To find her missing aunt, she has to unearth the secrets of the past. But lies and deceit run through the very heart of their town…. What started out as a promising relationship with adventurer and tycoon Alec Zavos has fizzled into an uncertain future for antiquities expert Annalisse Drury. Returning to Walker Farm in Upstate New York to see her Aunt Kate should have been a welcome homecoming and distraction. Instead, she finds the childhood home she expected to inherit is for sale, without her permission. What’s worse, Kate’s ranch manager makes a gruesome discovery in the barn: the body of a man, dead by foul play. Annalisse turns in Alec’s direction for help. She and her aunt shelter on his estate in the Catskills while the authorities canvass the scene. But when Kate herself disappears without a trace, Annalisse fears the worst: that one of the many secrets of her hometown has ensnared her family—a secret someone is willing to kill for to keep hidden. "The story is welcoming and vibrant, and much of it is nuanced and warm. When Bell aims for fun adventure, she hits the bull's-eye." - Booklife Review "Author, Marlene M. Bell, has delivered a truly stunning work of fiction. The story is fast-paced, engaging and filled with action. The characters are relatable and the protagonist, Annalisse, is a complex heroine you'll want to root for. The book is filled with vivid, brilliant descriptions that take the reader on a mind-blowing sensory journey. The writing will make you feel as though you are living and breathing each scene with the characters! Overall, the book offers a unique take on the traditional mystery with multiple twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. A real page turner!" - Elite Choice Awards, Gold Winner "Fans of well-constructed cozy mysteries will hungrily devour this sophisticated, clever crime novel." The Prairies Book Review "The author has a keen eye for the corrosive effects of long-standing secrets, especially those that haunt families. In addition, the story marches to its conclusion at an indefatigable pace, breathlessly action-packed." - Kirkus Reviews "The mystery in this book will keep the reader engaged throughout and guessing until the very end. The surprising twists keep the action moving along at a fast pace." - InD' tale Magazine 4 stars Antiquities appraiser Annalisse Drury drives to her family farm in upstate New York to consult with Aunt Kate about her troubled relationship with Greek tycoon, Alec Zavos. When Annalisse arrives, she learns the beloved farm she expects to inherit is for sale. That same morning, they find a stranger's body decaying in the barn. Then her aunt vanishes. In Spent Identity , Annalisse and Alec join forces for the second time. They must find the mastermind behind her aunt's abduction before Kate's health issues worsen. Was the corpse in the barn a coincidence or a warning? The clock ticks for Annalisse to find her aunt and repair what she has left with the man she loves.