Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright

Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright
Stand-Alone Novel
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense, July 29, 2025

REVIEW BY JOAN HALL

I’ve been a fan of Jaime Jo Wright’s dual-timeline Gothic suspense novels since Mae Clair introduced me to the author. When I learned the author penned a modern-day romantic suspense novel, I gave it a try.

“She wasn’t supposed to find human bones in the wilderness.”

Jaime Jo Wright, Buried Wilderness Secrets

With an opening line like that, readers know they’re in for a ride. When Park Ranger Aaliyah Terrence’s dog, Peaches, drops a human skull at her feet, she follows the dog and discovers a human burial ground. She spots what might be a clue to the killer’s identity—a silver arrowhead bracelet.

Unfortunately, the killer is lurking nearby and knocks her unconscious. When she comes to, the bracelet is gone.

Cold Case Detective Wade Marlowe arrives in town to investigate a twenty-five-year-old murder. Recent DNA testing provided the victim’s name. Wade is determined to find the killer, but he didn’t expect to become involved in solving a series of deaths—all young women with few ties to the area.

What’s more, the original victim was Aaliyah’s birth mother, something she’s shocked to learn. Aaliyah soon becomes the killer’s target, although it’s clear he doesn’t want to kill her. Why?

“Lord, please.” His prayer was no more than two words. God didn’t need an explanation. He had seen all and been there through it all, but He certainly wouldn’t allow the killer to win. He couldn’t! Wade squeezed his eyes shut as a wave of pain shot nausea through him.

Jaimie Jo Wright, Buried Wilderness Secrets

The pace is steady, suspense woven within the pages. Ms. Wright planted several red herrings, which leads readers to believe the killer might be posing as Aaliyah’s friend.

Buried Wilderness Secrets is romantic suspense, so the ending is predictable. However, I found it a satisfying yet short read.

I give Buried Wilderness Secrets four fish.

I purchased the Kindle version of Buried Wilderness Secrets through Amazon.