Dead Woman Walking, book 15 in the Detective Amanda Steel series, delivered everything I’ve come to expect from Carolyn Arnold: tight pacing, layered tension, and a mystery designed to keep you reading long past your bedtime. It’s a suspenseful installment that keeps you on edge while providing clues that deepen the intrigue.
Title: Dead Woman Walking
Author(s): Carolyn Arnold
Series: Detective Amanda Steele #15
Also in this series: The Little Grave , Stolen Daughters , The Silent Witness , Black Orchid Girls , Her Frozen Cry , Last Seen Alive , Her Final Breath, Taken Girls , Her Last Words , Missing Before Daylight , The Wildfire Girl , Her Deadly Rose , Hidden Angels , Three Girls Gone
Published by Bookouture on February 25, 2026
Genre(s): Mystery
Source: Kindle Unlimited, Netgalley
Format: eArc, eBook
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating:
Series Rating:
Preparing the empty house for another viewing, she knows she’s taking a risk showing it at night. She never told anyone she was here, but she desperately needs this sale. If she pulls it off, she can finally give her daughter the life she deserves. But as she climbs the stairs, goosebumps spread down her arms. She’s not alone…
When the body of realtor Christine Lane is discovered in one of Woodbridge’s most affluent homes, Detective Amanda Steele is left reeling. The victim was dating Amanda’s half-brother, making him an immediate suspect. They’ve never been close but Amanda knows he’s not a killer.
As forensics move in to process the crime scene, Amanda is ambushed by a well-dressed woman desperately trying to get inside the house. Dominique Sharp is a successful lawyer and expected her house to be sold by the time she returned from a business trip to DC. Could she have been the intended target?
Delving into Dominique’s business, Amanda and Trent discover a long line of disgruntled employees and a dark web of secrets that lead them to a killer who will stop at nothing to get their deadly revenge on her.
But can Amanda take the greatest risk of her career to lure the killer back into the light? And will she have to sacrifice someone close to her to ensure justice is finally served?
A totally addictive and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you turning the pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Mary Burton, Elle Gray and A. J. Rivers.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This case hits close to home for Detective Amanda Steele. With her half-brother Spenser emerging as a prime suspect, Amanda works to prove she can stay objective or face removal from the case. Despite their distant relationship, Amanda cannot reconcile the idea that he could be guilty, but she knows better than to let emotion override hard evidence.
The victim, Christine Lane, a realtor, is found murdered in the very home she was trying to sell. Spenser becomes a person of interest due to their intimate relationship. But as Amanda and Detective Trent Stenson push deeper into the evidence, a startling truth emerges: Christine wasn’t the intended target. She was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The real target was the property’s owner, attorney Dominique Shaw.
From there, the investigation becomes even more tangled. Ms. Shaw’s long list of professional enemies—and her reluctance to cooperate—creates a sprawling suspect pool. Each lead adds new complications, forcing Amanda and Trent to sift through a maze of motives.
The twists and turns are plentiful, and the tension never lets up. Additionally, the nail-biting moments, emotional stakes, and cleverly constructed mystery make Dead Woman Walking a standout addition to the series. Ultimately, uncovering the who and the why kept me fully engaged from start to finish.
Dead Woman Walking delivered exactly what I look for in this series: steady tension, smart detective work, and an engaging storyline. The personal stakes added an extra layer of urgency, and the twists landed in all the right places. By the end, I felt satisfied with how the pieces came together. Another strong, engaging installment that reminds of the reason I keep returning to Amanda Steele’s world
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| World Building | |
| Writing Style | |
| Pacing | |
| Cover | |
| Enjoyment | |
| Ending | |
| Overall: | |
About Carolyn Arnold
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international best-selling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™. Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower. She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada.
- The Couple’s Secret : Lisa Regan - April 20, 2026
- Intercepted: Aleatha Romig - April 13, 2026
- Morning Crossfire: Sheila Kell - April 7, 2026
I am determined to try this series. Wonderful review!
The wrong victim… that is a good first twist in a case. Glad the series is still going strong.
I’m still at the beginning of this series. I’m glad to see the later books are still good.
This does sound like it was a good one.
It definitely was a good one
This does sound like a good series. Wish my library had copies.
It is. I hope your library get copies soon, They are in Kindle Unlimited if you don’t mind gong that route.