Killer Secrets


Romance - Suspense
338 Pages
Reviewed on 09/16/2018
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

If it were possible to write a perfect novel, Killer Secrets by Zia Westfield would be a contender for a top ten ranking in the romance/suspense category. A marvellous blend of psychological thriller, crime, murder and suspense, this novel will have readers setting everything else aside just to get to the next chapter. Their heads will respond to the task facing law enforcement as it desperately tries to track down a vicious serial killer/rapist. But their hearts will warm and relate to the budding romance between the critical loner detective, Jack Donahue, and the ambitious, talented reporter, Gemma Fitzgibbons.

Thanks to her skills for getting folks to open up to her, Gemma has a knack for discovering what the police often miss. She also has a knack for ignoring instructions for her safety and, as a result, getting herself and those she loves into dangerous situations. Donahue has little time or use for her for one simple reason: he dislikes and doesn’t trust reporters. When fishing for a story, Gemma shows Donahue some photos she snapped of him exchanging drugs for money in a darkened bar. She gets his ire going but, at the same time, she sets on fire something else he hasn’t felt in too long. When Jack and Gemma are forced to work together in finding the serial killer, Jack has his work cut out for him keeping her and her aunt and little niece safe. But perhaps even more difficult for Jack are his efforts to keep Gemma out of his head and heart.

The plot of Killer Secrets is intricate and never stops moving. Just when readers think they’ve reached the climax, they discover unexpected developments in a sub-plot that is as complicated and unsavory as the apprehension of the serial killer. With Gemma’s knack for getting herself into perilous situations, she literally has a knife at her throat three times by three different people. Can Jack really keep her safe when she won’t stop acting more like a detective than a reporter? If you’re a fan of intense crime suspense but like your characters to be truly human, complete with natural human instincts, drives and urges, you will love Killer Secrets. Zia Westfield is one talented writer. I don’t know if this is her first novel, but I certainly hope it’s not her last! She’s got a keen new fan in me.

Trudi LoPreto

Gemma, a sexy young newspaper reporter, and Jack, a seasoned detective, through circumstances are forced to work together. Gemma has a four-year-old niece to raise with help from her aunt while trying to find a front page story for her newspaper. Jack is in the middle of searching for a killer. But wait, there are many side stories happening as well – is Jack and or his father a crooked cop? Will Gemma keep her job and be the substitute mother that little Dana needs? Will Jack ever get over his dislike of reporters and accept his attraction to Gemma? Is Jack’s partner, TJ, really a good guy? How does Jack handle Gemma constantly getting herself in trouble and into dangerous, life-threatening situations? You must read Killer Secrets by Zia Westfield for all of the answers.

I found it impossible to put down Killer Secrets. Gemma and Jack were the stars but all of the supporting cast members were great. The story had everything to keep the suspense, romance, mystery and adventure going through twists, turns and page-turning excitement. I believe that Killer Secrets has all the makings to be a top selling book and I would love for it to have a follow-up book or become a TV show or movie to keep the world of Gemma and Jack alive. Congratulations to Zia Westfield for writing a book without a lot of sex, swearing and bloody violence but with a story that will keep you up late at night or ignoring your chores because it is that good. Killer Secrets is a must-read.

K.C. Finn

Killer Secrets is a romantic suspense novel for adults by author Zia Westfield. Beginning in the typical ‘him versus her’ vein, we meet plucky reporter Gemma Fitzgibbons as she digs up an old serial killer, the Wedding Veil Killer, in order to get herself a front page story. Disgruntled detective Jack Donahue knows the story well, because the Wedding Veil Killer is the reason his father’s career was ruined in a corruption scandal, and at first he refuses to help Gemma. The Wedding Veil Killer, however, isn’t as cold a case as either of them thought, and when Gemma’s life is put in danger the pair are thrown together to solve the mystery once and for all.

One of the best things about Killer Secrets is that the suspense plot with the Wedding Veil Killer holds up equally with the romantic story line. I really enjoyed this novel even just as a crime story, so the developing relationship between Jack and Gemma was an added bonus that gave spice and drama to the moments in between the dramatic revelations of the mystery. Zia Westfield writes with a down to earth and highly readable style that both romance and cosy mystery fans can comfortably curl up with, and the emotional highs and lows that she gives her main couple are exciting but not too far-fetched. Overall, Killer Secrets is a smooth and suspenseful tale with a solid plot and an amusing, exciting romantic story, both of which culminate in an extremely satisfying read.