Out of Reach

Dylan First #1

by Kate Bold

Dylan First, brilliant psychologist, is haunted by the horrific discovery of her her mentor and father figure, a brilliant psychiatrist and professor, was secretly a serial killer. He is behind bars, but with everything Dylan thought she knew turned upside down, she feels lost when the FBI suddenly comes a new killer is using her mentor’s trademark signature. And they need Dylan to dissect his mind and stop him before it’s too late.

“This is an excellent book… When you start reading, be sure you don’t have to wake up early!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Out of Reach is Book #1 in a new series by #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Kate Bold, whose bestseller NOT ME (a free download) has received over 1,500 five star ratings and reviews.

A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the Dylan First series is a riveting mystery, packed with non-stop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll, and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.

More books in the series are also available!

“This book moved very fast and every page was exciting. Plenty of dialogue, you absolutely love the characters, and you were rooting for the good guy throughout the whole story… I look forward to reading the next in the series.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Kate did an amazing job on this book and I was hooked from the first chapter!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I really enjoyed this book. The characters were authentic, and I see the bad guys as something we hear about daily on the news... Looking forward to book 2.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This was a really good book. The main characters were real, flawed and human. The story went along quickly and wasn't mired in too many unnecessary details. I really enjoyed it.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Alexa Chase is headstrong, impatient, but most of all brave with a capital B. She never, repeat never, backs down until the bad guys are put where they belong. Clearly five stars!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Captivating and riveting serial murder with a twist of the macabre… Very well done.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“WOW what a great read! Talk about a diabolical killer! Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to reading others by this author as well.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Page turner for sure. Great characters and relationships. I got into the middle of this story and couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to more from Kate Bold.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Hard to put down. It has an excellent plot and has the right amount of suspense. I really enjoyed this book.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Suspense, Crime, Fiction, Serial Killer

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2023

About the author

Bestselling author Kate Bold is author of the ALEXA CHASE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the ASHLEY HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the CAMILLE GRACE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising eight books (and counting); of the HARLEY COLE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising ten books (and counting); of the KAYLIE BROOKS SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the EVE HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting). Kate loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.kateboldauthor.com to join the mailing list, receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.

BOOKS BY KATE BOLD

EVE HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER

IN HIS BLOOD (Book #1)

IN HIS SIGHTS (Book #2)

IN HIS REACH (Book #3)

IN HIS MIND (Book #4)

IN HIS WAY (Book #5)

(and counting)

KAYLIE BROOKS SUSPENSE THRILLER

LAST BREATH (Book #1)

LAST CHANCE (Book #2)

LAST WISH (Book #3)

LAST SHOT (Book #4)

LAST MISTAKE (Book #5)

(and counting)

HARLEY COLE SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOWHERE SAFE (Book #1)

NOWHERE LEFT (Book #2)

NOWHERE TO RUN (Book #3)

NOWHERE LIKE THIS (Book #4)

NOWHERE GIRL (Book #5)

NOWHERE TO HIDE (Book #6)

NOWHERE CERTAIN (Book #7)

NOWHERE PURE (Book #8)

NOWHERE SOUND (Book #9)

NOWHERE SANE (Book #10)

(and counting)

CAMILLE GRACE SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOT ME (Book #1)

NOT NOW (Book #2)

NOT WELL (Book #3)

NOT HER (Book #4)

NOT NORMAL (Book #5)

NOT AGAIN (Book #6)

NOT SAFE (Book #7)

NOT TODAY (Book #8)

(and counting)

ALEXA CHASE SUSPENSE THRILLER

THE KILLING GAME (Book #1)

THE KILLING TIDE (Book #2)

THE KILLING HOUR (Book #3)

THE KILLING POINT (Book #4)

THE KILLING FOG (Book #5)

THE KILLING PLACE (Book #6)

(and counting)

ASHLEY HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER

LET ME GO (Book #1)

LET ME OUT (Book #2)

LET ME LIVE (Book #3)

LET ME BREATHE (Book #4)

LET ME FORGET (Book #5)

LET ME ESCAPE (Book #6)

(and counting)

Reviews

[Skyla Jennings · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened the the audiobook version and it was a quick read but I just had a hard time getting into it. It gave Silence of the Lamb vibes to me which was cool but I just felt like it could’ve been a better story if they went more in depth on certain things. Also for everything to happen in 1 day is crazy and seems really unrealistic.

[Meesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on Spotify. It was average but I'd listen to more in the series.

[myreadingescapism · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a synopsis like that, I was so excited but book one was kind of meh. At least the books in this series are short, I can finish them all today on 4x the speed on Hoopla.

Hope Book 2 is more exciting.

[Matthew Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had some good thriller moments and some good mystery who done it at the start but fell flat. The killer should’ve been someone we met earlier in the book. I thought it was gonna be her boyfriend, which would’ve made the story better but that plot line was a waste of time. The thing that really bugged me though was how dumb everyone was, the police especially.

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Painful to finish - had potential.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

i listened to the audiobook and it was really good

[Patty U. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Enjoyed this book very much. It has suspense, broken love, and mystique. Dylan and Mike do their best to find a copy cat killer. There are shocking revelations and secrets uncovered. This book grabbed my attention and I read it in one setting. At least the main character has not lost a sister to murder, kidnapping, or a disappearance. Kate Bold knows how to write a terrific book full of suspense.

[Jenna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly written book - listened to the audiobook. The dialogue and inner monologue are cheesy and are dragged out. Many things seemed irrelevant, though this could be reconciled in the books to come… however, I won’t be continuing. The was zero evidence to how “brilliant” the main character was, and many psychology buzz words were thrown out with zero connection to the “hunches” and “deductions.” Also, the main characters involvement seemed incredibly unrealistic.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything happens in one day kinda feels unrealistic. Silence of the lambs feels which is cool but I couldn't truly get into it. Listened to audiobook on Spotify for free. 245 pgs (for my own count of pages)

[Gerald Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another audiobook, finished quite quickly. I thought the premise of the story was not bad although I felt the ending was weak. A psychologist is drafted in to help the FBI catch a copycat killer. Without giving anything away it sets up a potential series based on the main character. Maybe a 2.5* rather than 3.

[Fallon Opperman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Her nor mike seemed to be very good at their jobs. This lead to constant assumptions and miscommunication.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished in one day!

[Judith Spence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just No

I’m sorry, I know that writing a book is a labor of love but this one was just too unbelievable. This woman is supposed to be a PHD of Psychology and she is just stupid. No one would jeopardize their license and their career the way that she did. She committed so many ethical violations it just wasn’t funny. I actually downloaded the next one for free but I won’t be reading it. Just…No

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I really thought it might be the Doc - kinda like Law Abiding Citizen so I was a little surprised it didn’t turn out that way at all! Interesting to have a psychiatrist help out the FBI in a citizen role but I found her character interesting and I’m looking forward to her finding out who really killed her father and if the Doc had anything to do with it.

[Steve Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

A gutless, mirthless bowl of oatmeal. This novel is devoid of punch, wit, grit, surprise and color. It’s most redeeming feature was its brevity.

[Val · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf

[Abi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't enjoy this book.
I thought the character development was poor, the whole book was rather predictable and alittle lazy.
Respectfully...I don't be reading the series.p

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Bold has done it once again! Out of Reach, a Dylan First FBI Suspense Thriller is the first book in a series. The writing is masterful. The suspense attention grabbing. The cast of characters intriguing.

Dr.Cameron is in prison for murder. His 'trademark' was slicing the victims throats and then stringing them up like marionette puppets. Recently, there have been two murders that look like Dr. Cameron may have orchestrated them. Dr. Dylan First is a trained psychologist and a former student of Dr. Cameron's. As such, the FBI come calling to talk to Dylan and seek her help in finding the new 'copycat killer.'

Not only is Dylan a fully developed main character, Dr. Cameron is also well developed even though he is a side character. The way Ms. Bold has written Dr. Cameron, the insidiousness of Dr. Cameron is very tangible.

The suspense in Out of Reach is palatable. It's the most thorough, real suspense I've read/felt in any of Kate Bold's prior books I've read. Ms. Bold does an excellent job of weaving a very good story, filled with a deep, creeping suspense, without introducing several characters as potential suspects to just move the story along.

Another aspect to Out of Reach was the death of Dylan's father (which took place at least two years before we meet Dr. First). While who killed Dylan's father is unsolved, Ms. Bold doesn't make his death a repetitive part of this story. She doesn't ignore it but until Dylan's second meeting with Dr. Cameron, her dad's death is more background information on who Dylan is. I found this refreshing! I hope in a future book, Dylan focuses on finding her father's killer.

Out of Reach is an excellent book.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read

A thrilling read. Dylan is still learning to cope with her father's murder and her mentors fall from grace. She still can't believe that Dr Carmen killed those people and that she never suspected anything. The FBI has asked for her help as there is a copycat out there. Dylan isn't too sure about this but she is willing to try. FBI agent Mike Flynn isn't too happy having Dylan along as he worries how she will cope. But Dylan has been very helpful with helping him to get closer to finding the killer. But he has been taken off the case. And Dylan knows that she has an hunch about the killer but will this lead her down a dark path? A good read.
Dylan is a strong woman that has gone through some devastating times and even though she some quirks she is pretty good at what she does. Mike is a good agent he just needs to trust Dylan and to try keep her out of trouble.

[Jeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook: I thought the narrator was fine as long as she wasn't actually voicing the FMC dialogue, which I didn't particularly like her interpretation of her actual voice. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I just didn't like it. Too high-pitched? Kind of breathy, but not really breathy? I don't know.

I liked the book for the most part. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. I just think the author didn't trust the readers to interpret the situations correctly. The characters would do something and then one of the characters would think or say the interpretation. It was like (not a book example). The characters watched as the dog pushed the red ball into the bush, where it was hidden. And then, it was "Did you see the dog push the ball into the bush?" It got annoying. I'd quote a book example, but I listened via audiobook on my walks and didn't take any notes.

I think I might give the next book a try in the series.

[Mary Nemanich · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting and hard to put down...

This is the first book by Kate Bold that I have read. It was hard to put down. The characters were interesting. They seemed quite down-to-earth. An FBI agent. A PhD psychologist. Some supervisors... some cops. The interactions between them were somewhat "normal" but, at the same time, were intellectual. This was not what I expected in an FBI novel. I've read quite a few. This one has a different twist. It was fast-moving... but, at times... slow. It reminded me of "Detective Columbo" of a previous TV series in some ways. I hope you enjoy it!

[Graeme Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt that Dylan's involvement in the case of the copycat murderer was justified. However that the story took place over two days seems unbelievable!!! Dylan's relationship with her former mentor was interesting and believable. It is always disappointing to me when the heroine always goes out "alone" to apprehend the murderer, only to always be saved by her partner, who she has not consulted or advised what she is doing or even where! otherwise i enjoyed reading this book, although the ending was predictable and weak.

[MGB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dylan is playing out of her league, only it’s real life with deadly consequences. She is brilliant. She was trained by the best. As she discovers, she has also been manipulated by the best. How can you be both on top of the world and buried by life simultaneously?

Dylan’s mind is a mess, but with the right level of effort she can bring herself back to hone in on the present. And it’s a damn good thing else she is next.

This is a good mystery with two parallel story lines which really are the same but separated by who is experiencing them.

Definitely a read I enjoyed.

[Sheryl Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though the tale is similar to many out there, I did enjoy the innocence and authenticity of our protagonist, Dylan. It almost has a "Silence of the Lambs" feel to it with her mentor being in prison for killing multiple victims and insists on speaking only to her as a potential copycat begins a killing spree.

The dialogue and sequence of events, choices Dylan makes, etc., all ring true and it reads like a true crime novel in some ways. This is an excellent series starter that gets the grey cells going and leaves us in anticipation of what the future will bring.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an audio book and I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It kept me hooked and made me not want to go to sleep so I could figure out what happens next. The book definitely has suspense but not as much as I would like in a suspense thriller but other then that it was a great read. So if you like a little bit of murder mystery, an interesting female protagonists and everything in between this is a good book for you.

[Carmen Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on audiobook-
It wasn’t the worst one I’ve listened to but wasn’t the bestest.
I didn’t understand the boyfriends reason in the book. Lot of weight put in a character that isn’t hardly around. I didn’t realize this was a book in a series, I tend to steer clear so maybe that’s why.. either way felt silly. Did think it was odd that the killer wasn’t someone we met earlier. I guess a little more depth on the character would’ve helped. He was pretty non dimensional.

[Joseph R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be just the kind of story that I always try to read because it holds your attention from start to finish This book is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing what comes next. I highly recommend this book to everyone that wants a story that makes you feel like you are right in the action. Kate Bold did her best again in this story and I plan on reading many more of her books.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of Reach
Kate Bold

Wow!

I am at a loss for words! Kate really knows how to put together an excellent story that feels so real, describing it as a story feels utterly wrong. I need to know what happens next!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel, and it seems I am beginning a year of Mystery Crime Solving Thrillers thanks to the recommends of my Hoopla account attached to my library.

This book was well established and gives us a really unique perspective into several avenues of study and psychology, which I enjoy. I can't help but feel that the Dylan First series is an omage to the Silence of the Lambs series; which is greatly enjoyable to me.

[Diana E Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deja vu

That's what it felt like reading this book. I have read plenty of FBI suspense thrillers by another author. This seems like a repeat. It was a good read but very familiar. There is a section in the book which is a mix up in character names that was also discovered in a book by a different author. Need a proofreader? Love Dylan First.