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Julia Schwartz #1
The Girl in the Moor
A corpse in the moor. A stolen body. A killer playing a twisted game.
Forensic pathologist Julia Schwarz is efficient, brilliant, and emotionally impenetrable—traits that have earned her the nickname the Ice Lady. In the sterile halls of her institute, she forces the dead to give up their secrets, clinging to the cold logic of science to keep the demons of her traumatic past at bay.
When Detective Florian Kessler calls her to a grim discovery in the desolate moorlands, it seems like a clear-cut case. But then the unthinkable happens: the body recovered from the moor vanishes during transport to Julia’s institute. Stolen. Gone without a trace.
Driven by an instinct she can’t ignore, Julia returns to the moor—and uncovers a second, even more gruesome victim high in the trees. The only link between the dead girls is a bizarre tattoo on their stomachs: a clue pointing to a serial killer with a ritualistic agenda. But as Julia races to decode its meaning, she doesn’t realize she’s already crossed a deadly line. Now the darkness is coming for her—inside the very halls she once believed were safe.
The gripping first installment in the international bestselling Julia Schwarz series.
Forensic pathologist Julia Schwarz is efficient, brilliant, and emotionally impenetrable—traits that have earned her the nickname the Ice Lady. In the sterile halls of her institute, she forces the dead to give up their secrets, clinging to the cold logic of science to keep the demons of her traumatic past at bay.
When Detective Florian Kessler calls her to a grim discovery in the desolate moorlands, it seems like a clear-cut case. But then the unthinkable happens: the body recovered from the moor vanishes during transport to Julia’s institute. Stolen. Gone without a trace.
Driven by an instinct she can’t ignore, Julia returns to the moor—and uncovers a second, even more gruesome victim high in the trees. The only link between the dead girls is a bizarre tattoo on their stomachs: a clue pointing to a serial killer with a ritualistic agenda. But as Julia races to decode its meaning, she doesn’t realize she’s already crossed a deadly line. Now the darkness is coming for her—inside the very halls she once believed were safe.
The gripping first installment in the international bestselling Julia Schwarz series.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 2, 2026
Kept me Guessing
I love a good book with a dedicated forensics team. The Girl in the Moor has everything I need to keep me reading—an intriguing plot, medical mystery, and likeable characters. I hope Catherine Shepherd has more books out there.
I love a good book with a dedicated forensics team. The Girl in the Moor has everything I need to keep me reading—an intriguing plot, medical mystery, and likeable characters. I hope Catherine Shepherd has more books out there.
January 26, 2026
This book was so intense. I was so engrossed in this book, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. This book was definitely gripping, suspenseful, and graphic. I love books like this. It was very well written and had so much depth. It felt like you were standing right there watching what was going on. A definite must read.
February 27, 2026
The book started off with such good promise and then it just got ridiculous. The Mayan thing was weird.
May 25, 2026
a decent plot in theory but not well executed
The writing is very disjointed and the story doesn’t flow particularly well. The characters left me feeling irritated, the minimal info about them that there was, was pretty poor.
The storyline had potential but sadly that’s where it stopped.
The writing is very disjointed and the story doesn’t flow particularly well. The characters left me feeling irritated, the minimal info about them that there was, was pretty poor.
The storyline had potential but sadly that’s where it stopped.
April 9, 2026
I enjoyed the writing style of this author. No filler, just to the point or situation
. Having said this, the end felt abrupt or rushed?? Also, when was the last time you heard two fairly young people call the other "Darling"?
. Having said this, the end felt abrupt or rushed?? Also, when was the last time you heard two fairly young people call the other "Darling"?
May 31, 2026
This is the first book I've read by this author. I did enjoy it as the storyline was quite good & it kept me guessing. It was a slow start but when you finally got your teeth into it, it was over in a flash.
February 1, 2026
The girl in the moor was a fantastic thriller. I had to keep reading to find out what happened nnext. Cannot wait to read more from this author.
February 7, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this and anticipate reading the next installment.
February 17, 2026
This was ok. Wasn't a fan of how she didn't stay in her area of expertise. Abrupt switches sometimes didn't make sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2026
Excellent book, well written and with relatable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good forensic detective mystery.
May 25, 2026
Excellent
Enjoyed reading this book. Read the book the whole way through without speed reading are jumping pages. I thoroughly recommend this book
Enjoyed reading this book. Read the book the whole way through without speed reading are jumping pages. I thoroughly recommend this book
May 30, 2026
Not sure why, however, the style of this author annoyed me. I couldn't get past the first chapter.
May 31, 2026
Boring
Too much blather and needless detail. The book becomes boring after a while. The ending wasn't very good. It was like the author ran out of steam.
Too much blather and needless detail. The book becomes boring after a while. The ending wasn't very good. It was like the author ran out of steam.
June 17, 2026
The book started strong and was hard to put down. The last quarter of it felt a bit predictable and also felt a little rushed.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews