This was my first book by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m a sucker for a good thriller, and when I read the blurb, I was intrigued. I’m so glad I took a chance on a new author.

This book was one hell of a ride, I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
The story was told from multiple timelines, which kept it interesting. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the author threw a curve ball and completely turned me off, leaving my jaw on the damn floor. I can’t wait to see what else this author has up her sleeve! If it’s anything like this book, I am going to enjoy it!


FOUR STARS
✰✰✰✰

This book was really interesting. I liked how the main character lost herself for a bit but then came back into herself better than ever. I loved all the misleading characters and the narration was great.

Thirteen years ago, Noelle was married to rising political star Assemblyman Derek Bell when an attacker brutally murdered him and left Nicole for dead, a crime that was never solved. Despite a traumatic head injury, Noelle persevered and became a detective in the Deschutes County sheriff’s office. Now the FBI is taking a fresh look at the cold case, stirring up a killer that was never caught and resurrecting Noelle’s dark memories.

In case you’ve been living under a rock (like I apparently have been!), Kendra Elliot is a prolific crime thriller author and Her First Mistake is the first book in the Noelle Marshall series, which is a spin-off of her Mercy Kilpatrick series and related to the Columbia River series. Do you need to read these other series before you read Her First Mistake? Since this is my very first Kendra Elliot book, I’m qualified to tell you that you absolutely do not need to read these other books first BUT I’m also going to tell you that I am definitely going to go back and read them because that’s how much I enjoyed this book! The character development is excellent, the dual timeline mystery is compelling, and I’m loving the sparks between Noelle and FBI agent Max Rhodes. I can’t wait to get more chemistry and crime when the sequel No One Knows comes out in early 2026!

Stephanie Nemeth-Parker narrates the audiobook, and she does a great job, as always!

Many thanks to MBC Communications, NetGalley, and Brilliance Audio for providing me an advance copy of this book.

What a fantastic book this was! I listened to the audio which was really well done and was gripped from start to finish. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I'm excited this one is going to be a series and already can't wait for the next book - I hope it isn't too long a wait!

3.5 stars, rounded to 4.
I thought this was a pretty good book.
I have not read any of the previous series that featured the FMC from this book, but I think this book was fine without any of that background knowledge. I didn't feel that I was missing any history or knowledge about the character that was pertinent to the plot of this book.
Noelle's life is private, and she likes to keep it that way. She has been married twice in the past.
Noelle thinks that she is being called in to the office (FBI) about a case she is actively working, but instead she is questioned about the murder of her husband (an important Assemblyman) from 13 years ago. Noelle remembers little to nothing about what happened because the incident left her with memory loss and injury.
Noelle recounts all the events leading up to his death and her attack.
So much history with family, etc.
Multiple timelines.
There is worry that Noelle and her sisters are in danger.
Noelle needs her memory back. Some secrets need to come to light and we need to know what happened 13 years ago when her husband was murdered.
I thought this was a decent book.
The plot had multiple timelines going on - again, so hard for an author. I thought it was done fairly well, not the worst that I have seen.
Noelle is a very well-developed character. Not entirely relatable, but developed nonetheless.
I found myself wanting to plot to speed up in some areas. I thought the first half of the book, which takes place pretty much back in history, to be quicker.
Overall, not too bad, worth a read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Happy Reading.

I got this one as an audio ARC from NetGalley and I’m SO GLAD I did. This is by far one of my favorite thrillers I’ve read in a long while. I loved the back and forth between characters and the way that the author laid out bread crumbs for you throughout the story.

Also, 5 stars for Max alone. Love that man.