Quick Thoughts: 2.5 rounded up. This one didn’t work for me. The chemistry between the couple didn’t come through. The dialogue between the pair was stilted and felt forced even in moments where there should have been easy access to a lot of emotions. Why the FMC wanted to live in a “shanty” was not believably explained beyond her parents having lived there too. It was basically instalove but he’s in denial for reasons that are also not fully fleshed out. He’s in love with her but can’t love her? Because of just one bad relationship? Bro. Be an actual adult here and not a teen boy.

The mystery wasn’t really solvable by us as we don’t meet the bad guy, except via a few brief head hops. Those felt completely out of place and should have hit the edit floor. Also, the actual plot makes zero sense as it relies 100% on an unlikely coincidence to work.

There’s no real tension here. Instead of seeming sweet and down to earth, the FMC comes across more as a flighty simpleton who falls in love easily because she doesn’t know better. The MMC says things no real mid-30s man would say. The only real intrigue I found in this one is the set up for the next book.
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Harlequin Intrigue (June 2025)
Standalone/Series: Marsh Mysteries #2

Themes/Tropes: rural small town Louisiana, modern people against indoor plumbing, framed for murder, she loves me, he loves me not, who is this killer?

Steam/Spice Level: open door, in the room, but more flat and disconnected than sexy, it could have been any characters popped in there

Setting: Louisiana

BIPOC Characters: no

LGBTQ+ Characters: no

Religion: no

POV: third person, past tense, multi POV

Cops/LEO: yes, secondary characters have charged her with murder

Does the Dog/Horse/Cat Die? No animals are harmed in the text
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Thank you Harlequin Publishing for the Advanced Readers Copy

Good book that started with a bang and kept me turning the pages to the end. Swamp resident and local shop owner Heather woke up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there. She is handcuffed to the bed, under arrest for murder. Local attorney Nick, well-known for helping swamp residents with legal matters, agrees to take her case. The evidence against her is overwhelming, but the deeper they dig, the more suspicious they become. Matters become complicated when an attempt is made on Heather's life.

The progress of the investigation kept me glued to the pages as it became evident that someone set Heather up. That same someone is determined that she never gets a chance to remember what happened that night. The attacks escalate, intensifying as they race to uncover the truth before it's too late. Flashes of returning memory aid in their search, but also expose them to additional danger. The final confrontation was a nail-biter.

I enjoyed Nick and Heather's developing relationship. The sparks of attraction were there from the start, but Nick fought against them. Past experience left emotional scars that prevented him from believing love was for him. I loved his protectiveness and how their forced proximity forged a strong connection between them. Nick is reluctant to accept that her feelings are anything more than gratitude and pushes her away. It takes a kick in the seat from a friend to make Nick realize the truth. I liked how Heather saw his vulnerability and helped him see the depth of their love.

I liked the swamp setting and seeing the life Heather built there. The people around her look out for each other and play a significant role in the story. The swamp also has its secrets, as people go missing. The book ends with a lead-in to the next story, which will hopefully resolve the mystery.

I have read Ms. Cassidy before and I love her books. I have not read the first book in the series but I will be doing that shortly. Heather wakes up hand cuffed to a hospital bed with no clue what happened to her. What the police tell her is just can’t be correct. She meets with a local attorney Nick Monroe, and pleads her case. It’s hard when she can’t remember I darn thing. She tries her hardest to help. Every saw often something pops into her head. But sooner the real killer needs to shut her up before she does remember it all. One night she identifies him with the help of Nick and his friend Bruno.
Nick takes Heathers case, but so much is stacked against her. A lot of evidence and it doesn’t look good. He hopes he can prove her innocence.

A must read. So much more to come.

Heather LaCrae wakes in the hospital cuffed to the bed. She is being charged with murder of a man and she has no memory of last night. She knows there is no way she killed a man and hires attorney Nick Monroe. As they try to piece together who actually did the murder someone is trying to kill Heather. The sheriff is not interested doing any more investigating since she was found with the knife next to the man murdered.
Heather and Nick are attracted to each other, but Nick doesn't want to get involved with his client.
Great suspense story

I like almost everything about this book. The mystery was pretty good. From my own perspective, I would have preferred the killer been a bit more of the story than simply a name mentioned a time or two. What I am thinking if that doesn't make sense if when watching Bones, they always interviewed the killer so you knew a little about the motivations. I just didn't feel as connected to the mystery because of that. I did however feel a connection to the characters and their budding (non) relationship. Heather was so open and while Nick described her as beautiful I think it was her spirit that made her beautiful. She lived a different life and knew heartache and pain but she could still feel wonder and take pleasure in small things like cooking for her guy. The people of her swamp were also an interesting bunch and the underlying mystery that stretched the series, I believe will be really good in the next book.
It has been a while since I read a book by Carla Cassidy and she is as good now as she was years ago. She can give the reader action like the attacks on Heather, heat like he spicy scenes with Heather and Nick, and the feels because Nick couldn't get his head out of his but. The ending was really beautiful and heartfelt. The scene with the Chief felt like a post credit scene in a movie, it didn't change the outcome for Nick and Heather but it sets up what she be a good story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance | Harlequin Intrigue for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Swamp Shadows is a romantic suspense novel that pulls readers in from the very first page. Heather LaCrae wakes up in a hospital, handcuffed to her bed, and accused of murder—a crime she has no memory of committing. With her world turned upside down, she reaches out to local attorney Nick Monroe, who agrees to take on her case. As Nick digs deeper into the evidence, there is an attempt made on Heather’s life. Someone wants her silenced, and as the attacks against her escalate, the tension—and the chemistry—between Heather and Nick intensifies.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its well-developed characters. Heather is a strong yet vulnerable protagonist, grappling with both the accusations against her and the terrifying attempts on her life. Nick, on the other hand, is a compelling hero—brooding, protective, and carrying emotional scars of his own. Their forced proximity as they work together to clear Heather’s name leads to an undeniable connection, and the romance unfolds naturally alongside the suspenseful mystery.

The pacing is well-executed, balancing action, romance, and mystery seamlessly. Adding to the intrigue is the novel’s atmospheric setting. The swamp plays a significant role, not just as a backdrop but as an element of mystery itself. Strange disappearances have been occurring and there are eerie secrets lurking within the murky waters. This element of the unknown adds an extra layer of suspense, making the story even more engaging. While the central murder case is wrapped up by the end of the novel, there are lingering questions about the disappearances in the swamp, hinting at a larger mystery that will unfold as the series progresses.

Overall, Swamp Shadows is an engrossing read that successfully blends mystery, danger, and romance. The characters are likable, the plot is intriguing, and the setting adds a unique twist to the suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing an advance copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! The plot was fresh and interesting and I really enjoyed the characters, as well as their different personalities!

Heather wakes up in the hospital handcuffed to the bed under arrest for murder. She has no memory of the night in question but there is a strong case against her. In steps attorney Nick Monroe to defend her. Someone doesn’t want her around to possible remember what happened. This book had mystery, suspense and a romance. There will be sequel to the book and I can’t wait. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

In the mists of the bayou, a killer waits for her Heather LaCrae awakens handcuffed to her hospital bed, stunned to find herself on the hook for murder. With no memory of the crime, she must rely on local attorney Nick Monroe. Defending Heather becomes a life-and-death battle when a shooter targets the bayou beauty. As the attacks escalate, not even Heather’s home nestled deep in the swamp is safe. Now time is running out to find a cold-blooded killer who aims to make sure Heather never remembers! Great read!! I love the bayou! This book did not disappoint! I definitely got my fix lol This book had great mystery, suspense, murder, intriguing, action, and a few shocking twists! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!