Her Burning Lies

Delaney Pace #5

by Pamela Fagan Hutchins

As a blazing wildfire rages through Kearny County, homes are destroyed and the town is in turmoil. Amongst the debris, the body of a young woman lies totally still, her eyes looking to the sky, a silver sword pinning her to the ground.

When fire wardens search the scorched remains of an abandoned farmhouse, underneath the rubble, they make a shocking discovery—a young woman, stabbed and left to die in the middle of the fire zone. Detective Delaney Pace and Sheriff Leo Palmer are called in to investigate.

Leo takes in the woman’s petite features, his voice shaking as he turns to Delaney. He knows the victim—they had met on an online dating site. How did she end up in the middle of the wildfires, and who would want to kill an innocent young woman?

As a second body is discovered at a remote ranch, also stabbed with a silver sword, Delaney is sure the victims are linked—both young mothers, both looking for love. Could Kearny County have a serial killer preying on single women?

Delaney’s heart pounds when she learns that her close friend, Clara Eckhardt, is missing, last seen driving towards the fires. She ignores the evacuation orders and races towards the inferno. But when shots are fired, she knows the murderer has her in their sight. Will she turn back and save herself or chase the killer further into the fire to save her friend’s life?

If you like Lisa Regan, Mary Stone and Robert Dugoni, you will love this completely gripping crime thriller from USA Today bestselling crime author Pamela Fagan Hutchins.

What readers are saying about Her Burning Lies:

“I could not put this book down and read it in one day! It was heart-pounding, and I needed to find out what was going to happen next… Kept me on the edge of my seat… Impossible to put down… A must-read.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“I was glued to the book… Managed to finish it in two days.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“Will not let you go. Spell-binding.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day… What an absolute cracker of a book!!!… Sucked me straight in. Absolutely addictive page-turner. Absolutely absorbed me.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars What readers are saying about Pamela Fagan

“An incredible thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat and chewing your fingernails down to the elbows with the excitement and tension.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“Don’t start reading this late in the evening. You will not be able to stop! OMG times 10!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“Impossible to put down! I was on the edge of my seat—I simultaneously wanted to read faster and cover my eyes! I cannot recommend enough.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“Absolutely fantastic, unputdownable. Kept me on the edge of my seat and then on the edge of my bed until late at night as I just could not put it down!!!” Goodreads reviewer

“Wow… Once you start, you won’t be able to stop reading&l

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Crime

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

I'm a USA Today bestselling mystery/suspense/thriller author and a big horse and sled dog enthusiast.

My hunky husband and I ride our beloved draft cross horses way up in the frozen north of Snowheresville, WY, where we run a rustic, off-the-grid lodge on the face of the Bighorn Mountains. When I'm not writing or riding, I'm passionate about wilderness sports, always with a couple of rescue dogs, bear spray, a mountain lion knife, and my Judge. NO ANIMALS HAVE BEEN HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS LIFE ADVENTURE (but don't sneak up on me).

I've made some lists and won some awards, yada yada. Amazon Charts Top 25 bestseller. USA Today Bestseller. The Silver Falchion for Best Adult Mystery WINNER (Fighting for Anna), the WINNERS for USA Best Books Fiction: Cross Genre (Hell to Pay, Heaven to Betsy), and others. With books "in print" of over 3,000,000, readers seem to enjoy the books—I think they have exceptionally good taste. {insert goofy grin here} Lots of them follow my show Wine Women & Writing, too, where I fangirl my favorite authors and interview them for your listening and viewing pleasure. Subscribe free at http://bit.ly/PamelaWWWR <--case sensitive.

You can read my series in any order or as standalones, but they're a lot of fun if you do them like this:

* Detective Delaney Pace (coming soon!): Her Silent Bones, Her HIdden Grave, Her Last Cry, Her Forgotten Shadow, Her Burning Lies, and Her Cold Heart.

* Patrick Flint Wyoming-based series (PG):
Switchback, Snake Oil, Sawbones, Scapegoat, Snaggle Tooth, Stag Party, Sitting Duck, and Skin & Bones. #9 coming in 2026.

* The Jenn Herrington Wyoming Mysteries (PG-13):
BIG HORN, WALKER PRAIRIE, and RED GRADE coming in 2026.

* What Doesn't Kill You Super Series:
1.Caribben-based Katie Connell (PG-13): Saving Grace, Leaving Annalise, Finding Harmony, and Seeking Felicity
2. Texas-based Emily Bernal (PG-13): Heaven to Betsy Earth to Emily, Hell to Pay
3. Texas-based Michele Lopez Hanson (PG-13): Going for Kona, Fighting for Anna, Searching for Dime Box
4. Wyoming-based Maggie Killian (R, language): Live Wire, Sick Puppy, Dead Pile (plus shorts Buckle Bunny and Shock Jock)
5. Caribbean-based Ava Butler (R, sexual situations): Bombshell, Stunner, Knockout

I also have a children's book series featuring Poppy, the world's best grandfather, and Petey, his blind Boston terrier.
Free starter library https://pamelafaganhutchins.com/maili...

If after all that you still want to learn more about my books, my podcast, or me, then God Bless Ya.

There are many ways: My website and its blog. The aforementioned newsletter. Email me: Pamela at PamelaFaganHutchins dot come. And you can follow me around the web:

Website: https://pamelafaganhutchins.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pamel...
Pamela's Posse for Readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pamel...
Facebook http://facebook.com/pamela.fagan.hutc...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/pamelafa...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamela_faga...
Twitter http://twitter.com/PamelotH
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/pamelafaganh...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pamelafaganhu...
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@pamela_fagan...
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pamelafaganhu...

And, finally, to learn more about my fellow SkipJack Publishing authors, visit: http://skipjackpublishing.com/.

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping, shocking, mysterious, and thrilling! Her Burning Lies delivers a scorching hot mystery for Detective Delaney Pace to solve! A wildfire raged thorough Kearny County leaving destruction in its path. A body which had been stabbed, has been found in a burned farmhouse. Sheriff Leo Palmer recognizes the dead woman from an online dating site he has used! When another body is found, having been stabbed by a silver sword, Delaney begins to wonder if there is a serial killer on the loose in Kearny County. Whew! With a fire raging, and bodies being found, the team was up against both mother nature and a killer. When Maggie's close friend, Clara Eckhardt, goes missing, Delaney will do whatever it takes to find and bring her friend home!

Brimming with tension, danger, dread, and suspense Her Burning Lies, kept me fully invested and turning the pages! I have enjoyed this series from the very beginning (Her Silent Bones) and love the balance between Delaney's personal and private life. She has been raising her Neice, since her brother and sister-in-law were killed in an automobile accident. Plus, her chemistry with Leo is off the charts and I have been rooting for them the entire series. I love their scenes and the simmering interactions between them.

This book had me turning the pages and trying to figure out the identity of the diabolical killer. Thankfully Delaney and Leo are better detectives than I am! This book was brimming with danger, suspense, and thrills. Wonderfully written, well thought out, intense, gripping and hard to put down! I can't wait to read what happens in the next book in the series!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.


Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

HER BURNING LIES (Detective Delaney Pace Book #5) by Pamela Fagan Hutchins is an edge-of-your-seat action packed crime thriller/police procedural featuring Detective Inspector Delaney Pace in Kearny County, Wyoming. This is the fifth book in the series and can be read as a standalone crime thriller, but the main characters’ personal relationships change and grow over the series. I have read them all in order and really enjoy the crime plots and the growing relationship between Delaney and Leo.

Detective Inspector Delaney Pace and Sheriff Leo Palmer have their hands full with a large wildfire raging through the county. When the fire wardens gather to set up a staging area at an abandoned farm, they discover the body of a young women in the stone farmhouse dead and pinned to the ground with a large sword.

A second body is discovered the next day in the burned-out barn. The body is as charred as the barn, and it also is pinned to the ground with a sword. As Delaney and Leo investigate the identities of their victims, they discover they have both given birth, but no babies are found in the apartment building that houses several young women.

When one of Delaney’s friends disappears, she and Leo are racing against the clock to find her and discover if there is a connection between her and the dead young women as the wildfire gets ever closer.

This is another fantastic addition to the Detective Delaney Pace series! I am never disappointed. The crime thriller plot always keeps me guessing to the climax with plenty of twists and surprises throughout. Delaney and Leo’s extended families add relatability and realism to the story. Their personal relationship is a rollercoaster ride that finally, after five books, has left me with good feelings for their future. This is a must-read series for me, and I am always excited to get the next book.

I highly recommend this addictive crime thriller/police procedural book and series.

[Melissa * bookedwithmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another win from Pamela Fagan Hutchins. I love the relationships she’s created among these characters. There’s always so much more to the story than just the murders.

While Delaney and her adopted daughter Carrie are helping with the wildfire efforts in Wyoming, they come across a body of a young woman. This book follows Delaney and Leo while they attempt to figure out who murdered the poor woman, and second one that it discovered shortly after. Not only do we get the case, and all the possible suspects, including a fellow detective, we get the tension between Delaney and Leo. It’s clear that they have feelings for each other and they’re constantly fighting them, but the media is really pushing the issue in this one because Leo is running for Sheriff.

It’s easy to want to see Delaney and Leo together. They’re the perfect pair, both professionally and personally. I can’t wait for more of this series and to see what happens between them.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of this book.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

theres a wild fire raging out of control but its the murdered victim found with a sword through her that has delaney worried......

who could the victim be and why would someone kill them like that.....

but thats not the only shocking thing....leo can identify her, he was suppose to meet her the next day for coffee on of his hook ups from a dating app....

but when the second body turns up with a sword through them thats when delaney and leo realise they have a serial killer in town and with the fire getting closer time is running out

oh my word this storyline is gripping and nasty in so many ways.... but its ohhh so good.... red herrings abound but when the killer is finally revealed its shocking in the extreme.....

man this author can certainly write a good book cant wait for the next one in this series

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a member of the police force is not for the faint hearted especially if you work homocide. They encounter different kinds of baddies and see victims who suffered different kinds of cruelty. 

Some murderers do everything they can do hide the identity of their victims and use the most gruesome methods to kill them. 

Delaney and Leo not only have to deal with this predator, but there is also the danger of a raging wildfire. The race against the clock starts. Can they stop this killer before they make another victim? 

The author finds a perfect balance between face paced action and softer, more personal matters.  They give the reader a moment to catch their breath. The fact they also have to deal with the fire, adds urgency and danger.

I loved the way my head was filled with possibilities where the name of the culprit was concerned. One section made me laugh out loud, some made me shudder and some made my heart go soft. 

Great book just like the rest of this marvelous series. I liked that the author had used different way to get her killer to commit the murders. 5 stars

Thank you

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delaney and Leo will stop at nothing to find and stop the murderer of young single women. All while battling the dangerous wildfires. This series and this crime fighting duo are one of my favorites. You’ll be on the edge of your seat and guessing the whole way to the surprise ending! #LeoForSheriff

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this 5th book in the series, Deputy Investigator Pace and her partner, acting Sheriff Leo Palmer, hunt a killer as a wildfire rages in the hills outside Kearny, WY. Delaney is also still fighting her feeling for Leo, especially since starting a relationship with him could imperil his chances in the election to permanently fill the Sheriff's position. A fire relief worker stumbles across the body of a young woman in an abandoned farmhouse, pinned to the ground with a broadsword. Leo thinks he recognizes the victim from an online dating site, but their attempts to identify her run into multiple roadblocks. When a second victim is found on the same property, they worry they may have a serial killer on their hands. The atmosphere is tense, between the ritualistic nature of the killings, the backdrop of a wildfire threatening the community, and a reporter's insinuations about Delaney and Leo threatening Leo's bid for Sheriff as well as Delaney's relationship with one of her adopted daughters, who has a big crush on Leo's nephew. If you haven't read the previous books in the series, you can read Her Burning Lies as a standalone but you'll find out how some things in the earlier books turn out so I would suggest starting with book 1. The characters are multidimensional and likeable, and the plot is action-packed and suspenseful.. I devoured this book in a day!

[Maci Simmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ONLY thing that irks me about this author is her need to repeat random things. Like we’re on book 5, your readers know that her 1969 chevelle is named Shelly and she got it from her dad when he died. Shut up just tell the story😂
Other than that, I love how entertained this author keeps me. I love this series

[Lisa Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Delaney Pace has many balls in the air. She is the mother of two adopted daughters who seem to find trouble, her job is never boring, and she is in love with her boss, Sheriff Leo Palmer who happens to be up for reelection. Of the three, her job is probably the easiest to handle; however, that is about to change. With wildfires threatening the town, a body is found in a destroyed cabin. She is pinned to the ground with a large silver sword, but that is not the biggest shock. Leo recognizes the woman as someone he met on a dating app. With a Renaissance fair in town, the possible source for the sword seems obvious, but nothing is as it seems. As the case develops with another body, questions arise about one of Delaney's colleagues and a friend; it is an exciting and fast-moving investigation with a surprising ending. I am anxious to read what happens next for Leo and Delaney!

[Lori Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Burning Lies is a suspenseful thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end! It's book 5 in the Detective Delaney Pace series by Pamela Fagan Hutchins, but can be enjoyed as a standalone read, too! There's a wildfire destroying homes and property in Kearny County. When firemen search a burned farmhouse they discover the body of a woman that has been stabbed with a sword. The sword goes straight through her into the ground. There's no way she could've gotten up even if the wound didn't kill her. Delaney and Leo are quick on scene to investigate the murder. Leo thinks he recognizes the features of the woman from an online dating site. Another body is discovered at a ranch and she's also been stabbed with a sword all the way through to the ground. Is this the work of a serial killer?

The investigation takes a personal turn when Clara, one of the women that works at the station, goes missing. She was last seen heading towards the fires, but nothing since. Where could she be? Where's her truck? Will Delaney, Leo, and the team find Clara before the killer attacks her? Clara has hidden something from her past. Could it be connected to why the killer took her? Delaney and Leo will have to get close to the fires in order to have a chance of saving her. Will they be able to find her and get out before the fires overtake the area and them? This book keeps your heart pounding and mind guessing until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed Her Burning Lies and rate it 5 stars. The book is available now and should be added to your TBR pile. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of Her Burning Lies in exchange for a fair review. #HerBurningLies

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Burning Lies by Pamela Fagan Hutchins is the 5th book in the excellent Detective Delaney Pace series and it was another excellent book within this series. I have loved reading about the main characters Delancy and her partner, acting Sheriff Leo Palmer. This book is full of twists and turns throughout, Within this book you're taken to the wildfires that are raging through Kearny County, homes are destroyed and the town is in turmoil.
But, amongst all the debris, there is a body of a young woman, she lies totally still, her eyes looking to the sky, a silver sword is pinning her to the ground. WoW!

The Fire Wardens search the scorched remains of an abandoned farmhouse, but, underneath the rubble, they make a shocking discovery. . . . . . . a young woman, stabbed and left to die in the middle of the fire zone.
Detective Delaney Pace and Sheriff Leo Palmer are called in to investigate.

Whilst Leo was looking at the woman, his voice becomes shaky and he turns to Delaney. He knows the victim, they had met on an online dating site.
But, How did she end up in the middle of the wildfires?

Who would want to kill an innocent young woman?

A second body is discovered at a remote ranch, also stabbed with a silver sword, Delaney is sure the victims are linked. They are both young mothers, both looking for love.

Could Kearny County have a serial killer preying on single women?

Delaney’s heart pounds when she learns that her close friend, Clara Eckhardt, who is now missing. She was last seen driving towards the fires and she ignores the evacuation orders and races towards the inferno. But when shots are fired, she knows the murderer has her in their sight.

Will she turn back and save herself or chase the killer further into the fire to save her friend’s life?

WoW! I highly recommend all of these books within this series. A fantastic book Yet again!

[Susan Hamann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another suspense filled book by Pamela Fagan Hutchins. Delaney is a top notch detective, working on a small town police force. She has a great working relationship with her boss, Leo. Although they have shared a kiss in the past, they agreed not to take the relationship further. They love their jobs and don't want anything to interfere with that.

Delaney has two nieces, who have become her adopted daughters. Leo has his sister and nephew living with him. Not only do they need to deal with matters associated with their newly expanded families, there is a wildfire nearby that they are actively participating in fighting, but there are dead women appearing in the fire area with swords pinning them to the ground. There are also issues within the Sheriff's department.

So much happening and so few clues. Who were the women? What are their ties? And the tongues in town are wagging - about everything. And then yet another woman goes missing.

Exciting story with so many issues to deal with. The lead characters have so much denied chemistry, along with a mutually beneficial working relationship. Loved reading this book.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: Her Burning lies will not let you go. Spell-binding, edge-of-your-seat, heart-warming. With Her Burning Lies, the 5th book in the Detective Delaney Pace irresistible series, once again Pamela Fagan Hutchins has pulled me into an amazing thriller and kept me enthralled to the end. Shifting between Delany's life and the intensity of the current investigation, Ms. Hutchins allows me to stay deep into the novel, even though anxiety issues have blocked me from reading most thrillers in the last couple of decades. I LOVE the personal angle and feel connected to most of the characters. This connection comes into play with Her Burning Lies when we discover that a series friend is in grave physical and emotional danger. Having unexpectedly become mother to a middle schooler and a high school senior creates a whole new world for Delaney to navigate, but the love she feels for those girls adds to the best parts of the novel. Her up and down interaction with Leo gives me butterflies; I desperately want things between to work out.
#NetGalley #Bookatoure #PamelaFaganHutchins #DetectiveDelaneyPace #HerBurningLies

[Sandra M. Dethlefsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrounded by a monster wildfire, Detective Delaney Pace and Sheriff Leo Palmer make a startling discovery amongst the scorched remains of an abandoned farmhouse – a woman stabbed with a silver sword and left to die. Leo is shocked that he knows the woman from an online dating site. How could anyone leave this lovely young woman to die in an area surrounded by fire?
When the second body of a young woman is found at a nearby ranch, also stabbed with a silver sword, Delaney fears there may be a serial killer loose in Kearny County. Both women appear to be young single mothers, possibly looking for love.
Delaney panics when she learns that her friend Clara Eckhardt is missing after she was last seen driving towards the fires. When Delaney drives to the evacuation area to try to find her, she encounters shots being fired. Is the murderer after her now? She has two choices – race back to safety or continue to find Clara and capture the killer.
Another fantastic thriller from Pamela Fagan Hutchins that is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delaney is teaching her daughter Carrie to drive her semi named Gabrielle which has hay on it for the farmers needing help due to the wildfires. They arrive at the staging area to find that a dead body has been found in the abandoned house. She immediately transitions to detective mode and begins that delicate balancing act of figuring out who the killer is while also taking care of her family. She and Leo dig into mystery and find themselves dealing with multiple threads of investigation going in a variety of ways. Add in the political pressure on Leo as he is running for Sheriff against Joe who is a deputy in the department and is intent on causing trouble for Leo in the media as well as the wildfire raging around them. It is an intense read that leaves you wondering what will happen next. There are countless distractions and directions that are pulling at Delaney and Leo so the times flies when you are reading as there isn't a good stopping point until the end.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Her Burning Lies, even though it's the first book I've read in the Detective Delaney Pace series.
The novel masterfully creates a sense of doom and dread that keeps you on the edge of your seat—seriously, I might need a new chair. T
he suspense is so thick you could cut it with a knife, and the fast pace ensures there's never a dull moment (or a chance to catch your breath).
The characters are well-fleshed out, making their struggles and satisfaction feel incredibly real. The author did an excellent job in making you feel the characters' anxiety and sense of dread as they face the killings and the wildfires.
The surprising twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end.
While it can be appreciated as a standalone, diving into the series will give you an even richer experience.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves a gripping thriller—and maybe a good cardio workout!
Many thanks to Bookouture for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

[Joanne Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterful intertwining of the series characters stories and a mystery, as they search for a killer.

I am loving this series. The ongoing character development has me returning to catch up on what is next for Delaney, Leo and co, add to that an engaging mystery and it has all the ingredients for a great read.

In book 5, Her Burning Lies, the team are dealing with major fires, a trafficking ring, a medieval festival in town as well as a killer leaving young women murdered and pinned by authentic swords. With a colleague going missing, others coming under suspicion, this book will have you wondering just who is involved with what. While you can get a sense for who the killer is in terms of their connection and motivation for what is going on, determining who they are, well, that is another matter completely.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series!

What a roller coaster!

There are a few different plot lines running and then BOOM everything comes together.

Usually I can guess what will happen in a mystery and this one had me scratching my head. I love that!

We get the same excellent characters and all the emotions they invoke.

What I loved?

The characters

Interpersonal relationships

They Wyoming landscape and history

Delaneys adopted girls - I love that!



What I didn’t love?

The flashback scenes from the past. It’s not my favorite - but there isn’t anything wrong with it - I personally don’t love it.

I will say that it made sense for this plot line and didn’t take away from the plot or flow.

I am still loving this series and can’t wait to see what happens next!!!

[Monica Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying the Delaney Pace series and I recommend reading them all, in order. However, this book can also be read as a standalone.

When young women start turning up with swords pinning them to the ground, it is up to Delaney and Leo to figure out what on earth is going on and to find the perpetrator, stat. When a woman who works at the station, Clara, goes missing, there is extra pressure on the team to simultaneously find the murderer and Clara.

Inbetween her work, Delaney is trying to raise her niece and as she is a teenager, things can get a bit fraught there as well.

This was a thrilling read and I always enjoy reading what Delaney gets up to. The sparks between her and Leo continue, but it is more of a gentle simmer, at this point.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

[R.E. E. Derouin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Burning Lies by Pamela Fagan Hutchins 2/4/2025 Kindle

Detective Delaney Pace and Sheriff Palmer investigate a body discovered during a wild fire. When a second victim is found, their chore intensifies. The sheriff recognizes the young woman, having met on a dating web site he continues to monitor. The killings match. Both are single mothers and when a third woman turns up missing, Leo and Delaney know they are chasing a serial killer.

Delaney Pace and Leo Palmer have a history together. These feelings simmer beneath the surface as they continue to seek clues. The wild fire intensifies. Detective Pace makes some illogical decisions, but overall, this is an interesting enough mystery to hold the reader’s attention. Yes, I’d recommend it to others.

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-stop action and suspense! It's always a joy to head back to visit Delaney, Leo, Clara and the gang to solve the next mystery they find themselves knee deep into. This book was particularly intense because things hit close to home on several fronts. I found the olden mindset a little hard to sink my teeth into with the crime scenes, so it drug a bit in places but I enjoyed the gist of the mystery. I really enjoyed things moving forward a bit with how the friends and family atmosphere is playing out. I look forward to visiting again soon to continue the storylines.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a gnarly whodunnit with impactful crimes and really addictive key characters.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to series

I sort of figured this one out. SPOILERS! A young woman is found dead with a medieval sword in her chest in an abandoned cabin while an wildfire rages out of control. The killer has set her sights on Clara whose past we get in sight into. Clara is the dispatcher and friend of Leo and Delany. I figured out who the killer was, sort of. It was the mentally unstable twin we didn't know about, children of Clara a result of being raped by her uncle. Her parents didn't believe her and her child, Clara didn't know she had twins, was taken. Delaney is still trying to keep her distance from Leo, so she won't cost him the election to sheriff. Fortunately she finally admits her feelings and it looks like they will be getting together.

[Renee Calderaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Delaney Pace series so much and was really looking forward to this book. Pamela didn't disappoint me with this book, and I kept going back and forth on who the killer was. I was glued to the book, and even though I was sick, I managed to finish it in 2 days in between naps. The ending caught me totally off-guard, because I kept thinking the killer was a man, and definitely not a child of one of the main characters. I am also so happy that Delaney and Leo are finally getting together, and Joe is getting what he deserves.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and am providing my review.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is wonderful to be back in Kearny, Wyoming with Deputy Investigator Delaney Pace, Sheriff Leo Palmer and her adopted daughters - Carrie and Kat. While the town is preparing to beat back a wildfire out of control, a body of a young lady is found with a sword in her. This sets off a chain of events for both Leo and Delaney in the hunt for the killer! Shortly afterwards, a second body is found so now Delaney and Leo have to up the ante in finding the killer! What links the women? How are they connected? Who is the culprit? Who has taken Delaney's friend Clara? Get set for an explosive storyline with twists and turns that leads to tense ending.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embers that have been simmering underneath the surface, forever, finally ignite and burn brightly in the 5th Delaney Pace book!
Finally, the author gave me what I’ve been impatiently waiting for!!!!!
Set against the backdrop of Wyoming fires, Leo and Delaney have to solve who is skewering women with swords!
The read is medievally menacing
I thought Kat was being a horse’s rear end and needed to shovel manure to cool her jets.
The nosy reporter and Adriana are both very annoying and I was about ready to make firebreaks out of both of them!
I have come to expect excellence in this series and once again Hutchins delivers! Tres bien!!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Burning Lies - a review by Rosemary Kenny.


Detective Delaney Pace and Sheriff Leo Palmer are hot on the trail of a sadistic killer following a rampant wildfire, in Pamela Fagan Hutchins' Her Burning Lies. It's guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat right from the start...the kind of thriller that's unputdownable.

As you might expect, it's action all the way through, with great characters, and a believable storyline that grabs you firmly by the imagination throughout.

Why not get yourself a copy today... satisfaction's guaranteed!

[Denise Cosper · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's more than smoke in the air

Delaney Pace, Deputy Investigator, adoptive mother, ex ice road trucker, and bar owner by proxy is a no nonsense woman who is always being torn in different directions.
This story takes you through wild fires, murder and much more. I love the growth of the characters as each book develops and the new ones that enter along the way.
Pamela Fagan Hutchins has done it again. Please keep writing the series. I can't wait to see where it takes us next. Thank you for sharing your imagination and talent with us.

[Patsy Tyrrell-Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

#5 and another great book! The Wildfire, murder, kidnapping and suspense! The northwest part of Wyoming in 2024 had huge wildfire along with many smaller ones through out the state. She adds a story to that amazing fire while citizens worry about the fire consuming their part of the area. Morbid mental issues and the ever present baby selling markets & human trafficking. These issues are ever present through out our country and she weaves a intense story among the issues. Keeps you nailed to your seat.

[Francine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Delaney Pace Series Book 5

Another great book in this series! These characters are like family & I love the interaction between all of them. Especially the main character, Delaney. She’s strong, caring & will do what it takes to keep her family & community safe. The storyline in this book was different & interesting. It kept me guessing throughout who the killer was. I loved the ending with a twist that was a big surprise. Looking forward to the next book in this series!

[Denice Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #5 in the Detective Delaney Pace series finds our detective battling fires as bodies begin turning up in the ashes. There are a few continuing story arcs that move forward in this book, including a possible complicated romance with Sheriff Leo. Delaney's niece and nephew are settling into the community, letting her worry less about their futures. Now she just has to figure out who is killing women with swords and fire.