The Seventh Girl

Detective Kat Ballantyne, Book 1

By: Andy Maslen

Narrated by: Ell Potter

She thought he was gone. She was wrong.

Fifteen years ago, a serial killer was on a rampage murdering young women in Middlehampton. Then, suddenly, the killings stopped, and the murderer was never found…

So when the body of another young woman is found bearing the twisted killer’s unique hallmark—the overpowering stench of lavender and an origami heart—DS Kat Ballantyne knows this can only mean one thing: the killer is back.

For Kat, whose best friend was the killer’s last victim all those years ago, this is deeply personal. She’ll stop at nothing to prevent more women dying and bring her friend’s murderer to justice. But the scent has gone cold once before. Kat will need all the help she can get in her investigation as she hunts down leads and encounters dead ends and horrifying twists.

With time running out, can she finally crack the case and put a stop to the killings—or will she be the next victim?

©2023 Andy Maslen (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Great Start to a New Series

The scenes with Ivan and Riley were so endearing. I like seeing that Kat has a full life and wasn’t the stereotypical tunnel-vision, overworked detective. This was a good introduction to a new to me author and series. I’m already downloading book two.
Part of the Kindle Unlimited catalog.

captivating from beginning to end

loved the characters, the personal build ups of past and present and the drama in a work environment, the relationship of the new officer Tom as he learned and overall the drive of Kat to follow her gut to find the killer

the lead character Kat Valentine

I really enjoyed this book! it was fast passed and kept you guessing. well done

Good story line

A little
repetitive throughout the book on certain aspects. I guess to make the book longer.

Just keeps getting better

This listen will have you on your toes. It’s very very good. The story has great build and I can’t wait the hear the other books!

So good! Definitely recommend

How do you keep going and thriving (or even putting up a valiant effort at normalcy) in your work and personal relationships when your world and reality are falling apart? You have secrets that could endanger your lovelihood and family if not kept, or another person's life if not held back.... A killer is on the loose and the dam is about to break.....
This is exactly what we get to experience as Detective Kat tries to solve a string of murders that she is very VERY close to, while her boss is breathing down her neck, a new wild card work partner is becoming increasingly suspicious, and ghosts from the past literally seem to start popping up everywhere....
Suspenseful, intriguing, sucks you right in and does not let go! Loved it, already have the next two books waiting in my library!!!!

Main character

The main character holds no appeal. How many real detectives want to go out and arrest a new suspect each day? She also has no integrity ie the 7th girl and illegally breaks into a suspects property. Ludicrous.

Brilliant

Wonderful story! This is a good read! It kept me on toes the whole time! I couldn't put it down.

Baffled

I didn’t know who the killer was until the last 7 chapters! This one had me guessing the whole time! Loved it!

Poor ending.

Was a great book until the last two chapters. There was plenty of material to make the ending much more suspenseful.