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Once Gone (a Riley Paige Mystery--Book #1) by [Blake Pierce]

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Blake Pierce

Once Gone (a Riley Paige Mystery--Book #1) Kindle Edition

by Blake Pierce (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.”
--Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone)

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery! The author did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side that is so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.”
--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)

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 new series—and a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night.

Books #2-#17 are also available!

“This GRIPPING THRILLER is indeed a MYSTERY you will not soon forget. I RECOMMEND!”
--Amazon reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I read this book in one sitting. It was like watching an excellent movie but much better. The writing was crisp and dramatic…I am very much looking forward to the next part in this series. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries, thrillers, horror and drama.”
--Amazon reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Heart pounding… Every page of this book will make your heart beat a little faster and have you making sure your doors are locked.”
--Amazon reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Try this series--you won't be disappointed!!...I was instantly hooked. I loved the lead character, her strengths and weaknesses and her tenacity. I spent the next few days reading the series…I recommend this series.”
--Amazon reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This was a nail biting book! This book was so intense, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't go to bed. I want to start the second book, but I really need the sleep!”
--Amazon reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Tense! Excellent!...It has a good storyline, great characters, high emotion, and great writing…I read it straight through! It was that good. A 5 star read, treat yourself and see if you don't agree.”
--Amazon reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Print length

236 pages
Language

English
Publication date

10 December 2015
File size

1237 KB
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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01991O5UG
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1237 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 236 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #2,160 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 70 in Suspense Thrillers (Kindle Store)
- 109 in Women Sleuths

Customer Reviews:
9,150 ratings

About the author

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Blake Pierce

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Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising twenty-one books; of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising fifteen books, of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising four books; of the new LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising six books (and counting); of the new ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising eleven books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books, of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); and of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising six books (and counting).

ONCE GONE (a Riley Paige Mystery--Book #1), BEFORE HE KILLS (A Mackenzie White Mystery—Book 1), CAUSE TO KILL (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 1), A TRACE OF DEATH (A Keri Locke Mystery—Book 1), WATCHING (The Making of Riley Paige—Book 1), NEXT DOOR (A Chloe Fine Psychological Suspense Mystery—Book 1), THE PERFECT WIFE (A Jessie Hunt Psychological Suspense Thriller—Book One), IF SHE KNEW (A Kate Wise Mystery—Book 1), MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (A European Voyage Cozy Mystery—Book 1), LEFT TO DIE (An Adele Sharp Mystery—Book One), and A MURDER IN PARIS (A Year in Europe—Book 1) are each available as a free download on Amazon!

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.

BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE

RILEY PAIGE MYSTERY SERIES

ONCE GONE (Book #1)

ONCE TAKEN (Book #2)

ONCE CRAVED (Book #3)

ONCE LURED (Book #4)

ONCE HUNTED (Book #5)

ONCE PINED (Book #6)

ONCE FORSAKEN (Book #7)

ONCE COLD (Book #8)

ONCE STALKED (Book #9)

ONCE LOST (Book #10)

ONCE BURIED (Book #11)

ONCE BOUND (Book #12)

ONCE TRAPPED (Book #13)

ONCE DORMANT (Book #14)

ONCE SHUNNED (Book #15)

ONCE MISSED (Book #16)

ONCE CHOSEN (Book #17)

MACKENZIE WHITE MYSTERY SERIES

BEFORE HE KILLS (Book #1)

BEFORE HE SEES (Book #2)

BEFORE HE COVETS (Book #3)

BEFORE HE TAKES (Book #4)

BEFORE HE NEEDS (Book #5)

BEFORE HE FEELS (Book #6)

BEFORE HE SINS (Book #7)

BEFORE HE HUNTS (Book #8)

BEFORE HE PREYS (Book #9)

BEFORE HE LONGS (Book #10)

BEFORE HE LAPSES (Book #11)

BEFORE HE ENVIES (Book #12)

BEFORE HE STALKS (Book #13)

BEFORE HE HARMS (Book #14)

AVERY BLACK MYSTERY SERIES

CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)

CAUSE TO RUN (Book #2)

CAUSE TO HIDE (Book #3)

CAUSE TO FEAR (Book #4)

CAUSE TO SAVE (Book #5)

CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6)

KERI LOCKE MYSTERY SERIES

A TRACE OF DEATH (Book #1)

A TRACE OF MURDER (Book #2)

A TRACE OF VICE (Book #3)

A TRACE OF CRIME (Book #4)

A TRACE OF HOPE (Book #5)

THE MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE SERIES

WATCHING (Book #1)

WAITING (Book #2)

LURING (Book #3)

TAKING (Book #4)

STALKING (Book #5)

KILLING (Book #6)

KATE WISE MYSTERY SERIES

IF SHE KNEW (Book #1)

IF SHE SAW (Book #2)

IF SHE RAN (Book #3)

IF SHE HID (Book #4)

IF SHE FLED (Book #5)

IF SHE FEARED (Book #6)

IF SHE HEARD (Book #7)

CHLOE FINE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

NEXT DOOR (Book #1)

A NEIGHBOR’S LIE (Book #2)

CUL DE SAC (Book #3)

SILENT NEIGHBOR (Book #4)

HOMECOMING (Book #5)

TINTED WINDOWS (Book #6)

A JESSIE HUNT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

THE PERFECT WIFE (Book #1)

THE PERFECT BLOCK (Book #2)

THE PERFECT HOUSE (Book #3)

THE PERFECT SMILE (Book #4)

THE PERFECT LIE (Book #5)

THE PERFECT LOOK (Book #6)

THE PERFECT AFFAIR (Book #7)

THE PERFECT ALIBI (Book #8)

THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR (Book #9)

THE PERFECT DISGUISE (Book #10)

THE PERFECT SECRET (Book #11)

THE PERFECT FAÇADE (Book #12)

THE PERFECT IMPRESSION (Book #13)

THE PERFECT DECEIT (Book #14)

THE PERFECT MISTRESS (Book #15)

THE PERFECT IMAGE (Book #16)

THE PERFECT VEIL (Book #17)

THE PERFECT INDISCRETION (Book #18)

THE PERFECT RUMOR (Book #19)

THE PERFECT COUPLE (Book #20)

THE PERFECT MURDER (Book #21)

(and counting)

THE AU PAIR SERIES

ALMOST GONE (Book#1)

ALMOST LOST (Book #2)

ALMOST DEAD (Book #3)

ZOE PRIME MYSTERY SERIES

FACE OF DEATH (Book#1)

FACE OF MURDER (Book #2)

FACE OF FEAR (Book #3)

FACE OF MADNESS (Book #4)

FACE OF FURY (Book #5)

FACE OF DARKNESS (Book #6)

ADELE SHARP MYSTERY SERIES

LEFT TO DIE (Book #1)

LEFT TO RUN (Book #2)

LEFT TO HIDE (Book #3)

LEFT TO KILL (Book #4)

LEFT TO MURDER (Book #5)

LEFT TO ENVY (Book #6)

LEFT TO LAPSE (Book #7)

LEFT TO VANISH (Book #8)

LEFT TO HUNT (Book #9)

LEFT TO FEAR (Book #10)

LEFT TO PREY (Book #11)

LEFT TO LURE (Book #12)

LEFT TO CRAVE (Book #13)

LEFT TO LOATHE (Book #14)

LEFT TO HARM (Book #15)

(and counting)

EUROPEAN VOYAGE COZY MYSTERY SERIES

MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (Book #1)

DEATH (AND APPLE STRUDEL) (Book #2)

CRIME (AND LAGER) (Book #3)

MISFORTUNE (AND GOUDA) (Book #4)

CALAMITY (AND A DANISH) (Book #5)

MAYHEM (AND HERRING) (Book #6)

ELLA DARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

GIRL, ALONE (Book #1)

GIRL, TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL, HUNTED (Book #3)

GIRL, SILENCED (Book #4)

GIRL, VANISHED (Book 5)

GIRL ERASED (Book #6)

GIRL, FORSAKEN (Book #7)

GIRL, TRAPPED (Book #8)

GIRL, EXPENDABLE (Book #9)

GIRL, ESCAPED (Book #10)

GIRL, HIS (Book #11)

(and counting)

LAURA FROST FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

ALREADY GONE (Book #1)

ALREADY SEEN (Book #2)

ALREADY TRAPPED (Book #3)

ALREADY MISSING (Book #4)

ALREADY DEAD (Book #5)

ALREADY TAKEN (Book #6)

(and counting)

A YEAR IN EUROPE

A MURDER IN PARIS (Book #1)

DEATH IN FLORENCE (Book #2)

VENGEANCE IN VIENNA (Book #3)

A FATALITY IN SPAIN (Book #4)

AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES

CITY OF PREY (Book #1)

CITY OF FEAR (Book #2)

CITY OF BONES (Book #3)

CITY OF GHOSTS (Book #4)

CITY OF DEATH (Book #5)

CITY OF VICE (Book #6)

(and counting)

RACHEL GIFT MYSTERY SERIES

HER LAST WISH (Book #1)

HER LAST CHANCE (Book #2)

HER LAST HOPE (Book #3)

HER LAST FEAR (Book #4)

HER LAST CHOICE (Book #5)

HER LAST BREATH (Book #6)

(and counting)

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Customer reviews

5 star		58%
4 star		24%
3 star		11%
2 star		3%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from Australia

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ronnie b

Great story and characters

Reviewed in Australia on 19 August 2021

Verified Purchase

An easy read. An Easy to get into psycho thriller. I am looking forward to the second book.

Not brilliant in the literary sense but a brilliant story teller.
You get to know the characters, layers are unveiled. Cases solved. Whilst dealing with a continued theme.

This is a very smart author. I have enjoyed reading a few of his novels.

This book had a strong female lead, who did not play by the rules. Balancing motherhood and trying to understand her dad, she has to deal with her own demons. Whilst doing her job, killing off evil, one by one. Seriously good.

Helpful

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will certainly be reading more!

Reviewed in Australia on 29 October 2020

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Riley Paige is an FBI agent dealing with PTSD having had a narrow escape from a sadistic killer. She is unable to get over her ordeal but a new serial killer has her work colleagues pressuring her to return.
Will she be able to keep the demons at bay as she tries to get inside the mind of a killer who tortures his victims before making them into 'dolls' and displaying them?
Not for the faint hearted this is a fast paced thriller with a very good central character with a few issues of her own.

Helpful

Solid FBI serial killer procedural

Reviewed in Australia on 6 March 2018

Verified Purchase

Once Gone is the first novel I've read by Blake Pierce and I enjoyed it. It was fast-paced, easy to read and overall I found it entertaining. I did have a bit of trouble with the lead character Riley Paige, who at times appeared to be almost God-like in her abilities to track down what the killer was thinking. I also got a bit bored of them arresting the wrong man. I guess it's a problem when a book reads like a novelisation of a Criminal Minds episode. You expect them to have maybe one turn down the wrong path but quickly pick up and get it right the next time.

The characters were okay if not particularly well drawn out though and I would recommend having characters names start with different letters. 4 of the characters names start with R which makes it a little confusing. Of course, character names changing from one line to the next also made the novel seem a bit 'thrown together.'

All-in-all and despite some significant areas of annoyance - I mean really if you've just been rescued from a serial killer would you walk into the same scenario without back up, again - I did enjoy this book and will give the second on in the series a read.

Helpful

Parrotfan

Brilliant, thrilling and addictive.

Reviewed in Australia on 12 January 2018

Verified Purchase

For all those who love the series books like I do. This series promises to be as addictive as other series in this genre. The reader is dragged into thinking out the clues that are left for Riley and Bill as they try to solve the horrific murders. Meanwhile life goes on for both in their own private worlds but Riley has more on her shoulder's as she tries to come to terms with her previous abduction. I like Riley, even though she puts herself in dangerous situations. A great read for mystery lovers.

Helpful

Best book ever

Reviewed in Australia on 2 January 2017

Verified Purchase

WOW! Best book ever.
Riley Page is an FBI Agent & Profiler with her own personal issues which make her a 'real' person.
She keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout with this fast paced storyline.
What an ending!!! Wow again.
Can't wait to read book 2..3..4..5..& 6.!!
Highly recommended 5 * ++

One person found this helpful

Helpful

jenb

Un put downable read

Reviewed in Australia on 29 March 2021

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Once Gone was an entertaining read - un put downable - had to read until finished. Excellent entertainment.

Helpful

bojangles

Excellent

Reviewed in Australia on 9 March 2018

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Very entertaining and fast paced thriller with a very interesting cast, lots of action and a good story line to boot

Helpful

Ptolomey

Excellent policewoman story

Reviewed in Australia on 16 November 2016

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Riley is an FBI agent who goes up against some very creative and especially vicious serial killers whilst struggling in her other role as a mother.

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Top reviews from other countries

DGP

A bit of a loose canon.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 January 2018

Verified Purchase

This book is full of stock characters: the supposedly brilliant but fragile female detective (Riley Page); her male partner, and possible love interest, whose marriage is on the rocks because he is married to the job; the incompetent boss whose sole purpose in life seems to be to block Riley from tracking down the bad guys; a rich and powerful self-obsessed senator (although possibly that is a fair description of all US senators); the neglected daughter that Riley struggles to relate to, etc. However, on the plus side, apart from the interludes of soul-searching angst by the heroine, the book is fast moving and delivered in neat sound bite-sized chapters that leave you wanting to find out what happens next as the FBI search for a deranged serial killer. In fact, I was initially going to award the book five stars, but as the book progressed I found the central character increasingly irritating. Her so-called brilliance is not based on ruthless Sherlock Holmes-type logic, but on emotionally-charged intuitive leaps of faith which cause her to recklessly draw her gun on innocent bystanders or charge into dangerous situations without waiting for backup. In my opinion her incompetent boss was probably right to suspend her as she is a bit of a loose canon and a danger not only to fellow officers but the public at large. The reason why she is so emotionally fragile, we are told, is that she recently escaped the clutches of a serial killer who held her captive, before blowing up his house. However, despite finding the charred remains of the killer, there is a suspicion that he may still be alive and stalking her. The question in my mind is: if the killer is still alive, who did she manage to kill in the explosion? Another totally innocent person perhaps? The book is a live read, but lacking the substance that would persuade me to read more in the series.

6 people found this helpful

Kindle Customer

🤔

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 July 2021

Verified Purchase

Riley Page, one of the FBI top minds is on leave after her last serial killer case. Essentially suffering from PTSD after being held captive. Another serial killer is on the loose and as much they are reluctant to bring her in on the case they do it regardless. Big mistake as throughout the book she constantly accuses almost everyman she comes across as being the killer. Her judgment has never been wrong? Until now and no man is safe from being accused and well attacked by Riley which becomes repetition and the constant mention of not having her gun and her badge. Which one mention is enough 🤔.
I did start of really enjoying this book but yeah it just got too repetive in the dialogue and explanations of what was going on. The constant accusations of the wrong men and the constant mentions of how her judgement was no longer the same did get a bit tedious. I know she's suffering from ptsd, but would the FBI really take her back on, in such a time sensitive case as another serial killer without proper therapy and support?

Robert Crouch

Exciting and entertaining serial killer thriller

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 June 2020

Verified Purchase

Once Gone is the first novel in the series featuring FBI agent, Riley Pierce, and my first introduction to the character.

A serial killer is on the loose, torturing and killing women, who are posed like dolls for the police and FBI to find. With three women killed and a fourth murder likely, the FBI needs Riley and her unique skills. Trouble is, she’s on sick leave, suffering post-traumatic stress disorder after being captured and tortured by another serial killer. Despite her own reservations and doubts, she’s drawn into the investigation.

The stage is set for an intriguing thriller. It starts well with sharply drawn characters and an investigation that feels very real and tense when a fourth woman is captured by the killer. The stakes couldn’t be higher when a senator, who’s lost a daughter to this killer, starts throwing his weight around, undermining the existing investigation.

An arrest soon follows, but have the FBI got the right man?

The arrest pushes Riley into a downward spiral of deeper self-doubt. Soon she is floundering, her behaviour becoming more extreme as she loses her badge. Naturally, in the tradition of the maverick detective, she battles on, fighting her own demons as well as trying to track down the killer before a fifth victim is found.

While the characterisation of Riley is sympathetic and for the most part believable, I felt her behaviour and actions became too far-fetched as the story hurtled towards a predictable climax. It took the edge off a well-written and enjoyable thriller with some otherwise incisive characterisation.

Cornish-Piskey

AVOID - irritating, disappointing, poorly written drivel.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2018

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This book really bugged me. if you can excuse the poor grammar and numerous typos and errors (mixing up the name of the victim with the protagonist?! Really???!) than the 'amazing' Riley Page will no doubt quickly grate. She seems to be the only FBI agent with any ability to think, the rest spend their time watching and listening to her and her incredible insights 'in shock' at her prowess. Similarly the only one to ever take any action in endless, foolhardy, unbelievable ways. Once I start a book I'm reluctant to not finish it and will persevere, in the hope it will improve. In this case I really wish I hadn't bothered. Avoid.

6 people found this helpful

iClaire

An enjoyable read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 December 2021

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With nearly 18k ratings on GoodReads, an average score of 3.93 and over 1000 reviews this book has certainly been around the block. I came across this read via BookBub and even though it was free (normally a bit of a warning sign) I’m glad I downloaded it.

Told (quite unusually) from an FBI agents perspective you’re thrown immediately into the storyline as the most recent victim prepares to make her escape.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t terribly well written with some of the plot connections being a bit dubious. I also found them catching the wrong guy a bit repetitious. That said, it was interesting and thrilling (at times). I thought the lead character could be developed more as she has the potential to be as great as DI Kim Stone and DI Helen Grace. and I’d certainly pick up another in the series.

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Once Gone (a Riley Paige Mystery--Book #1) Kindle Edition

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