Melinda Leigh’s newest mystery is the first novel in her new thriller series that is set in upstate New York, where many of her series are set. In “You Can Tell Me,” there are some characters from a past series, but if, like me, you haven’t read that series, don’t worry. You won’t feel lost at all. The main character, Olivia Cruz, is a true crime writer, and she’s about to be thrust into the middle of an all-too-true crime.

Her close friend Zoe is a true-crime podcaster, and they’ve planned to have Zoe interview Olivia on the third anniversary of Olivia’s very traumatic kidnapping, which almost resulted in her death. Olivia still has nightmares about it and is hoping that by sharing the details, she will be freeing herself of some of the horrors. But Zoe doesn’t show up for the interview.

Olivia has known Zoe for fifteen years, and while Zoe’s personal life might be a bit chaotic and messy, she’s meticulous about work. There’s no good reason that Olivia can think of why Zoe would not show up or at least let Olivia know she was cancelling. When Olivia tracks down Zoe’s phone — no easy task — she sees that the last text from an unknown number was one word: “run.”

But what is Zoe running from? In order to answer that question, Olivia must look into Zoe’s past. She must figure out what Zoe has shared with her that was true and what was not. At the same time, Olivia is helping her niece, Nicki, who worked with Zoe and might have some information. Zoe meets someone she had contact with on an internet dating site, and she ends up drugged. Luckily, she gets a text off to Olivia before she loses consciousness, but she ends up in the hospital. Is that connected with Zoe’s disappearance?

Also helping with the investigation is Lincoln Sharp, a private investigator and Olivia’s boyfriend. She’s had problems with commitment in the past, but that might change in this novel. Sharp is one of the characters who appeared in Leigh’s prior series, and those who read that series will be happy to see him again. Those of us who have not read that series will not feel the loss at all. He’s a great character.

To save Zoe, Olivia must work to uncover the secrets Zoe tried for so long to keep buried. And Olivia wonders why her friend would hide things from her; what kinds of dark secrets are there hidden deep in Zoe’s closet? Did she run because someone is after her, and if so, will Olivia be able to find her before the danger harms Zoe?

There are twists and turns, there are drugs and murder and dead bodies, there are natural disasters and unnatural parents, and there’s an abandoned dog. It all makes for a wild ride. But Olivia’s strong personality and determination make her an excellent main character, and Leigh describes her as: “bold, resourceful and wicked smart.” She’s someone we really like, and that’s a good thing because this is just the first in the series.

So get in on the first book in this new series because it’s always more satisfying to have followed a series, and its characters, from the beginning. In fact, while I’d like to go back and read the series that Olivia Cruz first appeared in, Leigh’s capable writing and brilliant detailing of enough of Olivia’s traumatic experience satisfies our need to know exactly what happened. Leigh is an extremely versatile writer, and her depiction of the characters and their dialogue ring true. We like Olivia and Lincoln and Nicki, and we want to follow their adventures — wherever they may lead.

This review was first posted on Bookreporter.com.