What a fantastic, chilling read! Be prepared to be totally immersed in this story as Spindler weaves the past and present into one heart-racing thriller. I read this book in mostly one sitting, simply unable to put it down. This is my second book by Erica Spindler and all the proof I need that she deserves a spot on my "go-to" author list. I look forward to exploring more of her books.

Detective Miranda Rader is a respected, ten year veteran of the Harmony, La. police force. She has earned the respect of fellow officers and her commander through years of hard work and dedication to her job. But it hasn't always been so as witnessed in her sordid past of lies, wild parties, drugs, and alcohol. How many times can a young girl yell "wolf" before everyone stops believing her? Fifteen-year-old Miranda found out one dark, rainy night and ended up branded a liar and a slut. The resulting chaos and devastation led her to flee town, leaving behind the family who turned their backs on her. Miranda made her own second chance and is a different person now, keeping her old life buried. That is until the day she's called out to investigate the brutal, ritualistic murder of a beloved college professor and finds a piece of evidence tying her to the murder scene and linking to her buried past. Things quickly escalate out of control when a cop also turns up murdered and more evidence points an accusing finger at Miranda. It seems her past has finally caught up with her. Is someone seeking revenge by setting her up? Or is Miranda finally seeking vengeance against the ghosts that haunt her?

Intense, fast-paced action kept me burning through the pages of The Other Girl. The detail-oriented plot is enhanced by an atmospheric setting, lending a dark, ominous tone of impending gloom and doom to the story. The characterizations are spot-on, beautifully crafted, leaving me questioning who I could really trust and whose loyalty is a mask. There are some twisted surprises in this story . . . some I figured out ahead of the reveal and some I didn't. Either way, they don't deter from the reading pleasure of this intriguing, mesmerizing suspense thriller. A Must Read!

I received an ARC for an honest review. Erica Spindler has done it again and has delivered another amazing book. The Other Girl was a wonderful book, I could not put it down and was so sad when it ended. I loved Erica Spinder's characters, from the main characters Miranda and Jake to the supporting characters Robby, her mother, Summer, Chief Buddy Cadwell and the Starks. The were so amazingly believable. The story is about Detective Miranda Rader, a girl who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in Harmony, Louisiana. The books bounces between events that happened to Miranda (Randi) fourteen years ago and the current day. Considered "trash" by the local police, no one believed Randi's story of her alleged kidnapping when it happened fourteen years ago. Randi was found with an ounce of marijuana is her pocket and spent six months in a juvenile detention center.
Fast forward to current day, Randi Raher has changed her name and image to Miranda Rader, Harmony police detective. Miranda is called into investigate the horrific murder of a local university professor, Richard Stark, in his home. Richard, happened to be the university president's only son. Somehow Miranda's fingerprints are discovered at the gruesome murder scene, and she lies to give a reason why her fingerprints would have been at the scene. Miranda's partner, Jake Billings, covers for Miranda's lie, because he is in love with her. Jake announces his feelings for Miranda, and they begin a relationship. The more Miranda and Jake investigate his murder, the more they discover that Richard Stark was not a very nice man. As they are searching his home, Miranda discovers a yellowed newspaper clipping about her arrest fourteen years ago. That gets Miranda thinking that perhaps, Richard Stark was her abductor. She never got a good look at him., he had an Alabama ball cap on his head. Miranda has always wondered what happened to the other girl in the front seat. As the investigation continues, Chief Cadwell removes Miranda from the case and eventually he suspends her from the police force. Miranda drowns her sorrows at the local bar, the Toasted Cat talking to her friend the owner/bartender Summer about that night fourteen years ago and getting removed from the investigation. Even though she was removed from the case and the force, Miranda keeps investigating both the murder and her abduction and how they might be connected. The book kept me wanting more and kept me guessing who murdered Richard Stark. In the end, everyone is held accountable for the injustices that they allowed to happen all those years ago and enabling Richard to continue those actions. The book has a bittersweet ending, but it left me hopeful that this would not be the last adventure between Miranda and Jake. Hoping that Erica will continue the series between Miranda and Jake. I loved the book. One of my favorite books that I have read recently.

I was really excited to receive this book from the Publisher and devoured it pretty quickly. The Other Girl reads as a romantic thriller, following our lead detective Maranda "Randy" Rader, once known as a troubled small town teen. Rader is all grown up now, on the case of a popular town professor that has been murdered. The situation is grisly and doesn't set well with Rader as she discovers some troubling evidence that has to do with her past. The past she has tried so hard to overcome. Randy is drawn back to that one night that changed her life forever and left her wondering what actually happened to the people involved. I will say that this became a bit predictable towards the end, but I did enjoy some of the twists and turns throughout the reading.

I read quite a few of Erica Spindler's books back in the day and then somehow lost track of her. So I was incredibly excited when I noticed this new stand-alone novel and I was eager to find out if the author still has what it takes to reel me in. 

Detective Miranda Rader attends the brutal crime scene of one of their town's finest : a much beloved university professor. But when a newspaper clipping is found, referring to Miranda's past, things quickly spiral out of control. Just like all those years ago, Miranda again finds herself branded a liar and with her motivations being questioned, she must dig deep to uncover the truth.

I really liked Miranda and warmed to her relatively quickly. She worked hard to get rid of the troublemaker label she had when she was a teenager only to find out, fourteen years later, that little has changed in the way people view her. Yet her determination knows no bounds, even if it means asking the tough questions.

The Other Girl has an incredibly engrossing plot with a multitude of compelling and complex characters. Flashbacks explain how Miranda's life changed all those years ago. I thought these were extremely well done and never broke the flow of the story. With some twists and turns and a red herring or two, this novel had me hooked from beginning to end. Just when you think you're starting to fit the pieces of the puzzle together, Erica Spindler plants some seeds of doubt or hits you with a humdinger and you once again end up questioning everything and everyone.

It's brilliant to see that after all these years, Erica Spindler is still very much on top of her game and I will not lose track of her again. Don't hesitate to pick this one up if you enjoy your police procedurals. And while you're at it, check out the author's older work. You won't be sorry!

The Other Girl was an excellent psychological thriller, with a fast pace and a lot of action.

Story:
The Other Girl was a scary trip back into the past, but also in the present. Miranda was somehow involved, but not by choice. At the crime scene of a murder, her finger prints were found on a bottle… and there was information about a long ago case, where she had escaped, but had to leave the other girl behind.
The suspense was really well done, and with each new revelation, I found it more difficult to trust anyone at all – even Miranda.

Characters:
Miranda is a detective, and has worked very hard to not be ‘the girl who lied’. In order to be a respected member of society, she has been flawless since she started working at the force.
Jake is Miranda’s partner. Until she is put on leave. And there is definitely some chemistry between them.
Police chief, rich parents of the murder victim, and Summer, Miranda’s best friend.

Writing style :
Third person past tense, with an omniscient narrator, who kept a lot of secrets to themselves. Plenty of dialogues to keep the pace up.

Feels :
Dread! Hope, and so much suspense my heart tried to beat its way out of my chest!

Tale as old as time: girl lies all the time. Girl gets assaulted. No one believes girl. This happened to Randi when she was fifteen. She is now Miranda, a competent police officer and she won't let it happen again. Ever. But when she investigates the murder of an esteemed college professor and her prints are found on the scene, she starts sliding down a slippery slope that may end up where she started. The twists were not exactly unexpected, but the story more than makes up for it in character development. Miranda is so well written that I was genuinely fearing for her. The rest of the cast, whether good or bad, is full with rounded characters with shades of grey. The pacing is fast and it's an easy read. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the chance to review The Other Girl on 5171 Miles Book Blog! Erica Spindler can spin one heck of a story (pun intended)! This was a gripping page-turner I couldn’t put down.

Miranda Radar is a detective for her local police department investigating an ugly crime of passion against a revered college professor. When she stumbles upon an article about a crime she reported as a teenager among the victim’s belongings, things turn personal. Miranda can’t seem to pin down how the victim holds a part of the history she has worked hard to bury, but she is hell-bent on figuring it out and proving her side of the story once and for all. Even if she loses everything in the process.

Erica Spindler had me hook, line, and sinker from the very first chapter. I was glad to have my hands on something that would be a fast-paced, easy read to get lost in for a little while. Though I had the ending of this story mostly pegged from the beginning chapters, I couldn’t stop reading, anxiously awaiting to see if my conclusions were correct. While I predicted the series of events, I would not begin to call this a predictable novel. I found it to be a well plotted and paced novel that held my interest throughout. I enjoyed Miranda’s determination and the depth of her character. Viewing her past perspective and her growth to the present day allows readers to feel more of an understanding of what drives her. I was pleasantly surprised with the bits of romance sprinkled in, and the addition of Miranda being suspicious of her lover as the case became more tense.

I would give this novel 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 based on my interest level. Though it was an exciting read, I didn’t find anything within that stood out as exceptionally unique. It was simply a good book with a Mary Higgins Clark-mystery-feel. Based on the author’s skilled plotting, I would be thrilled to pick up more of her work in the future, for a day of reading something quick and enjoyable.

Be sure to pick up this thrilling novel on August 22nd, or pre-order a copy now with the links below!

MY REVIEW OF "THE OTHER GIRL"   by Erica Spindler

 I would like to thank NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Erica Spindler for the Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of "The Other Girl" by Erica Spindler for my honest review.
The genres for this novel are Mystery, Suspense and Adult Fiction. The timeline for this story is in the present with past references  of the characters story.

Erica Spindler has a unique way of telling a story. There are twists, turns, and trouble. The author describes her characters as complex, complicated and dysfunctional. Officer Miranda Vader has worked hard to escape her adverse conditions growing up. Miranda holds the key to many secrets. She has been working hard to escape the past, and her troubled family.

Miranda discovers  a dead man in a gruesome crime scene. Unfortunately, her fingerprints, and other clues to her past life are found  near the body.  Suddenly Police Officer Miranda Vader could possible be a suspect! How is this possible? Why is this happening?

Erica Spindler has created a perfect case scenario where most of the characters could be suspect. I like the mystery, suspense and the danger. What is the truth? Who is the murderer? Can you run away from your past?

I like the way the author describes betrayal, loyalty, hope and faith. I also appreciate the way the author describes the importance of family and love, and the damage of secrets. I would highly recommend this intriguing novel. This is the first novel by Erica Spindler, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I have read all of Erica Spindler's books and loved this one.

A young girl (15) has a horrible experience but no one believes her. Not her mother. Not the police.

As an adult (now a detective in a small police department) she is framed in the murder of a well-respected professor from a wealthy family.

As the pieces are put together she learns he is her abductor from the past.

You won't want to put this book down until it is finished. It is that good.

Lots of crime stories have a back story relevant to the crime in hand but I've not read one before that was as slowly and cleverly revealed and drew all the elements together as in this book.
Miranda is an interesting lead character and the plot is thorouly well thought out with good timing which kept up the suspense in both the language and length of sentences.

The Other Girl is the new crime fiction book by Erica Spindler, the book is being realised on 22nd August 2017. Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin Press for allowing me the chance to read the book. 

The book follows Officer Miranda Rader, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks that changed to an honest and handy in a crisis. She has been called out to the scene to investigate the murder of one of the towns beloved college professors. Things take a turn for the worse for Miranda when evidence ties her to the crime, and all its all connected to what happen to Miranda 14 years ago which turned her straight. Miranda will have to search for the truth to what happened 14 years ago to find the murderer, and in doing so will find out who she can and can't trust.

As always I enjoyed the story, we have a crime to solve with a little romance added. Its nice to have a little bit of light with the darkness of crime. I also think it gives you another side of the characters that you wouldn't get to see if the only focus on the book was the crime.

Miranda is a really interesting, the book shows us what she was like 14 years and what she is like now. It nice to see in a book a character and the catalyst that made her change. Erica Spindler is very good at throwing you off track, you think you know who the killer and then she throws a curve ball in and it changes your mind.

Erica Spindler is an author that I would always recommend for people that like their crime fiction with a little romance. This book is a easy read, you start reading and get sucked in and before you know it the book has finished. If you like Karen Rose than I would advise trying Erica Spindler.

I give this book 4.6 out of 5

Thanks so much to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Erica Spindler for the opportunity to read and review this addictive thriller!

From the very first chapter, this book pulled me in and I thought it was terrific. The story centers around Miranda, a police detective, who is investigating a brutal murder of a well-liked college professor. From the beginning, there are things that just don't feel right. As she's investigating, she finds another dead body - one that links her to her past. We are given background to Miranda in alternating chapters, detailing an event that happened when she was 15 years old, known as Randi, and living in a dysfunctional family. She gets abducted one night and no one believes her story. Miranda worked hard to make something of herself and put her past behind her until these murders start making everyone she trusts look at her as a possible suspect.

A great thrill ride - highly recommended!

Can you become something to make up for your past when you feel unloved, unsupported and going down the rabbit hole in the wrong direction? Miranda has done just that and is now a cop who finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery that somehow seems tied to her past but that's incomprehensible. Who murdered the college president's son? The who, what and why seems to happen too fast and resolution very incomplete. That is not okay in Miranda's book. A non-stop read with good twists that will keep you turning the page.

Erica Spindler weaves a tale of small town life, corruption and what happens when we settle for just okay. Miranda Rader is an Investigator in Harmony, LA and when a prominent member of the community is found murdered she is the lead detective on the case. The ending provided the twist I needed and kept me engrossed and on my toes the whole time.

The book flashes back to when Miranda was 15 years old and is arrested. Her life is ever changed by this incident. During the investigation we find that her fingerprints are located at the scene. Did she do it? It's not likely that a police officer would kill someone so brutally but as the story unfolds we begin to wonder... who killed Stark?

I started this book and found myself finished before I realized I had even been reading very long.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read The Other Girl early.

A great thrilling fast paced suspense book that kept me up late into the night then picking up again first thing in the morning! Miranda is a police officer in the town she grew up in. She and her partner are called to the scene of a murder and all the evidence points to Miranda. Miranda must figure out who is trying to frame her and who the murderer is and clear her name. It was a great book and I can't wait for the author's next book!!! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This review will appear on the link below approx 15th August

Officer Miranda Rader had been a well-respected cop for the past ten years – since she’d turned her life around after a not-so-good youth. She was good at her job and as honest as they came. But the murder of a college professor in a particularly gruesome and distressing manner was to be the start of opening up Miranda’s past – a past she had tried to put behind her. Fourteen years was a long time, but suddenly it seemed like yesterday…

With evidence turning up at the site of the murder which implicated Miranda; then the cop who had questioned Miranda all those years ago also found murdered – things weren’t looking good for her. Suspended from duty, Miranda must put her emotions aside and question everything – in particular “why was this happening to her”. Would she find the answers? Or would Miranda wind up in jail for murder? She had no idea who she could trust, so she trusted no one.

The Other Girl by Erica Spindler is a twisted, intricate tale of the past and how it can catch up with you in a heartbeat. Of trust, hurt and betrayal – of love and misplaced loyalty. Gripping, intense and chilling, I was totally absorbed in The Other Girl from beginning to end and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for my digital copy to read and review.

I did enjoy this book, I truly did but at some point it had a chance to blow up and be amazing but the author let the story fizzle out

Suspenseful read with a nice twist.

I read this entire book on a flight, and i was ZONED in the entire time. The pace was good the characters were good, the story line was good. There was a few cheesy aspects, but otherwise I really enjoyed it.

Miranda Rader grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. She made a lot of bad decisions when she was growing up. A stint in juvie is the one thing that sets her on the right path so she can leave her old life behind. Fast forward to the present day. Miranda is a police officer investigating a gruesome murder of a well known professor. This case is the one that brings her past back to haunt her.

Overall, this was a fast paced, quick read. It kept my attention, although it wasn't much of a mystery who the murderer was. There were a few twists thrown in to try to mislead you, but they just didn't stand up. The book is titled 'The Other Girl'. Wasn't hard to figure out from there. It was just a matter of certain pieces being put together.

Although the mystery wasn't much of a mystery, I did enjoy the book. It's the perfect summer read. If you're looking for something a little more complicated, this probably isn't the one for you.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.