The Girl Who Told Stories

Joe Court #7

by Chris Culver

Former detective Mary Joe Court returns in a gritty story of betrayal and murder in the seventh novel of New York Times' bestselling author Chris Culver's Joe Court series.Joe Court has moved on with her life. With her faithful dog at her side, she's left St. Augustine county and hopes to start a new career in a new state. Life isn't perfect, but it's good. She's happy...or at least close to it.Then a young woman at a local university disappears.Joe's never met the victim, but she knows her all the same. The victim was a storyteller. She runs a very successful true crime podcast and has fans across the country. She also has enemies.Joe gave up her badge when she left St. Augustine, but she didn't relinquish her skills or her sense of right and wrong. When the young woman's mother asks for help, Joe can't refuse. But with every secret she uncovers and every clue she finds, she draws closer to a dangerous foe--and now, she no longer has a station full of colleagues to watch her back.The Girl Who Told Stories is a gripping thriller with unforgettable twists. If you like Michael Connelly, James Patterson, or John Sandford, you'll love Chris Culver's Joe Court series. Check it out!

Genres: Mystery

421 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2020

About the author

Chris Culver is the New York Times bestselling author of the Ash Rashid series of mysteries. After graduate school, Chris taught courses in ethics and comparative religion at a small liberal arts university in southern Arkansas. While there and when he really should have been grading exams, he wrote The Abbey, which spent sixteen weeks on the New York Times bestseller's list and introduced the world to Detective Ash Rashid.

Chris has been a storyteller since he was a kid, but he decided to write crime fiction after picking up a dog-eared, coffee-stained paperback copy of Mickey Spillane's I, the Jury in a library book sale. Many years later, his wife, despite considerable effort, still can't stop him from bringing more orphan books home. The two of them, along with a labrador retriever named Roy, reside near St. Louis where Chris is hard at work on his next novel.

Reviews

[Fran Burdsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those of you who know me know I'm a BIG Chris Culver fan. #7 in the Joe Court series does not disappoint. I am enjoying the evolution of this character. She is a talented dective, a damaged soul, and a maturing woman reaching the peak of her powers. Read the series in order to catch the nuances of her background and relationships.... and enjoy!!!!

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of The Man in the Park, Detective Mary Joe Court left her job as a detective in Missouri. She's relocated to North Carolina where she is doing childcare and serving as a temporary policeman in another small town. Because of her experience she is offered a temporary detective's position. As usual she becomes involved in 2 separate cases. At the close of the story ... no spoilers.

[ConniW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Powerpacked

Detective Joe Court has resigned, pulled up stakes and hit the road and after traveling and seeing a lot of the states she hadn't seen before, she has landed in North Carolina and her life looks So different, I almost couldn't believe it.
I won't give spoilers, which believe me these twists really make me want to! Suffice it to say, that we are in for a new education on the ills of the world and a whole new set of characters and background and yet it still feels like coming home when you read the book. The author has done a marvelous job with the subject matter, and kept the action plentiful, the gasps never stop and the faith in Joe's integrity and inner moral compass has never been stronger. This was an incredible addition to the series.

[Sharon Bednorz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Joe Court books but this is my favorite. Because the ending has a twist and it snuck up on me, it's my favorite.
I love the way the book weaved through several story lines. I have been staying up later than I planned to read these books through.
One thing that I have noticed in book 7, and 8 is the use of the word "restroom" when referring to taking the dog out to do it's business. I've never seen the word used this way.

[Kathy Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need a better proof reader

This might have been the author’s favorite book to write, it was not that for me. You should have done more research on NC geography. I live in NC. You cannot get from Greensboro to the Blue Ridge Mountains in an hour or from Charlotte to Chapel Hill in an hour. Too many contradictions, you need a better proof reader. Not my fav by a ling shot.

[Carolyn Keiling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying these Joe Court stories. She is a complex character and with each book she evolves and reveals more of herself. Her growth and development is like a golden thread that runs throughout the series tying the stories together. On the the next one!

[Stevan Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

Another awesome book!! They just keep getting better and better! Always a surprise or two that I never seem to figure out. I've said before and I'll say it again - this Joe Court series is the best! Thank you Chris! 🙂

[Dan Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe that this book was about the best one yet. I have enjoyed all of them or I wouldn't be on #8 now but this one had a certain spark to it that kept me reading more intently than the others. Just my thougths.

[Steve Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Joe Court showed what a bad ass she is. In Cloverdale, N.C. she finds herself in danger with two intertwined story lines. In both story lines someone wants her dead. She prevails in epic fashion.

[Deborah Sagor · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the beat goes on.....

Another great couple of cases with some real surprises and Detective Joe Court does her thing! I'm interested to see where she goes next, but after 7 books in a row, I'm taking a break. Later, dude!

[Karen Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing!

The characters are strong and memorable! The storyline is action packed and keeps you hooked from beginning to end. I love this series!

[Maya Morikawa · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK

Found this one not up to standard,storyline alright,but didn't keep me as interested as the others.Maybe enough of Joe.Even I am interested what she will do.

[Marian Elavsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series

Another exciting story in the series. Joe Court kicks arse and takes names! Highly recommend the entire series. Thanks Chris!

[Rebecca Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice twist

If you like detective books this one is pretty good. Main character is wholesome, yet a little broken. Like the little twists that Chris adds.

[Randall Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

This is the seventh book in the Joe Court series that I have read and I have thoroughly enjoyed each one.

[Amy Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Joe Court adventure!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This is a story of Joe trying to run from her past just to get caught up in small town drugs and murder

[Teri Hawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

You would think that these books would get old after reading seven of them, but they definitely don't. They still have good plots and interesting stories.

[Diane D. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t imagine what to expect with Joe leaving Missouri. She jumped right back into the melee in North Carolina.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say enough about how good this series is!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only gave 4 out of 5 because I have first responders in my family and some of Joe’ actions irritate me but that’s Joe! Love they had two stories here too, makes it more interesting.

[Helen moro · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

Best book in the series yet!
Can’t wait to read the next one.
Fabulous writing, full of twists and turns

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning! Kleenex needed in final chapters!

[Robin McKee]

Love this author and the character Joe Court!! On to book 8!!!

[Dolphine David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THE WAY CHRIS CULVER WRITES! ALL HIS BOOKS ARE GREAT!!

[Bonnie Baisden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also good

These books in the series just keep getting better . I am hooked on them and can't wait to get to next one.

[Norma Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fast moving story that keeps you interested and throws you for a loop at the end. It seems that each of his books makes him a better writer.