Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills was my most surprising read of 2021 so far. I’ve always been a fan of Ms Mills’ writing, but this book is at another level of perfection. As a longtime reader of suspense, not a lot surprises me anymore. This book had me absolutely mesmerized. I literally could not put it down because I was so desperate to find out what happened next. So much suspense and tension permeating this book. It is definitely the best book that I’ve read this year, hands down. The characters and their intricate backstories, the events that take place, the emotional turmoil in the book— so much blends to make an amazing story. Readers of Christian romantic suspense will adore this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Okay so things were kind of meh and predictable. And it really should've had some tag or info for it being Christian and so religious based. As I'm not religious and don't normally care for these topics unless it has something to do a bit when it comes to spooky/ghost stuff, I glossed over the parts and I ended up not reading and not enjoying lots of this book.

Shelby Pearce has just been released from prison on parole, convicted 15 years earlier of murdering her brother-in-law. Denton McClure is an embittered FBI agent with something to prove. He’s determined to find where Shelby stashed the money she is suspected of embezzling as part of the crime she committed. Posing as a widowed math teacher, Denton befriends Shelby, who is trying to make a fresh start. When Shelby’s life is threatened by an unknown assailant, will her newfound faith be enough to see her through? Will Denton be able to unravel the mystery before it’s too late? Who wants Shelby silenced, and why? Find out in this suspenseful tale of deception, redemption and second chances.

Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed in this story line. It was intriguing, to be sure, since I’d never read one about someone who confessed to a murder they didn’t do, but I found it difficult to believe that FBI Special Agent Denton McClure could just all of a sudden believe Shelby Pearce after fifteen years of trying to pin another aspect of the crime on her. The writing is up to par, but I’m not so sure about the plot. I would say if you don’t care too much if what you read is plausible and you enjoy romantic suspense, you’ll like this one.

Shelby Pearce paid her debt to society for 15 brutal years inside prison after confessing to murdering her brother-in-law. On the day of her parole release, she arrives in Valleysburg, Texas to start over. But someone doesn’t want to give her the chance. As an ex-con in a small town, Shelby values the few people who offer a second chance: her landlord, her boss, the local pastor, and her parole officer. She doesn’t know if she can add her next-door neighbor, the handsome Denton McClure to the list or not. Her years in prison have made her wary.

But someone seems determined to chase her away from the moment she arrives. Bullets, phone calls, and a hostile local police department make her question the wisdom of staying. Her new friends embrace her, and Shelby has Jesus to cling to. Without Jesus, she would have taken her own life in prison. But as her anonymous tormentor escalates attacks, Shelby worries about the harm that could come to her newfound family.

FBI Special Agent Denton McClure spent his time as a rookie agent investigating the theft of half a million dollars. Despite a lack of evidence, McClure has always suspected Shelby Pearce. His failure has rankled for 15 years. He convinces the FBI to let him set up an undercover op in Valleysburg, TX. Maybe an offer of friendship would get the close-mouthed Shelby to talk.

But the more he gets to know Shelby, the more traces of doubts appear. As someone threatens her life Denton must uncover the mystery of the missing money before the killer wins.

Why I Loved This Book

Once again, Mills proves her mastery of the romantic suspense genre. From the first page, readers will feel drawn to an ex-con (not the usual occupation of heroines in inspirational novels). Shelby’s utter dependence on Jesus stems from all she endures in prison, and her concern for others exemplifies how Jesus would want us to treat other people.

Denton’s initial attitude towards Shelby (and God) changes the more time he spends in her presence. In Shelby, Mills makes us think about our preconceived ideas about those who’ve spent time in jail as well as who can evangelize whom.

The plot twists and red herrings keep the reader guessing as Shelby and Denton struggle to unravel the mystery of the missing money and the face behind the threats. Fans of Colleen Coble, Carrie Stuart Parks, and Irene Hannon will enjoy this book.

Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills is a chase for what really happened. After Shelby Pearce was released from prison for killing her brother-in-law, readers are invited to watch her try to work her way back into society. Death threats and shots at her are the norm in suspense novels. The story does have a realistic look at the prejudice that is shown to ex-cons. While the story progressed, I had a good idea of what really occurred fifteen year ago. But then again, I am pretty good at figuring out most suspense novels even though the authors thinks they put enough red herrings in place to fool the reader. The suspense and the concept of the novel was well-written. There is a touch of romance to the plot too. Not too much. A little. A little creepy at times especially with the way that Mills described the hero when he first came onto the page. I couldn’t get the image of him and young 33 year old heroine out of my head. The climactic moment was nicely handled. I really liked how Mills crafted the last twenty percent of the novel. Overall, Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills is a story that reached a wonderful ending. If you enjoyed this novel, I suggest trying Center of Gravity and Sister Dear by Laura McNeil. Same type of story. Well handled.

I received a complimentary copy of Trace of Doubt by DiAnn Mills from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

The life of prison was the.beginning for Shelby, confessing to the killing. Getting out now and working at a cafe, and seeing the normal day and chattering of people coming in Agent Denton goes undercover believing there was money missing and to befriend Shelby to find out where and close the fifteen year old case. With God’s healing and the love of a family she hadn’t known before life changed for Shelby. A story that one’s faith and that things and life will once again have love and being excepted.
Given ARC by. Net Galley and Tyndale for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

WOW! This author keeps her reader engaged with every page. Thank you for allowing me to read DiAnn's books.

I've read several books by this author and have always enjoyed everything I've read, so I was looking forward to reading this book. I must say it didn't disappoint. This book was easy to read and fast paced and kept me wanting to read more. I highly recommend this book.

Shelby Pearce has served 15 years in prison for killing her brother-in-law, now she's out but apparently someone wants her dead.

I really enjoyed this book! I've never read a book with an ex-con as a main character and I think DiAnn Mills did a great job. I love that Shelby's faith was not a minor part in this book but it was what every decision she made was grounded on. I wish more Christian authors would write like this!

Wow! "Trace of Doubt" by DiAnn Mills was an excellent read! This book had me hooked from the first page and continued until the last.

This book is written in the first person point of view, which is my favorite style. This novel was different than most of the suspense novels I've read by DiAnn Mills. She focused more on the why instead of the who. I liked this. You can tell that the author spent a lot of time researching her subjects.

I highly recommend this book and all of DiAnn Mills romantic suspense novels. You won't be disappointed!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I have waffled back and forth on what rating to give DiAnn Mill’s latest book, Trace if Doubt. The story begins with a promising start. Shelby is fresh out of a 15 year stint in prison, determined to make a life for herself. However, it seems as if someone is out to destroy her new beginning right away. I found that the beginning was suspenseful, but the rest of the story became predictable. Without giving away spoilers, by the end of the story, the plot of completely unbelievable and a little ridiculous. I was glad to be done! I would give this book 3.5 stars.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Shelby spent many years in prison for murder. When she was released she decided to move to a new town away from her family. While in her new town, someone is threatening her. An fbi agent wanted to get close to Shelby to find out answers to some questions he had. This book kept me guessing.

This is religious romantic suspense. It was written in the first person . I found the storyline unbelievably in so many ways. Some of the characters were very hard to like or relate to.

This story follows Shelby Pearce, newly released from prison after 15 years. She is starting a new life on parole in small town Texas. While she was convicted of murder, someone suspects she knows where $500,000 is. This is new thriller from veteran DiAnn Mills. It was an exciting adventure. I did find the characters could have had more depth, I enjoyed that it was too "creepy" or dark.

DiAnn never disappoints! Twists and turns that had me scared for Shelby the entire time. This incredible author knows how to write a heart-stopping story filled with faith. You NEED to read this book.

I didn’t realize this novel was tagged as “Christian” until after I started reading it. As a non-religious person, I tended to gloss over/skip those parts of the book.

The story wasn’t awful, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I didn’t finish this book unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley, DiAnn Mills, and Tyndale House Publishers for the opportunity to review this ARC. This review and all opinions are my own.

Shelby is just released from spending 15 years in prison for murdering her brother-in-law. Planning to start her life all over again and live peacefully Shelby moves to Valleysburg, Texas. Right from the moment she hits town things start going wrong. When a local officer sets his mind to running Shelby off she knows life is not going to be easy. Add to that FBI Agent Denton who has made it his life work to find out where Shelby may have hidden the embezzled money that disappeared when her brother-in-law was killed, has shown up in town to hopefully see Shelby slip and find the money. Shelby just wants to live her life after she has served her time. Her family no longer want anything to do with her and now someone is determined to end her life. Shelby has a secret that she is determined to take to her grave, but revealing that secret may just save her life.

Have you ever enjoyed the first part of a book only to have the second part of it fall apart? Unfortunately for me that is what happened in this book. I really enjoyed the first part of the book and thought it had great potential, but the second half just started going awry for me. I found the relationship between Shelby and Denton rushed and unrealistic. From the get-go I couldn't stand officer Hughes and I found that the Sheriff's lack of taking him off the force after so many instances of misbehavior very annoying and against character if he cared for law and order the way he claimed. The "who-done-it" was predictable for me and had me shaking my head that it took the characters so long to figure it out. So while there was some excitement in the story, to me there were just too many things that didn't work and too many character inconsistencies to make this an enjoyable read for me.

Excellent mix of suspense, mystery, relationships, and faith. Often a difficult balance to achieve, the author had done a very good job in this story

Here’s a new suspense filled story from DiAnn Mills. I’ve read a few of her other titles, and this one succeeded my expectations. Shelby Pearce has spent 15 years in prison after confessing to the murder of her brother-in-law, and now, having survived life in prison, and finished her sentence, she begins a new journey trying to survive on the outside. Denton McClure was the federal agent assigned to her case those years ago, but the mystery, for him, continued to linger, where did Shelby stash the embezzled money? He sets himself up undercover living nearby to befriend her and gain the information.

Shelby’s introduction to her new town is mixed with animosity and friendship. Her and Denton don’t hit it off, but that resolves (almost a little quickly). But as someone is orchestrating events to endanger and manipulate her, it becomes clear that she doesn’t have the money, and it seems that someone else will do almost anything to find it. The plot shifts and changes, keeping you in suspense. I enjoyed shelby and Denton, and the portrayal of their honest struggles. You see them grow in humility, loyalty and trust. If you love Christian suspense, you’ll find a great read here!