Gritty thriller introducing Zoe Storm,a damaged agent of the FBI . Interesting dynamics between characters and a twisty story.

A chilling, fast-paced thriller that introduces Special Agent Zoe Storm in a race against time to stop a twisted killer targeting vulnerable children. With symbolic clues, emotional depth, and multiple points of view
This story grips you from page one. Perfect for fans of dark, character-driven crime fiction. A strong start to a promising new series.

This is the first book I have read by this author so wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a multi-layered thriller with a host of well-developed characters, twists and turns aplenty and an ending that I wasn’t expecting but brought everything together nicely. However, try as I might, I simply could not like Zoe Storm – I found her lack of self-awareness irritating from the very beginning!

The author writes from multiple POVs, and includes flashbacks to Zoe’s childhood, so I found I had to really concentrate on keeping track of who was speaking. I think that there were some areas that would have benefitted from further details and the ending, albeit a good one, did feel a bit rushed.

Another great start to a crime thriller series, agent Zoe Storm is sent to a remote office to lend them a hand. She didn't have a great chikdhood and has many unanswered questions. She has a secret though. What is it?. No one can ever find out what she does for a release when she isn't at work. Great read, can't wait for the next book.

Excellent start to a new series Fantastic book. I loved the storyline line, & the characters . Kept me up all night as I couldn't put it down⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I thought Zoe, Aiden and Scott made a great team and it was an interesting case as they searched for first one missing girl, then two, then a third. Zoe Storm was brought in to advise Scott Cohen and his small town team as they faced a missing child investigation. We were given background to Scott and Zoe's personal lives, and the relationship between Zoe and Aiden as her therapist. There's a very sad event in the book (no spoilers) which totally changed the dynamic of the book for me.
I look forward to more from this author.

This was my first book by this author and I can assure you, it won’t be my last! The suspense kept me in a chokehold until the very end. I found myself wanting to constantly read this book until I knew the conclusion!

The hanging dolls!!! What better way to get hooked by the title alone! The story follows FBI agent Zoe Storm and her Partner Dr. Aiden. The are brought into a small town over a child abduction, when she is found in the woods with 3 nooses the race is on!
I loved the multiple povs and with it being a new series it helps you get to know everyone. I did love how it was small flashbacks of her own childhood with her mother. I do hope in the next books to come they dig more into Rachel and why she was on the run.
I did not see the ending coming, I thought it was going to be a different character who was the culprit, so it was a nice for it to be someone that wasn't on the top of my list.
This review is done on my own. Thank you netgalley and the publisher and author for letting me have an arc to this fantastic book!

This book is from a new to me Author and is the first in a new series .
I must start by saying I am not a fan of multiple POVs , finding them disruptive to
the storyline - that being said I did enjoy this book despite the extra concentration needed
to keep everything in its correct place .

Detective Zoe Storm and her partner Dr Aiden Wesley are called to the site of a murdered
child in the local woods ........ three hanging nooses nearby . Zoe is sure that this indicates that
more deaths are to come .
The race to find the murderer and with clues to solve kept me reading from the first page to the last . There was real tension
and suspense throughout the book keeping me fully engaged .
This is a great start to this new series and I look forward to reading more from the Author in the future

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

An enjoyable thriller from Rubi Choudhary and the introduction of an interesting character in Zoe Storm. I look forward to reading more from the author and the main character. A strong storyline that keeps you interested.

Not a bad start to a new series. I’m definitely interested to see where this author takes it. I am a big fan of her Mad Mack series and was thrilled to see a new book by her.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing until the end. This is a really good book for someone who loves a good Lifetime movie, because that's the vibe I was getting while reading.

I do think there were a few spots that could've used a little more explanation, or a little more depth. I feel like the end was a bit rushed, but that could just be me.

Overall, if you're looking for a fast-paced read, this is one for you!

This was a fantastic start to a new series- one which I will be following.
The characters are relatable, with loads of underlying tension, many twists and turns and a fab ending. Thoroughly enjoyable

A serial killer who targets children and the underlying reason behind it with lots of twists in this crime thriller.
There’s so many characters POVS so I needed to be focused as it was easily to lose track in who’s who.
When the killer was unraveled everything fell into place and it all made sense.
This book ends on a cliffhanger with Zoe’s story and the mystery behind her childhood.

Trigger Warning: Child Murder and manner of death

Detective Zoe Storm and her partner Aiden are called to the scene of a young girl's dead body. The detective thinks the killer has plan to continue on his rampage by things she notices at the crime scene. Can she save the other girls from being murdered before it's too late? Is there something more sinister going on? You will just have to read this book to find out.

Full of heart stopping drama and emotional rollercoasters, I could not put this book down. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This is only book #1 of the series, but I cannot wait for the next to come out. This book does a really good job setting the stage for Zoe's past and the overall bigger mystery she is looking to solve.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for the eArc!

I could not put this book down. The Hanging Dolls is a great book 1 introducing Special Agent Zoe Storm, a complex character and a compelling protagonist, driven by her commitment to justice and protecting vulnerable children. I really like this new character. She is funny but determined, and I am really intrigued by her partnership with Dr. Aiden Wesley. Their interactions are sometimes funny, which breaks up the story's tension. The storyline was intense.

The Hanging Dolls by Ruhi Choudhary is an exciting mystery that gripped me from page one. The haunting imagery of a little girl found near an ominous tree sets a chilling tone that lingers throughout the novel. The story's suspense, emotion, and urgency create a fast-paced narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The intricate clues and psychological tension surrounding the unfolding case of the missing girls kept me guessing until the last moment. And the ending, a cliffhanger! I cannot wait for what happens next.

I would recommend this book for fans of gripping mysteries.

#crimethrillerscrimebookseriesZoeStorm #NetGalley @bookouture

The Hanging Dolls...
The title alone gave me chills, as the word “doll” is often used as a pet name for a young girl, and thrillers in which they are the victims always hit a little harder.
This already offers part of the explanation, but the full meaning behind the title remained a mystery to me. It intrigued me, and I kept reading anxiously to find out what it truly referred to.

A fun bonus is that this is the first book in a new series. It’s always interesting to get to know new characters with their quirks and backgrounds—and after a while, you even start to predict how they'll react in certain situations. They become, in a way, virtual friends with whom you spend quite a bit of time. :)

Zoe has been shaped in part by what she experienced in her youth, and she’s working to find answers that can fill in the gaps. This case immediately brings someone into her life who could possibly help her—but is this person even willing to?

Zoe is allergic to injustice and wants to do everything she can to stand up for the victims. She can, of course, do this through her job as an FBI agent, but since that’s not always possible, she’s found an outlet for it.

Some parents I just don’t understand—and clearly, they don’t understand the consequences of their actions either. Or perhaps they do, but simply don’t care?

To me, this story was heartbreaking, and I read it in complete disbelief. Guilt and money play a major role and both drive the killer to their actions.

When the full meaning of the title finally becomes clear, I found it incredibly moving.

A suspenseful, emotionally charged start to this series, with surprising twists. 5 stars.

Thank you

Ruhi Choudhary spins a dark tale of murder, missing children and the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma.

The story follows Zoe Storm, an FBI agent with a troubled childhood, and her partner, Dr. Aiden Wesley, as they investigate a missing girl. As other girls go missing, Zoe feels certain that the notes left behind tell a darker secret.

As emotional as it is gripping, “The Hanging Dolls” is a glimpse into childhood trauma and how these family dynamics can take a dark turn. I’m so excited to have stumbled upon this great new series and cannot wait for the next Zoe Storm novel.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this 5-star book.

I think I’ve found my new favourite FBI agent wow what an amazing first in the series definitely be back for more.
Zoe is unlike any FBI agent I’ve read before so that was definitely unique.
The ending blew me away i actually thought I had solved the crime my favourite part of detective books i was so completely wrong. The twists !! The final reveal!! It was all so nicely wrapped up.
Brilliant crime thriller, amazing characters I can’t wait to find out more about. A shocking crime with a great ending!

Wow! This book is excellent! Starting from the very first pages with Zoe's mom committing suicide (or did she?) to Zoe helping a small town find a serial killer murdering young girls. I was so captivated from the very first pages that I read in a day! When you hear somebody say I couldn't put this book down this book is definitely that book! Love that this is a series !!! Hopefully next book is coming soon because I will be anxiously awaiting! Great mystery and LOVE Zoe! Read this book!!!