I really enjoyed Detective Casey White along with all the characters in the book. Most thrillers these days you can predict how the story will go at about 20% completion. I was excited that B.R. Spangler broke the mode with this book. There were a lot of twist and turns and I felt as if I was in the conference room with Casey and her team. Trying to piece it all together. The book grabs the readers attention right away and you just have to continue. Once all the pieces to the story came together your suspension laid to rest. The book has great detail and will lead your brain down the Detective path. I did not read the first book in this series but look forward to learning more about Casey and continue reading this series as it has grabbed my attention and I am ready for more. #dowtimereading

The Innocent Girls is the second book in the Detective Casey White series by author B.R. Spangler.

When an husband and wife are found murdered in a summer trailer camp, and their daughter is nowhere to be found, Casey White fears the worst, a kidnapping like the one which took her daughter from her fifteen years prior. However, Lisa Pearson hasn’t been kidnapped. Lisa’s first instinct, after escaping the scene of her parents brutal murder, was to go see a preacher in a church she was invited to, the reason she insisted for a vacation to the outer banks.

And, when another murder happens, with a second ritual carving on the belly of the victim, fears of a serial killer or of ritual sacrifices rise in town.

The first book was more action than police procedural, and required some suspension of disbelief, Casey White herself appearing as a loner one woman army, driven by what happened to her daughter.

This time around, however, she has a relationship, and a team. Among it, she’s mentoring two young officers : A prodigy CSI, and an IT tech. The team also works closely with her partner, Jericho, former sheriff and now marine patrol, and with the mayor (whose name is misleading for reasons that will become apparent to the reader - or maybe it’s my French accent playing tricks).

Hence, the book is very different from the first entry in the series. We go from a female Jack Reacher type, to the lead in a police procedural. Detective White is still sometimes reckless, but that will bear less success than before. The book is still mostly written in the first person, from her point of view, but the step back from action allows us to learn a lot more about her, her personality, her motivations. She’s still obsessed by the search for her missing daughter, of course, and surprising twists and turns can be expected on that front, parallel to the main case.

The mystery itself is very gripping, and the writing solid. No threads are left hanging, and no event seems incredible, which is another step up from Where Lost Girls Go. B.R. Spangler hence demonstrates he can changes gears in this series, and I’m curious as to where it will go next. I wouldn’t even mind a return to an action piece, now that we got to know the main character, and her supporting cast, better.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.

This is the second book in the Detective Casey White series, and story starts with the murder of a couple in an RV on a campsite, this is witnessed by their terrified daughter. Lisa, who escapes and disappears. That fast pace continues throughout this page turner with further murders of couples in which one of the victims has a symbol carved into their skin by the murderer.

Detective Casey White is the investigating officer and she is perturbed by the missing teenager as her own daughter was kidnapped many years ago . . . . and that concern ups when Lisa is found and reveals, “He invited me.” Who is inviting the teens and why is he murdering their parents? As the murders continue, what is the motive of the killer and can they catch him before there are more deaths?

This is a compelling read, with great characters, plenty of suspicions, several red herrings, a manipulative ex, a supportive partner and so much more to keep you turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and the finale has me really wanting to read the next book in this series now!

Thank you to Bookouture for the copy of this book which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

When Detective Casey White arrives at the crime scene of murdered Peggy and Carl Pearson, a crowd has already gathered, but there is no sign of their thirteen-year-old daughter, Lisa. This is of huge concern to Casey as Lisa needs her medication and won't live long without it. She spots a symbol carved that has been carved into Peggy's skin and when more bodies are found with etched symbols, Casey begins the race against the clock to establish a motive and find the killer for the murders.

I enjoyed this second book, The Innocent Girls as much as the first one in the series. Casey White is a great detective, being a determined, smart, and compassionate woman, though she carries a lot of emotional baggage. The other characters are also well created and developed, especially Marine Control's trustworthy and amiable Jericho Flynn, although he was less of a central player in this particular story. Nevertheless, Jericho's interactions with Casey were interesting to read about in terms of their relationship and Casey's progress within the Police Department at Outer Banks, North Carolina.

With a frenetic pace there was plenty of action, with certainly no room for tedium or boredom. The plot itself was fascinating and I revelled in the complexity of the investigations, and the way everything was eventually brought together in the surprising denouement. I shall be watching out for the next in the series and I'm immensely keen to see where the talented B.R. Spangler takes Detective Casey White next. A highly entertaining and recommended, absorbing police procedural.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Although this is the second book in a series, I read it as a standalone and had no difficulty following the plot and characters. In fact, I was drawn into the story from the very beginning and raced to finish it as the tension seemed to ratchet up with each new chapter. Detective Casey White is a strong female protagonist but her vulnerable side is shown also since she has nightmares about the kidnapping of her daughter Hannah as a toddler. When parents are killed with a message carved on the mother and a teen girl missing each time, Casey’s determination to find the girls is understandable. The police procedural part of the story was absolutely engrossing. There is a sub-plot about a weird church in the middle of nowhere, a charismatic pastor who seems evil in many ways, and the mysterious fact that attendees have to be invited in order to attend. The mystery of the invitation was definitely enticing since one girl was found and could only say “he invited me” before she was whisked off to the hospital. Casey’s desperation to find subsequent missing girls is evident and the tension in the plot increases accordingly, making me as the reader enthralled by each new crime, each new detail and each new clue. There were plenty of unexpected twists and a whole gallery of possible suspects, perfect for a mystery/suspense enthusiast like me. The revelation of the killer was a real surprise to me and the final scenes were totally riveting. Fans of thriller/suspense will really enjoy this book. I know for sure that I will look for the next book in the series and Casey White’s next adversary who cannot possibly be a match for her skill and intuition.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Book 2 in the Casey white series. I read this before I'd read the first one and I'd really recommend reading book 1 first. There is a lot of references to the first book in this one and I feel I was missing a big part of the story.

Once I got passed that I really enjoyed this book. Casey is a great character.

The plot was intense and kept me hooked from start to finish.

I'm now off to read the first book and look forward to reading number 3 in the future.

The Innocent Girls is the second instalment in the Detective Casey White series set in Outer Banks, North Carolina. When the bodies of Carl and Peggy Pearson are discovered in their RV, it is clear that they have been murdered. The bodies have been mutilated with strange symbols having been carved into their skin and when Casey is called in to investigate she realises their 13-year-old daughter Lisa, who had been on the trip to the beautiful Outer Banks with her parents, is missing. To add to the concern she is without her required medication. Then more bodies drop with the same curious symbols inscribed on them and the police realise they have a disturbing serial killer case on their hands. As Casey and her cohorts attempt to find a motive and identify, locate and apprehend the killers or killers, she must try not to let the case overwhelm her especially as her daughter, Hannah, was also kidnapped, but as a toddler, and the intensive search for Lisa opens many old wounds.

This is a compulsive, addictive and fast-paced police procedural with a well-crafted plot and an interesting and engaging cast of characters. It's well written with a plethora of twists, turns and red herrings to throw you off the scent and right from the beginning I was hooked. I feel it is probably better to have read the series opener before this as Casey's past and personal life plays such a substantial role in these books that gaining a better understanding would be preferable to just simply jumping in feet first. The fact that it is primarily told from protagonist Casey's perspective makes it easy to follow with no unnecessary filler or padding, and the identity of the perpetrator is kept hidden until the big reveal where the tension is ratcheted up ready to uncover the mystery behind the brutal killings. A highly entertaining and absorbing police procedural. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

This is the first book that I have read in this series. It is an action packed well written thriller. It is a very clever plot which was compelling reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Another great read from B R Spangler.
The book starts with the horrific murder of Karl and Peggy Pearson whilst in a rented RV, and we witness the murder through the eyes of their daughter.
She manages to escape and makes her way to a church where she has been invited to attend.
She tries to tell them about her parents but they have their own agenda.
Casey discovers the girl back at the RV in need of medical attention.
The killer takes more victims and each time he is carving something into their skin but Casey and the team can’t work out what it means.
As well as the murders, Casey is still on the look out for her missing daughter who she knows is in the area.
This is a gripping crime thriller that had me hooked from the first few pages.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the first book I've read by B.R. Spangler, and although this is the second book in the Casey White series it can be read as a standalone.

I have to say this book drew me in nearly immediately. After the murder of her parents, Lisa escapes into the night. But is there more going on that meets the eye?

This is one of those books in which you're left going on twists and turns, and I loved that as she explores this case, Casey White is also working on a longer, more personal case: the search to find her daughter. I love how Spangler tied these two together and how personal this story is for Casey.

As I raced through this book I had my own ideas about what was going on. And although the beginning and middle moved forward swiftly, I did find that the end staggered ever so slightly. There was a moment where I figured out what was going on but Casey and our team had not - I felt like Spangler wanted to throw in one last twist but unfortunately it was a little too easy to guess.

Nonetheless this book was a really fun read and I think I need to go back and check out the first book in the series!

The second book in the series to feature Detective Casey White. Casey had her daughter abducted when she was a child and all her spare time is spent looking for her. Casey and her team have a series of brutal family orientated murders to solve. A travelling church you can only get in if you are Invited and missing teenagers. A real thrill ride, a good work out for the grey matter, with a conclusion which literally blew me away. Everything and more you expect from a real gritty crime thriller. LOVED IT!!!!
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Although this is the second book in the series, I found it does well as a stand-alone but to get the full story on the disappearance of Detective Casey Whites daughter, Hannah I recommend starting with Where Lost Girls Go.
In this one, visitors to the Outer Banks of North Carolina staying in RV parks are being murdered and left with symbols carved into their skin while their teenage daughters are being spared. There's also a religious group, a cult really, that's leased an abandoned church to hold their rock concert like rallies in. When the daughter of the first couple killed is found to have escaped the killer and gone to the church, Casey and company are tasked with finding the connections while also identifying who might also be in the killers sights. Ever present is the continued search for Casey's own missing daughter.
I liked how this one jumps right into the action from the start and building the suspense and intrigue from there. I thought it was well written with an even pace and smart plot. All in all, I found this to be a nice continuation of Casey's story, both personal and professional and recommend this series to all you police procedural/thriller lovers reading this.

This was a new author for me and I was not disappointed. A police procedural with a no nonsense female taking the lead, a group of characters that were normal and relatable. A good storyline that was well written and always had something going on, holding my interest and wanting to solve the murders though I didn’t, had me guessing right to the last minute. Can’t wait to see what is in store for Casey, Jericho, Tracey and the others. I am also off to search for the first book to see where it all began.

A hideously violent act opens the The Innocent Girls, the second in a series featuring Detective Casey White. A couple have been stabbed and mutilated in their RV, parked in a campground on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The crime scene is a gory one and the couple’s 13 year old daughter is missing. Soon another parent is dead and yet another girl has disappeared.

As the search for the missing girls continues, Casey must deal with her own troubled past. Her daughter was kidnapped years ago and that tragedy led to the end of her marriage. Then one of the girls is found, near exhaustion, walking on bloodied feet and raving about an invitation. Casey and her team work to learn the meaning behind the mutilations and how these murder victims are related. Can they solve this case before there are more victims?

The Innocent Girls is a great 5 star read. Although part of a series, it’s a standalone thriller with heart-stopping suspense. The characters, especially Casey, are well described and the Outer Banks location becomes almost a character itself. I’m looking forward to the next in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and B.R. Spangler for this ARC.

Book 2 in the Casey White series was a good follow up. I liked the character development and the interesting plot. Set in the Outer Banks in North Carolina, there are multiple murders but it was a bit slow at times. Overall, still a good mystery. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

The Innocent Girls is definitely a nail-biting thriller! When a series of murders happen to families visiting Outer Banks, Casey White is called to investigate while at the same time in search of her daughter, Hannah, who was kidnapped many years ago. The daughters of the families killed are also missing, which adds another element to the story.

A suspect in custody admits that he committed the crime, but Casey feels that something is off about the whole thing. As she and her team gather together to try and resolve some discrepancies in the case, the author makes you feel like you're part of the team as the excitement reaches a feverish crescendo.

Without divulging anymore tidbits for fear of spoiler alerts, I do recommend that you read the book. However, I advise that you read Casey White's Book 1 which I plan to order. The book has everything you want! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Innocent Girls is the second in a new series by B. R. Spangler, set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and featuring Detective Casey White. Spangler wastes no time drawing you into the violence of murder as the book opens with the almost immediate murder of two people in an RV who have come to the Outer Banks for vacation along with their young teenage daughter. The reader watches along with the daughter as the murderer kills her parents and then follows her story as she tries to determine her next steps, all in the first chapter.
For the remainder of the book, the pace is at a similar breakneck speed. Detective White, who has now relocated to the Outer Banks and become a member of their police force is called and begins the painstaking work of solving the murder, starting with finding the missing teenager. Detective White’s own daughter was kidnapped years ago and she has been searching for her since. This information is detailed in the first novel in the series and, while not necessary to solve this murder, it is helpful in understanding Detective White, who she is and why she reacts the way she does. In addition, the whereabouts of her daughter are hinted at in the first book and are a minor side-plot for this book as well.
There are some continuing secondary characters, most notably Jerico, the former sheriff. His relationship with Casey was started in the first novel and progresses and deepens in this second in the series. Also making another appearance is the (now) Mayor Ashtole who was the District Attorney being groomed for mayor in the first novel. Spangler does a good job of mentioning enough of their history for a new reader to understand the relationships without rehashing everything that happened in the first book. If a reader prefers reading series, they most likely would prefer to read both these books in the order of publication so they can experience the development of Casey’s relationships with these characters.
As in the first novel, there is a strong element of the story which deals with young teenagers. In this case it is teenagers who have persuaded their parents to vacation at the Outer Banks and who have plans, unknown to their parents, of attending church services created by a preacher they met on-line. The more Casey investigates the murders, the more they seem to be entangled with the travelling preacher and his good friend and director of security.
If you like mysteries and police procedurals that are fast paced and filled with dramatic tension, this may be the series for you. An added bonus is the beautiful area of North Carolina, the Outer Banks, which has a cameo role in the series. It’s not much, but it may be enough to leave you longing for a trip to the beach or remembering the area from past visits. The book is well written, and the characters are three dimensional, both the good guys and the bad ones.

Finding her missing daughter is never far from Casey White's heart. After she was kidnapped (in front of Casey's eyes), it became her mission in life. In her second novel, B.R. Spangler delves further into Casey's past whilst she tries to solve a series of murders. With Jericho by her side, Casey dives in whilst strong memories of her past haunt her (as well as a surprise visit from her ex husband). Seemingly unrelated, Casey finds the common thread and works tightly with Jericho to get answers. I loved the first book in this Series, and the second novel is a strong addition. And, where the book ends, you'll be on the edge of your seat for the next one to come out.

A continuation of a search for a missing daughter. A series of horrific murders. Are they connected? Some of the victims have numbers or letters carved into their flesh. Is this a sadistic clue, or just a random act to confuse the police? Will Detective Casey White find out before there are more murders or will the Outer Banks suffer more loss. And will Casey find her daughter Hannah again....

A fascinating and intriguing storyline, keeps the reader fully immersed from beginning to end. Although seemingly a cult with a considerable following it is used to entice children to influence their parents to holiday near to the cult meetings so that they can attend. It is fact a front to enable revenge to be taken on their parents. A very good story.