I loved this book. Thank you Netgalley for the throw back ARC or maybe its new to audiobooks but being able to listen to the first book in this series got me hooked! And to learn there are 7 total books I am excited to continue on. Maybe because I am from Minnesota and have a sweet spot for books about Minnesota and I can actually relate to them. As Manchester Bay does not exist many things that were referenced in this book do exist and I loved it. The story and characters I also loved. At first I was skeptical as it was a really long book and wasn't sure it would be able to keep my attention for that long. I could not tell it was a long book at all. I was hooked and it flew by. I was enthralled in the story and wanted to know what was going on as much as the characters did. I also did not guess the killer. Once it was figured out it all made sense but I do love a book where I am not sure who it was until they figure it out. I will definitely be reading more of this series!

This book had me hooked! Loved how it unfolded, with so many twists and turns. Every time I thought I had it susses out, something would happen to show me how wrong I was. I will definitely be continuing on with this series that's for sure!

4.5 Stars (Rounded Down)

First of all, thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this audiobookin exchange for an honest review.

I've found a new series to binge with Silenced Girls! This gripping thriller is exciting and well-written, with plenty of action to keep you racing through. Although it takes a little time to get going—Stelljes takes the necessary time to set up the characters and backstory as a solid foundation for the series—it soon picks up speed and becomes addictive, making it well worth the initial setup.

I especially enjoyed the premise of a woman returning to her hometown to investigate a case that mirrors her sister's unsolved disappearance. The investigative work was detailed and compelling, and the chemistry between Tori and Will added an extra layer of interest.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was excellent, adding to the overall experience. A solid start to the series with a strong female lead—definitely recommended!

Audio Book review - When I noticed that this one was 17 hours long, I did double think for a moment but thank goodness I carried on! What a great story teller Kate Handford is. The right pace, tone and imagination to make the characters come alive. The descriptions were on point and created just the right amount atmosphere.
The story itself was carefully managed and hit the right spots and the right time.

3.5 stars

First I will say that this book is looooong. However, I tried to determine if there were parts that could be cut that wouldn't take too much from the plot, and I couldn't. So, it's just going to be long, and that's OK.

Tori is interesting, and while I couldn't really relate to or identify with her, she was a sympathetic character. The plot itself seemed implausible, how a serial killer could kill unnoticed for so long, but I'm certainly no expert. I also found it odd that an FBI agent's boss could be so lenient with an agent, and the FBI resources used outside of official work were readily available, just don't tell. What I did like was how it ended, which civilian figured it out and how much that civilian helped. That was surprising and a good addition. The one thing that really bugged me was a character is found with a gunshot wound entering near to the top of the head and coming out the bottom of the back of the head, but none of these seasoned professionals questioned that impossible suicide angle. I know these types of books like bestowing upon the reader small clues they can put together themselves and feel smart, but that was bad. Really, painfully obvious.

All in all, above average with some troublesome elements, but entertaining.

SILENCED GIRLS, Audiobook - If it's not one thing, it's another. This book has more twists, turns and aha, gotchas. Interesting characters and involved story lines made for an intriguing listen. I wish I read the book but only the audiobook was available. A bit of Reader's Digest editing would be beneficial; wordy.

Narrated by Kate Handford. Ms. Handford did a very good job with the characters. She missed a few times on emotions, mispronounced Camp Lejeune and should have said boom a touch louder. Length: 17 hours. Source: Netgalley. 4*

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoture for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

Wow this was a well done who dunnit type crime book. I was making my guesses the whole time… not that I got any right. And i just had to know what was happpening. The characters were great, loved the suspense and romance hehe … but yes I cannot wait to read the next Tori mystery.

I'll be publishing my review on Goodreads and StoryGraph 16th November and on Tik tok most likely will add to a monthly wrap up post with review the beginning of December.

First off, a shout out to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book. Overall, the book kept me thoroughly engaged which I was very glad for because when I saw that it was 17hrs, it was a little intimidating. With that being said, this book didn't need to be as long as it was. The most engaging story line was the mystery behind all the missing girls. I didn't feel that it was necessary to sidetrack the main character in the middle of the book and send her to a whole separate investigation that didn't give her any insights to the mystery about her sister. This same thing happens at the end of the book as well, and neither if these storylines added any value to the main plot of the book.

As far as the narration of the book went, overall very well. The voice and consistency kept me engaged, however there were a few points in the book that there was a transition to another character that I didn't notice right away because there wasn't a distinct transition in the narration.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed and would reas this author again and recommend

Tori Hunter carries the heavy burden of her sister's unsolved murder, a ghost that shadows her every step. Years after the tragedy, she returns to her small hometown, a place filled with painful memories and unanswered questions. Tori soon finds herself entangled in a new mystery: the disappearance of a young local girl.

As she begins her investigation, Tori navigates the complexities of her past and the present, uncovering dark secrets that lie beneath the town's seemingly peaceful facade. With each clue she uncovers, the chilling realization dawns on her—could the answers she seeks about the missing girl lead her to her sister's killer? Or is he the reason she has come back, embedding himself deeper into her life as she seeks justice?

Caught in a web of danger, Tori plunges into the gripping and chaotic world of crime, where every revelation pulls her closer to a truth that might be more than she can bear. As she races against time, fearing that history may repeat itself, Tori must confront the possibility that her investigation could end in heartbreak. Will she be able to survive the peril that surrounds her, or will she ultimately meet the same tragic fate that befell her sister? The stakes have never been higher, and the clock is ticking.

This is the first installment in the seven-part Tori Hunter FBI series, and it is nothing short of explosive, intense, and thoroughly captivating. From the very beginning, I found myself drawn to Tori's character—she is incredibly nuanced and relatable, navigating both her personal challenges and professional dilemmas with depth and authenticity. The author, Roger Stelljes, skillfully weaves a touch of romance into the storyline, adding layers to Tori's journey without overshadowing the gripping plot.

Set against the backdrop of Manchester Bay, Minnesota, and extending into Iowa and several neighboring states, the narrative benefits greatly from well-researched geographical details. Stelljes excels in creating a vivid sense of place, making the locales feel alive and integral to the story. I particularly enjoyed the numerous references to various towns in Iowa, as I have visited each of them personally. It was a delightful surprise to encounter familiar names, which made the reading experience feel even more immersive and exhilarating. Each twist and turn of the plot kept me on the edge of my seat, solidifying my anticipation for the next book in this thrilling series.

I listened to this audiobook narrated by the talented Kate Handford, and I was truly captivated by her voice and the way she brought the story to life. Her narration was both engaging and expressive, effortlessly capturing the emotions and nuances of the characters. I found myself completely immersed in the tale, thanks in large part to her skilled storytelling. Each inflection and pause added depth to the experience, making it a thoroughly enjoyable listen.


Thank you NetGalley for gifting me the audiobook.

I listed to the audiobook which at 17 hours was a little too long for my personal tastes. I won't be anxiously waiting to read the next installment of the series but if I run across it, I would probably be willing to give it another try.

Silenced Girls is a suspenseful, page-turning thriller that grips you from start to finish. The story follows FBI agent Tori Hunter, who returns to her hometown on the 20th anniversary of her twin sister Jessie’s disappearance. Now, Tori’s not just haunted by her sister’s case but also drawn into a new investigation of missing young women in her old town, which has grown and changed dramatically. Teaming up with local police, she dives into a twisted web of suspects, old secrets, and chilling patterns, all while sparks fly with her new partner.

Roger Stelljes masterfully balances action with emotional depth, crafting Tori as a strong yet vulnerable heroine you can’t help but root for. The pacing is relentless, with each new twist raising the stakes as Tori inches closer to the truth. Silenced Girls is an unforgettable thriller that keeps the pages turning—and will leave you eager for more.

The Silenced Women disappeared over a span of 2 decades. They were taken from disabled cars and never seen again. Tori Hunter (baseball fans may have a hard time picturing this woman and not the former Angel) knows about the case first hand. her twin sister was the first to disappear. On the 20th anniversary another woman disappears in the same town under the same circumstances. Now a special agent with the FBI, Tori is lured back by the murder. No one believes that one person waited 20 years between kills, so she teams up with the local detective on the case to solve the case and find her sister.

The characters and plot were well developed. We learn the background of all of the players in town. There is even another case that Tori is called out to handle right in the middle. It's tied up pretty quickly, but it is meant to show us just how good she is at her job. I liked Tori. I was less sure about a lot of her former friends who all seemed to now run the town she left behind. Over time, I'm hoping they all grow on me or at least my feelings about them clarify. Overall, it was a satisfying story with a good mix of action, plot, and character development.

Huge fan of this one! Very reminiscent writing style and feel of one of my favorite authors, Karin Slaughter. I had 2 suspects in mind while reading and was shocked by the twists. I cannot wait to read more of this series!! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was perfect for this one. Highly recommend!!

Hello, My name is Tori, Hunting for a good investigation? 😉😉😉😉
This is a good one for you.. It is suspenseful & will keep you guessing, everyone is a suspect!

Publisher's summary
The beautiful young woman is perfectly still, curled up in the trunk of the car, her long dark hair hiding her face. Her cotton blouse has ridden up a little, revealing two small dots an inch apart on her back. Just like the others.
Guilt has kept FBI Agent Tori Hunter away from her home in Manchester Bay, Minnesota for 20 years, ever since her twin sister disappeared on the Fourth of July, when the girls should have been together. But when she receives an anonymous newspaper clipping about another missing girl, Genevieve, Tori is dragged back to the past. Just like Tori’s sister, Genevieve vanished without a trace, her empty car abandoned on a lonely lakeside road as Independence Day fireworks lit up the sky overhead.
Returning to Minnesota lake country, Tori finds Genevieve’s distraught parents desperate for answers. How could their beautiful, popular daughter be snatched so near her own home? Under pressure to make an arrest, the police have no time for Tori’s theories. Besides, they already have a suspect for Genevieve’s abductor: A local man seen flirting with her the night she disappeared.
But then the suspect is found dead in his isolated cabin, days before another girl’s body is discovered bound and strangled in the trunk of her car, two strange dots on her back. The bloodstains surrounding her body belong to the one man Tori thought she could trust. Reeling, Tori knows the closer she gets to the truth, the more her own life is at risk. But can she catch this killer before it’s too late for Genevieve?

Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture Audio for the ALC of this book!

Silenced Girls
By: Roger Stelljes
Narrated by: Kate Handford
Series: Agent Tori Hunter, Book 1
Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins
Publisher: Hachette UK - Bookouture

When FBI Agent Tori Hunter finds herself back to her childhood hometown of Manchester Bay, Minnesota, she’s there to find someone. The someone is a girl who has gone missing in very similar circumstances to the disappearance of her own twin sister two decades earlier.

Tori is defiant, uncompromising and determined to uncover the truth. Relying on her instincts, her instincts say that she can’t trust anyone given it has to be someone from her small hometown who’s responsible for these disappearance.

Silenced Girls (Agent Tori Hunter Book 1) was a great start to a new series with a strong female lead!

The choice of Kate Handford as narrator was an excellent choice!

I didn’t realize when I requested this ARC that I had a new purchased the book but haven’t read it. This narrator was great and I hope she does many more audiobooks. I felt the book was a tad drawn out. It could’ve been shortened a tad but overall, it was an interesting listen and I enjoyed it.

A very enjoyable listen, I had a lot of fun with this one. I really likes the storyline, loved how it unfolded. The plot was intriguing and the twists and turns were great. It kept me hooked.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book, it was very well narrated and had me hooked from the start. I really liked the main character, Tori, I didn’t realise there were already more books featuring her and look forward to reading or listening to those now. The story was very well written and, even though I figured out who was the bad guy some time before he was actually revealed, it didn’t distract from my enjoyment as the story was so well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this and to the author for his excellent work.

I will definitely be following Agent Tori Hunter's next adventure. I loved this book! It kept me guessing throughout. I loved the romance aspect that it included as well. I thought the author did a wonderful job keeping the reader engaged and entertained. The pizza map was an interesting idea that I was here for! Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book!

FBI Agent Tori Hunter returns to her hometown in Minnesota after 20 years. She left due to her twin sister disappearing suddenly. She receives an anonymous newspaper clipping about a girl who went missing 20 years to the day that Tori’s sister disappeared. A series of dark events leaves Tori questioning who is telling the truth and who is really behind the strange disappearances.

Silenced Girls is a comfortable twisty crime read. It really stays true to the mystery and thriller genres, but stands out with the roller coaster of emotions it sends you on. The large cast of characters kept me guessing and intrigued until the end. Stealthily paced with plot points and twists in just the right places to keep you addicted and saying “just one more page.” My only critique is that the book could have been cut down just a little bit more. There are some scenes that just weren’t necessary to the plot and development of the story. But, regardless, this was still a worthwhile entertaining read!

Thank you Bookouture Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Roger Stelljes for writing such a wonderful novel!