Girl Emerging is the first novel in the Essie Openwaters mystery thriller series. It follows Essie on her physical and mental journey from Stanford University where she just competed two PhDs, one in chemical engineering and one in earth sciences, to Richland, Washington where she will start her dream job as a research scientist. Brought up to trust no one by her Kootenai Indian father, Essie struggles to succeed in a national laboratory where being a team player is king. Unaware the man who initially stalked her as she drove toward Richland was setting a trap to kidnap, rape, and murder her, Essie finds herself facing death in a remote area. Share Essie's struggles as she fights for recognition and life.