A new author for me and the start of a new series. What a start, a real page turner which I devoured in one sitting. Atmospheric, chilling, creepy and terrifying. A plot full of twists and turns which kept me guessing and constantly changing my mind. A real rollercoaster of a read and I can't wait to read more of this authors work. Is this the start of another gripping and addictive series? I really hope so. Loved it!!!!
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

The Silent Dolls is the first in a promising new series with a strong female lead. A little girl goes missing and as Detectie Ellie Reeves is on the case even as it triggers visions of her "made up" friend Mae. Special Agent Derrick Fox shows up with a file full of missing girls that all disappeared on the Appalachian Trail eerily similar to the case Ellie is on. A wrench gets thrown in the works as Ellie gets blindsided with twists and secrets she never saw coming. Suspenseful and twisty, the story keeps you on the edge of your seat with the pages turning with some shocking twists and some that you see coming from a mile away. Ellie is a character that I want to revisit and read in a long storied series and I must to know where Ranger Cord McClain received his scars. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Absolutely loved every single word in this book. I feel I really connected to the characters and can't wait to see more of their lives and relationships develop. I will be following this series from now on.

I found the mount of lines of suspition wigen throughout the book gripping and I just did not and could not stop reading about it.

This is another book I will continue to shout about from the rooftops and have already made many friends read it also.

This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter. I do like a good police procedural book.
The main character was really likeable
Can't wait to read the next book in the series
#netgalley

I was excited to see a new book series by Rita Herron, I have throughly enjoyed her books before.
The story starts off a little slow for me, but laying the ground work for new characters, settings, etc. was to be expected. But in no time the thrill of the chase / hunt for the suspect waa on. Lots of twists, turns, oops, to keep the book entertaining and binge reading worthy. Overall, I really enjoyed the story, and looking forward to the next installment of the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book.
#netgalley #thesilentdolls

This book had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't want to stop reading for anything.
Ellie was a likeable lead character.
There were a few that I wanted to slap.
Thrilling and suspenseful

Reading this book was like travelling downhill in a race car without brakes...

This seems like a straightforward story about a ruthless predator being chased by the police, but the more you read the more complicated it gets. The author has created a selection of baddies to choose from and added a whole bunch of twists to make it even more fun for the reader.

When you think it's over, for Ellie it's only just beginning. 

She had her future all worked out in her head, but then she faces a bucket load of bombshells that turn everything upside down. 

Ellie is determined, stubborn and does not give up or stop before she reaches her goal. 

I am looking forward to find out how she will deal with everything that has been dumped on her. If this story proves how this author's mind works, then we are in for a great series. 5 stars.

Thank you, Rita Herron and Bookouture

When seven year old Penny Matthews goes missing in Bluff County, Georgia Detective Ellie Reeves is called in to help find her. The case draws the attention of SA Derrick Fox in Decatur, Georgia because his little sister Kim went missing in the same area over twenty years ago. Derrick is convinced a serial killer has been operating along the Appalachian Trail for years and he joins in the search. Is he right?

The book starts in a terrifying way and for much of it there is a sense of desperation on the part of the law officers which the author conveys well. The location in the woods and mountains of the Georgian section of the Appalachian Trail is fantastic and a terrible weather front adds danger and even more atmosphere to the hunt for Penny. It also gives a really creepy vibe at times as the hunters are observed. I really like Ellie as a character, she is brave, tough and resourceful although she carries her own demons. Derrick and Ranger Cord McClain are also interesting characters. The premise is good, the story is easy to read and flows well. There’s suspense, fear, secrets, lies, deception and guilt which leads to plenty of twists and turns and a good conclusion.

However, Ellie gets clobbered badly about the head THREE times. Is she human or an AI???!!! I also didn’t buy into some of the dialogue and one or two of the twists are a bit of a stretch though do make for enjoyable reading.

Despite the above reservations, I did enjoy the book and I definitely want to read more books featuring Ellie.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC

The Silent Dolls by Rita Herron is the first book following Detective Ellie Reeves. While I felt the book a little slow to start, it started to pick up speed around the 30% mark. Well developed characters that are both likeable and hateable. A twist at the end that I was not expecting at all. While there are a few plot holes, I am hoping they are filled in the second book. Patiently waiting for the follow-up!

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. All opinions are my own.

Wow! I had no idea that I would love this book as much as I have. I literally haven't been able to put it down.
This has completely gripped me and been utterly impossible to put down. I have loved main character Ellie, she is likeable and realistic. Initially, I couldn't understand the dynamics with her father but all became clear.
Definitely a gripping and compelling read, I haven't wanted to put this one down. I have constantly been trying to predict the outcome but have done so unsuccessfully.
This is a great book and a superb start to the series, I am gutted I need to wait for the next instalment. I love the author's writing style, I have been completely pulled in from the very beginning.
A gripping and addictive read which is highly deserving of five stars.

This was a fantastic start to a new series and I can’t wait for book two.
Detective Ellie Reeves has her life worked out and she’s ready for the next step, taking her fathers place as sheriff but he chooses someone else. Before Ellie can sort this a young girl goes missing and the hunt to find her starts. FBI agent Derrick Fox then shows up to tell she had a serial predator who hunts little girls and suddenly Ellie does not know who she can trust.
I loved the introduction to the characters and can only hope that these will continue into book two as I want to know more about them and their histories. This was a one sitting book as I desperate to find out who the killer was and what Ellie would find. I liked the symbology included and the descriptions of the Appalachian mountains.
Please hurry and write book two.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheSilentDolls #NetGalley

A fantastic, thrilling start to a new detective series - I could not put this book down! I was completely gripped by the twists and turns right until the end

I enjoyed getting to know the main protagonist, Detective Ellie Reeves, and exploring the details about her past. I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see how her character develops.

I would definitely recommend this book, and give it 4 stars.

A new series with a female lead detective hunting down a serial killer. The story starts with a good momentum and keeps going in a systematic way. About two thirds of the way it loses the plot and is going around without direction. If the sheriff has everything worked out then why has he not acted on it? Ellie character could have been developed better. The conclusion feels drawn out. Overall not a bad one but with a few plot holes. 3.5 stars. Why do most of the female detective stories bring in men to save the lady?

This book was so damn good! I just couldn't put it down until I finished it!

When Penny Matthews, a seven-year-old girl goes missing in the Appalachian mountains, Detective Ellie Reeves is called straight to the scene. According to Penny’s parents, their daughter vanished after a picnic by the creek. All that’s left behind is a pink friendship bracelet etched with “Penny”.

Special Agent Derrick Fox is determined to join the hunt. His younger sister, Kim, disappeared in the same area twenty-five years ago––on the day he was meant to be watching her. He’s certain the cases are linked and that over a dozen girls have vanished in the last decade. Ellie refuses to believe that their tight-knit mountain community could be home to a deadly criminal, but even she can’t deny the similarities in the cases. And when they discover the remains of a small body buried with a carved wooden doll, it’s clear they’re up against a deadly serial killer preying on innocent little girls.

This book had me hooked on right from the start. All the characters were well written and the twists and turns were really good. I kept guessing but I couldn't get it right at all. The ending was just bang on.

It was an amazing start to a new series, I can't wait for more books in this series. Highly recommended!!

Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!!

Thank you, Bookouture, Netgalley, and the Author for allowing me to read this ARC. I liked how early on she threw in doubt about three of the characters. This was a good solid read. It was not as scary as some serial killer books I have read. The main problem for me was that I couldn't connect to Ellie. Rita Herron is a good writer, and I look forward to reading more of her books, but this book was good, not great for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc of The Silent Dolls by Rita Herron.

This follows a young 5 year old girl called Penny, Lead investigator of the case is Ellie Reeves, this brings back memories of a dark childhood. a special agent from the FBI gets called in called Derrick, and his sister disappeared like Penny did in suspicious and similar circumstances. Over the last few years he has got 10 cases together in which are similar, as they are little girls and some from the same city as well. Derrick thinks that Penny may have been a victim of a serial killer within the city and whom has been active for many years but hasn't been caught yet... He takes his concerns to Ellie and points out serious points in which has been left out in the investigation into his sister’s disappearance. The lead investigator on that case was none other than was Ellie’s dad, the current Sheriff. Ellie is torn and broken but has some questions for her dad.

Another supposed abduction of a young girl, Ellie is determined to find the girls and she, along with Derrick and the SAR teams continue searching in the most horrific conditions. When Ellie makes some disturbing and dark discoveries out searching and it becomes clear that dark family secrets could threaten to make her world upside down.

This is such a gripping and thrilling book it was amazing and had me hooked from start to finish and i read within a few hours definitely recommend

5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow what a brilliant book great start to a series. Rollercoaster of emotions. Sad, happy and very scary would definitely recommend it but i found it very jumpy in places as i was so engrossed. Dont read when on your own

Hooked from the beginning. A great story with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. The end leaves you wanting more. Can’t wait until book 2 in this new series by Rita Herron.

Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.

The book opens with the disappearance of young Penny Matthews, aged 5, from a small town on the Appalachian Trail (AT). Detective Ellie Reeves is the lead investigator. But something about this case brings back dark and confusing memories of her own childhood. Enter Special Agent Derrick Fox from the FBI. His young sister went missing years ago in similar circumstances. But in the last few years he has put together a list of at least 10 similar cases, all disappearances of little girls and all missing on some part of the AT. He thinks Penny might just be the latest victim of a serial killer who has been active for many years. He takes his concerns to Ellie and points out serious omissions in the investigation into his sister’s disappearance. Oh my, the lead investigator on that was Ellie’s father, the current Sheriff. Ellie is torn but has some questions for her father.

Throw another apparent abduction of a young girl into the mix, add an approaching, deadly winter storm and stir. Suddenly it is all very tense. Ellie is manically determined to find the girls and she, along with Derrick and the SAR teams continue searching in the deteriorating conditions. When Ellie makes some disturbing discoveries out on the trail it becomes clear that dark family secrets could threaten to turn her world upside down. It’s a thrilling race to the finish and the outcome is never clear. This was a great story, enjoyable and suspenseful. Ellie was a strong character who would not be dictated to. Although it reaches a conclusion of sorts, there are some unresolved issues indicating a follow-up book is likely. I’ll be keen to read that one when it is available.

Detective Ellie Reeves receives a call for a young girl who seems to have gotten lost in the Appalachian mountains during a family picnic. With a severe snow storm heading into the area, they have a small window to try and find the young girl, but Ellie is determined to find her.

When an FBI agent sees the abduction on the news, he comes straight to Ellie and shares his own investigation into a dozen young girls who have gone missing over the past 25 years. The case is personal for Special Agent Derick Fox as one of the young girls was his little sister. But worse, if Derrick is correct, Ellie and the team have a serial murderer who preys on young children living amongst them.

The killer becomes emboldened and begins leaving messages for Ellie on her doorstep. He follows up with the abduction of a second young girl from town and now Ellie is giving it her all as she fights her own personal demons while she tries to find the young girls before it’s too late.

It’s been awhile since I have read a book that held me captive the way this one has. As the whodunit is revealed, and you settle in for the end of the story, out of no where you are blind sided with more. It’s hard to put this one dow until you reach that last period in the story. FABULOUS!