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Secrets & Photographs
How do you stop a killer you can't even see?
It's been two years since Detective Marissa Ambrose nearly lost her life working the Couple’s Killer case, but time hasn't stopped the vivid nightmares. She still carries the heavy guilt of her partner's death, and the Seattle Police Department refuses to support her theory that the suspect they arrested had an accomplice. With her ex-husband regretfully out of the picture, Marissa was supposed to be focusing on adjusting back to something resembling normalcy in her quiet tourist town. Then the letters came.
Unmarked envelopes full of photographs have been arriving at Marissa's door. Candid shots of her at home. Now, Marissa is certain the missing murderer is stalking her, tracking her every move to finish what he started. As she obsesses over the strange images, the Seattle PD unexpectedly asks for her help. A serial killer is on the loose and targeting members of the Port Townsend community. Despite a personal connection to the first victim, Marissa agrees to pin her badge on once more.
The photographs are piling up and the suspect can't be seen by surveillance cameras. Like a ghost, this killer is haunting her.
It's been two years since Detective Marissa Ambrose nearly lost her life working the Couple’s Killer case, but time hasn't stopped the vivid nightmares. She still carries the heavy guilt of her partner's death, and the Seattle Police Department refuses to support her theory that the suspect they arrested had an accomplice. With her ex-husband regretfully out of the picture, Marissa was supposed to be focusing on adjusting back to something resembling normalcy in her quiet tourist town. Then the letters came.
Unmarked envelopes full of photographs have been arriving at Marissa's door. Candid shots of her at home. Now, Marissa is certain the missing murderer is stalking her, tracking her every move to finish what he started. As she obsesses over the strange images, the Seattle PD unexpectedly asks for her help. A serial killer is on the loose and targeting members of the Port Townsend community. Despite a personal connection to the first victim, Marissa agrees to pin her badge on once more.
The photographs are piling up and the suspect can't be seen by surveillance cameras. Like a ghost, this killer is haunting her.
- GenresMystery
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 26, 2022
Secrets & Photogtaphs is the first book in the mystery series Marissa Ambrose Witness! Readers who enjoy murder mysteries full of investigation and drama will definitely enjoy this one!
The story follows a police detective who, two years before the events of the book, lost her partner and nearly her own life while working on a serial killer case. After this traumatic event, Marissa moves from Seattle back to her hometown, Port Townsend, a small tourist town not far from Seattle. Here she struggles to adjust, especially once she starts receiving photographs from a mysterious stalker, whom Marissa is convinced is the missing killer from the case she was working on. Then suddenly a series of murders begin in the quiet town, and the unprepared Port Townsend police department asks for help to unmask the culprit.
What was great was that we don’t know immediately what happened in Seattle two years ago, and we have to piece together those events. Indeed, there are multiple mystery storylines we follow: the one connected to the Couple’s Killer case, the identity of Marissa’s stalker, and the murders in Port Townsend, and while the latter is solved by the end of the book, we still don’t know who the culprit is for the bigger case.
The character relationships were also a big aspect of this story. Though the romance wasn’t the central aspect of the story, I especially enjoyed the drama with her ex-husband Jared, and the dynamic with FBI agent Special Agent Mackenzie, who is also an ex-boyfriend because there is potential for a second chance romance with both. I’m especially rooting for Mac, who hasn’t stopped caring for her after all this time and who seems to be the only one who can help her heal.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
The story follows a police detective who, two years before the events of the book, lost her partner and nearly her own life while working on a serial killer case. After this traumatic event, Marissa moves from Seattle back to her hometown, Port Townsend, a small tourist town not far from Seattle. Here she struggles to adjust, especially once she starts receiving photographs from a mysterious stalker, whom Marissa is convinced is the missing killer from the case she was working on. Then suddenly a series of murders begin in the quiet town, and the unprepared Port Townsend police department asks for help to unmask the culprit.
What was great was that we don’t know immediately what happened in Seattle two years ago, and we have to piece together those events. Indeed, there are multiple mystery storylines we follow: the one connected to the Couple’s Killer case, the identity of Marissa’s stalker, and the murders in Port Townsend, and while the latter is solved by the end of the book, we still don’t know who the culprit is for the bigger case.
The character relationships were also a big aspect of this story. Though the romance wasn’t the central aspect of the story, I especially enjoyed the drama with her ex-husband Jared, and the dynamic with FBI agent Special Agent Mackenzie, who is also an ex-boyfriend because there is potential for a second chance romance with both. I’m especially rooting for Mac, who hasn’t stopped caring for her after all this time and who seems to be the only one who can help her heal.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
November 20, 2022
Actual rating 4.5 stars
Murder mystery... I forget how much I like reading this genre! I love switching over from fantasy when I need to reset. This was perfect for it.
I absolutely loved the mc, Marissa was filled with all this trauma but it didn't stop her from evolving as the story progressed. She was so relatable, her empathetic side, and that good cop trait was admirable. I loved following her story but also the mystery portion of the story.
The way the author pulled us into the story had me hooked. I was obsessed with finding out what was going on and who did it. Im so intrigued, since we never find out what happens in this case. I am sure the next book will be gripping! I also think that the next book will give opportunity for Marissa and her ex to patch things up.. either go their own way or work on a second chance.
Can't wait for the second book and put my Nancy drew hat back on! Huge thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.
Murder mystery... I forget how much I like reading this genre! I love switching over from fantasy when I need to reset. This was perfect for it.
I absolutely loved the mc, Marissa was filled with all this trauma but it didn't stop her from evolving as the story progressed. She was so relatable, her empathetic side, and that good cop trait was admirable. I loved following her story but also the mystery portion of the story.
The way the author pulled us into the story had me hooked. I was obsessed with finding out what was going on and who did it. Im so intrigued, since we never find out what happens in this case. I am sure the next book will be gripping! I also think that the next book will give opportunity for Marissa and her ex to patch things up.. either go their own way or work on a second chance.
Can't wait for the second book and put my Nancy drew hat back on! Huge thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.
November 15, 2022
Did I just read this book as if my life depended on it? Yes, yes I did. Though Goodreads will say it took me two days, if I take all the hours it took me to read this book, they don’t even amount to a day. My dog literally knocked the tablet out of my hands because she got jealous of the attention I was giving this book. That’s how invested I was in the story. As I’m writing this review, I still feel like I’m coming down from an adrenaline rush. So, so good!
The author was able to pull me into the story from the very first page. Marissa is a protagonist who carries a lot of hurt and trauma. I could feel her weariness and hurt settle in my bones, and I desperately wished I had the power to fix things for her. She’s a good person, a great detective, and I was rooting for her happiness. I truly appreciated the personal relationships she has in this book—her family, her friends, the very complicated relationship she has with her ex, and the potential for hope and healing there is with someone (sort of) new. Second chance is a big theme in the book, and seeing as it’s one of my favorite tropes, I enjoyed this aspect of the story a lot!
As for the mystery, I’m obsessed. There are two mystery plots, actually, one that is rooted in Marissa’s traumatic kidnapping two years prior, and one dealing with an homicide case in Port Townsend. Both were absolutely brilliant. It’s been a while since I’ve sat down and underlined so much in an ebook. I was determined to solve the case. I developed theories, and while one proved to be true, I still don’t know if the other one is correct since the mystery surrounding Marissa’s stalker is still unsolved. I need to see this mystery to its end!
I highly recommend this to all lovers of mystery and police procedurals with complex, relatable and real characters and a subtle romance subplot (which had me weak in the knees. Special Agent James Mackenzie reminded me of how deeply in love I was with Seeley Booth from Bones.)
Thank you to the author for gifting me an eARC. Opinions are my own.
The author was able to pull me into the story from the very first page. Marissa is a protagonist who carries a lot of hurt and trauma. I could feel her weariness and hurt settle in my bones, and I desperately wished I had the power to fix things for her. She’s a good person, a great detective, and I was rooting for her happiness. I truly appreciated the personal relationships she has in this book—her family, her friends, the very complicated relationship she has with her ex, and the potential for hope and healing there is with someone (sort of) new. Second chance is a big theme in the book, and seeing as it’s one of my favorite tropes, I enjoyed this aspect of the story a lot!
As for the mystery, I’m obsessed. There are two mystery plots, actually, one that is rooted in Marissa’s traumatic kidnapping two years prior, and one dealing with an homicide case in Port Townsend. Both were absolutely brilliant. It’s been a while since I’ve sat down and underlined so much in an ebook. I was determined to solve the case. I developed theories, and while one proved to be true, I still don’t know if the other one is correct since the mystery surrounding Marissa’s stalker is still unsolved. I need to see this mystery to its end!
I highly recommend this to all lovers of mystery and police procedurals with complex, relatable and real characters and a subtle romance subplot (which had me weak in the knees. Special Agent James Mackenzie reminded me of how deeply in love I was with Seeley Booth from Bones.)
Thank you to the author for gifting me an eARC. Opinions are my own.
November 15, 2022
SECRETS & PHOTOGRAPHS is the first book in a mystery series, which isn’t my go-to genre and yet I enjoy it every time I try it! It didn’t take long for me to feel like this story would make a great screen adaptation. All the addictive qualities of a good police procedural were there: characters that felt real and that one could empathize with, complex familial and romantic relationships, and an interesting mystery plot.
Though I’m not usually a great investigator and let the mystery unfold by itself, this time I was invested, perhaps because of how personal the events were for the protagonist. I was buddy reading with my sister, so it was so fun to make theories together and exchange notes. The resolution of the murder case was satisfying, though it seems like there are still some loose threads and I’m curious to see if my theories on that regard are true!
What I enjoyed most about the book however was the human aspect of Marissa’s relationships, where the second-chance trope reigned supreme. Her friendship with Allison, that was true and steadfast. Her turbulent relationship with her sister Melanie. Her complicated past with her ex, Jared, and the hopeful relationship blooming with Special Agent James Mackenzie. As a fellow dog mom, however, the sweet bond with Ellie, her service dog, resonated with me most of all. Marissa’s messy personal life is what really kept me turning the pages. Not all the conflicts in the book are resolved, which is yet another reason I’m curious about the rest of the series.
Thank you to the author for gifting me an eARC. All opinions are my own.
Though I’m not usually a great investigator and let the mystery unfold by itself, this time I was invested, perhaps because of how personal the events were for the protagonist. I was buddy reading with my sister, so it was so fun to make theories together and exchange notes. The resolution of the murder case was satisfying, though it seems like there are still some loose threads and I’m curious to see if my theories on that regard are true!
What I enjoyed most about the book however was the human aspect of Marissa’s relationships, where the second-chance trope reigned supreme. Her friendship with Allison, that was true and steadfast. Her turbulent relationship with her sister Melanie. Her complicated past with her ex, Jared, and the hopeful relationship blooming with Special Agent James Mackenzie. As a fellow dog mom, however, the sweet bond with Ellie, her service dog, resonated with me most of all. Marissa’s messy personal life is what really kept me turning the pages. Not all the conflicts in the book are resolved, which is yet another reason I’m curious about the rest of the series.
Thank you to the author for gifting me an eARC. All opinions are my own.
November 19, 2022
Okay first of all, I started reading this one evening when I was home by myself and said, NOPE 😂 this is def a daytime, not alone read for me but I LOVED it! Thrillers are a genre I love but don’t often read, but I’m so glad I picked this one up.
I loved Detective Marissa Ambrose, the FMC. Her complexity and various relationships were two of the things that kept me flipping the pages for multiple hours earlier this week. I was so invested in watching her work through her ptsd from her traumatic kidnapping and assist the Seattle PD (who completely did her wrong) with their investigation into a serial killer. I wanted her to find happiness, and loved the introduction of a potential love interest in Special Agent James Mackenzie. Marissa deserves this sweet, blossoming romance!
While one mystery in this book wraps up, the mystery of Marissa’s stalker is left open and unresolved. It definitely has me excited to continue this series and see if my theory is proven true!
November 18, 2022
Reading this book made me question why I don't read more books of this genre. Thriller / Mystery novels are not my go to, but I could not put down this book.
What AK Ramirez does well is built up suspense, which can be hard. But this is the essence of thriller / mystery novels and I found myself reading faster and faster, just so I can see what happens.
Marissa Ambrose was also a great main character. I was rooting for her and often scared for her life. I'm excited to see where this series goes! I'm not sure my heart can take it, but i'm ready!
What AK Ramirez does well is built up suspense, which can be hard. But this is the essence of thriller / mystery novels and I found myself reading faster and faster, just so I can see what happens.
Marissa Ambrose was also a great main character. I was rooting for her and often scared for her life. I'm excited to see where this series goes! I'm not sure my heart can take it, but i'm ready!
November 1, 2023
I had the pleasure of meeting this author in Richmond at a convention.
I really enjoyed the story. The author pulls you in from the first page. Quick read
I really enjoyed the story. The author pulls you in from the first page. Quick read
November 18, 2023
We love a messy family and a plot thick with dark and winding paths. Truly enjoyed this book and read it very quickly! I am very excited to get a signed copy of the next book that was just released!! AK Ramirez is "one to watch" in the crime/thriller genre. You have a fan for life now.
December 10, 2022
I wasn't sure how much I enjoyed this book at the beginning. It felt like it was moving very slowly. In fact, I was wondering if there was ever going to be a murder when I was about a third done. Then a couple minutes later, a murder! That's when the book sped up! I had a little trouble keeping the two investigations separate. The twist was great! And I did enjoy how the two cases crossed. I felt for Marissa that no one believed her and was thankful when the police started listening to her. She's a great detective and I'm looking forward to revisiting her and hopefully solving the big mystery soon!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 21, 2022
Why don't I read this genre more?! Seriously, this was such a treat and made me wonder why I hardly ever read these kinds of books. The writing style is super compelling, I adored the MC Marissa, and the burgeoning romance between her and James McKenzie...ultimately making this book altogether unputdownable!! Absolutely PERFECT for fans of mystery/thriller reads with a slowburn romance pervading the action of the plot.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
April 3, 2023
This book was a very quick read for me (I'm generally a fast reader), I was sad when I finished it due to the cliffhanger and realizing that book 2 wouldn't be out until October of this year.
The book was pretty slow going until chapter 7 and then things picked up. I really enjoyed the characters and felt genuinely sorry for Marissa. Apart from her mother, her family life is a total shit show. I grew to really dislike her sister Mel through the story's progression. Ater everything that Marissa had been through, I thought that Mel's overreaction was cruel and uncalled for (maybe she will get killed off later and then I'll feel better).
I wish there was more resolution with the couple's killer by the end of the book. I was leaning toward Jack or Mac as a suspect. Jack's character is pretty irrelevant to the story as a whole so I don't know what other part he could play. The timeline he leaves town also matched up with the timeline the second couple's killer said that he was going away, but we will all have to wait and see how that plays out.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to more from this author.
The book was pretty slow going until chapter 7 and then things picked up. I really enjoyed the characters and felt genuinely sorry for Marissa. Apart from her mother, her family life is a total shit show. I grew to really dislike her sister Mel through the story's progression. Ater everything that Marissa had been through, I thought that Mel's overreaction was cruel and uncalled for (maybe she will get killed off later and then I'll feel better).
I wish there was more resolution with the couple's killer by the end of the book. I was leaning toward Jack or Mac as a suspect. Jack's character is pretty irrelevant to the story as a whole so I don't know what other part he could play. The timeline he leaves town also matched up with the timeline the second couple's killer said that he was going away, but we will all have to wait and see how that plays out.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2022
This book is a great thriller. Not one I would recommend reading at night. Every little shadow and sounds will have you creeped out. But I loved the thrill and reading this book. This is the 1st of Marissa Ambrose Witness Series, and I can't wait to read the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 2, 2022
Detect Marissa was working on a case, dubbed the Couple Killer case. During the case and the capture of the suspect, she was injured. She is convinced that the suspect had an accomplice but her suspicions fall on deaf ears. After this case she decides to relax and recover, but her peace is interrupted. She receives letters and photographs that documents her every move. She has stalker. While she is dealing with this situation , she is also asked to look into another case. A case that involves a copycat serial killer. A thriller with a mysterious plot and strong characters. Its a breathtaking ride.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 25, 2023
A friend recommended this book to me as I was looking for a new mystery novel and I was so sad when it ended because I wanted more! The writing was exceptional and the story captivated me. Twists I didn’t expect had me reading this book in record time. Absolutely recommend!
January 3, 2023
Will complete review later
Had to change my rating from 4 to 5 stars when I woke up the next day still suspicious of every character and realized I 100% was going to re-read. Especially while I'm waiting for books 2-5 to come.
Had to change my rating from 4 to 5 stars when I woke up the next day still suspicious of every character and realized I 100% was going to re-read. Especially while I'm waiting for books 2-5 to come.
July 20, 2023
I’m a sucker for a good crime novel and this one kept me hooked. I also love books set in the Pacific Northwest - I might be biased since I live in the PNW but I thought the author did a good job of using the coziness of Port Townsend to contrast with the horror of the crimes. I’m looking forward to reading book 2!
March 22, 2024
This book is Amazing!! I couldn't put it down. I need book 2!!!
October 5, 2022
Really enjoyed this edge of your seat and action packed adventure filled with witty and engaging charters, heart racing twists and emotional turns. An emotionally thrilling roller coaster journey from beginning to end and so hard to put down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 6, 2023
I can't stop thinking about it. I'll admit I was a little skeptical at first. (to be fair I guess that's my reading default with every book) but I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it.
The more I read, the more questions I had and I needed answers! I eagerly devoured the last few chapters this morning before I even got out of bed. (I woke up early for this) then immediately started searching for book #2 with zero success.
Only to find out it wouldn't be released until October 26, 2023. Now what am I supposed to read???
The more I read, the more questions I had and I needed answers! I eagerly devoured the last few chapters this morning before I even got out of bed. (I woke up early for this) then immediately started searching for book #2 with zero success.
Only to find out it wouldn't be released until October 26, 2023. Now what am I supposed to read???
October 15, 2023
Secrets & Photographs, #1 - A difficult start to this book with so much redundancies about her mental instability and PTSD. But the story did finally get interesting and the pace quicken half way through the story, which made the last part seemed rushed. There was a lot going on but not in the same detail as given to her history. Good characters and the story lines were interesting. Too much vulgar language, but clean otherwise. The foundation story line continues into the next book but there are no cliffhangers. Source: The author. 4*
Memories & Scars, #2 - Started this book right after the first and I was pleasantly surprised at how much better this was compared to S&P. Picks about six weeks later with a new case, new problems in many areas and less emphasis on Rissa's mental and philosophical woes. Good pacing, interesting and immersing with both the old and new story lines. The ending may be a bit of a cliffhanger, but the old story line continues. Source: BookSprout. 4*
Memories & Scars, #2 - Started this book right after the first and I was pleasantly surprised at how much better this was compared to S&P. Picks about six weeks later with a new case, new problems in many areas and less emphasis on Rissa's mental and philosophical woes. Good pacing, interesting and immersing with both the old and new story lines. The ending may be a bit of a cliffhanger, but the old story line continues. Source: BookSprout. 4*
April 21, 2024
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
The first half was really slow, I was struggling to get through it but then the story sped up and I couldn’t put the book down. Sometimes I was confused - the two investigations plus Marissa’s flashbacks seemed too intertwined. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters but the (second half of the) story was intriguing.
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down
The first half was really slow, I was struggling to get through it but then the story sped up and I couldn’t put the book down. Sometimes I was confused - the two investigations plus Marissa’s flashbacks seemed too intertwined. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters but the (second half of the) story was intriguing.
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews