Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Dnf - I couldn't get into this one so unfortunately I stopped early on. Something just didn't grab me

Thank you Netgalley for the free ARC! This book was super creepy! I loved every minute of it. I finished it in a day! I rate it a 4.3

Fabulous story that I could not put down. Would highly recommend to fans of this genre. Great writing, and I will look for more from this author.

This is a fantastic book, second in the series! Written with adventurous prose and wondrous characterization. Unpredictable, haunting, entertaining...........I could go on and on but to put it bluntly - this is a magnificent book!!!!!

I received an ebook from the Netgalley and the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Rachel Ryder is a great character - tough, relatable and a strong individual. Her partner is also very engaging and between them they set a fantastic platform for a series. The story itself is so fast paced that I found myself flicking back to check for missed clues. It’s one of those rare mysteries which you could read twice to get the most out of the snappy dialogue and amazing capacity to build the context. I’ll be reading the rest of the series!

This series is like TV crime shows fused to a page - the plot is driven, unpredictable and easily devoured. With a strong female lead, it provides a great idea of what small-town crime fighting might look like when mixed with drug cartels and revenge.

I read the first book of this series to better acquaint myself with the characters and events in order to be prepared to read and analyze Hunted Girl. I was not disappointed.

Carolyn writes her characters extremely well, creating three-dimensional personalities for not only the leads, but also to the supporting roles. I felt like I could understand what they were feeling, and most reactions and interactions felt very believable. She displayed controversial subjects involving gender equality, PTSD, grief, rage and deep emotional turmoil.

I enjoyed the plot - it took me out of the predictable police drama and into a web of revenge. It was difficult to separate the two plotlines, allowing for genuine shock at discovering how the puzzle pieces fit together.

This is a perfect read that wants their crime fix without being glued to a screen. Very well written and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Hunted Girl is a must read for cop suspense readers. These characters will awe you with their determination to find justice. Lots of action that will keep you guessing until the end

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This book was just amazing. I just lost myself in this story and didn’t want it to end. It was really well written and just drew in you into these characters lives. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

4.5 stars

I’m enjoying this series, even more than the others by this author, and I do really like those. This series has suspense and intrigue, and emotion, and Rachel is this tough, determined woman, who fights for what she believes in.

This particular story had Rachel fighting demons from her past. It was a tough case, personal to more than just Rachel. It was difficult to figure out how it all fit together, causing Rachel and Bishop to keep questioning themselves.

I do like the characters in this series - serious when it counts, but also with sarcastic and fun sides, and I liked getting see the emotional side of Rachel crack through.

A great series, and that ending makes me wish the next book was out now!

Looking for a gritty mystery to sink your teeth into, well look no further! Fabulous characters who are well fleshed out to bring reality and humanity to the surface, sunk into a layered plot with many moving parts that meld together to make one exciting plot to delight and entertain for your reading pleasure. The main character is a tough, intelligent female detective from Chicago who has relocated to the south to attempt to start over after her life crashed around her, but the powers that lead to that crash may not be done with her yet and may have hunted her all the way to Georgia. While this book is part of a series, you could enjoy this as a stand alone. I would however, recommend starting with the first book to prolong your reading pleasure and fill in a bit of back story. I really look forward to reading from this series as I quite like the characters.

Rachel is back and her handyman’s brother has been found dead with a drug overdose. But items at the scene seem to lead to others being involved. As the investigation continues, Rachel keeps feeling that somehow this is linked to her past and the murder of her husband by Chicago gang members.

This is a well-written thriller and I was thoroughly drawn into the story.

Drug Dealers and Dead People
This book is the second in a series. While it can be read alone, the reader will get more enjoyment by reading the series in order. This book contains violence and implied violence and rough language. It also involves the tough situations that a police detective would likely be involved in like severe drug addiction and prostitution. The book is an excellent follow-up to book one. Bad stuff is happening and it is tough to tell which bad guy is behind which crime. Some of the story arc completes in this book as a new story arc begins.
I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Carolyn Ridder Aspenson has written numerous books and multiple series. This is the second of three newly released Detective Rachel Ryder adventures. Having not encountered Aspenson’s previous body of work, a new smart, tough, and fearless female protagonist was welcomed with much anticipation. Beginning with a routine overdose investigation, the body count mounts and connections to Ryder’s past revealed. Feisty detective Ryder has attitude and an unwillingness not to pursue a case when her hunch is ignored. A new hero and a worthy read with a three-and-a-half-star rating. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are freely given and totally my own.

3.5 stars

Hunted Girl by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is the second in the Detective Rachel Ryder series.

First, let me thank the publisher Severn River Publishing (in particular Cate Streissguth) and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Detective Rachel Ryder left her 15 year career on the Chicago police force, and moved to Hamby Georgia, after the death of her husband.  Although she killed the man who shot Tommy, the person that hired the killer was just released from prison.    In her first major case in Hamby, she found and fought corruption in the police force and government.  She now has a new boss, and things are looking up. Her new partner is a veteran of 30 years, Rob Bishop.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
A man is found overdosed, and the needle gets linked to Brad Pruitt, a family friend of Detective Bishop.  Brad is a drug addict who couldn't be helped, although his brother and sister tried for years.  But no one really thinks that Brad would murder anyone.  A skull necklace is found at the scene that seems to link the murder to the Mexican drug cartel....and to Rachel's past.

Rachel is sure that Petrowski is responsible, and is coming for her.  But things aren't adding up, although the bodies are.

So, Is Rachel putting her new friends and team at risk, or do these deaths have nothing to do with her.


My Opinions:   
Well, I admit that the first book was good, although the topic of police corruption and politics was not my cup of tea.  Unfortunately, this second book is about drug cartels, and that doesn't really appeal to me either.  I swear if the next one is all romance, I'm out.

I found that there were so many suspects, and different theories, that it got a bit confusing at times.

All that being said, the story was good.  The writing is good....and although she's a bit of a time-bomb, I'm starting to really like Rachel (although some of her decisions are rash).  I absolutely love the other characters in the book - probably better than I like Rachel.  They are all gaining depth, and are very likeable.


Yes, I will be reading the next one!

Hunted Girl by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Rachel Ryder #2

Detective Rachel Ryder, in her second book, is dealing with grief, flashbacks, a new job in the South in a town that is much smaller than Chicago, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. She is someone I am warming up to and hope will eventually find her way forward…in more ways than one.

What I liked:
* Rachel: widow, detective, goldfish owner, friend, listens to her gut on the job, conflicted on this case, still finding her way after the loss of her husband.
* Rob Bishop: Rachel’s work partner, supportive, focused, wants justice for someone he knows
* Chief Abernathy: wise, strong, good leader, aware, capable, someone I respect
* Lenny: Rachel’s one-time boss, neighbor. Also, a father figure and mentor who lives back in Chicago
* Garcia: Rachel’s partner in Chicago
* The writing, location, and plot
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* Getting to know some of the supporting/secondary characters better
* Being able to feel the various conflicts Rachel (and Bishop) experienced throughout the case
* The twists and turns
* That the bad guys were exposed and dealt with
* The lead-in to book three.
* Wondering if Rachel would ever get over the loss of Tommy and be able to move on – if so, will it be with someone else in law enforcement, or someone not involved in it at all

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that the drug issues, crimes, murders, etc. are no doubt real and were presented believably.
* Having to wait for the next book in the series

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

A great read. I loved the book. The plot was very well written and I cannot wait for another book. This was from a new to me and great author. I really enjoyed the book.

A drug addict is dead and Ryder/Bishop need to find out if it's homicide or overdose. I like Rachel Ryder she's a badas*, take no sh*t detective that gets her answers no matter who the person is. This is the 2nd book in a series by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson, this series, so far, is very well done. I can't wait til October to read the 3rd book. I think mystery, thriller/suspense will love these books.

Ms. Aspenson has followed up her first book in the series with an outstanding second case for Detective Rachel Ryder. Rachel is slowly getting used to life in Georgia, but Georgia is not quite used to her. Both Rachel and her husband were detectives, in Chicago, when he was murdered. She killed the shooter while the corrupt commissioner who planned the murder was sentenced to prison. At the scene of a drug overdose a strange necklace is found on the body, one that Rachel had last seen on the man who killed her husband. Has her husband’s murder case followed her to Georgia? As more bodies are found with a necklace, she knows this is a sign…to her. Her partner Bishop still doesn’t believe this is about Rachel, but her gut tells her it does. She learns that the commissioner was released from prison; is he working with the local drug dealers to get his revenge? When Rachel is attacked, who will survive the final confrontation? A non-stop police investigation led by a gutsy and persistent female detective. Loved it! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Rachel is back and along with Bishop, they are wrapped up in several cases. This one is a bit slower paced than the first. There are a lot of characters and different cases that take awhile to build. Our main characters are developing and Rachel is a bit more settled this time. The way the author weaves together the plotlines is well done. I honestly didn't have it figured out before the big reveal. Things are wrapped up well from Rachel's past and avenues are opened up for the continuation of the series. The very end left me completely frustrated with Rachel even though I understood it. That's how I knew I am invested in her character. I can't wait to see what happens next!