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Ava James FBI #9

Behind the Mask

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Every small town has its secrets. This secret is worth taking lives for....

After saving Molly from a trafficking ring and reuniting with her mother, FBI agent Ava James feels as though she has found true happiness.
While having a family dinner, Ava receives a call from an old friend...with some bad news.

Every Halloween, teen girls from the rural Vermont town are going missing. Each year more than the last. Did the teens simply run away from home? Or is something far more sinister at play?

With no bodies to be found, it seems as though the teens simply just vanished. At her friend's urging and with only 11 days until Hollow’s Eve, Ava goes to Pine Bend, Vermont to investigate the disappearances.

A phantom serial killer, smugglers, a weird Wicca club, and annoying youth groups. Pine Bend is a town full of weirdos. And behind a mask, anyone can hide in plain sight.

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2023

405 people are currently reading
311 people want to read

About the author

A.J. Rivers

151 books1,549 followers

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5 stars
1,107 (69%)
4 stars
350 (22%)
3 stars
105 (6%)
2 stars
13 (<1%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
419 reviews4 followers
September 24, 2023
Behind the Mask(Ava James FBI Mystery Book 9)

OMG!!!!!!!!! This book was amazing, at first I thought it could be that religious young man, he had a temper. Then I didn't know, who else it could be. Ava questioned a lot of people, she did try and keep a low profile, like she told the sheriff she would. It just amazed me that the sheriff didn't put the 6 disappearances together herself. It's sad that the person who did put it together was labeled "crazy and a troubled woman. " It is also sad that 4 more girls had to disappear and subsequently murdered, before the killers are caught. I can't wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for Karen Wright.
605 reviews4 followers
September 26, 2023
I couldn't put this down. Ava James is back again desperately trying to prevent a killer from striking again this Halloween. I love that there is another character from Ava's past being introduced into the story. It would have been nice to see more of Ava's team at the FBI involved but I love how Ashton played such a big role in this case. Despite Mills resisting the idea of anything wrong in her small town, I love how things ended. I am anxious to read Ava's next adventure.
Profile Image for Diana.
476 reviews12 followers
September 17, 2023
Savage boys

A gruesome story about how evil people can be and for no reason at all. There way of finding fun with their twisted minds. A page turner for sure. Well written to keep you interested until the very snd .
I have always enjoyed AJ Rivers books. Will keep looking for more. Recommended to all
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,627 reviews8 followers
September 23, 2023
Yikes

Another gruesome, gory who-done-it playing fast-and-loose with investigational procedures and using economic vagaries of rural life to transparently advance minor plot points.

Didn’t much care for this outing; the storytelling lacked some depth (or my bad mood might have something to do with that feeling).
3 reviews
October 10, 2023
What a great read! I couldn't put the book down, but for a few minutes. Loved the story line & the sheffit matching wits with Ava. The contrast of a small town police work to the way the towns functions was right on point. Looking forward to more Ava James stories in the future. Really captivating again.
1,507 reviews7 followers
September 15, 2023
Behind the Mask

OMG. I could not put this book down. Best thriller I have read in a long while. This is a great mystery filled with intrigue. I read this book in one night could not put it down. I highly recommend this book . Can't wait for the next book in this series.
34 reviews
September 23, 2023
Another Great One

The Ava James series is getting to be one of my favorites. She's so rigid and opinionated that makes a character perfect for contrast with others. The Molly situation slowly developing throughout the series keeps the reader wanting more.
2 reviews
September 24, 2023
As always A.j. Rivers doesn't disappoint!

Another fantastic, gruesome tale. Ava's stories never disappoint. Well written, action packed and kept me guessing until the end. Overall another win by this fantastic author.
119 reviews
September 26, 2023
Outstanding

Just finished this latest book in the Ava James series and truly was not disappointed. It is so well written with all the twists and turns it is impossible to put it down. I look forward to book 10.





179 reviews
September 29, 2023
More Than Twisted

I loved and hated this book. The horror was hard to stomach and fascinating. The cruelty unimaginable. The storyline seemingly impossible. Ava isn’t your usual heroine but she is effective.
Profile Image for Kelly Smelcer.
404 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2023
Loved it!

Young women are going missing around Halloween in a small Vermont town, and FBI Agent Ava James is called in to assist. Did they disappear, or is there something more nefarious going on?
Profile Image for Tamara.
1,153 reviews6 followers
May 9, 2024
wowzer

A.J. rivers writes an interesting tale… this one could have gone on for years without answers if the lead character hadn’t pushed hard for answers. Highly recommend the series..
38 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2024
Wow

Ava is slowly starting to grow on me. The dynamics aren't quite there as they are with Ema and the gang, but she's beginning to show character. I enjoyed this one, as much as the content allows. Especially Mills, coming from a small town myself it was pretty spot on.
51 reviews
August 23, 2025
Well heck

Oh my gosh! This was a great read. Ava at her best. A.J. sure knows how to write the best books. I won't give away anything but every one needs the read this book number 9.
737 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2023
This was a outstanding story but gruesome with killers doing unspeakable things to their victims. This story had lots of suspense and drama. Thank you.
133 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2023
Tense

Very tense and emotional thriller, with the well developed characters.
This story is suspenseful till the very end. Well written. Thank you.
Profile Image for Patt.
466 reviews6 followers
September 22, 2023
I loved this book except when it got near the end. The gory descriptions of the bodies were a little too much for me in this book, but the storyline was great as usual.
13 reviews
September 26, 2023
Exciting story!

Loved this book. It was a quick read and storyline was well done. Kept me guessing until last few chapters.
2 reviews
September 27, 2023
Excellent book

This is a great series. Keeps you captive from the start. Would recommend the series to anyone, that likes a good mystery!
11 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2023
I love the Ava James books. But I think there was a big mistake in this one. Ava is a FBI agent and she doesn't know about chloroform?? That was a big glaring problem. Otherwise another great story.
399 reviews4 followers
November 30, 2023
Great Reading

Physcotic! Evil! Sad to think there are people like this in the real world. Very well written and hard to put down. Enjoy!9
61 reviews1 follower
November 30, 2023
Disappointing.

Not much to catch your interest in this book. Just fluff that wants to be presumed a mystery. Skip it.
Profile Image for Tian Scheer.
3 reviews
April 8, 2024
Love her books

Great read highly recommend it. I find the books draw the reader into Ava's world. Read them all you won't be sorry
2,939 reviews38 followers
June 1, 2024
Very good mystery. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Ashlee Bates.
37 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2024
another good read

I’ve loved all the Ava James books so far. This one was a little more gruesome than the others but just as good. She always gets her killer!
16 reviews
June 9, 2024
NOT the best

I had a very hard time getting into this one. I have enjoyed each Ava James book this far. Hope the next is more like books 1-8.
Profile Image for Mary.
9 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2023
Realistic!

While we all want happy endings, too often the ending is heartbreaking. Fascinating look at a small town. I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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