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A review by _ckarys
Secrets & Photographs by A.K. Ramirez
4.0
SECRETS & PHOTOGRAPHS is the first book in a mystery series, which isn’t my go-to genre and yet I enjoy it every time I try it! It didn’t take long for me to feel like this story would make a great screen adaptation. All the addictive qualities of a good police procedural were there: characters that felt real and that one could empathize with, complex familial and romantic relationships, and an interesting mystery plot.
Though I’m not usually a great investigator and let the mystery unfold by itself, this time I was invested, perhaps because of how personal the events were for the protagonist. I was buddy reading with my sister, so it was so fun to make theories together and exchange notes. The resolution of the murder case was satisfying, though it seems like there are still some loose threads and I’m curious to see if my theories on that regard are true!
What I enjoyed most about the book however was the human aspect of Marissa’s relationships, where the second-chance trope reigned supreme. Her friendship with Allison, that was true and steadfast. Her turbulent relationship with her sister Melanie. Her complicated past with her ex, Jared, and the hopeful relationship blooming with Special Agent James Mackenzie. As a fellow dog mom, however, the sweet bond with Ellie, her service dog, resonated with me most of all. Marissa’s messy personal life is what really kept me turning the pages. Not all the conflicts in the book are resolved, which is yet another reason I’m curious about the rest of the series.
Though I’m not usually a great investigator and let the mystery unfold by itself, this time I was invested, perhaps because of how personal the events were for the protagonist. I was buddy reading with my sister, so it was so fun to make theories together and exchange notes. The resolution of the murder case was satisfying, though it seems like there are still some loose threads and I’m curious to see if my theories on that regard are true!
What I enjoyed most about the book however was the human aspect of Marissa’s relationships, where the second-chance trope reigned supreme. Her friendship with Allison, that was true and steadfast. Her turbulent relationship with her sister Melanie. Her complicated past with her ex, Jared, and the hopeful relationship blooming with Special Agent James Mackenzie. As a fellow dog mom, however, the sweet bond with Ellie, her service dog, resonated with me most of all. Marissa’s messy personal life is what really kept me turning the pages. Not all the conflicts in the book are resolved, which is yet another reason I’m curious about the rest of the series.