The Hunting Grounds: A dark, nail-biting, unputdownable crime thriller with twists to make you gasp

by Charly Cox

The knife slashed one way across her mouth, then the other, silencing her words. The last thought she had as the knife plunged down was that at least it would all be over soon...

When Jennie Killingbeck goes missing while driving back to Albuquerque, Detective Alyssa Wyatt and the squad quickly swing into action to bring her home, alive.

But the case takes a darker turn when FBI Agent Ryker Newlin walks into their precinct. For the past six years, the FBI have been searching for a killer dubbed 'The Sunset Slayer' for their M.O. of brutally murdering young red-haired women, mutilating them with an 'X' across their lips.

The Sunset Slayer has taken lives in multiple states and, upon seeing Jennie's striking red hair on the news reports, Ryker is here to warn the Albuquerque PD that they might have a serial killer operating in their midst.

Finding a murderer in the desert of New Mexico won't be easy, but both Alyssa and Ryker are determined to bring an end to The Sunset Slayer's bloodshed before another victim appears.

Readers can't get enough of The Hunting Grounds:

'So much suspense. This one keeps you on your toes!!...Kept me guessing until the reveal and it was a shocker.' Reader Review

'Wow! Could not put it down! Don't start this one late at night' Reader Review

'Filled with twists and turns that kept me completely glued to the pagesfast and relentless.' Reader Review

'I was hooked from the beginning and blown away by the reveal!' Reader Review

'I couldn't stop turning the pages, eager to see what the killer would do next' Reader Review

'For fans of crime fiction that blends procedural precision with emotional intelligence, Cox delivers a standout entry' Reader Review

'Incredible! Charly Cox has hit it out of the park.' Reader Review

'I'm still thinking of this book days after finishing it!' Reader Review

'Charly Cox is top tier!...This is a series that gets better with each book.' Reader Review

'I look forward to these books like I look forward to pizza nights. Loved it! Highly recommend this book and series!' Reader Review

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2025

About the author

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Charly Cox - Crime, Young Adult

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better. A nail biting read that kept me hooked till the very end. I really enjoyed being able to read from Alyssa's POV and seeing how the case unfolds and also getting multiple POVs from the one behind it and the victims. While these are just glimpses, I really enjoy getting lost in their POVs and trying to figure out what will happen next. I hope there is more, as I'm looking forward to more Detective Alyssa Wyatt books.

This series is truly a bingeable read, and I'm so happy I decided to try this series out. I do feel like these can be read as a standalone.

A very special thanks to @charlycoxauthor @paratextpr for the gifted copy.

[kym trevena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book couldn’t put it down. Thank goodness I had it on my kindle so I could finish reading it at 2am without waking up my husband . I’ve loved this whole series and the development of the characters.

[Chassati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these characters and I so hope Charly Cox keeps them coming for awhile.