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Forsaken in the Forest
Don’t trust outsiders.
Don’t trust law enforcement.
Those are the two rules that people abide by in the hills.
But when murder hits close to home, some speculate a serial killer is loose in their community. One they aren’t equipped to take down.
Elven Hallie might have stumbled in the past, but now he’s a new man.
So when a few hillfolk break their own rules and ask for his help, he is more than ready to take on the case.
But this killer is not like anyone Elven’s ever hunted before. And if he wants to survive, he’ll need to break a few of his own rules.
Don’t trust law enforcement.
Those are the two rules that people abide by in the hills.
But when murder hits close to home, some speculate a serial killer is loose in their community. One they aren’t equipped to take down.
Elven Hallie might have stumbled in the past, but now he’s a new man.
So when a few hillfolk break their own rules and ask for his help, he is more than ready to take on the case.
But this killer is not like anyone Elven’s ever hunted before. And if he wants to survive, he’ll need to break a few of his own rules.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2025
509 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Drew Strickland
50 books172 followersDrew Strickland is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of the Sheriff Elven Hallie Mysteries along with other twisted crime and psychological thrillers.
He resides in Arizona with his wife and kids. When he’s not writing, he can be found reading, exploring new cities, spending time with his family, and of course, cuddling with his many cats (for real, cats just love him and he loves them).
Connect with Drew:
➜ WEBSITE: drewstricklandbooks.com
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/drewstricklandbooks
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/drewstricklandbooks
He resides in Arizona with his wife and kids. When he’s not writing, he can be found reading, exploring new cities, spending time with his family, and of course, cuddling with his many cats (for real, cats just love him and he loves them).
Connect with Drew:
➜ WEBSITE: drewstricklandbooks.com
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/drewstricklandbooks
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/drewstricklandbooks
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 14, 2025
Drew Strickland keeps the quality of the stories high as I make my way deeper into the series. Working with a successful premise in small-town West Virginia, Strickland leads Sheriff Elven Hallie through countless twists during the collection. While Elven is coming to terms with his recent defeat in the election for sheriff, he must also handle the deception of his deputy and a woman with whom he shared a relationship. A teenage girl's body is discovered, pulling Elven from his sulking as he agrees to help with the investigation. Working outside Dupray, he will have to rely on his reputation and good skills, as he is no longer carrying the badge. Another great novel proves that Drew Strickland knows his stuff.
While Elven Hallie was struck dumb when he lost the race for sheriff, it was the deception by his deputy, Maddison ‘Madds’ Cook that left him smarting even more. Down on his luck, Elven is unsure what to do, especially when Madds asks for his help on an investigation in rural West Virginia. A teenage girl's body is found with an odd doll and no one can ascertain what happened, particularly since two of her friends disappeared around the same time. Elven's skills may prove helpful, as long as he can shelve his animosity about everything that's happened to him lately.
Working in the small community of Old Knuckle, Elven and Madds begin peeling back the stories about the girls and where they were last seen. It would seem as though someone is holding a vendetta against them and needs to silence the girls. When a second girl is found killed, another doll next to her, Elven and Madds wonder if this is a serial killer with a plan. No one seems to know anything, or at least they have little they want to share, yet there is something eerie about all of this.
When truths about the missing girls come to light, Elven and Madds will have to put the past aside and return to their collaborative efforts. Their ability to locate clues and act on them swiftly will surely help provide a path to success, as long as there is enough time. Lurking out of the light is someone who possesses all the answers and has a plan of their own for the teenage girls. Should they stray, there are dire consequences. A great addition to the series that must bend the rules, showing how versatile Drew Strickland can be.
This is a busy novel to say the least, adding something new to what Drew Strickland has presented before. There is much that stems from the solid foundation the past books have created, while also a great deal of branching off. The narrative takes hold from the opening pages, trying to capture some of the fallout of the last few novels. Strickland picks up the pieces and adds so many more to create a momentum-filled experience, while casting the light on numerous characters that keep the series edgy. The plot lines that develop at their own pace add some depth and spice to an already strong central idea, while encouraging secondary storylines to propel things forward. Drew Strickland has a knack for keeping the reader in the middle of the action, while adding something to Dupray County as well. I cannot wait to see what's next!
Kudos, Mr. Strickland, for another novel full of twists.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
While Elven Hallie was struck dumb when he lost the race for sheriff, it was the deception by his deputy, Maddison ‘Madds’ Cook that left him smarting even more. Down on his luck, Elven is unsure what to do, especially when Madds asks for his help on an investigation in rural West Virginia. A teenage girl's body is found with an odd doll and no one can ascertain what happened, particularly since two of her friends disappeared around the same time. Elven's skills may prove helpful, as long as he can shelve his animosity about everything that's happened to him lately.
Working in the small community of Old Knuckle, Elven and Madds begin peeling back the stories about the girls and where they were last seen. It would seem as though someone is holding a vendetta against them and needs to silence the girls. When a second girl is found killed, another doll next to her, Elven and Madds wonder if this is a serial killer with a plan. No one seems to know anything, or at least they have little they want to share, yet there is something eerie about all of this.
When truths about the missing girls come to light, Elven and Madds will have to put the past aside and return to their collaborative efforts. Their ability to locate clues and act on them swiftly will surely help provide a path to success, as long as there is enough time. Lurking out of the light is someone who possesses all the answers and has a plan of their own for the teenage girls. Should they stray, there are dire consequences. A great addition to the series that must bend the rules, showing how versatile Drew Strickland can be.
This is a busy novel to say the least, adding something new to what Drew Strickland has presented before. There is much that stems from the solid foundation the past books have created, while also a great deal of branching off. The narrative takes hold from the opening pages, trying to capture some of the fallout of the last few novels. Strickland picks up the pieces and adds so many more to create a momentum-filled experience, while casting the light on numerous characters that keep the series edgy. The plot lines that develop at their own pace add some depth and spice to an already strong central idea, while encouraging secondary storylines to propel things forward. Drew Strickland has a knack for keeping the reader in the middle of the action, while adding something to Dupray County as well. I cannot wait to see what's next!
Kudos, Mr. Strickland, for another novel full of twists.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 15, 2025
Great diversion from an ugly reality today.
I love the settings of this series, grounded in the small towns and hollows of what could be the Blue Ridge mountains where I live. The characters are so distinctive and each has its failing which comes into play in complicated ways. A weakness becomes a strength and vice versa. The plots are engaging and emotions are the leading edge. I have enjoyed each as they have given me somewhere to go when there are too many places in real life I don’t want to be for a minute.
I love the settings of this series, grounded in the small towns and hollows of what could be the Blue Ridge mountains where I live. The characters are so distinctive and each has its failing which comes into play in complicated ways. A weakness becomes a strength and vice versa. The plots are engaging and emotions are the leading edge. I have enjoyed each as they have given me somewhere to go when there are too many places in real life I don’t want to be for a minute.
Read
July 8, 2025I've enjoyed Elven's trials and tribs over the course of this series; his protagonists are stupid or hateful or both or just plain evil. Sometimes they get their comeuppance, sometimes they go on to torment Elven and the people around him go on to torment the good guy in subsequent books. Elvin gets through the story line but not as the reader expects. The reader is on tenterhooks waiting for resolutions. I look forward to the next episodes of the story.
Cheers!
Cheers!
September 16, 2025
Like all the Elven Hallie books, I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, and it kept my interest. There’s a good amount of suspense; I stayed up till 3am finishing it! I think it would be a great beach book.
I gave it four stars (I wish I could give 4.5.) because there are some stylist choices that bother me. I don’t want to mention them because I don’t want to influence anyone’s reading experience, and the issues are probably unique to me.
I gave it four stars (I wish I could give 4.5.) because there are some stylist choices that bother me. I don’t want to mention them because I don’t want to influence anyone’s reading experience, and the issues are probably unique to me.
June 14, 2025
What a wild ride!
I’m not going to give anything away so suffice to say that this book was great. The eighth book in this series had more than its share of twists and turns. Who has been kidnapping young girls in a remote, clannish community? Who is killing them? Once the case is solved, there’s one more surprise at the end.
I’m not going to give anything away so suffice to say that this book was great. The eighth book in this series had more than its share of twists and turns. Who has been kidnapping young girls in a remote, clannish community? Who is killing them? Once the case is solved, there’s one more surprise at the end.
Read
June 19, 2025Amazing!!
I loved everything from the beginning to the end. It was well written, suspenseful, and tragic. I love Elven Hallie's character but I fell in love with Bear and Benson. So much tragic and death in this story with a serial killer on the loose. The entire Elven Hallie series is awesome, but this is by far the best one yet. I can't wait for the next installment.
I loved everything from the beginning to the end. It was well written, suspenseful, and tragic. I love Elven Hallie's character but I fell in love with Bear and Benson. So much tragic and death in this story with a serial killer on the loose. The entire Elven Hallie series is awesome, but this is by far the best one yet. I can't wait for the next installment.
September 11, 2025
Forsaken in the forest
I hope i am not being too harsh. I was very happy with this series, then book 7 and 8 veered away into fantasy. If the plot does not seem realistic i am not happy. With the first 6 books i developed expectations, only to be disappointed. Sorry, Donna Scheiner
I hope i am not being too harsh. I was very happy with this series, then book 7 and 8 veered away into fantasy. If the plot does not seem realistic i am not happy. With the first 6 books i developed expectations, only to be disappointed. Sorry, Donna Scheiner
September 29, 2025
Enjoyed this book and have enjoyed this series so far. The storyline is interesting in that both Elven and Mads are not working as officers of the law in Old Knuckle and are treated as unwanted guests. I love the character development as well as the new characters introduced along the way. Can't wait for next book.
June 3, 2025
Worth the wait
I really love this series. Each book is full of interesting drama and situations. The characters really gell and its an easy read. I never would have figured out who the killer was, it was so off the wall. Great read
I really love this series. Each book is full of interesting drama and situations. The characters really gell and its an easy read. I never would have figured out who the killer was, it was so off the wall. Great read
June 23, 2025
Full circle for main characters
Good to see Elven and Madds connect and help others in their unique ways.
Staying true and on the right side of morality was a hit with me at the end.
Good to see Elven and Madds connect and help others in their unique ways.
Staying true and on the right side of morality was a hit with me at the end.
July 1, 2025
I have now finished all books in this series. I love the Elven Hallie mysteries and waiting to see if there will be another one. I couldn't put the books down as I had to find out what happened. One of the best series I've read in a long time. Thank you Drew Strickland for the wonderful series.
September 19, 2025
Awsome series
This series was absolutely worth the read. All the characters were pictures in my mind and the stories had so many twists it was a must read til the end! Can't wait for more.
This series was absolutely worth the read. All the characters were pictures in my mind and the stories had so many twists it was a must read til the end! Can't wait for more.
November 20, 2025
This is a sad book, the end of this series. The plot in this book is engaging and the writing style as good as the previous books. The ending doesn't tie all the loose threads together so I hope there may be more coming in this series.
December 4, 2025
Very good read
This book held my interest while reading. I read so much that if I find a book boring or stupid I put it down before I'm halfway through.The main characters are very believable as actual people.
This book held my interest while reading. I read so much that if I find a book boring or stupid I put it down before I'm halfway through.The main characters are very believable as actual people.
June 6, 2025
Love ❤️
This is another of the Drew Strickland series I enjoy. I guess it's special. I will be waiting for another to hear about Elven and Maggs. A very good read.
This is another of the Drew Strickland series I enjoy. I guess it's special. I will be waiting for another to hear about Elven and Maggs. A very good read.
June 8, 2025
great series
I’ve read all 8 of the Elven Hallie books and can’t wait for the next one! I can’t put them down!
I’ve read all 8 of the Elven Hallie books and can’t wait for the next one! I can’t put them down!
June 8, 2025
Forsaken in the Forest
This is one exciting mystery. I could not put this book down. It gets more and more intriguing.as the story goes on. I highly recommend this book and series.
This is one exciting mystery. I could not put this book down. It gets more and more intriguing.as the story goes on. I highly recommend this book and series.
June 12, 2025
Good book in the series.
The ending is surprising. The story keeps you guessing and the highlight at the end of Eleven and Mates relationship.
The ending is surprising. The story keeps you guessing and the highlight at the end of Eleven and Mates relationship.
June 14, 2025
his best book yet
June 17, 2025
I have read all 8 books in this series, loved them all. This one had lots of twist and turns in it, right up until the very last page. I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out.
June 23, 2025
Does not disappoint. Just like the others in the series....it's great and the twists keep coming! This series is seriously a worthwhile read.
June 28, 2025
Riviting
Could not stop reading to see what would happen next. Lot of unexpected things. Would recommend this series to everyone.
Could not stop reading to see what would happen next. Lot of unexpected things. Would recommend this series to everyone.
July 7, 2025
Series has gotten worse. An awful setting and weird story
July 15, 2025
Great read, one of my favorites in the series. Ready for book 9!
July 16, 2025
Great read
Enjoyed the series. Looking forward to the next one coming out.
The requirement for x number of words in this review is a PITA.
Enjoyed the series. Looking forward to the next one coming out.
The requirement for x number of words in this review is a PITA.
July 23, 2025
I love this series!
Can’t wait for the next one! Highly recommend both the Elven Hallie and the Carolina McKay series. Always happy to read them.
Can’t wait for the next one! Highly recommend both the Elven Hallie and the Carolina McKay series. Always happy to read them.
July 31, 2025
Forsaken in the Forest
Great series! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series to come out! Kept you guessing for the entire book!
Great series! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series to come out! Kept you guessing for the entire book!
August 1, 2025
I have really enjoyed reading the Sheriff Elven Hallie series. The books are easy to read and Drew methods you coming back for more. I am looking forward to the next book.
September 2, 2025
Loved the series
I do hope that there will be more books about Eleven Hallie. I would love to know the next chapter in his life and how things turned out for Madds.
I do hope that there will be more books about Eleven Hallie. I would love to know the next chapter in his life and how things turned out for Madds.
September 2, 2025
I REALLY enjoyed this entire book series so far and I can't wait to see where Drew Strickland takes these characters next. I'm looking forward to book #9!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews