A promising start to a 3 part series, DI Hollie Turner has relocated to Hull after a messy separation. She previously lived there briefly whilst at Uni but fell pregnant at 19 so moved back to her native Lancaster.
Still finding her feet around the city, she's soon thrust into her first case when an elderly Nun is hung from the Humber Bridge. Soon all the leads are pointing to a mother and baby home run by the nuns back in the 1970's.
With flashbacks to 1974 we learn Mandys story and how she found herself at the home.
There's a slow drip feed into the characteristics within the team, and the case develops at a fast pace leading to a cliffhanger ending.

This is the start of a new series that begins with a trilogy. I wasn't sure how one case was going to evolve into three books but wow! It was gripping. This story involves a lot of characters and story that builds. Hollie is a complex character and her team is interesting as well. The case is dark. Excellent read.

A bit of a slow burner but the picked up along the way. Enough twists and turns to keep me interested..Some interesting characters. Was a bit disappointed that I had to read the second book to find out was going on. Will definitely read the next one to find out. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

This is the first of Paul J Teagues books that I have read and I really enjoyed it.
A first paced thriller that I couldn't put down. Hollie is a detective investigating the murder of an elderly nun.
Mandy was a teenage mum who was at the mother and baby home run by the church.
The book ends on a cliff hanger letting you want to find out more.

I saw this book on Netgalley and it was book one out of a trilogy and I thought about giving it a try. Because if I like the first book I may well ask for books two and three as well. Luckily for me, I liked the first book so I immediately requested book two and three and I also got them! The books will come out on the 29 of January and I received a copy from Storm Publishing via Netgalley.

The broken body of a seventy-one-year-old woman is found beneath a bridge with a sign around her neck with the words ‘Pure Evil’ spray-painted in red. Detective Hollie Turner is put on the case. She finds out that it is all connected to a local mother and baby home of the church of Saint Mary and the Angels. This has been shut down years ago but the pain and suffering inflicted on those who were forced to give up the babies remains. While working the case an elderly priest is also attacked. This turns out to be quite the complex case and will Hollie be able to solve it before more people die?

I was quite intrigued by this first book and as it happens to end with a cliffhanger I obviously requested book two immediately. I like the story and how the events are connected to The past and the way it is described makes you want to continue reading. The horrible wrongdoings of the past are described vividly and realistically which makes it all the better. The characters are still being worked out a bit as this is just the first book. We get to know them already quite well but I can imagine that in part two and three we delve more into the psychi of the characters. Already off to a strong start I can't wait to start in book two!

4,5/5 ⭐

The Fallen Girls is a novel goes back and forth between Mandy in 1974 and present day with Detective Inspector Hollie Turner. It is a bit of a slow burn but Paul Teague weaves the mystery of this story effortlessly. He has created a strong female lead but also reminds us that she is more than a cop.

Hollie Turner is the new DI in Hull having moved after separating with her husband. She is very much the new kid on the block despite being a seasoned cop. She is also resented by some who were passed over the position she was hired for. Her first case is the gruesome murder of a nun. Yes, a nun... who would want to kill a nun?

Mandy is an unwed teen mother who is taken away to have her baby adopted out. Most of the nuns are not nice and she says she was confused and the paperwork wasn't explained fully. She didn't want to give her baby up for adoption but what's done is done. She promised her vengeance on the nuns who did this to girls like her.

The murdered nun is linked to Mandy but who killed her? Is it tied to the work she did in the 1970s at the home for unwed mothers?

This book does end on a cliffhanger and is part of a 3 book series. However, it is an amazing thriller with a few a twists and turns that will ensure you read the next book.

I really loved this story! I am a huge fan of stories where there is a switch in POV between chapters so it was nice being able to see the other side. The story was twisted and was able to hold my attention. I cannot wait to read the next in the series!

Thoroughly enjoyed The Fallen Girls. Good story, good cast of characters but oh my I didn't like the ending. After being totally invested in DI Hollie Turner and Mandy's story leaving on a cliff hanger like that was just a bit naughty. Part 1 of a trilogy, hopefully the next 2 books available soon. Thanks to netgalley, author and publisher.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. I did enjoy this book for the most part but was really disappointed in the fact that there wasn’t any conclusion at all by the end of this book. I understand that this was the first book in a series but there is typically some kind of conclusion by the end of a book, maybe not of the entire story but at least more of the story unfolded. I really like the plot, enjoyed the characters, and writing was well done but was disappointed that by the end of the book I didn’t find out anything at all and the book just had an abrupt end.

This was a crazy, twisted story! I really loved it. This author definitely knows how to keep the reader on the edge of their seat .

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book♥️

I was completely absorbed in this haunting tale of secrets, shame, and murder, set against the dark backdrop of mother and baby homes in the 1970s. The author masterfully weaves together two timelines, transporting me to a world where vulnerable young women were brutally stripped of their agency and dignity by Catholic nuns who should have been caregivers, not tormentors. As I read, I felt a growing sense of outrage and empathy for the girls who were forced to surrender their babies and their dreams. And then, the present-day murder of a nun who was complicit in those crimes ignites a tense investigation that kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself rooting for the lead detective, a complex and relatable heroine with her own family demons, as she races to unravel the tangled threads of past and present. With each twist and revelation, I felt like I was right there with her, piecing together the shocking truth. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a gripping mystery, but also for anyone who wants to confront the darkest corners of our shared history and find hope for healing and justice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advance copy of The Fallen Girls by Paul J Teague
The most important thing to note is this is not a book in itself, you also have to purchase the following two books.
I subscribe to Kindle Unlimited and these books come with that so it’s fine, but I do think details like this should be clear from the outset.
Now to the book Detective Hollie Turner has been appointed to lead a team in Hull a far cry from her previous position in Lancaster. A much quieter place, and she’s thrown in a the deep end when a nun is found dead in horrific circumstances.
Add to this a second in command who's after her job and a personal life falling apart and you have an engrossing story that will keep you up all night. I look forward to seeing how the story develops.

This book definitely caught my attention and left me wondering what would happen next each time I had to put it down! The plot revolves around a small town which once had a Mother and Baby home. Character development was spot on with the author giving you a glimpse in to the past as well as the present. The end is a cliff-hanger (as expected) and leaves you wondering what the truth really is. I will definitely be checking out the next book in the series!

This is a great crime/detective novel that is the first in a 3 book series following DI Hollie Turner. I loved the characters, plot development and the way it was told from different past/present perspectives and characters. The book ends on a cliffhanger! I read a sample from the 2nd book and was equally hooked again. I can't wait to read all 3 and see what happens. I am definitely a fan so far!

Wow wow what a great book I loved it and was hooked immediately.

When a nun is killed by hanging her off a road bridge Detective hollie is called upon to investigate, however it soon becomes apparent that the nun had a shady past invol;ving a mother and baby home so the list of suspects are massive. We don't find out who killed her in this book but there are a further two installments which complete the story.

As the book ended on a cliff hanger I need to read the next two installments to complete the story

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this arc

4 stars

Super start for a new series. Can't wait to read the follow-up. Love the plot and characters. A real page turner.

Absolutely brilliant containing all the elements of a great book. The premise is around mother and baby homes led, unsympathetically by Catholic Nuns in the 1970s, something that is rooted in true history which makes the story yet more poignant. The book is written in dual time aspects so we see that reason some of the girls ended up in that situation from a pragmatic standpoint and how easy it was and how it can be seen as not entirely their fault and the unfairness of the situation. Step ahead into present day and there is the murder of a nun who had been involved in running the unit and how harsh and unliked she had been meaning there are hundreds of possibles who had a grudge that spans the length of time. When there is another awful crime time is ticking and we feel the pressure to link them and join the dots. The lead detective is very likeable with, typically, a complex family background of her own and tricky colleagues and politics to deal with. Quite a fast paced enjoyable plot, with a premise I’ve seen several times before but this one stands out to me as well executed (pun intended) and sensitively written, giving much food for thought. Excellent.

An intriguing crime novel and a really good start to the Detective Hollie Turner series.I liked the characters and look forward to finding out more about them as the series continues.Im so glad I've got the next two books in the series as this one finishes on a cliffhanger and I could'nt have waited to long to find out what happens next.
RECOMMENDED
thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

You know how your teacher always says read the instructions all the way before you begin? Well I probably should have read that this book ends in a cliffhanger! Now I’m sitting here desperately wondering what comes next!! I did see the next book will be available soon and I am anxious to read it as I haven’t figured out who committed the crimes yet.

Excellent mystery, I’d recommend to anyone

Thank you to Paul J. Teague, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the arc of this book.