Throw Away Girls: A Gripping Kidnap Thriller

Private Investigators Belle and Jackson Avery Thriller Series, Book 1

De: K. J. North

Narrado por: Heather Thivierge

Go home. This is not a place for anyone to wander, especially where shadows conceal the truth and predators hide in plain sight.

It’s been a year since Willow Avery vanished without a trace during a family outing. One moment, she was walking with her siblings through a crowded fairground; the next, she was gone. Despite the authorities giving up, Belle and her brother, Jackson, refuse to stop searching, determined to uncover what happened to Willow.

A promising lead draws them south, to Savannah, and then Miami, plunging them into a treacherous underworld they couldn’t have imagined. As they unravel the mystery, they uncover a pattern of disappearances eerily similar to Willow’s case, and time is running out for the other missing girls.

For Belle, the search becomes deeply personal, pushing her into the very nightmare her sister endured. What begins as a mission to find Willow turns into a deadly battle for survival. There are no guarantees—but Belle will risk everything for the chance to bring her sister home.

Other Books by K. J. North
Victim of a Delusional Mind
Dead Man’s Money
Every Last Drop
Her Kill List
No One Heard Me Scream
Killing Rebecca
Quiet Kill
Kill Me Twice
Killing Trail
Sleeping with a Serial Killer

©2024, 2025 Karen Nelson (P)2025 Karen Nelson

The story centers on a dark kidnapping case

Throw Away Girls is a solid start to the Belle and Jackson Avery thriller series and works especially well in audiobook format. The story centers on a dark kidnapping case, and while the premise isn’t entirely new to the genre, it’s delivered in a way that keeps you engaged and wanting to see how the investigation unfolds.

The narrator’s voice is clear and confident, which made it easy to stay immersed for long listening sessions. Character distinctions are handled well without sounding exaggerated, and the emotional moments are conveyed with restraint rather than melodrama. This fits the material and keeps the tone grounded.

In terms of pacing, the narration moves at a steady, deliberate rhythm. The investigative portions benefit from this slower burn, allowing tension to build naturally, though listeners who prefer nonstop action may find some sections more methodical. The overall tone is dark and serious, appropriate for the subject matter, but not so heavy that it becomes exhausting to listen to.

As an audiobook, this is a good choice for fans of crime thrillers who enjoy detailed investigations and character-driven storytelling. While some plot elements may feel familiar, the narration adds polish and consistency, making it an engaging listen and a promising introduction to the series.

Loved this book

I really like this author, as I have read several of his books, but this one was an exceptional thriller about siblings trying to find their missing sister. From the journey to the South - Savannah and then Miami - the siblings find more than what they would have imagined, and they start to have nightmares about what happened to their sister.

Emotional and Gripping Audio

There is something about hearing a story like this out loud that makes the tragedy of a missing child feel so much more immediate and painful. Following Belle and Jackson through the audio was a great way to experience the series for the first time, as their partnership feels very authentic when spoken. It’s a somber but thrilling ride that handles the sensitive subject of "throw away girls" with a lot of weight and serious focus.

Intriguing

This was a fast, engaging listen. It’s a timely story with relatable characters and personal stakes. The narration was pleasant and welcoming. she did a great job making you feel involved while keeping the characters distinct. I want to hear more.

Plausible Enough to Make It Scary!

First of all, I though the narrator did a great job with the different character voices. Thivierge had an appropirate Southern accent for the book's context too. Well done.

Now for the storyline: It was fast paced and compelling. Sadly it also was plausible enough to not be ignored in today's world. It made me sad that some of the characters didn't make it. But it made the book more realistic, reflecting sex-trafficking accurately. I appreciated the nautical context and the way North honored the Coast Guard's role in protecting us. Also having high ranking female officers mixed in with their male counterparts was empowering. I appreciated the victims' diverse ethnicities too, highlighting the international scope of this horrific problem. I highly recommend this book and look forward to Book 2 in this series.