The Girl in the Hills

Sarah Cross FBI Mystery #1

by A.J. Rivers

It wasn’t supposed to be this way...

After a disastrous investigation ends with the death of her FBI partner.
Sarah Cross is banished from her high-profile position in Boston and sent to Tennessee.
Feeling more broken and directionless than ever.
Sarah moves to the sleepy countryside town of Silver Hill.
Where she sets up her quaint new office above a bakery.

Exploring the town, she runs into Sheriff Tobias Kessel.
Making a note to avoid his southern drawl and charming demeanor.
But when the sheriff’s close friend is found dead from an overdose in his garage.
Sarah finds herself drawn to the case.

Now forced to work with the sheriff, she finds there may be more to him than meets the eye.
Soon, the case takes unpredictable and shocking turns.
As the body count rises and a drug kingpin who escaped from New York appears in her office.
Sarah faces a terrifying possibility.

Could this be connected to the very case that landed her here in the first place?

Strange connections, cruel twists of fate, and deadly intentions.
Silver Hill will never be the same.

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2026

Reviews

[Stephanie Longchamps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but a lottttttt to follow. Audio is horrible, would make a good movie, but why is this the title?

[Carrie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was okay, I think it would’ve been better if I hadn’t listened to audible!! The narrator was awful and monotone! Sad to see they stuck with same person for next audibles so I won’t be continuing.

[AMBER · Rating 2 out of 5]

June Read: The Girl in the Hills by A.J. Rivers ⭐️⭐️ A disgraced FBI agent is sent to a small town to run a remote office, where she quickly finds herself drawn to the local sheriff. What starts as a murder investigation soon expands into something much larger, involving break-ins, targeted teens, and the spread of a dangerous new drug aimed at young people. As more pieces come together, the case uncovers a troubling epidemic that reaches deeper into the community than anyone expected.
The premise had potential, but the story never fully came together for me. The investigation moved quickly, yet the characters and plot lacked the depth needed to make the mystery truly engaging. Overall, it was an okay read, but not one that left a lasting impression.

[Kelly Smelcer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new series by AJ Rivers is off with a bang! After a miscalculation by FBI Agent Sarah Cross is sent to podunk East Tennessee on assignment. While there, she has to team up with the local sheriff, Tobias Kessler - called TK by locals - and it's a rough go for both of them. She's used to her city ways, he's lived in this town his whole life and knows how to talk to the locals. Can they solve the first case to cross Sarah's desk without being at each other's throats? I could not put this one down!

[JAMES M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.J. Rivers has really surprised me with this seriea

I've read 30 or more of A.J. 's books and have to admit I got tired of reaading about how many cinnamon rolls and cream cheese frosting were mentioned.
This book has none of those. It does have sweet tea and apple fritters. Although I never understand sweet tea I DO understand apple fritters and cornbread, amply but not overly supplied here.
The story, though, is a great complete tale in one telling with sequel potential and concentrates on the formation of a relationship through the furor of multi-faceted investigations. I was pleased at the way the romance was developed, cautious and slow and not fast and furious.
And the characters -- a melange of uniqueness and variations of personalities.
All in all a great read. I just finished D.H. Lawrence, too -- no comparison in the literary category, The Girl in the Hills is just a pleasing time-passing delight.

[Penny Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Sarah Cross, the next determined, stubborn FBI agent presented by talented A.J. Rivers. Shunned to a sleepy Tennessee town because of a career threatening incident, Agent Sarah Cross arrives with her walls intact. Sarah meets the local Law Enforcement with built in trepidation that always shadows FBI and LEO. The Sheriff, TK and his loyal sidekick Duke prove to be something Sarah doesn’t suspect. Together they solve a mystery that shakes TK to his core, but he handles it with grace and Southern Charm.

A.J. Rivers does not disappoint with this start of a new series. On to the next installment!

[Liz Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read at least one book from every series Rivers has written but I haven't stuck with all of them. So I always approach a 1st book with an open mind and hope that I'll enjoy the characters. I have finished the first book of this series and have already downloaded the 2nd book. I liked the characters in this book and enjoyed what felt like a densely packed case (or cases). I enjoyed watching Sarah and TK's transitions through the book and liked that it was shown through each of their perspectives. If you're a fan of AJ Rivers's writing, definitely check this one out.

[TAMMIE L HOTALING · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liking it

Because I follow AJ Rivers, and have read many other series, I happened upon this series and realized I hadn't given this series a try. And I'm liking it. Love the characters, and the home town feel. Its a nice change from the big city FBI stories. The way the law enforcement characters start out all territorial and suspicious of each other, to finding out each one has a special talent, that when combined, makes getting the job done efficiently. The mutual respect grows amongst each other, and spreads to the town folks. Very well written. On to book 2.

[CL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enemies to "freinamies" story of an outcast FBI agent exiled to a small southern town after her career derails. She arrives there ready to do whatever it takes to redeem herself and get assigned back to a city. From the small town sheriff to the busy body residents she is not sure if she will ever be accepted as anything but an outsider. Then a new designer drug shows up in town and is responsible for the death of some local teenagers and her past has come to greet her.

[Debbie Stadig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

Another of AJ’s compelling stories about the FBI and local law enforcement dealing with small town charm and sometimes unawareness to the harsh reality of our modern age. She always manages to draw you into the characters from the beginning both loving and disliking the personalities constant conflict. Yet that’s what keeps you going, resolving (or not) the conflict. Keep reading, I’m waiting for the next one!

[KerryO · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing murder mystery set in a small Smoky Mountains Tennessee town where FBI Special Agent Sarah Cross has been banished because of a previous case. Together she and Sheriff Tobias Kessel “TK” are on the hunt for the murderer whose crime might be related to the sudden discovery of designer drugs in their small town.

[Paula B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new series

If book 1 in this series was so full of action and twisty plots, I can't wait to see what the rest of the books will be like. They will be awesome, I'm sure, like the other AJ Rivers books. FBI agent Sarah Cross and Sheriff Tobias "TK" Kessel make a great pair - professionally and on a personal level. I'm ready for book 2.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI agent sent to a small town because of a prior hiccup. She is not happy about it but the town and its people worm their way through her tough exterior. Has she actually found a place that she fits into? She learns to work closely with the town sheriff to solve a murder and more. I want to know how to catch the culprits? Some interesting surprises in this one. I enjoyed it.

[teresa mcalpin · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half was rough

It took a lot to stick with this book long enough for Agent Cross to become tolerable. First she was rude, prejudiced, condescending, and judgmental; then she moved into annoying and passive aggressive. By the end...tolerable. Thankfully there are other characters in the book who are likable.

[Janice Stansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tangled web Sarah has stumbled into!

Holy cow! A.J. sure does those cliffhangers very well! This case had my head spinning, with all the players involved or not! Love the dynamics of this new series, and all the tension that goes with it.

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome beginning for FBI agent Sarah starting a new life in a small town and finding trouble right away with people dieing and finding who is responsible and why. Thank you for this story with lots of suspense and action.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong, well-developed characters, a gripping storyline and amazing plot twists! this new series has it all. A must read from A.J. Rivers. Run, don't walk, to your nearest retailer or Amazon retailer for this book! You'll be so happy that you did!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to move to this town....

The characters are interesting and grow on you.
Can't wait to see what unfolds next....highly recommend this author. Been following and reading her different series for quite awhile

[Shayna Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just can't stop thinking about the inconvenient dimples of Sherriff Butterscotch. there is something charming and endearing about thr way AJ writes like her characters could be friends of yours. a good read.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little unsure when starting this book. A little too much country, and a little too much city. But as the story went on I became engaged with the characters, and the plot.
Just starting book #2.

[Patricia Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Nice mystery hard to guess who the killer was. More suspense as the books continue, to see if they can bring down the real villain. I like AJ Rivers this new series is nice.

[Gina Cutright · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to blame actual writers for being AI slop, but after doing research there’s no way this isn’t, as well as all their other 128 books. (Somehow all written from 2023-now) I’m embarassed I bought this lol 👎

[Marianne Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

GreT Characters

It took me a while to get past the folksy metaphors. It might help to spread them out a bit more. On the other hand, it's been quite some time since I wondered what was happening in a book when I couldn't read.

[Charlotte Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book. It's not going to win a Pulitzer but it has a great plot and will keep your interest. Im alelready reading the sequel. I did find the narrator a bit off putting, but she grows on you.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like this story had so much potential. Although there was mystery, it felt wholesome and I enjoyed it right up until the unfinished ending.... I had too many questions that will go unanswered at the end of this book.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story was very good and kept my interest through out the book. However the title threw me off as I thought it was about girls in the hills. Which the story had nothing to do with girls. Still a very good book. Starting the 2nd book in the series.

[Patricia C. Whitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

you will enjoy this book! 😊

Interesting story line with well-rounded characters; people you’d be happy to have as friends and neighbors-
I enjoyed reading this book - I’ll be looking for the next book!

[Beverly Calhoun · Rating 5 out of 5]

compelling

Always a good storyline, and enough twists to make you continue reading. It makes you become the person in the story and live as the characters.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

New series = new location! Loved the small, country town setting. It instantly made me feel at home and i cannot wait for this series to continue!

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love A.J.'s books but this one I returned in chapter 1 and bought it. Easy characters to enjoy and want to read from the start!