Kendra Elliot’s Her First Mistake is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that launches a brand-new series featuring Detective Noelle Marshall. With dual timelines, a cold case, and a heroine haunted by the past, this book is impossible to put down.

Thirteen years ago, Noelle was brutally attacked in her home the same night her husband, Assemblyman Derrick Bell, was murdered. Left with a traumatic brain injury and no memory of what happened, she has lived under suspicion ever since—especially from her powerful in-laws who believe she got away with murder. Now, working as a detective in Oregon, Noelle is blindsided when the FBI reopens the case, forcing her to relive the night she has tried to forget.

Elliot skillfully balances the past and present, letting readers unravel the mystery alongside Noelle as hidden memories resurface and new threats emerge. Noelle is a layered, sympathetic protagonist—tough yet vulnerable, determined yet haunted. The tension ratchets higher with every chapter, leading to shocking revelations that will leave readers gasping.

With its blend of psychological suspense, police procedural detail, and a touch of romantic tension, Her First Mistake sets the stage for an electrifying series. Elliot proves once again why she’s a master of romantic suspense and twisty thrillers.

Perfect for fans of Lisa Gardner, Melinda Leigh, and readers who crave thrillers with heart as well as suspense. ★★★★★

What do the cold case of a murdered politician, a wife who claims to have amnesia and an FBI agent who is determined to bring her to justice all add up to? A great new series from Kendra Elliot with a heroine who is likened by one suspect to a Greek goddess come to life with eyes that could strike you down with one glance. I loved this story and think Detective Noelle Marshall is going to be a great character. I love her poise and her just dare me attitude. No one puts her down, not colleagues, not bosses and certainly not FBI agent Max Rhodes. Brilliant.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

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

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

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

Loved it. Thought it was thrilling and just had to devour it in one sitting.

Her First Mistake is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller! Kendra Elliot delivers a roller-coaster ride through Noelle Marshall’s life, skillfully weaving between past and present. I was hooked from the very first page, and I can’t believe it’s been so long since I last picked up one of Elliot’s books—I won’t be making that mistake again!

Thirteen years ago, Detective Noelle Marshall was brutally attacked and left for dead the same night her husband, Assemblyman Derrick Bell, was murdered. The case went cold, and ever since, her in-laws have blamed her for Derrick’s death. Noelle has done her best to move forward, but the past refuses to stay buried. When the FBI reopens the investigation, painful memories begin to resurface. Will Noelle finally remember what happened that night? And will justice ever be served?

As the first book in a brand-new series, this is an outstanding start. The mystery is gripping, the tension never lets up, and the dual timeline—switching seamlessly between past and present—adds depth and intrigue. I found myself playing detective alongside Noelle, piecing together clues and second-guessing everyone. Elliot has crafted a suspenseful and compelling read, and I can’t wait to see where this new series goes next!

I found it a bit frustrating, in that the story moves between several timelines. I prefer a straight sequence myself. The plot itself is interesting but it doesn’t have as much tension as I expected. #HerFirstMistake #NetGalley

Magnificently suspenseful, fast-paced and twisty!!

I could not put this one down! This is my first book by Kendra Elliot and the first book in the new Noelle Marshall series. The 2nd book is due out early next year. I can't wait to read more from this author and certainly am anxious for book #2! Books 3 and 4 already have titles too!

ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR ASAP!!!

The story is told from different timelines and was well executed between the past and the present. 13 years ago, Noelle's husband was brutally murdered in their home. Noelle was hit over the head with no memory of what happened. Or does she? Derrik's murder has never been solved. His family blames her. She has never been able to put this tragic incident behind her, haunting her still today. Today, she is a

With the past and present storylines, you learn who Derrick and Noelle are and how their relationship was up until the time of Derrick's death. You also get to see how Noelle has grown since the incident. The story moves along at a steady pace and keeps the reader intrigued. Today, Noelle is a detective in Oregon but suffers from a brain injury she has kept secret. Two FBI agents show up to interview her because they are reopening Derrick's case. Will she remember what happened that night? What transpires after this initial meeting is nothing less than a good cat and mouse chase that will keep you flipping the pages!

I love a good domestic suspense thriller and this hit the sweet spot! If that sounds up your alley, please give this one a try!!

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

Noelle Marshall was left for dead with her husband. She survived but he did not. It’s been some years but the case of who killed her husband is not solved. Noelle has changed her life, now working as a detective for the Deschutes County Sheriff. Here she still investigates the case of her murdered husband and now the clock is ticking because soon a new victim may be killed.

This is a nice crime thriller with so many dark corners and secrets that it’s impossible to guess the conclusion. It’s very hard for me to put it down because I need to find out the ending. This is a perfect book in that way, a true just-another-chapter-itis read that gives you as a reader a very entertaining time.

Kendra Elliot’s writing is up there with the great ones. The writing suits the book and the pacing is perfect for the plot. I’m looking forward to reading more from Elliot.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

This was absolutely fantastic.

What a ride.

I couldn’t put it down.

I honestly didn’t figure it all out. Phew, I finished hours ago, and I want more. This was such a great read. I found myself multiple times thinking come on you aren’t really going to take that. IYKYN.

I absolutely loved this book. I had a feeling I would like it just from the synopsis when I requested, but I didn't know quite how much. It was gripping and I loved the play between what is real and what is a dream. I had never read a book by Kendra Elliot, but now I want to read them all. I cannot wait for another book in this series to come out! Recommending to everyone immediately.

This was my first Kendra Elliot book and I really enjoyed it. I hadn't read her Columbia River series so I was not familiar with the main character Noelle Marshall, but I look forward to continuing this series and possibly going back and reading the earlier books. The story goes back and forth in time from the present when Noelle is a detective for the county sheriff's office in Bend, Oregon and 13 years ago when she was living in Sacramento married to state assemblyman Derrick Bell. In a case that is still unsolved, Derrick was brutally murdered in their home and Noelle suffered a serious head injury. The FBI has now reopened the case and is hoping that Noelle's lost memories of the attack may have been coming back over time. Frightening new events happening in Bend could be linked to the crimes of 13 years ago. Noelle could once again be in danger. Kendra Elliot's characters are well-developed and her writing is very good. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Montlake for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliot is wow! Everything is fantastic.

Will Noelle's life always be haunted by the death of Derrick?

When the FBI shows up to investigate her second husband's death after thirteen years, everything is blown open.

Noelle Marshall has had quite a life. Married for a few months right out of high school and then to Derrick Bell, an aspiring California politician from a well-to-do family. Noelle can't seem to do anything right in his mother's eyes. Derrick is killed in an attack in their home, and in the same attack, Noelle is hit in the back of the head and left for dead. She makes it past the injury, but her short-term memory is questionable. This day haunts her life.

I think Noelle is amazing. She has a great support system and family that loves her even if that love blinds her. When it comes to her family, she sees nothing wrong. Admirable, but also naive. Noelle works hard and continues to grow even after the murder and all the press that surrounded that day. I love that she is strong, efficient, and has found something that she is good at to keep her mind busy. The three sisters will once again have to stand together.

The killer surprised me. I didn't see the whole connection coming. That was tricky, Ms. Elliot.

Five Stars
My rating for Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliot is five stars. The story is brilliant. The characters are completely believable, and the setting is good. Bend, Oregon, is a beautiful area as a setting. I truly enjoyed the whole experience, and I highly recommend it to all thriller and mystery readers out there.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Her First Mistake by Kendra Elliot.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

After encountering, cool-headed and fab dressing Detective Noelle Marshall in previous Columbia River series books, I was tingling with excitement to finally get the deets on her mysterious past. Kendra Elliot created a layered and fascinating secondary character who is now getting the spotlight for the first time.



Her First Mistake has a split timeline-style format. There are two past (one pre-murder and one post-murder) and one contemporary. This choice makes perfect sense with this particular plot line.



Opening with Noelle being called into the FBI office in Bend, OR, to meet with two Sacramento FBI agents, Max Rhodes and his partner, who are assigned the still-open case of her deceased husband, California Assemblyman, Derrick Bell, Noelle is blind-sided by the past she thought she had successfully put behind her. This is routine and the agents have gone over the old reports, had any evidence that would benefit from updated forensic tech gone back over, and now they are conducting interviews with all the key players to see if anything new shakes loose.



As it happens, they do rattle someone who has been keeping quiet about the bludgeoning death of Derrick Bell and attack on Noelle that left her with memory loss of the day of the crime with ongoing struggles of minor memory loss. Noelle went through dark times back then and is now reliving them though still unable to recall the day of the murder. That said, she’s been keeping a secret- the vivid dreams connected with that day.



I couldn’t say why, but one sentence during one of the past timelines opened the solution to the murder and surrounding mysteries wide-open for me. I was gratified to see hints after that telling me that I had indeed nailed it. How gratifying, LOL! But, that said, Her First Mistake never lost the building tension or big climax scenes because Kendra Elliot knows how to toss in an exciting and unexpected surprise now and then to keep readers on their toes.



I really enjoyed delving into Noelle’s past and getting to know an already likeable character better. Her vulnerabilities as she saw them didn’t hold her back and I thought these added depth and hidden strength for her to go through what she did and her ongoing hidden disability that doesn’t get in the way of her doing her job as a detective. The crackle of attraction between her and Max was well done and I liked the slow build in the background of the work on the case. Max was an instant favorite and I look forward to getting to know him better in further books.



Sidenote: There are crossover characters and mentions of previous situations even though this is a first in series. If you want all those references to make sense, previous series including FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and the more recent Columbia River books involving Detective Evan Bolton should be read first.



All in all, a satisfying, attention-grabbing book- as usual. Can’t wait for the next installment and recommend specifically to romantic suspense fans.

I loved diving into Noelle’s world during this fast ride in Her First Mistake.

I love a thriller that I can’t put down, and Her First Mistake delivered. This was my first Kendra Elliot, and the first in a new series for her, but there are many characters that readers, from what I understand, will have met in other series, including Noelle. I did not struggle to understand characters and relationships though, because Kendra does a great job worldbuilding and setting up the new series in this book. The book does not drag though, rather it’s tightly plotted and will suck you in. It jumps between Noelle’s earlier life and her marriage with Derrick and the road that led her to a new town with a new career as a detective.

I really appreciated getting to know Noelle’s past in this book – it really explains her focus on family and how tightly she holds her sisters to her in life. Noelle has a traumatic past, to put it lightly, and her character growth is exceptional. She’s a bit of a closed box, and has trouble letting people in. She also has some nagging memory problems and a lack of memory during the time of her husband’s murder because of injuries she got during the home attack. Her life, however, has seemingly moved on since the attack until the FBI reopened the case.

Derrick came from a lot of money, and Noelle was never good enough for his family. She was a bartender when they met, and she inherited a lot of his fortune when he died. His family always suggested she had something to do with the murder. She escapes to Oregon partially to get away from them. She’s had no one in her life since Derrick died, and even though she is now extremely wealthy, she still chooses to work every day in a hard career. The FBI is really puzzled over her, and Special Agent Max Rhodes can’t help but want to get to know her better, even if she is a murder suspect. As the agents ask a lot of questions, it triggers some of her memory to return. However, it becomes apparent that someone is watching her to see what she remembers, and is keeping track of her.

The ending of this story is a wild, wild ride. I won’t say more because I don’t want to ruin it, but let me tell you that I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I’m excited for more books in the series and to see where Noelle takes her life now that she has some answers. I’m really hoping her path includes the delightful special agent!

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

A suspenseful, page-turner that starts with a murder. The author cleverly incorporates multiple time periods, that keep the reader engaged and unsure of what may happen next. A fast-paced, enjoyable read.

Noelle Marshall is a detective in the Deschutes County Sheriff’s office. Thirteen years ago she had a very different role as the wife of Assemblyman Derrick Bell until he was murdered during a home invasion. Noelle was left badly injured, with little memory of what happened and the killer was never found. By the time he was killed, Derrick had changed from the charming man she fell in love with to a manipulative bully and Noelle thought she had put his death and her marriage behind her to forge a new life for herself. But now, the cold case has been re-opened and the FBI have arrived to re-interview her as well as others involved at the time.

This is a good start to a new series with a gripping mystery, plenty of twists and great characters. Told in two time lines, the plot weaves superbly between them to add intrigue and suspense. Fans of Kendra Elliot will recognise Noelle and also enjoy the guest appearances of several characters from other series.

What a great start to a new series. I love when you cannot figure out who did it until the end. I had suspicions, but the reveal was great. I didn't care for the flashbacks, but they are necessary for the story. Noelle is going to be a great character for us to enjoy. Looking forward to her next adventure.

I have been wanting to know more about Noelle Marshall and this book was an excellent start to her series!! Her insane back story coming to haunt her 13 years later had twist that I couldn’t see coming. Both of the guesses I had ended being wrong, and the ultimate reveal had me gasping!! I loved that Mercy Kilpatrick and Evan Bolton made cameos!! I can’t wait to see what this series hold in the coming books!!

I enjoy the Mercy Kilpatrick/Columbia River series and am enjoying the books featuring the members of the Sheriff’s Department. Noelle Marshall had made appearances in the Columbia River books, but now she gets to star in her own.

You learn about Noelle’s background and how she ended up as a Sheriff’s Detective. There is a mystery from her past coming back to haunt her, offering plenty of twists. Appearances from our favorite Federal agents occur, and we meet some new, fun characters. I look forward to reading more of Noelle’s stories in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Kendra Elliot for the eARC.

If Kendra is writing it, I'm picking it up. I love that her different series interconnect and we get to catch up with different characters. I've been intrigued by Noelle since she popped up in the Columbia River series. 'm so glad she now has her own book. I look forward to seeing more of her.

This was such an interesting twist on the usual crime thriller. Noelle's amnesia adds to the suspense. You can feel the frustration and fear from Noelle not being able to remember what happened all those years ago and that it might be happening again. With each flashback chapter, we get to learn more about Noelle and what went wrong.

I had my suspicions about a certain character but the end reveal still had me on the edge of my seat. I had no idea how it was going to end. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down.