Here is a story that centers on what could truly be called an oxymoron -- small town secrets - anyone familiar with small towns is aware that gossip is rampant. Secrets just waiting to be shattered -- ergo the title of this crime suspense story by Karen Harper -- SHATTERED SECRETS. Perfect title for a perfectly astounding story that unravels slowly page by page. If you figure out who-dun- it before the very last few pages than you are a much better sleuth than I. This is book one of a trilogy about three sister and the town of Cold Creek. One caveat is do not read the authors note prior to completing this story. Promise me you won't.

Karen Harper concentrates the action in a small Appalachia mountain town and keeps faith with the entire concept of a very small town and its usual problems. But Cold Creek has a deep dark secret -- well actually it isn't so secret when you consider it was big news. Time has passed since the first time this town found itself the subject of unflattering news. Many years ago a young girl Teresa went missing -- vanished into clear blue sky as they say but luckily found her way back home. No one ever found out what happened to her except that she returned with bruises and no real memory of where she had been for several months.

The town sheriff was determined to track down this kidnapper but was never able to get the evidence to point to any person of interest -- and there were several. For a small town Cold Creek had some interesting people with quirky habits and cloudy backgrounds.

The new town sheriff is actually the son of the previous one. Gabe has the distinction of being in charge of watching Teresa for her mother when she vanished. Gabe has spent all these years mentally punishing himself for losing Teresa. And now she's back. Yes Teresa who now calls herself Tess has returned to Cold Creek to sell her mother's house. She has a life and job elsewhere so this was to be a quick in and out.

But Cold Creek and Sheriff Gabe seemed to suck her right back into her past which she has battled with all her adult life. Most people in town seem happy to see Tess and hope that she has been able to conquer any of her fears from the kidnapping. Most people.

Now so many years later there is another girl missing Sandy. This makes the total of four known kidnappings -- all very little girls -- all local. The town and the local police department know time is their enemy. They need to find her quickly and Tess may be the only source of information. Tess is determined to conquer her fears and look deep for any hidden memories that will help find Sandy. But someone is just as determined to make sure Tess reminds in the dark and they are not above scaring her into leaving town -- this time for good.

The stories of missing children are always heart wrenching and bring out the best and worst of people. Karen Harper wrote SCATTERED SECRETS with integrity and just the right amount of scariness to keep you on your toes. Harper proves a very valid point. No stone should be left unturned and no one is above suspicion. In SCATTERED SECRETS Karen Harper somehow manages to make absolutely everyone look guilty with very few exceptions. Karen Harper managed to keep me in the dark and surprise the heck of me with the ending of SCATTERED SECRETS. Now I know I have to read it again to see if I missed any clues. Don't miss SCATTERED SECRETS -- a wonderful beginning of what I expect will be a great series.

Book Summary

Every town has its secrets.

Returning to Cold Creek, Ohio, is an act of courage for Tess Lockwood. Abducted and held captive as a young girl, she is unable to remember anything about the crime that destroyed her childhood and tore her family apart. Now a grown woman with a bright future, she is certain she has put the past behind her. But when she inherits the family home, Tess must confront the demons that still haunt her and the town of Cold Creek.

Gabe McCord has always blamed himself for what happened to Tess. He had been a teenager when she was snatched from the group of children he was responsible for watching. Now Gabe has taken on the role of sheriff and hopes to shed new light on the cold case, especially given his growing feelings for Tess.

Tess isn't ready to recall what happened to her, and she has no intention of digging up any details that might remind her of the truth. But when another child in the town goes missing, she's certain it's related to her return to Cold Creek. Together, Tess and Gabe will have to work to unlock their painful memories in order to save another child and heal their damaged souls, for good.

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