| Title | : | The Drowned Girls (Angie Pallorino, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 526 |
| Publication | : | First published June 20, 2017 |
But Detective Angie Pallorino never forgot the violent rapist who left a distinctive calling card—crosses etched into the flesh of his victim’s foreheads.
When a comatose Jane Doe is found in a local cemetery, sexually assaulted, mutilated, and nearly drowned, Angie is struck by the eerie similarities to her earlier unsolved rapes. Could he be back?
Then the body of a drowned young woman floats up in the Gorge, also bearing the marks of the serial rapist, and the hunt for a predator becomes a hunt for a killer. Assigned to the joint investigative task force, Angie is more than ready to prove that she has what it takes to break into the all-male homicide division. But her private life collides with her professional ambitions when she’s introduced to her temporary partner, James Maddocks—a man she’d met the night before in an intense, anonymous encounter.
Together, Angie and Maddocks agree to put that night behind them. But as their search for the killer intensifies so does their mutual desire. And Angie’s forays into the mind of a monster shake lose some unsettling secrets about her own past . . .
How can she fight for the truth when it turns out her whole life is a lie?
The Drowned Girls (Angie Pallorino, #1) Reviews
-
If you have yet to experience a
Loreth Anne White novel, I’m here to tell you, you’re missing out. She’s proven time and again to this reader, she’s not an author that skimps on the details. In fact, it’s pretty apparent, especially with this storyline, she put a ton of research and thought into the psyche of her characters, the inner workings of the investigation and the underlying religious aspects; while still managing to strike a nice balance between the suspense and romance. The one caveat I feel I should mention—this isn’t one I would recommend for the timid, queasy or faint-hearted. The sex, violence, gore and depravity is graphic and often grotesque—to the point it gets under your skin and may start to chip away at your sunny outlook. You’ll be living and breathing every dark aspect of this complex investigation.
A sex crimes investigator for the last six years, Angie Pallorino is looking to get out. To make a move to the homicide unit and leave behind the sordid things she's witnessed and the recent loss of her partner. She’s pretty much a badass—fierce, fearless and smart—but that’s not to say she doesn’t have a boatload of issues. I’m convinced at this point, there aren’t many detectives that don’t harbor some type of addiction, at least in the fictional world of policing, and Angie is no exception. Her drug of choice—anonymous sex.
The situation in which she meets her temporary partner, James Maddocks had to be my favorite part of the entire story (I've mentioned I’m a total romance junkie, right?); talk about an unexpected twist of fate. On second thought, maybe it was the phone call the next morning or the nickname she came up with for him, after failing to learn his name, that got to me. For some reason, that nickname made me laugh every time it popped up in her head and even though she chose to keep it to herself, I'm convinced Maddocks would have appreciated it.
Maddocks and Angie are partnered up on a joint task force to take down a serial killer. One they believe has escalated from rape to female circumcision and murder. There are a host of issues at play here—the fact that Maddocks has been asked to report back on Angie's conduct, the hallucinations and flashbacks that render Angie helpless at the most inopportune times and underscoring it all, the unwavering chemistry between the two detectives.
While the meat of this gritty story is the suspense surrounding the case, there’s also a healthy side of romance that provides the balance. There’s no denying Angie and Maddocks have a crazy intense connection, the question becomes—is trying to make a relationship work worth the risk? Honestly, lets be real for a minute though, who could resist falling for Maddocks—a gorgeous and genuinely nice guy that happens to be a fixer of sorts, rescuer of Jack-O and then there’s that nickname again; can’t forget about that.
The setup of the story grabbed me, held on for dear life, and pretty much demanded I do nothing else but solve this case right alongside Maddocks and Angie. They weren’t the only interesting characters in this bunch though. Kjel Holgerson (Angie’s replacement partner in sex crimes) always seemed to have something up his sleeve and hopefully we find out just what it is in
The Lullaby Girl, along with the answers to all of the other nagging question I have.
*Thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. -
I just loved this book. This author is a new author for me. I will be reading more of her books. It is very well written. It is a very dark, gritty, and twisty thriller. It kept me on the
edge of my seat. The intrigue kept me on my toes the entire time and even if I had many pieces of the puzzle, I couldn’t figure out how exactly they connected to make the whole picture. There were several storylines in this book and, in my opinion, there were all captivating. I just couldn't stop reading it. It was so suspenseful and a great turn pager.
The author did a great job in the character development of the characters, and a serial killer that you couldn't figure out who they were till the end. I can't even begin to describe how much I loved Angie. She is very brave and smart. She acts impulsively with her anger issues, and wants to have control. She and her partner, Maddox make a great pair of detectives. Each dealing with their own issues, they're both very interesting. I enjoyed following with them as they followed the clues to track down one of the most scariest sexual predators.
Detective James Maddocks has picked up his life and moved to be closer to his daughter, Ginny. James and Angie meet under some very unusual circumstances. When they learn who the other is, it comes as quite a shock. There is a killer on the prey and Angie is determined to catch this freak who is torturing and killing young teenagers. Little does she know, this case goes far deeper than she ever could have imagined.
I just loved the ending in this book. It was so good. When I got close to the end I was in such awe. It was a five star ending to me. I loved every minute of it. I hope I do not have to wait long to read book two. I can't wait to read it.
I want to thank Netgalley, the publisher and Loreth Anne White for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. -
Darkness permeates The Drowned Girls. Loreth Anne White creates a world filled with sick and twisted individuals who commit heinous sex crimes. Thankfully, kick-ass sex crimes investigator Angie Pallorino is there to take them down! There are some very disturbing and gruesome moments in this book, but romance, a likable crew of characters, and a three-legged dog are mixed in to counteract the darkness.
Sex crimes investigator Angie Pallorino days are filled with investigating horrible cases. At the same time, Angie is running from her own demons, and has anonymous sex to cope and stay in control. However, Angie makes a mistake when she chooses the wrong man, James Maddocks, for one of her anonymous flings. Unbeknownst her, Maddocks is her new partner and superior.
Further complicating Angie’s life is her relationship with her parents. Her schizophrenic mother has recently been admitted to a mental health facility, and things concerning her childhood aren’t adding up. When Angie begins having hallucinations, she fears she too is facing mental illness. She sees visions of a little girl, and repeatedly hears polish nursery rhymes. To sum things up, Angie is on the brink of disaster.
When Angie is brought in on a homicide case, all of the different facets of her life collide: her new partner, her past, and a new case all come together to reach an explosive ending.
This book kept me on my toes. I wasn’t sure how things were going to play out, which I always love. I also loved the chemistry between Angie and Maddocks. But my favorite part, was Jack-O (the three legged-dog)! Looking forward to book two!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. -
4.5 Stars
I finally finished it. It took me forever. But it’s not the book. It’s the bloody reading slump.
Anyhow, some parts of the book were super engaging and some parts were… a little bit less engaging. The plot was well-developed and interesting. And I really liked the writing.
Despite the fact that this is a police procedural, there’s a little bit of romance in it. The sex scenes are rare but explicit. Personally, I liked that.
The heroine is one badass chick. She’s an intelligent and strong woman and a tough detective. I love how she’s portrayed as a human being, of flesh and blood, and not some superheroine with super powers and super strength. She's vulnerable. She has anger management issues and indulges in meaningless sex. I can't say she's one of my favorite heroines but I did like her.
The hero, on the other hand, is very likable but somehow ‘vague’. I just couldn’t read him. We don't have enough background information on him. All we know is that he has a daughter and is going through a nasty divorce. (And he wears his wedding ring until the very end. He says it's for his daughter. A daughter who goes to college. The romantic in me couldn't forgive him.)
Funny thing, I wasn't blown away by this book and yet, I can't stop thinking about it. The more time passes, the more I'm convinced that I have a book hangover. And I can't wait for the next book.
-
Holy shit balls! NOW that IS what I call an excellent thriller series!
Loreth Ann White is a new author for me but I will definitely be reading more from this author! I commend Loreth for her enormous amount of talent that she has. You can tell that she thoroughly researched topics to enhance the story, characters, and overall suspense plot. But, I do have to say this is an extremely darrrrrrrk and gory read. You are living and breathing in the mind of this sick and sadistic serial killer that preys on women.
Characterization in this novel is SUPERB. Wow, I can't tell you enough how much I loved Angie Pallorino. Bad ass, smart, sassy, and independent female detective that has a strong desire to catch sexual predators. Now.... of course Angie has her own issues that are affecting her career as a detective which in my opinion... beautifully enhances the story.
We also have Angie's partner Maddocks alongside his little cute 3 legged dog Jack-0. Let's be honest... I think I fell in love with Maddocks myself multiple times..... Seriously lol.
I loved watching the unwavering chemistry between Maddocks and Pallorino. I was in awe how the author manages to put a little romance despite the heavy and dark overall tone to the story. Between the romance, characterization, and ON point gory details... I COULD not get enough of this novel.
Hold on to your hats people... because this is a series you DO NOT want to miss! This story grabbed me and I had to hold on for life until I finished this addicting read! I can't wait to dive into The Lullaby Girl!!!
5 stars!!! -
I can't wait for book two.
This book was so suspenseful. I couldn't stop flipping pages. Angie is such an interesting detective. I loved her
This was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed and plan ro read more from this author. -
4.5 stars
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
POV:
Triggers: Yes.
After reading a handful of books labeled as thrillers and feeling unimpressed by most of them, this story simply blew me away! I was in awe of the excellent storytelling, detailed, descriptive writing style, and the elaborate character portrayals! The shifting POVs allowed the reader to be privy to key information the other characters hadn't been granted yet and it was a most delightful treat to watch the plot unfold!
It was difficult to put this book down and I fell in love with the main characters straight away! Angie Pallorino was gutsy and ambitious with a razor-sharp tongue, but she was also wonderfully flawed. Her POV kept me riveted and rooting for her every step of the way!
While no one physically restrained Angie, this heroine was battle-weary from an onslaught of traumatic experiences that left her feeling mentally restrained and bound by certain things she couldn't explain. One of those moments?
I loved the working dynamics between all of the characters! Loved the way the members of the Victoria Metro PD fed off each other's sneakiness, snarky tones, and exasperating ways. Leo finally came to his senses at the end and Holgersen still had that air of mystery surrounding him down to the final chapter! Maddocks made my heart melt because of his kindness towards Jack-O and his level of unfaltering patience served up to Angie. I also loved how the terrain, weather, and atmospheric conditions were vibrantly painted into each scene like a separate character. It made me feel like I was experiencing that frigid weather up close and personal as well!
✟ Sidenote: Father Simon was HOT! I don't know if he'll reappear in
The Lullaby Girl, but a girl can dream...right?!
✟ First time reading this author's work after seeing this very thorough review in my GRs feed:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Looking forward to reading more from this author!
*ARC kindly provided by Montlake Romance via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -
At over 500 pages, I doubted this book could keep the intensity going the whole time... but it did. It doesn't let up! This is a great introduction to a fascinating new character, Angie Pallorino. Like many protagonists in suspense novels, she's damaged... but her past is undeniably intriguing and she's a bit sexy too. If you prefer your mysteries to have no sex or romance, this might not be for you. There's some sweet romance, but it's also a bit dirty. It can get a bit graphic at times in several ways.
Great detectives are always haunted by unsolved cases... the ones who got away. For Angie, one is a rapist last active a couple of years ago. She'd never seen anything like it. Everyone was left hoping he'd died or been sent to prison for a different crime... but he seems to be back. His calling card is a cross etched on the forehead. A lock of hair taken away. These details were kept from the public, but either he's back or someone has a lot of information they shouldn't...
Wanting to move to the homicide division from sex crimes, Angie seeks to prove herself. She knows it won't be easy. She lost her partner on the job not so long ago, and many blame her for the demise of a fine detective. The tough road to her goal becomes just a little more rocky when she meets her new coworker... who happens to be the man she picked up the night before for a one time only fling. Oops.
I'm so excited to read a book with a damaged female detective who manages to still feel fresh and exciting. I'm so happy I read a lot of positive reviews about this one, which inspired me to pick it up! Looking forward to book number two. I hope it's as difficult to put down as the first.
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Montlake Romance, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased. -
4.5 Stars
The Drowned Girls is an atmospheric, dark, and captivating mystery. Add in the chemistry filled romance between Angie and Maddocks and you have another win from Loreth Anne White.
We’re launched into Angie Pallorino’s life as she’s on the prowl for anonymous sex. This is her escape of choice ever since losing her partner and a three year-old victim on the same tragic night. The encounter is passionate and brief, but ends up being not as anonymous as Angie would’ve liked, because the next day Angie finds out her she’s working with the man, James Maddocks, at the Victoria Metro Police Department. The awkward situation takes a back seat (sort of) to the troubling case Angie has landed, because her newest case bears striking similarities to two brutal rape cases she was unable to close. It soon becomes apparent that this sicko is back and upping his game. Angie and Maddocks struggle to catch this guy before he grabs up a new victim, while dealing their growing attraction.
Angie is complex, a little prickly, and flawed, but she’s a likable character. Her actions and reactions were understandable making it easy for me to form an attachment to her, and hope everything worked out. Angie is distrustful of Holgerson, her new partner, and initially of Maddocks, and has every reason to be considering the blowback from the department after losing her partner. Angie’s family life and past are a whole other story, and I had my suspicions early on about what had happened. Her past will continue to be a factor in the next story.
Holgerson, Angie’s partner in the sex crimes unit, reminds me of Detective Stephen Holder in the TV series
The Killing. A great secondary character I’m sure we’ll learn more about in the future.
James Maddocks was every bit a main character as Angie, IMO, and I just loved him! How could I not love a man who rescues a three-legged scruffy terrier?! Angie and Maddocks were a great team, even with some of the friction they had trying to feel each other out, they were in sync with each other as they investigated, interrogated suspects, and slowly got close.
The setting of Victoria, British Columbia in winter was eerie and beautiful; brought to life through Ms. White’s vivid descriptions that gave a sinister edge to the mysteries at play. I must warn that the crimes described were graphic and gruesome at times, but not any more than you’d get from a Criminal Minds episode.
The Drowned Girls is a thrilling, addictive mystery, with many interesting layers and side stories. The multiple POVs completely worked, IMO, and I enjoyed every viewpoint. Well, maybe except for the killer’s. The Drowned Girls is a tie for my favorite Loreth Anne White story or at least a close second to
In the Waning Light. While this main mystery was solved parts of Angie’s past is still up in the air. I know she won’t be able to stop until she has all the answers. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment!
A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at
The Readers Den. -
I just loved every minute of this book it got me right from the beginning & could not put it down this was a dark gritty crime thriller that sent chills up your spine, was compelling well written & the characters were so damn likable. I thought Sargent James Maddox was outstanding his presence throughout was brilliant, the author connected Maddox & Pallorino well they were like to peas in a pod it worked to a T.
I wont go into the plot as there is to much going on in this book to write down lets just say there are killings girls being raped, carvings into the head genitals cut out GET MY DRIFT!! & its up to Pallorino & Maddox to solve it there is affairs between a top judge & a Mayor which tipped the plot to a higher level.
Both Maddox & Angie Pallorino have a deep passion for each other which I found made the tension rise up a level there is nothing I did not like about this book looking forward to no2 which I have already wish listed.
Just one more thing Maddox & Angie do have their demons to contend with & the writer deals with this perfectly a big 5 Star*S a must read. -
Detective Angie Pallorino is part of the Victoria Metro Police Department sex crimes unit and answers the call for a young woman desecrated in a nearby cemetery. She and her new partner are still finding their way with each other (mostly not) and haven't created "team" yet. She's got LOTS of baggage and being the only woman in the detective ranks doesn't make things easier. When they determine that this case has a lot of similarities to two she investigated a few years ago, both are included on a special task force created when a homicide occurs. Homicide detective James Maddocks, new to the department, is in for a rather big surprise when he's teamed with Angie.
I've seen quite a few fictional damaged female detectives over the years and Angie ranks high on that list of most flawed. Combined with her risky behaviors and tendency to be a lone ranger, she makes for a dangerous cocktail. Her relationship with with Maddocks, who got her in one, was a highlight of the story as he had the ability to read and disarm her despite the boulders she constructs. The case was distressing with its sexual overtones involving young girls but captures your attention from the onset. The secondary plot related to Angie's family just made for a strongly layered story.
I enjoyed the story, especially as the author is one who has the skill to create a vivid sense of place. The weather in Victoria, British Columbia is a critical part of everything and I just felt wet and cold for the duration. I'm glad not everything was resolved by the end (not including all the critical stuff) as what's left is just intriguing. I'm looking forward to where the series leads.
(I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review) -
An enjoyable suspense-thriller with an interesting main character in complex and damaged Detective Angie Pallorino. Very dark, very gritty and graphic story with a lot going on both in the investigation and in Angie's personal life. An excellent cast of secondary characters. Atmospheric Victoria, Canada setting with cold and misty weather and Christmas on the way. Kept my interest throughout.
-
Book Blog |
Bookstagram
I’m telling you right now, this book is the motherfucking shit.
And it’s the shit for one reason. Yes, it’s got murder. Yes, it’s got sex. Yes, it’s got a psycho serial killer. Yes, it’s hitting that fine line in the level of detail. Yes, it reads like real-life honesty. Yes, it’s got gore. Yes, it takes place in C to the A to the N to the A to the D to the A…
Hold on, did I spell that right?
CANADA!
But without Detective Angie Pallorino as a lead character, we would be sitting at a three-star rating. That’s just the truth.
Was there anything astonishing about the storyline? Not really. It’s interesting, but at the end of the day, it’s a police procedural. And I’m pretty sure serial killers obsessed with religious bullshit has been done to death.
But do you know what’s not done to death?
Serial killers obsessed with religious bullshit who are being hunted by Angie Pallorino.
She might be my favourite new character that I’ve read in a while. She’s giving you angry, damaged, ambitious and intelligent sex-vixen realness 100% of her page time. She does not disappoint in how well thought out her psychological issues are and how cohesive it is to the storyline.
I will say there are explicit sex scenes in this one that gave me the vapours and typically I don’t really like that in my novels unless I’m specifically looking for it. Like, oh we’re hunting a very dangerous psycho who could kill again at any second, but real quick let me throw it in you! No, thanks.
But the sex scenes in this actually worked for me because they were personally telling as much as they were physically telling… and they were veryyyyy physically telling.
If you want to know what happens to an emotionally stunted woman when she has emotionally connecting sex for the first time, read this. I’m not saying I do or do not have experience with this because you are not my therapist, but if I were to have an understanding of that then this would have connected to me in a very real way.
I could have done without the nickname ‘Mr. Big Dick’ though.
This is well researched in terms of the psychology and religious aspects, but I do have some questions about the more Americanized parts of the politics and justice system. Was it done on purpose, disregarding facts? Or was it not researched? Points for wanting to set a novel in Canada, but minus points for not engaging in our different political and justice systems all the way.
Overall, the setting is dark, the storyline is dark, Angie is dark and the sex is dark but somehow this book made me feel light and airy and a little turned on.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | 4.5 stars rounded down
book source: Montlake Romance via NetGalley in exchange for a review. -
Loreth has done it again! This book is simply fantastic!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, where's the movie deals Loreth? This is that nail-biting, edge of your seat, can't wait to finish it kind of novel. As Pallorino and Maddocks close in on The Baptist I felt my heart racing, my breathing became rapid. I couldn't keep it together, the suspense had me. There were moments in this book where I gasped out loud, chuckled to myself, cried... you will feel all the emotions of a good read.
There's something to be said for Loreth Anne White's writing style. It just pulls you in. Her ability to set the scene takes you there, and you're truly along for the ride. "As he ran, his beam bounced off trees. Shadows loomed and ducked and darted. Mist sifted through the trunks like tattered wraiths, alive, grasping for him, then retreating. A sense of the vastness of this place--the sheer size and scope of this old-growth forest--pressed down on him. No humanity for miles and miles. The trail started to rise, the incline becoming severe as he reached a rock knoll. The sound of surf grew louder." In this moment I imagined myself there... as if I were Maddocks, all alone, fear and adrenaline pumping through me.
The Baptist made Alfred Hitcock's, Norman Bates look relatively normal comparatively. The ever growing twist, not knowing who the serial killer, The Baptist, could be keeps the reader interested. Just when you think you have it figured out... guess again. Early into the novel we get a small glimpse into the mind of The Baptist, only understanding his affinity for young women, who seemingly lead secret lives. As the novel progresses The Baptist devolves and we start to learn more and understand his desires and the inner workings of the twisted mind behind this serial killer. As the police close in on him, The Baptist realizes that he can no longer go through with his plans and panic sets in. "Panic is like a wild horse without the jockey of logic to rein it in." It's only then that the true horror begins for detectives Maddocks and Pallorino.
There's more to this novel than just the classic cat and mouse game of that of police and serial killer. There's a story within a story. Loreth does a great job with character development and dialogue. You connect to these characters, you associate yourself with them. The dialogue is real and you can imagine these people in your life one way or another. We begin to learn the story behind Angie and why she's never felt connected to the people in her life, her parents, her colleagues, she's never had many friends to amount to anything. She's closed herself off, suppressed emotions and hasn't allowed herself to feel love, to grieve, only feeling pain. The only thing numbing the pain is her insatiable lust. Lust that soon leads to a world of trouble for Angie.
This is just the first novel in the trilogy and I'm hooked. I can't wait to learn more about Angie's life and that of the other characters and see what new mysteries await them. Loreth has brought life to these characters and I find myself rooting for them all the way.
I received this book through NetGalley for my honest review. -
So many people were raving "you're missing out if you miss this!", I jumped at the chance to start a great new series.
Uhh, yeah. I want to disagree on the "great" part.
Unless you're dying to get inside the head of a totally dislikeable main character and to experience chapter after chapter of explicit sex, and female "circumcision" and mutilation. If so, then rock on! You're in for a treat if you also crave cliché male characters with contrived speech patterns like "sos…hows about…" and "you knows...". Bonus if you enjoy juvenile nicknames for characters like "Mr. Big Dick".
I want to know how someone can carve a crucifix into all these victims' foreheads? A cross, sure, but an entire crucifix? That would be some impressively intricate work. But hey, the killer is circumcising women, so I guess anything is possible.
If you're a true glutton for punishment, order the audio version so you can hear an even more annoying narrator. Julie McKay uses this affected Pacific NW twang for the atmospheric parts, then pops into a kind of squeaky-gravely accent for all the men. I spent the entire 16 hours cringing at her highly irritating narration.
Not the best use of my Kindle Unlimited subscription. -
Story 4 stars**
Audio 3.75 stars**
Narrator Julie McCkay -
Rereading Feb. 2019 for group discussion and author Q&A session. Wow! Just as good the 2nd time around!!
It always excites me to find a new-to-me author who can deliver the goods - one whose writing grabs me by the throat and/or heart and squeezes, holding me captive from cover to cover. From the moment I started reading The Drowned Girls all the way through to the last word on the last page, I was a goner. I fell straight down the rabbit hole into White's dark world and couldn't stop reading. Needless to say, I'll be reading more in the Angie Pallorino series and am shouting from the rooftops: Fans of suspense/thrillers - Read This Book!
From the blurb, it might be easy to dismiss this as just another detective (woman) with something to prove vs. a sadistic serial killer story, but that would be a serious injustice. The Drowned Girls is a multi-layered, well-written masterpiece in the genre. White has an eerie ability to place readers in the scene - so much so that I found my heart racing or breaking right along with the characters. The plot lines are expertly interwoven giving readers a story within a story as Angie struggles to remember illusive details from her past that haunt her, placing her life and the life of others in jeopardy as the hunt for a serial killer escalates. The pace of this story is almost frantic as the stakes are raised when it takes an unforeseen turn. The hero/heroine of this story are both toting baggage that's weighing them down, Angie more so than Maddock, and their first "meeting" is unconventional to say the least. The dynamics between them are as explosive as matches & gasoline even though they fight it and each other. White has created a diverse cast of characters - some of which are seriously flawed and disturbingly real. All are well-fleshed out, delivering a performance that would receive a standing ovation on the stage. When you add it all up, The Drowned Girls is a stunning, intense, on-the-edge of your seat thriller. A Page Burner! A Must Read! I can't sing its praises loudly enough.
Reviewed at
Cross My Heart Reviews -
4.0 stars—“The Drowned Girls” by Loreth Anne White was a Kindle First selection that I noticed received great reviews on both Amazon and Good Reads. The story follows two police investigators assigned to work a serial killer/rapist investigation. The two detectives’, Angie Pallorino and James Maddocks, relationship is complicated when it is revealed that the two had a one night stand a few days before they started working together. The serial killer investigation is interesting but goes in a predictable direction. I felt it was difficult at times to keep all of the principals and how they were connected straight. The strength of the book lies in the relationship between the two detectives who are fighting their attraction to one another while working long hours on a very serious case. The supporting characters are also very well drawn and make the reader feel like he or she is a part of the homicide team. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to those of you who enjoy police procedurals. I noticed that there are two more “Angie Pallorino” novels already published and I will definitely make it a point to read those too. Hopefully, the author will give a lot more information about the killer so that the cat and mouse gams will hold my interest a little more.
-
Loved this!
I think what I loved the most was….everything. This book has an excellent cast of characters who are really fleshed out. From the leading characters of Angie and Maddocks, to the police team they work with, to the political "bigwigs", to the suspects and "persons of interest" in the case. There are a number of intriguing characters.
Angie works sex crimes and this is a particularly gory case. The way the crimes are discovered and the clues that are worked through, I was totally captivated by this book. The relationship aspect of Angie and Maddocks was well done with a nice balance between their relationship and the case. I really liked Maddocks - definitely one of the good guys.
My only negative is that I have been getting tired of the lead female cop being on such a self-destructive path within a police department and with her colleagues. At the beginning of the book, Angie was very insular, non- communicative and with a very controlling attitude. On the flip side, her character has a really interesting back story (explaining why she is the way she is) that was well woven into the plot and I really appreciated it. I also liked that in addition to the depth that her character was developed, she also matured and started to realize she needed to be more of a team player.
Throughout this book I had a level of revenge anticipation. There were definitely some political types that I wanted to see get their comeuppance.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next book in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for an opportunity to read and review an ARC. -
If the Prologue doesn't grab you I don't know what will!
The Drowned Girls, by Loreth Anne White, is thrilling, chilling suspense, with a touch of romance that I just couldn't put down.
Detective Angie Pallorino, with the sex crimes unit, has anonymous sex to not only deal with the demons of her past but to help herself stay in control. However, unbeknownst to Angie, one of her anonymous sex partners happens to be James Maddocks, her new partner. They work together to track down a horrific sexual predator and murderer while dealing with their own issues.
A unique storyline, complex and captivating characters, dangerous and intense situations, and intriguing twists and turns result in The Drowned Girls being one of my favourite novels in this genre.
This is my first experience reading any of Loreth Anne White's work. I highly recommend it and look forward to the rest of the series as well as her stand alone novels.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for an arc of this novel. -
This book starts out like chasing Mr. Goodbar or Fear of Flying we have an angry woman searching for the proverbial 'zipless fuck' trawling an an 'Adult Entertainment club' for a man she can have anonymous sex with then walk away. Is this our victim? Is this our killer? No this is our seriously flawed lead character.
Angie Pallidino - "Call me Pallidino" who is angry with the world, with life and who may or may not be schizophrenic. She has to leave her little seedy hotel room; where she has zip tied her fuck buddy to the bed, to investigate a rape and femalecircumcisiongenital mutilation case in a local cemetery.
And I kept thinking this sounds familiar... feels familiar and then it hit me I watch it every week this is a mixed gender Lethal Weapon. Angie is Riggs, she's lost everything that matters, doesn't care and wants to end it all but is too egotistic to kill herself so she's going to take ridiculous chances to see if 'God will sort it out'. And her new partner is a older guy who wants to connect with his daughter, a local college student and save his failing marriage.
And SURPRISE this new partner is the same guy she picked up at the club and screwed. So all she can think about is his "glorious dick" Reader Note: I never want to think or read about a character's glorious dick.
And Angie is flawed, dangerously flawed, I am a 2nd amendment supporter and this is the kind of mental case I don't want being allowed near a gun let alone carrying one as part of her job. She lost a partner a few months back and refuses to see the department shrink; even Riggs sees the Department Shrink. Her mother is being institutionalized for full blown schizophrenia and Angie is having aural and visual hallucinations. Might be PTSD might be early onset schizophrenia; but hey she won't go see the shrink. She doesn't work well with others, constantly going off on her own and against orders. She snaps and attacks her NEW partner; the one with the glorious dick. If she's a cop she should be riding a desk, but really she shouldn't have been a cop. she should have never made it past the initial screening. She should have been kept in uniform. She shouldn't have been promoted to detective. She's a bad cop. Period.
But every other cop in Victoria is either creepy, violent, racist, sexist or corrupt. So I guess her insanity doesn't even raise an eyebrow.
The plot has two separate but intertwined cases. The first is a serial rapist turned killer; who had 'disappeared' for several years and that is never sufficiently explained. And the other is sex trafficking that will involve the highest echelons of city government. There is just so much going on in this book; we have one of my least favorite tropes 'Cops families that resent the cops have to work inconvenient hours'; 'detective's families that resent the detective having to leave' "Cops' wives who say the job is more important than me'. Until we can convince criminals to only commit crimes on a M- F 9 -5 schedule this is a fact of life. One of the bitchy family members even benefits from the cops being available at all hours and instead says "If you weren't a cop this wouldn't have happened." To which response should have been "Bitch please, our daughter was running with a bunch of sex workers at choir practice"
Even the ending the book annoyed me. One of the cops kills the serial killer / rapist / freak; following another attempted murder and the nonfatal shooting of two cops and there is an investigation to see if it was a 'good shooting'. The perp had raped untold number of women, killed and mutilated at LEAST 2 others, and shot at cops. If he was pushed into an industrial shredder the POPO would have called it a good shooting. But then that wouldn't make for the sequel which I am currently reading because I am a masochist -
4.5/5
Big thanks to my friend Gare for recommending this one! Full review to come, but quick thoughts; reminded me of Karin Slaughter in terms of how dark, graphic and violent it was, but with way more sex. -
I'm sorry I seem to be the only person in the world who didn't enjoy this book!
It has all the elements I enjoy:- mystery, action, detectives.
But the major problem for me was that I really, really disliked the main character Angie Pallorino.
This woman is damaged and has issues and I'm not surprised as it seems she has a very troubled past BUT she is supremely unprofessional and a huge bitch. If you are a detective you REALLY need to be able to work with other people and get over yourself.
If I was Maddocks I would have kicked her out. Her temper is completely out of control and she is supposed to be helping people??? It all felt wrong to me and I had to start fast forwarding her sections as they were winding me up! Then I started fast forwarding the love bits too as I couldn't get past my problems with Angie and I'm not really into love bits.
Sooooo, I did listen to the end (with a few chunks missing) to find out how it would play out but obviously I won't be carrying on with this series.
I was so disappointed that I didn't love it like everyone else...oh well we can't all like the same things! -
Review originally posted at
All Books Considered: 4 STARS
This was SO good! I have been wanting this type of read for so long, and by that I mean a book that is suspenseful, has an element of romance, is an interesting crime procedural but hits that balance between detail and not being boring. I am so happy this will be a series! Angie is the perfect MC of these books - smart, complex, fierce and far from perfect but so real. I just devoured this book - it had seriously creepy elements almost like Silence of the Lambs but it was also straightforward in just trying to catch a serial killer. The setting is on the island of Victoria, BC and was perfect. Loreth Anne White is a master at atmosphere! Sometimes it's hardest to review books that shine and this is one such instance but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book and you should definitely pick up this series.
The Drowned Girls comes soon on June 20, 2017, and you can purchase
HERE. This book was so good and I can't wait for book two,
The Lullaby Girl, which is scheduled to be released later this year on November 14, 2017, and you can pre-order
HERE.
We all lie.
We all guard secrets--sometimes terrible ones--a side to us so dark, so shameful, that we quickly avert our eyes from the shadow we might glimpse in the mirror.
Instead we lock our dark halves deep in the basement of our souls. And on the surface of our lives, we work industriously to shape the public story of our selves. We say, "Look, world, this is me." We craft posts on social media . . See this wonderful lunch I'm eating at the trendy restaurant with my besties, see my sexy shoes, my cute puppy, boyfriend, tight as sin a bikini. See my gloriously perfect life . . . see what a fucking fabulous time I'm having drunk and at this party with my boobs swelling out of my sparkly tank top. Just look at those hot guys draped all over me. Aren't you jealous . . .
And then you wait to see how many people LIKE this fabricated version of yourself, your mood hinging on the number of clicks. Comments. Who commented.
But darkness has a way of seeping through the cracks. It seeks the light . . . -
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
Gritty, intense with lots of twist to the plot. Those are just a few of the reasons I love Loreth Anne White. She does Romantic-Suspense with a sharp edge like few other authors in the genre do. At times it got a little technical, but overall this is a dark, intense and riveting book.
Red-headed Angie Pallorino is a sex crimes detective who wants a shot at a job in homicide. She is also wondering if her mother's mental illness could be lurking inside her also. The unsolved rapes of young women also haunt her. Her outlet is sex with anonymous strangers. Her chance at a homicide job comes when two more girls turn up dead with eerie similarities to her previous cases and she is assigned to the Task Force. Only one problem: it looks like instead of a opportunity to prove herself, this is a opportunity to bury her career. But with everyone around her looking out for their own self interest, who will look out for the interests of the victims?
James Maddocks, Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome, is new to the Victoria Police Department. He took the detective job in their homicide department and relocated to Victoria from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in order to be close to his daughter, whom he has had a hard time connecting with. His one-night stand with Angie before his job even started was too short and may cause problems when he ends up being her boss on the Task Force created to solve the rapes and a murder. -
I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
This book is really something!!! I don't know where to start my review...
Maybe with the heroine? Angie... She was really something else! I don't know how to "classify" her. She seems angry, but she doesn't know why. She's suffering but does not have a reason. She's tough, but afraid that a slight bump can brake her.
To destress she has one-night-stands with men she picks up at a strip club!!!! O_O
And who she picks up? Her new collegue!!! And we all know how that will end!
But that's not the focal point of the story, even if it makes the story peppery!
The focal point, or shall I say points?, are the masterfully vowen multiple stories of crime, depravation, secrets... And that's just WOW!!!
It starts with one horrific sex crime, but during the investigation things just pile one upon the other, until the very end where everything fits like puzzle pieces!
So, I was chewing my nails and turned pages,just so I could discover another piece and see how it fit!!!
As a cherry on top we also get few glimpses inside the sick killer's mind! Oh, buy is he sick!!!
But he's not the only villain! There's sex scandal, slavery sex trafficing, murder... Oh, so many, many things that make a tapestry of crimes all connected!
Simple genius!!! Is you like yours books gritty, complicated, horrific, bloody, with conspiracy and some hotness, this one is just for you!!!
I'll be oh, so looking forward to the next one!!!! -
4.5
I didn't even need to read the blurb to know that I want to read a Loreth Anne White's book.
As soon as I saw this cover and saw her name, my finger was requesting the book.
The Drowned Girls is everything I have come to expect from Loreth Anne White. Her characters are always well developed and interesting. Usually, they are damaged and trying to find their way.
Our main characters are Detective Angie Pallorino and James Maddocks.
Detective Angie Pallorino is trying her best to get a promotion into Homicide. However, her personal and professional life are both in turmoil. Her mother suffers from early dementia and schizophrenia. She was recently placed in a long term facility. When Angie starts seeing a little girl with red hair, she wonders if she's getting sick like her mother did. In regards to her job, months ago, she lost her partner and a small child and she blames herself for it. Some of her co-workers also seem to think she's to blame and she is confronted with multiple cold shoulders. Furthermore, Angie has some control issues and she constantly has to fight her anger issues. Starting a relationship is the last thing she wants especially when her new sex crime case involves a teenager who has been raped and almost drowned. She also has been marked with a cross on her face. This reminds Angie of a couple of cold cases from years past.
James Maddocks has relocated to Victoria to be closer to his daughter. His job destroyed his marriage and he's trying to salvage his relationship with Ginny. He believes he has time to repair the damage until he's called to the scene of a homicide. A girl has been found floating in the water. His job is to find the killer. The more they learn about Jane Doe, the more similarities they find with a recent sex crime victim.
When Angie and James's path cross for the second time, they know they are in trouble. They are thrown together as temporary partners as part of the same task force to capture this serial killer. Yet, no one must know they met the night before and had a hot interlude.
The Drowned Girls is a fantastic thriller with amazing characters. I couldn't put this book down. The narrative demands your attention. It's impossible not to become involved with the characters. I liked the twists in the story as well as the addition of the killer's POV.
As I realized this was turning into a series, I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. I need the second book now. I do hope we learn more about Angie's past and also everything about Kjel, the celibate cop.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It |
Facebook |
Twitter |
Instagram -
3.5-4 stars - Dark Suspense/Romantic Thriller/Police Procedural
This book is dark, and I do mean, DARK. It's edgy, gritty, tense, suspenseful, graphic, atmospheric, complex, and by no means an easy read. There's so much that goes on in this book, , and at times it seemed a bit jumbled up and confusing, especially with so many characters and multiple POVs.
I honestly wasn't sure if/how it was all going to come together, but the author did a good job mostly tying things up. I'm guessing/hoping more will be revealed about Angie's in the next book,
The Lullaby Girl. -
The Drowned Girls was an incredible read featuring an amazing set of characters and a fascinating storyline.
Angie Pallorino has worked as a detective in sex crimes for the last six years and is at times still haunted by the ones who got away with their crimes. When it appears a serial rapist is back and has escalated to murder, Angie is determined to bring the bastard down once and for all. Assigned to a joint task force, Angie is ready to prove herself to the all male homicide division only to be thrown for a loop when her temporary partner, new hire James Maddocks, turns out to be the man she had an anonymous encounter with the night before.
Angie is an intense character who has questionable coping mechanisms for dealing with the stress of her job. In order to deal with her stress, Angie engages in anonymous sex where she gets to be the one in control. Angie is incredibly passionate about her work and cares about the victims sometimes to the detriment of her own well-being. In this book Angie learns some information about her past that has caused her to question everything she thinks she knows about her life. I find myself quite interested in finding out more about her past and hope to see it further explored in future books.
Maddocks has recently moved to the area to be closer to his daughter in the hopes of salvaging their relationship. Maddocks is good at his job and comes up with a few surprising ideas to catch those responsible for what happened to the murdered young women. He's a great partner for Angie as the two have different approaches to their work that ultimately compliment each other. The beginnings of a personal relationship for them are there but there are stumbling blocks on the path to that relationship working out. Their working together and Angie's personal issues definitely do slow things down but the chemistry between them is undeniable.
The serial rapist/murderer they're investigating definitely makes for an interesting case that is at times quite gruesome and graphic, so be forewarned if that's not your thing. There are several avenues the investigation takes and I found myself wondering how they would all connect to each other. Overall I did like how the author connected the different threads and the ending was wonderfully done with the perfect amount of suspense.
I really enjoyed The Drowned Girls and hope to pick up the next book in the series sometime soon. I definitely recommend this series if you're looking for a suspense series with realistically flawed characters.
**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.** -
Loreth Anne White has done it again with The Drowned Girls. WOW. She is the queen of backstories and romantic thrillers. The Drowned Girls isn’t even a mystery; it’s an actual thriller. Really and for true. And don’t let the length of the book fool you, it will keep you ensnared. I promise.
Angie Pallorino is a sex-crimes detective, vying for a spot in homicide investigations. In the past, Angie has lost a partner, which she still holds herself responsible. Her vice? Anonymous sex with men she meets at a club.
One day, Angie gets temporarily reassigned to homicide because one of their prominent cases involves sex-crimes. As she is in the morgue, Mattox, her new partner walks in. To her shock, he was her latest anonymous fling the night before. Whoops.
Their current victims are two girls who were both raped, drowned, and sexually mutilated. *cringe* As they begin to investigate, it’s crazy the number of things they uncover. A leak in the police department, a sex ring, unlawful gentleman’s club, drugs, prostitution, and a crazy guy to boot.
My Review
I don’t even know where to start. The Drowned Girls was a fantastic book. If you’ve never read Loreth Anne White, you are indeed, missing out. Many of her older books are romance, which I’m not into, but her thrillers are phenomenal. A Dark Lure was my first book by her, then this. I’m already reading Angie Pallorino #2, The Lullaby Girl.
The Drowned Girls is a 3rd person story with many characters and situations. First, Angie’s backstory was out of control in a good way, of course. I felt for her family, all of them. Angie, her mom, and her dad. It’s one heck of a story.
There were multiple strands of crimes going on, some related, some not, but what fun it was trying to figure it all out. There isn’t so much that you can’t follow along, but there’s enough to keep your mind busy!
The Drowned Girls is not an easy read, but it’s a fantastic read. There wasn’t a single moment where I found myself skimming. The romance/sex scenes are a bit long, but she has a history of romance books, I wasn’t expecting otherwise.
I have a few of her other books on my TBR list, and I feel confident that they are every bit as involved, lengthy and enjoyable as the first few I’ve read. Loreth Anne White knows how to write. She knows how to weave a story that will suck you in. She has quickly become a favorite of mine.
Five drowning stars.
