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Hidden Witness
Discover romance amid unexpected circumstances from
New York Times
bestselling author Shirlee McCoy.
The ranch was her safe haven... but now she's been found.
As the only witness to a murder, FBI defense attorney Annalise Rivers has no choice but to enter witness protection on a remote dude ranch. But after an attempt on her life, Annalise must rely on the ranch's owner, former navy SEAL MacArthur Davis, to keep her safe. And Mac will do whatever it takes to help Annalise live to testify...even if it costs him his future.
From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.
The ranch was her safe haven... but now she's been found.
As the only witness to a murder, FBI defense attorney Annalise Rivers has no choice but to enter witness protection on a remote dude ranch. But after an attempt on her life, Annalise must rely on the ranch's owner, former navy SEAL MacArthur Davis, to keep her safe. And Mac will do whatever it takes to help Annalise live to testify...even if it costs him his future.
From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
127 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 30, 2020
This right here is why Shirley McCoy is high up on my auto-buy list. She delivers a wonderful balance of romance and suspense in this gripping page-turner. The opening scene is t-e-n-s-e!!! And I loved the rollercoaster of highs and lows that catapulted me to the must-take-a-breath-or-I'm-gonna-pass-out ending.
McCoy knows how to draw out a suspenseful scene and how to sneak in a toe-curling one with just the right amount of description to make a reader feel like she's actually experiencing the bite of the cold or the terror of discovery or the sweet comfort of a touch. And that makes me one very enthralled reader.
Unputdownable!
McCoy knows how to draw out a suspenseful scene and how to sneak in a toe-curling one with just the right amount of description to make a reader feel like she's actually experiencing the bite of the cold or the terror of discovery or the sweet comfort of a touch. And that makes me one very enthralled reader.
Unputdownable!
December 28, 2023
A FBI defense attorney from Boston enters the witness protection program after she witnesses a double murder committed by a hit man for a powerful Mafia boss. She is the only one who can testify against him as an actual eyewitness, and her testimony is the very key to his incarceration.
Her new identity takes her to a dude ranch in Texas that is run by a former Navy Seal. For 6 months, things are going well, then attempts on her life start. She has been found out! There is a traitor somewhere, and the Mafia kingpin aims to never let her have the opportunity to testify.
The only thing standing between life and death is the owner of the Dude Ranch, the former Navy Seal. Out gunned, out manned, and in a position to trust no one, surviving until trial seems like an impossibility for them both now.
A clean read, no sex, no language, but drags just a little with some repetition. An enjoyable story, nonetheless. 3.5 Stars rounded up.
Her new identity takes her to a dude ranch in Texas that is run by a former Navy Seal. For 6 months, things are going well, then attempts on her life start. She has been found out! There is a traitor somewhere, and the Mafia kingpin aims to never let her have the opportunity to testify.
The only thing standing between life and death is the owner of the Dude Ranch, the former Navy Seal. Out gunned, out manned, and in a position to trust no one, surviving until trial seems like an impossibility for them both now.
A clean read, no sex, no language, but drags just a little with some repetition. An enjoyable story, nonetheless. 3.5 Stars rounded up.
September 30, 2021
Hidden Witness is the third romantic suspense novel that I have read by Shirlee McCoy, and I have myself a new author who I will slowly read ALL of her back titles. I don’t know what took me so long to but I am officially on board.
Annalise is part of the Witness Protection Program after she is an eyewitness to the murder of Archie Moreno's (crime lord) former second-in-command, and the only witness who has seen the shooter.
MacArthur Davis (Mac) is the owner of Sweet Valley Dude Ranch who hired Anna as an assistant to the cook. Anna doesn’t think he knows her real identity or why she is really there. But Mac is very aware that Anna is at his ranch and that she is in the Witness Protection Program. He has been watching (not stalkerish) for the last six months, and though he won’t admit it at first he is interested in her.
Hidden Witness starts out with a bang and it doesn’t let up until the end. This is exactly how I like my suspense stories, I don’t like feeling like I'm a sitting duck and I liked that the action never really slowed down. I liked learning the backstories of both characters and how it slowly came out, nothing forced, just a natural progression of bringing the story to a high point. The bantering between the two was good and made me want to find out more. Very enjoyable. On to the next one!
Annalise is part of the Witness Protection Program after she is an eyewitness to the murder of Archie Moreno's (crime lord) former second-in-command, and the only witness who has seen the shooter.
MacArthur Davis (Mac) is the owner of Sweet Valley Dude Ranch who hired Anna as an assistant to the cook. Anna doesn’t think he knows her real identity or why she is really there. But Mac is very aware that Anna is at his ranch and that she is in the Witness Protection Program. He has been watching (not stalkerish) for the last six months, and though he won’t admit it at first he is interested in her.
Hidden Witness starts out with a bang and it doesn’t let up until the end. This is exactly how I like my suspense stories, I don’t like feeling like I'm a sitting duck and I liked that the action never really slowed down. I liked learning the backstories of both characters and how it slowly came out, nothing forced, just a natural progression of bringing the story to a high point. The bantering between the two was good and made me want to find out more. Very enjoyable. On to the next one!
September 25, 2020
I picked this book up in the grocery store one day and it surprised me by being a pretty good read.
The mystery wasn't all that mysterious, but it did keep you wondering until the last chapter.
I got a little bogged down by the thoughts of the characters as they were on the run. I sometimes think it's a bit unrealistic for a woman on the run to be thinking about how handsome someone is or a potential love connection, while someone is trying to kill her. But hey, I've never been on the run, so maybe it could happen.
I found myself skipping over paragraphs that were more of a sidetrack and wishing there was a bit more action.
But, overall, it was a decent book to throw in your purse for some easy reading.
And, I did love the faith element and the cleanliness of the characters and language.
The mystery wasn't all that mysterious, but it did keep you wondering until the last chapter.
I got a little bogged down by the thoughts of the characters as they were on the run. I sometimes think it's a bit unrealistic for a woman on the run to be thinking about how handsome someone is or a potential love connection, while someone is trying to kill her. But hey, I've never been on the run, so maybe it could happen.
I found myself skipping over paragraphs that were more of a sidetrack and wishing there was a bit more action.
But, overall, it was a decent book to throw in your purse for some easy reading.
And, I did love the faith element and the cleanliness of the characters and language.
March 22, 2022
3.5 stars!
It was a great audiobook to listen to while walking my husky, early in these foggy Milan mornings.
It was suspenseful and mysterious and romantic as well. Love the protagonists dynamic: she's strong, one the run for her life, and he's the good guy helping her out without being overbearingly Alpha.
Shirlee McCoy's writing is great, not too repetitive and easy to digest.
Recommended if you're looking for something light and approachable!
It was a great audiobook to listen to while walking my husky, early in these foggy Milan mornings.
It was suspenseful and mysterious and romantic as well. Love the protagonists dynamic: she's strong, one the run for her life, and he's the good guy helping her out without being overbearingly Alpha.
Shirlee McCoy's writing is great, not too repetitive and easy to digest.
Recommended if you're looking for something light and approachable!
August 8, 2024
I've read a really hideous offering by McCoy, and one that wasn't too bad at all (for being a Brockmann-esque steal). But this? This was absolutely lackluster in e.v.e.r.y way.
So... two and a half stars.
Annalise (aka Anna, because Witness Protection doesn't bother *really* changing people's names, apparently?) is the sole witness to a murder that could put away a very dangerous man. She's been living seven months on a ranch in Texas cooking dinners for the hands, turning all dates down (why??? what else does she have to do, anyhow - take a walk with a guy, for the love of Pete), and generally moping around about how her ex left her, her plant doesn't miss her, her mom died years ago, and she's not missed at the office. Like, at all.
The author is absolutely confused about Anna's life. She says Anna has tried book clubs, church groups, social events, but can't connect. Then in the next breath she says that Anna was isolated and never reached out, and THAT's why she's not connected. Then she says that Anna was thrown into her work and involved with lawyers and knew all sorts of people and worked late/together with prosecutors... but STILL never connected. If she tried or not would be fine, but MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!
She puts Anna in a shed with a RIDING lawnmower... but every other single tool in there is 'rusty or broken'. Seriously?! Like the groundskeeper wouldn't have branch loppers or a rake - at the least??? I highly doubt it. There'd be at least a useable shovel. It was ridiculous.
Then they hide in an old friend's house, arguing and messing around with the cops OUT FRONT, and then slllllllowwwwwwly make it outside and army crawl across the backyard... and what, the cops just sit in the car out front, the whole time? They would've been around the place, and SEEN them - it was so outlandishly unbelievable.
The police cruisers couldn't find Mac and Anna running thru the streets, HOW were they gonna find bad guys, hello...???? So stupid.
And we all - my ENTIRE family - laughed out loud when Mac got the keys for a Ford Escort and they called it an SUV for the rest of the book. An ESCORT. Seriously!?!? And Escape, yes, but an ESCORT will never be an SUV. Ever.
I loved how Seamus' "tough exterior belied his softer exterior", too. GAH, Melissa Endlich's fingerprints are *ALL OVER* this hot mess. Wonder if she was still editing, at this point. Cuz she needed to stop decades ago. And this wasn't the only really bad error in the book. They were blatant and cringy.
And the lack of creative/descriptive writing was awful. We don't even know that Anna's a blonde (maybe? Light red hair maybe?) until page 174, there's such a dearth of description. And we're *NEVER* told about Mac's war injuries that got him medically discharged. Just a couple face/neck scars are mentioned somewhere beyond page 200. It's pitiful writing, honestly.
What's worst about this book is that 90% of it is two people 'on the run' - driving or hiding - and most of it is just foreplay. It's not engaging the reader, at all, action-wise. The 'suspense' is like a backdrop while we slog thru how alone she feels, how worried Mac is about betrayal, about how hot he thinks she is (without makeup, with her hair slicked back in no hairstyle, in clothes that don't even hug her figure when she's out running, hello, so... why?!?!?)...
And Anna is obnoxious. She's supposed to be this smart defense lawyer for the FBI, but she talks incessantly, asks THE dumbest questions, can't follow basic cues, and argues every decision the man makes. I see absolutely NO reason he would be attracted to her. Mostly I wanted him to knock her out and deliver her to the FBI and be *DONE* with her obnoxiously annoying hide.
NOT a book I would recommend.
So... two and a half stars.
Annalise (aka Anna, because Witness Protection doesn't bother *really* changing people's names, apparently?) is the sole witness to a murder that could put away a very dangerous man. She's been living seven months on a ranch in Texas cooking dinners for the hands, turning all dates down (why??? what else does she have to do, anyhow - take a walk with a guy, for the love of Pete), and generally moping around about how her ex left her, her plant doesn't miss her, her mom died years ago, and she's not missed at the office. Like, at all.
The author is absolutely confused about Anna's life. She says Anna has tried book clubs, church groups, social events, but can't connect. Then in the next breath she says that Anna was isolated and never reached out, and THAT's why she's not connected. Then she says that Anna was thrown into her work and involved with lawyers and knew all sorts of people and worked late/together with prosecutors... but STILL never connected. If she tried or not would be fine, but MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!
She puts Anna in a shed with a RIDING lawnmower... but every other single tool in there is 'rusty or broken'. Seriously?! Like the groundskeeper wouldn't have branch loppers or a rake - at the least??? I highly doubt it. There'd be at least a useable shovel. It was ridiculous.
Then they hide in an old friend's house, arguing and messing around with the cops OUT FRONT, and then slllllllowwwwwwly make it outside and army crawl across the backyard... and what, the cops just sit in the car out front, the whole time? They would've been around the place, and SEEN them - it was so outlandishly unbelievable.
The police cruisers couldn't find Mac and Anna running thru the streets, HOW were they gonna find bad guys, hello...???? So stupid.
And we all - my ENTIRE family - laughed out loud when Mac got the keys for a Ford Escort and they called it an SUV for the rest of the book. An ESCORT. Seriously!?!? And Escape, yes, but an ESCORT will never be an SUV. Ever.
I loved how Seamus' "tough exterior belied his softer exterior", too. GAH, Melissa Endlich's fingerprints are *ALL OVER* this hot mess. Wonder if she was still editing, at this point. Cuz she needed to stop decades ago. And this wasn't the only really bad error in the book. They were blatant and cringy.
And the lack of creative/descriptive writing was awful. We don't even know that Anna's a blonde (maybe? Light red hair maybe?) until page 174, there's such a dearth of description. And we're *NEVER* told about Mac's war injuries that got him medically discharged. Just a couple face/neck scars are mentioned somewhere beyond page 200. It's pitiful writing, honestly.
What's worst about this book is that 90% of it is two people 'on the run' - driving or hiding - and most of it is just foreplay. It's not engaging the reader, at all, action-wise. The 'suspense' is like a backdrop while we slog thru how alone she feels, how worried Mac is about betrayal, about how hot he thinks she is (without makeup, with her hair slicked back in no hairstyle, in clothes that don't even hug her figure when she's out running, hello, so... why?!?!?)...
And Anna is obnoxious. She's supposed to be this smart defense lawyer for the FBI, but she talks incessantly, asks THE dumbest questions, can't follow basic cues, and argues every decision the man makes. I see absolutely NO reason he would be attracted to her. Mostly I wanted him to knock her out and deliver her to the FBI and be *DONE* with her obnoxiously annoying hide.
NOT a book I would recommend.
September 2, 2020
My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Hidden Witness. I'm always thrilled to get one of Shirlee's book in the mail. She does an awesome job on suspense and intrigues. This story is well written, action packed, and fast paced. Faith is an important part of the book. I know you are going to love it.
FBI Defense Attorney Annalise Rivers is in Witness Protection. She's working at Sweet Valley Dude Ranch as an assistant cook. She had witnessed a murder and is the only surviving witness. The crime boss is desperate to kill her. She's jogging outside of the ranch (which is against the rules) and is attacked. Her boss rescues her.
Former Navy SEAL MacArthur Davis owns the Ranch. He has been working with the US Marshals for years. Usually the witnesses only stayed a month or two but Annalise is different. She's been here six months. He has watched her carefully. When she left the ranch at night he follows her. He finds three men shooting at her. Now he must protect her from this crime boss.
A great journey of two broken souls trying to keep one step ahead of the killers. God has a plan for these two; a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. It might not seem like it in this time of crisis but give Him your heart and watch Him move in your life. If you are already saved and struggling then be assured if you give Him control and make Him Lord He will turn things around for you. He is a good God.
FBI Defense Attorney Annalise Rivers is in Witness Protection. She's working at Sweet Valley Dude Ranch as an assistant cook. She had witnessed a murder and is the only surviving witness. The crime boss is desperate to kill her. She's jogging outside of the ranch (which is against the rules) and is attacked. Her boss rescues her.
Former Navy SEAL MacArthur Davis owns the Ranch. He has been working with the US Marshals for years. Usually the witnesses only stayed a month or two but Annalise is different. She's been here six months. He has watched her carefully. When she left the ranch at night he follows her. He finds three men shooting at her. Now he must protect her from this crime boss.
A great journey of two broken souls trying to keep one step ahead of the killers. God has a plan for these two; a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. It might not seem like it in this time of crisis but give Him your heart and watch Him move in your life. If you are already saved and struggling then be assured if you give Him control and make Him Lord He will turn things around for you. He is a good God.
April 28, 2024
This was a great story! Annalise has witnessed a murder and was sent to Mac's Dude Ranch for witness protection. But someone that is on the ranch has given up her position and she's in trouble. Its hard for Mac to protect Annalise when someone in his own crew is leaking her wearabouts. As Mac and Annalise both fight for their life, they grow accustom to each others presence and want to consider a future. But as the murderer keeps coming closer, it may just be safer for Mac and Annalise to split up... if it means keeping her safe.
The suspense was spot on, the romance I think took a little more of a back seat to the backstories and suspense...but still, I liked it! Shirlee Mccoy is one of my favorite Love Inspired authors. Can't wait to read the next one.
The suspense was spot on, the romance I think took a little more of a back seat to the backstories and suspense...but still, I liked it! Shirlee Mccoy is one of my favorite Love Inspired authors. Can't wait to read the next one.
August 28, 2020
FBI attorney, Annalise Rivers, is the only witness to a murder, ordered by the crime boss of the Moreno family. To secure her safety, she is placed in the witness protection program and moved from Boston to a dude ranch in Texas. Due to a leak in the FBI offices, Annalise has been discovered and she is running for her life. The owner of the dude ranch, Mac Davis, is trying to keep her safe. He knows why she is at his ranch. Both are running for their lives and they don't know who they can trust.
January 8, 2021
I enjoyed this mystery. It was like an old movie where the couple are on the run from an unknown assailant. Wait they are on the run from an unknown assailant. Ana and Mac are on the run from someone who is trying to kill her to prevent her from testifying against a mobster. There is good action and a little romance on the side. I like the fact that you can read a book that has Christian values and can talk of God. They both know God has a plan for each of them; they just have to figure out what that plan is and not get killed while learning that plan.
July 15, 2022
FBI defense attorney Annalise Rivers had to enter witness protection on a remote dude ranch after witnessing a murder. Then someone makes an attempt on her life! How did they find her? The owner of the ranch former navy SEAL MacArthur Davis comes to her rescue but now they are both running for the lives. Can they figure out how they know where they are at? Is someone on the ranch a traitor? If so, who and why?
March 5, 2023
God Causes All Things to Work For Good
Exciting from start to finish … with a romantic relationship that Ms. McCoy writes so well. I thoroughly enjoyed Hidden Witness, and recommend it to anyone who wants to be entertained for an afternoon or evening. You’ll close feeling that in all things, your life, like the lives of these characters, is ordered by our Heavenly Father for good because we love Him.
Exciting from start to finish … with a romantic relationship that Ms. McCoy writes so well. I thoroughly enjoyed Hidden Witness, and recommend it to anyone who wants to be entertained for an afternoon or evening. You’ll close feeling that in all things, your life, like the lives of these characters, is ordered by our Heavenly Father for good because we love Him.
December 29, 2025
Well plotted, but with a bit of a sloppy execution as details change through the story, such as her time spent there being six or seven months, and clearly getting the model name of their SUV wrong, and so on. It badly needed an editor. 🤪
Mac was likable and Anna would have been more so if she hadn’t had such an argumentative streak. There were definitely some “too stupid to live” situations!
Mac was likable and Anna would have been more so if she hadn’t had such an argumentative streak. There were definitely some “too stupid to live” situations!
November 10, 2020
Generally books by McCoy are some of the better "Love Inspired " offerings. This one was not! Whoever the editor is, should be reprimanded. There were so many blatant errors. I am not that picky but there were so many. Also, too much contradiction in the thoughts and dialog. This offering was just not very well written or edited. I was so disappointed!
September 8, 2023
I listened to this book on Audible. Very suspenseful. So many questions, twists and turns with one rescued photo. I love Shirlee McCoy's books. They are so good but this one was extra special to me because of the photo. No spoiler on what the photo or or what it means just gotta get the book and listen to it or read it to find out.
September 25, 2020
WOW!!!!!!
This is a really good book. It contains a lot of intrique, mystery and romance. This story was full of faith. The characters had to depend on God to get them through the mess they found themselves in!!!!
This is a really good book. It contains a lot of intrique, mystery and romance. This story was full of faith. The characters had to depend on God to get them through the mess they found themselves in!!!!
February 16, 2022
Some pictures are itched into your Brain.
Seeing a murderer is something most people don't see in a Lifetime. Although in Witness Protection , there were still people who traded an innocent Life for Money.
Seeing a murderer is something most people don't see in a Lifetime. Although in Witness Protection , there were still people who traded an innocent Life for Money.
June 29, 2025
Excellent book!
The book flowed smoothly throughout holding readers interest all the way through. The author really does a good job of captivating the reader.
Great book and I will definitely recommend it to my friends.
The book flowed smoothly throughout holding readers interest all the way through. The author really does a good job of captivating the reader.
Great book and I will definitely recommend it to my friends.
August 10, 2020
Great book....loved it!
August 16, 2020
Great book
This book was great. I love all Shirley McCoy books. She is one of my favorite authors. Can't wait for her next book.
This book was great. I love all Shirley McCoy books. She is one of my favorite authors. Can't wait for her next book.
September 6, 2020
Great Romantic Suspense
This is an excellent romantic suspense. It’s full of tense moments, twists and turns, tender moments, and it kept me entranced. I couldn’t put it down!
This is an excellent romantic suspense. It’s full of tense moments, twists and turns, tender moments, and it kept me entranced. I couldn’t put it down!
October 11, 2020
Wonderful Story
I really enjoyed this book it has everything in it that I really enjoy, the good, the bad and the very bad. And, most of all a very happy ending.....
I really enjoyed this book it has everything in it that I really enjoy, the good, the bad and the very bad. And, most of all a very happy ending.....
October 14, 2020
This was a very good read from the start to the end
I loved the suspense and the Christian aspect of it...Its a book you can't put down...would recommend it to anyone
I loved the suspense and the Christian aspect of it...Its a book you can't put down...would recommend it to anyone
October 20, 2020
Great reading.
January 4, 2021
A very good read. Shirlee is one of my favorite authors and for me the Love InSpired books usually don't disappoint no matter who the author is.
January 15, 2021
Cute. A quick, enjoyable listen.
March 31, 2021
I thought it was very well written.
April 14, 2021
This book kept me guessing about who was trying to kill her for someone else
October 9, 2021
Great mix of romance and mystery.
February 5, 2022
Hidden Witness
Great story that was fast moving and exciting. It is so good to read stories that show even in the most difficult times God is there for those who trust Him.
Great story that was fast moving and exciting. It is so good to read stories that show even in the most difficult times God is there for those who trust Him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews