Das Falsche Mädchen (Ein spannender Miles-Sterling-FBI-Thriller - Band Eins)

Miles Sterling #1

by Blake Pierce

„Ein Meisterwerk des Thrillers und der Spannung.“
—Bücher und Filmkritiken, Roberto Mattos (zu Einmal Verschwunden)
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Als der forensische Toxikologe des FBI, Miles Sterling, eine erschütternde Entdeckung macht – dass ein Dutzend ungelöster Todesfälle des letzten Jahrzehnts jeweils einem Element des Periodensystems entsprechen – muss er sich beeilen, der Spur zu folgen und den Drahtzieher hinter diesen Morden zu finden – und ihn aufhalten, bevor er erneut zuschlägt…

Im Herzen von San Francisco wird eine neue Leiche gefunden, ein weiteres Opfer des „Element-Killers“, eingehüllt in Gold. Was einst ein ungelöster Fall war, wird nun zur dringenden Priorität – während Miles Sterling all seine Brillanz einsetzt, um die Hinweise zu entschlüsseln – und dabei gefährlich nahe daran ist, selbst zum nächsten Ziel zu werden…

Dies ist das erste Buch einer lang erwarteten neuen Serie des Nr. 1-Bestseller- und USA-Today-Bestsellerautors Blake Pierce.

Die Miles-Sterling-Krimireihe nimmt Sie mit auf eine wilde Thrillerfahrt mit atemberaubendem Tempo und stellt einen brillanten Protagonisten vor, der sich mit all seinem Wissen an erschütternde Fälle wagt. Unwiderstehlich – die Wendungen und Überraschungen lassen Sie bis zum allerletzten Wort atemlos zurück. Fans von Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll und Lisa Gardner werden begeistert sein.

„Ein Thriller, der Sie an den Rand Ihres Sitzes bringt – eine neue Serie, die Sie nicht mehr aus der Hand legen können! ...So viele Wendungen, Überraschungen und falsche Fährten… Ich kann es kaum erwarten, zu erfahren, wie es weitergeht.“
—Leserrezension (Ihr letzter Wunsch)
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„Eine starke, komplexe Geschichte über zwei FBI-Agenten, die versuchen, einen Serienmörder zu stoppen. Wenn Sie einen Autor suchen, der Ihre Aufmerksamkeit fesselt und Sie rätseln lässt, während Sie versuchen, die Puzzleteile zusammenzusetzen, dann ist Pierce Ihr Autor!“
—Leserrezension (Ihr letzter Wunsch)
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„Ein typischer Blake Pierce – eine Achterbahnfahrt voller Wendungen und Spannung. Sie werden die Seiten bis zum letzten Satz des letzten Kapitels umblättern!!!“
—Leserrezension (Stadt der Beute)
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„Schon von Anfang an haben wir einen ungewöhnlichen Protagonisten, wie ich ihn in diesem Genre noch nie gesehen habe. Die Action ist nonstop… Ein sehr atmosphärischer Roman, der Sie bis in die frühen Morgenstunden weiterlesen lässt.“
—Leserrezension (Stadt der Beute)
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„Alles, was ich mir von einem Buch wünsche… eine großartige Handlung, interessante Charaktere und es fesselt einen sofort. Das Buch nimmt von Anfang an ein atemberaubendes Tempo auf und bleibt bis zum Ende so. Jetzt geht es für mich weiter zu Band zwei!“
—Leserrezension (Mädchen, allein)
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„Spannend, atemberaubend, ein Buch, das Sie an den Rand Ihres Sitzes bringt… ein Muss für alle Krimi- und Spannungsfans!“
—Leserrezension (Mädchen, allein)
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Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Audiobook, Amazon

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2025

About the author

Blake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews

[Nikki Alber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good. I don’t typically read FBI suspense books so this was very criminal mindsy for me. I realized that this is just going to be a continuation story series so I didn’t love that they didn’t catch the bad guy at the end. This book solved a small piece of the bigger puzzle. I’m not sure if I will continue on in the series. It’s definitely not a priority for me but overall, I did find the story intriguing!

[Charles Tully · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to find new characters and I expect their interaction will develop over the series.

I do wish authors would check the practical aspects of their plot - 10 mins with Google answered questions about gold. The body was coated with gold and a sweet smell so it has to be gold leaf but there is lots of talk of molten gold - at 1064C the body will not survive.

Average person's surface area is 1.7 - 1.8sq m that amount of gold leaf depending on thickness etc costs £600 - £1160 and weighs 4.17g - 17.39g readily available from art suppliers so no need to muck around making the bad guy's life difficult.

It is these sort of things that make my reading trip and ask what? There is a lot of it about.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story felt "off" from the beginning and kept feeling that way right through - it felt more like a second draft that needed a good editor than a completed novel. There were so many nonsensical inconsistencies in this book, starting with the title "Wrong Girl" - there was no girl ever mentioned in the story. From a character describing the eyes of another when he's looking at the back of her head, to the bizarre idea that someone would painstakingly create then melt gold leaf to cover a body, to FBI agents chasing a suspect, knocking him down, and leaving him unrestrained while they enter and explore a basement, to the protagonist's theory that the murderer(s) is/are using the elements of the periodic table in the order they appear on the table to commit their crimes, nearly a dozen it turns out, and then the next murder is related to gold, #97 on the periodic table - that's quite a jump from #11 or #12 to #97 - how does that fit into the theory the murders are sequential? And then, miraculously, with very little leg work, the protagonist solves the gold crime in less than 48 hours of arrival at the scene, the whole time feeling pressure from the boss who thinks it's taking him too long to solve the case. These and other missteps were too blatant for me to buy into the story.

[RONI FIELDS-OWEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wrong Girl: A Miles Sterling Mystery
Book #1”

Written by: Blake Pierce
Narrated by: Tim Alexander

“Wrong Girl” written by Blake Pierce was masterful done by an author who’s not only known for his skillful writing but also for his mysterious ability and suspense.
This was my 1st listen from Mr. Pierce but will not be my last. I’ve been bitten by wanting more of what he offer. I was caught in his web right from chapter one.

I’ve fallen for Miles Sterling. I admire his craft that he possess and I wanna hear more about what he brings to his character.

Tim Alexander deserves a standing ovations for his narration. He was skillful with his voice, managing several characters as he did! I would have thought there were more narrator’s involved than just him but he did it all. I know of a chosen few who can master that skill and he is one of them. The spotlight shines brightly for you and if you haven’t won an audience before then you’ve been cheated. Thank you for bringing life to these characters.

This is a Must-Listen to audiobook so you can get the true feel of the storytelling and just of the mystery!!!

#imronigirl

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is rather an unusual story, Miles Sterling works for the FBI as a toxicologist and thinks he has found several murders having being committed by the murderer using the periodic table of elements, specifically gold leaf, well it does say molten gold in some places which would just melt the person they are pouring the gold over so body gone quite quickly, whereas all these people were coated in gold leaf. Now gold leaf is soo fragile that it isn't always possible to put it on as smooth as the author says or well it's Miles saying I think, he needs to take another look at his chemistry books, says she whose partner is a prof of chemistry, anyway pushing through the hmms of my partner I carried on reading!

Miles is sent to work as a field agent of which he has no experience and finds himself working in San Francisco with agent, well special agent, Victoria Stone, and it's not easy living mostly out of her rental car and eating on the hoof. The ending was not really realistic but good none the less, you have to remember that these are novels (says the chem prof).

[Paige Alexander Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this one down! Really enjoyed Miles' character and look forward to seeing him develop in the next book. I found the story believable, and it kept me guessing til the near end. The only confusion I had was the 'jump' on the periodic table. I am thinking there may be more 'back story' as the series goes on to explain that. I would recommend this book, especially if you are into crimes of a serial nature. The writing style was flowing, and I felt that there was a good balance of police procedure and background scientific explanation to ensure understanding. ie, It was not overdone to the point where the story was lost.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a slow start. The writing felt repetitive at times, and I was getting bored, but it did pick up around chapter 10 so I kept going. Then it slowed down again after another few chapters, but I was curious enough to see if they’d ‘catch the bad guy’.

As an FBI suspense, I think I’ve realised this sub-genre isn’t really for me. It felt too methodical and slow, and not enough action. Not enough suspense or thrill for me.

The ending was satisfying enough, but I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice procedural

(2 1/2). Another really short read on a day when I had lots of time on my hands. Miles Sterling is an ok character but the story here really carries everything. Very contemporary, pretty damn believable and it unfolds nicely. More layers than twists and turns, and Miles and his sidekick FBI lady work the case nicely. The ending sets us up for many stories to come. Pretty good stuff.

[George Foulkes-Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Truly terrible writing. Many sections felt like AI, long overly detailed descriptions in some areas and then huge plot or detail gaps in sections we could have been told more. I couldn’t tell you one personality trait from any of the main characters, they were just tropes and really one note. A frustrating read, paced badly, and annoying in areas with how the story was revealed (either too much or not enough).

[Avid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creative, new, interesting. This was a nice break from the same murder scenes. It was also a twist on a serial killer as well as an odd pairing of who were chosen to attempt to solve the case/cases. It was creepy, but then again, when isn't a serial killer creepy?

Recommended 👍

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[Daniel Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book the 1st one I've read in a few years, could not put it down,

Fantastic book got me hooked straight away. Will be reading many more from him just hope that there all as gripping

[Marty Langenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far fetched

It must be hard to keep finding new mysteries and then write about them in a way that keeps readers coming back for more. Blake Pierce seems to have found the way. It’s far fetched, but kept me reading on.

[Sam C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written

Gave this book 4 stars because it is as usual very well constructed and written, but it was not to my taste ,too much description of things and places for me . Liked the pairing of Miles and Vic.

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

The active story was engaging although I did wonder about the molten gold and whether it would destroy the skin.

I couldn't understand why the pre-story crimes were included. They weren't investigated.

[sandra k smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating

Interesting theory and plotting, will make the reader anxious to go on to the next book in the series for certain! The main character is well written and the the story line is thrilling.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

no conclusion

I hate it when stories don’t end at the end of the book. This is obviously the beginning of a series, and there are many murders to solve. On the other hand, the book is quite well written, and it kept my interest.

[Sam Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great suspenseful book with believable characters who don't jump into bed at the first look. Both Vic & Miles compliment each other with their different areas of expertise to find the killer who is covering their victims in gold. Keeps you guessing to the end.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5


RTC

[Naimal Azad Kastro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started reading this book last month. Painfully Boring. DNF @75% because I can’t stand it any longer.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has potential

Enjoyed the mystery but no real surprises and I didn't feel emotionally engaged with the characters. Short book - finished in a day

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read. Great plot, good characters. Not overly complicated. Easy to get through.

[patricia sendelbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two unlikely paired agents work to find the Gold Killer but it's just the beginning for the Elemantalist.

[Lorelei J OConnor · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring

I had a hard time getting into this book’s characters. Enjoyed his other works. This character is lacking any excitement!

[diannscollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greed

A little wordy at times so I took off one star. Otherwise, the message of the story resonates with me, because it addresses some real concerns facing society today.

[Kaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading the sequels as unfinished business!
The Elementalist has more murders planned using other chemical elements

[Judy Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

It kept you on the edge of your seat and wanting to get to the next puzzle to solve, It showed how a team can work together to solve a problem.

[Brooke Humphreys · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5* - this was just a book, not necessarily good or bad - just a story in a book

[Amanda Whiteman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid read. I liked that they actually revealed the guy behind the crimes behind everything.

[Bridget Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the relationship of science and mystery!

[Gail G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost writers made the book good but not excellent. The book descriptions seemed formulaic. The mystery was good though. I got the book free and enjoyed it.