Where You Go

Kelly Cruz #1

by Rylie Dark

Bounty hunter Kelly Cruz, with her dark past, is as tough as they come, working solo given her aversion towards authority, living in a bad neighborhood with her rescue pitbull and refusing to take a fee. But when a desperate father comes knocking with a one million dollar bounty, pleading with her to find his daughter, who he insists was taken by a serial killer, a case ignored by the FBI, Kelly can’t resist.

What follows is a non-stop action thriller, as Kelly must not only enter the mind of a diabolical killer and anticipate his every move, but use her fists and her ruthless, no-holds-barred approach to go places and use ruthless tactics that even the FBI wouldn’t dare…

WHERE YOU GO is book #1 in a new series by #1 bestselling and critically acclaimed mystery and suspense author Rylie Dark, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.

A cat-and-mouse thriller with harrowing twists and turns and filled with heart-pounding suspense, the Kelly Cruz mystery series offers a fresh twist on the genre as it introduces two brilliant protagonists who will make you fall in love and keep you turning pages late into the night.

Future books in the series are also available.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Amazon, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 27, 2023

About the author

Rylie Dark is author of the SADIE PRICE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the CARLY SEE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the MIA NORTH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the MORGAN STARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); of the HAILEY ROCK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting),of the TARA STRONG MYSTERY series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the ALEX QUINN SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting).

Rylie loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.ryliedark.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.

BOOKS BY RYLIE DARK

ALEX QUINN SUSPENSE THRILLER

FIRST, MURDER (Book #1)

SECOND, DEATH (Book #2)

THIRD, ENVY (Book #3)

FOURTH, LUST (Book #4)

FIFTH, WRATH (Book #5)

HAILEY ROCK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

BEHIND YOU (Book #1)

BESIDE YOU (Book #2)

AFTER YOU (Book #3)

WATCHING YOU (Book #4)

JUDGING YOU (Book #5)

TARA STRONG MYSTERY

GIRL WITHOUT A CHANCE (Book #1)

GIRL WITHOUT A HOME (Book #2)

GIRL WITHOUT A TRACE (Book #3)

GIRL WITHOUT A NAME (Book #4)

GIRL WITHOUT A PRAYER (Book #5)

SADIE PRICE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

ONLY MURDER (Book #1)

ONLY RAGE (Book #2)

ONLY HIS (Book #3)

ONLY ONCE (Book #4)

ONLY SPITE (Book #5)

ONLY MADNESS (Book #6)

MIA NORTH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SEE HER RUN (Book #1)

SEE HER HIDE (Book #2)

SEE HER SCREAM (Book #3)

SEE HER VANISH (Book #4)

SEE HER GONE (Book #5)

SEE HER DEAD (Book #6)

CARLY SEE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

NO WAY OUT (Book #1)

NO WAY BACK (Book #2)

NO WAY HOME (Book #3)

NO WAY LEFT (Book #4)

NO WAY UP (Book #5)

NO WAY TO DIE (Book #6)

MORGAN STARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

TOO LATE (Book #1)

TOO CLOSE (Book #2)

TOO FAR GONE (Book #3)

TOO LOST (Book #4)

TOO BROKEN (Book #5)

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay. Felt very similar to other stories I read, minus the pitbull. The entire time all I kept thinking about is how when she is gone forever and comes back to the hotel room, she plops down kibble, briefly talks to dog, dog knows she's upset and tries to comfort her, and they go to bed. Like, he's been in a hotel room for how many hours and you HAVE to tell us you fed him dinner, but DON'T tell us you took him outside to do his business? Oh. If that is what I was thinking about the whole time, maybe I should round it down?

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can't give up

Another great read. Kelly Cruz doesn't play by the rules. She does things her way and in this case it might just save a young girl's life. But will she be able to find her in time? How Dar will she go to find justice?
Kelly is strong woman that has one weakest and she won't stop until she finds out the truth about her sister. Bully is a welcome distraction

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable with potential

The plot of this book moved along at a good pace but was somewhat predictable. That being said, I may well purchase and read another of Rylie Dark’s books. I think the main character, Kelly Cruz, has potential and I would like to see what happens to her next.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is this book about the most recent kidnapped 18 year old girl, Bridget Cooper or about Kelly's kidnapped and never found sister Alice? Yes, Kelly focused on Bridget's, Kimberly's & Layla's kidnappings. But with every decision, every step Kelly took, the story felt to me to be more about Alice than Bridget. Esp. When it seemed Alice was the more prominent focus, her being mentioned every 2-3 pages.

The book is a fast read. I didn't notice any misspellings, grammar, or punctuation errors. This said, I am so thoroughly sick and tired of every cop, every FBI agent or in Kelly's situation, a private investigator having the same, more than overused and well worn out trope of the main character's backstory involving a missing or murdered sister! Why can't the main character just be a clean good guy or gal, who's doing the job without any baggage? If nothing else and the writer "has to have" a tragic story as the backstory, at least it up to be a missing brother or a killed parent. Enough with the kidnapped/never found SISTER backstory!!

[Johna]

bounty hunter lady get hired to find a mans dughter - for 1 mill - FBI isn't finding anything - she ends up figureing out that is is an older man kidnpping girls to use their tears to help him stay young - she sets up a date with a man whp has contact with all victomes - meets him for a date - he realizes she isnt the 18 year old girl he thought she was by her photos - he runs - she chases - he hids in the dark - attacks her and takes her back to his home - basment - where the girl she was hired to find is there - she ends up being able to attack (and kill) the guy - all escape -
she is then offered a job with the FBI but she can't tell anyon e- hasn't decided.
Guess I have to read book 2

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bounty hunter turned under the table Fed! I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading #2. Wouldn’t it be interesting if her sister is actually still alive and she finds her!

[Rebecca Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylie Dark’s Where You Go is one of those books that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. It’s a thriller, sure, but it’s also so much more than that. The story is packed with suspense and twists that keep you guessing, but what got me was how emotional it felt. It’s not just about solving a mystery — it’s about the characters, their struggles, and the choices they make along the way. The main character is someone you can’t help but root for. They’re flawed and real, and their journey is as much about figuring out themselves as it is about unraveling the mystery at the heart of the story. The supporting characters are just as well-written, adding layers to the plot and making the whole world feel alive. Rylie Dark has a way of making you care about everyone, even the smaller roles. The pacing is perfect — fast enough to keep you hooked but with enough quiet moments to let the story breathe. And those twists! Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, the book throws you a curveball. The ending was so satisfying, but it also left me thinking about it for days afterward. It’s one of those stories that sticks with you. If I had to nitpick, I’d say there were a few moments where the emotional weight felt a little heavy, but that’s also what makes the book so memorable. It’s not just a thriller; it’s a story about loss, hope, and finding your way, and that’s what makes it stand out. If you’re into psychological thrillers with heart, this is one to pick up. Rylie Dark has a real talent for storytelling, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. Recommend!

[Judi Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st in a series about bounty hunter, Kelly Cruz. Kelly takes jobs where she brings criminals in and she is good at it. She lives alone in a small apartment above a mechanic shop, with her pitbull, Bully.

Her next case is one that will hit home to her. Kelly's sister, Alice was taken years before and her body has never been found. The man that was accused of kidnapping her is in prison and Kelly spends time visiting him and trying to find out where Alice might be. Now, a man has come to ask her to take a case of his missing daughter. She has been missing for two weeks and so far the FBI haven't found her or told him anything. He wants to hire Kelly, for a million dollars..But, Kelly, doesn't do it for the money, she wants to find his daughter for him. She takes the case but will only takes a retainer fee for her expenses. Arriving in Houston, with Bully, she finds a room and takes the case.

When the FBI contacts her there, she finds out that they think this is a serial killer and might be tied to Alice's disappearance. The cases are too similar. Can Kelly find the killer or will she be in the fight for her life!

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When bounty hunter, Kelly Cruz is asked to find the kidnapped daughter of a wealthy businessman, her first inclination is to refuse. But looking into the eyes of the grieving father, Kelly can't bring herself to refuse her help. Kelly finds herself caught up in the life or death hunt for a serial killer, who is preying on innocent young women. Can she find and stop him before he takes another young life? This is an exciting, unpredictable story that will keep you glued to the page till the conclusion.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly has a fractured past with the disintegration of her family after her sister disappears, she is a relentless bounty hunter with too much of a liking to drinking whiskey and an adrenaline junkie. She is determined to help find the culprit who is abducting girls who are ready to go to university and killing them after she is contacted by the father of one of them. The story has a lot of action, a cute dog, and an unexpected alliance with the FBI. Good start to a new series!

[Graeme Hodgson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same old, same old - a lone individually spirited female outwits even the FBI and, of course faced the abductor/murderer and after the usual fight end up killing the murdered and rescuing the last victim.
I guess all the free crime books are really along the same theme. Unfortunately, as a retired pensioner in South Africa, I can not afford to pay the required dollar price for other books! - so I guess I will just go on enjoying the same old, same old!!!!!

[Beth Casas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a slow start but built up to an exciting ending that leaves the door open for the high probability that this is a part of a series. Okay, it is a part of a series. 😂 I think that as we continue reading books in the Kelly Cruz series, we will get to know her better and hopefully 🤞🏻find out that her sister Alice is, by some MIRACLE, still alive!
This was a good book that was worth reading and I can see myself reading more of these books in the future!

[Cynthia A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is Kelly capable of murder

Alice had disappeared, but never found. This is the reason her sister
Kelly became a PI. Hired to find a missing girl, she kept thinking about her sister Alice. She kept skirting the law to find the missing girl, but did not give up.
The story is somewhat different from a hunt for a killer, but I did enjoy the story.

[Lorrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ The story was better than I thought it would be. But it lost me at the end when this woman who has no money doesn’t want to take the $1 million fee she’s been promised because it feels like ‘tainted money.’ WTF. Woman is a P.I., this is her job. Also as someone else commented in their review, she was constantly feeding her dog, but never once took it out for a walk.

[Steven Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery book

The book where you go is a great mystery thriller book. It is well written with very few typos in it and keep you wondering what's going to happen next. If you enjoy a good mystery and a good read I recommend this book to you.

[Betty Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting Read

As I began to read this book, I didn't think I liked it. But as I cannot start a book without finishing. I kept reading and finally it got a hold on me. It was exciting the way the murderer was found. Try it, you'll see exactly what I mean!

[Thomas Lennek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thriller with a most human lead.

Fast moving story with a "warts and all" private investigator/bounty hunter. No smooth talking Spenser, just a hard working woman grinding though leads trying to find a kidnapped victim. I found it a solid, satisfying read.

[Opal Sibley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pageturner

Unusual to have the main character have problems she’s dealing with. This was so well written. I get immersed in what the characters are doing and I’m never disappointed with this author.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy tagging along with Rylie Dark's characters. Where You Go had me engaged throughout. I like that the plot is to the point and stays on track. There is no filler. If you are a sucker for a FBI mystery you may enjoy this one.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I'm giving this book a four star rating. The book was exciting all the way through. I can't wait to see the new book in this series..you can't help to feel the star of the books pain. Read it and see if you don't lime it too

[Helen O'Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't great 😕. It was the first book in a series. But I don't think that I will be reading anymore of the series. It is about a PI/bounty hunter looking for a missing girl that may have been abducted by a serial killer.

[Dave Kaverman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great Series!

The Kelly Cruz series is the second Rylie Dark series I have tried over the last two weeks. Both have been great. Kelly is an interesting, well done character. I look forward to the other books in the series.

[Augusto Delgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page twister

Does Kelly Cruz come from the same place many “nouvelle noir” independent PI’s before her? Never mind, in spite of the similarities she’s still her own. Here’s hoping she will remain away from the three letters agency’s grasp and don’t help those porcine lot.

[Diane K Riedl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never an answer.

Kelly Cruz is an interesting,character driven by her past. An easy read but sad that she is driven to continue chasing him. He ruined a part of her life. Can she get her answers?

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially I enjoyed this book, it had a fast pace, and I was sucked in to the story. As I got closer to the end, it started feeling juvenile. The story line ended a bit too quickly, and the majority of the end was a set up for the next book. I don’t think I’ll continue with this series.

[Mickie Danner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serial killer

A very fast moving story..keeps you wanting to read more. A little short and really wanted Kelly to find her sister and move on with the FBI gig., keeps you on the edge of your seat.

[Black Butterfly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I WAS A BIT DISSAPOINTED IN THIS, IT SOUNDED GOOD BUT. I WAS AT 63% AND WAS STILL WAITING FOR IT TO PICKUP. MEH! CHARACTER IS KINDA BORING AND SO IS THE STORYLINE. REPETATIVE AND SLOW WITH A VERY UNBELIEVABLE LEAD CHARACTER. SORRY NOT FOR ME. ;<

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free audio book . Not a bad short story .

[Summer Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to this author. Will definitely be reading more of their books.

[Catalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, and entertaining. Definitely leaves you wanting more because it ends with some more open mysteries. I might have to check out the sequel sometime.