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Lost Girls of Kato
"A clever psychic thriller steeped in 80s nostalgia that will delight Stranger Things fans and anyone looking for a great read." -BestThrillers.com
In the year 1986, 12-year-old Jackie Tanner leads a desolate existence alongside a flighty older sister and an absent mother. It isn't until Jackie meets an older boy on the banks of the river that she understands the value of love and the bonds of friendship. But J.R. is only in southern Minnesota because his father, a police detective, is aiding local authorities in the search for missing girls. After the community goes into lockdown to protect their children, Jackie and J.R. navigate through the highs and lows of their complicated lives as close confidants.
In the year 2018, 32-year-old Sterling Pruitt is inexplicably lured from Los Angeles to a small Midwestern city where her lifelong dreams involving a little girl become even more vivid...tangible, even. When Sterling learns of the city's haunting secrets, she confides in Theo, the handsome yet sullen carpenter hired to renovate her new home. Together, Sterling and Theo will question both their destinies and their grips on reality.
Once Sterling begins to understand the gravity of her dreams, she'll do everything in her power to unlock the mystery behind the abductions in 1986. This enchanting, heartfelt, and often agonizing tale of friendship and tragedy reminds us the bonds of true love can etch a permanent place into our hearts.
In the year 1986, 12-year-old Jackie Tanner leads a desolate existence alongside a flighty older sister and an absent mother. It isn't until Jackie meets an older boy on the banks of the river that she understands the value of love and the bonds of friendship. But J.R. is only in southern Minnesota because his father, a police detective, is aiding local authorities in the search for missing girls. After the community goes into lockdown to protect their children, Jackie and J.R. navigate through the highs and lows of their complicated lives as close confidants.
In the year 2018, 32-year-old Sterling Pruitt is inexplicably lured from Los Angeles to a small Midwestern city where her lifelong dreams involving a little girl become even more vivid...tangible, even. When Sterling learns of the city's haunting secrets, she confides in Theo, the handsome yet sullen carpenter hired to renovate her new home. Together, Sterling and Theo will question both their destinies and their grips on reality.
Once Sterling begins to understand the gravity of her dreams, she'll do everything in her power to unlock the mystery behind the abductions in 1986. This enchanting, heartfelt, and often agonizing tale of friendship and tragedy reminds us the bonds of true love can etch a permanent place into our hearts.
382 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2023
17 people are currently reading
1516 people want to read
About the author
Quinn Avery
16 books423 followersWith nearly 50 captivating titles spanning various genres, Quinn Avery honed her talent for crafting intricate puzzles through her smart and quirky Bexley Squires mystery series. Her contemporary suspense thrillers, often set in her beloved locales such as Mankato and Lake Shetek, are nothing short of addictive, leaving readers spellbound with their mind-spinning twists. When Quinn and her husband aren't off on adventures (often with their adult children), they enjoy the tranquility of their Minnesota acreage and lake home.
Quinn also writes romantic suspense as Jennifer Ann and children's picture books as Jennifer Naumann.
Quinn also writes romantic suspense as Jennifer Ann and children's picture books as Jennifer Naumann.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 10, 2023
I enjoyed the mystery element of the Lost Girls of Kato. It was interesting to consider the different suspects and see how biases of different characters affected their theories. I also liked Jackie and JR. It was cute how much they cared about each other. What I wasn't completely a fan of was Sterling and Theo's story. Their relationship developed too quickly for me. I understand that they were drawn to each other based on the past but it just didn't really work for me. I didn't exactly understand what relationship Jackie and Sterling had. It seemed like it was different things at different points in the book. I also would have liked a bit more information about what happened to the other missing girls. I thought this was a really interesting idea but the execution didn't entirely work for me. However, I do recommend this one if you are interested in a read with an interesting mystery and don't mind that the romance develops very quickly. I also will say I agree with the blurb that this one is perfect for fans of the lovely bones.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title. I thought Rachanee Lumayno did a good job with the narration. This audiobook is single narrator but also single POV.
Thanks to Quinn Avery and Book Love Tours for providing me with this audiobook to review. All opinions are my own.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title. I thought Rachanee Lumayno did a good job with the narration. This audiobook is single narrator but also single POV.
Thanks to Quinn Avery and Book Love Tours for providing me with this audiobook to review. All opinions are my own.
September 29, 2023
I was given the audiobook version of this for the book tour and I was thrown into the story and actions early on and this was a really emotional and thrilling listen.
Jumping from 1986 to 2018, it follows the story of Jackie and Sterling. They seem to be connected but there are so many years between it doesn't seem right. Dreams that seem like a deja vu moment in time. Can they be a coincidence?
This was well written, I loved the storyline and how it all wrapped up at the end. Diane is a sweetie, as is J.R. Their pasts' come to light and Sterling knows things she shouldn't about J.R's dad that happened before they met. As if she was there the first time round. It's a very thought provoking read/listen, the blurb intrigued me and after finishing, I keep thinking of the story!
Thank you to LoveBooksTours for my gifted copy and slot on the tour!
Jumping from 1986 to 2018, it follows the story of Jackie and Sterling. They seem to be connected but there are so many years between it doesn't seem right. Dreams that seem like a deja vu moment in time. Can they be a coincidence?
This was well written, I loved the storyline and how it all wrapped up at the end. Diane is a sweetie, as is J.R. Their pasts' come to light and Sterling knows things she shouldn't about J.R's dad that happened before they met. As if she was there the first time round. It's a very thought provoking read/listen, the blurb intrigued me and after finishing, I keep thinking of the story!
Thank you to LoveBooksTours for my gifted copy and slot on the tour!
April 9, 2023
“Lost Girls of Kato” is written from two people’s points of view – a young girl and an older woman.
Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 7, 2025
Really enjoyed this audiobook! Especially considering it takes place in my college town of Mankato and did a great job including small details of the town just as I remember it. A couple cheesy plot twists and a little predictable at times but it kept me intrigued. Loved the “innocent, first crush” perspective of Jackie in the first half of the book, brought me back to the awkward middle school days.
October 18, 2023
The girls of Kato is a mystery told in two perspectives, Jackie in the year 1987 and sterling in the year 2018. Jackie is very close to her best friend JR and they both care about each other. JR is being abused by his dad. Jackie wants to help get JR away from his dad. One night leaving JR house she never came back home. The town says that she was kidnapped. During this time a lot of kids were being kidnapped and the town enforced a curfew.
In 2018 sterling moves to the town of Kato for a social work position. She meets a man named theo who is there to fix up things around her place.
Sterling finds out about the kids who were once kidnapped in 1987 and she wants to know more about the case. She has a strong passion to getting Jackie and the other girls back home or at least trying to find out what really happened to them.
Sterling ends up finding out a lot with the connection with Theo and the missing girls. A lot of information comes out about the missing girls that finally comes to the surface.
I like that this story was told in two perspectives. It gives the more of a backstory to the present. I do like the character sterling she was persistent with finding answers in the case of the missing girls. I do all like the little romance this story gives as well.
Rating 3.75⭐
Find more reviews at mybeautymybooks.com
In 2018 sterling moves to the town of Kato for a social work position. She meets a man named theo who is there to fix up things around her place.
Sterling finds out about the kids who were once kidnapped in 1987 and she wants to know more about the case. She has a strong passion to getting Jackie and the other girls back home or at least trying to find out what really happened to them.
Sterling ends up finding out a lot with the connection with Theo and the missing girls. A lot of information comes out about the missing girls that finally comes to the surface.
I like that this story was told in two perspectives. It gives the more of a backstory to the present. I do like the character sterling she was persistent with finding answers in the case of the missing girls. I do all like the little romance this story gives as well.
Rating 3.75⭐
Find more reviews at mybeautymybooks.com
April 27, 2023
Couldn't put it down!
I've had a hard time focusing on reading lately, but once I started this, I literally couldn't stop reading. I read the entire thing in one night, staying up way too late! Best book I've read in ages. The way the story progresses is absolute perfection.
I've had a hard time focusing on reading lately, but once I started this, I literally couldn't stop reading. I read the entire thing in one night, staying up way too late! Best book I've read in ages. The way the story progresses is absolute perfection.
March 5, 2023
This is a very good book! There’s a mystery as well as a love story. I thoroughly enjoyed the flipping back and forth in time. This book kept me hooked until the end!
October 12, 2023
This is only the second book I’ve ever read that’s been called a “romantic suspense/thriller” and apparently it’s a genre I’m about! It kept me on the edge of my seat from the start right up until the end.
At first, this was a really weird book to read because I’d never read a book set in the year I was born. So that was interesting to experience. Plus all the weird feelings of that kind of recent historical fiction context. But it was a thrilling read from start to finish. This is my first book by this author, but apparently, she’s written more than 40! And I will definitely be checking out some of her backlist. This was such a great read. I was very shocked by some of the twists and turns along the way, which is what you want from a crime fiction/thriller book. If you can guess every single turn, it’s very boring. I guessed some of them, but having been a lifelong reader and writer, I’m better at foreshadowing than some – so I always guess some of the twists. I didn’t realize this weird skill until recently. If anything it’s one of those annoying ones because I can’t just enjoy a book/movie without guessing.
I enjoyed the characters, both past and present. Both main female characters – young Jackie and adult Sterling were strong, independent, and beautiful souls. The blending of their characters was interesting and beautiful, and the slightly paranormal bent to the story was an interesting way to take the story. I was a little shocked by it, just not expecting it, but once I recovered it was a lovely story. It reminded me of deep South, Louisiana stories like True Detective or similar. Magical realism blended into a thriller was a unique take and I enjoyed it.
This is only my second book billed as a romantic suspense thriller. The first was one of my favorite reads of the year, and I think this is among those as well. There’s something about adding suspense and thrills to the romance that takes it to that next level. I don’t think I’ll be converting to stalker romances or bully romances any time soon, but this is a level of excitement I can handle. Kind of like mixing romance into action movies. I will say, that Theo seemed a little too good to be true sometimes, but as someone with a husband who’s like that, sometimes men can be like that.
The writing was fast-paced and kept me engaged. No pacing problems or anything like that. I enjoyed the switching point of view and timelines. Those can be confusing for some, but they were clear and well done in this book. I really enjoyed the relationships developed between the two couples. And seeing into Jackie’s mind was an exciting, sometimes terrifying, experience. I also really enjoyed the narrator. Since this was an audiobook, that should be mentioned. She did a great job of presenting the book and not distracting from it. A good narrator is an asset, and this one highlighted the great aspects of the book.
Who’s It For?
If you enjoy romance and thrilling mysteries, this is a great read for you. This book will keep you engaged from chapter one and you will need to know what is going to happen next. I was hooked from the beginning. However, it contains a lot of potential triggers, especially related to children, so please consider that and your mental health before engaging.
Content Warning: Child Abuse, Corrupt Officials, Kidnapping, Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Religious Ideations, Child Death, Parent Death, Divorce, Violence, and more.
At first, this was a really weird book to read because I’d never read a book set in the year I was born. So that was interesting to experience. Plus all the weird feelings of that kind of recent historical fiction context. But it was a thrilling read from start to finish. This is my first book by this author, but apparently, she’s written more than 40! And I will definitely be checking out some of her backlist. This was such a great read. I was very shocked by some of the twists and turns along the way, which is what you want from a crime fiction/thriller book. If you can guess every single turn, it’s very boring. I guessed some of them, but having been a lifelong reader and writer, I’m better at foreshadowing than some – so I always guess some of the twists. I didn’t realize this weird skill until recently. If anything it’s one of those annoying ones because I can’t just enjoy a book/movie without guessing.
I enjoyed the characters, both past and present. Both main female characters – young Jackie and adult Sterling were strong, independent, and beautiful souls. The blending of their characters was interesting and beautiful, and the slightly paranormal bent to the story was an interesting way to take the story. I was a little shocked by it, just not expecting it, but once I recovered it was a lovely story. It reminded me of deep South, Louisiana stories like True Detective or similar. Magical realism blended into a thriller was a unique take and I enjoyed it.
This is only my second book billed as a romantic suspense thriller. The first was one of my favorite reads of the year, and I think this is among those as well. There’s something about adding suspense and thrills to the romance that takes it to that next level. I don’t think I’ll be converting to stalker romances or bully romances any time soon, but this is a level of excitement I can handle. Kind of like mixing romance into action movies. I will say, that Theo seemed a little too good to be true sometimes, but as someone with a husband who’s like that, sometimes men can be like that.
The writing was fast-paced and kept me engaged. No pacing problems or anything like that. I enjoyed the switching point of view and timelines. Those can be confusing for some, but they were clear and well done in this book. I really enjoyed the relationships developed between the two couples. And seeing into Jackie’s mind was an exciting, sometimes terrifying, experience. I also really enjoyed the narrator. Since this was an audiobook, that should be mentioned. She did a great job of presenting the book and not distracting from it. A good narrator is an asset, and this one highlighted the great aspects of the book.
Who’s It For?
If you enjoy romance and thrilling mysteries, this is a great read for you. This book will keep you engaged from chapter one and you will need to know what is going to happen next. I was hooked from the beginning. However, it contains a lot of potential triggers, especially related to children, so please consider that and your mental health before engaging.
Content Warning: Child Abuse, Corrupt Officials, Kidnapping, Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Religious Ideations, Child Death, Parent Death, Divorce, Violence, and more.
March 26, 2023
A clever psychic thriller steeped in 80s nostalgia that will delight Stranger Things fans and anyone looking for a great read.
The story begins in a humid Minnesota summer in 1986. Twelve-year-old Jackie Tanner is a latch-key kid doing her best to get by with a mom who works at the local strip club and often disappears for days and an older teenage sister who is too preoccupied with her own life to worry about protecting anyone else’s. Her sunshine arrives in the form of new kid in town, J.R.. J.R.’s father, a police detective with a nasty streak, is tasked with solving the murders and disappearance of several young girls, including — to Jackie’s utter horror — a friend of hers.
Flash forward to 2018 and Sterling Pruitt, the daughter of a famous actress, decides to move from L.A. to take a job in a small town in Minnesota. But soon after moving, recurring dreams from childhood of a strawberry-haired young girl become more vivid and frequent than ever. Enter Theo: the handsome, curmudgeonly and mysterious carpenter she hires to help her fix up her home. As their connection grows so, too, do her dreams of this mystery girl. Soon it becomes clear that those dreams are somehow connected to the crimes of 1986, and the pair’s past and future become inextricably linked as they get closer to discovering the truth behind the city’s haunting past.
Avery, with over 40 books to her credit (including The Dead Girl’s Stilettos and Woman Over the Edge) draws her characters with an ease and familiarity that sucks you into their vortex from the get-go and holds you in its grip until the very last page.
Fans of Stand by Me and Stranger Things (which Avery namechecks in the novel) will feel instant familiarity in Jackie Tanner’s world with the archetype of the free-range ‘80s kid roaming malls, arcades, abandoned fields and river banks. She also clearly had a blast steeping the reader deep in ‘80s nostalgia — with references to everything from Q*bert and Jolt to Trapper Keepers, jelly shoes, scratch ‘n’ sniff stickers, Atari and even Nancy Reagan’s much maligned “Just Say No” drug campaign.
But nostalgia and familiarity aside, Avery’s characters are anything but caricatures. And that becomes abundantly clear in not only Jackie’s moving relationship with J.R. but that of Sterling and Theo. Both women are in search of love, an escape from their reality and someone who sees them for who they truly are. But there’s a cost. And the parallels of each pair’s relationship weave together beautifully for a story that is both heartbreaking and heartfelt — and will leave you glad that you ignored your own life for a while to step into theirs.
The story begins in a humid Minnesota summer in 1986. Twelve-year-old Jackie Tanner is a latch-key kid doing her best to get by with a mom who works at the local strip club and often disappears for days and an older teenage sister who is too preoccupied with her own life to worry about protecting anyone else’s. Her sunshine arrives in the form of new kid in town, J.R.. J.R.’s father, a police detective with a nasty streak, is tasked with solving the murders and disappearance of several young girls, including — to Jackie’s utter horror — a friend of hers.
Flash forward to 2018 and Sterling Pruitt, the daughter of a famous actress, decides to move from L.A. to take a job in a small town in Minnesota. But soon after moving, recurring dreams from childhood of a strawberry-haired young girl become more vivid and frequent than ever. Enter Theo: the handsome, curmudgeonly and mysterious carpenter she hires to help her fix up her home. As their connection grows so, too, do her dreams of this mystery girl. Soon it becomes clear that those dreams are somehow connected to the crimes of 1986, and the pair’s past and future become inextricably linked as they get closer to discovering the truth behind the city’s haunting past.
Avery, with over 40 books to her credit (including The Dead Girl’s Stilettos and Woman Over the Edge) draws her characters with an ease and familiarity that sucks you into their vortex from the get-go and holds you in its grip until the very last page.
Fans of Stand by Me and Stranger Things (which Avery namechecks in the novel) will feel instant familiarity in Jackie Tanner’s world with the archetype of the free-range ‘80s kid roaming malls, arcades, abandoned fields and river banks. She also clearly had a blast steeping the reader deep in ‘80s nostalgia — with references to everything from Q*bert and Jolt to Trapper Keepers, jelly shoes, scratch ‘n’ sniff stickers, Atari and even Nancy Reagan’s much maligned “Just Say No” drug campaign.
But nostalgia and familiarity aside, Avery’s characters are anything but caricatures. And that becomes abundantly clear in not only Jackie’s moving relationship with J.R. but that of Sterling and Theo. Both women are in search of love, an escape from their reality and someone who sees them for who they truly are. But there’s a cost. And the parallels of each pair’s relationship weave together beautifully for a story that is both heartbreaking and heartfelt — and will leave you glad that you ignored your own life for a while to step into theirs.
September 26, 2023
This is exactly what I would describe my favourite genre to be - but with a little unique twist that I absolutely didn't see coming!
We follow the storyline over 2 timelines and with 2 distinct narrators.
Back in 1986, Jackie tells of her friendship with JR and the difficult upbringing they both had as well as the creepy happenings around town, where 3 young girls have gone missing from the area.
Skip forward to 2018 and here Sterling, having recently moved to the area from California, tries to come to terms with the strange similarities between her recent dreams and the events of 30 years earlier, and enlists the help and support of Theo, her carpenter.
I was really drawn to both our narrators.
Jackie was so innocent and trusting and I really felt for her situation.
Sterling took a little getting used to. At first I found her a little too forward ....but she soon grew on me and I found myself really rooting for her and Theo's relationship and plight.
This was following my perfect formula for a psychological thriller. Each storyline unfolding and offering more and more clues as to what happened, but each clue threw up a new suspect and I was completely stumped as to who it was going to be.....and I loved the unique twist that I didn't see coming at all (no spoilers)!
I'm not sure that I'd say this was particularly fast-paced, but I was obsessed throughout. Hooked from the start and I couldn't wait to get some time to keep listening.
I'm now really keen to hunt out some more books by this author to explore.
Loved this!
We follow the storyline over 2 timelines and with 2 distinct narrators.
Back in 1986, Jackie tells of her friendship with JR and the difficult upbringing they both had as well as the creepy happenings around town, where 3 young girls have gone missing from the area.
Skip forward to 2018 and here Sterling, having recently moved to the area from California, tries to come to terms with the strange similarities between her recent dreams and the events of 30 years earlier, and enlists the help and support of Theo, her carpenter.
I was really drawn to both our narrators.
Jackie was so innocent and trusting and I really felt for her situation.
Sterling took a little getting used to. At first I found her a little too forward ....but she soon grew on me and I found myself really rooting for her and Theo's relationship and plight.
This was following my perfect formula for a psychological thriller. Each storyline unfolding and offering more and more clues as to what happened, but each clue threw up a new suspect and I was completely stumped as to who it was going to be.....and I loved the unique twist that I didn't see coming at all (no spoilers)!
I'm not sure that I'd say this was particularly fast-paced, but I was obsessed throughout. Hooked from the start and I couldn't wait to get some time to keep listening.
I'm now really keen to hunt out some more books by this author to explore.
Loved this!
October 10, 2023
I really enjoyed listening to this. I’ve never been that big a fan of audio books, but this was great. For me the pace is usually too slow and I get frustrated, but this was perfect. The narrator’s voice is soothing and easy to listen to.
The story is told from two points of view – Jackie Tanner in 1986, when the girls go missing – presumably abducted – and 2018 when 32 year old Sterling Pruitt finds herself inexplicably lured to Mankato, a small town in Minnesota, to start a new job. But it’s her vivid dreams about a young girl that have really drawn her to this location, dreams she doesn’t understand. She has bought a house that needs a huge amount of renovation, but she can afford it. Her mother is a famous Hollywood actor, but Sterling prefers to keep quiet about that part. She’s not a fan of the ‘celebrity’ lifestyle. She hires a local handyman, Theo Davies, to work on her house and finds herself attracted to him immediately.
Jackie is 12 years old in 1986. She lives with her older sister and her mum in Mankato. Her mum is rarely there and the girls more or less fend for themselves. Jackie doesn’t have many friends until she meets JR, who is two years older than her and already in high school. In the UK so would Jackie be at 12, but it must be different in the US.
Girls have gone missing and JR’s father, a detective with the FBI, has been relocated to southern Minnesota to investigate the disappearance of the girls. A curfew has been imposed to protect the young women of the community. Jackie regularly steals out of the house though to meet JR and they become firm friends.
What starts off as a typical case of kidnapped girls, turns into something quite different. Do Sterling’s dreams have anything to do with the abductions? And how does she know so much about what happened? Why is everyone in Mankato so secretive about the circumstances surrounding the disappearances in 1986, almost as if the past is being buried?
This was a very exciting read, with plenty of twists and surprises, made even more so by the use of audio – I never thought I would hear myself say that. It works so well because of the great narrator, who helps build up the suspense when it’s needed. I’d love to read more by this author in the future.
Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of #LostGirlsOfKatoTour
The story is told from two points of view – Jackie Tanner in 1986, when the girls go missing – presumably abducted – and 2018 when 32 year old Sterling Pruitt finds herself inexplicably lured to Mankato, a small town in Minnesota, to start a new job. But it’s her vivid dreams about a young girl that have really drawn her to this location, dreams she doesn’t understand. She has bought a house that needs a huge amount of renovation, but she can afford it. Her mother is a famous Hollywood actor, but Sterling prefers to keep quiet about that part. She’s not a fan of the ‘celebrity’ lifestyle. She hires a local handyman, Theo Davies, to work on her house and finds herself attracted to him immediately.
Jackie is 12 years old in 1986. She lives with her older sister and her mum in Mankato. Her mum is rarely there and the girls more or less fend for themselves. Jackie doesn’t have many friends until she meets JR, who is two years older than her and already in high school. In the UK so would Jackie be at 12, but it must be different in the US.
Girls have gone missing and JR’s father, a detective with the FBI, has been relocated to southern Minnesota to investigate the disappearance of the girls. A curfew has been imposed to protect the young women of the community. Jackie regularly steals out of the house though to meet JR and they become firm friends.
What starts off as a typical case of kidnapped girls, turns into something quite different. Do Sterling’s dreams have anything to do with the abductions? And how does she know so much about what happened? Why is everyone in Mankato so secretive about the circumstances surrounding the disappearances in 1986, almost as if the past is being buried?
This was a very exciting read, with plenty of twists and surprises, made even more so by the use of audio – I never thought I would hear myself say that. It works so well because of the great narrator, who helps build up the suspense when it’s needed. I’d love to read more by this author in the future.
Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of #LostGirlsOfKatoTour
October 20, 2023
I received the audiobook in exchange for my honest review, all thoughts are my own
When it comes to audiobooks a narrator will make or break it for me, in this case the narrator was perfect, she brought the characters to life & I was pulled straight into the story. Romantic Suspense Thriller is not a genre I read alot of, I tend to read them separately but I really enjoyed the combination here. This is a dual timeline & dual POV book both of which I'm a big fan of, the switching between Jackie & Sterling's stories & trying to figure out their connection really kept me engaged & hooked on the story. It did take me a while to warm up to Sterling but once I did I was really rooting for her but Jackie I loved from the beginning, particularly her growing friendship with JR. Lots of suspense & mystery throughout with a brilliant unique twist & everything was tied up neatly by the end.
I few dark themes throughout so check for triggers but an all round well written page turner perfect for fans of suspense, mystery thrillers
When it comes to audiobooks a narrator will make or break it for me, in this case the narrator was perfect, she brought the characters to life & I was pulled straight into the story. Romantic Suspense Thriller is not a genre I read alot of, I tend to read them separately but I really enjoyed the combination here. This is a dual timeline & dual POV book both of which I'm a big fan of, the switching between Jackie & Sterling's stories & trying to figure out their connection really kept me engaged & hooked on the story. It did take me a while to warm up to Sterling but once I did I was really rooting for her but Jackie I loved from the beginning, particularly her growing friendship with JR. Lots of suspense & mystery throughout with a brilliant unique twist & everything was tied up neatly by the end.
I few dark themes throughout so check for triggers but an all round well written page turner perfect for fans of suspense, mystery thrillers
October 18, 2023
I absolutely loved this! I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrator did a great job bringing the story to life.
The story is told from dual POV of Jackie and Sterling and also a dual timeline, in 1986 and 2018.
I was so invested in the book. I was listening at every opportunity. I was so intrigued by the way Sterling’s dreams were connecting her to Jackie.
I really liked both the main female characters Jackie and Sterling. They were independent and strong.
Everything moves along at a fast pace and I was gripped from the start. The twists shocked me and the way the story went did too. I don’t want to give anything away so I won’t say anymore.
This was the first time I’ve read anything by this author and I’ll definitely be reading more. I definitely recommend this one. If you enjoyed The Lovely Bones then I’m sure you would enjoy this also.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for having me on the tour and for my gifted audiobook.
The story is told from dual POV of Jackie and Sterling and also a dual timeline, in 1986 and 2018.
I was so invested in the book. I was listening at every opportunity. I was so intrigued by the way Sterling’s dreams were connecting her to Jackie.
I really liked both the main female characters Jackie and Sterling. They were independent and strong.
Everything moves along at a fast pace and I was gripped from the start. The twists shocked me and the way the story went did too. I don’t want to give anything away so I won’t say anymore.
This was the first time I’ve read anything by this author and I’ll definitely be reading more. I definitely recommend this one. If you enjoyed The Lovely Bones then I’m sure you would enjoy this also.
Thank you to Love Book Tours for having me on the tour and for my gifted audiobook.
October 9, 2023
As soon as I heard fans of Hidden Pictures and Lonely Bones would love this I knew I would love it and it didn't disappoint me.
I listened to this on audio book and I would highly recommend it, although I still want to read a physical copy because I enjoyed this book so much. It is well written with a compelling story line and well developed characters which I instantly cared about.
The book has a dual timeline and dual narrative which is something I really like in books as it makes me feel like I really know the characters and the story. It was a gripping read/listen and kept me guessing. The pacing was good all the way through, I wouldn't say it was particularly fast paced but it worked for this book, in my opinion.
A fantastic book and I cant wait to get my hands on a physical copy. I will definitely be looking for more from the author
I listened to this on audio book and I would highly recommend it, although I still want to read a physical copy because I enjoyed this book so much. It is well written with a compelling story line and well developed characters which I instantly cared about.
The book has a dual timeline and dual narrative which is something I really like in books as it makes me feel like I really know the characters and the story. It was a gripping read/listen and kept me guessing. The pacing was good all the way through, I wouldn't say it was particularly fast paced but it worked for this book, in my opinion.
A fantastic book and I cant wait to get my hands on a physical copy. I will definitely be looking for more from the author
February 13, 2023
Thank you Quinn Avery for the ARC! So grateful to have the opportunity to read and review this story.
3.5 stars. MN born and raised - so it’s always fun to have a setting based in your home state. This was a quick and enjoyable read that had you putting the pieces together until the very end. I really enjoyed the flashback scenes as they felt very necessary to solving the case. I do wish there was more Jackie’s POV - I felt her story ended too abruptly. I also found myself losing interest in the characters and some elements of the story felt rushed. I overall thought this was a fun read and intriguing story of love, loss and justice.
3.5 stars. MN born and raised - so it’s always fun to have a setting based in your home state. This was a quick and enjoyable read that had you putting the pieces together until the very end. I really enjoyed the flashback scenes as they felt very necessary to solving the case. I do wish there was more Jackie’s POV - I felt her story ended too abruptly. I also found myself losing interest in the characters and some elements of the story felt rushed. I overall thought this was a fun read and intriguing story of love, loss and justice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2023
I won a copy of this book for an honest review.
Very well developed characters and story. Very well written. You have 2 stories going with Jackie who is in 6th grade in 1986 and Sterling who has moved to this same town in 2018. In 86 girls were going missing and no one could figure out where or why. Gossip was that they had run away but when Sterling finds out she doesn't believe that is the case. It is quite the trip with both people and when everything comes together it is quite the surprise. Loved it!
Very well developed characters and story. Very well written. You have 2 stories going with Jackie who is in 6th grade in 1986 and Sterling who has moved to this same town in 2018. In 86 girls were going missing and no one could figure out where or why. Gossip was that they had run away but when Sterling finds out she doesn't believe that is the case. It is quite the trip with both people and when everything comes together it is quite the surprise. Loved it!
October 11, 2023
I listened as audio arc reader and loved the story. The mystery that filled my ears had me gripped. Rachanee Lumayno brought the characters to life. It had the right amount of suspense to keep you wanting more. The story drifts between two timelines and two characters as we explore the mystery. 1986 we follow Jackie Tanner and in 2018 we follow Sterling Pruitt. Jackie child who mother works as a stripper and Sterling the daughter of a famous actress. The setting is a small town in Minnesota. There is a bit of romance, but not enough for those that aren't into that.
October 23, 2023
Well this book has everything and the narrators are absolutely perfect, bringing the story to life. It’s a medium paced read (never know whether to say read or listen when it’s an audiobook) but it was certainly immersive. I had to concentrate because I didn’t want to miss anything. I didn’t have it on in the background while I was doing other things, which I sometimes do with audiobooks. I needed to give this my full attention. It certainly kept me guessing and there were things I didn’t anticipate. Loved it. Highly recommended.
March 1, 2023
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I wasn't expecting much but I was very pleasantly surprised. I usually don't like books that go back and forth in time, but the author handled it extremely well and I can't imagine it working any other way. I also love books that have a touch of paranormal so this ended up being something I would have read anyway. I'm going to be checking out other books by this author now.
March 5, 2023
I love when I get to read a book with tidbits of familiar places. It really transports me as the reader into the world that has been created by the author. The way the story was laid out with timeline jumps was excellent and made the book into two separate tales being told from the points of view of two characters that are connected. I really enjoyed the story and I found myself sad for the characters that suffered. Great book. Can't wait for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2023
When I read that fans of Hidden Pictures and The Lovely Bones would enjoy this, I had to give it a go!
This book has a dual timeline jumping from 1986 where young girls are going missing to 2018 where a woman makes a connection with the past and the missing girls.
Listening to the audio book made this story really enjoyable, the pace was perfect for the storyline and all the characters were portrayed really well. I enjoyed the love story alongside the mystery!
This book has a dual timeline jumping from 1986 where young girls are going missing to 2018 where a woman makes a connection with the past and the missing girls.
Listening to the audio book made this story really enjoyable, the pace was perfect for the storyline and all the characters were portrayed really well. I enjoyed the love story alongside the mystery!
October 16, 2023
I was lucky to be able to get an audiobook for this amazing tour. This book was great and I loved how it would go to past and present every other chapter. I liked how Jackie & JR had a great friendship. I was a little perplexed at Sterlings and Theos relationship since it progressed rather quickly but I did like how they were connected it a very strong way. I did find the way Sterling was connected to Jackie was a bit confusing but I did like the ending and how the story rounded up.
October 19, 2023
Thank you @lovebookstours and @authorquinnavery for this audiobook!
I saw for fans of Hidden Pictures and Lovely Bones and I was in! I went in blind and it was better than I imagined! I fell in love with Theo immediately and Sterling cannot be stopped when she puts her mind to something!!! By the first glance of the cover I thought it was going to be historical fiction! Ha! So wrong! Grab this one, it was so good!!!
I saw for fans of Hidden Pictures and Lovely Bones and I was in! I went in blind and it was better than I imagined! I fell in love with Theo immediately and Sterling cannot be stopped when she puts her mind to something!!! By the first glance of the cover I thought it was going to be historical fiction! Ha! So wrong! Grab this one, it was so good!!!
October 23, 2023
I loved this audiobook, it was very engaging and the storyline kept my attention throughout.
The story is told in a dual timeline between 1986 and 2018. We come to find that the characters from both times are connected…but not in a conventional way.
I enjoyed getting to know both of the female main characters and I felt really connected to them and their story.
The author had you guessing right up to the end of the book who the culprit was…great listen!
The story is told in a dual timeline between 1986 and 2018. We come to find that the characters from both times are connected…but not in a conventional way.
I enjoyed getting to know both of the female main characters and I felt really connected to them and their story.
The author had you guessing right up to the end of the book who the culprit was…great listen!
January 18, 2023
As someone who grew up in Kato in the 1980's, this book is spot on! It was fun taking a trip down memory lane as the characters moved through 1986. The way Quinn Avery brought the two decades together, the suspense, the intrigue was amazing. I had no idea how it would end until everything was divulged in the end.
January 19, 2023
I always look forward to the release of new books from this author. They are quick reads that keep you intrigued the whole time. I couldn't put it down; I kept running the different scenarios/stories in my head trying to figure out where this was going. I don't want to give it away, so I will leave it as that. It is a must read! A perfect blend of mystery and romance.
February 3, 2023
Another great read by Quinn Avery, couldn't put this one down. The decades perfectly woven together, the mystery, the romance, feeling like you really knew and related to each and every character - all were spot on. It was fun when you started guessing/putting the pieces together one by one, but still ended up surprised at the end!
February 22, 2023
Wow! Truly brought tears to my eyes & made me dream what I was reading. The local references really made me feel a part of the book since I could put myself in the exact spot being from the area! Part Two hooked me & had me up late wanting just one more chapter! Great mixture of love, suspense, romance and mystery!
March 4, 2023
Quinn Avery does it AGAIN! I started this book…. and literally could NOT put it down without finishing!!!
SO many nostalgic references to the 80’s…. So many twists and turns….. it truly keeps you wanting more. It’s written in such an engaging way! You truly feel as though you are there… IN the story with the characters.
This is a must read.
SO many nostalgic references to the 80’s…. So many twists and turns….. it truly keeps you wanting more. It’s written in such an engaging way! You truly feel as though you are there… IN the story with the characters.
This is a must read.
March 14, 2023
Our book club selected this book and WOW…loved it . I haven’t read the two time line writing style in a while but was pleasantly surprised at how easily it flowed . I’m generally not a fan of romance novels but the love story mixed with mystery was perfect. Once I got into about chapter 4 I couldn’t put it down…finished in two sittings ! Highly recommend.
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