With an insane killer on a spree, the clock is ticking for Valerie and her partner—and the brilliant psychiatrist on their team—to enter his mind and stop him before he strikes again. The twisted pathway to his psyche takes them down the dark road of the killer’s past, into orphanages, alienated family members, and shattered survivors.

It is a road that may be too dark for even Valerie—one of the best BAU agents—to head down. She has tried too hard to escape her own past to withstand much more on her psyche.

And when the killer sets his sights on her, it may just be her final undoing.

20 Chapters | 187 pg | 1hr 44mins

Here’s the thing. Do you ever just look at the books in your kindle library and feel like you have nothing to read? It’s ridiculous because I have plenty to read in my kindle library, but I couldn’t find what I wanted to read. I opened three partially read books and closed them after a few pages. I chose to read this book, not from any impulse or conscious decision. I didn’t pick it based on the cover image or the title. But I did devour this book, I read it in 1 hour and 44 minutes. Couldn’t have stopped even if I wanted to. I’m not even surprised; the book was only 187 pages long – something I didn’t even notice till I got to the end of reading it.

I’ve been yawning solidly since I finished reading it. The lull of an afternoon has caught up with me but while I was reading there was no yawning in sight! I was fully awake and aware of what I was reading.

I added this book to my kindle library randomly. I’ve not heard of Blake Pierce before, but they seem to have written a lot of books! I can’t seem to find out anywhere whether Blake Pierce is male or female, so if anyone knows, please let me know.

So, this book’s main character is Valerie Law, an FBI Agent who excels in psychological profiling. She is joined by her partner Charlie and a new addition Will [a psychology doctor]. Together they make up the beginnings of a new unit – Criminal Psychology Unit. Their case, to recapture Blake Harlow, a psychopathic killer who has just escaped from an institution.

What was clearest to me was that Valerie Law is an established character with a clear past and hidden trauma. The professional relationship between Valerie and Charlie speaks of a long history and level of trust between them. While the appearance of Will seemed to put Valerie on the edge at the beginning of the book they began working as a sort of dysfunctional team by the end of the book.

Valerie as a character, wasn’t a clear image in my head, but her convictions and personality shone through as I read. Not being able to visualise her didn’t diminish my read of this book.

So many crime thriller books have an element of psychology in them but having that aspect being more of a focus and point of attention was more exciting. Personally, I’m fascinated by psychology and the way that the brain works, so I’m always more invested when I see good interpretations of it being used in crime novels.

The villain of this novel was a complex character that needed to be explored over various pages of past and present narration. In a way I felt more connected to the villain as a character because I was having a glimpse as to why they were acting as they were through the psychology angle. The imagination of crime writers always astounds me. The ability to create such violent and devious villain, has always made me slightly anxious as to the mind of imagination.

Valerie has trauma in her past. I know that’s a common trope for FMCs in crime novels, but I don’t mind it so much when it is done well. I think Valerie’s is done well. I don’t know all her past, but from what was given in this book, her trauma is unique and fitting for this series. I think she will have to learn to either deal with it or cut it out completely but as it certainly affected her in this book, I am sure it will continue to be a secondary plot point until it is resolved.

Now, this is a short book, 187 pages. As I’ve said, I was unaware of the length while I was reading and that was a good thing because I think I would have influenced myself negatively if I had known how short the book is. In fact, I very much enjoyed reading this book, the plot stayed on point and didn’t waver with too much waffling or detouring to segments that overall added nothing to the plot. It was almost artfully written with a hand as skilful as the artful dodger. I’m getting lyrically distracted!

As an introduction to a new writer, this was the book to hook me in. I am invested enough in the characters presented to want to continue the series. This may also open the door to reading other series by Blake Pierce.

I also experienced a little adrenaline while reading, so that greatly increased the enjoyment of reading. I wasn’t expecting a lot of the twists and turns.

I give this book: ⭐⭐⭐⭐