“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn’t let go.”–Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone)“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery! The author did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side that is so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will … intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.”
–Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
Women are turning up dead in the rural outskirts of Virginia, killed in grotesque ways, and when the FBI is called in, they are stumped. A serial killer is out there, his frequency increasing, and they know there is only one agent good enough to crack this case: Special Agent Riley Paige.
Riley is on paid leave herself, recovering from her encounter with her last serial killer, and, fragile as she is, the FBI is reluctant to tap her brilliant mind. Yet Riley, needing to battle her own demons, comes on board, and her hunt leads her through the disturbing subculture of doll collectors, into the homes of broken families, and into the darkest canals of the killer’s mind. As Riley peels back the layers, she realizes she is up against a killer more twisted than she could have imagined. In a frantic race against time, she finds herself pushed to her limit, her job on the line, her own family in danger, and her fragile psyche collapsing.
Yet once Riley Paige takes on a case, she will not quit. It obsesses her, leading her to the darkest corners of her own mind, blurring the lines between hunter and hunted. After a series of unexpected twists, her instincts lead her to a shocking climax that even Riley could not have imagined.
A dark psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, ONCE GONE marks the debut of a riveting new series—and a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night.
Book #2 in the Riley Paige series is also now available!
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Was watching this one play out in my head!! Could easily be a hit movie and a vehicle for an actress of a certain age that Hollywood seems to have trouble finding good material for. But even if it’s never adapted to screen, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and CANNOT wait to read the next in the series and see it play out in my mind!
This was a great book. Keep me on the edge of my seat,
Once Gone is the first novel in the series featuring FBI agent, Riley Pierce, and my first introduction to the character.
A serial killer is on the loose, torturing and killing women, who are posed like dolls for the police and FBI to find. With three women killed and a fourth murder likely, the FBI needs Riley and her unique skills. Trouble is, she’s on sick leave, suffering post-traumatic stress disorder after being captured and tortured by another serial killer. Despite her own reservations and doubts, she’s drawn into the investigation.
The stage is set for an intriguing thriller. It starts well with sharply drawn characters and an investigation that feels very real and tense when a fourth woman is captured by the killer. The stakes couldn’t be higher when a senator, who’s lost a daughter to this killer, starts throwing his weight around, undermining the existing investigation.
An arrest soon follows, but have the FBI got the right man?
The arrest pushes Riley into a downward spiral of deeper self-doubt. Soon she is floundering, her behaviour becoming more extreme as she loses her badge. Naturally, in the tradition of the maverick detective, she battles on, fighting her own demons as well as trying to track down the killer before a fifth victim is found.
While the characterisation of Riley is sympathetic and for the most part believable, I felt her behaviour and actions became too far-fetched as the story hurtled towards a predictable climax. It took the edge off a well-written and enjoyable thriller with some otherwise incisive characterisation.
Special Agent Riley Paige takes on the case of a serial killer in the rural outskirts of Virginia killing women in grotesque ways. This case is obsessing her, leading her to dark corners of her mind but she promises a victim who she helped get away that she would get the man who did this to her and all the other women. There are a lot of unexpected twists but Riley sticks to her gut feeling about who the killer is.
Another great book by this author. I loved the characters, the plot, and everything about the book! I will be reading more from this author of course!!
Left me wanting more. Absolutely recommend! 4.9/5
Gripping, page turning, dream haunting , heart stopping, amazingly written read!!! Blake Pierce, an absolute must read Author!!!
I didn’t want to put it down. Looking forward to the next one.
Gifted author. Never lost my attention with all the twists and turns. Kudos!
riley is super ,caring but whats justice and will do what it takes to get it
Special Agent Riley Paige has been recouperating since her last encounter with a serial killer. She has a gift that enables her to go into the minds of the killer and using her gut instincts to help her solve several murders.
Atm She seems to have a lot of serious personal baggage going on. Being recently divorced, a teenager rebelling and suffering from PTSD.
With a new killer on the loose killing and torturing women and posing them naked like dolls Quanto needs her help.
Great book! It kept me entrances from beginning to end and I found myself yelling at the main characters I was so engrossed in the story.
Once gone, – truly a page-turner, is one of those book you need to read before departing from this world. As the first book among many must read books in the enticing series, it captures the readers interest right from the start.
I started reading this and I just can’t get into it. Something about the characters I don’t like.
I have read 7 books by this author and keep watching for new ones.
His books are always good, never miss them.
Really enjoyed this book. Have read additional books from this author and am glad that I did. Would definitely recommend them.
It was a great read. Kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put it down.
I read of books from the author. Character driven to me.
It was a great read. I loved the main character with all her flaws. Her life was full of difficulties as many of us experience.