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Mindhunters #6
Deadly Sins
An unknown assassin has appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner, brutally taking out high-level human targets citywide. It's just the kind of case that will test the resolve of a tough FBI agent like Jaid Marlowe. Especially when her new partner is Adam Raiker, Jaid's former colleague-and ex-lover.
339 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 2, 2011
25 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Brant
82 books639 followersThe mother of five children, Kylie Brant claims she began writing to save her sanity. Plotting stories became her method of escape from the reality of constant ball games, chauffeuring kids, and refereeing "minor" disagreements between her perfect offspring.
In 1992 she was elated to get a call from Silhouette offering to buy her second novel. Home with laryngitis at the time, she still managed to croak out agreement, and her career was born. A few months later she went on to sell Rancher's Choice, the first manuscript she’d written.
Kylie is married to her high school sweetheart, and they make their home in Iowa. She insists that all her heroes are based on her husband of 23 years because he possesses that most heroic of make qualities — ironing skills. Those abilities come in handy, as she juggles a full time teaching job with writing and a family.
Doing things the easy way has never held much appeal for this multi award-winning author. She graduated with high honors from the University of Northern Iowa. A graduation photo shows her in cap and gown holding her two sons, one aged 16 months and the other three weeks. She went on to obtain a teaching job working with learning-disabled children while completing her master’s degree at night and during summers.
"There was a time in my life when I could imagine myself as a life-long student," she recalls. "I actually toyed with the idea of pursuing a doctorate. But instead, my life took a spin and I ended up writing romances. I’ve never regretted it!" Her family has since been completed by the birth of another son and a set of twins, a boy and a girl.
Kylie’s books are regularly featured on bestseller lists such as Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. With over a million copies of books in print, her novels have been distributed in 20 countries and released in seven languages.
Family and friends are the main focus of Kylie’s life. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading and flower gardening. She loves traveling, preferring beach, ocean, and room service.
In 1992 she was elated to get a call from Silhouette offering to buy her second novel. Home with laryngitis at the time, she still managed to croak out agreement, and her career was born. A few months later she went on to sell Rancher's Choice, the first manuscript she’d written.
Kylie is married to her high school sweetheart, and they make their home in Iowa. She insists that all her heroes are based on her husband of 23 years because he possesses that most heroic of make qualities — ironing skills. Those abilities come in handy, as she juggles a full time teaching job with writing and a family.
Doing things the easy way has never held much appeal for this multi award-winning author. She graduated with high honors from the University of Northern Iowa. A graduation photo shows her in cap and gown holding her two sons, one aged 16 months and the other three weeks. She went on to obtain a teaching job working with learning-disabled children while completing her master’s degree at night and during summers.
"There was a time in my life when I could imagine myself as a life-long student," she recalls. "I actually toyed with the idea of pursuing a doctorate. But instead, my life took a spin and I ended up writing romances. I’ve never regretted it!" Her family has since been completed by the birth of another son and a set of twins, a boy and a girl.
Kylie’s books are regularly featured on bestseller lists such as Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. With over a million copies of books in print, her novels have been distributed in 20 countries and released in seven languages.
Family and friends are the main focus of Kylie’s life. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading and flower gardening. She loves traveling, preferring beach, ocean, and room service.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 11, 2018
3.5
Even though I found certain things strange and at times annoying, I enjoyed it.
The plot revolves around serial murders of some very high-level people. The first victim was Adam Raiker's friend. The widow makes it possible for Adam to consult with the FBI regarding the case. That's where the romance comes in. Eight years ago he was in a relationship with one of the agents on the team. I liked her a lot.
One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to heroines who are supposed to be strong is when an author decides to make them I-am-going-to-hit-you-before-talking-because-I-am-tough-look-at-me-I-am-tough type of character. I despise and loathe them. I would take a Mary Sue over that type any time.
Jaid is actually strong. It comes out through her actions towards Adam, her family and the people she works with/for. This time I could see what the hero saw in the heroine. One of the rare times you want to know that person.
Adam is, well, Adam. This is number six in this series so if you liked him in the first five books, you'll love him now even more. He gets a new layer in this book. No, not just because of Jaid. His past also plays a role, so you get to see somewhat different Adam.
The annoying issues fortunately took a back seat to the actual story. What I appreciate is that most of them I mentioned aren't shoved in your face, nor do they come from the main characters, so there's that.
Even though I found certain things strange and at times annoying, I enjoyed it.
The plot revolves around serial murders of some very high-level people. The first victim was Adam Raiker's friend. The widow makes it possible for Adam to consult with the FBI regarding the case. That's where the romance comes in. Eight years ago he was in a relationship with one of the agents on the team. I liked her a lot.
One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to heroines who are supposed to be strong is when an author decides to make them I-am-going-to-hit-you-before-talking-because-I-am-tough-look-at-me-I-am-tough type of character. I despise and loathe them. I would take a Mary Sue over that type any time.
Jaid is actually strong. It comes out through her actions towards Adam, her family and the people she works with/for. This time I could see what the hero saw in the heroine. One of the rare times you want to know that person.
Adam is, well, Adam. This is number six in this series so if you liked him in the first five books, you'll love him now even more. He gets a new layer in this book. No, not just because of Jaid. His past also plays a role, so you get to see somewhat different Adam.
The annoying issues fortunately took a back seat to the actual story. What I appreciate is that most of them I mentioned aren't shoved in your face, nor do they come from the main characters, so there's that.
June 16, 2016
I have no idea what it is with these people. I send them out on assignment, and they come back wanting to get married.
(с) Adam Raiker
Ну, собственно, если посмотреть на серию – так оно и есть)) Каждый во время расследования находит свое счастье, и вот настал черед самого Адама.
Правда, ему ничего искать не пришлось. Их история с Джейд стара как мир. Он был суровый и опытный, она – зеленая и наивная. Его смущали восемь лет разницы в возрасте, она не смогла пробить оборону, а потом еще и то страшное дело, после которого Адам остался без глаза, с покалеченной ногой и весь в шрамах. В общем, он оттолкнул Джейд, а она ушла.
И вот годы спустя они вместе работают над делом.
Расследование, если честно, получилось скучноватым. Смешалось все: и политика, и религия, и многое-многое другое. Конечно, сразу было понятно, что все это ширма и на самом деле копают под Рэйкера, и все же чересчур масштабной получилась ширмочка. Я устала разбираться в связях и хитросплетениях, в именах, фамилиях и должностях. И напряжение появилось только под конец.
В целом, неплохо, но не более того.
В отношениях Адама и Джейд понравилось отсутствие надуманных драм. Люди взрослые, со своей историей… За прошедшие годы оба поумнели и многое осознали. К тому же у Джейд есть сын, и о нем она думает в первую очередь.
Но и особой искры не было тоже. Короче, крепкий середнячок.
Знаете, наверное, это судьба подобных персонажей, которых авторы тянут через всю серию. Они интригуют, ими восхищаешься, ждешь их собственной истории и, видимо, излишне себя накручиваешься, а потом – пуф… Не то пальто.
Я не то чтобы сильно разочарована. Скорее слегка раздосадована.
(с) Adam Raiker
Ну, собственно, если посмотреть на серию – так оно и есть)) Каждый во время расследования находит свое счастье, и вот настал черед самого Адама.
Правда, ему ничего искать не пришлось. Их история с Джейд стара как мир. Он был суровый и опытный, она – зеленая и наивная. Его смущали восемь лет разницы в возрасте, она не смогла пробить оборону, а потом еще и то страшное дело, после которого Адам остался без глаза, с покалеченной ногой и весь в шрамах. В общем, он оттолкнул Джейд, а она ушла.
И вот годы спустя они вместе работают над делом.
Расследование, если честно, получилось скучноватым. Смешалось все: и политика, и религия, и многое-многое другое. Конечно, сразу было понятно, что все это ширма и на самом деле копают под Рэйкера, и все же чересчур масштабной получилась ширмочка. Я устала разбираться в связях и хитросплетениях, в именах, фамилиях и должностях. И напряжение появилось только под конец.
В целом, неплохо, но не более того.
В отношениях Адама и Джейд понравилось отсутствие надуманных драм. Люди взрослые, со своей историей… За прошедшие годы оба поумнели и многое осознали. К тому же у Джейд есть сын, и о нем она думает в первую очередь.
Но и особой искры не было тоже. Короче, крепкий середнячок.
Знаете, наверное, это судьба подобных персонажей, которых авторы тянут через всю серию. Они интригуют, ими восхищаешься, ждешь их собственной истории и, видимо, излишне себя накручиваешься, а потом – пуф… Не то пальто.
Я не то чтобы сильно разочарована. Скорее слегка раздосадована.
August 24, 2011
*2.5 Stars*
I knew going into this book that the romance would not be a central feature, because that was the case with Deadly Dreams. But I didn’t expect it to be even more lacking than it was the last time. I was really looking forward to getting to know the Mindhunters boss, Adam Raiker, and watching him fall in love. But I ended the book feeling like I still didn’t know him very well and that he never had much of a romance.
The suspense aspect of the book was really well done. It wasn’t as fast paced and action filled as I personally prefer, but I imagine it reflects actual police work and crime solving more accurately. It was filled with procedure and small details that aren’t exactly exciting, but are very necessary. Reports are filed nightly and the investigators’ actions are always checked by what they are and are not given permission to do by the Assistant Director. Adam is able to get around this more often than Jaid and the other partner are, but even he has to be very careful about what he does, so as not to give the Assistant Director an excuse to kick him off the case.
I thought I knew who the killer was quite a few times, but something else would always crop up to change my mind and make me guess someone else. I did guess who the killer was, but I had moved past that person and on to a new one, so I suppose it doesn’t count. I liked the grisly nature of the case and trying to solve it alongside the characters, but at times I felt a little bored. But that was because of the focus on the procedural process instead of the action. I think if you’re more of a fan of that than I am then you won’t have the same problem.
I was disappointed in the lack of romance in the last book, but I liked that the author showed us the characters’ world outside of the case. I felt that those details were lacking in this book. We saw Jaid call her kid a few times and try to juggle babysitting, but those details felt hollow and lacking any real depth. I never felt I got to know Jaid or Adam very well, which is a shame because I would think that a man who could survive so many assassination attempts, and still get up every morning without fear, is a very fascinating man indeed. And this is a second-chance-romance where one side was very unwilling to break up. Where is the emotion? Where is tension? There was none, and I was a tad bitter over the lack.
I was more forgiving of the lack of romance in the last book, Deadly Dreams, but since this one had even less than that, I feel I have the right to gripe. Why is this billed as a Romantic Suspense if no time is spent developing the characters or the romance? I’ve heard Romance referred to as an emotional voyeur’s paradise, and I can’t say I’d argue that description. I want to know this hero and heroine inside and out and feel invested in their relationship. I want to understand why they are behaving in certain ways without it having to be spelled out to me. I want development and tension and intensity. I just want a Romance, people! And I want all that while still having a banging suspense plot. It’s why I picked up a book in the genre, after all.
The lack of character depth made me feel a bit like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. I go into a movie knowing that I am not going to get any personal insight into a character—unless they’re narrating it, of course. I know that the only depth I’ll get is the kind that I am shown through their actions and other characters’ comments about them. But that’s okay, because I knew that going in. It’s all about expectations. I expect more than that when I read a book. Especially when I don’t have any vocal inflections or facial expressions to analyze, like I would in a movie. I just have these words that are supposed to suck me in and make me a part of the world. You can’t just say
I think that the author does a good job with the suspense aspect of the book and that the Suspense genre is really where the book belongs, not the Romantic Suspense one. I can’t see myself picking up any more books by this author, though, because I look for more of a focus on the romance than Brant seems to prefer to write.
Favorite Quote:
Review posted on Fiction Vixen.
I knew going into this book that the romance would not be a central feature, because that was the case with Deadly Dreams. But I didn’t expect it to be even more lacking than it was the last time. I was really looking forward to getting to know the Mindhunters boss, Adam Raiker, and watching him fall in love. But I ended the book feeling like I still didn’t know him very well and that he never had much of a romance.
The suspense aspect of the book was really well done. It wasn’t as fast paced and action filled as I personally prefer, but I imagine it reflects actual police work and crime solving more accurately. It was filled with procedure and small details that aren’t exactly exciting, but are very necessary. Reports are filed nightly and the investigators’ actions are always checked by what they are and are not given permission to do by the Assistant Director. Adam is able to get around this more often than Jaid and the other partner are, but even he has to be very careful about what he does, so as not to give the Assistant Director an excuse to kick him off the case.
I thought I knew who the killer was quite a few times, but something else would always crop up to change my mind and make me guess someone else. I did guess who the killer was, but I had moved past that person and on to a new one, so I suppose it doesn’t count. I liked the grisly nature of the case and trying to solve it alongside the characters, but at times I felt a little bored. But that was because of the focus on the procedural process instead of the action. I think if you’re more of a fan of that than I am then you won’t have the same problem.
I was disappointed in the lack of romance in the last book, but I liked that the author showed us the characters’ world outside of the case. I felt that those details were lacking in this book. We saw Jaid call her kid a few times and try to juggle babysitting, but those details felt hollow and lacking any real depth. I never felt I got to know Jaid or Adam very well, which is a shame because I would think that a man who could survive so many assassination attempts, and still get up every morning without fear, is a very fascinating man indeed. And this is a second-chance-romance where one side was very unwilling to break up. Where is the emotion? Where is tension? There was none, and I was a tad bitter over the lack.
I was more forgiving of the lack of romance in the last book, Deadly Dreams, but since this one had even less than that, I feel I have the right to gripe. Why is this billed as a Romantic Suspense if no time is spent developing the characters or the romance? I’ve heard Romance referred to as an emotional voyeur’s paradise, and I can’t say I’d argue that description. I want to know this hero and heroine inside and out and feel invested in their relationship. I want to understand why they are behaving in certain ways without it having to be spelled out to me. I want development and tension and intensity. I just want a Romance, people! And I want all that while still having a banging suspense plot. It’s why I picked up a book in the genre, after all.
The lack of character depth made me feel a bit like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. I go into a movie knowing that I am not going to get any personal insight into a character—unless they’re narrating it, of course. I know that the only depth I’ll get is the kind that I am shown through their actions and other characters’ comments about them. But that’s okay, because I knew that going in. It’s all about expectations. I expect more than that when I read a book. Especially when I don’t have any vocal inflections or facial expressions to analyze, like I would in a movie. I just have these words that are supposed to suck me in and make me a part of the world. You can’t just say
He hadn't made a move since that was less than circumspect. But there was a renewed awareness between them. A current that snapped and sparked to life at the oddest moments. She'd intercepted a couple odd looks from Shepherd lately, as if he, too, had picked up on it.and leave it at that. Why didn’t you show me these glances? How come another character has picked up on it when I have seen nothing to indicate this? I need to be shown, not just told.
I think that the author does a good job with the suspense aspect of the book and that the Suspense genre is really where the book belongs, not the Romantic Suspense one. I can’t see myself picking up any more books by this author, though, because I look for more of a focus on the romance than Brant seems to prefer to write.
Favorite Quote:
"You didn't lose me, Adam. You pushed me away. There's a difference between the tragedies that befall us and the ones we bring on ourselves."
Review posted on Fiction Vixen.
October 6, 2011
4.5 stars
July 23, 2011
This was a well-written romantic suspense story with engaging characters and a really creepy plot. Someone shoots a Supreme Court Justice and sets off a major investigation involving the FBI, Homeland Security, the US Marshall's Service and just about every other law enforcement agency in existence. Also involved because he is friends with the victim is Adam Raiker who is a former FBI agent who left the agency to start his own security firm. When the widow pulls strings to get him into the investigation, he is paired with Jaid Marlowe who was a former colleague and ex-lover.
The tension is high between Adam and Jaid as they must work together. Adam had forced Jaid out of his life both to protect her and to protect his own secrets. He is a very closed individual who doesn't share anything about his past. He is also in lots of danger and wants to keep her safe. Jaid is no delicate flower. She is an experienced and competent FBI agent. She is more than willing to question Adam's decisions which makes her very different than Adam's other colleagues.
The story had an interesting cast of characters including the FBI agent who was once Adam's partner and who is now in charge of the investigation of the Justice's death, the priest who acted as a friend and mentor of the young Adam and who has now made some questionable choices, the partner of Adam's who might just have a serious gambling problem.
Then there is the villain who is a criminal mastermind responsible for the deaths of five people and who is determined to pin the crime on Adam. The story refers to lots of events that happened in the past but I never felt lost or confused. Enough information was given to make me feel like I knew enough. However, I did immediately go out and buy the other five books in the Mindhunters series.
The writing style was clean and crisp. I liked the balance between dialog and description. The pacing was fast and furious as the story continued. I recommend this story to lovers of romantic suspense even though the actual romance didn't kick in until 60% of the story was told. The tension between Adam and Jaid was built nicely through the story.
The tension is high between Adam and Jaid as they must work together. Adam had forced Jaid out of his life both to protect her and to protect his own secrets. He is a very closed individual who doesn't share anything about his past. He is also in lots of danger and wants to keep her safe. Jaid is no delicate flower. She is an experienced and competent FBI agent. She is more than willing to question Adam's decisions which makes her very different than Adam's other colleagues.
The story had an interesting cast of characters including the FBI agent who was once Adam's partner and who is now in charge of the investigation of the Justice's death, the priest who acted as a friend and mentor of the young Adam and who has now made some questionable choices, the partner of Adam's who might just have a serious gambling problem.
Then there is the villain who is a criminal mastermind responsible for the deaths of five people and who is determined to pin the crime on Adam. The story refers to lots of events that happened in the past but I never felt lost or confused. Enough information was given to make me feel like I knew enough. However, I did immediately go out and buy the other five books in the Mindhunters series.
The writing style was clean and crisp. I liked the balance between dialog and description. The pacing was fast and furious as the story continued. I recommend this story to lovers of romantic suspense even though the actual romance didn't kick in until 60% of the story was told. The tension between Adam and Jaid was built nicely through the story.
January 3, 2017
What a complete an utter disappointment.
Slow, bland, dull with boring, uninteresting characters; a hero that could've been great, but was far removed from the glimpses of Adam Raiker we got throughout the series, and a bland, rather one-dimensional heroine. The romance, even though its "lukewarmness" is a staple in this series was sub par, the action scenes non-existent, there was just the slow drone of investigation that dragged the story into the abyss of boring alongside a predictable villain and motive.
The only spark in the darkness was the reunion of the entire team in order to get their boss out of trouble, but it came too late in the story to make any kind of difference.
Slow, bland, dull with boring, uninteresting characters; a hero that could've been great, but was far removed from the glimpses of Adam Raiker we got throughout the series, and a bland, rather one-dimensional heroine. The romance, even though its "lukewarmness" is a staple in this series was sub par, the action scenes non-existent, there was just the slow drone of investigation that dragged the story into the abyss of boring alongside a predictable villain and motive.
The only spark in the darkness was the reunion of the entire team in order to get their boss out of trouble, but it came too late in the story to make any kind of difference.
August 3, 2011
Deadly Sins is Adam's book, the fabled ex-FBI agent and his ex-lover Jaid, and though it worked as a suspense book it dropped the ball on the romance part. The whole Mind-hunter series has been about solid suspense but a little tepid when it comes to the romantic aspect and in this I found the romance negligible.
The whole book was about the task force comprising Jaid, Adam and one more agent working on the DC killings and then wham suddenly out of the blue these two are kissing.
I never felt any connection between them. Jaid had a prior relationship with Adam but it didn't really feel like they did. Read it as a suspense novel and not a romantic one. The whole investigative aspect is dealt with nicely.
The whole book was about the task force comprising Jaid, Adam and one more agent working on the DC killings and then wham suddenly out of the blue these two are kissing.
I never felt any connection between them. Jaid had a prior relationship with Adam but it didn't really feel like they did. Read it as a suspense novel and not a romantic one. The whole investigative aspect is dealt with nicely.
October 21, 2011
I have to say that I was really disappointed with this book. I don't know why though considering the last couple of books in the series were no where as good as the first couple. Too bad. This book was actually boring which really is sad considering I was looking forward to reading more about Adam Raiker. Even the so-called feelings for Jaid were lacking. Nothing sparked between the two. Half-way thru I started skimming the pages as I was getting bored with the mystery. So not exciting.
April 20, 2014
This book was just bland, there is nothing cute about describing the Hero as :he spoke with his ruined voice and try to make it sexy! The female was just bland. All the love scenes were the same for all six books, one scene fits all. The best of the series was book 1, no romance and too much going on, the detective just come off as slow, I figured the bad guy from chapter 1! Wasted time
March 1, 2013
Okay.. Now I'm OBSESSED with finishing this series!
I FRIGGEN LOVE ADAM RAIKER!!!
review to come
I FRIGGEN LOVE ADAM RAIKER!!!
review to come
July 6, 2021
every book in this series is the same...crime, tough, hot agents who don't like the main, hot guy at the beginning but have a lot of sex by the middle and are madly in love by the end. it's ridiculous. the author also uses the word "trepidation" in EVERY BOOK, it's very annoying. Luckily the books are included with my audible membership because I wouldn't buy them. I expected the books with a name like MINDHUNTERS to be more focused on the case rather than an erotica plot.
June 4, 2020
This was, I'm sorry to say, rather boring and unoriginal. While Brant has struggled to capture a really powerful romance in the previous books in the series, she usually at least has excelled at the suspense element, but unfortunately both are lacking in this one. By far the least enjoyable of the series thus far -- skip this one.
March 10, 2024
This was a good FBI murder mystery. I liked the characters and the premise. It had a surprise at the end but seemed to end really quickly compared to the build up to the end. I didn't realize this was the 6th in the series when I started the book. Unfortunately, this book contains so much of the history of the others that I'm not sure I need or want to go back to the previous books.
November 21, 2024
Don't think I've ever been so glad to finish a series. Kept hoping the books would improve, but they didn't. Basically the same plot in all the books. Police after some serial killer. Main female and male start off disliking each other and end up in bed several times. Weak plots, weaker characters and overall a series that will be easy to forget.
December 16, 2019
This was more like 3.5 I gave if 4 because it was Adam and I was waiting for his story but it had a choppy feel to it also Jaid was not at all what I would have expected or wanted for Adam and not much back story on them.
February 18, 2021
3.8. This one gets a bump for telling me how all my new friends are doing, because of course, strong women with specialized skills and training in law enforcement or forensics love to meet because of and bring their relationships into work. . .hahahahaha. no, these women marry slackers.
December 9, 2022
I don't think I realized this was an installment of a series where I want reading the first book.At any rate,it read like a good misery novel with a little love and anguish sprinkled on top. Good read
May 30, 2019
Hooray! I'm finally finished this book, and this series. I stuck to my 'started so I'll finish' promise but it was not easy, I think I best not get multiple books of a series in future.
December 11, 2019
Overall, I liked the book but do have to say it drug in places with lots of unnecessary details.
March 30, 2020
Cookie cutter serial killer drama
May 26, 2020
Great series from Kylie Brant. The way she mixes romance with terror is great. I love books that can make me cry about what is going on with the characters.
September 6, 2020
The long awaited story for Adam. This was a good mystery and kept me guessing along the way which is always fun.
November 4, 2020
Not as exciting as some of the others.
January 13, 2021
The "Mindhunters" series has been wonderful, but this one has, thus far, been my favorite. Very enjoyable.
September 27, 2021
3.5 stars
February 3, 2022
Adam is being hunted by a killer who is playing a long game. He is definitely a worthy opponent! This one will keep you guessing.
February 6, 2022
Enjoyed this one!
September 10, 2025
A real nail biter, kept me guessing until the end! Enjoyed reading about Adam Raiker's past
November 3, 2025
Loved it! Glad to see Raiker isnt immune.
August 17, 2011
This book was pretty much what I expected from Brant's Mindhunters series. No surprises, really...good or bad.
Series Note:
Sixth and last (?) book in Brant's "Mindhunters" series about an independent forensics lap run by ex FBI agent Adam Raiker. I would strongly recommend reading the previous books in this series, or at least the 2 books before this one as there is an overall story arc for the 2nd trilogy in the series.
Summary:
For the past year, someone has wanted Adam Raiker, head of Raiker forensics, dead. And they've nearly succeeded. But Adam is still alive and kicking. When a good friend and supreme court judge is murdered in what appears to be a serial killing, Adam manages to get named as a special consultant to help with the investigation. This teams him up with old flame and FBI special agent, Jaid Marlowe.
As the investigation continues, it becomes apparent that the tie between all the murders may be Adam himself. All points seem to lead back to him. As he tries to unravel the connections, he's beginning to realize that pushing Jaid away 8 years ago may not have been the right thing to do because he still can't resist her. But before the two can solve their personal problems, they must find out who wants Adam to suffer before it's too late.
Review:
This has been such a weird series for me. I've wanted badly to really like it, but mostly I've found it to be just average. Mostly from a romance standpoint. Having read the 5 previous books in this series, I had a pretty good idea of what this book would give me, and I was pretty much dead on.
From a suspense standpoint, the book is pretty good. It lacks some of the dire intensity and darkness that some of the great romantic suspense authors have. I didn't feel that immediacy that would make me want to keep reading and reading to figure out what was going on. It's more of a procedural type story. Very focused on the mundanes of interviewing people, reading profiles, tracking down people of interest and researching. Which can get rather tedious. Not quite enough action.
But that part of the book is well done, logical and readable. It just lacks in intensity. It was an interesting plot, though. Adam Raiker has been a rather intriguing character since the beginning of the series and when the 2nd trilogy started, you get hooked into a trilogy-wide story arc about someone out to get Adam. So it's great to finally see where all that headed. Though I must admit, the suspect I pegged way back in book 4 of the series was the right guess.
I was a little disappointed in part of the plot resolution. I wanted more out of the confrontation between Adam and the antagonist. It was kinda anti-climatic. I wanted more verbal sparring, more raging from the bad guy. Something about the resolution just fell flat.
Where this books (and actually the series) really came up lacking for me was in the issue of series cohesion and the romance angle. One of the things I love about series is the connectivity of it all. The multi-book characters, getting to read about the over a time-frame, that sense of attachment to them. And being able to focus on a group - either as a investigation firm, a bunch of friends, whatever. But with this series, the base connection was just missing. Raiker Forensics (aka the Mindhunters) which this series is based on, felt more like the sidenote. It was just an identifying characteristic and not a well-developed focus. The main characters just happened to be Raiker's agents but I never felt that link. It was all very separated.
Then there's the romance issue. This book wasn't as bad as some of the others, but I still felt it was lacking. Jaid and Adam have a history and still obviously have chemistry. But as the book moves along, you never feel they resolve their issues. They just sort of fall back into a relationship but I never felt like they'd resolved their past. It was disappointing. And I wanting and ending that felt more HEA. Poor Adam has been through so much, I wanted a fluffy scene at the end with him and Jaid being together and happy, not some short little scene where Adam asks Jaid to forgive him for dumping him before and wanting another chance. It felt very unsatisfying.
It wasn't a bad book over all though. I think some readers not quite a picky as me might enjoy it more. If I hadn't wanted to know so much the resolution of Adam's story I probably wouldn't have read it. If there are more books in the series, I'm not sure I will read them. Brant's form of romantic suspense in this series just doesn't really do it for me.
Series Note:
Sixth and last (?) book in Brant's "Mindhunters" series about an independent forensics lap run by ex FBI agent Adam Raiker. I would strongly recommend reading the previous books in this series, or at least the 2 books before this one as there is an overall story arc for the 2nd trilogy in the series.
Summary:
For the past year, someone has wanted Adam Raiker, head of Raiker forensics, dead. And they've nearly succeeded. But Adam is still alive and kicking. When a good friend and supreme court judge is murdered in what appears to be a serial killing, Adam manages to get named as a special consultant to help with the investigation. This teams him up with old flame and FBI special agent, Jaid Marlowe.
As the investigation continues, it becomes apparent that the tie between all the murders may be Adam himself. All points seem to lead back to him. As he tries to unravel the connections, he's beginning to realize that pushing Jaid away 8 years ago may not have been the right thing to do because he still can't resist her. But before the two can solve their personal problems, they must find out who wants Adam to suffer before it's too late.
Review:
This has been such a weird series for me. I've wanted badly to really like it, but mostly I've found it to be just average. Mostly from a romance standpoint. Having read the 5 previous books in this series, I had a pretty good idea of what this book would give me, and I was pretty much dead on.
From a suspense standpoint, the book is pretty good. It lacks some of the dire intensity and darkness that some of the great romantic suspense authors have. I didn't feel that immediacy that would make me want to keep reading and reading to figure out what was going on. It's more of a procedural type story. Very focused on the mundanes of interviewing people, reading profiles, tracking down people of interest and researching. Which can get rather tedious. Not quite enough action.
But that part of the book is well done, logical and readable. It just lacks in intensity. It was an interesting plot, though. Adam Raiker has been a rather intriguing character since the beginning of the series and when the 2nd trilogy started, you get hooked into a trilogy-wide story arc about someone out to get Adam. So it's great to finally see where all that headed. Though I must admit, the suspect I pegged way back in book 4 of the series was the right guess.
I was a little disappointed in part of the plot resolution. I wanted more out of the confrontation between Adam and the antagonist. It was kinda anti-climatic. I wanted more verbal sparring, more raging from the bad guy. Something about the resolution just fell flat.
Where this books (and actually the series) really came up lacking for me was in the issue of series cohesion and the romance angle. One of the things I love about series is the connectivity of it all. The multi-book characters, getting to read about the over a time-frame, that sense of attachment to them. And being able to focus on a group - either as a investigation firm, a bunch of friends, whatever. But with this series, the base connection was just missing. Raiker Forensics (aka the Mindhunters) which this series is based on, felt more like the sidenote. It was just an identifying characteristic and not a well-developed focus. The main characters just happened to be Raiker's agents but I never felt that link. It was all very separated.
Then there's the romance issue. This book wasn't as bad as some of the others, but I still felt it was lacking. Jaid and Adam have a history and still obviously have chemistry. But as the book moves along, you never feel they resolve their issues. They just sort of fall back into a relationship but I never felt like they'd resolved their past. It was disappointing. And I wanting and ending that felt more HEA. Poor Adam has been through so much, I wanted a fluffy scene at the end with him and Jaid being together and happy, not some short little scene where Adam asks Jaid to forgive him for dumping him before and wanting another chance. It felt very unsatisfying.
It wasn't a bad book over all though. I think some readers not quite a picky as me might enjoy it more. If I hadn't wanted to know so much the resolution of Adam's story I probably wouldn't have read it. If there are more books in the series, I'm not sure I will read them. Brant's form of romantic suspense in this series just doesn't really do it for me.
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