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Detective Ellie Reeves #3
The Burning Girls
The girl was beautiful, even in death. Her skin was translucent beneath the sliver of moonlight peeking through the bare branches of the surrounding pines, and her chestnut hair had tumbled around her pale shoulders. Around her, smoke twisted in the air, curling into the inky sky.
The remote town of Crooked Creek has barely recovered from its most recent tragedy when wildfires tear through the mountains. Detective Ellie Reeves is grappling with her own heartbreak––she has just discovered she was adopted and that her childhood was a lie.
Under the scorching summer sun, Ellie is called to a river where a body has been found. She spots a lone woman’s shoe caught in a nearby tangle of vines, and a pearl necklace scattered by the water’s edge. The remains are surrounded by a circle of stones, which Ellie is certain means something. Was the victim––whoever she was––caught in the fire or is something more sinister at play?
The Fourth of July usually means festivals and fireworks, but when another body turns up the town is left in tatters. A young girl with dark hair lies dead, surrounded by stones, smoke drifting in the air. Thanks to an engraved silver necklace, Ellie identifies the body as eighteen-year-old Katie Lee Curtis, and the diary she finds hidden under the teenager’s mattress could get her close to the killer.
With two victims in less than twenty-four hours, it’s clear Ellie’s up against a serial killer, and she vows that no more innocent girls will be sacrificed. For her, every day is a battle to come to terms with her past, but when this case becomes personal, will she win?
The remote town of Crooked Creek has barely recovered from its most recent tragedy when wildfires tear through the mountains. Detective Ellie Reeves is grappling with her own heartbreak––she has just discovered she was adopted and that her childhood was a lie.
Under the scorching summer sun, Ellie is called to a river where a body has been found. She spots a lone woman’s shoe caught in a nearby tangle of vines, and a pearl necklace scattered by the water’s edge. The remains are surrounded by a circle of stones, which Ellie is certain means something. Was the victim––whoever she was––caught in the fire or is something more sinister at play?
The Fourth of July usually means festivals and fireworks, but when another body turns up the town is left in tatters. A young girl with dark hair lies dead, surrounded by stones, smoke drifting in the air. Thanks to an engraved silver necklace, Ellie identifies the body as eighteen-year-old Katie Lee Curtis, and the diary she finds hidden under the teenager’s mattress could get her close to the killer.
With two victims in less than twenty-four hours, it’s clear Ellie’s up against a serial killer, and she vows that no more innocent girls will be sacrificed. For her, every day is a battle to come to terms with her past, but when this case becomes personal, will she win?
407 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2021
2813 people are currently reading
884 people want to read
About the author
Rita Herron
326 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 163 reviews
May 21, 2021
This is book 3 in the Detective Ellie Reeves series and the action takes place a short time after the events of book 2. This time, wildfires threaten the peaceful environs of Crooked Creek, Georgia. But then the body of a woman is discovered, burnt, in the centre of a circle of stones. This doesn’t look accidental. Another day another body. The second death is a teenage girl from a strict religious family. The vibe in the home has got Ellie’s radar twitching. But she doesn’t have time to ponder this yet as the bodies keep piling up.
The first victim is finally identified as a social worker Ellie was trying to contact about her adoption as she is trying to locate her birth mother. This is an important puzzle piece and Ellie doesn’t yet know what to do with it but adoption is starting to become a bit of a theme in this case. Is someone trying to cover something up? But what?
Eventually the whole sordid story comes to light - scientific research hijacked to abuse people, secret and unethical experiments, cover ups and lies. But who is still running around killing people? And who is pulling their strings? This story races to a dramatic conclusion which answers many of Ellie’s questions about her past. If only she can live long enough and protect the people closest to her.
This was compelling reading and the book never lagged. The pace was crisp the whole way through and I was quickly turning those virtual pages to get the answers to those questions and more. Ellie is a lovely character with an indomitable spirit and lots of gutsy strength. She fights hard for the underdog and the people she cares about. Although it is book 3 it can be read as a stand alone as enough background is provided to give the current situation context. I will be keen to see what is next for Ellie. I’m hoping it’s something other than a deranged killer stalking and killing women as this trope is getting a teensy bit old. Still and all I did enjoy this book but now I’m off in the search for something different again. I received an advance review copy from Netgalleyfor free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The first victim is finally identified as a social worker Ellie was trying to contact about her adoption as she is trying to locate her birth mother. This is an important puzzle piece and Ellie doesn’t yet know what to do with it but adoption is starting to become a bit of a theme in this case. Is someone trying to cover something up? But what?
Eventually the whole sordid story comes to light - scientific research hijacked to abuse people, secret and unethical experiments, cover ups and lies. But who is still running around killing people? And who is pulling their strings? This story races to a dramatic conclusion which answers many of Ellie’s questions about her past. If only she can live long enough and protect the people closest to her.
This was compelling reading and the book never lagged. The pace was crisp the whole way through and I was quickly turning those virtual pages to get the answers to those questions and more. Ellie is a lovely character with an indomitable spirit and lots of gutsy strength. She fights hard for the underdog and the people she cares about. Although it is book 3 it can be read as a stand alone as enough background is provided to give the current situation context. I will be keen to see what is next for Ellie. I’m hoping it’s something other than a deranged killer stalking and killing women as this trope is getting a teensy bit old. Still and all I did enjoy this book but now I’m off in the search for something different again. I received an advance review copy from Netgalleyfor free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 5, 2021
This is a very solid story, fast and keeping you on the edge of your seat.
The main character of this series is Detective Ellie Reeves. She is a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to act quickly. Although at times she may be a little too insistent in her pursuit of her plans. In this book, she has to solve the case of a serial killer who murders in a very unusual way and sets fire to the bodies of his victims. At first glance, the victims seem to have nothing in common, but at some point, it looks like the case may be related to events in Ellie's past.
The whole idea is very interesting and quite original. Especially when we find out what all victims have in common. I found this idea really fascinating. The story is fast-paced, and a lot is going on. Usually, I don't like in my book’s chapters written from too many points of view, but here it didn't bother me at all. Probably because the chapters are very short, so we come back to the storyline we started a moment ago after just a minute or two. All this together creates a very coherent story.
However, I do not recommend this book to people who are particularly sensitive to violence against women and who avoid the subject of rape, non-consent, and brainwashing or gaslighting in their books.
I have read the previous book in this series, but it is not obligatory. This book can be read as stand-alone, even though there is a continuation of some of the threads from the previous two books. Ellie was adopted, and this issue is a constant theme in both this book and the previous one, at some point there is also a possibility that it may play a role in the story. We also meet a group of characters from the previous book. But I think readers who haven't read the two previous books in this series will have no problem figuring out who's who, everything is explained briefly, though without revealing too many details.
I will definitely read the next book in this series as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The main character of this series is Detective Ellie Reeves. She is a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to act quickly. Although at times she may be a little too insistent in her pursuit of her plans. In this book, she has to solve the case of a serial killer who murders in a very unusual way and sets fire to the bodies of his victims. At first glance, the victims seem to have nothing in common, but at some point, it looks like the case may be related to events in Ellie's past.
The whole idea is very interesting and quite original. Especially when we find out what all victims have in common. I found this idea really fascinating. The story is fast-paced, and a lot is going on. Usually, I don't like in my book’s chapters written from too many points of view, but here it didn't bother me at all. Probably because the chapters are very short, so we come back to the storyline we started a moment ago after just a minute or two. All this together creates a very coherent story.
However, I do not recommend this book to people who are particularly sensitive to violence against women and who avoid the subject of rape, non-consent, and brainwashing or gaslighting in their books.
I have read the previous book in this series, but it is not obligatory. This book can be read as stand-alone, even though there is a continuation of some of the threads from the previous two books. Ellie was adopted, and this issue is a constant theme in both this book and the previous one, at some point there is also a possibility that it may play a role in the story. We also meet a group of characters from the previous book. But I think readers who haven't read the two previous books in this series will have no problem figuring out who's who, everything is explained briefly, though without revealing too many details.
I will definitely read the next book in this series as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2021
The Burning Girls is the third instalment in the Detective Ellie Reeves series set in the isolated town of Crooked Creek, Georgia, nestled in the Appalachian mountains. Detective Ellie Reeves has a lot on her plate after finding out that she's adopted and that her whole childhood has been a lie; it's hit her hard and she's seriously struggling between what was real and what was not and to make everything worse the family home she grew up in has burned to the ground in the rampant wildfires. She has just been asked to attend the scene of a local wildfire, alongside Cord McClain a Member of Search & Rescue for Bluff County, where the scorched body of a woman has been located surrounded by a stone circle; there's no telling who she is at first glance as the body is burned so badly that identification is impossible. Ellie can't see this being an accident with the stones surrounding her so deliberately placed. She believes that it's a message from the killer. The almost-ashes are located at Winding Rock where Ellie must cover her face with a bandana due to the unsavoury stench of death. Looking for something to help ID the victim, she notices a broken string of tiny pearls scattered on the riverbank by the water's edge and a lone black shoe dangling from a thorn bush, the kind of shoe a woman might wear to an office or to dinner, but it isn't appropriate footwear for hiking a muddy mountain trail.
The following day another body is found by teenagers at Moody Hollow, the place of choice for local kids to hang out, and as the body still has identifying features the youngsters are able to recognise her as a girl from their school and a silver necklace engraved with her name speeds up the process. 18-year-old Katie Lee Curtis was lying face down against the rocky ground in the middle of another stone circle. She has contusions to the face and a broken arm and ankle. Even with soot and ashes covering her face, Ellie saw Katie’s nose was crushed and lips bloody as if teeth were broken. But when they head to inform her parents, Ellie senses something isn't quite right about the domestic situation. Then more bodies are discovered proximate to a circle of stones and Ellie must attempt to find the common thread between the victims if she is to identify and apprehend the ruthless serial killer before they strike again. This a compulsive, adrenaline-pumping, absorbing read with an interesting and complex investigation and a twisty-turny journey towards the end. Telling it from switching perspectives allows for wider views of the situation and Herron uses this to create a large suspect pool with many potential motives making it quite unpredictable. An exciting, immersive and pacy tension-filled procedural and an entertaining piece of escapism. Highly recommended.
The following day another body is found by teenagers at Moody Hollow, the place of choice for local kids to hang out, and as the body still has identifying features the youngsters are able to recognise her as a girl from their school and a silver necklace engraved with her name speeds up the process. 18-year-old Katie Lee Curtis was lying face down against the rocky ground in the middle of another stone circle. She has contusions to the face and a broken arm and ankle. Even with soot and ashes covering her face, Ellie saw Katie’s nose was crushed and lips bloody as if teeth were broken. But when they head to inform her parents, Ellie senses something isn't quite right about the domestic situation. Then more bodies are discovered proximate to a circle of stones and Ellie must attempt to find the common thread between the victims if she is to identify and apprehend the ruthless serial killer before they strike again. This a compulsive, adrenaline-pumping, absorbing read with an interesting and complex investigation and a twisty-turny journey towards the end. Telling it from switching perspectives allows for wider views of the situation and Herron uses this to create a large suspect pool with many potential motives making it quite unpredictable. An exciting, immersive and pacy tension-filled procedural and an entertaining piece of escapism. Highly recommended.
July 5, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Burning Girls by Rita Herron is the third book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series. It can be read as a standalone, but I am sure you will want to pick up the previous books. Read on to learn why I highly recommend this book.
I had a great time with this book. Rita Herron is a relatively new author to me, this being the second book of hers that I have read. After experiencing her work for the second time I have added her to my list of must read authors.
The Burning Girls proved a difficult book to put down. Once I started reading, I found myself sucked into the world of Detective Ellie Reeves. Ellie is reeling from news she received in relation to her childhood. As she tried coming to grips with the lie her parents told her, she found herself plunged into the world of a crazed killer whose modus operandi involves killing his victims and burning their bodies beyond recognition. It appeared he chose his victims randomly, but as the story progressed, the connection between them became clear. As the bodies started piling up, Ellie found herself in a race against time (Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock) to stop the killer before he claimed another victim.
Several things took place in the story and I wondered at each page turn how each of the events were. As I made my way through the story, the dots slowly connected. The case was quite complex, placing Ellie in a precarious position. The deeper she dug, she discovered she may have a connection to the victims.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Although there were at least three I didn’t particularly care for. I admired Ellie’s dedication and the way she approached the investigation. The characters were so well fleshed out that by the end of the story my heart cried for the killer. He too was a victim. I won’t say how. You would have to discover it for yourself. This book showed how sinister the human mind can be.
The story was well crafted with its well paced twists, secrets and nail biting moments. I spent the majority of the story attempting to figure out the killer’s identity. Never once did I get it right. There was a hint of a romantic entanglement. This got little page time, but from what I have read so far it seems rather complicated. She will have choices to make.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, a thrilling read and one I recommend to fans of suspense, mystery and thrillers. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
I had a great time with this book. Rita Herron is a relatively new author to me, this being the second book of hers that I have read. After experiencing her work for the second time I have added her to my list of must read authors.
The Burning Girls proved a difficult book to put down. Once I started reading, I found myself sucked into the world of Detective Ellie Reeves. Ellie is reeling from news she received in relation to her childhood. As she tried coming to grips with the lie her parents told her, she found herself plunged into the world of a crazed killer whose modus operandi involves killing his victims and burning their bodies beyond recognition. It appeared he chose his victims randomly, but as the story progressed, the connection between them became clear. As the bodies started piling up, Ellie found herself in a race against time (Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock) to stop the killer before he claimed another victim.
Several things took place in the story and I wondered at each page turn how each of the events were. As I made my way through the story, the dots slowly connected. The case was quite complex, placing Ellie in a precarious position. The deeper she dug, she discovered she may have a connection to the victims.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Although there were at least three I didn’t particularly care for. I admired Ellie’s dedication and the way she approached the investigation. The characters were so well fleshed out that by the end of the story my heart cried for the killer. He too was a victim. I won’t say how. You would have to discover it for yourself. This book showed how sinister the human mind can be.
The story was well crafted with its well paced twists, secrets and nail biting moments. I spent the majority of the story attempting to figure out the killer’s identity. Never once did I get it right. There was a hint of a romantic entanglement. This got little page time, but from what I have read so far it seems rather complicated. She will have choices to make.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, a thrilling read and one I recommend to fans of suspense, mystery and thrillers. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
May 25, 2021
Detective Ellie Reeves #3
Ellie is called to a river where a body has been found. She spots a lone woman's shoe and a pearl necklace is scattered by the water's edge. The remains are surrounded by a circle of stones, which Ellie is certain means something. Was the victim caught in the fire or is something more sinister at play?
Someone is murdering women. then they are laid out in a stone circle and set on fire. There's a serial killer but all the clues seem to relate to Ellie's own past. More is revealed about Ellie's backstory.
The story is told from multiple points of view which can be confusing to begin with. Filled with twists, the tension builds throughout and the pace is fast. I like the authors style in writing this series although i have somehow missed out on the second book. Every character has their role to play. I did feel the story dipped for a bit in the middle.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #RitaHerron for my ARC of #TheBurning Girls in exchange for an honest review.
Ellie is called to a river where a body has been found. She spots a lone woman's shoe and a pearl necklace is scattered by the water's edge. The remains are surrounded by a circle of stones, which Ellie is certain means something. Was the victim caught in the fire or is something more sinister at play?
Someone is murdering women. then they are laid out in a stone circle and set on fire. There's a serial killer but all the clues seem to relate to Ellie's own past. More is revealed about Ellie's backstory.
The story is told from multiple points of view which can be confusing to begin with. Filled with twists, the tension builds throughout and the pace is fast. I like the authors style in writing this series although i have somehow missed out on the second book. Every character has their role to play. I did feel the story dipped for a bit in the middle.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #RitaHerron for my ARC of #TheBurning Girls in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2023
The Burning Girls was a fantastic follow-up to Wildflower Graves with an intriguing plot connected to Ellie's past.
Detective Ellie Reeves has barely recovered from her latest brush with a serial killer when the bodies of several women begin popping up near wildfires. With the discovery of the first victim, Ellie and her colleagues at first wonder if the woman simply got caught in a fire. But when a second victim is found less than twenty-four hours later at a similar scene, Ellie wonders if there's something more sinister behind the deaths. As Ellie begins digging into the lives of the victims looking for a connection, it doesn't take long for her to find herself caught in the killer's sights.
The premise of The Burning Girls was quite interesting and pulled me in immediately. Someone is killing women, surrounding their bodies in a circle of stones, and then setting them on fire. With the first victim, the ID takes time so at first the case focuses on the second victim since she is identified right away. When more bodies begin popping up, Ellie is convinced there's a connection between the victims and begins digging into their lives. I will admit I was surprised by what the connection ended up being and how Ellie actually ended up being connected to it all. Throughout the book we're presented with a few potential suspects and I have to say I didn't expect the identity of the killer at all. Herron is great at keeping you guessing and times her reveals well for maximum impact. The ending of the book was suspenseful with some great twists and I enjoyed how everything played out.
Ellie continues to be a great main character. After the reveal of some big secrets about her family in The Silent Dolls and Wildflower Graves, Ellie has had to make some adjustments when it comes to her work. A number of townspeople have turned on Ellie and doubt her ability to adequately do her job. I liked seeing Ellie adapt to the challenges she's facing and how her investigative skills have developed as a result. Ellie once again works with FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox during the investigation. Their working relationship is on a much better footing than it was at the start of the last book. I enjoy the dynamic between these two and how well they work together.
Overall The Burning Girls was an excellent read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Frozen Souls, soon.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Detective Ellie Reeves has barely recovered from her latest brush with a serial killer when the bodies of several women begin popping up near wildfires. With the discovery of the first victim, Ellie and her colleagues at first wonder if the woman simply got caught in a fire. But when a second victim is found less than twenty-four hours later at a similar scene, Ellie wonders if there's something more sinister behind the deaths. As Ellie begins digging into the lives of the victims looking for a connection, it doesn't take long for her to find herself caught in the killer's sights.
The premise of The Burning Girls was quite interesting and pulled me in immediately. Someone is killing women, surrounding their bodies in a circle of stones, and then setting them on fire. With the first victim, the ID takes time so at first the case focuses on the second victim since she is identified right away. When more bodies begin popping up, Ellie is convinced there's a connection between the victims and begins digging into their lives. I will admit I was surprised by what the connection ended up being and how Ellie actually ended up being connected to it all. Throughout the book we're presented with a few potential suspects and I have to say I didn't expect the identity of the killer at all. Herron is great at keeping you guessing and times her reveals well for maximum impact. The ending of the book was suspenseful with some great twists and I enjoyed how everything played out.
Ellie continues to be a great main character. After the reveal of some big secrets about her family in The Silent Dolls and Wildflower Graves, Ellie has had to make some adjustments when it comes to her work. A number of townspeople have turned on Ellie and doubt her ability to adequately do her job. I liked seeing Ellie adapt to the challenges she's facing and how her investigative skills have developed as a result. Ellie once again works with FBI Special Agent Derrick Fox during the investigation. Their working relationship is on a much better footing than it was at the start of the last book. I enjoy the dynamic between these two and how well they work together.
Overall The Burning Girls was an excellent read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Frozen Souls, soon.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
April 7, 2025
3.5✨ rounded down
June 15, 2021
Detective Ellie Reeves has had her trysts with killers, not once, but twice. They say the third time's the charm, but is it so? The town of crooked Creek is already suffering from numerous forest fires, whose sources are unknown and in the midst of it all a body of a female is discovered, burnt and surrounded by stones arranged in a circle in some kind of ceremonial display. Ellie has her work cut out for her.
Besides the murders and the chase to catch the killer, the plot was really well developed in terms of Ellie's personal backstory and her own struggles. I have not read the previous two books in the series, however, that did not seem to pose a problem in understanding Ellie's story. The gaps are adeptly addressed. So, it is safe to say from my personal opinion that this book can be picked up without reading the previous two in the series.
The ending for me did seem a bit rushed, but boy did I never guess what was coming. This book is a thriller in the true sense. I couldn't stop myself from speculating who is the killer and being wrong at every turn. The number of sub-plots this has is astounding, but you won't get lost in them. Each acts as a stepping stone in building the suspense, and it does so brilliantly.The language is not superfluous and does not distract you from the main story.
I want to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of the book.
Besides the murders and the chase to catch the killer, the plot was really well developed in terms of Ellie's personal backstory and her own struggles. I have not read the previous two books in the series, however, that did not seem to pose a problem in understanding Ellie's story. The gaps are adeptly addressed. So, it is safe to say from my personal opinion that this book can be picked up without reading the previous two in the series.
The ending for me did seem a bit rushed, but boy did I never guess what was coming. This book is a thriller in the true sense. I couldn't stop myself from speculating who is the killer and being wrong at every turn. The number of sub-plots this has is astounding, but you won't get lost in them. Each acts as a stepping stone in building the suspense, and it does so brilliantly.The language is not superfluous and does not distract you from the main story.
I want to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of the book.
May 5, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of The Burning Girls, the third novel to feature Detective Ellie Reeves of the Crooked Creek, Georgia PD.
Wild fires are breaking out in the Appalachians, but the latest one uncovers a woman’s body surrounded by a stone circle. Ellie doesn’t know what to think, but none of it is good and this is confirmed when a second body is found in similar circumstances. This one wasn’t so burned and is quickly identified as local teenager Katie Lee Curtis. Ellie has recently discovered that she was adopted and is trying to cope with this while hunting a serial killer.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Burning Girls, which is a high octane, engrossing read. It is told from various points of view, mostly Ellie but switches to a host of characters in short bursts. Normally I find this approach knocks my concentration off, but in this novel it is intriguing, because it offers so many potential leads and sets the mind racing down different tracks. I must admit that I had one character in mind from the moment he was introduced, but why I thought that I can’t say, maybe the dreaded gut instinct, although any potential motive eluded me until it was gradually uncovered over the course of the novel. Despite this niggling feeling I got totally immersed in the story and read it in one sitting.
This is the kind of novel that I read for entertainment value and it succeeded admirably at that. I didn’t find the plot or the solution particularly credible, but rather than questioning it I simply went with the flow and enjoyed the excitement, twists and tension while admiring the author’s skill in pulling all the disparate threads together into a cohesive whole.
The Burning Girls is good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Wild fires are breaking out in the Appalachians, but the latest one uncovers a woman’s body surrounded by a stone circle. Ellie doesn’t know what to think, but none of it is good and this is confirmed when a second body is found in similar circumstances. This one wasn’t so burned and is quickly identified as local teenager Katie Lee Curtis. Ellie has recently discovered that she was adopted and is trying to cope with this while hunting a serial killer.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Burning Girls, which is a high octane, engrossing read. It is told from various points of view, mostly Ellie but switches to a host of characters in short bursts. Normally I find this approach knocks my concentration off, but in this novel it is intriguing, because it offers so many potential leads and sets the mind racing down different tracks. I must admit that I had one character in mind from the moment he was introduced, but why I thought that I can’t say, maybe the dreaded gut instinct, although any potential motive eluded me until it was gradually uncovered over the course of the novel. Despite this niggling feeling I got totally immersed in the story and read it in one sitting.
This is the kind of novel that I read for entertainment value and it succeeded admirably at that. I didn’t find the plot or the solution particularly credible, but rather than questioning it I simply went with the flow and enjoyed the excitement, twists and tension while admiring the author’s skill in pulling all the disparate threads together into a cohesive whole.
The Burning Girls is good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 6, 2021
Book release date 10th June 2021
Book 3 in the Detective Ellie Reeves series!
Poor Ellie I know she's a detective bit gosh what a few months it's been for her, just getting over the week day killer she finds herself with another brutal serial serial killer on her hands. Probably the most brutal of them all. With the killer burning it's victims up on the mountains Ellie finds her self struggling to find out what the link is. Who better to call in then Special Agent Derrick Fox.
I must say I have loved this series and I am so glad that I have read the first two books as I would of been quite lost otherwise. So I completely recommend that if you haven't read the first two books that you do and that you don't read this review!!
Ellie must be the most unlucky detective out there. For a small mountain town there is a ridiculous number of serial killer's I must say. But I can't help but love these books.
Ellie decides it's time to look for her birth parents and contacts the social worker who dealt with her original adoption. But she's missing and guess where she turns up? When she finds out the social working rushed out the office with a bunch of files she can't help but wonder if hers was one and if so does this mean she set the events in motion?
I love how Rita uses the moulins as the scenes of her crimes as well as writing in the weather, we've had snow, a tornado and now wild fires. I am learning a lot about different weather conditions it must be said. However I love how the crimes scenes are woven in so well. With the women being set alight it's brutal.
What I enjoyed even more about this installment is we get to follow Maybel's storyline as well. She's locked in some sort of room and she has her baby with her, she believes she's in danger. It's a really interesting storyline. I must say it took me a while to work out the twists. It was a totally different feel to the first two books and I loved them all but I loved this one a little bit more.
I must say the FBI must not mind lending special agent Derrick to small mountin towns because he is back! Now I personally want to marry this guy but that isn't why I like him so much. I love the way he cares so hard about Ellie the way he wants to always protect her, what I love even more is how badass Ellie is because she doesn't need protecting. I think the two work so well together on all levels that although its bizarre that an FBI agent can just go to this small town and fight crimes I don't even care that much about the logistics because the stories wouldn't be the same without him.
I am really enjoying following Ellie's storyline. Her clear anguish over her push and pull feelings towards her parents is clear. I love how raw the storyline is and that we literally jump right back into the personal storylines. She is the kind of female protagonist every good crime book should have because although she clearly does have man drama, that isn't the focus of her life (granted a crooked dad, crazed serial killer brother and a mum who knew about it is enough drama for any one person).
The search for this latest killer has us finding out a little more about this small town and its residence. I enjoy that we get to read about a new 'section' of this society in each book. We seems to focus in on a religious group, which I found fascinating. Honestly I got it all wrong with where they fitted in but then it's great to not know where the storyline is going from the get go.
Like with all crime thrillers it's hard to give a clear brief overview of the case without giving to much away. But I promise you will be pleasantly surprised at how this one turns out. Once you do prepare to feel a little bit sick and alot of empathy.
We also get to be part of the week day killers aftermath with the lovely deputy still struggling to cope after being held captive and trying to work out who she can and can't trust. Her relationship with Ellie is not good, let's be honest I probably would blame her too even knowing deep down its not her fault.
Then we have our lovely mountain rescuer. His clear love and admiration towards Ellie is obvious, that is to everyone except Ellie. It's interesting reading how the dynamics between him and Derrick have changed since book one.
As always we flip between Ellie and Derrick for each chapter. I love reading for our characters very own point of view. It feels like you are more personally connected to the characters. Both protagonist are written so well and have their very own unique ways of seeing things that it is very easy to distinguish which chapters belong to them. For once as well they don't seem to have all the answers so we truly get to work the case with them.
In summary would I recommend this book? Yes I would and I do. I one hundred per cent say if you haven't read books 1 and 2 that you should. This book doesn't work well as a stand alone yet it fits in so nicely as a series. If you are fans of the Lisa Regan Josie Quinn series, Carla Kovach Gina Harte series or the Katherine Casey Clara Jefferies series then with out a doubt you will love this series as it's like all three mashed together. This isn't for light reading although a page turner it is still graphic and touches on sensitive subject areas. But it's done with respect and understanding. I am so excited for book four as the series keeps getting better espically with how this book ended we have now had the scene set for how Ellie's personal life is about to take a huge turn. 5+ stars 🌟 my favourite so far.
Thank you to Netgalley, Rita Herron and bookature for the advanced digital copy of the burning girls in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
Book 3 in the Detective Ellie Reeves series!
Poor Ellie I know she's a detective bit gosh what a few months it's been for her, just getting over the week day killer she finds herself with another brutal serial serial killer on her hands. Probably the most brutal of them all. With the killer burning it's victims up on the mountains Ellie finds her self struggling to find out what the link is. Who better to call in then Special Agent Derrick Fox.
I must say I have loved this series and I am so glad that I have read the first two books as I would of been quite lost otherwise. So I completely recommend that if you haven't read the first two books that you do and that you don't read this review!!
Ellie must be the most unlucky detective out there. For a small mountain town there is a ridiculous number of serial killer's I must say. But I can't help but love these books.
Ellie decides it's time to look for her birth parents and contacts the social worker who dealt with her original adoption. But she's missing and guess where she turns up? When she finds out the social working rushed out the office with a bunch of files she can't help but wonder if hers was one and if so does this mean she set the events in motion?
I love how Rita uses the moulins as the scenes of her crimes as well as writing in the weather, we've had snow, a tornado and now wild fires. I am learning a lot about different weather conditions it must be said. However I love how the crimes scenes are woven in so well. With the women being set alight it's brutal.
What I enjoyed even more about this installment is we get to follow Maybel's storyline as well. She's locked in some sort of room and she has her baby with her, she believes she's in danger. It's a really interesting storyline. I must say it took me a while to work out the twists. It was a totally different feel to the first two books and I loved them all but I loved this one a little bit more.
I must say the FBI must not mind lending special agent Derrick to small mountin towns because he is back! Now I personally want to marry this guy but that isn't why I like him so much. I love the way he cares so hard about Ellie the way he wants to always protect her, what I love even more is how badass Ellie is because she doesn't need protecting. I think the two work so well together on all levels that although its bizarre that an FBI agent can just go to this small town and fight crimes I don't even care that much about the logistics because the stories wouldn't be the same without him.
I am really enjoying following Ellie's storyline. Her clear anguish over her push and pull feelings towards her parents is clear. I love how raw the storyline is and that we literally jump right back into the personal storylines. She is the kind of female protagonist every good crime book should have because although she clearly does have man drama, that isn't the focus of her life (granted a crooked dad, crazed serial killer brother and a mum who knew about it is enough drama for any one person).
The search for this latest killer has us finding out a little more about this small town and its residence. I enjoy that we get to read about a new 'section' of this society in each book. We seems to focus in on a religious group, which I found fascinating. Honestly I got it all wrong with where they fitted in but then it's great to not know where the storyline is going from the get go.
Like with all crime thrillers it's hard to give a clear brief overview of the case without giving to much away. But I promise you will be pleasantly surprised at how this one turns out. Once you do prepare to feel a little bit sick and alot of empathy.
We also get to be part of the week day killers aftermath with the lovely deputy still struggling to cope after being held captive and trying to work out who she can and can't trust. Her relationship with Ellie is not good, let's be honest I probably would blame her too even knowing deep down its not her fault.
Then we have our lovely mountain rescuer. His clear love and admiration towards Ellie is obvious, that is to everyone except Ellie. It's interesting reading how the dynamics between him and Derrick have changed since book one.
As always we flip between Ellie and Derrick for each chapter. I love reading for our characters very own point of view. It feels like you are more personally connected to the characters. Both protagonist are written so well and have their very own unique ways of seeing things that it is very easy to distinguish which chapters belong to them. For once as well they don't seem to have all the answers so we truly get to work the case with them.
In summary would I recommend this book? Yes I would and I do. I one hundred per cent say if you haven't read books 1 and 2 that you should. This book doesn't work well as a stand alone yet it fits in so nicely as a series. If you are fans of the Lisa Regan Josie Quinn series, Carla Kovach Gina Harte series or the Katherine Casey Clara Jefferies series then with out a doubt you will love this series as it's like all three mashed together. This isn't for light reading although a page turner it is still graphic and touches on sensitive subject areas. But it's done with respect and understanding. I am so excited for book four as the series keeps getting better espically with how this book ended we have now had the scene set for how Ellie's personal life is about to take a huge turn. 5+ stars 🌟 my favourite so far.
Thank you to Netgalley, Rita Herron and bookature for the advanced digital copy of the burning girls in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.
June 16, 2021
“As the fires rage, he makes them disappear”
Recently my reviews all seemed to have opened in the same way, with me commenting that this is another of those series which just keeps on giving and getting better as time goes on!
There are some great storylines, characters and authors out there, and this package is definitely high up my list, for oh! so many reasons.
Opening lines which have you hitting the ground running without having time to think about where you are heading; a storyline which is action-packed with plenty of twists and turns; a cliff hanger ending which doesn’t quite tie up all those loose ends and unanswered questions even though it brings this particular case to a finite conclusion; and most importantly everyone who matters makes it out alive – but only just and all slightly the worse for wear!
Add to those four important criteria for a good story, a fifth which sets it above the rest and makes it a great read – A genuine sense of time and place so real you can almost touch, taste and feel those mountains, the loneliness of time seemingly standing still, the watching eyes that are never far away, the claustrophobic stench of smoke and the burning flames just waiting to engulf you. Fear and isolation like you have never known before, all fuelled by some mind-blowing folklore – And all without having to move from the comfort of your own armchair!
I might have been a tad concerned that all three of Ellie’s cases to date have directly involved her and her family, perhaps to the point that the townsfolk and her superiors might just be beginning to wonder if she is more trouble to have around than they really need, especially when you add up the body count she is collecting and the conflicting emotions it is causing her, as she desperately strives to prove herself and separate her personal and professional lives. But what the heck! With gripping and desperate, heart pumping action like this, who’s really thinking about that too much right now.
With a perpetrator who is ‘hidden in plain sight’ and lives amongst them as part of the community, this well structured, highly intense and atmospheric, multi-layered storyline, grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let you go. You are led kicking and screaming by a consummate author who has total authority over both her audience and characters, although she allows the latter a genuine voice of their own, which makes it appear as if they have control over their own futures and destinies and are not really totally at the mercy of the stroke of a pen by Rita herself, drawing you into their lives – and deaths! The multiple strands of this unconventional, complicated, manipulative storyline are expertly drawn together into an epic climax, and just to whet the appetite a little, they include rape, arson, hallucinogenic drugs, adoption, a corrupt faith minister – and of course, those all consuming murders. The chapters are kept ultra short, which keeps the storyline fluid, transitions seamless and the gripping plot, pacey and suspenseful. The narrative is observational, detailed and descriptive, the dialogue conversational and assured, as all those dirty little secrets bubble to the surface a little at a time and threaten to overwhelm this intimate rural community. With time being very much the word of the moment during this investigation, running out as it is, for both Ellie and the criminal she seeks.
The entire cast of characters are multi faceted and emotionally complex, and although well drawn and defined, are totally not easy for me to connect to, invest in, or engage with. There is very little synergy between them, as they all appear rather edgy and often quite vulnerable. Ellie does seem to have built up an early rapport with most members of her team however, with the exception of the sheriff, who has his sights set on her downfall from grace just as soon as possible and isn’t afraid to let everyone know that, including Ellie herself. She really does need to watch her back around him in the future!
To find out more about the author and to check out extracts and excerpts from the book, visit...
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews...
Recently my reviews all seemed to have opened in the same way, with me commenting that this is another of those series which just keeps on giving and getting better as time goes on!
There are some great storylines, characters and authors out there, and this package is definitely high up my list, for oh! so many reasons.
Opening lines which have you hitting the ground running without having time to think about where you are heading; a storyline which is action-packed with plenty of twists and turns; a cliff hanger ending which doesn’t quite tie up all those loose ends and unanswered questions even though it brings this particular case to a finite conclusion; and most importantly everyone who matters makes it out alive – but only just and all slightly the worse for wear!
Add to those four important criteria for a good story, a fifth which sets it above the rest and makes it a great read – A genuine sense of time and place so real you can almost touch, taste and feel those mountains, the loneliness of time seemingly standing still, the watching eyes that are never far away, the claustrophobic stench of smoke and the burning flames just waiting to engulf you. Fear and isolation like you have never known before, all fuelled by some mind-blowing folklore – And all without having to move from the comfort of your own armchair!
I might have been a tad concerned that all three of Ellie’s cases to date have directly involved her and her family, perhaps to the point that the townsfolk and her superiors might just be beginning to wonder if she is more trouble to have around than they really need, especially when you add up the body count she is collecting and the conflicting emotions it is causing her, as she desperately strives to prove herself and separate her personal and professional lives. But what the heck! With gripping and desperate, heart pumping action like this, who’s really thinking about that too much right now.
With a perpetrator who is ‘hidden in plain sight’ and lives amongst them as part of the community, this well structured, highly intense and atmospheric, multi-layered storyline, grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let you go. You are led kicking and screaming by a consummate author who has total authority over both her audience and characters, although she allows the latter a genuine voice of their own, which makes it appear as if they have control over their own futures and destinies and are not really totally at the mercy of the stroke of a pen by Rita herself, drawing you into their lives – and deaths! The multiple strands of this unconventional, complicated, manipulative storyline are expertly drawn together into an epic climax, and just to whet the appetite a little, they include rape, arson, hallucinogenic drugs, adoption, a corrupt faith minister – and of course, those all consuming murders. The chapters are kept ultra short, which keeps the storyline fluid, transitions seamless and the gripping plot, pacey and suspenseful. The narrative is observational, detailed and descriptive, the dialogue conversational and assured, as all those dirty little secrets bubble to the surface a little at a time and threaten to overwhelm this intimate rural community. With time being very much the word of the moment during this investigation, running out as it is, for both Ellie and the criminal she seeks.
The entire cast of characters are multi faceted and emotionally complex, and although well drawn and defined, are totally not easy for me to connect to, invest in, or engage with. There is very little synergy between them, as they all appear rather edgy and often quite vulnerable. Ellie does seem to have built up an early rapport with most members of her team however, with the exception of the sheriff, who has his sights set on her downfall from grace just as soon as possible and isn’t afraid to let everyone know that, including Ellie herself. She really does need to watch her back around him in the future!
To find out more about the author and to check out extracts and excerpts from the book, visit...
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews...
May 5, 2021
Heart pounding twists Detective Ellie Reeves book three.
Winding Rock a horrific discovery, the stench is unreal, the chard remains of a body with a circle of stones around, A female after pearls and a shoe is found not the type of footwear for hiking up on the Terran of the Appalachain Mountains.
Mumbling to ranger Cord McClain this was no accident, Ellie has seen this before.
Bush fires are dangerous and people are told to keep away.
This is just the start and work is Ellie's salvation living in her bungalow in crooked creek serial killer cases she has to prove herself in this community since her adoptive father has retired as sheriff.
and this is just the start there's two bodies found in less than forty eight hours are there going to be more?
Wow so much going on as you read chapter after chapter, Burning Girls is pulse pounding, Tick Tock Tick Tock time is essential, this is so mind blowing hitting all your panic buttons right through to the end.
Winding Rock a horrific discovery, the stench is unreal, the chard remains of a body with a circle of stones around, A female after pearls and a shoe is found not the type of footwear for hiking up on the Terran of the Appalachain Mountains.
Mumbling to ranger Cord McClain this was no accident, Ellie has seen this before.
Bush fires are dangerous and people are told to keep away.
This is just the start and work is Ellie's salvation living in her bungalow in crooked creek serial killer cases she has to prove herself in this community since her adoptive father has retired as sheriff.
and this is just the start there's two bodies found in less than forty eight hours are there going to be more?
Wow so much going on as you read chapter after chapter, Burning Girls is pulse pounding, Tick Tock Tick Tock time is essential, this is so mind blowing hitting all your panic buttons right through to the end.
June 21, 2021
Thrilling. Tense. Heart pounding. A suspenseful, brilliantly pacy read. One I couldn't put down. It deserves ten stars, a hundred. Do read this one.
August 3, 2021
Read the three book series. All three had the same with serial killers in a small Georgia town. Ho-hum. It’s a wonder Ellie had a brain left because she got smacked in the head every other day. She was also beaten to a bloody pulp when not being smacked in the head.
Language could have been cleaned up a bit in all three.
Language could have been cleaned up a bit in all three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2021
First off I want to say a huge thank you to the publisher Bookouture , the author Rita Herron , and to NetGalley for inviting me to join the blog tour for this book as well as letting me read and review it. Wow this one was non stop action right from the very start and the flow of the story had me hooked ,so much so that every time I wanted o put it down I could, loved the inter action between the characters and how twisted the killer's character was , and how the author kept adding twist and turns to the story line as well, another thing I loved was the excitement,and tension of the story at the same time I admiring the author’s skill in pulling all the disparate threads together so much so that I can't wait to read more of her work or even re read the series all together. As for the characters themselves I would have to say that Ellie is my favorite one , because of how strong she seemed even when she was finding out things about her family as well as her past. Plus when ever I now hear the sound of a clock its going to remind me always of this story but to find out how that plays into it , you have to pick this up and read it for yourself.
July 19, 2025
Eighteen-year-old Katie Lee Curtis burned to death one brutal night—no accident this.
Detective Ellie Reeves finds her charred body in a circle of standing stones, hinting that the killer wanted to portray a ritualistic death.
Rita Herron paints a crackly-dry summer in rural Georgia, fueling the arsonist/killer’s crimes.
Two single mothers die as the book progresses, their blackened bodies inside those stone circles. The killer targets a TV reporter and Ellie next.
Ellie learns that Katie and the two single moms have a common father, and they have ties to a repressive cult-like church where women are essentially chattel.
While chasing the arsonist/killer, Ellie searches for her birthmother—a plot from an earlier book. Herron ties these stories together masterfully. The 160-plus short chapters disrupted the book’s flow, but those who enjoy short reading bursts may find them a plus. Herron’s writing sparkles, but those single-paragraph chapters drop it to four stars.
Detective Ellie Reeves finds her charred body in a circle of standing stones, hinting that the killer wanted to portray a ritualistic death.
Rita Herron paints a crackly-dry summer in rural Georgia, fueling the arsonist/killer’s crimes.
Two single mothers die as the book progresses, their blackened bodies inside those stone circles. The killer targets a TV reporter and Ellie next.
Ellie learns that Katie and the two single moms have a common father, and they have ties to a repressive cult-like church where women are essentially chattel.
While chasing the arsonist/killer, Ellie searches for her birthmother—a plot from an earlier book. Herron ties these stories together masterfully. The 160-plus short chapters disrupted the book’s flow, but those who enjoy short reading bursts may find them a plus. Herron’s writing sparkles, but those single-paragraph chapters drop it to four stars.
October 17, 2022
This is the third installment of the Detective Ellie Reeves series by Rita Herron. And just like the previous two,in this book too, the characters are well developed and the plot is full of twists!
I would recommend to read both books in this series so as to understand the whole story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
I would recommend to read both books in this series so as to understand the whole story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
July 22, 2023
3.5 stars. I found myself skimming and just focusing on the action. These books in this series are getting too similar. Basically, if you're a woman in small town Crooked Creek, Georgia, or its close neighboring towns, your likelihood of murder is getting all too high.
June 8, 2023
3 stars.
Ok, this is getting a bit ridiculous. At the rate things are going, there wouldn't be a single woman or girl left in Crooked Creek!
I know we need to have murders in these books but does it need to be a serial killer every time and bodies just keep piling up whilst the investigation is going on? I get that we're supposed to feel a sense of urgency but why does it seem as if Ellie is the only one on the case?
I'm thinking it's a plot device to always have her alone so things can happen to her. But it's weird because at one point her captain said she needed to have protection and Derrick volunteered. But soon after, she's off by herself again. I also don't think it's realistic that Ellie walks away from all those really physical fights and injuries, and why the murderer keeps leaving her alive!
On the plus side, we get to know more about Ellie's backstory so at least there's some closure.
As for the love triangle, I'm not sure if I really cared whether it's Derrick or Cord. All three of them seem to have trouble committing so I'm thinking none of them are ready for a relationship yet. Which is fine.
Ok, this is getting a bit ridiculous. At the rate things are going, there wouldn't be a single woman or girl left in Crooked Creek!
I know we need to have murders in these books but does it need to be a serial killer every time and bodies just keep piling up whilst the investigation is going on? I get that we're supposed to feel a sense of urgency but why does it seem as if Ellie is the only one on the case?
I'm thinking it's a plot device to always have her alone so things can happen to her. But it's weird because at one point her captain said she needed to have protection and Derrick volunteered. But soon after, she's off by herself again. I also don't think it's realistic that Ellie walks away from all those really physical fights and injuries, and why the murderer keeps leaving her alive!
On the plus side, we get to know more about Ellie's backstory so at least there's some closure.
As for the love triangle, I'm not sure if I really cared whether it's Derrick or Cord. All three of them seem to have trouble committing so I'm thinking none of them are ready for a relationship yet. Which is fine.
October 3, 2022
Rocks, and rivers, and fire. Oh my!
This is book 3 in the series. It was difficult to make sense of Ellie's backstory without reading 1 and 2. There's so much that's implausible in this story it's hard to know where to begin. The rivers and creeks are drying up but the killer finds that one river flowing strong enough to drown one of the victims. He has time to kill, place marker stones around the body, set the body on fire, and completely get away. The killer sets fires in the forest as a distraction to help him get away. Our intrepid detective Ellie walks through fire as though it is a minor inconvenience. And the town does not have evacuation orders and the forest service is ok with 4th of July fireworks. Has Rita Herron ever been in forest fire country? Finally, I found Ellie to be thoroughly obnoxious, rude, and self centered. I will not be reading more of this series.
This is book 3 in the series. It was difficult to make sense of Ellie's backstory without reading 1 and 2. There's so much that's implausible in this story it's hard to know where to begin. The rivers and creeks are drying up but the killer finds that one river flowing strong enough to drown one of the victims. He has time to kill, place marker stones around the body, set the body on fire, and completely get away. The killer sets fires in the forest as a distraction to help him get away. Our intrepid detective Ellie walks through fire as though it is a minor inconvenience. And the town does not have evacuation orders and the forest service is ok with 4th of July fireworks. Has Rita Herron ever been in forest fire country? Finally, I found Ellie to be thoroughly obnoxious, rude, and self centered. I will not be reading more of this series.
May 8, 2021
Thanks to Net Galley and Bookutoure for the chance to read. This is the third instalment in the Detective Ellie Reeves books. It takes place not long after the events of the previous 2 books.
Ellie is back on the hunt for another serial killer. This is another fast paced quick read with Ellie risking her life in pursuit of the killer While I did figure this one out it did take awhile. Will look forward to the next Ellie book.
Ellie is back on the hunt for another serial killer. This is another fast paced quick read with Ellie risking her life in pursuit of the killer While I did figure this one out it did take awhile. Will look forward to the next Ellie book.
June 11, 2021
Good book and characters. One plot point is VERY similar to Lisa Regans Josie Quinn series.
June 13, 2021
The Burning Girls is the third instalment in Rita Herron's Detective Ellie Reeves series set in the isolated town of Crooked Creek, Georgia.
When the Fourth of July festivities results in a young girl with dark hair lying dead, Ellie is called in to investigate. The girl is surrounded by stones, smoke drifting in the air. Ellie identifies the body as eighteen-year-old Katie Lee Curtis, as she is wearing an engraved silver necklace. Prior to this, Ellie had been to a river where she spotted a woman’s black shoe caught in a tangle of vines, and a broken pearl necklace near the water’s edge. The victim's remains were surrounded by a circle of stones.
The pacing moved along with alacrity and I loved the exciting plotline. Full of thrills and totally addictive, it held my attention from the very first chapter. Wonderfully executed by Rita Herron, the story is told primarily from differing viewpoints; the thoughts of other characters are dotted here and there. The Burning Girls was sinister, chilling, and multifaceted. Ellie is a likeable central character with a pronounced sense of justice on behalf of the victims, as well as determination and plenty of grit. Rita Herron's clever writing continued to wow me, resulting in my refusal to put this book down until the end! This brilliant story had me confounded as to the perpetrator's identity until the glorious reveal. I'm already excited and eager for book four. 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.
When the Fourth of July festivities results in a young girl with dark hair lying dead, Ellie is called in to investigate. The girl is surrounded by stones, smoke drifting in the air. Ellie identifies the body as eighteen-year-old Katie Lee Curtis, as she is wearing an engraved silver necklace. Prior to this, Ellie had been to a river where she spotted a woman’s black shoe caught in a tangle of vines, and a broken pearl necklace near the water’s edge. The victim's remains were surrounded by a circle of stones.
The pacing moved along with alacrity and I loved the exciting plotline. Full of thrills and totally addictive, it held my attention from the very first chapter. Wonderfully executed by Rita Herron, the story is told primarily from differing viewpoints; the thoughts of other characters are dotted here and there. The Burning Girls was sinister, chilling, and multifaceted. Ellie is a likeable central character with a pronounced sense of justice on behalf of the victims, as well as determination and plenty of grit. Rita Herron's clever writing continued to wow me, resulting in my refusal to put this book down until the end! This brilliant story had me confounded as to the perpetrator's identity until the glorious reveal. I'm already excited and eager for book four. 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.
June 3, 2021
The remote town of Crooked Creek has barely recovered from its most recent tragedy when wildfires tear through the mountains. Detective Ellie Reeves is grappling with her own heartbreak––she has just discovered she was adopted and that her childhood was a lie. Ellie is called to a river where a body has been found. She spots a lone woman’s shoe caught in a nearby tangle of vines, and a pearl necklace scattered by the water’s edge. The remains are surrounded by a circle of stones, which Ellie is certain means something. Then less than a day later another body turns up & the town is left in tatters. A young girl with dark hair lies dead, surrounded by stones, smoke drifting in the air. Thanks to an engraved silver necklace, Ellie identifies the body as eighteen-year-old Katie Lee Curtis, and the diary she finds hidden under the teenager’s mattress could get her close to the killer.
This is the third book in the series & another well written engrossing read, it could easily be read on its own. I love Ellie who fights for the underdog & she’s well liked. The pace is very good & never lags & I found myself drawn into the book & read it in a couple of sittings, it kept me on the edge of my seat even though I found parts stretched my credibility but these didn't impinge on my enjoyment
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the third book in the series & another well written engrossing read, it could easily be read on its own. I love Ellie who fights for the underdog & she’s well liked. The pace is very good & never lags & I found myself drawn into the book & read it in a couple of sittings, it kept me on the edge of my seat even though I found parts stretched my credibility but these didn't impinge on my enjoyment
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
June 14, 2021
This writing was amazing, there are very few books I read with this many characters in it that are just exquisite. Seriously, all the delivery for a thriller was so realistic (sometimes it can get overdramatic and this was not that way at all). Also I loved that you could read this book as a stand alone despite it was the third in it's series. With this particular book there were several locations so that part can feel overwhelming at first, however given the fact that the characters were so detailed and easy to follow you can keep up with the locations easily.
Detective Ellie Reeves appears to have another serial killer on her hands. Coming off of an extremely hard case that threatened herself, colleagues, and friends, she is flabbergasted that another killer is on the lose. Worse than that the victims appear so random it's difficult to find where the tie in is. The only thing that is similar is they are all burned and surrounded by a circle of ritual stones. With a determination and a personal connection, Ellie dives in and will not rest until she finds out who is doing these horrific acts.
Thank you so much to Rita Herron, Bookouture, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is OUT NOW available at Barnes and Noble, Kobo, or your local bookstores.
Detective Ellie Reeves appears to have another serial killer on her hands. Coming off of an extremely hard case that threatened herself, colleagues, and friends, she is flabbergasted that another killer is on the lose. Worse than that the victims appear so random it's difficult to find where the tie in is. The only thing that is similar is they are all burned and surrounded by a circle of ritual stones. With a determination and a personal connection, Ellie dives in and will not rest until she finds out who is doing these horrific acts.
Thank you so much to Rita Herron, Bookouture, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is OUT NOW available at Barnes and Noble, Kobo, or your local bookstores.
June 12, 2021
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. This is the third book in this series but all three can be read as standalones.
Detective Ellie Reeves has been through the mill these last few months and life doesn't seem to be improving much for her. Ellie has a very determined streak. She won’t let anyone stop her from doing her job even if it puts her in danger. I think Ellie has incredible strength too, to stay in the town after everything that has happened can’t be easy.
The story flicks between Ellie, the killer and a few other POVs. I love different POVs as it really allows you to understand how the different characters are thinking and feeling. I think it gives a much more rounded story.
This book was fast-paced and had you on the edge of your seat. Who would the next victim be and what was the connection? Rita had me constantly worrying about the characters.
I was gripped from the first page, the chapters are short so it’s very easy to keep reading long past your bedtime. Rita had me so engrossed!
A thrilling read for all crime fans!
Detective Ellie Reeves has been through the mill these last few months and life doesn't seem to be improving much for her. Ellie has a very determined streak. She won’t let anyone stop her from doing her job even if it puts her in danger. I think Ellie has incredible strength too, to stay in the town after everything that has happened can’t be easy.
The story flicks between Ellie, the killer and a few other POVs. I love different POVs as it really allows you to understand how the different characters are thinking and feeling. I think it gives a much more rounded story.
This book was fast-paced and had you on the edge of your seat. Who would the next victim be and what was the connection? Rita had me constantly worrying about the characters.
I was gripped from the first page, the chapters are short so it’s very easy to keep reading long past your bedtime. Rita had me so engrossed!
A thrilling read for all crime fans!
October 21, 2024
It still bothers me how insanely improbable it is to have back to back serial killers, in ONE small town, ALL connected to one female detective. But! I really like this series and all the characters. I’m hooked, so I’m choosing to let that go.
Also, Ellie still makes me laugh out loud at her not great police work.
Victim’s daughter: “Did you find my mom? Where is she?”
Ellie: “The morgue.”
Victim’s daughter: “What happened to her?”
Ellie: “She was strangled to death.”
WHAT? ELLIE! Have some tact, good grief!
And also also…how are we to choose between Derrick and Cord?! Because no. I propose a reverse harem/MFM situation. It’s the only acceptable outcome.
Also, Ellie still makes me laugh out loud at her not great police work.
Victim’s daughter: “Did you find my mom? Where is she?”
Ellie: “The morgue.”
Victim’s daughter: “What happened to her?”
Ellie: “She was strangled to death.”
WHAT? ELLIE! Have some tact, good grief!
And also also…how are we to choose between Derrick and Cord?! Because no. I propose a reverse harem/MFM situation. It’s the only acceptable outcome.
June 4, 2021
Yowza!!! Twists and surprises, Look over the shoulder moments - check, pull feet off the floor and make sure all the lights are on - check and check. This can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading book 1 and 2 for the understanding of Detective Ellie Reeves growth. Its like having cake without the frosting. Some dark moments are handled with taste, Some twists taunt the imagination. A fast paced thriller wrapped within a mystery. Excellent read and highly recommend. Thank you Net Galley. Bookouture and Rita Herron for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. No solicitation happened in this house. :)
June 25, 2021
Another serial killer murderer in the Ellie Reeves series. There was a lot of repetitiveness in the last 2 book, more than there needed to be, but it was still a good story, if you call a killer who murdered women then burned their bodies. The killer was kinda cray-cray.
There was no romance and the F0bomb was used 5 times.
As for the narration: I love Tanya Eby. She makes the voices great and makes the book all the better.
There was no romance and the F0bomb was used 5 times.
As for the narration: I love Tanya Eby. She makes the voices great and makes the book all the better.
August 31, 2021
Un'altra storia che lascia col fiato sospeso: stavolta ho capito chi fosse il colpevole 10 secondi prima della rivelazione. Sembra che il mistero sulla nascita della protagonista sia finalmente risolto. Ora spero che ottenga un po' di pace perché in questi primi tre libri è stata veramente bistrattata. E non guasterebbe se permettesse a uno dei due uomini che le ronzano attorno di avere una possibilità con lei.
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