Smoldering Lies by LT Ryan

Smoldering Lies by LT Ryan
Publisher: Liquid Mind Media
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

In the ashes of the past, a mystery burns.
In the gripping world of Maddie Castle, every fire ignites a deeper mystery. When community developer Brandon Adams faces a series of arson attacks, he enlists Maddie’s help, unaware that the flames are just the beginning of a much larger intrigue.

As Maddie delves into the case, she uncovers a web of environmental activism, strained family ties, and hidden agendas. But the closer Maddie gets to the truth, the more dangerous her path becomes.

Caught in a maze of betrayal and corruption, Maddie must navigate through this perilous journey, where every clue leads to more questions.

Will she uncover the arsonist’s identity, or will the flames of truth consume everything she holds dear? Join Maddie and Tempest in this thrilling tale of mystery, family secrets, and a quest for justice that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Maddie Castle continues to work on the disappearance of her partner’s young sister-in-law, but bills need to be paid so when a rich local businessman hires her to look into a series of arson attacks against his properties the money on offer is simply too good for Maddie to turn down. Can she juggle the two important cases and still meet the challenges that keep popping up?

I have been really enjoying this series. While there is a lot happening in Maddie’s personal life – which I find is a really good contrast to the equally crazy but highly different stress related to her job – this book seems to really focus on the two main cases. Maddie continues to chip away at finding the missing young Daisy. This plot has been arching over a number of books and readers should be aware that while progress is made, this mystery is not completed in this book.

The arson attacks, however, are unique to this book and are solved in what I found was a very satisfying manner. Maddie has a slightly different outlook to the normal PI or ex police officer and that’s part of what makes me feel this series is both refreshing but also realistic. The world is made up on grey, things usually aren’t starkly black and white. Maddie both sees and embraces these realities, and I enjoy reading about it.

Readers should be aware this book is well into the Maddie Castle series and while I strongly feel this book can be picked up and enjoyed by itself there is a lot of linking and history with the other books. I feel readers will experience a deeper connection and better emotional satisfaction if they’ve read at least a few of the previous books. That said the author did a really good job explaining everything so I don’t feel readers will be lost or miss out if they pick this book up by itself.