Coyote Cove Police Chief Maggie Riley witnesses the explosion of a trailer, and is then shocked to find out that one of its victims was already legally declared dead 20 years prior. What really happened to Ruby Anderson?
This is book 5 in the Maggie Riley series. I had not read the first 4 books and I definitely felt like I was missing some context. The dual stories between Maggie and her fiancé Steve were interesting but the pace was a little too slow for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Chief Maggie Riley and her fiancee, Steve, are still reeling from actions in the previous book. Steve has gone home to Massachusetts to investigate some - and Maggie is on patrol in Coyote Cove. Whilst on patrol, there's an explosion that leaves behind dead bodies... and one of them, a woman, was presumed to have died 20 years ago. Working closely with her second in command, Kal, Maggie starts digging deep into the dead bodies, and she's not liking what she's finding. It's troubling - almost as troubling as the bachelorette party that her friends are throwing for her. Without Steve as her sounding board and partner, Maggie is struggling personally and professionally. As another body is found, it's apparent to her that there's something bigger going on, and her friend, Sue, may just hold the key. A great addition to this series. Thank you to Bookouture for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Day She Died by Shannon Hollinger is a haunting and suspenseful thriller that delves into grief, secrets, and the darkness that can linger after a tragedy. The novel follows the aftermath of a mysterious death, and the story unfolds through the eyes of a grieving family struggling to come to terms with what happened. Hollinger crafts a tense atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge, skillfully blending emotional depth with spine-chilling suspense.

One of the strengths of The Day She Died is its ability to explore complex emotional themes, such as the impact of loss and the secrets people keep from each other. The author’s portrayal of the characters’ grief is raw and relatable, giving the story an emotional anchor that elevates the suspenseful plot. As the mystery unfolds, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of twists and revelations that make it difficult to predict where the story will go next.

The pacing of the novel is well-executed, with each chapter revealing just enough to keep the tension high without giving away too much too soon. Hollinger masterfully builds the suspense, leading to a powerful climax that ties together the various plot threads in a satisfying way.

While the novel excels in its suspense and character development, there were moments where I wished the pacing could have been slightly quicker, particularly in the middle sections. At times, the story felt a bit drawn out, and I found myself eager to get to the heart of the mystery. However, this slower pace ultimately helps to deepen the emotional impact of the conclusion.

Overall, The Day She Died is an engaging and atmospheric thriller that will appeal to fans of suspenseful mysteries with emotional depth. Hollinger’s ability to weave together complex characters and a compelling mystery makes this a standout read. If you’re a fan of stories that explore the darker side of human nature and the effects of tragedy, this book is definitely worth picking up.

This was a fun, easy read. The beginning of the book had a great setup and drew me in quickly. I was really getting hyped for the end but I felt as though it fell flat, I didn’t really get that wow factor. But still a fun read.

Thank you to Bookoture and NetGalley for this ARC. Due to be published April 14, 2025

I have been a big fan from day one. I love chief Maggie.

Not only are the cases interesting, I also adore the background story and every day life pieces of Maggie's story. She and her fiance Steve are a peculiar couple, but you cannot not love them. They both had things to hide, but now they have decided to come clean and tell each other everything, their relationship is much stronger. Well, at least let's say they try to tell each other everything, but they are working on it. ;)

Maggie often finds herself in very dangerous situations, but she will never back down. She feels it's her task as the chief of police to do her job: protecting the people of the village and putting the culprits behind bars. Her own safety is something she puts on the back burner.

In this story she learns things about herself and the people around her. 

With another baddie behind bars, the village is a safer place. The question is: how long for?

Perfect new part of this already incredibly good series. 5 stars

Thank you

Maggie is called out to check a remote meth lab. As she approaches, the door opens, she glimpses a familiar face and in an instant, it lands up smashed against her windscreen along with burning debris from a massive explosion.

Another brilliantly gripping instalment in the Maggie Riley series.
Fast paced, twisty and of course the smart team solves the case, but Maggie isn't telling the whole story.
I stayed up late to finish this book, and it was totally worth it.
I am not convinced Maggie's love story will have a happy ending though, that remains to be seen.