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Detective Casey White #1
Where Lost Girls Go
"Help me," the girl cries, alone in the forest, shivering in her nightgown, her small frame almost lost between the trees. "Please."
When Detective Casey White discovers the body of a beautiful teenage girl in a white nightgown near the shoreline in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a familiar fear floods through her. Could this be Hannah, her sweet, blue-eyed daughter snatched from home fourteen years ago? But it only takes one look to confirm that the girl with dark bruising around her throat is another family’s tragedy.
Putting her own grief aside, Casey digs into unsolved missing child cases in the area. The victim is Cheryl Parry, one of two little girls taken during a family beach vacation nine years ago. Her sister’s body was found strangled a week later, but someone has been keeping Cheryl alive—until now.
Fearful there may be other innocent lives in danger, Casey and her team work around the clock to trace the material from Cheryl’s nightgown, but hit a dead end and don’t know where to turn. Then, another teenager’s body is found in a nearby pine forest, dressed all in white. It’s suddenly clear that a twisted killer has been hiding in the Outer Banks for years, and he will strike again.
Previously titled: Taken From Home
Casey painstakingly combs the forest soil for clues to the killer’s next move, but nothing prepares her for what she finds: a buried charm bracelet exactly matching one that her little Hannah always wore—right down to the broken star charm by the clasp…
An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller with twists and turns that will have you racing through the pages. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Rachel Caine and Robert Dugoni will be completely hooked.
When Detective Casey White discovers the body of a beautiful teenage girl in a white nightgown near the shoreline in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a familiar fear floods through her. Could this be Hannah, her sweet, blue-eyed daughter snatched from home fourteen years ago? But it only takes one look to confirm that the girl with dark bruising around her throat is another family’s tragedy.
Putting her own grief aside, Casey digs into unsolved missing child cases in the area. The victim is Cheryl Parry, one of two little girls taken during a family beach vacation nine years ago. Her sister’s body was found strangled a week later, but someone has been keeping Cheryl alive—until now.
Fearful there may be other innocent lives in danger, Casey and her team work around the clock to trace the material from Cheryl’s nightgown, but hit a dead end and don’t know where to turn. Then, another teenager’s body is found in a nearby pine forest, dressed all in white. It’s suddenly clear that a twisted killer has been hiding in the Outer Banks for years, and he will strike again.
Previously titled: Taken From Home
Casey painstakingly combs the forest soil for clues to the killer’s next move, but nothing prepares her for what she finds: a buried charm bracelet exactly matching one that her little Hannah always wore—right down to the broken star charm by the clasp…
An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller with twists and turns that will have you racing through the pages. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Rachel Caine and Robert Dugoni will be completely hooked.
366 pages
First published May 15, 2020
6739 people are currently reading
7722 people want to read
About the author
B.R. Spangler
51 books301 followersB.R. Spangler is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of Mysteries and Crime Thrillers.
A resident of Virginia with a wonderful family, including five cats, two birds and a lizard. During the day, the hours are filled with engineering work. Off hours, time is spent writing, editing, and thinking up the next great story.
With too many stories to write, books are split across pen names, writing crime thrillers, science fiction, horrors, paranormal and contemporary fiction.
A resident of Virginia with a wonderful family, including five cats, two birds and a lizard. During the day, the hours are filled with engineering work. Off hours, time is spent writing, editing, and thinking up the next great story.
With too many stories to write, books are split across pen names, writing crime thrillers, science fiction, horrors, paranormal and contemporary fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 519 reviews
October 3, 2020
Not sure how this one has such high reviews. It was really bad. I really, really need to avoid books which proclaim their greatness on the front cover. This one, ‘a totally additive mystery and suspense novel’ was nothing of the sort. My attention wandered all over the place from the beginning until the long awaited and too long in coming end.
This could be renamed ‘Coincidences R Us.’ I think my eyes are stuck in a permanently rolling position. Everything about it was ridiculous. The main character, Casey, wasn’t likable and thoroughly unbelievable. Her behavior was not at all credible. So many holes, dropped balls and weaknesses in the story, leads she didn’t pursue. I will not be continuing the series.
One of my biggest peeves with this book is names. I often wonder how authors pick names, because they are the masters of their creations and have 100% freedom to choose any name for their characters. So now Jericho is a character’s name? Totally stupid, and totally annoying (how amazingly agile and functional he was with the use of only one arm - some kind of superhero).
But the worst name, and maybe one of the worst I’ve ever read, is Ashtole. Every single time my eye saw this name, I read it wrong. Every time. You can guess how I read it, and yes, it was extremely juvenile of me, I’ll admit. (Hint: drop the t). The author CHOSE to use this name!
One more slam - very sloppy editing, awkward phrases, lots of mistakes that should have been caught.
This could be renamed ‘Coincidences R Us.’ I think my eyes are stuck in a permanently rolling position. Everything about it was ridiculous. The main character, Casey, wasn’t likable and thoroughly unbelievable. Her behavior was not at all credible. So many holes, dropped balls and weaknesses in the story, leads she didn’t pursue. I will not be continuing the series.
One of my biggest peeves with this book is names. I often wonder how authors pick names, because they are the masters of their creations and have 100% freedom to choose any name for their characters. So now Jericho is a character’s name? Totally stupid, and totally annoying (how amazingly agile and functional he was with the use of only one arm - some kind of superhero).
But the worst name, and maybe one of the worst I’ve ever read, is Ashtole. Every single time my eye saw this name, I read it wrong. Every time. You can guess how I read it, and yes, it was extremely juvenile of me, I’ll admit. (Hint: drop the t). The author CHOSE to use this name!
One more slam - very sloppy editing, awkward phrases, lots of mistakes that should have been caught.
May 8, 2020
TAKEN FROM HOME is a rousing start to a brand new mystery series featuring Detective Casey White. For years, Casey has dedicated her life to missing persons cold cases, spurred on by the unsolved kidnapping of her own daughter. A near fatal mistake she makes, due to overwhelming stress, forces her to take a leave of absence, so she travels to the Outer Banks in North Carolina for some rest and rejuvenation. It’s not all a pleasure trip, though. When Casey travels, she always takes her file detailing her search for her missing daughter and she brings that with her on this trip along with a long buried lead that was so unlikely she hadn’t pursued it until it was the last possible lead.
As Casey drives into the Outer Banks area, she gets lost and comes across a young woman, naked and trying to escape the woods where Casey has gotten lost. Casey rushes her to the hospital, thinking the young woman was pregnant until her examination reveals she had recently given birth. Believing the discovery of the young woman may lead to a seriously deranged individual, Casey drives over to the beach just in time to see a recovery effort bringing the body of a young woman on shore from a burned out yacht. Casey gets pressed into service by the mayor as they are awaiting the arrival of a new detective and in dire need of someone to process the scene before the clues disappear with the tide.. Casey agrees to work the scene for the first day in order to gather information before it disappears and then plans to move forward with her own plans. As she is working the scene, the officers come across another young woman who has been shut in a closet and left for dead, complicating an already baffling case.
As more facts emerge, Casey becomes more and more entangled in both cases while the district attorney tries to link the two cases together; something Casey and her counterpart, former Sheriff and now member of the Marine Patrol, Jerico question. Both Casey and Jerico are driven, law enforcement officers, each with their own complicated back story. As they work the two cases, they draw closer together in a relationship that hopefully, will continue to grow and develop as the series continues.
The entire book is a series of roller coaster rides that will have the reader rushing through parts to learn what happens next, only to slow down for a breath and then go again. The pacing for the book is excellent, pulling the reader through at a good speed, but not so fast as to leave you breathless. The ending twist was not a surprise for me, but may be for others. Regardless, it was very satisfying with the one exception of one poor decision Casey made which felt a little contrived to set up the situation. It was not enough of a misstep to do any measurable harm to the book itself. I look forward to the next book in this series and think most readers who like police procedurals and series books will do well to start with this first book. My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As Casey drives into the Outer Banks area, she gets lost and comes across a young woman, naked and trying to escape the woods where Casey has gotten lost. Casey rushes her to the hospital, thinking the young woman was pregnant until her examination reveals she had recently given birth. Believing the discovery of the young woman may lead to a seriously deranged individual, Casey drives over to the beach just in time to see a recovery effort bringing the body of a young woman on shore from a burned out yacht. Casey gets pressed into service by the mayor as they are awaiting the arrival of a new detective and in dire need of someone to process the scene before the clues disappear with the tide.. Casey agrees to work the scene for the first day in order to gather information before it disappears and then plans to move forward with her own plans. As she is working the scene, the officers come across another young woman who has been shut in a closet and left for dead, complicating an already baffling case.
As more facts emerge, Casey becomes more and more entangled in both cases while the district attorney tries to link the two cases together; something Casey and her counterpart, former Sheriff and now member of the Marine Patrol, Jerico question. Both Casey and Jerico are driven, law enforcement officers, each with their own complicated back story. As they work the two cases, they draw closer together in a relationship that hopefully, will continue to grow and develop as the series continues.
The entire book is a series of roller coaster rides that will have the reader rushing through parts to learn what happens next, only to slow down for a breath and then go again. The pacing for the book is excellent, pulling the reader through at a good speed, but not so fast as to leave you breathless. The ending twist was not a surprise for me, but may be for others. Regardless, it was very satisfying with the one exception of one poor decision Casey made which felt a little contrived to set up the situation. It was not enough of a misstep to do any measurable harm to the book itself. I look forward to the next book in this series and think most readers who like police procedurals and series books will do well to start with this first book. My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2020
Very riveting
What a great story. There were twists and turns then more turns and my heart broke every time another child died. It was horrible but I loved Jericho and Casey. They were perfect. A little fast love but it was good. And the villains and believe me there were more than one.! Awful awful people. And the poor girls, still half child and so much pain and misery. My heart broke for them. I can't wait to read the next one.
What a great story. There were twists and turns then more turns and my heart broke every time another child died. It was horrible but I loved Jericho and Casey. They were perfect. A little fast love but it was good. And the villains and believe me there were more than one.! Awful awful people. And the poor girls, still half child and so much pain and misery. My heart broke for them. I can't wait to read the next one.
May 9, 2020
Taken from Home is the first book in a new series by author B.R. Spangler featuring detective Casey White.
Fourteen years prior to the story, Casey White’s daughter has been abducted, never to be found again. When she notice a young pregnant girl stumbling in the middle of a road in a nightgown, having been kept captive for years, she can’t help thinking about her own tragedy. This feeling deepens when a body is discovered, and it appears a serial kidnapper / killer has been active in the area, sometimes keeping girls for years. And the possibility her daughter might be one of them is very real.
This is a strong debut for a new series which reads more as action than police procedural, and should be taken as such. A bit of suspension of disbelief is required at the events and twists happening along the pages. Some of those events are pretty hard, and might be triggers to some sensitive readers, Casey White herself appears almost as a one woman army.
The book is mostly written in the first person, from her point of view, reminding some of the Jack Reacher novels. However, contrary to the use of this literary device by Lee Child, we don’t really get any stream of consciousness, or even chain of thoughts, from Casey White. It wouldn’t be much different written in the third person (which is the case when the book switches to other POVs). As such, we don’t learn much about Casey White herself, nor her personality. For this first book, she’s a woman on a mission. It might change in further entries.
An entertaining read if not taken too seriously.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
Fourteen years prior to the story, Casey White’s daughter has been abducted, never to be found again. When she notice a young pregnant girl stumbling in the middle of a road in a nightgown, having been kept captive for years, she can’t help thinking about her own tragedy. This feeling deepens when a body is discovered, and it appears a serial kidnapper / killer has been active in the area, sometimes keeping girls for years. And the possibility her daughter might be one of them is very real.
This is a strong debut for a new series which reads more as action than police procedural, and should be taken as such. A bit of suspension of disbelief is required at the events and twists happening along the pages. Some of those events are pretty hard, and might be triggers to some sensitive readers, Casey White herself appears almost as a one woman army.
The book is mostly written in the first person, from her point of view, reminding some of the Jack Reacher novels. However, contrary to the use of this literary device by Lee Child, we don’t really get any stream of consciousness, or even chain of thoughts, from Casey White. It wouldn’t be much different written in the third person (which is the case when the book switches to other POVs). As such, we don’t learn much about Casey White herself, nor her personality. For this first book, she’s a woman on a mission. It might change in further entries.
An entertaining read if not taken too seriously.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
September 25, 2020
Decent Story but NOT the Outer Banks
The storyline was decent but in no way was it set in the Outer Banks. The descriptions are not found in the Outer Banks. There is not a forest on the highway, there are no cliffs where someone could dangle ver the ocean, there are no boulders in the ocean that are the size of houses, the marinas are not on the ocean but in the Sounds, there is not a valley that opens up from the woods. This author has never been to the Outer Banks.
The storyline was decent but in no way was it set in the Outer Banks. The descriptions are not found in the Outer Banks. There is not a forest on the highway, there are no cliffs where someone could dangle ver the ocean, there are no boulders in the ocean that are the size of houses, the marinas are not on the ocean but in the Sounds, there is not a valley that opens up from the woods. This author has never been to the Outer Banks.
February 16, 2025
I enjoyed it! It’s a mix of a serial killer, kidnapped kids, a human trafficking ring, and a cop in desperate need of a vacation, all wrapped into one! Casey White is a seasoned detective, but she's haunted by her past. When her daughter was a toddler, she was kidnapped during a brief moment when the door was left open, and Hannah wandered into the yard where a car picked her up. Casey never saw her again. This event haunts Casey, and she sees her daughter everywhere. While working a case, she pulled a gun on a cop because she thought she saw the woman who took her daughter, leading her to be given a vacation to clear her head.
On this vacation, she stumbles upon a bleeding teenager who looks like she's been through a terrible incident. When Casey takes her to the hospital and waits for news, she's asked to aid the local department. She agrees, and while investigating, they find a deceased girl and then another girl on a yacht. Casey dives into the case headfirst. She then delves into the county's cold cases and finds several linked cases. But will she find the connection before it's too late? Will she ever find Hannah? Check this one out for the answers! The audiobook was compelling and brought the story to life, keeping me on the edge of my seat! This narrator was a perfect fit for the story and delivered it exceptionally well! She was not only compelling, but her tone also matched the story perfectly.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this one!
On this vacation, she stumbles upon a bleeding teenager who looks like she's been through a terrible incident. When Casey takes her to the hospital and waits for news, she's asked to aid the local department. She agrees, and while investigating, they find a deceased girl and then another girl on a yacht. Casey dives into the case headfirst. She then delves into the county's cold cases and finds several linked cases. But will she find the connection before it's too late? Will she ever find Hannah? Check this one out for the answers! The audiobook was compelling and brought the story to life, keeping me on the edge of my seat! This narrator was a perfect fit for the story and delivered it exceptionally well! She was not only compelling, but her tone also matched the story perfectly.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this one!
June 11, 2021
This was one of those books I couldn't put down.
If you like a fast-paced, eventful book, put this on your TBR shelf. Not only is the story well told, with lots of connections and details, without ever dragging, the main characters are substantial and well-developed. I’m happy that this is the first in a series so we can enjoy the characters again. The other reviews give enough plot detail - I’m here to tell you that if you like a well-written, twisty mystery, get this book and enjoy!
If you like a fast-paced, eventful book, put this on your TBR shelf. Not only is the story well told, with lots of connections and details, without ever dragging, the main characters are substantial and well-developed. I’m happy that this is the first in a series so we can enjoy the characters again. The other reviews give enough plot detail - I’m here to tell you that if you like a well-written, twisty mystery, get this book and enjoy!
October 8, 2023
How does this book have a 4.26 overall rating? Good enough to keep me reading to the end, to find out the identity of the guilty party/parties, but oh my what a badly written book! And the editing? Even worse than the writing. "Pale" for "pail" -- but do we really see "garbage pales" on the street? In the blurbs for subsequent books, "pouring" for "poring," plus too many other examples to cite. And FFS, it's "CUBICLE" and NOT "cubical," which means a cuboid shape! That zinger appears over and over and over ad nauseam.
This novel contains SO MUCH that is improbable, to the point of being laughable! The MC, a police detective, possesses ZERO common sense and restraint! How did she ever rise above beat cop? The "romance" feels inevitable but rushed; the experienced detective behaves like a young teen, not a supposedly mature woman detective. []
This book magically appeared in my phone, probably a freebie I downloaded ages ago. After the conclusion of this novel, blurbs of subsequent books in the series appear, ALL involving the murder and/or torture of young girls/women. This seeming obsession does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling about the author, reinforced by his creepy profile photo! I will certainly NOT pursue the sequels to this laughable mess.
This novel contains SO MUCH that is improbable, to the point of being laughable! The MC, a police detective, possesses ZERO common sense and restraint! How did she ever rise above beat cop? The "romance" feels inevitable but rushed; the experienced detective behaves like a young teen, not a supposedly mature woman detective. []
This book magically appeared in my phone, probably a freebie I downloaded ages ago. After the conclusion of this novel, blurbs of subsequent books in the series appear, ALL involving the murder and/or torture of young girls/women. This seeming obsession does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling about the author, reinforced by his creepy profile photo! I will certainly NOT pursue the sequels to this laughable mess.
April 6, 2025
This is a Police Mystery/Suspense, and this is the first book in the Detective Casey White series. I listened to the audiobook for this book, and I loved the audiobook. The narrator was easy to understand and I enjoyed listening to it. This book had me for the first page, and the suspense and drama had me not wanting to put this book down. I really loved this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
June 15, 2020
A intriguing police procedural whose lead Detective Casey White caught my eye.
My first book by this author and I was found myself hooked to the story when a woman covered in blood rushed to Casey for help. Casey joined hands with the sheriff and started investigating when body count increased.
Having read many police procedural in this year, I liked how the book was treated it had its usual unexpected twists with detailed subplots. Casey was etched well, her past was in shadows with a kidnapped child. I would love to know where the author went in the second book.
Overall, a thrilling read.
My first book by this author and I was found myself hooked to the story when a woman covered in blood rushed to Casey for help. Casey joined hands with the sheriff and started investigating when body count increased.
Having read many police procedural in this year, I liked how the book was treated it had its usual unexpected twists with detailed subplots. Casey was etched well, her past was in shadows with a kidnapped child. I would love to know where the author went in the second book.
Overall, a thrilling read.
February 26, 2025
I was captivated by this novel quite simply. Detective Casey White is a bit unhinged, but I liked that her emotions warred with her common sense and her common sense didn't always win. Casey is a mom first, not a detective first and isn't cold about the case of her missing daughter like many books where the protagonist lost a loved one. Jericho was a good counter point to her and I hope to see more of them in this series. HOWEVER- why would you even name a character Ashtole? Particularly someone that you want us to like? It was so very distracting.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author BR Spangler, and Bookoture Audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author BR Spangler, and Bookoture Audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.
May 17, 2020
This first in a new series featuring Detective Casey White has it all -- kidnapping, trafficking, sex crimes, rape, abuse, and romance! I believe there is a new title: WHERE LOST GIRLS GO.
Casey leaves her apartment and job in Philadelphia after she made a mistake at work to take some time off. She travels to North Carolina and the Outer Banks, but it's not really for a vacation. Casey is searching for her missing daughter, Hannah, who had been kidnapped in front of the family home over 14 years ago. Almost immediately upon arrival, she's catapulted into a very complicated series of cases involving young women. Their bodies have been found in different places under unusual circumstances. As she helps the local police along with Jericho Flynn of the Marine Patrol, the events reveal a staggering amount of all types of criminal activity. NO SPOILERS.
I read this in a single sitting and it was quite action-packed and so much going on in the narrative. As always, at the beginning of a new series, it takes time to warm to the characters. I haven't quite decided what I think about them yet. I vacillated in giving a rating because, although the plot was good, I had some issues with quite a bit of all that happened, the coincidences (you will need to suspend disbelief at times), and of course, the fact that I had a solid idea of what was going on long before the revelations at the climax and conclusion. I definitely plan to read the next installment, however, to see what comes next in that hotbed of illegal and unlawful behaviors in a popular tourist area. Also, I know it's just me, but I didn't like the instant romance aspect and some of the dumb things Casey chose to do. But, let's face it, that's typical in this genre especially with female detectives!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
Casey leaves her apartment and job in Philadelphia after she made a mistake at work to take some time off. She travels to North Carolina and the Outer Banks, but it's not really for a vacation. Casey is searching for her missing daughter, Hannah, who had been kidnapped in front of the family home over 14 years ago. Almost immediately upon arrival, she's catapulted into a very complicated series of cases involving young women. Their bodies have been found in different places under unusual circumstances. As she helps the local police along with Jericho Flynn of the Marine Patrol, the events reveal a staggering amount of all types of criminal activity. NO SPOILERS.
I read this in a single sitting and it was quite action-packed and so much going on in the narrative. As always, at the beginning of a new series, it takes time to warm to the characters. I haven't quite decided what I think about them yet. I vacillated in giving a rating because, although the plot was good, I had some issues with quite a bit of all that happened, the coincidences (you will need to suspend disbelief at times), and of course, the fact that I had a solid idea of what was going on long before the revelations at the climax and conclusion. I definitely plan to read the next installment, however, to see what comes next in that hotbed of illegal and unlawful behaviors in a popular tourist area. Also, I know it's just me, but I didn't like the instant romance aspect and some of the dumb things Casey chose to do. But, let's face it, that's typical in this genre especially with female detectives!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
January 9, 2026
Book rating -4 stars
Audiobook rating - 4 stars
Narrated by Patricia Rodriguez
The narration was quite good and kept me engaged from the start till the end.
This is the first book of the detective series and I honestly liked it very much. Only thing that I have complains about is it was slow paced and quite long. Although it wasn't boring but it was getting on my nerves that it was taking its own sweet time to finish the case.
The descriptions from the pov of victims and their killer could be a bit triggering so proceed with caution. I'm a fan of detective novels, I enjoy them quite a lot and this was honestly hooking read.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Audiobook rating - 4 stars
Narrated by Patricia Rodriguez
The narration was quite good and kept me engaged from the start till the end.
This is the first book of the detective series and I honestly liked it very much. Only thing that I have complains about is it was slow paced and quite long. Although it wasn't boring but it was getting on my nerves that it was taking its own sweet time to finish the case.
The descriptions from the pov of victims and their killer could be a bit triggering so proceed with caution. I'm a fan of detective novels, I enjoy them quite a lot and this was honestly hooking read.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange of an honest review.
July 2, 2020
Unanswered questions
I really enjoyed the book but the reason I continued read was one unanswered question about Jericho’s life which STILL wasn’t ever answered 😡🤬
I really enjoyed the book but the reason I continued read was one unanswered question about Jericho’s life which STILL wasn’t ever answered 😡🤬
September 15, 2020
Not my cup of tea
A disappointment. Characters poorly developed. Co-worker scant at best. Just not believable. Ended up skimming to the end. Not recommended.
A disappointment. Characters poorly developed. Co-worker scant at best. Just not believable. Ended up skimming to the end. Not recommended.
October 11, 2023
Where Lost Girls Go is the first book in Detective Casey White mystery series by B.R. Spangler.
Casey is on a forcee vacation to Outer Banks 14 years after her daughter Hannah was kidnapped from her own home when she gets involved in a brutal case involving mysterious discovery of girls taken from their homes at the same time Hannah disappeared. Vested in the case because her personal interest, Casey starts following the leads resulting in uncovering of a major racket.
It was nothing less than a roller coaster ride and short chapters meant the readers can’t help themselves but turn the pages to learn about what happened next. I was not a fan of the sidekick Jericho in this one, maybe he would grow on me if I continue with the series but I really did not like his character in this book atleast.
The mayor was shady right since the start so the ending didn’t really come as a surprise to me. However, i was taken aback with such a huge racket working its way among so many people and none was the wiser.
I may pick up the next book in the series out of curiosity.
3.5 stars.
Casey is on a forcee vacation to Outer Banks 14 years after her daughter Hannah was kidnapped from her own home when she gets involved in a brutal case involving mysterious discovery of girls taken from their homes at the same time Hannah disappeared. Vested in the case because her personal interest, Casey starts following the leads resulting in uncovering of a major racket.
It was nothing less than a roller coaster ride and short chapters meant the readers can’t help themselves but turn the pages to learn about what happened next. I was not a fan of the sidekick Jericho in this one, maybe he would grow on me if I continue with the series but I really did not like his character in this book atleast.
The mayor was shady right since the start so the ending didn’t really come as a surprise to me. However, i was taken aback with such a huge racket working its way among so many people and none was the wiser.
I may pick up the next book in the series out of curiosity.
3.5 stars.
October 23, 2023
Book: Where Lost Girls Go
Read By: Ebook
Author: B.R. Spangler
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Recommend: Yes
Spice:🌶️️
< b>Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
My feelings:
I love me a good detective book.
This one popped up on Stuff your kindle day, and it was amazing!
But when I opened the sixth case file, I knew in an instant who it was I’d come across on the dirt road. The room became still and my breath stuck in my throat. I’d found Cheryl Parry.
I read this in one sitting. It had me wanting to read the next page throught the whole book. Very well done.
“There was a time before embalming when they used large floral arrangements to mask the smell.”
Highly Recommend.
Read By: Ebook
Author: B.R. Spangler
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Recommend: Yes
Spice:🌶️️
< b>Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
My feelings:
I love me a good detective book.
This one popped up on Stuff your kindle day, and it was amazing!
But when I opened the sixth case file, I knew in an instant who it was I’d come across on the dirt road. The room became still and my breath stuck in my throat. I’d found Cheryl Parry.
I read this in one sitting. It had me wanting to read the next page throught the whole book. Very well done.
“There was a time before embalming when they used large floral arrangements to mask the smell.”
Highly Recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2023
Mystery, a serial killer, and a kidnapping. I am working through the series of Detective Casey White
February 18, 2025
WOW! I haven’t had a book hook me in like that in a long time. Truly felt like I could put it down I am desperate to get on to the second one.
August 19, 2023
Edge of your seat story. This author gives this story all the elements of a great thriller. The ending was a bit predictable, but overall an excellent read. Nora Wolfenbarger author of The Blackbird Series.
July 13, 2024
Entertaining but left out some parts of the plot I wanted follow up on. Perhaps it’ll be in the next book of the series but I’m not going to continue reading so kind of a pointless read. In case anyone wants to know lol
April 23, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Taken from Home, the first novel to feature Detective Casey White, set in the Outer Banks, North Carolina.
An enforced holiday sends Philadelphia detective, Casey White, to the Outer Banks, chasing up a slim lead in the 14 year old disappearance of her toddler daughter, Hannah. A wrong turn on the road takes her through a forest where she is stopped by an injured teenager in a long white nightdress and she is not the only one. Drafted in to help the local PD on an unrelated case she soon finds that there is a serial killer on the loose, one who has been at work for years.
I enjoyed Taken from Home which is an action packed read that never lets up. It is told mostly from Casey’s point of view, after the initial scene setting, with the odd chapter from “him”. They are mercifully brief and don’t add much, apart from the usual inference that his needs are not normal. It also means that they don’t distract from the main narrative.
I hesitate to say the novel is a fun read because it’s violent, cruel and inhuman but it certainly shouldn’t be taken too seriously. The amount of mayhem involved is not credible but it’s exciting and holds the attention throughout. I never knew what was coming next and had my eyes wide open (not sure if it was in disbelief) at every twist and turn. The plot also hinges on coincidences, Casey finds an old business card that sends her to the Outer Banks only after 14 years where her satnav fails her and she stumbles across a dying girl etc. This is the cold logic, but during the read it’s engrossing and curiosity inducing. The novel does what it’s supposed to do, entertain and it does so admirably.
Casey White is a driven woman, rarely distracted from her main purpose in life, finding Hannah, and in this she makes some progress although it seems that this thread will run through any subsequent novels. It does not, however, prevent her from solving a few cases along the way and finding love. Oh, and she’s also superwoman, shrugging off injuries and getting back into the fray. My kind of fictional gal. I imagine she’d be a bit full on in real life.
Taken from Home is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
An enforced holiday sends Philadelphia detective, Casey White, to the Outer Banks, chasing up a slim lead in the 14 year old disappearance of her toddler daughter, Hannah. A wrong turn on the road takes her through a forest where she is stopped by an injured teenager in a long white nightdress and she is not the only one. Drafted in to help the local PD on an unrelated case she soon finds that there is a serial killer on the loose, one who has been at work for years.
I enjoyed Taken from Home which is an action packed read that never lets up. It is told mostly from Casey’s point of view, after the initial scene setting, with the odd chapter from “him”. They are mercifully brief and don’t add much, apart from the usual inference that his needs are not normal. It also means that they don’t distract from the main narrative.
I hesitate to say the novel is a fun read because it’s violent, cruel and inhuman but it certainly shouldn’t be taken too seriously. The amount of mayhem involved is not credible but it’s exciting and holds the attention throughout. I never knew what was coming next and had my eyes wide open (not sure if it was in disbelief) at every twist and turn. The plot also hinges on coincidences, Casey finds an old business card that sends her to the Outer Banks only after 14 years where her satnav fails her and she stumbles across a dying girl etc. This is the cold logic, but during the read it’s engrossing and curiosity inducing. The novel does what it’s supposed to do, entertain and it does so admirably.
Casey White is a driven woman, rarely distracted from her main purpose in life, finding Hannah, and in this she makes some progress although it seems that this thread will run through any subsequent novels. It does not, however, prevent her from solving a few cases along the way and finding love. Oh, and she’s also superwoman, shrugging off injuries and getting back into the fray. My kind of fictional gal. I imagine she’d be a bit full on in real life.
Taken from Home is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
November 11, 2022
Not recommended - spoiler alert from 2nd paragraph
There are too much irrelevant fillers and annoying, meaningless dialogue.
The plot line is illogical. Casey White, the detective, is obsessed with finding her daughter. She nearly mistaken shot a fellow detective, then went manic at the detention centre, thinking a buried body is her daughter. And yet when she finally sees her daughter alive, she does nothing and let her disappear again. This incomplete ending is just a way to entice the reader to continue buying the books in the series. Besides this, White comes across as incompetent, allowing herself to be nearly killed at least twice, the last time by the mayor, whom she should have restrained first. Besides this, we are asked to believe that no one in the town have noticed that the Detention Centre has been used for years to kidnap, sell or kill young women, and there are no management or government inspections of same. Likewise the FBI, police from the sheriff’s office and marine patrol are all in one yacht w/o backup and all being ambushed by a gang stretches the imagination.
There are too much irrelevant fillers and annoying, meaningless dialogue.
The plot line is illogical. Casey White, the detective, is obsessed with finding her daughter. She nearly mistaken shot a fellow detective, then went manic at the detention centre, thinking a buried body is her daughter. And yet when she finally sees her daughter alive, she does nothing and let her disappear again. This incomplete ending is just a way to entice the reader to continue buying the books in the series. Besides this, White comes across as incompetent, allowing herself to be nearly killed at least twice, the last time by the mayor, whom she should have restrained first. Besides this, we are asked to believe that no one in the town have noticed that the Detention Centre has been used for years to kidnap, sell or kill young women, and there are no management or government inspections of same. Likewise the FBI, police from the sheriff’s office and marine patrol are all in one yacht w/o backup and all being ambushed by a gang stretches the imagination.
May 9, 2020
A great start to a new series.
Casey is a Detective who is on vacation but she’s also looking for her daughter who was taken from her fourteen years ago.
She’s following a lead in an area which is new to her and as she’s looking for the place she’s heading to, she sees a woman in need of help.
Casey takes her to the hospital and whilst there meets Jericho who takes her to a crime scene as a girl’s body had been found.
Jericho and his colleagues persuade Casey to help with the case as they’re in desperate need of a Detective and she can look for Hannah while she’s helping them.
There are lots of strands to this story and I liked the way they all came together in the end.
I like the character of Casey and look forward to finding out what’s in store for her next.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Casey is a Detective who is on vacation but she’s also looking for her daughter who was taken from her fourteen years ago.
She’s following a lead in an area which is new to her and as she’s looking for the place she’s heading to, she sees a woman in need of help.
Casey takes her to the hospital and whilst there meets Jericho who takes her to a crime scene as a girl’s body had been found.
Jericho and his colleagues persuade Casey to help with the case as they’re in desperate need of a Detective and she can look for Hannah while she’s helping them.
There are lots of strands to this story and I liked the way they all came together in the end.
I like the character of Casey and look forward to finding out what’s in store for her next.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
May 19, 2020
I love me a new series, and Casey White is a force to be reckoned with. She is somewhat of a conundrum. Driven by a past tragedy, she is laser-focused but single-minded (to the point of potentially grave on-the-job errors). She is also incredibly tenacious. I can’t remember the last time I read about a heroine who had so many “incidents.” The subject matter may be difficult to read about, but something that people should be paying more attention to because it’s occurring on a global scale. I am definitely looking forward to future investigations with this detective! For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of this book.
March 25, 2020
this book should come with a warning once you start book you wont want to stop what a story .Casey White goes on vacation . and has to stop for a young girl who falls on the road.Casey is a detective. and ends up helping the sheriff but Casey has come there to search for her daughter who was snatched from outside her house this story is just brilliant i so cant wait for book 2 a must read
March 1, 2021
Boring, Slow-Paced Waste of $
Overall reviews about this book were positive. I couldn't disagree more! The plot was dull & uninspiring. I'm a fast reader yet I trudged through only half of this sleeper in over a week's time. Worst of all, I wasted $2.99 because my request for a Refund exceeded the time frame!
Overall reviews about this book were positive. I couldn't disagree more! The plot was dull & uninspiring. I'm a fast reader yet I trudged through only half of this sleeper in over a week's time. Worst of all, I wasted $2.99 because my request for a Refund exceeded the time frame!
February 8, 2025
Well, this is the first time I've listened to this author and definitely won't be the last. With detective series books I find myself either really enjoying them or the opposite so this genre can often be a hit or miss for me as much as I enjoy working out a plot line some just don't have much substance. The same cannot be said for Where Lost Girls Go!
This was a relatively full book in the sense that the story had many varying details that kept me as a listener intrigued. Again like many books although they are fiction often the authors writing comes from some form of experience and or at least a lot of research and from this perspective some areas are really disturbing and may trigger some readers.
Casey has a personal case that she takes with her everywhere after her daughter Hannah is kidnapped in front of her eyes. A car and set of eyes in her rear view mirror she will never forget. Casey has always been searching for her daughter, not only the detective in her but more predominantly the mother in her calls her to never give up!
When she finds herself in westbanks there is a case that she agrees to work on just for a few days while there due to staff shortage however at this time Casey has no idea how far this will go, how long she will be there and what truths she will find.
Absolutely gripping Detective storyline with so many twists and turns. Deeply troubling murders of girls that are found around similar areas Casey tends to follow her gut instinct, and it never fails her. She knows from the beginning that somehow this is all interlinked to her own personal life. Difficult decisions have to be made, uncomfortable situations faced, physical injuries, all of which Casey handles for the most part impeccably. I really felt I could connect with her character and follow this plot without any difficulty.
Yes, at times, I felt it was predictable. Hence, not quite making the 5 stars for me, but I would most definitely look forward to the next in the series.
It was well narrated, all characters I found myself either really warming to or loathing and to say instinct is correct well I'm sure many of you will feel the same.
This was published in 2020, so maybe it is a re-release or new to audio, but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to listen to this, so thank you to Netgalley & Bookouture Audio. 🙏🏼🎧❤️⭐️
This was a relatively full book in the sense that the story had many varying details that kept me as a listener intrigued. Again like many books although they are fiction often the authors writing comes from some form of experience and or at least a lot of research and from this perspective some areas are really disturbing and may trigger some readers.
Casey has a personal case that she takes with her everywhere after her daughter Hannah is kidnapped in front of her eyes. A car and set of eyes in her rear view mirror she will never forget. Casey has always been searching for her daughter, not only the detective in her but more predominantly the mother in her calls her to never give up!
When she finds herself in westbanks there is a case that she agrees to work on just for a few days while there due to staff shortage however at this time Casey has no idea how far this will go, how long she will be there and what truths she will find.
Absolutely gripping Detective storyline with so many twists and turns. Deeply troubling murders of girls that are found around similar areas Casey tends to follow her gut instinct, and it never fails her. She knows from the beginning that somehow this is all interlinked to her own personal life. Difficult decisions have to be made, uncomfortable situations faced, physical injuries, all of which Casey handles for the most part impeccably. I really felt I could connect with her character and follow this plot without any difficulty.
Yes, at times, I felt it was predictable. Hence, not quite making the 5 stars for me, but I would most definitely look forward to the next in the series.
It was well narrated, all characters I found myself either really warming to or loathing and to say instinct is correct well I'm sure many of you will feel the same.
This was published in 2020, so maybe it is a re-release or new to audio, but I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to listen to this, so thank you to Netgalley & Bookouture Audio. 🙏🏼🎧❤️⭐️
February 25, 2025
Wow, what a ride! Where Lost Girls Go is an action-packed, fast-paced thriller that had me completely hooked from start to finish. B.R. Spangler does a fantastic job of blending heart-pounding suspense with deep emotional stakes, making this book a gripping read (or in my case, listen!).
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Patricia Rodriguez, and let me tell you—her performance was absolutely brilliant! The way she does different voices for each character, the way she builds tension with her tone… it completely sucked me into the story. I could NOT stop listening. Her narration was spot on for this kind of thriller, making every twist and turn even more intense.
Speaking of twists—this book is full of them! Just when I thought I had something figured out, Spangler threw in another surprise. It’s action upon action, keeping you on edge the whole time. I also loved how Casey’s personal story—her missing daughter—was woven into the main case. You could feel her pain, her desperation, and her constant search for hope in every little clue. It made her such a strong, relatable character. And can we talk about her romance with Jericho? I loved that little subplot! I’m really hoping we see more of their relationship in the next book.
Now, I have to mention one small thing that made me laugh (and slightly annoyed me): the name Ashtole. I mean… really? Every time I heard it, my brain went somewhere else. 😂 Not sure what the author was thinking with that one!
Overall, I loved this book, and I’m definitely diving into more from this series. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Patricia Rodriguez, and let me tell you—her performance was absolutely brilliant! The way she does different voices for each character, the way she builds tension with her tone… it completely sucked me into the story. I could NOT stop listening. Her narration was spot on for this kind of thriller, making every twist and turn even more intense.
Speaking of twists—this book is full of them! Just when I thought I had something figured out, Spangler threw in another surprise. It’s action upon action, keeping you on edge the whole time. I also loved how Casey’s personal story—her missing daughter—was woven into the main case. You could feel her pain, her desperation, and her constant search for hope in every little clue. It made her such a strong, relatable character. And can we talk about her romance with Jericho? I loved that little subplot! I’m really hoping we see more of their relationship in the next book.
Now, I have to mention one small thing that made me laugh (and slightly annoyed me): the name Ashtole. I mean… really? Every time I heard it, my brain went somewhere else. 😂 Not sure what the author was thinking with that one!
Overall, I loved this book, and I’m definitely diving into more from this series. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
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