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Macy Ellis Puget Sound Mystery #1
The Girl in Area One
A gruesome murder. A bone-chilling revelation. A race against time... Nurse Macy Ellis is piecing her life together in the small beach town of Hansville after her husband's betrayal left her single, drowning in debt, and caring for a neurotic Chihuahua she never knew she wanted. When she learns that the daughter of a high school classmate was found murdered in the forest near her home, the hair-raising details stir haunting memories. As a young crime reporter twenty years ago, Macy investigated the case of The Waxlace Strangler , a sadistic killer who murdered three teenaged girls in Seattle. Convinced the killer has resurfaced, Macy joins the Special Investigations Unit of the Washington State Patrol as a forensic nurse. But as she unravels the sinister web, she realizes that the killer's true motives are more twisted than she ever imagined.
This was a plan twenty years in the making.
This is the stuff of nightmares.
And it's only just begun...
This was a plan twenty years in the making.
This is the stuff of nightmares.
And it's only just begun...
- GenresMystery
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2023
155 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 10, 2023
Genre: Mystery/Thriller Series
Overview: A nurse with a suspended license is running her ex-husband's auto repair shop when she gets a chance to help the Washington State Patrol solve a murder.
Story: Macy Ellis is up to her neck in debt, lost her nursing license and single, all because of her ex-husband. She's running his auto repair business, because it helps her pay the bills and keeps her busy until she gets her license back, but it's not her first choice. When a young woman is murdered in the park near her home, she stumbles upon an opportunity to work with the Washington State Patrol to help bring the killer to justice.
Character: Macy's tough, sensible and grounded with a hint of wise ass. She's clever with an eye for detail and an asset to the investigation. I enjoyed the supporting cast, including the stereotypical hard-ass, politically motivated boss. Clint, the WSP Detective was interesting, as well as Kenny the ex and Bridget the daughter. And she makes a connection to the characters in her husband's (D. D. Black's Thomas Austin mystery series) when she goes to Austin's restaurant and his good looks catch Macy's eye.
Setting: Contemporary western Washington State
Language: Good storytelling, builds suspense nicely, some red herrings to throw us off the scent and generally keeps the reader turning pages to find out what happens next.
Overview: A nurse with a suspended license is running her ex-husband's auto repair shop when she gets a chance to help the Washington State Patrol solve a murder.
Story: Macy Ellis is up to her neck in debt, lost her nursing license and single, all because of her ex-husband. She's running his auto repair business, because it helps her pay the bills and keeps her busy until she gets her license back, but it's not her first choice. When a young woman is murdered in the park near her home, she stumbles upon an opportunity to work with the Washington State Patrol to help bring the killer to justice.
Character: Macy's tough, sensible and grounded with a hint of wise ass. She's clever with an eye for detail and an asset to the investigation. I enjoyed the supporting cast, including the stereotypical hard-ass, politically motivated boss. Clint, the WSP Detective was interesting, as well as Kenny the ex and Bridget the daughter. And she makes a connection to the characters in her husband's (D. D. Black's Thomas Austin mystery series) when she goes to Austin's restaurant and his good looks catch Macy's eye.
Setting: Contemporary western Washington State
Language: Good storytelling, builds suspense nicely, some red herrings to throw us off the scent and generally keeps the reader turning pages to find out what happens next.
June 12, 2023
I thought to check out the first chapter of this debut mystery series and get a feel for the book during a breather before dinner and ended up still reading at bedtime. The pace and the tension are so high, the story so intriguing, and the writing so good that I kept wanting more.
The meme of the Mom who shoulds is priceless, and the laugh-out-loud parts surprised me because I rarely find laughs even when a book with fraught themes is said to have hilarious moments.
A convicted killer now free and a suspect in a new murder sets up the mystery for a would-be forensic nurse to help solve. I wondered what a “forensic nurse” is and hope to find out in the next book. In this one, the suspect is shown as a troubled man who has a story, and I liked the respect shown to him by telling his story. Stories and secrets make super novels!
When crime accounts are set in small towns, we want to feel like we know all the people there and we sure do feel we know them here. On the other hand, the intriguing section titles show the larger nursing profession frame and set a big scaffold for a fat twisty plot.
I’m glad to see that the next book in this series will be here soon and I cannot wait!
The meme of the Mom who shoulds is priceless, and the laugh-out-loud parts surprised me because I rarely find laughs even when a book with fraught themes is said to have hilarious moments.
A convicted killer now free and a suspect in a new murder sets up the mystery for a would-be forensic nurse to help solve. I wondered what a “forensic nurse” is and hope to find out in the next book. In this one, the suspect is shown as a troubled man who has a story, and I liked the respect shown to him by telling his story. Stories and secrets make super novels!
When crime accounts are set in small towns, we want to feel like we know all the people there and we sure do feel we know them here. On the other hand, the intriguing section titles show the larger nursing profession frame and set a big scaffold for a fat twisty plot.
I’m glad to see that the next book in this series will be here soon and I cannot wait!
August 5, 2023
Review of the Girl In Area One by Eva Blue
This is a story about a serial killer of young women. What motivates such a man? Why only young women? Is this a killer deranged to the point of no recovery, or does the killer appear normal and successful in his every day life, but has this one unspeakably horrid impulse? Does this person have children, perhaps the parent of a young woman himself? Read this story and the answers will be revealed in ways that will surprise you.
This is the first book that I have read by Eva Blue and I am so impressed by her abilities as a new author! She has the ability to put you in the midst of the action, whether it is endearing, reckless, or scary as heck. Her characters are well defined and real to the reader.
If you are ready to read a mystery that holds your attention from page one to the very last page, don’t pass this one by. You will not be disappointed by this all-encompassing story. It is truly a page turner.
I highly recommend this story.
Fritzi Redgrave
This is a story about a serial killer of young women. What motivates such a man? Why only young women? Is this a killer deranged to the point of no recovery, or does the killer appear normal and successful in his every day life, but has this one unspeakably horrid impulse? Does this person have children, perhaps the parent of a young woman himself? Read this story and the answers will be revealed in ways that will surprise you.
This is the first book that I have read by Eva Blue and I am so impressed by her abilities as a new author! She has the ability to put you in the midst of the action, whether it is endearing, reckless, or scary as heck. Her characters are well defined and real to the reader.
If you are ready to read a mystery that holds your attention from page one to the very last page, don’t pass this one by. You will not be disappointed by this all-encompassing story. It is truly a page turner.
I highly recommend this story.
Fritzi Redgrave
June 19, 2023
Non-stop intrigue and some mental wrangling…
Beautifully and creatively composed, this story sets itself apart from other mysteries. The characters have depth and the descriptive writing is engaging from start to finish. As to how much was authored by the Mr. or Mrs., I couldn’t tell but it made for a wonderful collaborate team. I do believe that Eva Blue infuses something fresh and exciting into her writing and hubby makes for an excellent editor. I loved reading this book and very much look forward to this series. If it continues to add original twists it will be a winner.
Macy Ellis is certainly someone I would like to spend more time with. Her survival and intuitive instincts are good. Now, having found new purpose, she just might be onto an exciting and fulfilling new path in life – one we can discover together with more good writing to come…I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Beautifully and creatively composed, this story sets itself apart from other mysteries. The characters have depth and the descriptive writing is engaging from start to finish. As to how much was authored by the Mr. or Mrs., I couldn’t tell but it made for a wonderful collaborate team. I do believe that Eva Blue infuses something fresh and exciting into her writing and hubby makes for an excellent editor. I loved reading this book and very much look forward to this series. If it continues to add original twists it will be a winner.
Macy Ellis is certainly someone I would like to spend more time with. Her survival and intuitive instincts are good. Now, having found new purpose, she just might be onto an exciting and fulfilling new path in life – one we can discover together with more good writing to come…I received an arc and this is my honest and voluntary review.
August 21, 2023
This is an engrossing mystery with well-developed, engaging characters which hits all the right notes for a police procedural. Also, being a retired nurse, I approach medical thrillers and books with nurses as the main character with a jaundiced eye. Too many times the details are kicked to the side in order to create dramatic effect. However, Ms. Blue hits all those details right. Well, except for the police department hiring Macy without first verifying that her license was in fact valid. But I can understand why it was done that way. Otherwise, the story would have ended before it really began.
Having read D.D. Black's Austin series, I was familiar with the setting of the story and it was enjoyable to see some of those characters mentioned. It gave the story a feeling of familiarity. I think Ms. Blue has a winning series on her hands and I look forward to whatever comes next.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion.
Having read D.D. Black's Austin series, I was familiar with the setting of the story and it was enjoyable to see some of those characters mentioned. It gave the story a feeling of familiarity. I think Ms. Blue has a winning series on her hands and I look forward to whatever comes next.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion.
January 11, 2025
The story was good, I live in the P.N.W. so to have a story in my neck of the woods was a joy to read. There are a few books written with Seattle as a back drop, having the Western side of the area as a main point was great. One of the down sizes of the story for me was the crazy banter... Even rereading it I still never understood what it was. I know the mind of a killer is crazy but that does not mean I understand it when I am to read it. The other downsize for me was the hiring process that was described in the book. Not at all believable for me. Otherwise the mystery was good and I enjoyed the writing with the exception of noted above. I do look forward to the next one.
September 19, 2023
I grew up in Kitsap County so I am a sucker for books set there, but this would be a great book no matter where it was set.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Thomas Austin mystery series and was excited about this new series set in the same town. Macy Ellis is a great protagonist, I love the depth of her character as we get to know her. The mystery was good too, Macy's past coming back to present in unexpected ways with a a few twists I didnt see coming.
Happy to have two new series now and looking forward to the next chapter in them both!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Thomas Austin mystery series and was excited about this new series set in the same town. Macy Ellis is a great protagonist, I love the depth of her character as we get to know her. The mystery was good too, Macy's past coming back to present in unexpected ways with a a few twists I didnt see coming.
Happy to have two new series now and looking forward to the next chapter in them both!
June 8, 2025
Because this is the author's debut title, I'm going to cut a little slack - but I'm surprised at the number of 5-star reviews this book has gotten. I read it just a week ago, and it made such a small impression I can't even remember the details of the storyline without reading Amazon's narrative.
Hard to believe scenarios, characters introduced in the second to last chapter (? What's with that?) made the story hard to follow, and seemed a bit disjointed. Not sure there was enough to interest me in the next in the series.
Hard to believe scenarios, characters introduced in the second to last chapter (? What's with that?) made the story hard to follow, and seemed a bit disjointed. Not sure there was enough to interest me in the next in the series.
July 5, 2023
What a surprise!
True confession, I only picked up this novel because it was written by a friend of mine, a talented, somewhat quirky nurse I once worked with in home health. What a surprise, I could not put the novel down! Well-crafted with interesting characters and unexpected plot twists as well as a deft use of language, I loved this book. Can't wait for the sequel! Bravo, Eva!
True confession, I only picked up this novel because it was written by a friend of mine, a talented, somewhat quirky nurse I once worked with in home health. What a surprise, I could not put the novel down! Well-crafted with interesting characters and unexpected plot twists as well as a deft use of language, I loved this book. Can't wait for the sequel! Bravo, Eva!
July 8, 2023
This book is a true sit-on-the-edge of your seater. It's such a good story with really likeable characters. I enjoyed Macy's quirky personality. She's fun. The story itself totally held my interest. I found it hard to put it down. As an added bonus, I loved it was written about an area I live close to & visit regularly. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
January 6, 2024
Love the characters and there dynamic as a team.
I enjoyed the story line although it was a bit confusing at the beginning of the story and I don't like when they refer to someone a100 pages back. I'm old and forgetful and like the story to flow and not be reminded of an 100 page ago character that I can't recall . overall I enjoyed the story
I enjoyed the story line although it was a bit confusing at the beginning of the story and I don't like when they refer to someone a100 pages back. I'm old and forgetful and like the story to flow and not be reminded of an 100 page ago character that I can't recall . overall I enjoyed the story
February 3, 2024
Great storytelling & characters I cared about
I enjoyed this story. The setting is opposite of the desert where I live and the descriptions touched my senses. The characters are flawed & feel like real people. And best of all the ending was not the least bit predictable. Well done!!!
I enjoyed this story. The setting is opposite of the desert where I live and the descriptions touched my senses. The characters are flawed & feel like real people. And best of all the ending was not the least bit predictable. Well done!!!
July 3, 2024
Okay, obviously I read this because it is a mystery set in the Puget Sound area. There aren't as many of these as I might think. The set up is reasonable, motivation for involvement, capturing local area. The book did a decent job giving us Kitsap without being kitchy.
And, overall, I thought it was well done.
And, overall, I thought it was well done.
September 13, 2024
Good Yarn in a New Seies
Set in the Pacific Northwest like fellow author DD Black, this is an excellent novel in a new series. Eva Blue set the scene and developed the characters perfectly. Sense of place is equally well done. I’m already attached to the main characters and look forward to the next 2 novels in her series—and many, many more after that.
Set in the Pacific Northwest like fellow author DD Black, this is an excellent novel in a new series. Eva Blue set the scene and developed the characters perfectly. Sense of place is equally well done. I’m already attached to the main characters and look forward to the next 2 novels in her series—and many, many more after that.
June 15, 2023
Intriguing storyline with surprising plot twists. Interesting characters. This is the first book I've read by the author. The beginning of what appears to be a great series. I like the authors writing style.
June 15, 2023
A very promising new writer
Here is a complex story, well told. As a resident of the part of Washington in which this book is set, I very much appreciated the flavor of our area that the book presents. I look forward to being able to continue with this series.
Here is a complex story, well told. As a resident of the part of Washington in which this book is set, I very much appreciated the flavor of our area that the book presents. I look forward to being able to continue with this series.
June 26, 2023
Got sucked in and couldn't put it down
This is a wonderful book. I was sucked in and could not put it down!
The fact that I know all the landmarks the author gave with lush detail ,made it riveting. The characters were so real.
Great read!
This is a wonderful book. I was sucked in and could not put it down!
The fact that I know all the landmarks the author gave with lush detail ,made it riveting. The characters were so real.
Great read!
August 2, 2023
Very interesting ending!
I really enjoyed this read. Thought it was going to be less thrilling than it was. Which is always a good surprise. The humor threw me off, because the end was anything but humorous. Enjoyed it! Thanks!
I really enjoyed this read. Thought it was going to be less thrilling than it was. Which is always a good surprise. The humor threw me off, because the end was anything but humorous. Enjoyed it! Thanks!
August 21, 2023
Great read. Takes place in Washington State. Macy and her husband Kenny have separated and she is trying to get started on a new life. A local murder connects her with law enforcement and the start of a new profession for her. Story keeps you on your toes till the end.
October 18, 2023
Great story line
The Girl From Area One is a fast paced page turner. Macy Ellis offers a complex heroin, in an interesting plot. I'm definitely going to follow up on the next book. Yup, it's that good.
The Girl From Area One is a fast paced page turner. Macy Ellis offers a complex heroin, in an interesting plot. I'm definitely going to follow up on the next book. Yup, it's that good.
January 6, 2024
Missing something
There seemed to be a general feeling of that missing piece. What it was/is I don't exactly know. Just a feeling of lacking or a certain flow. Readable but not note worthy.
There seemed to be a general feeling of that missing piece. What it was/is I don't exactly know. Just a feeling of lacking or a certain flow. Readable but not note worthy.
February 12, 2024
Great Northwest America mystery
I am always looking for new authors to read and Eva Blue is a good one! I have only read this first book by her but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Well written and well developed characters with room to add more to their individual story!
I am always looking for new authors to read and Eva Blue is a good one! I have only read this first book by her but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Well written and well developed characters with room to add more to their individual story!
February 20, 2024
This book is a fantastic beginning to what promises to be a great mystery series. Macy Ellis is a wonderful character. Likable, relatable...she's real. The story had me pulled in right from the beginning. The next book can't come soon enough. Highly recommended read!
April 23, 2024
This book was an easy read and felt like an episode of Law & Order. Some of the scenarios are outlandish but entertaining. I was hoping to read the next in the series but can’t seem to find it anywhere. If you like crime tv dramas then you will get a kick out of this book!
May 14, 2025
I really liked this one and I am excited to read more of these! I am from the PNW so it was really cool to have something feel relatable and know the places being talked about! Great build up and good ending. 4.5 hours to read and that was with kids distracting me!
June 13, 2023
This was a good book, I especially love the main character and she's quite a character! Looking forward to #2 :)
July 23, 2023
great book
I loved everything in this book. I’ve been reading her husband’s books and I can’t put them down. DD Black
I loved everything in this book. I’ve been reading her husband’s books and I can’t put them down. DD Black
August 1, 2023
Is it time to start over?
This book was pretty good. The story was an easy read and it flowed well. Macy's emotions were all over the place, but the mystery was solved.
This book was pretty good. The story was an easy read and it flowed well. Macy's emotions were all over the place, but the mystery was solved.
November 4, 2023
I finished this whole book in one sitting. The characters were interesting, and the mystery had me guessing and theorizing along with them. I would die for Gonzo the dog. I love him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews