Rita Herron is one of my go-to authors for romantic suspense. I really enjoyed this first book in her new series. There's lots of suspense and a good mystery along with a splash of romance. I will be on the lookout for the next one!

I had the chance to read an early copy for review.

Det. Ellie REeves is called to the case when young Penny is abducted from her own yard and held hostage somewhere in the Appalachian Mountains.Special Agent Derrick Fox also comes on the scene as he has been trying to solve the decades old mystery of his missing younger sister. Derrick also believes that there may be a serial kidnapper on the lose who has been snatching girls all through the south for years. When the two discover a small body of bones buried with an old wooden doll they begin to think there is more to this case than appears. Has someone been committing kidnappings and murders for years? Where are they hiding all the bodies? It will be a race against time as the two try and solve the previous missing cases and hunt down the killer in order to find young Penny alive before it's too late. Fast paces and suspenseful reading.

Not one of my 'edge of seat' reads unfortunately although I am sure I will be in the minority. I felt as though I was waiting for the story line to really draw me in but unfortunately it didn't and I was glad when I had got to the ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Penny, a young girl, has gone missing whilst out with her parents in the Appalachian mountains. Detective Ellie is assigned the case. What originally looks like a simple abduction suddenly turns into a hunt for a serial killer as it appears similiar disappearances have spanned a number of years. Ellie is joined by a federal agent who has an invested interest as his younger sister disappeared under similiar circumstances a number of years ago. Slowly a number of graves and bodies are found in the mountains, as well as a second young girl going missing. As Ellie fights to save these 2 young girls her own past and who she is in thrown into question.
Absolute page turned of a book, full of twists and turns and an ending I would never guess. Highly recommend.

I think I’m in the minority with my 2.5 star review of this book.

For me it felt like the book really wanted to get going but someone had left the handbrake on. This book had such an explosive start that I was hooked and ready! The book is designed that each chapter switches character and location, for me when it focused on the main story it was utterly gripping. But after that chapter it would slow and change direction and add more sub plots.

All these additional stories is what ruined it for me. Some were obviously wild herrings and some just plain crazy (the finale). Don’t get me wrong, I love a book with depth, twists and sub plots but this one I think not only struggled with the quantity of stories but also its genre.

I’m surprised poor little Penny survived more than one night during what sounded like a horrific snow storm in just a tshirt. I would’ve thought hyperthermia would’ve seen her off much faster given the place she was held had no light or warmth.

At the start is definitely crime fiction, then it takes a tour through supernatural not before taking a break in romance and then finally winding back to family drama. It’s truly got something for everyone!

For me, I would’ve preferred more police procedural and better forensic detail. But overall I enjoyed the book but was left frustrated at how amazing it could’ve become. Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

First off thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The abduction of children is always a tough storyline to swallow but our introduction to Detective Ellie Reeves, a strong female lead, you're immediately swept up into the hunt for this kidnapper. Only soon to find out he could be a serial killer who has been kidnapping and killing little girls for over 20 years.
I'm always excited to try a new author with a new character and this page turner was no exception. This is a book with secrets and the further you read the more secrets are bursting to come out! I enjoyed the different dimensions of characters, the arrogant Deputy Sherriff Bryce Waters, the mysterious handsome gruff Park Ranger Cord McClain and finally our good-looking grieving FBI agent Derrick Fox. Definitely ripe for some serious romantic drama!
I look forward to the next chapter in this series and moving forward with Ellie and all she's discovered in this twisted thriller!

A new author for me and the start of a new series. What a start, a real page turner which I devoured in one sitting. Atmospheric, chilling, creepy and terrifying. A plot full of twists and turns which kept me guessing and constantly changing my mind. A real rollercoaster of a read and I can't wait to read more of this authors work. Is this the start of another gripping and addictive series? I really hope so. Loved it!!!!
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

The Silent Dolls is the first in a promising new series with a strong female lead. A little girl goes missing and as Detectie Ellie Reeves is on the case even as it triggers visions of her "made up" friend Mae. Special Agent Derrick Fox shows up with a file full of missing girls that all disappeared on the Appalachian Trail eerily similar to the case Ellie is on. A wrench gets thrown in the works as Ellie gets blindsided with twists and secrets she never saw coming. Suspenseful and twisty, the story keeps you on the edge of your seat with the pages turning with some shocking twists and some that you see coming from a mile away. Ellie is a character that I want to revisit and read in a long storied series and I must to know where Ranger Cord McClain received his scars. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Absolutely loved every single word in this book. I feel I really connected to the characters and can't wait to see more of their lives and relationships develop. I will be following this series from now on.

I found the mount of lines of suspition wigen throughout the book gripping and I just did not and could not stop reading about it.

This is another book I will continue to shout about from the rooftops and have already made many friends read it also.

This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter. I do like a good police procedural book.
The main character was really likeable
Can't wait to read the next book in the series
#netgalley

I was excited to see a new book series by Rita Herron, I have throughly enjoyed her books before.
The story starts off a little slow for me, but laying the ground work for new characters, settings, etc. was to be expected. But in no time the thrill of the chase / hunt for the suspect waa on. Lots of twists, turns, oops, to keep the book entertaining and binge reading worthy. Overall, I really enjoyed the story, and looking forward to the next installment of the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book.
#netgalley #thesilentdolls

This book had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't want to stop reading for anything.
Ellie was a likeable lead character.
There were a few that I wanted to slap.
Thrilling and suspenseful

Reading this book was like travelling downhill in a race car without brakes...

This seems like a straightforward story about a ruthless predator being chased by the police, but the more you read the more complicated it gets. The author has created a selection of baddies to choose from and added a whole bunch of twists to make it even more fun for the reader.

When you think it's over, for Ellie it's only just beginning. 

She had her future all worked out in her head, but then she faces a bucket load of bombshells that turn everything upside down. 

Ellie is determined, stubborn and does not give up or stop before she reaches her goal. 

I am looking forward to find out how she will deal with everything that has been dumped on her. If this story proves how this author's mind works, then we are in for a great series. 5 stars.

Thank you, Rita Herron and Bookouture

When seven year old Penny Matthews goes missing in Bluff County, Georgia Detective Ellie Reeves is called in to help find her. The case draws the attention of SA Derrick Fox in Decatur, Georgia because his little sister Kim went missing in the same area over twenty years ago. Derrick is convinced a serial killer has been operating along the Appalachian Trail for years and he joins in the search. Is he right?

The book starts in a terrifying way and for much of it there is a sense of desperation on the part of the law officers which the author conveys well. The location in the woods and mountains of the Georgian section of the Appalachian Trail is fantastic and a terrible weather front adds danger and even more atmosphere to the hunt for Penny. It also gives a really creepy vibe at times as the hunters are observed. I really like Ellie as a character, she is brave, tough and resourceful although she carries her own demons. Derrick and Ranger Cord McClain are also interesting characters. The premise is good, the story is easy to read and flows well. There’s suspense, fear, secrets, lies, deception and guilt which leads to plenty of twists and turns and a good conclusion.

However, Ellie gets clobbered badly about the head THREE times. Is she human or an AI???!!! I also didn’t buy into some of the dialogue and one or two of the twists are a bit of a stretch though do make for enjoyable reading.

Despite the above reservations, I did enjoy the book and I definitely want to read more books featuring Ellie.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC

The Silent Dolls by Rita Herron is the first book following Detective Ellie Reeves. While I felt the book a little slow to start, it started to pick up speed around the 30% mark. Well developed characters that are both likeable and hateable. A twist at the end that I was not expecting at all. While there are a few plot holes, I am hoping they are filled in the second book. Patiently waiting for the follow-up!

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. All opinions are my own.

Wow! I had no idea that I would love this book as much as I have. I literally haven't been able to put it down.
This has completely gripped me and been utterly impossible to put down. I have loved main character Ellie, she is likeable and realistic. Initially, I couldn't understand the dynamics with her father but all became clear.
Definitely a gripping and compelling read, I haven't wanted to put this one down. I have constantly been trying to predict the outcome but have done so unsuccessfully.
This is a great book and a superb start to the series, I am gutted I need to wait for the next instalment. I love the author's writing style, I have been completely pulled in from the very beginning.
A gripping and addictive read which is highly deserving of five stars.

This was a fantastic start to a new series and I can’t wait for book two.
Detective Ellie Reeves has her life worked out and she’s ready for the next step, taking her fathers place as sheriff but he chooses someone else. Before Ellie can sort this a young girl goes missing and the hunt to find her starts. FBI agent Derrick Fox then shows up to tell she had a serial predator who hunts little girls and suddenly Ellie does not know who she can trust.
I loved the introduction to the characters and can only hope that these will continue into book two as I want to know more about them and their histories. This was a one sitting book as I desperate to find out who the killer was and what Ellie would find. I liked the symbology included and the descriptions of the Appalachian mountains.
Please hurry and write book two.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheSilentDolls #NetGalley

A fantastic, thrilling start to a new detective series - I could not put this book down! I was completely gripped by the twists and turns right until the end

I enjoyed getting to know the main protagonist, Detective Ellie Reeves, and exploring the details about her past. I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see how her character develops.

I would definitely recommend this book, and give it 4 stars.

Let me start by thanking NetGalley for providing an ARC e-book version in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
In a small town near the Appalachian Trail, I missing girl case starts a cascade that the police department will investigate unveiling years old secrets that will shake the town. It's Detective Ellie Reeves's job to find out what is happening in her home and put an end to it.

Thoughts:
This is the very first Rita Herron book I've read and I must say I really enjoyed it. Having a female lead is always a great thing to see for me. I loved Ellie's character development and I'm looking forward to reading her next outing.

The best thing about this book is the final twist's reveal! I didn't see it coming.

That said, it felt like it took a long time to get there. Although, the book starts with a very pressing matter, as all missing girl cases are, the book felt slow until the tension started boiling up at the end.

When the book ended, I felt a few things were left unaddressed. So look out for small plot holes.

Still I enjoyed the story!

An Instagram post on @FionaTheReader with this review will be published closer to the publication date of this title.

A new series with a female lead detective hunting down a serial killer. The story starts with a good momentum and keeps going in a systematic way. About two thirds of the way it loses the plot and is going around without direction. If the sheriff has everything worked out then why has he not acted on it? Ellie character could have been developed better. The conclusion feels drawn out. Overall not a bad one but with a few plot holes. 3.5 stars. Why do most of the female detective stories bring in men to save the lady?