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Ella Dark #2

by Blake Pierce

FBI Agent Ella Dark, 29, is given her big chance to achieve her life’s dream: to join the Behavorial Crimes Unit. Ella has a hidden obsession: she has studied serial killers from the time she could read, devastated by the murder of her own sister. With her photographic memory, she has obtained an encyclopedic knowledge of every serial killer, every victim and every case. Singled out for her brilliant mind, Ella is invited to join the big leagues.

Victims are being found murdered in the Pacific Northwest, their bodies strung up high in the branches of Redwood trees. It is presumed to be the work of a serial killer dubbed “The Artist Killer.” Ella feels so close to catching him, feels certain she has read of similar murders—but this time, her knowledge fails her.

Can she catch a killer without her talent?

Or will it return to her too late?

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

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

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2021

About the author

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

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

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book. That was a mistake. The reading of this book was so boring. The person reading had a one tone, unenthusiastic voice. This was an actual DNF for me which is rare because normally I can plug a head. I believe I could have if it had been an actual book and not the audio version. The downside to the story though was it was boring also. I didn't connect with the story line nor Ella like I did in the first book. A real disappointment. My only suggestion if you are set on this book is read it on your own don't do the audio version. And....good luck:)

[Laur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. After reading and really enjoying the 1st in this series, I was looking forward to, and had such high hopes for book #2.

This story didn’t nearly produce the high octane excitement and thrill of the 1st book. Also something was remiss about the main character, not being as likable or personable as before.

The narrator’s version of this read was bland. Read almost as if a monotone script.

Sorry - just didn’t connect to this one.

[Catie Spetz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found Ella to be cocky and not in a good confident way. She acted like she was better than someone with 25 years experience in the FBI. That the other agent might be jealous of her. Not into it.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl, Taken (Ella Dark FBI Suspense Thriller #2) by Blake Pierce is second in this series following FBI Agent Ella Dark, 29, who is given her big chance to achieve her life’s dream: to join the Behavorial Crimes Unit. Victims are being found murdered in the Pacific Northwest, their bodies strung up high in the branches of Redwood trees. It is presumed to be the work of a serial killer dubbed “The Artist Killer.” Ella feels so close to catching him, feels certain she has read of similar murders—but this time, her knowledge fails her. A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the ELLA DARK series is a riveting mystery, packed with suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

[L Cherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting new series!
I am definitely getting more into this series. The more Ella Dark works with her senior partner, the more I like both of them. The serial killers that they hunt are becoming more devious and difficult to find. I hope to see more personal details about the characters the next book. I keep waiting for more heart gripping personal hurt. We will see what is to come in the next installment.

[Randee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book of the series. Excellent book. I actually listened to the audiobook, rather than reading it. That being said, I absolutely couldn’t stand the narrator! The woman reading the book shouldn’t be allowed to narrate anything else, ever again. Absolutely terrible! Cheesy and robotic. Do yourself a favor and read the ebook instead.

[Fanny Reads ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Segundo libro de la serie Ella Dark, y me atrapó igual.

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

Opinión en específico del libro: Tenemos un nuevo crimen, un asesino que cuelga a sus victimas de árboles y los deja a la vista del mundo, a diferencia de los demás crimenes, este tiene un poco más de complejidad debido a que el FBI no puede mantenerlo en secreto, los cuerpos son exhibidos como obras de arte y así es como se le nombra a este sujero "el artista" ya que todos los cuerpos encontrados fueron de personas que pertenecían a este mundo.

Ella Dark es la única con el conocimiento total de antecedentes historícas y junto con su compañera Ripley que es la mejora en conducta criminal son las únicas que pueden atraparlo antes de perder más vidas, sin embargo... en este crimen algo falla.
Los conocimientos de ambas agentes no serán suficientes y Ella toma una decisión que cambiaría su vida para siempre.

Desesperada por respuestas Ella consulta los detalles del crimen y pide ayuda a una de los más sádicos y terribles asesinos en serie capturados, sin saber, que le costaría más de lo que obtuvo.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was OK, the second in the series about FBI folks who find serial killers. I was disappointed, however, in the production values of the audiobook. The reader was mediocre at best, and there were tons of dubs and poor splices. I wonder why they decided to allow such poor quality on this audiobook since the first in the series was pretty good. The story was pretty easy to follow, and I would recommend this if you want an audiobook that doesn’t require a lot of thinking.
(Interesting that the audiobook version I listened to is not even listed here on Goodreads as an available edition.)

[Priscilla Hannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good FBI novel. Love the characters, Mia & Ella. And the characters are evolving from the 1st novel. Great read. Don't have to think much.

[Romulo Perez-Segnini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and entertaining but just not as good as the first one. The chemistry between the two main characters is as good as the first book as is Ella’s cunning detective instincts.

The twists and turns are not as sharp, also typical of book #2s. The ending and prologue are corny.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say this book has surpassed my expectations! The author seems to be very prolific yet somehow I have never read anything by Blake Pierce. Until now. And I have most certainly enjoyed this story too!

It was a good exciting story about a lady FBI agent working a case about a serial killer who leaves bodies up in trees. Now sometimes I enjoy this kind of story and sometimes I don't. It all depends on the writing style. Mainly I like getting into the main character's head so I can understand them. And that certainly happens in here with Ella. I quickly knew all sorts of stuff about her. And even though I have not read the first book at all I was quickly able to grasp the situation here.

The story moves fast and there are many twists and turns but I think what I like best is the fact Ella is very human. She makes mistakes. She feels stuff, including embarrassment if she jumps to conclusions. But she also listens to her gut too. Because sometimes she just knows. And she is willing to put her life on the line too...

And there is certainly mystery in here too. Because who is the killer? I did not try to guess. I just enjoyed reading this...

I will definitely read more books in this series!

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was looking forward to the continuation of the story from book #1. The new narrator is terrible! I tried to overlook it but saw that it's the same narrator for the next book as well.

[ياسمينة · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une série vraiment captivante ! Je l’apprécie de plus en plus à chaque tome. Plus Ella collabore avec son partenaire plus âgé, plus j’admire leur relation et leur dynamique. Les tueurs en série qu’ils traquent deviennent de plus en plus rusés et difficiles à attraper, ce qui rend l’intrigue encore plus palpitante.

J’espère que le prochain livre explorera davantage les aspects personnels des personnages. J’attends toujours une dose supplémentaire de douleur émotionnelle et de drame intérieur.🫣
Hâte de découvrir ce que la suite nous réserve !

-Ella Dark-




________________
-Je pense que j’ai juste du mal à m’ouvrir aux autres. Je me demande tout le temps si je suis assez bien pour eux. Ou s’ils ne font que m’utiliser. Ou se moquer de moi. Je ne sais pas. C’est difficile à expliquer.

-Mais la vérité était parfois difficile à avaler.

-Les événements négatifs permettaient parfois de voir la situation sous un éclairage nouveau.

-Oublie ce que les gens peuvent penser de toi. Tu y arriveras plus facilement en te rendant compte que ce n’est pas du tout dirigé contre toi.

-Tu peux voir tes propres défauts, mais c’est toujours aussi dur de les changer.

[BunTheDestroyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has read Sweet Valley University, i know that angel dust is PCP, NOT cocaine

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado el argumento, la tensión que crea pero el desenlace me ha parecido flojo.

I liked the plot, the tension it creates, but the outcome seemed weak to me.

[Dmn Sabino · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rarely write reviews but a few points worth mentioning: Mr. Pierce you need a new editor. Absolutely way too many typos in a published read. Yes, read, most of the reviews are audio recordings of the book. I actually read it. Also, very redundant and long-winded And unnecessarily drawn out for just under 200 pages which is a short read. I really liked the first book in the series which led me to the second read, but they are hardly equal. “And one morning you wake up dead “, that doesn’t even make any sense. One of the points that I did enjoy throughout the reading were the references to real life serial killers and their MO. This was well researched and a highlight of this book IMO.

[Misti · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was leery to start this second book in the series because the first had so many errors in it, but I enjoyed the basic plot in the first one so I took a risk. While the first book was at least interesting, there was something really lackluster and false about this one. Perhaps it was just the terrible audiobook narration, but I was definitely not impressed. It felt like fan fiction.

[A Little Mystery Book ᰔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic start to my reading goal. I absolutely loved it. The mystery and the psychological part was perfectly balanced. I’m looking forward to read her other books outside of Ella Dark series. Blake Piece has become one of my favorite authors.

[Shatara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook and the narrator was terrible. She was Monotone and everyone sounded the same. 😩 the first book in the series was awesome but this one failed to keep that momentum. Idk if I’ll be listening to the next one bc it’s the same narrator. 😑

[Lisa Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not recommend the audiobook .

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second case has Ella working with Ripley again. Things are a bit more relaxed between them as they know each other and how they work. That doesn't mean problems don't arise, because there is a big issue that comes into play between them at the end. I do think that Ella had the right thought, but do wished that Ripley would have explained more in depth of her NO. It was nice that they got their bad guy, all looked well until the last bit. That will sure to make things interesting going forward.

[Niamh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointed by the reviews of this book, whilst i agree it was not as exciting as the first one in the series it was still a very good read, although I may be biased as it gives me Criminal Minds vibes and i love it. On to the next one!

[Sherrie Gallegos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent serial killer story. A few grammatical errors.

[Gabrielle Jurgens · Rating 3 out of 5]

First one was better - more intriguing. Not sure how the title ties to the plot of this one BUT will I likely continue reading Agent Dark’s story, YES!

[Melissa Peralta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meh, otro capítulo de la ley y el orden.

[Raylene Prout · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, this one was a stinker! After really enjoying the first one, I thought this would be another quick read I could use as a palate cleanser before heading into my next long read, but it actually took me longer to get through this one than books twice as long. The storyline was okay - just okay. However, the ending was ridiculous. The banter between Ella and Mia read like a 1950s comic book or something. I don't know any FBI agents, but I'm pretty sure they don't talk to each other that way. Not a fan of this one.....

[Christine Clearwater · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ended up not finishing this audiobook. I couldn’t listen to the narrator another minute longer. I made it about 1/3 of the way through before giving up. If the storyline was interesting enough I might have stuck with it. Very disappointing as I did enjoy the first book and hoped I had found a new binge listen series.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the first book in the Ella Dark series, Girl, Taken was a quick and easy read, and I enjoyed the overall plot. We get a little more background into the two main characters, Agents Dark and Ripley, and I do enjoy these characters together.

However, this installment went downhill for me in several places. There was an annoyingly high number of grammatical errors and missing words. I was left wondering if there was any research whatsoever done on the setting, or on how policing works, as the sheriff in the book was working out of the Seattle PD, which is not how that works. At one point Agents Ripley and Dark have to go to Bainbridge where the sheriff still seems to have some authority, but Bainbridge is in a different county.

Throughout the story we got some fairly in depth glimpses into possible suspects, yet in the end when they catch the killer all we get is a name and very minimal details. It felt unbalanced.

Although this particular gripe isn't really that big of a deal it felt like the icing on the cake with all the other glaring errors; the parking lot was referred to as a car park. I understand there are English speaking countries where that is what a parking lot is called, but not in the United States, where the setting and characters are based.

Overall, Girl, Taken was just okay for me. I plan on reading at least one or two more books in this series before I decide whether to commit the entire series or not.

[Connie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the AB, BUT the only reason I gave this book a 3 rating was because of the narrator...I get caught up in the story and it's fine but then a slow part will come and I'm reminded how bad this narrator is!!

FBI Agent Ella Dark, 29, is given her big chance to achieve her life’s dream: to join the Behavorial Crimes Unit. Ella has a hidden obsession: she has studied serial killers from the time she could read, devastated by the murder of her own sister. With her photographic memory, she has obtained an encyclopedic knowledge of every serial killer, every victim and every case. Singled out for her brilliant mind, Ella is invited to join the big leagues.

Victims are being found murdered in the Pacific Northwest, their bodies strung up high in the branches of Redwood trees. It is presumed to be the work of a serial killer dubbed “The Artist Killer.” Ella feels so close to catching him, feels certain she has read of similar murders—but this time, her knowledge fails her.

Can she catch a killer without her talent?

Or will it return to her too late?

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fast read featuring my two (Current) favourite FBI ladies, Dark and Ripley. There's just something about this duo that I really enjoy reading about. I love how their relationship works and how Mia is becoming a friend as well as a mentor to Ella. I also enjoyed that we are finding out more about Ella's childhood and her father's murder although I'm really hoping in future books the mystery is revealed. I'm still curious about Ella's mother, which was eluded to again in this book.

I read this over two sittings and find these books perfect mysteries. The red herrings, the fact the ladies don't instantly find the criminals and make mistakes. It just feels more like life. I also like seeing Ella grow as an agent and the possibility of things with Ben... Maybe. A solid 3.5 stars, onto Girl, Hunted next.