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Detective Ellie Reeves #9
The Sleeping Girls
The young girl looked so innocent, like a sleeping angel. Kelsey lay on a bed of white sheets, golden hair fanned across the pillow, eyes closed, pale lips pressed together. A white teddy bear was tucked under her slender arm… “My baby, she’s dead” her distraught mother choked out.
When the call comes in that fifteen-year-old Kelsey Tiller has gone missing from her bedroom in the middle of the night, Detective Ellie Reeves rushes to talk to her distraught parents. They tell her that Kelsey, a slender blond with green eyes and a timid smile, had plans to go shopping for her homecoming dress the next day, insisting she would have no reason to run away. But when neighbors report seeing Kelsey with a secret boyfriend, Ellie wonders how much Kelsey really told her parents.
Ellie is determined to find Kelsey’s boyfriend and interviews her friends and teachers at school. But just as she is making headway with the case, she receives some devastating news. Kelsey’s parents have received a photo of their daughter lying on a bed with white sheets over her body, skin ghostly pale under the freckles dotting her nose, her precious life snuffed out.
Desperate to find answers for those who loved Kelsey, Ellie studies the picture and realizes that her body has been posed in the same way as a teenage girl murdered ten years earlier. And when she learns Darnell, the killer in that case, has just been released from prison, fear crawls through her. Could Darnell have stolen another innocent life?
But just as Ellie thinks she has cracked the case, Kelsey’s best friend Ruby is snatched from her home, and Darnell has an unbreakable alibi. Haunted by Kelsey’s ashen face, Ellie knows she must race against time to find Ruby alive. And when she discovers one of her team is hiding critical information, she realizes she needs to act alone. But is she dealing with a twisted copycat killer or is the danger far closer to home?
A totally gripping and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you holding your breath as you race through the pages! Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
When the call comes in that fifteen-year-old Kelsey Tiller has gone missing from her bedroom in the middle of the night, Detective Ellie Reeves rushes to talk to her distraught parents. They tell her that Kelsey, a slender blond with green eyes and a timid smile, had plans to go shopping for her homecoming dress the next day, insisting she would have no reason to run away. But when neighbors report seeing Kelsey with a secret boyfriend, Ellie wonders how much Kelsey really told her parents.
Ellie is determined to find Kelsey’s boyfriend and interviews her friends and teachers at school. But just as she is making headway with the case, she receives some devastating news. Kelsey’s parents have received a photo of their daughter lying on a bed with white sheets over her body, skin ghostly pale under the freckles dotting her nose, her precious life snuffed out.
Desperate to find answers for those who loved Kelsey, Ellie studies the picture and realizes that her body has been posed in the same way as a teenage girl murdered ten years earlier. And when she learns Darnell, the killer in that case, has just been released from prison, fear crawls through her. Could Darnell have stolen another innocent life?
But just as Ellie thinks she has cracked the case, Kelsey’s best friend Ruby is snatched from her home, and Darnell has an unbreakable alibi. Haunted by Kelsey’s ashen face, Ellie knows she must race against time to find Ruby alive. And when she discovers one of her team is hiding critical information, she realizes she needs to act alone. But is she dealing with a twisted copycat killer or is the danger far closer to home?
A totally gripping and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you holding your breath as you race through the pages! Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2024
1870 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
Rita Herron
322 books942 followersUSA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
April 17, 2025
These books are so hard to rate, I really want to give them a higher star but I don’t think I’ve ever read a series before where there’s been so little characters development this many books in.
I will continue to read this series, I am about to read book 10 which is currently the newest book in the series. But I really don’t understand what the author is trying to achieve. The same “personal situation“ has been ongoing since the first book and we really no closer to any form of resolution; rather than using this storyline to develop the main characters so you feel invested in the story. I barely know anything more about these characters apart from facts that led into the storyline that was unfolding in the wider novel.
I guess I’ve just been disappointed overall and this has affected the rating that I’ve given it. Maybe this is me on outlier Island because I haven’t seen any similar reviews saying this and the ratings are high!
I will continue to read this series, I am about to read book 10 which is currently the newest book in the series. But I really don’t understand what the author is trying to achieve. The same “personal situation“ has been ongoing since the first book and we really no closer to any form of resolution; rather than using this storyline to develop the main characters so you feel invested in the story. I barely know anything more about these characters apart from facts that led into the storyline that was unfolding in the wider novel.
I guess I’ve just been disappointed overall and this has affected the rating that I’ve given it. Maybe this is me on outlier Island because I haven’t seen any similar reviews saying this and the ratings are high!
January 10, 2024
Detective Ellie Reeves jumps right into her latest case when a teen girl goes missing. Before she even has enough clues to really search, yet another girl also disappears. Any time a case involves children, this has a a particularly strong effect on Ellie. Meanwhile, with her friend, and once hoped for love, Ranger Cord McClain, injured, Ellie finds herself rather torn. Ellie and Cord work quite well together, as she often finds herself looking for missing people, but the question as to whether or not the pair will ever get together remains uncertain. This is especially so with a very serious situation involving Cord that will no doubt impact his future. Then there is Special Agent Derrick Fox. and the undeniable bond he shares with Ellie.
There is another powerful aspect of this latest book in Rita Herron's series, and that is that readers get the killer's perspective woven into the pages of this already intense book. The way the killer gets the attention of the parents and Ellie is nothing short of chilling. Ellie is a remarkable detective and always shows a personal interest in her cases, even when things that affect her personally cause her to worry.
It is the mix of both professional and personal where Ellie is concerned that makes this book - this entire series, in fact - compelling. The girls that have gone missing are connected socially and this knowledge just might help Ellie, even though we know that the killer has murder in mind.
Although I have read and loved all of the previous books in this series, each book could work as a standalone novel. However, to know the back stories of Ellie, Cord and Derrick, reading them in order might be of great benefit. Rita Herron, bring on book 10. I can hardly wait to see what is next in store for Ellie.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
There is another powerful aspect of this latest book in Rita Herron's series, and that is that readers get the killer's perspective woven into the pages of this already intense book. The way the killer gets the attention of the parents and Ellie is nothing short of chilling. Ellie is a remarkable detective and always shows a personal interest in her cases, even when things that affect her personally cause her to worry.
It is the mix of both professional and personal where Ellie is concerned that makes this book - this entire series, in fact - compelling. The girls that have gone missing are connected socially and this knowledge just might help Ellie, even though we know that the killer has murder in mind.
Although I have read and loved all of the previous books in this series, each book could work as a standalone novel. However, to know the back stories of Ellie, Cord and Derrick, reading them in order might be of great benefit. Rita Herron, bring on book 10. I can hardly wait to see what is next in store for Ellie.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
January 24, 2024
The Sleeping Girls is the reason why I read the Detective Ellie Reeves series. There is just the right amount of suspense, twists, personal story and police procedural to keep me turning the pages. This is the 9th book in the series and although you will miss out on the personal stories along the way, each case is fully contained in each book. In the latest book, Ellie is called in when a teenage girl goes missing. Shortly after, the parents receive a picture of her posed in a bed on white sheets, holding a white teddy bear. When a second girl goes missing and her mother is sent a similar picture, Lt. Landrum, who works with Ellie, reveals that his sister was killed and posed the same way, fifteen years earlier. His half brother was convicted and jailed for the crime, but was recently released after the Innocence Project got involved. The team scrambles to find the second missing girl, hoping she is still alive and preventing anyone else getting killed.
This was a great story, that moved quickly and kept me interested from the first page. This case involves, bullying, especially involving social media, poor parenting and peer issues. The crime ties back to the one from fifteen years earlier and shoddy police work. I enjoy seeing the team that Ellie works with, how well they work together and the relationships. Ellie is a great MC, she is smart, independent and willing to jump in and sacrifice herself if it saves others. She is also empathetic, brave, and works well with others, which makes her a great team leader. My one niggle with this book and series is a love triangle between Ellie, Cord and Derrick. I thought it was sorting itself out, but maybe not yet. If you enjoy a good police procedural, with twists, secrets and great characters, I recommend you pick this one up, or any book in the series.
This was a great story, that moved quickly and kept me interested from the first page. This case involves, bullying, especially involving social media, poor parenting and peer issues. The crime ties back to the one from fifteen years earlier and shoddy police work. I enjoy seeing the team that Ellie works with, how well they work together and the relationships. Ellie is a great MC, she is smart, independent and willing to jump in and sacrifice herself if it saves others. She is also empathetic, brave, and works well with others, which makes her a great team leader. My one niggle with this book and series is a love triangle between Ellie, Cord and Derrick. I thought it was sorting itself out, but maybe not yet. If you enjoy a good police procedural, with twists, secrets and great characters, I recommend you pick this one up, or any book in the series.
January 27, 2024
If you've read and enjoyed the first 8 of Ellie, then you'll like this one, too. Another riveting installment. I like that Ellie put Maude in her place. And as usual, there's a twisted story here without a basic answer as to who is the suspect. After that ending though, I need #10 asap.
November 29, 2023
Book 9 of this fantastic Detective series brings yet another monster in the mountains that Ellie Reeves must find and catch.
A teenaged girl goes missing, and her parents are sent a picture of her posed in a bed, possibly dead. The posing leads Ellie to a case 15 years prior, where a man was arrested but was recently released due to a justice agency who have set out to prove his innocence. Ellie and her team must work quickly before anyone else goes missing.
I always love reading about Ellie, our strong and brave heroine. She is full of empathy, quick to make decisions, and is never afraid to rush headfirst into danger to save someone. Her love triangle is still in full swing in this outing, and we get to see plenty of Cord and Derrick and their feelings.
The case was a good one, with ties to bullying and social media, to family and betrayal, and to throwbacks to the past. It all tied together neatly in the end. I continue to love this series and will be ready to read book 10 whenever it is ready!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
A teenaged girl goes missing, and her parents are sent a picture of her posed in a bed, possibly dead. The posing leads Ellie to a case 15 years prior, where a man was arrested but was recently released due to a justice agency who have set out to prove his innocence. Ellie and her team must work quickly before anyone else goes missing.
I always love reading about Ellie, our strong and brave heroine. She is full of empathy, quick to make decisions, and is never afraid to rush headfirst into danger to save someone. Her love triangle is still in full swing in this outing, and we get to see plenty of Cord and Derrick and their feelings.
The case was a good one, with ties to bullying and social media, to family and betrayal, and to throwbacks to the past. It all tied together neatly in the end. I continue to love this series and will be ready to read book 10 whenever it is ready!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 9, 2024
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I really enjoyed this story – it was very well written and had a really addictive feel, this is the first book that I have read by this author in this series and OMG – what have I been missing!!
The characters in the story were brilliant. They were so well developed, I really felt for some, and not so much for others but the mix was great, and I loved how the author brought them all together.
I felt for the families involved and it was a great plot, well planned out and I loved how the story panned out as the book progressed. I loved the parts where we got to hear a little from inside the killers mind as well.
I really enjoyed this book and I read it over the Christmas period, starting it on Boxing Day and finishing it a couple of days later. I had booked some time off work and saved this one as a book to read as I was intrigued by the blurb and the author certainly had me hooked once I has started reading.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended and I am going to be working my way through the rest in the series now – loved this one!
I really enjoyed this story – it was very well written and had a really addictive feel, this is the first book that I have read by this author in this series and OMG – what have I been missing!!
The characters in the story were brilliant. They were so well developed, I really felt for some, and not so much for others but the mix was great, and I loved how the author brought them all together.
I felt for the families involved and it was a great plot, well planned out and I loved how the story panned out as the book progressed. I loved the parts where we got to hear a little from inside the killers mind as well.
I really enjoyed this book and I read it over the Christmas period, starting it on Boxing Day and finishing it a couple of days later. I had booked some time off work and saved this one as a book to read as I was intrigued by the blurb and the author certainly had me hooked once I has started reading.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended and I am going to be working my way through the rest in the series now – loved this one!
December 19, 2023
4 stars
Detective Ellie Reeves is one of my favorites. She’s tough, human, and fallible. But she’s also extremely determined and will go to any lengths to solve a case. Crooked Creek is a small town but seems to have more crime than your average small mountain community. This story is no exception.
This time Ellie is tasked with solving the disappearance of a 15 year old teen with a stellar reputation. She’s not a popular girl, though she could be if she wanted. Kelsey is a musician with aspirations to go to Juilliard someday. Her two best friends are bandmates and anything but popular. Kelsey, June, & Ruby are besties and now a target. Because someone has posted photos of them that are tarnishing their reputations.
Cord is a Search and Rescue ranger who often helps Ellie out with cases. He’s one of the best trackers known, along with his dog Benji. And he’s got feelings for Ellie. But since his girlfriend Lola has announced her pregnancy, there isn’t much hope for Ellie and Cord. Meanwhile FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox isn’t sure where his relationship with Ellie stands. He also has feelings for Ellie, but Ellie has put a halt to their relationship.
This is number nine in Ellie’s series, and I haven’t read them all. But I will say that they are quick, engrossing, and unexpected. This is no exception. I truly enjoy that each novel has a separate crime to follow, which is wrapped by the end, but the overall relationships between the characters carry from novel to novel.
I’m curious to see where number ten goes. There is no need to start at the beginning, you’ll learn enough during the course of one novel to get the gist of the backstories. I might go back to the beginning just because I really do enjoy these.
Detective Ellie Reeves is one of my favorites. She’s tough, human, and fallible. But she’s also extremely determined and will go to any lengths to solve a case. Crooked Creek is a small town but seems to have more crime than your average small mountain community. This story is no exception.
This time Ellie is tasked with solving the disappearance of a 15 year old teen with a stellar reputation. She’s not a popular girl, though she could be if she wanted. Kelsey is a musician with aspirations to go to Juilliard someday. Her two best friends are bandmates and anything but popular. Kelsey, June, & Ruby are besties and now a target. Because someone has posted photos of them that are tarnishing their reputations.
Cord is a Search and Rescue ranger who often helps Ellie out with cases. He’s one of the best trackers known, along with his dog Benji. And he’s got feelings for Ellie. But since his girlfriend Lola has announced her pregnancy, there isn’t much hope for Ellie and Cord. Meanwhile FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox isn’t sure where his relationship with Ellie stands. He also has feelings for Ellie, but Ellie has put a halt to their relationship.
This is number nine in Ellie’s series, and I haven’t read them all. But I will say that they are quick, engrossing, and unexpected. This is no exception. I truly enjoy that each novel has a separate crime to follow, which is wrapped by the end, but the overall relationships between the characters carry from novel to novel.
I’m curious to see where number ten goes. There is no need to start at the beginning, you’ll learn enough during the course of one novel to get the gist of the backstories. I might go back to the beginning just because I really do enjoy these.
January 13, 2024
I've read some cracking stories already in 2024! But The Sleeping Girls has to be my favourite so far.
As I was hooked from start to finish. So much so I read this story in just a few hours. As it was utterly compelling and I did not see the killer coming.
Add in everything else that is going on from the recently released prisoner, to the attack on a podcaster and the unresolved issues between Detective Ellie Reeves, FBI Agent Derrick Fox and SAR Cord McCain.
This story just had it all!
And with danger around every corner, big twists and action that had me on the edge of my seat. The Sleeping Girls is a fantastic read. That I'd happily recommend to all even if you've not read the series before. As I do think it's easy enough to pick up without having to know all of the back story. But trust me when I say you'll want to catch up when you do!!
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Sleeping Girls. 😊
As I was hooked from start to finish. So much so I read this story in just a few hours. As it was utterly compelling and I did not see the killer coming.
Add in everything else that is going on from the recently released prisoner, to the attack on a podcaster and the unresolved issues between Detective Ellie Reeves, FBI Agent Derrick Fox and SAR Cord McCain.
This story just had it all!
And with danger around every corner, big twists and action that had me on the edge of my seat. The Sleeping Girls is a fantastic read. That I'd happily recommend to all even if you've not read the series before. As I do think it's easy enough to pick up without having to know all of the back story. But trust me when I say you'll want to catch up when you do!!
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Sleeping Girls. 😊
January 25, 2024
Rita Herron has created a world where Ellie Reeves is struggling to find balance after her life has been turn upside down over the last several stories. At times readers will have to suspended reality because there is only so much one person can handle before they become inhuman. Ellie Reeves comes across and inhuman.
That being said the story will pull readers into Rita Herron world where Ellie Reeves and her friends are able to find the truth even if it might destroy the lives of those around her.
The story will have readers staying up late at night needing to know what will happen next. The author will not disappoint.
Thank you Netgalley for advance copy of Rita Herron the Sleeping Girls
That being said the story will pull readers into Rita Herron world where Ellie Reeves and her friends are able to find the truth even if it might destroy the lives of those around her.
The story will have readers staying up late at night needing to know what will happen next. The author will not disappoint.
Thank you Netgalley for advance copy of Rita Herron the Sleeping Girls
January 22, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this exciting book
when a young girl goes missing its not long before detective ellie reeves and her team are informed,, but with the advent of a photo turning up that shows the girl posed on a bed it looks very much as though the girl could be dead....
when a photo goes around on social media of the missing girl and two of her friends its obvious that the girls are being targeted by a school bully and possible a more serious perp
this book has all the boxes ticked.. social media, murder, stalker, a man released from prison wrongly convicted but what do they all have in common as the weather starts to go bad and another two girls have gone missing lets hope ellie and her team came save them....
an exciting read that keeps you reading right till the end... couldnt wait to see how it all ended....
when a young girl goes missing its not long before detective ellie reeves and her team are informed,, but with the advent of a photo turning up that shows the girl posed on a bed it looks very much as though the girl could be dead....
when a photo goes around on social media of the missing girl and two of her friends its obvious that the girls are being targeted by a school bully and possible a more serious perp
this book has all the boxes ticked.. social media, murder, stalker, a man released from prison wrongly convicted but what do they all have in common as the weather starts to go bad and another two girls have gone missing lets hope ellie and her team came save them....
an exciting read that keeps you reading right till the end... couldnt wait to see how it all ended....
January 15, 2024
Another brilliant crime thriller in this great series.
A teenage girl is reported missing and Ellie and the team try and track her down.
When a photo is sent to her parents, they fear the worst. They then find her body and the hunt for the killer begins.
The girl’s body was posed like a previous crime scene and with the person accused of that murder being released on parole, Ellie has some questions for him.
He says he’s innocent and did not kill his sister but will anyone believe him?
Soon two other teenagers are taken and Ellie faces a race against time to find them.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
A teenage girl is reported missing and Ellie and the team try and track her down.
When a photo is sent to her parents, they fear the worst. They then find her body and the hunt for the killer begins.
The girl’s body was posed like a previous crime scene and with the person accused of that murder being released on parole, Ellie has some questions for him.
He says he’s innocent and did not kill his sister but will anyone believe him?
Soon two other teenagers are taken and Ellie faces a race against time to find them.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
February 15, 2024
What a brilliant series this is! And this book - absolutely spectacular. Beautifully written, fast paced and suspenseful. A wonderful read.
January 20, 2024
The Sleeping Girls is the ninth book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series. This can be a stand-alone read, but as with most series it is more enjoyable to start at the beginning.
Darnell, Digger, Woodruff is being released from prison due to Caitlin O'Connor who works with the innocence project. Digger doesn't remember much about the night his sister was murdered, but his stepfather declared him guilty, and the police stopped looking for the truth. Caitlin has a pod cast that discusses crime cases. She herself was in prison when someone helped her to find the truth. Now, she is devoted to help others.
The parents of a young girl goes missing. Shortly after a picture of her on white sheets with a teddy bear is sent and it looks as if she is sleeping. Two more girls go missing escalating the fear of the parents and other students. The police need to talk Digger since he has been released, he is a person of interest.
Ellie has her hands full with angry parents who are scared their daughter could be the next missing girl.
This was an intense and riveting story. I really enjoy this series. The characters are interesting and likeable. The story is told from several points of views which include the murderer. Reading the story from several points of view is gives you insight as to what they are thinking.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Darnell, Digger, Woodruff is being released from prison due to Caitlin O'Connor who works with the innocence project. Digger doesn't remember much about the night his sister was murdered, but his stepfather declared him guilty, and the police stopped looking for the truth. Caitlin has a pod cast that discusses crime cases. She herself was in prison when someone helped her to find the truth. Now, she is devoted to help others.
The parents of a young girl goes missing. Shortly after a picture of her on white sheets with a teddy bear is sent and it looks as if she is sleeping. Two more girls go missing escalating the fear of the parents and other students. The police need to talk Digger since he has been released, he is a person of interest.
Ellie has her hands full with angry parents who are scared their daughter could be the next missing girl.
This was an intense and riveting story. I really enjoy this series. The characters are interesting and likeable. The story is told from several points of views which include the murderer. Reading the story from several points of view is gives you insight as to what they are thinking.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
December 29, 2023
(4.5) Aye Ellie, Ellie, Ellie. Life keeps beating at you and you stand firm. Your integrity beyond reproach, your compassion and empathy just as strong. The Sleeping Girls touch on so much of what transpires today with Social Media, the bullying that hides behind the computers. Secrets that tear family's apart. I keep banging my head against the wall on Cord/Derrick. Please, please let there be a resolution. I am disappointed in Lola. I feel nothing but pity and that is waning. Great Series! Highly recommend starting with book 1. Then you see see Ellie's life unfold along with her. The growth, the small town atmosphere etc. It is possible to read as stand alone, but you do a disservice to yourself. Ready for book 10! Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #TheSleepingGirls #DetectiveEllieReeves #RitaHerron #Bookouture #NetGalley
January 26, 2024
✨ My Thoughts✨
I can’t believe that this is the ninth book in the series, I think I’ve shared my review for every single book.
This instalment did not disappointed, we’re back in Crooked Creek not long after the events of the previous books and the bombshell revelations, Ellie, Fox & Cord are all back on duty and back to trying to solve this case.
It was twisty case with a huge red herring but I knew that wasn’t how the case was going to go BUT was flabbergasted when I found out who the real culprit was and why, it was definitely a shocker.
The tensions between Ellie, Fox & Cord have hit a breaking point and they all need to tell each other how they really feel before it’s too late, the cliffhanger at the end is making me distraught!.
I can’t believe that this is the ninth book in the series, I think I’ve shared my review for every single book.
This instalment did not disappointed, we’re back in Crooked Creek not long after the events of the previous books and the bombshell revelations, Ellie, Fox & Cord are all back on duty and back to trying to solve this case.
It was twisty case with a huge red herring but I knew that wasn’t how the case was going to go BUT was flabbergasted when I found out who the real culprit was and why, it was definitely a shocker.
The tensions between Ellie, Fox & Cord have hit a breaking point and they all need to tell each other how they really feel before it’s too late, the cliffhanger at the end is making me distraught!.
February 26, 2025
Bella storia, molto intensa come al solito. Avevi capito parte della soluzione del mistero, ma non del tutto. E avevo visto arrivare la rivelazione finale, che dovrebbe cambiare la vita personale della protagonista, anche se dovrò leggere il libro successivo per esserne sicura.
March 12, 2024
2.5 stars
I’m beginning to think Rita Herron books aren’t for me anymore. This reads like a YA book, so I docked ⭐️s. Plus, there’s the usual mess of tropes typical to this genre.
I’m beginning to think Rita Herron books aren’t for me anymore. This reads like a YA book, so I docked ⭐️s. Plus, there’s the usual mess of tropes typical to this genre.
November 18, 2023
The Sleeping Girls (Detective Ellie Reeves Book 9) by Rita Herron is truly an addictive crime thriller packed with pulse-pounding twists.
The Sleeping Girls is a great addition to the Ellie Reeves series. One by one, three teenagers go missing, which is thought to be about bullying.
The author skillfully unravels this gripping story with credible characters, a thrilling mystery, and heart-pounding scenes. Even if you think you know the outcome, the scenes are written in a way that you just aren't sure what really is going to happen.
I laughed in one part where one character talks about struggling to tame her hair into a glossy mane. I remember as a teen also struggling with my naturally curly hair and wanting it look like the popular girls' hair and how sleek and pretty their hair was.
This book is exciting and full of gripping scenes and dark secrets.
The ending!! When is the next book??!! I really enjoy this series and cannot wait for more. I would recommend this book, this author, and this series. Start from book 1 to get to know the characters; you won’t be disappointed.
#TheSleepingGirls #NetGalley @bookouture
The Sleeping Girls is a great addition to the Ellie Reeves series. One by one, three teenagers go missing, which is thought to be about bullying.
The author skillfully unravels this gripping story with credible characters, a thrilling mystery, and heart-pounding scenes. Even if you think you know the outcome, the scenes are written in a way that you just aren't sure what really is going to happen.
I laughed in one part where one character talks about struggling to tame her hair into a glossy mane. I remember as a teen also struggling with my naturally curly hair and wanting it look like the popular girls' hair and how sleek and pretty their hair was.
This book is exciting and full of gripping scenes and dark secrets.
The ending!! When is the next book??!! I really enjoy this series and cannot wait for more. I would recommend this book, this author, and this series. Start from book 1 to get to know the characters; you won’t be disappointed.
#TheSleepingGirls #NetGalley @bookouture
March 23, 2024
Rita Herron's books are also a great read, especially the Ellie Reeves series. This is a particularly gripping story with the possibility of an unsafe conviction on the minds of every detective..I loved the way the author gave tantalising clues which allowed the reader to try to work out for themselves whether this was a copycat or a case of the wrong man serving 15 years in prison. There was just enough tension in this story to keep me rapt and determined to get to the finish in one sitting. I look forward to this great author's next work.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
January 13, 2024
The Sleeping Girls by Rita Herron is a highly recommended police procedural and the ninth book in the Ellie Reeves series. Ellie is again working with FBI Agent Derrick Fox and SAR Cord McCain.
Detective Ellie Reeves from the small town of Crooked Creek in the Appalachian Mountains investigates the case of missing fifteen-year-old Kelsey Tiller in nearby Red Clay Mountain. It seems she disappeared from her bedroom, but evidence shows she went outside via her window. Neighbors say they saw her with a secret boyfriend even though she is not allowed to date. Even though Kelsey is well-liked, evidence is found of teenage cyber-bullying toward her and her two friends. Before Ellie finds Kelsey, a heartbreaking picture is sent to her mother and another girl is missing.
During this same time "Digger" Darnell Woodruff is released from prison due to the work of the Innocence Project and true crime podcaster Caitlin O'Connor. He was convicted of killing his sister ten years earlier while sleepwalking. There may be similarities between Kelsey's case and what happened years ago, but Darnell has an alibi. Could he still be the perpetrator or is something else going on in Red Clay Mountain?
The writing is very good and the drama will hold your attention throughout. Readers will know from the first chapter that someone who does not have good intentions is watching Kelsey and her two friends. The narrative switches between the perspective of different characters, including the unnamed killer, creating tension and suspense while propelling the action forward. Short chapters with the different points-of-view help keep the pace fast and interest high. The ending is very satisfying.
The ongoing attraction and the tension it creates between Ellie and Cord is a plot thread for those following the whole series. This is only my second book from the series so, to be honest, I didn't really care. I was reading for the procedural and mystery rather than any romance. Readers can jump into the series and, as I did, read The Sleeping Girls as a standalone novel for the procedural, however, if you want a more complete picture of the characters personalities and the ongoing interaction between them you might want to start at the beginning.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader's copy. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/0...
Detective Ellie Reeves from the small town of Crooked Creek in the Appalachian Mountains investigates the case of missing fifteen-year-old Kelsey Tiller in nearby Red Clay Mountain. It seems she disappeared from her bedroom, but evidence shows she went outside via her window. Neighbors say they saw her with a secret boyfriend even though she is not allowed to date. Even though Kelsey is well-liked, evidence is found of teenage cyber-bullying toward her and her two friends. Before Ellie finds Kelsey, a heartbreaking picture is sent to her mother and another girl is missing.
During this same time "Digger" Darnell Woodruff is released from prison due to the work of the Innocence Project and true crime podcaster Caitlin O'Connor. He was convicted of killing his sister ten years earlier while sleepwalking. There may be similarities between Kelsey's case and what happened years ago, but Darnell has an alibi. Could he still be the perpetrator or is something else going on in Red Clay Mountain?
The writing is very good and the drama will hold your attention throughout. Readers will know from the first chapter that someone who does not have good intentions is watching Kelsey and her two friends. The narrative switches between the perspective of different characters, including the unnamed killer, creating tension and suspense while propelling the action forward. Short chapters with the different points-of-view help keep the pace fast and interest high. The ending is very satisfying.
The ongoing attraction and the tension it creates between Ellie and Cord is a plot thread for those following the whole series. This is only my second book from the series so, to be honest, I didn't really care. I was reading for the procedural and mystery rather than any romance. Readers can jump into the series and, as I did, read The Sleeping Girls as a standalone novel for the procedural, however, if you want a more complete picture of the characters personalities and the ongoing interaction between them you might want to start at the beginning.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader's copy. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/0...
December 20, 2024
The young girl looked so innocent, like a sleeping angel. Kelsey lay on a bed of white sheets, golden hair fanned across the pillow, eyes closed, pale lips pressed together. A white teddy bear was tucked under her slender arm… “My baby, she’s dead” her distraught mother choked out.
When the call comes in that fifteen-year-old Kelsey Tiller has gone missing from her bedroom in the middle of the night, Detective Ellie Reeves rushes to talk to her distraught parents. They tell her that Kelsey, a slender blond with green eyes and a timid smile, had plans to go shopping for her homecoming dress the next day, insisting she would have no reason to run away. But when neighbors report seeing Kelsey with a secret boyfriend, Ellie wonders how much Kelsey really told her parents.
Ellie is determined to find Kelsey’s boyfriend and interviews her friends and teachers at school. But just as she is making headway with the case, she receives some devastating news. Kelsey’s parents have received a photo of their daughter lying on a bed with white sheets over her body, skin ghostly pale under the freckles dotting her nose, her precious life snuffed out.
Desperate to find answers for those who loved Kelsey, Ellie studies the picture and realizes that her body has been posed in the same way as a teenage girl murdered ten years earlier. And when she learns Darnell, the killer in that case, has just been released from prison, fear crawls through her. Could Darnell have stolen another innocent life?
But just as Ellie thinks she has cracked the case, Kelsey’s best friend Ruby is snatched from her home, and Darnell has an unbreakable alibi. Haunted by Kelsey’s ashen face, Ellie knows she must race against time to find Ruby alive. And when she discovers one of her team is hiding critical information, she realizes she needs to act alone. But is she dealing with a twisted copycat killer or is the danger far closer to home?
A totally gripping and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you holding your breath as you race through the pages! Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
When the call comes in that fifteen-year-old Kelsey Tiller has gone missing from her bedroom in the middle of the night, Detective Ellie Reeves rushes to talk to her distraught parents. They tell her that Kelsey, a slender blond with green eyes and a timid smile, had plans to go shopping for her homecoming dress the next day, insisting she would have no reason to run away. But when neighbors report seeing Kelsey with a secret boyfriend, Ellie wonders how much Kelsey really told her parents.
Ellie is determined to find Kelsey’s boyfriend and interviews her friends and teachers at school. But just as she is making headway with the case, she receives some devastating news. Kelsey’s parents have received a photo of their daughter lying on a bed with white sheets over her body, skin ghostly pale under the freckles dotting her nose, her precious life snuffed out.
Desperate to find answers for those who loved Kelsey, Ellie studies the picture and realizes that her body has been posed in the same way as a teenage girl murdered ten years earlier. And when she learns Darnell, the killer in that case, has just been released from prison, fear crawls through her. Could Darnell have stolen another innocent life?
But just as Ellie thinks she has cracked the case, Kelsey’s best friend Ruby is snatched from her home, and Darnell has an unbreakable alibi. Haunted by Kelsey’s ashen face, Ellie knows she must race against time to find Ruby alive. And when she discovers one of her team is hiding critical information, she realizes she needs to act alone. But is she dealing with a twisted copycat killer or is the danger far closer to home?
A totally gripping and pulse-pounding crime thriller that will have you holding your breath as you race through the pages! Perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
January 15, 2024
Kelsey Tiller is a 15 year old girl who disappeared overnight. Because of her age and the claims of neighbors who claim to have seen a young man around her window, the authorities first believe that she may have run away. Detective Ellie Reeves is the best person for the job. When Kelsey's mother receives a very disturbing picture in a text message in which it appears that Kelsey is dead, the race is on. Ellie hopes she is not dead, but she sure looks dead. This picture stirs up a memory of another dead girl (Anne Marie) posed the same way. Her brother, Darnell, was convicted of killing her. He has just been released from prison through the work of an innocence project that claims they believe he is innocent. Needless to say he is the first suspect. There is a killer hiding in the shadows.
Anne Marie's death was tragic not only due to the loss of her life, but this case destroyed a family. If Darnell is innocent, he has lost 15 years of his life for a crime he did not commit. You will ponder his innocence or guilt as this story progresses. You will be taken into the world of keyboard warriors with their vicious words and images who destroy lives in anonymity and cowardice. This will make your blood boil. When another girl disappears, Ellie and her team know they have to work fast to stop this vicious killer from taking another young life.
I love the character of Ellie Reeves. She is hard-nosed and tenacious as well as honest and professional. If I had a family member in trouble, i would want her on my side. This book had everything I crave in a terrific thriller including an addictive female lead, a dream team of investigators, a solid mystery with plenty of suspense and eeriness to give you chills and a puzzle of clues leading me through the story never believing where I was going to end up. Keep the Ellie Reeves' thrillers coming.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Anne Marie's death was tragic not only due to the loss of her life, but this case destroyed a family. If Darnell is innocent, he has lost 15 years of his life for a crime he did not commit. You will ponder his innocence or guilt as this story progresses. You will be taken into the world of keyboard warriors with their vicious words and images who destroy lives in anonymity and cowardice. This will make your blood boil. When another girl disappears, Ellie and her team know they have to work fast to stop this vicious killer from taking another young life.
I love the character of Ellie Reeves. She is hard-nosed and tenacious as well as honest and professional. If I had a family member in trouble, i would want her on my side. This book had everything I crave in a terrific thriller including an addictive female lead, a dream team of investigators, a solid mystery with plenty of suspense and eeriness to give you chills and a puzzle of clues leading me through the story never believing where I was going to end up. Keep the Ellie Reeves' thrillers coming.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 10, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of The Sleeping Girls, the ninth novel to feature Detective Ellie Reeves of the Crooked Creek, Georgia Police Department.
15 year old Kelsey Tiller has been abducted from her room. Ellie and FBI Agent Derrick Fox are investigating when her parents receive a photo of Kelsey that suggests she is dead. It is very similar to a 15 year old murder, where recently released Darnell Woodruff was convicted. Then another girl is abducted and their certainty about Darnell disappears.
I don’t think that I was in the mood for The Sleeping Girls as it didn’t hold my attention. I liked the plot, but I really didn’t like the execution, which has very short chapters and multiple points of view. It feels choppy and piecemeal and is not conducive to an immersive read. All the chopping and changing and bite sized chunks gave me ample opportunities to put it down.
The plot is imaginative with Darnell “Digger” Woodruff as prime suspect. The novel gives him plenty of exposure, but doesn’t really say much as he is woolly and confused in his thinking. Meanwhile Ellie and Derrick are getting frustrated at their lack of progress, but keep plugging away. There are quite a few action scenes and events before the final denouement. I don’t think that many readers will guess the whole or the why before this as it depends on late developing information. It all seems a bit fantastical to me, but so what when it’s clever and entertaining?
The saga of Ellie’s love life continues. She now knows who she wants, but there are obstacles. It is a big feature in the novel and another distraction from the investigation, so new developments on that front got a round of applause from me.
The Sleeping Girls will hold many readers captivated, but I found it hard going. 3.5*
15 year old Kelsey Tiller has been abducted from her room. Ellie and FBI Agent Derrick Fox are investigating when her parents receive a photo of Kelsey that suggests she is dead. It is very similar to a 15 year old murder, where recently released Darnell Woodruff was convicted. Then another girl is abducted and their certainty about Darnell disappears.
I don’t think that I was in the mood for The Sleeping Girls as it didn’t hold my attention. I liked the plot, but I really didn’t like the execution, which has very short chapters and multiple points of view. It feels choppy and piecemeal and is not conducive to an immersive read. All the chopping and changing and bite sized chunks gave me ample opportunities to put it down.
The plot is imaginative with Darnell “Digger” Woodruff as prime suspect. The novel gives him plenty of exposure, but doesn’t really say much as he is woolly and confused in his thinking. Meanwhile Ellie and Derrick are getting frustrated at their lack of progress, but keep plugging away. There are quite a few action scenes and events before the final denouement. I don’t think that many readers will guess the whole or the why before this as it depends on late developing information. It all seems a bit fantastical to me, but so what when it’s clever and entertaining?
The saga of Ellie’s love life continues. She now knows who she wants, but there are obstacles. It is a big feature in the novel and another distraction from the investigation, so new developments on that front got a round of applause from me.
The Sleeping Girls will hold many readers captivated, but I found it hard going. 3.5*
January 10, 2024
🏞Taut thriller and a love triangle: loved it!
The Sleeping Girls was everything I hoped for: a mystery killer; innocent victims; a relentless, strong female detective on the case and plenty of tense action as the police attempt to catch up to the mystery culprit who's abducting teenage girls and posing them in a manner that copies a young girl's death fifteen years before. And, as a bonus, Detective Ellie Reeves is in a romantic quandary, stuck between her feelings for two central men in her life with brief updates on their love drama surfacing throughout the story. The balance between the investigation and Ellie's personal life hit just right. The story also sheds a light on high school cyber bullying.
I love a thriller that keeps me guessing and fools me as this one did. I harbored suspicions about the same person almost until the book's climax and was proved totally off. And the author really provides an insight into the victims and their lives. I connected most with young Ruby whose family circumstances were so depressing. For me, getting to know the victim is an important element in a successful crime novel and Rita Herron did an awesome job bringing the stories of both the perpetrator and the girls he targeted to light.
Last but not least, this story features Digger, a recently released prisoner who The Innocence Project has been helping after his murder conviction over a decade earlier on questionable evidence. No sooner released than he's already under scrutiny for the recent crimes. I found his fears, frustrations and coincidental connection to Ellie's team added an interesting element to the book. And, in the action climax, thank goodness he lives up to his nickname!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
The Sleeping Girls was everything I hoped for: a mystery killer; innocent victims; a relentless, strong female detective on the case and plenty of tense action as the police attempt to catch up to the mystery culprit who's abducting teenage girls and posing them in a manner that copies a young girl's death fifteen years before. And, as a bonus, Detective Ellie Reeves is in a romantic quandary, stuck between her feelings for two central men in her life with brief updates on their love drama surfacing throughout the story. The balance between the investigation and Ellie's personal life hit just right. The story also sheds a light on high school cyber bullying.
I love a thriller that keeps me guessing and fools me as this one did. I harbored suspicions about the same person almost until the book's climax and was proved totally off. And the author really provides an insight into the victims and their lives. I connected most with young Ruby whose family circumstances were so depressing. For me, getting to know the victim is an important element in a successful crime novel and Rita Herron did an awesome job bringing the stories of both the perpetrator and the girls he targeted to light.
Last but not least, this story features Digger, a recently released prisoner who The Innocence Project has been helping after his murder conviction over a decade earlier on questionable evidence. No sooner released than he's already under scrutiny for the recent crimes. I found his fears, frustrations and coincidental connection to Ellie's team added an interesting element to the book. And, in the action climax, thank goodness he lives up to his nickname!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
January 28, 2024
This is the ninth book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series and I am embarrassed to say that I have not read any of the previous books in the series. Having finished this one, I am wondering why I have never come across these books before and I am eager to go back and read the previous books. I think there is a lot of fascinating back story, particularly relating to Ellie’s relationships with her colleagues, that I am interested to catch up on.
That being said, I had absolutely no problem following the story or understanding the characters, despite being 8 books behind. The author gives you all the information you absolutely need to know and lots of information can be gleaned from the interaction between the characters. The writing style is really approachable and the action is really well paced and draws the reader through the book with ease.
The setting of the book was one of the main things that drew me in. I am fascinating by the Appalachian area of the USA and the contrast between the very remote communities and people who live isolated lives in backwoods with people who live in more populated areas, with a very marked contrast between people with wealth and people who live relatively deprived lives, and the prejudices that can arouse in people. It also offers a lot of opportunity to do things privately without risk of being seen and making things much harder for the police to investigate. It adds a definite layer of tension and peril to the story.
Stories involving the abduction and murder of young people are always affecting and this one is no exception. The anguish of the parents is really well communicated and the reader cannot help but get sucked in to the story and be praying for the same return of the missing girls. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to the pages until you have finished. This was a really quick read for me because I was so invested in the story and the writing is so easy to read. Highly recommended.
That being said, I had absolutely no problem following the story or understanding the characters, despite being 8 books behind. The author gives you all the information you absolutely need to know and lots of information can be gleaned from the interaction between the characters. The writing style is really approachable and the action is really well paced and draws the reader through the book with ease.
The setting of the book was one of the main things that drew me in. I am fascinating by the Appalachian area of the USA and the contrast between the very remote communities and people who live isolated lives in backwoods with people who live in more populated areas, with a very marked contrast between people with wealth and people who live relatively deprived lives, and the prejudices that can arouse in people. It also offers a lot of opportunity to do things privately without risk of being seen and making things much harder for the police to investigate. It adds a definite layer of tension and peril to the story.
Stories involving the abduction and murder of young people are always affecting and this one is no exception. The anguish of the parents is really well communicated and the reader cannot help but get sucked in to the story and be praying for the same return of the missing girls. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to the pages until you have finished. This was a really quick read for me because I was so invested in the story and the writing is so easy to read. Highly recommended.
February 5, 2024
A killer is released from prison. A teenager goes missing. Did she run away or has she been abducted? Detective Ellie Reeves fears that this could be linked to an old murder case...
The Sleeping Girls is the 9th book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series. The case works as a stand alone book but there are personal relationship details that continue from earlier books.
Kelsey vanishes after arguing with her secret boyfriend. Her friends worry about her safety, especially after the release of intimate photos of the teenagers. She and her best friends were devastated by the social media trolling as well as dealing with tough problems with their families. Ellie Reeves needs to explore the risks that make the girls vulnerable while also trying desperately to find Kelsey.
The book is written from multiple third person perspectives. We witness Digger as he adjusts to life outside the prison and wonders about the past. Ellie is anxious to find Kelsey before it is too late. A killer plans his next victim, feeding off the thrill of his last attack. Ruby and June miss their friend whilst also dealing with their own home life issues.
The chapters are very short so the plot speeds along at pace. The girls' unhappy backgrounds are very emotive and I also enjoyed the way the different viewpoints construct the narrative. The tension mounts as the plot develops. There are also personal elements to Ellie's life as she considers her friendships and relationships. Other characters are also soul-searching about their choices and how these may impact their personal and professional lives.
The Sleeping Girls is a fast paced and engaging detective thriller.
The Sleeping Girls is the 9th book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series. The case works as a stand alone book but there are personal relationship details that continue from earlier books.
Kelsey vanishes after arguing with her secret boyfriend. Her friends worry about her safety, especially after the release of intimate photos of the teenagers. She and her best friends were devastated by the social media trolling as well as dealing with tough problems with their families. Ellie Reeves needs to explore the risks that make the girls vulnerable while also trying desperately to find Kelsey.
The book is written from multiple third person perspectives. We witness Digger as he adjusts to life outside the prison and wonders about the past. Ellie is anxious to find Kelsey before it is too late. A killer plans his next victim, feeding off the thrill of his last attack. Ruby and June miss their friend whilst also dealing with their own home life issues.
The chapters are very short so the plot speeds along at pace. The girls' unhappy backgrounds are very emotive and I also enjoyed the way the different viewpoints construct the narrative. The tension mounts as the plot develops. There are also personal elements to Ellie's life as she considers her friendships and relationships. Other characters are also soul-searching about their choices and how these may impact their personal and professional lives.
The Sleeping Girls is a fast paced and engaging detective thriller.
January 27, 2024
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. This is the 9th book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series but all could be read as standalones.
This instalment focuses on the disappearance of teenagers Kelsey and Ruby. As usual Ellie gets stuck into the case and soon all the evidence seems to be pointing to one suspect Ellie doesn't quite believe she is getting the full story. Ellie begins digging into the past and slow unravels what really happened.
This book is tense and full of twists and turns. For a good portion of the story I had a suspect in mind but it became clear that I was wrong. I put the final pieces together at the same time as Ellie and her team.
Rita has written another excellent addition to the series which will have you on the edge of your seat, rooting for Ellie to find those poor girls. Rita also focuses on some important issues of bullying and more specifically cyber bulling as well as alcoholism and family betrayal.
If you have been following the series from the beginning there are also developments on Ellie's personal life that I am hopeful will be unravelled in the next book.
This instalment focuses on the disappearance of teenagers Kelsey and Ruby. As usual Ellie gets stuck into the case and soon all the evidence seems to be pointing to one suspect Ellie doesn't quite believe she is getting the full story. Ellie begins digging into the past and slow unravels what really happened.
This book is tense and full of twists and turns. For a good portion of the story I had a suspect in mind but it became clear that I was wrong. I put the final pieces together at the same time as Ellie and her team.
Rita has written another excellent addition to the series which will have you on the edge of your seat, rooting for Ellie to find those poor girls. Rita also focuses on some important issues of bullying and more specifically cyber bulling as well as alcoholism and family betrayal.
If you have been following the series from the beginning there are also developments on Ellie's personal life that I am hopeful will be unravelled in the next book.
January 29, 2024
I was all in from the start of this one. It grabbed me from page one and didn’t let up until the end. Missing girls, girl drama, terrible parenting, and a little bit of a love triangle or maybe even a bigger shaper among the detectives. While I mention the last part, it was such a small part of the book, but I do love to pay attention to the detectives in a crime novel and know what other little things are going on in their life and can distract them from their job. Because they are human and these things do exist.
In this one, not only did I read from the killer’s perspective, but the top suspect too and I was left to wonder if those chapters were told by the same person. I found myself going back and closely scrutinizing those chapters to see what I could glean from them and I waffled back and forth through the whole book wondering if they were or weren’t the same person. There were also enough other suspects that I wasn’t able to suss out who it was until right before the reveal.
This is a newer series to me that I haven’t had the chance to read the start of the series and I mention this to say this would work fine as a stand alone. The personal lives of the detectives, not the case, carries over from book to book and the author explains the important details for those new or those that may not remember all the previous details. This is such a fast paced series. It will appeal to all crime procedural lovers.
In this one, not only did I read from the killer’s perspective, but the top suspect too and I was left to wonder if those chapters were told by the same person. I found myself going back and closely scrutinizing those chapters to see what I could glean from them and I waffled back and forth through the whole book wondering if they were or weren’t the same person. There were also enough other suspects that I wasn’t able to suss out who it was until right before the reveal.
This is a newer series to me that I haven’t had the chance to read the start of the series and I mention this to say this would work fine as a stand alone. The personal lives of the detectives, not the case, carries over from book to book and the author explains the important details for those new or those that may not remember all the previous details. This is such a fast paced series. It will appeal to all crime procedural lovers.
November 13, 2023
Sometimes killers kill because they want to and it gives them a certain thrill. Sometimes people killed by accident and instead of getting help and confessing, they make it worse. They cover one accidental murder up with another one and are not ashamed to frame other people for their actions.
Sometimes people kill because of a trauma where they were hurt either physical or mentally or because of a medical condition.
Sometimes killers see it as a game they play with the police giving away clues and taunting them. Sometimes they do everything they can to stay under the rader.
The author has already treated us to different types of killers. Some more creepy than others.
I have already mentioned before that Ellie did not pick the right partner to get involved with. Every time I read the next book I hope and I pray she will come to her senses. I am almost shouting they should talk to each other. I hope and I pray the author will take on the task of fairy godmother and make it happen. :)
I have the feeling she might have heard my prayers. Fingers crossed. ;)
If you want to find out which amazing story she has written now, I can only invite you to pick up a copy. You won't be disappointed, I can assure you. :) 5 stars
Thank you
Sometimes people kill because of a trauma where they were hurt either physical or mentally or because of a medical condition.
Sometimes killers see it as a game they play with the police giving away clues and taunting them. Sometimes they do everything they can to stay under the rader.
The author has already treated us to different types of killers. Some more creepy than others.
I have already mentioned before that Ellie did not pick the right partner to get involved with. Every time I read the next book I hope and I pray she will come to her senses. I am almost shouting they should talk to each other. I hope and I pray the author will take on the task of fairy godmother and make it happen. :)
I have the feeling she might have heard my prayers. Fingers crossed. ;)
If you want to find out which amazing story she has written now, I can only invite you to pick up a copy. You won't be disappointed, I can assure you. :) 5 stars
Thank you
January 22, 2024
Detective Ellie Reeves is back with another case!
A man is released from prison when he was convicted of killing his own sister some twenty years ago. However, as soon as the man is released, a girl named Kelsey is being abducted. Detective Ellie Reeves immediately take up on the case to find Kelsey friends with Ruby and June and the three girls were being bullied in the school. But as the investigation goes on, they realize that the way Kelsey was murdered was similar to the girl who was murdered twenty years ago committed by the same man who was just released from the prison.
This was a fast paced thriller, packed with twists and turns. The author manages to keep the reader feel like they are on the edge while reading this book. I simply couldn't put the book down and since I have been reading this series for sometime, this Detective Ellie Reeves series have become one of my favorite series after the others. I do like Ellie's bond with Agent Derrick, and I also like how this book is a page turning thriller. You can read this book as a stand-alone if you haven't read the other books in the series. Overall, this book worth five stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
A man is released from prison when he was convicted of killing his own sister some twenty years ago. However, as soon as the man is released, a girl named Kelsey is being abducted. Detective Ellie Reeves immediately take up on the case to find Kelsey friends with Ruby and June and the three girls were being bullied in the school. But as the investigation goes on, they realize that the way Kelsey was murdered was similar to the girl who was murdered twenty years ago committed by the same man who was just released from the prison.
This was a fast paced thriller, packed with twists and turns. The author manages to keep the reader feel like they are on the edge while reading this book. I simply couldn't put the book down and since I have been reading this series for sometime, this Detective Ellie Reeves series have become one of my favorite series after the others. I do like Ellie's bond with Agent Derrick, and I also like how this book is a page turning thriller. You can read this book as a stand-alone if you haven't read the other books in the series. Overall, this book worth five stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
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