Hunted Girl (Rachel Ryder, #2) By Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

Looking for a gritty mystery to sink your teeth into, well look no further! Fabulous characters who are well fleshed out to bring reality and humanity to the surface, sunk into a layered plot with many moving parts that meld together to make one exciting plot to delight and entertain for your reading pleasure. The main character is a tough, intelligent female detective from Chicago who has relocated to the south to attempt to start over after her life crashed around her, but the powers that lead to that crash may not be done with her yet and may have hunted her all the way to Georgia. While this book is part of a series, you could enjoy this as a stand alone. I would however, recommend starting with the first book to prolong your reading pleasure and fill in a bit of back story. I really look forward to reading from this series as I quite like the characters. 328
3.5 stars


Hunted Girl by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is the second in the Detective Rachel Ryder series.

First, let me thank the publisher Severn River Publishing (in particular Cate Streissguth) and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:    (Warning â€" May contain spoilers from previous books)
Detective Rachel Ryder left her 15 year career on the Chicago police force, and moved to Hamby Georgia, after the death of her husband.  Although she killed the man who shot Tommy, the person that hired the killer was just released from prison.    In her first major case in Hamby, she found and fought corruption in the police force and government.  She now has a new boss, and things are looking up. Her new partner is a veteran of 30 years, Rob Bishop.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
A man is found overdosed, and the needle gets linked to Brad Pruitt, a family friend of Detective Bishop.  Brad is a drug addict who couldn't be helped, although his brother and sister tried for years.  But no one really thinks that Brad would murder anyone.  A skull necklace is found at the scene that seems to link the murder to the Mexican drug cartel....and to Rachel's past.

Rachel is sure that Petrowski is responsible, and is coming for her.  But things aren't adding up, although the bodies are.

So, Is Rachel putting her new friends and team at risk, or do these deaths have nothing to do with her.


My Opinions:   
Well, I admit that the first book was good, although the topic of police corruption and politics was not my cup of tea.  Unfortunately, this second book is about drug cartels, and that doesn't really appeal to me either.  I swear if the next one is all romance, I'm out.

I found that there were so many suspects, and different theories, that it got a bit confusing at times.

All that being said, the story was good.  The writing is good....and although she's a bit of a time-bomb, I'm starting to really like Rachel (although some of her decisions are rash).  I absolutely love the other characters in the book - probably better than I like Rachel.  They are all gaining depth, and are very likeable.

Yes, I will be reading the next one!



For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/ Carolyn Ridder Aspenson Hunted Girl by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Rachel Ryder #2

Detective Rachel Ryder, in her second book, is dealing with grief, flashbacks, a new job in the South in a town that is much smaller than Chicago, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. She is someone I am warming up to and hope will eventually find her way forward…in more ways than one.

What I liked:
* Rachel: widow, detective, goldfish owner, friend, listens to her gut on the job, conflicted on this case, still finding her way after the loss of her husband.
* Rob Bishop: Rachel’s work partner, supportive, focused, wants justice for someone he knows
* Chief Abernathy: wise, strong, good leader, aware, capable, someone I respect
* Lenny: Rachel’s one-time boss, neighbor. Also, a father figure and mentor who lives back in Chicago
* Garcia: Rachel’s partner in Chicago
* The writing, location, and plot
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* Getting to know some of the supporting/secondary characters better
* Being able to feel the various conflicts Rachel (and Bishop) experienced throughout the case
* The twists and turns
* That the bad guys were exposed and dealt with
* The lead-in to book three.
* Wondering if Rachel would ever get over the loss of Tommy and be able to move on â€" if so, will it be with someone else in law enforcement, or someone not involved in it at all

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that the drug issues, crimes, murders, etc. are no doubt real and were presented believably.
* Having to wait for the next book in the series

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the ARC â€" This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars
Hunted Girl (Rachel Ryder, #2) Fast-paced! Riveting! Emotional! Suspenseful! Compelling! Complex! This book brings it ALL! It was an artful melding of twisted psychological thrills and nail-biting suspense. THIS is how you do a next-in-series and keep a reader wanting more!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so. Carolyn Ridder Aspenson If you enjoy police procedural thrillers with a strong female lead, these Rachel Ryder books are tailor made for you. Hunted Girl follows Rachel on a case that involves the murder of a close friend’s family member while she attempts to resolve a personal threat that stems back to her past and the loss of her husband. I had wondered how Carolyn Ridder Aspenson was going to follow up the initial Rachel Ryder story, now I can say she did it with a bang and hit this one out of the park. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.

After listening to the audiobook for Hunted Girl I felt the need to update my original review. Once again Anne Marie Damman does an awesome job of bringing Rachel, Rob, and the rest of the cast to life. Even though I had previously read this book, listening to the audiobook felt not only like experiencing the story for the first time, but it also filled in a few gaps where my reading seems to have missed. Thanks to Severn River Publishing for providing me with an audiobook review copy of Hunted Girl. English

Fresh off the high of solving her first major investigation at her new department, Detective Rachel Ryder is about to risk losing it all.

A drug overdose case hits close to home when a body is linked to the family of Rachel's friend. But the seemingly simple investigation leads her down a rabbit hole from her past; a past she fears has finally come back to haunt her.

As bodies begin to accumulate, Detective Ryder knows in her gut that vengeance is upon her. Yet time and again the evidence just doesn't add up.

Obsessed with stopping a murderer bent on revenge, Rachel plows ahead on instinct alone. But emotions cloud her judgment, mistakes pile up, and she puts the lives of others at risk.

Increasingly isolated, Rachel begins to question her own sanity. Is she succumbing to fear? Or has Rachel's past finally caught up with her?

Bestselling author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson delivers a riveting addition to the Rachel Ryder series. Hunted Girl (Rachel Ryder, #2)

Even though this book is the second in the series I throughly enjoyed it. Rachel starts a new job in a new town after what happened in Chicago but instead of thinking that she will have a easy job it's not b/c much to her surprise her past has followed her. Rachel and her partner come across what they think is normal OD but it is deeper than that. Her past is catching up to her but she isn't quite sure who it is even though she has an idea. The case becomes personal because dead bodies keep on popping up with the same MO but she can't get the puzzle put together quick enough. On top of everything her workers thinks she isn't interested in men and of course there are people that just don't like her until she proves them otherwise. When her partner's best friends brother is murdered it is no very personal and goes completely downhill from there. I found the characters believable and well rounded for being detectives. The best about the book there are really no lose ends. Highly recommend this book to anyone that likes are good police story. Thank you to Severn River Publishing for this ARC Hunted Girl.
By Carolyn ridder aspenson.


Back in Hamby Georgia
Detective Rachel Ryder with Partner Rob. first Investigating an overdose in the park. Bishop's best friend's brother shows up Dead. This case is Suspicious.

This case, will take them on round about chase. But some things point to Detective Rachel Past, From Chicago.

Then there's the the guys that Detective Rachel works with, Believing she swings for the other team. Boy does she set them straight..

Another great Book By
Carolyn ridder aspenson.
I Haven't read 1 Book by this author and not been Totally wrapped in her storys. Hunted Girl (Rachel Ryder, #2) Detective Rachel Ryder is a strong female character in this police procedural mystery. A former detective in the Chicago area, Rachel has seen more than enough dead bodies than most of the detectives in the small Georgia town where she now serves as detective in the small police force.  When the body of a homeless man turns up it first looked like a standard drug overdose, but when her partner's family friend's prints are found at the scene, it becomes apparent this is more complicated than it initially seemed. This book deals with issues of homelessness, drug addiction, and how it affects the innocent family members. There is also a twist to the plot when ties to Rachel's husband's murder in Chicago keep showing up, sending her a clear message her past is catching up with her. This series is suspenseful, and a page turner leaving me wanting more. English You have done it again!! Another thrilling read in this new series!! Keep it up!!!

You have the this genre down pat. For those that are now confused, this author also writes wonderful books in the cozy and magical genres. This book, for me, is more thriller mystery. Not sure what you would call it.

Quick storyline: Rachel has been called to what appears to be anoverdose death. Question is ... is it just that? Especially when the deceased has an item on body that Rachel recognizes. The case gets complicated because partner has possible ties to case and is the past coming back or is Rachel reading to much into this.

This book has so many twists and turns that you are going to fall into the rabbit warren. I did. Wonderful job! You got me.

You have done a phenomenal job pulling multiple plotlines to a fantastic ending.

I really like the characters of Bishop, Jimmy, and Savannah. I am just hoping that the ending of the book is just what it says, and not what I think it could be.

Keep it up and write the next one fast because I cannot wait!!! No patience for this series. I WANT IT NOW!!!!

Great fantastic read. Can be read as a standalone. Hard to put down, so don't start it at bedtime like I did.

This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book. **This is an honest review in return for receiving a NetGalley ARC**

This series is like TV crime shows fused to a page - the plot is driven, unpredictable and easily devoured. With a strong female lead, it provides a great idea of what small-town crime fighting might look like when mixed with drug cartels and revenge.

I read the first book of this series to better acquaint myself with the characters and events in order to be prepared to read and analyze Hunted Girl. I was not disappointed.

Carolyn writes her characters extremely well, creating three-dimensional personalities for not only the leads, but also to the supporting roles. I felt like I could understand what they were feeling, and most reactions and interactions felt very believable. She displayed controversial subjects involving gender equality, PTSD, grief, rage and deep emotional turmoil.

I enjoyed the plot - it took me out of the predictable police drama and into a web of revenge. It was difficult to separate the two plotlines, allowing for genuine shock at discovering how the puzzle pieces fit together.

This is a perfect read that wants their crime fix without being glued to a screen. Very well written and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

English