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Detective Alyssa Wyatt #2
The Toybox
'I was on the edge of my seat every time I turned the page!! One of the best crime books I have ever read !!!' ***** Reader Review You don't want to play their games... All around Albuquerque, New Mexico, young women are going missing, seemingly vanished into thin air. With no link between the victims, Detective Alyssa Wyatt is quickly plunged into a horrifying case with no obvious clues. And when Jersey Andrews , the best friend of Alyssa's teenage daughter, Holly, joins the list of vanished girls, the case becomes personal. But this investigation will lead Alyssa and partner Cord into the most sinister depths of humanity; an evil place where life is expendable, and where the depraved can fulfil their darkest desires - if they have the money to pay for it. As the first bodies appear, abandoned on the streets, Alyssa is forced into a frantic hunt to track down the killers - before more innocent women lose their lives. But when the truth comes out, it seems that the key to solving the case was hiding in the last place anyone expected... A dark, tension-filled and absolutely nail-biting crime thriller with a twist - this one will have you reading until the small hours. Fans of Robert Bryndza, Melinda Leigh and Lisa Regan will not want to miss this addictive read. Readers can't get enough of The Toybox : ' This book is, in short, incredible ... I was completely invested in all the main characters and didn't see the twist coming .' ***** Reader Review ' Don't plan to do anything else until you finish reading this book ... intense , suspenseful and realistic... Excellent read.' ***** Reader Review 'OMG!!! ... an edge of your seat page turner with lots of action...and many twists and turns with one that most won't see coming.' ***** Reader Review 'I was blown away ... I don't think I took a breath the whole time I was reading .' ***** Reader Review 'There were many twists in the story that really surprised me! This was a book that I wished hadn't ended! ' ***** Reader Review ' OMG WHAT A READ!!! ... Plenty of heart in your mouth moments and packed with tension and suspense . This crime series is one of the best I have read' ***** Reader Review 'a dark and thrilling crime read that will have you on the edge of your seat ... This is a book you NEED to add to your TBR pile .' ***** Reader Review ' HOLY COW! This book will take you for the ride of your life ...I was left stunned when the truth was revealed' ***** Reader Review 'There is just so much to love about this series.. A dark and chilling read that will have you hanging on for dear life !' ***** Reader Review 'raw, gritty... one of the best crime fiction novels I've read this year .' ***** Reader Review 'what a gritty fast-paced novel , I couldn't put it down!... gets your heartbeat racing ' ***** Reader Review 'I have not read a thriller that I felt so physically and emotionally connected to... started with action and didn't stop until the last page ... I will be recommending this one for fans of thrillers and crime reads for a long time .' ***** Reader Review 'Creepy, spooky, and fill of adrenaline... Highly recommended !' ***** Reader Review 'a very tense and nail biting book ...I ended up reading the book in one night - didn't want it to finish ' ***** Reader Review ' Page-turningly brilliant ... can't recommend it highly enough ' ***** Reader Review ' kept you guessing until the end ...It was a dark story that never let you catch your breath .' ***** Reader Review
366 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2020
842 people are currently reading
5897 people want to read
About the author
Charly Cox
6 books1,047 followersCharly Cox is the bestselling author of the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series and holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Secondary Education. Born in the South, raised in the Midwest, Charly now resides in the Southwest in the Land of Enchantment, Green Chile capital of the world, with her husband. When not writing or planning sinister evils with her antagonists, she enjoys reading, traveling, spending time on or near the water, and visiting her son in Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews
June 19, 2025
Thrilling, suspenseful, dark and disturbing, To think, this is a reality for some unfortunate girls and women is beyond comprehension.
Narrator Kate Zane is perfection.
Narrator Kate Zane is perfection.
May 19, 2020
The Toy Box is the second book in the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series and holy shit what a book! Unfortunately when I started this book I was unaware it was a part of a series, however it was still easily read on its own. There are mentions of the events of the first book and the brief glimpses given were enough to ensure me that book 1 is definitely worth reading also.
The Toy Box is a dark and thrilling crime read that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole book. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. While this is a work of fiction the subject matter of the book is not. Sex trafficking is a very real issue. That fact alone makes this book so much more horrifying.
You will be horrified and shocked by the treatment of these young women. Your heart will shatter for them. The young victim's strength and determination will amaze you. And the truth behind their betrayal will leave you shocked. This is a book you NEED to add to your TBR pile. This is a book you will not regret picking up.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
The Toy Box is a dark and thrilling crime read that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole book. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. While this is a work of fiction the subject matter of the book is not. Sex trafficking is a very real issue. That fact alone makes this book so much more horrifying.
You will be horrified and shocked by the treatment of these young women. Your heart will shatter for them. The young victim's strength and determination will amaze you. And the truth behind their betrayal will leave you shocked. This is a book you NEED to add to your TBR pile. This is a book you will not regret picking up.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
June 3, 2020
Rachel attended a frat party she really didn't want to go to. She never made it home after the party.
Jersey Andrews went missing after a big blowout with her boyfriend. She walked away alone .. and disappeared.
When the two teenage girls wake up, neither of them know where they are or how they got there. They are not alone, either.
Upstairs is a room called the Toy Box. They will be introduced to the room at a later date.
Detectives Alyssa Wyatt and Cord Roberts immediately start interviewing parents, friends, co-workers looking for the reason these girls did not return home. This hits really close to Roberts and his anger may lead him to tank this case.
And then another girl disappears on her way home from school .. she's only 13 years old.
What connects all these girls? They mostly come from higher income families, although there doesn't seem to be anything else. Boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, fathers, step-fathers are all looked at very closely.
What the detectives find is something so horrifying that they almost can't believe it themselves.
TRIGGERS: RAPE, PHYSICAL ABUSE, TORTURE. This may not be the book for everyone.
Although second in the series, this reads easily as a stand-alone. I do recommend reading ALL HIS PRETTY GIRLS as some things are mentioned in the second book that may impede surprising twists and turns in the first book. The plot is solid ... characters are deftly drawn.. with a few surprises thrown in to keep the reader somewhat off-balance. I look forward to seeing this series extended.
Many thanks to the author / Hera Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Jersey Andrews went missing after a big blowout with her boyfriend. She walked away alone .. and disappeared.
When the two teenage girls wake up, neither of them know where they are or how they got there. They are not alone, either.
Upstairs is a room called the Toy Box. They will be introduced to the room at a later date.
Detectives Alyssa Wyatt and Cord Roberts immediately start interviewing parents, friends, co-workers looking for the reason these girls did not return home. This hits really close to Roberts and his anger may lead him to tank this case.
And then another girl disappears on her way home from school .. she's only 13 years old.
What connects all these girls? They mostly come from higher income families, although there doesn't seem to be anything else. Boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, fathers, step-fathers are all looked at very closely.
What the detectives find is something so horrifying that they almost can't believe it themselves.
TRIGGERS: RAPE, PHYSICAL ABUSE, TORTURE. This may not be the book for everyone.
Although second in the series, this reads easily as a stand-alone. I do recommend reading ALL HIS PRETTY GIRLS as some things are mentioned in the second book that may impede surprising twists and turns in the first book. The plot is solid ... characters are deftly drawn.. with a few surprises thrown in to keep the reader somewhat off-balance. I look forward to seeing this series extended.
Many thanks to the author / Hera Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 27, 2024
* caveat the length of time this took me to finish is no reflection on how incredible this book was, I’ve just been really poorly!!
WOW. This book was a hard read because the subject was very dark but I felt it was written with poise and respect. This series is incredible and I’m really enjoying the character development and the exposure to the main characters wider connections. Time to start book 3!!!
WOW. This book was a hard read because the subject was very dark but I felt it was written with poise and respect. This series is incredible and I’m really enjoying the character development and the exposure to the main characters wider connections. Time to start book 3!!!
May 26, 2020
Thank You to NetGalley and Hera Books for this ARC!!
All around Albuquerque, New Mexico, young women are going missing, seemingly vanished into thin air. With no link between the victims, Detective Alyssa Wyatt is quickly plunged into a horrifying case with no obvious clues. And when Jersey Andrews, the best friend of Alyssa’s teenage daughter, Holly, joins the list of vanished girls, the case becomes personal.
As the first tortured body of a young girl appears, abandoned on the streets, Alyssa is forced into a frantic hunt to track down the killers – before more innocent women lose their lives.
I haven't read the first book in the series but it really doesn't matter. This is an extremely dark book which addresses a serious crime that exists in our society. We get to read the ordeal the missing girls face in captivity and it becomes extremely difficult to control your anger and disgust. However their grit and determination will swell your heart with pride.
Overall a great book with interesting characters which keeps you on the edge till the end!!
All around Albuquerque, New Mexico, young women are going missing, seemingly vanished into thin air. With no link between the victims, Detective Alyssa Wyatt is quickly plunged into a horrifying case with no obvious clues. And when Jersey Andrews, the best friend of Alyssa’s teenage daughter, Holly, joins the list of vanished girls, the case becomes personal.
As the first tortured body of a young girl appears, abandoned on the streets, Alyssa is forced into a frantic hunt to track down the killers – before more innocent women lose their lives.
I haven't read the first book in the series but it really doesn't matter. This is an extremely dark book which addresses a serious crime that exists in our society. We get to read the ordeal the missing girls face in captivity and it becomes extremely difficult to control your anger and disgust. However their grit and determination will swell your heart with pride.
Overall a great book with interesting characters which keeps you on the edge till the end!!
April 14, 2025
Detective Alyssa Wyatt is an asshole. She talks to her partner like he’s an asshole. He in turn acts like an asshole. Her boss is an asshole. Her daughter’s best friend is an asshole. The suspects are all assholes. At least one of the victims is an asshole. The victim’s family members are assholes. She treats them like assholes. They treat her like an asshole. She’s an asshole to her colleagues. One guy has to pee during a surveillance operation and flippity fucking Christ… wouldn’t you know it… she goes DEFCON 1 LEVEL ASSHOLE.
80% of the people in this book are assholes. I liked the story… but quite frankly, the sarcasm and hostility and constant condescension became exhausting. How do you root for anyone when you don’t even like them?
Will I continue with this series?
Sure. I am an asshole.
80% of the people in this book are assholes. I liked the story… but quite frankly, the sarcasm and hostility and constant condescension became exhausting. How do you root for anyone when you don’t even like them?
Will I continue with this series?
Sure. I am an asshole.
January 15, 2021
❐ Overall Rating 4½ | Narration 4¼
❐ Narrated by Kate Zane
❐ Listening Length: 12H 1M
❐ Detective Alyssa Wyatt #2
❐ Sex Trafficking
❐ Brutal with fairly graphic depictions
This series is like a literary gut-punch that’s not for the faint of heart. This book affected me more than the first book did, even. It always does when kids are involved. I don’t know how this author writes this sort of material, nor how Kate Zane reads these words aloud for the world to devour.
(cawpile score = 9.07)
❐ Narrated by Kate Zane
❐ Listening Length: 12H 1M
❐ Detective Alyssa Wyatt #2
❐ Sex Trafficking
❐ Brutal with fairly graphic depictions
This series is like a literary gut-punch that’s not for the faint of heart. This book affected me more than the first book did, even. It always does when kids are involved. I don’t know how this author writes this sort of material, nor how Kate Zane reads these words aloud for the world to devour.
(cawpile score = 9.07)
June 12, 2020
I loved this one! I had a good feeling about Det. Alyssa Wyatt in the last book & this book just settled that Alyssa is now one of my favorites. The Toybox is extremely gripping & shocking and the second installment in the series. There were a lot of nail-biting moments. I'm glad I found this author & read the book! Unlike its innocent namesake - The Toybox, the events in this book are extremely twisted & evil. Every chapter was a thrill.
All around Albuquerque, New Mexico, young girls are going missing, seemingly vanished into thin air. With no link between the victims, Detective Alyssa Wyatt is quickly plunged into a horrifying case with no obvious clues. When Jersey Andrews, the best friend of Alyssa’s teenage daughter, Holly, joins the list of vanished girls, the case becomes personal. But this investigation will lead Alyssa and partner Cord into the most sinister depths of humanity; an evil place where life is expendable, and where the depraved can fulfil their darkest desires – if they have the money to pay for it. As the first body appears, abandoned on the streets, Alyssa is forced into a frantic hunt to track down the killers – before more innocent girls lose their lives. But when the truth comes out, it seems that the key to solving the case was hiding in the last place anyone expected…
I loved all characters in this book. I missed Issac a bit as he was more in the shadows in this one. I hoped to know more about his coping mechanisms after his ordeal in the last book. I also wished we had some more insight into the killers & their backgrounds. I always want to know what makes them tick. This book focussed more on the victims & Allyssa than the killers, but I didn't mind this because the outcome was just as good. I hope the next book has some more action & jaw-dropping moments. I would also love to see more of Alyssa's teammates & their backstory. Overall, this book was a fantastic addition to the Alyssa Wyatt series. I can't wait for the next!
Thank you, NetGalley, Hera Books & Charly Cox for an arc!
All around Albuquerque, New Mexico, young girls are going missing, seemingly vanished into thin air. With no link between the victims, Detective Alyssa Wyatt is quickly plunged into a horrifying case with no obvious clues. When Jersey Andrews, the best friend of Alyssa’s teenage daughter, Holly, joins the list of vanished girls, the case becomes personal. But this investigation will lead Alyssa and partner Cord into the most sinister depths of humanity; an evil place where life is expendable, and where the depraved can fulfil their darkest desires – if they have the money to pay for it. As the first body appears, abandoned on the streets, Alyssa is forced into a frantic hunt to track down the killers – before more innocent girls lose their lives. But when the truth comes out, it seems that the key to solving the case was hiding in the last place anyone expected…
I loved all characters in this book. I missed Issac a bit as he was more in the shadows in this one. I hoped to know more about his coping mechanisms after his ordeal in the last book. I also wished we had some more insight into the killers & their backgrounds. I always want to know what makes them tick. This book focussed more on the victims & Allyssa than the killers, but I didn't mind this because the outcome was just as good. I hope the next book has some more action & jaw-dropping moments. I would also love to see more of Alyssa's teammates & their backstory. Overall, this book was a fantastic addition to the Alyssa Wyatt series. I can't wait for the next!
Thank you, NetGalley, Hera Books & Charly Cox for an arc!
June 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is my personal 5 star rating system because I’m too lazy to write a review for every book.
5 stars -> OMFG. I couldn’t stop listening. I was engaged from beginning to end. The story & narrator was amazing. I 100% recommend this book & author. I was able to clearly follow each and every character.
4 stars -> It was pretty good. I would’ve rated 5 stars, But either the ending was lacking, I struggled to keep up with characters, or the story didn’t keep me fully engaged. The narrator was pretty good as well. I’m on the fence about recommending this book, It could go either way.
3 Stars -> It was boring at times & I missed chunks of the story. I most likely struggled to keep up with character developments. The only way I would recommend this book is if it was part of a series. The narrator was most likely average or just couldn’t fix a mediocre book.
2 Stars -> It was pretty horrible. I used it as background noise because I hadn’t had a chance to search for another book. The book either had a bad narrator, The character development was non existent, or the story was hot garbage. I would not recommend this book.
1 Star -> The absolute only reason I listened to this book was because i had no time to search for another one & I needed background noise. It was 1 step up from listening to the radio. I wouldn’t recommend this book to my worst enemy. Everything about this book was terrible. This is only recommended for people on death row and have absolutely nothing else to read.
5 stars -> OMFG. I couldn’t stop listening. I was engaged from beginning to end. The story & narrator was amazing. I 100% recommend this book & author. I was able to clearly follow each and every character.
4 stars -> It was pretty good. I would’ve rated 5 stars, But either the ending was lacking, I struggled to keep up with characters, or the story didn’t keep me fully engaged. The narrator was pretty good as well. I’m on the fence about recommending this book, It could go either way.
3 Stars -> It was boring at times & I missed chunks of the story. I most likely struggled to keep up with character developments. The only way I would recommend this book is if it was part of a series. The narrator was most likely average or just couldn’t fix a mediocre book.
2 Stars -> It was pretty horrible. I used it as background noise because I hadn’t had a chance to search for another book. The book either had a bad narrator, The character development was non existent, or the story was hot garbage. I would not recommend this book.
1 Star -> The absolute only reason I listened to this book was because i had no time to search for another one & I needed background noise. It was 1 step up from listening to the radio. I wouldn’t recommend this book to my worst enemy. Everything about this book was terrible. This is only recommended for people on death row and have absolutely nothing else to read.
October 20, 2020
Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we are once again back on the job with Detective Wyatt and her partner Cord Roberts. This takes place shortly after the events of book one, but each contains its own investigation and works on its own. If however you plan to read book one, do it FIRST as there are spoilers in book two.
What starts out as a missing persons case quickly morphs into something more sinister. To make matters worse, Jersey Andrews, the best friend of Alyssa’s teenage daughter, Holly, goes missing too. Detective Wyatt won’t stop until she brings these girls home.
This was another brilliant, tightly woven, nail-bitting investigation. When the body of an adolescent female is found dead, the tension increases. Suspects, absentee parents and a recent victim lead us down a dark gritty path to the unthinkable.
The clues, suspects and twists did not come easily, and Cox hooked me. I once again devoured this in a single evening.
Cox takes us into the underbelly of a world that parents fear, shedding a harsh light on the terrifying realities. A world no one like to speak of but is a worldwide epidemic. She did so thoughtfully, and factual with just enough horror to unnerve you.
Review first published at Caffeinated Reviewer
What starts out as a missing persons case quickly morphs into something more sinister. To make matters worse, Jersey Andrews, the best friend of Alyssa’s teenage daughter, Holly, goes missing too. Detective Wyatt won’t stop until she brings these girls home.
This was another brilliant, tightly woven, nail-bitting investigation. When the body of an adolescent female is found dead, the tension increases. Suspects, absentee parents and a recent victim lead us down a dark gritty path to the unthinkable.
The clues, suspects and twists did not come easily, and Cox hooked me. I once again devoured this in a single evening.
Cox takes us into the underbelly of a world that parents fear, shedding a harsh light on the terrifying realities. A world no one like to speak of but is a worldwide epidemic. She did so thoughtfully, and factual with just enough horror to unnerve you.
Review first published at Caffeinated Reviewer
May 17, 2020
This is the second book in the unmissable Detective Alyssa Wyatt crime series which reads well as a standalone. The author gives enough background so that the reader won’t feel lost or that they are missing anything. I do recommend reading it though as it is a great read.
I loved the storyline in the authors first book and I will admit that I was slightly worried how she could match, or top the previous case but she has. The Toybox would be anyone’s worst nightmare. What I especially love is that the author doesn’t go into any great detail about what takes place in it. She doesn’t need to. Enough is given so that the readers imagination can do the rest.
We get to know more about Cord, Alyssa’s partner, in this book which was something else I enjoyed. It was could to get to know him better and what makes him tick. I could really feel the work bond between them and they make a great partnership.
The young female victims is what makes this an outstanding read. I can’t say much more than that apart from you need to read this for yourself. The strength shown grabbed on my heart strings and made it quite an emotional read in parts. Holly, Alyssa’s daughter, also plays a bigger part in this one and have to say I am loving Alyssa’s family, they are an added bonus in these brilliant books.
The Toybox is a fantastic addition to the series that shocked and horrified me, yet I couldn’t put it down. If you haven’t read this authors books then I urge you to add her to your reading pile. You won’t regret it I promise you. There is just so much to love about this series and am already a huge fan. A dark and chilling read that will have you hanging on for dear life!
My thanks to Hera Books and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
I loved the storyline in the authors first book and I will admit that I was slightly worried how she could match, or top the previous case but she has. The Toybox would be anyone’s worst nightmare. What I especially love is that the author doesn’t go into any great detail about what takes place in it. She doesn’t need to. Enough is given so that the readers imagination can do the rest.
We get to know more about Cord, Alyssa’s partner, in this book which was something else I enjoyed. It was could to get to know him better and what makes him tick. I could really feel the work bond between them and they make a great partnership.
The young female victims is what makes this an outstanding read. I can’t say much more than that apart from you need to read this for yourself. The strength shown grabbed on my heart strings and made it quite an emotional read in parts. Holly, Alyssa’s daughter, also plays a bigger part in this one and have to say I am loving Alyssa’s family, they are an added bonus in these brilliant books.
The Toybox is a fantastic addition to the series that shocked and horrified me, yet I couldn’t put it down. If you haven’t read this authors books then I urge you to add her to your reading pile. You won’t regret it I promise you. There is just so much to love about this series and am already a huge fan. A dark and chilling read that will have you hanging on for dear life!
My thanks to Hera Books and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
October 22, 2024
I enjoyed the first book in this series, All His Pretty Girls, but this one was even better. Cox weaves her tale in such a way that you feel you're in the story and experiencing what the victims feel. Well done and highly recommended!
June 3, 2020
Don’t let the title fool you there is nothing playful or funny about this story. What it is about is raw, gritty and sometimes hard to read. It’s also one of the best crime fiction novels I’ve read this year. The second book in this series is even better than the first.
Detective Alyssa Watt and her partner Cord are called into investigate several missing teenage girls.
The evil in this story is terrifying because it happens every day. If your a fan of Lisa Gardner which I am you will love this book.
Detective Alyssa Watt and her partner Cord are called into investigate several missing teenage girls.
The evil in this story is terrifying because it happens every day. If your a fan of Lisa Gardner which I am you will love this book.
January 23, 2024
5 ⭐️
Omg. I am DEVOURING these books.
This is the second book in the detective Wyatt series and it was SO good. I love how even though it is a new story/case..bits,pieces and characters link in from the previous book. I also love that we got a side in what was happening with the victims aswell as the detective side of things.
The book is very brutal about a sex trafficking ring so it is hard to read but really gets you feeling for the characters especially the poor girls.
Detective Wyatt is so likeable, she's badass and doesn't out up with shit but not in the bitchy kind of way and her softer side is shown alot with her family which I like. I like Cord also, they are a good team.
I did click on about Leigh Ann being "Anna" but it amazes me how the author puts it all together.
It was nice how the girls became friends and Rachel amd Jersey were supporting each other..I hope we see more of their group in the next book.
Charly Cox has a way of dropping you inside her books and has you feeling everythingggg! My favourite thrillers so far, I'm tucking straight into the 3rd book!
Omg. I am DEVOURING these books.
This is the second book in the detective Wyatt series and it was SO good. I love how even though it is a new story/case..bits,pieces and characters link in from the previous book. I also love that we got a side in what was happening with the victims aswell as the detective side of things.
The book is very brutal about a sex trafficking ring so it is hard to read but really gets you feeling for the characters especially the poor girls.
Detective Wyatt is so likeable, she's badass and doesn't out up with shit but not in the bitchy kind of way and her softer side is shown alot with her family which I like. I like Cord also, they are a good team.
I did click on about Leigh Ann being "Anna" but it amazes me how the author puts it all together.
It was nice how the girls became friends and Rachel amd Jersey were supporting each other..I hope we see more of their group in the next book.
Charly Cox has a way of dropping you inside her books and has you feeling everythingggg! My favourite thrillers so far, I'm tucking straight into the 3rd book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This is the second book in a series which I didn't realise until I started reading it, but this didn't deter me from continuing to read it as it briefly summarises what happened in book 1 through the story.
This book really pinned me to it from the first chapter.
The main character Alyssa is hunting down the predator who has abducted three girls aged between 13 and 19 and will stop at nothing to find them.
This book is fantastic! I anticipate an exciting and new fast paced series from Charly Cox emerging soon and cannot wait to get my hands on her next books!
This is the second book in a series which I didn't realise until I started reading it, but this didn't deter me from continuing to read it as it briefly summarises what happened in book 1 through the story.
This book really pinned me to it from the first chapter.
The main character Alyssa is hunting down the predator who has abducted three girls aged between 13 and 19 and will stop at nothing to find them.
This book is fantastic! I anticipate an exciting and new fast paced series from Charly Cox emerging soon and cannot wait to get my hands on her next books!
January 2, 2026
5 stars
Format - Audiobook
Themes - Crime, sex trafficking, abduction
Oh my goodness, this book was heavy. Every time the POV flipped to the girls I would be filled with dread and think please no more. My heart broke and there were times during the girls POV that I teared up. It was a brilliantly dark book.
Format - Audiobook
Themes - Crime, sex trafficking, abduction
Oh my goodness, this book was heavy. Every time the POV flipped to the girls I would be filled with dread and think please no more. My heart broke and there were times during the girls POV that I teared up. It was a brilliantly dark book.
May 18, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hera Books for an advance copy of The Toybox, the second novel to feature Albuquerque detective Alyssa Wyatt.
When teenage girls, including Alyssa’s daughter Holly’s friend Jersey Andrews, start disappearing from Albuquerque’s richer neighbourhoods Alyssa and her partner, Cord Roberts, are assigned the case. Then the body of another teenager is found and the stakes are raised as the detectives battle to find the girls and save their lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Toybox which is an engrossing read with some interesting twists, some more guessable than others. This not a comfortable read, in fact I found it quite emotionally distressing and was tempted to skip some of the more powerful passages. The narrative is mostly split between Alyssa’s investigation and the experiences of the captives. This latter is not graphic on their physical ordeal, thank goodness, but is extremely powerful on their emotions. The cruelty And hopelessness broke my heart.
The investigation follows the usual scenario of blind alleys, lies, misleading statements and self protection until the breakthrough. I found the investigation slightly frustrating as they seemed a bit slow off the mark chasing the technology, for example I don’t remember one reference to checking the girls’ social media but once things hot up it’s go, go, go.
I like the partnership between Alyssa and Cord as they work well together. She’s the stronger one and he’s a good foil although he has his own issues to work through in this case.
The Toybox is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
When teenage girls, including Alyssa’s daughter Holly’s friend Jersey Andrews, start disappearing from Albuquerque’s richer neighbourhoods Alyssa and her partner, Cord Roberts, are assigned the case. Then the body of another teenager is found and the stakes are raised as the detectives battle to find the girls and save their lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Toybox which is an engrossing read with some interesting twists, some more guessable than others. This not a comfortable read, in fact I found it quite emotionally distressing and was tempted to skip some of the more powerful passages. The narrative is mostly split between Alyssa’s investigation and the experiences of the captives. This latter is not graphic on their physical ordeal, thank goodness, but is extremely powerful on their emotions. The cruelty And hopelessness broke my heart.
The investigation follows the usual scenario of blind alleys, lies, misleading statements and self protection until the breakthrough. I found the investigation slightly frustrating as they seemed a bit slow off the mark chasing the technology, for example I don’t remember one reference to checking the girls’ social media but once things hot up it’s go, go, go.
I like the partnership between Alyssa and Cord as they work well together. She’s the stronger one and he’s a good foil although he has his own issues to work through in this case.
The Toybox is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 20, 2024
This is such a good book. I cried at times for these girls. It will break your heart what they go through. Charly Cox definitely holds her own next to Karin Slaughter , Lisa Jackson and Lucinda Berry. This is the second in a series , the first book is well worth reading but you don’t have to. There is some flashbacks to the first book but you will not get lost if you don’t read it. If you have any trigger warnings this book deals with some hard subject matters. Your heart will break for these girls and break again when you realize this happens all too often in the real world and just like this. Don’t let that stop you from reading this book though. If you like Karin Slaughter , Lisa Jackson and Lucinda Berry then you will enjoy this book.
December 28, 2020
So, this is a tough read, but a good read.
Not a spoiler, because the description makes it clear, the plot is based on the abduction, debasement, and murder of girls. I can tell you that it’s graphic enough without being explicit. Whether or not you can take it, depends on you.
For me, as the mother of a soon-to-be tween, it was hard.
The characters – all of them – are very well drawn and vivid. The story is heartbreaking. And the chase to save the girls and punish the baddies is a good one.
A very good read, but oh it can be a hard one.
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
Not a spoiler, because the description makes it clear, the plot is based on the abduction, debasement, and murder of girls. I can tell you that it’s graphic enough without being explicit. Whether or not you can take it, depends on you.
For me, as the mother of a soon-to-be tween, it was hard.
The characters – all of them – are very well drawn and vivid. The story is heartbreaking. And the chase to save the girls and punish the baddies is a good one.
A very good read, but oh it can be a hard one.
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
July 17, 2024
Another W for Detective Alyssa Wyatt. 🕵🏼♀️
TW: very dark
TW: very dark
May 31, 2020
OMG. What a book!! It caused goosebumps to appear as I read down the pages. The author Charly Cox was a master planner who plotted the construction of The Toybox in such a way that her main characters Detectives Alyssa Wyatt and Cord found themselves racing to the finish line to find the lost girls.
Rachel Otis went to a frat party and disappeared. Soon the case touched Alyssa close to her home when Holly's best friend Jersey disappeared. The cops knew they had to work fast to save the girls. This time stakes were too high.
My second book by the author, the writing caused a shiver down my back at the hints of what happened to these girls were told to me. There was nothing graphic but what was left unsaid creeped me out completely.
The prose had a haunting magic to it. I was supposed to read a couple of chapters just before bed, but I couldn't stop reading. The reasons for the kidnapping were nefarious. Every chapter added to the fear in my heart, I could feel it pounding. The things the girls went through and the immense strength shown by them caught me by my throat. I couldn't breathe or sleep. The vengeant heart of mine demanded justice.
I goaded Alyssa and Cord to investigate faster. Their work chemistry and the cohesive way they put their brains to action was poetry in motion. Their vulnerabilities were gently caressed in the midst of a busy case. I loved getting to know them further.
The ending was a maddive shocker. I was in absolute awe of the author's mind in the way she twisted the story. It was a difficult read, but nothing could have loosened my grip on my kindle until I reached the end.
Rachel Otis went to a frat party and disappeared. Soon the case touched Alyssa close to her home when Holly's best friend Jersey disappeared. The cops knew they had to work fast to save the girls. This time stakes were too high.
My second book by the author, the writing caused a shiver down my back at the hints of what happened to these girls were told to me. There was nothing graphic but what was left unsaid creeped me out completely.
The prose had a haunting magic to it. I was supposed to read a couple of chapters just before bed, but I couldn't stop reading. The reasons for the kidnapping were nefarious. Every chapter added to the fear in my heart, I could feel it pounding. The things the girls went through and the immense strength shown by them caught me by my throat. I couldn't breathe or sleep. The vengeant heart of mine demanded justice.
I goaded Alyssa and Cord to investigate faster. Their work chemistry and the cohesive way they put their brains to action was poetry in motion. Their vulnerabilities were gently caressed in the midst of a busy case. I loved getting to know them further.
The ending was a maddive shocker. I was in absolute awe of the author's mind in the way she twisted the story. It was a difficult read, but nothing could have loosened my grip on my kindle until I reached the end.
April 16, 2025
⚠️ 📢 🚨 TRIGGER WARNING: kidnapping, physical & sexual assault, human trafficking.
4.5 🌟 rounded up. This is my 2nd Charly Cox book and is book 2 in the series. It was super good! So far, though, I liked the first book better. That's why it's not the full 5 stars. It was another edge of your seat thriller that was quite disturbing. Good but disturbing. Be prepared. Alyssa has become one of my top favorite detectives. Her and Cord make a fantastic team. Definitely recommend!
4.5 🌟 rounded up. This is my 2nd Charly Cox book and is book 2 in the series. It was super good! So far, though, I liked the first book better. That's why it's not the full 5 stars. It was another edge of your seat thriller that was quite disturbing. Good but disturbing. Be prepared. Alyssa has become one of my top favorite detectives. Her and Cord make a fantastic team. Definitely recommend!
March 9, 2023
Another edge of your seat ride along with Detective Alyssa Wyatt. I’m really enjoying this series. This book was dark, tough subject matter.
May 6, 2024
This is one of those hard to read books, dark, deals with sex-trafficking and abuse of women/mostly young girls. When Rachel goes missing and another girl named Jersey goes missing, you'd think their parents would be devastated and do everything in their power to help the police, even to just be there. But some parents are off and traveling/socializing and can't be bothered since their daughter might have just gone off with some boy or had a long night, etc. Disgusting!!!
There are scenes that are very difficult to read and, as a woman, I can't for the life of me ever understand how one woman can take part in another woman's sex-trafficking and rapes and physical abuse. I can't even stomach thinking about some of the scenes so while I gave it a 5-star rating, I would not recommend it to anyone who's triggered by sexual abuse, other physical abuse, torture, humiliations, and being drugged. It's a book that deserves 5 stars for its genre, but it's very dark in places.
I would like to thank NetGalley for a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.
There are scenes that are very difficult to read and, as a woman, I can't for the life of me ever understand how one woman can take part in another woman's sex-trafficking and rapes and physical abuse. I can't even stomach thinking about some of the scenes so while I gave it a 5-star rating, I would not recommend it to anyone who's triggered by sexual abuse, other physical abuse, torture, humiliations, and being drugged. It's a book that deserves 5 stars for its genre, but it's very dark in places.
I would like to thank NetGalley for a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.
May 31, 2020
Trigger Warning: violence, drug references, kidnapping (of teenage girls).
This is the second book featuring detective Alyssa and her partner and they’re plunged into an important case involving missing teenage girls thoughout the neighborhood. It gets close to home when Alyssa’s daughter’s bestfriend Jersey Andrews goes missing just after the girls dropped her near her home. At first, there are no connections to the missing girls, and the suspects are teenage boyfriends and couple fights. Jersey Andrews’s jerk of a boyfriend and his father who abuses women on a daily basis, annd her rich parents do not seem to care for their daughter’s welfare.
Until a body is found and everything is changed.
Meanwhile, there is a parallel naration showing us what really happens to the missing girls, the captive situation and let me just say, its not a comfortable read. There is human trafficking involved. Thank goodness there are no graphic scenes. Although, there are a few scenes showing the terrible, terrible state of the kidnapped girls and I cannot begin to imagine any of it. It’s just very upsetting.
Alyssa’s investigation depends highly on other resources and does not seem to grasp the enormity of the situation. As a reader, you’d want to shake the hell out of the detectives and drive them along the direction of the evidence. Do not want yet another dead end approach with the clock ticking and the girls’ life in peril.
This book had me between heartbreak and suspense, a very difficult dilemma for a crime reader whether to continue the book or not. At last my curiosity won me over and I just couldn’t wait till I knew how it ends. An entertaining, fast-paced, atmospheric thriller. Recommended.
This is the second book featuring detective Alyssa and her partner and they’re plunged into an important case involving missing teenage girls thoughout the neighborhood. It gets close to home when Alyssa’s daughter’s bestfriend Jersey Andrews goes missing just after the girls dropped her near her home. At first, there are no connections to the missing girls, and the suspects are teenage boyfriends and couple fights. Jersey Andrews’s jerk of a boyfriend and his father who abuses women on a daily basis, annd her rich parents do not seem to care for their daughter’s welfare.
Until a body is found and everything is changed.
Meanwhile, there is a parallel naration showing us what really happens to the missing girls, the captive situation and let me just say, its not a comfortable read. There is human trafficking involved. Thank goodness there are no graphic scenes. Although, there are a few scenes showing the terrible, terrible state of the kidnapped girls and I cannot begin to imagine any of it. It’s just very upsetting.
Alyssa’s investigation depends highly on other resources and does not seem to grasp the enormity of the situation. As a reader, you’d want to shake the hell out of the detectives and drive them along the direction of the evidence. Do not want yet another dead end approach with the clock ticking and the girls’ life in peril.
This book had me between heartbreak and suspense, a very difficult dilemma for a crime reader whether to continue the book or not. At last my curiosity won me over and I just couldn’t wait till I knew how it ends. An entertaining, fast-paced, atmospheric thriller. Recommended.
June 22, 2020
This is the second book in the series following Detective Alyssa Wyatt. The author does a fantastic job of covering such a difficult topic - sex trafficking - without being exploitative at all. This story sucked me in on page one and didn't let me go until the last page. I enjoyed getting to know more about Alyssa's partner, Cord, in this book as well. The story was hard to read at times because of the terrible reality of sex trafficking in our society. I really appreciated that the author didn't go into explicit details about the nightmares the girls had to live through but she gave enough information that the reader could empathize with them. Charly Cox is an amazing author and I look forward to reading more of her work. A great read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers with believable characters and loads of twists & turns.
July 3, 2025
Another 10/10 for Cox!!
I’m completely hooked.
If you love Lisa Gardner like I do, especially the Detective D.D. Warren series, you’ll love these. (And not in a way that I think Cox is copying Gardner. They have their own styles. I just think D.D. and Alyssa would get along really well)
Read other reviews. There are several TW for this book!
I’m completely hooked.
If you love Lisa Gardner like I do, especially the Detective D.D. Warren series, you’ll love these. (And not in a way that I think Cox is copying Gardner. They have their own styles. I just think D.D. and Alyssa would get along really well)
Read other reviews. There are several TW for this book!
June 12, 2023
Wow. Charly Cox is such a great writer. I cried during some parts, I never wanted a case solved so fast or to hug those involved so much...... Another fiction based on reality, truly heart wrenching but writing in a tasteful way.
July 18, 2024
Excellent detective thriller story! I love following the storylines for each of the characters in this series. The author has an easy to read writing style. If you like Criminal Minds, this series reminds me of that show a lot. While the material is dark, it’s not overly gruesome in its descriptions. I’m going to start the next book in this series now because I can’t wait to see what happens next. If you haven’t read these books yet, you’re missing out!
September 28, 2024
This was just as addicting as the first book! If you enjoy a fast pace thriller, be sure to check this one out!!
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