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The Orchid Tattoo
Crime fiction that makes a in The Orchid Tattoo, award-winning author Carla Damron delves into the disturbing world of human trafficking.
Social worker Georgia Thayer can balance her own mental illness with the demands of an impossible job. Mostly. But when her sister vanishes in the dead of night, her desperate quest to find Peyton takes her into the tentacles of a human trafficking network-where she encounters a young victim called "Kitten."
Kitten is determined to escape. She won't be trapped like the others. She won't sell her soul like Lillian, victim-turned-madam, feeding the dark appetites of international business moguls and government leaders. But the Estate won't let her out of its lethal grip, and her attempts at freedom threaten her very life.
Aided by Kitten and, at times, by the voices in her head, Georgia maneuvers to bring down the kingpin of Estate and expose its dark secrets, but her efforts place her-and the few people she allows to get close-in grave danger.
Social worker Georgia Thayer can balance her own mental illness with the demands of an impossible job. Mostly. But when her sister vanishes in the dead of night, her desperate quest to find Peyton takes her into the tentacles of a human trafficking network-where she encounters a young victim called "Kitten."
Kitten is determined to escape. She won't be trapped like the others. She won't sell her soul like Lillian, victim-turned-madam, feeding the dark appetites of international business moguls and government leaders. But the Estate won't let her out of its lethal grip, and her attempts at freedom threaten her very life.
Aided by Kitten and, at times, by the voices in her head, Georgia maneuvers to bring down the kingpin of Estate and expose its dark secrets, but her efforts place her-and the few people she allows to get close-in grave danger.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2022
12 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
September 5, 2022
There is so much good to say about this book that I feel I should write this review in bullet points.
First, the subject. The trafficking of women is too important to ignore. This riveting novel takes us into the belly of this all too prevalent and evil underworld. Every human, especially women and adolescents, should read this book. Bravo to Carla Damron for giving us this story.
Second, the writing. This is the second book by Carla Damron I have read. (I received an ARC for an honest review of this one.) Her writing is stellar. Each character is nuanced, easy to love or easy to love to hate. There are chilling moments and tender moments. The tension is palpable. Be prepared to stay awake until you have finished reading it.
And please read it. We all need to know more about this horrible crime. The more we know and the more we share that knowledge, the more likely we might be able to prevent it.
First, the subject. The trafficking of women is too important to ignore. This riveting novel takes us into the belly of this all too prevalent and evil underworld. Every human, especially women and adolescents, should read this book. Bravo to Carla Damron for giving us this story.
Second, the writing. This is the second book by Carla Damron I have read. (I received an ARC for an honest review of this one.) Her writing is stellar. Each character is nuanced, easy to love or easy to love to hate. There are chilling moments and tender moments. The tension is palpable. Be prepared to stay awake until you have finished reading it.
And please read it. We all need to know more about this horrible crime. The more we know and the more we share that knowledge, the more likely we might be able to prevent it.
October 7, 2022
Holy hell this book is SO GOOD!! It’s got grit and heart and a fantastic twist you’ll never see coming. I am amazed how author, Carla Damron, manages to make the reader invested in so many characters. It was fast paced and clear, gorgeous writing that made me keep reading hours past bedtime!! What a masterpiece that I will be thinking about for a long time!!!
October 22, 2022
Georgia is a social worker who works at a high stress job in a hospital. When she was younger, she heard voices and even though the voices have gotten quieter, they still talk to her when she's under stress. In the middle of the night after a hectic work day, she finds out that her beloved sister is missing. Peyton was her younger sister and Georgia had taken care of her for their entire lives. Georgia knows that she has to find her sister so she starts out on quest of her own because the police don't seem to be making much progress. As she calls her sisters friends and the university where she is working on a graduate degree, she finds that Peyton has been acting strange and been absent from her normal life for several weeks. Georgia finds out that her thesis is on health care for migrant farm workers but as she finds more clues, she discovers that Peyton has been working with Kitten, a young girl who is being trafficked. Did Peyton's questions in this area put her in grave danger? Will Georgia be able to find her sister and if not, will she be able to continue her sister's work and help Kitten escape?
This story is told in alternating chapters by three main characters - Georgia, Kitten and Lillian. Georgia is trying to find her sister, Kitten is trying to get out of her horrific life and Lillian has worked for the bosses of the trafficking ring for years and hopes that she is important enough to them to keep herself alive.
My advice is to start reading this book when you have a lot of time because you aren't going to be able to put it down. The characters are very written and the plot is fast and informative. It's a disturbing book in many ways but it's also hopeful and really relevant to our current world.
The Orchid Tattoo is fast paced and hard to put down. The characters are so well written that it kept me turning pages to find out if they would escape from their horrible lives. I found myself thinking about several of these characters even after I finished the book because I'm aware that there are young people currently trapped in this lifestyle. I know that this book will be difficult for some people to read but it's based on true facts of what is going on in our country (and all over the world) right now. We need to understand and be informed so that we can do our best to stop this terrible crime.
NOTE: This book has a content warning posted in the front: This novel contains references to child (teen) abuse and sex trafficking.
This story is told in alternating chapters by three main characters - Georgia, Kitten and Lillian. Georgia is trying to find her sister, Kitten is trying to get out of her horrific life and Lillian has worked for the bosses of the trafficking ring for years and hopes that she is important enough to them to keep herself alive.
My advice is to start reading this book when you have a lot of time because you aren't going to be able to put it down. The characters are very written and the plot is fast and informative. It's a disturbing book in many ways but it's also hopeful and really relevant to our current world.
The Orchid Tattoo is fast paced and hard to put down. The characters are so well written that it kept me turning pages to find out if they would escape from their horrible lives. I found myself thinking about several of these characters even after I finished the book because I'm aware that there are young people currently trapped in this lifestyle. I know that this book will be difficult for some people to read but it's based on true facts of what is going on in our country (and all over the world) right now. We need to understand and be informed so that we can do our best to stop this terrible crime.
NOTE: This book has a content warning posted in the front: This novel contains references to child (teen) abuse and sex trafficking.
January 30, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyable whodunit with the timely topic of human trafficking and living with mental illness. I'll be looking for more books by Ms. Damron.
August 22, 2022
i read this arc for a professor who wanted to know whether it would fit well into a class i’d taken with her, and it was actually really good!
heavy tw for any number of human trafficking/sex crimes because that is what this book is about - a woman carrying on the investigation of her sister into an underground web of sex trafficking after her sister disappears. for such a heavy topic, it never felt exploitative or indulgent in excessive violence beyond what was necessary to give sufficient respect and weight to the story. this is written by a social worker, and it shows in the depth of all of the characters; but the pacing is also really fast and the plot really compelling.
favorite part was definitely the mental illness rep—the main character has schizophrenia, and while it is a part of the plot, it’s not a plot device and she’s just a normal person in therapy doing her best. i think that is so important, particularly for disorders that cause a person to be misrepresented by society as violent, unpredictable, and generally a murderous terror, when that is so rarely ever true.
heavy tw for any number of human trafficking/sex crimes because that is what this book is about - a woman carrying on the investigation of her sister into an underground web of sex trafficking after her sister disappears. for such a heavy topic, it never felt exploitative or indulgent in excessive violence beyond what was necessary to give sufficient respect and weight to the story. this is written by a social worker, and it shows in the depth of all of the characters; but the pacing is also really fast and the plot really compelling.
favorite part was definitely the mental illness rep—the main character has schizophrenia, and while it is a part of the plot, it’s not a plot device and she’s just a normal person in therapy doing her best. i think that is so important, particularly for disorders that cause a person to be misrepresented by society as violent, unpredictable, and generally a murderous terror, when that is so rarely ever true.
October 15, 2022
This is the first book I have read that is around human trafficking, with that said this book was so good. Everyone should read it as it not only about human trafficking but mental illness. as well. We do not talk about both taboo subjects enough and we need to start the conversation. This needs to be added to every book club. I am looking forward to more books by Damron. This book will make you mad, angry even as we see a broken system that main character Georgia is trying to make difference.
Georgia is a social worker trying to balance her job and her own mental illness, when her sister is murdered. She is determined to find out what happen to her sister the path takes her to a human trafficking network in her own backyard.
She is determined to find out what her sister knew and who she was trying to save, Can the risks out weight who she can save, and can you get a control on her own mental illness to venge her sisters' killers?
Thank you to NetGalley and Koehler Books for copy of this book for my honest review.
Georgia is a social worker trying to balance her job and her own mental illness, when her sister is murdered. She is determined to find out what happen to her sister the path takes her to a human trafficking network in her own backyard.
She is determined to find out what her sister knew and who she was trying to save, Can the risks out weight who she can save, and can you get a control on her own mental illness to venge her sisters' killers?
Thank you to NetGalley and Koehler Books for copy of this book for my honest review.
October 3, 2022
This novel was a pleasure to read - not something I expected to say about a book that deals with such a hot subject, sex trafficking in the United States. The book is so readable that, despite my not being a thriller reader, as a rule, it had me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages. The plotting and pacing were excellent, with some great twists in the tail.
And while the story was thrilling, it also deals with an important subject - one that more people should be aware of. Yet I never felt that any kind of agenda was being forced on me - the author lets the reader decide for themselves how they feel about the subject, and I can't imagine anyone reacting in a negative way. Yet I heard that there were organizations that felt it was an "unsuitable" book for college students. Far from it! Sex trafficking is another form of enslavement, and needs to be brought into the open.
In spite of the dire circumstances the characters find themselves in, the author has managed to write it without any gratuitous violence, "bad" language, or graphic sex scenes, which is remarkable. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for book clubs
And while the story was thrilling, it also deals with an important subject - one that more people should be aware of. Yet I never felt that any kind of agenda was being forced on me - the author lets the reader decide for themselves how they feel about the subject, and I can't imagine anyone reacting in a negative way. Yet I heard that there were organizations that felt it was an "unsuitable" book for college students. Far from it! Sex trafficking is another form of enslavement, and needs to be brought into the open.
In spite of the dire circumstances the characters find themselves in, the author has managed to write it without any gratuitous violence, "bad" language, or graphic sex scenes, which is remarkable. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for book clubs
October 2, 2022
Don’t start reading this book unless you’ve got the time to finish it, because you won’t want to put it down. The Orchid Tattoo will pull you in from the first page and keep you firmly in its grip until the end.
-Georgia Thayer is a social worker trying to manage her own demons while attempting to unravel the mystery of her sister’s death.
-Kitten, a teenager whose lack of a home life made her an easy target for traffickers, refuses to remain a victim and dreams of getting out.
-Lillian has learned to survive the trafficking business for well over a decade by any and all means necessary.
The Orchid Tattoo could have easily fallen into a pitfall of sexually-descriptive acts, but Carla Damron made the wise choice to focus instead on the victims. The result is a well-crafted and fast-paced story that provides powerful insight into this heinous worldwide criminal enterprise. It entertains and educates—a combination that is not easy to accomplish. Yet, Carla Damron manages to do both without sacrificing the story or the message behind it.
This book is a solid 5/5.
-Georgia Thayer is a social worker trying to manage her own demons while attempting to unravel the mystery of her sister’s death.
-Kitten, a teenager whose lack of a home life made her an easy target for traffickers, refuses to remain a victim and dreams of getting out.
-Lillian has learned to survive the trafficking business for well over a decade by any and all means necessary.
The Orchid Tattoo could have easily fallen into a pitfall of sexually-descriptive acts, but Carla Damron made the wise choice to focus instead on the victims. The result is a well-crafted and fast-paced story that provides powerful insight into this heinous worldwide criminal enterprise. It entertains and educates—a combination that is not easy to accomplish. Yet, Carla Damron manages to do both without sacrificing the story or the message behind it.
This book is a solid 5/5.
December 4, 2023
In this compelling page-turner, Carla Damron draws back the curtain to reveal the very real traumas of human trafficking. Told from the viewpoints of multiple victims and of a social worker who’s trying to find her sister, THE ORCHID TATTOO vividly portrays the helpless situation of trafficked women and the callousness of those who profit from them. Part mystery, part thriller, this story does a masterful job of dealing with a difficult subject with compassion and depth. Add it to your reading list!
January 26, 2023
Fear
While this is a book of fiction, it portrays a very horrendous reality in our country and many other countries: Human trafficking. This book demonstrates the evil, the cruelty, the despicable practice. This book depicts a human trafficking story where some meet decent endings, but many die, and the reader is left wondering what is really being done to end this in our country and other countries.
While this is a book of fiction, it portrays a very horrendous reality in our country and many other countries: Human trafficking. This book demonstrates the evil, the cruelty, the despicable practice. This book depicts a human trafficking story where some meet decent endings, but many die, and the reader is left wondering what is really being done to end this in our country and other countries.
January 30, 2023
A gritty look at a tough subject--human trafficking--that kept me turning the pages.
November 25, 2025
As a social worker, it was great to read a book written by a social worker about a social worker! But really, this book is a must read and truly brings a spotlight to the reality of human trafficking. I highly recommend this book as a social commentary and thriller.
May 19, 2024
This audiobook is firmly on my favourite book of the year list, I was blown away by the insight into trafficking and all that victims face.
I found myself engrossed in the characters, especially Georgia and her determination to help others, whilst facing her own issues and missing sister.
I loved the grittiness of this Novel and that the subject matter is not sugar coated, the rawness and terror of human trafficking needs to be shouted about.
The narrators voice was memerising and brought passion to the novel.
I found myself engrossed in the characters, especially Georgia and her determination to help others, whilst facing her own issues and missing sister.
I loved the grittiness of this Novel and that the subject matter is not sugar coated, the rawness and terror of human trafficking needs to be shouted about.
The narrators voice was memerising and brought passion to the novel.
September 30, 2022
Wow!
I could not put this book down and read the whole thing on my Kindle the first day it was released. I’m an avid reader and I am here to say if you read one book this year, The Orchid Tattoo should be that book! Fast paced, intelligent, disturbing yet extremely relevant!!! Do yourself a favor a get this book today!!!!!!
I could not put this book down and read the whole thing on my Kindle the first day it was released. I’m an avid reader and I am here to say if you read one book this year, The Orchid Tattoo should be that book! Fast paced, intelligent, disturbing yet extremely relevant!!! Do yourself a favor a get this book today!!!!!!
March 20, 2024
Ripped From The Headlines
I recently had the opportunity to listen to The Orchid Tattoo by Carla Damron, and I must say, it was quite an unexpected journey. Before I delve into my thoughts, I want to give a heads-up to listeners that this book deals with some heavy themes, centered around human trafficking and all that entails, which may be triggering for some.
This was my first experience with Damron's work, and I was immediately struck by her writing style and storytelling prowess. From the very beginning, she drew me in with her vivid descriptions and compelling narrative. One of the standout elements for me was her ability to develop characters, not just individually, but their interpersonal struggles along with starting to wind that thread of connection between them. Georgia, the main character, felt incredibly real and flawed, making the story all the more immersive. The things she was dealing with, both in her own head and as a social worker really shaped her as a person.
As the story unfolded, I found myself fascinated by each new character Damron introduced. Whether they were on the side of abuse or safety, each one was complex and multidimensional -- they all felt like they belonged in the story at that point (even if you were hoping things would be okay for some of them). I was particularly impressed by how Damron handled the darker elements of the story, alluding to them without delving too deeply into graphic detail. However, I must caution listeners again that the content, including violence and the ages of the characters involved, may be distressing to some.
Without giving too much away, there was a moment in the book that genuinely shocked me. I found myself saying, "Oh god, no way..." as certain revelations came to light. Despite its darkness, "The Orchid Tattoo" was a gripping read that felt ripped from the headlines.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by Damron's storytelling and will certainly be keeping an eye out for her future works. While this book may not be for everyone due to its intense subject matter, for those willing to delve into its depths, it is a truly compelling read. Add in the great performance by Stacey Lind and you've got one of the most interesting audiobooks I've read in 2024. Damron's ability to keep everything interconnected mixed with Lind's performance made this dark thriller easy to blow through.
I recently had the opportunity to listen to The Orchid Tattoo by Carla Damron, and I must say, it was quite an unexpected journey. Before I delve into my thoughts, I want to give a heads-up to listeners that this book deals with some heavy themes, centered around human trafficking and all that entails, which may be triggering for some.
This was my first experience with Damron's work, and I was immediately struck by her writing style and storytelling prowess. From the very beginning, she drew me in with her vivid descriptions and compelling narrative. One of the standout elements for me was her ability to develop characters, not just individually, but their interpersonal struggles along with starting to wind that thread of connection between them. Georgia, the main character, felt incredibly real and flawed, making the story all the more immersive. The things she was dealing with, both in her own head and as a social worker really shaped her as a person.
As the story unfolded, I found myself fascinated by each new character Damron introduced. Whether they were on the side of abuse or safety, each one was complex and multidimensional -- they all felt like they belonged in the story at that point (even if you were hoping things would be okay for some of them). I was particularly impressed by how Damron handled the darker elements of the story, alluding to them without delving too deeply into graphic detail. However, I must caution listeners again that the content, including violence and the ages of the characters involved, may be distressing to some.
Without giving too much away, there was a moment in the book that genuinely shocked me. I found myself saying, "Oh god, no way..." as certain revelations came to light. Despite its darkness, "The Orchid Tattoo" was a gripping read that felt ripped from the headlines.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by Damron's storytelling and will certainly be keeping an eye out for her future works. While this book may not be for everyone due to its intense subject matter, for those willing to delve into its depths, it is a truly compelling read. Add in the great performance by Stacey Lind and you've got one of the most interesting audiobooks I've read in 2024. Damron's ability to keep everything interconnected mixed with Lind's performance made this dark thriller easy to blow through.
March 2, 2023
The Orchid Tattoo is an exceptional work of fiction that cleverly intertwines two critical issues; human trafficking and mental health. After finding out her sister is missing, a social worker unexpectedly finds herself uncovering a brutal human trafficking network. Meanwhile, the book follows the lives of two girls trapped inside the trafficking ring, with two different yet equally devastating roles. Each story overlaps over time as more secrets and links are discovered. The book shifts between the stories of each character, aided by Carla Damron’s smooth and realistic writing style, to deal with a topic that is usually shied away from, despite being an extremely important issue in today’s society.
Without a doubt, The Orchid Tattoo is the best book I’ve read in a long time. Carla Damron personifies the victims involved in human trafficking. The reader realizes that behind each statistic on the news are real individuals with unique personalities and backgrounds, all with enormous bravery. The Orchid Tattoo is a gripping book that will break your heart and fill you with anger. Although it is a heavy topic, and some parts may be hard to read, it also opens the reader’s eyes and inspires change. It is fast-paced, with thrilling action and unpredictable twists. I love how the book’s main character is a social worker who also struggles with her own mental health difficulties. This bridges the gap between those giving and receiving help and makes the character much more relatable. It is unsurprising to find out that the book was written by a social worker, as it reflects a deep knowledge and understanding of the subject.
The Orchid Tattoo is an emotionally charged crime mystery filled with suspense and thrilling twists. It is a story that will stay in your mind for a long time after reading and will force you to question why we aren’t discussing the atrocities of human trafficking more often.
Without a doubt, The Orchid Tattoo is the best book I’ve read in a long time. Carla Damron personifies the victims involved in human trafficking. The reader realizes that behind each statistic on the news are real individuals with unique personalities and backgrounds, all with enormous bravery. The Orchid Tattoo is a gripping book that will break your heart and fill you with anger. Although it is a heavy topic, and some parts may be hard to read, it also opens the reader’s eyes and inspires change. It is fast-paced, with thrilling action and unpredictable twists. I love how the book’s main character is a social worker who also struggles with her own mental health difficulties. This bridges the gap between those giving and receiving help and makes the character much more relatable. It is unsurprising to find out that the book was written by a social worker, as it reflects a deep knowledge and understanding of the subject.
The Orchid Tattoo is an emotionally charged crime mystery filled with suspense and thrilling twists. It is a story that will stay in your mind for a long time after reading and will force you to question why we aren’t discussing the atrocities of human trafficking more often.
August 24, 2022
The Orchid Tattoo – Review
Set in the author’s home of Columbia South Carolina, this exciting and well-crafted story features an interesting, vividly-drawn protagonist whose determination and grit drives the action forward at a blistering pace.
Georgia Thayer hears voices and has a history of psychiatric disability. She is also a valued social worker at her town’s general hospital, a woman with a satisfying, if far from perfect, life that is turned upside down by the disappearance of her younger sister. Georgia refuses to accept the police conclusion of suicide, and she’s beset by guilt for failing in her older-sister responsibility to look after her.
When the police seem ready to believe that her sister would abandon her husband and four-year-ol daughter, she is forced to investigate herself. She discovers that her sister’s graduate school research project led her away from her initial academic focus, and following the threads of her recent contacts leads Georgia away from her comfortable life into the cruel world of human exploitation.
The twists and turns that put her and her quirky friends in danger are convincingly crafted and peopled by a diverse and interesting cast of characters. Damron’s genius lies in the economy with which she crafts richly conceived, unique characters, all with their own yearnings and flaws, whose collisions drive the action. She manages to explore social justice themes without preaching or in any other way sacrificing the suspense and pacing of the story, while somehow making it look easy. In the course of this wild ride, we learn about the evil lurking beneath the surface of a mid-sized southern city along with the people working to combat those forces and heal their victims. At the end, the reader emerges breathless and satisfied. At least, this one did.
Set in the author’s home of Columbia South Carolina, this exciting and well-crafted story features an interesting, vividly-drawn protagonist whose determination and grit drives the action forward at a blistering pace.
Georgia Thayer hears voices and has a history of psychiatric disability. She is also a valued social worker at her town’s general hospital, a woman with a satisfying, if far from perfect, life that is turned upside down by the disappearance of her younger sister. Georgia refuses to accept the police conclusion of suicide, and she’s beset by guilt for failing in her older-sister responsibility to look after her.
When the police seem ready to believe that her sister would abandon her husband and four-year-ol daughter, she is forced to investigate herself. She discovers that her sister’s graduate school research project led her away from her initial academic focus, and following the threads of her recent contacts leads Georgia away from her comfortable life into the cruel world of human exploitation.
The twists and turns that put her and her quirky friends in danger are convincingly crafted and peopled by a diverse and interesting cast of characters. Damron’s genius lies in the economy with which she crafts richly conceived, unique characters, all with their own yearnings and flaws, whose collisions drive the action. She manages to explore social justice themes without preaching or in any other way sacrificing the suspense and pacing of the story, while somehow making it look easy. In the course of this wild ride, we learn about the evil lurking beneath the surface of a mid-sized southern city along with the people working to combat those forces and heal their victims. At the end, the reader emerges breathless and satisfied. At least, this one did.
May 18, 2024
Hospital social worker Georgia Thayer’s sister Peyton is missing, her small daughter found hiding in the home she shares with her doctor husband David. Apparently Peyton has missed some of her classes and Georgia delves into what Peyton was researching for her thesis. She even follows in her sister’s footsteps to a farm full of exploited workers. Then Peyton’s car is pulled from a lake, her body inside dead from a gunshot. Local police call it a suicide but Georgia knows her sister would never have abandoned her daughter. There must be more to this. As she investigates further, the trail leads her to the farm, the factory and the Orchid Estate where women and girls are prostituted out for big bucks to very influential men. Discovering her sister’s tapes of conversations with a young girl called Kitten groomed into the life of vice, she finds Peyton was planning to help the girl escape her slavery and vows to finish what her sister started, with some help from her very likeable friends. Will the girls escape this life? And does Georgia realise how much danger she’s in, taking on ruthless boss Hefe?
Human trafficking in Columbia, SC and mental illness, including that of the protagonist herself, are the very strong and topical themes explored in this story. The focus is very much on the victims themselves, including Lillian, once a victim and now running the brothel, as everyone struggles to survive in whatever way they can. This story, expertly narrated, with the added twist of the voices in Georgia’s head giving her conflicting guidance and instructions at times, really grips the reader right from the start and, rather than setting out to shock, is realistically yet compassionately told in a way that completely engrossed me as I willed on Georgia and Kitten to succeed. Highly recommended! 4.5*
Human trafficking in Columbia, SC and mental illness, including that of the protagonist herself, are the very strong and topical themes explored in this story. The focus is very much on the victims themselves, including Lillian, once a victim and now running the brothel, as everyone struggles to survive in whatever way they can. This story, expertly narrated, with the added twist of the voices in Georgia’s head giving her conflicting guidance and instructions at times, really grips the reader right from the start and, rather than setting out to shock, is realistically yet compassionately told in a way that completely engrossed me as I willed on Georgia and Kitten to succeed. Highly recommended! 4.5*
October 3, 2022
crime fiction that makes a difference
Georgia Thayer, a hospital social worker, has more compassion for the traumatized women she helps than her male counterparts, largely because she can relate. She’s a woman, and she has a crippling, but managed, mental illness. Georgia’s medication mostly silences the calm counselor, and the insistent advisor, the loudest in a cluster of inner voices that guide her as she tries to locate her missing sister.
Chapter 1 sucks you in and the story’s hold continues to tighten as this chilling story builds and explores how easily women are trapped in the commonplace and tragic world of prostitution, where frightened rural sheriffs accept bribes, and the county paves a road leading to a mansion in South Carolina where an international clientele of rich and influential men “pay dearly” to subjugate adolescent women.
From the novel: Jefe traded a large shipment of artillery for her and confided to Lillian that Onyx was “worth every bullet” … In another life, she could have been a supermodel. Except, of course, for the scars, hidden by the flowing robe.
This heart-wrenching story is told in a relatable voice, and when I set the book aside, to walk my dog, make breakfast, or wash dishes, I found myself worrying about these women and wanting to know what happened next, hoping they’d be ok.
If you like reading crime fiction that makes a difference, you’ll enjoy The Orchid Tattoo.
Georgia Thayer, a hospital social worker, has more compassion for the traumatized women she helps than her male counterparts, largely because she can relate. She’s a woman, and she has a crippling, but managed, mental illness. Georgia’s medication mostly silences the calm counselor, and the insistent advisor, the loudest in a cluster of inner voices that guide her as she tries to locate her missing sister.
Chapter 1 sucks you in and the story’s hold continues to tighten as this chilling story builds and explores how easily women are trapped in the commonplace and tragic world of prostitution, where frightened rural sheriffs accept bribes, and the county paves a road leading to a mansion in South Carolina where an international clientele of rich and influential men “pay dearly” to subjugate adolescent women.
From the novel: Jefe traded a large shipment of artillery for her and confided to Lillian that Onyx was “worth every bullet” … In another life, she could have been a supermodel. Except, of course, for the scars, hidden by the flowing robe.
This heart-wrenching story is told in a relatable voice, and when I set the book aside, to walk my dog, make breakfast, or wash dishes, I found myself worrying about these women and wanting to know what happened next, hoping they’d be ok.
If you like reading crime fiction that makes a difference, you’ll enjoy The Orchid Tattoo.
May 19, 2024
The Orchid Tattoo by Carla Damron
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Social worker Georgia Thayer can balance her own mental illness with the demands of an impossible job. Mostly. But when her sister vanishes in the dead of night, her desperate quest to find Peyton takes her into the tentacles of a human trafficking network-where she encounters a young victim called "Kitten."Kitten is determined to escape. She won't be trapped like the others. She won't sell her soul like Lillian, victim-turned-madam, feeding the dark appetites of international business moguls and government leaders. But the Estate won't let her out of its lethal grip, and her attempts at freedom threaten her very life.Aided by Kitten and, at times, by the voices in her head, Georgia maneuvers to bring down the kingpin of Estate and expose its dark secrets, but her efforts place her-and the few people she allows to get close-in grave danger.
My Opinion
This isn't a book I would usually choose but I saw that this was an audiobook blog tour so thought it was worth a chance - within minutes I was hooked. With sensitive themes, this was written delicately. An insightful, fast-paced novel that was honestly a real eye-opener. Carla Damron wasn't an author I had heard of going into The Orchid Tattoo, but this was a fabulous introduction.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Social worker Georgia Thayer can balance her own mental illness with the demands of an impossible job. Mostly. But when her sister vanishes in the dead of night, her desperate quest to find Peyton takes her into the tentacles of a human trafficking network-where she encounters a young victim called "Kitten."Kitten is determined to escape. She won't be trapped like the others. She won't sell her soul like Lillian, victim-turned-madam, feeding the dark appetites of international business moguls and government leaders. But the Estate won't let her out of its lethal grip, and her attempts at freedom threaten her very life.Aided by Kitten and, at times, by the voices in her head, Georgia maneuvers to bring down the kingpin of Estate and expose its dark secrets, but her efforts place her-and the few people she allows to get close-in grave danger.
My Opinion
This isn't a book I would usually choose but I saw that this was an audiobook blog tour so thought it was worth a chance - within minutes I was hooked. With sensitive themes, this was written delicately. An insightful, fast-paced novel that was honestly a real eye-opener. Carla Damron wasn't an author I had heard of going into The Orchid Tattoo, but this was a fabulous introduction.
Rating 4/5
September 20, 2022
4.5 Rounded to 5
The subject of sex trafficking can be a difficult one to read in fiction...simply because there is so much truth to the story. The Orchid Tattoo is a hard one to read in a lot of spots for that reason alone. It's emotional, compelling and heartbreaking.
What I loved most about this one, was Georgia. She is a strong, defiant and determined female lead as well as a flawed one. She struggles with her own demons while she is attempting to solve her sister's disappearance.
People aren't perfect, and more often than not, we all have something we struggle with daily. I LOVE that the author showcases her vulnerabilities related to her mental illness BUT also her courage and strength related to it as well.
This is one I had a hard time putting down, and I ended up finishing it in a few hours. I stayed up way past my bedtime because I just needed that closure. Whew.
If you aren't too sensitive with this subject, then I highly recommend picking this up. The writing is great and the characters are phenomenal.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for the review copy. All opinions are my own...voluntarily and honestly made.
The subject of sex trafficking can be a difficult one to read in fiction...simply because there is so much truth to the story. The Orchid Tattoo is a hard one to read in a lot of spots for that reason alone. It's emotional, compelling and heartbreaking.
What I loved most about this one, was Georgia. She is a strong, defiant and determined female lead as well as a flawed one. She struggles with her own demons while she is attempting to solve her sister's disappearance.
People aren't perfect, and more often than not, we all have something we struggle with daily. I LOVE that the author showcases her vulnerabilities related to her mental illness BUT also her courage and strength related to it as well.
This is one I had a hard time putting down, and I ended up finishing it in a few hours. I stayed up way past my bedtime because I just needed that closure. Whew.
If you aren't too sensitive with this subject, then I highly recommend picking this up. The writing is great and the characters are phenomenal.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and Books Forward for the review copy. All opinions are my own...voluntarily and honestly made.
November 18, 2022
Carla's Damron's 'The Orchid Tattoo' gave a vivid and startling peek into the world of human trafficking. It also redefined family, as Georgia worked through her mental challenges to determine who she wanted in her family and worked to make it happen.
This women's fiction thriller was a fast read. Georgia Thayer searched for her missing sister. As she searches, she uncovers some of the research her sister was doing in human trafficking in Columbia, SC. This leads her in a desperate run to find her sister, Peyton. In the process, she discovers a young girl named Kitten and she tried to save her from the violent world she's been tricked into.
Carla weaved a thriller around the characters of Georgia, Kitten and the others. I found myself pulling for Georgia and her friends to find her sister and save Kitten and the others in the process. It painted a dark, scary picture of the world of human trafficking with threateningly real bad guys.
This is a book you need to read, your family needs to read, we all need to read. You won't be able to put it down as Georgia races to save her sister and the victims she uncovers. A solid 5 Stars!
This women's fiction thriller was a fast read. Georgia Thayer searched for her missing sister. As she searches, she uncovers some of the research her sister was doing in human trafficking in Columbia, SC. This leads her in a desperate run to find her sister, Peyton. In the process, she discovers a young girl named Kitten and she tried to save her from the violent world she's been tricked into.
Carla weaved a thriller around the characters of Georgia, Kitten and the others. I found myself pulling for Georgia and her friends to find her sister and save Kitten and the others in the process. It painted a dark, scary picture of the world of human trafficking with threateningly real bad guys.
This is a book you need to read, your family needs to read, we all need to read. You won't be able to put it down as Georgia races to save her sister and the victims she uncovers. A solid 5 Stars!
September 15, 2022
The Orchid Tattoo
by Carla Damron
5 stars
Georgia works in the hospital as a social worker, she can relate so well with psychiatric patients as she has been in their shoes. She hears voices and she has names for each one they come out worse when she is stressed. One night her life is turned upside down when her sister goes missing. Georgia starts to look into where her sister last was; the more she keeps digging, the worse everything gets. Georgia will not stop till she knows what happened to her sister.
I enjoyed this book so much that it hooked me within the first few pages. The twists and turns of it all I didn't see coming. I enjoyed the different POVs and how they all connect to each other. I like how the stories are connected. Carla does a fantastic job bringing every character to life. I really liked how she brought up the investigation but it wasn't all about that. She did her own sleuthing and got better at it. It wraps up perfectly at the end.
Thank you, Net Galley and Koehler Books for the eARC for an honest review.
by Carla Damron
5 stars
Georgia works in the hospital as a social worker, she can relate so well with psychiatric patients as she has been in their shoes. She hears voices and she has names for each one they come out worse when she is stressed. One night her life is turned upside down when her sister goes missing. Georgia starts to look into where her sister last was; the more she keeps digging, the worse everything gets. Georgia will not stop till she knows what happened to her sister.
I enjoyed this book so much that it hooked me within the first few pages. The twists and turns of it all I didn't see coming. I enjoyed the different POVs and how they all connect to each other. I like how the stories are connected. Carla does a fantastic job bringing every character to life. I really liked how she brought up the investigation but it wasn't all about that. She did her own sleuthing and got better at it. It wraps up perfectly at the end.
Thank you, Net Galley and Koehler Books for the eARC for an honest review.
January 12, 2023
Suspenseful, creepy, this story thrusts forward, driven by the tenacious heartsick insistence of social worker Georgia, who is looking for her missing sister, Peyton. As she follows her sister’s footsteps we are led deeper and deeper into a criminal human trafficking ring. Tightening the tension are the perspectives of two women caught up in it (“Kitten” a trafficked sex worker and Lillian, a victim-turned-madam), whom Georgia unwittingly endangers by her sleuthing. And if that wasn’t enough, Georgia battles with internal voices intent on battling for control of her mind. What a high-strung page-turner story author Damron has written. She earns kudos too for deftly walking the line on a charged subject. Instead of detailed ugly sex scenes she illustrates the weighted emotion—helplessness, resignation—human trafficking elicits, causing us to root even harder for these women. THE ORCHID TATTOO is a book that sheds light on a topic hidden in plain sight. On mental illness too.
April 25, 2024
Suspense, hope, danger and courage. This book has it all in spades. Georgia is not a lady to be messed with and I found the tenacity of both her, and her sister Peyton before her, made them characters that I cheered for and loved.
There are elements of the story which are distressing as noted with the authors trigger warnings. However, such a raw and difficult topic is covered with compassion and respect.
I found my self becoming very invested in Kitten and Lillian as the story unfolded. Lillian had a soft edge to her which drew me into her. I felt like she was almost a mother to the girls despite her role in keeping them in their situation.
The plot of the story was well written and it moved at a quick pace. There was never a moment where I felt bored or became distracted - this book keeps on throwing things at you.
The narrator was exceptional. Clear, well paced and with a feeling that conveyed each characters unique personality.
I would highly recommend the book to others.
There are elements of the story which are distressing as noted with the authors trigger warnings. However, such a raw and difficult topic is covered with compassion and respect.
I found my self becoming very invested in Kitten and Lillian as the story unfolded. Lillian had a soft edge to her which drew me into her. I felt like she was almost a mother to the girls despite her role in keeping them in their situation.
The plot of the story was well written and it moved at a quick pace. There was never a moment where I felt bored or became distracted - this book keeps on throwing things at you.
The narrator was exceptional. Clear, well paced and with a feeling that conveyed each characters unique personality.
I would highly recommend the book to others.
May 21, 2024
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Orchid Tattoo' by Carla Damron.
An absolutely epic read from the very talented Carla Damron!!! Absolutely rammed full of twists, tension and turns!! Congratulations Carla on a fantastic page turner!!
I had never read a book by Carla before this one but I am definitely hooked after and can't wait for her next one! I listened to the audiobook version of this which is narrated my Stacey Lind. With Carla's fantastic storytelling skills and Stacey's evocative narration this was one book that I was absolutely hooked on!!! Carla takes us into the dark, dangerous and disturbing world of human trafficking. It contains difficult and sensitive scenes and themes including human trafficking and mental illness and Carla does a fantastic job of writing about them sensitivity and delicately without sugar coating anything. It is a gritty, raw, addictive and fast paced book filled with twists and turns that I would have never seen coming!! Carla is one of those amazing authors who writes these epic books that when you are reading them you promise yourself one more chapter and then you'll go to sleep but each time she ends her chapters in a way that has you hooked so you have to read just one more, but then another and before you know it you have walked around all day with the book glued to your hands and have devoured it in one sitting!!! It is a true page turner that will leave you biting your nails on the edge of your seat with your heart racing. Hope your busy typing your next book up Carla as I cannot wait and until and if they are anything like this one are guaranteed to be huge successes!!! This book would make an absolutely amazing and box selling movie that I would be first in line to see!!!
Clear your schedules as you will not be able to put down this heart racing thriller!!!
I loved meeting all the characters who were all strong, well defined and unique. I become completely invested in Georgia along with all of the other characters. Carla's absolutely fantastic evocative writing skills and descriptions and Stacey's brilliant narrative skills made it feel like you were standing right next to them throughout feeling everything that they are feeling and going through everything Georgie is right along with her.
I could not praise this book enough and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Carla, I cannot wait to read more of your very successful work!!! I would also love to see this book turned into a movie. An absolutely addictive, compelling and gripping true page turner!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite authors Carla!! Here is to your next guaranteed success 🥂!!
Overall a unique captivating, engrossing page turner that is compelling, chilling and addictive by an extremely talented author!!!
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Review for 'The Orchid Tattoo' by Carla Damron.
An absolutely epic read from the very talented Carla Damron!!! Absolutely rammed full of twists, tension and turns!! Congratulations Carla on a fantastic page turner!!
I had never read a book by Carla before this one but I am definitely hooked after and can't wait for her next one! I listened to the audiobook version of this which is narrated my Stacey Lind. With Carla's fantastic storytelling skills and Stacey's evocative narration this was one book that I was absolutely hooked on!!! Carla takes us into the dark, dangerous and disturbing world of human trafficking. It contains difficult and sensitive scenes and themes including human trafficking and mental illness and Carla does a fantastic job of writing about them sensitivity and delicately without sugar coating anything. It is a gritty, raw, addictive and fast paced book filled with twists and turns that I would have never seen coming!! Carla is one of those amazing authors who writes these epic books that when you are reading them you promise yourself one more chapter and then you'll go to sleep but each time she ends her chapters in a way that has you hooked so you have to read just one more, but then another and before you know it you have walked around all day with the book glued to your hands and have devoured it in one sitting!!! It is a true page turner that will leave you biting your nails on the edge of your seat with your heart racing. Hope your busy typing your next book up Carla as I cannot wait and until and if they are anything like this one are guaranteed to be huge successes!!! This book would make an absolutely amazing and box selling movie that I would be first in line to see!!!
Clear your schedules as you will not be able to put down this heart racing thriller!!!
I loved meeting all the characters who were all strong, well defined and unique. I become completely invested in Georgia along with all of the other characters. Carla's absolutely fantastic evocative writing skills and descriptions and Stacey's brilliant narrative skills made it feel like you were standing right next to them throughout feeling everything that they are feeling and going through everything Georgie is right along with her.
I could not praise this book enough and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Carla, I cannot wait to read more of your very successful work!!! I would also love to see this book turned into a movie. An absolutely addictive, compelling and gripping true page turner!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite authors Carla!! Here is to your next guaranteed success 🥂!!
Overall a unique captivating, engrossing page turner that is compelling, chilling and addictive by an extremely talented author!!!
#TheOrchidTattoo #CarlaDamron #StaceyLind #KoehlerPublishing #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources
@CarlaDamron @StaceyLind @KoehlerPublishing @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources
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January 8, 2023
I got this book at a local book/wine pairing. I got the pleasure of meeting the author and talking to her.
I was super interested in reading this book and it had great reviews on Goodreads.
This book is a fictional story about human trafficking in South Carolina. You get to see three main characters Lillian, Kitten, & Georgia. You get to see from each perspective.
One reader said that it was a “fast paced thriller”— I didn’t agree with that. It’s not what I consider a thriller.. it didn’t catch me until over half way and then it got more fast paced and I wanted to know what happened and didn’t want to put it down. Overall it was an easy read.
I will say that I was SHOCKED when I found out who was running the trafficking ring.
Human trafficking scares the crap out of me. So if you are triggered by kidnapping/human trafficking/prostitution this is not for you.
October 1, 2022
Carla Damron is a masterful storyteller, and The Orchid Tattoo is undeniable proof of this. With a rich and authentic cast of characters, Damron brings the dark world of human trafficking to light. Never salacious, Damron portrays the harsh and heartbreaking reality of how easily vulnerable young women and men can be inextricably caught in this web. I was on the edge of my seat as the protagonist, Georgia, struggled with her own mental health while summoning the courage to uncover the truth about her sister’s death. I was thrilled by the unexpected twists and turns of the plot. Damron never fails to deliver on the promise of the perfect, yet unpredictable, ending. You will not be able to put this book down!
January 24, 2024
Georgia is used to being told she is too impulsive and makes some poor choices regarding her personal health and safety, but this time she’s decided the risk is worth it.
Narrated by Georgia, Kitten, and Lillian, The Orchid Tattoo gives three viewpoints of a human trafficking operation. Georgia only finds out about it when she’s pretty sure her sister died as she got too close to the truth. Kitten was a lonely foster child who was tricked into joining the nasty business. And Lillian doesn’t remember much of her life before being forced into it, but has worked her way up to earning the big boss’s trust and acting as madam of the fanciest house.
To complicate matters, Georgia hears voices—somewhat controlled by medication, but undeniably getting worse as her stress level increases. Luckily she has a great support system. Her boss at the hospital is kind and understanding, and her best friend has a history of his own demons and respects her ability to navigate the chaos in her head.
Kitten knows the longer she’s there, the less her likelihood of escape. Lillian, unfortunately, seems to have little to strive for besides keeping the big boss happy and surviving. She tries to convince the girls in her charge that they can make a pleasant existence at the Estate with her.
There was a surprising twist at the end, as they all worked together to hopefully find their happily ever after. Without working together and at least starting to trust each other, none of the three women could have made it as far as they did. This was a powerful and exciting book that earned 4 out of 5 stars. It would be recommended for those who like a thriller about a disturbing subject.
https://booksithinkyoushouldread.blog...
Narrated by Georgia, Kitten, and Lillian, The Orchid Tattoo gives three viewpoints of a human trafficking operation. Georgia only finds out about it when she’s pretty sure her sister died as she got too close to the truth. Kitten was a lonely foster child who was tricked into joining the nasty business. And Lillian doesn’t remember much of her life before being forced into it, but has worked her way up to earning the big boss’s trust and acting as madam of the fanciest house.
To complicate matters, Georgia hears voices—somewhat controlled by medication, but undeniably getting worse as her stress level increases. Luckily she has a great support system. Her boss at the hospital is kind and understanding, and her best friend has a history of his own demons and respects her ability to navigate the chaos in her head.
Kitten knows the longer she’s there, the less her likelihood of escape. Lillian, unfortunately, seems to have little to strive for besides keeping the big boss happy and surviving. She tries to convince the girls in her charge that they can make a pleasant existence at the Estate with her.
There was a surprising twist at the end, as they all worked together to hopefully find their happily ever after. Without working together and at least starting to trust each other, none of the three women could have made it as far as they did. This was a powerful and exciting book that earned 4 out of 5 stars. It would be recommended for those who like a thriller about a disturbing subject.
https://booksithinkyoushouldread.blog...
October 4, 2022
Rarely does a page-turning thriller have such an interesting literary bent. This novel is fast-paced and very accessible. And the writer has mad storytelling skills. I felt right in the story with these characters and their world. I was engaged from page one and committed to the outcome. I especially like how the reader is thrown into a world most of us don't know. Often times, these types of novels come off as sensationalist or contrived for titillation. Not Orchid Tattoo! I felt I learned the truth of the matter. The real info. You can trust this author to give you a solid rendering. I want more novels from Carla Damron.
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