The Whisper Girl

Jake Cashen #8

by Declan James

How do you find a missing girl who doesn’t exist?Born to the secretive, prepper enclave on the other side of Red Sky Hill, Adah Lee has no birth certificate, no social security number, no school records. To the outside world, she simply doesn’t exist. So when she’s kidnapped on her 17th birthday, it might just be the perfect crime.

Only Adah means something to someone dangerous.

When an old adversary reaches out to Detective Jake Cashen for help in finding the girl, he knows the odds are stacked against him. Adah’s community doesn’t trust him. No one wants him there. But he is her only chance at justice…or revenge.

The Whisper Girl is the engrossing eighth book in the Detective Jake Cashen thriller series. A former police detective, author Declan James brings you authentic crime fiction that will keep you on the edge of your seat with twists you'll never see coming. Perfect for fans of Connelly, Box, Dugoni and Baldacci.

Genres: Mystery

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2025

About the author

Before putting pen to paper, Declan James’s career in law enforcement spanned twenty-six years. Declan’s work as a digital forensics detective has earned him the highest honors from the U.S. Secret Service and F.B.I. For the last sixteen years of his career, Declan served on a nationally recognized task force aimed at protecting children from online predators.  Prior to that, Declan spent six years undercover working Vice-Narcotics. 

An avid outdoorsman and conservationist, Declan enjoys hunting, fishing, grilling, smoking meats, and his quest for the perfect bottle of bourbon. He lives on a lake in Southern Michigan along with his wife and kids.

For more information visit https://declanjamesbooks.com

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 stars. Book 8 of the series, and each book just gets better . Love this series. Tense and confounding until the very end.

Detective Jake Cashen has a difficult murder to solve. A young girl from the hills of prepper country. The group of people living here aren't fans of outsiders, especially law enforcement. Makes Jake and his partner Birdie's job all that more dangerous. The murder of someone so innocent and uneducated trying to escape the many dangers of where she lived was sad. When Jake and Birdie were at the descriptive autopsy, there was so much emotion, heck I wanted to cry.

This case keeps you guessing right up to the surprise ending. The implications of what could be coming next for Jake's small town could get ugly. Can't wait for Book 9 due out later this year.

[Shelley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Whisper Girl👧

Jake is asked to investigate the disappearance of a 17 year old girl by an unlikely source. Again, another fantastic story of Jake, partnered with Birdie to uncover the truth.

I felt a little like Alice in Wonderland, going down multiple rabbit holes to uncover what happened to the girl who disappeared. Some revelations caught me off guard but certainly made the story a bit more complicated but I enjoyed it thoroughly. The brief glimpse into the next book had me wanting more and is a topic I’m sure we ALL want to know more about.

I received an advanced copy and I willingly leave my honest review❤️‍🩹

[Jim E. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not like this latest episode in the life of Jake Cashen. The story was about abuse and murder of children and women. The subject matter is disturbing to me. Many of the characters were weirdos . There was much repetition with Kyra surrounding her actions and motives. I just found it hard going to finish the book.

[Staci Troilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery takes Jake back to the hill, where the Bardo family are the least of his worries. In his search for a missing girl, he uncovers a far worse criminal element than he anticipated.

The plot unwinds at a steady pace, and the investigation leads to an unlikely perpetrator. I was glad the obvious options weren’t the ones the author chose. Character development continues to draw in the reader, especially the Bardos.

Speaking of the Bardo family… they’re as compelling a faction in this series as the Ardens. Maybe even a little more likable, and their reputation suggests they’re more dangerous. Every time Jake crosses paths with them, scenes spark to life, and you’re sucked deeper into the drama. This book involves three generations of the most powerful family members, and the machinations are so compelling. The ending shows just how formidable these people are and promises more conflict to come.

This feels like the calm before the storm. I’m looking forward to what comes next.

[Ricki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is asked for a favor by the local crime family matriarch, Malva to look into the disappearance of a whisper girl. Someone, even more off the grid than the crime family has gone missing. There is no documentation she exists but she's missing. Unfortunately, Malva and son King Rex are selective in what they are telling Jake.

The disappearance soon turns into a homicide investigation as the missing girl Adah Lee is found dead in the woods, strangled & violently assaulted. Jake and sidekick Birdie delve through a myriad of suspects and finally they land on "the one".

It's not good to cross the local crime family, it never ends well. A compelling read but not pretty.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Cheryl A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is first time reading this author and I really enjoyed reading it. I am in the mystery thriller genre right now and this popped up in my KU feed and couldn’t pass it up. I enjoy reading new authors and Declan James did not disappoint me. He starts with the crime then we get into the characters and how the crime is solved. He kept me till the end of the mystery with an explanation of what happened to the characters. I am now starting with the first book and can’t wait till his next thriller of Jake solving what happened to his parents. This is fast paced and worth the read.

[MELISSA Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book I can't do a 4.5 So I gave it 5 All of his books are good I'm not going to talk about the book because I'm not going to give spoilers but he is a good writer We have purchased everything that he has written and my husband and I both read the books or listen to the books whichever way we can get them and we both really like them and We go back and forth to who gets to read the new books 1st because we only ever buy one copy

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful entry in this series. The series just gets better as the characters develop. This book brings back characters from an earlier book and Jake is working with unreliable characters to solve a difficult and ugly crime. The writing is as good as ever. I would recommend this series. I would suggest reading the books in order.

[Linae · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good

I read so many books that sometimes I don't remember one book from another. But these books by Declan James, I always remember the story. Its so well written, so detailed, its easy to follow. From front to back, this book will keep you interested. The development of the characters are so involved but not in a boring way.

[John Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a good book. A little odd at the end as the culprit was the attorney's son who was not mentioned at all during the book. A surprise ending for sure but it really didn't add up in my view. Will look forward to the next Jake Cashen series book. Looks like Jake and Birdie are about to hook up !!

[Michelle Strommen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Jake Cashen book. I love when I read these books it’s like I personally know the characters. Then I’m sad because it’s over too quickly. Thankfully he writes quickly. I’ll be patiently waiting for the next one.

[Carol L. Easley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner

I read through one of Declan's books and wish I had another one waiting. Like the geographical references to actual places here in my home state of Ohio. As usual, this one didn't disappoint. Keep them coming!

[Cathrine "Capi" · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all the Jake Cashen books, I started this one and pretty much only stopped when my eyes were crossing and I had to let them rest a bit. LOTS of twists in this one. Gave it 4 stars, probably should upgrade to 5, but it's a solid 4.5 for sure!! I anxiously await all of Declan James' books!

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

on and on and on!

If Jake Cashen smells as bad as people keep telling him , then he needs to change deodorant!
One wrong lead after another after another! Boring! Get to the point!
Ok book at best. Read if you’re bored!

[Inger Cierniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Him

Multiple stories intertwine to keep this murder mystery going. As they sift through each suspect and solve each crime, they have not found the killer. Again and again they uncover more misdeeds but the road is long. It will keep you guessing.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

Jake Cashen never gives up when it comes to solving a crime. A young girl is brutally murdered but there’s so much more involved. Jake can’t rest until justice is done but this one was a tough case.

[Suzanne Mack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another thumbs up

It started slow for me and I worried that the story was possibly penned by someone else. But, the familiar writing appeared about a quarter way through to my delight.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so delighted to be able to continue this series set in my familiar southern Ohio to southern Michigan areas! Please keep up the good work, because I am hooked!

[Diane Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

As always, Declan James keeps you riveted. I have read and enjoyed all of his books and look forward to the next one. Totally riveting!

[Jeanne Penrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Jake Cashen is a believable hero!!

Great characters and an enthralling plot makes for a great read. It will keep you guessing all the way through.

[Tommy Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet!

They have all been fantastic, but this one takes the cake. He and his wife are both exceptional writers. Don’t miss any of them.

[Cheryl Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book! Have enjoyed all the books in this series, and know the next one will be just as good.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jake Cashen series is good to read. Interesting from beginning to end.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

this whole series is awesome!

I love crime/police procedural novels and this is one of the best! Can’t wait for the next one. Hurry up😀

[Beverly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Whisper Girl

I liked this book, and this series. This killer was a surprise. I 'm glad Erica (Birdie) finally made detective

[Kris Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan James has done it again. Interesting case, great pacing and unsure who committed the murder until the bitter end. Loved it.

[Patricia Mccammon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series , great characters and lots of action