What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Clara Jefferies #1
The Fallen Girls
She didn’t notice the corn stalks shiver a few feet to her right. By the time she looked up, the man towered above her. In a single movement he wrapped one thick hand around her waist, the other he clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams.
Detective Clara Jefferies has spent years running from her childhood in Alber, Utah. But when she hears that her baby sister Delilah has disappeared, she knows that the peaceful community will be shattered, her family vulnerable, and that that she must face up to her past and go home.
Clara returns to find that her mother, Ardeth, has isolated her family by moving to the edge of town, in the shadow of the mountains. Ardeth refuses to talk to the police and won’t let Clara through the front door, believing she and her sister-wives can protect their own. But Clara knows better than anyone that her mother isn’t always capable of protecting her children.
When Clara finds out that two more girls have disappeared, all last seen around the cornfields near her family’s home, she realizes it’s not just Delilah who’s in danger. And then she gets a call that a body has been found…
Clara will have to dig deep into the town’s secrets if she’s going to find Delilah. But that will mean confronting the reason she left. And as she gets closer to Delilah, she might be putting her more at risk…
Gripping and spine-chilling, readers will love Detective Clara Jefferies, reading The Fallen Girls deep into the night. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Lisa Regan and Melinda Leigh won’t stop turning the pages of this unforgettable new series from bestselling and award-winning author Kathryn Casey.
Detective Clara Jefferies has spent years running from her childhood in Alber, Utah. But when she hears that her baby sister Delilah has disappeared, she knows that the peaceful community will be shattered, her family vulnerable, and that that she must face up to her past and go home.
Clara returns to find that her mother, Ardeth, has isolated her family by moving to the edge of town, in the shadow of the mountains. Ardeth refuses to talk to the police and won’t let Clara through the front door, believing she and her sister-wives can protect their own. But Clara knows better than anyone that her mother isn’t always capable of protecting her children.
When Clara finds out that two more girls have disappeared, all last seen around the cornfields near her family’s home, she realizes it’s not just Delilah who’s in danger. And then she gets a call that a body has been found…
Clara will have to dig deep into the town’s secrets if she’s going to find Delilah. But that will mean confronting the reason she left. And as she gets closer to Delilah, she might be putting her more at risk…
Gripping and spine-chilling, readers will love Detective Clara Jefferies, reading The Fallen Girls deep into the night. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Lisa Regan and Melinda Leigh won’t stop turning the pages of this unforgettable new series from bestselling and award-winning author Kathryn Casey.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2020
2889 people are currently reading
4998 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Casey
33 books640 followersAn award-winning journalist and a critically acclaimed bestselling author, Kathryn Casey has written eleven true crime books and is the creator of the Sarah Armstrong and Clara Jefferies mystery series. ANGEL FALLS, her first historical fiction, was inspired by the life of Ruth Robertson, who in 1949 measured the world’s tallest waterfall.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
June 19, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
Guns don’t mix well with stupid. Guns and stupid are even more dangerous when paired with crazy drunk.
For the most part, I was in good shape, and I was too young for aches and pains. I considered the fine wrinkles webbing my eyes. One of my fellow detectives described them as laugh lines, but then noted that he’d never actually seen me crack a smile.
Mother methodically inspected me, looking at my face and hair, my clothes, and my dust-covered shoes. She examined me as if I were a specimen on a glass slide.
What this trip has taught me is that you can leave home, but you can’t ever truly leave it behind. No matter where you end up, where you started haunts you.
In the margins she’d drawn playful caricatures of our family. My tension eased enough that I chuckled at one of my mother. It bore a striking resemblance to the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz.
They looked as tense as I felt. Even my teeth were nervous.
My Review:
While perusing this craftily written tale, I was well aware that I over-identified with the protagonist of Clara. Although I did not grow up in a cult, my parents were weirdly and stridently religious. Even as a child I knew it was strange and deeply resented the vile coercion, bombastic oratory, and blatant hypocrisy. I rarely read books with a religious theme as I find most religious dogma and rhetoric deeply annoying and tiresome with the essence of most being that everything is a sin that will be severely punished and anyone who does not follow their faith is doomed to an eternity of teeth gnashing. I’d rather be an altruistic, kind, and nonjudgmental person; believe as I please, and be proactive by obtaining dental implants.
Ms. Casey’s writing was emotive and atmospheric yet easy to follow and her storylines were well-plotted, shrewdly paced, taut with tension, maddeningly intriguing, loathsomely realistic, and sneakily unpredictable. I remain deeply curious about the details of Clara’s personal escape eight years prior. The Mormon sect that Clara’s family adhered to is a prime example of the idiocy of the devout who blindly follow teachings that allow and condone child abuse. Deplorable cretins such as this cause me to grind my teeth in the here and now, making those planned dental implants a probable need.
Guns don’t mix well with stupid. Guns and stupid are even more dangerous when paired with crazy drunk.
For the most part, I was in good shape, and I was too young for aches and pains. I considered the fine wrinkles webbing my eyes. One of my fellow detectives described them as laugh lines, but then noted that he’d never actually seen me crack a smile.
Mother methodically inspected me, looking at my face and hair, my clothes, and my dust-covered shoes. She examined me as if I were a specimen on a glass slide.
What this trip has taught me is that you can leave home, but you can’t ever truly leave it behind. No matter where you end up, where you started haunts you.
In the margins she’d drawn playful caricatures of our family. My tension eased enough that I chuckled at one of my mother. It bore a striking resemblance to the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz.
They looked as tense as I felt. Even my teeth were nervous.
My Review:
While perusing this craftily written tale, I was well aware that I over-identified with the protagonist of Clara. Although I did not grow up in a cult, my parents were weirdly and stridently religious. Even as a child I knew it was strange and deeply resented the vile coercion, bombastic oratory, and blatant hypocrisy. I rarely read books with a religious theme as I find most religious dogma and rhetoric deeply annoying and tiresome with the essence of most being that everything is a sin that will be severely punished and anyone who does not follow their faith is doomed to an eternity of teeth gnashing. I’d rather be an altruistic, kind, and nonjudgmental person; believe as I please, and be proactive by obtaining dental implants.
Ms. Casey’s writing was emotive and atmospheric yet easy to follow and her storylines were well-plotted, shrewdly paced, taut with tension, maddeningly intriguing, loathsomely realistic, and sneakily unpredictable. I remain deeply curious about the details of Clara’s personal escape eight years prior. The Mormon sect that Clara’s family adhered to is a prime example of the idiocy of the devout who blindly follow teachings that allow and condone child abuse. Deplorable cretins such as this cause me to grind my teeth in the here and now, making those planned dental implants a probable need.
June 7, 2020
A clever police procedural. Kathryn Casey has written a smart and compelling story. Often I struggle with police procedurals, but not this one. I was completely invested from the creepy cornfields to the satisfying end. Clara is a police officer in Dallas, she is summoned home by her old crush Max to investigate the disappearance of her sister. But the folks and her family living in her small hometown are not excited to see Clara. Clara was raised in an isolated polygamist society in Utah and once she denounced her faith she was shunned. Now one of Clara’s many sisters, Delia is missing, and nobody is willing to talk. Where is Delia? And why did Clara leave this town years ago?
I have to say this book drew me in from the start. These creepy cornfields I could just feel and hear the wind running through the corn stocks. *shiver* The author did a really good job with creating a sense of place in this book. I found the structure of this polygamist society quite fascinating. Clara was a likable and interesting character and I’m looking forward to getting to know her better in future books. Max her old crush was a sweet guy and I’d love to see more of the two of them together. All in all this was a well done engaging start to a series.
This book in emojis 🌽 🔦 📿 👩👧
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
I have to say this book drew me in from the start. These creepy cornfields I could just feel and hear the wind running through the corn stocks. *shiver* The author did a really good job with creating a sense of place in this book. I found the structure of this polygamist society quite fascinating. Clara was a likable and interesting character and I’m looking forward to getting to know her better in future books. Max her old crush was a sweet guy and I’d love to see more of the two of them together. All in all this was a well done engaging start to a series.
This book in emojis 🌽 🔦 📿 👩👧
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
June 5, 2020
Well!! Let me tell you, The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey was a ride, and I think it was a great way to start a series!
A lot of the book had to do with Detective Jefferies facing her past, and there is a lot of clashing with her family and the other Mormon families that live in their fictional small town in Utah. I thought there was still enough detective work going on though that it had the feel of detective fiction mixed with some police procedural. It's definitely heavy on Clara's past though and it was nice to start out the series with a decent amount of backstory on her.
There are a few different viewpoints which I enjoyed, although I think one gave a little too much away and made it easier to figure out who the culprit was before the end of the book. Even though I managed to figure it out, there were definitely still some surprises I didn't see coming and it didn't take away from how much I liked the book. The pace was steady, and the different viewpoints kept things both interesting and suspenseful, and I ended up staying awake late into the night to see how it would end!
I really enjoyed Casey's writing style and lucky for me she has a nice backlist which I plan on digging into as soon as I can. I liked the Mormon aspect of the book as well and found it very interesting to read about. The Fallen Girls is the perfect choice if you are looking for a suspenseful crime/detective fiction novel that does a great job introducing the main detective to the reader. I know I will be anxiously looking forward to more books about Clara and I can't wait to get to know her even better!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
A lot of the book had to do with Detective Jefferies facing her past, and there is a lot of clashing with her family and the other Mormon families that live in their fictional small town in Utah. I thought there was still enough detective work going on though that it had the feel of detective fiction mixed with some police procedural. It's definitely heavy on Clara's past though and it was nice to start out the series with a decent amount of backstory on her.
There are a few different viewpoints which I enjoyed, although I think one gave a little too much away and made it easier to figure out who the culprit was before the end of the book. Even though I managed to figure it out, there were definitely still some surprises I didn't see coming and it didn't take away from how much I liked the book. The pace was steady, and the different viewpoints kept things both interesting and suspenseful, and I ended up staying awake late into the night to see how it would end!
I really enjoyed Casey's writing style and lucky for me she has a nice backlist which I plan on digging into as soon as I can. I liked the Mormon aspect of the book as well and found it very interesting to read about. The Fallen Girls is the perfect choice if you are looking for a suspenseful crime/detective fiction novel that does a great job introducing the main detective to the reader. I know I will be anxiously looking forward to more books about Clara and I can't wait to get to know her even better!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
June 3, 2020
Detective Clars Jeffries #1
No one knows Clara Jeffries background. She left her past behind to join the police. She had been brought up in a mormon community where polygamy was rife. She has many siblings, some were born after Clara left home. Clara is now a Detective. When one of her siblings is abducted, Clara returns home to try and find her missing sister. Bit there is more than one girl missing. And Clara finds out the town's dirty secret. There's a serial killer and Clara will not stop until she finds him.
This is a dark story but it still managed to suck me in from the beginning. I was somehow strangely fascinated by it. It's interesting and covers a subject I haven't really read before. The pace is steady. There's quite a lot of characters, some of them we ight meet again in future stories. This is my first book y Kathryn Casey but it won't be my last. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kathryn Casey for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Detective Clara Jeffries #1
No one knows Clara Jeffries background. She left her past behind to join the police. She had been brought up in a mormon community where polygamy was rife. She has many siblings, some were born after Clara left home. Clara is now a Detective. When one of her siblings is abducted, Clara returns home to try and find her missing sister. But there is more than one girl missing. Clara also finds out the towns dirty secret. There's a serial killer and Clara will not stop until she finds him.
The is a dark story but it still managed to suck me in from the beginning. I was somehow strangely fascinated by it. It's interesting and covered a subject I haven't really read before. The pace is steady. There's quite a lot of characters, some of them we might meet again in future stories. This is my first book by Kathryn Casey but it won't be my last. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kathryn Casey for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
No one knows Clara Jeffries background. She left her past behind to join the police. She had been brought up in a mormon community where polygamy was rife. She has many siblings, some were born after Clara left home. Clara is now a Detective. When one of her siblings is abducted, Clara returns home to try and find her missing sister. Bit there is more than one girl missing. And Clara finds out the town's dirty secret. There's a serial killer and Clara will not stop until she finds him.
This is a dark story but it still managed to suck me in from the beginning. I was somehow strangely fascinated by it. It's interesting and covers a subject I haven't really read before. The pace is steady. There's quite a lot of characters, some of them we ight meet again in future stories. This is my first book y Kathryn Casey but it won't be my last. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kathryn Casey for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Detective Clara Jeffries #1
No one knows Clara Jeffries background. She left her past behind to join the police. She had been brought up in a mormon community where polygamy was rife. She has many siblings, some were born after Clara left home. Clara is now a Detective. When one of her siblings is abducted, Clara returns home to try and find her missing sister. But there is more than one girl missing. Clara also finds out the towns dirty secret. There's a serial killer and Clara will not stop until she finds him.
The is a dark story but it still managed to suck me in from the beginning. I was somehow strangely fascinated by it. It's interesting and covered a subject I haven't really read before. The pace is steady. There's quite a lot of characters, some of them we might meet again in future stories. This is my first book by Kathryn Casey but it won't be my last. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kathryn Casey for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2020
This had me in all kinds of emotions. Set in Utah with Mormon families is a disturbing book. But in a way that makes you keep reading. Men having 3 wives and children with all of them. How a family of Mormons runs the town and even some bad cops.
3 girls have disappeared and the families don't want to find them thinking they are a disgrace and left the community. Reading this makes you see this like a cult and I wanted to take the children and run.
Detective Clara Jeffries left when she was a teenager and never looked back. Now her sister is one of those missing girls and her family has shunned Clara and will not talk about her missing sister, even to the point on saying she ran away and not part of the family. Clara has a lot of memories from her childhood and she has to deal with them while investigating things going on.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
3 girls have disappeared and the families don't want to find them thinking they are a disgrace and left the community. Reading this makes you see this like a cult and I wanted to take the children and run.
Detective Clara Jeffries left when she was a teenager and never looked back. Now her sister is one of those missing girls and her family has shunned Clara and will not talk about her missing sister, even to the point on saying she ran away and not part of the family. Clara has a lot of memories from her childhood and she has to deal with them while investigating things going on.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
June 5, 2020
Detective Clara Jeffries was raised in a polygamist community with 3 mothers and multiple siblings of one sort or another. Being physically abused by her father led her to leaving the community and her family secretly. She never looked back.
Receiving a phone call from the deputy sheriff in her hometown asking for her to return, she at first says no .. until she's told her younger sister has disappeared. Clara does return to the scorn of her family and other members of the community.
Worse.. her family denies that her sister is missing. Supposedly she's on a mission with another family, although she's only 12 years old. Other than the deputy who called her, law enforcement resent her presence and does little to help. They, too, believe the young girl is not actually missing.
But what Clara discovers is that other young girls have gone missing over the years. No one has been looking for them. Clara is absolutely positive that something evil is happening and she's determined to find the answers.
And then a young woman's body is found .......
This was like a peek through the curtains of a polygamy community .... the way they looked after each other .. the way they have nothing to do with outsiders .... the way men and women view each other and how they are a law unto themselves. Its also a look at how our roots and how we were raised affect every decision we make .. right or wrong.
It's well written with skillfully drawn characters. Clara makes a terrific series character and I really look forward to seeing more of her. Lots of action leads to a terrifying, surprising ending.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Receiving a phone call from the deputy sheriff in her hometown asking for her to return, she at first says no .. until she's told her younger sister has disappeared. Clara does return to the scorn of her family and other members of the community.
Worse.. her family denies that her sister is missing. Supposedly she's on a mission with another family, although she's only 12 years old. Other than the deputy who called her, law enforcement resent her presence and does little to help. They, too, believe the young girl is not actually missing.
But what Clara discovers is that other young girls have gone missing over the years. No one has been looking for them. Clara is absolutely positive that something evil is happening and she's determined to find the answers.
And then a young woman's body is found .......
This was like a peek through the curtains of a polygamy community .... the way they looked after each other .. the way they have nothing to do with outsiders .... the way men and women view each other and how they are a law unto themselves. Its also a look at how our roots and how we were raised affect every decision we make .. right or wrong.
It's well written with skillfully drawn characters. Clara makes a terrific series character and I really look forward to seeing more of her. Lots of action leads to a terrifying, surprising ending.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 31, 2020
Book one of a new series, this was a different police procedural where the protagonist had to deal with her past in order to save her sister.
Clara has left the polygamous Mormon community of Utah, but was compelled to come back when she heard that her sister had disappeared. In the course of her investigation, she found more girls had vanished. She began investigating.
My first book by author Kathryn Casey was a different read where the protagonist had to face a wall of silence from her own people which made locating her sister and other girls a huge problem. I liked Clara's determination and grit. She was focused in the entire book though sometimes her childhood did cause her ruminate.
The author writing was compelling and seamless. There were twists and red herrings as is the norm of a police procedural. The story soon caught me in its grip and getting to the truth was my only aim which caused me to forgo my sleep.
A entertaining midnight read.
Clara has left the polygamous Mormon community of Utah, but was compelled to come back when she heard that her sister had disappeared. In the course of her investigation, she found more girls had vanished. She began investigating.
My first book by author Kathryn Casey was a different read where the protagonist had to face a wall of silence from her own people which made locating her sister and other girls a huge problem. I liked Clara's determination and grit. She was focused in the entire book though sometimes her childhood did cause her ruminate.
The author writing was compelling and seamless. There were twists and red herrings as is the norm of a police procedural. The story soon caught me in its grip and getting to the truth was my only aim which caused me to forgo my sleep.
A entertaining midnight read.
June 6, 2020
Many years ago, Detective Clara Jefferies left her hometown of Alber, Utah for a new life in Dallas, Texas. She left her family and their way of life behind and never looked back. Then, she gets a call from an Alber detective, who happens to be an old friend, telling her that her younger sister Delilah is missing. For the first time in a long time, Clara is going back home to help in the search for Delilah.
Clara’s mother won’t have anything to do with her and refuses to even talk to her. To add to the mystery, her family won’t help the police or even admit that Delilah is missing. They claim she is away and there is nothing to investigate. When Clara learns two more girls are, also, missing and then a dead body is discovered, Clara is not dropping this investigation. Show vows to find her sister and the other girls.
There are so many facets to this story - a polygamous community, kidnapping, mystery, family drama and second chances. It moves along at a fast pace. I was hooked from page one of this book.
It is an intense storyline filled with realistic characters, which kept me at the edge of my seat until the very end. I thought I figured it out early on, but I was wrong. There was so much more to this storyline than I realized. A truly captivating book that would make an exciting movie.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Clara’s mother won’t have anything to do with her and refuses to even talk to her. To add to the mystery, her family won’t help the police or even admit that Delilah is missing. They claim she is away and there is nothing to investigate. When Clara learns two more girls are, also, missing and then a dead body is discovered, Clara is not dropping this investigation. Show vows to find her sister and the other girls.
There are so many facets to this story - a polygamous community, kidnapping, mystery, family drama and second chances. It moves along at a fast pace. I was hooked from page one of this book.
It is an intense storyline filled with realistic characters, which kept me at the edge of my seat until the very end. I thought I figured it out early on, but I was wrong. There was so much more to this storyline than I realized. A truly captivating book that would make an exciting movie.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 1, 2023
3.5 Stars
Clara Jefferies has escaped her past and found her feet as a detective yet her past finds its way back to her when her half-sister, Delilah, goes missing.
The Fallen Girls has many points of view but surprisingly it does not turn into a mass of confusion. In my opinion, the different viewpoints were all necessary to move the story forward. I liked Clara and found her background to be complicated yet interesting.
I figured out who the bad guy was far before Clara did, however. (That rarely happens to me!)
Clara Jefferies has escaped her past and found her feet as a detective yet her past finds its way back to her when her half-sister, Delilah, goes missing.
The Fallen Girls has many points of view but surprisingly it does not turn into a mass of confusion. In my opinion, the different viewpoints were all necessary to move the story forward. I liked Clara and found her background to be complicated yet interesting.
I figured out who the bad guy was far before Clara did, however. (That rarely happens to me!)
May 16, 2020
Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!
Detective Clara Jefferies has come a long way after leaving her polygamous family in Alber, Utah. But when she gets a call from an old acquaintance, Max Anderson, that her baby sister Delilah has disappeared, she knows that she needs to go back home and find her no matter how difficult it is.
When she reaches Alber, her mother refuses to cooperate with the investigation and claims that her sister Delilah isn't missing. When Clara finds out that two more girls have disappeared, all last seen around the cornfields near her family’s home, she realizes it’s not just Delilah who’s in danger. As she tries to investigate further she faces all kinds of opposition from both the families of missing girls as well as the local police.
But Detective Clara Jefferies is a determined woman and nothing will stop her from saving her sister even if it means risking her life.
It is a great mystery with a twist at the end. Even though the back story of why Detective Clara Jefferies left home is not revealed it a good start of a new series and I can't wait to read more !!
Detective Clara Jefferies has come a long way after leaving her polygamous family in Alber, Utah. But when she gets a call from an old acquaintance, Max Anderson, that her baby sister Delilah has disappeared, she knows that she needs to go back home and find her no matter how difficult it is.
When she reaches Alber, her mother refuses to cooperate with the investigation and claims that her sister Delilah isn't missing. When Clara finds out that two more girls have disappeared, all last seen around the cornfields near her family’s home, she realizes it’s not just Delilah who’s in danger. As she tries to investigate further she faces all kinds of opposition from both the families of missing girls as well as the local police.
But Detective Clara Jefferies is a determined woman and nothing will stop her from saving her sister even if it means risking her life.
It is a great mystery with a twist at the end. Even though the back story of why Detective Clara Jefferies left home is not revealed it a good start of a new series and I can't wait to read more !!
June 1, 2020
3.5 stars
A good start to a new series.
Clara escaped Alber many years ago, and is now a detective in Dallas, but when she receives a call telling her that her sister Delilah has gone missing she has to go back and find her.
She knows Max from her time in Alber but he’s the only one who is pleased to see her.
Other local law enforcement don’t want her help and her family are far from approachable, with her mother refusing to talk to her.
Clara knows she needs to find her missing sister but with her family denying that she’s missing, she’s really up against it.
I think Clara will end up staying in Alber and will be interested to know which direction the next book goes in.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
A good start to a new series.
Clara escaped Alber many years ago, and is now a detective in Dallas, but when she receives a call telling her that her sister Delilah has gone missing she has to go back and find her.
She knows Max from her time in Alber but he’s the only one who is pleased to see her.
Other local law enforcement don’t want her help and her family are far from approachable, with her mother refusing to talk to her.
Clara knows she needs to find her missing sister but with her family denying that she’s missing, she’s really up against it.
I think Clara will end up staying in Alber and will be interested to know which direction the next book goes in.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
May 19, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of The Fallen Girls, the first novel to feature Detective Clara Jeffries, set in the fictional Utah town of Alber.
Clara escaped Alber many years ago, vowing never to return, and is now a detective in Dallas but when she receives a call telling her that her sister Delilah has gone missing she feels compelled to go back and find her. She is not welcomed by either local law enforcement or her family with her mother refusing to talk to her but is determined to keep pushing when she hears of two other disappearances and especially when a body is found.
I enjoyed The Fallen Girls which is an absorbing read set in an old fashioned, rural location. It is told from mostly from two points of view, Clara and her hunt for Delilah and Delilah and her experiences. Clara is the voice of urban woman while Delilah is the voice of rural child so it’s an interesting contrast. Clara, despite knowing the customs of the area, pushes her way through her investigation, upsetting just about everyone but not really caring and equally not getting very far. The body changes that and soon developments and revelations become plentiful. The tone of the novel changes as well, becoming more eventful and purposeful.
I wasn’t particularly sold on the premise of Clara barging about in a most unsubtle way as it doesn’t chime with the successful detective she is supposed to be. It does, however, suit the plot with the insular inhabitants closing ranks on the one who left them and is now, fairly obviously, an outsider. I liked the descriptions of these inhabitants but have no idea if they are realistic, if so it’s not my idea of life. Clara I’m not so sure about. She obviously has had serious trauma In her life but this is never explained and that may explain why she’s mistrustful and alone in life but it doesn’t explain her rash decision making and unprofessional focus on only one suspect.
The Fallen Girls is a good read that I can recommend.
Clara escaped Alber many years ago, vowing never to return, and is now a detective in Dallas but when she receives a call telling her that her sister Delilah has gone missing she feels compelled to go back and find her. She is not welcomed by either local law enforcement or her family with her mother refusing to talk to her but is determined to keep pushing when she hears of two other disappearances and especially when a body is found.
I enjoyed The Fallen Girls which is an absorbing read set in an old fashioned, rural location. It is told from mostly from two points of view, Clara and her hunt for Delilah and Delilah and her experiences. Clara is the voice of urban woman while Delilah is the voice of rural child so it’s an interesting contrast. Clara, despite knowing the customs of the area, pushes her way through her investigation, upsetting just about everyone but not really caring and equally not getting very far. The body changes that and soon developments and revelations become plentiful. The tone of the novel changes as well, becoming more eventful and purposeful.
I wasn’t particularly sold on the premise of Clara barging about in a most unsubtle way as it doesn’t chime with the successful detective she is supposed to be. It does, however, suit the plot with the insular inhabitants closing ranks on the one who left them and is now, fairly obviously, an outsider. I liked the descriptions of these inhabitants but have no idea if they are realistic, if so it’s not my idea of life. Clara I’m not so sure about. She obviously has had serious trauma In her life but this is never explained and that may explain why she’s mistrustful and alone in life but it doesn’t explain her rash decision making and unprofessional focus on only one suspect.
The Fallen Girls is a good read that I can recommend.
June 6, 2020
What a page--turner! I could hardly put it down. The protagonist, Clara was clearly drawn--and I want to learn more about her. Great start to a new series for me!
June 26, 2020
Detective Clara Jefferies has worked for the Dallas PD for 3 years and is assigned to the Crimes Against Persons division. She's 34 and a total workaholic with no social life. After a particularly grueling day, she gets an unexpected call from her past. Chief Deputy Max Anderson in Smith County, Utah -- where Clara grew up -- is calling her home to Alber. It seems that a 12-year-old girl has gone missing and it happens to be Delilah, Clara's younger half-sister. Estranged from her family after leaving behind the polygamous religious sect in which she grew up, Clara is not welcome there; she's an outsider. Max is calling because Delilah's family won't talk to the police and he hopes that Clara might have more luck. She heads off immediately. NO SPOILERS.
It must be difficult to write a new series featuring a unique female detective with the glut of them on the market. I must admit that the sister wives thing and learning about Clara's childhood appealed to me when I read a few blurbs about the book. Unfortunately, we really don't learn too much about Clara's tortured past as she gets quite busy hunting a serial killer as soon as she gets to Alber. Of course the local constabulary is not very helpful and they're not thrilled she's there. The characters were quite stereotypical and the outcome of the case was predictable. The last part of the story seemed to take forever, but overall it was a quick read. I'm hoping for more development in Clara's character in future books and I'd read the second one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
It must be difficult to write a new series featuring a unique female detective with the glut of them on the market. I must admit that the sister wives thing and learning about Clara's childhood appealed to me when I read a few blurbs about the book. Unfortunately, we really don't learn too much about Clara's tortured past as she gets quite busy hunting a serial killer as soon as she gets to Alber. Of course the local constabulary is not very helpful and they're not thrilled she's there. The characters were quite stereotypical and the outcome of the case was predictable. The last part of the story seemed to take forever, but overall it was a quick read. I'm hoping for more development in Clara's character in future books and I'd read the second one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.
June 2, 2020
The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey: This an ARC from Netgalley, pub date is June 3, 2020.
Wow, this book had me from the prologue!
Clara Jefferies a well known and respected detective in Dallas with a reputation of being able to solve cases by getting suspects to spill thier guts better than anyone else. Her life is her work, and leaves little time for anything else. That is, until she gets a disturbing phone call from an old friend (Max) from her home town in Utah about a missing girl from a polygamist community. A 12 year old little girl, who happens to be her half sister, Deliliah. Clara is desperate to help find her sister before it's too late, but her family and the whole polygamist community is angry with her for abandoning and running away from her family, and they refuse to help her, or even speak to her. Something sinister is definitely going on within the whole community and no one is talking! Clara has her work cut out for her, with the life of her little sister hanging in the balance.
First off, I love the cover of this book. It definitely depicts the descriptions of the setting given by the author. This book was intense and very suspenseful, and difficult to put down, it had me on the edge of my seat. If you're looking for a mind bender of a crime novel, this is the book for you! Definitely a 5 star read for me!
Wow, this book had me from the prologue!
Clara Jefferies a well known and respected detective in Dallas with a reputation of being able to solve cases by getting suspects to spill thier guts better than anyone else. Her life is her work, and leaves little time for anything else. That is, until she gets a disturbing phone call from an old friend (Max) from her home town in Utah about a missing girl from a polygamist community. A 12 year old little girl, who happens to be her half sister, Deliliah. Clara is desperate to help find her sister before it's too late, but her family and the whole polygamist community is angry with her for abandoning and running away from her family, and they refuse to help her, or even speak to her. Something sinister is definitely going on within the whole community and no one is talking! Clara has her work cut out for her, with the life of her little sister hanging in the balance.
First off, I love the cover of this book. It definitely depicts the descriptions of the setting given by the author. This book was intense and very suspenseful, and difficult to put down, it had me on the edge of my seat. If you're looking for a mind bender of a crime novel, this is the book for you! Definitely a 5 star read for me!
July 26, 2020
The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey
This book is intense yet sensitive. Ms Casey has a gift for story telling that engaged me in the mystery immediately. The characters are complex and believable. This is a fiction story which is a departure from the author’s other books that I have read. Ms Casey’s True Crime books are powerful, well researched and written.
This book is intense yet sensitive. Ms Casey has a gift for story telling that engaged me in the mystery immediately. The characters are complex and believable. This is a fiction story which is a departure from the author’s other books that I have read. Ms Casey’s True Crime books are powerful, well researched and written.
December 28, 2023
Great mystery. I haven't read a book this far in quite some time. Can't wait to read the next one in this series. More detailed review later.
May 12, 2020
A really enjoyable read and great start to a series. Based around the morman faith . It reminded me very much of Linda Castillo who writes a series of a police chief who is ex armish. I did enjoy the book, the only reason it didn’t get 5 * is because I felt that the outcome was a little predictable and easy to guess. I will definitely read more by this author and looking forward to the next one in the series
November 27, 2023
Came across this book when I ran out of things to read on holiday and I’m glad i did. A well written book with just enough information, no parts were over explained and every chapter left me wanting to read more. Cannot wait to read the next 2 in the series
August 2, 2020
Enthralling
A brilliant story and thriller, thoroughly enjoyed reading about a people I knew nothing about. Well written and described, no mundane page fillers here. Loved it.
A brilliant story and thriller, thoroughly enjoyed reading about a people I knew nothing about. Well written and described, no mundane page fillers here. Loved it.
June 8, 2020
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bookouture for the ARC.
What a great start to a new detective series! Well-written, interesting characters and believable dialogue. Such an unusual setting I found it totally absorbing.
Detective Clara Jeffries works for Dallas PD dealing with murders and sexual assaults. Her job is her life and she doesn't rest until a case is solved by her dogged determination. She grew up within a polygamous family within a fundamentalist Mormon sect in Alber, Utah; now a small settlement surrounded by cornfields at the foot of mountains.
Clara gets a call from Max Anderson, now Chief Deputy for the Smith County of Utah - he too had grown up in Alber. He needs her help - an anonymous note received had said a 12-yr old girl had been abducted two nights previously - her half-sister Delilah. Despite being despised by the Alber families as an outsider Clara had no choice but to return there after 24 years.
The Sheriff's department were getting nowhere; no-one would speak to Clara; no missing person's report had been filed and it seemed that her hands were tied, but then she hears of two other young women who had disappeared and when a body is discovered under the scree at the bottom of the mountain, Clara asserts her authority and takes charge of the investigation. Why had no-one connected the three disappearances?
Someone at least is hiding something from her - and then she is given access to a secret storeroom of files which give a lie to past reports and investigations within the Sheriff's office.
There is something evil in Alber, Utah and Clara Jeffries is going to find out who it is.
This is an atmospheric portrayal of a polygamous community, its poverty and its fundamentalist views - which prevent the families from talking or seeking help. Can Clara get to the bottom of this case to prevent further disappearances - she has suspects in mind, but no proof as the story twists and turns and forces her to re-think.
What a great start to a new detective series! Well-written, interesting characters and believable dialogue. Such an unusual setting I found it totally absorbing.
Detective Clara Jeffries works for Dallas PD dealing with murders and sexual assaults. Her job is her life and she doesn't rest until a case is solved by her dogged determination. She grew up within a polygamous family within a fundamentalist Mormon sect in Alber, Utah; now a small settlement surrounded by cornfields at the foot of mountains.
Clara gets a call from Max Anderson, now Chief Deputy for the Smith County of Utah - he too had grown up in Alber. He needs her help - an anonymous note received had said a 12-yr old girl had been abducted two nights previously - her half-sister Delilah. Despite being despised by the Alber families as an outsider Clara had no choice but to return there after 24 years.
The Sheriff's department were getting nowhere; no-one would speak to Clara; no missing person's report had been filed and it seemed that her hands were tied, but then she hears of two other young women who had disappeared and when a body is discovered under the scree at the bottom of the mountain, Clara asserts her authority and takes charge of the investigation. Why had no-one connected the three disappearances?
Someone at least is hiding something from her - and then she is given access to a secret storeroom of files which give a lie to past reports and investigations within the Sheriff's office.
There is something evil in Alber, Utah and Clara Jeffries is going to find out who it is.
This is an atmospheric portrayal of a polygamous community, its poverty and its fundamentalist views - which prevent the families from talking or seeking help. Can Clara get to the bottom of this case to prevent further disappearances - she has suspects in mind, but no proof as the story twists and turns and forces her to re-think.
April 30, 2020
I loved this book !!
This is the first instalment in a brand new series featuring Detective Clara Jefferies and it’s absolutely brilliant. Clara gets a phone call from an acquaintance in the hometown she left asking for her help as it seems her sister is missing, but this brings back many painful memories for Clara who had escaped from her polygamist family and is now considered to be an outcast. Ignoring her own feelings she returns to the small town desperate to try and find some clue as what has happened to her sister but she meets with hostility and refusals to speak from both her mother and other family members, but then a body is found but who is it !!
Well this really is a complex and exceptionally well written mystery thriller with a very different storyline that was so interesting. The book was well written with lots of information which really made for a compulsive read and I look forward to reading the next instalment of what I think will be a brilliant new series and much praise to Kathryn Casey for a completely satisfying 5 star read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is the first instalment in a brand new series featuring Detective Clara Jefferies and it’s absolutely brilliant. Clara gets a phone call from an acquaintance in the hometown she left asking for her help as it seems her sister is missing, but this brings back many painful memories for Clara who had escaped from her polygamist family and is now considered to be an outcast. Ignoring her own feelings she returns to the small town desperate to try and find some clue as what has happened to her sister but she meets with hostility and refusals to speak from both her mother and other family members, but then a body is found but who is it !!
Well this really is a complex and exceptionally well written mystery thriller with a very different storyline that was so interesting. The book was well written with lots of information which really made for a compulsive read and I look forward to reading the next instalment of what I think will be a brilliant new series and much praise to Kathryn Casey for a completely satisfying 5 star read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 5, 2020
i so enjoyed this story .detective Clara Jefferies left her home of a community cult never ever wanting to go back .she gets a call from the police there .her sister has gone missing but denying it how this story unfolds is just brilliant i so recommend this book
Merged review:
i so enjoyed this story .detective Clara Jefferies left her home of a community cult never ever wanting to go back .she gets a call from the police there .her sister has gone missing but denying it how this story unfolds is just brilliant i so recommend this book
Merged review:
i so enjoyed this story .detective Clara Jefferies left her home of a community cult never ever wanting to go back .she gets a call from the police there .her sister has gone missing but denying it how this story unfolds is just brilliant i so recommend this book
May 2, 2020
It took me a long time to get into this book - I was over halfway through before I stopped thinking about abandoning it. I figured out who the villain was & wanted to know how the story would end.
Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Bookouture & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2020
The Fallen Girl by Kathryn Casey
Detective Clara Jeffries #1
Twisted tortured tale of crime in a closed community with polygamous families, lost boys and secrets hidden behind walls of the stalwart believers leads one outsider, once a member, to return in search of her missing sister. As an introduction to a new series the story was superb, well-crafted and filled with interesting characters that I can see in future books of the series. That said, where Clara will be in the second book of the series is left up in the air at the end of the book.
What I liked:
* Clara: forced to make a difficult choice when young then forging ahead alone after having left her close huge family behind. She has found her niche in serving the Dallas community as a police detective. I found her an intriguing person that I would like to learn more about.
* Max: a “lost boy” that was sent away from Alber, Utah. He had a tough time and found his way on the outside only to have it fall apart and then return to Alber. He is a man willing to do whatever is necessary to keep his daughter safe. I wonder what his part will be, if any, in the future.
* The glimpse into what it might be like to live in a fundamentalist polygamous sect – not one I believe I would be comfortable in but I do understand the indoctrination from childhood and how it would impact this story and the lives of the characters within it.
* The twists, turns and red herrings
* The plot and pace of the story
* That the community beliefs and behaviors were well explained for reader understanding
* That the mystery and the baddies finally were dealt with
* The ending…and wondering what will happen next
* That there will be more books to look forward to.
What I didn’t like:
* Being reminded of just how twisted and evil some people can be
* Knowing that though this is fiction there are innocents that suffer and die due to the twisted evil people they sometimes encounter
* Having to wait to read book two in the series
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more books in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Detective Clara Jeffries #1
Twisted tortured tale of crime in a closed community with polygamous families, lost boys and secrets hidden behind walls of the stalwart believers leads one outsider, once a member, to return in search of her missing sister. As an introduction to a new series the story was superb, well-crafted and filled with interesting characters that I can see in future books of the series. That said, where Clara will be in the second book of the series is left up in the air at the end of the book.
What I liked:
* Clara: forced to make a difficult choice when young then forging ahead alone after having left her close huge family behind. She has found her niche in serving the Dallas community as a police detective. I found her an intriguing person that I would like to learn more about.
* Max: a “lost boy” that was sent away from Alber, Utah. He had a tough time and found his way on the outside only to have it fall apart and then return to Alber. He is a man willing to do whatever is necessary to keep his daughter safe. I wonder what his part will be, if any, in the future.
* The glimpse into what it might be like to live in a fundamentalist polygamous sect – not one I believe I would be comfortable in but I do understand the indoctrination from childhood and how it would impact this story and the lives of the characters within it.
* The twists, turns and red herrings
* The plot and pace of the story
* That the community beliefs and behaviors were well explained for reader understanding
* That the mystery and the baddies finally were dealt with
* The ending…and wondering what will happen next
* That there will be more books to look forward to.
What I didn’t like:
* Being reminded of just how twisted and evil some people can be
* Knowing that though this is fiction there are innocents that suffer and die due to the twisted evil people they sometimes encounter
* Having to wait to read book two in the series
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more books in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
June 2, 2020
First, I want to thank Kathryn Casey, Bookouture and NetGalley for this book so I can bring you this review.
The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey was a very unique yet incredibly interesting read. This book is just the first book in the Detective Clara Jeffries Series.
What made this abduction very different from any others is that the author chose to write this book based around a poligmay family. A family who were strong in their beliefs and didn’t want help from the outside world.
I love when authors think outside of the box and come up with unique character names. Kathryn did just that in this book. Names like Delilah, Sariah, Sadie, etc.
They always tell you to write what you know about. Kathryn knew a lot about Clara’s story as she had experience in a polygamist community. She wrote as a magazine editor for a story she was working on adoption for a polygamist family.
Kathryn would like to thank her dear friend author Gregg Olsen, who has been so kind to me for so many years. I cherish our friendship. Side note he is an incredible author that I too review for.
The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey was a very unique yet incredibly interesting read. This book is just the first book in the Detective Clara Jeffries Series.
What made this abduction very different from any others is that the author chose to write this book based around a poligmay family. A family who were strong in their beliefs and didn’t want help from the outside world.
I love when authors think outside of the box and come up with unique character names. Kathryn did just that in this book. Names like Delilah, Sariah, Sadie, etc.
They always tell you to write what you know about. Kathryn knew a lot about Clara’s story as she had experience in a polygamist community. She wrote as a magazine editor for a story she was working on adoption for a polygamist family.
Kathryn would like to thank her dear friend author Gregg Olsen, who has been so kind to me for so many years. I cherish our friendship. Side note he is an incredible author that I too review for.
May 29, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Fallen Girls by Kathryn Casey that I read and reviewed.
This is the first book in a new series that was ok was a new series but the subject matter did not grab me as much as I would have liked. I did not fall in love with the whole Mormon polygamy theme in the book. However, I did like Clara and Max a lot and I will look forward to see where they go as characters in future books.
As for the mystery in the book I thought that was well written and had som surprises that keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. Overall, it was a good start to a new series but I am still on the fence about the background.
The Fallen Girls gets four out of five stars from me.
This is the first book in a new series that was ok was a new series but the subject matter did not grab me as much as I would have liked. I did not fall in love with the whole Mormon polygamy theme in the book. However, I did like Clara and Max a lot and I will look forward to see where they go as characters in future books.
As for the mystery in the book I thought that was well written and had som surprises that keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. Overall, it was a good start to a new series but I am still on the fence about the background.
The Fallen Girls gets four out of five stars from me.
January 11, 2024
This book is a true crime lovers best segue into the thriller/ police mystery genre. This book explores religious sects and polyamory and the ways in which crimes have been hidden and covered up. Although there’s some romantic tension between the make and female detectives, it isn’t so annoying where either of them whine about it or make it their personality. In addition, I appreciated that this book was realistic, rather than being filled with renegade detectives who disregard procedure and crazy near death action leading them to solving the case. The book is relatively predictable but I thought it was written well to keep enough interest. Overall a good read and I’d probably continue the series.
June 23, 2020
It is true... I couldn't put it down.
This book gripped me from the opening paragraph and I said to myself, "This is why I love the work of Kathryn Casey so much!" I took a happy, big breath and started falling headlong into the character development and the wonderful details of this absorbing mystery. Many twists and turns kept me guessing, and I usually figure it out. But this story kept me hanging on and the twists were memorable. The character of Clara has so much depth, as she goes back to her home community that is thick with a generational polygamist belief system she was able to escape. I knew that I would be looking forward to reading more about this detective. I am relieved that I will not have to wait long!
This book gripped me from the opening paragraph and I said to myself, "This is why I love the work of Kathryn Casey so much!" I took a happy, big breath and started falling headlong into the character development and the wonderful details of this absorbing mystery. Many twists and turns kept me guessing, and I usually figure it out. But this story kept me hanging on and the twists were memorable. The character of Clara has so much depth, as she goes back to her home community that is thick with a generational polygamist belief system she was able to escape. I knew that I would be looking forward to reading more about this detective. I am relieved that I will not have to wait long!
June 5, 2020
Hands down, one of the most unique settings for a crime thriller that I have ever read, this book had me enthralled from beginning to end. Clara Jefferies is a detective to root for, not only because she is an intelligent investigator, but because she escaped a life that would have sent her in a completely different direction. I found the perspective to be thought-provoking. the dialogue was crisp, and the interactions kept everything the investigation moving forward. I especially appreciated that the author kept me guessing until the very end. Definitely recommend this new series. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews