Margins
Scarred by Sin book cover
Scarred by Sin
2026
First Published
4.50
Average Rating
294
Number of Pages

Part of Series

Prepare for long-buried secrets to claw their way into the light in the latest Touch of Evil novel by USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne… A quiet Indiana town is shaken to its core when a landscaping crew clearing the overgrown Ellingham estate uncovers human remains scattered in pots and garden beds throughout a crumbling greenhouse. Reclusive Gwenyth Ellingham has lived alone on the property for years, socially withdrawn, prone to strange episodes, and unable to manage her affairs. When her aging uncle petitions for guardianship to settle years of unpaid taxes and clear the land for sale, the ground finally gives up its secrets. Forensics discover eight sets of bones. Seven belong to young women who vanished nearly thirty years ago. The eighth, buried deeper, belongs to Gwenyth’s father, botanist Nestor Ellingham, who disappeared during the same period. FBI consultant Brooklyn Sloane and her team take over the cold case, revealing an unsettling pattern. The killer had complete access to the property, moved through the grounds with familiarity, and used the greenhouse as a personal graveyard. But Nestor’s presence among the victims raises a terrifying question. Was he the predator who got what he deserved, or was he killed because he discovered the horrifying truth hidden in his own soil? The Ellingham family’s past is filled with conflicting stories, fractured relationships, and a daughter whose memories are clouded by trauma or mental illness. Brook and her team must determine whether the monster who created this graveyard is long dead…or still lurking in the shadows of a place where fear took root decades ago.

Avg Rating
4.50
Number of Ratings
8
5 STARS
63%
4 STARS
25%
3 STARS
13%
2 STARS
0%
1 STARS
0%
goodreads

Author

Kennedy Layne
Kennedy Layne
Author · 97 books

Kennedy Layne is a USA Today bestselling author. She draws inspiration for her romantic thrillers in part from her not-so-secret second life as a wife of a retired Marine Master Sergeant. He doubles as her critique partner, beta reader, and military consultant. Kennedy also has a deep love for cozy mysteries, thrillers, and basically any book that can keep her guessing until the very end. They live in the Midwest with their menagerie of pets. The loyal dogs and mischievous cats appreciate her writing days as much as she does, usually curled up in front of the fireplace. Amazon: http://amzn.to/3qrizgV Facebook: http://bit.ly/3qwLzUz Instagram: https://bit.ly/3ceSHQ9

548 Market St PMB 65688, San Francisco California 94104-5401 USA
© 2026 Paratext Inc. All rights reserved