Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good start to a new series, this one about a Behavior Analysis Unit of the FBI. This book is about Nicholas, the team's profiler. He has a fantastic record of identifying serial killers, starting with the X Marks the Spot killer. That one was hard on Nicholas because the killer turned out to be his next-door neighbor and like a second father to him. During that case, a crucial piece of evidence was uncovered by the medical examiner, Dr. Aubrey Flood.
Three years later, Aubrey's sister died at the hands of a copycat serial killer. Aubrey insists that Nicholas be the agent to work this case because she knows he's the best. She also refuses to remain uninvolved in the investigation.
The action in this book stayed intense from beginning to end. This case stirs up some hard memories for Nicholas with its resemblance to the original X Marks the Spot's MO. It also makes him even more determined to catch the killer quickly. When the killer strikes again, using the MO of a different serial killer, Nicholas knows he has a challenge on his hands. I could feel his frustration as he realized that this killer has an agenda, and Aubrey is his focus. The detective work fascinated me, from Nicholas trying to get inside his head to Aubrey using her ME skills to notice minute details that may help identify the killer. The part I found frustrating was the number of times the killer outwitted and physically bested the agents. The ending was a nail-biter as the killer almost got away with his plan, but for Aubrey's and Nicholas's determination to save each other. The twists and turns of the case kept me glued to the pages. I did figure out the killer's identity before the end but wondered how they would stop him.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Nicholas and Aubrey. The sparks have been there since the first time they met, though neither did anything about them. When they come together on this case, the time they spend together gives those sparks time to strengthen and grow. I liked that they respect each other's work and can admit when they need help. Both Nicholas and Aubrey have issues that keep them from developing lasting relationships. Aubrey tends to put everyone else's needs before her own, leaving her with nothing for herself. Nicholas's ability to trust disappeared when he realized how his neighbor had manipulated him for so many years. Thanks to Nicholas, Aubrey made changes in her life, but he let her down when it counted most. I wanted to shake Nicholas when he allowed his trust issues to come between him and Aubrey. It was lucky he saw his error as quickly as he did, or things would have turned out very differently. I loved the scene at the hospital as he opened his heart fully to Aubrey.
#netgalley
Three years later, Aubrey's sister died at the hands of a copycat serial killer. Aubrey insists that Nicholas be the agent to work this case because she knows he's the best. She also refuses to remain uninvolved in the investigation.
The action in this book stayed intense from beginning to end. This case stirs up some hard memories for Nicholas with its resemblance to the original X Marks the Spot's MO. It also makes him even more determined to catch the killer quickly. When the killer strikes again, using the MO of a different serial killer, Nicholas knows he has a challenge on his hands. I could feel his frustration as he realized that this killer has an agenda, and Aubrey is his focus. The detective work fascinated me, from Nicholas trying to get inside his head to Aubrey using her ME skills to notice minute details that may help identify the killer. The part I found frustrating was the number of times the killer outwitted and physically bested the agents. The ending was a nail-biter as the killer almost got away with his plan, but for Aubrey's and Nicholas's determination to save each other. The twists and turns of the case kept me glued to the pages. I did figure out the killer's identity before the end but wondered how they would stop him.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Nicholas and Aubrey. The sparks have been there since the first time they met, though neither did anything about them. When they come together on this case, the time they spend together gives those sparks time to strengthen and grow. I liked that they respect each other's work and can admit when they need help. Both Nicholas and Aubrey have issues that keep them from developing lasting relationships. Aubrey tends to put everyone else's needs before her own, leaving her with nothing for herself. Nicholas's ability to trust disappeared when he realized how his neighbor had manipulated him for so many years. Thanks to Nicholas, Aubrey made changes in her life, but he let her down when it counted most. I wanted to shake Nicholas when he allowed his trust issues to come between him and Aubrey. It was lucky he saw his error as quickly as he did, or things would have turned out very differently. I loved the scene at the hospital as he opened his heart fully to Aubrey.
#netgalley
