4.9 (7 ratings)

Fatal Remorse

Hearthstone is a close-knit town perched high in the mountains of western North Carolina, on the fringe of Pinnacle Lake. Questions start to rise when the body of a local high school teacher—homegrown basketball legend and pillar of the community—is discovered in the same place two students were found dead twenty years earlier. A trove of secrets and buried truths are unearthed as Peter Rubeck—renowned private investigator—and detective Craig Chase from the Hearthstone police department dig deeper into the past, sparking a deadly chain of events. His death was neither the beginning nor the end.

Pages: 389

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Reader Reviews

4.9

7 ratings

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Natalie B.

Apr 30, 2026

I really enjoyed this book! For a small-town yarn this story has ambitious scope:

There’s a large cast of diverse (age and stage of life, ethnicity, socio-economic status) characters and multiple intense storylines quite masterfully woven together. Readers who struggle with keeping a large cast of characters sorted will find that the pace and style of how they’re introduced in this story and their well-defined and sympathy-inducing character qualities make this easy to do.
If you like a backwoods feel, there’s enough of this setting to satisfy but scenes also take place with more suburban feel.
It deals with triggering themes without sinking into a story that swims in gore and darkness.
It can work as a stand alone as most storylines are wrapped up but there is one, maybe two, left wide open which probably lead into the next story.
This is the Anya Rossi series, and while she plays a pivotal role she isn’t the center of the book – it reads like an ensemble cast - but I assume her role grows with the series and I look forward to more of her story.
I did guess the primary antagonist before the reveal, but there are multiple elements to the mystery that were unguessable and kept me trying to figure it out.

Overall, a very satisfying read which I recommend – I guarantee you will be happy with how you spent your time and it will stick with you. Well done, BG Frees!

Crystal O.

Inside Story

Apr 13, 2026

This was my first novel by this author and was not even on my radar until one of my Indie author groups started to nominate and list the top 32. I am so glad I was challenged to read these books because this book had my neck turning with all the dark twists. A body is found in the same spot that murders happened 20 years prior. now investigations are happening and secrets are spilling out. Is it the same killer or different ones? You will not be disappointed in this!

Carol G.

Feb 22, 2026

B.G. Frees' writing immerses the reader in the characters' dramatic storyline, and I connected deeply with Anya's character, experiencing every emotion alongside her. The setting of a close-knit town adds to the delicious tension, and I loved the twists. Another fantastic read!

Carla B.

Feb 8, 2026

Tucked in the mountains of North Carolina, the quiet town of Hearthstone hides buried secrets. When a beloved teacher is found dead by the lake on the same date and in the same spot where two students vanished twenty years earlier, panic sets in. Private investigator Peter Rubeck teams up with detective Craig Chase to dig into old cold cases. Each clue brings danger closer as they race to stop history from repeating itself.

I gave Fatal Remorse five stars from the first page. It’s B.G. Frees second book, and I think it’s even better than the first. I didn’t think that was possible. I could not put it down. Frees drops twist after twist so fast you’ll be turning pages to keep up. Peter and Craig’s partnership feels real and tense. The small-town setting adds that cozy vibe mixed with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Plus, the way past and present collide kept me guessing until the end.

The Vibes It Brings:

Matt D.

Feb 8, 2026

Hearthstone, NC is a quiet, close-knit community. Not much happens until one night the body of a local high school teacher is found at the same place where two students were found 20 years ago. As the police investigate, the community turns inward and the web of secrets binding the town together begin to see the lights of day. As the tension builds, so does the body count. Everyone in the town has something to hide, but is it safer to keeps the secrets buried?

Yet another gripping read from BG Frees. He manages to wrap not one, not two, but three twists into the book by the end. I might have to see a chiropractor after this one.

If you like your secrets dark and your twists mind blowing, then run to grab a copy of this! Don’t blame me if you can’t put it down and avoid all off your responsibilities just to get to the end.

Brittany F.

Feb 8, 2026

I am incredibly sad that the sequel isn't immediately available!!! Fatal Remorse has so much going on, many, many characters with an incredible amount of secrets and inner demons. I never suspected the true disgusting villain until it was revealed. BG did a fantastic job with everything that went on he was flawless. can't wait for his next release.

Tara L.

Feb 8, 2026

Fatal Remorse grabbed my attention early and held it. I loved the short chapters, the interesting characters, and how the story slowly comes together through its twists and reveals. An engaging classic thriller and an easy recommendation.

About the Author

BG Frees

I’m an author from the mountains of western NC, weaving suspenseful tales one twist at a time!

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