The Spirit Girls

A Rylan Flynn Mystery, Book 1

By: Dawn Merriman

Narrated by: Stephanie Cannon

Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

“Where are you taking me?” Rylan follows the figure through the trees. The girl’s dark ponytail swings as she turns back, then walks on without answering. Deep in the woods, she disappears, and Rylan finds her body, mouth wide in a silent, final plea for help.

Rylan Flynn has always been able to see what others don’t—the restless spirits haunting Ashby, Indiana. She’s learned to live with her “gift", but sometimes, she longs to escape.

The woods have always been a peaceful place for Rylan. But on a visit to her aunt’s cabin, she catches sight of a spirit in the trees. The ghost of a young woman approaches, leading Rylan to her body.

With a flood of horror, Rylan realizes that the girl, Celeste Monroe, has been murdered. An outgoing newcomer to town, Celeste had no enemies. Who on earth would want to see her dead?

When a coin carved with strange symbols is discovered in Celeste’s throat, it’s clear that a twisted, cold-blooded killer is at work.

Rylan’s abilities could be the only way to prevent further deaths. But Ashby’s handsome head detective, Ford Pierce, has made it very clear that he doesn’t want her help.

And any unexplained knowledge of the case could make Rylan the perfect suspect.

When another body is discovered and blood at the scene points to Rylan’s family, she is more determined than ever to uncover the truth. She must race against time to untangle a web of dark secrets, but can she find answers before the murderer claims another victim?

A heart-pounding mystery with a touch of romance, The Spirit Girls begins a new series of paranormal thrillers. If you love urban fantasy or psychic thrillers by Heather Graham and Wendy Wang, this book will grab you and never let go.

©2023 Dawn Merriman (P)2024 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd

I liked this one!

I like The Spirit Girls. The characters were fun, likable, and relatable. Stephanie Cannon did a great narration that kept me engaged in the story. Listened to the whole book in one night. I will read this one again and plan on getting the second book as well. I love Wendy Wang and this reminded me of her books. I would recommend this to anyone who likes paranormal mysteries.

Fast-paced and thrilling plot!

The Spirit Girls by Dawn Merriman is a fantastic paranormal mystery novel! The book follows Rylan Flynn, who possesses a unique gift of seeing restless spirits in Ashby, Indiana. When Rylan discovers the dead body of a young woman, Celeste Monroe, she realizes that she has been murdered. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that a cold-blooded killer is at work. The story is told from different perspectives, including Rylan's and Ford Pierce's, the head detective in charge of the case. Despite his reluctance to accept her help, Rylan's abilities prove invaluable in solving the murders. As the investigation progresses, Rylan and Ford's relationship evolves, adding a touch of romance to the story.

I enjoyed the book's fast-paced and thrilling plot, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The author has done an excellent job of building the characters, making them likable and relatable. The book is also an excellent blend of urban fantasy and psychic thrillers, reminiscent of Heather Graham and Wendy Wang's works. Overall, The Spirit Girls is a great read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal mysteries or a touch of romance in their thrillers.

Overtly religious

Not for me. If you like Christian fiction, you may enjoy it. I was disappointed- the synopsis interested me, but this was a giant let down.