“Dark and gritty … an exceptional, heart-pounding story full of raw emotion, deep-seated fear, and an undercurrent of hope and innocence. Deeply atmospheric … without peer in contemporary mysteries/thrillers. … Watching the characters evolve (and devolve, in some cases) was absolutely amazing. Subtle nuances were plentiful and guided the reader into horrified admiration and a desire to protect them all.” — Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Semifinalist
“In Emily, Author Dorian Box has created a rarity—a teenage protagonist that is at once sympathetic, vulnerable and largely fearless. … This sharp characterization within a fast-paced work of suspense makes The Hiding Girl one of the year’s most exciting series openers.” — BestThrillers.com (named a 2020 Best Thriller of the Year)
“The story that author Dorian Box has created for Emily Calby is nothing short of thrilling, but it’s THE HIDING GIRL’s masterful interplay of character, setting, and theme, along with its fast-pace and high emotional stakes that makes it a real page-turner.” — IndieReader (starred review, “Official Seal of Approval”)
“[A] unique mix of hope, shattered innocence, pain, fear, and vulnerability … a great, suspenseful read.” — 2020 Reader’s Favorite Book Award in Suspense Fiction
“Author Dorian Box keeps his audience on the edges of their seats with the gripping first installment in his new Emily Calby Series.” — FeatheredQuill.com
“Stunning, captivating, heartbreaking, but also heartwarming. … [T]he characters were so alive, believable, with heart and warmth, humor and love. … This book is certainly on my ‘best ever books’ list.” — NetGalley Review
“[A] testament to the resiliency of youth, as well as the power of fear, grief, and a hunger for justice. … There are a multitude of social themes in this book and the plot has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster.” — NetGalley Review
“This is a fantastic book that completely demolished my expectations. … This novel is fast-paced and action-packed but it has a profound human element that sets it apart from other novels in its genre.” — NetGalley Review
“[P]henomenally written. … I felt like I was in the story, crazy voices in my head, heartbroken over the death of a close person. Dorian Box did an amazing job creating a headstrong, fearless, amazingly young heroine that we got to watch grow and change through the story.” — NetGalley Review
“This may be one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read! It was so intense. I was biting my nails and crying at certain parts. My husband asked if I was okay!” — BookishFirst Review
“Most heartwarming bloody crime I’ve ever read. … Emily’s story is both heart-wrenching in the tragedies that befall her, as well as heartwarming in the people she meets that help her on her way.” — BookistFirst Review
“This was one of the most amazing books I’ve read in a long time and when I finished it, I closed my eyes and hoped for some type of sequel. To not have “The Hiding Girl” in my world would’ve been devastating. Everything about this book from beginning to end was addictive. I love the writing style that really mimics the way a 12-year-old would think and speak, but it’s not a childish book.” — NetGalley Review
“The Hiding Girl by Dorian Box drew me in immediately. … Emily meets a man named Lucas in Memphis, who couldn’t be more different from her. She is Southern, white, and religious. He is black, a former gang member and from the inner city. … The profound relationship between Lucas and Emily grows throughout the book. It was definitely my favorite part.” — NetGalley Review
“There were parts of this book that had me so on the edge of my seat that I had to walk away and catch my breath but go right back to find out what happened next once my heart stopped racing.” — BookishFirst Review
“Definitely a page turner! You honestly will not be able to put this read down. … This book touches on so many issues … senseless random murder, vengeance/self-defense/morality, racial prejudice, post-traumatic stress, foster care …. There are truly evil characters in this book and then Emily and Lucas, who frequently find themselves in that gray realm between good and evil. Guaranteed to hold your interest! So glad there will be a sequel, which I can’t wait to read.” — NetGalley Review
“A lot of refreshing uniqueness from the standard mystery write. The author did not hold back on dealing directly with what is often seen as controversial material. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.” — NetGalley Review
“Want something different, thrilling, exciting and all around entertaining? Then pick up The Hiding Girl. … Dorian Box keeps you turning the page and cheering for little, young Emily Calby ….” — NetGalley Review
“This is a fantastic story, well-written and with a great pace, but the best are the characters. The main character is a smart and tough young girl, and we follow her journey that’s like no other. Excellent book, and I’ll be waiting for the next one. — NetGalley Review
“Reading this book is like watching a super-thriller movie! … The initial fire started on the very first page and burned through the end! This is definitely non-putdownable.” — NetGalley Review
“Finished in one day! … I was immediately drawn to Emily’s story and had trouble putting the book down to even get a glass of water. I was rooting for her throughout the book. It’s not your typical revenge for a crime book.” — BookishFirst Review