Once Gone (A Riley Paige Mystery–Book 1)

Written by Blake Pierce

Narrated by Elaine Wise

Women are turning up dead in the rural outskirts of Virginia, killed in grotesque ways, and when the FBI is called in, they are stumped. A serial killer is out there, his frequency increasing, and they know there is only one agent good enough to crack this case: Special Agent Riley Paige.

Riley is on paid leave herself, recovering from her encounter with her last serial killer, and, fragile as she is, the FBI is reluctant to tap her brilliant mind. Yet Riley, needing to battle her own demons, comes on board, and her hunt leads her through the disturbing subculture of doll collectors, into the homes of broken families, and into the darkest canals of the killer’s mind. As Riley peels back the layers, she realizes she is up against a killer more twisted than she could have imagined. In a frantic race against time, she finds herself pushed to her limit, her job on the line, her own family in danger, and her fragile psyche collapsing.

Yet once Riley Paige takes on a case, she will not quit. It obsesses her, leading her to the darkest corners of her own mind, blurring the lines between hunter and hunted. After a series of unexpected twists, her instincts lead her to a shocking climax that even Riley could not have imagined.

A dark psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, Once Gone marks the debut of a riveting series—and a beloved new character—that will leave you listening late into the night.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lukeman Literary Management
• Release date: Oct 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781640295193

Blake Pierce

Blake Pierce is author of the #1 bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which include the mystery suspense thrillers ONCE GONE (book #1), ONCE TAKEN (book #2) and ONCE CRAVED (#3). An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews for Once Gone (A Riley Paige Mystery–Book 1)

[Terdra Brooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the book and the story line. It kept me engaged throughout the book. However, the British accent and pronunciation of various words on the audio version were a turn off. They made me feel as if I was not listening to a story taking place in the United States.

[Wayne Kearney · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another serial killer another emotionally injured FBI agent. If you think youve seen the movie...you have. Nothing new here.

[Vicki Chaney · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good audiobook but I do not like the narrator. Her accent distracted from the story.

[stephanie clay · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

First, I am bothered by the narrator with a British accent. The main character is clearly not British and I had a hard time reconciling the two. The book was not that intriguing however, l need to listen to the 2nd book in series to finish what I started- hopefully it’ll get better. Not a bad read, just little nuances that bothered mr

[Wendy Snead · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story is ok. Maybe I am just a fan of P Cornwell and this author does not match. There is no real character development here. If you like Scarpetta, Riley is no comparison.
My main problem with the book is that the tale is based in America but the story is read by a Brit. Do not get me wrong, I love the British accent just not for a book based in the USA.

[MJ Gulliver · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I just could not get past the narrator being British with a story set in the US. Every character voice confused me, “Is HE British?!”

[Jackie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Typical detective and criminal story. Kept waiting for something exciting to happen but unfortunately it never came. I agree with other comments about the British accent of the reader... love the accent but in this case it didn’t work.

[merily.pedosk · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Stupid book. Horrible. Nicely written, but the story was stupid. She was suppose to be such a great agent. But she went around the town and arrested everybody. Literally. No proof, no nothing. And every time she was sure she got the right man at first. Going around, pulling her gun on everybody and anybody. Obviously the last one was the real killer, but that was bound to happen cus she literally arrested everybody else already. Terrible.

[Gay Gasper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story line. Intense! I liked the reader. Found of the characters.

[Linda Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

First, in this series, a very intense plot is well played.

[Don Sangster · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

American characters all with a british accent due to the narrator.

[connie taylor · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I so wanted to hear this book but the English accent on a American setting just takes me out of the story

[Rasalynn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So far this is a really gripping series. I can’t recommend this book enough!

[Yvette Bonett · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

unfortunately didn't listen to it all, will prob read the book instead as seems like a good story, but couldn't enjoy the narration with the British accent and the way it was narrated.

[Jim Phillips · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good except all American characters narrated in a British accent. Ridiculous!!

[Dolores Weiss · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The daughter in the beginning was a brat. No one should ever accept the way she spoke to her mother. Reilly was not a mother or a FBI agent. It was so unrealistic it was hard to stomach. I understand this is the first book. If the others are the same they should market them to 5th graders.

[Jessica Kopchik · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good crime thriller, the characters were well crafted. The one thing I didn’t care for was the feeling that you were jumping into a series two books in. That leaves you jumping back and forth and I didn’t care for it.

[Paula Dailey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed the plot but the book was ruined for me by the narrator having a British accent. There was no need for that as there are many fine American readers.

[Chuck Newman · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Listening to this after the John Connolly Charlie Parker series was a let down.

Shallow and conflicting character storylines along with massive jumps in plot and mediocre writing.