Brilliant New Series

When she was 14, Nadine was the star witness in the trial that sent her serial killer mother to prison. Since then, she’s changed her name and now, she works as a forensic psychologist in Sarasota where she assumes that no-one knows her unfortunate past. When a couple is found and disposed of in the same manner as her mother used, Nadine is asked to join the team as a criminal psychologist (the difference is explained in the book) and join forces with a detective who recently joined from Metro Dade. At first, she thinks there’s a copycat about but she’s reluctant to voice that opinion as it would blow her cover. But then she discovers that she’s not the only one with a killer as a parent; it’s almost a convention!



I had a few minor problems with the geographical locations of certain crimes. As those occurred in different states and at different times in past and present, I had to check out which one they were talking about at times.

I like the name ‘Nadine’ for the main character. I was in school with several girls with this name, but I haven’t heard it for a long time now and certainly not in a detective. She’s far too insecure about her past and her abilities. She’s scared that she may have inherited some ‘killer’-genes as her mother isn’t the first murderer in the family. If you’re worried about it, I’m quite certain that you don’t have it. Those who’re killers aren’t worried that they might do it, they look forward to their first kill.

‘Demko’ is also unusual, but not in name alone. He’s too attractive for Nadine’s well-being with his bewitching blue eyes and a 3-month-old puppy as a wingman. He’s easy to like and despite the suspicions the author raises against him, I can’t see him as the killer. (I write this before I finished the book, so you tell me if I’m right)

The story starts out a bit slow, but it’s a new series and you need the introduction to the main characters. Then, the suspense gets higher and higher. There are so many good and interesting diversions that almost everyone is a suspect at one time or other. I suspected several people along the road and near the end, I guessed who the real killer was but I was still shocked to find out his/her new ID.

This is an engrossing read that kept me on the edge of my (very hard) kitchen chair till very, very late. It goes straight to my best of 2021 shelf. I hope that the author will keep up the same level of suspense and quality throughout the series, but this is a feat that’s hard to follow.

I thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the free ARC they provided me with and this is my honest and unbiased review of it.