It’s been twenty years since Leigh found the murdered body of her twelve-year-old brother, Troy. Her father was arrested for the crime, but she never accepted that he did it. Her hunt for the real killer almost cost her everything…
Now working for the FBI, Leigh is called back to New Hampshire when a series of copycat crimes are committed. Only the killer has left a very specific calling card, a plastic army figurine, the same as the one she found on Troy’s body, and carved into its base: Leigh’s name.
This case is as personal as it gets, and this time, Leigh is determined to make the right person pay. But when another child goes missing, can she dig deep into her past to find the clue she missed years ago, and put a monster behind bars for good?
This is an addictive and unputdownable crime thriller. The edge of your seat twists that happen are unbelievable. I'm glad I kept reading until the end as I was shocked beyond my wildest dreams. I am now looking forward to the next book in the series. If you like thrillers that shock you to death then you will love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eCopy to review

The Girl Who Survived is a tense FBI thriller, seeing profiler Leigh seconded to the FBI to investigate a series of murders which bear an uncanny resemblance to her brother's murder 20 years ago. Her father was convicted at the time though she never believed it. So who is killing now?

Back in her home town Leigh is under suspicion herself, especially as all the deaths are linked to her past, she is determined to finally clear her family's name, but at what cost to herself?

I tense gritty thriller, full of twists and turns you don't see coming.

About twenty years ago, the bodies of two young boys were found. Leigh Brody's brother was one of them. Although she maintained her father's innocence, he was sent to jail for the murders. Now, a killer is copying those murders and has called Leigh out by way of a toy soldier. Has her past come back to haunt her?

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. It had me guessing with every turn of the page. The ending shocked me. It left me wanting to read more about Leigh Brody.

First of all, thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Leigh Brody is summoned back home due to her unique skills as an FBI agent. But, why did she leave in the first place? As you learn about the badass FBI agent Brody through the book, you will uncover her family's dark past, whether or not her father killed her brother, and why Leigh felt she could not live in Lebanon, New Hampshire. If her father did not kill her brother then who is the copycat serial killer leaving green solider signatures on his slain victims? Is it the person Leigh has always suspected as the town creep? Whoever the killer is, he is out to shock the small town of Lebanon. Leigh’s need for the truth drives this story forward keeping all readers engaged and ready for the second installment of the Legih Brody series.

My thoughts: I have a few critiques: Why do all the townspeople dislike Leigh? She lost her family and they are treating her like she was a part of the crimes? Wouldn’t a close-knit community feel sorry for her and want to support her? I know Leigh comes back because she is desperate for the answers that could set her father free but you would think the town would be happy someone has come to catch the serial killer lurking around their very own streets.

While I did not like this story, I did like the pacing and writing style of the author, but I will not be continuing this series.

Two stars, because the twist at the end is ridiculous and ruins the story. I promise I am not a dramatic person but I cannot tell you why it is ridiculous without spoilers. Hop on over to my Goodreads review if you would like to hear why the ending makes zero sense.

However, if the ending was different this book could be rated higher.

Leigh Brody, now part of the FBI, was called to her home town of Lebanon in New Hampshire. It had been twenty years since she'd left and she knew it wouldn't be a pleasant experience, being back. The hatred the town felt for her family was well known, but she was determined to do her job, find a killer and leave. But would it be that easy?

Leigh's brother had been murdered when he was twelve and Leigh was seventeen. Their father had been arrested for the killing of both his son and another boy, and was in jail. But Leigh had spent the past twenty years trying to prove her dad's innocence. Now, it seemed the town had a copycat killer, but those murdered were adults against the past's children. With not many people on her side, Leigh continued to fight for the facts, for evidence and to find a killer before it happened again. And when Leigh herself was targeted with threats if she didn't leave town, it just made her more determined...

The Girl Who Survived is the 1st in the Leigh Brody FBI Mystery series by Nichole Severn and it was gruesome, gritty, intense and fast paced. I had to suspend my disbelief a few times, but other than that, it was an enjoyable read. My first read by this author, and I'll check out her previous. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

She may be a strong FBI agent but Leigh Brody has plenty of baggage from her past A past where her father was charged with the murder of her brother and his best friend something she has never believed but now someone is killing in her old home town again and there are too many similarities to her brothers death. When she is attacked a number of times she knows that far more is going on than she realises Can she get to the bottom of what is happening. This is a story with so many twists and turns that you better make an appointment with your chiropractor before you pick it up because you are definitely going to need it from the whiplash that you will be suffering from. Like all the greatest books the conclusion is stunning and a total surprise. I can't recommend this book highly enough a 10 star book in my eyes

Holy Moly! This book was fantastic! Leigh Brody returns to her hometown she couldn’t have gotten away from fast enough. But she’s back as part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (criminal minds?) to look into abduction/murders that are mimicking crimes from 20 years ago. And every member of her family was severely affected by those heinous acts. Every character was written with raw clarity, flaws and all. This was the first book in the #leighbrodyfbimystery series, and I can’t wait for more. 5 ⭐️

This story had me hooked from the beginning and on the edge of my seat as it progressed. Several of the characters made me feel uncomfortable and wondering if they were involved in the killings that were happening. And while there were several twists along the way, the ending had my jaw dropping. I can't wait to see where the series goes next.

Such tension, so many twists, you will be hooked until the last page and left wanting for more because as one mystery is solved many more are only discovered....
Really once started i could not put it down, i loved Leigh she is detetermined, courageous and even more than we can imagine at first....even with a whole city against her she is not giving up. i can't believe the people cruelity even so many years later they should be ashamed i guess that's the only point i got disappointed with...Leigh was too kind with Haley....really too kind she deserved some punishment at least


Really i can't reaveal too much to avoid spoiler but you have to read this ( with some to snack on while doing so to avoid building too much frustration^^)

First book I have read by Nichole Severn which was well developed from a simple idea. A very easy quick read that tackled some violent episodes without ever getting too gruesome. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Holy cow!!!

This book was absolutely amazing!!! I am still thinking about this book…the ending!!!

If you love a good plot twist or two…THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!!!

My first time reading this author but definitely not my last!!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for the book #TheGirlWhoSurvived by #NicholeSevern. Leigh has come home to help solve a twenty year old case where two boys had been murdered. It just so happens her brother was one of them and her father was accused. The town seems to be against her and somebody is out to get her. Who is behind all this and is it the same person that murdered those boys? I could not stop reading this book and was so shocked with the big twist ending.

The writers of Criminal Minds have nothing on Nichole Severn. Wow! The creep factor and suspense are off the charts. I literally felt the tension in this story so much that I found myself clenching my jaw and holding my breath. This book worked me over. I always love a good, strong and gutsy female main character, and Leigh Brody had that in spades.

Leigh Brody ran from her hometown 20 years ago like her hair was on fire after the murder of her brother and his friend. Not only did she lose her brother, but her father was convicted of killing them both. Leigh knows her father is not capable of this horrible crime. She had suspicions about the real killer, but no one wanted to listen to a 17 year old girl who they assumed was just trying to protect her father. Now Leigh is back in town, but she comes back with some authority on her side. She is an FBI agent who is highly intelligent. She is not a field agent. She works at a desk behind a computer providing necessary information to catch killers. Think Penelope Garcia on steroids. She not only has a brilliant mind, but she is tough as nails. Someone is killing again in this small New Hampshire town and the modus operandi is eerily similar. Leigh knows she will meet with pushback from not only local law enforcement, but everyone in town. However, her boss believes in her, and understands that not only is Leigh qualified to work this case, but she has some firsthand knowledge.

This book is not for the faint of heart. I can tell you that for sure. It is probably better read in the daylight hours because this killer is beyond depraved. The shocks were off the Richter scale and the twists will leave you with a severe case of whiplash. I am in awe at how good this book was. It was gripping, mysterious, suspense-filled and just downright phenomenal. I cannot wait for the next one in this series.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was almost a 3. It was completely unbelievable in so many ways. It had almost no likable characters. The motives of everyone involved made absolutely no sense. I was at a 3 until about 85% into the book. It was OK.

Then. Then. The entire bad guy telling you everything in great detail even though he is going to kill you and it will make no difference thing was way overdone. The bad guys motives were silly. Leigh's motives were completely ridiculous and contradictory. It just made no sense.

This was such a good crime book, it kept me on my toes and I hated putting it down. I will be looking to read more of Severns work!

When I first sat down to write this review, I was paralyzed - I simply couldn't decide if, after really wanting to give it a high rating up to 95% of the story, the ending made it to be very good or crushingly disappointing.

But then I realized the doozy of a twist in the end made it special - the author had a very good thriller finished, well written - even somehow convincing me that a town could bully a grieving teenager for her father's sins - and leave it at that: another good book by a good writer with her own fan base.
It takes a lot of courage to turn it all on its head just to prove that it's as hard to understand the motivation and psychology behind a good investigator's actions as those of a killer or a serial killer. It wasn't enough to dive into Leigh's soul to justify her obsession, it went all the way to rip everything we thought she was apart. It was almost as if the book challenges you to choose between two endings, where one is safe and satisfying, and the other incredible and improbable.

It certainly is highly unexpected and intriguing, and now I really want to read what's next just to try to understand what this challenge is all about.

"The Girl Who Survived" by Nichole Severn is a gripping and intense crime thriller. The story follows Leigh Brody, who returns to her hometown after a body is found marked with her name, triggering memories of her brother's murder twenty years ago. Now working for the FBI, Leigh is determined to solve the mystery that has haunted her for years and bring the real killer to justice.
The premise of the book had me hooked from the start, with the idea of a copycat killer leaving a chilling calling card that links back to Leigh's traumatic past. The tension builds as Leigh delves into the investigation, uncovering dark secrets and facing her fears along the way. The writing is atmospheric and evocative, drawing the reader into the small-town setting and the complexities of Leigh's journey.
While the overall plot was engaging and filled with twists and turns, I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at times, with too much detail and information that felt unnecessary. The ending dragged on a bit, and I was able to predict some of the events before they happened. Additionally, the abundance of subplots took away from the main storyline, making it feel somewhat disjointed.
Despite these minor drawbacks, I found Leigh to be a compelling and complex protagonist, with a strong determination to seek justice and confront her past. Her journey of self-discovery and resilience added depth to the story, and I was invested in her quest to uncover the truth behind the crimes.
Overall, "The Girl Who Survived" is a gripping thriller that explores themes of trauma, survival, and the quest for redemption. While it may have had its flaws in terms of pacing and plot intricacies, the novel delivers an intense and chilling narrative that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Dark, twisted and so addictive! Nichole Severn is shining like never before as she brings FBI Agent Leigh Brody to life on the pages of The Girl Who Survived. I was quickly hooked on what was happening from the very start and once we began to gather the backstory and meet Leigh firsthand, the plot only continued to thicken and delight. There are many twists and turns that will keep you reading as one aspect of the story may get a resolution as another unexpected demon jumps out of the woodwork. The angst is high, the connectability to the main character is easy and the emotions feel spot on. I really enjoyed every minute of this book and hope to see Leigh again with more drama to hook me! What an unexpected ending!

Leigh has returned home as a consultant for the FBI, the murders have started up again after her father was accused of a similar murder, is it a copycat or was the right man In jail. Her brother was killed and her father was accused.

This is a gripping read, read it in one sitting as I needed more. It’s free flowing and an easy read, with great characters. It’s a fast paced detective crime thriller. I liked the back story about Leigh and her brother as kids and was fitting with the story. Great ended that ties it all together. A 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Oh my goodness, at first I couldn't put it down then with half an hour to go I decided to saviour it at bedtime with no interruptions.
Such epic twists, I had no idea nor did I see THAT coming. I loved that I just immersed myself into this story without trying to work it out...I just enjoyed the ride.
Two decades ago this town was turned upside down with murders. Now former resident returns as an FBI Agent, not only to prove a wrong right but to assist with the latest crimes. Is it the same killer or a copycat and why?
Well done Nichole, I had the shakes long after this was over ...what a rush!