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An Afton Tangler Thriller #1
Little Girl Gone
In the first Afton Tangler thriller, the unforgiving cold of a Minnesota winter hides the truth behind an even more chilling crime...
On a frozen night in an affluent neighborhood of Minneapolis, a baby is abducted from her home after her teenage babysitter is violently assaulted. The parents are frantic, the police are baffled, and, with the perpetrator already in the wind, the trail is getting colder by the second.
As family liaison officer with the Minneapolis P.D., it’s Afton Tangler’s job to deal with the emotional aftermath of terrible crimes—but she’s never faced a case quite as brutal as this. Each development is more heartbreaking than the last and the only lead is a collection of seemingly unrelated clues.
But, most disturbing of all, Afton begins to suspect that this case is not isolated. Whoever did this has taken babies before—and if Afton doesn’t solve this crime soon, more children are sure to go missing . . .
On a frozen night in an affluent neighborhood of Minneapolis, a baby is abducted from her home after her teenage babysitter is violently assaulted. The parents are frantic, the police are baffled, and, with the perpetrator already in the wind, the trail is getting colder by the second.
As family liaison officer with the Minneapolis P.D., it’s Afton Tangler’s job to deal with the emotional aftermath of terrible crimes—but she’s never faced a case quite as brutal as this. Each development is more heartbreaking than the last and the only lead is a collection of seemingly unrelated clues.
But, most disturbing of all, Afton begins to suspect that this case is not isolated. Whoever did this has taken babies before—and if Afton doesn’t solve this crime soon, more children are sure to go missing . . .
325 pages, Hardcover
First published July 5, 2016
127 people are currently reading
4944 people want to read
About the author
Gerry Schmitt
2 books199 followersAlso writes using the pseudonym Laura Childs
Gerry Schmitt is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five mysteries, including the Afton Tangler Thrillers, as well as the Tea Shop, Scrapbooking, and the Cackleberry Club mysteries, written under the pen name Laura Childs. She is the former CEO of her own marketing firm, has won dozens of TV and radio awards, produced two reality TV shows, and invests in small businesses. She and her professor husband enjoy collecting art, traveling, and have two Shar-Peis.
Gerry Schmitt is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five mysteries, including the Afton Tangler Thrillers, as well as the Tea Shop, Scrapbooking, and the Cackleberry Club mysteries, written under the pen name Laura Childs. She is the former CEO of her own marketing firm, has won dozens of TV and radio awards, produced two reality TV shows, and invests in small businesses. She and her professor husband enjoy collecting art, traveling, and have two Shar-Peis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
February 23, 2018
This was one of those edge of your seat-biting your nails-ripping your hair out-piling up snacks in your bed and strapping on a clean Depends because you simply can’t risk having to take a potty break kind of reads. Oh, do I have your attention now? Good. I’m quite confident this will be one of Berkley Publishing’s top books in regards of sales and quality of writing for 2016. They timed its release perfectly as this is a fantastic summer read (but really anytime read). It’s the beginning of an addictive new series starring Afton Tangler, a Community Liaison Officer with the Minnesota Police Department.
“Push through the pain, she told herself. They were words that were fast becoming her everyday mantra. A messy divorce had turned her into a single mom again, and her job as community liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department meant she had to deal with people in the messy, tragic aftermath of their worst day ever.”
I haven’t quite pegged her yet, as we are still getting to know each other, but she kept me on my toes throughout the entire book. Here is a character who emits strength-single, working mom, climbing dangerous, icy rock walls in her spare time and taking forensics classes in hopes of joining the force as an officer; however, many times throughout the book she was broken, weak, and felt as though she was failing at every step and questioning every moment of her investigation. This might be a turn off to some who enjoy reading only those “superwoman” type protagonists; I personally enjoyed the change of pace and seeing a character who could be strong and weak simultaneously. I think what made this work was the fact that, unlike most crime thriller stories with a female protagonist, she is not in a position of high authority. If fact, she’s quite low on the totem pole of police politics.
Another aspect that made this a 5 star read was the setting. I have a soft spot for the Twin Cities as my husband was temporarily relocated to Minneapolis right after we were married and I was able to travel with him. Since I was completing my college courses online, I was able to do my work and explore the surroundings while he was working, and it was magical. The people were so friendly, but the atmosphere was absolutely breathtaking. I’ll never forget the beautiful homes, the lush, green parks (clearly we weren’t there for winter), and the quaint home town restaurants; that experience allowed me to fully imagine this book as if I was in the picture. The author’s descriptions were so on point, and she used her knowledge of the area to draw you in through the descriptions of the roads and the weather, especially when it came to the ice storms near the end.
The story itself was difficult to peg; it was full on police procedural but this was not really a mystery. Everyone knows that I prefer who-dun-its and figuring out the who, what, and why, but this is a story where you know the who and figure out the why fairly early on (not because of a poorly written mystery, but because this is as its intended). There were some unexpected twists (bless my soul!!!) and I have to admit I actually enjoyed this one and didn’t regret that my detective skills weren’t put to the test. There are some dark, disturbing concepts discussed per the investigation, and as a mother of a 3 year old and 1 year old, both little girls, I had to remind myself “this story is fiction, this story is fiction, this story is fiction”, even though the scariest part is that it has a VERY realistic aspect to it. In terms of the continuing story/characters, I really love that we are given just enough about our main characters that we are sucked in and left wanting more. I honestly enjoyed the personal storyline of Afton and Max as much as the thrilling action scenes. There is no giant cliffhanger to make you want to slowly peel your fingernails back while waiting for the next book so THAT’S A RELIEF.
Its safe to say that I would highly recommend this one, but I’d go as far as saying this is a must read. Don’t let the word “Girl” in the title fool you; this is nothing like the previous psychological thrillers you’ve read and grown tired of. I swore a few months ago that I would stop picking up books with that dreaded word “Girl” in them, as I was tired of the same old after the first few greats were done, but this isn’t even in the same realm. This book is not about a missing, broken, unreliable narrator; its about a kidnapped baby girl and how far our justice system would go to bring her back. If this is on your TBR list- please move it promptly to the top and pick it up when you have hours to devote to it. You won’t want to put it down!
* I feel its necessary to note, without spoiling the read, that there are a few highly disturbing scenes with triggers involving small children. These are not sexually related and the babies are not physically/violently abused by the captors, but these scenes are crucial to the storyline.
** I’d like to thank Berkley Publishing for sending my a hardcover (how often does that happen?!) and being the coolest publisher on social media to date.
“Push through the pain, she told herself. They were words that were fast becoming her everyday mantra. A messy divorce had turned her into a single mom again, and her job as community liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department meant she had to deal with people in the messy, tragic aftermath of their worst day ever.”
I haven’t quite pegged her yet, as we are still getting to know each other, but she kept me on my toes throughout the entire book. Here is a character who emits strength-single, working mom, climbing dangerous, icy rock walls in her spare time and taking forensics classes in hopes of joining the force as an officer; however, many times throughout the book she was broken, weak, and felt as though she was failing at every step and questioning every moment of her investigation. This might be a turn off to some who enjoy reading only those “superwoman” type protagonists; I personally enjoyed the change of pace and seeing a character who could be strong and weak simultaneously. I think what made this work was the fact that, unlike most crime thriller stories with a female protagonist, she is not in a position of high authority. If fact, she’s quite low on the totem pole of police politics.
Another aspect that made this a 5 star read was the setting. I have a soft spot for the Twin Cities as my husband was temporarily relocated to Minneapolis right after we were married and I was able to travel with him. Since I was completing my college courses online, I was able to do my work and explore the surroundings while he was working, and it was magical. The people were so friendly, but the atmosphere was absolutely breathtaking. I’ll never forget the beautiful homes, the lush, green parks (clearly we weren’t there for winter), and the quaint home town restaurants; that experience allowed me to fully imagine this book as if I was in the picture. The author’s descriptions were so on point, and she used her knowledge of the area to draw you in through the descriptions of the roads and the weather, especially when it came to the ice storms near the end.
The story itself was difficult to peg; it was full on police procedural but this was not really a mystery. Everyone knows that I prefer who-dun-its and figuring out the who, what, and why, but this is a story where you know the who and figure out the why fairly early on (not because of a poorly written mystery, but because this is as its intended). There were some unexpected twists (bless my soul!!!) and I have to admit I actually enjoyed this one and didn’t regret that my detective skills weren’t put to the test. There are some dark, disturbing concepts discussed per the investigation, and as a mother of a 3 year old and 1 year old, both little girls, I had to remind myself “this story is fiction, this story is fiction, this story is fiction”, even though the scariest part is that it has a VERY realistic aspect to it. In terms of the continuing story/characters, I really love that we are given just enough about our main characters that we are sucked in and left wanting more. I honestly enjoyed the personal storyline of Afton and Max as much as the thrilling action scenes. There is no giant cliffhanger to make you want to slowly peel your fingernails back while waiting for the next book so THAT’S A RELIEF.
Its safe to say that I would highly recommend this one, but I’d go as far as saying this is a must read. Don’t let the word “Girl” in the title fool you; this is nothing like the previous psychological thrillers you’ve read and grown tired of. I swore a few months ago that I would stop picking up books with that dreaded word “Girl” in them, as I was tired of the same old after the first few greats were done, but this isn’t even in the same realm. This book is not about a missing, broken, unreliable narrator; its about a kidnapped baby girl and how far our justice system would go to bring her back. If this is on your TBR list- please move it promptly to the top and pick it up when you have hours to devote to it. You won’t want to put it down!
* I feel its necessary to note, without spoiling the read, that there are a few highly disturbing scenes with triggers involving small children. These are not sexually related and the babies are not physically/violently abused by the captors, but these scenes are crucial to the storyline.
** I’d like to thank Berkley Publishing for sending my a hardcover (how often does that happen?!) and being the coolest publisher on social media to date.
July 5, 2016
LITTLE GIRL GONE (not "Little Gone Girl," as I keep seeing it!) is a fantastic start to the Afton Tangler series. It's a different kind of mystery/thriller, as in it's more of a whydunit than a whodunit, which I liked very much. I loved Afton's character. She's a family liaison officer for the police department, though slowing working toward becoming a detective.
Afton is assigned to the case of a kidnapped baby girl as a social worker, but she ends up tagging along with a seasoned detective named Max to help solve the case. Afton is a tough, strong, and very brave woman, and I'd totally want her on my side if I was in trouble.
The story is told from different points of view, including the bad guys. It was quite interesting and disturbing to get inside their heads too. This was a suspenseful, exciting, page-turner for me. I stayed up until the wee hours fighting off sleep so I could find out how it ends. Nice combination of police procedural and suspense. Enjoyed it!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Afton is assigned to the case of a kidnapped baby girl as a social worker, but she ends up tagging along with a seasoned detective named Max to help solve the case. Afton is a tough, strong, and very brave woman, and I'd totally want her on my side if I was in trouble.
The story is told from different points of view, including the bad guys. It was quite interesting and disturbing to get inside their heads too. This was a suspenseful, exciting, page-turner for me. I stayed up until the wee hours fighting off sleep so I could find out how it ends. Nice combination of police procedural and suspense. Enjoyed it!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2016
Little girl gone is not a thriller or a mystery but I would put it in a cozy genre. Afton is a Minneapolis family liaison officer in charge of a baby kidnapping. Baby Elizabeth 3 months old has been kidnapped from her home in a rich neighborhood and her baby sitter attacked. The parents especially the mom Sarah is distraught over the kidnapping and though you know by whom the baby is kidnapped it's the way the the police come to the conclusion that makes up the story .The book is mostly about how the detectives find and investigate clues. Afton who wants to become a police officer tags along with Max, and tries to follow the clues. The reborn baby portion of this book though was totally creepy.
There are no sudden surprises or ending in this book .It was a quick cozy mystery and I would love to know more about the background of the characters .In all an interesting series to look forward to and I would give it 3 1/2 stars.
There are no sudden surprises or ending in this book .It was a quick cozy mystery and I would love to know more about the background of the characters .In all an interesting series to look forward to and I would give it 3 1/2 stars.
October 6, 2022
Competent writing is important, and this crummy book demonstrates why. The story is interesting: some hillbilly losers from Wisconsin (where else?) kidnap a wealthy family’s baby. Afton—which, for non-twin citians, is the name of a lame ski hill along the St. Croix river—is a single mom and community-relations officer for the Minneapolis Police Department who wants to be a real detective. This is all the framework we need for a gripping thriller. Sigh. The Author’s terrible writing completely defeats the concept.
The author has a long career writing cozies, and that shows here. The writing is wordy, attempts to be clever are clumsy turds, the descriptions are over-written, the similes are random junk, and the narrator Afton only describes her emotions, never experiences them. More: when Afton is alone, she worries about finding the kidnapped baby, her own kids, her prospects for advancement. It’s all rather routine, but better than when she’s with other cops. When there’s someone in the room for Afton to converse with, she doesn’t have ANY thoughts. The author makes Afton a neutral observer whenever someone else can see her. All of this might be acceptable in a cozy, where the avoidance of strong emotions is a feature, but in this story it turns it into a shallow, second-hand book report.
The author has a long career writing cozies, and that shows here. The writing is wordy, attempts to be clever are clumsy turds, the descriptions are over-written, the similes are random junk, and the narrator Afton only describes her emotions, never experiences them. More: when Afton is alone, she worries about finding the kidnapped baby, her own kids, her prospects for advancement. It’s all rather routine, but better than when she’s with other cops. When there’s someone in the room for Afton to converse with, she doesn’t have ANY thoughts. The author makes Afton a neutral observer whenever someone else can see her. All of this might be acceptable in a cozy, where the avoidance of strong emotions is a feature, but in this story it turns it into a shallow, second-hand book report.
December 26, 2016
4 star debut! Really enjoyed this one, already looking forward to and added Gerry Schmitt's next one (titled Shadow Girl, expected release August 2017) to my TBR list! Always fun to find a new author with a great first book to follow!
March 20, 2018
This is the first book in the Afton Tangler series - and I really, really liked it! Afton Tangler is a family liaison officer for the police department, though slowing working toward becoming a detective. In this book , you have more of a 'why done it' rather than a 'who done it' ....
This story is about a child that was kidnapped from her home. We know who did it- so the story is now about how Afton Tangler and the FBI put clues together to try to find this little girl who was taken. Great all around characters- good ones and really creepy ones too!
It was a fast read- and a very good one at that! Highly recommended!
This story is about a child that was kidnapped from her home. We know who did it- so the story is now about how Afton Tangler and the FBI put clues together to try to find this little girl who was taken. Great all around characters- good ones and really creepy ones too!
It was a fast read- and a very good one at that! Highly recommended!
August 15, 2017
Would have given a 3.5 rating is possible.
I am not going into a synopsis of the plot as many other reviewers have done that. I will say instead what I liked and didn't care for in the book.
First, I know this is minor but the name of Afton Tangler sounded like a somewhat maniacal machine to me. Almost like it could be in a Stephen King novel. The fact that Afton became involved and rode along as a police officer when she was a family liaison person wouldn't happen in real life. Afton always knew more than the police officers and the FBI. The ending was unrealistic and would never happen like that. It is fiction I know but would like it to be somewhat believable.
What I did like quite a bit was the location. I lived in the area some years ago so knew the areas that were mentioned. The book did show probably more what police procedures are like. Many leads that the reader knew were false were checked up on by the police. The readers knew who the culprits were from the beginning of the book. Also, there were chapters showing the criminals POV so there was no doubt to the readers who it was. They were creepy villains.
I am not going into a synopsis of the plot as many other reviewers have done that. I will say instead what I liked and didn't care for in the book.
First, I know this is minor but the name of Afton Tangler sounded like a somewhat maniacal machine to me. Almost like it could be in a Stephen King novel. The fact that Afton became involved and rode along as a police officer when she was a family liaison person wouldn't happen in real life. Afton always knew more than the police officers and the FBI. The ending was unrealistic and would never happen like that. It is fiction I know but would like it to be somewhat believable.
What I did like quite a bit was the location. I lived in the area some years ago so knew the areas that were mentioned. The book did show probably more what police procedures are like. Many leads that the reader knew were false were checked up on by the police. The readers knew who the culprits were from the beginning of the book. Also, there were chapters showing the criminals POV so there was no doubt to the readers who it was. They were creepy villains.
Read
August 25, 2016The debut in a new series introduces Afton Tangler, a single mom of two girls, who works as a family liaison officer with the Minneapolis Police Department. Afton is out ice climbing in the frigid Minnesota winter when she gets a call about a kidnapped 3 month old baby girl. Little Elizabeth Ann Darden was taken from her crib at home while she was being watched by a sitter. The wealthy parents, Susan and Richard, are frantic as the local police, the FBI and other jurisdictions are called in on the case.
Afton becomes extremely involved in the actual investigation of the case, far beyond the scope of her liaison job. Although the reader knows who took the baby and has an idea of why, the crime investigators are without much to go on as they attempt to track down the abductor and rescue the baby. Yes, it's a bit farfetched -- the degree of civilian Afton's involvement partnering with a detective -- but it is a quick and entertaining read that has a lot of drama. The "bad guys" are nasty enough and Afton is clever and strong enough to provide a solid start to what will likely be a popular series. I enjoyed the details about the Twin Cities geography and the winter weather features strongly in the story.
I was turned down when I requested an ARC but the synopsis interested me enough that I obtained it elsewhere on my own.
Afton becomes extremely involved in the actual investigation of the case, far beyond the scope of her liaison job. Although the reader knows who took the baby and has an idea of why, the crime investigators are without much to go on as they attempt to track down the abductor and rescue the baby. Yes, it's a bit farfetched -- the degree of civilian Afton's involvement partnering with a detective -- but it is a quick and entertaining read that has a lot of drama. The "bad guys" are nasty enough and Afton is clever and strong enough to provide a solid start to what will likely be a popular series. I enjoyed the details about the Twin Cities geography and the winter weather features strongly in the story.
I was turned down when I requested an ARC but the synopsis interested me enough that I obtained it elsewhere on my own.
June 8, 2016
Gerry Schmitt has apparently written a truckload of books under the pseudonym of Laura Childs (none of which I have read), but Little Girl Gone is the first under her real name. However, it seems like it will not be the last as a series with Afton Tangler has been planned, which I welcome enthusiastically.
"Little Girl Gone" is an effective and entertaining representative of the crime/mystery/thriller genre. Afton Tangler is an interesting protagonist with flaws but also an iron will and a big heart - and Schmitt handles that balance quite well.
The shifting focus between the main characters - protagonists, villains and important supporting characters - adds a certain pace to the story which makes it a very easy read with the pages practically turning themselves.
I enjoyed this book immensely and fans of e.g. M.J. Arlidge, Sue Grafton and Elizabeth George will swallow this in one delicious bite. I will look impatiently forward to the future adventures of Afton Tangler.
[An advance reading copy of this book was generously provided by the First to Read program]
"Little Girl Gone" is an effective and entertaining representative of the crime/mystery/thriller genre. Afton Tangler is an interesting protagonist with flaws but also an iron will and a big heart - and Schmitt handles that balance quite well.
The shifting focus between the main characters - protagonists, villains and important supporting characters - adds a certain pace to the story which makes it a very easy read with the pages practically turning themselves.
I enjoyed this book immensely and fans of e.g. M.J. Arlidge, Sue Grafton and Elizabeth George will swallow this in one delicious bite. I will look impatiently forward to the future adventures of Afton Tangler.
[An advance reading copy of this book was generously provided by the First to Read program]
February 7, 2018
This year I am going to be tough with handing out the stars and this one doesn't make the cut. Let me say the book has got a great title, there's Girl there's Gone yeah predictably I am hooked. That's my fault and still I am warning you not to fall for it. The whole premise looks good on paper but when you are reading it's not that great. It has got plenty of unbelievable scenarios and I am not going to go into all of them but whats irritated me the most is that it's Alton who's solving the problem, connecting the dots , chasing the guys with a seasoned officer huffing and puffing on her heels. Even the FBI is no match for her prowess. Not to pull down a character that is trying to be portrayed as a strong character but it should have been more convincing than convenient.
The scary villains were cardboard pieces. Not brainy not a worthy opponent and the reader gets to know them from the first page. While it was interesting it soon became like a game where you are waiting for the detectives to catch up and finish up already.
I think the author was trying to build up a horrifying image with all the doll's and a witchy character who snatches babies , it should have worked but it didn't manage to be spooky. Maybe it can be tweaked to be converted into a show or a movie but it's not a thriller, not a mystery and not a horror.
Ok read.
The scary villains were cardboard pieces. Not brainy not a worthy opponent and the reader gets to know them from the first page. While it was interesting it soon became like a game where you are waiting for the detectives to catch up and finish up already.
I think the author was trying to build up a horrifying image with all the doll's and a witchy character who snatches babies , it should have worked but it didn't manage to be spooky. Maybe it can be tweaked to be converted into a show or a movie but it's not a thriller, not a mystery and not a horror.
Ok read.
November 14, 2018
Little girl gone 2.5 ⭐️
The babysitter is beaten
The three month old is taken
Dun, dun, dunnn
So this is going to sound horrible but I liked the kidnappers perspective way more than anything else. I liked the way they were written and howthey acted. Everything else was slow and slightly boring... it had a good idea but it wasnt a thriller in my opinion.
The babysitter is beaten
The three month old is taken
Dun, dun, dunnn
So this is going to sound horrible but I liked the kidnappers perspective way more than anything else. I liked the way they were written and howthey acted. Everything else was slow and slightly boring... it had a good idea but it wasnt a thriller in my opinion.
July 5, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Author Gerry Schmitt is also known as cozy mystery writer, Laura Childs. Warning – this is not a cozy mystery!
The story opens with Marjorie Sorenson at a doll show selling her “reborn dolls” (definitely not something I would buy). When Susan Darden shows her interest in the dolls she never could have imagined the terror that would follow.
Afton Tangler is a family liaison officer. She is assigned to a child abduction case, Susan and Richard Darden’s case. It turns out to be a difficult case and she works very closely with Detective Max Montgomery and the FBI to find the baby and the kidnapper/s.
I was drawn into this book immediately. The story is told from multiple points of view and for me this made the story exciting and fast paced.
I liked our introduction to Afton. She is a divorced mom, raising her two daughters, who just happened to receive some impressive vehicles as part of her settlement. She is an intelligent woman with a stick to it attitude. She and Detective Montgomery work so well together. Afton hopes to be a detective someday and working with Max may be help speed up the process. I really enjoyed the way the investigated this case and followed the leads. Sometimes into very dangerous situations. The chief of police did give them a lot of leeway in this case leading me to think he knows more about Afton that we readers do at this point. I am anxious to see where these characters go in the future and excited to learn about their families and any past they may have.
The story does have a very creepy start and Marjorie is a really creepy person and so is her son. They really did make my skin crawl. After the first chapters it turns into more of a police procedural story but they are revisited throughout the whole book.
All of the characters are well written and realistic from the Dardens to their teenage babysitter and the other officers and agents. Even the over the top, pushy reporter, seemed just like a Fox broadcaster.
I loved that the story starts in Minnesota and that clues lead them to Wisconsin, and the way the law enforcement agencies worked together.
The author is off to a great start for this series. The main characters are engaging and the story was interesting with a edge of your seat ending. I am looking forward to book #2.
Author Gerry Schmitt is also known as cozy mystery writer, Laura Childs. Warning – this is not a cozy mystery!
The story opens with Marjorie Sorenson at a doll show selling her “reborn dolls” (definitely not something I would buy). When Susan Darden shows her interest in the dolls she never could have imagined the terror that would follow.
Afton Tangler is a family liaison officer. She is assigned to a child abduction case, Susan and Richard Darden’s case. It turns out to be a difficult case and she works very closely with Detective Max Montgomery and the FBI to find the baby and the kidnapper/s.
I was drawn into this book immediately. The story is told from multiple points of view and for me this made the story exciting and fast paced.
I liked our introduction to Afton. She is a divorced mom, raising her two daughters, who just happened to receive some impressive vehicles as part of her settlement. She is an intelligent woman with a stick to it attitude. She and Detective Montgomery work so well together. Afton hopes to be a detective someday and working with Max may be help speed up the process. I really enjoyed the way the investigated this case and followed the leads. Sometimes into very dangerous situations. The chief of police did give them a lot of leeway in this case leading me to think he knows more about Afton that we readers do at this point. I am anxious to see where these characters go in the future and excited to learn about their families and any past they may have.
The story does have a very creepy start and Marjorie is a really creepy person and so is her son. They really did make my skin crawl. After the first chapters it turns into more of a police procedural story but they are revisited throughout the whole book.
All of the characters are well written and realistic from the Dardens to their teenage babysitter and the other officers and agents. Even the over the top, pushy reporter, seemed just like a Fox broadcaster.
I loved that the story starts in Minnesota and that clues lead them to Wisconsin, and the way the law enforcement agencies worked together.
The author is off to a great start for this series. The main characters are engaging and the story was interesting with a edge of your seat ending. I am looking forward to book #2.
June 14, 2016
3.5
Someone has taken a 3-month baby girl from her home. Time is of the essence for detective Max Montgomery and family liaison Afton Tangler. They are part of the investigation in combination with the FBI. The parents are frantic and they want their daughter back. Of course, the husband is hiding something but he's not the only clue.
The day before the abduction, the mother had an interaction with a woman selling "reborn dolls". These dolls look almost human and they can be pricey too. Afton and Max figured out this woman is a person of interest in the investigation. Tying up all the clues takes time and dedication.
I liked Afton, she was smart, daring and determined. She was the mother of two, recently divorced and doing the best she could with her situation. She seemed to enjoy the investigation part of her job more than the liaison part. I'm not sure her behavior would have been accepted in real life. The Chief was easily persuaded into letting her help Max.
Little Girl Gone has multiple characters POVs. I believe it made the story much more realistic. I like the suspense and intrigue it carried, despite knowing who the culprits were from the very beginning. The whole idea of these reborn dolls gave me the creeps and I won't be buying one.
I'm happy this is turning into a series. I can see how much more potential Afton has in her.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Someone has taken a 3-month baby girl from her home. Time is of the essence for detective Max Montgomery and family liaison Afton Tangler. They are part of the investigation in combination with the FBI. The parents are frantic and they want their daughter back. Of course, the husband is hiding something but he's not the only clue.
The day before the abduction, the mother had an interaction with a woman selling "reborn dolls". These dolls look almost human and they can be pricey too. Afton and Max figured out this woman is a person of interest in the investigation. Tying up all the clues takes time and dedication.
I liked Afton, she was smart, daring and determined. She was the mother of two, recently divorced and doing the best she could with her situation. She seemed to enjoy the investigation part of her job more than the liaison part. I'm not sure her behavior would have been accepted in real life. The Chief was easily persuaded into letting her help Max.
Little Girl Gone has multiple characters POVs. I believe it made the story much more realistic. I like the suspense and intrigue it carried, despite knowing who the culprits were from the very beginning. The whole idea of these reborn dolls gave me the creeps and I won't be buying one.
I'm happy this is turning into a series. I can see how much more potential Afton has in her.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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November 29, 2016
A predator was out there, one who was bold and crazy enough to break into a private home and steal a baby. If Elizabeth Ann hadn't been safe in her crib, then no one's child was safe.
This was a little tense for me because just a few months ago, my first granddaughter was born. You remember the vulnerability of a baby and this tense thriller plays on it.
The first chapter begins with the depravity of predator. A doll maker of live looking babies, she sets her sights on a client that she has deemed unworthy and uppity. With the help of her son, she kidnaps baby Elizabeth while brutalizing the babysitter. Everyone's worst nightmare.
Afton Tangler an advocate for families that have been victims of crimes, starts out on the wrong foot of the victimized family. But with her good instincts, the Minneapolis police department assigns her a new task of uncovering who is behind the kidnapping and why.
The why is not clear in the beginning and I think that is what keeps you intrigued. I know my thoughts were all over the place. When it comes to babies and puppies, you have to be careful not to push your readers away, but to put them at the edge of their seat and go to the very end. I think that this read did that.
A Special Thank You to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
This was a little tense for me because just a few months ago, my first granddaughter was born. You remember the vulnerability of a baby and this tense thriller plays on it.
The first chapter begins with the depravity of predator. A doll maker of live looking babies, she sets her sights on a client that she has deemed unworthy and uppity. With the help of her son, she kidnaps baby Elizabeth while brutalizing the babysitter. Everyone's worst nightmare.
Afton Tangler an advocate for families that have been victims of crimes, starts out on the wrong foot of the victimized family. But with her good instincts, the Minneapolis police department assigns her a new task of uncovering who is behind the kidnapping and why.
The why is not clear in the beginning and I think that is what keeps you intrigued. I know my thoughts were all over the place. When it comes to babies and puppies, you have to be careful not to push your readers away, but to put them at the edge of their seat and go to the very end. I think that this read did that.
A Special Thank You to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
September 30, 2016
Full Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZUqd...
July 5, 2016
This first Afton Tangler thriller is a hard-edged, engrossing read written by a woman better known for her cozy mysteries-- Laura Childs. Writing under her real name, she has created a good, strong cast. Single mother Afton Tangler is smart, intuitive, full of common sense, and known for driving two expensive cars that she got in her divorce settlement. She's partnered with veteran detective Max Montgomery, a man who sees how much potential this family liaison officer has. I was really impressed with their boss, Deputy Chief Gerald Thacker. Afton is a rookie; she makes mistakes and steps on the toes of some of her superiors. But whatever she does, she does it for the right reason. Thacker sees this and sticks up for her, and when Afton thanks him, his response is that he doesn't need to be thanked for doing the right thing. Now... how many superior officers can you remember doing that in the mysteries you've read? Not many, right?
No stranger to Minnesota winters, Schmitt pulled me right into the middle of a bone-chilling one, and she also taught me a thing or two about reborn dolls-- dolls that are made up to look as much like a newborn baby as possible. The author has crafted a good investigation. Not only did I learn some things, I appreciated how Schmitt showed that it is often the grunt work and just a tiny bit of intuition that can break a case right open.
Little Girl Gone is called a thriller for a reason. The bad guys are particularly creepy, the book's pace is fast, and it's a very scary scene when Afton confronts the kidnappers. It's good to see a writer try something different. I, for one, am looking forward to Afton's next case.
No stranger to Minnesota winters, Schmitt pulled me right into the middle of a bone-chilling one, and she also taught me a thing or two about reborn dolls-- dolls that are made up to look as much like a newborn baby as possible. The author has crafted a good investigation. Not only did I learn some things, I appreciated how Schmitt showed that it is often the grunt work and just a tiny bit of intuition that can break a case right open.
Little Girl Gone is called a thriller for a reason. The bad guys are particularly creepy, the book's pace is fast, and it's a very scary scene when Afton confronts the kidnappers. It's good to see a writer try something different. I, for one, am looking forward to Afton's next case.
March 10, 2017
*2.5 stars* ...I guess
Things I didn't like;
1) I don't like knowing who the "bad guy" is at the start of the book. I guess some people do like this kind of mystery, but it's just not for me. It left me skimming the parts where the detectives were questioning other suspects because, well why should I care?
2) While I'm on the "bad guy," I hate when there is a character that is just plain bad with no redeeming qualities. I simply don't like reading this type of character.
3) There were quite a few portions that were just so unbelievable and unrealistic. I get it's fiction, but I want to believe the story! For example;
4) There were far too much gender role crap in here, particularly given Afton was supposed to be a strong female lead character.
Things I did like;
1) It was set in my city (cities actually), and I really liked this. The author clearly is from here or spent significant time here. I love reading about familiar areas. 1 scene was actually set in my literal neighborhood, she described an area a few blocks from me where I walk my dogs regularly. So that was exciting :)
Overall; I wouldn't recommend it, but I don't regret finishing it. So there was that.
Things I didn't like;
1) I don't like knowing who the "bad guy" is at the start of the book. I guess some people do like this kind of mystery, but it's just not for me. It left me skimming the parts where the detectives were questioning other suspects because, well why should I care?
2) While I'm on the "bad guy," I hate when there is a character that is just plain bad with no redeeming qualities. I simply don't like reading this type of character.
3) There were quite a few portions that were just so unbelievable and unrealistic. I get it's fiction, but I want to believe the story! For example;
4) There were far too much gender role crap in here, particularly given Afton was supposed to be a strong female lead character.
Things I did like;
1) It was set in my city (cities actually), and I really liked this. The author clearly is from here or spent significant time here. I love reading about familiar areas. 1 scene was actually set in my literal neighborhood, she described an area a few blocks from me where I walk my dogs regularly. So that was exciting :)
Overall; I wouldn't recommend it, but I don't regret finishing it. So there was that.
June 30, 2016
Okay this Afton chick is seriously is one Big Bad A$$. And this is one Big Bad A$$ debut. And if this is going to be a series, I am seriously sitting here raising my hand as high as I can, pick me! I want more!!
This chick isn't like all invincible or can do special fighting techniques or whatever, she's smart. She's really smart and I like that. She's doing the job that is like two or three pay scales above her without a whole of training. She makes for a great protagonist.
I think the suspects could use a little work, but the plot twists and everything else were excellent. It was fast paced, entertaining and I could not put it down.
I received this from Penguin Random House's First to Read program in exchange for an honest review.
This chick isn't like all invincible or can do special fighting techniques or whatever, she's smart. She's really smart and I like that. She's doing the job that is like two or three pay scales above her without a whole of training. She makes for a great protagonist.
I think the suspects could use a little work, but the plot twists and everything else were excellent. It was fast paced, entertaining and I could not put it down.
I received this from Penguin Random House's First to Read program in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2016
Although starting out with a fairly interesting premise, Little Girl Gone is full of ridiculous police procedures and seasoned, veteran detectives who cannot follow a lead without the help of our heroine, Afton Tangler, who is not a police officer but is the only one who can figure out what is going on and who is sent into an extremely dangerous situation by herself to solve the crime!! I found the characters of the bad guys to be a little absurd. Because the reader knows right from the start who the bad guys are, I found the sections when the police were following the wrong leads to be boring. There was none of the suspense of thinking "Is this it?" Dialogue was very basic. Book had many mistakes in grammar.
June 12, 2017
A departure from her tea shop and scrapbook cozies, Schmitt introduces a new thriller series under her own name captivating readers as Afton Tangler tries to prove herself worthy of the police force. Despite all the twists and turns, her grit, resilience, and pit bull mentality fortifies her to hang in until the end.
June 21, 2016
While not my favorite genre, I do occasionally enjoy a good crime thriller, including everything Dennis Lehane has ever written. While I wasn't paying attention, a new subgenre has suddenly emerged, or at very least been named: "cozy" mysteries. And if check out the Wikipedia entry, it reads like an outline for this book. Female protagonist is an amateur detective in a small community with good instincts and a relationship to the police department so she can get insider info to solve the crime, which is bad but not too graphic. While I'm not knocking this book for that or the job that the author did writing it, it seems a little formulaic somehow, as though she went through the "checklist" and made sure she had all the right elements.
Also, given that we know from the outset who did the crime, this book is about watching the main character, Afton Tangler (say what? Is she a hair product?), connect the dots and solve the crime by chasing down one dead end lead after another. Since I brought up the Dennis Lehane thing, lets compare a bit to Gone Baby Gone (which if he wrote it today would probably have to be called Gone Girl Gone because every title needs a "Girl" in it now for some reason). Same premise, little girl goes missing, detectives, amateur or otherwise, on the case trying to find her. And in Baby, you don't know who took her or why, so you're there in the minds of the detectives trying to piece it all together right along with them. In Girl, there really is no mystery, just a tangled plot with some halfway interesting characters. Final beef, I love that Afton (Really? It's a town in Wyoming, a river in Scotland, a chemical company, but a girl's name?) is a rockclimber, and Schmitt got a lot of details right, and then some crucial ones wrong. Nitpicky, I know, but whenever an author tries to take on my sport it really irks me to have to read incorrect climbing scenes. Will I check out Book #2 in the Afton Tangler series? (Tangler - to bring together in intricate confusion, which is an apt definition, and a 58 point word in Scrabble.) Probably, if only because it'll give me more opportunities to think of snarky things to say about her name.
Also, given that we know from the outset who did the crime, this book is about watching the main character, Afton Tangler (say what? Is she a hair product?), connect the dots and solve the crime by chasing down one dead end lead after another. Since I brought up the Dennis Lehane thing, lets compare a bit to Gone Baby Gone (which if he wrote it today would probably have to be called Gone Girl Gone because every title needs a "Girl" in it now for some reason). Same premise, little girl goes missing, detectives, amateur or otherwise, on the case trying to find her. And in Baby, you don't know who took her or why, so you're there in the minds of the detectives trying to piece it all together right along with them. In Girl, there really is no mystery, just a tangled plot with some halfway interesting characters. Final beef, I love that Afton (Really? It's a town in Wyoming, a river in Scotland, a chemical company, but a girl's name?) is a rockclimber, and Schmitt got a lot of details right, and then some crucial ones wrong. Nitpicky, I know, but whenever an author tries to take on my sport it really irks me to have to read incorrect climbing scenes. Will I check out Book #2 in the Afton Tangler series? (Tangler - to bring together in intricate confusion, which is an apt definition, and a 58 point word in Scrabble.) Probably, if only because it'll give me more opportunities to think of snarky things to say about her name.
June 1, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This was an okay read but I was a little disappointed probably because I prefer mystery/thrillers to the cozies. Based on the book description involving the kidnapping of the three month old baby and the beginning of the book and the "reborn" dolls, I thought this was shaping up to be an interesting thriller. But the book felt like it was lost somewhere between being a cozy and being a thriller and therefore didn't do either one that well. I thought there wasn't enough background into the characters that will be the recurring characters in this series and there was too much detail on some parts that didn't matter. I had trouble finishing this book as the longer the story went on, the less it held my attention.
This was an okay read but I was a little disappointed probably because I prefer mystery/thrillers to the cozies. Based on the book description involving the kidnapping of the three month old baby and the beginning of the book and the "reborn" dolls, I thought this was shaping up to be an interesting thriller. But the book felt like it was lost somewhere between being a cozy and being a thriller and therefore didn't do either one that well. I thought there wasn't enough background into the characters that will be the recurring characters in this series and there was too much detail on some parts that didn't matter. I had trouble finishing this book as the longer the story went on, the less it held my attention.
September 21, 2017
A great read for my 150th book this year!
3.5 stars. I found that I couldn't put this book down. The opening was very action packed and it was interesting how the kidnapper picked her victims and how they went about kidnapping the baby.
Unfortunately I found that since we knew right from page 1 who the kidnapper is, it took away a lot of the mystery and it was more about how the officers would figure out and track down the kidnapper.
I was really surprised to learn that this novel was written by Laura Child, who writes the Tea Shop mysteries. I've only read the first novel in the series and this book was a huge step up from the Tea Shop series! I'm excited to track down the second book in this series!
3.5 stars. I found that I couldn't put this book down. The opening was very action packed and it was interesting how the kidnapper picked her victims and how they went about kidnapping the baby.
Unfortunately I found that since we knew right from page 1 who the kidnapper is, it took away a lot of the mystery and it was more about how the officers would figure out and track down the kidnapper.
I was really surprised to learn that this novel was written by Laura Child, who writes the Tea Shop mysteries. I've only read the first novel in the series and this book was a huge step up from the Tea Shop series! I'm excited to track down the second book in this series!
January 18, 2018
Afton Tangler works for the Minneapolis Police Department as a family liaison officer but somehow she finds herself deep in the investigation of a kidnapped three-month-old baby. Elizabeth Ann was kidnapped from her parents' home and her babysitter was assaulted. These residents of the posh Kenwood section of Minneapolis have lots of influential friends who keep pressure on the police department and the FBI to find their child.
Afton works with Detective Max Montgomery searching for clues and trying to find connections that will lead to the recovery of the child. Their investigation leads to a mistress for the husband and some sexual hijinks that led to him leaving one med-tech company for another which makes him somewhat suspicious. But the key clue comes from the wife who points to a woman she talked to at a doll show at the local mall. She gave the woman her phone number and showed her a picture of Elizabeth Ann. Unfortunately, the woman gave a false name and the doll show organizer can't help the police locate her.
This story is told from a few viewpoints. Afton's is the most common but we also hear the thoughts of the really creepy doll lady and her equally creepy and murderous son. The story has a wonderful setting. I am quite familiar with winter in Minnesota and the locales - Minneapolis, St. Paul, Cannon Falls, and Hudson, Wisconsin - where the bulk of the story takes place. And, as it happens, I'm writing this while waiting for the kind of snowstorm happening in the story.
I liked Afton as a character but thought it was pretty unlikely that she would get as involved in the investigation in real life. She has the dogged persistence that a good detective should have. She wants to be a police detective and is getting support and training from many of the others on the case.
This was a real page-turner. It is filled with action and danger and scenes that kept me turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion. Fans of police procedurals will enjoy this well-crafted tale.
Afton works with Detective Max Montgomery searching for clues and trying to find connections that will lead to the recovery of the child. Their investigation leads to a mistress for the husband and some sexual hijinks that led to him leaving one med-tech company for another which makes him somewhat suspicious. But the key clue comes from the wife who points to a woman she talked to at a doll show at the local mall. She gave the woman her phone number and showed her a picture of Elizabeth Ann. Unfortunately, the woman gave a false name and the doll show organizer can't help the police locate her.
This story is told from a few viewpoints. Afton's is the most common but we also hear the thoughts of the really creepy doll lady and her equally creepy and murderous son. The story has a wonderful setting. I am quite familiar with winter in Minnesota and the locales - Minneapolis, St. Paul, Cannon Falls, and Hudson, Wisconsin - where the bulk of the story takes place. And, as it happens, I'm writing this while waiting for the kind of snowstorm happening in the story.
I liked Afton as a character but thought it was pretty unlikely that she would get as involved in the investigation in real life. She has the dogged persistence that a good detective should have. She wants to be a police detective and is getting support and training from many of the others on the case.
This was a real page-turner. It is filled with action and danger and scenes that kept me turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion. Fans of police procedurals will enjoy this well-crafted tale.
December 29, 2017
In Little Girl Gone by Gerry Schmitt, Susan and Richard Darden come home from a nice evening out to discover one of the biggest tragedies that any parent could ever face. Their three month old baby has been stolen from the safety and security of their own home. Within the first three chapters of the book, the reader finds out exactly who is responsible for abducting the child. As the story unfolds, detectives are working frantically to piece together every detail they can get their hands on to find little Elizabeth Ann and bring her safely home to her family. Even though I knew who kidnapped Elizabeth Ann, I found this book to be suspenseful until the very end. The question that remained in my mind the entire time I was reading was, “What will be the fate of Elizabeth Ann?” To find out how it ends, read Little Girl Gone by Gerry Schmitt.
- Crystal, Area Librarian
- Crystal, Area Librarian
March 14, 2018
Started out strong, with a chance meeting at a mall show. This show was all about dolls and Susan was quickly drawn to the reborn dolls. After chatting and exchanging info they went their seperate ways. Hours later Susan's baby is kidnapped. Story fell apart after this, no real reason for kidnapping was ever established. The liasion officier assigned to the family was to busy trying to be a detective rather than support to the family. And the ending was once again a female getting herself in a dangerous situation and solving the whole case by herself.
May 25, 2023
2 impossibilities:
- “Ashley pulled out her ipad and logged in as GoldyLox131” - page 9 (you cannot. can. not. log into an ipad under a user name. that doesn’t exist on ipads. you enter a code)
-“page of oreos” - page 37 (oreos do not come in bags unless they are the tiny ones. in this context they were definitely in the box-like packaging)
2 mentions of Taylor Swift:
-“He reached over and turned on the radio. Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ blared out.” - page 115 (the 4 stars is because immediately after this it says “He curled his lip unhappily and clicked it off.” don’t disrespect my girl like that so i took away a star)
1 super cringe worthy moment:
-“You think i’d post a selfie looking like this … Boy, are you ever stupid.” - page 120 (No teenager would ever say that lol)
- “Ashley pulled out her ipad and logged in as GoldyLox131” - page 9 (you cannot. can. not. log into an ipad under a user name. that doesn’t exist on ipads. you enter a code)
-“page of oreos” - page 37 (oreos do not come in bags unless they are the tiny ones. in this context they were definitely in the box-like packaging)
2 mentions of Taylor Swift:
-“He reached over and turned on the radio. Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ blared out.” - page 115 (the 4 stars is because immediately after this it says “He curled his lip unhappily and clicked it off.” don’t disrespect my girl like that so i took away a star)
1 super cringe worthy moment:
-“You think i’d post a selfie looking like this … Boy, are you ever stupid.” - page 120 (No teenager would ever say that lol)
June 2, 2017
A wonderful debut to a new series starring Afton Tangler, a social worker working with the Minneapolis Police.
A baby is kidnapped in a brutal way, the perpetrator viciously hurt the baby sitter and stole a 3 month old baby girl from her crib on his mother's orders.
This is a scary, creepy story and I couldn't put the book down. I just had to see what was going to happen next. I am looking forward to the next book.
A baby is kidnapped in a brutal way, the perpetrator viciously hurt the baby sitter and stole a 3 month old baby girl from her crib on his mother's orders.
This is a scary, creepy story and I couldn't put the book down. I just had to see what was going to happen next. I am looking forward to the next book.
July 8, 2019
Very suspenseful thriller! Could not put this book down. Afton Tangler reminds me a Minnesota version of DD Warren. Very well written and highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a chilling thriller!
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