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Sapphire Valley Mystery #1
The Girl in the Valley
Sitting on the side of the road, Zoe wonders,
“Where do I go from here?”
While heading home from the newsroom Zoe Fontaine was in a near fatal accident.
One that has left her battling anxiety and bouts of paranoia.
In need of a refuge to give her a sense of peace and belonging,
she rents a place on the edge of Sapphire Valley.
But when strange deaths spring up across town,
Zoe’s editor assigns her to investigate the gruesome, bizarre cases.
As Zoe attempts to make sense of the crimes and her own troubled past,
she runs into Leo Rowden, a veterinarian who runs a local clinic on the other side of town.
Leo is riddled with painful memories and haunting nightmares of his own,
struggling with PTSD from his military days and coping with the loss of his fiancée.
When Leo is asked to assist on the case, they uncover a twisted trail that stretches for miles.
Could these incidents be connected to the sinister crimes gripping the town?
Strange coincidences and murders are converging in Sapphire Valley.
Determined to solve the town’s mysteries and overcome the nightmares of their pasts,
they find themselves embarking on a journey that will forever change their lives.
While heading home from the newsroom Zoe Fontaine was in a near fatal accident.
One that has left her battling anxiety and bouts of paranoia.
In need of a refuge to give her a sense of peace and belonging,
she rents a place on the edge of Sapphire Valley.
But when strange deaths spring up across town,
Zoe’s editor assigns her to investigate the gruesome, bizarre cases.
As Zoe attempts to make sense of the crimes and her own troubled past,
she runs into Leo Rowden, a veterinarian who runs a local clinic on the other side of town.
Leo is riddled with painful memories and haunting nightmares of his own,
struggling with PTSD from his military days and coping with the loss of his fiancée.
When Leo is asked to assist on the case, they uncover a twisted trail that stretches for miles.
Could these incidents be connected to the sinister crimes gripping the town?
Strange coincidences and murders are converging in Sapphire Valley.
Determined to solve the town’s mysteries and overcome the nightmares of their pasts,
they find themselves embarking on a journey that will forever change their lives.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2025
About the author
Elle Gray
155 books754 followersElle Gray lives in a small town with her 2 cats, and her handsome husky.
As a girl, she was obsessed with crime novels and thrillers.
Today, she loves writing and creating thrilling novels with courageous, strong heroes/heroines and dangerous psychopaths. She invites you to join her exciting world of detectives and FBI agents that take down killers and kick butt.
As a girl, she was obsessed with crime novels and thrillers.
Today, she loves writing and creating thrilling novels with courageous, strong heroes/heroines and dangerous psychopaths. She invites you to join her exciting world of detectives and FBI agents that take down killers and kick butt.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 30, 2025
Series debut!
This is a very good series introduction! The mystery is very well done and really keeps your interest until the surprising conclusion! The series introduces readers to a cast of characters that they can look forward to following in future installments.
This is a very good series introduction! The mystery is very well done and really keeps your interest until the surprising conclusion! The series introduces readers to a cast of characters that they can look forward to following in future installments.
October 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.6/5 Great book, can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!
January 12, 2026
The Girl in the Valley is the start of a gripping mystery series with a strong main female protagonist, Zoe, who is a writer for a large newspaper. She returns to her hometown to recuperate after a frightening experience in a car accident.
What she discovers in her hometown is not what she expected. She gets involved in the mysterious deaths of pets and other wild animals in the area. She takes on a position with the local newspaper just to keep busy and out of boredom.
There is an underlying possible love interest with a local vet she knows from her high school years. He gets involved with her to solve the mystery. What Zoe doesn’t realize is that her never-give-up attitude can get her into a mess of trouble.
This is a wonderful beginning to this mystery series. I look forward to the next book in this series.
What she discovers in her hometown is not what she expected. She gets involved in the mysterious deaths of pets and other wild animals in the area. She takes on a position with the local newspaper just to keep busy and out of boredom.
There is an underlying possible love interest with a local vet she knows from her high school years. He gets involved with her to solve the mystery. What Zoe doesn’t realize is that her never-give-up attitude can get her into a mess of trouble.
This is a wonderful beginning to this mystery series. I look forward to the next book in this series.
January 19, 2026
Just found this author = I'm a fan
Gripping, dark, and impossible to put down. It pulled me in from the very beginning and did not let go. The tense pacing is fast, the tension is relentless, and the twist kept me guessing right until the end. The atmosphere was crafted incredibly well. Can't wait to know more about this valley. The place feels eerie, isolated and alive with secrets. I loved the depth of each character. The protagonist, Zoe, is strong but flawed. Making her relatable and real. The emotional stakes are high, and the danger feels personal and kept me turning the pages. I highly recommend this book if you are a psychological thriller with suspense, smart plotting and jaw dropping moments, this is a book for you.
Gripping, dark, and impossible to put down. It pulled me in from the very beginning and did not let go. The tense pacing is fast, the tension is relentless, and the twist kept me guessing right until the end. The atmosphere was crafted incredibly well. Can't wait to know more about this valley. The place feels eerie, isolated and alive with secrets. I loved the depth of each character. The protagonist, Zoe, is strong but flawed. Making her relatable and real. The emotional stakes are high, and the danger feels personal and kept me turning the pages. I highly recommend this book if you are a psychological thriller with suspense, smart plotting and jaw dropping moments, this is a book for you.
July 31, 2025
Another great mystery
A reporter hot on a story is runned off the road and almost loses her life. She needs to get away to restore her confidence and to stop living in fear. She goes home to Sapphire Valley to rest. She decides she can’t just do nothing and gets a job at the small town newspaper. Her first assignment is to cover a story about dead deer. Then two cats are discovered mutilated and this just leads into the beginning of her investigation. It will keep you interested and wondering what is coming next.
A reporter hot on a story is runned off the road and almost loses her life. She needs to get away to restore her confidence and to stop living in fear. She goes home to Sapphire Valley to rest. She decides she can’t just do nothing and gets a job at the small town newspaper. Her first assignment is to cover a story about dead deer. Then two cats are discovered mutilated and this just leads into the beginning of her investigation. It will keep you interested and wondering what is coming next.
September 19, 2025
I enjoyed the dynamic between the two main characters. Zoe’s life story was interesting and it was neat to hear her recognize people and places as she went back to her hometown. Seeing Leo and connecting with him was great for Zoe. It was fun following the two of them on this journey to uncover who had been hurting these animals. Zoe has a way with her journalism and really is a pro. I couldn’t have guessed how this book would end.
January 12, 2026
one of those can’t put it down mystery books
Lots of twists and turns with a climax that wasn’t predicted. I loved the characters and they seemed authentic. Easy to follow plot for this old lady 👵 ha ha and yet not overly simplistic. I would have given 5 stars but the ending seemed lackluster. I want more finality especially since the next book in the series seems to be a pretty unrelated plot. Plus, I don’t want to wait for the story to end!
Lots of twists and turns with a climax that wasn’t predicted. I loved the characters and they seemed authentic. Easy to follow plot for this old lady 👵 ha ha and yet not overly simplistic. I would have given 5 stars but the ending seemed lackluster. I want more finality especially since the next book in the series seems to be a pretty unrelated plot. Plus, I don’t want to wait for the story to end!
July 30, 2025
Zoe new character is gonna be a handful for anyone getting in her way. I was worried about the animals in the beginning, not any longer. I am waiting for the reactions from her family and the town as she's sticking around. Zoe and Leo are gonna be great working together, long as Mrs.Bornstein keeps her distance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2026
Excellent new heroine for Elle Gray
I’ve enjoyed all the Blake Wilder series as a veteran of the FBI some decades ago. I come from family of journalists so this series is right up my alley again.
Thanks for giving us good entertainment to take our minds off of other things. Please keep it going. 😁
I’ve enjoyed all the Blake Wilder series as a veteran of the FBI some decades ago. I come from family of journalists so this series is right up my alley again.
Thanks for giving us good entertainment to take our minds off of other things. Please keep it going. 😁
April 23, 2026
Terrible, just awful! I am reading several of this author’s books and series and they are all very good but this one is not for me. It is focused on animal cruelty and the characters are very boring. I really had to struggle to get through it and I was so surprised that it was by the same author of all the other books. If animal cruelty and weird behavior is your thing then go for it.
July 22, 2025
This was an excellent story about Zoe a reporter searching why animals are dieing and trying to find out who is responsible and she is almost a victim. There was lots of suspense and action and wanted to keep reading until I was through the book. Thank you.
July 29, 2025
The Girl in the Valley
I wasn't sure at first, but the more I read, the more I wanted to read. The plot has lots of surprises and the characters could not be any more believable. I can't wait for the next book.
I wasn't sure at first, but the more I read, the more I wanted to read. The plot has lots of surprises and the characters could not be any more believable. I can't wait for the next book.
September 28, 2025
Great New Series
I really enjoyed reading this book and it kept me on my toes and I had to finish it with in hours. I thought it was that good. Looking forward to the next book as always. Elle Gray books never disappoint.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it kept me on my toes and I had to finish it with in hours. I thought it was that good. Looking forward to the next book as always. Elle Gray books never disappoint.
June 20, 2026
Exciting Book
Zoe is a person that can find trouble easily. I have a fee!ing she might be staying in her home town now. I have a feeling her life isn't going to be dull tho.
Looking forward to reading more of the series.
Zoe is a person that can find trouble easily. I have a fee!ing she might be staying in her home town now. I have a feeling her life isn't going to be dull tho.
Looking forward to reading more of the series.
July 20, 2026
Amazing Characters
Sapphire Valley holds memories she'd rather forget. An accident and injuries send her "home" to "rest." A journalist who never gives up, Zoe causes the reader to feel hope and at times want to scream, "What are you doing?"
Sapphire Valley holds memories she'd rather forget. An accident and injuries send her "home" to "rest." A journalist who never gives up, Zoe causes the reader to feel hope and at times want to scream, "What are you doing?"
August 4, 2025
Liked everything about this story. Had me hooked from the beginning.
August 4, 2025
good story
I so enjoyed this story and will begin book 2 after I complete this review. The characters are appealing with the book ending with choices still up in air.
I so enjoyed this story and will begin book 2 after I complete this review. The characters are appealing with the book ending with choices still up in air.
August 12, 2025
Loved it
Love the way the story spins out and the character interactions. I am ready for the next in the series.
Love the way the story spins out and the character interactions. I am ready for the next in the series.
August 27, 2025
Good read
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
September 2, 2025
Great book. One of my favorite authors. Love Zoe and Leo.
November 11, 2025
Another winner
To say I have fallen in love with this author is an understatement. She and her stories are captivating. I would recommend her to anyone who enjoys a great read!!
To say I have fallen in love with this author is an understatement. She and her stories are captivating. I would recommend her to anyone who enjoys a great read!!
January 23, 2026
3.5 stars:
For me this just drug out. It wasn't a page turner. I will not be continuing this series.
For me this just drug out. It wasn't a page turner. I will not be continuing this series.
March 15, 2026
It was only when I finished the book that I realized this is a series, and this books main mystery/crime was just meant to distract from the other mysteries to come/crimes in the later series.
June 30, 2026
It was a mystery with an exciting and surprising ending. It is book one of the series about a journalist who returns to her hometown to rest after a car accident
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews