The prologue drew me in and made my mind race, and the ending made me want to see what happens in Zoe Storm book 2. In between we were in the present and then in memories with different characters and strings to unravel. Not sure how I feel about Zoe herself, I wanted to like her flaws and all, but I just couldn't sign off on her. I was also not enamored with her boss or Aiden; the premise was like laying the groundwork for some messy happenings down the road. Thank you for the advanced copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #TheHangingDolls #ZoeStorm #RuhiChoudhary #Bookouture #NetGalley

“The little girl’s body rests gently against the trunk of an old fir tree, her small hands laid delicately in her lap.”
Sweet? Peaceful? No, tragically, the child is dead.

Special agent, Zoe Storm is dedicated to bringing justice to the innocent.
Now a body has been found in the woods of the small town of Harborwood, Washington, Zoe, along with her colleague, Dr Aiden Wesley, are on the scene. The deceased is young Lily and near her body are three nooses hanging from a branch. Could this be a warning that two more lives will be taken?
Investigation reveals that people had seen Lily talking to an unknown man, and noted that he gave her candy shortly before she disappeared. Then, another girl vanishes from her bed in the middle of the night. The only link between the girls is that they were from broken homes.

As the investigation heats up, Zoe uncovers a cryptic note with a clue pointing to the name of the next child and an abandoned greenhouse on the outskirts of town. Zoe, wonders this might be a trap for her, but with two more lives at stake, she will do everything to find the abducted girl.

The Hanging Dolls is an utterly gripping new crime thriller series that kept me flipping the pages deep into the night until the final heart-stopping twist.

The story is filled with suspense, emotion, with narrative such that keeps readers on edge throughout.


“The shocking twist at the end, I dare you to even try to predict.

Ruhi Choudhary Is off with bang, in this first installment of the Zoe Storm series.

I have never read anything by Ruhi Choudhary before but the title of this book grabbed my attention straight away; the cover, not so much but you know the old saying "don't judge a book by its cover."

This is a pretty good introduction to a new series. I find the first book is not usually the best as the scene, characters and back story is being set down and I felt this was the case with this book and it made it a little slow at times. This, along with the multiple strands of the story dealing with the abduction, Zoe's past, flashbacks and misdirection did, for me, make it hard going at times.

The story is told from multiple points of view with flashbacks from Zoe's past which were a story in themselves. The characters are really interesting and I am looking forward to getting to know Zoe some more and I’m definitely looking forward to future instalments exploring her past. The writing style was easy to read, the main story was intriguing and the ending was a bit of a shocker and I love it when that happens.

Overall, whilst it might not have been the best book I have read this year, it has certainly made me look forward to the next in the series if only to get to know what happened to Rachel.

Thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts on this the first in a new series.

This was my first read by Ruhi Choudhary,and it won't be my last.
A great start to a new series introducing us to FBI Special Agent Zoe Storm in a gripping thriller that's both emotional and chilling.
Zoe is a standout element to this story strong and determined,I really enjoy when a main character has an intriguing backstory, and know there's more to discover in future instalments
There are moments when her vulnerability peeks through,making her feel all the more real and relatable.
Filled with tension and disturbing discoveries, there is a lot going on plot-wise, but at no time was the story hard to follow, finishing with an outcome that wasn't predictable and genuinely surprised me.
A solid and satisfying thriller
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

This was a fast paced,book,with a tense twist, and well rounded characters. keep you wanting to know more detective zoe was a very interesting character, and also strong.

Special Agent Zoe Storm was called to the small town of Harborwood, where a six year old girl, Lily Baker, had been abducted. The local police station was small, they had no experience with what had happened, as Harborwood didn't have serious crime. Now they needed the FBI and Zoe was it. Zoe's past was chaotic - and kept secret - and her cheerful demeanor was a front. But that didn't stop her doing her job, one she loved, vowing to seek justice for those who were most vulnerable.

When Lily's body was discovered, the town was shattered. The police, including Zoe, were frustrated as the killer was leaving no clues. They knew there would be two more victims from the three nooses dangling above Lily - they needed to discover the link to save the next. But when Tara was abducted from her bed in the middle of the night, they knew they'd failed...

The Hanging Dolls is the 1st in a new series - Zoe Storm - by Ruhi Choudhary and it's heading toward being a good series. I really enjoy the author's Detective Mackenzie Price series, so I'm keen to continue with this one. Zoe's a little volatile, with Doctor Aiden Wesley, psychologist, partnering her as well as advising the team on various suspects. The Hanging Dolls is a great police procedural/crime novel which I have no hesitation in recommending.

With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.

Ruhi Choudhary has a new crime series featuring Special Agent Zoe Storm and her partner Dr Aiden Wesley. This book begins with a shocking scene which instantly grabbed my attention and had me wanting more! After the book's thrilling and shocking beginning, it slows down a little and switches to Zoe as an adult and a special agent. When a body is found, this book kicks back into gear and I was all in doing my best to figure out whodunit along with Zoe and Aiden!

Lily Baker's young body has been found with three symbolic nooses hanging nearby. Witnesses report seeing Lily speaking to an unknown man prior to her disappearance. Another young girl is taken, and the connection is the young victims come from troubled broken homes. Zoe and Aiden throw themselves into their investigations. When Zoe receives a cryptic note, she knows the killer is taunting her which only makes her more motivated.

This is the first book that I have read by Ruhi Choudhary, and I look forward to reading more of her books. I found this book to be well thought out, thrilling, shocking, and gripping. I enjoyed the investigation and never saw the reveal coming! I enjoyed the tension, the dread, and the building suspense.

Gripping, shocking, well thought out, and thrilling! I had both the book and the audiobook which made for a wonderful reading experience!

This is first time reading this author and I loved it!! Spooky and atmospheric, it grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. Great plot and character development. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

FBI agent, Zoe Storm, along with Dr. Aiden Wesley are assigned to the small town of Harborwood after a little girl goes missing and is found dead in the woods. The small town police department lacks resources and staff to adequately address a case of such magnitude. Because the girl is found alongside three nooses, they assume that there will be additional victims. The townspeople are on edge and at the heart of the matter is a vicious mayoral race with both candidates throwing barbs at each other. When another girl goes missing and there is little information to work with, Zoe and Aiden scramble to find a link between the girls and try to prevent a third victim from being taken and killed. This book is an interesting start to the series. I was intrigued by Zoe’s complicated past and how it played into the present. It is a true testament to how a single event can shape and plague one’s life. The author gives just enough information to keep you guessing as to what will happen next. The twists and turns in this story are not anticipated and are unpredictable. I felt the story had a fresh spin to it with unique details. While the ending leaves the reader hanging, it’s not a frustration as much as anticipation for the next book in the series to see how things play out. A definite must read!

This book was a fantastic intro to the Zoe storm series. The cover and synopsis had me request the book, but within the first few pages I knew I would be ordering a physical copy once officially published! The way the characters are written and fleshed out allowed me a deeper perspective and understanding of behaviors and motives throughout the story. I was on the edge of my seat for certain mysteries and constantly trying to find time to finish the book. I would definitely recommend this book to those who like thrillers filled with suspense and questions.

When a young girl vanished from the quiet, crime-free town of Harberwood, Washington, the local police called in FBI agent Zoe Storm and Dr. Wesley for help. Soon, more children began disappearing. Haunted by her own childhood trauma, Zoe struggles to keep her past from consuming her. But can she catch the elusive child abductor before it’s too late?

“𝙒𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙪𝙢𝙖?? 𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨. 𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙡 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨 .”

Time is running out. The suspect remains at large, and the missing children are still nowhere to be found.

“𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲. “

I enjoyed this first installment of the Zoe Storm series.

The story opens with a bang and is easy to follow, with short chapters and a fast pace. I loved the character of Zoe — she’s a compelling main character — and the glimpses into her therapy sessions added depth.

There’s a good balance of dark themes, wry humor, and memorable quotes. The plot itself is deeply unsettling and tragic, and it gave me chills more than once.

The story has plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked, and the final twist genuinely surprised me.

I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series. I’m curious to see if Zoe will finally confront her past and solve her own mysteries — and how her relationships with Simon and Dr. Wesley will develop.

Thank you @netgalley for approving my eARC request.

ooooo yes! a great start and the excitement then of a new series to get stuck in to. and stuck in already i am.
this is definitely one of those book the line " read into the night" are made for. as i was. and i wanted to be.
this book was so much more than a gripping thriller though as it gripped the heart too. it was an emotional one for sure. and i think this is all leading me further into believing this Zoe Storm series is going to be a sure winner of a series to follow for me.
Zoe is an agent with the FBI. but since her childhood she has vowed to go harder, work stronger to help the innocent. she wont stop and this in itself brings such courage but also risk to both herself and her career. it endeared me and made me care about Zoe on an instant. i wanted to know more about her and the plot. and want to continue to with future books.
the book kept me guessing. i was filled with who and why questions throughout.
just the thought of the situation. Zoe is called to a murder scene and there by the child in the tree is hanging three nooses. and then its a race at pace from there.
this was such a clever and tight book to read. it new where it was going and new where id go alongside it. just a brilliant brilliant read. i cant say enough of just how taken into this book i was. when you get such a book that hits all the right points for you, it gets really exciting.

I have read one book by Choudhary before and thought I would try this.

It didn't disappoint! Zoe is an FBI agent who is moved across to another state to help with a murder investigation. Intertwined with Zoes current case, there are flashbacks into her past and the mystery surrounding what happened to her mother. I liked the way this was written, it's clearly laid out and there's no confusion between timelines and the stories.

Zoe is a really strong, well rounded and fleshed out character and I felt myself warming to her instantly. I think Choudhary is fast becoming a new favourite author of mine.

The only snag I had was every chapter, or almost, started with a weather description and it became a bit tedious for me with each chapter.

Moving on. This is a fantastic story. Thoroughly enjoyable and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series!

I found the start of this book very slow, and some parts dragged. Overall it was an okay read . Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoutre for ARC.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for my copy of #The Hanging Dolls by Ruhi Choudhary.

Zoe Storm is a good agent, according to her boss Simon, she's the best agent he has.
So, when a small town requests help in a missing child case, he sends Zoe.
Hitting the ground running the shocks and twists come thick and fast. An excellent read that kept me hooked all the way through.
And you know there is more to come, left enough of a cliffhanger for me to be impatiently waiting for the next book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
A Chilling Start to a Promising New Series

The Hanging Dolls kicks off what I hope will be a long-running and just-as-powerful series as Ruhi Choudhary’s phenomenal Mackenzie Price books. Special Agent Zoe Storm is a compelling new protagonist—driven, sharp, and layered with just enough vulnerability to make her instantly relatable. The case is tense and atmospheric, with chilling imagery and a killer whose twisted signature leaves you breathless.

The pacing is tight, the mystery gripping, and the emotional stakes are high. This book lays a strong foundation for future installments, and I can’t wait to see how Zoe’s story develops. Fans of Mary Stone, Kendra Elliot, and Melinda Leigh will definitely want to get on board early with this series. Ruhi Choudhary proves once again that she’s a standout voice in the genre.

Thanks to Ms Choudhary, the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

My thoughts:
I always look forward to the start of a new series. I can already say the Zoe Storm series is going to be a favorite series for me.
Zoe is a special agent with the FBI. Her troubled childhood has her vowing to help the innocent. Can she do this without jeopardizing her career?
Zoe is an interesting character for sure!
I could not figure out where the author was taking us…always a good thing to keep me fully engaged.
I have high hopes for this new crime thriller by Ruhi Choudhary.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Name :- The Hanging Dolls
Author :- Ruhi Choudhary
Genre :- Psychological thriller.
Ruhi Choudhary introduces us to Special Agent Zoe Storm—resilient, razor-sharp, and relentless in her pursuit of justice. When the body of a young girl is discovered in a haunting woodland scene, Zoe is plunged into a race against time to stop a serial predator who’s just getting started. The eerie imagery—nooses swaying from trees, notes left behind, girls lured with promises of safety—creates an atmosphere thick with dread.
Likes and Dislikes :-
Likes :-
1 Zoe Storm’s Character: Strong yet vulnerable, Zoe is a deeply compelling lead whose emotional investment in the case elevates the stakes.
2 Fast-paced Plot: The countdown element, symbolic clues, and escalating danger keep the pages flying.
3 Atmospheric Setting: The misty, wooded backdrop of Harborwood enhances the suspense and isolation.
Dislikes :-:
None.
Conclusion :- The Hanging Dolls blends emotional depth with a gripping mystery, making it hard to put down. It’s perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot, or those who enjoy thrillers with strong female leads and high-stakes investigations.
My rating :- 4.5/5

This had all the elements that make up a great thriller but I was a bit disappointed. I thought it was a bit slow to start and tended to drag a bit. It wasn't a bad read just not terribly exciting. I don't know that I would rush to buy this author's work again.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

Zoe Storm works with the FBI. She gets called to a town that never sees violence or murder. Now they have a missing little girl who disappeared buying ice cream. The girl is discovered dead by a tree with three nooses hanging and suddenly a second girl is missing. Will they find her before it´s too late? In Zoes quest to find this girl she finds out a lot of secrets and discovers that maybe the killer is closer than she thought...

I really liked this. I am a BIG big BIIIG fan of Criminal Minds and this gave me the same vibes! I really recommend you read this and I will most likely be continuing with the Zoe Storm series in the future.

I rated the book 3.5 stars.