beginning, this read can firmly stands on its own.
Brenda Chapman continues to deliver a thrilling police procedural that will keep you glued to the pages!

A single mother is found dead at a construction site and everyone assumes she jumped to her death. But what if there was more to it? Was someone else involved in her death?

Detective Kala Stonechild is raising her 15 year old niece Dawn. Trying her hardest to balance work with the unexpected and challenging responsibilities of raising a teenager.

When one of Dawn’s friends gets tangled-up with a new boyfriend, Dawn is drawn into a situation that may be more dangerous than anyone could have imagined!

A fabulous addition to an already solid series. I’ve been enjoying this series for years now. Brenda Chapman gives such clarity and depth to her characters, I feel like I get to know each one a bit more with every book! I love the strength of Kala and her relationship with her team...especially Gundersund!

Already looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dundurn Publishing and Brenda Chapman for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very great read for myself. I wouldn’t recommend it to my students, as some parts were a bit to much for me.
I absolutely loved this book, and the story line.

Was this review helpful?

Even tho this book is a part of a series you are able to read it as a stand alone installment which is nice.

I did get a little annoyed with the fact it jumped perspective so many times but it added character to the storyline.

This was a decent crime thriller. Believable. Not over the top. Kala is easy to identify with which makes the book enjoyable.

This story is based on sex trafficking and political corruption. It doesn’t go into details which is nice for reader who do not enjoy the nitty gritty. I personally would have enjoyed a little more detail. It would have made it more impressionable but over all it was a decent read. I definitely plan on checking out the other books in the series.

Was this review helpful?

Turning Secrets by Brenda Chapman is the 6th book in the Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery, and my first book by this author. I enjoyed this book, a good who done it, with twists and turns that kept me reading. If you enjoy police mystery I recommend this book.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Trying to start over is not always as easy as it sounds, and in some instances it leads to death. Why is someone that has everything to live for now dead? was it murder or was it suicide? Will they ever find out the answer or will someone get away with murder? A book with twists, turns and unexpected reveals. I am glad that I read this book and did not miss out on the story.

Was this review helpful?

I didn't realize this was the 6th book in a series when I requested it. I really enjoyed it. It was suspenseful and I liked the characters. As a matter of fact, I've now started reading the other books in her series!

Was this review helpful?