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Sophie Quinn FBI Mystery #1
The River’s Secret
A cold knife, a brutal laugh.
Then the odds-defying escape.
Once a hypnotist with her own TV show, now, Sophie Quinn works as a full-time consultant for the FBI. Everything changed six years ago. She can still remember that horrible night. Slated to be the River Killer's tenth victim, she managed to slip her bindings and barely escape where so many others failed. Her sister wasn't so lucky.
And now the killer is back.
Two PHDs later, she's now a rising star at the FBI. Her photographic memory helps solve crimes, but also helps her to never forget. She saw the River Killer's tattoo. She knows what he sounds like. And now, ten years later, he's active again.
Sophie Quinn heads back home to the swamps of Louisiana, along the Mississippi River, intent on evening the score and finding the man who killed her sister. It's been six years since she's been home, though. Broken relationships and shattered dreams exist among the bayous, the rivers, the waterways and swamps of Louisiana; can Sophie find her way home again? Or will she be the River Killer's next victim to float downstream?
Then the odds-defying escape.
Once a hypnotist with her own TV show, now, Sophie Quinn works as a full-time consultant for the FBI. Everything changed six years ago. She can still remember that horrible night. Slated to be the River Killer's tenth victim, she managed to slip her bindings and barely escape where so many others failed. Her sister wasn't so lucky.
And now the killer is back.
Two PHDs later, she's now a rising star at the FBI. Her photographic memory helps solve crimes, but also helps her to never forget. She saw the River Killer's tattoo. She knows what he sounds like. And now, ten years later, he's active again.
Sophie Quinn heads back home to the swamps of Louisiana, along the Mississippi River, intent on evening the score and finding the man who killed her sister. It's been six years since she's been home, though. Broken relationships and shattered dreams exist among the bayous, the rivers, the waterways and swamps of Louisiana; can Sophie find her way home again? Or will she be the River Killer's next victim to float downstream?
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2023
About the author
Georgia Wagner
151 books179 followersHaving worked on projects with New York Times Bestsellers and USA Today bestsellers, Georgia Wagner recently hit #1 bestseller with her newest series. Location and character are two big factors for Georgia, and getting those right allows the story to flow seamlessly onto the page. And flow it does, because Georgia is so prolific a new term is required to describe the rate at which nerve-tingling stories find their way into print.
When not found attached to a laptop, Georgia likes spending time in local arboretums, among the trees and ponds. An avid cultivator of orchids, begonias, and all things floral, Georgia also has a strong penchant for art, paintings, and sculptures. A many-decades-long passion for mystery novels and years of chess tournament experience makes Georgia the perfect person to pen the Artemis Blythe series. That's where it all started, but the drive to craft thrilling mystery tales soon demanded new characters in new locations.
Where will she take us next?
When not found attached to a laptop, Georgia likes spending time in local arboretums, among the trees and ponds. An avid cultivator of orchids, begonias, and all things floral, Georgia also has a strong penchant for art, paintings, and sculptures. A many-decades-long passion for mystery novels and years of chess tournament experience makes Georgia the perfect person to pen the Artemis Blythe series. That's where it all started, but the drive to craft thrilling mystery tales soon demanded new characters in new locations.
Where will she take us next?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 5, 2023
Good book but four stars for the mc. She wasn't likeable. She acted a bit childish and really reckless
Four stars also for the let down on the high climax at the end. Should have been more hyped and dragged out a little more.
Four stars also for the let down on the high climax at the end. Should have been more hyped and dragged out a little more.
September 21, 2024
This book was just ok. I did not find Sophie Quinn likable and did not find the actions believable.
July 11, 2024
Very Disjointed
Not sure what to say. The lead character is an ex hypnotist? Every possible suspect is THE killer until they aren't. Ditches her partner and puts herself into danger. Kept reading, hoping it would better. It did not.
Not sure what to say. The lead character is an ex hypnotist? Every possible suspect is THE killer until they aren't. Ditches her partner and puts herself into danger. Kept reading, hoping it would better. It did not.
February 5, 2025
This book kept moving along and I didn’t want to stop reading! All the characters were very interesting and different. I want to get the next book ( don’t actually need this one doesn’t let you hanging) because I loved the writing style.
June 12, 2026
The River’s Secret is a fast-paced mystery packed with suspense and adventure. The story gets right to the point and keeps the focus on the investigation without a lot of side plots or unnecessary detours.
The main character, Sophie Quinn, is a fascinating heroine. Before becoming a famous hypnotist with her own television show, she was a girl growing up in the Louisiana bayou. As a child, she and her sister were kidnapped by the notorious River Killer, a serial murderer responsible for eight deaths. Sophie became his ninth intended victim but managed to escape, while tragically losing her sister.
Haunted by that loss, Sophie leaves show business behind and dedicates her life to finding the River Killer. She eventually becomes an FBI consultant and is working in Detroit when two murders occur that closely resemble the River Killer’s crimes. Sophie is sent back to Louisiana to help investigate, teaming up with FBI agent Jonathan Greer.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s an entertaining summer read that keeps the pages turning. While it isn’t an especially deep or complex mystery with multiple storylines, it succeeds by focusing on Sophie, the investigation, and the hunt for a killer. If you enjoy fast-moving suspense novels with strong FBI investigation elements, this is definitely worth picking up.
The main character, Sophie Quinn, is a fascinating heroine. Before becoming a famous hypnotist with her own television show, she was a girl growing up in the Louisiana bayou. As a child, she and her sister were kidnapped by the notorious River Killer, a serial murderer responsible for eight deaths. Sophie became his ninth intended victim but managed to escape, while tragically losing her sister.
Haunted by that loss, Sophie leaves show business behind and dedicates her life to finding the River Killer. She eventually becomes an FBI consultant and is working in Detroit when two murders occur that closely resemble the River Killer’s crimes. Sophie is sent back to Louisiana to help investigate, teaming up with FBI agent Jonathan Greer.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s an entertaining summer read that keeps the pages turning. While it isn’t an especially deep or complex mystery with multiple storylines, it succeeds by focusing on Sophie, the investigation, and the hunt for a killer. If you enjoy fast-moving suspense novels with strong FBI investigation elements, this is definitely worth picking up.
August 3, 2023
Six years ago, Sophie Quinn's life was changed forever. The River Serial Killer kidnapped her and her sister. She survived but her sister died. She still remembers that night and will be forever trying to find the serial killer.
Sophie leaves home, thinking her parents blame her for her sister's life, plus she doesn't think they are doing anything to find the killer. She started a very successful career as a hypnotist with her own reality tv show. She has made enough money and she is going to get a degree and try to join the FBI.
After joining the FBI, Sophie becomes one of the "stars" there as she also has a photographic memory that allows her to remember things that other can't in cases. Now she has been asked to head back home and they have assigned her a partner, as they think the River Serial Killer is starting back taking victims and she is doing to catch him this time!!
Sophie leaves home, thinking her parents blame her for her sister's life, plus she doesn't think they are doing anything to find the killer. She started a very successful career as a hypnotist with her own reality tv show. She has made enough money and she is going to get a degree and try to join the FBI.
After joining the FBI, Sophie becomes one of the "stars" there as she also has a photographic memory that allows her to remember things that other can't in cases. Now she has been asked to head back home and they have assigned her a partner, as they think the River Serial Killer is starting back taking victims and she is doing to catch him this time!!
January 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)
The River’s Secret by Georgia Wagner was a quick and easy read, but it just didn’t do much for me. The story follows a small-town mystery tied to a river and long-kept secrets from the past that start coming to light. As the main character digs into what really happened, old relationships, hidden truths, and unanswered questions slowly surface.
The plot itself was fine, just kind of meh. It moved quickly and was easy to follow, but the mystery never felt very exciting, and I wasn’t super invested in the outcome. I also didn’t feel very connected to the characters, so some moments that should’ve felt intense or emotional didn’t really hit.
It’s not a bad book, just average. If you’re looking for a light, low-effort mystery that you can breeze through, this might be your thing. It just wasn’t very memorable for me.
The River’s Secret by Georgia Wagner was a quick and easy read, but it just didn’t do much for me. The story follows a small-town mystery tied to a river and long-kept secrets from the past that start coming to light. As the main character digs into what really happened, old relationships, hidden truths, and unanswered questions slowly surface.
The plot itself was fine, just kind of meh. It moved quickly and was easy to follow, but the mystery never felt very exciting, and I wasn’t super invested in the outcome. I also didn’t feel very connected to the characters, so some moments that should’ve felt intense or emotional didn’t really hit.
It’s not a bad book, just average. If you’re looking for a light, low-effort mystery that you can breeze through, this might be your thing. It just wasn’t very memorable for me.
June 10, 2026
This story cries out to be a streaming mystery/thriller serial. The story would be a lot more solid if Sophie were more believable. Her tendency to go rogue is only slightly excused by the fact that she is "only a consultant" and not a full fledged agent. Willful suspension off disbelief gets characters away with a lot in TV series and movies, but it can't help lot when a character is also metaphorically kicking puppies. Sophie's treatment of her parents left me feeling really sorry for them and angry toward Sophie. That said, there's a great chance for all these characters to be further developed as this story continues, and I hope the next installment t brings Sophie some peace and gets us a better insight to Greer, Sophie's parents, and Sophie's rather mysterious researcher.
March 10, 2023
This is the start of what promises to be another excellent series from Georgia Wagner . Sophie Quinn is now a consultant for the FBI . She was an esteemed Hypnotist with her own show when her life changed dramatically…RK is back and this investigation to find him has her visiting old memories and a move to Louisiana straightaway to consult on the case. This really is a perfect thrilling read with all the great penmanship Georgia has brought us with the Artemis Blythe and Ella Porter series if you’ve been lucky enough to have read these masterpieces too .
I received an advance copy of this book and my review is in my own words voluntary
I received an advance copy of this book and my review is in my own words voluntary
March 11, 2023
An intense thriller!
A serial killer is on the loose! This is a fast moving investigation that is extremely intense. Plausible storyline and characters that keep you guessing right to the end! Well thought out and well written. The only thing that's really worrisome is how many nutcases read these books and decide to mimic the stories. It seems our world is filled with evil, non-thinking morons whose only goal is to kill as many people as fast as they can. Great book, insane world = sad reality.
A serial killer is on the loose! This is a fast moving investigation that is extremely intense. Plausible storyline and characters that keep you guessing right to the end! Well thought out and well written. The only thing that's really worrisome is how many nutcases read these books and decide to mimic the stories. It seems our world is filled with evil, non-thinking morons whose only goal is to kill as many people as fast as they can. Great book, insane world = sad reality.
January 18, 2024
Bayou serial murderer
A well written murder mystery except for a couple of things that bothered me in the story line.. Being born and raised and lived my entire life on the bayous of South Louisiana. It is crawfish and not crawdad. It is called a jo boat not jon boat here. Being Cajun French with a maiden name of
Plaisance I have never called
any one cher in my 72 years. It is sha. It just bothered me as I read it and that is why I gave it 4 star. Otherwise it was a good storyline.
A well written murder mystery except for a couple of things that bothered me in the story line.. Being born and raised and lived my entire life on the bayous of South Louisiana. It is crawfish and not crawdad. It is called a jo boat not jon boat here. Being Cajun French with a maiden name of
Plaisance I have never called
any one cher in my 72 years. It is sha. It just bothered me as I read it and that is why I gave it 4 star. Otherwise it was a good storyline.
August 23, 2023
Debbi likes to read
This was a great read and like all great reads it leaves you wanting more. I’m looking forward to the next book and seeing where Sophie is being led to next. Great characters that’s easy to become invested in. Take a chance read it. I’m sure you will be hooked just as I am.
This was a great read and like all great reads it leaves you wanting more. I’m looking forward to the next book and seeing where Sophie is being led to next. Great characters that’s easy to become invested in. Take a chance read it. I’m sure you will be hooked just as I am.
September 2, 2023
A good read
The hero was very hard to like. She made no attempt to Cooperate with her partner and ran head long into danger not caring about who else she put in danger. That being said the story was a page turner and had loads of action. I'm going to read book 2. I hope she levels it some.
The hero was very hard to like. She made no attempt to Cooperate with her partner and ran head long into danger not caring about who else she put in danger. That being said the story was a page turner and had loads of action. I'm going to read book 2. I hope she levels it some.
October 21, 2023
very exciting read
I loved this story from start to finish. This is my favorite story type and I will say…this story is one of the best I’ve ever read.
I also want to say that your characters and their stories…you provided great details across the board. I felt like I was right in the middle with the characters and the action.
Absolutely a fantastic story.
I loved this story from start to finish. This is my favorite story type and I will say…this story is one of the best I’ve ever read.
I also want to say that your characters and their stories…you provided great details across the board. I felt like I was right in the middle with the characters and the action.
Absolutely a fantastic story.
August 25, 2024
Not bad for the first one of a series. At times it was a little confusing. Lots of action. I would like to tell the author that people in South Louisiana use the term “ crawfish “ and not “ Crawdads .”
I like the fact that she was able to apply what she had learned previously while working for a professional magician to solving murders.. 3.5 stars
I like the fact that she was able to apply what she had learned previously while working for a professional magician to solving murders.. 3.5 stars
August 27, 2024
Just one thing was wrong!
I enjoyed and read this book in one evening! It left me anxious to figure out the end only to find we have a book 2 and I’m thrilled! Now the wrong this is they’re not call mudbugs down here. They are CRAWFISH and it’s a Crawfish Boil. I let you get away with that. :)
I enjoyed and read this book in one evening! It left me anxious to figure out the end only to find we have a book 2 and I’m thrilled! Now the wrong this is they’re not call mudbugs down here. They are CRAWFISH and it’s a Crawfish Boil. I let you get away with that. :)
July 29, 2025
A New Obsession
I liked the characters in this book very much, the descriptions of the locales, and the surprising conclusion. I will definitely read this whole series. Wish, however, that the author would learn the difference between discreet and discrete and have her proofreaders choose the right context.
I liked the characters in this book very much, the descriptions of the locales, and the surprising conclusion. I will definitely read this whole series. Wish, however, that the author would learn the difference between discreet and discrete and have her proofreaders choose the right context.
May 27, 2026
For a serial killer murder mystery, this wasn't very exciting. Lots of details shared but the characters were pretty flat and one dimensional. I found the main character to be not very believable or likeable or make very good decisions. For someone that had two PhDs and was a former hypnotist, her actions were iffy at best.
March 11, 2023
A riveting story, a frightening local with gators, snakes, and evil lurking all around. Sophie has an unusual manner to calm and claim her suspects and you'll never guess how she does it. A potent beginning for dynamic new series. Recommended.
June 8, 2023
a great new series
Love reading Georgia , and this new series isn't a disappointing either, great strong characters and plenty of intrigue to keep you focused, can't wait to read the next one
Love reading Georgia , and this new series isn't a disappointing either, great strong characters and plenty of intrigue to keep you focused, can't wait to read the next one
August 25, 2023
Don’t think she knows Louisiana very well
Born and raised in south Louisiana and never heard crawfish called crawdads.
A fairly good plot. Interesting characters
A quick and easy read.
Born and raised in south Louisiana and never heard crawfish called crawdads.
A fairly good plot. Interesting characters
A quick and easy read.
August 26, 2023
WOW
This book was Fast paced but enthralling. The characters were great and loved the way they evolved during the course of the book. Definitely a must read…. Now I’m on to the next book. Well done!!!!
This book was Fast paced but enthralling. The characters were great and loved the way they evolved during the course of the book. Definitely a must read…. Now I’m on to the next book. Well done!!!!
December 24, 2023
Here now gone tomorrow or is he?
A story that keeps you wondering why this person is so deranged. What is the thrill he gets? Can it last for decades? Copycat? Or is he back to continue his murders fast as he can.? Are people safe even in their homes?
A story that keeps you wondering why this person is so deranged. What is the thrill he gets? Can it last for decades? Copycat? Or is he back to continue his murders fast as he can.? Are people safe even in their homes?
January 26, 2024
WOW!
Wall to wall excitement, A book you cannot put down. This is a well written, well researched story, that will keep your attention glued to its words, as you try to figure what is going to happen. This is my first, with
MS Wagner, but I look forward to reading her next book.
Wall to wall excitement, A book you cannot put down. This is a well written, well researched story, that will keep your attention glued to its words, as you try to figure what is going to happen. This is my first, with
MS Wagner, but I look forward to reading her next book.
February 4, 2024
Great!
Would have been even better I’d she had gotten the south Louisiana words right. We usually call the mud bugs crawfish, not crawdads. And we don’t see as many coral snakes as she implied, mostly water moccasins. Still a great read!
Would have been even better I’d she had gotten the south Louisiana words right. We usually call the mud bugs crawfish, not crawdads. And we don’t see as many coral snakes as she implied, mostly water moccasins. Still a great read!
May 31, 2024
Complex Plot with Numerous Twists
She’s an FBI consultant, former star of television and stage, and as hurt as a human can be. Yet she cannot stop looking anymore than those she chases can stop killing. It’s a great read.
She’s an FBI consultant, former star of television and stage, and as hurt as a human can be. Yet she cannot stop looking anymore than those she chases can stop killing. It’s a great read.
July 26, 2024
Keeping You Swimming for More
Having lived amongst the bayous of Louisiana and its people for a short time, this book took took me down a different side of the swamp and on the edge of my chair!
Having lived amongst the bayous of Louisiana and its people for a short time, this book took took me down a different side of the swamp and on the edge of my chair!
January 5, 2025
A very entertaining murder mystery, especially with the reminders of Sophie's sister's demise at the hands of a serial killer. Sophie's tentative relationship with her part-time partner Greer provided a good tension between the two. Book #2 is definite.
March 4, 2025
Very good
Good characteristics and unloved the setting with the marsh. Excited for the next books. Although a little kn the normal side it did have goodnwriting and good characteristics
Good characteristics and unloved the setting with the marsh. Excited for the next books. Although a little kn the normal side it did have goodnwriting and good characteristics
July 30, 2025
Good
This was an interesting storyline and the location is always good for descriptions of the waterways in Louisiana. The characters were a little non descript but they made the story interesting .
This was an interesting storyline and the location is always good for descriptions of the waterways in Louisiana. The characters were a little non descript but they made the story interesting .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews