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JD Wolfe Investigation
Haunted by a Broken Oath: A JD Wolfe Investigation
When a hero dies and children vanish, PI JD Wolfe must confront a deadly conspiracy--and the ghost that's haunted her since childhood.
A decorated military hero is found hanging from a rope. Two young boys vanish without a trace. And private investigator JD Wolfe's world begins to unravel.
The deeper she digs, the closer the danger creeps--not just to her, but to the family that saved her and the career that keeps her sane. JD knows these crimes aren't random. They're a message. And she might be the target.
Once called Diamond in a grim orphanage, the Wolfe family adopted JD, but she's never felt like she truly belonged. She harbors secrets too dark to speak. Secrets that landed her in an asylum. Secrets tied to a ghost that's haunted her since the night her mother died in a fire.
This ghost doesn't sleep. It invades JD's cases, her dreams, and even her heart. She's kept it buried for years. But now, with lives on the line, JD must do the unthinkable.
She must let the ghost in.
A decorated military hero is found hanging from a rope. Two young boys vanish without a trace. And private investigator JD Wolfe's world begins to unravel.
The deeper she digs, the closer the danger creeps--not just to her, but to the family that saved her and the career that keeps her sane. JD knows these crimes aren't random. They're a message. And she might be the target.
Once called Diamond in a grim orphanage, the Wolfe family adopted JD, but she's never felt like she truly belonged. She harbors secrets too dark to speak. Secrets that landed her in an asylum. Secrets tied to a ghost that's haunted her since the night her mother died in a fire.
This ghost doesn't sleep. It invades JD's cases, her dreams, and even her heart. She's kept it buried for years. But now, with lives on the line, JD must do the unthinkable.
She must let the ghost in.
394 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2025
About the author
Dee Armstrong
7 books100 followersDee Armstrong writes thrillers and romantic suspense with a paranormal twist — stories that squeeze the heart, rattle the nerves, and still leave room for love, laughter, and sass.
She pits tough heroines against bad guys you’ll love to hate — with twists that keep the pages flying and endings that fight for hope.
A former U.S. Air Force Russian linguist and three-time Taekwondo Black Belt National Sparring Champion, Dee believes the vulnerable should be protected and justice must be fierce—because the past never stays buried, and the truth never sleeps.
When she’s not writing about danger and desire, Dee is chasing after her littles, sipping tea on the porch, and plotting against the weeds in her garden.
Find her on social @DeeArmstrongAuthor for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes chaos, and stories that leave a fingerprint on your heart.
She pits tough heroines against bad guys you’ll love to hate — with twists that keep the pages flying and endings that fight for hope.
A former U.S. Air Force Russian linguist and three-time Taekwondo Black Belt National Sparring Champion, Dee believes the vulnerable should be protected and justice must be fierce—because the past never stays buried, and the truth never sleeps.
When she’s not writing about danger and desire, Dee is chasing after her littles, sipping tea on the porch, and plotting against the weeds in her garden.
Find her on social @DeeArmstrongAuthor for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes chaos, and stories that leave a fingerprint on your heart.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 1, 2026
3.5 stars
Haunted by a Broken Oath is the first in a new series featuring JD Wolfe, a rookie PI who is haunted by a mysterious ghost woman. I ended up enjoying this mystery. There were some twists and surprises that kept me interested. More than the mystery though, I liked JD herself. She has a lot of baggage but she is a smart and pretty kick-ass. She is definitely someone I would want to read more of in other books. The ghost woman was interesting and I definitely want some answers as to why she haunts JD. I think this book is one that is best going in not knowing a lot. I do recommend it.
Haunted by a Broken Oath is the first in a new series featuring JD Wolfe, a rookie PI who is haunted by a mysterious ghost woman. I ended up enjoying this mystery. There were some twists and surprises that kept me interested. More than the mystery though, I liked JD herself. She has a lot of baggage but she is a smart and pretty kick-ass. She is definitely someone I would want to read more of in other books. The ghost woman was interesting and I definitely want some answers as to why she haunts JD. I think this book is one that is best going in not knowing a lot. I do recommend it.
July 16, 2026
I won this book on Goodreads. Winning it was awesome because I got a lot of signed and personalized swag. The book is about an unbalanced woman (with a ghost) trying to end human trafficking. I wish there had been more closure but overall it was a fun book.
May 27, 2026
I couldn’t get into this one.
Haunted by a Broken Oath started at a promising pace. JD was molested as a young child and now a certified PI was determined to save other children from this fate.
There was an adrenaline pumping fight scene at the beginning of the book and I was settling in for a great read. However then it bogged down and I found the author trying to include too many themes which started to detract from the main story.
The dialogue is childish and the characters are bland. The most interesting character was the woman ghost who follows JD around.
With themes of child abuse, murder, pedophile rings, embezzlement, PTSD, child abduction, secret gay relationships, single mothers and junior baseball, it was all a bit too much for this reader.
Haunted by a Broken Oath started at a promising pace. JD was molested as a young child and now a certified PI was determined to save other children from this fate.
There was an adrenaline pumping fight scene at the beginning of the book and I was settling in for a great read. However then it bogged down and I found the author trying to include too many themes which started to detract from the main story.
The dialogue is childish and the characters are bland. The most interesting character was the woman ghost who follows JD around.
With themes of child abuse, murder, pedophile rings, embezzlement, PTSD, child abduction, secret gay relationships, single mothers and junior baseball, it was all a bit too much for this reader.
July 22, 2026
Haunted by a Broken Oath is a gripping blend of mystery, grit, and ghost‑lit tension, anchored by a heroine who refuses to let the world break her. JD Wolfe is one of those investigators you follow not just for the case, but for the bruised resilience beneath her sharp edges. She’s haunted — literally — by a lavender‑scented ghost in a tattered nightgown, and the book uses that supernatural thread in a way that feels eerie without ever overshadowing the human stakes.
The case begins with a decorated Navy Master Chief found dead in his barn, a scene everyone else is ready to label a suicide. JD’s refusal to accept the easy answer sets the tone: she’s stubborn, intuitive, and painfully aware that people rarely believe her. That tension gives the investigation a steady hum, especially as danger creeps closer to the people she loves.
The emotional core of the story comes from JD’s promises — the ones she keeps even when they cost her. Her bond with Milo, the little boy who hires her for a dollar and a dime, is tender and quietly devastating. When he goes missing, the book shifts into a sharper, more urgent gear, forcing JD to confront the one thing she’s spent years avoiding: the ghost who has been trailing her like a warning.
The mystery itself is layered with old wounds, buried truths, and the kind of small‑town shadows that never stay still. The supernatural elements are woven in with a light but effective touch, adding atmosphere rather than spectacle. Justice here is messy, painful, and never free — and that honesty gives the story real weight.
Atmospheric, gritty, and threaded with heart, Haunted by a Broken Oath is a compelling start to the JD Wolfe Investigations. A smart, emotionally charged mystery where the ghosts are real, the stakes are personal, and every promise comes with a price.
With thanks to Dee Armstrong, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The case begins with a decorated Navy Master Chief found dead in his barn, a scene everyone else is ready to label a suicide. JD’s refusal to accept the easy answer sets the tone: she’s stubborn, intuitive, and painfully aware that people rarely believe her. That tension gives the investigation a steady hum, especially as danger creeps closer to the people she loves.
The emotional core of the story comes from JD’s promises — the ones she keeps even when they cost her. Her bond with Milo, the little boy who hires her for a dollar and a dime, is tender and quietly devastating. When he goes missing, the book shifts into a sharper, more urgent gear, forcing JD to confront the one thing she’s spent years avoiding: the ghost who has been trailing her like a warning.
The mystery itself is layered with old wounds, buried truths, and the kind of small‑town shadows that never stay still. The supernatural elements are woven in with a light but effective touch, adding atmosphere rather than spectacle. Justice here is messy, painful, and never free — and that honesty gives the story real weight.
Atmospheric, gritty, and threaded with heart, Haunted by a Broken Oath is a compelling start to the JD Wolfe Investigations. A smart, emotionally charged mystery where the ghosts are real, the stakes are personal, and every promise comes with a price.
With thanks to Dee Armstrong, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
February 25, 2026
Riveting and unique!
Haunted by a Broken Oath is the first book in author Dee Armstrong's fascinating JD Wolfe Investigation paranormal detective mystery series, and with its unique premise and compelling plot, it was an absolutely riveting beginning. Justyne Diamond "JD" Wolfe has just completed the licensing requirements to become a private investigator and is working in her adopted family's PI business. Her first solo assignment is late-night surveillance of an all-night diner owned by a longtime family friend and decorated war hero who believes something illegal is going on during the late shift. But what JD discovers kicks off an entire series of dangerous events, starting with a kidnapped child, a global child trafficking ring, and murder.
JD has such a tragic past and is coping the best she can. Orphaned young, she has been literally haunted by the spirit of a strange woman, as long as she can remember, who is still present in her life and dreams. I honestly felt that JD was just done with her being there all the time, whether the woman was hanging around or actively meddling in her daily activities. Their communication is difficult. While the ghost woman can understand JD, she can only respond in stilted, staccato syllables and simple words. I enjoyed how, as the story progressed, JD relaxed somewhat about her presence and began to partner with her as she finally figured out how the ghost could help by following or finding people and doing small tasks JD could not. JD is a hardworking young adult, but at times she lapses in maturity as she tries to make sense of her cases and family revelations. Even as she's working through what she endured as a child, she still has the compassion to try to help a returned veteran who was severely wounded before being medically discharged.The plot is well-paced and deals with several serious issues, including child sexual predators, the death of a parent, suicide, and mental health, to name a few. The author juggles these topics and their related storylines and multiple points of view to create an absorbing tale. While initially appearing unrelated, these disparate and complex storylines unfold with surprising twists and gradually converge into a bombshell of a whole.
I recommend HAUNTED BY A BROKEN OATH to readers of paranormal detective stories.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
March 5, 2026
I would like to give you a little backstory about JD. She lost her mom at a young age due to circumstances beyond her control, ended up in an orphanage of sorts, was taken in by a family, and now as an adult still struggles with her past. This makes her very likable and very relatable, at least to me. JD also maintains her sense of humor, even in the bleakest of moments. She has these inner thoughts that I found to be quite spot-on.
JD is also followed around by a ghost of sorts, a ghost she calls ‘the Woman.’ She even has conversations with the Woman. You’ll have to read the book to understand their relationship.
JD finds herself handed her very first case as a PI that the Geezers (you have to read the book to understand) handed her. While she is investigating this particular case, overlapping with something else that she discovered, she finds herself making all the right moves but all the wrong turns. Then she meets a small boy, Milo. On and on the turmoil for JD goes. She has to confront some things from her past, some truths she wasn’t expecting.
One of the things I appreciated about this book is that it drew my attention from the very first chapter and I kept turning pages. I liked the pacing, the intersecting backstories to get a better sense of the characters, JD’s uncertainty about herself and her abilities as a PI, her relationships with her adopted family. Oh, and let’s not forget Grace’s cooking, apparently that’s not such a good thing. I also appreciated the fact that the author’s personality and sense of humor came through very vividly throughout these pages. I believe this is the first book where JD has some adventures; if this is a series, I will definitely be one of the first in line to read more about JD’s adventures.
JD is also followed around by a ghost of sorts, a ghost she calls ‘the Woman.’ She even has conversations with the Woman. You’ll have to read the book to understand their relationship.
JD finds herself handed her very first case as a PI that the Geezers (you have to read the book to understand) handed her. While she is investigating this particular case, overlapping with something else that she discovered, she finds herself making all the right moves but all the wrong turns. Then she meets a small boy, Milo. On and on the turmoil for JD goes. She has to confront some things from her past, some truths she wasn’t expecting.
One of the things I appreciated about this book is that it drew my attention from the very first chapter and I kept turning pages. I liked the pacing, the intersecting backstories to get a better sense of the characters, JD’s uncertainty about herself and her abilities as a PI, her relationships with her adopted family. Oh, and let’s not forget Grace’s cooking, apparently that’s not such a good thing. I also appreciated the fact that the author’s personality and sense of humor came through very vividly throughout these pages. I believe this is the first book where JD has some adventures; if this is a series, I will definitely be one of the first in line to read more about JD’s adventures.
February 7, 2026
This is a very unusual mystery but one I enjoyed. Potential readers should know that it contains a variety of trigger situations, from child abduction to suicide to attempted rape. Nothing is overly graphic but the situations are there and could be disturbing to sensitive readers. I don't usually do paranormal but this ghost was an interesting addition I did not find offensive at all.
JD was hard for me to like at the beginning. She is a deeply flawed woman, impulsive and revengeful, with lots of rage inside. She usually fails to think before she speaks or acts. She has residual damage from her childhood, a chip on her shoulder and can be sarcastic. But the more I read, the more her sense of justice and concern for the marginalized came through. While she is not the heroine who successfully struggles to rise above her damaged past, she did evidence some growth in that direction.
Armstrong is good at descriptions. I did find some of the prose and dialogue hard to follow at times. There is also a good dose of character thinking. The plot is more about personal issues than an actual investigation. But there is also plenty of action and that kept the plot moving.
Not all the strings are neatly tied up at the end. A trafficking group seems to still be on the loose. I hope that future adventures of JD will take care of it and any other evils still lurking in the area. I have become invested in JD as a character so I'll be watching for her next adventure..
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
JD was hard for me to like at the beginning. She is a deeply flawed woman, impulsive and revengeful, with lots of rage inside. She usually fails to think before she speaks or acts. She has residual damage from her childhood, a chip on her shoulder and can be sarcastic. But the more I read, the more her sense of justice and concern for the marginalized came through. While she is not the heroine who successfully struggles to rise above her damaged past, she did evidence some growth in that direction.
Armstrong is good at descriptions. I did find some of the prose and dialogue hard to follow at times. There is also a good dose of character thinking. The plot is more about personal issues than an actual investigation. But there is also plenty of action and that kept the plot moving.
Not all the strings are neatly tied up at the end. A trafficking group seems to still be on the loose. I hope that future adventures of JD will take care of it and any other evils still lurking in the area. I have become invested in JD as a character so I'll be watching for her next adventure..
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
December 27, 2025
This is one of those books where you tell yourself you’ll stop after one chapter…and then you don’t.
I picked up Haunted by a Broken Oath expecting a solid mystery and ended up completely sucked in. The story moves fast, the tension keeps building, and I never felt like I could relax while reading it.
JD Wolfe is the kind of character who feels real right away—tough, stubborn, and clearly carrying a lot of baggage. I liked her, but more than that, I cared about what happened to her, which made the danger feel personal.
Every clue seemed to raise the stakes instead of answering questions, and more than once I had to say, “Okay…that’s not what I expected.”
I was on the fence about the paranormal angle, but it honestly ended up being one of my favorite parts. The ghost isn’t there just to be spooky—she actually matters, and she adds an emotional layer that made the story hit harder.
By the time I finished, I felt that mix of satisfaction and frustration that only comes from a really good read—satisfied because the story delivers, frustrated because now I want more.
If you like thrillers that keep you hooked, have a strong lead, and don’t play it safe, this one is absolutely worth reading.
I picked up Haunted by a Broken Oath expecting a solid mystery and ended up completely sucked in. The story moves fast, the tension keeps building, and I never felt like I could relax while reading it.
JD Wolfe is the kind of character who feels real right away—tough, stubborn, and clearly carrying a lot of baggage. I liked her, but more than that, I cared about what happened to her, which made the danger feel personal.
Every clue seemed to raise the stakes instead of answering questions, and more than once I had to say, “Okay…that’s not what I expected.”
I was on the fence about the paranormal angle, but it honestly ended up being one of my favorite parts. The ghost isn’t there just to be spooky—she actually matters, and she adds an emotional layer that made the story hit harder.
By the time I finished, I felt that mix of satisfaction and frustration that only comes from a really good read—satisfied because the story delivers, frustrated because now I want more.
If you like thrillers that keep you hooked, have a strong lead, and don’t play it safe, this one is absolutely worth reading.
March 13, 2026
Haunted by the Broken Oath by Dee Armstrong is a thriller written by the author featuring our MC named JD Wolfe, who is a private investigator. This is the first book in the series and it is a great debut! I love the character of JD, or Justyne Diamond. She is an orphan who was adopted by the Wolfe family but has never felt like she belonged. JD has a ghost who is helping her through her cases and no one else can see her except JD, which makes for some interesting reading. I love how JD is trying to survive and make herself a stronger person overall and just trying to survive. You can really connect with JD as a reader in this one folks. I like the beginning where JD finds the young boy and the “gorilla man” and trying to figure out what happens to the boys. The plot is engaging and you just can't help but wanting to finish the book! I am excited to read more JD Wolfe thrillers in the future, they are very good and remind me of some of the great thriller authors of our current writing era. And I really want to know why the ghost is haunting JD:)
November 25, 2025
The story follows JD Wolfe, a PI haunted by a ghost tied to her tragic past. When a decorated military hero is found dead and two boys vanish, JD’s investigation reveals a deadly conspiracy that threatens her and the family that saved her.
The writing was smooth enough to keep me reading, but the pacing felt uneven and the story lacked depth. JD’s character showed growth but also felt a bit cliché, and the romance was a messy mix of tame and rushed that didn’t quite spark. A few scenes had potential to be gripping, but overall, it landed short for me.
If you’re into casually dark, slightly mysterious vibes with a sprinkle of romance, this might float your boat....think Rebecca but without the haunting mastery.
The writing was smooth enough to keep me reading, but the pacing felt uneven and the story lacked depth. JD’s character showed growth but also felt a bit cliché, and the romance was a messy mix of tame and rushed that didn’t quite spark. A few scenes had potential to be gripping, but overall, it landed short for me.
If you’re into casually dark, slightly mysterious vibes with a sprinkle of romance, this might float your boat....think Rebecca but without the haunting mastery.
September 25, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. Dee has the most vivid descriptions and the story line was unique with good pacing. I loved the main character, you can tell a black belt created her! There were other great characters too, like Milo! I’m so curious what the story is behind the ghost, I guess I’ll have to keep reading. Overall this was such a fun ride and I highly recommend it!
February 16, 2026
This is is a fast-paced paranormal thriller that follows PI JD Wolfe as she investigates a suspicious death and the disappearance of two boys. With secrets from her past still haunting her, JD must deal with dark secrets while battling her own. If you like PI thrillers you’ll enjoy this one
December 7, 2025
I got the pleasure of meeting this author and she made me feel like I knew her forever. This book is good, a little something for everyone. Thriller, mystery, suspense, paranormal, romance, etc.
July 8, 2026
So good
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews