Actual rating is more like 2.5.

This is my first time reading a K.D Richards novel, to my knowledge, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. What it is, at least to me, is a bit of a mixed bag. The suspense was good. It wasn't ridiculously obvious what was going on and who the antagonist was, which was refreshing. Most suspense romance clubs you over the head with the 'bad guy.' No mystery, but this one has you guessing for awhile. The romance is what missed the mark for me.

TJ is the former best friend of Alexis's deceased brother. She's looking into his death because she doesn't believe the given 'official' cause of death. TJ was in the army with Alexis's brother and stuck around afterwards, even as his friend's life began to spiral. They were best friends for a long time until his friend made a series of bad life choices and one incident that had TJ calling it quits. Now TJ is out of the military and works as a private investigator.

His friend had some issues, but when Alexis reaches out to him for help, he accepts, despite the insane almost insta-lust the two have for each other. Someone is after Alexis for investigating her brother's death. TJ is set on helping her uncover the truth, while trying to keep her safe.

I think my issue with the book started with how TJ describes Alexis in his head. It wasn't sexy to me. It was a bit off putting. It reminded me of a romance novel written in the early 2000s or 90s. She was 100% objectified. He, on the other hand, I can't actually tell you too much about what he looks like other than the standard broad shoulders, in shape, yada yada. If you are going to objectify the woman so much, you should at least do as much to the man.

But once I started ignoring that, and justifying their relationship on the fact they knew each other before hand, I enjoyed the story. Though it's part of a series, it's a complete standalone. You don't have to read any of the other books to get what is going on. I appreciate that in a romance series.

This is the second book that I have the pleasure of reading by K.D. Richards and I must say that I am enjoying what I have been reading. If you’re a lover of romantic suspense “Silenced Witness” is the book for your reading enjoyment. TJ and Alexis share a past, the two are childhood friends. TJ is ex-military and a PI. When his friend Alexis comes to him in need of help after the death of her brother and his best friend he is there for her. There is mystery, mayhem, action packed page turning adventure, suspense, romance all the makings of an excellent read.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Silenced Witness is a very good suspense. I enjoyed the edge of your seat plot and the character dynamics. Suspense fans will enjoy this one. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

Good story! 3.5 stars rounded up

When Alexis' brother dies of an apparent suicide, her gut tells her that isn't possible. Sure, Mark had issues, but he wouldn't kill himself. Alexis turns to Mark's former best friend TJ, a private investigator to help.

TJ is used to looking at the evidence, and in this case, the evidence points to a suicide. Despite that, TJ reluctantly agrees to help Alexis. Neither one of them knew what that decision would mean for their immediate (and long term, maybe?) future.

The book was well-written, fast-paced and a good mystery. There was a little bit of open door romance but not much. For the most part, the book was clean.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

WOW! Once again, KD Richards has me talking to myself throughout the entire story. I'm asking the question, did he or didn't he? After the death of her brother, Alexis Douglas reaches out to her childhood friend T J Roman, who is ex-military and now a P.I. He also served in the Military with her brother.
T J's personal struggles as he works a case outside his comfort zone are palpable, making his growth a journey you can't help but be invested in. Silenced Witness is a rollercoaster of action from start to finish, with a slow-burn romance that adds a layer of depth to the story.

I have read and enjoyed the entire series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of Silenced Witness; this is my honest review

Very enjoyable. Light. Focus on the mystery with less emphasis on the romance. I really enjoyed exploring the main characters and the resolution..

I highly recommend this intrigue / romance.

Advance digital copy provided by NetGalley. Thank you!

She won’t quit until she gets justice.
He won’t stop until she’s safe.

After her brother dies under a cloud of suspicion, Alexis Douglas will do whatever it takes to clear his name. Enlisting the help of TJ Roman proves a double-edged sword. Her brother’s onetime best friend, the ex-military PI can’t afford any missteps. Alexis’s safety is all that matters, despite the powerful attraction drawing them closer. Up against a killer desperate to keep the truth buried, TJ must step up his game before he and Alexis are both silenced forever.

My Take:
This is my first encounter with a K.D. Richards novel, and it's the most recent in a series spanning more than seven books. Each book is designed to stand alone, and I didn't feel lost diving into this installment. Moreover, while this book presents a self-contained story, it has intrigued me enough to consider exploring previous titles in the series.
As always, I offer a summary of the book and evaluate whether it delivers on its promise: it does. If the synopsis piques your interest, this Harlequin novel will deliver the mystery with a dash of romance you're seeking.

This book jumped right into the action with Alexis forced to defend herself against a someone who wanted to silence her. Instead of being silenced, she reached out to the one person, TJ, who might be able to help. While outside of his wheelhouse, TJ couldn’t turn away a friend’s sister. That want to prove her brother’s innocence and want to not let down an old friend set a course for a book full of action.
I’ve been in IT in various jobs my entire career, so I have a soft spot for books that involve anything tech. The thought of a cyber weapon loose in the wrong hands had terrifying implications and TJ was Alexis to have a great team behind him. He said several times that he was outside his comfort zone but at least he wasn’t working without a net.
I had my suspicion from the beginning who the bad guy was, and his motivation was a bit on the nose. However, the journey to that ending is what makes a good book, and the author filled the pages with action, a bit of romance and some learning along the way. TJ became both a better investigator and better man but still did not think he was good enough. Grief and fear brought them together, but love will keep them together.
This is the 9th romantic suspense in this series but the first for me. I have been scouting the others in the series and see a lot of intrigue in the offering so I am sure I will read more.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A fast-paced romantic suspense. This was my first experience with West Investigations. It certainly won't be my only one. Clever mystery that kept me guessing. Interesting characters. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Silenced Witness by K.D. Richards was another fabulous addition to The West Investigations series! What I liked about this book was how Ms. Richards dropped the bombshells in all the right places for both the readers and the characters. TJ Roman is an investigator for West Investigations. HIs area of expertise is tracking cheating spouses, not murderers. When his friend's sister, Alexis Douglas, comes to him for help, the last thing he expects to hear is that his friend, who he was on the outs with, had died. Suicide, they said, but his sister doesn't believe it and she wants TJ to help her prove it.

With the help of West Investigations, TJ and Alexis head to DC to learn about the program Mark was accused of stealing and how he ended up dead. Jealous girlfriends, secretive bosses, and empty bank accounts tell a story of a man desperate to clear his name before time ran out. But it did run out, and it's up to TJ and Alexis to dodge the threats thrown at them in order to figure out who took Mark out before that person did the same to them.

What I loved about this story was that TJ was a bit of a bumbling investigator simply because murder wasn't his wheelhouse. While he had the help of West Investigations, he had to learn a lot about protecting someone on the fly, and it didn't always work out for him. Sometimes, they got hurt. Sometimes, they got involved in situations that a more practiced investigator may not have, but that was what made it genuine. The love story between TJ and Alexis was a slow burn, as TJ struggled with breaking the promise he once made to Mark to steer clear of his sister. In the end, their love story was built on mutual grief and sizzling chemistry. If you're reading The West Investigation series, don't miss Silenced Witness, especially if you love cybersecurity stories that remind us at any time, our digital world can explode in our faces. Well done, Ms. Richards, in showing us the vulnerability of grief as well as the determination.

I liked the suspense part as it left me guessing up until the end, but the romance part was a bit lacking for me.

Thank you NetGalley & publishers for the opportunity to give an honest opinion of this book.

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the 9th book in the West Investigations series. I have read some of the other books in this series before picking up this book, but I do think you can read this book as a standalone without any problems. I loved the characters in this book. This book was full of action and suspense with a little bit of romance, but I loved the suspense and build up that was in this book. The storyline had me guessing did her brother really do it or was someone else behind his death which for someone that reads a lot of mystery and romantic suspense says a lot. I really loved reading this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.