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La chica número 11
Un serial killer que no terminó su proyecto. Un podcast reabre el caso décadas después.
Prepárate para conocer al Asesino de los Números.
Elena Castillo presenta Justicia en el aire, un exitoso podcast que investiga crímenes sin resolver. Tras cuatro temporadas, decide abordar el caso del asesino en serie más temible de todos: el Asesino de los Números.
Veinte años atrás, este serial killer tuvo en vilo a toda la ciudad, secuestrando y torturando a chicas jóvenes. Su modus operandi incluía una serie de precisos rituales. Tras el secuestro de la chica número 11, desapareció sin dejar rastro y la opinión popular aceptó que falleció en un incendio. Sin embargo, dos décadas después, una joven es secuestrada y Elena está convencida de que se trata del mismo asesino.
¿Ha vuelto realmente el Asesino de los Números, o es que Elena se está obsesionando demasiado?
Prepárate para conocer al Asesino de los Números.
Elena Castillo presenta Justicia en el aire, un exitoso podcast que investiga crímenes sin resolver. Tras cuatro temporadas, decide abordar el caso del asesino en serie más temible de todos: el Asesino de los Números.
Veinte años atrás, este serial killer tuvo en vilo a toda la ciudad, secuestrando y torturando a chicas jóvenes. Su modus operandi incluía una serie de precisos rituales. Tras el secuestro de la chica número 11, desapareció sin dejar rastro y la opinión popular aceptó que falleció en un incendio. Sin embargo, dos décadas después, una joven es secuestrada y Elena está convencida de que se trata del mismo asesino.
¿Ha vuelto realmente el Asesino de los Números, o es que Elena se está obsesionando demasiado?
448 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2021
639 people are currently reading
20769 people want to read
About the author
Amy Suiter Clarke
4 books489 followersAmy Suiter Clarke is an acclaimed author. Her debut psychological thriller Girl, 11 was an Amazon Editors pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense and received praise in The New York Times, Mystery and Suspense Magazine, CrimeReads, Book Riot and more. Her second novel Lay Your Body Down was a New York Times Book Review recommended thriller and People Magazine must-read thriller of the summer. Originally from a small town in Minnesota, she completed a BA in Theater in the Twin Cities then earned an MFA in Creative Writing with Publishing at Kingston University in London. She currently lives in Melbourne, Australia. Her fiction has been translated into twelve languages and published in fifteen territories around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,772 reviews
April 11, 2023
Another dark, heart pounding, disturbing thriller is ready to give you nightmares and truly deserve to be read with full concentration at one sit.
True crime podcast format combines with the narration of one of the toughest heroines you may love to be introduced: Elle Castillo is a true protector of young women who were victims of violence.
Once upon a time she was a social worker and now she’s one of the most popular hosts to present true crime podcast. She’s specialized on cold cases of missing girls and her main subject is Countdown Killer who is presumed to be dead. But Elle still insists he is out there waiting for kidnapping his latest victim.
The killer is obsessed with the numbers. He ritually killed three girls each a younger than the other, captivated them for seven days and whipped them twenty one times after taking their lives. When he takes his 11th victim’s life, he suddenly stops. There are too many dead end theories explain why he stopped killing or what happened to him. But none of them are reliable facts.
After 20 years later another child is kidnapped, showing exactly the same ritual he has been practicing years. Is it a copy cat or is he really back from death?
Elle gets a tip from one of her listeners but as she accepts to meet with him, he finds his dead body, everything is getting more chaotic at each second and Elle drags herself a dangerous cat and mouse game. Will she help the officers to catch the real killer, can she save the 12th girl from her ominous fate.
Buckle up and jump into this thrilling ride!
I enjoyed the dark, claustrophobic premise and twisty, surprising, fast pacing story telling so I’m proudly giving for mind numbing, moving, action packed, disturbing four stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for sharing this exciting reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
True crime podcast format combines with the narration of one of the toughest heroines you may love to be introduced: Elle Castillo is a true protector of young women who were victims of violence.
Once upon a time she was a social worker and now she’s one of the most popular hosts to present true crime podcast. She’s specialized on cold cases of missing girls and her main subject is Countdown Killer who is presumed to be dead. But Elle still insists he is out there waiting for kidnapping his latest victim.
The killer is obsessed with the numbers. He ritually killed three girls each a younger than the other, captivated them for seven days and whipped them twenty one times after taking their lives. When he takes his 11th victim’s life, he suddenly stops. There are too many dead end theories explain why he stopped killing or what happened to him. But none of them are reliable facts.
After 20 years later another child is kidnapped, showing exactly the same ritual he has been practicing years. Is it a copy cat or is he really back from death?
Elle gets a tip from one of her listeners but as she accepts to meet with him, he finds his dead body, everything is getting more chaotic at each second and Elle drags herself a dangerous cat and mouse game. Will she help the officers to catch the real killer, can she save the 12th girl from her ominous fate.
Buckle up and jump into this thrilling ride!
I enjoyed the dark, claustrophobic premise and twisty, surprising, fast pacing story telling so I’m proudly giving for mind numbing, moving, action packed, disturbing four stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for sharing this exciting reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
January 27, 2021
Girl, 11 follows Elle, a true crime podcast host who is examining the cold case of a serial killer in the hopes of finally uncovering his identity.
So I didn't like Elle and her 'it's all about ME' attitude, although I get the impression that I was supposed to. But I did have fun playing armchair detective with her and I really liked the podcast transcripts intertwined with the story.
Unfortunately the last third of the book became convoluted and the characters illogical behaviours were too frustrating for me to be able to get much enjoyment from the ending.
3⭐
I love the stunning cover!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺.
So I didn't like Elle and her 'it's all about ME' attitude, although I get the impression that I was supposed to. But I did have fun playing armchair detective with her and I really liked the podcast transcripts intertwined with the story.
Unfortunately the last third of the book became convoluted and the characters illogical behaviours were too frustrating for me to be able to get much enjoyment from the ending.
3⭐
I love the stunning cover!
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺.
April 28, 2021
Elle Castillo left her job as a social worker helping kids who were victims of violent crimes to start a podcast investigating cold cases of missing children. After four successful seasons resulting in solving cases, she is currently working on her most challenging case, that of the man nicknamed the countdown killer (TCK) who murdered young woman and girls in the 1990s. His MO was exactly the same in all nine cases, with the girls carefully chosen according to a formula and killed in the same manner after the same period of time. Then he suddenly stopped, but Elle is convinced he is still out there and is determined to use her podcast to uncover new clues that will help to flush him out.
I enjoyed the author's writing style, moving fluidly between the podcast and Elle's home life. The story unfolds slowly at first, gradually building tension by the middle of the book, after someone who arranged to meet Elle with information is killed. I was pleased that the police were involving Elle in working on the case and respected her ability as an investigator, rather than shutting her out, although they seemed unrealistically tolerant of her later in the investigation, especially once there were clearly conflicts of interest in her being involved. However, she's a strong character with good investigative skills and it would be great to see her again in a sequel.
With thanks to Text Publishing and Netgalley for a copy to read
I enjoyed the author's writing style, moving fluidly between the podcast and Elle's home life. The story unfolds slowly at first, gradually building tension by the middle of the book, after someone who arranged to meet Elle with information is killed. I was pleased that the police were involving Elle in working on the case and respected her ability as an investigator, rather than shutting her out, although they seemed unrealistically tolerant of her later in the investigation, especially once there were clearly conflicts of interest in her being involved. However, she's a strong character with good investigative skills and it would be great to see her again in a sequel.
With thanks to Text Publishing and Netgalley for a copy to read
May 13, 2021
3.5 Stars
I’ve enjoyed quite a few books about true crime and podcasts recently so the description of the novel was intriguing.
Former social worker, Elle Castillo is now the host of a hit true-crime podcast called Justice Delayed. The new season of the podcast focuses on a cold case from decades earlier. The Countdown Killer (TCK) killed his victims in a very ritualistic way. Each new victim was one year young than the previous one. TCK was never caught yet he stopped killing years ago.
What made TCK suddenly stop killing? Some believe he was killed, but others like Elle, think he’s still out there. Elle discusses the murders and TCK’s victims during her podcast. She hopes the new season will help in finding out what happened. She really wants his victims and their families to have answers and the justice they deserve. Elle is a good character, flaws and all. Her determinedness to solve the old case has her taking quite a few risks.
Things are about to get very personal….
The story is told over a few time periods and includes flashbacks to TCK’s childhood. I liked the insight into the killer although the descriptions of the rituals and the murders did make me uncomfortable at times.
The story was gripping and well-paced. I did guess what was going to happen early on. However, I was still interested in reading how things would play out. Though the ending wasn't quite what I was expecting, overall this was still an enjoyable read.
A good debut novel with plenty of suspense and mystery.
I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
May 4, 2021
3.5 stars
Just over twenty years ago The Countdown Killer, a serial killer with a distinctive numerical signature evades all Minnesota’s detectives. In late 2019/early 2020 Elle Castillo focuses her popular podcasts ‘Justice Delayed’ on hunting the monster who hasn’t killed in a long while. She’s an independent investigator who specialises in cold case crimes against children but these particular broadcasts strike very close to home.
The first three quarters of the book is good and immersive reading. The premise is a dark one, the writing and the podcasts feel authentic and plausible. The best parts of the book for me are the podcasts which are intriguingly analytical on TCK and shine a fascinating spotlight on the killers motivation and obsession with numbers. There is tension in this section and some decent twists as Elle’s determination, if not obsession, unearths some possible insights into the killers identity.
However, unfortunately the very promising bulk of the book isn’t maintained in the last quarter where I think it starts to fall apart when the plotting becomes unbelievable. One of the victims sounds and act like NO ten year old I know and I find that characterisation hard to accept especially in some of the exchanges with the killer. The dialogue in the final denouement is stilted if not cheesy and the ultimate end feels melodramatic and not especially good. I also find that Elle is not a character that is not easy to warm to. She convinced she’s right and everyone is wrong, she’s very impulsive and frankly, bull headed. I also think it’s a stretch that she would be allowed to join in the Minneapolis PD as an investigator on the case - but hey, it’s fiction so I’ll let that one go!!!
Overall, the first three quarters definitely warrants a four star rating but the last part drags that down in my opinion. However, this is a very promising debut and I would like to read what the author comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pushkin Vertigo for the arc in return for an honest review.
Just over twenty years ago The Countdown Killer, a serial killer with a distinctive numerical signature evades all Minnesota’s detectives. In late 2019/early 2020 Elle Castillo focuses her popular podcasts ‘Justice Delayed’ on hunting the monster who hasn’t killed in a long while. She’s an independent investigator who specialises in cold case crimes against children but these particular broadcasts strike very close to home.
The first three quarters of the book is good and immersive reading. The premise is a dark one, the writing and the podcasts feel authentic and plausible. The best parts of the book for me are the podcasts which are intriguingly analytical on TCK and shine a fascinating spotlight on the killers motivation and obsession with numbers. There is tension in this section and some decent twists as Elle’s determination, if not obsession, unearths some possible insights into the killers identity.
However, unfortunately the very promising bulk of the book isn’t maintained in the last quarter where I think it starts to fall apart when the plotting becomes unbelievable. One of the victims sounds and act like NO ten year old I know and I find that characterisation hard to accept especially in some of the exchanges with the killer. The dialogue in the final denouement is stilted if not cheesy and the ultimate end feels melodramatic and not especially good. I also find that Elle is not a character that is not easy to warm to. She convinced she’s right and everyone is wrong, she’s very impulsive and frankly, bull headed. I also think it’s a stretch that she would be allowed to join in the Minneapolis PD as an investigator on the case - but hey, it’s fiction so I’ll let that one go!!!
Overall, the first three quarters definitely warrants a four star rating but the last part drags that down in my opinion. However, this is a very promising debut and I would like to read what the author comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pushkin Vertigo for the arc in return for an honest review.
April 18, 2021
3.25 stars
Elle Castillo, a former social worker is now the host of a popular true crime podcast that focuses on the cold cases of missing children in her hometown of Twin Cities. After two seasons, she decides to tackle the "The Countdown Killer" or TCK.
The TCK had a pattern of killing three girls over seven days but stopped with his eleventh victim over twenty years ago. When Elle receives a phone call with a tip, she agrees the meet the man but instead discovers his dead body. Shortly thereafter, a child is abducted.
Elle wants to help the officers find his killer and of course find the missing child. But will doing so put her in danger? Is the TCK killer still around? Was Elle correct in assuming he was still alive? Will she outsmart the killer, or will the killer outsmart her?
This book had me torn between a 3 and a 3.5 rating. So, I finally decided on a 3.25. I enjoyed the podcast feel and the podcast sections in the book. This had an interesting premise. There are also some twists and a reveal along the way. I found this to be a very solid debut which I enjoyed. There was just that little bit of something missing to garner a higher star rating. But do not get me wrong, I did enjoy this book.
Elle, for the most part, was not the most likeable character. Some things are understandable, but I think I would have liked her more if she were more sympathetic. I understand her desire and drive to catch the killer, but it also rubbed me the wrong way she expected the police to only follow her advice/leads when she goes to the police station. Some things I saw coming, but these issues do not really bother me in a book but for some reason, bothered me a little here. Perhaps because I had high hopes for this book having read the synopsis.
Again, solid debut which shows promise.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Elle Castillo, a former social worker is now the host of a popular true crime podcast that focuses on the cold cases of missing children in her hometown of Twin Cities. After two seasons, she decides to tackle the "The Countdown Killer" or TCK.
The TCK had a pattern of killing three girls over seven days but stopped with his eleventh victim over twenty years ago. When Elle receives a phone call with a tip, she agrees the meet the man but instead discovers his dead body. Shortly thereafter, a child is abducted.
Elle wants to help the officers find his killer and of course find the missing child. But will doing so put her in danger? Is the TCK killer still around? Was Elle correct in assuming he was still alive? Will she outsmart the killer, or will the killer outsmart her?
This book had me torn between a 3 and a 3.5 rating. So, I finally decided on a 3.25. I enjoyed the podcast feel and the podcast sections in the book. This had an interesting premise. There are also some twists and a reveal along the way. I found this to be a very solid debut which I enjoyed. There was just that little bit of something missing to garner a higher star rating. But do not get me wrong, I did enjoy this book.
Elle, for the most part, was not the most likeable character. Some things are understandable, but I think I would have liked her more if she were more sympathetic. I understand her desire and drive to catch the killer, but it also rubbed me the wrong way she expected the police to only follow her advice/leads when she goes to the police station. Some things I saw coming, but these issues do not really bother me in a book but for some reason, bothered me a little here. Perhaps because I had high hopes for this book having read the synopsis.
Again, solid debut which shows promise.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
March 4, 2021
Girl, 11 started with a bang...I was in it, friends. Unfortunately, the final quarter of the book didn't live up to the rest.
I read this solid debut novel in two sittings, or, should I say two "lyings," as I read it in bed in the middle of the night. I loved the transcripts of the podcast, and felt they were interwoven very successfully throughout the story. The novel was definitely compelling, as I read it in two nights instead of three, which is my norm.
Having said that, I'm rating Girl, 11 3.5 stars...and here's why:
1. I didn't love Elle. She seemed very self-absorbed and frankly, wasn't nearly as smart or interesting as she thought.
2. In what dimension does a police force allow random civilians to help them solve kidnappings and murders?
3. The twists were way obvious. Like, I figured everything out...and I do mean everything...within the first twenty percent of the book.
4. The conclusion and epilogue were pretty silly. It didn't come off as deadly and dramatic, so much as cheesy and doofy.
Regardless, I still think this is worth a look and I'll definitely read more by this author. Also, that book cover is perfection.
Available April 20, 2021
My sincere appreciation to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for my review copy.
I read this solid debut novel in two sittings, or, should I say two "lyings," as I read it in bed in the middle of the night. I loved the transcripts of the podcast, and felt they were interwoven very successfully throughout the story. The novel was definitely compelling, as I read it in two nights instead of three, which is my norm.
Having said that, I'm rating Girl, 11 3.5 stars...and here's why:
1. I didn't love Elle. She seemed very self-absorbed and frankly, wasn't nearly as smart or interesting as she thought.
2. In what dimension does a police force allow random civilians to help them solve kidnappings and murders?
3. The twists were way obvious. Like, I figured everything out...and I do mean everything...within the first twenty percent of the book.
4. The conclusion and epilogue were pretty silly. It didn't come off as deadly and dramatic, so much as cheesy and doofy.
Regardless, I still think this is worth a look and I'll definitely read more by this author. Also, that book cover is perfection.
Available April 20, 2021
My sincere appreciation to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for my review copy.
August 8, 2022
Tengo que admitir que aunque no ha sido el mejor thriller que he leído, fue bastante entretenido y novedoso.
Me gustaron las distintas narrativas que uso la autora para irnos contando la historia. Desde el podcast que inició con todo, pasando por el día a día de Elena (la protagonista) y hasta la perspectiva del asesino.
Esta última pudo haber tenido más profundidad en las emociones, ya que lo sentí muy plano y simple. Aún así, si modus operandi y la estructura numérica que escogió para cometer los asesinatos fue genial. 3, 7, 21.
Aunque disfruté la perspectiva de la host del podcast, siento que nunca terminé de meterme en sus emociones y sentir el miedo, angustia y culpa que llega a sentir.
Y me gustó que explicara el porqué, en la realidad, es más importante conmemorar y recordar a las víctimas de asesinatos, en vez de darles tanta importancia a feminicidas y el porqué de sus acciones. A ellos solamente un juicio y condena.
Lo escuché en formato de audiolibro y fue una experiencia fascinante por todos los efectos de sonido que le ponen. Hasta la música de podcast y todo jaja.
Me gustaron las distintas narrativas que uso la autora para irnos contando la historia. Desde el podcast que inició con todo, pasando por el día a día de Elena (la protagonista) y hasta la perspectiva del asesino.
Esta última pudo haber tenido más profundidad en las emociones, ya que lo sentí muy plano y simple. Aún así, si modus operandi y la estructura numérica que escogió para cometer los asesinatos fue genial. 3, 7, 21.
Aunque disfruté la perspectiva de la host del podcast, siento que nunca terminé de meterme en sus emociones y sentir el miedo, angustia y culpa que llega a sentir.
Y me gustó que explicara el porqué, en la realidad, es más importante conmemorar y recordar a las víctimas de asesinatos, en vez de darles tanta importancia a feminicidas y el porqué de sus acciones. A ellos solamente un juicio y condena.
Lo escuché en formato de audiolibro y fue una experiencia fascinante por todos los efectos de sonido que le ponen. Hasta la música de podcast y todo jaja.
October 24, 2022
3.5 stars
More than two decades ago, a serial killer dubbed The Countdown Killer (TCK) plagued the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.
TCK seemed to have an obsession with numbers. He took three female victims each year, of increasingly younger ages (20, 19, 18, etc.). In addition, the girls were abducted three days apart, and the body of each victim was found seven days after her kidnapping.
Finally, one of TCK's abductees, an eleven-year-old girl, escaped......and the murders stopped. There was speculation that TCK had committed suicide, but there was no definitive proof of his death.
Now Elle Castillo - a self-styled investigator who hosts a true crime podcast called 'Justice Deferred' - is revisiting the TCK case. Elle thinks TCK is still alive and she broadcasts a podcast about one of his victims every week. Elle then invites the public to help track the killer down.
One listener sends an email claiming to know the identity of TCK, and Elle arranges to meet him at his house.
However, when Elle arrives at the informant's home just an hour later, he's dead. Elle calls the police, then helps investigate the murder, thinking it might be connected to TCK.
Things go from bad to worse, because Elle's podcast seems to inspire someone to begin the abductions again. An 11-year-old girl disappears, and Elle and the police are frantic to catch the perpetrator.
The narrative is interspersed with episodes of Elle's podcast, which have increasingly dramatic revelations each week. In addition, the segments occasionally feature Elle's husband Martin Castillo, a medical examiner who contributes his expertise to the show.
The narrative is interspersed with flashbacks to a frightening incident in Elle's past as well as anecdotes about TCK's history - which help explain his crimes.
Elle is so determined to catch TCK that she becomes reckless, thrusting herself into dangerous situations without backup. This is a bugaboo of mine about fictional female characters, but Elle at least packs a gun. 😊
This is an enjoyable fast-moving thriller, recommended to fans of the genre.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
April 16, 2021
Girl 11 - Amy Suiter Clarke
That was really well done and quite impressive for a debut novel. Elle Castillo is a true crime podcaster who puts cold cases under a microscope in an effort to get justice for the victims. In this, her fifth series, she is trying to make progress on a case that has been dormant for 20 years - the Countdown Killer or TCK. This elusive killer seemed to have an obsession with numbers. He killed 3 girls a year, abducted 3 days apart. Each girl was kept for 7 days before her body was displayed and each girl had 21 lashes on her back. And the reason for the TCK moniker - each girl was a year younger than the previous one. Numbers.
But girl 11, Eleanor Watson, escaped and broke the cycle. Eleanor was only half a mile from help and was able to tell police where she had been held. But by the time the police arrived there the place was a smouldering ruin. Three bodies were recovered - one of the recent girl victims and an unidentified man and woman. The general consensus is that the man was TCK but either way, the killing stopped. But Elle didn’t believe TCK was dead and was determined to unmask him during her podcast series. One night she gats an email from a listener which says “I know who he is!” Interesting. She agrees to meet the man, Leo Toca, late at night at his home (no, no, no) but by the time she gets there Leo has been shot dead.
Elle tries to work through the man’s contacts looking for anyone who might have a clue what Leo was thinking. But then another girl is kidnapped - an 11 year old. Elle is convinced it is TDK but the police are unimpressed. And that’s where we have to leave it.
It was really well written and hooked me in straight away. The format was interesting as the story was told through Elle’s third person POV and through transcripts of the podcast episodes which were really well done and worked well within the story. The pace was excellent, it just got bogged down a little bit in the third quarter but after that it sped up again and it was a race to the finish. Elle was a great character who was very dedicated to finding justice for the young victims of the cases she investigated. Of course her past was not a bed of roses so she is able to empathise with other victims. She was also very sensible and worked well with the police (mostly) without going rogue too often. Her husband Martín (pronounced Mar-teen) is the medical examiner for Hennepin County and is supportive and helpful.
All in all I enjoyed this vibrant story with great characters and enough suspense to keep you hanging. I did guess some of the major plot twists but I could never be sure until it actually happened. Thanks to Netgalley, Text Publishing and Amy Suiter Clarke for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
That was really well done and quite impressive for a debut novel. Elle Castillo is a true crime podcaster who puts cold cases under a microscope in an effort to get justice for the victims. In this, her fifth series, she is trying to make progress on a case that has been dormant for 20 years - the Countdown Killer or TCK. This elusive killer seemed to have an obsession with numbers. He killed 3 girls a year, abducted 3 days apart. Each girl was kept for 7 days before her body was displayed and each girl had 21 lashes on her back. And the reason for the TCK moniker - each girl was a year younger than the previous one. Numbers.
But girl 11, Eleanor Watson, escaped and broke the cycle. Eleanor was only half a mile from help and was able to tell police where she had been held. But by the time the police arrived there the place was a smouldering ruin. Three bodies were recovered - one of the recent girl victims and an unidentified man and woman. The general consensus is that the man was TCK but either way, the killing stopped. But Elle didn’t believe TCK was dead and was determined to unmask him during her podcast series. One night she gats an email from a listener which says “I know who he is!” Interesting. She agrees to meet the man, Leo Toca, late at night at his home (no, no, no) but by the time she gets there Leo has been shot dead.
Elle tries to work through the man’s contacts looking for anyone who might have a clue what Leo was thinking. But then another girl is kidnapped - an 11 year old. Elle is convinced it is TDK but the police are unimpressed. And that’s where we have to leave it.
It was really well written and hooked me in straight away. The format was interesting as the story was told through Elle’s third person POV and through transcripts of the podcast episodes which were really well done and worked well within the story. The pace was excellent, it just got bogged down a little bit in the third quarter but after that it sped up again and it was a race to the finish. Elle was a great character who was very dedicated to finding justice for the young victims of the cases she investigated. Of course her past was not a bed of roses so she is able to empathise with other victims. She was also very sensible and worked well with the police (mostly) without going rogue too often. Her husband Martín (pronounced Mar-teen) is the medical examiner for Hennepin County and is supportive and helpful.
All in all I enjoyed this vibrant story with great characters and enough suspense to keep you hanging. I did guess some of the major plot twists but I could never be sure until it actually happened. Thanks to Netgalley, Text Publishing and Amy Suiter Clarke for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
March 24, 2021
Podcasts and true crime seem to be all the rage these days. And I don’t get it. No, I mean, I intellectually understand the appeal of it on, but viscerally those things do nothing for me. Fictional crime on the other paw, yes, please. Even fictional crime involving podcasts, which is most definitely a thing, since this is the second such book I’ve read in just the last two weeks.
This one was definitely the superior of the two, though. Superior, in fact, to a great many other thrillers I’ve read recently. This book grabbed me from the get go and did not let go. Which is, presumably, the appeal of a good podcast, too.
The basic plot revolves around Elle, the podcaster extraordinaire, who utilizes the platform to do investigative journalism/mystery solving, specializing in crimes never solved and oftentimes forgotten by many, though never the victims’ families. Because podcasts and true crime are so popular and because Elle is great at what she does, her show is trending and her fans are many. And so for her latest season she decides to go after the mysterious and terrifying TCK, The Countdown Killer, who terrorized Minnesota 20 years ago and then got dead, allegedly. At any rate, the killings were over, the countdown ended…or maybe just hit a prolonged snooze. The thing is, though, Elle is convinced TCK is still alive and a string of recent deaths and kidnappings is making that theory increasingly plausible. The police may not be on board and Elle might be going into this entirely too emotionally involved, her own childhood trauma colorizing her perspective, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t onto something. It’ll be a great story, if she lives long enough to tell it.
So…just how dangerous it is to not let the sleeping serial killers eternal lie? Short answer…very. For longer answer…read the book. Seriously, do. It’s so freaking good. I’m a fan of dark psychological fiction and I read tons of these thrillers and it is so infrequently I stumble upon one so strikingly well done. This book is smart, dynamic, it lets you tag along on Elle’s journey and solve the mystery at her or your own pace, it doesn’t cheat its readers, the clues are laid out as they are discovered, plus you slowly get to know both Elle and the killer (when the time is right), find out what made them as they are. Elle remains a single narrator throughout and makes for a terrific compelling protagonist on her obsessive, sleep deprived quest. The wintery Minnesota provides a very apt canvas, after all what’s more striking than read blood on white snow. And yes, I did read it on a now unusual (thanks, global warming) snow day. I liked the story, the characters, the mystery. I really liked the writing, it realized the story with cinematic vividness.
And I loved what the book had to say about the modern day serial killer obsession. Because we do, in so many ways, feed into their twisted psychosis by never shutting up about it. Not the things that solve crimes and actually make a difference, but the books and the movies about the crimes already solved, from attempts to understand their aberrant psychology to pure entertainment for entertainment’s sake. Most of the time these killers crave attention and we continue to give it to them, loads of it. Does the world need Zac Efron as Ted Bundy? It’s entertaining, sure, but isn’t all of that just feeding (posthumously or otherwise) the outsized egos of maniacs? Are they not best left forgotten or at least not Efroned? Might it be enough to just have your serial killers fictional, enjoying some well prepared livers? Should the abyss be stared at quite so intently? Are we so moral, good and conscientious that a contrast needs to be provided? Anyway…some food for thought there.
Back to it…the book…very impressive, especially for a debut. In fact, as much as I abhor serials and adore standalones, I’d definitely check out the next season of Elle’s podcast, should the author decide to do a sequel. Finally, a properly thrilling thriller. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
This one was definitely the superior of the two, though. Superior, in fact, to a great many other thrillers I’ve read recently. This book grabbed me from the get go and did not let go. Which is, presumably, the appeal of a good podcast, too.
The basic plot revolves around Elle, the podcaster extraordinaire, who utilizes the platform to do investigative journalism/mystery solving, specializing in crimes never solved and oftentimes forgotten by many, though never the victims’ families. Because podcasts and true crime are so popular and because Elle is great at what she does, her show is trending and her fans are many. And so for her latest season she decides to go after the mysterious and terrifying TCK, The Countdown Killer, who terrorized Minnesota 20 years ago and then got dead, allegedly. At any rate, the killings were over, the countdown ended…or maybe just hit a prolonged snooze. The thing is, though, Elle is convinced TCK is still alive and a string of recent deaths and kidnappings is making that theory increasingly plausible. The police may not be on board and Elle might be going into this entirely too emotionally involved, her own childhood trauma colorizing her perspective, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t onto something. It’ll be a great story, if she lives long enough to tell it.
So…just how dangerous it is to not let the sleeping serial killers eternal lie? Short answer…very. For longer answer…read the book. Seriously, do. It’s so freaking good. I’m a fan of dark psychological fiction and I read tons of these thrillers and it is so infrequently I stumble upon one so strikingly well done. This book is smart, dynamic, it lets you tag along on Elle’s journey and solve the mystery at her or your own pace, it doesn’t cheat its readers, the clues are laid out as they are discovered, plus you slowly get to know both Elle and the killer (when the time is right), find out what made them as they are. Elle remains a single narrator throughout and makes for a terrific compelling protagonist on her obsessive, sleep deprived quest. The wintery Minnesota provides a very apt canvas, after all what’s more striking than read blood on white snow. And yes, I did read it on a now unusual (thanks, global warming) snow day. I liked the story, the characters, the mystery. I really liked the writing, it realized the story with cinematic vividness.
And I loved what the book had to say about the modern day serial killer obsession. Because we do, in so many ways, feed into their twisted psychosis by never shutting up about it. Not the things that solve crimes and actually make a difference, but the books and the movies about the crimes already solved, from attempts to understand their aberrant psychology to pure entertainment for entertainment’s sake. Most of the time these killers crave attention and we continue to give it to them, loads of it. Does the world need Zac Efron as Ted Bundy? It’s entertaining, sure, but isn’t all of that just feeding (posthumously or otherwise) the outsized egos of maniacs? Are they not best left forgotten or at least not Efroned? Might it be enough to just have your serial killers fictional, enjoying some well prepared livers? Should the abyss be stared at quite so intently? Are we so moral, good and conscientious that a contrast needs to be provided? Anyway…some food for thought there.
Back to it…the book…very impressive, especially for a debut. In fact, as much as I abhor serials and adore standalones, I’d definitely check out the next season of Elle’s podcast, should the author decide to do a sequel. Finally, a properly thrilling thriller. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
April 29, 2021
Elle Castillo is the host of cold case true crime podcast and has worked with the police on a few of these cases. Elle is going to tackle one of the most notorious cold cases which is very personal to her and that is the TCK (The
Countdown Killer) serial killer who had never been identified and just stopped (his or her) murders twenty-two years ago for unknown reasons except one, his last victim escaped Girl 11. Elle hopes her podcast will bring new information to the case because she believes this monster is still alive and with all the new scientific data on the forefront she feels that the police and herself can finally bring justice and peace to many of the victims and their families.
This was a wonderfully written debut which had a lot of suspense, mystery and action. Elle is a very intriguing character. She is a good person and great at what she does and seemingly appears fearless but carries a lot of weight on her heart. Elle sometimes take too many risks which get her into very dangerous situations and loses the respect of some of her police contacts which she needs in her corner to actually bring these killers to justice. I really enjoyed this fast paced story with non-stop action in almost every chapter. I will look forward to reading more books by Amy Suiter Clarke in the future.
I want to thank the publisher "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I highly recommend this story to any mystery/suspense lover and give a rating of 4 Sinister 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
Countdown Killer) serial killer who had never been identified and just stopped (his or her) murders twenty-two years ago for unknown reasons except one, his last victim escaped Girl 11. Elle hopes her podcast will bring new information to the case because she believes this monster is still alive and with all the new scientific data on the forefront she feels that the police and herself can finally bring justice and peace to many of the victims and their families.
This was a wonderfully written debut which had a lot of suspense, mystery and action. Elle is a very intriguing character. She is a good person and great at what she does and seemingly appears fearless but carries a lot of weight on her heart. Elle sometimes take too many risks which get her into very dangerous situations and loses the respect of some of her police contacts which she needs in her corner to actually bring these killers to justice. I really enjoyed this fast paced story with non-stop action in almost every chapter. I will look forward to reading more books by Amy Suiter Clarke in the future.
I want to thank the publisher "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I highly recommend this story to any mystery/suspense lover and give a rating of 4 Sinister 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
August 8, 2020
Delectably tense and terrifying, GIRL, 11 introduces us to a dormant serial killer and the podcaster who will stop at nothing—even her own safety—to uncover his identity. With psychological precision and electric storytelling, Amy Suiter Clarke has created a thriller that feels ripped from the headlines, her Countdown Killer becoming as real to the reader as the Golden State Killer or BTK. True crime fanatics will find their new obsession in this dark, page-turning debut.
September 8, 2021
Talk about a thriller! Wow, Girl, 11 was definitely a #bookstagrammademedoit buy and let me tell you it was worth all the hype. This is a debut by this author and aI cannot wait to see what she has for us next. It was dark, disturbing and addictive.. everything I love is a thriller. If this is sitting in your TBR like it was mine, I highly encourage you to pick it up and challenge you not to be wowed.
I love books based around a podcast. Elle is the host of the popular Justice Delayed true crime podcast. In this new season, she is looking into the Countdown Killer, a cold case from 20 years earlier. She believes he is still alive and is determined to find him and bring him to justice. A listener contacts her with a tip but when she arrives to meet him she finds his dead body.
That is all you that you need to know. You will feel like this is a real podcast and get caught up in the chase. A fantastic read that will be one of my top reads for the year
I love books based around a podcast. Elle is the host of the popular Justice Delayed true crime podcast. In this new season, she is looking into the Countdown Killer, a cold case from 20 years earlier. She believes he is still alive and is determined to find him and bring him to justice. A listener contacts her with a tip but when she arrives to meet him she finds his dead body.
That is all you that you need to know. You will feel like this is a real podcast and get caught up in the chase. A fantastic read that will be one of my top reads for the year
September 27, 2021
Atrapante, sorprendente y original.
August 31, 2025
I devoured this book. An incredible cross over between true crime pods, cold cases and reading and it had me hooked.
I will admit there were elements of this book that were unrealistic - like a true crime podcaster being asked to join active investigations with police. However, I still ate this book right up.
5/5 - could not put down.
I will admit there were elements of this book that were unrealistic - like a true crime podcaster being asked to join active investigations with police. However, I still ate this book right up.
5/5 - could not put down.
December 29, 2020
Amy Suiter Clarke's remarkably well-constructed debut takes readers on a terrifying, nail-biting journey to find a killer. With brilliant twists and turns and a genius mix of propulsive action and psychological tension, GIRL, 11 is a masterful, heart-pounding suspense that ushers in an astonishing new voice in crime fiction.
March 2, 2021
The magnificent cover of this thriller really pops! It’s one of those that you can’t pass, without at least scanning the synopsis.
“Genetics load the gun, personality and psychology aim it, and experiences pull the trigger.”
Elle hosts a podcast—Justice Deferred—and her current season focuses on a serial killer she feels a special connection with—The Countdown Killer. Most people are happy to believe that TCK is dead or no longer a threat, since he’s been dormant for 20 years. But Elle is sure that he’s still out there, waiting for the right moment to pick up where he left off. We get glimpses of Elle’s past and a traumatic event in her childhood along with podcast episodes that are mingled in with the rest of the narrative.
I’ve never listened to a Podcast, even though they seem to be super popular. But reading several books with Podcast episodes has piqued by curiosity...maybe one of these days!
The book is broken down into four parts, which reminded me of a bell curve. Slow build-up, the middle was unputdownable, then it slid back down into a slow ending. This is the author’s debut novel and her writing style is terrific. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Suiter Clarke and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for this free digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 3.5 ⭐️’s (rounding up)
Published: April 20th 2021 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 352
Recommend: Yes, if you like slow burns
#AmySuiterClarke #HoughtonMifflinHarcourt @NetGalley
#psychologicalthriller #NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview #JustFinished #BookReview #NetGalley
#SerialKiller #Girl11 #WomensHistoryMonth
“Genetics load the gun, personality and psychology aim it, and experiences pull the trigger.”
Elle hosts a podcast—Justice Deferred—and her current season focuses on a serial killer she feels a special connection with—The Countdown Killer. Most people are happy to believe that TCK is dead or no longer a threat, since he’s been dormant for 20 years. But Elle is sure that he’s still out there, waiting for the right moment to pick up where he left off. We get glimpses of Elle’s past and a traumatic event in her childhood along with podcast episodes that are mingled in with the rest of the narrative.
I’ve never listened to a Podcast, even though they seem to be super popular. But reading several books with Podcast episodes has piqued by curiosity...maybe one of these days!
The book is broken down into four parts, which reminded me of a bell curve. Slow build-up, the middle was unputdownable, then it slid back down into a slow ending. This is the author’s debut novel and her writing style is terrific. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Suiter Clarke and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for this free digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 3.5 ⭐️’s (rounding up)
Published: April 20th 2021 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 352
Recommend: Yes, if you like slow burns
#AmySuiterClarke #HoughtonMifflinHarcourt @NetGalley
#psychologicalthriller #NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview #JustFinished #BookReview #NetGalley
#SerialKiller #Girl11 #WomensHistoryMonth
December 10, 2020
Do you ever have a book you're so excited to read, and then when you do, it's even more incredible than you expected? That book is GIRL, 11. This book was phenomenal and should be added to your TBR immediately! Between the propulsive plot and the format of podcast episodes between chapters, I could not put it down. The characters jump off the page - especially main character Elle, whose bravery and compassion pull you along on her journey to solve the case. GIRL, 11 is an outstanding debut that will stay with you long after you read the last page, and I can't wait to read future books by Amy Suiter Clarke!
January 29, 2022
Do NOT believe the blurb saying this for fans of Karin Slaughter. This was stagnant with a protagonist who was more self-obsessed who the author also seemed to care more about than the plot and the other characters she chose to write about.
The premise sounded great: podcaster of true crimes trying to breathe life into the cold cases of a serial killer. What it turned out to be was more of a deep dive into the protagonist and her life and mental state and how it all wrapped up HER life and impacted HER more than some of the victims or other plot points.
I get relating a story to a character for the reader, but it came across so vapid and shallow that I couldn't care about the other characters and storyline because it was all diminished in order to make sure we all knew our central girl was the ABSOLUTE star of the story. Got old real quick.
This was obvious and plain old boring.
The premise sounded great: podcaster of true crimes trying to breathe life into the cold cases of a serial killer. What it turned out to be was more of a deep dive into the protagonist and her life and mental state and how it all wrapped up HER life and impacted HER more than some of the victims or other plot points.
I get relating a story to a character for the reader, but it came across so vapid and shallow that I couldn't care about the other characters and storyline because it was all diminished in order to make sure we all knew our central girl was the ABSOLUTE star of the story. Got old real quick.
This was obvious and plain old boring.
February 18, 2021
Girl, 11 appealed to me for the same reason I have read (or tried to read) a number of similar books: I love novels featuring podcasts, particularly if they include episode transcripts, which this does. That is, theoretically I love novels featuring podcasts. At this point, it would be more accurate to simply say either ‘I love the concept’ or ‘I love the Six Stories books by Matt Wesolowski’. The others I’ve tried have all been average at best, and sadly, Girl, 11 doesn’t buck that trend.
The premise is solid. The protagonist, Elle, is the host of Justice Delayed, which aims to reinvestigate cold cases. The latest series focuses on the notorious ‘Countdown Killer’, who murdered several girls and young women twenty years earlier, but was never caught. The show reignites interest in the case – and also sparks what may be copycat crimes; Elle, however, is convinced the killer has returned. The story is told through a combination of the aforementioned transcripts and a third-person narrative following Elle.
I was here for the transcripts, and I really enjoyed reading them. What I like about this storytelling method is that it allows for multiple viewpoints while maintaining a cohesive structure. The rest of the narrative is, unfortunately, much less compelling. I didn’t warm to Elle – or, really, anyone, perhaps partly because there are so many different identities and issues crammed into the story, many of which don’t have anything to do with the plot, or don’t need to be commented on every time a certain character appears (something that, for me, has the opposite of what I assume is the intended effect, as it reduces the character to their designated attribute).
In the end I felt the story ran out of steam; I’m writing this review about a week after reading it, and the details haven’t stuck with me. It’s oddly bland for a story about a serial killer. (Love that cover, though.)
I received an advance review copy of Girl, 11 from the publisher through NetGalley.
TinyLetter | Linktree
The premise is solid. The protagonist, Elle, is the host of Justice Delayed, which aims to reinvestigate cold cases. The latest series focuses on the notorious ‘Countdown Killer’, who murdered several girls and young women twenty years earlier, but was never caught. The show reignites interest in the case – and also sparks what may be copycat crimes; Elle, however, is convinced the killer has returned. The story is told through a combination of the aforementioned transcripts and a third-person narrative following Elle.
I was here for the transcripts, and I really enjoyed reading them. What I like about this storytelling method is that it allows for multiple viewpoints while maintaining a cohesive structure. The rest of the narrative is, unfortunately, much less compelling. I didn’t warm to Elle – or, really, anyone, perhaps partly because there are so many different identities and issues crammed into the story, many of which don’t have anything to do with the plot, or don’t need to be commented on every time a certain character appears (something that, for me, has the opposite of what I assume is the intended effect, as it reduces the character to their designated attribute).
In the end I felt the story ran out of steam; I’m writing this review about a week after reading it, and the details haven’t stuck with me. It’s oddly bland for a story about a serial killer. (Love that cover, though.)
I received an advance review copy of Girl, 11 from the publisher through NetGalley.
TinyLetter | Linktree
July 31, 2022
Amazing audio experience! Very creative. Different narrators and interesting sound effects. The main character was a little self-absorbed and that, combined with her constant social justice lectures, was kind of annoying and random. Still, it was really good.
May 9, 2022
4/5
🌹La novela está contada desde varias perspectivas, entre ellas, en formato Podcast, lo que le da un toque fresco y original
🌹Los capítulos no son demasiado extensos y se devoran
🌹Tiene bastante tensión y misterio, todo el tema del asesino en serie, de si ha vuelto o no, el pasado de la protagonista...
🌹He leído que si lees este libro en audiolibro gana muchísimo más porque es como si estuvieras en un podcast de verdad
🌹Plot Twist bastante bueno, no lo vi venir
Por otro lado...
🥀Hay alguna que otra cosa que me ha resultado predecible
Le he dado una nota de 9/10
🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌹La novela está contada desde varias perspectivas, entre ellas, en formato Podcast, lo que le da un toque fresco y original
🌹Los capítulos no son demasiado extensos y se devoran
🌹Tiene bastante tensión y misterio, todo el tema del asesino en serie, de si ha vuelto o no, el pasado de la protagonista...
🌹He leído que si lees este libro en audiolibro gana muchísimo más porque es como si estuvieras en un podcast de verdad
🌹Plot Twist bastante bueno, no lo vi venir
Por otro lado...
🥀Hay alguna que otra cosa que me ha resultado predecible
Le he dado una nota de 9/10
🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 26, 2020
I will admit, the premise straight-up terrified me, but I took a chance and am so glad I did. This book is electrifying and intense--a thrilling tale of a serial killer awakening to restart their deadly pattern and the dogged podcaster who risks everything to stop them. It was perfectly crafted, dark and twisty tension the whole way through and I was absolutely riveted the entire time. Highly recommend this book!!
June 15, 2021
As an aficionado of true crime podcasts myself (the Australian Casefile production in particular), I was immediately drawn into the world of Girl, 11. Amy Suiter Clarke's new release mystery-thriller features a main character who produces her own well-researched and popular podcast, Justice Delayed, based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.
The main narrative is interspersed with transcripts of Elle Castillo's current podcast series, focussing on the crimes of a brutal and unidentified abductor-murderer of young women, known as The Countdown Killer (TCK). Over twenty years previously, TCK abducted a series of women and girls, each victim a year younger than her predecessor, and each found dead exactly seven days after her disappearance, with the exception of the last intended victim, an 11-year-old girl, who escaped her captor. In the present, it seems Elle's investigation has stirred the long-dormant killer, as a potential witness is killed virtually under Elle's nose, and another 11-year-old girl goes missing.
As Elle, a former child protection officer, chases down leads provided by her listener base, she liaises with her contacts within the local law enforcement and forensics community, including her own husband, Martín Castillo, a forensic pathologist. Not unexpectedly, this uneasy relationship gives rise to many ructions, as Elle repeatedly withholds information and oversteps the mark as she involves herself in the current investigation. Amy Suiter Clarke explores the phenomenon of true-crime podcasts - their proven popularity with listeners, occasional tendency to prurience or voyeurism, their magnetism to trolls and weirdos and occasional potential to aid police in solving long-running "cold cases".
I found Girl, 11 stimulating and compulsively readable, with a genuinely thrilling conclusion and several well-plotted twists along the way. Some of Elle's decisions and behaviour, and the relative forbearance of police, especially her friend and former colleague Commander Ayaan Ridwaan, stretched credibility at times. However, this isn't an unusual experience within the genre and most readers are, like myself, prepared to suspend their disbelief for the sake of a good story. Amy Suiter Clarke's strong characterisations really galvanised her imaginative and complex plot. Elle Castillo is a flawed but incredibly conscientious investigator, with a complex personal history that's gradually revealed over the course of the book. Her relationships with both her husband, the supportive but deeply concerned Martín, and the intriguing police Commander Ayaan Ridwaan are convincing, and reinforce the emotional toll this particular case is taking on Elle and those around her.
I'd strongly recommend Girl, 11 to any and all readers who enjoy an action-packed but cerebral mystery-thriller. I'd be delighted if Amy Suiter Clarke were minded to continue a series featuring these characters.
My thanks to the author, Amy Suiter Clarke, publishers Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
The main narrative is interspersed with transcripts of Elle Castillo's current podcast series, focussing on the crimes of a brutal and unidentified abductor-murderer of young women, known as The Countdown Killer (TCK). Over twenty years previously, TCK abducted a series of women and girls, each victim a year younger than her predecessor, and each found dead exactly seven days after her disappearance, with the exception of the last intended victim, an 11-year-old girl, who escaped her captor. In the present, it seems Elle's investigation has stirred the long-dormant killer, as a potential witness is killed virtually under Elle's nose, and another 11-year-old girl goes missing.
As Elle, a former child protection officer, chases down leads provided by her listener base, she liaises with her contacts within the local law enforcement and forensics community, including her own husband, Martín Castillo, a forensic pathologist. Not unexpectedly, this uneasy relationship gives rise to many ructions, as Elle repeatedly withholds information and oversteps the mark as she involves herself in the current investigation. Amy Suiter Clarke explores the phenomenon of true-crime podcasts - their proven popularity with listeners, occasional tendency to prurience or voyeurism, their magnetism to trolls and weirdos and occasional potential to aid police in solving long-running "cold cases".
I found Girl, 11 stimulating and compulsively readable, with a genuinely thrilling conclusion and several well-plotted twists along the way. Some of Elle's decisions and behaviour, and the relative forbearance of police, especially her friend and former colleague Commander Ayaan Ridwaan, stretched credibility at times. However, this isn't an unusual experience within the genre and most readers are, like myself, prepared to suspend their disbelief for the sake of a good story. Amy Suiter Clarke's strong characterisations really galvanised her imaginative and complex plot. Elle Castillo is a flawed but incredibly conscientious investigator, with a complex personal history that's gradually revealed over the course of the book. Her relationships with both her husband, the supportive but deeply concerned Martín, and the intriguing police Commander Ayaan Ridwaan are convincing, and reinforce the emotional toll this particular case is taking on Elle and those around her.
I'd strongly recommend Girl, 11 to any and all readers who enjoy an action-packed but cerebral mystery-thriller. I'd be delighted if Amy Suiter Clarke were minded to continue a series featuring these characters.
My thanks to the author, Amy Suiter Clarke, publishers Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
May 3, 2021
3.5 stars
Somehow Girl, 11 flew under my radar! I hadn’t heard of this book until I found it featured on a list of new releases and I lucked out that my library had just acquired a copy.
Elle Castillo was once a social worker helping children who were victims of violent crime. Now she’s the host of a wildly successful true crime podcast and is ready in season three to tackle the infamous case of The Countdown Killer (TCK), a serial killer in her Minnesota hometown who established a chilling pattern of abducting and murdering three girls in a cycle, each a year younger than the last, and leaving their bodies to be found on the seventh day after their abductions three days apart. TCK stopped his ritualistic killings after his eleventh victim managed to escape - leading to speculation that he died by suicide in fear he’d be captured.
Twenty years later, Elle’s obsession with the case brings serious consequences when a podcast listener claims to have a tip. When she arrives for an interview, she finds the man dead in his apartment. Next, an eleven-year-old girl is abducted following an MO eerily similar to TCK. The police still believe TCK is dead and this new case could be a copycat inspired by Elle’s podcast investigation.
This was a slow burn thriller that built a sense of dread. While one of the eventual twists was glaringly obvious from the beginning, the other managed to catch me somewhat off guard and that may be because I was focused on the one I knew was coming. Readers are given Elle’s third person narrative, podcast transcripts, and eventually vignettes from TCK’s back story as Elle’s investigation leads her closer to the truth. Unfortunately, the ending wasn’t as solid as the rest of the book and lacked a suspenseful climax. Still, a compelling debut worth checking out!
I recommend Girl, 11 to readers who enjoy contemporary mystery/thrillers, suspense, and the true crime podcast trend.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Somehow Girl, 11 flew under my radar! I hadn’t heard of this book until I found it featured on a list of new releases and I lucked out that my library had just acquired a copy.
Elle Castillo was once a social worker helping children who were victims of violent crime. Now she’s the host of a wildly successful true crime podcast and is ready in season three to tackle the infamous case of The Countdown Killer (TCK), a serial killer in her Minnesota hometown who established a chilling pattern of abducting and murdering three girls in a cycle, each a year younger than the last, and leaving their bodies to be found on the seventh day after their abductions three days apart. TCK stopped his ritualistic killings after his eleventh victim managed to escape - leading to speculation that he died by suicide in fear he’d be captured.
Twenty years later, Elle’s obsession with the case brings serious consequences when a podcast listener claims to have a tip. When she arrives for an interview, she finds the man dead in his apartment. Next, an eleven-year-old girl is abducted following an MO eerily similar to TCK. The police still believe TCK is dead and this new case could be a copycat inspired by Elle’s podcast investigation.
This was a slow burn thriller that built a sense of dread. While one of the eventual twists was glaringly obvious from the beginning, the other managed to catch me somewhat off guard and that may be because I was focused on the one I knew was coming. Readers are given Elle’s third person narrative, podcast transcripts, and eventually vignettes from TCK’s back story as Elle’s investigation leads her closer to the truth. Unfortunately, the ending wasn’t as solid as the rest of the book and lacked a suspenseful climax. Still, a compelling debut worth checking out!
I recommend Girl, 11 to readers who enjoy contemporary mystery/thrillers, suspense, and the true crime podcast trend.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
September 17, 2023
"Mientras sigas ignorando quien soy, es imposible que sepas lo que puedo llegar a soportar a fin de encontrarte."
December 14, 2020
What can I say, except I LOVED this book from start to finish. The characters, the podcasts interspersed throughout, and the plot twists make this an incredible read that I didn't want to end. If you're fascinated by true crime podcasts or serial killers, you need to read this!
August 29, 2023
Cuando salió este libro rondó mucho por las redes y desde entonces le tenía echado el ojo. Ya sabéis que no me puedo resistir a un thriller. Este verano llegó su momento.
Me recomendaron alternar la lectura con el Audio libro ya que los capítulos se alternan entre narración y podcast y es un plus escuchar el formato podcast en audio.
El motivo del podcast se debe a que Elena, nuestra protagonista, lleva un podcast de True Crime de mucho éxito llamado: “Justicia en el aire”. En este, mediante su propia investigación, la colaboración de especialistas y los propios oyentes, retoma casos olvidados con el fin de darles visibilidad y descubrir nuevas pistas que pudieran ayudar a resolver el caso.
La idea es buena ¿o creéis? El poder de las redes e internet actualmente es brutal y casos que en su momento se quedaron en vía muerta, a día de hoy quizás podrían ser resueltos a través de los millones de ojos de nos acompañan día a día.
Elena ha centrado su atención en el Asesino de los números (el A.N) , un psicópata que secuestraba y mataba niñas 20 años atrás y que nunca fue encontrado.
La historia no está mal y está bien hilada, narrada y llevada en general. Hay momentos de tensión, momentos de conocer a los personajes y algunos giros interesantes. El formato de intercalar narración y podcast me ha gustado mucho, lo hace mucho más ágil. Además, los capítulos tienen una duración perfecta.
Aun así, como lectora habitual de este género me ha faltado algo ya que no me ha terminado de enganchar como me pasa con otras historias o quizás no era el momento perfecto.
De todos modos, no tengo duda de que seguiré leyendo a esta autora porque me ha gustado su forma de escribir y la historia en general.
Me recomendaron alternar la lectura con el Audio libro ya que los capítulos se alternan entre narración y podcast y es un plus escuchar el formato podcast en audio.
El motivo del podcast se debe a que Elena, nuestra protagonista, lleva un podcast de True Crime de mucho éxito llamado: “Justicia en el aire”. En este, mediante su propia investigación, la colaboración de especialistas y los propios oyentes, retoma casos olvidados con el fin de darles visibilidad y descubrir nuevas pistas que pudieran ayudar a resolver el caso.
La idea es buena ¿o creéis? El poder de las redes e internet actualmente es brutal y casos que en su momento se quedaron en vía muerta, a día de hoy quizás podrían ser resueltos a través de los millones de ojos de nos acompañan día a día.
Elena ha centrado su atención en el Asesino de los números (el A.N) , un psicópata que secuestraba y mataba niñas 20 años atrás y que nunca fue encontrado.
La historia no está mal y está bien hilada, narrada y llevada en general. Hay momentos de tensión, momentos de conocer a los personajes y algunos giros interesantes. El formato de intercalar narración y podcast me ha gustado mucho, lo hace mucho más ágil. Además, los capítulos tienen una duración perfecta.
Aun así, como lectora habitual de este género me ha faltado algo ya que no me ha terminado de enganchar como me pasa con otras historias o quizás no era el momento perfecto.
De todos modos, no tengo duda de que seguiré leyendo a esta autora porque me ha gustado su forma de escribir y la historia en general.
September 6, 2023
Me ha gustado bastante. Es entretenida y engancha.
Desde casi el principio se sabe lo que va a pasar al final, pero no por ello la novela pierde interés, porque la estructura está muy bien planteada y la trama dosificada.
Elena y Martín son una pareja joven sin hijos. El es forense y ella dejó su trabajo como asistente social en protección de menores y emite podcads dedicados a crímenes no resueltos. Ahora lleva un mes con una serie de audiciones dedicadas al Asesino de los Números, caso no resuelto desde hace 20 años. El hombre asesinó a varias mujeres, cada una un año menor que la anterior, hasta llegar a una niña de 11 años que consiguió escapar.
El asesino ha vuelto a actuar. ¿Es él o un imitador? Elena se ve muy involucrada, tanto emocionalmente como colaborando con la policía.
La trama está muy bien llevada y los personajes muy bien construidos. Con un final coherente y adecuado.
Puntuación 3,75
Desde casi el principio se sabe lo que va a pasar al final, pero no por ello la novela pierde interés, porque la estructura está muy bien planteada y la trama dosificada.
Elena y Martín son una pareja joven sin hijos. El es forense y ella dejó su trabajo como asistente social en protección de menores y emite podcads dedicados a crímenes no resueltos. Ahora lleva un mes con una serie de audiciones dedicadas al Asesino de los Números, caso no resuelto desde hace 20 años. El hombre asesinó a varias mujeres, cada una un año menor que la anterior, hasta llegar a una niña de 11 años que consiguió escapar.
El asesino ha vuelto a actuar. ¿Es él o un imitador? Elena se ve muy involucrada, tanto emocionalmente como colaborando con la policía.
La trama está muy bien llevada y los personajes muy bien construidos. Con un final coherente y adecuado.
Puntuación 3,75
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