Perfect Little Dolls is the second installment in the Detective Eleanor Raven Series. My review of the first book is here. In this story, Eleanor is back from a lengthy sick leave to soon find herself immersed in an investigation about a body found at a land-fill. The detectives are puzzled by the fact that the body seems preserved and the victim looks more like a doll than a human being.

This isn’t the traditional ‘whodunit’ as we know who perpetrator is earlier on in the story. However, it was interesting to follow the investigations to see how the detectives connect the dots. The case was complex with very little information to go on for the investigators. Our Unsub was smart,calculating and managed to easily avoid suspicion. This made this quite a suspenseful, edge of the seat thriller as detectives raced against time to catch the killer before more bodies showed up.

The MC in this installment is struggling with quite a lot of personal issues. There were chapters that showed her in therapy but I really can’t say that I understood what was going on there. I am still not too crazy about Eleanor’s personal life as there is still a lot that I don’t understand. However, I like her as a detective. Her ‘creative’ look at cases and determination to follow her hunches made this an entertaining read. To add credibility to the investigation though, evidence is used to back the hunches.

I enjoyed this installment. There are sections that I skimmed over where was process of preserving bodies was kinda being explained. However, the rest of the story was fast-paced, enthralling with a mix of characters that I liked. I can’t wait to read the fourth book in the series.

Disappearance, murder, mystery and intrigue, Detective Inspector Eleanor Raven seems to have the odds stacked against her as she returns to her job and tries to prove to everybody, maybe especially herself, that she has everything under control. 

Perfect Little Dolls (previously published as The Vault), is the second instalment in the Detective Eleanor Raven series and had me immediately invested and caught up in its drama. Another book not for the faint hearted, Karen Long certainly ups the creepy factor in spades! 

In my review for book one, Cry for Mercy (The Safe Word), I stated that I struggled to connect with Eleanor but, she grew on me this time around. Complex, damaged, broken and flawed, she is actually quite unique.

All up Perfect Little Dolls is a dark and compelling tale that will get under your skin. Well written, great characterisation and with twists and turns aplenty, makes this such a very thrilling read and I will be looking forward to the next instalment.

A good storyline with an easy narrative. The technique of embalming has been well researched. The partnership between Eleanor and Laurence is progressing well and Eleanor seem to be taking the psychiatric help that she needs. Overall better than the first book.

Thank You Netgalley and the publisher for the book! This review is based on my honest opinion.

This is the second book of the DI Eleanor Raven's series but the first book I have read from the author. A burned body of a woman is found in a maintenance site and by investigating, the body belongs to a transgender person named Giselle who disappeared a few days ago. Then a little boy named Tommy also goes missing along with the trains, DI Raven and her partner must find the murderer before he attacks again.

This was to me a good thriller, quiet fast paced but to me some parts of the story was a bit boring. But it was actually a quick read. I am waiting to read more books from this author.

Worth Four stars!

Perfection. This book was amazing from start to finish. A read to transport and to thrill. Just amazingly wow! A brilliant read to take you away so you blink when you've stopped reading, take a minute to get back. Just the best kind of book. Read it. It's sooo good.

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I enjoyed the first book in this series so I was excited to see what happened next to DI Raven. 

As in the first book, Eleanor makes no apologies for who she is. She also, it appears, hasn't learnt from her mistakes. She is still not trusting her partner and she is still running off on her and getting herself in danger. She is still recovering from the trauma of what happened in the first book and her past. Eleanor is one of those people that hold everything in and the guilt is starting to consume her. 

I think Eleanor and Laurence grow as a partnership in this book which was nice to see. 

The case itself was creepy AF. The story was told from both Eleanor and the perps perspectives. This case was more of a how is she going to catch him than a whodunnit. It seemed that there were no connections to the victims at first. 

This book is not action, action, action. It's all about the details, the evidence gathering and thinking outside the box. It really kept my attention and was very easy to read. I look forward to reading the third book in this series soon.

Eleanor back on duty after six months’ enforced leave, Eleanor is determined to prove herself fit for service. 

Her first case back involves investigating a fire which has uncovered the charred remains of a young woman. The post-mortem it reveals some disturbing details—the girl was dead long before the fire, her body had been lovingly preserved before being dressed up, her hair perfectly arranged, and a lime-green scarf knotted around her neck.

Following a tenuous link to an old missing-persons case, Eleanor discovers the poor woman’s identity. Before Eleanor can uncover any more details, another woman goes missing, and then, a little boy. It seems that someone is collecting a family for themselves.

Desperate to prove herself, she pushes herself to the limit to find the killer. But her fight may become a battle to save herself.

The premise was actually what attracted to this book. The plot was well written. The entire research of how to preserve a body and all the technicality involved was excellent and there were some parts in the end which were exciting. 

But I wasn’t hooked to the story as much as I wanted to be and there were times when my attention swayed. So, overall, this was just an okay read for me. 

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

I did not realize this was a second book in the Detective Eleanor Raven series (previously published as "The Vault"), so first I will separate out why this did not lend itself to being a stand-alone book:
1. There was a lot of backstory from the first book that I was able to deduce - something horrific happened to Eleanor (not clear whether it was while on duty or not until later in the book). 
2. Her partner is requesting a transfer - possibly due to feelings from his rescuing her from whatever event it was or possibly from her changed behavior after the event. 
3. Eleanor has some physical injuries related to the event, but seemingly some psychological ones as well.


I also felt there were way too many characters to keep track of; this might be helped by the gradual character build you would obtain reading the first book.  They were also called by both their first and/or last names, further confusing me.

Notes on the themes and setting in the book (some spoiler alerts).
1. This was a dark novel.  I thought the handling of the BDSM scenes was well done and contributed to the plot.
2. The descriptions of necrophilia made me cringe, although they too contributed to the storyline.
3. It took me a while to figure out that this book was set in Canada - the only clue was that the temperature was related in Celsius. But the dialect seemed a mashup, and the setting wasn't well defined.
4. The processes behind embalming and especially the procedure used in the book was well researched and interesting.
5. The book was fast paced, definitely tense at parts, and the author connected all the dots at the end, making for a thrilling ending.

If you are already a fan of this author you will enjoy this book; if you haven't read her works before, I recommend starting with the first book, Cry for Mercy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy.

Another absolutely fantastic read by a truly talented author. I have been pulled in and completely unable and unwilling to put this book down. I have devoured this entire book in just one sitting. It is absolutely fantastic.

This book has gripped me from the very beginning and is completely impossible to put down. I have attempted (unsuccessfully) to guess where this was going.

This is definitely jaw dropping and fast paced. I've been completely hooked by this one. This is unique and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I have read and loved author books by this author and already cannot wait to read more. A definite five star read!

When I started reading this I did not realize it was the second in a series. But I was still able to get a good idea of the events in the last book and love that I could enjoy this book even as a standalone. 

This story really jump starts right in the action and only keeps going. After the about 25% I could not put it down and had to find out whats happens next. I definitely plan on reading the other books in this series.

3.5 stars

Perfect Little Dolls by Karen Long is the second in the Detective Eleanor Raven series.  Note that when it was originally published in 2014, it was titled "The Vault".

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, 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 – May contain spoilers from previous books)

Detective Eleanor Raven works for the  Homicide Department of the Toronto Police Department.  Her boss, Chief Inspector Marty Samuelson has been her boss since she graduated over 10 years ago, and tries to support her.  Her long-time partner Mo has recently had a heart attack, but is now back part-time. The rest of her team consists of Wadesky, Timms, and her new partner Detective Laurence Whitefoot.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

Eleanor is still recovering from the kidnapping and torture that occurred 6 months ago.  Physically, her leg still throbs, and she has problems swallowing.  Her mind, however, is in worse shape.  As well, she cannot handle the fact that her new partner knows about her secret sex life.  She is back at work, but no one is sure that she should be.

When the plasticized body of a young woman is found in the dump, the case promises to be bizarre.  As the body is finally identified as Giselle Baker, they track down both the bar where she worked, and her room-mate.  Other than finding out she supposedly had a rich boyfriend that no one had met,  they do find a strange wooden carving of a snake, and the room-mate tells them that someone had broken in and stole some baby skulls that Giselle had owned as well.

When another woman goes missing, and then a small boy, Eleanor is sure they are tied together.  No one else is convinced.


My Opinions:   

I'm still confused as to this British author setting her series in Toronto Canada.  It would be okay if the detective (who uses British slang and words), would be identified as a British detective, but apparently she's Canadian.  Her old partner lost 4 stone.....we use pounds when talking about a persons weight in Canada....  The research done by the author is rather lacking.  If the stories weren't so good I'd throw in the towel.  I'm hoping her third novel will correct some of these issues.

Characters are really important in a series, as in any book.  I didn't really like Eleanor in this one, and although I did not really consider her flawed in the first book, her demeanor in this one definitely had me re-thinking that.  I still think she is a very capable and strong-willed detective, whose heart is in the right place.  I love her boss.  However, I did not like the discord between Whitefoot and the team.  I was on Whitefoot's side most of the time.

The plot was a little different, and quite dark, but it was good, as was the pace.

I am looking forward to the next one!

A decent read that kept my attention throughout but I felt the plot was lacking in some ways. As you can see I'm in the minority, so if this sounds up your street then give it a go. Ratings are subjective.

DI Eleanor Raven is looking for a killer. A killer who makes dolls of his victims. He embalms them then plasticizes them.
They are his family. His perfect family. Now he desires to be a father. He has found the perfect child to add to his collection.
Scary, spooky, psychological thriller. Tense and entertaining to the very end!!

GRIPPING psychological police procedural that delves into the darker, sadistic & evil side of human nature. Great main characters struggling with their own life dilemmas amidst an unusual suspenseful storyline wrapping up with a topnotch conclusion.. Totally enjoyed #1 in this series/looking forward to more.  RECOMMEND both!!  Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for this ARC in return for my honest review.

The 2nd book in the Eleanor Raven series, this book was previously released in 2015 called The Vault.
This book sees Eleanor recovering from events in book one, she is receiving counselling and not coping very well. Her partner has requested a transfer but all of this needs to be put in hold when a body turns up on a refuse site. Numerous other bodies are found and then a young child goes missing. 2 different detective teams are working the cases but Eleanor suspects they are linked. 
I enjoyed this book. Please note however there are references to sado masochistic tendencies which may not suit some readers.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review

This is probably the first book in years that I’ve had to give up on. Unfortunately, the plot itself seemed thrilling and deeply disturbing which any reader of psychological thrillers would eat up immediately, which prompted me to request an advanced copy. That being said, I was only able to get through 30% of the book before calling it quits. The characters we encountered were dry and slightly monotone making me ask questions such as; What are they feeling? Why are they reacting or not reacting? I prefer books that make me want to keep reading until the sun comes up, but this one made me fall asleep every couple pages. 

I have read other books by this author, but for some reason this one was not on my list of top books. I’m sure if I kept going it would pick up, but even the intense scenes caused me to just shrug my shoulders and ukltimately not be impressed. 

Give this book a try, read the first one before trying this one as I did not so maybe that is why I am not a fan of it. Other reviews I read said it was not necessary to read the first one, but to give this one justice, I would suggest reading them in order.

Doesn’t the title just scream ‘creepy’?! It definitely was but it was absolutely fantastic. Such a good dramatic novel!

Creepy. 
Eleanor returns to work after leave to recover from kidnapping and torture at the hands of a killer. Whitefoot, her partner, requested a transfer - he found her, unable to cope with his guilt. 
A man found a well preserved corpse in the landfill and brought her to his home on the outskirts.  Eleanor and Whitefoot are assigned the case.  
Toby has worked for ROM, a Toronto museum,  for decades. Over the past few years, he has been slipping newly acquired pieces to his home. He also preserves women of a certain type afternoon killing them.  
Told from Toby and Eleanor's perspectives,  this plot is a slow build. I was very interested in the characters, held my attention but felt too long. Details were slow.

Two quick notes about this book - 

1 - It was previously released in 2015 under the title 'The Vault', and is the second in the DI Eleanor Raven series.
2 - it contains many explicit scenes that include sexual assault - to adults, children & the deceased, BDSM, mishandling of human remains, among others.  Proceed with caution.

From the blurb on the back, I thought this would be a fast-paced thriller, but it ended up being nothing like that.  The story was focused too much on the psychological affects of what happened in the previous book, and I felt like the characters in this book suffered from no real development.  Plus, there was so much gratuitous.....horror... that I just could not settle into the story.  Also, the ending was a bit of a let-down after the build up of the entire book.  

I would not recommend this title.

First off I want to say huge  thank you to the publisher Bookouture,   the author Karen Long , and to NetGalley for inviting me to join the blog tour for this book as well as letting me read and review it. Second thing is this is the first time I read anything by this author and it wasn't until I was already half way though it that I realized that I had the first book on my Netgalley TBR to read and review but that didn't stop me from enjoying the story as well as getting lost in it, and other thing that helped was the tension and suspense as well as the creepiness of it.