Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Ripple Effect

Rate this book
The thrilling conclusion to the award-winning psychological suspense series from author Amy Rivers.
Psychologist Kate Medina is on a mission to dismantle the human trafficking ring that has plagued her hometown for decades. Frustrated by a lack of hard evidence, Kate focuses on community education in hopes of taking away the abusers' ability to hide in plain sight.
As the investigation leads to several arrests, the traffickers become more desperate, escalating their violence and brutality. When the ring abducts her sister Tilly and murders a potential ally, Kate seeks help from a person who she knows to be complicit in the abuse.
In this final installment of A Legacy of Silence, time is running out and Tilly's life is on the line. Will Kate uncover the truth behind the trafficking ring in time to save her sister?

292 pages, Paperback

Published October 24, 2023

3 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

About the author

Amy Rivers

18 books156 followers
Amy Rivers is an award-winning novelist, as well as the Director of Northern Colorado Writers. She was recently named 2021 Indie Author of the Year by the Indie Author Project. Her psychological suspense novels incorporate important social issues with a focus on the complexities of human behavior. Her forthcoming novel, STUMBLE & FALL, is the second book in the A Legacy of Silence series. Amy was raised in New Mexico and now lives in Colorado with her husband and children.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
18 (48%)
4 stars
17 (45%)
3 stars
2 (5%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Sheri.
1,762 reviews54 followers
December 7, 2023
Amy Rivers writes psychology thrillers including a series staring Kate Medina. Kate is a psychologist and is a champion for victims of sexual assault. Her sister Tilly is a nurse trained to help victims of sexual assault. Together these women tell the story in alternating chapters. This is the final book in a trilogy and can be read as a standalone. It’s the first book I’ve read by the author and I will be reading the rest of the series because I loved the book so much. One of my favorite scenes is near the front of the book when Tilly confronts a man in a dinner after he harasses the waitress. This told me everything I needed to know about Tilly!!!

If you enjoy crime thrillers and strong women you will love this book!
Profile Image for Reader Views.
4,857 reviews348 followers
January 27, 2024
“Ripple Effect” is an intrepid thriller written by Amy Rivers and the last installment in the A Legacy of Silence series. Kate Medina, a psychologist, had been investigating the abhorrent practice of human trafficking with her fiancé, FBI agent Roman Aguilar, in her hometown of Alamogordo, New Mexico. Her efforts had been futile, especially in nabbing the kingpins in the ruthless operation. She had her suspicions of the current chief of police in the area, Bill Gunnison, believing he played a hand in protecting the abusers.

When Medina’s sister Tilly, a sexual assault nurse examiner is kidnapped along with her teenage friend Hannah Bross, Kate must race against time and launch a plan to unearth the seedy activities of this powerful trafficking ring. Her efforts to nab the criminals are met with a dead end at every turn including the murder of a prospective informant. This only causes her to dig deeper and gather more evidence.

Amy Rivers has written a high-strung story that thrusts us into one of today’s most complex and dreadful problems. She drives the story full-tilt, diving into the underbelly of this issue, examining the physical and emotional effects of victims subjected to this form of abuse. Her book delivers everything it promises, hitting the bull’s eye with every word she uses to create tense scenarios. The free-flowing dialogue also accomplishes much, as do the vivid descriptions, the result being a cinematic plot that leaves a lasting impression.

One major aspect I found appreciable was the great characterization here. Rivers uses characters to create a great amount of unease in the story, a fitting atmosphere for some scenes. The characters are plausible and easy to relate to with their own frailties and strengths. Their vulnerability, sense of terror, and culpability are palpable even with their strong sense to carry on and speak out. As the last book in the series, it is advisable to read the previous volumes which will assist in finding easy footing in this riveting text. Altogether, “Ripple Effect” by Amy Rivers is a juicy thriller bound to garner a wide audience.

Profile Image for Book Reviewer.
4,837 reviews446 followers
December 29, 2023
Amy Rivers, Ripple Effect, a compelling sequel to the acclaimed Stumble and Fall. The narrative continues to trace the lives of sisters Kate and Tilly, a psychologist and a nurse dedicated to supporting sexual assault victims. Their profound commitment extends beyond activism; they are driven to dismantle a pervasive sex trafficking ring that has plagued their region for decades. The plot thickens as the sisters unearth the involvement of influential figures, including the Chief of Police, who are determined to silence any threat to their sinister operations. The stakes escalate dramatically when Tilly, edging closer to exposing the culprits, is abducted along with Hannah, the daughter of their ally, Dan. Their rescue is pivotal not only for their safety but also for the potential to eradicate the trafficking network.

Rivers's narrative prowess shines as she skillfully expands upon the strengths of her previous work. Characters like Tilly and Kate are portrayed with vivacity and resilience, which makes them particularly engaging. The development of other characters like Dan, Roman, and Hannah adds depth and drives the plot forward. The novel delves into the intricate dynamics of healing, jealousy, and trauma, fostering meaningful discussions. Particularly noteworthy is the nuanced depiction of Kate and Roman's relationship, illustrating the challenges of embracing love amidst profound trauma.

Ripple Effect offers a satisfying culmination to Kate and Tilly's journey. It leaves readers with a sense of pride in having been privy to the sisters' courageous saga. More than a gripping piece of fiction, this series provides critical insights into victim advocacy and the justice system. It stands as a significant recommendation for all readers, illuminating the darker aspects of society while championing the resilience of the human spirit.
Profile Image for Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm).
1,132 reviews90 followers
November 17, 2023
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
📚 like books in a series that can be read as a standalone
💨 enjoy fast paced reads
🏜️ live in the middle of a desert
👍🏻 want a book that tackles real world issues

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Psychologist Kate Medina is on a mission to dismantle the human trafficking ring that has plagued her hometown for decades. Frustrated by a lack of hard evidence, Kate focuses on community education in hopes of taking away the abusers' ability to hide in plain sight.

As the investigation leads to several arrests, the traffickers become more desperate, escalating their violence and brutality. When the ring abducts her sister Tilly and murders a potential ally, Kate seeks help from a person who she knows to be complicit in the abuse.

In this final installment of A Legacy of Silence, time is running out and Tilly's life is on the line. Will Kate uncover the truth behind the trafficking ring in time to save her sister?

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

I haven’t read the first books in the series, but the author does a fantastic job of catching up on everything we need to know to still be able to enjoy the final book, which I did. Tilly and Kate are both incredible women that have this one thing in common - determination to take down a local trafficking ring in their state, and even when things go horribly wrong, each woman is strong in their own way and ends up facing their problems head on. I enjoyed how fast paced the story was and how the POV switched between the sisters so that we always knew what was happening with each of them. Definitely grab this one if you want to binge a new series, just make sure to grab books one and two as well!
Profile Image for Jithendra Jithu.
2,366 reviews124 followers
September 24, 2023
📚 Book Review: "Ripple Effect (A Legacy of Silence)" by Amy Rivers 📚

Rating:5/5

👉Prepare to be swept away on a rollercoaster of suspense, emotion, and relentless determination in the thrilling conclusion to Amy Rivers' "A Legacy of Silence" series. 🔍💔

👉Psychologist Kate Medina is a force to be reckoned with as she takes on a decades-old human trafficking ring that has plagued her hometown. Frustrated by the lack of hard evidence, Kate's approach is unique—she focuses on community education to expose the abusers hiding in plain sight. 🧠👥

👉As the investigation progresses, the traffickers become more desperate, ramping up their violence and brutality. The stakes couldn't be higher when Kate's sister, Tilly, is abducted, and a potential ally is brutally murdered. Kate's desperate choice to seek help from someone complicit in the abuse adds layers of complexity to this gripping narrative. 💥👥

👉In this final installment, the tension is nail-biting, and time is running out. Will Kate uncover the truth behind the trafficking ring in time to save her sister? 🕒💔

👉Amy Rivers masterfully weaves together suspense, emotion, and critical social issues, leaving readers with a haunting and thought-provoking story that lingers long after the final page. "Ripple Effect" is a satisfying and suspenseful conclusion that shows the human cost of trafficking and the indomitable spirit of those who fight against it. 📖❤️

👉If you're a fan of psychological suspense with a heart, this book is an absolute must-read! 🔥📚

#BookReview

#RippleEffect #AmyRivers #Suspense #MustRead
Profile Image for Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff).
2,592 reviews99 followers
December 18, 2023
I jumped in with the finale of the 𝘼 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 series and found this to be a hard-hitting, suspenseful read.

Two sisters are entrenched in human trafficking. Not only is Kate, a psychologist, trying to break up the trafficking ring in their hometown, but it has clawed at both her and her sister Tilly personally.

The traffickers are trying to send a message to Kate and law enforcement when they abduct Tilly. These people are vile and violent. As Kate and her FBI boyfriend scramble to find Tilly and the young girl taken with her, Kate decides to try to tap a friend she knows may be part of the trafficking ring itself.

The author does a good job of filling us in on Kate and Tilly’s background, the abuse they suffered, the lasting effects of this trauma, and the relationships they have. Speaking of relationships, it is here that the book offers more moving moments, as Tilly is trying to protect a young teen whose father is in love with Tilly.

Human trafficking is the central theme, and I must give a gentle warning that violence and rape are mentioned several times. It is a dark yet eye-opening look into this terrifying world - who can be involved and how dangerous it truly is. But this is an important and relevant topic that must not be swept under the table.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @amy.rivers38 for a spot on tour and a gifted book.
Profile Image for Carrie Shields.
1,726 reviews186 followers
January 2, 2024
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬...𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩.

The conclusion to the Legacy of Silence trilogy about human trafficking plaguing parts of New Mexico. The prologue in this book was especially eye-opening because it explains the actions of a key player. It absolutely does not pardon those actions, but it does explain them.

The series centers around two sisters, Kate and Tilly, who have both suffered greatly in their youth. Kate is now a psychologist who is hell bent on dismantling the trafficking ring that has operated in her hometown for decades. She can't get any hard evidence, only speculation, so she turns her attention to community education, hoping that the knowledge will take away the abusers' power.

As the investigation heats up and leads to several arrests, the traffickers escalate their violence and brutality. When some low-level participants abduct her sister Tilly and her teenage charge, Kate seeks help from an unlikely source--a person who she knows to be complicit in the abuse.

The amount of research and detail that went into these three books is astounding. The storytelling doesn't get bogged down in trauma dumping and leaves room to explore relationships after some healing is done. An amazing series that is definitely worth a read.
Profile Image for Michelle Kidwell.
Author 36 books85 followers
November 6, 2023
Ripple Effect
by Amy Rivers
Pub Date 24 Oct 2023
Compathy Press, LLC
General Fiction \(Adult\)| Mystery & Thrillers


I am reviewing a copy of Ripple Effect through Company Press, LLC and Netgalley:


The thrilling conclusion to Amy Rivers' award-winning psychological suspense series.


Psychotherapist Kate Medina is on a mission to dismantle the human trafficking ring that has plagued her hometown for decades. Kate is frustrated by a lack of hard evidence, so she focuses on community education in order to prevent the abusers from hiding in plain sight.


After several arrests have been made, the traffickers become more desperate, escalating their violence and brutality. She seeks assistance from a person she knows to be complicit in the abuse when the ring abducts her sister Tilly and murders a potential ally.


In this final installment of A Legacy of Silence, Tilly's life is at stake. Can Kate uncover the truth behind the trafficking ring in time to save her sister?



I give Ripple Effect four out of five stars!


Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Lisa Albright.
1,800 reviews69 followers
December 17, 2023
What an amazing story of the love between two sisters, the men that adore them, the strength and courage to fight against evil, a teenager forced to grow up too fast having experienced a traumatic event, and all those they are trying to save by bringing down a sex trafficking operation. Written with incredible sensitivity, the author takes on a dark and dangerous world that ultimately leads the reader to a greater understanding of the process and the need to be vigilant in the efforts to bring these criminals to justice and bring dignity and hope to those who suffered at their hands. This novel is one I will be thinking about for a long time and while there are trigger warnings to be aware of I feel the author showed compassion in her narrative on such a difficult topic.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Krista Hajjar-Nejad.
411 reviews19 followers
December 18, 2023
“His eyes were black and unfeeling. For a moment they were frozen in that space, locked in their individual positions, predator and prey.”

Wow!! This ending left me breathless! Ripple Effect was such an incredible book and had me on the edge of my seat. Alternating chapters from Tilly and Kate’s POVs added to the suspense and intrigue. Even though Ripple Effect is the final installment of A Legacy of Silence, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I loved sisters Tilly and Kate Medina. They’re amazingly strong women on a mission. I need to go back and read the first two books in this series because I would love to know more about Tilly and Kate’s past. Looking for a bingeable, fast-paced thriller? Pick up Ripple Effect NOW!

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours and Amy Rivers for having me on tour and gifted copy!
Profile Image for Katrina Hair.
151 reviews4 followers
October 26, 2023
I have been reading a few arcs lately and this was a refreshing change from fantasy and spice. As much as i love them it’s nice to read something completely different and i really enjoyed Ripple Effect. Catchy, edge of your seat thriller, it got my attention from the get go and i had to keep going back to read more and find out what happened next. So if you like 👭 dual pov 🚔action 🪓 thriller 💕 light romance/heterosexual relatio ships, you might like this. Some trigger warnings to consider ❗️rape/sexual violence towards women ❗️murder ❗️trauma/counselling ❗️human trafficking.
Also this is part of a series but you dont really need to read the rest to understand this one unless you want to. (I will be ☺️).
Profile Image for Christina (ChristinaBethReads).
369 reviews7 followers
November 17, 2023
✨ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴏᴜʀ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ✨

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours @amy.rivers38 and #CompathyPress for having me on this tour of 𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 that came out October 24th

Read if:
◾You're looking for a book that involves sister relationships
◾Human trafficking is an important topic to you
◾You like a lot of action in books
◾Enjoy multiple points of view
◾Like psychological suspense with heart

Even though this is the final book in a 3-book series, I was able to read this as a stand-alone. The prologue pulled me in. I loved how each chapter switched between Kate and her sister Tilly and the chapters were the perfect length! It's a unique thriller that combines suspense, light romance and important social issues. It wasn't difficult to root for Kate and everything she is trying to accomplish.
Profile Image for Debbie Rozier.
1,363 reviews91 followers
December 18, 2023
This is a hard hitting thriller that tackles the real life world of human trafficking. As you can imagine with a book that has this subject matter there are trigger warnings.

The book is told in the points of view of two sisters, Kate and Tilly. Tilly is a SANE (a nurse that specializes in helping assault victims). Kate is a psychologist. Both have been victims and are now victim advocates. The fact that public figures are involved in a trafficking ring the sisters are trying to bring down puts both sisters and the ones they love in danger.

This book brings to life the emotions of victims of violent crimes with the edginess of a powerful thriller.

This book is part of a series. I haven’t read the two preceding books, but I was able to launch into this one with no confusion.
Author 7 books114 followers
September 11, 2023
I read an advance copy of Ripple Effect from the author. The third book in a series about the troubled souls touched by human trafficking, Ripple Effect wraps up the story of psychologist Kate Medina's mission to break up a trafficking ring and end this horror that exists in her community. When Kate's sister is kidnapped, the suspense kept me turning the pages. It's not easy to weave family drama and romance into a high-tension thriller about human trafficking, but Rivers does it well. I highly recommend the trilogy.
Profile Image for Bookish Heidi.
1,824 reviews31 followers
October 30, 2023
Talk about an unputdownable thriller! This book somehow manages to wear a lot of hats... thriller, family drama, light romance, and all while discussing a super heavy topic- human trafficking... and yet I couldn't put it down. I picked this up not knowing it was the 3rd book in the trilogy and managed to read it just fine, although now I want to read the first 2 as well!
Profile Image for Booksandcoffeemx.
2,483 reviews129 followers
November 11, 2023
𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨!

What a story! This is the third book in a series and I was worried I couldn’t follow the story and had no problems at all. It was intense, thrilling and impossible to put down.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗥𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 by Amy Rivers, Author released Oct. 24, 2023.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
49 reviews
October 14, 2023
What a good book! Wow! I didn't realize it was a part of a series when I started it but there were enough details so that I didn't need to have read the first books in order to understand the plot. Although, now that I have finished it, I will be reading those too!
Profile Image for J Kromrie.
2,525 reviews47 followers
November 17, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

A thought-provoking, captivating mystery, that had me on the edge of my seat.

I ran out to buy a copy of the author's first book in this series as soon as I read the last page! A gutsy powerful thriller.
Profile Image for Christy Taylor.
1,132 reviews50 followers
December 12, 2023
What a page turner! I devoured this and was on the edge of my seat from cover to cover. It’s an incredible thriller with some family drama mixed in. The dual POV worked really well and both sisters’ stories were compelling. Although this is part of a series it can easily be read as a stand alone.
Profile Image for Sarah W.
1,014 reviews34 followers
December 8, 2023
I haven’t read the first two, but I want to after reading this book. The author did a great job of recapping events from the past two books and how it affected Tilly and Kate’s decision making in this one. I really liked the writing style with the alternating POV. It was face paced with well developed characters. I could feel the emotions especially from Tilly in her situation. It was detailed enough to know what was happening to the girls without every second of the event as it happened. I loved Tilly’s relationship with Hannah and her dad. There were some heartwarming moments in between the suspense and horrific events these women went through. I am not sure if there will be another one after this, but I liked the way it ended.

Thank you @amy.rivers38 and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.
44 reviews2 followers
October 3, 2024
This third and final novel in the Legacy of Silence series concludes the stories of sisters Kate and Tilly and the fight to bring down a sex trafficking ring. In the past, both sisters suffered from sexual violence. In their chosen professions, both aid victims of such crimes—Kate as a family psychologist and Tilly as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. While this thriller includes romantic subplots, it is not light reading. The scenes in the New Mexico desert are especially harrowing. But that didn’t surprise me after reading the first two excellent novels in the series, Complicit and Stumble and Fall. I found this novel to be a satisfying wrap-up to a deep dive into evil acts committed by members of an ordinary American community. Well done, Amy Rivers!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.