"The Nowhere Girls" is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Dana Perry has crafted a complex and engaging protagonist in Detective Nikki Cassidy, whose determination and grit make her a compelling lead character. The mystery at the heart of the novel is full of twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

Nicky Cassidy is a star FBI Agent, a media celebrity and also daughter of Luke Cassidy, the Huntsdale police chief. The novel opens up in few pages to investigate the disappearance of Nicki's sister Caitlin and her murder fifteen years ago and her body was found days later in a wooded area of the small town of Huntsdale. A man named David Munroe is convicted and send to prison for this murder who refuses to speak anything about the killing or why it was committed by him. The story takes a turn when David speaks up to Nicky at the prison visit and who denies that he killed Caitlin. Then who did it? Nicky also finds wreath of roses at her sister's grave. She is determined to find not just Caitlin's murderer but also similar disappearance of another young girl who went missing on the same day as Caitlin. The novel takes a interesting plunge to the world of policing and investigation which I found very gripping and unable to put the pages down.

Perry's writing is sharp and atmospheric, creating a vivid and immersive world for readers to get lost in. The pacing of the novel is fast-paced, with plenty of action and suspense to keep the plot moving forward. The relationships between the characters are well-developed and layered, adding depth and emotion to the story.

Overall, "The Nowhere Girls" is a thrilling and captivating read that will appeal to fans of crime fiction and detective novels. Dana Perry has created a memorable and engaging protagonist in Detective Nikki Cassidy.

Holy cow that was good! I am new to Dana Perry and didn't realize what I was getting into, but I am really glad I did. Talk about not expecting who the villain is. I had no idea until the chapter before the reveal. I love when that happens. Great characters, great plot and really great suspense. Now, I'm off to read the next one!

Favorite Quotes:

“I can’t believe that you’re actually comparing yourself to J. Edgar Hoover, Nikki.” “Why not?” “History has shown us that J. Edgar Hoover was a pretty mean, petty and despicable person.” “Yeah, but we both liked to wear dresses.”

I’m what they call a ‘jailbird dater.’… There’s something wild and daring and kinkily crazy about it— it just gives me a thrill I could never get out of dating normal men on the outside of prison walls. Is it dangerous? No, it’s probably the safest dating you can do. I mean they’re in prison. They’re under control twenty-four-seven. So don’t you see? Meeting up with a prison inmate like that is not as dangerous as picking up some strange guy in a singles bar or on Tinder or any other dating spot or app.


My Review:

I gained several new brain wrinkles perusing this tale, but one such wrinkle concerning what happens on the dark web was rather chilling and had the little pea in my brain shuddering. I already know too many things I don’t want to know.

The premise was original, and the plot was well-contrived and unpredictable with active story threads that went in all directions yet managed to converge back in a cohesive manner. The majority of the characters were realistically flawed and most were deeply damaged yet still functional. Many were also unlikable yet they still held my attention and provoked my curiosity.

I’m in for the ride to read the rest of the series.

The first book in the Nikki Cassidy series starts with a lot of action. Nikki is a FBI agent who just went viral with a video of her taking down a kidnapper and saving a girl. Nikki is haunted by the murder of her sister 15 years ago so when the murder finally agrees to talk with her she goes. She finds more than she bargained for and it leads to a thrilling story. Fans of Lisa Ragen’s Josie Quinn series will love this series. Nikki is a strong and smart woman who wants to solve crimes and return children to their homes. I loved the police work and the non stop action. A great read and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

If you're a fan of CSI, Criminal Minds, etc, then you'll love this book! It follows FBI detective Nikki Cassidy who's sister was kidnapped and murdered 15 years ago when they were kids. Now, 15 years later, the man who confessed to her murder tell Detective Cassidy he didnt do it. Then, another girl goes missing and the clues to the case point to being connected to Cassidy's sister's murder.


When I say this book was good! It was interesting and chilling and had you guessing. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because the author was quite repetitive throughout the story, repeating info, full names, etc when not needed. It is still a great story and i'm about to go read book 2 right now!

The Nowhere Girls is book one in the Nikki Cassidy series that is written by Dana Kelly. This book is a captivating crime thriller, We are introduced to Nikki - who works in the FBI. Her sister was kidnapped and murdered and the person responsible for it wants to talk to her. However, while she is there, another body shows up. Could the cases be related?

Suddenly the killer takes back his confession. The FBI digs in deep and tries to sort everything out. Nikki has had to work through some things since she blames herself for her sister’s kidnapping and murder. This book is full of twists and turns. I really enjoyed getting to know Nikki. Her character is well developed and I am excited to continue to read more of her story. The book is well written and is a perfect crime thriller for those who like to figure out whodunit.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Partners in Crime book tours – all thoughts are my own.

I enjoyed The Nowhere Girls a lot. I read a lot of thriller and this book was good fit for my tastes. I really liked Nikki Cassidy as a character. She’s well-written and is really easy to relate to her. I found myself liking her and rooting for her. This ticks all the boxes for a good thriller for me. I liked the twists and the turns and the fact nothing is predictable about this book. I liked the setting as well, Huntsdale, a small town the author does a great job of bringing to life. There are another two books in the series, released the same day; The Last One To Die and The Lost Ones. I enjoyed this and would recommend it.

FBI agent Nikki Cassidy has never gotten over her sisters murder. When a series of coincidences stack up Nikki is determined to find out why her sister was murdered and she will be staggered by what she finds. I love Nikki as our heroine as she is brutal and vulnerable. The plot is one that kept me eagerly turning the pages and the twists are astonishing. The build up to the epic conclusion had me holding my breath and when I finally got there I exploded! I am looking forward to reading what Nikki's next case brings in the next book. This is a series that I didn't want to miss!

One could argue that Nikki is driven by a deep-seated feeling of guilt, the need to stop abusers and predators is secondary, and the job she does comes a lonely third. It may seem as if Detective Nikki Cassidy has all her eggs in a basket, a successful career and loving relationship with her husband-to-be, but the truth is her past is only ever one second away from her daily life.

One of the things that ties her so tightly to the tragedy of Caitlin’s disappearance and murder, is her repeated attempts to get the murderer to explain it all to her. Why Caitlin, how did he take her, and most importantly the details of each second before he killed her baby sister. Every year on the anniversary Nikki contacts the tight-lipped prisoner, and every year there is nothing but silence.

This time it’s different, not only is he willing to talk to Nikki, the past seems to be repeating itself. Another young girl has gone missing and a vital clue connected to the previous murder proves that someone outside the prison walls knows exactly what happened to Caitlin.

It’s a fast-paced crime thriller with a main character who is at best slightly unstable, because her core emotions that are reined in tightly, are slowly seeping through into her day-today life. It puts her in a position that is precarious – you often don’t see the risk or the betrayal when you aren’t paying attention. Let’s hope the truth doesn’t chip away at that wall she has built around her, chip away until only fragility is left.

The nowhere girls.
Dana perry.


This was really good book. A crime story that takes you on a thrill of a ride.
Young girls go missing on the same date every year. Roses appear. Not many leads.
Fifteen years have gone by. The anniversary date of the first girl.
Now there's more to the story than anyone realized.

Small town Big time crime.
I really enjoyed this story. Nikki cassidy the f b I agent. Is a amazing character in the story. Everything she does is spot on. I really enjoyed this and the next books will be just. As amazing in the series.

This was a new author for me and I'm thrilled. I got to read this book.

Dana Perry's The Nowhere Girls features a maverick FBI agent, Nikki Cassidy, who has a personal connection with crime. Her father was the local police chief when she was growing up in Ohio, and when her sister went missing. Eventually, her sister's remains were found, buried in nearby woodlands, and a perpetrator was jailed for her abduction and murder. Each year, on the anniversary of her disappearance, Nikki returns home in the attempt to gain closure, but each year, her convicted killer refuses to see her. This year, however, is different. This time, he wants to see her. This time, Nikki may discover the truth.

Nikki is back in her home town when another local girl goes missing, and it feels too close to home. She persuades her boss that the FBI should get involved and that, as she is on the scene, she should be the one to liaise with the local law enforcement services to see if there is a connection. While some might argue that her personal history might render her less than ideal to pursue this investigation, Nikki and pragmatism prevail. Colleagues are dispatched to assist in the investigation, and as events unfold, they are all put at great personal risk. Meanwhile, Nikki's partner is less than happy that she is putting her job before their relationship...

A good read, a pacy thriller and an interesting start to a new series. of crime thrillers featuring FBI agent Nikki Cassidy.

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received from NetGalley for an honest review.

Nikki is one determined FBI agent. After visiting the person who killed her sister 15yrs earlier, what he told her sent her back to her home town only to find out a girl has recently gone missing the same way her sister had. She decides to investigate, having to convince her boss to let her take on the case. She gets help from Alex & Phil. There's a lot of people to talk to and to look into. Who do they believe and trust? The ending surprised me and I found the characters great. Would recommend.

I listened to the audiobook and I really enjoyed. I have to say there were characters that annoyed me and sometimes I wanted to tell Agent Cassidy to wake up and smell the coffee. 😂

But all in all a good start to a new series. I’ll be listening to the other 2 soon.

A hotshot FBI agent seeks answers about her own sister’s murder and finds herself tangled in the web of a serial killer.

Nikki Cassidy can’t help but feel guilty about her own negligence that she believes led to her sister, Caitlin’s, kidnapping and murder. Though the murderer confessed shortly after the body was discovered, Nikki has always wanted answers about why he committed the atrocity. When another girl goes missing with a similar MO to Caitlin, and the convicted murderer rescinds his confession, the FBI begins investigating both cases. Unsure who to trust, Nikki and her colleagues must solve the case to find the murderer and the missing girl before time runs out.

This is the perfect example of a procedural crime novel. A crime has been committed, a talented agent takes the case, the case is solved in a dramatic fashion with a twist, and justice is served. While the prologue had me initially captivated, the overall writing style for the rest of the work was bland. I found the character development to be somewhat weak, the descriptions of Nikki’s emotions and motivating factors a bit repetitive, and romantic scenes to be oddly written and discomfiting. Despite these complaints, it was a quick, easy read and I did enjoy the plot enough to want to continue with the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)

Book 1 in a brand new series featuring Detective Nikki Cassidy. I loved this book and flew through it in 2 sittings. Good strong characters, a fast moving plot full of drama and twists to keep you guessing. Going straight to book 2 now.

On the anniversary of her sister’s death, FBI agent Nikki Cassidy takes a call that has her heart pounding in her chest, the image of her beautiful sister Caitlin etched in her mind.

Another girl has been taken.

Days later, the lifeless body of twelve-year-old Natalie Jarvis is found in a remote patch of woodland, a crown of roses delicately placed on her head. Just like Caitlin.

The killer is back.

Nikki rushes to her small hometown of Groveton, Ohio. She will do anything to stop another young girl dying, but she soon realises that nothing is what it seems—everyone in her hometown is keeping a secret. And when a note is discovered near Natalie’s body addressed to Nikki, it’s clear what the murderer really wants: her.

Nikki Cassidy is an FBI agent. Her sister was murdered 15 years ago. Each year she goes to see her sister's murderer to get answers to her questions. Yet, each year they sit in silence. On the 15th anniversary he breaks his silence and says he didn't do it.

When another girl is murdered and her body left just like Nikki's little sister, Nikki returns to her hometown wondering if her sister's murderer didn't do it, then who did it?

Nikki's character is intelligent, strong, focused, and driven by the guilt she feels over her sister's death.

The twists and secrets make this book a page turner. The action mounts as the plot progresses. This is a well paced thriller and a fantastic book one. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

The Nowhere Girls by Dana Perry: an easy 4/5 stars for me

This was an amazing mystery/thriller that I enjoyed throughout the entirety of the book. Nikki Cassidy's backstory and how it follows her through the story is heartbreaking but it was power and drive for her in her career as an FBI agent. I have to admit, I had quite a dislike for Nikki's fiance right from the beginning, although I do have a feeling that it was the author's intention for him to be disliked. The many twists and turns this book took were polarizing and kept me turning the page and using the ever-so-common phrase by readers "Just one more chapter". It was, in fact, not the last chapter I read. I definitely was not expecting the ending to go as it had.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Fifteen years ago a killer struck,
It was Nikki Cassidy’s kid sister that they took.
Every year she visits the killer hoping to discover
Why he chose her sister and not any other.
Every year he's silent, not answering at all
So she's shocked he has now asked for her to call.

Returning to her hometown hoping answers to find
But the new police chief isn't helpful or kind.
When another girl is taken, he agrees to let her aid
And so new plans are started to be made.
How can the killer, who is still incarcerated in prison now
Have kidnapped another young girl somehow?

With locals keeping secrets concealed
Can Nikki help them to be revealed?
Cracking through the secrecy
Could prove to be the key
To rescuing the victim now
Nikki will try anyhow!

What an enthralling crime thriller
With twists that make it a chiller.
A page turner start to a new trilogy
With two more books for all to see.
A gripping story, with surprises galore
As Nikki endeavours the clues to explore.

For my copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

he Nowhere Girls is another twisting, turning rollercoaster that just keeps getting more diabolically intense.

I really love a well crafted police procedural series and this is one that delivers. Serving up bad people, doing bad things, small town police partnering up with the FBI to chase down villains, everyone keeping secrets from all sides, and you have yourself a book that is intriguing, heart pounding and intense in the race to untangle a complex web of crimes.

This will hook you from the very start and have you reaching for your copy at every chance to see what happens next. I flew through this one and it had me guessing all the way through the wild end.

Truly this is a must read for people who love a good police procedural and bonus points for if you are interested in getting yourself into a killer series with a fantastic female lead.

Many thanks to @bookouture for the copy!

I'm sorry, but this book didn't work for me at all.

Some of my problems:

Content is incredibly repetitive. We're constantly told the exact same thing, over and over, which is mind-numbing and irritating.

Nikki is not especially likeable, nor is she good at her job. Her investigative skills, for an FBI agent, are severely lacking.

Dialogue is just plain silly. No one speaks like these people.

The romance between Nikki and her so-called fiance is uncomfortable, pointless, odd, and just... why? She admits she isn't even sure she likes him, and she calls their sex adequate. And he hates her job, and clearly expects her to quit. I mean. why are they even engaged?

I felt the characters all lacked depth and complexities.