Girl, 11
Former child social worker Elle Castillo now hosts a popular true crime podcast investigating cold cases of missing and abducted children. After four seasons of successfully solving cases in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Elle decides to tackle her white whale: The Countdown Killer. Twenty years ago, TCK terrorized the community by kidnapping and ritualistically murdering three girls over seven days, each a year younger than the last. But after he took his eleven-year-old victim, the pattern—and the murders—abruptly stopped.
When Elle follows up on a listener email only to discover the tipster’s dead body, she feels responsible. Within days, a young girl is abducted, and the crime seems to fit the TCK sequence halted decades before. While media and law enforcement long ago concluded that TCK was dead, Elle has never believed it. She had hoped her investigation would uncover his identity, but instead, her podcast seems to be inciting new murders.
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Praise for GIRL, 11
New York Times Book Review
“Propulsive...an adroit exploration of the ethical quandaries of true-crime storytelling, particularly in podcasts.”
Mystery and Suspense Magazine
“This was a remarkably strong debut, one which entertained and kept me in suspense in equal measure.”
“In this remarkable debut, Amy Suiter Clarke weaves together narratives from a true crime podcaster’s real life and her broadcasts as she tracks down a serial killer who may have returned after years of lying in wait. This compelling and skillfully crafted story will keep readers glued to the pages. Girl, 11 is current, twisty, and utterly irresistible!”
“GIRL, 11 is a dazzlingly twisted and dark thriller with complex characters, a neo-Gothic atmosphere and a killer that ranks with some of the most disturbing in the genre. Amy Suiter Clarke is a magnificent guide through this macabre labyrinth!”
“Clarke knows how to get a reader’s heart hammering.”
“Twisty and tense! GIRL, 11 is a stirring and stunning tale of secrets, saviors and serial killers. This story stays with you long after you’ve reached the last page!”
“GIRL, 11 is a powerful, engaging debut from Amy Suiter Clarke - and gives readers a memorable, genuine protagonist in Elle Castillo. Clarke crafts a tale of obsession, dark histories, and one woman’s quest to bring a terrifying killer to justice, GIRL, 11 is delivered with poise, style, and cunning - making it impossible to put down.”
“GIRL, 11, is a chilling, expertly-constructed thriller that strikes the perfect balance between page-turning twists and piercing commentary on the true cost of crime. If you devoured I’LL BE GONE IN THE DARK, Amy Suiter Clarke’s debut is about to be your new obsession.”
“With psychological precision and electric storytelling, Amy Suiter Clarke has created a thriller that feels ripped from the headlines, her Countdown Killer becoming as real to the reader as the Golden State Killer or BTK. True crime fanatics will find their new obsession in this dark, page-turning debut.”
“Amy Suiter Clarke comes out of the gate running with a confident and riveting debut perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and Meg Gardiner. GIRL, 11, follows the host of an investigative podcast tracking a bloodthirsty serial killer as he counts down to his youngest victim yet. I bit my nails through every twist in this pitch-perfect thrill-ride—and teared up at its commitment to honoring victims of violence everywhere.”
“Amy Suiter Clarke’s remarkably well-constructed debut takes readers on a terrifying, nail-biting journey to find a killer. With brilliant twists and turns and a genius mix of propulsive action and psychological tension, Girl, 11 is a masterful, heart-pounding suspense that ushers in an astonishing new voice in crime fiction.”