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Sheriff Elven Hallie #4
Abducted in Appalachia
Where is the line drawn between doing what is lawful, and doing what is right?
After a body is found gutted in the road, Sheriff Elven Hallie discovers the murder was collateral damage to an abduction. One that leads out of his jurisdiction. And one that pushes the boundaries of everything he stands for.
Madds is missing.
Monacan County is rooted in criminal activity, corrupt law enforcement, and most of all, superstition. Elven will do whatever it takes to find Madds, even if it means forming a partnership with the man he despises most.
Hollis Starcher.
But how many of his own values will it cost him? And will it be enough to save Madds before it’s too late?
After a body is found gutted in the road, Sheriff Elven Hallie discovers the murder was collateral damage to an abduction. One that leads out of his jurisdiction. And one that pushes the boundaries of everything he stands for.
Madds is missing.
Monacan County is rooted in criminal activity, corrupt law enforcement, and most of all, superstition. Elven will do whatever it takes to find Madds, even if it means forming a partnership with the man he despises most.
Hollis Starcher.
But how many of his own values will it cost him? And will it be enough to save Madds before it’s too late?
523 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2022
1641 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Drew Strickland
44 books169 followersDrew Strickland is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of the Sheriff Elven Hallie Mysteries along with other twisted crime and psychological thrillers.
He resides in Arizona with his wife and kids. When he’s not writing, he can be found reading, exploring new cities, spending time with his family, and of course, cuddling with his many cats (for real, cats just love him and he loves them).
Connect with Drew:
➜ WEBSITE: drewstricklandbooks.com
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/drewstricklandbooks
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/drewstricklandbooks
He resides in Arizona with his wife and kids. When he’s not writing, he can be found reading, exploring new cities, spending time with his family, and of course, cuddling with his many cats (for real, cats just love him and he loves them).
Connect with Drew:
➜ WEBSITE: drewstricklandbooks.com
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/drewstricklandbooks
➜ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/drewstricklandbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
November 15, 2023
Drew Strickland continues to provide stellar stories in this third novel of the series. Elven Hallie, a sheriff in a West Virginia county, has been getting used to the job, bumps and all. When one of his deputies has been kidnapped, the hunt is on to find her before it’s too late. Suspecting that this could be Deputy Cook’s estranged husband, Sheriff Hallie has a target. While tensions rise, there are some other clues that emerge, including a man murdered on the roadside, that lend credence that there could be someone much more dangerous out there, holding Deputy Cook for reasons as yet unknown.
Continuing from where the last book ended, Deputy Maddison ‘Madds’ Cook has been looking to lay down some roots but purchasing a home. She’s arrived to meet her realtor, but someone is waiting in the house and Deputy Cook soon ends up in their custody. While she has no idea what this is about, she can only wonder if her estranged husband might be involved.
When a call comes in about a body on the side of the road, Dupray County Sheriff Elven Hallie makes his way to the scene. Things are gorier than he would have expected, likely a carjacking gone awry. Following up on some leads, Sheriff Hallie learns that things will take him to the nearby Monacan County, where the sheriff is less amiable and connected to some of the darker people within the state.
When, during the investigation, Sheriff Hallie learns that Deputy Cook has gone missing, likely abducted from the home she was hoping to view, he pushes things into high gear. Scrambling for answers, Sheriff Hallie must work with his highly corrupt counterpart in order to pave the way towards answers. If that were not enough, Sheriff Hallie must partner with a man who has many connections, but has long been rumoured to have his hand deep in criminal enterprises all across West Virginia. If Hollis Starcher can help find Deputy Cook, their skirmishes will have to be shelved for the time being.
All the while, Madds Cook is being kept captive by a man whose past and present are blurred by an event that shook him. Madds may be just the thing he needs to calm his concerns, though he will need to take action to mark him as her own. Panicked and unsure if anyone is looking for her, Madds Cook can only wait, hoping that Sheriff Hallie will find her before it’s too late. A chilling story that has so many moving parts. Drew Strickland has done a stellar job once more.
The tone is set once more with this piece, which complements the other novels in the series. Drew Strickland provides a strong narrative that connects the previous novels, while tossing out new and intriguing ideas in this novel. Momentum gained through fast chapters and multiple story ideas, Strickland keeps the reader hooked until all is revealed.
The development of Elven Hallie’s character proves effective, though it is the loose addition of various aspects of Madds Cook’s backstory that shapes various parts of this book. Strickland uses slow reveals to keep the reader hooked and wanting to know more, though the story offers up many new faces with stories of their own. One can hope that many of the names will return for more adventures in upcoming novels, but this story is full of flavourful characters who push the story along. Seeking to address both Sheriff Hallie’s determination to protect his team and a personal connection to Madds Cook, this book provides some great development that is needed to bridge some of the story arcs not yet resolved.
There are numerous plot developments in the book, building on past arcs and added some new ones for the reader to enjoy. The story moves swiftly and there is so much to take in, forcing the reader to pay close attention as they find themselves on this adventures, which does not dissipate until the final pages, While a longer thriller, there is nothing that drags in this piece. If anything, the reader will want to push through this to get to the next novel, which I can only hope is packed with just as much action.
Kudos, Mr. Strickland, for another stunning read that has me eager to forge onwards.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ab...
Continuing from where the last book ended, Deputy Maddison ‘Madds’ Cook has been looking to lay down some roots but purchasing a home. She’s arrived to meet her realtor, but someone is waiting in the house and Deputy Cook soon ends up in their custody. While she has no idea what this is about, she can only wonder if her estranged husband might be involved.
When a call comes in about a body on the side of the road, Dupray County Sheriff Elven Hallie makes his way to the scene. Things are gorier than he would have expected, likely a carjacking gone awry. Following up on some leads, Sheriff Hallie learns that things will take him to the nearby Monacan County, where the sheriff is less amiable and connected to some of the darker people within the state.
When, during the investigation, Sheriff Hallie learns that Deputy Cook has gone missing, likely abducted from the home she was hoping to view, he pushes things into high gear. Scrambling for answers, Sheriff Hallie must work with his highly corrupt counterpart in order to pave the way towards answers. If that were not enough, Sheriff Hallie must partner with a man who has many connections, but has long been rumoured to have his hand deep in criminal enterprises all across West Virginia. If Hollis Starcher can help find Deputy Cook, their skirmishes will have to be shelved for the time being.
All the while, Madds Cook is being kept captive by a man whose past and present are blurred by an event that shook him. Madds may be just the thing he needs to calm his concerns, though he will need to take action to mark him as her own. Panicked and unsure if anyone is looking for her, Madds Cook can only wait, hoping that Sheriff Hallie will find her before it’s too late. A chilling story that has so many moving parts. Drew Strickland has done a stellar job once more.
The tone is set once more with this piece, which complements the other novels in the series. Drew Strickland provides a strong narrative that connects the previous novels, while tossing out new and intriguing ideas in this novel. Momentum gained through fast chapters and multiple story ideas, Strickland keeps the reader hooked until all is revealed.
The development of Elven Hallie’s character proves effective, though it is the loose addition of various aspects of Madds Cook’s backstory that shapes various parts of this book. Strickland uses slow reveals to keep the reader hooked and wanting to know more, though the story offers up many new faces with stories of their own. One can hope that many of the names will return for more adventures in upcoming novels, but this story is full of flavourful characters who push the story along. Seeking to address both Sheriff Hallie’s determination to protect his team and a personal connection to Madds Cook, this book provides some great development that is needed to bridge some of the story arcs not yet resolved.
There are numerous plot developments in the book, building on past arcs and added some new ones for the reader to enjoy. The story moves swiftly and there is so much to take in, forcing the reader to pay close attention as they find themselves on this adventures, which does not dissipate until the final pages, While a longer thriller, there is nothing that drags in this piece. If anything, the reader will want to push through this to get to the next novel, which I can only hope is packed with just as much action.
Kudos, Mr. Strickland, for another stunning read that has me eager to forge onwards.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ab...
May 31, 2023
This was another good book in the Elven Hallie series - was a tad too long for me - but I still enjoyed it!
May 9, 2024
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape, Select-Striller Publishing, and author Drew Strickland for the ARC. I am always looking for a series to read, and this title caught my eye, as I am a fan of Appalachia as a setting. As a new reader of this author, it was my fault this is the 4th in the series and I had not read the first 3 as I felt like I was missing details alluded to. This story definitely has suspense and the reader must pay attention to follow the faced paced twists and turns. Overworked Sheriff Elven Hallie is the only law enforcement in this West Virginia county until new deputy, Maddison Cook joins him to oversee an entire West Virginia County. When Madds goes missing after a woman’s body is found in the river, Sheriff Elven will go to extremes to locate missing Madds in time to rescue her, even if he has to join forces with his longtime enemy. Minacan County is…strange? The villain who abducts Madds is a deranged psychopath who will make your skin crawl. A lot of gore. Narrator Madison Niederhauser speaks well, but the accent for the area is not on point. I liked Sheriff Elven’s character and the way he interacts with county folk. I liked the character of Hollis Starcher, even if he is Sheriff Elven’s nemesis. I thought this book was unnecesarily extremely long and needs further editing as there were glaring errors. Abducted in Appalachia definitely left me with questions!
August 21, 2024
I made it to the halfway mark of this 16 hour audiobook, but just couldn’t finish it.
The very first chapter really drew me in, but then I felt like it didn’t keep up the same momentum. There were too many irrelevant characters and it was drawn out without a purpose.
I think I would’ve enjoyed this more if a few hours were shaved off and there was a build up to what was happening next. Instead, it felt more like a “first he talks to this guy, now he talks to this girl, someone goes missing, next he talks to these guys…” kind of situation.
Narrator was enjoyable to listen to.
I really appreciate the author, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Selection for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The very first chapter really drew me in, but then I felt like it didn’t keep up the same momentum. There were too many irrelevant characters and it was drawn out without a purpose.
I think I would’ve enjoyed this more if a few hours were shaved off and there was a build up to what was happening next. Instead, it felt more like a “first he talks to this guy, now he talks to this girl, someone goes missing, next he talks to these guys…” kind of situation.
Narrator was enjoyable to listen to.
I really appreciate the author, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Selection for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2024
What a wild ride!
Just when you think things couldn’t possibly get worse, they do!
Lies and hate run deep.
The voice narrator does a great job bringing the story to life.
I partially read via Kindle and listened on Audible.
Time for book 5!
Just when you think things couldn’t possibly get worse, they do!
Lies and hate run deep.
The voice narrator does a great job bringing the story to life.
I partially read via Kindle and listened on Audible.
Time for book 5!
August 11, 2024
Definitely a case of I might have enjoyed this more had I read those before it. However, reading it as a stand alone, I just found that it wasn't for me. I found many scenes far-fetched and unrealistic, and I found the characters not believable. I wish I'd liked it more.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
April 11, 2024
needs an editor
I liked the other three books. This one was pretty gory, but also there were quite a bit of grammatical errors that I have a hard time getting over. I may take a break and then possibly read the next one in the series.
I liked the other three books. This one was pretty gory, but also there were quite a bit of grammatical errors that I have a hard time getting over. I may take a break and then possibly read the next one in the series.
October 5, 2023
not my favorite
He strode was very far fetch I could not connect and I do not see the chemistry between these characters
He strode was very far fetch I could not connect and I do not see the chemistry between these characters
April 7, 2024
Elven and gang jumped the shark here. Weird story. Weird in a bad way.
May 23, 2024
This book was longer than it needed to be. I enjoyed the different POV but wish there had been less main characters given how long and drawn out the novel was
August 6, 2024
This Series.
I originally picked this series up because I love stories set in Appalachia, having spent the last 20 years of my life in God's Country. The first book was good enough to keep me reading (okay, listening). But somewhere in my bingeing of this series, it went from interesting to amazing. By the time I reached this novel, I was completely hooked on these characters and the stories Strickland has spun with them.
Sheriff Hallie is an incredibly complex man. He's a bit along the lines of the great literary lawmen who have extremely strong morals but find themselves in the gray area of the law at times because of it. But Elven Hallie doesn't just find himself in the gray areas, he's a complete shadow warrior, doing whatever it takes to bring justice. It's something that's clearly understood in this area of the country but is counterintuitive to the US West and East coasts. Hallie is strong, complex, loyal, confident to the point of being cocky, and yet someone who can lead others as easily as he draws breath.
There are other characters that are equally complicated. Moonshiner and basic lawbreaker Hollis is a perfect example. He's the hillbilly version of a cartel lord and rules his area with the fist of one who will not be overthrown. He is tough but incredibly intelligent, brutal yet loyal to family. Usually. He is also conniving, strategizing, and a consummate liar. But there are things about him to be admired. As bad as he is, and make no mistake- he is on the wrong side of the law, there is something about him that makes him admirable. He is the definition of enigmatic.
If you are a fan of the more complex lawman characters like David Wolf, Cork O'Connor, Joe Pickett, or Walt Longmire, don't miss Drew Strickland's unique, thought-provoking, and well-written series!
I originally picked this series up because I love stories set in Appalachia, having spent the last 20 years of my life in God's Country. The first book was good enough to keep me reading (okay, listening). But somewhere in my bingeing of this series, it went from interesting to amazing. By the time I reached this novel, I was completely hooked on these characters and the stories Strickland has spun with them.
Sheriff Hallie is an incredibly complex man. He's a bit along the lines of the great literary lawmen who have extremely strong morals but find themselves in the gray area of the law at times because of it. But Elven Hallie doesn't just find himself in the gray areas, he's a complete shadow warrior, doing whatever it takes to bring justice. It's something that's clearly understood in this area of the country but is counterintuitive to the US West and East coasts. Hallie is strong, complex, loyal, confident to the point of being cocky, and yet someone who can lead others as easily as he draws breath.
There are other characters that are equally complicated. Moonshiner and basic lawbreaker Hollis is a perfect example. He's the hillbilly version of a cartel lord and rules his area with the fist of one who will not be overthrown. He is tough but incredibly intelligent, brutal yet loyal to family. Usually. He is also conniving, strategizing, and a consummate liar. But there are things about him to be admired. As bad as he is, and make no mistake- he is on the wrong side of the law, there is something about him that makes him admirable. He is the definition of enigmatic.
If you are a fan of the more complex lawman characters like David Wolf, Cork O'Connor, Joe Pickett, or Walt Longmire, don't miss Drew Strickland's unique, thought-provoking, and well-written series!
August 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5) so I am rounding up.
When I requested this, I didn't realise it was the fourth book in a series. But to my surprise, that didn't hold me back at all. Drew Strickland does a great job making this instalment stand on its own. I never felt lost or like I was missing pieces. That alone deserves some credit.
The story is dark, intense, and packed with grit. It opens with a brutal scene, a body left gutted in the middle of the road, and things only spiral deeper from there. Sheriff Elven Hallie is pulled into an abduction case that crosses county lines, tests his values, and forces him into an uneasy alliance with someone he can't stand: Hollis Starcher. The dynamic between them was tense and layered, and the whole situation in Monacan County is just soaked in corruption, superstition, and danger.
This book doesn't hold back. It's raw in places; there were moments I winced a bit (in the best way). The horror elements sprinkled throughout really added to the atmosphere without overdoing it.
What elevated the experience for me was the narration. Madison Niederhauser nailed the tone and tension. It was easy to follow, the character voices were distinct, and the pacing kept things moving. The narration is a solid 4.5-star performance.
Also worth mentioning: all eight books in this series are on Kindle Unlimited, which is excellent news for me, because I'll be going back to book one to see how it all started.
If you're into thrillers with a rural setting, gritty characters, and a heavy dose of secrets, corruption, and suspense, this one's worth checking out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select | Striller Publishing for the Advanced Listener's Copy in exchange for an honest review.
When I requested this, I didn't realise it was the fourth book in a series. But to my surprise, that didn't hold me back at all. Drew Strickland does a great job making this instalment stand on its own. I never felt lost or like I was missing pieces. That alone deserves some credit.
The story is dark, intense, and packed with grit. It opens with a brutal scene, a body left gutted in the middle of the road, and things only spiral deeper from there. Sheriff Elven Hallie is pulled into an abduction case that crosses county lines, tests his values, and forces him into an uneasy alliance with someone he can't stand: Hollis Starcher. The dynamic between them was tense and layered, and the whole situation in Monacan County is just soaked in corruption, superstition, and danger.
This book doesn't hold back. It's raw in places; there were moments I winced a bit (in the best way). The horror elements sprinkled throughout really added to the atmosphere without overdoing it.
What elevated the experience for me was the narration. Madison Niederhauser nailed the tone and tension. It was easy to follow, the character voices were distinct, and the pacing kept things moving. The narration is a solid 4.5-star performance.
Also worth mentioning: all eight books in this series are on Kindle Unlimited, which is excellent news for me, because I'll be going back to book one to see how it all started.
If you're into thrillers with a rural setting, gritty characters, and a heavy dose of secrets, corruption, and suspense, this one's worth checking out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select | Striller Publishing for the Advanced Listener's Copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2024
DNF
I was drawn to this book because I found the title and cover art intriguing. I found the first few chapters intriguing fairly intriguing. This book is part of a series, and I have not read any of the prior books, but it was still fairly easy to pick up on the continuous storyline and character relationships.
That being said, I gave this book 2 stars because it lost my interest pretty quickly after the first few chapters. This book is entirely too long. Many of the chapters really felt like pointless fillers that were not necessary for the story line or character development. Also, I honestly didn't really like the main character, Elven. A detective who's best quality is his smile is quite superficial. At one point in the story, his looks are briefly compromised, and it says something about him needed to figure out how to get information from people the way less attractive people would (i.e., him winking and smiling at someone doesn't make them do everything he wants). Literal eye roll.
The audiobook performance was okay, but there were a lot of characters and not a lot of differentiation between voices, making it difficult to follow who was talking at times.
I did not finish this book because the audiobook is 14 hours and after over 7 hours of listening, I was not at all invested in this story.
Thank you to NetGally, the author, and publisher for an opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.
I was drawn to this book because I found the title and cover art intriguing. I found the first few chapters intriguing fairly intriguing. This book is part of a series, and I have not read any of the prior books, but it was still fairly easy to pick up on the continuous storyline and character relationships.
That being said, I gave this book 2 stars because it lost my interest pretty quickly after the first few chapters. This book is entirely too long. Many of the chapters really felt like pointless fillers that were not necessary for the story line or character development. Also, I honestly didn't really like the main character, Elven. A detective who's best quality is his smile is quite superficial. At one point in the story, his looks are briefly compromised, and it says something about him needed to figure out how to get information from people the way less attractive people would (i.e., him winking and smiling at someone doesn't make them do everything he wants). Literal eye roll.
The audiobook performance was okay, but there were a lot of characters and not a lot of differentiation between voices, making it difficult to follow who was talking at times.
I did not finish this book because the audiobook is 14 hours and after over 7 hours of listening, I was not at all invested in this story.
Thank you to NetGally, the author, and publisher for an opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.
May 14, 2024
Though this is the 4th book in the series, it's the first I have read. It probably would have been helpful to have read the others beforehand as it was obvious personalities had been developed and I was a bit lost on some of the characters' history. However, I managed to sort it all out.
In a small town in West Virginia, the body of a local man, a recovering alcoholic, is found by the side of the road, horrifically gutted with a knife. The sheriff's department is running light, with one deputy in the hospital and another wearing a sling. So, when Deputy Madison (Madds) goes missing, Sheriff Elven Hallie wants her found as soon as possible. Her disappearance turns out to be tied to the roadside murder and Sheriff Hallie needs help. Clues lead to the next county over, whose law enforcement personnel are not interested in helping search for the missing officer. The only one who can help is the leader of the local drug ring (Hollis Starcher) and though Elven hates to become involved with him, he has no choice if he wants to find his missing Deputy.
As the search goes on, more and more bodies litter the community and tales of a gruesome cult emerge. Elven must compromise his own values to locate the missing Madds.
Readers who enjoy a bit of the macabre will enjoy this one. It is narrated by Madison Niederhauser, professional actor and narrator.
Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley
In a small town in West Virginia, the body of a local man, a recovering alcoholic, is found by the side of the road, horrifically gutted with a knife. The sheriff's department is running light, with one deputy in the hospital and another wearing a sling. So, when Deputy Madison (Madds) goes missing, Sheriff Elven Hallie wants her found as soon as possible. Her disappearance turns out to be tied to the roadside murder and Sheriff Hallie needs help. Clues lead to the next county over, whose law enforcement personnel are not interested in helping search for the missing officer. The only one who can help is the leader of the local drug ring (Hollis Starcher) and though Elven hates to become involved with him, he has no choice if he wants to find his missing Deputy.
As the search goes on, more and more bodies litter the community and tales of a gruesome cult emerge. Elven must compromise his own values to locate the missing Madds.
Readers who enjoy a bit of the macabre will enjoy this one. It is narrated by Madison Niederhauser, professional actor and narrator.
Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley
May 2, 2024
After a body is found gutted in the road, Sheriff Elven Hallie discovers the murder was collateral damage to an abduction. One that leads out of his jurisdiction. And one that pushes the boundaries of everything he stands for.
At first, this was everything I love in a crime mystery/thriller. A gruesome murder, a hotshot Sheriff and enough drama to keep it going. Then, it just dragged on a little bit too much for my personal enjoyment. There were lulling moments that felt like a chore to get through. Once we left the realm of reality a little, I lost interest and needed to force myself to finish. This is book 4 in the Sheriff Elven Hallie series, while I did not read the first books - I recommend that you do, as I felt like I was missing crucial pieces of the story.
I was lucky enough to listen to the advanced audio for this one, the narrator was fantastic at getting the story across, I highly recommend them for a listen. Abducted in Appalachia is available now in all formats. Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select and Drew Strickland for the opportunity to read.
At first, this was everything I love in a crime mystery/thriller. A gruesome murder, a hotshot Sheriff and enough drama to keep it going. Then, it just dragged on a little bit too much for my personal enjoyment. There were lulling moments that felt like a chore to get through. Once we left the realm of reality a little, I lost interest and needed to force myself to finish. This is book 4 in the Sheriff Elven Hallie series, while I did not read the first books - I recommend that you do, as I felt like I was missing crucial pieces of the story.
I was lucky enough to listen to the advanced audio for this one, the narrator was fantastic at getting the story across, I highly recommend them for a listen. Abducted in Appalachia is available now in all formats. Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select and Drew Strickland for the opportunity to read.
May 7, 2024
When I first downloaded this audiobook, I didn’t realize Abducted in Appalachia was the fourth book in a series. As I listened, a few things cued me in that this story wasn’t standalone, but they weren’t enough to take me out of the story. Instead, I wanted to read the rest of the series!
Abducted moves quickly, requiring readers to pay close attention as the story develops. Strickland intertwines hints at the supernatural throughout the story, which enhances the suspense as he takes us through gruesome crime scenes and introduces us to characters held captive by the mysterious and murderous kidnapper.
Sheriff Elven Hallie is likable and easy to relate to, and the reader can empathize with his complicated relationship with the folks in his county.
Narrator Madison Niederhauser has a clear and soothing voice, but I would like to have heard more of a Southern twang in his narration, especially for the main characters. A few of the tertiary characters have a Southern accent, but these characters are generally the uneducated rednecks.
Abducted moves quickly, requiring readers to pay close attention as the story develops. Strickland intertwines hints at the supernatural throughout the story, which enhances the suspense as he takes us through gruesome crime scenes and introduces us to characters held captive by the mysterious and murderous kidnapper.
Sheriff Elven Hallie is likable and easy to relate to, and the reader can empathize with his complicated relationship with the folks in his county.
Narrator Madison Niederhauser has a clear and soothing voice, but I would like to have heard more of a Southern twang in his narration, especially for the main characters. A few of the tertiary characters have a Southern accent, but these characters are generally the uneducated rednecks.
May 8, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Madison Niederhauser, who does a great job so I recommend the audio versions if that is of interest.
Sheriff Hallie investigates a gruesome murder that involves the abduction of one of his deputies and a murderer/abductor that has another woman being held at his mercy.
I have not read any of the other books in this series and this is not a stand-alone. I was a little lost with regard to some of the characters and pieces to the story. If you are a fan of this series, the author does not waste much time recounting the history but if you are new to it, keep this in mind.
I was excited to read this as a cop procedural thriller with murder drama thrown in. But I found that the story dragged along for me. It was a struggle to listen to the story and get to the ending, which is never fun. This was a so-so read for me. If you like this series, I am sure that it would be better.
3 stars.
Sheriff Hallie investigates a gruesome murder that involves the abduction of one of his deputies and a murderer/abductor that has another woman being held at his mercy.
I have not read any of the other books in this series and this is not a stand-alone. I was a little lost with regard to some of the characters and pieces to the story. If you are a fan of this series, the author does not waste much time recounting the history but if you are new to it, keep this in mind.
I was excited to read this as a cop procedural thriller with murder drama thrown in. But I found that the story dragged along for me. It was a struggle to listen to the story and get to the ending, which is never fun. This was a so-so read for me. If you like this series, I am sure that it would be better.
3 stars.
May 5, 2024
Book Title Abducted in Appalachia
Author: Drew Strickland
Series; Sheriff Elven Haller #4
Format: 🎧
Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser
Publisher: Dreamscape Select-Striller Publishing
Genre: Mystery thriller
Audiobook Pub Date was: April 23, 2024
My Rating: 2.6 rounded up
Pages: 523
Elven Hallie, a sheriff in West Virginia and has been getting used to the job, when Deputy Maddison ‘Madds’ Cook one of his deputies has been kidnapped. Her estranged husband is a suspect
Story has me curious. I was frost drawn to this story as I was born and raised in West Virginia. Stories about my home state are usually negative. I was hoping this story might be more positive. Unfortunately I did not get my wish. A lot of gore and the villains were truly evil.
Plus I am sure there is no county as bizarre as Minacan
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select-Striller Publishing for this audiobook.
Audio Pub Date was April 23, 2024.
Author: Drew Strickland
Series; Sheriff Elven Haller #4
Format: 🎧
Narrated by: Madison Niederhauser
Publisher: Dreamscape Select-Striller Publishing
Genre: Mystery thriller
Audiobook Pub Date was: April 23, 2024
My Rating: 2.6 rounded up
Pages: 523
Elven Hallie, a sheriff in West Virginia and has been getting used to the job, when Deputy Maddison ‘Madds’ Cook one of his deputies has been kidnapped. Her estranged husband is a suspect
Story has me curious. I was frost drawn to this story as I was born and raised in West Virginia. Stories about my home state are usually negative. I was hoping this story might be more positive. Unfortunately I did not get my wish. A lot of gore and the villains were truly evil.
Plus I am sure there is no county as bizarre as Minacan
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select-Striller Publishing for this audiobook.
Audio Pub Date was April 23, 2024.
May 7, 2024
Book 4 in the Sheriff Elven Hallie Series. While it likely could be read as a stand alone, you will enjoy it more as part of the series.
Madds has been kidnapped. Johnny is still in a coma and Tank is recovering from a gunshot wound. Elven turns to Hollis Starcher for help out of desperation. They are in a race against time to find her all while bodies keep piling up.
I really enjoyed the whole concept of Elven and Hollis teaming up. It showed growth and a side of both characters you haven't seen before. I enjoyed the plot with Gabriel- it was different and a bit weird. However, I felt the book was too long. It felt like it was dragging on forever for a bit. I think it would have been better a tad shorter.
I am excited to see where book 5 takes everyone.
Madison Niederhauser narrates the audiobook again.
I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
Madds has been kidnapped. Johnny is still in a coma and Tank is recovering from a gunshot wound. Elven turns to Hollis Starcher for help out of desperation. They are in a race against time to find her all while bodies keep piling up.
I really enjoyed the whole concept of Elven and Hollis teaming up. It showed growth and a side of both characters you haven't seen before. I enjoyed the plot with Gabriel- it was different and a bit weird. However, I felt the book was too long. It felt like it was dragging on forever for a bit. I think it would have been better a tad shorter.
I am excited to see where book 5 takes everyone.
Madison Niederhauser narrates the audiobook again.
I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2024
Elven is the sheriff in a small town where he grew up. There's not usually a lot going on but when they find one of their citizens brutally murdered on the roadside, it leads to the discovery of another victim and a missing deputy. Elven takes it upon himself to cross jurisdictions and perform his own less-than-legal investigation to get his deputy back safely. He uncovers a dark world that he had never encountered before but finds very little out about who has taken his deputy.
This book was so much more than I expected! I kept checking that I was listening to the right story because it took a HARD left into an underground lifestyle I could never even have dreamed of. The story was great and very fast paced even though it is a long book. I love flawed and realistic characters and that is exactly what you get in this story.
This book was so much more than I expected! I kept checking that I was listening to the right story because it took a HARD left into an underground lifestyle I could never even have dreamed of. The story was great and very fast paced even though it is a long book. I love flawed and realistic characters and that is exactly what you get in this story.
May 12, 2024
This is what happens when I forget about the Archive Date and the book disappears before I'm ready to finish! So I went ahead and bought the audio so I could finish this book I was invested in.
Sheriff Elven Hallie is responsible for a poor rural county and is down two deputies. Johnny is still in a coma and Tank is recovering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder and is on limited duty. So now he has two gruesome murders while his newest, Deputy Maddison ‘Madds’ Cook, is missing under suspicious circumstances. And that's only the beginning of this adrenalin fest!
Madison Niederhauser narrator has a convincing voice and gives a good interpretation but poor character differentiation.
I requested and received a free temporary audiobook from Dreamscape Select/Striller Publishing via NetGalley.
Sheriff Elven Hallie is responsible for a poor rural county and is down two deputies. Johnny is still in a coma and Tank is recovering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder and is on limited duty. So now he has two gruesome murders while his newest, Deputy Maddison ‘Madds’ Cook, is missing under suspicious circumstances. And that's only the beginning of this adrenalin fest!
Madison Niederhauser narrator has a convincing voice and gives a good interpretation but poor character differentiation.
I requested and received a free temporary audiobook from Dreamscape Select/Striller Publishing via NetGalley.
January 28, 2025
2.5 stars- the setting is great and the characters are layered. The reason why I rated this lower is that there was way too much gratuitous violence- just scene after scene. Over the top for my taste. I also don’t like this set-up romance between Mads and Elven. I think he should be with Penny. The main reason I kept it at a three was Hollis- he is an absolute despicable character, however, at times in this book I had to remind myself he is horrible. He was more likable than Elven. Parts of this book were so ridiculous I almost felt it was moving into mysticism. There is no way Elven would have no broken bones and missing teeth. One of the characters would have never survived- so you have to be willing to suspend unbelief to swallow parts of this plot. I didn’t realize Penny was a social worker. I don’t think she would tolerate her father’s business seeing how opiates destroy families.
September 24, 2024
I received a free audiobook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
I haven’t read any books by Drew Strickland before, so I was interested in trying this (new to me) author. The story seemed interesting, so I was ready to dive in!
I found, unfortunately, that I didn’t get hooked. I know that this is part way through a series, but I don’t think it was this that bothered me- you could definitely jump in and be ok not having read any of the previous books, I guess I just didn’t relate to Deputy Cook or care as much as I should have. That could bet totally on me though, so check this book or series out and give it a chance. I’m going to try another of Strickland’s books and see if it’s just me or maybe just this book!
I haven’t read any books by Drew Strickland before, so I was interested in trying this (new to me) author. The story seemed interesting, so I was ready to dive in!
I found, unfortunately, that I didn’t get hooked. I know that this is part way through a series, but I don’t think it was this that bothered me- you could definitely jump in and be ok not having read any of the previous books, I guess I just didn’t relate to Deputy Cook or care as much as I should have. That could bet totally on me though, so check this book or series out and give it a chance. I’m going to try another of Strickland’s books and see if it’s just me or maybe just this book!
May 5, 2024
Thank you, Netgalley, for a free copy of this audio book in exchange for my honest feedback.
This murder mystery/thriller captivated me from the start, fulfilling my desire for suspense and intrigue. Although the narrator's monotone delivery was not my favorite, it didn't detract too much from the overall storytelling experience. Drew Strickland skillfully infused the standard murder mystery formula with unexpected plot twists and fresh ideas, keeping me engaged and excited throughout. Despite starting with the fourth book in the series, I found it compelling enough to go back and start from the beginning. I'm grateful for the chance to delve into this thrilling read.
This murder mystery/thriller captivated me from the start, fulfilling my desire for suspense and intrigue. Although the narrator's monotone delivery was not my favorite, it didn't detract too much from the overall storytelling experience. Drew Strickland skillfully infused the standard murder mystery formula with unexpected plot twists and fresh ideas, keeping me engaged and excited throughout. Despite starting with the fourth book in the series, I found it compelling enough to go back and start from the beginning. I'm grateful for the chance to delve into this thrilling read.
June 12, 2024
Drew Strickland hit a home run with this fast paced thrilling yet chilling story. I didn't realize it was a part of a series (book 4), yet to me, it really didn't matter as the plot wasn't lacking in any way. What starts as a missing deputy soon turns into a horrific nightmare with a trail of bodies to follow. I was hooked from the beginning and didn't stop until the last page. Well done!
Narrated by Madison Niederhauser, who was easy to listen to and the pace was on point and at the right tone. Will definitely listen to other audiobooks narrated by Madison.
*I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
Narrated by Madison Niederhauser, who was easy to listen to and the pace was on point and at the right tone. Will definitely listen to other audiobooks narrated by Madison.
*I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
August 13, 2024
I was hopeful for this book, having grown up in Appalachia, but it didn't fully capture the region's geography, focusing instead on the stereotypical portrayal of the people and the economic struggles of rural Appalachia. The plot was fast-paced and kept me engaged, but it tried to do too much, leading to a chaotic narrative. At times, I found myself questioning the direction, like when we suddenly end up at a brothel... I also didn't realize it was part of a series until the author repeatedly referenced past relationships and events. Overall, it was a book. A book that I read—and will probably forget. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read it.
November 16, 2023
TWIST AND SHOUT
I have to begin by saying ,this was my recovery from Covid read. I had started it but got distracted. Then after Covid wrecked havoc in my life this book got me thru. The twists and turns and evil dysfunctional family had me pushing myself to feel well enough to keep reading. The characters were so twisted that it was hard to follow their paths . I hope there is no town as bizarre as theirs and that goodness and redemption continue for the characters. It was consuming , well done.
I have to begin by saying ,this was my recovery from Covid read. I had started it but got distracted. Then after Covid wrecked havoc in my life this book got me thru. The twists and turns and evil dysfunctional family had me pushing myself to feel well enough to keep reading. The characters were so twisted that it was hard to follow their paths . I hope there is no town as bizarre as theirs and that goodness and redemption continue for the characters. It was consuming , well done.
July 9, 2024
As I read the next book and the next book I get more invested in the characters in this series and want to know where its all going and find out what we don't know. This one had me hooked from the beginning and I was trying to my best to figure it out before they gave away who the abductors were. I didn't get it I would think one thing and then it would be wrong. Kept me interested and wanting to know more. This will be a series I continue to read and want to know more about all the characters. Thanks netgalley for the arc!
May 28, 2024
Abducted in Appalachia is a psychological-thriller, law-enforcement, rural setting in West-Virginia, psychotic, twisted, with lots of dead bodies.
This was a little gruesome and graphic for me.
Also I couldn’t get a handle on the many characters.
This was the 4th in the series so I think character development happened in previous books.
The dual prespectives was hard to sort out in an audio book.
This was a little gruesome and graphic for me.
Also I couldn’t get a handle on the many characters.
This was the 4th in the series so I think character development happened in previous books.
The dual prespectives was hard to sort out in an audio book.
August 3, 2024
4.5⭐️ This 4th installment of the Elven Hallie series has me in a chokehold from the first few pages. It was an intense read with multiple murders and kidnappings with serious mystery, intrigue, fright, violence, and uncertainty mixed throughout. The sheriff finds himself working with his enemy to find out what has happened to his deputy and friend, Madds. The way it all turned out still has me reeling.
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