No One to Help (A Sofia Blake FBI Suspense Thriller—Book Four)

By Ava Strong

FBI special agent Sofia Blake, with a Ph.D. in linguistics, can decipher any hidden codes, messages, or foreign languages the Bureau sends her way, finding patterns where others cannot and making her indispensable in tracking down the most heinous of serial killers. A string of murders rattles the California coastline as bodies turn up in multiple cities, the only clue: a note, each in a different language. Can Sofia race against time to decode the messages the killer leaves behind? Or has she finally met her linguistic match?

“The plot has many twists and turns, but it is the ending, which I did not see coming at all, that totally defines this book as one of the most riveting that I have read in years.”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

NO ONE TO HELP is Book #4 in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller Ava Strong, whose bestseller NOT LIKE US (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star ratings and reviews.

Born into a family of speech pathologists and raised with a unique heritage of German, Egyptian, and French roots, Sofia Blake has always appreciated diverse languages and cultures. With her exceptional language skills and natural talent for decoding cryptic messages, Sofia shot to the top ranks of the FBI. It seemed nothing could slow her down—until her travel-journalist sister mysteriously disappeared ten years ago.

Now, haunted by her past and desperate for answers, Sofia vows to use her extraordinary talents to stop more tragedies from occurring.

Is her linguistic genius enough to stop the vilest of killers?

Or will the killers reach her before she can crack their codes?

A page-turning crime thriller full of jaw-dropping twists and packed with heart-pounding suspense, the SOFIA BLAKE mystery series introduces a brilliant new female protagonist and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll, and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.

More books in the series are also available!

“This is a chilling, suspenseful page turner that just might leave you scared at night!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Very intriguing, kept me turning page after page… Lots of twists and turns and a very unexpected ending. Cannot wait for the next in this series!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A roller coaster ride of events… Can’t put down until you finish it!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Excellent read with very realistic characters that you become emotionally invested in… Couldn't put it down!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An excellent read, lots of twists and turns, with a surprising ending, leaving you wanting to read the next book in the series! Well done!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Well worth the read. Cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Quickly became a story I couldn’t put down! I highly recommend this book!”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I really enjoyed the fast-paced action, plot design and characterization... I didn't want to put the book down and the ending was a total surprise.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The characters are extremely well developed… There are twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing. An extremely well written story.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“One of the best books I have ever read… The ending was perfect and surprising. Ava Strong is an amazing writer.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Holy cow, what a rollercoaster… Many times I absolutely KNEW who the killer was—only to be proven wrong each time. I was completely surprised by the ending. I have to say, I am thrilled that this is the first in a series. My only complaint is that the next one isn't out yet. I need it!”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An incredible, intense, spellbinding, enjoyable story. It will keep you captivated until the end.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Strong
• Release date: Feb 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9781094383422

Book preview

cover.jpg

N O

O N E

T O

H E L P

(a sofia blake fbi suspense thriller —book 4)

a v a   s t r o n g

Ava Strong

Ava Strong is author of the REMI LAURENT mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the ILSE BECK mystery series, comprising seven books (and counting); of the STELLA FALL psychological suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the DAKOTA STEELE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the LILY DAWN suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); the MEGAN YORK FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); the SOFIA BLAKE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); the AMY RUSH FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); and the ELLE KEEN FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Ava loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.avastrongauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2024 by Ava Strong. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright Laura Crazy, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY AVA STRONG

ELLE KEEN FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

IN THE DARK (Book #1)

IN THE WAY (Book #2)

IN THE EYES (Book #3)

IN THE NIGHT (Book #4)

IN THE SILENCE (Book #5)

AMY RUSH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

TWISTED TRUTH (Book #1)

TWISTED GAME (Book #2)

TWISTED SECRET (Book #3)

TWISTED FATE (Book #4)

TWISTED VOW (Book #5)

SOFIA BLAKE FBI SUSPSENSE THRILLER

NO ONE THERE (Book #1)

NO ONE LEFT (Book #2)

NO ONE HOME (Book #3)

NO ONE TO HELP (Book #4)

NO ONE LIKE THIS (Book #5)

MEGAN YORK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

YOU’LL BE SORRY (Book #1)

YOU’LL BE NEXT (Book #2)

YOU’LL BE MINE (Book #3)

YOU’LL BE FIRST (Book #4)

YOU’LL BE GONE (Book #5)

LILY DAWN FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

STILL ALIVE (Book #1)

STILL HOPE (Book #2)

STILL AWAKE (Book #3)

STILL HERE (Book #4)

STILL MAD (Book #5)

REMI LAURENT FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

THE DEATH CODE (Book #1)

THE MURDER CODE (Book #2)

THE MALICE CODE (Book #3)

THE VENGEANCE CODE (Book #4)

THE DECEPTION CODE (Book #5)

THE SEDUCTION CODE (Book #6)

ILSE BECK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOT LIKE US (Book #1)

NOT LIKE HE SEEMED (Book #2)

NOT LIKE YESTERDAY (Book #3)

NOT LIKE THIS (Book #4)

NOT LIKE SHE THOUGHT (Book #5)

NOT LIKE BEFORE (Book #6)

NOT LIKE NORMAL (Book #7)

STELLA FALL PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THRILLER

HIS OTHER WIFE (Book #1)

HIS OTHER LIE (Book #2)

HIS OTHER SECRET (Book #3)

HIS OTHER MISTRESS (Book #4)

HIS OTHER LIFE (Book #5)

HIS OTHER TRUTH (Book #6)

DAKOTA STEELE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

WITHOUT MERCY (Book #1)

WITHOUT REMORSE (Book #2)

WITHOUT A PAST (Book #3)

WITHOUT PITY (Book #4)

WITHOUT HOPE (Book #5)

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINTEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

Gamze hunched over her flashcards, brow furrowed in concentration, as the chilly ocean breeze blew strands of dark hair across her face.

Okay, Gamze, focus, she murmured to herself, flipping through the stack of cards. You can do this.

She was sitting on a weathered bench along the deserted boardwalk, the rhythmic crashing of waves accompanying her study session. Her finger traced the words printed on the card: 'Further' and 'Farther'—two similar words that still managed to trip her up. In Turkish, her native language, there was no such subtlety; distance was simply uzaklık, and that was that.

Further—figurative distance; farther—physical distance. She nodded decisively, committing the distinction to memory.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky transformed into a breathtaking canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples. The Pacific Ocean stretched out before her, an infinite expanse of deepening blues. It was a sight Gamze had come to treasure during her time at California's Reilly Institute; it served as a soothing balm for her frazzled nerves.

The isolation of the boardwalk provided a welcome escape from the constant bustle of her shared apartment, where alone time was a luxury she could seldom afford. With three brothers and her parents crammed into a tiny space, quiet moments like these were a rare commodity. The solitude afforded her the opportunity to focus on her studies without distractions.

Ah, English, she said with a sigh, shaking her head as she wrestled with another tricky pair of words: 'Affect' and 'Effect.' Why must you be so difficult? But she knew that mastering these nuances would be crucial to her success in the high-level English classes she was taking. With gritted determination, she repeated the definitions in her mind, willing them to stick. Here, in the waning light of day, she was resolved to conquer every last linguistic obstacle that stood between her and her dreams.

Gamze's thoughts drifted to her family's journey to America and the challenges they had faced. Her parents' decision to leave their small Turkish village had been driven by a desire for better opportunities for their children. Adjusting to life in the United States had been difficult, with language barriers and cultural differences causing friction both within the family and as they interacted with their new community.

Gamze's personal ambition was fueled by a desire to succeed not only for herself but also for her family. She dreamed of becoming a journalist, giving voice to the unheard and shedding light on the injustices that peppered society. But to achieve this, she knew that passing her composition test was essential.

Her father had always been skeptical of her aspirations, urging her instead to focus on a more stable career like her brothers. But his doubts only served to strengthen her resolve; she was determined to prove him wrong.

Lost in her thoughts, Gamze barely registered the buzzing of her phone. Glancing down, she saw a text from Emre, her youngest brother: When are you coming home? Mom's worried.

She checked the time and sighed, dismayed at how late it had become. The sun had nearly disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving behind an eerie twilight glow. Despite this, Gamze hesitated. She was making progress, finally feeling more confident in her grasp of the English language. She wanted to stay just a little longer until it was too dark to see her flashcards.

Almost done, she typed back to Emre, adding a reassuring smiley face. Returning her focus to her studies, she felt a sense of urgency take hold. Her fingers danced over the flashcards, each one bringing her closer to her dreams.

Alright, she murmured under her breath, her voice filled with determination. Just a few more minutes.

With a renewed sense of urgency, Gamze flipped through her flashcards, focusing intently on mastering each one. Her eyes scanned the words like a hawk hunting its prey, her mind racing to absorb every detail.

Colloquial…idiomatic, she muttered.

Suddenly, a sound pierced the silence—a faint rustling in the nearby bushes. Gamze's head snapped up, eyes scanning her surroundings for the source of the noise.

Get a grip, Gamze, she whispered to herself. It's probably just a squirrel or something.

Trying to shake off her unease, she stood up and paced back and forth along the boardwalk, the worn wooden planks creaking beneath her feet. All the while, she continued to recite the words on her flashcards, determined not to let her fear distract her from her goal.

Jargon…vernacular, she mumbled, her pace quickening as the sense of unease grew stronger.

The salty ocean breeze carried the scent of seaweed and brine, a combination that was ordinarily comforting but seemed alien now. She shivered from the chill that had settled deep within her bones.

Come on, Gamze, she told herself, clenching her fists. There's nothing out here. You're just letting your imagination run wild.

But despite her self-reassurances, she couldn't help but feel as though an unseen presence was lurking nearby, watching her every move. The shadows cast by the setting sun seemed to twist and contort into menacing shapes, feeding her growing paranoia.

Stop it, Gamze, she muttered under her breath. You're just scaring yourself for no reason.

Her thoughts raced back to her childhood when her older brother, Emir, had shown her a book filled with terrifying creatures from Turkish folklore. That night, he'd told her the tale of the Karabasan—a dark and malevolent being that preyed on children's deepest fears, creeping into their rooms at night to steal their very souls. The image of the creature, its eyes burning like hot coals and its twisted, gnarled limbs reaching out for her, had haunted her nightmares for months.

Those were just stories, and this is just my imagination, she repeated to herself, trying to shake off the memory and focus on her flashcards once more. I'm not a little girl anymore. I won't let fear control me.

But as she struggled to concentrate on her studies, another noise cut through the air, this time much closer than before. It sounded like two stones clattering together, perhaps from the pile of rocks to her left. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she whipped her head around to face the source of the sound.

Hello? she called out hesitantly, her voice trembling. Is someone there?

Silence answered her, and she stared intently at the rocks, squinting to make out any shapes or movement in the dim light. But there was nothing—no shadows shifting, no hidden figures emerging from the darkness. Just the cold, empty void of the night swallowing up her words.

Enough, Gamze whispered, unable to bear the oppressive fear any longer. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and made up her mind. I need to go home.

Her hands trembled as she hastily gathered her flashcards and stuffed them into her backpack. The wind seemed to pick up, as if urging her to flee the darkening boardwalk. With one last glance at the rocks where the sounds had originated, Gamze hastened toward the end of the boardwalk where her bike was parked.

The familiar sight of her faithful blue bicycle, adorned with a white wicker basket on the front, brought a fleeting sense of comfort. It was an older model, handed down from her brother, but it had served her well over the years. Gamze slipped her backpack into the basket, her heart galloping as she mounted the bike. She looked behind her, half expecting to see a sinister figure emerging from the shadows, but there was only emptiness.

Get yourself together, she muttered, trying to calm her nerves. Her hands gripped the handlebars tightly, knuckles turning white as she pedaled away from the boardwalk and onto the path that led home.

Soon, the path grew thick with cypress trees, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. Dense clusters of coyote brush lined the path, their tangled mass seemingly forming a barrier between her and the unseen dangers lurking beyond.

Almost home, Gamze told herself, focusing on the sound of her own breathing and the whirring of the bike chain. Nothing's going to happen. You're just imagining things, like always.

The tires crunched over fallen leaves and twigs. Gamze's thoughts focused on the comforting image of her family waiting for her at home, warm smiles and a hot meal ready to welcome her back from the day's struggles.

Dense clusters of toyon bushes appeared on either side, their red berries a stark contrast against the dark green foliage. Gamze's heart pounded in her chest, but Gamze allowed herself a small measure of relief. She had escaped whatever – or whoever – had been lurking near the boardwalk. It was just her imagination playing tricks on her again.

See? Everything's fine, she said, feeling the tension in her shoulders begin to ease.

Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of movement to her right. Before she could process what it was, a figure pushed through the toyon bushes and shoved her.

Hey! Gamze cried out, but the word was lost in the rush of air as she tumbled off her bike and hit the ground hard.

Pain radiated through her leg, where it scraped against the rough gravel. A searing sting accompanied the sensation of warm blood trickling down her skin. Panic threatened to suffocate her as she tried to free herself from the bike, only to find her shoelaces tangled in the chain.

Come on, come on, she muttered, fingers desperately working to untangle the knot.

As she struggled, an ominous shadow fell over her. Gamze looked up, her heart threatening to leap out of her chest, and saw the figure looming above her, wielding a knife in their hand. The blade glinted cruelly in the moonlight, promising pain and terror.

Go on and scream, the figure said. Nobody will hear you.

CHAPTER ONE

Sofia's fingers hovered above her computer keyboard, her dark eyes darting between the screen and the picture on her phone.

It's gotta be here somewhere, she murmured.

The image from the airport security camera showed a dark green sedan, its license plate frustratingly obscured by the angle and distance. She had spent hours combing through an online database of cars that matched the make and model, but so far, nothing had come up.

Damn it, she muttered under her breath, rubbing her temples as her frustration mounted. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was missing something crucial in her search for answers about her sister Cecilia.

Eight years ago, Cecilia had been an adventurous travel journalist with a penchant for exploring the unknown. Her last assignment had taken her to Egypt, where she had planned to uncover local legends and forgotten histories. But she never made it home. For years, the police had believed that Cecilia had gone missing in Egypt, lost among the sands and ancient ruins. But Sofia had recently discovered a new lead that suggested otherwise: a grainy security camera image of her sister getting into a dark green sedan outside an airport back in the States.

The revelation had ignited a newfound determination within Sofia, a burning desire to find the truth about what had happened to her sister all