Showing results by author "Kay Bratt" in All Categories

When a charred vehicle is found abandoned on the outskirts of town—with a body too damaged to identify inside—private investigator Taylor Gray is called to the scene. But nothing prepares her for the possibility that the victim might be someone she once called family. As rumors swirl and grief ripples through Hart's Ridge, Taylor digs deep into the investigation, uncovering ties to a shady local business, a trail of hidden cash, and a growing list of people with something to hide.

Taylor Gray has traded her badge for a fresh start. Alongside her husband Sam, she's launched Graystone Investigations—a private detective agency fueled by grit, intuition, and an unwavering pursuit of justice. Their latest case? A high-stakes cold case that could overturn a decade-old conviction. A man has spent years behind bars for a brutal crime—but did he do it? Or was he simply the easiest target in a town eager to close the file? Hired by the man's devoted sister, Taylor and Sam dig deep into a web of missing evidence, forgotten leads, and truths buried under years of silence.

Coming of age during China’s Cultural Revolution, Benfu survived the cruel years, but he did not emerge unscathed. The Scavenger’s Daughters is the story of Benfu and his beloved wife Calli, chronicling their attempts to build a life in the turmoil and aftermath of Maoist China. At the heart of their struggle lies the pain of losing their only child. To fill the terrible hole in their lives, they take in abandoned girls - the unwanted "weeds" - as their own, lovingly caring for them as flowers in a garden.

Even after a decade of pain, Ivy remains closely tethered to Lily - her blind twin sister - and haunted by her mother’s admission the night their home burned, almost taking Lily’s life: “I’m sorry. Take care of your sister.” Years later, as Lily begins to navigate the world on her own, the police mistakenly toss the blind girl in a cell, and Ivy realizes she must find her twin at all costs…even if that means risking her own freedom.

In the quaint town of Hart's Ridge, Deputy Taylor Gray is a force to be reckoned with. From clawing her way out of poverty and foster care to achieving her dream of being in law enforcement, Taylor is determined to make a difference in her community. When a five-year-old girl named Molly walks into a gas station alone and barely speaking, Taylor's determination is put to the test. As she delves deeper into the investigation, Taylor discovers that even the most idyllic towns have their secrets. But this time, the stakes are higher than ever before.

The pain of China’s Cultural Revolution well behind them, Benfu and his treasured Calla Lily are content in their old age surrounded by their family of adopted daughters. Once abandoned, the girls are now cherished members of the Zheng family. Yet there remains an emptiness in their hearts: their only biological daughter, Dahlia, was abducted as a newborn 30 years before. When their daughter Linnea discovers an unexpected clue about what really happened to Dahlia, the elderly couple’s hopes are reignited.

After a year on the move, single mom Maggie Dalton has found a safe haven with her son in Maui. It’s the perfect spot to settle down now that her relentless stalker is finally behind bars. Maggie finds a new job and a new life thanks to some help from her best friend, Quinn, who urged her to come start over in paradise. But when signals suggest her stalker is back, Maggie realizes Maui might not be the safe oasis she thought. Quinn knows all about facing the past. Tenuously reunited with her biological family after thirty years, she’s still coming to terms with her childhood.

Quinn Maguire has a stable life, a fiancé, and what she thinks is a clear vision for her future. All of that comes undone by her mother’s deathbed confession - the absentee father Quinn spent thirty years resenting is not her real father at all. With that one revealing whisper, Quinn embarks on a journey to Maui, her mother’s childhood home, a storied paradise that holds the truth about her mother’s past and all its secrets Quinn is determined to uncover.

When Taylor Gray and her family travel to Cabo San Lucas to celebrate a beachside wedding, it's supposed to be a time of joy and reconnection. But the morning after the celebration, the bride is missing—and the only clues are discarded champagne glasses at the edge of a private plunge pool, and a trail gone cold in the sweltering sun.

A hungry, stray dog is the last thing Cara Butter needs. Stranded in Georgia with only her backpack and a few dwindling dollars, she already has too much baggage. Like her twin sister, Hana, who has broken Cara's heart one too many times. After a lifetime of family troubles, and bouncing from one foster home to another, Cara decides to leave it all behind and strike out alone - on foot.

Ride along with Deputy Taylor Gray as she investigates a triple murder alongside her partner, Detective Shane Weaver. As she tries to bring justice to the victims and their families, Taylor also grapples with personal decisions and seeks balance in her own life. Meanwhile, Catherine struggles to rebuild her life after serving a 20-year prison sentence. Facing rejection and distrust, Catherine tries to find stability and peace with her adult daughters. Even as Catherine tries to move on, secrets in Hart's Ridge continue to surface, revealing the town's darker side.

A sheltered son from an intellectual family in Shanghai, Benfu spends 1966 anticipating a promising violinist career and an arranged marriage. On the other side of town lives Pony Boy, a member of a lower-class family - but Benfu's best friend all the same. Their futures look different but guaranteed...until they're faced with a perilous opportunity to leave a mark on history.

When a shocking abduction sends shockwaves through the tranquil town, one woman is thrust into a perilous journey. She's the wife of a trusted colleague in the sheriff's department, making this case deeply personal, and time is running out. This tale is more than just a desperate rescue mission; it's a story of redemption and love. Cate, a woman marked by her past, yearns for her own shot at happiness. Can she truly start over and trust that she's found the love she's always dreamed of?

Deputy Taylor Gray is called upon to investigate the sudden disappearance of a beloved young man. With time running out, she races against the clock to uncover the truth and bring him home safely. Meanwhile, Lucy Gray is determined to start anew, build a stable life for her son, and prove that she's not defined by her past. As she sets out on a path of self-discovery, she realizes that the journey isn't as straightforward as she thought it would be.

In the captivating new chapter of Kay Bratt's acclaimed Hart's Ridge series Hello Goodbye, the tranquil town is gripped by fear and concern following a shocking double murder that leaves three adopted children once again orphaned. Amidst the turmoil, Deputy Taylor Gray finds herself relegated to a secondary role behind the town's detective, but her unwavering dedication to solving the case knows no bounds. The challenges faced by the Gray family extend beyond the murder investigation. Taylor's fiancé is blindsided by a life-altering revelation that shakes the very foundation of his world.

In Blackbird, the highly anticipated ninth installment of the Hart's Ridge small-town mystery series, Deputy Taylor Gray finds herself supporting a colleague through a painful journey of letting go. Meanwhile, a young woman and her children must flee from her abusive ex-partner, seeking refuge and safety. Deputy Gray becomes entangled in their plight, blurring the lines between duty and personal conviction.

As she delves deeper into the investigation, Taylor uncovers a web of secrets hidden behind the idyllic facade of picture-perfect relationships. As Anna Chambers, a woman living the American dream, struggles to keep up the perfect facade, she finds herself drowning in a sea of lies and deception. When the person who's loved her the longest offers to help, will she be able to accept it?

Jules Monroe is a woman whose hard work and dedication has built a rewarding life for herself and her family. Now in her late 50s, she gives selflessly to her husband, kids, community, and their charter business. But everything comes to an abrupt halt when her body says enough, and her mind yearns for respite and a place to hide from past hurts. Oldest son, Jonah Monroe, is a veteran haunted by a childhood tragedy. His past includes things he isn't proud of and can't quite shake. When his chance to be a hero finally arrives, it comes with strings attached.

The quaint town of Hart's Ridge glistens with holiday magic each Christmas, as festive lights and holiday attractions draw visitors to its charming streets. This year, Deputy Taylor Gray is enjoying a quieter holiday at home, fully embracing her new role in the midst of family festivities. But peace and goodwill are shattered on Christmas Eve when four bodies are discovered and two children are left as orphans.

When Sadie Harlan visits her daughter, Lauren, at her summer internship in Yosemite National Park, it seems like the perfect way to forget about her empty nest and failing marriage back home. But when the two women get lost on what’s meant to be a short hike, they suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives. As they search for food, water, and civilization, they battle injury, exhaustion, and natural predators. Sadie, however, is assaulted by more than just the unforgiving elements.