The Girl in the Manor

Emma Griffin FBI Mysteries #3

by A.J. Rivers

The sound of a blood curdling scream echoed through the manor.
Her pleas ignored, her screams unheard. Tomorrow would not come for Everly Zara…
What does the death of a young child, and the sudden death of the girl in the manor have in common?
Was it simply just a coincidence, or is there something far more disturbing than anyone could ever imagine?

Everly Zara, a beautiful young woman, is found dead in the bedroom of the manor. The bedroom which she shares with her new fiancé.
She is naked and hanging. Her ankles are bound. There are words written on her body.
The news is shocking and disturbing to everyone who knows her.
Could Everly no longer bear the sadness and guilt of the little boy’s death, and killed herself to escape it?
But the heartbreaking death of a beautiful young woman accused of a horrible act may not be as straightforward as everyone thought.

The further Emma dives into the case, the more she realizes, everything is not as it seems.
As secrets from Everly’s past rise to the surface and the shocking nature of it discovered.
Emma must unravel the truth before she becomes a victim herself. In the close-knit town of Sherwood, something or someone is coming for Emma Griffin.
With her past constantly haunting her, and the disturbing nature of this mystery. Nothing is what it seems, yet everything feels so familiar.
Emma is left to wonder if she is really losing her mind.

How deep down the rabbit hole will Emma go to find out the truth of her past?
How far will she go to find out the truth behind Everly Zara’s death?
One thing's for certain, Emma’s entire world will be forever changed once the truth is revealed.

The Girl in the Manor is the third book in the Emma Griffin Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Ebooks

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2020

Reviews

[Michelle Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent storyline

Excellent storyline. However I suggest a proofreader/editor to fix the grammar/syntax/sub verb agreement issues that detract from the story and are irritating. I'm more than happy to apply for the job.

[Marti Brooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I enjoy the trials and tribulations of FBI agent Emma, this author and her staff need to do a better job proofreading before publishing. While I’ve ignored typos and confusing storylines in previous books, this time the error was too big too ignore. In a critical story point involving the death of a toddler, the child was referred to as “he” repeatedly AFTER it was revealed that a character’s DAUGHTER had died. Plus, the story ends without any wrap up of WHO killed or WHY this toddler was killed. Personally, I think the author is attempting to get too clever introducing overlapping events/storylines and then wraps one up totally ignoring the others? Not addressing the death of the toddler in this book was the final straw for me. Don’t know that I will continue the series.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 2 out of 5]

Posting the same Book Report for the first three books in the Emma Griffin mystery series by A.J. Rivers.

Got into this series because I selected The Girl in Cabin 13 as a “free” read from Amazon at some point, and because I was in the mood for a law enforcement procedural series set in the United States.

So far, the grammar and word choices** by the author/editors have made and the fact that Our Emma seems both unlikeable and gifted with all the instincts/intuition of a block of concrete have made the experience of reading these books less than enjoyable. Which is why I’m giving them 2 stars (would be 2.5 but Goodreads, ah, Goodreads…..).

So why am I continuing to read them? Because Our Author sucked me in from the get-go with plotlines about the main character’s mother’s murder being unsolved, and her father and ex-boyfriend being missing. Also, I’m still in the free trial period with Kindle Unlimited, so these are “free” and easily accessible. Not to mention not being difficult reads at all.

Not sure how much further I’m going to go. We’ll see.

**
I don’t care if every freaking spellchecker in the world says “alright” is acceptable usage, it is not. It. Is. Not. “All right” is how The Good Lord intended things to be. But please be assured that’s not the only thing that got on my last nerve. Just can’t remember any of the other instances right now, and am too lazy to go back and find any to cite. I do, however, remember quite well that one sentence had a random period in the middle of it. Guessing it should’ve been a comma?

Onward.

[Sara Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this one was better than the previous book.

[Jennifer Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author on exchange for an honest review*

I loved this book! I haven't read the others in this series, but they're now on my tbr list. This book pulls u in from the very first page and leaves u upset when its done. U just don't want it to end and it leaves u wanting more. This is a very intriguing story w a lot of twists and turns. If u love a good thriller w a lot of suspense, make sure to read this series

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my favorite

Did not care for the back and forth story line. To me it was discombobulated. Also seemed to be more typos than in the first two books. I also DESPISE books ending in a suspense. This is not a TV series that you see every week. I’m not sure if I want to continue never seeing a conclusion.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

It says you can read this as a standalone but I do not recommend doing that, there are so many storylines going on and none of them connect so they must connect with the other books (I hope). But the main mystery plot was pretty good once I was able to disconnect it from the 5 other plots going on (after about 50% of the book). None of the characters were particularly interesting, some were just plain annoying or unreasonable. The boyfriend was 100% a gaslighter. And I hated that there were random plots thrown in at the end to try to make the mystery more intriguing?? Unnecessary. Didn't even tell you who the characters were bc the author just used pronouns and no names for whole chapters. Like I get it's a mystery but give me SOMETHING. Called who the killer was as soon as the character was introduced 😭 ALSO when a crime scene is investigated the whole house is searched!!! Not just the room they died in!! So obviously the evidence and all that just didn't make sense and frustrated me. So if you're gonna read this book I suggest starting from the first in the series and don't expect a super thrilling read.

[Suzanne Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! I gave the Book 📕 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This ending ti this book had me at the edge of my seat!!! Literally!!! Emma Griffin is the main character of this book/series. She is an FBI Agent and a tough cookie!!! Lol!! The author of this book is top notch so far. She can make you feel when you’re reading this book like if you were actually there. I have read several books that are a series but not like this. The book gets I interesting from the beginning to the end. Now, my next book will be Book 3. I can’t wait to see what that book and the main character Emma Griffen will get into next…

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Emma Griffin series. Emma is pulled into help her sherriff boyfriend Sam solve another homicide. It takes a turn and looks as if leads are going cold until Emma is able to pull facts together from pictures. It was a good story line. The only disappointment is the death of a toddler where there is no closure.

[V Shipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick fast paced - engaging. Left me with a lot of unanswered questions though! Maybe I have to read the next one in the series?!

[Donna K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book had me om the edge of my seat at times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Neelabh Pratap Singh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author declares in the blurb of every book each book in the series can be read as standalone. Nothing can be farther from the truth because the first half of the book is all catching up with the previous cases and dealt with Emma's past and her missing father and boyfriend. The real investigation of the dead girl in the manor begins only after 50% book is over. I don't have any issue is such serialised stories but the author should at least stay loyal to the title and the blurb. Take out Emma's investigation on her missing father, missing boyfriend, and a bombing case, there's nothing much about the dead girl in the manor. Writing style as always, is immersive which is why I keep returning to these books. I really hope next book is going to be better.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still liked the first book in this series the best, but this one was pretty good. I will say there were some major misses in the editing though, which made following the storyline confusing at times, specifically referring to Penelope as a “he”. I also found the chapters about “Him” a bit boring at times, but the rest of the story was compelling.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books more with each one I read. An author with an incredibly creative mind. I just bought the next two books in the series. READ THEM!

[Amanda Sigman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is going downhill quickly. Again, The Girl in Cabin #13 was perfect. Interesting, a bit gory, and an ounce of romance—it's all I needed. But now we're getting a little too much of all of that, especially the romance.

Also, I feel like she needs a better editor or something because I swear to god there were like 4 detailed paragraphs about cinnamon rolls that had nothing to do with the plot. I might eat my words if there ever is a "cinnamon roll mystery," but if it comes to that I'm dropping the series entirely.

Also also, I'd like to emphasize how Criminal Minds-like this series is which is why I am going to keep trying, but with caution.

[Marley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma your so bad at being an FBI agent but I’m still here for it! Does she ever carry a gun in this one? That would be a negatory big John. Does her lifetime of martial arts come into play? Nope, sorry she still sucks and relies on Eric to send back up. I really did like Everly’s story. Still not sure what happened to Penelope. Guess she really did fall? It took me a long time to realize that the chapters for ‘him’ are two different ‘hims’. I was no joke started to get the creeps from daddy-O there for a minute. This one gives us some cult action kinda. I really want to know what happened to Greg? I don’t think he’s the other him but I could be wrong. Negative reviews or not I still love the series. It play out like a soap opera😂 I want the full story of her past and wtf is going on with this other him in the present. Poor Sam though. Like for real Emma are you using him for a side job? Cause I don’t think it’s love that’s for sure.

[Renee Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing read! This is part of a series but the author states it can be read as a,stand alone. However the characters get built on by each book.
I enjoyed the book a day had totally pegged another character as the killer. This kept me on the edge and totally surprised with the reveal.
If anyone likes to read mysteries this series is a great choice because they are quick reads and gives you a story that isn't too far fetched.

[Bonnie Barkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book I’ve read by this author. Plot was good but the ending left the reader hanging with some things. Maybe because it’s a series. The numerous errors and typos were quite annoying. I think the book went to print without being proofread. I bought one more book in the series. If it also has lots of mistakes I think it will be the last one I read.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give this a 3. There are a lot of spelling errors, and I get annoyed by the amount of times the author says people “frown”. I have a love/hate relationship with this series. I’m still hooked and will probably read the next book. Each book says you can read it as a standalone and don’t need to start from the beginning, but I’d recommend doing so as the stories really intertwine. There are still mysteries from book 1 that haven’t been solved yet.

[Meg C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again again

Still loving that I get just enough info to kind of piece it together, but not enough to ruin the surprise. That cliffhanger ending... Well, good news the next one is waiting for me!

[Leanna Leuschner · Rating 4 out of 5]

What starts off slow quickly progresses into a page turner. Wanting to know the details behind it all. I enjoy how each book loops in the next book smoothly. It helps make the next book transition easier then trying to remember alot of detail.

[Vicky D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories are getting better with each book that includes a mystery within a mystery that keeps you guessing.

[Lois N · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, moves smoothly!

[Richard]

I liked the books but found the flash backs annoying

[Chandler Kleinhesselink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a while. I couldn’t get into it like the other Emma Griffin stories and then about 100 pages in I was finally HOOKED and couldn’t put it down.

[Fran Groff-Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

I’m enjoying the stories and characters in this book and the series. I look forward to reading more books soon

[madelynn rose rockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really actually enjoyed this one in the series it was easy to follow and kinda predictable but I still liked reading it.

[Linda Ballenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked this one to start with, then got a little bit not so interested, then liked the end. I had a little trouble with the part about the manor.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only book three, but this series just keeps getting better. Fantastic read!

[Nancy Anne Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, frustrating writing.

I see the author wants us to email her directly about typos, but who can record and relay this many? I reported many as errors, but finally I got tired. I had the same issue with her last two books. I am guessing she doesn't have an editor..... How??? The base story lines are good, I want to know what happens, but the grammar gets in the way of thoroughly enjoying the book. A reader shouldn't have to work this hard to read a novel, mentally rearranging sentences so they make sense. I am reminded of something a professor told me, "You can't write the same way you talk." One book, okay. Two books? Maybe.... But by the third book this should no longer be an issue. It's too bad - She really does have good stories. But seriously......... It's time to hire an editor..... Or at least a good proofreader.