Never Look Back by Mary Burton
Series : The Firebird Chronicles #2
Genre : Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Thriller
Publication Date : July 1st, 2020
Genre : Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Thriller
Publication Date : July 1st, 2020
Expect the unexpected in this gritty, tense, and page-turning mystery from New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton.
After multiple women go missing, Agent Melina Shepard of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation makes the impulsive decision to go undercover as a prostitute. While working the street, she narrowly avoids becoming a serial killer’s latest victim; as much as it pains her to admit, she needs backup.
Enter lone wolf FBI agent Jerrod Ramsey. Stonewalled by a lack of leads, he and Melina investigate a scene where a little girl has been found abandoned in a crashed vehicle. They open the trunk to reveal a horror show and quickly realize they’re dealing with two serial killers with very different MOs. The whole situation brings back memories for Melina—why does this particular case feel so connected to her painful past?
Before time runs out, Melina must catch not one but two serial killers, both ready to claim another victim—and both with their sights set on her.
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I had been waiting for this book for quite a while and it's been so long since I read a good thriller, so I jumped on the chance to request this on Netgalley and read it the same day it was approved!
I love Mary Burton's suspense books because they have the perfect mix of mystery, investigative work and a touch of romance that doesn't overwhelm the main storyline! I kinda went on a mystery binge last year and read all of her books! But the previous installment in the series - I See You was kind of disappointing, so I was hoping this one would be better!
The Criminal profiler series follows the members of an elite profiling team that work on identifying and apprehending the worst serial killers! If you've read her other books, you'll see a lot of characters crossing over too! And each is a standalone book!
Also, I've noticed that the author features mature pairings in her book, with a hero usually in his late thirties/early forties and a heroine who is in her early thirties and frankly that makes crime thrillers more believable because only then would such elite profilers gain the experience that they showcase in the novels!
Never Look Back follows the story of Jerrod Ramsey, who is the head of the FBI profiling unit that catches the most heinous serial killers and Melina Shepard who is an agent of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The book starts off with Melina being almost kidnapped by a serial killer, while she is posing as a prostitute to find out what has been happening to the prostitutes who have gone missing.
Jerrod is called in to assist on the case when the evidence gathered points out that it is the work of a serial killer. While they work together to solve this case, they also begin investigating a car crash where a little girl has been abandoned. And, in the car they find horrifying evidence that shows that there is another serial killer on the scene with a completely different MO!
And the abandoned girl brings back memories and questions that Melina would rather forget! Plus, with a killer who wants to capture his escaped quarry, their time to solve the cases is rapidly dwindling! Will Melina and Jerrod be able to catch both the killers before they strike again? And how is Melina connected to both of them?
You'll have to read the book to find out!
Never Look Back was definitely better than the previous book in the series, but I didn't love it as much as I loved the other books! Don't get me wrong, I loved all the suspense and the investigative work! But, after a few chapters of focusing on the first killer there was a sudden shift to the second case and the majority of the book focused on that
I loved seeing Melina's relationship with her adoptive parents! And she doesn't run headfirst into danger(except for the first time when she goes undercover). She's quite cautious and when Jerrod arrives on the scene, she works with him smoothly to solve the case! Jerrod was an enigma in the previous books and I loved seeing more about him and his past in this book! I think Melina was perfect for him, but the development of the relationship between them could have used a little more work! I just didn't feel much of the connection between them!
The plot wasn't entirely unpredictable and I could see where the author would be taking the story The last few chapters were a little rushed but the ending was quite satisfactory! I just didn't love it as much as I loved the author's other books! I'm hoping the next one will be more engrossing!
If you are new to Mary Burton then I suggest that you start with Hide and Seek or The Forgotten Files series, because they are the best of the bunch!
* An ARC was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary Burton, loves writing suspense, getting to know her characters, and keeping up with law enforcement and forensic procedure, all while figuring out how to hunt down her latest serial killers.
A Richmond native, she’s the author of thirty-two published novels and five novellas. She’s also written five works of contemporary fiction as Mary Ellen Taylor, including 2018’s Winter Cottage.
A member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Novelists, Inc., and Romance Writers of America, Mary is known for creating multiple suspense stories connected by characters and/or place.
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