Still Here by Lauren Street
Still County Thiller #1

Three in the morning ~ that’s right. I stayed up till 3am to finish reading this book. I thought an hour or two of reading, close the book, and then I’d sleep earlier than usual only to become caught in the threads of this artfully woven story.

What I Liked:
* Rita Jones: mid-thirties, left Wyoming fifteen years previously, left NYPD to return as sheriff, complex, competent, bright, strong, intriguing
* Cash Gabriel: Rita’s first love, mechanic, attractive, caring, someone I won’t say more about now but will say I would like to see more of
* Rita’s team:
- Mary Lou: mans the front desk, multi-tasks, worth her weight in gold, mother-figure to Rita in the past
- Walter: looks forward to retiring, slacker, curious how is part will play out
- Jason: most recent hire, bright, professional, sensitive, responsible, can see great things in his future
* Lisa: liked by everyone, hard worker, caring, heading to college, snuffed out too young – intriguing information about her emerges
* The way Rita’s past is shared in snippets here and there – her childhood was not easy and her family rather dysfunctional sounding though better than some had it
* Being able to dislike Apex and want them taken down – but not in this book
* The plot, pacing, setting and writing
* The end that made me think, “What?” and “How will Rita handle the person that just walked into her office?”
* Knowing that there is another book to look forward to

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Apex Global and everything I learned about it
* The loss of more than one innocent life and how those who took those lives considered it fine to do so
* Having to wait for the next book

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Lauren Street's Still Here, is book one in her new series Still County Thrillers about a woman who returned home to take over her father's footsteps as Still County Sheriff after trying to leaving her past behind. Shortly after taking over as Sheriff, she realizes there is more high-stakes politics involved in the small Wyoming town she was born and raised in than New York and the NYPD she just left. Only not everyone is pleased to have the hometown girl return, and when bodies start piling up, there are some people who would much rather let sleeping dogs lie than dig up the town's secrets.

Ms. Street is excellent at creating characters in such a way readers feel as if they have been a part of their lives for years instead of just a few hours. The ability Ms. Street has to hook readers in right from the beginning of the book book, and refusing to let them go up until the end, shows readers that she is easily able to master the concept of storytelling, ensaring the them and wrapping them in a world completely of her making.

Readers looking for a fun and exciting time while sitting in the safety of their living room would do good to pick up a copy of Ms. Street's books, especially Still Here, as it begins to introduce an entirely new set of characters, and a storyline not yet touched on by this author. For readers who have not yet read a book by Ms. Street, it is highly recommended Still Here be a good place to start.

I am so happy I found this author. I just love her stories.

Still Here is a bit different from her other series. A bit of a unique story.

I’m sad I finished this book. I hope there will be more in this series sooner rather than later.

She is on my favorite shelf for sure.

This was my first Lauren Street novel I read, and I’m hooked. Gritty, gripping, and deeply satisfying, Still Here is a phenomenal start to The Still County Thrillers series. Steamy tension, small-town secrets, and high-stakes murder—I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Fans of fast-paced thrillers with fierce women and dirty politics, this one’s for you.
This book does not slow down. From the moment Rita takes on her first missing person case, the suspense snowballs fast. Murder, cover-ups, corporate intimidation—Street pulls no punches. It’s action-packed and relentless in the best way. While this installment is told entirely from Rita’s perspective, I’m hoping later books expand to multiple POVs—it would add even more depth to the already layered narrative.

STILL HERE - The first book of a new series The Still County Thrillers. Unfortunately, life made this a three day read instead of a one sitter. Interesting. Intriguing. Intense. Fast paced with good characters, continuing story lines and family secrets. Source: Netgalley. 5*

I have read other books by this author and this new series sets high expectations for even bigger and better things. I loved the premise of the protagonist returning home to care for a family member, only to find herself thrust into a position of power and smack bang in the middle of drama and intrigue. A really great story with wonderful and believable characters.

Still Here by Lauren Street is a solid mystery that really keeps you hooked. Rita Jonas, a former NYPD officer, returns to her small hometown to care for her father and unexpectedly becomes the town’s sheriff. What seems like a quiet town quickly proves to be anything but, as Rita uncovers a dark mystery tied to the suspicious death of a young woman.

I really enjoyed how the tension builds throughout the book. The mix of a small-town setting with the corporate influence of Apex Global added a unique dynamic, and Rita’s journey—balancing her past with her need for justice—was captivating. Her determination to find the truth, despite the challenges, kept me turning the pages.

If you’re into thrillers with a good dose of small-town drama, personal stakes, and a strong, determined lead, Still Here is definitely worth picking up.

Still Here is the 1st book in The Still County Thrillers series by Lauren Street. I have read previous books by this author, but I would have to say this is my favorite one. Rita never planned on returning to the town she grew up in, but her father who used to be the sheriff is dying from cancer. She is the new sheriff in town, and things are not what they appear in the town. I could not put this book down, it was action packed. I would certainly recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and Sterling & Stone the publisher, and I and leaving my review voluntarily. Can't wait for the next book in series

You need to read this book! I could NOT stop and stayed up until 1:30 because I HAD to finish it! Great plot with interesting characters.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sterling & Stone and Lauren Street for the ARC! I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

Still Here by Lauren Street is the first book in The Still County Thrillers, and I cannot wait for more. The first few chapters set the stage for the story, and Rita Jonas returns to her hometown of Still County, Wyoming.

Rita, a former NYPD officer, steps into her father's shoes as the town's sheriff, but she quickly realizes that Still County is no longer the quaint town she remembers. The presence of Apex Global, a powerful corporation, looms large, controlling every aspect of the community and establishing its own intimidating police force. This setting creates a tense backdrop that serves as a perfect stage for Rita's fight for justice.

The mystery behind the death of Lisa, a seemingly straightforward case, unfolds with unexpected twists and turns. Rita's character shows true determination to find out what happened. The supporting cast, including the innocent homeless man on the verge of taking the fall, adds layers of complexity.

Still Here is a satisfying mystery. I found I could not put this book down once Lisa was reported missing and then the subsequent investigation and all the revelations and page-turning scenes. This was a well-crafted thriller with complex and interesting characters. I hope to see more of Edith Mae!

I am eager to see what happens next in this series. I would recommend this book and this author.

#StillHere #NetGalley

Sixteen years ago Rita Jonas left her fiancé standing at the alter. Now she’s back to help her father who is dying of cancer. Rita is taking his place as Sheriff of Still, Wyoming. On her first day, a missing person is her first case. But a company Apex Global has taken over most of the town and has their own police. She has to fight them just about every step of the way. When the girl is found murdered, Apex tries to blame a homeless man but Rita digs deeper. Another person is missing and he was seen arguing with the girl. Rita is about to be embroiled in high stakes game where she just might not come out on top. If she’s not careful she might just end up like the girl.
Great start to a new series. This one is just Rita’s point of view and I like at least two or three point of views. But if the book is like the others, then each book will have more point of views.
Secrets
Steamy
Murder
Suspense
Action
I loved it!

* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY *