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The Girl in the City
In the quiet suburbs, a tragedy will change the fate of one child forever…
At the age of seventeen, Josephine lost her brother.
His case was ruled a suicide, but she believed otherwise.
Over a decade has passed since.
Josephine joined the FBI and was assigned to the elite squad in San Diego, California.
There she fights to unravel the truth behind her tragic past and bring justice for the innocent.
When a neighborhood is rocked by an explosion.
One that claimed the life of a prominent family man, Xander Montgomery.
Josephine and the elite FBI squad are called to the case.
At the crime scene, forensics zero in on a peculiar package.
But tracing it back to the sender proves extremely difficult.
The suspects number in the hundreds, and each one has an alibi.
With every lead sending the team on a wild hunt.
The case grows more impossible with each passing minute.
And the shrapnel effect of Montgomery’s death seems to impact many lives.
When a string of bombings goes off, putting the city on high alert.
It seems the life for the girl in the city will never be the same.
At the age of seventeen, Josephine lost her brother.
His case was ruled a suicide, but she believed otherwise.
Over a decade has passed since.
Josephine joined the FBI and was assigned to the elite squad in San Diego, California.
There she fights to unravel the truth behind her tragic past and bring justice for the innocent.
When a neighborhood is rocked by an explosion.
One that claimed the life of a prominent family man, Xander Montgomery.
Josephine and the elite FBI squad are called to the case.
At the crime scene, forensics zero in on a peculiar package.
But tracing it back to the sender proves extremely difficult.
The suspects number in the hundreds, and each one has an alibi.
With every lead sending the team on a wild hunt.
The case grows more impossible with each passing minute.
And the shrapnel effect of Montgomery’s death seems to impact many lives.
When a string of bombings goes off, putting the city on high alert.
It seems the life for the girl in the city will never be the same.
- GenresMystery
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2026
About the author
Elle Gray
155 books755 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 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 15, 2026
What an awesome book to kick off a new series by Elle Gray. A phenomenal quirky team headed by FBI Agent Joey Wright. This had twists and turns to keep you guessing up until the end. Can’t wait for the next book to drop. ❤️📚
February 22, 2026
Just OK
The pacing of this story was decent and it was a good length. The 4 team members haven't gelled yet. There were things that didn't add up and then leaps based on things that weren't necessarily indicative of anything. The timeline kept changing. It is a month after the bombing before this team takes over the case. After they have been investigating for what had to be a couple of weeks, the victim's widow implies it has just now been a month since he died. Little things like that were sloppy.
Also, why do so many authors give female investigators male names? I am not fond of reading about a woman making it in a man's world using the name Joey. It implies she has to use a male name to fit in. She's also frumpy, which is less common than having a male name, but goes along with the feminity not fitting I to the man's world.
The pacing of this story was decent and it was a good length. The 4 team members haven't gelled yet. There were things that didn't add up and then leaps based on things that weren't necessarily indicative of anything. The timeline kept changing. It is a month after the bombing before this team takes over the case. After they have been investigating for what had to be a couple of weeks, the victim's widow implies it has just now been a month since he died. Little things like that were sloppy.
Also, why do so many authors give female investigators male names? I am not fond of reading about a woman making it in a man's world using the name Joey. It implies she has to use a male name to fit in. She's also frumpy, which is less common than having a male name, but goes along with the feminity not fitting I to the man's world.
February 16, 2026
The book has a good storyline & interesting characters, each with their own backstories. However the one thing that bothered me most was the author’s reference to the characters as Agent, instead of the correct title of Special Agent. In any police procedural, I feel the authors should do their homework. Oftentimes I find errors relating to titles, gun types & characteristics, correct procedures, etc. This author publishes a lot of books frequently throughout the year. She has other books in other series, & sometimes it feels like in the rush to publish, errors like these get overlooked or not even researched properly. Maybe I’m being overly picky, but to me it’s glaringly obvious. Perhaps consulting an expert or doing more research would make the books more realistic.
April 8, 2026
A mystery that is not so obvious to solve!
Joey Wright FBI agent with her new group of agents are assigned to solve a murder of a judge. The problem is they have no idea what the motive was and who could have done it. Her special agents would have their work cut out for them. They all had their specialties so they started digging into every lead they got. Be prepared for all the twists and turns. You won’t want to put this one down.
Joey Wright FBI agent with her new group of agents are assigned to solve a murder of a judge. The problem is they have no idea what the motive was and who could have done it. Her special agents would have their work cut out for them. They all had their specialties so they started digging into every lead they got. Be prepared for all the twists and turns. You won’t want to put this one down.
April 22, 2026
3 1\2 Stars rating
I found one sentence that there was a error where the wrong adjective was used and the adjective was clearly not correct for the sentence. The storyline was decent but the storyline needed more suspense and action prior to the last chapter. I kept waiting for more action and at one point I was going to stop reading the book. I decided to finish the book and I am going to attempt to read the next book. I do hope there is more action in the next book.
I found one sentence that there was a error where the wrong adjective was used and the adjective was clearly not correct for the sentence. The storyline was decent but the storyline needed more suspense and action prior to the last chapter. I kept waiting for more action and at one point I was going to stop reading the book. I decided to finish the book and I am going to attempt to read the next book. I do hope there is more action in the next book.
July 7, 2026
Good story
Elle wrote a compelling story particularly for understanding the complexities of social life in sororities and fraternities. I almost put the book down within the first couple of chapters. The writing seemed sophomoric, more like a young adult novel. However, once I got into the third chapter, the writing seemed more sophisticated. The longer the book went along, the better the writing. So, don’t give up until the characters become more defined.
Elle wrote a compelling story particularly for understanding the complexities of social life in sororities and fraternities. I almost put the book down within the first couple of chapters. The writing seemed sophomoric, more like a young adult novel. However, once I got into the third chapter, the writing seemed more sophisticated. The longer the book went along, the better the writing. So, don’t give up until the characters become more defined.
March 1, 2026
Unpredictable
This is the first book in this series and I can already tell its won't be the last. Elle Gray has such a way with writing that continually keeps you guessing and wanting more. This one did not disappoint. As none of her books ever do. On to the next one in this series.
This is the first book in this series and I can already tell its won't be the last. Elle Gray has such a way with writing that continually keeps you guessing and wanting more. This one did not disappoint. As none of her books ever do. On to the next one in this series.
May 24, 2026
mystery until the end
Joey has a lot to learn about being a leader if she is judging the people under her. I mean she doesn’t really know these people and already she seems to be hostile towards Garcia and weird with Miri. Then the brother situation I hope that works out but it does peak my curiosity about him.
This is well written and definitely has me captivated.
Joey has a lot to learn about being a leader if she is judging the people under her. I mean she doesn’t really know these people and already she seems to be hostile towards Garcia and weird with Miri. Then the brother situation I hope that works out but it does peak my curiosity about him.
This is well written and definitely has me captivated.
June 2, 2026
Joey Wright is a force.
Joey Wright is the head of a team of the best of the best. They are faced with a serial bomber and no leads. Her father told her to start at the beginning and she may find something she overlooked. She did just that and things started to fall into place. You won't believe who the killer is. Keeps you guessing.. Look forward to another case.
Joey Wright is the head of a team of the best of the best. They are faced with a serial bomber and no leads. Her father told her to start at the beginning and she may find something she overlooked. She did just that and things started to fall into place. You won't believe who the killer is. Keeps you guessing.. Look forward to another case.
August 3, 2026
Well written mystery
I can't read a book if I don't like the main character so it was good that Joey has a well written likeable personality. There are hints of the secondary characters but they don't really take over the storyline. I couldn't figure out the mystery until the end when the whole team was figuring it out.
I can't read a book if I don't like the main character so it was good that Joey has a well written likeable personality. There are hints of the secondary characters but they don't really take over the storyline. I couldn't figure out the mystery until the end when the whole team was figuring it out.
February 25, 2026
Great book
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery. Love this new series, Love Elle Greys books. A bomb killing a judge but ite doesn't stop there. Two more dead and what is it they all have in common. Read this to find out, great right to the end.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery. Love this new series, Love Elle Greys books. A bomb killing a judge but ite doesn't stop there. Two more dead and what is it they all have in common. Read this to find out, great right to the end.
March 2, 2026
Error
It was an amazing book. I really liked it. I can't wait to read more. However in chapter 18 she goes to see Judge Thompson and then from then on its Judge Taylor. Just want to let you know about that error.
It was an amazing book. I really liked it. I can't wait to read more. However in chapter 18 she goes to see Judge Thompson and then from then on its Judge Taylor. Just want to let you know about that error.
March 5, 2026
Guess Who!
This was really fun book. There were a lot of twist and turns. I'm really looking forward to my next read with Elle. I like how she has set it up far the next story. I'm hooked!
This was really fun book. There were a lot of twist and turns. I'm really looking forward to my next read with Elle. I like how she has set it up far the next story. I'm hooked!
April 24, 2026
A really Good Start
I enjoyed this book and all the characters very much. Elle Gray has a knack for really endearing her characters to the reader. I read this pretty quickly. Good book great intro to Joey.
I enjoyed this book and all the characters very much. Elle Gray has a knack for really endearing her characters to the reader. I read this pretty quickly. Good book great intro to Joey.
May 20, 2026
a really twisted story!!
This story has so many twists and turns in it that I had trouble putting it down!! Now, I’m off to start the next book in the series and can’t wait to read it!!
This story has so many twists and turns in it that I had trouble putting it down!! Now, I’m off to start the next book in the series and can’t wait to read it!!
February 18, 2026
Had me from the get go. The relationship building was fun to read Looking forward to more.
February 20, 2026
Totally enjoy this new series. Can’t wait to see how the dynamics works with all these new characters.
February 21, 2026
A really good read ! Another Elle Grey at her finest!
Can’t wait for another and then another~
A true Elle Grey can’t put down book! Suddenly it’s morning and I was up all night!
Can’t wait for another and then another~
A true Elle Grey can’t put down book! Suddenly it’s morning and I was up all night!
February 22, 2026
This an awesome story about Joey and her partner Marcus seeing who is causing bombs and why and looking to solve it with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this excellent story.
February 23, 2026
I'm gonna enjoy this new wild crew, mixture of old school and new age... Joey and her team strange crew and wild adventures, looking forward more.
March 3, 2026
Totally Awesome Storyline
The author spun this yawn right to the end, Twists and turns galore. Elle Gray is a terrific author and I recommend reading her books!
The author spun this yawn right to the end, Twists and turns galore. Elle Gray is a terrific author and I recommend reading her books!
March 9, 2026
This is the first in a series of FBI agent Joey Wright mysteries. It has interesting characters who form a team to find why certain men are receiving bombs.
March 15, 2026
No Girl in the City?
This was a good book. I enjoyed it. But I did notice that the title, and the story itself have nothing to do with each other. Just wondering why?
This was a good book. I enjoyed it. But I did notice that the title, and the story itself have nothing to do with each other. Just wondering why?
March 22, 2026
well written and captivating
My first read with Joey Wright, FBI series. She is a character worth following. Her team is well-rounded, and I live how they gel
My first read with Joey Wright, FBI series. She is a character worth following. Her team is well-rounded, and I live how they gel
March 23, 2026
Great New Series
I really loved this new Series by Elle Gray. I like the new team. Can't wait to see what kind of trouble Joey and her team get into
I really loved this new Series by Elle Gray. I like the new team. Can't wait to see what kind of trouble Joey and her team get into
March 31, 2026
The Girl in the City
Great story! It will keep you anticipating the next twist and turn!!!!! Excellent read
!!!! grab it you will like it!
Great story! It will keep you anticipating the next twist and turn!!!!! Excellent read
!!!! grab it you will like it!
May 23, 2026
loved it
Good book, kept me guessing! Will definitely recommend to my book peeps! Can not wait to keep reading the rest of the series!
Good book, kept me guessing! Will definitely recommend to my book peeps! Can not wait to keep reading the rest of the series!
June 27, 2026
Never got into it at all
June 30, 2026
Good story! The twist wasnt mindblowing but I like the FMC. Reading book 2 in the series.
August 2, 2026
Keep digging, the answer is obvious
This story series is going to keep you turning g the pages. You think you figured out who, why,
But poof you are back at square one.
This story series is going to keep you turning g the pages. You think you figured out who, why,
But poof you are back at square one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews