I will say I enjoyed this one. Detective Ellie Reeves has had her share of trouble. I like that it finally seems to be working out for her. Then Cord’s past comes creeping in. I truly like these characters together. I hope that they continue to work together. Some things I guessed but I did not guess the killer. I truly like a book where the heroine has some kind of connection, it does not have to be romantic. And finally Ellie does and it happens to be romantic.

Another series I hope never ends. Detective Ellie Reeves is enjoying some quiet time with Cord. A phone calls brings it to an end. Derrick pops up and takes part in the investigation. The Graveyard Girls shines another light on how cruel teenagers can be to each other, layered in with small town gossip, secrets and more bodies. I don't want to spoil this for readers who have been following the series like I have, read the book. The Graveyard Girls was heart wrenching on so many levels, teenagers, adults, parents who shouldn't be parents and more. Here's to more Detective Ellie Reeves!
Thank you for the arc. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #TheGraveyardGirls #DtectiveEllieReeves #RitaHerron #Bookouture #NetGalley

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This series just gets better. This far in the author keeps the mystery fresh and compelling. This case is full of twists. I didn't figure it out until the reveal. I love Ellie and seeing the different sides to her. Cord really grabbed me in this one. And that ending! Perfect.

This is my first read of this series and it won't be the last!
It's easily read as a standalone, thanks to Rita Herron's writing skills.
We are thrown right into the story as skeletal remains are discovered, with a small town being sent into a frenzy. Ellie and her team are straight there to investigate what soon points to the work of a serial killer.
The joy of this book for me was how every character had their own issues, flaws, emotions and back stories. The book twists and turns every which way as the team pursue the truth. Ellie's fledgling relationship with Cord is at risk due to his obvious secrets. Can it survive?
We have multiple people with their own back stories to learn here, but that adds to depth and intensity of the plot. As a reader I had empathy for most of the players, who were just ruled by their past and needed something to bring them into the present.
The ending took me totally by surprise and I look forward to reading more from this author.
If you're a fan of intense, incredibly well written police procedurals then look no further.
My thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC. My views are my own.

The Graveyard Girls by Rita Herron is a highly recommended crime thriller. Detective Ellie Reeves, Ranger Cord McClain, and Special Agent Derrick Fox all return to search for a serial killer. Even though this is the eleventh book in the series, it can be read as a standalone novel.

In the opening we know cousins Ida and Hetty see a girl being attacked fifteen years ago and they think they recognize the killer. Then we learn sixteen-year-old Ruth Higgins has disappeared and their father, gravedigger Earl Bramble was the suspected killer. He disappeared before he was arrested. In the present, when the skeletal remains of a teenage girl is found, with a red shoe nearby, it is thought to be Ruth, but turns out to be another girl. It is clear that a serial killer is at work when another teen girl is found in a burial site. Detective Ellie Reeves, Ranger Cord McClain and Special Agent Derrick Fox are called in to assist local law enforcement with the investigation.

The writing is very good as it follows the present investigation and also includes flashbacks and journal entries from the past. Brambletown, in Northern Georgia, is a small town that is being poisoned from an underground fire and the area is in a depression. The setting adds a eerie atmosphere to the novel with both poisoned minds and land involved.

Those following the series will already be acquainted with Ellie, Cord and Derrick who are all well established characters. There are many other characters involved with the investigation, many of them wounded emotionally and/or physically. All the characters are distinctive individuals. As with the last book, I'm not interested in the side story of Ellie and Cord's burgeoning relationship.

The narrative held my complete attention to the end. While reading for clues about the identity of the killer, there are plenty of red herrings and unlikable characters along the way. It is assumed that Earl is back, but he is never seen, and Ida and Hetty both confirm that they haven't seen him. Clearly the investigation must expand follow the clues to look for other suspects in the area.

The Graveyard Girls is a great choice for those who enjoy crime thrillers and are following the Ellie Reeves series. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This installment in the Ellie Reeves series delivers a gripping blend of present-day danger and long-buried secrets that refuse to stay hidden. The discovery of a teenage girl’s remains—marked by a haunting red shoe—sets off a tense investigation that weaves together an old case, a vanished suspect, and the kind of small-town lies and gossip that can twist the truth beyond recognition.

The story is complex, balancing the hunt for today’s killer with the unraveling of past wounds many wish had stayed buried. It’s a fast-paced yet surprisingly substantial read for the genre, giving you time to get fully immersed in the setting, the characters, and the tangled relationships that fuel the suspense.

Equal parts mystery, drama, and small-town intrigue, it’s an entertaining and well-balanced thriller that keeps you turning pages, always wanting to know just how deep the deception goes—and who will pay for it in the end.

BOOK: THE GRAVEYARD GIRLS
AUTHOR: RITA HERRON
PUB DATE: 14TH AUGUST, 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Another book in the Detective Ellie Reeves Series, I've missed a couple of books in between, so I was happy to continue. There was no confusion, so you don't need to need to read it accordingly. I'm glad to see the changes in Ellie's life. Now, Ellie and Cord are together, and I love it!
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In this book, we have a s serial murder case with young girls as the victims, primarily in a small town. Unfortunately, I didn't really like this storyline. I just felt like it's overly done, and there's a need for something different, especially from the culprit and the reason he committed those crimes. However, Ellie, Cord, and Derrick did an okay job as usual, but I felt the case was easier than others.
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Then, there's the issue with Cord and his secrets, too much tautology. But, there was a development in his character, and I would love to see more of this in subsequent books. I want him to open up and trust Ellie more.
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This was not my favourite books in the series, but I would love to rear more of Ellie and Cord solving cases. The series is still quite good.
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When the skeletal remains of a teenaged girl are discovered, Detective Ellie Woods is tasked with finding out who she was.

Ruth Higgins disappeared 15 years ago and her death has never been solved. A red shoe is found and Ruth was wearing the shoes when she died, so what is the connection?

This is an emotive read and the pacy plot unfolds beautifully.

It is a well told story and It is easy to to get hooked.. I read in one sitting.

The story moves quick, with short chapters that make you say “just one more” until you realize it’s 2 AM. The small-town setting adds to the creepy vibe, and everyone seems to have a secret. I had a few guesses about who was behind it, but the ending still managed to surprise me. Recommend!!!

Detective Ellie Woods is called to help out in another community when the skeletal remains of a teenaged girl are unearthed in a graveyard. Brambletown was the victim of a coal mine fire that killed not only many people, but also the spirit of the community. The story begins with a missing girl and escalates when it's linked to a case from 15 years ago... Ruth Higgins disappeared, and the sad little town and her family were never able to put it in the past. Ellie and Cord are investigating - and Cord seems a bit off, with no explanations as to why. Told with multiple character voices taking the lead, along with Ellie, Ruth's brother and sister are front and center, along with two women (girls who 15 years ago lived by the graveyard). So much emotion and loss in this book, Rita Herron keeps adding more depth and layers to her lead characters. Even if you are new to the series or have loved it from the beginning, this book is easy to jump in to explore Ellie Reeves. A big thank you to BookOuture and NetGalley for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is one of those stories that just draws you in on the first page and before you know it you are three quarters of the way through it. All of the books in this series are really addictive with Ellie's personal life almost as compelling as the search for a killer but I think, with the exception of book one, this is the best one yet. I was totally invested in the lives of the victims and was really saddened by some of their stories. There were so many potential suspects that I had no idea who the killer could be, I was even suspicious of Cord at one point. Funnily enough the identity of the murderer turned out to be someone I hadn't even considered. This is an awesome read that can be read as a stand alone but I guarantee if it's your first Rita Herron book it won't be your last.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Another brilliant crime thriller from Rita Herron.
Ellie and Cord attend a crime scene where the bones of a teenage girl have been found.
Locals are sure it’s the body of Ruth, a teenager who has been missing for many years. They also seem keen to tell everyone that the local grave digger killed her.
Cord is acting off with Ellie and she can’t get a reason from him as to why.
Ida and Hetty are also acting strange as the grave digger was their father and guardian. It’s also well known by the locals that he beat and abused the girls, so everyone was relieved when he disappeared.
Soon another teenage girl’s body is found and there are similarities found with the first crime scene.
There’s definitely lots going on in this book and it certainly kept me guessing as to who the killer was.
This is a brilliant book in a gripping crime series, and I’d highly recommend them all.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 | ARC Review – The Graveyard Girls by Rita Herron

Book 11 in the Detective Ellie Reeves series delivers yet another gripping case that blends past trauma with present danger. The story kicks off with a missing girl and escalates when a similar case resurfaces 15 years later, dragging Ellie, Cord, and Derrick into a tense, twisty investigation that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Told through multiple viewpoints, this one is packed with action and emotional depth. There’s a large cast of characters, which can be a bit hard to track at first, but the layered plot and steady pacing make it worth the effort. The short chapters keep things moving, and just when you think you have it figured out—another twist hits.

The chemistry between Ellie and Cord adds a nice emotional thread, even as the cold case strains their connection. Ellie continues to shine as a strong, smart lead who brings heart to every page.

Whether you’re new to the series or a returning fan, this one is easy to follow and thoroughly entertaining. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with strong female leads and chilling small-town secrets, this is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've only read one book in this series but this was just fine as a standalone. It's a fast paced thriller with short chapters and a plot that while a bit trope-y is also atmospheric. Set in a dying town, it's a story of secrets, lies and a lingering doubt about who disappeared and murdered young girls leaving behind a red shoe. Ellie is a good character and I liked the team she works with. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the genre.

Five stars like always! This author nails every. Single. Book.
I freaking adore the characters. This was one heck of a twisted creepy read. Edge of my seat chills from start to finish. This one was absolutely unputdownable I had to read till the end to see what happened.
Great plot. Super fast paced. Phenomenal

Another good read from Rita Herron. It’s an engaging series that keeps you interested.
#NetGalley #TheGraveyardGirls #RitaHerron

I generally really like short chapters, but these chapters were a bit too short and the writing a bit too juvenile. That being said, the storyline was really good and I really felt bad for the girls and the ending, while making sense did make me feel quite sad.

As always, Rita Herron writes a gripping suspense that kept me reading all night. I love this series, and revisiting the characters Ellie, Cord, and Derrick with their love triangle. The plot hooked me from the start, and never slowed down. I had a few suspects in mind, but was surprised at how it all came together. While there are lots of moving parts, it the story never seems confusing. Highly recommend the book and the series for those who love a good FBI/cop drama.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is another thrilling case by Rita Herron! I love that these books are all new cases with the same characters we know and love. You could read this book as a standalone, but I recommend reading them all so you get to know the characters and what they have been through together. The book kept me guessing until the end and left me excited for another book!

I read the first book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series after downloading it for free from Amazon. I was hooked and quickly read the rest of the available books. I was excited to receive an advanced download of this book through NetGalley! It was a great read and I definitely recommend this book as well as the rest of the series!

I just finished reading Graveyard Girls. A gripping crime thriller packed with twists, suspense and buried secrets. The story has very short chapters, without naming character POVs, only their locations. That made it a bit tricky to track who was who in the beginning.
The unsub’s MO gave me chills. It felt like a twisted take on the Big Bad Wolf with stealing one red shoe and using a red scarf.
And yes I shredded a few tears toward the end. The conclusion was a satisfying wrap up to a dark and intense story.