It's been five years since Detective Freya Sinclair left her hometown of Fawn Lake, North Carolina, but now she's back, and eager to prove that she still has what it takes. Not everyone is glad to see Freya return though; to some, she's an unwelcome reminder of the darkest chapter in Fawn Lake's history, and they're not afraid to make their feelings known. Before she has time to reflect on her decision, however, Freya is handed the shocking case of a young girl found drowned - a girl whom no one in town seems to know. When more little girls start showing up missing, Freya's small but dedicated team will stop at nothing to find out what's going on - and for Freya it's a chance to put her past behind her once and for all.

My first note is that the blurb for this book is annoyingly detailed. Author Emily Shiner has set up a mystery hanging over Freya - the reason why she doesn't feel entirely welcome in the town where she grew up - and the reveal is quite nicely paced. However, if you read the blurb, you will know from the outset exactly what Freya's back story is, removing any suspense the author has worked to build, which is unfortunate.

Freya is a well-written, likeable protagonist who is easy to root for. She is determined and compassionate, with a strong sense of justice; I particularly liked how she refused to play politics or worry about the optics of her investigation with her superiors. I wasn't particularly interested in her relationship with Esther, her ailing mother figure, but I enjoyed her dynamic with her colleagues, Candy and Brad, and thought the author did a good job of setting up a potential romance for Freya down the line without it feeling forced or rushed. Fawn Lake is an intriguing setting with a lot of potential, and there is plenty of scope to dive further into Freya's history - the reveal about her parents offered scant details so I assume Shiner is holding them back for future instalments.

As a thriller, Three Drowned Girls is engaging, the plot unfolding quickly as Freya uncovers more about what is happening to the girls. However, the procedural elements are weak compared to more established series, with the dialogue between Freya and the chief whenever they discuss the case notably clunky and unlikely. The ending feels rushed and implausible, undermining the work done to set up the finale.

Overall, Three Drowned Girls is an entertaining thriller, if not a groundbreaking one, and I will likely read the next book in the series to see where Shiner takes it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
The mystery was definitely intriguing and the twists and turns kept me on the edge!
It'll be interesting to see what happens next!

I loved this series so much! Freya Sinclair is a detective who is determined to solve the case of a serial killer who is murdering young girls. The story takes us through her pursuit of the killer and how she tried to help save the community. This book was thrilling, and I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for my ARC of this book.

Enjoyable first book and will definitely read the sequels

4/5

I was finally able to catch a detective series before it has a million sequels!
This is the start of a new series that follows Detective Freya Sinclair who returns back to her hometown after being away for many years because of what her parents did.

The people in town are not a fan of having her back and they make it very clear. But she's working a case that involves young girls who have drowned in the towns lake.
Without giving too much away the mystery involves a lot of parents in town who are phishy af and maybe a cult?

I really enjoyed the writing and story of Freya and I will be picking up the sequel.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!

It’s the first book in the Freya Sinclair series and what can I say I absolutely love it.
This book did not disappoint it had me on the edge of my seat.
I would highly recommend this to any thriller fans and can’t wait to read the second book, as I know I will love it.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

First off once again a big thanks to Bookouture publisher's for introducing me to a new series , infact alot of the series I'm currently working on are from them and just Like those ,I'm 100% hooked on this one just by reading the first few pages, I loved the idea of how the main character is a daughter of serial killers but she's a police officer, and how the location is set in a small town where everyone knows your secrets. Other thing I liked was how at times it felt slow , which in some cases that could make or break a book but with this one the slow placing of the story helped make it so much enjoyable because it helped set the tone of the story as well as set the suspension of it .

Honestly a 4/5 for me

I was hooked on Freya's story right from the word go. I'm a rather visual reader so I was there with Freya as the story was happening to her. I very much appreciate Emily Shiner for adding so many details to the book about Freya's past tying into her present.

Her search for redemption for the fault of her parents is something I need more of. (I will definitely be reading the second book. I need more of the rest of Freya's posse!!)

The only reason I marked it 4/5 is because I found the plot a little too predictable after a certain point. I was more interested in Freya's past than the story that was happening to her in the book.

All in all, a fun read. It isn't a life-changing book but would recommend this to someone for a cozy enjoyable read.

It is always exciting to start a series at the very beginning and it is equally exciting to discover a new author! And so it is with this book :)

Freya comes back to her hometown after a very long absence. Unfortunately for her, the townspeople have even longer memories, however, she is determined to prove herself and that she is not, in any way, like her parents. As little girls disappear and in some cases turn up dead, Freya and her team race to stop what is unfolding.

This was one twisty and turny book and the instigator of all of the madness was suitably terrifying! I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

This is the first book in the Freya Sinclair series. I very much connected with the characters on this one. Loved the plot. Highly recommend.

Emily has been a popular author of mine for some time and I always know I’m going to enjoy her well written, twisty thrillers. This did not disappoint!
This will have you on the edge of your seat and if you’re anything like me you’ll be turning into an armchair detective before you know it. I really enjoyed Freya’s back story and what drives her to be the detective she is today, I think she’s well on her way to becoming one of my favourite detectives. The suspense and urgency that runs through this book is just brilliant.
I would highly recommend Emily to any thriller fans, and especially this series to anyone who enjoys police procedural books with a great detective at the helm. I shall definitely be looking out for more!

An excellent read. I really enjoyed this gripping thriller. Freya is a great detective character and would really like to read more novels with her at the centre.a good page turner and a chilling mystery.

I enjoyed this, but as a fan of any police procedural - especially with a female lead, this fell short to some of my other faves!
I liked the back story and why Freya was so reluctant to come back to town.
I think it sets the pace for the next instalment - which I will read, and see if she can match up to the others.

Wow....this was an incredible read! I read the entire book in one sitting and just couldn't put it down. Highly recommend!

I have to say, I’m a fan of this author but I felt like this book was slow paced. I didn’t wind up finishing it because it just seemed to drag on. I feel bad not finishing it, but this was not for me

This author never disappoints.. She describes the details such a graphic way that you can visualise it so clearly. Enjoyed the storyline and how it all ties together in the end.

I devoured this book. It was messed up and twisted. Missing little girls, ones that weren’t even reported missing?! How can that even be? Freya and Candy bust their butts to try to figure out who the girls belong to. The more time that passes the more bodies pile up. I thought I had figured this one out a couple of times, but I wasn’t even close.

I want more of Freya’s backstory. I need to know more about her parents and Esther and why she left Fawn Lake. I can’t wait to read book 2.


Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for my ARC of this book.

It's been five years since Detective Freya Sinclair left her hometown of Fawn Lake, North Carolina, but now she's back, and eager to prove that she still has what it takes. Not everyone is glad to see Freya return though; to some, she's an unwelcome reminder of the darkest chapter in Fawn Lake's history, and they're not afraid to make their feelings known. Before she has time to reflect on her decision, however, Freya is handed the shocking case of a young girl found drowned - a girl whom no one in town seems to know. When more little girls start showing up missing, Freya's small but dedicated team will stop at nothing to find out what's going on - and for Freya it's a chance to put her past behind her once and for all.

My first note is that the blurb for this book is annoyingly detailed. Author Emily Shiner has set up a mystery hanging over Freya - the reason why she doesn't feel entirely welcome in the town where she grew up - and the reveal is quite nicely paced. However, if you read the blurb, you will know from the outset exactly what Freya's back story is, removing any suspense the author has worked to build, which is unfortunate.

Freya is a well-written, likeable protagonist who is easy to root for. She is determined and compassionate, with a strong sense of justice; I particularly liked how she refused to play politics or worry about the optics of her investigation with her superiors. I wasn't particularly interested in her relationship with Esther, her ailing mother figure, but I enjoyed her dynamic with her colleagues, Candy and Brad, and thought the author did a good job of setting up a potential romance for Freya down the line without it feeling forced or rushed. Fawn Lake is an intriguing setting with a lot of potential, and there is plenty of scope to dive further into Freya's history - the reveal about her parents offered scant details so I assume Shiner is holding them back for future instalments.

As a thriller, Three Drowned Girls is engaging, the plot unfolding quickly as Freya uncovers more about what is happening to the girls. However, the procedural elements are weak compared to more established series, with the dialogue between Freya and the chief whenever they discuss the case notably clunky and unlikely. The ending feels rushed and implausible, undermining the work done to set up the finale.

Overall, Three Drowned Girls is an entertaining thriller, if not a groundbreaking one, and I will likely read the next book in the series to see where Shiner takes it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.

This was a twisty little one! I loved all the characters and the suspension in the plot of the story.