The Girl He Claimed

Book 8: A Paige King FBI Suspense Thriller

by Blake Pierce

Genres: Female Sleuths; Suspense

Synopsis

Paige King, a Ph.D. in forensic psychology and an agent at the FBI’s elite BAU unit, has an uncanny ability to enter serial killers’ minds. But when a new serial killer leaves a trail of victims on horror film sets, Paige finds herself outmatched by a diabolical killer—who may just be as brilliant as she. Who will win the deadly game of cat and mouse? “A masterpiece of thriller and mystery.” —Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE GIRL HE CLAIMED is book #8 in a new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 7,000 five star ratings and reviews. A complex psychological crime thriller full of twists and turns and packed with heart-pounding suspense, the PAIGE KING mystery series will make you fall in love with a brilliant new female protagonist and keep you turning pages late into the night. It is a perfect addition for fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll and Robert Dugoni. Future books in the series will be available soon. “An edge of your seat thriller in a new series that keeps you turning pages! ...So many twists, turns and red herrings… I can't wait to see what happens next.” —Reader review (Her Last Wish) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A strong, complex story about two FBI agents trying to stop a serial killer. If you want an author to capture your attention and have you guessing, yet trying to put the pieces together, Pierce is your author!” —Reader review (Her Last Wish) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A typical Blake Pierce twisting, turning, roller coaster ride suspense thriller. Will have you turning the pages to the last sentence of the last chapter!!!” —Reader review (City of Prey) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Right from the start we have an unusual protagonist that I haven't seen done in this genre before. The action is nonstop… A very atmospheric novel that will keep you turning pages well into the wee hours.” —Reader review (City of Prey) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Everything that I look for in a book… a great plot, interesting characters, and grabs your interest right away. The book moves along at a breakneck pace and stays that way until the end. Now on go I to book two!” —Reader review (Girl, Alone) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Exciting, heart pounding, edge of your seat book… a must read for mystery and suspense readers!” —Reader review (Girl, Alone) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release date: October 5, 2023

Print pages: 177

Sample

CHAPTER ONE

 

 

"How much further to the top?"

Chrissy wasn't entirely sure why she'd agreed to go out hiking with Martin. Hiking wasn't really her thing, but saying “yes” had seemed like the obvious response when he'd asked her to come out with him.

She'd been trying to impress him, but there had to be an easier way than this. As they trudged up a steep incline, sweat drenched their clothes, and the sun bore down on them relentlessly to the point where Chrissy was starting to wonder if it was really worth it. Then she looked at Martin, taking in just how good-looking he was, with a tall frame and chiseled physique shown off by his tight T-shirt. At that moment, Chrissy started to remember why she was making this effort.

They had only been on a couple of dates, and she still felt a bit nervous around him, but the more they hung out, the more comfortable she became. Chrissy was hoping that this trip might be the moment when they took things to the next step, the one she'd imagined ever since the two of them met in a bar a couple of weeks ago.

Martin looked at her with a grin. "Not much further. Just a little bit more and we'll reach the lookout point."

Chrissy nodded and pushed forward. Her hiking boots crunched on the gravel path. She had to admit, the scenery was beautiful. The trees were tall and lush, and the air was crisp and fresh. It was a nice change from the stuffy city air she was used to.

"Maybe we could take a break," Chrissy suggested, partly because Martin's idea of "not far" didn't fit with hers and partly because she'd thought of at least one thing she'd rather be doing with Martin than hiking.

"Chrissy—"

Chrissy grabbed his arm and pulled him onto a small side path. She took the opportunity to graze his lips with hers, promising more.

"Come on. We'll still get to the lookout point, but I can think of other things that are far more fun to do first,” she said.

If Martin was slightly taken aback by Chrissy's sudden move, he still didn't resist. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him as their kiss grew deeper and more passionate.

Chrissy moaned softly, enjoying the feel of Martin's lips on hers. She could feel the tension building between them, and she knew that they both wanted more.

"It looks like there's a clearing over there," Chrissy said. It looked like it was a good spot for everything that she had in mind. Better than the path, at least.

Martin followed her, his hand still tightly clasping hers. The clearing was surrounded

by trees but open to the sky. Wildflowers stood around the edges in a riot of color. The sun shone down on them, casting golden light over their skin.

It should have been beautiful. It should have been perfect. Instead, Chrissy froze in place, staring in open-mouthed horror at what lay in the middle of the clearing.

She clung to Martin's arm, choking back a scream, barely able to bring herself to look. A body. There was a body there in the clearing.

Chrissy felt as though she might faint. A man lay there on his back, tied in place to stakes in the ground, open eyes staring up at the sky. The ground was dark around him, and it took Chrissy a moment to realize that it had to be blood. Someone had tied a man there, cut his veins and left him to bleed to death. Chrissy knew what that meant. ...