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Emma Griffin FBI Mysteries #24
The Girl and the Unexpected Gifts
The holidays in Sherwood are merry, until the unexpected gifts arrived…
It’s that time of the year again in the quaint town of Sherwood.
The festivities are just about to commence.
But this year, everyone is cautious. As FBI agent Emma Griffin and her family are trying to enjoy the holidays together, a serial-killer is stalking Sherwood.
Leaving behind gift-wrapped horrors beneath the trees in various public places.
But Emma refuses to let her entire Christmas be stolen. As she attempts to unravel tangles that are more complicated than any Christmas light strands, she gets a reminder of Feather Nest and the most surprising package of all.
This season, expect the unexpected.
It’s that time of the year again in the quaint town of Sherwood.
The festivities are just about to commence.
But this year, everyone is cautious. As FBI agent Emma Griffin and her family are trying to enjoy the holidays together, a serial-killer is stalking Sherwood.
Leaving behind gift-wrapped horrors beneath the trees in various public places.
But Emma refuses to let her entire Christmas be stolen. As she attempts to unravel tangles that are more complicated than any Christmas light strands, she gets a reminder of Feather Nest and the most surprising package of all.
This season, expect the unexpected.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2023
664 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 30, 2023
As usual, this Emma Griffin book does not disappoint. Unfortunately, though, as Emma plans to spend time with Sam for the holidays, her plans fall through. She truly has a gift to solve these horrific crimes, and I don't think she will ever go long before finding herself in a new investigation constantly. As she wraps up the current case though, she is reminded of her past which just reinforces the idea that she will never relax and have a peaceful life. Especially since there is still hidden danger for her.
The same regular characters are back, and hopefully, a new one is going to be a repeat one, Cupcake. She seems to really have a connection and somewhat understand Xavier. Him and Dean add a lot to the ongoing story. The story is well written, and interesting. Somehow, after all the books in the series, the story is always exciting and unique. Readers are quickly drawn into the story.
The story is pretty much wrapped up at the end, but due to other factors, I am left wanting more and looking towards the next book.
The same regular characters are back, and hopefully, a new one is going to be a repeat one, Cupcake. She seems to really have a connection and somewhat understand Xavier. Him and Dean add a lot to the ongoing story. The story is well written, and interesting. Somehow, after all the books in the series, the story is always exciting and unique. Readers are quickly drawn into the story.
The story is pretty much wrapped up at the end, but due to other factors, I am left wanting more and looking towards the next book.
June 15, 2024
Read 2024 - 3/5
This book starts off around the holiday season. Emma, Sam, Dean and Xavier are getting ready for Christmas by shopping and getting into the spirit at a Christmas themed market in Sherwood. While there, a little boy discovers a silver wrapped box with a human heart inside, that was placed by an unknown person under the big Christmas tree.
Next, a set of lungs are found in the same silver wrapped box under a tree in a newer hotel downtown. With this discovery, Sam wants the case turned over to the FBI and it does with Emma leading the case. The medical examiner determines these organs are not from the same person, the heart to a male and the lungs to a female.
After the heart and lungs are found, a set of eyeballs are found in a Christmas store at the mall and Emma is no closer to finding out who these body parts belong to and who is the one leaving these 'gifts'. She has tried to track down a couple leads, but so far, they haven't led her anywhere. Then Emma gets a call from Sam at the station saying that a couple came in to report their granddaughter, Trisha, missing. Then Emma discovers that Trisha's boyfriend, Tyler, is also missing. While a group of kids are ice skating on a frozen pond near their grandparents' house, there is an incident when the ice cracks and one boy almost drowns and is saved but they find a dead body of a man in the pond with a hole in his chest.
The man in the pond turns out to be a college professor, Jesse. And the heart that Emma found belongs to Jesse. Then it’s discovered that Jesse’s wife, Kristie, is missing. But then she is found dead and the lungs belong to her. Next, Tyler is found dead and the eyeballs belonged to him. Trisha is still missing. But then they find a severed tongue in another silver wrapped box at a hospital. Emma is very concerned for Trisha now. She goes to talk to Tyler’s mom who tells her that Kylie, a girl who attends the college Jesse taught at, is actually Tyler’s ex girlfriend and she didn’t take the break up well.
Emma is now honing in on Kylie. She is Tyler’s ex, mad about his new relationship with Trisha. She was Jesse’s teaching assistant and it’s pretty obvious that he was her boyfriend but he was still married. She has motive to kill them all. Emma is onto Kylie but doesn’t let her know. She needs Kylie to lead her to Trisha and she does. Trisha is strapped to a bed missing her tongue when Emma finds Kylie standing over her with a knife in hand.
The ending is kind of disappointing. Kylie admits to everything. She was so in love with Jesse but he wouldn’t leave his wife so they had to die. She was mad at Tyler for pushing her into Jesse’s arms and causing all of this. Kylie was just an angry, heartbroken woman who took it to far. But she confesses, is arrested before hurting Trisha any further and then goes to trial. So the ending was kind of boring but I didn’t see Kylie being the killer so that was good. But not one of the better books in the series.
This book starts off around the holiday season. Emma, Sam, Dean and Xavier are getting ready for Christmas by shopping and getting into the spirit at a Christmas themed market in Sherwood. While there, a little boy discovers a silver wrapped box with a human heart inside, that was placed by an unknown person under the big Christmas tree.
Next, a set of lungs are found in the same silver wrapped box under a tree in a newer hotel downtown. With this discovery, Sam wants the case turned over to the FBI and it does with Emma leading the case. The medical examiner determines these organs are not from the same person, the heart to a male and the lungs to a female.
After the heart and lungs are found, a set of eyeballs are found in a Christmas store at the mall and Emma is no closer to finding out who these body parts belong to and who is the one leaving these 'gifts'. She has tried to track down a couple leads, but so far, they haven't led her anywhere. Then Emma gets a call from Sam at the station saying that a couple came in to report their granddaughter, Trisha, missing. Then Emma discovers that Trisha's boyfriend, Tyler, is also missing. While a group of kids are ice skating on a frozen pond near their grandparents' house, there is an incident when the ice cracks and one boy almost drowns and is saved but they find a dead body of a man in the pond with a hole in his chest.
The man in the pond turns out to be a college professor, Jesse. And the heart that Emma found belongs to Jesse. Then it’s discovered that Jesse’s wife, Kristie, is missing. But then she is found dead and the lungs belong to her. Next, Tyler is found dead and the eyeballs belonged to him. Trisha is still missing. But then they find a severed tongue in another silver wrapped box at a hospital. Emma is very concerned for Trisha now. She goes to talk to Tyler’s mom who tells her that Kylie, a girl who attends the college Jesse taught at, is actually Tyler’s ex girlfriend and she didn’t take the break up well.
Emma is now honing in on Kylie. She is Tyler’s ex, mad about his new relationship with Trisha. She was Jesse’s teaching assistant and it’s pretty obvious that he was her boyfriend but he was still married. She has motive to kill them all. Emma is onto Kylie but doesn’t let her know. She needs Kylie to lead her to Trisha and she does. Trisha is strapped to a bed missing her tongue when Emma finds Kylie standing over her with a knife in hand.
The ending is kind of disappointing. Kylie admits to everything. She was so in love with Jesse but he wouldn’t leave his wife so they had to die. She was mad at Tyler for pushing her into Jesse’s arms and causing all of this. Kylie was just an angry, heartbroken woman who took it to far. But she confesses, is arrested before hurting Trisha any further and then goes to trial. So the ending was kind of boring but I didn’t see Kylie being the killer so that was good. But not one of the better books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2024
Lost a bit of the shine
I have been reading the series from the beginning and anxiously read each book quickly because I enjoyed them very much. When I read this book and book 24 I found them hard to read as quickly as I did the other 22. I believe it is because the storyline jumps from one place to another without a clear transition. Emma is in one place at the end of a chapter and in another place at the beginning of the next chapter. This happens in other areas as well.
I still enjoy the books but backtrack to see if I missed how she got from one place to another.
There is, also, longer descriptions of her thoughts and past memories than the other books.
In any case, I will continue the series because I like the characters and the plots.
I have been reading the series from the beginning and anxiously read each book quickly because I enjoyed them very much. When I read this book and book 24 I found them hard to read as quickly as I did the other 22. I believe it is because the storyline jumps from one place to another without a clear transition. Emma is in one place at the end of a chapter and in another place at the beginning of the next chapter. This happens in other areas as well.
I still enjoy the books but backtrack to see if I missed how she got from one place to another.
There is, also, longer descriptions of her thoughts and past memories than the other books.
In any case, I will continue the series because I like the characters and the plots.
November 10, 2023
The Girl and the Unexpected Gifts (Emma Griffin FBI Mystery Book 24)
I do not think I have the words to explain this book, it was amazing, surprising and scary. Serial killers are usually men, so when a woman becomes one, it is very disturbing. I did not understand how finding body parts, under Christmas trees would or could be connected. But then the bodies started to show up, and the victims were all over the place, a professor, a college student, and a missing wife, with another student missing. This book kept me guessing and I can't wait to read the next book.
I do not think I have the words to explain this book, it was amazing, surprising and scary. Serial killers are usually men, so when a woman becomes one, it is very disturbing. I did not understand how finding body parts, under Christmas trees would or could be connected. But then the bodies started to show up, and the victims were all over the place, a professor, a college student, and a missing wife, with another student missing. This book kept me guessing and I can't wait to read the next book.
November 5, 2023
Riveting
As with the previous Emma Griffin books this did not disappoint. Started reading and couldn't put it down. The story was riveting and held my interest. So many twists and turns and the unexpected ending was a surprise. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. Looks forward to book 25.
As with the previous Emma Griffin books this did not disappoint. Started reading and couldn't put it down. The story was riveting and held my interest. So many twists and turns and the unexpected ending was a surprise. I highly recommend this book and the entire series. Looks forward to book 25.
November 12, 2023
Wonderful!
Body parts are showing up in populated areas, gift wrapped for the season and with cryptic messages attached. FBI Agent Emma Griffin must determine who the body parts belong to, who put them there and why. As the list of suspects gets longer, she zeroes in on one that's made themselves stand out.
Body parts are showing up in populated areas, gift wrapped for the season and with cryptic messages attached. FBI Agent Emma Griffin must determine who the body parts belong to, who put them there and why. As the list of suspects gets longer, she zeroes in on one that's made themselves stand out.
November 18, 2023
Another great Emma Griffin mystery
Emma Griffin is a kickass FBI agent. She is a strong woman.
A. J. Rivers' writing has just the right balance between lots of details so you feel part of the story and still keeping the action going.
Highly recommend if you like murder mysteries where you feel you actually understand the characters.
Emma Griffin is a kickass FBI agent. She is a strong woman.
A. J. Rivers' writing has just the right balance between lots of details so you feel part of the story and still keeping the action going.
Highly recommend if you like murder mysteries where you feel you actually understand the characters.
November 22, 2023
Murderous Gift Giving
Its Christmas and the decorating, gift buying and wrapping is underway. Someone is leaving beautifully wrapped gifts around town for others to find. But these gifts are filled with gruesome items that lead FBI Agent Emma and her team to frantically search for a murderer. Thank you to the author for this exciting book. This review is my honest opinion.
Its Christmas and the decorating, gift buying and wrapping is underway. Someone is leaving beautifully wrapped gifts around town for others to find. But these gifts are filled with gruesome items that lead FBI Agent Emma and her team to frantically search for a murderer. Thank you to the author for this exciting book. This review is my honest opinion.
December 12, 2024
I had really high hopes for this book and although it kept me engaged I wasn’t thrilled by the layout of the book and the “plot twist” wasn’t anything impressive. There were too many unnecessary characters to keep up with and it felt like a very stereotypical serial killer plot. I liked the Christmas aspect but won’t be reaching for it again next year.
December 14, 2025
Emma is the best!
This book took me a while due to life being so busy, but it was good since the beginning! I should have known who it was going to be but the author knows how to keep us guessing. I’m excited for Emma’s journey for the rest of this season and I look forward to the next one!
This book took me a while due to life being so busy, but it was good since the beginning! I should have known who it was going to be but the author knows how to keep us guessing. I’m excited for Emma’s journey for the rest of this season and I look forward to the next one!
November 5, 2023
It has everything...
This book has it all, Christmas spirit, winter joy...and murder. Half the time I was wishing I could visit Sherwood and celebrate Christmas with them. And the other half, glad I wasn't there for the awful events that were taking place.
This book has it all, Christmas spirit, winter joy...and murder. Half the time I was wishing I could visit Sherwood and celebrate Christmas with them. And the other half, glad I wasn't there for the awful events that were taking place.
November 7, 2023
This story about Emma and family trying to find out who is leaving presents with body parts and going all out with lots of suspense and action. Emma always goes beyond her thinking and her expertise and skills. Thank you for this great story.
November 9, 2023
Always a great read from Ms. Rivers
This was really twisted, but Emma never fails. Ms. Rivers really knows how to tell a great story, with lots of twists and turns. Love every single one of them. On pins and needles waiting to see who is after Emma!
This was really twisted, but Emma never fails. Ms. Rivers really knows how to tell a great story, with lots of twists and turns. Love every single one of them. On pins and needles waiting to see who is after Emma!
November 11, 2023
body parts during the Christmas shopping season, oh my!
Among the decorations and jovial good cheer of the annual holiday bazaar, the discovery of a human organ in an obviously planted box among the themed Christmas tree display kicks off a complicated investigation.
Among the decorations and jovial good cheer of the annual holiday bazaar, the discovery of a human organ in an obviously planted box among the themed Christmas tree display kicks off a complicated investigation.
November 12, 2023
The Girl and the Unexpected Gifts
I really enjoyed this book just how I enjoy all the Emma Griffin books . They are always exciting. This is a great mystery book. Can't wait till the next one comes out. I highly recommend this book and series.
I really enjoyed this book just how I enjoy all the Emma Griffin books . They are always exciting. This is a great mystery book. Can't wait till the next one comes out. I highly recommend this book and series.
November 12, 2023
Another Great Read
Really enjoyed this one especially the ending. Looking forward to the next book in the series. I can honestly say I hope these books go on forever. These characters have become a part of my reading life.
Really enjoyed this one especially the ending. Looking forward to the next book in the series. I can honestly say I hope these books go on forever. These characters have become a part of my reading life.
November 15, 2023
Enthralling!
Loved every page of this book. This wasn’t as intense as some prior in the series. It’s a perfect blend of suspense and character development that hints at more to come.
Loved every page of this book. This wasn’t as intense as some prior in the series. It’s a perfect blend of suspense and character development that hints at more to come.
November 16, 2023
keeps you guessing
All of her books have been amazing. This one was hard to put down. Murders at Christmas, and I changed my mind so many times on who did it, but never guessed the right one. Love this series!
All of her books have been amazing. This one was hard to put down. Murders at Christmas, and I changed my mind so many times on who did it, but never guessed the right one. Love this series!
July 7, 2024
couldn’t put it down
Book 24 omg!!! I have no words again I don’t know how AJ Rivers does it. So far every book in this series she’s had we speechless. From Emma trying to figure out who the killer is to Sam decorated his childhood home.
Book 24 omg!!! I have no words again I don’t know how AJ Rivers does it. So far every book in this series she’s had we speechless. From Emma trying to figure out who the killer is to Sam decorated his childhood home.
October 8, 2024
A Tragic Tainted Christmas
Emma’s Christmas Season is tainted… she can only push through and salvage what she can of Christmas! The bodies are piling up. You will love the details of the story as it unfolds. The twists and turns you cannot see coming!
Emma’s Christmas Season is tainted… she can only push through and salvage what she can of Christmas! The bodies are piling up. You will love the details of the story as it unfolds. The twists and turns you cannot see coming!
January 20, 2025
I read the first 23 in the series and loved them, this one I kinda felt like someone else wrote it the story rambled along. Way too much narrative about every step and every thought Emma had. I was bored reading most of it. Now not sure I will finish the series,
March 23, 2025
Christmas
Loved the details of getting ready for Christmas. However the number of deaths and how they discovered that people were being killed was not pleasant. Three died but one was fold alive and the killer was arrested. Very interesting story.
Loved the details of getting ready for Christmas. However the number of deaths and how they discovered that people were being killed was not pleasant. Three died but one was fold alive and the killer was arrested. Very interesting story.
March 29, 2025
Your Books
I enjoy reading your mystery series. This one was a little morbid. Finding eyes, lungs, and a heart and having to find the body it went with. But very interesting. Thank you for your writing.
I enjoy reading your mystery series. This one was a little morbid. Finding eyes, lungs, and a heart and having to find the body it went with. But very interesting. Thank you for your writing.
June 22, 2025
There is no future without this one person
Young love how wonderful it can be, unless you are deceived by not only your lover, but your friends. There is no future unless you make it come to fruition.
Young love how wonderful it can be, unless you are deceived by not only your lover, but your friends. There is no future unless you make it come to fruition.
November 3, 2023
No please don’t make me wait!
I love this series but unfortunately I’ve been binging on them at a rate of about a book every day and now I’m at the end. It’s such a great series!!
I love this series but unfortunately I’ve been binging on them at a rate of about a book every day and now I’m at the end. It’s such a great series!!
November 5, 2023
Excellent read
As always excellent AJ Rivers read. Does not disappoint. Hope to see more of Emma Griffin soon. She is a great character
As always excellent AJ Rivers read. Does not disappoint. Hope to see more of Emma Griffin soon. She is a great character
November 6, 2023
Not as good as the rest of the series
Too many references to older books and seemed somewhat repetitive. Also the editing job was terrible
Too many references to older books and seemed somewhat repetitive. Also the editing job was terrible
November 8, 2023
Another winning book in the Emma series. Who is sending these gross gifts and why. Emma must solve this mystery to keep Christmas from being ruined. Keeps you reading till the climax!
November 11, 2023
Great as always. Never disappointed
November 11, 2023
Great Story
As always, Agent Emma Griffin and cohorts were great. It was a good storyline and all the characters were terrific. I really enjoyed it and I know you will too.
As always, Agent Emma Griffin and cohorts were great. It was a good storyline and all the characters were terrific. I really enjoyed it and I know you will too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews