Hayley Hope Is Gone: A totally gripping and unputdownable thriller

Every small town has its secrets. Lake Arrowhead’s run bone-deep.

After closing the case that nearly destroyed her career, Special Agent Emily Ray is placed on mandatory leave and retreats to Lake Arrowhead with her father—a mountain town where she spent childhood summers. A peaceful vacation is just what she needs—until she learns about Hayley Hope, a fifteen-year-old girl found drowned in Papoose Lake. When Emily meets Hayley’s best friend Lillian Knox, the teen is convinced it was murder.

The local sheriff’s department dismissed it as a tragic drowning, case closed. But when threatening messages appear, she begins to unravel the small community’s web of silence and complicity. As Emily investigates—despite explicit orders not to—she uncovers a web of corruption stretching. Young girls have been disappearing for years—vulnerable teens with no one to miss them.

With only Lillian’s testimony and scattered clues to guide her, Emily races against escalating threats. Evidence vanishes, witnesses disappear, and her father’s deteriorating health makes him vulnerable as shadowy figures close in. Emily must uncover the dark truth behind Hayley’s death before another girl disappears.

The second instalment in the addictive Special Agent Emily Ray series delivers heart-pounding suspense that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Lisa Gardner and Melinda Leigh.

What reader are saying about the Special Agent Emily Ray series:

‘I absolutely loved this, it pulls you right in and grips you the whole way through! The chapters are short and snappy… at a certain discovery I hit an 'Oh wow' moment, I actually said it out loud and woke my husband up... I'm so excited that this is just the first book of a series and I am already bursting to read more!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An outstanding suspense FBI story where you have no idea just how the story will be and turn from the first chapter until the last page... This rings true to a Michael Connolly type story… I cannot wait for the next book in this series.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow! A brilliant story... This story had me hooked right from chapter one and I just couldn't stop reading.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This is a wow of a read. It is a story brilliantly told and what I imagine to be true to life. It is pacy, emotional and dramatic. There are twists, twists and more twists and I loved it.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow, what a story!... Emily is a fantastic character… There were several awesome twists in this story, one I kinda expected but another left me completely stunned! A fast paced, awesome read.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

’An enthralling read and has several big twists to the narrative... Emily is a fabulous lead character.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘5 Stars across the board... If you are looking for a hero you can cheer for, read this book; I found it captivating... An outstanding mystery.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An intense, suspense-filled thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn't let go... The pacing is spot on, keeping readers on the edge of their seats... The author does an excellent job of making Emily's internal struggle just as compelling as the external investigation... a brilliantly executed thriller that is difficult to put down.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

© 2025 Storm Publishing (Audiobook): 9781805088134

Release date

Audiobook: July 10, 2025