A serial killer who targets children and the underlying reason behind it with lots of twists in this crime thriller.
There’s so many characters POVS so I needed to be focused as it was easily to lose track in who’s who.
When the killer was unraveled everything fell into place and it all made sense.
This book ends on a cliffhanger with Zoe’s story and the mystery behind her childhood.

Trigger Warning: Child Murder and manner of death

Detective Zoe Storm and her partner Aiden are called to the scene of a young girl's dead body. The detective thinks the killer has plan to continue on his rampage by things she notices at the crime scene. Can she save the other girls from being murdered before it's too late? Is there something more sinister going on? You will just have to read this book to find out.

Full of heart stopping drama and emotional rollercoasters, I could not put this book down. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This is only book #1 of the series, but I cannot wait for the next to come out. This book does a really good job setting the stage for Zoe's past and the overall bigger mystery she is looking to solve.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for the eArc!

I could not put this book down. The Hanging Dolls is a great book 1 introducing Special Agent Zoe Storm, a complex character and a compelling protagonist, driven by her commitment to justice and protecting vulnerable children. I really like this new character. She is funny but determined, and I am really intrigued by her partnership with Dr. Aiden Wesley. Their interactions are sometimes funny, which breaks up the story's tension. The storyline was intense.

The Hanging Dolls by Ruhi Choudhary is an exciting mystery that gripped me from page one. The haunting imagery of a little girl found near an ominous tree sets a chilling tone that lingers throughout the novel. The story's suspense, emotion, and urgency create a fast-paced narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The intricate clues and psychological tension surrounding the unfolding case of the missing girls kept me guessing until the last moment. And the ending, a cliffhanger! I cannot wait for what happens next.

I would recommend this book for fans of gripping mysteries.

#crimethrillerscrimebookseriesZoeStorm #NetGalley @bookouture

The Hanging Dolls...
The title alone gave me chills, as the word “doll” is often used as a pet name for a young girl, and thrillers in which they are the victims always hit a little harder.
This already offers part of the explanation, but the full meaning behind the title remained a mystery to me. It intrigued me, and I kept reading anxiously to find out what it truly referred to.

A fun bonus is that this is the first book in a new series. It’s always interesting to get to know new characters with their quirks and backgrounds—and after a while, you even start to predict how they'll react in certain situations. They become, in a way, virtual friends with whom you spend quite a bit of time. :)

Zoe has been shaped in part by what she experienced in her youth, and she’s working to find answers that can fill in the gaps. This case immediately brings someone into her life who could possibly help her—but is this person even willing to?

Zoe is allergic to injustice and wants to do everything she can to stand up for the victims. She can, of course, do this through her job as an FBI agent, but since that’s not always possible, she’s found an outlet for it.

Some parents I just don’t understand—and clearly, they don’t understand the consequences of their actions either. Or perhaps they do, but simply don’t care?

To me, this story was heartbreaking, and I read it in complete disbelief. Guilt and money play a major role and both drive the killer to their actions.

When the full meaning of the title finally becomes clear, I found it incredibly moving.

A suspenseful, emotionally charged start to this series, with surprising twists. 5 stars.

Thank you

Ruhi Choudhary spins a dark tale of murder, missing children and the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma.

The story follows Zoe Storm, an FBI agent with a troubled childhood, and her partner, Dr. Aiden Wesley, as they investigate a missing girl. As other girls go missing, Zoe feels certain that the notes left behind tell a darker secret.

As emotional as it is gripping, “The Hanging Dolls” is a glimpse into childhood trauma and how these family dynamics can take a dark turn. I’m so excited to have stumbled upon this great new series and cannot wait for the next Zoe Storm novel.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this 5-star book.

I think I’ve found my new favourite FBI agent wow what an amazing first in the series definitely be back for more.
Zoe is unlike any FBI agent I’ve read before so that was definitely unique.
The ending blew me away i actually thought I had solved the crime my favourite part of detective books i was so completely wrong. The twists !! The final reveal!! It was all so nicely wrapped up.
Brilliant crime thriller, amazing characters I can’t wait to find out more about. A shocking crime with a great ending!

Wow! This book is excellent! Starting from the very first pages with Zoe's mom committing suicide (or did she?) to Zoe helping a small town find a serial killer murdering young girls. I was so captivated from the very first pages that I read in a day! When you hear somebody say I couldn't put this book down this book is definitely that book! Love that this is a series !!! Hopefully next book is coming soon because I will be anxiously awaiting! Great mystery and LOVE Zoe! Read this book!!!

The Hanging Dolls is wonderfully written, sometimes haunting, absolutely impossible to put down!!

When Special Agent Zoe Storm and her partner Dr Aiden Wesley answer a call, they find the most gruesome scene they could ever prepare themselves for. Seven-year-old Lily Baker is found dead and posted in the woods of Harborwood, Washington. Three nooses hand on a branch, a warning that there's two more to come. Zoe knows she's running out of time to save the next victims, but with a past of her own, is she able to beat her demons before it's too late?

I loved this book so much! Zoe is such a cool woman, strong, independent and overall a fanstastic character to root for. I can't wait for the second book in the series!

Thank you to the Author and Netgalley for the ARC! This book was so good! I loved how not only did you get to read the book from Zoe’s POV, but also from the other detectives POV and the running mayors. Throughout the book the author has you left up in the air as to who the killer is. I was way off until the one detective was seeing his dead sisters. I always knew Connor was up to something bad but never expected it to be as bad as it was! I definitely hope book two is written and I am chosen as an ARC reader for it because I gobbled this book up and I know I will the second one too!

FBI agent, Zoe Storm and her partner Dr Aiden Wesley rush to the town of Harborwood when a body is found. The little girl has been posed in the woods, and there are three nooses hanging on the branch of a tree. One has a photo of Lily, and at the back is a note giving a hint of the next victim.
They have to save another little girl.

I enjoyed this book. It is the first in a series featuring Zoe Storm, who has a past of her own, and a hunt of her own to deal with. I found the tone changed through the book... Zoe comes across as a positive soul, full of jokes and teasing, but during the case, the more it affects her, the less she manages to look on the bright side.

I look forward to the next in this series, as Zoe is a dedicated Agent, wanting to solve the cases.
And she wants to find the man who murdered her mother.