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Detective Ellie Reeves #1
The Silent Dolls
Silent tears trickle down her cheeks as she curls inside the tiny cave-like space. She lies on her side, darkness all around her, rubbing her fingers over the little wooden doll he’d carved. He told her to be quiet, not to cry or scream. Not to be a baby. Her throat was raw, her eyes swollen shut. She wanted her mommy and daddy. She wanted to go home.
When Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl with blonde curls and a gap-toothed smile, goes missing in the Appalachian mountains, Detective Ellie Reeves is called straight to the scene. According to Penny’s parents, their daughter vanished after a picnic by the creek. All that’s left behind is a pink friendship bracelet etched with “Penny”.
Ellie knows all too well that the mountains’ endless miles of dark forest and winding rivers are the perfect place for a criminal to hide. Racing against the rapidly setting sun and a brutal winter storm on the horizon, she searches desperately for Penny.
Special Agent Derrick Fox is determined to join the hunt. His younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago––on the day he was meant to be watching her. He’s certain the cases are linked and that over a dozen girls have vanished in the last decade. Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can’t deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it’s clear they’re up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls.
As the temperature plunges, Penny’s life hangs in the balance. Most people who get lost in the woods never make it out alive. Can Ellie and Derrick defy the odds and find out the truth about all the stolen girls? Or will the mountain, and its twisted killer, claim another victim?
When Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl with blonde curls and a gap-toothed smile, goes missing in the Appalachian mountains, Detective Ellie Reeves is called straight to the scene. According to Penny’s parents, their daughter vanished after a picnic by the creek. All that’s left behind is a pink friendship bracelet etched with “Penny”.
Ellie knows all too well that the mountains’ endless miles of dark forest and winding rivers are the perfect place for a criminal to hide. Racing against the rapidly setting sun and a brutal winter storm on the horizon, she searches desperately for Penny.
Special Agent Derrick Fox is determined to join the hunt. His younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago––on the day he was meant to be watching her. He’s certain the cases are linked and that over a dozen girls have vanished in the last decade. Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can’t deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it’s clear they’re up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls.
As the temperature plunges, Penny’s life hangs in the balance. Most people who get lost in the woods never make it out alive. Can Ellie and Derrick defy the odds and find out the truth about all the stolen girls? Or will the mountain, and its twisted killer, claim another victim?
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2020
5635 people are currently reading
4527 people want to read
About the author
Rita Herron
325 books949 followersUSA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 518 reviews
August 4, 2020
EXCERPT: Shivering, she hugged her knees to her chest. The sound of water dripping pinged in the silence. Then nothing. Where was he now? Was he coming back?
He'd told her not to cry, but she couldn't help it. She'd heard some grownups talking about a man taking another little girl. They said they hadn't found her.
Someone said she might be dead.
She gulped to keep from crying, but she began to sob into her hands anyway. The dumb doll wouldn't bend or do anything, just lay there stiff and cold in her hand. She didn't want to play with it.
She didn't want to be dead like the other little girls either.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl with blonde curls and a gap-toothed smile, goes missing in the Appalachian mountains, Detective Ellie Reeves is called straight to the scene. According to Penny’s parents, their daughter vanished after a picnic by the creek. All that’s left behind is a pink friendship bracelet etched with “Penny”.
Ellie knows all too well that the mountains’ endless miles of dark forest and winding rivers are the perfect place for a criminal to hide. Racing against the rapidly setting sun and a brutal winter storm on the horizon, she searches desperately for Penny.
Special Agent Derrick Fox is determined to join the hunt. His younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago––on the day he was meant to be watching her. He’s certain the cases are linked and that over a dozen girls have vanished in the last decade. Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can’t deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it’s clear they’re up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls.
As the temperature plunges, Penny’s life hangs in the balance. Most people who get lost in the woods never make it out alive. Can Ellie and Derrick defy the odds and find out the truth about all the stolen girls? Or will the mountain, and its twisted killer, claim another victim?
MY THOUGHTS: Initially I enjoyed this read. The plot has plenty of potential, and was fast moving. But then, as the book progressed, several things began to irritate me.
When I read a book, I like to become immersed in it, to feel like I am there, experiencing whatever is going on along with the characters. I don't get that with The Silent Dolls. I am being 'told' what is happening, not 'feeling' it.
There is no great depth to the characters, in fact there's no great depth to anything including, I fear, the amount of research that went into this book.
The setting is magnificent - the North Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail. It's winter, and the area is in the grip of a storm. And still Ellie goes off on her own..... Then, one of the times she has a bad concussion - and there is more than one, often in quick succession - one moment she is almost unable to stand, and the next she is striding out into the storm.
I would imagine that phone reception on the mountain would be patchy at best. Indeed, at times the characters have had to use hand held radios to communicate. But after hiking into the mountains for some time, they call an ambulance? I could go on about timelines, police procedures, repetition, and various inconsistencies, but I won't. I will say, though, that there was an obligatory sex scene inserted that just didn't work. It could have, but it just didn't. It was clumsy and felt forced.
After I finished The Silent Dolls, I discovered that back in 2017 I had read another book by this author, and my feelings about it were pretty much the same as for this one.
I think that this author's writing style and I are just not a good fit, and that I am very much in the minority with my feelings about this book. So, if you like the premise of this book and have enjoyed my extract, I do urge you to check out some of the many other very positive reviews about The Silent Dolls.
Although I didn't particularly enjoy this read, at no point did I consider abandoning it. And I do believe that The Silent Dolls would make a great action thriller movie. It is a quick, easy read.
🤷♀️🤷♀️.5
THE AUTHOR: USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Silent Dolls by Rita Herron for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
He'd told her not to cry, but she couldn't help it. She'd heard some grownups talking about a man taking another little girl. They said they hadn't found her.
Someone said she might be dead.
She gulped to keep from crying, but she began to sob into her hands anyway. The dumb doll wouldn't bend or do anything, just lay there stiff and cold in her hand. She didn't want to play with it.
She didn't want to be dead like the other little girls either.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl with blonde curls and a gap-toothed smile, goes missing in the Appalachian mountains, Detective Ellie Reeves is called straight to the scene. According to Penny’s parents, their daughter vanished after a picnic by the creek. All that’s left behind is a pink friendship bracelet etched with “Penny”.
Ellie knows all too well that the mountains’ endless miles of dark forest and winding rivers are the perfect place for a criminal to hide. Racing against the rapidly setting sun and a brutal winter storm on the horizon, she searches desperately for Penny.
Special Agent Derrick Fox is determined to join the hunt. His younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago––on the day he was meant to be watching her. He’s certain the cases are linked and that over a dozen girls have vanished in the last decade. Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can’t deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it’s clear they’re up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls.
As the temperature plunges, Penny’s life hangs in the balance. Most people who get lost in the woods never make it out alive. Can Ellie and Derrick defy the odds and find out the truth about all the stolen girls? Or will the mountain, and its twisted killer, claim another victim?
MY THOUGHTS: Initially I enjoyed this read. The plot has plenty of potential, and was fast moving. But then, as the book progressed, several things began to irritate me.
When I read a book, I like to become immersed in it, to feel like I am there, experiencing whatever is going on along with the characters. I don't get that with The Silent Dolls. I am being 'told' what is happening, not 'feeling' it.
There is no great depth to the characters, in fact there's no great depth to anything including, I fear, the amount of research that went into this book.
The setting is magnificent - the North Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail. It's winter, and the area is in the grip of a storm. And still Ellie goes off on her own..... Then, one of the times she has a bad concussion - and there is more than one, often in quick succession - one moment she is almost unable to stand, and the next she is striding out into the storm.
I would imagine that phone reception on the mountain would be patchy at best. Indeed, at times the characters have had to use hand held radios to communicate. But after hiking into the mountains for some time, they call an ambulance? I could go on about timelines, police procedures, repetition, and various inconsistencies, but I won't. I will say, though, that there was an obligatory sex scene inserted that just didn't work. It could have, but it just didn't. It was clumsy and felt forced.
After I finished The Silent Dolls, I discovered that back in 2017 I had read another book by this author, and my feelings about it were pretty much the same as for this one.
I think that this author's writing style and I are just not a good fit, and that I am very much in the minority with my feelings about this book. So, if you like the premise of this book and have enjoyed my extract, I do urge you to check out some of the many other very positive reviews about The Silent Dolls.
Although I didn't particularly enjoy this read, at no point did I consider abandoning it. And I do believe that The Silent Dolls would make a great action thriller movie. It is a quick, easy read.
🤷♀️🤷♀️.5
THE AUTHOR: USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Silent Dolls by Rita Herron for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
June 21, 2020
When seven year old Penny Matthews goes missing in Bluff County, Georgia Detective Ellie Reeves is called in to help find her. The case draws the attention of SA Derrick Fox in Decatur, Georgia because his little sister Kim went missing in the same area over twenty years ago. Derrick is convinced a serial killer has been operating along the Appalachian Trail for years and he joins in the search. Is he right?
The book starts in a terrifying way and for much of it there is a sense of desperation on the part of the law officers which the author conveys well. The location in the woods and mountains of the Georgian section of the Appalachian Trail is fantastic and a terrible weather front adds danger and even more atmosphere to the hunt for Penny. It also gives a really creepy vibe at times as the hunters are observed. I really like Ellie as a character, she is brave, tough and resourceful although she carries her own demons. Derrick and Ranger Cord McClain are also interesting characters. The premise is good, the story is easy to read and flows well. There’s suspense, fear, secrets, lies, deception and guilt which leads to plenty of twists and turns and a good conclusion.
However, Ellie gets clobbered badly about the head THREE times. Is she human or an AI???!!! I also didn’t buy into some of the dialogue and one or two of the twists are a bit of a stretch though do make for enjoyable reading.
Despite the above reservations, I did enjoy the book and I definitely want to read more books featuring Ellie.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC
The book starts in a terrifying way and for much of it there is a sense of desperation on the part of the law officers which the author conveys well. The location in the woods and mountains of the Georgian section of the Appalachian Trail is fantastic and a terrible weather front adds danger and even more atmosphere to the hunt for Penny. It also gives a really creepy vibe at times as the hunters are observed. I really like Ellie as a character, she is brave, tough and resourceful although she carries her own demons. Derrick and Ranger Cord McClain are also interesting characters. The premise is good, the story is easy to read and flows well. There’s suspense, fear, secrets, lies, deception and guilt which leads to plenty of twists and turns and a good conclusion.
However, Ellie gets clobbered badly about the head THREE times. Is she human or an AI???!!! I also didn’t buy into some of the dialogue and one or two of the twists are a bit of a stretch though do make for enjoyable reading.
Despite the above reservations, I did enjoy the book and I definitely want to read more books featuring Ellie.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC
June 17, 2020
The book opens with the disappearance of young Penny Matthews, aged 5, from a small town on the Appalachian Trail (AT). Detective Ellie Reeves is the lead investigator. But something about this case brings back dark and confusing memories of her own childhood. Enter Special Agent Derrick Fox from the FBI. His young sister went missing years ago in similar circumstances. But in the last few years he has put together a list of at least 10 similar cases, all disappearances of little girls and all missing on some part of the AT. He thinks Penny might just be the latest victim of a serial killer who has been active for many years. He takes his concerns to Ellie and points out serious omissions in the investigation into his sister’s disappearance. Oh my, the lead investigator on that was Ellie’s father, the current Sheriff. Ellie is torn but has some questions for her father.
Throw another apparent abduction of a young girl into the mix, add an approaching, deadly winter storm and stir. Suddenly it is all very tense. Ellie is manically determined to find the girls and she, along with Derrick and the SAR teams continue searching in the deteriorating conditions. When Ellie makes some disturbing discoveries out on the trail it becomes clear that dark family secrets could threaten to turn her world upside down. It’s a thrilling race to the finish and the outcome is never clear. This was a great story, enjoyable and suspenseful. Ellie was a strong character who would not be dictated to. Although it reaches a conclusion of sorts, there are some unresolved issues indicating a follow-up book is likely. I’ll be keen to read that one when it is available. Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Rita Herron for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Throw another apparent abduction of a young girl into the mix, add an approaching, deadly winter storm and stir. Suddenly it is all very tense. Ellie is manically determined to find the girls and she, along with Derrick and the SAR teams continue searching in the deteriorating conditions. When Ellie makes some disturbing discoveries out on the trail it becomes clear that dark family secrets could threaten to turn her world upside down. It’s a thrilling race to the finish and the outcome is never clear. This was a great story, enjoyable and suspenseful. Ellie was a strong character who would not be dictated to. Although it reaches a conclusion of sorts, there are some unresolved issues indicating a follow-up book is likely. I’ll be keen to read that one when it is available. Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Rita Herron for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2020
4.5★s
Detective Ellie Reeves was reeling from the confrontation with her parents, Randall (the local sheriff) and Vera, plus the deputy sheriff, as she left her parent’s house after what she’d thought would be a night of celebration. But her anger was interrupted by a call from the station to say a little girl was missing, gone from a picnic area by a creek in the Appalachian Mountains. Ellie headed there immediately, shuddering at her own memories.
While Ellie interviewed Penny’s parents, her team organized the search. The weather was against them, with a storm the bureau had dubbed Tempest heading their way. The volunteers and police, along with the Search and Rescue dogs, headed into the wild, dark forest where old mines, tumbling creeks, ravines and the unknown waited for those who were unprepared.
FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox watched the unfolding news with mounting trepidation. His little sister Kim had gone missing twenty five years previously; she was never found and Derrick was now sure there was a serial killer out there. Derrick joined the searchers, talking to Ellie about his theories and it wasn’t long before Ellie was convinced. The race was on, but when they found a small grave, they knew their suppositions were right…
The Silent Dolls is the first in the Detective Ellie Reeves series by Rita Herron and it was good!! Fast paced, twists, chills (not just from the weather!), deep, dark secrets – I really enjoyed it. I’ll be looking for the 2nd when it’s published. There was one spot toward the end where it was completely unrealistic, but other than that, I was hooked. Another new author; another new series! Ellie and Derrick were both good, strong characters albeit with trauma in their pasts. And what was it with Cord? Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Ellie Reeves was reeling from the confrontation with her parents, Randall (the local sheriff) and Vera, plus the deputy sheriff, as she left her parent’s house after what she’d thought would be a night of celebration. But her anger was interrupted by a call from the station to say a little girl was missing, gone from a picnic area by a creek in the Appalachian Mountains. Ellie headed there immediately, shuddering at her own memories.
While Ellie interviewed Penny’s parents, her team organized the search. The weather was against them, with a storm the bureau had dubbed Tempest heading their way. The volunteers and police, along with the Search and Rescue dogs, headed into the wild, dark forest where old mines, tumbling creeks, ravines and the unknown waited for those who were unprepared.
FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox watched the unfolding news with mounting trepidation. His little sister Kim had gone missing twenty five years previously; she was never found and Derrick was now sure there was a serial killer out there. Derrick joined the searchers, talking to Ellie about his theories and it wasn’t long before Ellie was convinced. The race was on, but when they found a small grave, they knew their suppositions were right…
The Silent Dolls is the first in the Detective Ellie Reeves series by Rita Herron and it was good!! Fast paced, twists, chills (not just from the weather!), deep, dark secrets – I really enjoyed it. I’ll be looking for the 2nd when it’s published. There was one spot toward the end where it was completely unrealistic, but other than that, I was hooked. Another new author; another new series! Ellie and Derrick were both good, strong characters albeit with trauma in their pasts. And what was it with Cord? Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2020
Detective Ellie Reeves #1
Penny Matthews is just five years old and she has disappeared from the small town on the Appalachian trail. Detective Ellie Reeves is called in to investigate. This case brings back dark memories of Ellie's childhood. FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox is also on the case. His sister went missing years ago in similar circumstances. He has compiled a list of similar cases, all were little girls. Is Penny the latest victim of a serial killer?
The suspense builds throughout the book. There's several suspects for you to choose from. Ellie's father is the Sheriff and he had been the lead investigator into Derrick Fox's sisters disappearance. The story is told mostly from Ellie's point of view with snippets from other characters. The book is well written with plenty of twists. The characters are well developed and believable. The conclusion was perfect. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this new series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Rita Herron for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Penny Matthews is just five years old and she has disappeared from the small town on the Appalachian trail. Detective Ellie Reeves is called in to investigate. This case brings back dark memories of Ellie's childhood. FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox is also on the case. His sister went missing years ago in similar circumstances. He has compiled a list of similar cases, all were little girls. Is Penny the latest victim of a serial killer?
The suspense builds throughout the book. There's several suspects for you to choose from. Ellie's father is the Sheriff and he had been the lead investigator into Derrick Fox's sisters disappearance. The story is told mostly from Ellie's point of view with snippets from other characters. The book is well written with plenty of twists. The characters are well developed and believable. The conclusion was perfect. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this new series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Rita Herron for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2023
The Silent Dolls was a great start to a new series with an intriguing plot and a great cast of characters.
Detective Ellie Reeves knows how dangerous the Appalachian mountains can be, so when seven-year-old Penny Matthews goes missing, Ellie is immediately on the case. With a winter storm on the way, Ellie is in a race to save the girl before it’s too late. But Special Agent Derrick Fox believes there is more to this case than a little girl wandering off. He believes a killer has been hunting in these mountains for over twenty-five years and has taken over a dozen girls including his younger sister. Ellie has a hard time believing a killer could have lived in her community for so long, but the similarities in the cases are too strong to ignore. With Penny’s life on the line, Ellie and Derrick must work together to stop a killer before he strikes again.
The plot of this book was amazing, with the right mix of creepy and suspenseful. The concept of a serial abductor/killer that focuses on little girls and has been active for over twenty-five years is a terrifying one. It was interesting to me that no one had previously connected the cases as when Derrick lays everything out, it seems clear the cases are connected. The setting of the Appalachian mountains is fantastically done with the forest presenting as a huge, nearly impossible place to search leading to a sense of urgency for Penny to be found. The storm looming on the horizon only adds to the foreboding atmosphere as you know there’s little chance a seven-year-old girl could survive long in the elements. The book had a few surprises along the way and I didn’t expect the ending at all. Overall, the plot was fast-paced, suspenseful, and had just the right amount of action to keep things interesting.
Ellie is an excellent main character as she’s smart, dedicated to her work, and doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do. Her relationship with her parents was interesting and her father being the current sheriff adds to the tension in their relationship. Derrick’s presence definitely affects Ellie’s relationship with her father as her father was the one who investigated Derrick’s sister’s disappearance and he clearly left relevant information out of the files. I liked the dynamics in Ellie and Derrick’s working relationship, but I will say there’s a bit of a romance thrown in that ultimately doesn’t make sense in the story. As to the other characters, Ranger Cord was the most intriguing as the information on his background is very limited. I’m definitely curious to learn more about him and I hope he shows up in future books in the series.
Overall The Silent Dolls was a great read and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Wildflower Graves, when it releases later this year. I highly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a good mystery thriller.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Detective Ellie Reeves knows how dangerous the Appalachian mountains can be, so when seven-year-old Penny Matthews goes missing, Ellie is immediately on the case. With a winter storm on the way, Ellie is in a race to save the girl before it’s too late. But Special Agent Derrick Fox believes there is more to this case than a little girl wandering off. He believes a killer has been hunting in these mountains for over twenty-five years and has taken over a dozen girls including his younger sister. Ellie has a hard time believing a killer could have lived in her community for so long, but the similarities in the cases are too strong to ignore. With Penny’s life on the line, Ellie and Derrick must work together to stop a killer before he strikes again.
The plot of this book was amazing, with the right mix of creepy and suspenseful. The concept of a serial abductor/killer that focuses on little girls and has been active for over twenty-five years is a terrifying one. It was interesting to me that no one had previously connected the cases as when Derrick lays everything out, it seems clear the cases are connected. The setting of the Appalachian mountains is fantastically done with the forest presenting as a huge, nearly impossible place to search leading to a sense of urgency for Penny to be found. The storm looming on the horizon only adds to the foreboding atmosphere as you know there’s little chance a seven-year-old girl could survive long in the elements. The book had a few surprises along the way and I didn’t expect the ending at all. Overall, the plot was fast-paced, suspenseful, and had just the right amount of action to keep things interesting.
Ellie is an excellent main character as she’s smart, dedicated to her work, and doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do. Her relationship with her parents was interesting and her father being the current sheriff adds to the tension in their relationship. Derrick’s presence definitely affects Ellie’s relationship with her father as her father was the one who investigated Derrick’s sister’s disappearance and he clearly left relevant information out of the files. I liked the dynamics in Ellie and Derrick’s working relationship, but I will say there’s a bit of a romance thrown in that ultimately doesn’t make sense in the story. As to the other characters, Ranger Cord was the most intriguing as the information on his background is very limited. I’m definitely curious to learn more about him and I hope he shows up in future books in the series.
Overall The Silent Dolls was a great read and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Wildflower Graves, when it releases later this year. I highly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a good mystery thriller.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
July 16, 2020
The Silent Dolls is the first in a new police procedural series featuring Detective Ellie Reeves based in Appalachia. Ellie is called in to investigate when seven-year-old Penny Matthews vanished from a small town on The Appalachian Trail where she had been picnicking with her parents. It's going to be a difficult case to solve given the sparse terrain and scant clues. With severe snow storms forecast the team must search the mountainous area for any evidence pointing to what happened to the girl. When FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox is made aware of the disappearance he wants in on it as he is convinced there is a serial killer prowling the area for victims. He has a vested interest in the case as his sister, Kim, went missing twenty-five years ago in similar circumstances. Derrick has done extensive research that shows that these girls weren't the only ones to vanish into thin air, there were at least ten others, and manages to convince Ellie that a dangerous criminal and repeat offender is stalking his prey in that area. When hand-carved wooden dolls are discovered and the killer begins to leave messages on Ellie’s doorstep they find they are in a race against time before he strikes again...
This is a thoroughly captivating read that held my attention from the beginning right through to the explosive cliffhanger ending. I was riveted every step of the way. I always enjoy multiple perspectives when it is well executed and here the point of view is primarily Ellie’s but has the thoughts and feelings of both Penny and the unknown and unidentified killer interspersed throughout the plot. It's compulsive and almost impossible to put down which is why I read it in a single sitting and loved every second of it. It's certainly well written and full of twists and reveals regarding both the main plot and Ellie’s personal life which is eventful, to say the least. The suspense and tension keep on building as you progress until the powerful conclusion. There really is never a dull moment in this fast-paced, plot-driven book set in the remote Georgian countryside. The case is made more complicated by the fact that Ellie’s father is the sheriff of Bluff County and Derrick is convinced that both her father and a friend may be prime suspects in Kim’s disappearance or at least covering up what actually happened creating a gripping conflict of interest. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
This is a thoroughly captivating read that held my attention from the beginning right through to the explosive cliffhanger ending. I was riveted every step of the way. I always enjoy multiple perspectives when it is well executed and here the point of view is primarily Ellie’s but has the thoughts and feelings of both Penny and the unknown and unidentified killer interspersed throughout the plot. It's compulsive and almost impossible to put down which is why I read it in a single sitting and loved every second of it. It's certainly well written and full of twists and reveals regarding both the main plot and Ellie’s personal life which is eventful, to say the least. The suspense and tension keep on building as you progress until the powerful conclusion. There really is never a dull moment in this fast-paced, plot-driven book set in the remote Georgian countryside. The case is made more complicated by the fact that Ellie’s father is the sheriff of Bluff County and Derrick is convinced that both her father and a friend may be prime suspects in Kim’s disappearance or at least covering up what actually happened creating a gripping conflict of interest. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
June 19, 2020
This book was so damn good! I just couldn't put it down until I finished it!
When Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl goes missing in the Appalachian mountains, Detective Ellie Reeves is called straight to the scene. According to Penny’s parents, their daughter vanished after a picnic by the creek. All that’s left behind is a pink friendship bracelet etched with “Penny”.
Special Agent Derrick Fox is determined to join the hunt. His younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago––on the day he was meant to be watching her. He’s certain the cases are linked and that over a dozen girls have vanished in the last decade. Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can’t deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it’s clear they’re up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls.
This book had me hooked on right from the start. All the characters were well written and the twists and turns were really good. I kept guessing but I couldn't get it right at all. The ending was just bang on.
It was an amazing start to a new series, I can't wait for more books in this series. Highly recommended!!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!
When Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl goes missing in the Appalachian mountains, Detective Ellie Reeves is called straight to the scene. According to Penny’s parents, their daughter vanished after a picnic by the creek. All that’s left behind is a pink friendship bracelet etched with “Penny”.
Special Agent Derrick Fox is determined to join the hunt. His younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago––on the day he was meant to be watching her. He’s certain the cases are linked and that over a dozen girls have vanished in the last decade. Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can’t deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it’s clear they’re up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls.
This book had me hooked on right from the start. All the characters were well written and the twists and turns were really good. I kept guessing but I couldn't get it right at all. The ending was just bang on.
It was an amazing start to a new series, I can't wait for more books in this series. Highly recommended!!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!
July 16, 2020
Oh my freaking gawd!! The Silent Dolls was bloody brilliant. Author Rita Heron sure knew how to raise my hackles and increase the creep factor with each turn of the page. At some moments, I felt as if someone were watching me. I was that connected to the main character, Detective Ellie Reeves.
A missing child during a picnic, and the investigation started with Ellie at the helm and Special Agent Derrick Fox assisting her.
My first book by this talented author, I was completely sucked in by the plot. Ellie was carefully etched. She was emotional and determined. Nothing stood in her way when she was searching for answers, not even the reigning sheriff, her father.
I was quite amazed at the author's writing. Having read so many police procedural, I didn't expect that I would love Ellie so much. Her thoughts and expressions were just right. The story quickened my pulse rate when another child was lost. Oh my! Search faster, Ellie!!
Pages turned faster than believable as clues were seeked and leads were followed. Derrick was quite a complement to her. The prose flowed well, bringing lies and decepetion to the forefront. Twists added to the excitement, making it a complete race against time.
An UNPUTDOWNABLE book which gripped me with the lost children and made it a rocking with the cool dudette, Ellie Reeves.
A missing child during a picnic, and the investigation started with Ellie at the helm and Special Agent Derrick Fox assisting her.
My first book by this talented author, I was completely sucked in by the plot. Ellie was carefully etched. She was emotional and determined. Nothing stood in her way when she was searching for answers, not even the reigning sheriff, her father.
I was quite amazed at the author's writing. Having read so many police procedural, I didn't expect that I would love Ellie so much. Her thoughts and expressions were just right. The story quickened my pulse rate when another child was lost. Oh my! Search faster, Ellie!!
Pages turned faster than believable as clues were seeked and leads were followed. Derrick was quite a complement to her. The prose flowed well, bringing lies and decepetion to the forefront. Twists added to the excitement, making it a complete race against time.
An UNPUTDOWNABLE book which gripped me with the lost children and made it a rocking with the cool dudette, Ellie Reeves.
July 3, 2020
The Silent Dolls the first book in a new series from Rita Herron, featuring Detective Ellie Reeves.
Ellie Reeves is a Detective in Crooked Creek, Georgia, near the Appalachian mountains trail. Her father is the Sheriff and, as he’s retiring soon, Ellie Reeves intends to succeed him. Those plans gets derailed in the very first pages, but Detective Reeves won’t have time to dwell much on it, as news of the disappearance of a little girl on the trail scramble a coordinated response team. With a winter storm approaching, fears are high that the lost kid could die of hypothermia. Soon, however, foul play is suspected. And, when FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox, from Decatur, links the disappearance with multiple others over a course of twenty years, including the one of his very own sister, there is no doubt left.
The characters in this novel are quite disconcerting at first. With a troubled past awakened by the case, afraid of the black and claustrophobic, Ellie Reeves is reckless. As if she had to prove something to herself or others, she barges into a meth lab (and fires rounds in it) without backup, rushes into a house without clearing it first, and asks her poor captain for warrants and subpoenas by phone without providing cause (maybe judges are more lax over there). A FEMA SAR Agent, the taciturn Cord McClain, man of the mountains and ranger, also has a troubled past and troubling habits. Special Agent Derrick Fox’ obsessions lead him to some lack in judgment, reminiscent of another, cherished, FBI agent named Fox.
The Appalachian mountains, woods and trail, the animals and humans inhabiting them, give a nice and unusual atmosphere. Not only as a background but as an integral part of the story. I don’t remember having read a thriller set in rural Georgia before.
The writing is solid, and reading this novel comes easy. This is a quick entertaining read, quite thrilling too, as long as you’re capable of some suspension of disbelief (It’ll really be tested in the final chapters). In spite of this, there is no regret at having picked up this book, and I’ll keep my eyes open for the next entry in the series.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
Ellie Reeves is a Detective in Crooked Creek, Georgia, near the Appalachian mountains trail. Her father is the Sheriff and, as he’s retiring soon, Ellie Reeves intends to succeed him. Those plans gets derailed in the very first pages, but Detective Reeves won’t have time to dwell much on it, as news of the disappearance of a little girl on the trail scramble a coordinated response team. With a winter storm approaching, fears are high that the lost kid could die of hypothermia. Soon, however, foul play is suspected. And, when FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox, from Decatur, links the disappearance with multiple others over a course of twenty years, including the one of his very own sister, there is no doubt left.
The characters in this novel are quite disconcerting at first. With a troubled past awakened by the case, afraid of the black and claustrophobic, Ellie Reeves is reckless. As if she had to prove something to herself or others, she barges into a meth lab (and fires rounds in it) without backup, rushes into a house without clearing it first, and asks her poor captain for warrants and subpoenas by phone without providing cause (maybe judges are more lax over there). A FEMA SAR Agent, the taciturn Cord McClain, man of the mountains and ranger, also has a troubled past and troubling habits. Special Agent Derrick Fox’ obsessions lead him to some lack in judgment, reminiscent of another, cherished, FBI agent named Fox.
The Appalachian mountains, woods and trail, the animals and humans inhabiting them, give a nice and unusual atmosphere. Not only as a background but as an integral part of the story. I don’t remember having read a thriller set in rural Georgia before.
The writing is solid, and reading this novel comes easy. This is a quick entertaining read, quite thrilling too, as long as you’re capable of some suspension of disbelief (It’ll really be tested in the final chapters). In spite of this, there is no regret at having picked up this book, and I’ll keep my eyes open for the next entry in the series.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
July 29, 2020
Detective Ellie Reeves is called to uncover the mystery around a little girl disappearance, but she doesn’t know that this is only one of the many kidnappings happening on the trail. Will she be able to find the monster behind this crime?
This book had me on a constant suspense rush, even when I wasn’t reading it I was wondering about what would have been happening next..
I loved the main character, Ellie, as she is the emblema of the strong leading character that doesn’t give up when an obstacle occurs, but she fights back and tries to act in a selfless and caring way.
The chapters were all short and switching between different narrators, like Ellie, Derrick, Cord, the lost girls and even the kidnapper; this made the book even more interesting to read and easy to follow and get into the characters mindset.
I definitely can’t wait for a sequel!
This book had me on a constant suspense rush, even when I wasn’t reading it I was wondering about what would have been happening next..
I loved the main character, Ellie, as she is the emblema of the strong leading character that doesn’t give up when an obstacle occurs, but she fights back and tries to act in a selfless and caring way.
The chapters were all short and switching between different narrators, like Ellie, Derrick, Cord, the lost girls and even the kidnapper; this made the book even more interesting to read and easy to follow and get into the characters mindset.
I definitely can’t wait for a sequel!
July 20, 2020
Detective Ellis Reeves is called to investigate a missing person ... 6-year-old Penny Matthews. The Appalachian Mountains can hide many things ... especially a lost child ... if they are lost. There are many 'shadow people' living off the grid in this area ... the forest is dark and the river is deep.
FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox wants to join the hunt, even though he hasn't been asked to help. His sister disappeared in the same area 20 years ago and has never been found. He's done a lot of research over the years and has come up with a list of other missing girls. He is certain that a serial killer has been hunting along the trails for at least 25 years.
Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can’t deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it’s clear they’re up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls.
With a major snowstorm moving in, it's imperative that the child is found ...and soon.
The plot is intricately woven around substantial characters. It's action packed from start to finish. The characters are all wounded in some way. Ellie, as a child, got lost in the forest which has left her fearful of the dark. She doesn't remember much, but she did have her imaginary friend for company. Her parents sent her to therapists for years. Cole is a ranger, a good friend to Ellie. But he has secrets. Where do all his scars come from? He never talks about his past ... he has no family that he talks about. And then there's Derrick ...still carrying the guilt of not watching his sister when she disappeared.
Who is the "Watcher" ... a man who spends his time looking for human bones? And what are Ellie's parents keeping from her. As the Sheriff, he should have known about the missing girls. Is he a suspect? Is Cole .. he fits the FBI profile of the killer. The conclusion is totally unexpected. What is it that Ellie can't remember?
There is a slight cliff hangar which will merge into book 2 .... I hope it becomes available soon.
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.
July 16, 2021
Actual rating 3.5
I dont know how to actually feel about this book.
It had too much drama for my taste but it was still interesting enough.
I dont know how to actually feel about this book.
It had too much drama for my taste but it was still interesting enough.
July 10, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of The Silent Dolls, the first novel to feature Appalachian detective Ellie Reeves.
When seven year old Penny Matthews disappears from the Appalachian Trail Ellie Reeves is put in charge of finding her and it’s not easy with no clues and a rugged terrain. When FBI agent Derrick Fox learns of the disappearance he is desperate to join the hunt because his sister, Kim, disappeared on the Trail 25 years ago and his research suggests that she and Penny are not the only ones. Ellie soon comes to believe, like Derrick, that they are hunting a serial killer after a series of hand carved wooden dolls are found.
I enjoyed The Silent Dolls which has an interesting plot that held my attention from the tense start to the bombshell finish. It is told mostly from Ellie’s point of view with interjections from other characters, notably Penny describing her ongoing ordeal and the unnamed killer expressing his rather jumbled thoughts. This gives full coverage to the story but while I found Ellie’s side of things interesting and propulsive and Penny’s heartbreaking, if a touch redundant, there is nothing interesting or new in the killer’s thoughts or motivations. I could sum it up in a few words but I don’t want to issue spoilers.
This is very much a plot driven novel so the characterisation is fairly shallow. I did, however, think that the parents’ reactions were authentic and spot on. How all the events affect Ellie and her family are revealed in several denouements at the end of the novel. They are impactful, offer more than one bombshell and are more than worth the journey to that point. How realistic they are is open to interpretation but they certainly pack a punch. The journey itself continually moves forward with developments in every chapter. There is a shadowy deus ex machina figure, known as The Watcher, to help them make their discoveries and forestall any potential lull in the investigation. How he knows is never explained.
The Silent Dolls is a good read that I can recommend.
When seven year old Penny Matthews disappears from the Appalachian Trail Ellie Reeves is put in charge of finding her and it’s not easy with no clues and a rugged terrain. When FBI agent Derrick Fox learns of the disappearance he is desperate to join the hunt because his sister, Kim, disappeared on the Trail 25 years ago and his research suggests that she and Penny are not the only ones. Ellie soon comes to believe, like Derrick, that they are hunting a serial killer after a series of hand carved wooden dolls are found.
I enjoyed The Silent Dolls which has an interesting plot that held my attention from the tense start to the bombshell finish. It is told mostly from Ellie’s point of view with interjections from other characters, notably Penny describing her ongoing ordeal and the unnamed killer expressing his rather jumbled thoughts. This gives full coverage to the story but while I found Ellie’s side of things interesting and propulsive and Penny’s heartbreaking, if a touch redundant, there is nothing interesting or new in the killer’s thoughts or motivations. I could sum it up in a few words but I don’t want to issue spoilers.
This is very much a plot driven novel so the characterisation is fairly shallow. I did, however, think that the parents’ reactions were authentic and spot on. How all the events affect Ellie and her family are revealed in several denouements at the end of the novel. They are impactful, offer more than one bombshell and are more than worth the journey to that point. How realistic they are is open to interpretation but they certainly pack a punch. The journey itself continually moves forward with developments in every chapter. There is a shadowy deus ex machina figure, known as The Watcher, to help them make their discoveries and forestall any potential lull in the investigation. How he knows is never explained.
The Silent Dolls is a good read that I can recommend.
July 20, 2020
I became immersed in this story straight away, from the chilling prologue. From beginning to end it was an explosion of action-packed, fast-paced, suspenseful, chilling, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat drama, full of twists, secrets and deceit. I loved every minute of it!!!
Detective Ellie Reeves and Secret Agent Derrick Fox, are racing against the clock to find little seven year old Penny Matthews. Penny and her parents were taking a picnic on the Appalachian Trail near to their home when Penny went missing.
Each day, hour even, could end in disaster.
The trail is a vast area so Penny could be anywhere. Has she wandered off and got herself hurt, or worse, has someone taken her?!
Ellie is one tough cookie, but even for her it's difficult as she has her own demons to contend with.
Derrick Fox plays an instrumental part and as well as wanting to help find the missing girl, he has his own reasons to be involved and he needs to find some closure.
All the way through this was eventful, hair-raising and with the impending storms, would they hamper the search?!
I liked the backdrop for the storyline which the author describes so well and this added even more atmosphere to the events in the book.
I was treated to some brilliant surprises, or shocks, actually, and I would never have envisaged them!
The author gets inside your mind and makes you suspect many of the characters - main and supporting -which I like in a story, and more than once I wondered if there could be more than one perpetrator hiding out there.
I definitely recommend this book and I was excited to learn that there will be a second in the series which I will jump on as soon as I can!!
Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for this fantastic read.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
Detective Ellie Reeves and Secret Agent Derrick Fox, are racing against the clock to find little seven year old Penny Matthews. Penny and her parents were taking a picnic on the Appalachian Trail near to their home when Penny went missing.
Each day, hour even, could end in disaster.
The trail is a vast area so Penny could be anywhere. Has she wandered off and got herself hurt, or worse, has someone taken her?!
Ellie is one tough cookie, but even for her it's difficult as she has her own demons to contend with.
Derrick Fox plays an instrumental part and as well as wanting to help find the missing girl, he has his own reasons to be involved and he needs to find some closure.
All the way through this was eventful, hair-raising and with the impending storms, would they hamper the search?!
I liked the backdrop for the storyline which the author describes so well and this added even more atmosphere to the events in the book.
I was treated to some brilliant surprises, or shocks, actually, and I would never have envisaged them!
The author gets inside your mind and makes you suspect many of the characters - main and supporting -which I like in a story, and more than once I wondered if there could be more than one perpetrator hiding out there.
I definitely recommend this book and I was excited to learn that there will be a second in the series which I will jump on as soon as I can!!
Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for this fantastic read.
This is my honest and unbiased review.
July 17, 2020
In this riveting book by Rita Herron, a little girl has been taken. She is in a very tight space, in the dark, and is holding a tiny wooden doll carved by her abductor. Well, the young girl that is missing is seven-year-old Penny Matthews and Detective Ellie Reeves is on the case. Quite naturally, her parents are devastated, especially as Penny was lost in the Appalachian Mountains. What a vast area for Ellie and others to begin their search!
As Ellie dives into things she is approached by Special Agent Derrick Fox. Decades ago, his younger sister Kim was lost in the exact same area. Derrick has always felt responsible for what happened to Kim. What's more is that he is positive that the two cases are connected, despite the twenty-five year gap between the kidnappings. What's more is that Derrick feels that this is a serial case, as their are other unsolved kidnappings of young girls.
What a thrilling story! We not only worry about Penny, as time is of the essence when it comes to finding her. Not only do readers get Ellie's and Derrick's points of view while reading this book, but also that of the killer. That made this story all that more chilling. We also get Penny's perspective, and that definitely kept me even more riveted to the story, as her fear was palpable. There is also some drama in this story beyond the kidnapping, and that involves Ellie's father. If or how this relates to what is going on is up to the reader to discover.
As The Silent Dolls is the first book in a new series, readers get to know Ellie, especially as to what drives her to do the best job possible, no matter how difficult the circumstances. I found this case, the character development and the writing all worked together to keep my attention throughout. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
As Ellie dives into things she is approached by Special Agent Derrick Fox. Decades ago, his younger sister Kim was lost in the exact same area. Derrick has always felt responsible for what happened to Kim. What's more is that he is positive that the two cases are connected, despite the twenty-five year gap between the kidnappings. What's more is that Derrick feels that this is a serial case, as their are other unsolved kidnappings of young girls.
What a thrilling story! We not only worry about Penny, as time is of the essence when it comes to finding her. Not only do readers get Ellie's and Derrick's points of view while reading this book, but also that of the killer. That made this story all that more chilling. We also get Penny's perspective, and that definitely kept me even more riveted to the story, as her fear was palpable. There is also some drama in this story beyond the kidnapping, and that involves Ellie's father. If or how this relates to what is going on is up to the reader to discover.
As The Silent Dolls is the first book in a new series, readers get to know Ellie, especially as to what drives her to do the best job possible, no matter how difficult the circumstances. I found this case, the character development and the writing all worked together to keep my attention throughout. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
June 27, 2020
When a young girl goes missing from a family pick-nick somewhere along the Appalachian Trail, detective Ellie Reeves remembers a night when she herself was lost in the woods as a child and will do everything to find the child. Ranger Cord McClain is the best tracker around and organises the Search and Rescue teams. With a big storm brewing up and freezing temperatures, there’s no time to lose. As part of normal protocol, both parents are interrogated and all their little and big secrets are exposed. But then, FBI-agent Derrick Fox turns up with the theory that there’s a serial killer hunting the trail for the last 25 years, his own sister being the first victim. It’s not only her own past demons that make life difficult for Ellie. She just found out that her dad, the local sheriff, chooses his deputy Bryce above her to be his successor. Bryce seems more interested in making a good impression on the press and public can obstruct their investigation. She doesn’t know who to trust anymore and negative sentiments are only the start of a deteriorating relationship between the rescuers.
The way the suspense in this story is kept up throughout the whole book is fantastic. The suspicion slides back and forth between several people, including those involved in the search. I had my own ideas as to whom the killer was with lots of hints from the author that send me in this or that direction, but all were wrong. The final explanation and reveal were still different from what I assumed.
My main problem with this book is the lack of realism when it comes down to police procedures, protocols, or investigation techniques. Ellie just does what she wants without any knowledge or consent from her superiors and teammates. She ignores her boss’ phone calls for days on end without any repercussions, doesn’t tell anyone where she goes or what she does. She seems to work completely alone most of the time. During the initial stage of the investigation, she has some colleagues helping with inquiries but when Derrick turns up, it’s just them 2 doing everything. It's as if the rest of the team vanished in thin air. Also, the time frame for the last 2 days is completely impossible (in my opinion) given the difficulty of the terrain in combination with the weather. Usually, I don’t mind a bit of creative imaginative writing but here it stretches rather far.
But if you’re prepared to overlook those imperfections, it’s a real good and entertaining thriller. There’s a twist in the tail with a serious sting and this opens the door for 1 or more sequels. If they come my way, I’ll read them.
I’m in limbo over the rating; 3,5 would be my vote, a 3 doesn’t give it enough credit but I’m not completely happy with a 4.
I thank Netgalley and Bookouture for their free ARC; this is my honest and unbiased review of it.
The way the suspense in this story is kept up throughout the whole book is fantastic. The suspicion slides back and forth between several people, including those involved in the search. I had my own ideas as to whom the killer was with lots of hints from the author that send me in this or that direction, but all were wrong. The final explanation and reveal were still different from what I assumed.
My main problem with this book is the lack of realism when it comes down to police procedures, protocols, or investigation techniques. Ellie just does what she wants without any knowledge or consent from her superiors and teammates. She ignores her boss’ phone calls for days on end without any repercussions, doesn’t tell anyone where she goes or what she does. She seems to work completely alone most of the time. During the initial stage of the investigation, she has some colleagues helping with inquiries but when Derrick turns up, it’s just them 2 doing everything. It's as if the rest of the team vanished in thin air. Also, the time frame for the last 2 days is completely impossible (in my opinion) given the difficulty of the terrain in combination with the weather. Usually, I don’t mind a bit of creative imaginative writing but here it stretches rather far.
But if you’re prepared to overlook those imperfections, it’s a real good and entertaining thriller. There’s a twist in the tail with a serious sting and this opens the door for 1 or more sequels. If they come my way, I’ll read them.
I’m in limbo over the rating; 3,5 would be my vote, a 3 doesn’t give it enough credit but I’m not completely happy with a 4.
I thank Netgalley and Bookouture for their free ARC; this is my honest and unbiased review of it.
July 12, 2020
This is a brilliant start to a new series. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one.
Ellie is a Detective on the Appalachian Trail (AT) which is a mountainous region and is contacted when a young girl goes missing.
A search party is set up straight away but there’s no sign of the little girl.
An FBI detective becomes aware of the case and heads over to see Ellie as he thinks it’s linked to other cases of young girls going missing across the country.
One if these girls is his sister so it has a personal meaning to him, to find out what happened to her.
Ellie’s father is the Sheriff and when he puts someone else forward to replace him, she’s deeply hurt. He has his reasons but they’re not what Ellie initially thinks they are.
Soon another girl is taken and the pressure is on the team to find the missing girls.
Ellie is left a carved wooden doll which prompts a memory from her childhood but she is confused by this.
They then find more of the dolls on the AT and also some small graves so they know they’re getting closer to him.
This is a gripping crime thriller that has a shocking final few chapters that had me racing through the pages.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Ellie is a Detective on the Appalachian Trail (AT) which is a mountainous region and is contacted when a young girl goes missing.
A search party is set up straight away but there’s no sign of the little girl.
An FBI detective becomes aware of the case and heads over to see Ellie as he thinks it’s linked to other cases of young girls going missing across the country.
One if these girls is his sister so it has a personal meaning to him, to find out what happened to her.
Ellie’s father is the Sheriff and when he puts someone else forward to replace him, she’s deeply hurt. He has his reasons but they’re not what Ellie initially thinks they are.
Soon another girl is taken and the pressure is on the team to find the missing girls.
Ellie is left a carved wooden doll which prompts a memory from her childhood but she is confused by this.
They then find more of the dolls on the AT and also some small graves so they know they’re getting closer to him.
This is a gripping crime thriller that has a shocking final few chapters that had me racing through the pages.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
July 18, 2020
It's always a joy to start a brand new detective series from the beginning and this one from author Rita Herron certainly did not disappoint!
The Silent Dolls kicks off with an intriguing prologue that lured me in straightaway. Ellie Reeves investigates when young Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl, vanishes from the Appalachian mountains, while picnicking by the creek with her family. Ellie is aided by Special Agent Derrick Fox, whose own younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago, whilst on his watch.
The Silent Dolls was without doubt totally captivating, and it held my attention from the very beginning. Wonderfully executed by Rita Herron, the story is told primarily from Ellie’s viewpoint, though the reflections and feelings of both Penny and the unknown and undivulged killer are dotted here and there. Almost impossible to put down, I read this in a single sitting. The main plot was chock-a block with twists and reveals and Ellie’s personal life was very eventful, to put it mildly. There was never a dull moment in this well-paced story, and the suspense and tension kept on escalating until reaching a powerful and explosive conclusion. I am already anticipating reading book two! Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
The Silent Dolls kicks off with an intriguing prologue that lured me in straightaway. Ellie Reeves investigates when young Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl, vanishes from the Appalachian mountains, while picnicking by the creek with her family. Ellie is aided by Special Agent Derrick Fox, whose own younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago, whilst on his watch.
The Silent Dolls was without doubt totally captivating, and it held my attention from the very beginning. Wonderfully executed by Rita Herron, the story is told primarily from Ellie’s viewpoint, though the reflections and feelings of both Penny and the unknown and undivulged killer are dotted here and there. Almost impossible to put down, I read this in a single sitting. The main plot was chock-a block with twists and reveals and Ellie’s personal life was very eventful, to put it mildly. There was never a dull moment in this well-paced story, and the suspense and tension kept on escalating until reaching a powerful and explosive conclusion. I am already anticipating reading book two! Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
July 16, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this one. I'd say I enjoyed, truly, about 40%. I feel like the beginning was way too slow, and by the end, there was too much drama and messy history.
July 27, 2024
I only wish I could give this book so many more than just five stars!!! It was absolutely phenomenal!! I’m so glad it’s a series! Highly recommend!
June 4, 2023
This is the first part of Ellie Reeves series where we are introduced to Ellie and her parents and the townspeople who play a big role in her life , professionally and personality. This relationship is woven through and impacts her professionally.
It's a well told, well.knit plot with the right amount of thrills. The deatiled search parties on the Apalachian Trail showcase the difficulties of the trail as well as how inclement weather makes it worse.
But , for.me, it's Ellie that makes this series so much more worthwhile. She's one of the strongest heroines I've come across. Strong not just physically - she's out there day in and out walking those trails searching for the missing girls ,but it's her strength of character, integrity, and responsibility that makes her a formidable force to reckon with.
Overall, it was a fantastic start to a series, and not only do I recommend this book, but I'm also looking forward to reading the entire series.
Recommended :👍 👍 👍
It's a well told, well.knit plot with the right amount of thrills. The deatiled search parties on the Apalachian Trail showcase the difficulties of the trail as well as how inclement weather makes it worse.
But , for.me, it's Ellie that makes this series so much more worthwhile. She's one of the strongest heroines I've come across. Strong not just physically - she's out there day in and out walking those trails searching for the missing girls ,but it's her strength of character, integrity, and responsibility that makes her a formidable force to reckon with.
Overall, it was a fantastic start to a series, and not only do I recommend this book, but I'm also looking forward to reading the entire series.
Recommended :👍 👍 👍
September 13, 2022
This was my least favorite book I’ve read this year and I actually considered not even continuing reading beyond page twelve.
Right off the bat I’m not a fan of this book for the sole reason being the main character is very misogynistic and “is no girly girl.” Of course there’s the mom who wants her to wear something other than dirt covered clothes that have been shredded from barbed wire. Nonetheless “she is a tomboy through and through” that will never trade her gun for a wedding ring. I thought it would stop there, but it didn’t. It seemed like she couldn’t walk, speak, or think about anything without saying something like “while other girls were cooking cornbread and stitching clothes, I was busy completing mind games like puzzles and walking outside with a compass.” I’m just done with this trope about women only seen as being “feminine” in books and real life.
It seems like Ellie likes to jump to conclusions and not typical ones of someone that’s a detective (I guess I mean an actual detective). She likes to think of zebras not horses when she hears hoof trots and doesn’t like to consider the more likely reasons that are seen on a day to day basis. I do understand that this is just a book, but it's bothersome to constantly be reading something along the lines of, “...or to find a body. But I didn’t tell them that.”
I felt like she wanted the girl to be kidnapped and was tempting the universe to do so. That way she could get a leg up on Bryce because her dad chose to support him and not his own daughter. That way (she believes) when she solves it, she will be the town hero and elected to be sheriff.
Another thing about Ellie is that she puts herself above others even though she doesn't say it out loud, a lot of her internal dialect does. Often when other characters talk about their trauma, it's always a “yeah, well me too,” response. This takes away from the character's trauma and puts the focus on Ellie, which is not beneficial in any way. She should focus more on her job and not find the similarities between herself and the victim.
She also seems to get stuck on one thing and just nags about it. She has asked the mother of the victim about a billion times in the span of thirty pages if her husband is abusing her and her daughter. Which is a fair question, but I feel as though she should be exploring other options as well and is just taking up pages in the book.
It felt like every time the author switches the POV of the chapter, she tries to make that character the main character rather than just using their POV to complement the plot or provide a different perspective. It just took up a lot of space in the book with there being no additive value.
I think if the author took Ellie's personality out of the book and stuck to the crime that was occurring, I would've liked this book so much more. I just didn’t enjoy the main character being so self centered and wanting everything to affect her one way or another.
I had such high hopes for this series. I thought it was going to be my newfound obsession and buy all the books to read immediately. However, I am actually not going to continue the series, which is a bummer because the summaries sound so good, the first one just didn't deliver.
Right off the bat I’m not a fan of this book for the sole reason being the main character is very misogynistic and “is no girly girl.” Of course there’s the mom who wants her to wear something other than dirt covered clothes that have been shredded from barbed wire. Nonetheless “she is a tomboy through and through” that will never trade her gun for a wedding ring. I thought it would stop there, but it didn’t. It seemed like she couldn’t walk, speak, or think about anything without saying something like “while other girls were cooking cornbread and stitching clothes, I was busy completing mind games like puzzles and walking outside with a compass.” I’m just done with this trope about women only seen as being “feminine” in books and real life.
It seems like Ellie likes to jump to conclusions and not typical ones of someone that’s a detective (I guess I mean an actual detective). She likes to think of zebras not horses when she hears hoof trots and doesn’t like to consider the more likely reasons that are seen on a day to day basis. I do understand that this is just a book, but it's bothersome to constantly be reading something along the lines of, “...or to find a body. But I didn’t tell them that.”
I felt like she wanted the girl to be kidnapped and was tempting the universe to do so. That way she could get a leg up on Bryce because her dad chose to support him and not his own daughter. That way (she believes) when she solves it, she will be the town hero and elected to be sheriff.
Another thing about Ellie is that she puts herself above others even though she doesn't say it out loud, a lot of her internal dialect does. Often when other characters talk about their trauma, it's always a “yeah, well me too,” response. This takes away from the character's trauma and puts the focus on Ellie, which is not beneficial in any way. She should focus more on her job and not find the similarities between herself and the victim.
She also seems to get stuck on one thing and just nags about it. She has asked the mother of the victim about a billion times in the span of thirty pages if her husband is abusing her and her daughter. Which is a fair question, but I feel as though she should be exploring other options as well and is just taking up pages in the book.
It felt like every time the author switches the POV of the chapter, she tries to make that character the main character rather than just using their POV to complement the plot or provide a different perspective. It just took up a lot of space in the book with there being no additive value.
I think if the author took Ellie's personality out of the book and stuck to the crime that was occurring, I would've liked this book so much more. I just didn’t enjoy the main character being so self centered and wanting everything to affect her one way or another.
I had such high hopes for this series. I thought it was going to be my newfound obsession and buy all the books to read immediately. However, I am actually not going to continue the series, which is a bummer because the summaries sound so good, the first one just didn't deliver.
September 18, 2023
Ugh.
This. Was. Terrible.
I'm torn between wanting to be as nice as possible and unleashing pure fury at feeling duped by the high rating on this (who is paying off these reviewers is the real mystery here).
I expected a creepy, atmospheric suspense novel with an unhinged serial killer and strong heroine and a plot twist that would make my jaw drop. But I was instead treated to:
Eye-Roll Worthy Lines
Exhibit A:
'It's a man's world, Ellie,' her mother said. 'It's time you accept it.'
'Not anymore, Mom,' Ellie said, her anger bleeding through. 'Not anymore.'
Exhibit B:
She removed the compass her father had given her from her pocket and thrust it toward him. 'You can have this back now. From now on, I'll find my own way.'
Exhibit C:
He ground his boot into the ground, smashing a pinecone to pieces. Dust fluttered in Ellie's face.
Hold up. Has this author ever even been in the woods? Seen a pinecone? With what out of this world force was this pinecone ground into the ground? Was Ellie's face lying directly on the ground next to the pinecone?
The Most Cringeworthy Out-of-Nowhere Sexy Time Scene of All Time
I. Just. Can't. Even. I've blocked most of this scene out because it was so incredibly out of place. It didn't need to happen. There was zero reason for it to happen except maybe the author just wanted to use some naughty words? Throwing a sex scene in Bambi would have felt more natural.
A Laughable Villian
This bad guy should have been completely despicable. I should have wanted to throw him in the electric chair and pull the switch myself. This is a man who has kidnapped and killed little girls for years. But tell me how this killer who eluded police for years ends up having the mentality of a five-year-old and a vocabulary that barely exceeds H'Ghar's in Game of Thrones.
Flat This, Flat That, Flat Everything
Everything was flat. The characters - flat. The plot - flat. The writing style - flat. That "ending" - flat. My emotions while reading this book - flat.
I rarely hand out 1-star ratings, but I can't give this anymore than that because A: I didn't like it and B: a 4.3 overall rating is nothing short of criminal (and a much scarier criminal than the one in this book at that).
1 Star
This. Was. Terrible.
I'm torn between wanting to be as nice as possible and unleashing pure fury at feeling duped by the high rating on this (who is paying off these reviewers is the real mystery here).
I expected a creepy, atmospheric suspense novel with an unhinged serial killer and strong heroine and a plot twist that would make my jaw drop. But I was instead treated to:
Eye-Roll Worthy Lines
Exhibit A:
'It's a man's world, Ellie,' her mother said. 'It's time you accept it.'
'Not anymore, Mom,' Ellie said, her anger bleeding through. 'Not anymore.'
Exhibit B:
She removed the compass her father had given her from her pocket and thrust it toward him. 'You can have this back now. From now on, I'll find my own way.'
Exhibit C:
He ground his boot into the ground, smashing a pinecone to pieces. Dust fluttered in Ellie's face.
Hold up. Has this author ever even been in the woods? Seen a pinecone? With what out of this world force was this pinecone ground into the ground? Was Ellie's face lying directly on the ground next to the pinecone?
The Most Cringeworthy Out-of-Nowhere Sexy Time Scene of All Time
I. Just. Can't. Even. I've blocked most of this scene out because it was so incredibly out of place. It didn't need to happen. There was zero reason for it to happen except maybe the author just wanted to use some naughty words? Throwing a sex scene in Bambi would have felt more natural.
A Laughable Villian
This bad guy should have been completely despicable. I should have wanted to throw him in the electric chair and pull the switch myself. This is a man who has kidnapped and killed little girls for years. But tell me how this killer who eluded police for years ends up having the mentality of a five-year-old and a vocabulary that barely exceeds H'Ghar's in Game of Thrones.
Flat This, Flat That, Flat Everything
Everything was flat. The characters - flat. The plot - flat. The writing style - flat. That "ending" - flat. My emotions while reading this book - flat.
I rarely hand out 1-star ratings, but I can't give this anymore than that because A: I didn't like it and B: a 4.3 overall rating is nothing short of criminal (and a much scarier criminal than the one in this book at that).
1 Star
July 16, 2020
When Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl with blonde curls and a gap-toothed smile, goes missing in the Appalachian mountains, Detective Ellie Reeves is called straight to the scene. According to Penny’s parents, their daughter vanished after a picnic by the creek. All that’s left behind is a pink friendship bracelet etched with “Penny”. Ellie knows all too well that the mountains’ endless miles of dark forest and winding rivers are the perfect place for a criminal to hide. Special Agent Derrick Fox is determined to join the hunt. His younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago––on the day he was meant to be watching her. He’s certain the cases are linked and that over a dozen girls have vanished in the last decade. Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can’t deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it’s clear they’re up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & it certainly won't be the last. I found it to be a book that once I'd started I fond very hard to put down as I was desperate for the outcome. I found it to be an uncomfortable read at times but the twists and turns held me captive. Strong characters & a well paced story added to the enjoyment. A couple of things did stretch my belief but it’s fiction. I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & it certainly won't be the last. I found it to be a book that once I'd started I fond very hard to put down as I was desperate for the outcome. I found it to be an uncomfortable read at times but the twists and turns held me captive. Strong characters & a well paced story added to the enjoyment. A couple of things did stretch my belief but it’s fiction. I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
July 28, 2020
Detective Ellie Reeves is called to uncover the mistero around a little girl disappearance, but she doesn’t know that this is only one of the many kidnappings happening on the trail. Will she be able to find the monster behind this crime?
This book had me on a constant suspense rush, even when I wasn’t reading it I was wondering about what would have been happening next..
I loved the main character, Ellie, as she is the emblema of the strong leading character that doesn’t give up when an obstacle occurs, but she fights back and tries to act in a selfless and caring way.
The chapters were all short and switching between different narrators, like Ellie, Derrick, Cord, the lost girls and even the kidnapper; this made the book even more interesting to read and easy to follow and get into the characters mindset.
I definitely can’t wait for a sequel!
Review posted on goodreads, Amazon and Instagram!
This book had me on a constant suspense rush, even when I wasn’t reading it I was wondering about what would have been happening next..
I loved the main character, Ellie, as she is the emblema of the strong leading character that doesn’t give up when an obstacle occurs, but she fights back and tries to act in a selfless and caring way.
The chapters were all short and switching between different narrators, like Ellie, Derrick, Cord, the lost girls and even the kidnapper; this made the book even more interesting to read and easy to follow and get into the characters mindset.
I definitely can’t wait for a sequel!
Review posted on goodreads, Amazon and Instagram!
November 9, 2020
Mind blowing read
Creek Georgia, detective Ellie Reeves her job means everything to her following her father Randall footsteps her mother Vera would rather she marries and settle down, a police officer's work is all she wants to aim for sheriff but her father is retiring and Bryce Waters is his man for the job this hurts Ellie and no way could she work along side him.
A little girl Polly Matthews has gone missing in crooked creek this looks like an abduction and with winter storm tempest heading their way its a race against time to find her.
Hand wooden dolls are found are these been made by the killer for the missing girls.
I loved this book, full of family betrayal, no one is to be trusted, as we read about Ellie, and cannot wait to read more in this series. Its a truly amazing book.
Creek Georgia, detective Ellie Reeves her job means everything to her following her father Randall footsteps her mother Vera would rather she marries and settle down, a police officer's work is all she wants to aim for sheriff but her father is retiring and Bryce Waters is his man for the job this hurts Ellie and no way could she work along side him.
A little girl Polly Matthews has gone missing in crooked creek this looks like an abduction and with winter storm tempest heading their way its a race against time to find her.
Hand wooden dolls are found are these been made by the killer for the missing girls.
I loved this book, full of family betrayal, no one is to be trusted, as we read about Ellie, and cannot wait to read more in this series. Its a truly amazing book.
July 2, 2023
4.0 stars. Great series start. Small town Detective Ellie Reeves is on the hunt for a missing 7 year old girl. FBI Agent Derrick Fox joins Ellie on her search. His little sister also disappeared years ago. Derrick believes his sisters disappearance is related, as well as that of several other little girls over the years.
This story moves along quickly enough to keep you hooked. Soooo many clues, yet the surprising ending was a shocker.
Ellie and Dectective Fox don't end on the best of terms, and there are still some issues Ellie's left dealing with. I'm hoping there are more answers in book 2.
This story moves along quickly enough to keep you hooked. Soooo many clues, yet the surprising ending was a shocker.
Ellie and Dectective Fox don't end on the best of terms, and there are still some issues Ellie's left dealing with. I'm hoping there are more answers in book 2.
July 14, 2020
Oh my goodness, what a start to a series! I was drawn into this American based psychological thriller/police procedural instantaneously and know that I will be reading all subsequent Ellie Reeves books to find out how her career is going and what other unfortunate incidents will befall the detective.
Book 1, The Silent Dolls is a truly nail biting read. 7 year old Penny Matthews is missing. She disappeared whilst out on a family picnic on a part of the Appalachian Trail and Ellie Reeves , detective in Bluff County is determined to find her before it is too late.
FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox has never recovered from the guilt he feels over his sister Kim disappearing along the trail 25 years before. He was meant to be looking after her but she wandered away and has never been found. Fox has been monitoring the area and believes there have been many more girls all aged between 5 and 7 years who have disappeared. He is certain there is a serial killer on the loose and makes the decision to meet with Ellie Reeves to share his information and maybe at long last make the connections that will catch the killer.
There is just one snag though. Sherriff Randall Reeves, Ellie's father, was the investigating officer at the time of Kim's disappearance and Fox harbours resentment that the sherriff let the case go cold far too quickly.
Is the Sherriff hiding something?
The mountainous terrain where this story is set is so alien to me but so well described. You sense the vastness and danger and feel menace lurking in the woods and beyond. Ellie and her father know the area well but even so there are many points where a foot placed wrong could lead to death. With a snowstorm brewing and another disturbing development at the Cornbread Festival in town, time is running out for Penny, Can she still be alive or is this wishful thinking? Both Reeves and Fox have dark and traumatic pasts to deal with but they need to be able to put personal pain aside and work together to bring the Matthews' torment to a happy conclusion.
With incredible twists that had me gasping in shock and horror, this book comes with a warning. Keep the light on and be careful where you tread. You might never want to see a doll again...
Book 1, The Silent Dolls is a truly nail biting read. 7 year old Penny Matthews is missing. She disappeared whilst out on a family picnic on a part of the Appalachian Trail and Ellie Reeves , detective in Bluff County is determined to find her before it is too late.
FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox has never recovered from the guilt he feels over his sister Kim disappearing along the trail 25 years before. He was meant to be looking after her but she wandered away and has never been found. Fox has been monitoring the area and believes there have been many more girls all aged between 5 and 7 years who have disappeared. He is certain there is a serial killer on the loose and makes the decision to meet with Ellie Reeves to share his information and maybe at long last make the connections that will catch the killer.
There is just one snag though. Sherriff Randall Reeves, Ellie's father, was the investigating officer at the time of Kim's disappearance and Fox harbours resentment that the sherriff let the case go cold far too quickly.
Is the Sherriff hiding something?
The mountainous terrain where this story is set is so alien to me but so well described. You sense the vastness and danger and feel menace lurking in the woods and beyond. Ellie and her father know the area well but even so there are many points where a foot placed wrong could lead to death. With a snowstorm brewing and another disturbing development at the Cornbread Festival in town, time is running out for Penny, Can she still be alive or is this wishful thinking? Both Reeves and Fox have dark and traumatic pasts to deal with but they need to be able to put personal pain aside and work together to bring the Matthews' torment to a happy conclusion.
With incredible twists that had me gasping in shock and horror, this book comes with a warning. Keep the light on and be careful where you tread. You might never want to see a doll again...
June 23, 2020
I think I’m in the minority with my 2.5 star review of this book.
For me it felt like the book really wanted to get going but someone had left the handbrake on. This book had such an explosive start that I was hooked and ready! The book is designed that each chapter switches character and location, for me when it focused on the main story it was utterly gripping. But after that chapter it would slow and change direction and add more sub plots.
All these additional stories is what ruined it for me. Some were obviously wild herrings and some just plain crazy (the finale). Don’t get me wrong, I love a book with depth, twists and sub plots but this one I think not only struggled with the quantity of stories but also its genre.
I’m surprised poor little Penny survived more than one night during what sounded like a horrific snow storm in just a tshirt. I would’ve thought hyperthermia would’ve seen her off much faster given the place she was held had no light or warmth.
At the start is definitely crime fiction, then it takes a tour through supernatural not before taking a break in romance and then finally winding back to family drama. It’s truly got something for everyone!
For me, I would’ve preferred more police procedural and better forensic detail. But overall I enjoyed the book but was left frustrated at how amazing it could’ve become. Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
For me it felt like the book really wanted to get going but someone had left the handbrake on. This book had such an explosive start that I was hooked and ready! The book is designed that each chapter switches character and location, for me when it focused on the main story it was utterly gripping. But after that chapter it would slow and change direction and add more sub plots.
All these additional stories is what ruined it for me. Some were obviously wild herrings and some just plain crazy (the finale). Don’t get me wrong, I love a book with depth, twists and sub plots but this one I think not only struggled with the quantity of stories but also its genre.
I’m surprised poor little Penny survived more than one night during what sounded like a horrific snow storm in just a tshirt. I would’ve thought hyperthermia would’ve seen her off much faster given the place she was held had no light or warmth.
At the start is definitely crime fiction, then it takes a tour through supernatural not before taking a break in romance and then finally winding back to family drama. It’s truly got something for everyone!
For me, I would’ve preferred more police procedural and better forensic detail. But overall I enjoyed the book but was left frustrated at how amazing it could’ve become. Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
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