Girl, Vanished

Ella Dark #5

by Blake Pierce

When victims are found murdered, their bodies left mysteriously with coins on their eyes, Ella quickly realizes a serial killer is at work—and that he is as methodical, ritualistic and as obsessive as Ella is.

Worse, he is unlike any killer Ella has ever read about.

What message is he trying to send?

Has Ella finally met her match?

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, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Suspense

188 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2022

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

[Mary Gerety · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in series. Each book has the exact same format. There are usually three suspects.... and for a FBI agent she some how drops her gun and gets stabbed/ knifed or something like that when she apprehends the suspect at the end of each book.

[Fanny Reads ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

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

Opinión en específico del libro: Empiezan a encontrar a cuerpos abandonados misteriosamente con monedas en los ojos, Ella se da cuenta rápidamente de que un asesino en serie está actuando. Y que es tan metódico, ritualista y obsesivo como Ella.
Ella esta sola con un nuevo compañero debido a la exposición de secretos que había mantenido con su anterior compañera Ripley, decidió que no podía confiar en ella y menos sabiendo todo el daño que le había causado Thobias además del peligro en que las había expuesto.

Ella se ve obligada a comenzar de cero y con una nueva relación, Mark un tipo del trabajo que parecía todo dulce y atento empieza a demostrar un comportamiento abusivo, posesivo y violento con Ella, al no saber que esta pasando decide olvidar eso y concentrarse en el caso ya que tiene demasiado estres, adicional a todos sus problemas esta descubriendo que el asesinato de su padre que la dejó traumada de pequeña tal vez sea algo más turbio de lo que imagino.
Al parecer no fue una accidente o la persona equivocada en el lugar equivocado, iba dirigido y Ella debe averiguar porque.

Mientras tanto en una celda oscura de la prisión, el asesino en serie más sádico de la historia esta planeado su huida, y tiene solo dos objetivos, la agente que la atrapó y la agente que le devolvió las ganas de volver a matar.

Necesito realmente saber como termina eso con Mark porque se me hace algo innecesario en este tipo de libros aunque talvez sea algo más turbio y enlazado de lo que pensaba, idk quiero saber.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in the Ella Dark FBI Suspense Thriller series. I find this series easy to read. I enjoy the current serial murders in each book being related to real-life serial killers. I like how Ella and her partner Mia work through clues. Each story is to the point. There is not any added information to prolong the book.

Along with the serial murder investigation in "Girl, Vanished," I like the personal stories going on with Ella and Mia. Their personal stories continue on from book to book. When "Girl, Vanished," ended I immediately started the next book in the series because of the cliffhanger at the end of the book. I am so happy that there are already ten books published in this series, because right now I do not want to wait to see what happens next!

[Chrissy | fullybookedweekends · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5!

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella Dark is an FBI agent who solves murders involving serial killers. Her gift… a brilliant photographic memory in which she can remember any detail of anything she has saw, read, or heard. Now she is trying to find a serial killer who leaves 1964 coins in the victim’s eye sockets after he kills them. With a new partner, she’s on the hunt for answers and clues, but her life is in danger.

Great plot, good pace, twisty ending makes for a good setup for next in series. This was Book #5 in the series, and I would recommend reading them in order.

For the audiobook, Amanda Goetti is the narrator. Ms Goetti is fairly monotone and doesn’t breathe a lot of life into the story, nor does she have much, if any, change in character voice.

3.5 stars/ rounded up to 4.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well...things were more than a little rocky for Ella in this one. First off Ripley cut her loose as a partner and wouldn't answer any calls or texts. Her new partner was a bit of cold fish. They did manage to get a good working vibe by the end of the book, but it was painful getting there. Then there was things with Mark, who has gone off the rails. I know Ella thinks she's done with Mark, but telling him will be a whole production, which will be interesting to see. But none of that stuff compares to the little nugget of knowledge that Ella learned towards the end of the book, one that looks like it might throw her in a tail spin. Can't wait for the next book to see what happens.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl, Vanished is a fast-paced story, with a good plot and it seems like Ella has finally met someone as meticulous as she is, although on the wrong side of the law. I enjoyed reading it and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Blake Pierce keeps on bringing good entertainment for readers.
As a member of the author's ARC team, I downloaded a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake Pierce never disappoints with a running central theme, Ella Dark's assignment and running sub-themes.

[Nikki Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this series more and more with each book!

[Riley Steelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series so much, like i can’t explain how much i enjoy these audiobooks.

but Mark, i was really rooting for you dude but know you are making me mad.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

another quick and fantastic read by Blake. I was not expecting the ending at all!

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall case of the book, I did not really care for, but still I hang on to the passions of Mia and Ella. The newest detective introduced to the book ended up being a pleasant addition as well, and cheers to getting rid of an old character.

[Em Fanning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why are they making the male FBI agents lowkey assholes?

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

So invested in this series! After how the relationship between Ella and Mia was left in the last book, I was very interested to see what would happen and I was surprised to see that Mia kept her ground and got a new partner, while also refusing to speak to Ella or gain more insight to what happened between her and the famed killer. This book focuses on Ella and her new partner, who isn’t the great mind or legacy agent that she’s used to in Mia. We also get insight into Mia and her new partner, and how things go terribly wrong between them and how she misses Ella but is determined not to have any contact with her or take her back as a partner. We also start to see Ella branch out and become more confident in her abilities as a field agent, especially with her new partner being very out of touch to the type of case it is versus what he’s used to. In the end, both resolve their cases, but the best part of the book is when the famed killer uses his knowledge to break out of jail, and we know he is going to go after Ella, and it leaves me with a ton of questions on if Mia and Ella will reconcile and what will happen to them!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Loghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one has been my least favorite. I feel like by now Ella should learn her lesson about putting herself in super dangerous situations!!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the plot line of this serial killer better than the previous books but again I couldn't get past the fact that she's the one getting injured in the end, she's the one Tobias is obsessed with for some reason, she always knows who the killer isn't as soon as they say two sentences, she has all the issues with the men in relationships. I’m just sick of all these clichés playing out in favor of the main character. It makes the story cheap and cheesy.

The only difference in this book is that she doesn’t work with Ripley. It showed how much her relationship with Mark was really strained but really did we not see that coming? She chose that ticking time bomb over the other guy that was making an effort? I thought this was the same person that could tell a sincere suspect from a liar after only two questions. She just can’t read men who are potential love interests? Just silly.

My interest in this series is dropping fast and I might just end up finishing this series just because I bought the whole thing before I read the first book. I just don’t have it in me anymore to review each book to rant about the same exact issues in each of them when they are only approximately 200 pages each. I might just collect all my thoughts on the last book and post a final review about the whole series so I can get all my issues out there with these books.

[Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ella Dark is an FBI agent that specializes in profiling, tracking down, and apprehending serial killers. In this installment in her series, she is called in to work on a series of murders in Newark, with a brand new partner.

Quite honestly, I dropped into this series at book 5 without knowing it (Hoopla recommended this book, rather than the first in the series), but for the most part didn't need to read the previous books to understand 90% of the plot. There were definitely parts of Ella's story-- her relationship with her old partner, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her relationship to a different serial killer she had already apprehended-- that would have been nice to have more background information about. That being said, I followed the plot just fine having the cursory knowledge of each of those characters that was given as a part of the general character exposition part of the plot.

I didn't love the writing style-- there were lots of superfluous comparisons in the descriptive language-- but I definitely found myself entertained by the plot and wanting to find out the next part of the story after I finished this book. I would definitely classify this as an easy vacation-style read. It's not "think-y," but in a good way. Not my favorite, but it was entertaining.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I really liked this one in the series! Spoilers will be in my review, just as an FYI.

I loved that she had to work with a new partner, and I think this partner is good for her! He seems to care and helped her clear her head. Challenged her in a way Mia never did. He was a lot harder to convince of her first couple theories, whereas Mia took to them really fast. I like that it ended with her and Mia meeting. The entire thing, although I get where Mia came from, Mia was a little dramatic.

The fact that Tobias escaped was sort of predicted to come, but I still appreciated that he escaped. I wonder if that will bring her and Mia back together.

Her boyfriend, Mark I think his name is, I already forgot it lol. He seemed great at first, minus the restaurant scene. I like that Blake showed Ella staying with his despite that, because 90% of the time we do ignore the first red flag or so. I hated that ended with him smacking her, but also, I get it. It went with the story line and proved just how toxic he was and how hard it truly is to leave toxic relationships. I can't wait to see if more happens with this. Someone like that should not be in the FBI.

[Thatgirllyssakinnns · Rating 4 out of 5]

5th book in the series and I’m not disappointed ! After each book I always want more . To start this one off Ella is in a relation with Mark the new agent we just got introduced too but he has his own issues . Next since Mia learned of Ella betrayal from the man himself Tobias she requested to have a new partner . Life apart for the dynamic duo isn’t what’s best for them but feelings are hurt and unfortunately this where we at . Ella gets sent on a new case with a different agent named Bryford who is male . Bryson’s and Ella didn’t mesh quiet well at the beginning but after spending some time together on the case they find their balance at the end with the possibility of them doing more assignments together . Mia got another partner who was not cut out for field work . Tobias escapes prison with a medical scare which was his own magic trick . He is now on the loose most likely coming for Ella and possibly Ripley as she is the one who got away . Not to mention her dad possibly had financial troubles that could of got him killed . As many question that were answered their are more questions now and I got to keep reading to find out !

[Andria Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writer MUST be Bri'ish

Here in America, we don't call a town's main street a "high street." That makes it sound like the road is doing drugs!

We also don't call windshields "wind screens," as I noticed in the last book.

And as important as coins are in this story, it's quite obvious the writer never did a lick of research! Kennedy is on HALF DOLLARS, not nickels! Thomas Jefferson is!

And in America, if bars push patrons out at closing time, those patrons will NEVER still have a beer in their hands! The bar could lose its license!

In America, shops aren't "shut," they're CLOSED.

In America, banks don't throw away coins in trash cans, not even pennies! Do UK banks do that?? No damn  wonder the UK economy is crap, if banks throw coins away!

The writer desperately needs a better editor!!!

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty predictable with a twist that I expected yet didn’t see coming at the end.

This book follows the same plot structure as the first two: intro to the serial killer, Ella’s drama, going to the scene of the latest crime, three potential suspects, a battle between an unarmed Ella and the actual killer, a close call and catching the killer, and finally more of Ella’s drama.

I did like that this one had more perspective; due to the drama from Book 4, Ella and Mia don’t work together. So there were perspective changes from Ella, Mia, and Tobias. I think that added to the plot, but it also introduced more characters that didn’t add anything to the plot.

I’d give it a 3.5 star rating based on the cliffhanger ending!

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the twists she adds to this one as far as the whole series goes. So many different ways she furthers the story in a way you can’t wait to find out more. This is also the first one where she isn’t partnered with Mia and that was a great turn for the series. She clearly isn’t working out with the dude we all thought she might, but now I’m starting to think her newest partner is gonna be her next interest. It’s fun to see her finally solve a case without a pro as a partner. I always enjoy where she goes to figure out the mysteries. Being in the mind of a detective makes me want to be one. 😂
Also, the twist at the end is making me really want to dive right into the next book. 🙌

[Kimberly Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another HIT from this series

Although all of the books follow the same pattern; they get called to fly out for a case, they stumble with the first few suspects (3) and eventually the serial killer gets caught by Ella risking her life.

I enjoyed the new partner duos and the overlapping stories, we still got to have some mia while it was not overwhelming with the main storyline. I’m intrigued to see if Ella will remain with her new partner, what will happen with marks abuse & what Tobias has in store.

These books are easy to read and straight to the point
You know what to expect but I am still finding these entertaining for now !

[Amber Wilburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this 4 stars. I enjoyed this book. Ella has a lot of stuff going on in her life. Relationship troubles, partner troubles, and killer problems. She gets partnered with someone new for this case and his mind is about as closed off as a monkeys. He doesn’t want to listen to anything she says and thinks her ways are less ethical. She always finds herself in more danger than anticipated, but it’s part of the job. People are being killed and coins put in their eyes. It’s a gruesome scene. The fbi needs to get to work to find the killer before they have more murders on their hands. This is a must read!!!

[Gemma Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 stars

I listened to this one on audio and it’s certainly one of the better books in the series so far. I really enjoyed seeing Ella and Mia apart for once and how they’re dealing with this change - it’s added a new layer to the story and keeps things interesting (even though I already know how their relationship pans out!).

I also liked Ella’s new partner and the relationship that’s starting to build there, as well as how her dynamic with Mark has shifted. Those changes made the character development feel fresher and more engaging.

Definitely the best ending of the series yet — a strong cliffhanger that’s left me ready to dive straight into the next audiobook. 🎧📚

[Kathy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella has a boyfriend!

Ella, FBI agent, although technically a rookie, always gets her UNSUB (unknown subject) but it takes some major twists and turns to get there. That is what makes this series of books so enjoyably readable. And in this, book five, she also has the beginning of a relationship with Mark, another agent. Someone is killing middle aged men in their sleep, leaving a coin in each eye. Some of the rabbit trails in the case were fascinating. I love this author so much! On to book six!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been one of my favorites of the five in the series. The several characters’ weaknesses are exposed, along with conflict between the characters. The struggles of a new partner, Mark’s jealousy and anger, self doubt, Mia’s rejection, and Tobias’s craziness appear to be almost too much and push her to the edge of her own sanity. And, the way the book ends leaves one having to absolutely pick up book six in the series.

[Michelle Youngstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real rating 3.5. First time reading this author. Yes, it is a fast paced FBI thriller and easily enjoyable if you generally like this genre. No, it is not about a girl who vanished. Yes, it was a very short book and I wished it was longer as it had a couple of good cliff hangers. This was book 7 in this series. No, you don’t need to start at the beginning. Yes, I am going to now since I want to learn more about Ella and Mia.

[Kira Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️

can this series get any better? each case is so thrilling and you want to know all the answers so i just can’t stop reading them.
also, fuck mark. i really liked him until his true colors came out. what an insecure loser.
i really missed the ripley and ella dynamic in this book😭 i liked the new guy but there was something off about him. they also just didn’t click like mia and ella did.
the ending had my jaw on the flooorrrr!!! i’m excited and so nervous to see how this goes👀👀

[Lori Rohre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, it doesn't look like Ella is growing much in her new FBI field career, or she would stop trying to contact her first field partner against whom she committed an unforgivable mistake AND neglected to tell her partner. While I enjoyed the FBI case that Ella and her new partner worked, this book had a slight high school drama vibe as it relates to her previous partner and her toxic new boyfriend.