The Girl Goes Home

Emily Calby #4

by Dorian Box

"A riveting mystery that balances thrills with deeper themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and healing." — BookLife Prize Finalist in Mysteries/Thrillers

The last time Emily Calby was in Dilfer County, Georgia, she was twelve years old, climbing out a window and running for her life, the only survivor of the infamous Calby Murders. She went missing and never returned, shut out even thinking of her life in Georgia. Now twenty-four, she’s a law school graduate opening her own firm in Memphis, excited about a new start.

But the past never lets go. A mysterious letter lures her back home, where she confronts the ghosts of her childhood and uncovers an age-old web of secrets and treachery that threaten everything she knows about her family, her very existence. As she works to untangle the mystery, powerful forces seek to block her every move. What are they trying to hide?

Each puzzle piece escalates the danger, not just to her, but everyone around her, including Meggie Tribet, the best friend she abandoned. In Emily’s fractured psyche, there are no limits to what, or who, she’s willing to sacrifice to protect them.

The Girl Goes Home is a standalone mystery-thriller in the multi-award-winning Emily Calby Series, featuring Dorian Box’s unique blend of darkness and light.

PRAISE FOR THE EMILY CALBY SERIES

“Dark and gritty … an exceptional, heart-pounding story full of raw emotion, deep-seated fear, and an undercurrent of hope and innocence. Deeply atmospheric … without peer in contemporary mysteries/thrillers.” — BookLife Prize Finalist in Mysteries/Thrillers

“In Emily, Author Dorian Box has created a rarity—a teenage protagonist that is at once sympathetic, vulnerable and largely fearless.” — BestThrillers (Best Psychological Thriller of Year)

“The story that author Dorian Box has created for Emily Calby is nothing short of thrilling, but it’s the masterful interplay of character, setting, and theme, along with the fast pace and high emotional stakes that make this a real page-turner.” — IndieReader Discovery Award for Fiction

“A unique mix of hope, shattered innocence, pain, fear, and vulnerability … a great, suspenseful read.” — Readers’ Favorite Medal for Suspense Fiction

“You root for the lead, Emily, and stick with her throughout. Engaged me from the first page. Excellent story. Dark and grisly, yet a lot of hope comes with this one.” — Feathered Quill Medal for Mystery/Suspense

“Most heartwarming bloody crime I’ve ever read ... Emily’s story is both heart-wrenching in the tragedies that befall her, as well as heartwarming in the people she meets that help her on her way.” — BookistFirst

“[S]tandout sequel from Dorian Box featuring a fierce female main character, a perfectly planned and paced plot, and a strong sense of theme … Emily is a brilliant character; she is the perfect balance of admirable and flawed. ... Every scene is meaningful, which makes the book a true page-turner.” — IndieReader (5 Stars, IR Seal of Approval)

“Once again, I’m floored, breathless, and sleep-deprived from racing through yet another harrowing and heartfelt adventure in the ever-dangerous life of young Emily Calby.” — NetGalley

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Amazon

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Dorian Box is the pen name for A.J. McClurg, a former law professor. He likes to blend dark themes with heart, hope and humor with a goal of evoking tears and laughs over the same book.

His novels have received awards and honors such as: Writer's Digest Award for Genre Fiction; Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Finalist in Mysteries/Thrillers (twice); IndieReader Discovery Award for Fiction; Feathered Quill Medal for Mystery/Suspense; Best Psychological Thriller of the Year and Finalist, Best Legal Thriller of the Year (BestThrillers); National Indie Excellence Award Finalist; and Readers’ Favorite medals in four different categories (Suspense, Legal Thrillers, Humor, and New Adult Fiction).

At one time or another his books have been Amazon No. 1 Bestsellers in categories such as Thrillers, Psychological Thrillers, Legal Thrillers, and Women Sleuths (for the Emily Calby Series), and General Humorous Fiction, Humorous Dark Comedy, and Amateur Sleuth Mysteries (for the Danny Teakwell Series).

His nonfiction books include an Amazon Editors’ Favorite Book of the Year. As an academic, he's been interviewed as a legal expert by National Public Radio, the PBS Newshour, and many other sources.

McClurg (or maybe it's Box) lives out his childhood rockstar fantasies singing and playing in Memphis cover bands.

Reviews

[Brad Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book. I didn't think there would be another in the series, because I thought the story was wrapped up nicely. So I was curious what this book could be. Turns out, it may be my favorite of the series.

My only issue is the last paragraph or so, must have went completely over my head. I didn't understand why that was the ending. Maybe I'll get it as I think about it more. But overall, really exciting book.

[Jessica Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Calby, you live rent-free in my character-driven mind. I loved this book so much I emailed the author with a million "omg"s, and I'm surprised he didn't block me. Why is this book series not yet a Netflix series?

This book gives us so much of Emily's back story, the ancestry she didn't want and didn't know she needed, and I hyperfixated on every page. Like in the other books, the trauma symptoms remain accurately presented, the dialogue is that of a girl emotionally stunted at 12 (but with a law degree), and the characters live on the extreme opposites of the sinister-versus-good spectrum.

I suggest everyone start at book 1 and fall in love with one of the most persistent, endearing, willful, resilient, and loveable young adult characters written.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this godsmacking book

where to start with this one......

when a hidden letter is discovered by a new lawyer taking over an old firm he doesnt realise what he is about to uncover.....

emily the sole survivor of her families massacre is going home ... when she gets the call about a letter from a lawyer she can only think to go home and see what its all about....

what happens next begs belief

what a rollercoaster of a ride.... and couldnt put the book down at all.... kept me glued for hours....

cant wait to read the next book by this author wow

[Karen (kmo.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Calby is back. This time she is trying to uncover the truth about her father’s mysterious past, but what she learns is that dangerous people will go to extreme measures to keep her from finding out. Is it worth the risk to dredge up the past? Emily thinks so.

This book is another 5 star read by Dorian Box. I could not read it fast enough. Emily is my favorite bad ass and I can’t get enough!

If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, you don’t need to. It works as a standalone.

The Girl Goes Home Publishes on January 1, 2025.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

I was absolutely not expecting to actually get a fourth Emily Calby book, but I am so happy that we did. The third book was a great stopping point for the series, but this one was the conclusion that I didn't know I needed.

In this, Emily finds out about her father's family. Filled with high stakes and all the usual Emily Calby hijinks, this novel had me enthralled. Even though this story is set a few years after the third novel, it was still filled with the characters readers had fallen in love with.

Emily is still her witty, explosive self- even if she has to keep herself more restrained now that she's a respectable lawyer. Lucas is still the grumpy and lovable father figure, just older and wiser. Plus, Lucas as a private investigator? Swoon! But we also got new characters that brought new dimensions to Emily's character. Seeing her be fiercely protective of her childhood friend in the ways she knew how, as well as finally having someone to gossip with was absolutely heartwarming.

I also just loved the story itself. Corruption, deceit, murder plots, and a surplus of secrets? Add a dash of romance (which Emily deserves to have!!!) and I was hooked. I didn't want the story to end. But what a satisfying conclusion to the events that occurred. Emily Calby will forever be one of my favorite characters.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy through NetGalley.

[Sandy Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley, author Dorian Box and the publisher for the ARC of "The Girl Goes Home" in exchange for an honest review.

Here's as honest as I can get. I think I've finally run out of adjectives to describe how much I love this series of books. Any thriller fan who wants genuine heart and soul mixed in with all the suspense and action......look no further. These books are a pure goldmine of page turning grippers that keep you up all night.

Emily Calby, sole survivor of the home invasion slaughter of her mother and little sister, has been toughened by cruel fate to become a force to be reckoned with.......and a fierce avenger against those who harm others. And yet at the same time, she's an achingly hurting, troubled girl, even as she takes on evil while up against impossible odds. Fortunately, in the midst of her chaotic and dangerous coming-of=age, she acquired ex gang leader Lucas as her mentor-protector and at times, exasperated father-figure.

Now a fledgling new lawyer starting her own practice, Emily's contacted by a fellow young attorney back in her original home of Dilfer County Georgia. He's found suspicious documentation concerning the adoption of her late father, who died in a tragic farm equipment accident. Or was it an accident after all?

Emily's return to Dilfer County to get to the bottom of things runs her afoul of a powerful, corrupt family dynasty who control everything in the county including the courts and police. This repugnant, murderous clan think they have nothing to fear from a skinny little blonde girl. But as Emily continues her relentless hunt for the truth, they find out how terribly wrong they were to underestimate her.

What's truly remarkable about all of Emily's perilous adventures is the expert way these books tug on your heart strings even as they're serving up the violent action. (You might practically tear up and/or smile warmly at Emily's first tentative steps at affection and love). I can only hope that author Box doesn't choose to end the series here.

The five stars I'm giving "The Girl Goes Home" is only because the rating system here won't let me go any higher....(which I would in a heartbeat.) Highest recommendation.

(and please check out my other reviews at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)

[Carol Dass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to be offered this arc to read and review! I so loved the previous three books and had no idea a fourth was coming. In this story Emily is learning a bit more about her father’s family. She learns that her father was possibly murdered and that is where the fireworks start! Emily is tenacious as always and determined to find out what happened to her father. This leads her to go back to her home and face the awful memories of the murder of her mother and her sister. But she is able to reconnect with her best friend in childhood, Meggie and that is a joy. You should read the previous books first and that will give you the background to Emily’s growth. I would so love to see another book, concentrating on the growth of Emily’s law firm and her relationship with Zach, another lawyer. Also, there was a hint at the end that Emily may have figured out why her family was killed, maybe not so random as the authorities first thought! I think I know the answer but I am not giving anything away! Please let us have a fourth book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Joanna McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this instalment of Emily Calby’s story, Emily goes home. After receiving an email from a lawyer about a birth certificate that may belong to her father, Emily becomes entangled in small town drama and faces the ghosts of her past.

A fast paced and enjoyable story. Box answers some questions in this book by delving into Emily’s family history.

This book was the book I needed to complete Emily’s story. The familiar characters lived up to my expectations and the new characters were the cherry on top.

I enjoyed the Calby stories immensely. Emily is such a dynamic character and it’s hard not to love her. I have to admit that there was something about her in this story that missed the mark for me but it had no bearing on the overall story. It was nice to be reunited with the charismatic characters once again.

I highly recommend this book (and the series) to readers who enjoy a charismatic female MC who kicks ass!

[Sam MacArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as much as book 1, the way the characters get in your head and the story telling is brilliant... Hoping for a 5th??

Off to read the author's other books now!!

[patricia sendelbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful series with unexpected twists and turns in supposedly simple tasks.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

this becomes part of you

It took a little time to get into it (the 1st I’ve read), but once I was in I was hooked. Serious edge of your seat stuff!

[Dawn Mccordic · Rating 5 out of 5]

hard to put down

This page turner kept me up a couple of nights and kept me from getting stuff done. A great adventure

[Deeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

PHENOMENAL Story🤗😊

This story was exciting, entertaining, interesting and eye opening!!!. I feel like there is another book coming out sometime. My heart absolutely hurts for her and I'm so happy that she has Lucas in her life to guide her. Dorian is a PHENOMENAL storyteller and writer🤗☺️.

[Marmaduke · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic. best books read in ages

Read all 4 books in record time
Absolutely gripping.
Hoping upon hoping that Emily gets to resurface. I’ll keep looking

[Andrew Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Girl Goes Home, book four of the Emily Calby series, we catch up with twenty-four-year-old Emily as she is launching her legal career in Memphis. True to her nature, she has chosen to represent the voiceless and downtrodden, the people who most need a lawyer, rather than those who can most afford them.

As she’s wrapping up one of her first cases in Memphis, another young lawyer, Zach Skellar, has left the Big Law grind of Chicago and set up shop as a small-town attorney in rural Georgia. Among the old case files of the one-man firm he purchased from a retired local, he finds a carefully sealed envelope containing the birth certificate of Samuel Calby.

Familiar with the infamous Calby murders, he wonders if this is the same Samuel Calby whose family was killed in a home invasion thirteen years earlier. He tracks down Emily and asks if she’s interested in looking at the document.

If you’ve read any of the previous Emily novels, you know her old lament that “trouble seems to follow me.” The birth certificate names a member of Dilfer County’s corrupt ruling clan, the Wilburs, as her paternal grandfather. When Emily starts asking questions, the Wilburs, who control both the county police and the courts, react violently. She seems to have hit on a sore spot with the local oligarchs, and of course, that only piques her interest.

There’s another dimension to this mystery that goes all the way back to book one. Emily’s father died in an accident on the Wilbur farm a year before the rest of her family was murdered. She had always accepted the story of the accident at face value. But as she digs in now, she finds that some of the facts don’t add up. And the only witness to her father’s death appears to have given clues immediately after the tragic event that something was amiss.

As Emily attempts to investigate her family’s past through the normal legal channels, she is thwarted at every turn. Judge Gallison Wilbur refuses to unseal the records Emily needs because they may incriminate his family. When she takes her investigation outside the courts, Sheriff Quentin Wilbur and Deputy Bo Wilbur harass and intimidate her at every step.

How do you find truth when the cops and the courts are determined to conceal it? Well, if you’re Emily Calby, you take matters into your own hands. The Wilburs pick a fight they’re used to winning, only this time, they’re up against someone more resourceful and determined than anyone they’ve faced before.

I won’t give away how the story unfolds, but I will say that Lucas and Kiona are back in their supporting roles, and Zach is a welcome new addition. Briley Carr, the journalist who has been a thorn in Emily’s side, actually comes in useful for once, and Emily takes some time to reconnect with childhood friends.

The core of the story, however, is the mystery, and Emily’s tenacity in solving it. It pays off eventually, in ways neither Emily nor the reader expect, but it takes a whole lot of work and risk and white-knuckle moments to get there.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Goes Home delivers an edge-of-your-seat murder mystery years in the making, along with explosive courtroom drama and a compelling emotional arc for the series’ favorite duo.

For fans who have followed Emily Calby’s plight after the brutal murder of her mother and sister in the series’ first installment, the book’s opening feels like a triumph in itself. This, the fourth book in Dorian Box’s Emily Calby series, finds our heroine as a 24-year-old law school graduate. She has also opened her own firm in Memphis, specializing in “Victim Law” – a fact we learn in a book marketing event by true crime author Briley Carr.

Box’s introduction of Briley is both timely and provocative. At a time when true crime stories reign atop the podcast and book charts, the mere idea of Briley makes Emily fume. While Briley claims she’s one of Emily’s biggest fans, her subject feels that she’s been harassed for two years by a parasite determined to profit from an unauthorized version of her family tragedy. With these topical opening scenes, Box plants the seed for some eyebrow-raising moves by Briley that significantly deepen the tension between the two.

Meanwhile, a series of discoveries and long-buried questions put Emily back in her native Georgia for the first time since she fled for her life at age twelve. For a variety of reasons, she becomes determined to find more information about her father, who died in a suspicious farming accident. The quest takes her to interview people who knew the family decades ago, as well as to a cemetery and to court, among other places.

When petitioning the court for access to her father’s adoption records, Box delivers explosive courtroom banter (Judge Gallison Wilbur to Emily: “You can’t engage in self-representation and have a lawyer at the same time. Sit down.”), and manages to maintain that level throughout. Come for the legal fireworks, but stay for the spicy internal mind chatter as Emily struggles to fit the pieces of this latest family mystery together. The obsession quickly pays off as she follows the money trail to find a complex, long-hidden murder plot.

Elsewhere, Lucas Jackson, the former gang member who helped Emily when she needed it most, returns once again. Now a licensed private investigator, and married to a boxing trainer, he offers to work for her law practice for free. The pairing is once again a match made in heaven that elevates the fun and emotional stakes to new heights. For longtime readers invested in their stories, it’s bound to get a little “misty” in the last few chapters.

Overall, The Girl Goes Home is not only one of the best books in the series, but also five-star fan service.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I squealed a little when I saw there that was another book in the Emily Calby series by Dorian Box. It was just published at the beginning of January, 2025. If you haven’t read this series yet, I encourage you to do so. The whole series is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.

I was captivated by the story line of a twelve-year-old girl whose family was murdered, but she managed to escape. In each book, the reader learns more about Emily’s life. I’m not going to share about her life, in case you haven’t read the previous books yet. You should definitely start with Book 1, The Hiding Girl.

About The Book:
The Girl Goes Home picks up Emily’s life when she is twenty-four and a lawyer. She wants answers to the questions about her past. However, there are too many people that want to keep those answers a secret. Emily’s need to be the heroine in other people’s stories also puts her life in danger. She meets up with her childhood best friend, becomes enchanted with another lawyer in town, and encounters those that only care about money and power. Emily just wants justice. Luckily, Lucas, her protector and father-figure, is there right beside her.

My Thoughts On The Book:
Once again, Dorian Box has written an exciting, adventurous, heartbreaking, and uplifting book. To be honest, I don’t think I would have loved it as much if I had not read the whole series first. I think you should definitely do that. It answers so many questions from the previous books.

I love the characters of Emily and Lucas. His fierce love as her father-figure is endearing. Plus, Emily is a badass, and you have to love a strong, female character.

Box does a wonderful job of showing how Emily deals with her past trauma. He examines her internal struggles as an adult. He also explores how a childhood trauma can affect every single part of your life.

I definitely recommend this whole series. I would say that Book 2 and 4 were my favorites, but I liked each one.

I gave this book five out of five stars because of the adventure, mystery, and romance part of the book. I hope there will still be more books in this series.


Other Books Like It:
Here are some other books that remind me of this series.

Target Acquired by Lynette Eason
Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni
House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

Extras:
*If you want to read more of my book reviews, you can find them at: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/

*If you missed my post about my Top Books of 2024, you can find it at: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-th...

Thank you to NetGalley, Friction Press, and Dorian Box for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: The Girl Goes Home by Dorian Box
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dorian Box masterfully delivers a gripping and emotionally charged standalone addition to the Emily Calby Series with The Girl Goes Home. Equal parts mystery, thriller, and deeply human exploration, this novel reintroduces us to Emily Calby—now a law school graduate determined to carve out a fresh start but irrevocably tethered to the shadows of her past.

The story begins with Emily’s return to Dilfer County, Georgia, the site of unspeakable childhood trauma and the catalyst for her journey of survival. The discovery of a hidden envelope unearths long-buried secrets about her father’s death, casting doubt on the narrative she’s clung to for years. What unfolds is a taut, fast-paced investigation that not only tests Emily’s resolve but also places those she loves in grave danger.

Box excels at blending suspenseful action with raw, emotional depth. Emily is a wonderfully complex character—fierce yet vulnerable, flawed yet deeply admirable. Her inner struggles with loyalty, justice, and the weight of her fractured psyche elevate this thriller beyond standard genre fare. Readers will find themselves fully immersed in her world, rooting for her every step of the way while grappling with the moral ambiguity of her decisions.

The narrative strikes a perfect balance between dark, nail-biting tension and heartwarming moments of found family. Box’s writing is both visceral and tender, vividly capturing the haunting atmosphere of Dilfer County and the emotional stakes of Emily’s quest. The author’s talent for pacing keeps the pages flying, with each revelation building on the last to create a crescendo of danger and catharsis.

While The Girl Goes Home can be read as a standalone, fans of the series will appreciate how Emily’s journey comes full circle. The themes of long-overdue justice, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships make this book as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. The secondary characters, especially Meggie Tribet, add depth and warmth, underscoring the story’s exploration of connection and redemption.

For readers who enjoy fiercely independent protagonists, high-stakes mysteries, and a blend of darkness and hope, The Girl Goes Home is an unmissable read. With its razor-sharp plotting, richly developed characters, and emotionally resonant themes, this novel secures Dorian Box’s place as a standout voice in contemporary thrillers. Have a handkerchief handy—this one will leave you breathless, heartbroken, and deeply moved.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Goes Home by Dorian Box
Emily Calby #4

Meeting Emily and watching her grow through this series has been an amazing experience that I hope won’t end with this book ~ Excellent addition to a wonderful series!

What I liked:
* Emily Calby: strong, intelligent, good friend, protective, horrific backstory, survivor, lethal, has PTSD, newly minted lawyer with a practice to give a voice to the voiceless, curious and intrigued by new information about her past, intriguing
* Zach Skellar: lawyer, moved from Chicago to Nantyville, Georgia, Finds documents that he offers to Emily, loved vinyl records, quiet, the opposite to Emily, potential love interest for Emily
* The slow burn romance between Emily and Zach and that they seem to be opposites but good with and for one another
* Lucas Jackson & Kiona: husband and wife that have been like parents to Emily for half her life, strong, supportive, protective, there for her in more ways than one, like them both
* Briley Carr: journalist, followed Emily’s story and wants to write a book, good person, finally meets Emily in this book, integral part in the story
* Meggie Triblet: Emily’s best friend during childhood, mother of two, in the process of divorcing abusive underhanded husband, good friend even after years apart, like her
* Supporting characters: Jemmi/gym owner, Tim/bartender, Myla/housekeeper, Elmer Ferguson/lawyer who sold Zach his practice
* The way the plot was paced with new tidbits of pertinent information coming at just the right
* That I was drawn in, cared about the outcome, and felt invested in Emily and all of the rest of the characters
* That Karma was active in meting out justice…eventually
* Hoping that there will be another book to look forward to

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like:
* Most of the Wilbur dynasty and the hold they had on the county, the evil they did, the harm they caused
* Thinking about how different the lives of Charlotte, Averill, Sammy, and the next generation could have been if only…

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Pres for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Calby has had enough adventures to last several lifetimes and is now trying to establish her solo law practice. However, fate has more adventures in store for her. Emily receives a letter from an attorney (Zach) in a small Georgia town saying that he found an old envelope that contained a birth certificate for a Samuel Wilbur but attached to it was a handwritten note with the name "Samuel Calby." Emily's father's name was Samuel, and his date of birth matched the birth certificate. However, he had died in a farming accident when Emily was eleven, and he had been adopted, did not know his birth family, and had been reluctant to talk about his past.

Emily heads to Nantyville, GA to meet Zach and find out more about the birth certificate. Nantyville is located one county over from Dilfer County, where she was raised. So, this trip turns out to be Emily's first visit back to Dilfer County since the lifechanging events when she was twelve. On the positive side, the trip allows Emily to reconnect with her childhood best friend, Meggie. On the negative side, the birth certificate and other information she finds out will pit Emily against the Wilbur family, who run Dilfer County. The family owns the biggest employer in the area, and both the county judge and the sheriff are Wilbur family members. The family is willing to go to great lengths to protect its power and interests. However, Emily will prove to be a more formidable opponent than expected.

As more and more of the Wilbur family's scheming and corruption was revealed, I wondered if the author would have Emily discover new information about the events of twelve-years ago or at least contemplate the possibility. The story ends with Emily doing exactly that, but also leaves the question unanswered, which I felt was fitting.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A psychological thriller, The Girl Goes Home (2025) by Dorian Box is the fourth instalment in the Emily Calby Series. Now twenty-four, Emily has opened a solo law practice, when she receives a letter alerting her to an old legal document discovered in an older lawyer’s vault. Emily decides to reluctantly return to her hometown of Dilfer County, a decade after escaping the murder of her family. Emily is determined to investigate her past and befriends the young Memphis Attorney to assist her with legal action. The judge is a member of a rich and powerful family that runs the local county and is more interested in keeping the misdeeds and secrets in the past. It will take Emily to quell her feisty fightback response to learn about her late father and his never-talked-about past. Met with obstacles and interference from law enforcement, Emily will require the help of her friends, yet it will ultimately put their lives in danger. A tale of long-buried secrets and Emily’s family history make for an enjoyable three and a half star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to Friction Press and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

[Joan Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Calby has survived the tragic loss of her father in a combine accident and then a year later, the murder of her mother and sister. She would have been a victim as well had she not run for her life, and this leaves her with a serious case of survivor's guilt. When evidence comes to light that her father's lineage may not be what she had always been told, she starts looking into his life, and then his death as well. Repeated threats from the family who 'own' the small Georgia county, at both the law enforcement and judicial levels, convince Emily that her father's death was murder. She sets out to prove it while trying to avoid becoming a victim as well.

Though this is the fourth book in a series, it stands alone so well that I didn't even know it was the fourth book until I had finished it. All the back story necessary to understand the characters and the plot is given. Though Emily is emotionally damaged by the losses she has endured, she has a gritty determination to overcome, and good friends around her to help. The book maintains a tight level of suspense throughout and the reader will be strongly in Emily's camp rooting for her.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Debbie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent finale to a terrific, exciting series. I've followed Emily since the first book and watched author Dorian Box develop her from an incredibly smart, damaged but gutsy preteen to an incredibly smart, damaged but gutsy lawyer.
Emily never wanted to return to the town where her family was murdered, but when she does, an unknown past unfolds with deadly warnings.
Box picks up threads from prior books with short background explanations but they don't slow down the fast pace of the current story. This can be read as a standalone but you'll want to go back and read the rest.
Emily is one of the most compelling, memorable characters I've read in a long time.
Highly recommended.

[Macjest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read the previous 3 books in the series but as near as I can tell the author is correct that the book is stand alone. There are enough references to get by. The main character has had a rough life. When she was 12 her home was invaded, her mother and sister killed, and she escaped. Father is already dead. The previous 3 books detailed what happened. Present day she is a lawyer trying to help people but not making much money. Gets a phone call from another lawyer that upends what she knows about her father, she investigates, and upsets some powerful people. She is one tough chick. My biggest problem with this is how conveniently things get solved - just in time. I don’t if the earlier books were the same. Still, not bad for a freebie.

[Judi Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series and hoping Emily will be back. In this one, the 4th, Emily has received a letter from a lawyer in the small town where she grew up, that he has some information that might be important pertaining to her father. So, Emily, takes off wanting to find out all the information she can on her father.

Of course, Lucas, is always in the background ready to help. Emily has started her own law office helping others, and Lucas is the PI. But, right now, she wants to find out what happened all those years ago when her father was growing up and could she have any relatives?

Again, I hope that Emily comes back in another one! Would like to find out how her life is going!

[Judi Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series and hoping Emily will be back. In this one, the 4th, Emily has received a letter from a lawyer in the small town where she grew up, that he has some information that might be important pertaining to her father. So, Emily, takes off wanting to find out all the information she can on her father.

Of course, Lucas, is always in the background ready to help. Emily has started her own law office helping others, and Lucas is the PI. But, right now, she wants to find out what happened all those years ago when her father was growing up and could she have any relatives?

Again, I hope that Emily comes back in another one! Would like to find out how her life is going!

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I was unfamiliar with this author and the series, but I may go back and read previous ones and also read future ones.

I’m from north Georgia, the Chattanooga suburbs even. Although the places in the book were fictional, it was fun to read about this little corner of the world. The small town south vibes were captured well.

This book had mostly likable characters and was a good tense adventure without being too dark. It was slow for me at first but once the story picked up, I read pretty quickly.

[Linda Leone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea another book was coming from this series. I was thrilled to read the 4th book in the Emily Calby series.

In this installment Emily begins to research her fathers family. She knows little about them as her father wouldn't talk about them. Not everyone wants Emily to find out the truth.

What a wild ride! Just when I thought the series couldn't get better it did. The characters all remain the same people throughout the series. I dislike series where the characters become unrecognizable as the books go on.

Lots of drama and action as I expected. I love that Emily won't give up until she finds the answers she's looking for. The supporting characters are just as great and a few new faces are added as well.

I highly recommend this book and the whole series.

[Jennifer Holloway Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and think it might be my favorite book from the series. I could not put this down once I started reading it. I felt that there was a good blend of suspense, adventure, wit, and occasional gentle brutality from one of my favorite characters. I feel she has really fleshed out nicely and am hoping there will be another book in this series. I really feel that there is room for at least one more. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

[lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!

This is my first read by this author and it won't be the last. I loved it. Emily's tale is so heartbreaking but I loved how she persevered to live her best life regardless of the chaos of it. I loved her interactions with the other characters especially Lucas, he was awesome. If you like suspense and mystery then this story is for you. I highly recommend this book and now I'm off to read the other books in the series.