Unmasking The Past
I love a good mystery, and Unmasking the Past delivered. It blends suspense, small-town charm, family secrets, and just a touch of romance into a story that kept me guessing until the very end.
The main character felt capable without being perfect, and her determination to uncover the truth made it easy to stay invested in every twist. The supporting cast was equally well done—everyone seemed to have something to hide, which made trying to figure out who could be trusted half the fun.
The pacing struck a nice balance. There was enough action to keep the story moving, but the quieter moments gave the characters room to breathe and made the emotional stakes feel real.
Ellis Summers does a great job creating an atmospheric setting that almost becomes another character in the story. I could easily picture the locations, and they added to the overall sense of tension and intrigue.
Overall, this was an engaging, well-paced mystery with memorable characters and enough twists to keep me turning the pages. If you enjoy clean mysteries with strong female leads, hidden secrets, and plenty of suspense, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try.
*****
I really enjoyed this. It has a bit of everything really, suspense, malicious attacks, and several people with secrets.
Violet has changed her name to step away from her past as a young actress but it seems someone is doing attacks in her new hometown with props from her old series. At the same time, an old friend of her boyfriend is in town and being very persistent and overly friendly but what is her real motivation? I found this intriguing all the way through. The characters were likeable and I was rooting for Violet and Cooper. It's a really enjoyable start to a series and I look forward to reading more.
*****
The concept of uncovering long-buried secrets gives the story a strong sense of tension and curiosity. As the mystery develops, there is a constant feeling that there is more beneath the surface than initially meets the eye. The title itself perfectly captures that atmosphere of peeling back layers and discovering what or who has been hiding behind the mask. I particularly enjoyed the suspenseful nature of the story. The questions surrounding the past create an engaging sense of uncertainty, making it easy to keep turning the pages because you want to understand how all the pieces fit together. Just when you think you have a sense of where things are going, the story keeps you questioning your assumptions.
*****
I put off reading this book because I had never heard of the author and the blurb was fun sounding but no wow factor. I should have picked it up sooner!! I still am not sure how I feel about Coop - but I love V! I was guessing and guessing and the misdirection was real! Great read. Gonna of future stories - will V and C Be the MCs or will it rotate through others? I am here for book 2.
*****
Awesome! Kept me guessing! Great story line and characters.
*****
This was a deliciously twisted story involving love, revenge, and greed. I enjoyed watching Cooper support and protect Violet. There were many unexpected twists and turns that kept me reading and guessing. This was a complex layered mystery that kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed and invested in the main characters and their journey. Things got quite dicey towards the end!!! Hold tight!
*****
Violet and Cooper
The first book in The Marley Beach Mysteries series. The story follows former teen star Violet Asher, who moved to Marley Beach to leave her past behind. Ten years later, someone begins recreating macabre props from her old TV show around town. Meanwhile, her partner, Cooper, is targeted by a blackmailer regarding a missing girl's case, forcing Violet to uncover the truth to clear his name. It was a deliciously twisted, fast-paced mystery filled with suspense, unexpected turns, and great character dynamics between Violet and Cooper. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish and look forward to the next book in the series.
*****
5 out of 5 stars
Another great author for my list.
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2026
I put off reading this book because I had never heard of the author and the blurb was fun sounding but no wow factor. I should have picked it up sooner!! I still am not sure how I feel about Coop - but I love V! I was guessing and guessing and the misdirection was real! Great read. Gonna of future stories - will V and C Be the MCs or will it rotate through others? I am here for book 2.
Send a Message
An email will be sent to Ellis Summers.