*Spoiler Free* I really love this author’s interconnected standalone series. This is a spin-off of another of the favored series: Mercy Kilpatrick. However, you do not need to read any of the previous novels to enjoy this one—this story does truly standalone. This one is about Noelle Marshall and how her history led her to be where she is now, working as a Sheriff’s Detective. In her past, her husband, an Assemblyman, was murdered by an intruder, and his case was never solved. The cold case is being opened again years later and Noelle is being questioned again about that night.
I truly enjoyed the different timelines in this story. Usually, timelines are mostly balanced between the past and present. But this book had much of the past timeline in the beginning and I felt it really worked for this book. Then unveiled things over the course of the book which kept me invested in the story and trying to figure it all out. You get to know this character’s previous life both before and after meeting her husband and some of their life together. You get to know her family and their relationships. You get to care about what happens to this character so that the stakes are higher in the present day. Noelle is a likeable character, struggling through trauma, yet strong, brave and very nurturing to her family, putting them first. In the present, having the FBI re-open the case is bringing up old emotions in Noelle and her family.
Overall, this book was a thriller, suspense and mystery rolled into one. There was action and intense events, clues to unravel and a small subplot of romance. It was hard to put down because it kept you guessing. But ultimately it was about friendships, family and justice. I highly recommend this book to introduce you to this author or for those who already enjoy her work.

Thirteen years ago, Noelle Marshall was left for dead in her house. Her husband Derrick Bell, an assemblyman, was murdered. Noelle was hit in the head and has some memory loss. It was left unsolved. Now Noelle is a detective of the Dechutes Sheriff’s Department and the FBI shows up. They have reopened her husband’s case and are interviewing everyone involved. Her in laws still think it was her. The FBI thinks she remembers more than she’s telling. Little by little her memory starts to return and the truth will shock them all.
This story kept me hooked from the first page. Very suspenseful. The start of a love story. What bothered me most was how she kept going back and forth between past and present. It would be before the murder. So many days after. And then the present. It would have me so confused but I couldn’t put it down.

* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY *

Thirteen years ago, Noelle's husband, an affluent politician from a wealthy family, was murdered and she was left for dead with huge gaps in her memory. The murder was never solved and now a new look into the unsolved case has someone trying to tie up loose ends.

I loved how this book was written in multiple time lines, giving us a look at the original murder investigation thirteen years ago, the present with new FBI agents trying to put the pieces together, and the days before the crime that offers so many questions as to who could have done this and why.

Noelle worked hard to put her life and her memory back together and now thirteen years after she was left for dead, she's a decorated detective but she still can't remember the events of the day her husband was murdered. And instead of remembering, she's starting to forget more things. The one thing she does know is that her marriage wasn't as it appeared and now it's obvious with recent threats that someone is nervous she MAY remember and they'd do anything to make sure she doesn't.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed every character in this story, the slow burn pace that absolutely grabbed me and had me anxiously waiting for all the clues to come together. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Her First Mistake is a new series by Kendra Elliott. Noelle Marshall is currently a detective for the sheriff's office. The FBI have come to visit as they are revisiting a case that involved her over a decade ago. No one knows about Noelle's past in her office. She thought that she had moved on from the horrible night 13 years ago when her husband was brutally murdered and she was left for dead. She has had memory issues since then and doesn't remember much of that night. Noelle's husband's family always blamed her and thought she had killed their son. However as the FBI starts to interview everyone again and asking questions weird things start to happen.

I love all of Kendra Elliot's books, I have read them all. I couldn't wait to read this when I got the galley from Netgalley, but unfortunately I was reading the latest Karen Rose book (via audible) and I had a hard time separating the beginnings of the two books, luckily the stories are completely different, so once past the beginning I was fine. Great story with plenty of twists and turns with a new character introduced with other characters that are like old friends. Hopefully not too long until the next book is released.

Wow.wow.wow!
What a kickoff to Kendra Elliot’s newest series. Noelle Marshall is a detective readers met in the Columbia River series, and now she has her own story. The tale alternates timelines between the present and past to give us glimpses into Noelle’s history. Her past seems to be colliding with the present and when the FBI shows up in Bend to interview her, things escalate quickly. This is an action packed tale with some surprises!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4⭐️ {ARC}
(ARC review) — Thank you to author Noel Marshall and her publisher Montlake. I received an Advanced Reader Copy for the June 2025 release of HER FIRST MISTAKE in exchange for my honest review.

Detective/FBI mystery. I’ve never read the series about Mercy Thompson (this is a spin-off) so this was a standalone for me. But it was a great crime detective novel. The FMC has a great back story and the author immerses you into her family and relationships.

Her husband’s murder needs to be solved and there are twists, turns and keeps you guessing. I liked it!

Another great story from Kendra. Old characters and new as an old case is reopened. An intriguing thriller ,fast paced

Follow along as we learn about Noelle and her past. Twists and turns find an old unsolved case.

A book to teach us more aboit our characters. I hope you enjoy it like I dud..

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Kendra Elliot book and now I’m so hooked. I want to start at the “beginning” and read her books in the order she recommends. Kendra truly took the time to build her characters and the plot. I found myself suspecting multiple characters of the murder and was still surprised at the ending. Once I started this book, I could not put it down. I will absolutely be reading more books by this author, ASAP.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4* Good backstory to introduce Noelle as a spin-off female lead in the Mercy Thompson world.

Noelle fitted nicely into the MT world where, not so long ago, she rescued a couple of MT's side-character staples, so it wasn't a surprise that she's gotten her own series. She's a strong enough lead, with clearly a huge love of her family, and a great relationship with them, too, as well as a decent agent, that gave for a very believable tale and backstory, with shades of grey that worked for me.

There's a hint of a romance to come in future tales, but I'm not sure it felt organic, or that she's ready for a relationship. The reveals of this tale hurt her and I'm pretty sure she's got a lot of soul searching to do, and to learn to trust guys again - the start of the tale with the two agents sent to interview her, specifically their M.O. was a good inclusion but kind of brutal on her, and felt a tad oneupmanship.

The actual tale was pretty much on a par with this author's previous work but if I'm honest, the presence and enabling of a certain character, however well-intentioned it was, was a bit grating and happened too often for my brain not to go there and almost suss their involvement in Noelle's loss and trauma. But, this aspect of the tale was well enough done that you get a big, not-nice reveal, a kind of slap-in-the-face shock at someone's dastardlyness and others' shock, disbelief and naivety. Lives are broken, and for two characters dear to Noelle, there's going to be a lot of healing needed.

There's not a lot of investigating in this tale, despite the outcome, but there's a few decent red herrings, a little obfuscation and enough to muddy the waters. It was believable but it felt like the ending of the tale, a month after the big showdown, felt a bit rushed, with Noelle having made a momentous decision and seemingly being OK with it that easily and that quickly, and even considering spilling the beans to her future love interest. That's where the tale loses 1* for me, but it's still a very good read.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Montlake for my reading pleasure.

Noelle Bell was a suspect for her high profile husband's murder, but since she was severely injured, it could not be pinned on her. In fact, she had no recollection of even being at the house, due to brain injury.
The FBI has reopened the cold case, and are questioning everyone close to the victim.
Noelle has reverted to her maiden name and is a detective in the police force.

An absolute page turner! The book is fast paced and suspenseful, and I honestly did not figure out who killed Derrick. And why.
I felt the pain that Noelle went through in her marriage, not being liked by her in-laws and being controlled by her mother in law and husband. How she changed her entire persona and wardrobe to please them.
Loved this book and giving it 5/5 stars, which for me is unusual lately, no matter how much I like a book!
Well plotted and the characters are well developed.

HER FIRST MISTAKE was a quick and easy read, with interesting and realistic characters and a great storyline. Despite the multiple timelines, it was easy to keep track of things and brought more depth to the story. Really enjoyed this one and will be looking for more from this author’s backbook.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Books for the opportunity to read and review HER FIRST MISTAKE.

Her First Mistake is the first book in the new Noelle Marshall series by Kendra Elliot. Do you have an author that you’ve every book written? Kendra Elliot is one of mine! I have absolutely loved her books over the year and Her First Mistake was even better!

Wow! I was blown away by this book! I loved every minute of it!!! I refused to go to bed until I reached the very last page!

This was a fast read…. because it was so good and because I refused to put it down!

This book takes place in the same world as the Mercy Kilpatrick books and shares some of the characters. (Yay!!!! I’m not ready to leave this world!)
Have I mentioned that I loved reading this book!?! It was masterfully written, and I had so much fun reading it! I loved how this involved flashback scenes to an unsolved murder, as well as trying to solve a current situation.

Noelle is going to be such a fascinating character! I mean she already is, but I can’t wait for more!

I highly recommend reading Her First Mistake if you love mysteries! This one is a winner!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


Her First Mistake (Noelle Marshall #1) by Kendra Elliot
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: June 10, 2025

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the eARC.
A thoroughly enjoyable book featuring Noelle, a detective who's being interviewed by two FNI agents regarding the murder of her politician husband 13 years ago. She feels ambushed but tells them exactly the same she told the police years ago.
Her marriage was a happy one, until it wasn't, and she has been single ever since, afraid of being hurt again.
The story is fantastic, I couldn't read fast enough, and the ending blindsided me, I never guessed it!

Love Kendra Elliot's books! They keep you guessing and intrigued right until the very end!
Been curious about Noelle ever since we met her as a side character in a previous series and wondered what her story was.
Was NOT disappointed!!!

I liked how this story touched on a sensitive topic that's not talked about enough I feel - won't spoil it so not gonna say more than that! - and also enjoyed how the story kept giving us a back and forth element; past and present collided.

Great book and great intro into her series!

What a great story! Can't wait to read more by this author!
Thanks Netgalley and to the author for the ARC!

WOW! This book is full of shocking twists and suspense. It is absolutely fantastic! From the very first page, I was hooked, and I couldn't put it down. The strong female characters are beautifully crafted, each with their own depth and determination. Elliot masterfully balances heart-pounding thrills with tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Just when you think you've figured it out, she pulls you in a completely unexpected direction! This book is like a wild roller coaster ride that intensifies with every chapter! If you're looking for a gripping read that will keep you guessing, I can't recommend this book enough!

I really enjoyed this book. The constant change in time was distracting but came together later. I did not figure this one out. Good read.

New series featuring Detective Noelle Marshall who was a secondary character in some of the Columbia River series.

This first book gives us the complete backstory of Noelle and her family. Author weaves between the past and present of the mystery of who murdered her ex husband till ending on a thrilling conclusion.

In this book we also meet FBI Agent Max Rhodes who will be her romantic lead in future books and the next book will focus on his backstory.

Mercy Killpatrick and Evan Bolton made appearances which was great. Good kickoff of a new series.