Secret Stalker

Ten years after her hasty departure from Destiny, Tennessee, and people are still whispering behind Bex Kane’s back. Back in her hometown for a short while only to see to her late mother’s estate, Bex cannot wait to leave. While shopping for groceries, she comes across the man she never wanted to see again, the one whose marriage proposal she refused: Detective Max Remington. And it’s quite obvious that Max hasn’t forgiven her, but there is no time for idle talk, as robbers enter the store and start shooting! In high school, Bobby Caldwell had stalked Bex, she was blamed for his violent death, and the small town has a long memory. And Lena Diaz is not one to dawdle when it comes to the start of a story: SECRET STALKER goes from zero to sixty right from the start and never slows down! One of Lena Diaz’s greatest strengths is the feeling of authenticity that defines her stories and her characters, which often makes the suspense chillier because we feel it could happen to us. The same applies to the romantic elements: the characters seem like real people, our friends, and we want the best for them, and the way the romance is rekindled in SECRET STALKER is just as believable. Bex and Max were in love, but Max has a lot to process before his resentment vanishes, and I love that Max and Bex were never nasty towards each other. Everything goes back to that fateful day ten years ago, and we uncover, along with Max and Bex, what happened, and what at first appeared cut and dried definitely isn’t. I like to think of SECRET STALKER as a comfortable read, meaning: the writing is smooth and easy, and yet there is a lot of tension, but no red herrings; I had knots in my stomach a few times. I had no idea how the story would unfold; there were several stunning developments along the way, and yet it all made sense. What I love the most is that Lena Diaz really concentrates on the suspense side of the story, and while the romance is lovely and an essential component, it doesn’t interfere with the plot, but adds an extra layer. Lena Diaz remains my author to-go-to for romantic suspense, because this is how it should be done. SECRET STALKER is another terrific book in the Tennessee SWAT series, and I cannot wait for the next book by this remarkable author!