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Ava James FBI #11

The Girl in Hawaii

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“Don’t look back. There’s someone out there that will save us all.”

When an unexpected call from FBI agent Bella Walker takes Ava James on a red eye flight to Hawaii waters.
Nothing could have prepared her for the surprising mysteries that lie hidden in the Jurassic World-like landscape.

After the 17-year-old, Kelly Winters went missing in Florida.
Ava James worked tirelessly on the case only to reach a dead end.
She had lost hope of finding the truth behind Kelly’s mysterious disappearance.
Until she received a shocking call.

In the middle of the Oahu rainforest, physically battered, but with an unbreakable determination,
Kelly Winters pushed her body to the limit to escape her captors.
Upon hearing the young girl’s story, Ava makes a promise to Kelly that she will follow through until all the other victims are found.
While Ava and Bella unravel the case, they find it linked to a huge trafficking network that has spread its seeds everywhere.
From everyday men to Capitol Hill to Japan to the Middle East.
The case could mean career suicide or even an untimely death.
The stakes are higher than ever. There are enemies to be found in even the police precincts.

This conspiracy is bigger than she could have ever imagined, and no person could save her from the bones that she would unearth...

307 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2024

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About the author

A.J. Rivers

166 books1,629 followers

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5 stars
1,169 (66%)
4 stars
444 (25%)
3 stars
116 (6%)
2 stars
19 (1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Veronika Cryer.
57 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2024
Interesting story idea but felt very forced. It seemed unrealistic and was hard to feel part of the story.
Profile Image for Angela.
9,554 reviews126 followers
April 22, 2026
3 - 3.5 Stars

The Girl in Hawaii is the eleventh book in the Ava James FBI Series by A.J. Rivers - this series perfectly blends suspense, crime & investigation, and emotional depth.
The series follows Special Agent Ava James, an FBI investigator whose cases often blur the line between professional duty and personal stakes. Each book contains a standalone mystery - ranging from chilling murders to long-buried secrets - while also weaving in an overarching storyline about Ava’s past, her relationships, and her evolving sense of justice.
Ms. Rivers crafts stories that are both plot-driven and character-focused. The pacing is quite brisk, with short, punchy chapters that kept me turning pages late into the night. The twists are frequent but didn't feel contrived or forced, and the author exceled at planting subtle clues that make the reveals oh so satisfying.
Balancing dark, suspenseful crime scenes with moments of warmth and humanity, the author shows she has a knack for creating atmospheric settings - whether it’s a small town hiding sinister secrets or a bustling city with shadows in every alley. The tension is sustained without becoming overwhelming or excessive graphic.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy FBI thrillers with a dose of heart, as this series is well worth diving into – but be prepared to clear your schedule, because once you start, you won’t want to stop.
Happy Reading…
Profile Image for Pam Fleming.
1,132 reviews
July 15, 2025
A twisty mystery as FBI profiler/agent Ava is asked to come to Hawaii to assist on a trafficking/abduction of young teenagers. When Kelly escapes, a chain of events is set into motion to help the police unravel the names and money behind the operations. Ava has previously worked on the case after Kelly disappeared in Florida.

How high up the chain of political figures and government officials does the trafficking reach? Ava and the famous local agent Bella race against time to find the missing girls.
Profile Image for Patt.
468 reviews6 followers
January 18, 2024
This was a great book! Combining Bella and Ava to work on a case together was a wonderful idea. Their personalities are so different, but they worked well together to solve a long open case of child trafficking that Ava had been working on for so long. Lots of excitement and surprises happened along the way and both of them suffered bruising and frustration.
I received an ARC of this book from the author, and this is an honest review.
430 reviews4 followers
February 10, 2024
The Girl In Hawaii(Ava James FBI Mystery Book 11)

OMG, this book was amazing and kind of scary. Ava got all of the bad guys, but took quite a beating. This book makes you think about your personal safety, to make you more aware of your surroundings. This one was about human trafficking and how easily someone can be snatched off the streets. It was very good, it shows what one seventeen year old girl can do to save herself and others. I loved ever minute of this book.
Profile Image for Patricia A. Biba.
415 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2024
Youth trafficking.

Ava got a chance to solve a case that was unsolved and she was pulled off of. She ended up in Hawaii after the girl she was looking for was found. It was interesting to see how many people were involved in the kidnapping of children. Interesting in how the case was solved and the number of people involved. Anyone who likes to try to figure out the solution would like to read this book.
798 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2024
This is a great story about Ava James and Bella Walker working together to find a human trafficking ring and who is involved with some clues from a girl that escaped. There was lots of suspense and danger involved and I enjoyed this story very much. Thank you very much for allowing me to read this fantastic story.
272 reviews5 followers
January 22, 2024
Double the fun!

If you've been reading AJ Rivers Ava and Bella series, this book is a special treat. The two agents are working together on Bella's turf, Oahu. Plus, there are stopovers in SF, where Jason lives. So many good characters in one book. Plus, yeah, the storyline is awesome.
Profile Image for Kelly Smelcer.
434 reviews
January 23, 2024
Incredible!

Loved this book! When FBI Agent Bella Walker needs help in Honolulu, she calls on Ava James for assistance. This was an excellent mashup of two wonderful series stars in a pulse-pounding thrill ride that will grab hold of you and won't let go until the last word on the last page.
Profile Image for Linda Thomas.
842 reviews9 followers
February 4, 2024
Ava had a cold case become hot. one of her missing girls was in Hawaii.

Ava is a FBI Agent and she had a case of a missing girl from florida. Now she shows up in Hawaii trying to help the other girls get free. Ava joins the local FBI and try’s to close the gaps and find the others. Really good story.
121 reviews
February 4, 2024
Thrilling

Just finished this and was not disappointed. This book held my attention from beginning to end and bringing Bella back into the storyline was an added plus. I've been to Oahu twice and it is by far the best island and reading this book brought back some wonderful memories. I look forward to book 12 in this series and hope for more crossovers. Highly recommend.




9 reviews
April 2, 2024
Bella Walker in Hawaii

A.J. Rivers never disappoints. Bring Bella and Ava together in this book was great. The two detectives working side by side solving several murders and rescuing the girls. Awesome outcomes while leaving a little hanging for yet another book! Can’t wait for the next book to come out!
Profile Image for Penny Anne.
37 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2026
Aloha

Hawaii is a wonderful place to visit and enjoy, but even with all its beauty, it has a tarnished underbelly of crime. Ava does a great job listening to her instincts and doggedly pursuing the truth. And is there romance on her future? If so, they’re moving at a turtles pace ;)
1,507 reviews7 followers
January 25, 2024
The Girl in Hawaii

OMG I really loved this book. Please keep this series going. This is one of the best series after Emma. I cab"t wait to read the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book and series.
58 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2024
Great read.

Please tell me we are going to find the last person in this case and end it. Hope all get what they deserve. Well written it captures your interest and keeps you coming back for more.
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,683 reviews7 followers
March 19, 2024
lots of moving parts

Local criminals, wealthy gangs of sadistic perverts, international crimes, predation upon young, vulnerable women, brutality, hubris - what other awfulness can I think of? This book has all the distasteful elements and then some.
5 reviews
April 4, 2024
The ending was so blatantly obvious due to something Ava waived off as meaningless early in the investigation, which would never happen in real life. I am also finding the boyfriend storyline childish because Ava is creating a relationship in her head when one doesn’t exist.
613 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2024
Loved this book. Two of my favorite characters in the same book! How much better can it get?
1,415 reviews9 followers
February 1, 2024
Who kidnapped Kelly Winters and why??? Thank you, Ava and Bella. I enjoyed this story and recommended the book
403 reviews4 followers
February 1, 2024
Loved This.

The storyline was great, as always. I loved all the characters. It was difficult to put down. I know you will enjoy it too! Good reading.
552 reviews
February 16, 2024
Another great installment
Who says kindle unlimited only has junk…guess I like junk
177 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2024
WOW!

I have never read any books by this Author but this will not be my last one! I think I need to go back to the first one.
Profile Image for Jodi Luff.
22 reviews
April 15, 2024
This was very enjoyable and blended the characters from two series together very well.
1,485 reviews4 followers
June 1, 2024
Edge of your seat for the whole book!

Holy cow! Ava had her hands full with this one! Lots of evil, a brave young girl and Bella to help her out. Ore about Ava and Jason, please!
1 review
June 27, 2024
great book

The characters were great
Enjoyed this book, wish there was another to follow Ava and Jason. A.J Rivers books are great
46 reviews
July 18, 2024
Dynamic Duo

This was a fun read with 2 very cool FBI agents in beautiful Hawaii. I especially loved the Hawaiian speech. I could hear it as I read it! More Ava and Bella, please!
207 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2025
Best yet

I enjoyed this one so much I finished it at once. Bella and Ava made a good team. I would have liked to know how the rest of the girls were though.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews