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The Girl Who Lived To Tell
How far would you go to stay alive?
Sandy Patterson has it all: a handsome husband who adores her and a new job teaching math at the local high school. But a dark cloud hangs over the halls. A serial killer stalks the shadows, snatching innocent teenage girls and leaving behind a string of broken and battered corpses. Not even the FBI can find this elusive murderer.
Until one fateful night, Sandy finds herself in the clutches of the same psychotic maniac who wants nothing more than to torture and demean her. Forced into a mind-bending game of life and death, Sandy races to unlock the mystery surrounding her twisted captor. But time is running out for her—and her unborn baby. To survive, she’ll have to learn to think like a killer. Or become one herself…
*****Warning***** This book contains scenes of abuse, torture, murder and sexual assault. Proceed with caution.
Sandy Patterson has it all: a handsome husband who adores her and a new job teaching math at the local high school. But a dark cloud hangs over the halls. A serial killer stalks the shadows, snatching innocent teenage girls and leaving behind a string of broken and battered corpses. Not even the FBI can find this elusive murderer.
Until one fateful night, Sandy finds herself in the clutches of the same psychotic maniac who wants nothing more than to torture and demean her. Forced into a mind-bending game of life and death, Sandy races to unlock the mystery surrounding her twisted captor. But time is running out for her—and her unborn baby. To survive, she’ll have to learn to think like a killer. Or become one herself…
*****Warning***** This book contains scenes of abuse, torture, murder and sexual assault. Proceed with caution.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
230 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Ditter Kellen
75 books910 followersDitter Kellen is the USA Today Bestselling Author of Mystery-Thriller-Suspense-Christian Thriller Novels. She loves spinning edgy, heart-pounding stories that will leave you guessing until the very end.
When she's not writing, Ditter spends her days creating hair and skincare products, using organic ingredients. Her products have been proven to work and are used by Ditter on a daily basis.
A devoted wife, mother and Christian, Ditter resides in Florida with her husband, son, and many unique farm animals. She adores French fries and her phone is permanently attached to her ear.
You can find Ditter's books and skincare products at Ditterkellen.com/shop. Or on her app, where shopping is made easier! https://rb.gy/v2786
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 16, 2020
I loved this book. It is not my first by this author but it is my favorite yet. This author continues to impress me with her writing skills that keep me turning pages and coming back for more. This story is a suspense-thriller that is twisted and hard to put down. The twist and turns left me turning pages fast just to see what would happen next. I found the characters easily connectable and I loved them even the evil one. This is a story about young girls coming up missing and their bodies turning up. What will happen when Sandy, a teacher is taken? The story becomes a fight for life and survival. I highly recommend this must read book and this author.
April 9, 2020
This is quite a disturbing read with a lot of violence being perpetrated by a very sick individual. The main character Sandy Patterson has been married for just six months to a handsome man, who adores her and has inherited his family’s farm. She is due to start a new job at the local high school, but he tries to persuade her not to take up the post. She is twenty five, to his thirty five, and there is a serial killer abducting young teenage students who go to the school. She is some seven plus years older than the victims that have been chosen so far, so feels fairly safe. The abductions have taken place over the last two years and have started to ramp up in frequency. The FBI have been involved, but are clueless as to who the serial killer is.
The killer has abused and battered each of their victims, before dumping their bodies, for them to be found by the police. Some have been taken for a month of more before being killed, whilst others have been abducted and killed within days. There seems to be no real reasoning behind the killings, but the victims are all similar in looks and ages. The town has a curfew in place, but being teens, this is simply ignored by those who want to go and party. But not all of the victims have been the party type! Sandy is asked by her husband to let him know when she arrives and leaves work each day. Her first day sees her meeting a wide range of teachers and the head teacher, some of whom are a bit odd. One makes inappropriate comments about the missing girls!
Sandy finds the news of yet another disappearance disturbing, especially as the girl’s boyfriend is in her first class. Sandy is light-headed a couple of times over the next few days and eventually comes to the conclusion that she might be pregnant, especially when one of the staff suggest this might be why she fainted. On travelling home that same night, she finds herself taken by the psychotic serial killer and will do anything to keep her baby alive, no matter how much of a shock it was and how unprepared she might have been at this time in her life. There are others being held prisoner by the killer, who seems to take great pleasure in beating, demeaning and torturing each of the victims, before violently killing them.
The killer makes each of them suffer, taking pleasure in using sexual and physical abuse against each of the victims. Even Sandy’s pregnancy is no barrier to such abuse. Something she will take to her grave, whether she survives or not. It is so intense and brutal that it could never be forgotten! She is being treated slightly differently and she needs to figure out why and work out how to keep the killer calm and stop harming her. She has to do what the killer wants and the abuse is sick beyond understanding or even comprehension. She wants the killer dead and would love to give them the same treatment they have given to their victims.
Matters are escalating and the killer has finally made a mistake, which means time is running out for Sandy and a new victim. To escape she will have to play up to the killer and try to out manoeuvre them and maybe even become a killer herself. This book is a disturbing read, with details of intimate abuse and torture, which some readers may not be able to handle, so please read with care. The author has given a warning of content type in the blurb. It was definitely an intense read, but you get to find out what one person will do, one to survive and the other to get some payback on another. Don’t want to give matters away, but this was shocking and had a few surprises in it.
The title only made sense at the end and wasn’t related to what I had first thought at all! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I will be looking out for more books by this author. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The killer has abused and battered each of their victims, before dumping their bodies, for them to be found by the police. Some have been taken for a month of more before being killed, whilst others have been abducted and killed within days. There seems to be no real reasoning behind the killings, but the victims are all similar in looks and ages. The town has a curfew in place, but being teens, this is simply ignored by those who want to go and party. But not all of the victims have been the party type! Sandy is asked by her husband to let him know when she arrives and leaves work each day. Her first day sees her meeting a wide range of teachers and the head teacher, some of whom are a bit odd. One makes inappropriate comments about the missing girls!
Sandy finds the news of yet another disappearance disturbing, especially as the girl’s boyfriend is in her first class. Sandy is light-headed a couple of times over the next few days and eventually comes to the conclusion that she might be pregnant, especially when one of the staff suggest this might be why she fainted. On travelling home that same night, she finds herself taken by the psychotic serial killer and will do anything to keep her baby alive, no matter how much of a shock it was and how unprepared she might have been at this time in her life. There are others being held prisoner by the killer, who seems to take great pleasure in beating, demeaning and torturing each of the victims, before violently killing them.
The killer makes each of them suffer, taking pleasure in using sexual and physical abuse against each of the victims. Even Sandy’s pregnancy is no barrier to such abuse. Something she will take to her grave, whether she survives or not. It is so intense and brutal that it could never be forgotten! She is being treated slightly differently and she needs to figure out why and work out how to keep the killer calm and stop harming her. She has to do what the killer wants and the abuse is sick beyond understanding or even comprehension. She wants the killer dead and would love to give them the same treatment they have given to their victims.
Matters are escalating and the killer has finally made a mistake, which means time is running out for Sandy and a new victim. To escape she will have to play up to the killer and try to out manoeuvre them and maybe even become a killer herself. This book is a disturbing read, with details of intimate abuse and torture, which some readers may not be able to handle, so please read with care. The author has given a warning of content type in the blurb. It was definitely an intense read, but you get to find out what one person will do, one to survive and the other to get some payback on another. Don’t want to give matters away, but this was shocking and had a few surprises in it.
The title only made sense at the end and wasn’t related to what I had first thought at all! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I will be looking out for more books by this author. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
April 7, 2020
It’s 2:39 AM and I just finished reading this heart-pounding, edge of your seat thriller by the master of psychological thrillers, Ditter Kellen. I started reading this book about 2 hours ago saying to myself I’ll read a little until I get sleepy, knowing I have to be up ready to do my online classes at 5:00 AM. Please understand that I am the TEACHER of these classes - it’s not that I have to sit through an online lecture - I have to lead it! So I knew I needed some sleep to be functional so I tried (and failed) to give myself a time limit - lack of sleep didn’t matter one iota to me once I started this book. I couldn’t put it down...not for a second! This is the ONLY book that has done this to me. I was walking around my house reading my kindle, in the dark, not wanting to wake my husband for fear he have me committed for staying up just to read, bumping into things as I was trying to make my way to the kitchen for some water because the book was making my mouth dry because of all the suspense I felt while reading it. I really think I might have sprained a toe hitting the couch on my dark dash through the house to my kitchen but I seriously didn’t feel the pain until I hit 100% - book completed on my kindle. 🤣 A definite MUST READ for any thriller genre book lovers. Ditter Kellen has been an author I have followed religiously and every time she blesses us with another book, I am the first to read it. But as I write this glowing review, I must ask Ditter to forgive me for never taking the time to write reviews for her other masterpieces. I’ve always easily rated each of them 5 stars but I should’ve taken the time to explain why they received such high praise. Without spoilers, I can only highly encourage and strongly recommend that if you dare to pick up one of Ditter Kellen’s books, be prepared for the most thrilling, spine tingling, mouth drying, vocal wincing, and horrified re-reading of your life!
Read
April 6, 2020Ditter Kellan is truly amazing at telling a gipping story and this book is absolutely no different! Sandy is a twenty-five year old newly wed who has just started teaching 12th grade math at her old highschool. Things are tense from the beginning with a serial killer going after highschool girls. Thinking she is safe she continues teaching all the while her husband is rightfully concerned and then it happens and Sandy us thrust into a world where she has to fight for her life as well as the life of her unborn child. This book will put you through the ringer and send you down a rabbit hole of depravity that is raw and dark but also so well written you feel you are in the room yourself. This book is truly amazing and a fantastic read but that is not surprising. My only wish was that we got to read a little more of Sandys recovery as well as more on her relationship with her husband.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 22, 2021
The Girl who lived to Tell.
By Ditter Kellen.
This Book, Grabbed me and Is a fast read . Definitely a Fast pace
Chilling psychology thriller .
A 1 day Read. Basically.
Sandy Patterson
High school teacher.
Has the best husband, who would do anything for her. Life on there Big Farm is a dream. Just couldn't ask for more..
The job at school is the Best.
There's also a serial killer, on the lose Young girls have been missing, while more go missing still. Then one night sandy is on her way home.. she finds herself
In the clutches of the Said serial killer...
Things will happen, that are unthinkable, but sandy must do things or she may not survive.
The mystery of this killer.
This was a very fast paced.
Full of keep me on the edge of my seat .... I bought this book last year glad I finally took the time to get it read...
Thank you
Ditter Kellen 🌹
By Ditter Kellen.
This Book, Grabbed me and Is a fast read . Definitely a Fast pace
Chilling psychology thriller .
A 1 day Read. Basically.
Sandy Patterson
High school teacher.
Has the best husband, who would do anything for her. Life on there Big Farm is a dream. Just couldn't ask for more..
The job at school is the Best.
There's also a serial killer, on the lose Young girls have been missing, while more go missing still. Then one night sandy is on her way home.. she finds herself
In the clutches of the Said serial killer...
Things will happen, that are unthinkable, but sandy must do things or she may not survive.
The mystery of this killer.
This was a very fast paced.
Full of keep me on the edge of my seat .... I bought this book last year glad I finally took the time to get it read...
Thank you
Ditter Kellen 🌹
April 5, 2020
This is quite the read. A mind bending thriller of a read. Sandy is a great character, well written. With her being a teacher, the horrors being visited on the girls in her school hits close to home especially when it'ss a girl from one of the classes she teaches. but what happens when it's no longer a random girl, but her. Will she find the strength within herself to escape and outsmart this madman? Read it and see for yourself.
Be aware that some scenes are quite graphic and could be potential triggers for some readers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Be aware that some scenes are quite graphic and could be potential triggers for some readers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2020
This book features a young teacher confronting some of every woman’s worst fears. Sandy is faced with a psychological terrorist who thrives on inflicting pain and physical violence.
The young girls from the high school where Sandy teaches math are victims before he snatches Sandy.
Faced with horrible options, Sandy must fight for herself and her unborn baby
A read until you reach the end, and read again once you finally get some sleep kind of book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The young girls from the high school where Sandy teaches math are victims before he snatches Sandy.
Faced with horrible options, Sandy must fight for herself and her unborn baby
A read until you reach the end, and read again once you finally get some sleep kind of book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 10, 2020
The Girl Who Lived To Tell is a chilling psychological thriller that you will not be able to put down.
Trigger Warning: As the author has advised, this book contains scenes of abuse, torture, murder and sexual assault.
This book is disturbingly well written and does not sugarcoat the trauma and horror that the kidnapped victims go through. It kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
Trigger Warning: As the author has advised, this book contains scenes of abuse, torture, murder and sexual assault.
This book is disturbingly well written and does not sugarcoat the trauma and horror that the kidnapped victims go through. It kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
April 11, 2020
ANOTHER GREAT BOOK BY DITTER KELLEN THAT IS HARD TO PUT DOWN. I FOUND IT A GREAT SUSPENSFUL THRILLER THAT KEPT ME ON EDGE THROUGHOUT. IT’S A WONDERFULLY WRITTEN BOOK THAT KEEPS YOUR FULL INTEREST THROUGHOUT. I WOULD DEFINITLY RECOMMEND READING.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2020
A true mind escape
First off, I am a big fan of Ms. Kellen. The "I Am Elle" series will remain as a true favorite for a long time to come. Second I wish to say thank you for The Girl Who Lived To Tell for being the first book in sometime that took me away from today's reality. Yes, it was distributing and gruesome but it also gave my small "shelter in place" life a chance not to think. Keep the good reads coming.
First off, I am a big fan of Ms. Kellen. The "I Am Elle" series will remain as a true favorite for a long time to come. Second I wish to say thank you for The Girl Who Lived To Tell for being the first book in sometime that took me away from today's reality. Yes, it was distributing and gruesome but it also gave my small "shelter in place" life a chance not to think. Keep the good reads coming.
April 4, 2020
This is the first book that I've read by this author, but it won't be the last. I really enjoyed this book. The story line was great. I was riveted from beginning to end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 6, 2020
This is a standalone book. I read this one in one sitting grabbed me from the start. Very intense with a great serial killer storyline and well written characters. look forward to reading more from this author
April 7, 2020
Another Great Book !
Sitter Kellen has become one of my favorite authors. Unlike no other ,I read her books in one day. This book kept me crying, scared, and cheering... Already waiting on her next book !
Sitter Kellen has become one of my favorite authors. Unlike no other ,I read her books in one day. This book kept me crying, scared, and cheering... Already waiting on her next book !
April 8, 2020
Wow
I really liked this book. I usually figure out the twist and who the killer is and I couldn’t figure this one out at all. I have really enjoyed DK’s books and can’t wait for her next one to come out.
I really liked this book. I usually figure out the twist and who the killer is and I couldn’t figure this one out at all. I have really enjoyed DK’s books and can’t wait for her next one to come out.
April 9, 2020
I read this book in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down. I think my hands were glued to my kindle with horror. So many heart stopping moments, I flew through this book not knowing who, or why or how it could possibly finish.
Intense plot, great characters, wonderful twist, I loved it.
Intense plot, great characters, wonderful twist, I loved it.
April 13, 2020
The Girl Who Lived To Tell by Ditter Kellen is a wonderful story to read. This is a wonderful story that I have loved reading very much and I can not wait to read what this author will write next. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about thrillers and suspense in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 11, 2020
Action packed exciting story. Took my emotions on a roller coaster ride. Great plot twists throughout. Characters were multi layered and relatable. Highly recommend this addictive book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 12, 2020
I truly enjoyed this story, even though I must warn you...it is very 'dark' and not for everyone. Sandy Patterson is a teacher in a high school where a serial killer is taking teenage girls and leaving their corpses and they are not pretty girls anymore. The FBI can't even find this killer, but when Sandy is caught by the killer can she survive? I am warning you...it is not an easy book to read, but was well worth it in my opinion. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout.
April 14, 2020
A very good read. Echoes of Stephen King's Misery but with a more evil, sexual sadist. I usually get the twist and the murderer but in this case I didn't foresee either. Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 15, 2020
Wow
This book is disturbing...the abuse that happens is horrific. I couldn't read all of the abuse flipped over that part.
This book is disturbing...the abuse that happens is horrific. I couldn't read all of the abuse flipped over that part.
May 1, 2020
How far would you go to stay alive?
Sandy Patterson has it all: a handsome husband who adores her and a new job teaching math at the local high school. But a dark cloud hangs over the halls. A serial killer stalks the shadows, snatching innocent teenage girls and leaving behind a string of broken and battered corpses. Not even the FBI can find this elusive murderer.
Until one fateful night, Sandy finds herself in the clutches of the same psychotic maniac who wants nothing more than to torture and demean her. Forced into a mind-bending game of life and death, Sandy races to unlock the mystery surrounding her twisted captor. But time is running out for her—and her unborn baby. To survive, she’ll have to learn to think like a killer. Or become one herself…
*****Warning***** This book contains scenes of abuse, torture, murder and sexual assault. Proceed with caution.
This is a thriller to read!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
Sandy Patterson has it all: a handsome husband who adores her and a new job teaching math at the local high school. But a dark cloud hangs over the halls. A serial killer stalks the shadows, snatching innocent teenage girls and leaving behind a string of broken and battered corpses. Not even the FBI can find this elusive murderer.
Until one fateful night, Sandy finds herself in the clutches of the same psychotic maniac who wants nothing more than to torture and demean her. Forced into a mind-bending game of life and death, Sandy races to unlock the mystery surrounding her twisted captor. But time is running out for her—and her unborn baby. To survive, she’ll have to learn to think like a killer. Or become one herself…
*****Warning***** This book contains scenes of abuse, torture, murder and sexual assault. Proceed with caution.
This is a thriller to read!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
April 26, 2020
I just finished reading The Girl who Lived to Tell and absolutely loved it. I continue to love Ditter's style of writing. This book was hard to put down - the best kind to read right? I hated to see it end. Of course I'd love to read a sequel to this but I doubt that'll happen. lol Anyway, the book was fantastic and you felt like you were right there with the nut job. I've read all of Ditter's books and they all got a 5 star rating from me. Looking forward to reading her next one. Thanks Ditter for the hours of entertainment.
May 2, 2020
Thia book had so much potential but failed
I have read a lot if books with kidnapping and torture like this one but this book failed for me. I couldn't connect with it. The torture was missing. I keptcwaiting to cringe at scenes and cry for the victims but there was none of that.
I will not be reading from this author again. It lacked everything. Still not sure how a hairbrush would hurt someone.
I have read a lot if books with kidnapping and torture like this one but this book failed for me. I couldn't connect with it. The torture was missing. I keptcwaiting to cringe at scenes and cry for the victims but there was none of that.
I will not be reading from this author again. It lacked everything. Still not sure how a hairbrush would hurt someone.
February 19, 2024
Another great author discovered
I have been binge reading this author's work lately. I dont usualky binge read anyone, hot even my belived stephen king. Started with I am Elle. I am waiting for the part 4 of that series. I have just finished the girl who lived to tell. I don't know where this author came from, but I'm looking for more of her work to read. Thank you for writing. I have also read the boy in the window and the Silence of the whippoorwill.
I have been binge reading this author's work lately. I dont usualky binge read anyone, hot even my belived stephen king. Started with I am Elle. I am waiting for the part 4 of that series. I have just finished the girl who lived to tell. I don't know where this author came from, but I'm looking for more of her work to read. Thank you for writing. I have also read the boy in the window and the Silence of the whippoorwill.
August 20, 2025
Good Heavens. This book nearly broke me. I feel like I have a strong reserve and not much in the way of trigger warnings. Kids and animals are about it. But the abuse and SA of teens in this book...... I found myself needing to take breaks. I LOVE Ditter Kellen books and normally devour them in a single sitting. Great story here, dark, deep, and brutal. Highly recommend for those that can handle the TW.
April 23, 2023
A creative Thriller
A perfect thriller that keeps you guessing and very surprised at the ending. Mystery, murder, sex abuse, suspense and survival fill these pages. I highly recommend you read this story and any title by Ditter Kellen you will definitely become a fan and read more of her very entertaining stories🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A perfect thriller that keeps you guessing and very surprised at the ending. Mystery, murder, sex abuse, suspense and survival fill these pages. I highly recommend you read this story and any title by Ditter Kellen you will definitely become a fan and read more of her very entertaining stories🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
August 3, 2023
WOW just WOW😊
This story was OFF the charts FANTASTIC!!!. I know that it is a story that was made up, but WOW!!. Unfortunately I can see something like this happening in today's world. Everything is sooo screwed up and ALL the violence going on, SAD😥😥😥. But on a lighter side Ditter is a PHENOMENAL storyteller and writer😊😋. Keep up the FANTASTIC work!!.
This story was OFF the charts FANTASTIC!!!. I know that it is a story that was made up, but WOW!!. Unfortunately I can see something like this happening in today's world. Everything is sooo screwed up and ALL the violence going on, SAD😥😥😥. But on a lighter side Ditter is a PHENOMENAL storyteller and writer😊😋. Keep up the FANTASTIC work!!.
May 21, 2020
This was a fantastic and petrifying book! It kept me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails. I loved every moment and would recommend it to all!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2020
LOVED IT!
Like all Kellen novels, this one is a winner! Contains a strong female lead character that catches the bad guy. Please do heed the warning, though! It does contain triggers for some people.
Like all Kellen novels, this one is a winner! Contains a strong female lead character that catches the bad guy. Please do heed the warning, though! It does contain triggers for some people.
January 28, 2021
Amazing read
Every book I have read so far has not disappointed. Could not give
Less than 5stars. Ditter is a fantastic author. You won't be disappointed reading this gripping suspense thriller
Every book I have read so far has not disappointed. Could not give
Less than 5stars. Ditter is a fantastic author. You won't be disappointed reading this gripping suspense thriller
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews