Dead Woman Walking

Detective Amanda Steele #15

by Carolyn Arnold

Preparing the empty house for another viewing, she knows she’s taking a risk showing it at night. She never told anyone she was here, but she desperately needs this sale. If she pulls it off, she can finally give her daughter the life she deserves. But as she climbs the stairs, goosebumps spread down her arms. She’s not alone…

When the body of realtor Christine Lane is discovered in one of Woodbridge’s most affluent homes, Detective Amanda Steele is left reeling. The victim was dating Amanda’s half-brother, making him an immediate suspect. They’ve never been close but Amanda knows he’s not a killer.

As forensics move in to process the crime scene, Amanda is ambushed by a well-dressed woman desperately trying to get inside the house. Dominique Sharp is a successful lawyer and expected her house to be sold by the time she returned from a business trip to DC. Could she have been the intended target?

Delving into Dominique’s business, Amanda and Trent discover a long line of disgruntled employees and a dark web of secrets that lead them to a killer who will stop at nothing to get their deadly revenge on her.

But can Amanda take the greatest risk of her career to lure the killer back into the light? And will she have to sacrifice someone close to her to ensure justice is finally served?

A totally addictive and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you turning the pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Mary Burton, Elle Gray and A. J. Rivers.

What readers are saying about the Detective Amanda Steele

“Wow! I’m lost for words… Had me glued to this eBook… I didn’t stop until 4.30am… Had me hooked!… Gripping… Love!… Amazing!” cathysbooktok, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I read in one sitting as I couldn’t bring myself to put it down, even for a few minutes… Phenomenal!” bookreviewercakemaker, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I could not put this book down. I was up all night… Will have you on the edge of your seat the whole ride!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Fantastic! Wow!… Nail-biting!… Jaw-dropping twists!” Sassy Southern Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Heart-pounding… All the twists and turns a person could want… A rollercoaster ride start to finish… An edge of your seat thrill ride!” a_likely_storie, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Gripping… Fantastic… I was on the edge of my seat.” B for Book Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Carolyn Arnold is one of my go-to authors and never disappoints… I devoured this book in a day as I couldn’t put it down.

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 25, 2026

About the author

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has nearly thirty published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Reviews

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book in this fantastic series is always something to look forward to, because you already know in advance
that you will be swept away by the smooth writing style and the author’s excellent creative mind.

Loyal readers know that Amanda has a half-brother, but their relationship is far from warm. When he does call on her for help, however, she sets those feelings aside
and, with her boss’s approval, she and Trent start investigating.

All roads lead to Rome, as the saying goes, but here the evidence seems to point straight at her half-brother…

Amanda and her partner begin digging deeper…

Amanda and Trent put in long hours, but they don’t let go until they have uncovered everything down to the very bottom.

Amanda is once again confronted with herself when it comes to her personal life. Maybe what I’ve been waiting and hoping
for for quite some time will finally happen?

Tragic events often bring people closer together, because they force you to face the fact that life is short.

So yes, once again it was reading pleasure with a capital R.

Tension, emotions, and goosebump moments. If that’s what
you’re looking for, you’ll find this book a real winner—just like I did.
5 stars.

[Rary ⏾ ❤︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Read: NetGallery / Bookouture

A woman is murdered in a case of mistaken identity by a contract killer known as the Anaconda Killer, who wraps their victims in a tarp. The body is discovered by a robot vacuum which was a first for me!
The intended target lawyer Dominique Sharp character is pretty stubborn and her refusal for help made her pretty frustrating to read at times. As the investigation unfolds the story spirals into a rabbit hole of business dealings, embezzlement and the true identity of the hitman.

[Cathy Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I would like to thank the amazing author of this story which is instalment 15 for her Detective Amanda Steele series which I have been reading for the last few years, as well as Bookouture publishers and Netgalley. When I seen in my emails that I was accepted to read this arc I had put down my book I was reading on my kindle and jumped straight into it excited because this is what I have been waiting for since reading book 14.

Once again I love the way that Carolyn plans out her books, the plots are always well put together and the details for those always fit in so well and make the book so unputdownable. She always makes the characters in a way that you fall in love with them, especially Amanda you can't help the way you feel about her and I love her character the best. She has been through so much and this book had some points that really do hope happen in the future of this series!

I've always loved Amanda and that the character of who she is, she is amazing at her job and she loves the team she works with while also they all respect her. And something that we learn in this part of the series is her actual true feelings, after everything that she has been through and the fighting and work she has done to make her be who she is, I just want her to have the happiness that she wants and deserves.

What was a murder had turned out to be a mistaken victim, someone who was innocent and in the wrong place at the wrong time. With the actual victim being hunted, she won't be safe until they catch the murderer and hopefully not to many innocent people are hurt in the mean time while they figure out who is committing the crimes.

The suspect has been identified as a paid dark web serial killer, who has already done many kills before, this is where I was so surprised as we haven't had this plot before involving the dark web. This book (well to be honest the whole series) is one of those thrillers where you will be drawn into the story & you will have so many issues with not only being able to not put down you kindle or kobo. But this is a unputdownable, suspenseful, thrilling and exciting book (series).

I have said this before and I will say it again for anyone knew who is reading my blog at this point in time, but if you want a series where you will be able to enjoy a good plot, and a series where you will read the first book and then the second book will start off where it last finished. Yes you heard me Carolyn is one of those writers who will finish one book and start the next book where it was left off at the end of the last one, none of this skip 6 months, 12 months, 1 year or 5 years. Then this is the series that you need to read, and I shall admit you need to look at her other detective series as they're the same and they are really good books just the same as her Detective Amanda Steele series.

Everything is so well described, so well planned. The descriptions of the murders, the injuries and so on are described with so much descriptions that sometimes it's enough to make you sick. They're always so well disrupted that you can picture it, the information is always explained as well especially those big medical words that have you like what in the world is that.

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Woman Walking is the fifteenth book in the Detective Amanda Steele series by Carolyn Arnold. This series is set in Woodbridge, Virginia. Amanda and her partner Trent Stenson find the body of Christine Lane in an affluent neighborhood in a house for sale by lawyer Dominique Sharp. It turns out Christine and Amanda’s half-brother Spencer have been dating. As Amanda and Trent delve into the backgrounds of Christine and Dominique, secrets are discovered. Who was the intended victim and who is the killer?

Amanda is determined to get justice for victims and tends to get immediately to the point at a crime scene which doesn’t always endear her to others. She’s sensitive but not soft, inquisitive, resilient, strong, capable, struggles with work-life balance, and tends to rush ahead without back-up at times. She also fears overlooking some crucial detail in a case. Trent is loyal, funny, and always has Amanda’s back. He grounds her when she needs it and is often the voice of reason. He values honesty and views work as a calling, not a day job.

The story is full of personal and professional layers and relationships. It focuses on the investigation, but brings in what is happening in Amanda’s and Trent’s personal lives. It has an air of mystery and suspense, but the antagonist behind the murder was too easy to discern. Despite this, I was engaged from start to finish. As always, the prologue is chilling and the epilogue wraps things up nicely. The recurring characters grow more dynamic in each new novel as readers learn more about their personal and professional lives. Themes of family, relationships, secrets, murder, and much more are woven into the storyline. My biggest quibble is that Amanda was allowed to be the lead investigator on a case where her half-brother was dating the victim.

Overall, this is an entertaining and fast-paced crime thriller with great characterization and some heart-breaking moments as well as some heart-warming scenes. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Amanda and Trent. This series is best read in order to fully understand the backstories of the main characters. However, it would also work as a standalone. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy mysteries, crime thrillers, and police procedurals.

Bookouture and Carolyn Arnold provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 25, 2026.
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My 4.20 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Woman Walking by Carolyn Arnold is a highly recommended procedural and the 15th book in the Amanda Steele series set in Woodbridge, Virginia. This continues to be an excellent series.

Detective Amanda Steel and her partner Trent Stenson are investigating the murder of Christine Lane, a real estate agent. After Amanda's half-brother Spencer calls her worried because he can't get a hold of his girlfriend, Christine, she and Trent get permission to look into it. Their inquiry results in Christine's body being found in a house she was showing. Spencer is immediately on the suspect list, along with others, because of his relationship with her. The house where the body was found is owned by caustic lawyer Dominique Sharp, who certainly also has enemies.

The Amanda Steel series continues to be a well-written, excellent series of procedurals. The novel moves at a fast pace and is well plotted as the investigation logically follows clues and discoveries. The tension increases as the investigation continues to look at new suspects, lines of inquiry, and unexpected information. Even though this is the 15th book in the series, it can be appreciated as a standalone novel, especially for fans of procedurals who are carefully following the investigations rather than personalities.

At this point fans of the series know Amanda and Trent, but those new to it will appreciate the intelligent, likable characters. They always logically follow the lades provided by the information they discover. This wasn't my favorite case the two have solved, but it is always enjoyable to join in one of their investigations.

Dead Woman Walking is a great choice for readers who enjoy fast-paced, engaging police procedurals. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...

[Kris Zeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detectives Steele & Stenson (and their friendship wrought with romantic tension) are back in another installment of a killer series. In this book, Steele & Stenson are thrown into the investigation of the murder of one of the top real estate agents in the county when she is found dead inside a home she was showing late on a Friday Night. Far from a burglary gone wrong, the Detectives find themselves diving into something much more complicated with a much broader reach than they could have imagined.

I am a sucker for this series so I'm biased, but I loved this one. Each book in the series has a case that's unique and complicated without being unbelievable, that keeps you flying through the action without making you feel like you're in a Fast and the Furious movie. The character development is my favorite thing in this series though. In Book One we meet Amanda on the heels of a problem with addiction in the aftermath of the tragic loss of her husband, daughter, and unborn baby, and now as we conclude Book Fifteen, Amanda has worked on herself and gotten to a place where she has both a fulfilling life and a job she loves. It's a slow, grueling climb and it's done so well. This book is going to hit hard with people who miss 'The X-Files' and 'Bones' or with any reader looking for a series they can settle into, but the genius of the writing is that you can read any of the books and they stand alone, so if one of them appeals to you, start there and I guarantee you'll be buying the whole series.

So much love for this series and this author, cannot wait for what's next for these characters!

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince William County (VA) Detective Amanda Steele is contacted by her half brother because the woman he has been seeing, Christine Lane, a realtor, is missing. Amanda and her detective partner Trent discover her dead body in a house that she was supposed to show a potential buyer. Naturally, suspicion falls on the lover of the victim and the pressure is on for Amanda to prove that her half brother, with whom she has a rocky relationship, is innocent.

The possible motive for the killing expands when Amanda meets the high powered defense attorney who owns the house. Could Christine have been the victim of mistaken identity?

Although this is the fifteenth in the Amanda Steele series and I have read many of them, it can be read as a standalone. Carolyn Arnold’s writing is known for fast-paced, suspenseful mysteries, and I always reserve one of her books for a day when I have nothing scheduled, knowing that I won’t be able to put it down.

Amanda is a strong, capable, independent female protagonist. Although she can be tough when needed, she has compassion and empathy in her heart. Despite their undeclared attraction for each other, Amanda and Trent make a great investigative team.

If you’re a fan of police procedurals with well-written, flowing stories and good character development, I highly recommend checking out this series.

Thanks to @NetGallely and @Bookouture for the DRC.

[Jan Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Woman Walking
Carolyn Arnold
February 25,2026

Two hard working women, Christine Lane, a realtor who was the top in her office and Detective Amanda Steele. Each a single parent. Lane is divorced with a teen daughter and Steele is widowed with an adopted daughter in elementary school. On a Friday night Christine had shown one house then received a call to show a huge, high priced home in an elite neighborhood. She usually did not show homes after 9PM however she was out and the selling price was worth the journey. Her daughter was out with friends at a cabin, no reason to get home early. The owner, Dominique Sharp, a lawyer, was out of town. If it sold, the wait would be well worth the time. Days later Lane received a call requesting a welfare check. She and her partner grabbed a coffee at a fave cafe and headed to the house.
Dead Woman Walking will be published on February 25, 2026 by bookouture. I was able to read and review Arnold’s latest novel via NetGalley. This was my first read by the author and the first of her Detective Amanda Steele series.Wow! It was surprisingly full of suspense from start to finish and really creepy but an excellent mystery. With each police intel report odd things happened. It is excellent and a great read for mystery lovers.

[Anne Szlachcic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this latest book in the Author's Detective Amanda Steele series a bit
of a disappointment .
The start was good , an Estate Agent is murdered at a house she is due to show ,
unfortunately for Amanda she turns out to be her half-brother's girlfriend , which
automatically puts him in the frame .
Determined to exonerate him she soon realises that the Estate Agent was not the murderer's
true target ........... an arrogant lawyer was . Such is her arrogance and her unwillingness to assist
with investigation , her own boyfriend becomes a victim
From this point I found the story did not flow , it went in jumps and starts ; the reasoning behind
the various motives of the characters involved were convoluted/unbelievable at times ; especially the Lawyer's
But I found the Assassin the most unbelievable character - for one so experienced she was so easily captured !!
One other thing that irritated me was the relationship between Amanda and Trent , that is ,that ,
even though they both have partners now the jealousy element continues to raised ........ the will they
or won't they has started to become an issue to me that detracts from the stories .
.
.I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Woman Walking is another great addition to this very good series. I really like the main character, Detective Amanda Steele and her work partner Trent Stenson. They work very well together and complement each other's strengths. The book hits the ground running with a brutal murder at the start. Steele and Trent investigate it and the case becomes personal for Steele when she has to interview someone known to her. The story is well written and engaging and the plot very well thought out with lots of threads that certainly held my attention and interest. I love how the author includes snippets of the characters personal lives without taking anything away from the main story. I felt the ending was a little to rushed for my liking though but it did give good closure. My two gripes with this read are: would Steele be allowed to work on a case that involved someone she knew, and would Stenson be allowed to interview a suspect whilst in hospital himself - surely he would be on sick leave? Apart from these two minor things that I thought were a bit unrealistic this is a very good read that I'd recommend.

4 stars

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Carolyn and NetGalley for allowing me to read Dead Woman Walking before the publication date.

An estate agent, Christine Lane, is found murdered in a high value property which she is showing for the client, lawyer Dominique Sharp.
Sharp is well named, more concerned about her property than the murder, and definitely not going to be co-operative with the police.

The victim was dating Amanda’s half brother, Spencer, which creates the possibility of a conflict of interest in the case. As Spencer is the son of CSI Emma Blair, it means that Emma cannot be involved.

Amanda’s complicated family life is very much a presence in this book.
She and Trent are now in relationships with other people, yet they still struggle to deny the undeniable, that they have feelings for each other.
The investigation is complex, taking Trent and Amanda into unexpected areas with more than a few red herrings along the way.
The multiple threads kept my attention throughout the book.

[Sandy Marczewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Woman Walking is a fast-paced, crime thriller that kept me hooked from the first chapter. The story opens with a shocking case and quickly pulls you into a race against time as Detective Amanda Steele tries to uncover the truth before another woman dies.

The pacing is excellent, and the plot is layered with secrets, danger, and urgency. Just when you think you know where it’s going, the story throws in another turn. The author does a great job balancing police work with suspense and character development.

Overall, this was a gripping and satisfying read for fans of crime fiction and police procedurals. I’ll definitely be continuing the Detective Amanda Steele series.

I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Leilani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been quite some time since I’ve visited Detective Amanda Steele and I’m so glad, I was able to catch up on her life in Carolyn Arnold’s “Dead Woman Walking.”

While “Dead Woman Walking” wasn’t one of the best book I’ve had the pleasure of reading involving Detective Steele, it was nice to see she’s grown more and isn’t scared to fight back. She puts her foot down and doesn’t take no for an answer. When a real estate agent is murdered, she is quick to figure out the murder doesn’t line up with its surrounding and that the murder was actually intended for someone else.

Even though this book didn’t meet my expectations unfortunately, I’m so glad to have the opportunity to get back on track of the life of Detective Steele. A lot has happened since the last time I read a book from this series and I look forward to continuing to follow her journey.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC of “Dead Woman Walking” (Book 15 in the Detective Amanda Steele’s series).

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would rate Dead Woman Walking as 3,5 stars but as it's not possible I gave it 4 stars. A woman is murdered inside a house she would be showing for potential buyers. The owner is a ruthless lawyer with a strange and harsh behavior which will clash with Amanda and Trent. The circumstances upon which the body was found lead Amanda to contact the FBI and then learn there were other murders that were attributed to this killer. There'll be a lot of family tension as the first suspect is Amanda's half-brother, as there's also tension between Amanda and Trent as they want but not act upon the feelings they have for each other. What surprised me in the story is that the FBI let a small town Police Department to continue to investigate and put behind bars a serial killer, and that also happened too easily. The reasons behind the murder contract were also lacking but overall the story is entertaining.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda and Trent are sent to a home with a murder victim. The victim turns out to be the girlfriend of her half-brother, Spenser. Investigating who would want to kill Christine turns to be one dead end after another, which gets Amanda thinking that maybe Christine wasn't the intended target. This leads them to the owner of the home, lawyer Dominique. Dominique is in the middle of buying out a law firm and is not helpful with the investigation. Dominique is not well liked which gives Amanda and Trent several paths to follow. There are a few red herrings in the book and while I did figure out part of the mystery, the reasoning I missed completely. Tying it all up was a shocker but satisfying. A good mystery that incorporates Amanda's personal life in it just enough to make her all that more human.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A body found in a house for sale”

Talk about a very frustrated Amanda!
Amanda and Trent have their hands full with an unusual murder that may have more going on to it than they first imagined.
A possible connection to a member of Amanda’s family has her worried. Will she be taken off the case because of this?
With so much going on, Amanda starts to feel very overwhelmed. Trent keeps her in check(as much as he can!).
(I am always left wondering what the heck is going on with the Amanda and Trent relationship…..is there one or, is there not one????? I do like Carter being with Amanda which is conflicting my feelings toward Trent. Leavening me confused and somewhat anxious.)
This is definitely a series I recommend to family and friends.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another riveting book in the Detective Amanda Steele series.
A Realtor is murdered in a house she is showing, and she happens to be the girlfriend of Amanda's half brother, Spencer.

Amanda and Trent are a power team! They work so well together, and seem to be able to read each other's mind.
They have deep feelings for each other, but are in relationships with other people.
Good solid police work finds the killer in this book, which is definitely not straight forward!
Well plotted, good story line, twisty and grabs the reader's attention from the first chapter.

I recommend.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 15 in the Detective Amanda Steele series is another very good read which I am sure fans will enjoy. As usual, it is fast paced with some good characters. Amanda is strong but also compassionate, I do hope she gets together with Trent soon though! If you enjoy police procedurals, this is one for you to get your teeth into but start with the first in the series and catch up with all the background information. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Fireball71 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda and Trent are investigating the murder of a local real estate agent. Without many clues and trails that lead nowhere, they aren’t sure if they will figure it out. As the truth is exposed, a web of deceit is what they are left deciphering. I enjoyed the plot, but would have liked more with the Amanda/Trent romance dynamic.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Woman Walking by Carolyn Arnold.. In the 15th book of the series, Amanda and Trent's investigation is complex and family dynamics play a large part. A very good addition to the series - intense, fast paced and engrossing crime thriller with unexpected twists.

Thank you to the author, Bookouture, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

[Vickie Raynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m never disappointed with this author. Holy moly, I was gasping on the first page! Amanda faces some of her biggest challenges in this book. With several suspects, it was hard to guess who killed Christine. Amanda had to face putting the badge before family and it got even more complicated. Such an amazing thriller! Book provided by NetGalley.

[Barbara Lack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda has another murder case and it reaches too close too home. This case takes a number of unexpected turns. I turned the pages as fast as I could. The suspects are clever and and leave Amanda frustrated. The writing is sharp and had me glued to the pages.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and this one is a cracker. Amanda and Trent must race against time to catch a killer before they strike again. But why is one person so against helping them?

This is a great read and I flew through it in one day. I can't wait to read more.