All His Pretty Girls

Wow. What a story! I finished this over two days. Creepy, dark and graphic but a phenomenal story. I loved the main character. Will definitely read more from this author xx

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

This was a good read.

The story flow well I was hook from the first page and usually when I'm reading a mystery thriller it takes a while before I can get into it but this story didn't.

Alyssa and her partner Cord are investigating the missing woman Callie when two hikers I say that loosely comes cross her in the mountain barely still alive when she succumb to her injury and died in the hospital we learn she was also pregnant.

When they retrace Callie steps the day she got taken they learn nothing out of the ordinary except she looks similar to Alyssa when her teammates Liz and Hal dig deeper they found out women who looks like Callie and Alyssa have went missing and murder they realize they have a serial killer among them.

As they continue to investigate she doesn't realize the killer set their sights on her. I like this character Alyssa how she won't stop to bring justice for the victims how she still haunting about the kidnapping and murder of her little brother Timmy and how she still blames herself even though she was only nine when it happen.

I really enjoy this book and hope we get see more of Alyssa because she strong character with flaws who loves her family.

PS. You'll be surprised when learn who the killer is. If you don't figure it out sooner like I did.

Awesome book! Great new author I will continue to read. Very upsetting what this boy went through in life and how he turned out, but i think it happens more than people want to admit. I did have some inclination of who the book was going to be.

This book was really good and hard to put down once it was started. I liked the characters a lot and felt that the psychology in the plot was very strong. There were some breath holding moments as well as some twists. As someone who reads many thrillers, I have to say this one is high on my list. I hope that it becomes a series!

This is the first book by Charly Cox but it definitely won’t be the last. Alyssa Wyatt is a police detective with a past that haunts her. She is after a killer who has set his sights on her. This book starts out super intense and by the time you get to the second half the pages are flying.The villain is creepy as hell and the twist is one I never saw coming. It was not you same old predicable thriller.That makes it a 5 star read because it does not happen often.Im so excited to have a new author to put on my auto buy list.I don’t know if this is gonna be a series or stand alone but I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Who’s the hunter and who’s the prey? Albuquerque detective Alyssa Wyatt is tracking a serial killer that likes to take his time with his victims before he kills them. The latest victim has been found clinging to life and may be able to provide vital clues about the killer. What Alyssa doesn’t know is that the killer she’s tracking knows her very well and is out to take everything she loves away from her forever. Tense and all to believable, this book kept me on the edge of my seat

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

I enjoyed this book and felt the main character Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her family were easy to like. She has a haunting past which is told in the story, and how this led to her becoming a Detective. Whilst investigating a murder, links to other murders are found and the team realise they are looking for a serial killer. Thought this was a good book, the story was absorbing, fast paced and thrilling. . I correctly guessed who the killer was and the twist at the very end didn’t surprise me. Would read a 2nd book by this author featuring Detective Wyatt.

This was an intense, fast paced read. The story was interesting and well written so successfully held my interest throughout. The twist at the end was great and was a surprise for me. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

First in a new series that i hope produces a 2nd as great as the 1st ,,,, Alyssa Wyatt a detective with a haunting past , a killer who has his sights on her and a very gripping read with a twist that leaves you shocked

A strong first chapter which catapulted me into the story. I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end — an easy read that keeps you up half the night!

Alyssa, with her partner Cord, are investigating a missing person. But when they find what they’re looking for, Alyssa realizes there are unwelcome commonalities. Still haunted and blaming herself for the disappearance of her brother Timmy, she has a few skeletons in her own closet with which to contend. I liked how the author gave us glimpses into the killer’s actions and thoughts. It added indispensable creepiness crime fiction fans will enjoy. Without adding any spoilers, I did wonder about the perp and why his chosen target was so significant. I think that’s when it became clear to me what had happened. I think his motive and how he could gain from it cleverly drips a few tidbits along the way. I was a little concerned that the perp was able to gain access to the house and take things personal to the homeowner, (especially that homeowner) and I was wondering if Alyssa would have been more suspicious of Isaac’s report of someone in the Zeller house.

Subjective comments: All crime is extremely dark, especially in Albuquerque which has one of the highest crime rates in the US. So I liked the case itself and found it authentic to the area. However, I didn’t sense the Hispanic flavor, except in foods and a few place names, and I felt it needed more to drop the reader into the heart of Albuquerque and her extraordinary people. A sentence of description here and there would have been a welcome tug back into such a magical southwestern dust bowl. In APD, female officers often remark on the ‘male dominated society’ within the ranks and I’d like to see how Alyssa tackles this in her next case. I hadn’t heard the word ‘precinct’ mentioned much, rather more area commands and their specific functions within APD. So this book had a different feel for me than other detective books written by local authors. Also, too much mention of coffee and snapping rubber bands became a little distracting.

Overall, the book is tense, fast-paced, not so much a mystery with twists and turns but one that follows a more traditional style which I prefer in police procedural. Rather than getting entangled in Alyssa’s home life, I was more interested in how she and Cord would catch the criminal and bring him to justice. But I could see, early on, this was bound to provide complexity and emotion to Alyssa’s struggles as we see at the end. Lies are so damaging, especially to a child and this case hits close to home. It’s a solid storyline with a little humor to break the tension. I recommend All His Pretty Girls to anyone who enjoys a good, dark procedural.

This debut novel hits it out of the park. Gripping, full of tension, suspense, and chills this story grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go. Alyssa is a complex character and I love that the author chose to make her a wife and mother. This is a unique aspect to the genre that is usually filled with a female detective with a string of bad relationships or falling in love. The entire cast of characters are compelling and I look forward to more of all of them. While I guessed fairly early on what was happening, it in no way took away from the story. The plot is full of twists. There are some very emotional points as well as some that are hard to read. Yet, the way these darker parts are so well written keeps them from being too much. I can't wait to see what this author writes next.

A serial killer is on the loose and it is up to Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner Cord Roberts to find him before he can abduct and kill again. The case starts with a missing woman, Callie McCormick, who is found barely alive. Hope is that she will survive and be able to give the police information about her abductor. The case eventually becomes very personal for Alyssa and her family as she finally realizes that events from her past have come back to haunt her. It seems she might be the target of this madman…why and who could he be? A thrill ride from the beginning to the enormously satisfying conclusion. I really enjoyed the normal family atmosphere portrayed between Alyssa, her husband and children as they deal with her chosen profession. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Great start to a new series - fast paced, twists and turns, great character development. Looking forward to more in this series and by this author.

Thank you #netgalley and #herabooks for the eARC.

This was a creepy, suspenseful thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. I thought Alyssa, the main character, was flawed but likeable. Her relationship with her partner, Cord, and her family were authentic. The twist was one that I did not see coming, so I enjoyed that as well. I will definitely read more from Charly Cox in the future!

I thought this book was so engaging. It really had you trying to make the connections in the case on your own very early on. The characters were so well thought out and I loved watching them develop in such a short span of the story. This read like I was watching a movie and I loved that about it. It was such a quick read that I feel like I need to pick it back up and start from the beginning to see what I missed the first time through. I am so excited to see what else Charly Cox has in store for us for the future. I devoured this novel. I haven't found a book that made me feel a compulsion to keep going like this one did in a long time and I loved it so much! This is a solid crime drama/ thriller pick and I will be recommending this to anyone that will listen!!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2987194466

This is author Charly Cox debut novel and she should give herself a well-deserved pat on the back. All His Pretty Girls is a hard to put down page turner. Mid way through, just when you thought you were reading a very good thriller crime novel, the story takes a turn that will have you even more engrossed.

The story follows Alyssa Wyatt a Detective, mother and wife (her husband deserves an award for best supporting spouse). Detective Wyatt finds herself with a case that quickly goes from tracking a missing woman to a serial killer with an unexpected link to her own life. The events are told through dated chapters that go back and forth between present time and past which at first was a little confusing but ended up being important to the style of storytelling.

The characters are well written and generally likable aside from a few annoying habits and others who seemed too good to be true. The story is an intriguing combination of harrowing and refreshing at the same time because the author manages to paint a vivid picture of loving families, families torn apart and the sadistic actions of abusers and serial killers all at the same time.

For a first time novelist Charly Cox did a great job and I’m eagerly looking forward to more of her work.

Found this book amazing! Would love to read more of her books.
5**** from me
Would definitely recommend this to others

Really enjoyed this book. Very scary and well written. I would recommend this title to anyone looking for an original and suspenseful read.

Wow! Couldn’t put it down and I can’t believe this is a debut novel.

The book is well written and keeps you guessing the whole way. I love the main detective characters-the author does really well to get you involved and caring about them.

Great new author! I love how her past comes into play with this plot and the killer. It flowed nicely. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

This is a very good debut novel from Charly Cox featuring Detective Alyssa Wyatt. Set in New Mexico, Alyssa is investigating a murdered woman, which turns into a serial killer investigation. The book is well written with interesting characters, well thought out. a good crime thriller and told between the past and present time, which is important to the story. It was fast paced but the constant reference to coffee irritated me! That was my only negative, so I am happy to recommend this book and author and I look forward to more from this author. My thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Fast-paced, tension, and more than a bit of the creepy. I enjoyed it. I was working my kindle over-time. I loved the twist. Coffee, coffee, coffee. I would recommend this book to others.
Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy to review.

When a woman is found, barely alive, on a New Mexico mountainside, Detective Alyssa Wyatt finds herself in charge of a race against time to find the perpetrator before he attacks again. With her partner and team members she finds herself up against a man who has every intention of being found, but only on his terms.

As is usual there is a backstory which, in this instance, has made Alyssa into a successful police officer and mom who is determined to deal with her guilt by being the best she can be and find justice for those whose lives have have been torn asunder by the results of crime against their families.

I was amazed this was the first book by this author as it was tightly written, the characters were persuasive, and the antagonist seriously flawed. I don't usually like knowing too much of what is planned by the bad guys in advance but in this case it gave a heightened sense of anticipation and jeopardy which kept me reading just one more chapter until I had devoured the entire thing in two sittings.

There is no mention of whether this is the first book in a series or a stand alone but I hope Alyssa, her family, and partner, Cord, will return as all have great potential to be put through the wringer by Charly Cox for a good few stories yet!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys first  class storytelling from talented new writers who can only continue to improve and impress.

I enjoyed reading this book, so I was disappointed at the abrupt ending. I wanted to know more about how things played out. The story was very in depth, and just when I thought here's the end, this should be interesting, it was done in one little paragraph. Maybe this will be a series so I can get the answers that I need. This book is scary, brutal, realistic, and sad all at the same time. I liked the strong family dynamic through out the story, and the author has a good writing style. I would definitely read more from this author, despite my disappointment at the ending.

When a woman disappears and is thought to be the target of a serial killer, Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner try to find the missing woman. After it was mentioned several times that Alyssa resembled the woman, I figured, hmmm, who could possibly be the next target? While I wasn't wrong, there was an unexpected angle to that story that did surprise me. It was good, 4 stars, and I'd read more if this became a series. (I could do without so many references to coffee...)

A debut novel that reads like an established series. I was hooked from the very first page. It’s rare for a book to make me feel claustrophobic right away!

Charly Cox has written a superb thriller!
Detective Wyatt is whip smart and fuelled by caffeine (which makes her super relatable!), she loves her family and her job. I also though it was nice that her husband was supportive and successful in his own life as opposed to being ‘forced’ to be a house husband as men often are when there’s a strong female protagonist.
The story is vibrant and Cox really does lure you into thinking that it’s just another thriller but little do you know that there’s a BIG twist coming. A five star read for me and a must read for fans of the genre.

Alyssa Wyatt is a seasoned detective, with a very loving and supportive family, and a secret. She becomes involved in a murder investigation where the victims all have physical similarities to her.

This was a very exciting read. At the start the chapters jump back and forth in time to give us an overlap of the events as they are happening. I have to admit, it was a bit confusing at first, but I got used to it after a few chapters and then it made complete sense. There was a very interesting and unexpected twist towards the end.

I was utterly convinced of the twisted nature of Evan Bishop, the murderer. There was no doubt about his motivations or intentions. Alyssa was a very well developed character as well. I felt very immersed in the story and with Alyssa’s feelings about everything that was happening in her world.

This was well written and definitely a great first novel from Charly Cox. I would love to read more of her work.
I received an advanced copy of the book from Netgalley to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Hera Books for this ARC

A great debut crime thriller with a surprising twist. An engaging story with well written characters. I also liked that her husband is written as a supportive character and not just there in the background.
Detective Wyatt, who is way too dependent on coffee, is on the hunt for a killer who is plotting his revenge against her. A real page turning psychological thriller. Looking forward to more of this series.

I started this book thinking here we go again another serial killer book same old concept but I was reading along and half way thru this book this author throws in a huge twist ! I enjoyed the writing in this book. I was surprised to see it was a debut because this author wrote as well as many authors that have been writing in this genre for years. I really loved the main character Alyssa she was very relatable. I ended up loving this book it turned into a huge page turner with lots of suspense. Great book I recommend reading you will be shocked mid book like I was ! Looking forward to reading this author's next book she is now on my watch list. Loved it. Great thriller!

A really good debut novel. A lot of action with plenty of suspense, great characters and a brilliant twist. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hera Books for an advance copy of All His Pretty Girls, the first novel to feature Detective Alyssa Wyatt of the Albuquerque Police Department.

When Callie McCormack disappears from her home Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner, Cord Roberts are assigned the case. When Callie is found, barely alive they realise that they are hunting a vicious predator and, on investigation, Callie is not his first victim. When he discards Callie he needs new prey and turns his attention to Alyssa.

I enjoyed All His Pretty Girls which is a tense, exciting read with a couple of good twists in the tail but I didn’t particularly like the format. The narrative is split almost equally between the predator, Evan Bishop, and Alyssa so the reader gets a good view of both sides and it becomes a psychological thriller rather than the police procedural I was expecting as it examines Evan’s mindset and motivation. As he’s, to coin a technical phrase, a nutter it didn’t overly interest me as I rarely find the mindset convincing and the violence is extremely graphic, not one for the faint hearted. Having said that I think he is well drawn and despite all his ramblings and incoherent rage he manages to conceal some big twists.

The plotting and writing impressed me as Ms Cox has a way of ramping up the tension and producing unexpected twists throughout the novel and, despite my dislike of hearing from the perpetrator, the constant juxtaposition of Evan and Alyssa adds to this tension and excitement. It’s difficult to believe this is a debut novel.

All His Pretty Girls is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

This was a gripping and tense read, at times you were on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, it certainly keeps your attention from start to finish, with a few good twists to the story that I just didn't see coming. How did I miss them? I like to think of myself as a good sofa detective! But then Miss Marple this isn't. This is the first book in what I hope will become a series, introducing Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner Cord Roberts who work for the Albuquerque Police Department.

Callie McCormack has disappeared from her home Alyssa and Cord are assigned to the case, But when they find her barely alive they realise they are hunting an evil predator, realising that Callie is not the first victim to fall foul of this evil killer. The victims all have a likeness to Alyssa which is mentioned a couple of times.

At the beginning of the book the chapters jump back and forth on the timeline which give a bit of an overlap of the events that are happening, at first I wasn't sure about this and found myself flicking back and forth to check the times and date, but once I got used to it it began to make sense. The story is narrated slightly differently from usual police procedural stories, in that it is narrated by Alyssa, and the predator Evan Bishop, so you see both sides of the story. The investigation, and the motivation and mindset of the killer. When the killer is done with one victim who will he target next? What is in Alyssa's past that haunts her? It is strange knowing who the perpetrator is, but it worked and didn't take anything away from the tension.

The violence is quite graphic, also at times creepy, so not a cozy murder mystery, and not for the faint hearted. But then I like my crime novels gritty. Although I do equally enjoy a cozy crime story in-between. I felt that this book became more of a psychological thriller than a police procedural or could be classed as a sort of crossover of the two.

For a debut novel this is very well written, the characters are well thought out, likeable and relatable. Alyssa's husband is supportive of her work and the family dynamics good, there are some moments of humour, which I like to see even in a gritty crime novel, as it can lighten it a little, rather than it be all doom and gloom. I would like to see more of these characters and get to know more about them, except for the amount of coffee drinks which was far too much and was mentioned just a few times too much.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5 and look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

I would like to thank net galley and Hera publishers for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

This is a new series featuring Detective Alyssa Wyatt . Wow ! A dark and creepy serial killer thriller with horror tinged graphic violence !!! A delicious must read that I highly recommend ! Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for the opportunity to read and review this book ! #Netgalley # HeraBooks
#AllHisPrettyGirls

"Detective Alyssa Wyatt is hunting a serial killer.

She doesn’t know that he’s hunting her.

A woman is found naked, badly beaten and barely alive in the New Mexico mountains. The shocking discovery plunges Albuquerque Detective Alyssa Wyatt into a case that will test her to the limit.

It appears that Callie McCormick is the latest plaything of a shadowy psychopath that leaves a long shadow on the streets of New Mexico - an individual linked to a string of deaths but leaving no evidence.

But when Alyssa makes a breakthrough that just might reveal the killer, she unknowingly puts herself in the crosshairs of a brutal maniac - one with an old score to settle.

Because the killer knows Alyssa very well, even if she doesn’t know him. And he’s determined that she’ll know his name - even if he has to extract his deadly revenge on her and everything she loves.

The launch of a dark, gripping, completely unputdownable crime thriller series, All His Pretty Girls introduces Albuquerque detective Alyssa Wyatt. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Melinda Leigh and Angela Marsons will be utterly engrossed."

A new detective series set in the southwest that will be talked about.

“All His Pretty Girls” by Charly Cox is a page-turner for sure! I was immediately held captive within and throughout the story. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author and hopefully this title will be the first in a series. Loved it!

This is a well written police procedural, with the exception of the time-jumping in the first part. The characters and dialogue are excellent, and there are a few funny situations included. The plot is not very original, however, for those of us who read a lot.

I’m having a hard time putting into words how much I enjoyed All His Pretty Girls!

A woman is found badly beaten and barely alive after being missing for days. Detective Alyssa Wyatt is assigned to the case which she finds disturbing evidence that there might me a serial killer on the loose.

As she investigates, she unwittingly puts herself and her family in the cross hairs of a psychopathic killer. Will she find him before he gets to her first?

Wow did All His Pretty Girls pack a punch! I was shocked when I found out this was a debut, I see a bright future ahead for Charly Cox I can tell you.

When I started reading, I instantly warmed to Alyssa, even though she’s not to be messed with, especially when she hasn’t had her coffee! She’s mum to two teenagers with a loving husband but she carries around guilt and pain from something that happened in her past.

This is one of those novels which you think you know what’s going to happen then boom, there’s something completely throws you. I can’t say too much more in case of spoilers but if you love a quality police procedural you should pick this up.

All His Pretty Girls is a heart in your mouth read that will have you racing through those pages. I can’t wait for more from Charly Cox.

Your connections to all the things around you literally define who you are. - Aaron D. O'Connell

This is the first book in a new mystery series featuring Detective Alyssa Wyatt. Alyssa lives with her family in Albuquerque, New Mexico and got into her field of work because of a terrible tragedy in her past.

This was an exciting thriller with Alyssa and her partner, Cord, on the trail of a serial killer targeting women that happen to resemble Alyssa.

One of the missing women is found barely clinging to life and this starts Alyssa, her partner and a select few in the Albuquerque Police Department trying to track this killer before any more women go missing.

I loved the characters in the book Alyssa, her family, her work partner Cord, and the others Alyssa works with.

The action was fast-paced and twisted, the storyline different.

I am already looking forward to book two in the series.

I received this book from Hera Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

Set In Albuquerque, New Mexico, this new thriller series introduces Detective Alyssa Wyatt, a hard-working but family oriented cop.

When a woman’s body is found, just barely living, Alyssa and her partner Cord investigate.

This book varies a little in that we are introduced to our killer quite early on, we know who he is. A deranged psychopath with designs on Alyssa.

The book is written from both the point of view of Alyssa, and also the killer, as he tells his side of the story.

Alyssa is a strong protagonist, she’s happy, loves her family and job, but there is a dark memory from her past that continues to haunt her..

Sharply plotted, and full of tense twists, this is extremely well written. A book to draw in the most avid of crime fans, this one has enough dark and dramatic moments to keep you entertained and reading as the tension is ratcheted up through the book.

An extremely confident, exciting and chilling new entry on to the crime thriller scene, a very good debut, I look forward to more from this talented new author.

Recommended Read

4 🔥🔥🔥🔥

This is the first novel to feature Detective Alyssa Wyatt.

Someone is abducting women, torturing them and then killing them…….they all have a similar look.

Alyssa and her partner Cord are beginning the investigation and things get dark and dangerous for Alyssa and her family…..

Meanwhile, Alyssa is still struggling with an event from her childhood, that has left her with a feeling of guilt and this case is bringing that to the fore….

I can’t say much more as I would really hate to spoil any part of this twisty thriller. It’s so immersive and has some real heart in the mouth moments too, all credit to Charly Cox’s creative writing. It flows so easily, with a fast pace and really is unputdownable.

Thank you to The publishers and NetGalley for a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.

This is the first book in the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series and I cannot wait to read the next one! The twists kept coming and the ending left me wanting more.

If there's one thing that this Ginger Book Geek likes, it's discovering new authors and Charly Cox is definitely a new author for me. Having enjoyed reading 'All His Pretty Girls' as much as I did, I will definitely be reading more of Charly's work in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'All His Pretty Girls' but more about that in a bit.
I found the character of Detective Alyssa Wyatt to be a very interesting one. Alyssa is different to a lot of Detectives in the fact that she has a happy and settled home life with her husband and her two children. Quite often in other books most detectives seem to be so dedicated to their work that their personal lives suffer, but not in this case. She also has a close personal working relationship with her work partner too. There's nothing going on between them but I think that they share an almost sibling like relationship in that they bicker at times but they know that in times of trouble each will have the other's back. Alyssa has suffered some personal trauma in the past, which has affected her greatly and this experience ultimately led to her becoming a detective in the first place. Alyssa is kind, compassionate, sensitive, determined, occasionally stubborn and she is like a dog with a bone in the sense that if something doesn't seem right then she will not let it go until the matter has been investigated fully and her curiosity has been satisfied. Alyssa was a likeable character and I look forward to learning more about her in future books in the series.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page, I knew that I would find it extremely difficult to be parted from the book for any length of time. So it proved to be. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters and I would still be sat there reading over half a dozen chapters later. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and when I looked up to check how much I had read, I was staggered to realise that I had been reading for at least two hours. I think part of the attraction was the fact that the lead detective was just so likeable that I began to think of her as a friend and I had to keep reading to make sure that she finished the story in one piece. The pages turned over very quickly and I seemed to charge through the story. I was disappointed when I got to the end. I don't mean that I was disappointed with how the story ended but I was enjoying the characters, the storylines and the author's writing style so much that I just wanted the book to continue.
'All His Pretty Girls' is extremely well written. Charly grabs your attention from the start and once she has hold of that attention then she won't release it or you until you get to the last word on the last page. Charly describes the events in the book so realistically that I felt as though I was part of the story myself and I was helping Alyssa solve the case. Everything that the characters went through, I went through. For me, this book was well paced. The story starts with a bang, it hits the ground running and maintains the pace throughout.
Reading 'All His Pretty Girls' was like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns. This was one of those books that had me totally gripped and I was on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, 'All His Pretty Girls' is a cracking start to what I hope will become a long term series. I can't wait to work on more cases with Detective Alyssa Wyatt. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers and particularly to those readers who enjoy stories featuring strong female detectives. The score on the board just has to be 5* out of 5*.

When a young couple find a savagely beaten, naked woman in the New Mexico mountains, Detective Alyssa Wyatt is plunged into a particularly testing case. The woman, Callie McCormick, is seemingly the latest victim of a mysterious psychopath who is linked to a string of deaths, but who has, so far, left no clues as to his identity. When Wyatt finds herself close to a breakthrough, she unwittingly puts herself straight in the firing line. The killer knows who she is and wants her to know his name, even if it means destroying everyone around her…

I don’t often read crime books set in the USA, preferring, instead the more familiar UK criminal justice system. There was something about All His Pretty Girls that grabbed my attention, however, and piqued my interest enough to make me want to read it. All I can say is, I am so glad I did! It is hard to believe that this is the author’s debut, as it is a confident, well-written serial killer novel with some fantastic twists and turns!

Alyssa Wyatt is a great character with an emotional backstory which has shaped her police career. I liked the relationship she had with her team, particularly her partner, and thought it made a refreshing change to see a united team, all focused on the job in hand. In books like this, I am accustomed to seeing the detective having an erratic home life so it was pleasing to read scenes involving her supportive, well-balanced family – even if there is a little bit of animosity towards her mother-in-law!

The killer in the book is a particularly heinous one and there are several descriptive scenes which should come with a health warning! His shadow box containing ‘mementos’ of his previous victims was particularly graphic, and you could feel the panic Callie was feeling as she wondered what her fate would be. In a clever piece of writing, I also felt some sympathy towards the killer as we read about his childhood, and realised what a horrific start to life he had.

All His Pretty Girls is a fast-paced, breathtaking read and is one that I struggled to put down. This will definitely be making my list of favourite books of 2019 and I sincerely hope that this is not the last we see of Alyssa.

Charyl Cox’s debut novel did not feel like one. The maturity and balance with which the plot is handled speaks of years of experience and boy was I pleasantly surprised with this compelling narrative.
With unexpected twists and turns the story takes us on a thrilling roller coaster ride of mystery and suspense. A young woman is found brutally beaten, naked and left to die and Albuquerque Detective Alyssa Wyatt is called in to investigate.
Little did she know who she was up against. Alyssa realises she is at war with a scheming psychopathic serial killer and this was not his first victim and definitely not his last. The narrative literally sent a shiver down my spine and made my heart pound right out of my chest.
And as we reach the end of this roller coaster and we get a feel of how it is going to end, it picks up pace again and plunges the readers into an unbelievable climax which leaves us wondering what hit us.
Balancing her professional life perfectly with her personal life which consisted of her loving husband and two children Alyssa is a picture of confidence, efficiency, compassion and understanding. A painful incident in the past has made her what she is today.
When we read the book, we feel so helpless along with the victims and are appalled by the monstrous actions of the abductor – can anyone be so evil? Once again the story line switches between the POV of Alyssa and the abductor and allows us a peek into the mind of the psychopath.
Even after I swiped the last page away on my kindle, this was such an intense read that I carried a part of the book in my mind for a very long time.

This is one of the best debut novels I’ve read in a while.

On the search for a missing woman Detective Alyssa Wyatt finds herself on the hunt for a serial killer. Along with her team they are on a race to find the killer before he strikes again.

I absolutely love that we get to read about her personal life...and it’s normal. She’s got a fantastic husband and two brilliant kids.

This is a brilliant debut novel. It’s a well written story with a great storyline. Honestly I didn’t expect them twists and I so wished I was buddy reading this as I wanted to talk so much about it.
I’m so looking forward to reading more of this series.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of all his pretty girls by Charly Cox. This was a really good book. There is something about it being in New Mexico in the desert and mountains that made it even creepier. I loved the detective because she was a strong female and there were lots of scary and fun twists and turns.

Is this book really the debut?? Omg...it was amazing for the first book by this author. It had me hooked from beginning to end and I enjoyed every minute of this book. I'll definitely be reading more from this new author.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A serial killer chiller where the action never flags, the suspense is red-hot and the twists and turns jaw-droppingly brilliant, fans of the genre need to add Charly Cox to their list of must-buys. Her debut novel featuring Detective Alyssa Wyatt, All the Pretty Girls, is a nerve-twisting thriller guaranteed to have readers sleeping with the lights on for weeks.

Albuquerque Detective Alyssa Wyatt is on the hunt for a killer. When a woman is found badly beaten, barely alive and naked in the New Mexico mountains, Alyssa is immediately on the case, but little does she realise that she is about to be plunged into a case that will test her to her limits and challenge her like never before. Alyssa is on the hunt for a cruel and sadistic psychopath who is linked to a long and twisted series of deaths. But with no evidence linking the killer to the crime and next to no clues about his real identity, Alyssa is well and truly stumped. Can this case be solved? Will Alyssa have a breakthrough at the eleventh hour? Or will she be led down a dark and dangerous path that will put her in the firing line?

Unbeknownst to Alyssa, the killer is somebody who knows her very well. She has no idea who this dangerous criminal might be or what his motivation is, but Alyssa has incurred the wrath of a vicious killer with a score to settle – and he will go to any lengths to ensure that Alyssa loses everything that she holds dear to her heart. As jeopardy edges ever closer, this brutal maniac has Alyssa well and truly in his sights and he is not about to rest until he wreaks his revenge and is satisfied that his prey has lost everything – including her life.

In a breathless game of cat and mouse, there can only be one winner and Alyssa is determined not to let this heinous murderer claim any other victims. Can Alyssa solve the case and save herself? Or will she end up putting herself and others in mortal danger?

Sinister, scary and absolutely terrifying, All His Pretty Girls is a top-notch thriller that will have readers jumping out of their skin. In the grand tradition of Tess Gerritsen and Karin Slaughter, All His Pretty Girls is an edgy, engrossing and enjoyable thriller that will chill readers to the bone and keep them entertained (and spooked!) from beginning to end.

Charly Cox certainly knows how to pen spine-tingling edge of your seat thrillers and with All His Pretty Girls, she has written a first class read that will have readers counting down the days until the next Detective Alyssa Wyatt novel.

Oh Ok WOW!! What a surprise!!! My heart is still racing!

All His Pretty Girls, is a superb thriller and the debut of Charley Cox’s new crime series featuring Detective Alyssa Wyatt and let me tell you it was surprisingly a very great read! The story was gripping, captivating and suspenseful and I can’t believe it was a debut! I’m definitely going to read the next story in the series. It is a bit hard for me to write a review without revealing much but I'm going to try!

Alyssa is not your typical detective as in most of the police procedural reads - she’s happily married with two teenagers which is refreshing since in most of the books I’ve read, the detective almost never is settled home. Alyssa hasn’t sacrificed her personal life for her professional one, yet something has happened in her past that still haunts her. She's working with her partner Cord and her 5 stars team in Albuquerque Police Department, trying to apprehend a psychopathic criminal who in turn has his eyes on Alyssa!

There are lots of curveballs thrown at you throughout the story and if feels like you’re on a rollercoaster, not knowing or seeing where all those twists and turns are coming from.
If you’re a fan of this genre (like myself), make sure to add this to your TBR list and move it up. It’s worth skipping the other prospects and a definite pageturner!

I would like to thank again the author, publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

I raced through this book! This is not a typical crime story. In All His Pretty Girls the author Charly Cox has written an exciting look into a serial killer's life and his ingenious tricks to avoid capture. We hear his thoughts, both happy and horrific, and believe me in some cases his happy thoughts are horrific, and we get to hear his (realistically sad) story quite early on in the book. Particularly the reason behind what turned him into the monster he is now. 

Running parallel to this sadistic killer's antics, (which is akin to a horror story) we learn about Alyssa Wyatt who became a cop because of how her little brother Timmy got kidnapped and killed by someone they never caught when she was just nine years old herself.  In an effort to relieve herself from some pain that she spent blaming herself for his death throughout her childhood and even now as an adult, she became a cop - making it her mission to save others in a way that she couldn't for own own brother - who still to this day - she loves and mourns for. 

Now someone is killing women who for some reason all look similar to Alyssa, and as we delve deeper into her family and home life it soon becomes apparent that none of that is safe. Someone is out to ruin her life, but who? 

Although I don't think the jaw-dropping killer twist was really that shocking (the clues are blatantly obvious when we read the killer's story and thoughts) I still found this to be one of the most exciting crime books I've read in a long while! However, if you missed the clues then the final reveal will indeed shock you. But what I found even more interesting is not how this book ended, but how it got me thinking after I finished the book. How the hell would anyone think, feel and cope if they were Alyssa? That for me, was the true ending of this story - and not until you've reached the very end of the book will you understand what I mean... 

Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah from BOTBS, and Hera Books for this opportunity to read the ARC of #AllHisPrettyGirls. This is my honest review. I loved this book!

I should have gone to bed a couple of hours ago, but I sat down with this book later in the evening and I simply could not put it down without finishing. What an amazing debut! This is one of the best crime thrillers I've read in ages! Introducing Detective Alyssa Wyatt, her incredible team, and her amazing family, this first book in a new series is one you won't want to miss.

Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner, Cord Roberts, are getting coffee when the call comes in about a missing person. Callie McCormick had allegedly been taken from her home in an upscale Albuquerque neighborhood at some point during the day. The detectives are surprised that Callie's car has gone but her phone was left behind and there's a hole in the wall and blood. Of course, Alyssa has some suspicion about the husband but shortly it becomes clear that he was not involved. As they diligently work the case, new information comes to light. And then a nearly dead woman is found partially buried high in the Sandias. Then the twists start coming and the suspense doesn't let up as a very complicated investigation turns personal for Alyssa. NO SPOILERS.

I loved all the characters in this book (well, except for the bad guy, naturally) and it was so refreshing to see a happy family unit where there are loving interactions and good relationships. The teenagers aren't bratty and Alyssa's husband is a good guy and very understanding. The detectives form a cohesive unit and keep their focus on important stuff. I can't wait to learn more about them. I enjoyed the way the narrative flipped between points of view giving us access into the killer's thoughts and motive. I want more!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for a copy of this e-book ARC to read and review.

This was a police procedural which was a complete thriller. As the story unfurled, a dread started building up in my stomach, the kidnapper was one vicious SOB. Any name I called him in my mind was lesser than he deserved.

A woman was kidnapped and tortured to an inch of her life and buried. She was barely alive when discovered by hikers. Detective Alyssa and her partner Cord were called to investigate. Soon they realized that they were dealing with a serial killer. Then Alyssa's son was kidnapped, and she came into the crosshairs of the kidnapper.

My first book by author Charly Cox, I read this with bated breath. I don't think I took even a single deep breath while reading this. Written in both Detective Alyssa and kidnapper Evan's POV, I couldn't believe what I was reading. Each chapter raised my tension and I couldn't stop tapping my kindle.

The author's brilliant mind was seen in the way she interlinked subplots and made this police procedural a mind-blowing, pulse-spiking thriller. The graphic scenes of torture caused my insides to quiver, but the scenes raised my ire to the point that I wanted the kidnapper to be skewered and burned on a barbeque one inch at a time. Whew!!

I guessed the twist earlier on, but it was more like a fleeting thought in my mind, that if the author did this, she would have a forever fan in me. And she did, and now I am a complete fan. A thriller-y police procedural, 2 fab genre in one complete story.

"The woman didn’t feel right. She wasn’t getting enough oxygen, and she was certain she was being smothered. Sharp spasms tore through her stomach with every breath she attempted to take, and what was that in her mouth?"

To stop a serial killer, a driven detective with an uncanny resemblance to the victims delves into her tragic past to bring him down before he kills again.

The story is told in 3 viewpoints: the victim, the killer, and the detective. It unfolds as a police procedural and psychological thriller drawing out the bone-chilling events occurring over a mind-numbing week filled with kidnapping, torture, flashbacks, a terrifying chase through the woods, and a mind-blowing ending which shook this reader to the core.

The characters are strong and well-written. Though she doesn’t see her family as much as she wants due to her career, Alyssa makes the most of the time she has with her husband Brock and her two children. Speaking of Brock, he’s definitely a keeper and I loved his supportive dynamic in Alyssa’s life. As the killer’s past comes to light, it is appalling and sad how he came to be, but the author does a great job digging into his psyche while he plays out his evil deeds.

This is a fantastic debut novel by Ms. Cox. She knows how to elevate the tension as the killer gets closer to his prey and the twists and turns are shocking and exciting to read. Book 2, here I come! Another book to add to my 2019 favorite reads.

Thank you to Ms. Cox and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read her book with no expectation of a positive review.

Detective Alyssa Wyatt is called to investigate when a woman is found beaten and just barely alive in the mountains.

This is not the first victim ... and it won't be the last.

This serial killer is smart, determined, and never leaves any evidence ...

And then the killer turns his eyes on Alyssa and those she loves.

This is the debut of a new crime series featuring a feisty female detective balancing her professional life with her personal life of husband and children. This is well written with lots of action, and great characters. There is a huge twist that I didn't see coming and it changed everything for the character of Wyatt. I look forward to seeing the next in this series.

Many thanks to the author / Hera Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this c rime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own .

This is one hell of a beauty to make you twitchy! I loved this book which made me curl myself into a little ball while I was reading with my comfy blanket tucked firmly around me, but it didn't stop the shivers and raised hairs on my arms, or from looking over my shoulder when I finally turned the lights out to go to bed.
Within the first couple of chapters, I felt totally invested in this book, my heart ached, my eyes filled with tears and I felt so helpless. Are monsters made or are they born like this? I wondered which it would be in this story. The story dropped back a few days to the abduction of a woman and her harrowing captive time that followed. I slipped in and out of the abductor's angry mind and the reasons for every interaction with his victim.
This is the first book in what seems, if this book is anything to go by, a pre-order must for the next one and subsequent ones that follow, as it blew me away. Set in Albuquerque New Mexico Alyssa Wyatt is a strong character, confident, happily married with two teenage children and a past that makes her a compassionate and understanding Detective.
Oh, boy, was I swiped off my feet as what was already a totally gripping read escalated into my top five for this year. Could I read on? OMG darn right I could!!!!!!! It felt like my heart was beating in the back of my throat! What a super intense read this was and it still hadn't finished with me. Simply stunning, so excited about this author.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

Elevator Pitch:

Kiss the Girls with one deadly twist

Read/Skip:

READ

In one of my favorite thrillers of all time, the hero dies after 100 pages, knocking you off-kilter for the rest of the book. It's a thin line to walk, how brave a writer should be: protect the sympathetic characters, or raise the stakes and let them face actual consequences? When a writer follows through with a threat, you can get mad or get on board.
All my pretty girls is particularly harsh on one of its characters, and seeing that part of the story told from its perspective makes for a shocking twist when the fate is revealed.
The beginning of this book reminded me of Silence of the Lambs, where Bill's kidnap victim, is humanized by not acting completely defenseless. When All my pretty girls gave voice to the kidnap victim of a serial killer, I immediately was on her side, rooting for her. Then I was taken off guard, and for the next chapters, I kept asking myself why Charlie Cox would choose such a twist. Later it became all clear. Serial killer stories are so overdone, to keep us afraid, you have to take these monsters and the story seriously. If there are no stakes, there is no tension. I got me on board. And All his pretty girls was all the more scary and hair-raising for it.
The pressure does let up a bit by the end when it delves into the back story of the serial killer; I am never a fan of too much exposition into the bad guy. Scarier is to read about a victim trying to survive, then the reason why somebody became evil.
What I enjoyed very much was the relation between Alyssa and Cord, the team of investigators. They are an unusual pair; Cord is a knockout and a very decent guy. Alyssa is a materfamilias, highly professional, empathic, and determined. Their relationship feels comfortable, relatable, and delightful. I also enjoyed the family scenes interspersed with the investigation. Alyssa's husband and kids are all well-drawn.
The final plot twist, well, I am not entirely convinced by it. This whole story gets tied up with a very snug knot, almost suffocating it, but by then, I was committed. I would have been happy to see the book finished at its climax, skip the wrap-up. Still, I am very much looking forward to reading more about this compassionate pair of detectives.

The gist:

Alburqueque (!) detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner investigate the disappearance of Callie McCormick. Soon Callie is found alive, and it becomes clear she was kidnapped, and the perpetrator had done it before. The man has a type, and Alyssa Wyatt fits the profile. So while she is hunting this monster, this guy may be waiting right outside the detective's door, ready to strike again.

Freaking awesome! And just like that, I have a new favorite!! All His Pretty girls by Charly Cox is compelling, exciting, and has some big twists. I loved the atmosphere Charly created in this one. It's nail-bitingly good! I loved reading this book and only hope that there are more to come- and soon!

When the beautiful Callie McCormick goes missing, Alyssa and her team of detectives leave no stone unturned in finding Callie and her kidnapper. Soon a woman barely alive is discovered on the New Mexico Mountains - she has been left badly violated, beaten, bruised, naked and close to death. With Callies's fate and her inability to find her weighing heavily on Alyssa's mind, Alyssa and her team rush against time to find who tormented Callie to death. Her search leads her to discover a string of other murders with no evidence left behind and a fingerprint of a dead man. But the cases have one common factor - All women missing bear a striking resemblance to Alyssa. Unbeknownst to her the killer/kidnapper knows her very well and has an old score to settle. But getting to Alyssa is not just his plan. He first plans to kill and torture all those who she holds dear in life starting with her youngest child. Will Alyssa save her family in time?

The book opens with a scene that hooks you straight in. I had the misfortune of watching The Ted Bundy Tapes on Netflix right before diving into this one and this made it 100% more spooky. The characters are amazing! I love Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her partner Cord runs around the town in hunt of a vicious killer. At first, I did not appreciate reading chapters from the POV of the killer. But as the book progresses, we see new stuff and shocking truths that will leave you wanting for more! Unlike other books, the killer is revealed quite early on but the intrigue doesn't die. The suspense just amps up and continues till the very last page is turned! Detective Alyssa Ward now is part of the Detective squad I am an absolute fan of and eagerly am looking out for the next book, and then next.
It's very difficult to believe that this book is Charly Cox's debut novel. It has everything that I look for in a book and then some. I'm extremely fascinated with Alyssa and cant wait to see what she does next!

Thank You, NetGalley, Hera Books and Charly Cox for an arc!

A book that I could not put down. The tension builds as you wait to hear what happens next. An excellent story with a fitting conclusion. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this type of detective story.

All His Pretty Girls is a outstanding fast paced thriller. A must read and buy for the holidays. Well written and well developed characters.

I love this book. It took me a little time to read it but it was a really good read. liked the characters and story line. really kept the reader into the story, Definitely relate to the characters which I think truly makes the book.

This is an enjoyable new protagonist with an interesting back story. She is not impetuous like so many protagonists now and she follows the rules. The part about her caffeine addiction was way over written and I had a hard time believing that a cop would not get an alarm fixed asap. While you see the ending coming it still pulls together nicely. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Alyssa Wyatt is a force to be reckoned with. Edge of seat pulling for her from beginning to end. The atmosphere and the crime in this book were both realistic and well concocted. Wonderfully strutted and thoughtful. Will continue series.

It was so refreshing to read a detective who has a loving family and a pretty ordinary home life. However, it soon gets dark. There is so much suspense. At one part I was so scared for a certain character, I could not stop reading. I did work out the twist but wow what a twist. It was such an incredible read and I am going to need more from this author asap. It was gruesome and creepy and everything I look for in a crime thriller.

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Set in New Mexico and introducing Detective Alyssa Wyatt, this is a fantastic read with twists and turns aplenty. The premise of this novel is very tricksy and i loved that about it. The idea that the detective is being hunted but is completely unaware of that is inspired. As Wyatt focusses of finding the abducted girl, the killer focusses on getting closer to her. Wyatts work/life vbalance is beutifully explored, making her well rounded as a character and giving us access to her weaknesses as well as her strengths. Some of the scenes had my jaw hitting the floor at the audacity of the killer. Breath taking, fast paced and well plotted.

I thought this book was a great introduction to Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her Partner Cord. They are investigating the disappearance of a missing woman and then a woman is found badly beaten. Is it a coincidence that both women look similar to Detective Wyatt.
I loved all the characters in this book and, although I figured out who the bad guy was, enjoyed following the investigation. I also liked that the story also showed Wyatt family life.
I enjoyed so much I’m now going straight on to read book two.
Thanks to Hera books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
#AllHisPrettyGirls #NetGalley

All His Pretty Girls
by Charly Cox


Hera Books

Hera Books
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 23 Oct 2019


I am reviewing a copy of All His Pretty Girls through Hera Books and Netgalley:



Alyssa Wyatt is a detective who is hunting a serial killer. The thing she doesn’t know is the serial killer is hunting her as well.





The discovery of a badly beaten, naked woman who is barely alive in the New Mexico mountains sends Albuquerque Detective Alyssa Wyatt into a case that will test her to her limits.





From the looks of things Callie McCormick is the latest plaything of a shadowy psychopath, a psychopath that leaves long shadows on the streets of New Mexico. He is an individual who is linked to a string of murders, but he leaves no no evidence behind.







When Alyssa has a breakthrough on the case that may lead her to the killer. In discovering the breakthrough she unknowingly puts herself in the crosshairs of a brutal maniac who is out to settle a score.



The killer knows Alyssa very well, despite the fact she doesn’t even know him. But he is determined that she will know his name even if it means he has to extract deadly revenge on everyone she loves.






If you like powerful, fast paced crime fiction that leaves you guessing, I would recommend All His Pretty Girls.






Five out of five stars!





Happy Reading!

I came across this book/author on Netgalley and loved the blurb, so thought why not give it a chance? I am so glad I did because I LOVE this book! Of course, I have no triggers when it comes to reading, but if you do than please (as much as it pains me to say) pass.

I will not leave any spoilers because I think the reader deserves to enjoy this journey themselves. I will say the characters are awesome (even the evil ones), there are lots of twists/turns, murder, kidnapping, pretty graphic violence (triggers I mentioned earlier), and a great ending that I did figure out, but some won't until it's revealed.

When an author draws out all my emotions than it deserves 5 stars. I am so looking forward to starting the second book (Toy Box) in this series.

#AllHisPrettyGirls #Netgalley #FiveStars #Alyssa #Brock #Cord #Evil #CharlyCox

This was hands down one of my favorite books. From beginning to end, it has you at the edge of your seat. I could not put it down. I am looking forward to reading more from this Author, for it was a first time reading his material.

This first book in Cox' new series is a real page-turner. Alyssa is a detective in New Mexico with a tragic family history, a wonderful husband, and two great kids. She and her partner, Cord, work together like a well-oiled machine. When they catch a case about a missing woman, they being their investigation by first looking at the husband, but he does not seem to be the perpetrator. With very little information, Alyssa and her team struggle to gain a footing with the case. When the missing woman is found still alive, there's hope for her survival and perhaps identification of the kidnapper. Her death removes that potential information and brings the team back to square one. In the midst of the early investigation, the story is woven between the dead woman's experience that led to her kidnapping and the investigation, and ultimately includes the man behind what appears to be a serial killer. As the reader learns Alyssa's sad childhood. the plot thickens with more connections between the past and the present that anyone can see. It's an exciting story with a wonderfully strong and likable main character. I look forward to the next episode of Alyssa's life.