Girl, Silenced

Ella Dark #4

by Blake Pierce

When johns are found murdered in their cars, it appears to be a jilted prostitute morphing into a serial killer. Ella sees echoes of it in many past cases, and feels sure she understands this killer’s M.O.

But when the killer strikes again and surprises her, Ella realizes that everything she thought she knew was wrong.

Can Ella save the next victim before it’s too late? And can she learn to throw out everything she knows and trust her budding instincts?

A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the ELLA DARK series is a riveting mystery, packed with suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Adult

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 23, 2021

About the author

Blake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The case that Ella and Ripley ended up working was interesting, mostly because for most of the book they were so wrong on who the killer would be. Once they changed their line of thinking things came together pretty fast and while the big show down at the end was harrowing, they did what they needed to.

I found myself interested in a couple of other aspects to this one. First, Mark and Ella flirting. I was all on board for them until their big date at the end, then with how Mark reacted, not sure now, something seems to be going on, more than what we see. It will be intrigued to see what it is.

The second thing that interested me was Ella driving herself crazy over whether to tell Ripley about her extra special criminal visits. Just when she would build up the courage, she backed out at the last second. So when things blew up in Ella's face at the end...well that is what I expected. I look forward to see what the consequences are for Ella going forward.

[Fanny Reads ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuarto libro de la serie Ella Dark, y seguimos amando.

Sinopsis general: Ella Dark, una chica de 29 años, se le presenta la gran oportunidad de alcanzar el sueño de su vida: entrar en la Unidad de Crímenes de Conducta en el FBI. Ella tiene una obsesión oculta, ha estudiado a los asesinos en serie desde que sabía leer, devastada por el asesinato de su propio padre. Ha adquirido un conocimiento enciclopédico de cada asesino en serie, cada víctima y cada caso, gracias a su memoria fotográfica. Destacada por su brillante mente, Ella es invitada a unirse a las grandes ligas.

Opinión en específico del libro: Este caso comienza cuando empiezan a aparecer hombres asesinados en sus coches, parece que una trabajadora de la noche rechazada se está convirtiendo en una asesina en serie. Ella ve reminiscencias de ello en muchos casos anteriores, y está segura de entender el modus operandi de esta asesina.
Pero cuando la asesina ataca de nuevo y la sorprende, Ella se da cuenta de que todo lo que creía saber era erróneo.
Aunado a eso, no lográ concentrarse del todo, ya que después de su visita a Thobias (uno de los mas grandes asesinos en serie capturados) descubre que cometió el mayor error de su vida, adicional que quien atrapó a este asesino fue nada más y nada menos que su compañera Ripley, una de las mejores agentes de FBI.
Thobias va tras ellas, por que aunque este encerrado en una prisión de máxima seguridad, el sigue mantiendo el control del mundo encerrado, y nadie sabe como.

Aquí continuo con mi conflicto de falta de comunicación, siento que se hacen un mar en un vaso porque sencillamente pueden compartir la información que tiene Ella y explotó como ya sabía que sucedería, veremos como se viene el siguiente.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl, Silenced (Ella Dark FBI Suspense Thriller Series #4) by Blake Pierce is the next installment of this series and, as with the earlier ones, the writing is suspenseful and keeps you wanting to turn the pages. When johns are found murdered in their cars, it appears to be a jilted prostitute morphing into a serial killer. Ella sees echoes of it in many past cases, and feels sure she understands this killer’s M.O. But when the killer strikes again and surprises her, Ella realizes that everything she thought she knew was wrong. Can Ella save the next victim before it’s too late? And can she learn to throw out everything she knows and trust her budding instincts? A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the ELLA DARK series is a riveting mystery, packed with suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

[Eturner406 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened and this Narrator Amanda Gayle is terrible

[Dario Delfino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I foresaw all the plot twists by a long shot. Ella is young, but I can't understand how Mia Ripley can be so naive.

[Carolyn McKeehan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rarely write reviews. Pretty much hated this book. I enjoyed the first two books in the series but this was disappointing. Definitely not good literature, poor word choices, repetitions, and half way through I no longer cared how it ended. Probably will not read anymore books in this series or by this author.

[Emma Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know lots of folks are speaking highly of this book but Ella’s immaturity and irrational actions are irritating. Makes the books not as enticing.

[Samantha (Millennial Life Crisis Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better and better! After getting help from the serial killer after her partner, Ella is focused on making sure she doesn’t get any help from anyone solving the next murder. She is also really troubled with telling her partner that she defied her orders and went to visit the infamous killer in prison. This book is where Ella starts to realize she is in over her head with that and that she needs her partner’s help. I love this series and how we get to know a newer agent finding her place in the FBI, as field work was not her intended goal. I can’t wait to see what happens next after her partner has found out what she’s done!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the Ella Dark series. I like to binge watch FBI Drama tv shows and reading this series is just like that. Each book is a new case to solve. As the reader, you are privy to Ella’s thought processes - what she says and what she thinks. She is portrayed as a serial killer expert - having read and studied serial killers for years. She can match new crime scenes to past serial killer crime scenes. I find myself looking up some of these infamous serial killers she brings up in her crime scene analysis.

Girl, Silenced, like the previous books in the series did not disappoint. The author does a great job moving the story along and adding in key details to other incidents that have previously taken place in Ella’s life. I immediately picked up the next book in the series - Girl, Vanished - to read because I had to know what was going to happen next in Ella’s life. Not all of the previous books have ended that way and so far the crimes have all been solved within each book of the series.

I am already on to my next Ella Dark mystery!

[Em Fanning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the 2nd. However it’s starting a happy ending trend. They always get their way by the end of the book. It would get two stars, but the new agent added a new spark.

[Riley Steelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm absolutely eating this series up, and with listing to them as audiobooks is saving my reading progress with how busy school it right know. But anyways I really wonder what's going to happen in the next book with how this one ended.

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ella Dark. She is a little too intense at times and has gotten addicted to finding serial killers but there are the lies and secrets and the betrayal that she has one with her partner Mia Ripley. She held onto the fact that she had gone to see Tobias and she did have plenty of time in the other two books to tell Mia and then it became a secret and that ending up being betrayal for Mia because Ella did not let her know what she had done. Then we have the new character the guy who use to be one of her protege's like Mia is now. Mark and Ella instantly have chemistry, but he has been office bound because of an injury sustained in the field. I can't wait to find out what happens with Ella and Mia and Mark. Great reading.

[Niamh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

still good

I didn’t fly through this one like I have the others and I noticed more typos than usual. Still a good plot and an ending with several loose ends that makes me want to pick up the next one right away.

[Loghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one, but Ella not being able to tell Mia about the prison situation every book was getting ANNOYING!!!! I know from the prologue she had reason not to but still. Also the switch up in mood from mark is weird! I want to listen to the next one but no where has it 😭

[Brooke Pohly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the 1st book in this series but slowly starting to lose interest. Will read book #5 and give it a rest for a while after that one.

[Thatgirllyssakinnns · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Ella Dark Series. I am glad they added another agent in the mix Agent Mark . Off the bat Ella is attracted to him and the feeling is mutual . However Ella is still keeping her conversations with Tobias a secret from Agent Ripley and something told me it was going to blow up in her face . This case she caught the killer coke to find out he was a protege of Tobias waiting for Ella to show up to hit her with same opportunity to kill Agenty Ripley . In the end Ella caught her killer , gained a possible love interest in a coworker & now her biggest supporter the agent who brought her out in the field now wants a new partner because Ella was to busy keeping secrets . I hope she continues working in the field and with Ripley they the dynamic duo . As for Ella past she is somewhat closer to figuring out what happened to her father and yet so far since new information comes with more questions .

[Jennifer Engle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this series; I’m four books deep now, but the glaring grammatical issues coupled with the terrible narration (borrowed on Hoopla) has me second guessing if I’ll read any more of this series. The phrasing is repetitive. The dialogue is stiff and unnatural. The plot leaves a lot to be desired. Overall it’s an okay read if you need a filler while waiting for Audible credits, but I wouldn’t spend money on it.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forced

You know someone isn’t from the east coast when they refer to I-95 as ”the” I-95. Written like that throughout the entire book and was quite annoying. Ella is childish, the writing and her behavior is forced. The series has so much potential but Ella is an FBI agent so you’d think she’d have more self control and wits about her.

[Mackenzie Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook series. I wonder if I’d like these better if I connected with the reader better. Pretty sure they switched after the first book. I feel obligated to finish the series, but wouldn’t necessarily recommend anything past the first
Book

[Haley Fernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was good, but the middle of the book felt slow to me. It wasn't a page turner like the previous books.

[Megan Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read 4 books in this series, I’m just not impressed. The audio narrator voice is annoying. If you do the audio version, increase the speed to make it more manageable.

[Tami Hungerford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same ol same ol. But I am curious enough with main characters that I may keep going for them

[Alex Greco · Rating 1 out of 5]

Felt like this was written in 2000.

[Johanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

now it's just a mess. and the new character, Mark, adds absolutely nothing to the story. What's with the last part with him anyway? suddenly he has anger issues?

[Lopsided · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen 2.0 speed. Narration not the best at this speed. Good book and now on to the next in the series.

[Mayeli Romero · Rating 1 out of 5]

No sé por qué me torturé hasta este cuarto libro. ¿Cuántos años tiene Ella Dark? ¿Doce?

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it’s because I’m reading the books in this series back to back, but they seem to have the same exact flow, challenges, and ah ha moments where Ella seems to be the one that figures it out over all the other very experienced agents (especially Ripley who seems to not be putting her all in or something because all the thinking is coming from Ella). The cases are interesting but I guess I'm looking for different ways for them to be presented than the same formula that the author is doing in every book. Maybe next month I’ll take a break from this series and come back to it after reading quite a few books in between. It’s to the point where I find myself skimming through the first few suspects because I know they are wrong because it’s so blatantly obvious.

The more Tobias is involved, the more he irks me. He knows way too much for the position he’s in and I don't care how many links he has to the outside world. Also there’s no way he has that much control over Ella after meeting her only a few times. That either speaks to the fragility of her mind (which is not the case if you’ve been reading the books), or that there’s some supernatural magic going on in the series (also unlikely). She did so well with not giving the power to the killer in the first book but then all of a sudden Tobias has her hooked around his finger to the point that she is having hallucinations. I get it’s for the drama but it would make more sense coming from Ripley who he actually gave trauma to.

Everything also seems to work out for Ella and once again I get it she’s the main character of course it’s supposed to work that way it’s just kind of bothersome. Even the times that it “doesn’t work” it does because the real answer just falls into her lap then and that’s not how real life works. The books are pretty short so there’s not much room for character development but there’s not even a hint of frustration, it's just straight to, “Oh, so the killer must be a woman then!”

[Richard Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Johns are found murdered in their cars, it appears to be a jilted prostitute morphing into a serial killer. Ella sees echoes of it in many past cases, and feels sure she understands this killer’s M.O. But when the killer strikes again and surprises her, Ella realises that everything she thought she knew was wrong.

Can Ella save the next victim before it’s too late? And can she learn to throw out everything she knows and trust her budding instincts?

For this and the previous book, Ella has been dealing with harassment from the serial killer Tobias. I wanted her to tell Mia that she went and visited him and knows he is terrorising her. But it becomes annoying when she goes to say something about it, and she backs out at the last minute.

Having a new character for Mia and Ella to interact with brought something new, and the flirting between Mark and Ella was very interesting to read. It seemed like he could be a potential love interest for Ella; however, the outburst at the restaurant did appear to be out of character for what we learned.

And Ella is slowly finding out about who could have potentially murdered her father years earlier. She tracks down the ex-husband of her father's ex-girlfriend in the hopes that he could have been the killer, but it appears he reveals more information than she had any idea about.

If you want an easy read, where they have a new case and the author mentions the previous case or cases. And so far in each book, they have arrested the killer, but apart from the cookie-cutter aspect of the books, they are three-star reads.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my favourite book in this series so far but I do wonder how someone so intelligent could be so stupid (I want to say naive but That would sound like all naive people are stupid and it’s not what I’m insinuating at all). Ella is intelligent but doesn’t think before acting and it’s becoming more and more apparent as these books go on.(Plus Mia is making allowances for Ella and I don’t feel she would be or should be) I still love Ella as a character and think Mia and Ella make an excellent team. But Ella’s actions are driving me insane. I liked the addition of Mark in this book and am wondering where that storyline will lead. I’m still thoroughly enjoying the chapters from the assailants povs. After the drama at the end of the book which you could see coming a mile off I do wonder what the next book will show us. Can’t wait for the next book which I think js next month. Read in 2 sittings a solid 4 stars.