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Emma Griffin FBI Mysteries #4
The Girl Next Door
Sherwood is a sleepy little town. A town full of friendly faces, and even friendlier neighbors.
Which is why FBI agent Emma Griffin isn't surprised when her new neighbor starts stopping by to chat.
Turns out her neighbor has a dark past and secrets that made her run.
As much as Emma wished it wasn’t true, dark past and secrets are things that she is far too familiar with, especially now more than ever.
A chilling unknown filled the air of Sherwood, Virginia.
Strange things are happening around Emma.
Things that no one can explain, and many don't believe.
And when Emma witnesses two figures hidden by sheer curtains, strangling a smaller figure.
A figure she can only assume to be Ruby's.
She becomes a witness to the murder of the girl next door.
But what do you do when no one believes that the girl even existed?
Emma’s world starts to spin, and she begins to wonder…
Is someone taunting her and taking lives to torment her? Or has she truly gone crazy?
The Girl Next Door is the fourth book in the Emma Griffin Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone.
Which is why FBI agent Emma Griffin isn't surprised when her new neighbor starts stopping by to chat.
Turns out her neighbor has a dark past and secrets that made her run.
As much as Emma wished it wasn’t true, dark past and secrets are things that she is far too familiar with, especially now more than ever.
A chilling unknown filled the air of Sherwood, Virginia.
Strange things are happening around Emma.
Things that no one can explain, and many don't believe.
And when Emma witnesses two figures hidden by sheer curtains, strangling a smaller figure.
A figure she can only assume to be Ruby's.
She becomes a witness to the murder of the girl next door.
But what do you do when no one believes that the girl even existed?
Emma’s world starts to spin, and she begins to wonder…
Is someone taunting her and taking lives to torment her? Or has she truly gone crazy?
The Girl Next Door is the fourth book in the Emma Griffin Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2020
7563 people are currently reading
7599 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 486 reviews
March 13, 2020
I was disappointed with this book. Sam treated Emma horribly and yet she went right back to him without hesitation. If that's not abuse....
March 9, 2020
So done with this series
Spoilers
Alright, 4th book in. Was hoping to have some kind of closure to events and characters the author seems to drop and pick up whenever filler is needed. Emma simultaneously being harassed by her missing father, missing ex boyfriend turned terrorist(probably at the hands of her father), and now some insane jilted lover of a murderer she put away years ago? PLEASE. If her father was following her around like the book says, he would have seen this other person messing with her. But does he? NO. He just disappears right before all this happened. How convenient. I feel like I'm the one being played now. Reading this series was like being in a bad relationship with someone who refuses to commit to you, but demands you take them out to dinner every night. Unreal
Spoilers
Alright, 4th book in. Was hoping to have some kind of closure to events and characters the author seems to drop and pick up whenever filler is needed. Emma simultaneously being harassed by her missing father, missing ex boyfriend turned terrorist(probably at the hands of her father), and now some insane jilted lover of a murderer she put away years ago? PLEASE. If her father was following her around like the book says, he would have seen this other person messing with her. But does he? NO. He just disappears right before all this happened. How convenient. I feel like I'm the one being played now. Reading this series was like being in a bad relationship with someone who refuses to commit to you, but demands you take them out to dinner every night. Unreal
April 26, 2020
Emma Griffin
I’ve really enjoyed reading this series however I don’t know too many women that would put up with Sheriff Sam’s b.s. That was one thing that I really did not like about this book. Also, I’m more than ready for the ‘him’ section to be revealed and done with. Please.
I’ve really enjoyed reading this series however I don’t know too many women that would put up with Sheriff Sam’s b.s. That was one thing that I really did not like about this book. Also, I’m more than ready for the ‘him’ section to be revealed and done with. Please.
March 6, 2021
I lie. I dint READ this whole book. I stopped at 72%. I could not stand it any more.
I have always tried to finish every book I start - not any more. From now on if it sucks at 35% Im done!
I have always tried to finish every book I start - not any more. From now on if it sucks at 35% Im done!
May 16, 2020
Respect
I have ever enjoyed reading previous books by this author. This book left me cringing. The story line was good as usual. However Emma , who being an FYI agent, would lead you to believe that she was a strong woman, does not fulfill this role. Sam is the epitome of a male chauvinist, constantly disrespecting Emma by patronizing her, not trusting what she is saying because he thinks she needs rest, and overall putting her down. Irritated the hell out of me and I can't see Emma tolerating it. Too far fetched.
I have ever enjoyed reading previous books by this author. This book left me cringing. The story line was good as usual. However Emma , who being an FYI agent, would lead you to believe that she was a strong woman, does not fulfill this role. Sam is the epitome of a male chauvinist, constantly disrespecting Emma by patronizing her, not trusting what she is saying because he thinks she needs rest, and overall putting her down. Irritated the hell out of me and I can't see Emma tolerating it. Too far fetched.
April 2, 2020
They keep getting better and better. I am really curious about Emma‘s past and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one. I love these books and I’m going to start right now on the fifth one.
May 15, 2020
While the writing continues to be good and the pacing is excellent, I have to say this one didn't hold me. Also, knowing there are more in the series and I'm not going to learn what's up with her father and family sort of irritates me. I'm all about long arcs but this mystery was a big part of book one and there's no resolution at all.
I found this one a difficult read considering that her current boyfriend just seems to side with everyone else about how this woman is just losing it. I felt his reactions were over the top and the relationship is feeling abusive. Am doubtful that I will continue to with this series.
I found this one a difficult read considering that her current boyfriend just seems to side with everyone else about how this woman is just losing it. I felt his reactions were over the top and the relationship is feeling abusive. Am doubtful that I will continue to with this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2021
I enjoyed this book but was a little disappointed with the lack of support our heroine got from her fella!
September 19, 2023
Better than book 2 and 3, on par with the first one. Not without flaws.
Ok, so once again we get to read of the zany happening of Emma Griffin.
This time around though... we have no way of knowing what's really happening and what's being shown to us for the story. It definitely kept me interest better than 'vanished' and 'Manor', and I would say that of the 4 books, this one is right there with the first.
But, once again, THERE WAS LITERALLY NO WAY TO KNOW THE ENDING, which is something I'm legit getting tired of. These books need to have an "A-HA!" moment or a moment where you can see what's coming... but if by the end of the book the solution is
Ok, so once again we get to read of the zany happening of Emma Griffin.
This time around though... we have no way of knowing what's really happening and what's being shown to us for the story. It definitely kept me interest better than 'vanished' and 'Manor', and I would say that of the 4 books, this one is right there with the first.
But, once again, THERE WAS LITERALLY NO WAY TO KNOW THE ENDING, which is something I'm legit getting tired of. These books need to have an "A-HA!" moment or a moment where you can see what's coming... but if by the end of the book the solution is
March 8, 2021
Oh Emma, wtf are we gonna do with your crazy ass? Here we get to see everyone think Emma has fallen off her damn rocker and us wondering why the hell sam is such an incompetent sheriff. “Sam I saw a dead body in that house” Emma your delusional go back to bed and takes these sleeping pills”🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️ Really Sam?! Like really!!! I really wanted her to kick his mf ass to the curb. If you’re a sheriffs department an off leave FBI agent or anyone for that matter say they saw a murder it doesn’t matter if the shits clean as a whistle, YOU CHECK! I’d have left you in a heartbeat talking about poisoning was a prank. Are you kidding me you shitty sheriff?! Emma girl you finally start carrying a gun and you forget it and your phone. You are such a bad FBI agent🤣 you might can put some clues together but field agent you are not. Maybe a desk job like Greg would suit you.🤔 so now we have in our soap opera a bad sherif and a bad FBI agent and I still love it. I don’t care this is great. You can find humor, some mystery, and some kinda suspense I suppose. Either way I’m down for it. The hims is getting good. I believe lamb is Greg, him one is her dad, and evil him two is uncle (dads twin). Uncle seems to have a cult. Alright let’s go ride the train...
June 6, 2025
Didnt realize this was book 4 until i was in the last 50 pages and they start talking about all the stuff that happened in previous books and i got confused so i looked it up and saw it was a series 😅 it was ok lol didnt grip me or anything. Maybe if i started the series from the beginning id be more invested?
October 10, 2022
Posting the same Book Report for Nos. 4 & 5 in the Emma Griffin mystery series by A.J. Rivers.
Convoluted-y crap, much, when it comes to the mysteries proper? Oh yeah. (Since the get-go, FTR.)
Stupid “we can’t believe in the protagonist who has basically been perfect up until now” trope? Yep.
Continued issues with incorrect grammar and word usage? Yep, yep, yeppity yep.
So why am I continuing to read the books in this series, EVEN knowing how some of the key undergirding plot lines are going to resolve?
Because I cannot figure out the solution to the primary murder mystery that’s been going on since No. 1.
Ugh.
I think I have _one_ more of these in me, even if things don’t resolve in it. Just can’t afford to get my eyes stuck the next time, given how far they keep rolling so far back in my head.
Convoluted-y crap, much, when it comes to the mysteries proper? Oh yeah. (Since the get-go, FTR.)
Stupid “we can’t believe in the protagonist who has basically been perfect up until now” trope? Yep.
Continued issues with incorrect grammar and word usage? Yep, yep, yeppity yep.
So why am I continuing to read the books in this series, EVEN knowing how some of the key undergirding plot lines are going to resolve?
Because I cannot figure out the solution to the primary murder mystery that’s been going on since No. 1.
Ugh.
I think I have _one_ more of these in me, even if things don’t resolve in it. Just can’t afford to get my eyes stuck the next time, given how far they keep rolling so far back in my head.
September 3, 2022
This series has been a little lackluster for me but I like to see things through. I think the writing is fine but Emma always seems to solve her cases out of nowhere. She outright accuses the wrong person (example: Chief LaRoche) then all of the sudden without any further clues BAM “just trust me” she solves the whole case.
I haven’t written reviews on the previous books yet, but the way they had Sam acting in this book had me compelled to leave a review.
“You need to get back here, I told you not to leave your house” FUCK.THAT.
Then when Emma magically solves the case, she and Sam pick up like he hadn’t insinuated she was batshit crazy.
I haven’t written reviews on the previous books yet, but the way they had Sam acting in this book had me compelled to leave a review.
“You need to get back here, I told you not to leave your house” FUCK.THAT.
Then when Emma magically solves the case, she and Sam pick up like he hadn’t insinuated she was batshit crazy.
June 1, 2023
I was confused for the first half of the book. I knew this was part of a series, but read that each book could be read as if it were a stand alone - that in fact was not the case. If you haven’t read book #1 start there first.
This was my first A J Rivers book to read and I would say it was good. There are just so many story lines going on that’s it’s hard to keep track.
I hated Sam with every fiber of my being. I also hated that Emma went back to him every single time. He’s a walking red flag. His character is enough to make me not want to continue the series, but I am interested to see what other books there are by this author.
This was my first A J Rivers book to read and I would say it was good. There are just so many story lines going on that’s it’s hard to keep track.
I hated Sam with every fiber of my being. I also hated that Emma went back to him every single time. He’s a walking red flag. His character is enough to make me not want to continue the series, but I am interested to see what other books there are by this author.
May 16, 2020
Thrilling Til The End
Accidentally purchased the second book in this series. I'm always up to reading a thriller mystery story so jumped right into The Girl Who Vanished. The author got me hooked. I had to read the first book. Now my headed into the fifth book of the series. AN Rivers is a great storyteller who gets you hooked in the beginning and compels you to read into the late hours of the night just waiting to find who did it!!
I'm an avid fan of James Patterson but have have time between his releases to find more mystery authors.
Keep the books coming!!
Accidentally purchased the second book in this series. I'm always up to reading a thriller mystery story so jumped right into The Girl Who Vanished. The author got me hooked. I had to read the first book. Now my headed into the fifth book of the series. AN Rivers is a great storyteller who gets you hooked in the beginning and compels you to read into the late hours of the night just waiting to find who did it!!
I'm an avid fan of James Patterson but have have time between his releases to find more mystery authors.
Keep the books coming!!
August 13, 2020
Page turner
The fourth installment of Emma's journey was gripping, and I was anxious about the outcome. This book was confusing in some parts, however. There was so much happening that it was hard to follow at times. Between the main story and what was going on in Sherwood, Bellamy's looking into the past and the chapters with Him I found myself skimming pages. I'm invested in this series and will see it through but there's a lot of background that the readers should already know if they've been following the series from the start.
The fourth installment of Emma's journey was gripping, and I was anxious about the outcome. This book was confusing in some parts, however. There was so much happening that it was hard to follow at times. Between the main story and what was going on in Sherwood, Bellamy's looking into the past and the chapters with Him I found myself skimming pages. I'm invested in this series and will see it through but there's a lot of background that the readers should already know if they've been following the series from the start.
March 16, 2021
The Book "The Girl Next Door" was more confusing to read than the first three of Emma Griffin FBI Mystery. The jumping back and forth between the past and the present has never been a favorite way to write a mystery and I'm disappointed that A.J.Rivers at times seem lost in her own story. This Travis came from nowhere (her cases from before the books were started and to go from now to 4 years ago and not giving names to that. I really liked her first book and I'll check back in the future and see if she's gone back to the style of that book.
July 19, 2020
Very disappointed
The pre,one that the heroine is made to doubt her sanity is ludicrous. To have her “boyfriend” question her and not support her is appalling. I skipped to the end. Will not continue reading this series.
The pre,one that the heroine is made to doubt her sanity is ludicrous. To have her “boyfriend” question her and not support her is appalling. I skipped to the end. Will not continue reading this series.
June 20, 2024
I hadn’t read the first 3 in the series and think it would be better to read them in order. It seemed like I came in, in the middle of a story. The mystery was good and kept you guessing.
January 29, 2021
This is getting more complicated, the ongoing mystery is deeper still.
December 29, 2023
Great book
It has been awhile since I have read this series. But it all came back when I started reading this book! Good plot that I never did figure out!
It has been awhile since I have read this series. But it all came back when I started reading this book! Good plot that I never did figure out!
April 22, 2025
I started this series as a quick easy thriller read, but as the books continue they are just getting more and more outlandish. Emma just always seems to MAGICALY put it all together in the last 10% and it's far, far-fetched, which is why you can't predict the ending.
Again, you absolutely cannot read these as a standalone. Reading them only a few weeks apart and I am confused (in this book particularly with 3 different time periods)
Again, you absolutely cannot read these as a standalone. Reading them only a few weeks apart and I am confused (in this book particularly with 3 different time periods)
January 27, 2024
So far this is my least favorite of the series as it was hard to follow but For some reason I am addicted to this series lol.
April 2, 2024
yikes
That was one crazy ride! I’ll be back for more but that was definitely one hell of a writing feat to explain her methods..impressive to say the least
That was one crazy ride! I’ll be back for more but that was definitely one hell of a writing feat to explain her methods..impressive to say the least
October 20, 2024
For what it is, it was good.
I really dig this series so far.
I really dig this series so far.
August 3, 2025
Not my favorite book of the series to date sadly. I just felt it did not pack as much of a punch as the other three did.
October 28, 2020
This kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. I LOVE this FBI series.
March 2, 2023
Same same
Still loving the series! Really perfect for the late nights up - easy to devour, but breaks in the pacing mean I can put it down and sleep when I need to.
Still loving the series! Really perfect for the late nights up - easy to devour, but breaks in the pacing mean I can put it down and sleep when I need to.
July 11, 2025
Wow what good book!! Emma Griffin is such a great character and the ongoing story with her has me completely hooked! But hanging with her as she works her cases... it's just awesome!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 486 reviews