This was a debut book from an author I hadn’t read. The story started off well. Then it dragged a bit through some police procedures. The dark and murky world of some communities in Utah has intrigued me for quite a while so I found this book fascinating. This novel might need a little more polishing/ a little more filler material

So excited to have a new series & this one is a great one. #DetectiveEveBennet is a fantastic character. She has a difficult past set in a strict polygamist community. Having escaped it, she still has to intervene in crimes there. This one is one that brings back part of her horrific past.

#StaciaKeogh brings the story to life wonderfully as the narrator to the audiobook.

Thank you, Holly Roberts, Bookouture, & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

This book was really good. At first, it was a little hard for me to get into, but it didn't take long for me to be hooked. After watching documentaries like Keep Sweet, Pray, and Obey, a book like this tugged at my heartstrings. Having a little more insight into what these people's lives are truly like is disturbing and makes the book all the more realistic. Overall, this was a great story, and it was well-written. Usually, I can guess the bad guys pretty quickly, but I didn't this time, so it gets extra points for that.

#OnlyGirlAlive by #HollySRoberts is the first novel in the #DetectiveEveBennett series. Interesting thems arise as her investigation into a family who were murdered is blocked by the local attorney, her step-brother Aaron. I was completely involved in the plot and I look forward to the next novel in this series. Many thanks to #Netgalley for gifting me an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Holly S. Roberts' "Only Girl Alive" is a gripping audiobook that introduces listeners to Detective Eve Bennet and takes them on a thrilling journey through a series of complex cases. The story combines elements of mystery, suspense, and a touch of romance as Bennet navigates the dark underbelly of crime. The audiobook format allows listeners to immerse themselves in the investigation and experience the tension and excitement firsthand. With its compelling storyline and a strong female protagonist, "Only Girl Alive" is an audiobook that mystery lovers won't want to miss.

This is an interesting police procedural/thriller, which I enjoyed listening to.

Detective Eve Bennet has to solve the case of a family who have been murdered in their home. She goes after some people from the cult that she was brought up in, and this uncovers many bad memories for her, which she has to battle.

The audiobook narrator was great, and she helped to bring the story alive, keeping it full of tension and suspense once it got past the first part, which I found was slower. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author, narrator, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

Only Girl Alive tells the story of Detective Eve Bennet. Brought up in a polygamist community, Eve is a complex character with a traumatic past, but she is determined to put this behind her and do some good in the world. When a family are brutally murdered, Eve is forced to revisit the demons from her past.

I liked the idea of a detective now working to bring justice to the horrors from her past but, for some reason, I struggled to connect with Eve. The story was good and the book was well written; it kept me guessing right up until the end.

I would be interested to read from from this series as would like to see Eve's character develop more.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review. Only Girl Alive is the 1st in the Detective Eve Bennett series by Holly S. Roberts and it was great but did not draw me in like I had hoped. The authors writing and descriptions of life in a polygamist community is eye opening, terrifying and downright heart wrenching.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio copy in exchange for a honest review. Detective Eve Bennet returns to her old community she had escaped from to investigate a family murder. Luckily the daughter was staying with her uncle and avoided the killer. A gripping story unfolds as Eve comes up against faces from her past trying to sabotage the investigation.

I enjoyed this book overall. I enjoyed the background knowledge that the main character was able to give the reader since she was originally from the community. I also enjoyed the mental war she had with herself over that fact alone. I also wasn’t able to predict the ending which is rare when I read a mystery. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because, although it was enjoyable, nothing really jumped out as amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in return for my honest review.

I'mm always looking for a new, great series. I'm not completely sold on this character yet. We'll see how the series progresses.

Thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

A gripping story that will keep you on the edge, right to the end. A thrilling murder mystery that you won't be able to put down.

I was expecting a lot more from this book, unfortunately it just didn’t hit the mark for me. It just wasn’t for me.

I was really interested in the protagonist, but I don't feel the exploration of character was enough--I felt like as soon as we might have gotten something, it slipped through our hands. There was some degree of mystery to her past and some lines crossed in terms of ethics for the character (conflicts of interest). I also struggled a little with some disjoints in plot and stereotyping of the misogyny. But I was curious to find out the "whodunnit," and disappointed a bit when I found out (predictable).

This first in a new series, Only Girl Alive, exploded onto the detective fiction scene. The brutal murders, combined with the cult environment gave this novel a lot of momentum. One longed to see justice for the survivor! I hope to see this group of detectives develop even more in future books!

This book was hard to read at times, not because of the writing or the story, instead it was because of the realistic way the author portrays the fundamentalists and their treatment of the women in their community. I like Detective Eve Bennet's character and the fact that she tried to help the community she escaped from. The team working with Eve all bring their own expertise and I liked the way they worked together. A great start to a new series.

Stacia Keogh did a great job of narrating this novel. She spoke clearly and I was able to listen to the novel at 2x speed and still understand everything that was being said.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the chance to listen to Only girl alive by Holly S. Roberts. This is the first book in the Detective Eve Bennet series, and I enjoyed listening to it. The narrator, Stacia Keogh was very great which made listening to the book enjoyable. I did find some parts slow but it picked up afterwords. I will enjoy reading the next book.

Only Girl Alive by Holly S. Roberts Narrated by Stacia Keogh this is the first book in the Detective Eve Bennet series and what a brilliant start to a new series this was especially as I was hooked from the beginning till the end., The narrator Stacia was excellent.

"As day breaks over the Tanner family home, the house is deadly silent and the door is firmly closed. Upstairs, the whole family lie cold and lifeless in their beds. All with the same look of fear in their unblinking eyes…

Detective Eve Bennet takes a steadying breath as she enters the main bedroom of the Tanners’ modest home in the tight-knit town of Hilldale, Utah. Mrs Tanner’s high-collared nightgown and her long plaited blonde hair are soaked in blood. Next to her, Mr Tanner’s hands are clasped together in a final prayer.

Filled with dread, Eve forces herself towards the children’s rooms. But instead of two children, she only finds one. Where is the youngest daughter, Hannah? And why are there long scratches across the walls?

Eve tracks Hannah down to her uncle’s house nearby. But he won’t let her step foot in the house. Eve knows what it’s like to be held captive by a family member, and fears for Hannah’s safety. What is he terrified Hannah might reveal?

Back at the Tanner home, Eve makes a shocking discovery in the dust covered attic. Mr Tanner was hiding a dark secret from the rest of the community—the kind of secret someone would kill for.

Could another family be in danger? and why?

As Eve runs from the house she stumbles into the path of the one men she spent years trying to forget.

He won’t let her get away this time.

But, can Eve escape the evil that has haunted her whole life? And will she catch the killer before another innocent family is murdered?

This book was so good with great twists and turns throughout. It was a book that I felt I was a part of.

I look forward reading Book to of this brilliant new Detective Eve Bennet series.

I enjoyed Only Girl Alive by Holly A. Roberts via audio. The narrator, Stacy Keogh, did a good job reading the different characters. Detective Eve Bennet is called to investigate the brutal murder of a family. She quickly discovers one member, Hannah, a child, is missing. Trying to work a case where a child has been killed and another missing is hard on each member of the investigating team and made worse by the open hostility of local law.
Especially toward Eve who has a history with these Morman Fundamentalists and needs to watch out for her own safety.
I enjoyed listening and the story as it kept your interest. Stacy had plenty of influx in her voice for the drama scenes to keep your mind from wondering away.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Publisher's indie bookstore for allowing me to listening and review this book. This is my honest opinion. I look forward to reading more about Detective Eve Bennet and her specialized team.

Only Girl Alive by Holly S Roberts:
Book 1
I want to start by thanking the author, publishing company, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I love love love books precisely like this. I think this author did a fantastic job. She is a retired homicide detective and was able to give such a unique detail of the scene that was presented in the book.

Eve grew up in a Mormon Fundamentalist community. She has a unique perspective on what goes on behind closed doors. Eve grew up being tortured by her stepbrother Aaron. Eve was able to get out of the community and became a State Police Detective who specializes in Forensic Photography.

Detective Eve Bennett and her specialized team are called to investigate a gruesome murder in Hilldale, Utah, a Mormon fundamentalist town. Three out of four family members are murdered in the tanner home. Eve and her team receive nothing but backlash from the community and the district attorney (Aaron Eve’s Stepbrother). They have a difficult time finding the youngest daughter Hannah. The story unravels uniquely, and I wasn’t expecting the ending; I was left shocked.

This book was extraordinarily fascinating and kept me on edge the entire time. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!!