Her First Mistake Audiobook By Kendra Elliot cover art

Her First Mistake

Noelle Marshall, Book 1

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Her First Mistake

By: Kendra Elliot
Narrated by: Stephanie Németh-Parker
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When a very personal cold case murder is reopened, a detective’s secrets come to light in a novel of shocking twists and suspense by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

Thirteen years ago, Assemblyman Derrick Bell was murdered in his home by an intruder. His wife, Noelle Marshall, was left for dead. The crime was unsolved, but it wasn’t forgotten.

Today the FBI is tackling a fresh perspective on the case and looking to Noelle, now a detective for the Deschutes County sheriff’s office, for new clues. It is reopening everything Noelle thought was behind her. Memories of her escape from a traumatic childhood. A marriage that wasn’t the perfect love story she’d been promised. And a husband whose charm and privilege hid a dark side. But Noelle has been hiding something too: a secret about the night Derrick died that she has never told anyone.

As past and present and leads and misleads collide, one thing is frighteningly clear. Derrick’s murder wasn’t just unsolved. It’s unfinished. And only the truth—no matter the risk—can save the next victim.

©2025 Oceanfront Press LLC. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Police Procedurals Thriller & Suspense Mystery Murder Detective Crime Women Sleuths Suspense Marriage Exciting
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Critic reviews

“This will satisfy…”—Publishers Weekly

“As in any good thriller, the narration, the dialogue and the action draw us deeper and deeper into the life of the main character.”—Bookreporter

“Cold cases inevitably provide great fodder for crime thrillers, and Kendra Elliot proves remarkably adept at mining that trope with her latest sizzler of a story, Her First Mistake.”—Jon Land, BookTrib
Engaging Mystery • Unexpected Twists • Exceptional Narration • Gripping Suspense • Well-written Plot

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Love anything Kendra Elliot! I was so excited for this book and a new series. I thought it was a great book and I can’t wait to see what’s next for this series.

Can’t wait for the next book

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Story of love, friendship, how drugs change people, murder, how one can doubt themselves, and most of all deceit of someone you think you can trust.

Deceit

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REALLY enjoyed the character development of Noelle Marshal. Ending was a shocker because it was unexpected due to no clear clues revealed earlier. Some parts of story were unnecessary and lengthy. Looking forward to more of this series.

Intriguing Plot

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I accidentally stumbled on this author in Kindle with free audio. Since then I have listened or read everything she has written. modern gothic with characters you feel like you know and look forward to learning more. I also love books that get me interested in looking more into the locations.

Her collaboration with Melinda Leigh is also exciting.

If you need new authors to read/listen to with a proliferation of books to catch up on, both of these authors are worth it.

At her Best

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This was a slow meandering story that covered 18 years of Noelle’s history and then some. I loved the cameos from Ms Elliot’s world. We get to spend a bit of time with Evan Bolton and, of course, Mercy popped up for a minute. Gah! It’ll be another six months before book two is released.
Part of the Kindle Unlimited catalog.

Great Start for a New Series

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