Stone Maidens

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 8,792 ratings

Price: 12.24

Last update: 12-31-2024


About this item

From TikTok sensation Lloyd Devereux Richards comes the heart-pounding story of FBI agent Christine Prusik as she attempts to unmask a serial killer who leaves a calling card with a terrifying connection to her own haunted past.

As the chief forensic anthropologist for the FBI’s Chicago field office, Christine Prusik has worked her fair share of bizarre cases. Yet this one trumps them all: a serial killer is strangling young women and dumping their bodies in the steep, forested ravines of southern Indiana.

With each victim, the killer leaves a calling card: a stone figurine carved like the spirit stones found among the native tribes of Papua New Guinea—the same tribes Prusik worked with a decade earlier while doing field research. The personal nature of the similarity is eerie and, frankly, terrifying; Prusik still carries trauma from her time in the field.

As the dark details continue to surface, Prusik has to wonder if the connection is real or if her nightmares have finally wormed their way into her waking life.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Jen-Knee
    5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ! Twists & Turns, So So Good
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2024
    I’ve been hearing about this book all over TikTok and luckily I found it available as a free read/ free audible listen on KindleUnlimited. I love mystery/ suspense/ thrillers and Stone Maidens checked all the boxes. The plot and character development are incredible, the background cast and endless information woven into the story about the crimes committed, profiling, FBI processes, demographics, and so on are second to none. I mean I cannot imagine how long the research took just to get to a point the author could even begin writing this story, and then he executed every bit flawlessly- the dialogue, inner monologues, descriptive info, factoids, etc. I don’t know what else to say without adding spoilers so suffice it to say that I think this book should go on everyone’s “Must Read!” list. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
  • SB
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly good!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2023
    A single TikTok video blasted off The Stone Maidens from an unknown mystery-thriller novel to a bestselling book in February 2023. The video has 55.2 million views as of this writing.

    Marguerite Richards' Tiktok video made me believe in his father's book, The Stone Maidens. In the video, I could feel the love and appreciation she had for her father. As someone who grew up without a father, her words touched me deeply. If Lloyd Devereaux Richards were my father, I would do the same to show him the same love and appreciation. The video was so heartwarming that it went viral.

    But, is the book any good?

    I didn't expect much from the book after reading some reviews before the Tiktok video. Some enjoyed the story, while others didn't. However, I was surprised to find the story of Christine Prusik a pleasure to read. She exudes a strong female lead character but she's relatable. She is intelligent and resourceful, highly skilled, and persistent despite her struggle with anxiety, being underestimated by her male counterparts, and the setbacks she encountered along the way.

    I also find the serial killer and his proclivities fascinating. He displays the complexity of the human brain which is capable of great things, but it can also be a source of great harm. Mental disorders can drive people to commit acts of violence. What's even more intriguing was his relationship with another person, as their mysterious actions contributed to the shocking twist at the end. I didn't expect that I would keep turning the pages until the end.

    Personally, the book was enjoyable but it also had flaws. Some parts are unbelievable and predictable. I was pulled out of the story when Christine encountered the serial killer for the first time. I believe she could have caught him sooner, but then the story would have been over too quickly.

    I also found one sentence to be unnecessary. It felt like I was told what to think, rather than letting me come to my own conclusions. This somehow affected my excitement for the story.

    On the whole, The Stone Maidens is a unique and exciting suspense thriller that reveals the intricacy of the human mind, the politics and traditional constructs in the male-dominated nature of law enforcement, and the power of parental influence. The characters are well-written but the plot was predictable. However, the story is still enjoyable. The novel is a must-read for anyone interested in police procedure, strong female lead, and the complex nature of human beings.
  • Ashley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful!!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2024
    I saw mang videos on tik tok , I saw your books and had to get them , for gifts and myself. They were shipped and delivered quickly, the artwork and quality of the book itself Is BEAUTIFUL - I just got it today and began reading and haven't been able to put it down I was immediately sucked in! Awesome experience ,and all the support all the way around !! I told all my friends about it and would most definitely recommend!
  • Bailey Lawrence-Bailey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2024
    I read this was based on a true story and it was fantastic!! Such a great read and definitely the type of book I love to read. Can’t wait to get the rest of the series.
  • Teresa Brasher
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
    Not a bad story or characters. However, why do authors feel so compelled to put a romance, regardless of how improbable it may be, in many murder/thrillers? Do they think that a female FBI agent, who is the main character, cannot be enough in her own right, without having to fall in love with the first man she meets? If I wanted to read romance, I would stick with that genre. Don't cheapen what could be a good plot by throwing in a love interest.
  • Lisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Author seen on TikTok…
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2024
    I had gotten away from FBI/police, murder mysteries, but this book brought me back. The story had twists. It stayed interesting, to the end. I will read more from this author.
  • Carolyn Campbell
    4.0 out of 5 stars good read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2024
    I really enjoyed the book, the plot, the characters. Some of the dialogue felt a little unrealistic to me but that was a minor personal critique.
  • Sara
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2024
    I really enjoyed this from start to finish! I saw this author shopping for Christmas Angel Tree Kids and I was instantly interested and so I checked it out. And I thoroughly enjoyed this! Thank you!

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