Deadly Secrets of the Tar Heel State by Crystal Portee

Published: October 01, 2025 by Crystal Portee

Genres: Crime Mystery, Thriller, Psychological Suspense

Format: Kindle Edition

Pages: 285 pages

Our Rating: ⭐⭐

Deadly Secrets of the Tar Heel State by Crystal Portee is a chilling murder mystery set in Durham, North Carolina. The story opens with the discovery of a woman’s body—carefully posed, a haunting smile fixed on her face, and a poem referencing her love for Edgar Allan Poe left behind as a cryptic clue. FBI agent Carol Avery is called to the case because of her personal connection to the victim, but the investigation quickly turns personal when it becomes clear that the killer’s true target is Carol herself. As more of her friends and loved ones are murdered, Carol races against time to uncover the truth. What drives the killer—hatred or a twisted obsession?

about the characters

Carol Avery stands out as a strong yet understandably emotional lead, someone whose resilience is shaped by both her work with the FBI and the depth of her personal relationships. She comes across as willfully determined, grounded in her role, and fiercely loyal to the few friends she allows into her inner circle. That loyalty becomes the core of her motivation; when someone begins targeting the people she cares about most, Carol’s protective instincts flare, and nothing, not protocol, not her colleagues, not even her own fear, can stop her from pursuing the case.

What makes Carol particularly compelling is the tension between what she believes she knows about her friends and what the investigation reveals. As secrets surface, it becomes increasingly unclear whether Carol truly knew them as well as she thought, or whether she subconsciously accepted their flaws without ever fully confronting them. This theme is explored through shifting, and at times conflicting, exchanges between characters, which occasionally muddy the emotional clarity but ultimately reinforce the novel’s emphasis on trust, perception, and the hidden complexities within relationships.

Matt is one of the more endearing supporting characters. His self-conscious belief that he constantly struggles with body odor adds an unexpected touch of comic relief, but underneath that quirk is a genuinely kind and steady presence. He feels like someone who could have been good for Carol had their relationship ever moved beyond friendship. However, Carol never seems to view him through that lens, and a romantic shift might have complicated their professional dynamic, or even required a transfer, so their bond remains firmly platonic. In contrast, Carol’s on-again, off-again boyfriend doesn’t land as convincingly. The relationship lacks emotional depth and consistency, making it difficult to invest in them or understand what keeps drawing them back together. Compared to the richer, more authentic connection she shares with Matt, this romantic subplot falls flat and doesn’t carry enough weight to feel fully believable.

standout moments

One of the most striking aspects of the story centers on the killer himself. His fixation on Carol is unsettling and deeply psychological, and the narrative captures this in several memorable scenes. He grows visibly enraged when Carol appears on camera—confident, composed, and unwilling to back down. Her interactions with Matt, as well as her choice to wear flattering clothing in an attempt to draw him out of hiding, only intensify his obsession. What’s particularly compelling is how these tactics backfire; rather than clouding his judgment to the point of recklessness, his anger sharpens his focus. You would expect his rage to blur his reasoning, yet the opposite occurs: his simmering hatred shapes every calculated decision he makes.

His escalating desire for death becomes both his spiral and his fuel. He interprets Carol’s every move as deliberate messages meant for him alone, reinforcing his belief that her wants and motives are intertwined with his own. This delusion is central to the choices he makes about his victims. When he turns his attention to someone who is both reminiscent of Carol’s little sister and deeply interested in science, he experiences an unexpected moment of hesitation. He is thrown off balance, infuriated by his own inability to follow through, yet he cannot bring himself to kill her. It’s a small but powerful moment, one that adds nuance and even a brief flicker of humanity to an otherwise chilling antagonist. This emotional resonance helps elevate the story and provides insight into just how fractured and complex his psyche is.

personal reflection

The concept and creativity behind Deadly Secrets of the Tar Heel State were engaging and well thought out. The author blended police procedural elements with inventive murder scenes and perceived strong relational ties between the characters, making the overall storyline intriguing. The credibility and emotional depth also came through—especially in how Carol, as both investigator and friend of the victim, had to balance professionalism with personal grief, often being pushed aside for being “too close” to the case.

However, the writing quality unfortunately weakened the story’s potential. The structure, flow, and pacing were inconsistent, with frequent shifts between first and third person and a mix of past and present tenses that disrupted the reading experience. Numerous spelling and grammatical errors further slowed the narrative’s momentum.

The character arcs had promise, particularly with Carol and the killer, who were both developed with psychological nuance and depth. Yet, many supporting characters felt underexplored, leaving gaps in backstory that could have strengthened the plot’s emotional resonance and clarity. In terms of relevance and impact, this novel fits well within the police procedural and murder mystery genres. Readers who enjoy stories that delve into the psychology of both investigator and killer will find plenty to appreciate. Despite its technical flaws, the story’s core concept and emotional undercurrents make it a worthwhile read for fans of dark, character-driven crime fiction.

final thoughts

An advanced reader copy of Deadly Secrets of the Tar Heel State was provided by Reedsy Discovery and in no way influences the honesty or integrity of this review. I truly wanted to love this story—it has a strong foundation and an engaging premise that fits well within the murder mystery genre I enjoy. However, despite its creative concept and emotional potential, the book would benefit from significant editing before reaching a wider audience. The technical issues, including grammatical errors and inconsistent narration, distract from what could otherwise be a compelling and suspenseful read. Overall, I give this story 2 out of 5 stars. It’s a promising debut with solid ideas, but readers may find the execution too rough to fully enjoy.