Whooo boy, not my usual romantic suspense but a great read anyway by one of my favourite authors. This twisted story grabs you from the start and holds you through the convoluted researching into the warped reasoning of a killer.
As much as I’m usually good at working out the villain I certainly didn’t see that one coming, nor the other twist at the end. The continuation of this series really does look promising.

Wow, what an utterly fantastic book this was to read. Excellent characters that you could get into and a storyline that kept you utterly gripped and wanting to read on to find out what happened next - my sign of a great book! Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"The Girl Who Survived" by Nichole Severn is a riveting addition to the crime thriller genre, introducing readers to the tenacious and sharp-witted FBI Agent Leigh Brody. As the first book in the Leigh Brody FBI Mystery series, Severn crafts a narrative that is both gripping and emotionally resonant, ensuring that readers are glued to the pages from start to finish.

The novel opens with a haunting premise: a series of disappearances that echo a personal tragedy in Brody's past. Severn masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, as Brody is drawn back to her hometown to consult on a case that hits too close to home. The small-town setting is palpable, enveloping the reader in an atmosphere of claustrophobia and suspicion, where everyone knows everyone, and secrets can't stay buried forever.

Severn's writing is sharp and evocative, with a knack for creating heart-stopping moments that leave readers gasping. The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with a series of well-placed twists and red herrings that keep the mystery alive until the very end. The narrative is layered, offering readers a complex puzzle to piece together alongside Brody, whose own demons and unresolved history add depth to her character.

One of the standout elements of "The Girl Who Survived" is its character development. Severn doesn't just present a case for Brody to solve; she presents a journey for her to undergo. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, with each character contributing to the rich tapestry of the story. The dynamics between Brody and the townspeople, who view her with a mix of respect, suspicion, and resentment, are particularly compelling.

I really struggled to get into this story, found the narrative rather mediocre and couldn’t connect or relate to any of the main characters. Appreciate the chance to review an advanced readers copy. Thanks to Netgalley.

The Girl Who Survived by Nichole Severn

An excellent read, Full of twists and fast paced with a great plotline and believable characters. First time read by this author and would read any other titles.
Enjoyed it.

A good read for anyone who loves murder mystery and loves a series, this was a first time reading a book by Nichole and I’m excited to see what is next in the series.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

As an ARC reader, I had the privilege of diving into Nichole Severn's latest thriller, "The Girl Who Survived," and I was absolutely captivated from the first page to the last.

Leigh Brody's return to her hometown after a chilling discovery is just the beginning of an intense journey. Two decades ago, she stumbled upon her brother's murdered body, an event that shattered her world. Her father was blamed, but Leigh never believed he was guilty. Now, as an FBI agent, Leigh is called back home when a series of copycat crimes emerge, each with a haunting connection to her past.

Severn masterfully weaves together a gripping narrative filled with suspense, intrigue, and emotional depth. Leigh's determination to uncover the truth is palpable, and as a reader, I couldn't help but be drawn into her quest for justice. The tension escalates with each turn of the page, especially as another child goes missing, adding urgency to Leigh's investigation.

What sets "The Girl Who Survived" apart is its complex characters and the exploration of deep-seated family secrets. Leigh's struggle with her past, her relationships, and her own demons adds layers of authenticity to the story. The dynamics between the characters are richly developed, keeping me guessing until the very end.

Severn's writing is sharp and evocative, painting vivid scenes that immerse you in the story's atmosphere. The small-town setting of New Hampshire comes alive, adding to the sense of unease and mystery that permeates the novel.

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of "The Girl Who Survived" is its unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Severn throws a curveball that leaves you reeling. The final revelation is both shocking and satisfying, a testament to the author's skill in crafting a truly unpredictable thriller.

In conclusion, "The Girl Who Survived" is a must-read for fans of crime thrillers. Nichole Severn has delivered an electrifying tale of resilience, redemption, and the pursuit of truth that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I eagerly await Severn's next masterpiece.

This is a book that will throw you from the Yessss-side to the WTF-side and back…and back again and…you get the point. So let’s do this. I loved and hated this book, although hated is a very strong word. There were some ‘conflicting’ moments. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and this won’t be the last book I’ve read by her. The characters were likable enough and I was engaged in the story. I liked the twists and turns and had to flip those pages. The story was fast-paced, which I liked, but the mid-point slowed down. The downside was the procedures as there is no way in hell this would happen in real life. That's where the conflicting moments kicked in, especially for me. But hey…it’s fiction and fiction is all about imagination, so I could somewhat get over this. But then……the end. I can not go into this too deeply as I don't want to give spoilers away….but wtaf!! For some this ending might be surprising and been seen as a major twist. For me, the only thing it did was disturb my moral compass and give me a massive eye-roll. Like…why?! This is the first book in a series and I probably will read the second one, just to see how things go. As I said, I like the writer's style, but I definitely had some issues. For people with minor procedural knowledge, and if you are totally fine with WTAF-endings this will be a great read.
3.5 ⭐️rounded up

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

It took me a little while to get into this book. Although the story was pretty action-packed from the beginning, it wasn’t until the second half that I really couldn’t put it down. However - It was an excellent second half. The main character, Leigh, was relatable and easy to like, and the author kept me guessing about what the twists might be. There was one character that I knew couldn’t be what they seemed, but I wasn’t ready for it when the truth was revealed. All in all, a good book, one that I would recommend. And I’ll definitely look for the next entrance into this series.

In The Girl Who Survived, FBI agent Leigh Brody is called in to look at a case in her hometown of Lebanon, New Hampshire, a place she had sworn to never visit again after the murder of her younger brother, the arrest of her father for the crime, and the suicide of her mother. When a murder too similar to that of her brother takes place, the BAU sends for Leigh to lend her expertise on the original crimes, which she has studied obsessively. She has limited time, and limited help, to figure out if the original killer is back in business, if her dad will finally be freed from what she is certain is his wrongful conviction, and if the real killer of her brother Troy will finally be held accountable.

I really enjoyed this book, until I didn’t. The writing is wonderful, the dialogue is detailed, the descriptions of people and places are descriptive enough that you can picture them in your head as you read. The twist near the end was surprising (in a good way), but the second twist at the very end almost ruined this book for me. Without giving anything away, the final surprise took everything about Leigh and her work to put her brother's killer behind bars and turned it on its head, but in a way that made most of the build up in the book make no sense. This would have been a 4.5 or 5 star read for me if not for the conclusion. I think the author has a lot of talent, but I hope future books in the series don’t try to pull off such a sensationalized twist that significantly detracts from the story rather than adding to it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Agent Leigh Brody returns to her hometown 20 years after her father is convicted of killing 2 young boys, one being Leigh’s younger brother. She is brought in by the FBI’s BAU to investigate the murder of a woman who appears to have been killed in the same way the two young boys were.

This story pulled me in right off the bat with the first chapter being told from the POV of the killer. Throughout the book secrets are revealed leading to more secrets and some twists I didn’t see coming.

There were a few slow parts but overall this was a fast paced mystery/thriller.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is a fast paced, twisty thriller, with really good characterisation and interesting plot line. All the way through I kept thinking that I knew where this was going and who would be the bad guy but when the final twist to the whole story came, I really was not expecting any of it. However,I couldn’t quite believe it, it felt as though everything was too rushed, such as how all the results of the investigations got sorted out so quickly. However, I really enjoyed Leigh as a character, and would definitely read whatever comes next in her complicated life.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wow! I’m speechless, what a well written suspense. Leigh was one bad@ss FBI agent She takes a licking and keeps on ticking. My heart was pounding the last few chapters. No spoilers here but my mind was blown with the ending. I can’t wait to read the next in the series in which I hope a couple of the other characters are along for the ride. Thank you to NetGalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book had me addicted from the start! It was so intense that I could not wait to see the twist. Authot knows how to deliver the breath taking, draw dropping twist that we all know and love and never expect the ending. I believe this book is her best one yet but I say that everytime I read one of her books. Thank you for allowing me to read your book in advance.

This book was so good! It had me guessing all the way through. I guessed who it was then changed my mind multiple times. This book had me shouting and gasping and the twists were AMAZING! I hope Leigh Brody gets more books because I would LOVE to follow her story! This was definitely worth the read!

I had to take a day to think on this before I could give it a fair review. The Girl Who Survived was such an amazing and suspenseful thriller. I couldn’t get over how well the author told this tale. I think at some point in the story, I suspected every character as the killer! Definitely was NOT predictable. Quick page turner I didn’t want to put down. I would actually go so far to say, one of the best murder mysteries I have ever read. But then… with like, less than 30 pages left, she dropped the most unrealistic, laughable how silly it was, twist. I really was stunned by how such an incredible book came down to this awful ending. It was a 5 ⭐️ read for me 90% of the book. That last 10% though…it has taken me awhile to decide how many stars to deduct and I think I’m going with 1 full star to make it 4⭐️. There really was absolutely no need whatsoever to throw this last monkey wrench into the story and if I’m being honest, it made me angry.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for my honest review.

How do you go home again, when the people at "home" don't want you? This is a question Agent Brody has to answer when she returns home to work on a case that is emotional and very personal.

When asked to consult on a case in her hometown regarding missing boys, Agent Brody is constantly reminded of her own brother's disappearance, while dealing with opposition on the force, and by the community.

In terms of a police procedural, this one gave insight into profiling and steps that are followed in investigations. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of "suspense," and opportunities for Brody to go toe to toe with suspects and with adversaries that are trying to impede her investigation. There were plenty of red herrings that were offered, as well as the perspective of how differently people deal with grief. One family chose to "move on," while another one was stuck with the ramifications of the acts and could not move forward. The feel of a small town and everyone knowing everyone felt very authentic.

I hope that there is another book as I felt that Brody, outside of what she was dealing with, was not very well fleshed out, along with other supporting characters. The end left a lot of questions and a little bit of disbelief, but hopefully those questions will be answered in future installments.

I would recommend this book to others and am looking forward to knowing more. The question would be how we move Brody to a different setting, or if this is a stand alone.

I was provided a copy for review and my honest thoughts by NetGalley and the publisher for which I am thankful.

Is returning to your hometown really the best thing you could do? Leigh Brody needs to make this decision when she is called in to consult on a case that takes place in her hometown, which she left and never wanted to return to. The author developed the characters in such a way that there were some that I loved and related to and others I couldn't stand! I love when this happens because I feel like I am in the story feeling what the main character is feeling. This is one of the best books I've read and will definitely be looking for more from this author!

Very tricky, Nichole Severn. Ending of this book has a huge twist that I never would have suspected. It was a pretty easy read and I liked it. The main character in the book, Leigh Brody, gets beat up an absurd amount of times, but she is still able to go out and try and solve the case. Fun read set in NH.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Nichole Severn for an advanced copy of this book.