After surviving betrayal and violence, forensic investigator Dr. Cassia Davis lives a life of isolation, her once-brilliant career confined to online consulting. When a Hollywood Hills murder mystery exposes a mass grave connected to her past, Cass must confront the man who shattered her trust—FBI Special Agent Mitchell Keaton.

His mistake nearly cost her life. Now, working together on the crime scene investigation, they must unearth the truth about a serial killer tied to The Circle of the Red Lily, a ruthless secret society that controls Hollywood’s darkest corners.

But digging into the past means reopening old wounds. As their passion reignites, Cass and Mitch must overcome guilt, trauma, and the lies that tore them apart. Because the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous the hunt becomes.

Solving her biggest case means facing her greatest fear.

Titles in the Circle of the Red Lily series include:  Framed ~ Vanished ~ Unearthed ~

This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.

Title:  Unearthed
Series:  Circle of the Red Lily #3
Author:  Anna J. Stewart 
Published:  March 31, 2026
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Unearthed is the third title in the Circle of the Red Lily series, bringing two people with a traumatic past together once again to reface a grizzly discovery and finally put the past behind them… should they survive.  Cassia (Cass) and Mitchell (Mitch) have a shared history, both personal and professional.  While neither has ever gotten beyond that connection, those emotions, there are reasons that they live a continent apart. 

Mitch has tremendous guilt over a mistake that almost cost him everything, including Cassia’s life.  Cass has never fully recovered from the trauma she experienced.  She’s a genius, a brilliant mind trapped in an apartment she’s terrified of ever leaving.  She still carries on her forensic investigations, only remotely at this time.  She has all the equipment she needs to do her work in her apartment, an assistant, Nox, to help her, and the friendships and companionship of the other residents of Temple House.  Life is far from perfect, but she’s surviving in her own fashion.  Until… the discovery of a mass grave thrusts her back into the past, and has her reaching out to the one man she believes can get to the bottom of this mystery, even if she’s not certain he actually deserves that trust.

Unearthed is a compelling, emotional, intense romantic suspense that builds on the previous titles in this series.  So, with that in mind, I would strongly suggest reading this series in order if at all possible.  Cass and Mitch’s story kept me on edge throughout, not only because of the dangerous mystery they’re investigating but also because of their personal connection.  Love can forgive a lot, but there’s some unresolved baggage between them that needs to be addressed before either can move forward.  Their story is well-written, emotional, full of danger, and connections.  I don’t know if it will happen, yet it feels as if there are at least two more stories that will fit into the series; time will tell.  I completely enjoyed myself in this world, and I do hope there are more adventures ahead of us.  If you love a really good mystery, watching a couple heal from the past, and fitting puzzle pieces together before the reveal, then you’d love Unearthed.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This title is available at Amazon