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E&M Investigations #0

The Fairytale Killer

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The hunt for a savage serial killer is on in this gripping female protagonist crime thriller by LJ Bourne.

In dark alleyways of the city, a ruthless serial killer is on the loose. Young women, plucked from the streets, are murdered in cold blood and arranged like fairytale princesses. The killer leaves behind no trace, only nightmares and a city in fear.

Investigative journalist Eva Lah and US Military Special Investigator Mark Novak team up with the local authorities trying to catch him. It is a race against the clock, but all their skill, intuition and cunning might not prevent another woman from dying a gruesome death.

Because the monster they’re hunting is always one step ahead of them.

He has a message to send. And he will be heard.

A must read for fans of Melinda Leigh, Mary Stone and Kendra Elliot!

The Fairytale Killer is a full-length mystery, thriller and suspense novel and the prequel to the new mystery suspense series—E&M Investigations. If you enjoy serial killer mystery books with twist endings, you don’t want to miss this one!

This book was previously published under the name Lena Bourne.

292 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2023

659 people are currently reading
753 people want to read

About the author

Lena Bourne

118 books617 followers
Lena Bourne writes stories about independent and smart women who mean everything to the strong men they love. If you’re looking for deep emotions, hot bedroom scenes, and some suspense thrown in, look no further than her books.

If you sign up for my mailing lists, I promise not to ever spam you. You will, however, receive an early notice when I release new books, which will be available to you at a discount. Copy and paste this link to subscribe: http://eepurl.com/bzF6Wf

I love hearing from my readers! Here's just some ways you can find me online...

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5 stars
466 (42%)
4 stars
361 (32%)
3 stars
205 (18%)
2 stars
53 (4%)
1 star
14 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
Profile Image for Kaelyn Miller.
97 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2024
3.5 Stars

The concept of this book was intriguing and the investigation itself was very detailed and felt very real. The main characters at times felt very simple to me. Perhaps that was the authors intention but I was hoping for more depth. Unfortunately I did pretty easily deduce who the killer was very early on in the book which is why it didn’t receive a higher rating from me.
Profile Image for HippieWitch.
294 reviews41 followers
September 1, 2025
Fairy tale murders yes please this book was really enjoyable. I highly recommend this read.
1,594 reviews15 followers
October 27, 2021
Mark and Eva have started a new serious relationship. Mark is an investigator and Eva is a journalist. When Mark gets pulled into the investigation of the reappearance of a serial murderer, Eva knows that she can't write about it. But she may have some clues that she decides to investigate.

This is a very well written thriller. As the two of them weave through the facts and the potential witnesses, the clues start to pile up.

I thought the suspense was very well done and the story was well pulled together. I enjoyed the book and I look forward to future books in the series.

I received an advanced reader copy of the book from the author. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Ksandra.
615 reviews28 followers
March 22, 2021
4/5 Stars

Warning: This novel contains depictions of gruesome murders with elements of rape.

Eva is a journalist writing about the serial killer named the Fairytale Killer. Her boyfriend, Inspector Mark Novak, is one of the leading investigators on the case. As more bodies are found drained of blood and posed as pictures from well loved fairytale classics, Eva and Mark wonder if the killer will ever be caught.

This is a good novel for fans of Criminal Minds. It includes profiling and intense investigation as the stakes are raised. I believe the techniques used in the investigation process are pretty accurate.

Eva and Mark are decent characters. There were a few moments when they seemed bland, but this was near the beginning when we are first introduced to them. After a couple chapters their personalities emerge and I found myself invested in them.

I will admit that I knew who the killer was probably within the first ten chapters. However, I still didn't know the reasoning behind the murders until close to the end. There were moments when I was thrown off and thought I was wrong which made this an even more interesting read.

This was a great intro to this series, and I cannot wait to read more.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the author.
9,375 reviews140 followers
March 29, 2021
This is a suspense filled story that had me glued to the pages from start to finish. The author brings strong characters and paints her scenes in vivid detail. She brings tons of emotions along with a growing relationship with Eva and Monk. It's a well written story, moves fluidly and is a fantastic read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Alicia Huxtable.
1,908 reviews60 followers
November 11, 2024
Great read

Definitely not what I expected but so glad I read this book. Was a great change from the usual reads. Kept me guessing at every page
Profile Image for Shutki Crew .
93 reviews
June 24, 2025
I really wanted to like this book because the premise sounded promising, but it just didn’t work for me. The writing style made it hard to stay engaged. The characters felt flat, like they were only there to move the plot along. Their interactions didn’t feel natural and I couldn't connect with any of them.

The pacing was uneven and the writing didn’t flow smoothly. It almost felt like reading something from Wattpad, where the ideas are there but the execution needs work. The mystery was predictable and lacked any real tension. I kept waiting for a twist or surprise, but it never came.

I wasn’t sure if this was meant to be a romance or a mystery, and in trying to be both, it ended up falling short on both fronts. I won’t be continuing with this series.
Profile Image for The one  Whom  Reads .
201 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2023
I wanted to like this so much I really did. A very easy read and an easier one to figure out who the killer is. And extremely long and boring 60% before anything remotely interesting happens. The writing isn't the best it felt disjointed and as tho parts were missing between chapters so it just didn't flow. To me this focused more on the relationship of Mark and Eva then it did on the actual killer. 2* purely for the last 30% was quite intense and enjoyable and the premise. I just wish it was something it wasn't. Not for me. I don't think me and investigation novels have a good time together.
Profile Image for Atiqah.
134 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2025
I have a very high benchmark and standard for crime thrillers, and this just didn't make the cut. It was a short read but it was so draggy and there was very minimal development of clues to follow. Tbh the dual POV doesn't really work for me. And honestly, I really do not care about their relationship bc newsflash, this isn't a romance novel.
39 reviews
April 21, 2025
Wow I was stuck in a massive reading slump while also being severely disappointed in every book I did try out, by only April I had DNFed 3 books, which is a lot more than I have in about 10 years and this book pulled me firmly out of that reading slump and helped me find my love for reading again.

The story follows two main points of view. Eva and Mark, who have recently embarked on a very serious relationship, although this fact isn't the main point of the book. Mark is a US military special investigator and Eva is an investigative journalist.

Mark had got into a lot of trouble in the past for his obsession on a case of a serial killer 'The fairytale killer', so much trouble in fact that there was threats to him being struck off and he was warned to stay away from the investigation from now on. Eva, at the same time, got into trouble with her prostitute friend for writing an article on the same killer that had prompted the police to amp up patrols in the red light areas and thus stopping the 'johns' from picking them up.

The fairytale killer had been dormant for a while, suspected to have left after the police presence amped up but now it seems he is back and worse than ever. Mark has been put back on the case and Eva knows she cannot write about anything he tells her but it doesn't stop her following her own leads and trying to help anyway she can, even if it leads to her own trouble.

I had my suspicions on who the killer was and in the end, although I thought many times I had got it wrong, I was ultimately correct. The investigation was exciting and interesting to read about and it was almost as if I was watching it on a really good crime show it was so descriptive.

By far one of, if not the best murder, mystery, crime books I have read in a very long time and I would recommend to anyone who likes things such as criminal minds or law and order as to me it had that kind of vibe to it. Very well written and very well executed.

Full stars from me just for getting me out of my major reading slump!
1,457 reviews29 followers
March 27, 2024
Interesting.

E&M Investigations Series:
Ms. Bourne writes an interesting, intriguing, and entertaining series. Well written story lines that move at a constant pace with a variety of well developed characters that hold the reader's interest. Enough clues and twists that guide and misdirect enough to include the reader in the investigations. I chain-read the first four books and never once did I get bored with or tired of what I was reading. I like that the romance is not dominant but a part of the story; it is not silly as in sexual thoughts, at any time, or sex scenes. Past events are rarely mentioned and only in passing, not in detail. Sources: My Kindle library and BookFunnel finds.

The Fall - I enjoyed my first read by this author. I'm not sure if this is a prequel since the book mentions The Fairytale Killer and Eva and Mike's relationship, but it is an interesting introduction to this series. Too easily solved by me but still entertaining. 4*

The Fairytale Killer, Prequel - Rather a sad motive behind the Killer's actions but an interesting read. The killer click for me just before the exposure/solution. 5*

Pretty Places, #1 - This takes place about three years after TFK ends. A lot has changed in those years, and then some have not. I figured out the killer from the clues, and gut feeling, but it took a while. Easy to get immersed in the pages and hard to put down. 5*

Bad Roads, #2 - Two months after PP and Eva and Mike and the gang are at it again. This time I didn't get the killer figured out. 5*
1,258 reviews
February 23, 2021
Oh boy, the Fairytale Killer is a gripping story from the grizzly murder scenario on the first pages to the brilliant conclusion.
Berlin is in the throws of a sadistic serial killer, one who chooses his victims, dresses them to look like princesses from favourite fairytales and sets the scene to fit. The police are baffled, there are no clues and the city is scared. One small thing leads the police to believe that the killer may be someone from the American military base and Mark Novak, a special investigator for the US military is brought in to help.
Eva Lah, a freelance investigative journalist is Mark's girlfriend and she has reason to do her own investigating, it scares Mark that Eva goes into dangerous areas following clues but he know deep down that he will never stop her.
The grizzly murders increase and the tension and suspense becomes nail biting.
I love Lena Bourn's descriptive ability, the description of the all encompassing deep love between Eva and Mark is palpable, I love the way that suspects were hinted at leaving you guessing. This story had me gripped from the first page and I definitely didn't see the end coming. A well deserved five stars.
I received a free copy of this book and I voluntarily leave my review
196 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2023
❄️❄️❄️The Fairytale Killer❄️❄️❄️

This book grabbed ahold of me & wouldn't let go. It's a dark read in a bitter cold winter setting, which made it more somehow. The serial killer that everyone is trying to catch is beyond horrible. The German police & the United States Military liaison/CID man, Mark, are working the case together. It's definitely a multi-agency effort.

In 5he midst of all this, we also have the lov3 story of Mark & Eva unfolding. They met when Eva (a reporter writing about the case) asked Mark to coffee, obviously, to try to get information on the case. Instead, they spend six hours just talking about everything. They really click. This is NOT a steamy sex book. This is a well written (aside from some grammatical errors) book. Prequel might indicate short, but this book was not short on anything. It was very detailed & engaging.

Without giving anything away, it was difficult to pinpoint who might be the killer. I had feelings some ways in, but I wasn't positive till closer to the end. It's like I knew but didn't want to believe it. If that makes sense.

This book truly had me all tied up. It was so good. I couldn't put it down until it was finished. This was my first book by LJ Bourne & I must say, well done, Ms. Bourne.
153 reviews2 followers
December 27, 2020
Eva and Mark; a journalist and a US army investigator, both are realistic characters (as in they have flaws, trust issues, etc).

Both are haunted by an open case - The Fairytale (serial) Killer. It's been six months since his last 'princess' was found; does that mean the killer's reign of terror over? Sadly not! 4 princesses are found in one day!

Mark is seconded to the Berlin police to assist in the investigation. This is a case that has absorbed Mark since he first investigated earlier murders. Eva is also investigating TFK although she has different methods and sources. The story is well written, the plot flips around a few times and will keep you guessing to the end.

I so enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone who enjoys a suspenseful murder with a touch of romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shanice Twiddy.
54 reviews2 followers
August 2, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mark and Eva have started a new relationship and get serious from the get go, I absolutely loved their relationship and communication together. Eva is a journalist while Mark is an investigator. But once Mark gets pulled into the investigation of a serial killer (the fairytale killer), Eva knows and respects that she cannot write about it - however she does gain some clues which she decides to investigate herself.

The story is based in Berlin (so I was instantly won over as I LOVE Berlin) and the investigation is written with so much detail it was enjoyable - if you like criminal minds, you’d love this book! It’s a really well written thriller with suspense built up the whole way through, tying the whole thing together. I loved how they both weaved through facts, potential witnesses and the clues started to build up.

I definitely had my suspicions about the killer (but I couldn’t figure out his motive) and I did turn out to be right (and it was all explained in the end). However I can imagine only a few people would find them suspicious enough to convince themselves of who the killer could be.

I listened to this as an audiobook when I stumbled across it randomly, and I would definitely be up for trying some more work by Lena Bourne
Profile Image for Anne G. Kasaba.
1,920 reviews9 followers
February 28, 2021
Loved this book. I read a lot of murder mystery and crime books and this one was a fresh take on serial killers. Characters that have depth and a well written, unique storyline make this book memorable. The mystery was well plotted and just complex enough to keep you on your toes.

There's a serial killer loose in Germany and he's leaving dead fairytale princesses in his wake. Mark is a Major in the US armed forces that investigates murders in Europe. He lives in Germany and Eva his girlfriend is a freelance crime writer. They each want this killer caught as quickly as possible but can stopping him is going to harder than they thought.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
Profile Image for Denise.
4,119 reviews12 followers
March 15, 2021
This one by the title drew my attention. This was also first time in reading this author. This turned out to be a serial killer tale which is one has their own gimmick it seems. When the killer killed it was girls and then they were arranged as in the fairytales. With nothing to go on this one is baffling for sure which are good for the noggin that gets the reader involved alot too. Mark and girlfriend assist in going after the killer. This one will get the engines going and the thinking pondering with some awesome intrigue and mystery. This to me was a fabulous discovery that had me turning the pages.
1,594 reviews15 followers
October 27, 2021
Mark and Eva have started a new serious relationship. Mark is an investigator and Eva is a journalist. When Mark gets pulled into the investigation of the reappearance of a serial murderer, Eva knows that she can't write about it. But she may have some clues that she decides to investigate.

This is a very well written thriller. As the two of them weave through the facts and the potential witnesses, the clues start to pile up.

I thought the suspense was very well done and the story was well pulled together. I enjoyed the book and I look forward to future books in the series.

I received an advanced reader copy of the book from the author. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for SylviaV.
683 reviews9 followers
July 13, 2024
The Fairytale Killer by Lena Bourne

This is labelled as (E&M Investigations #0), so the start of a series and I was not sure what to expect from this book. This is a crime thriller. The story is set in Berlin, Germany and is told from the point of view of Investigative journalist Eva Lah and US Military Special Investigator Mark Novak, who are at the beginning stage of their relationship. I was engaged with this story even though at times the way the sentences are constructed, issues with punctuation, the changing of the past and present tense in the same paragraph and missing words took me out of the story. Overall 3 stars.





40 reviews
December 26, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has a great story line and was drawn in by the characters. Eva is a journalist who is eager on following the cases of the Fairytale Killer. Mark is a Special Investigator for the US Military who was brought in to help bring the serial killer to justice. As the Fairytale Killer makes his move, will Eva and Mark be able to bring down the person who did this? This is a must read for those who likes a good mystery book. Can't wait to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Aby Garcia.
24 reviews
March 23, 2021
Since the very beginning I got engaged in the story, I couldn't stop reading it. Every little detail is well explained and there is well-constructed that there is no point where you miss something. The way the chapters change from one to another perspectives in very interesting and you get the chance to understand both parts of the story.

For me is a clear 5/5 stars for making me feel what I haven't felt in a long time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Eirlys.
1,763 reviews16 followers
April 16, 2025
An enthralling story

There is an evil killer at large in Berlin. He takes children's fairytale princesses and turns them into grotesque parodies using dead young women. Mark, A Special Investigator for the American Armed Forces, is on his trail, but so is Eva, an investigative journalist. I liked how the twists and turns kept me puzzling as to the identity of the killer. Is he a German citizen, or can he be a US military man?
The characters were well crafted and the plot was ingenious.
Profile Image for Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs'.
2,779 reviews43 followers
February 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this book it was gripping and very well written. The characters were very well developed and although I had read the following books before this it didnt really matter.

This was very well researched.

The crime itself makes sense once you have finished the book.
I would gladly read more books by this author

I was given an advance copy of the book by the author but the review is my own.
39 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2021
I read the second book first , enjoyed both , good story , some very timely twists, like the he and she chaptering , engaged by the relationship and its growth into a permanent situation. She is the strong one , he a thinker more emotional , she the independent tough girl reporter, no to worried about having to track down hooked and junkies. He trying to get her to be more careful doing her thing.
I received an free copy of this book and post this honest review
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.6k reviews28 followers
April 20, 2021
The Fairytale Killers is a suspenseful thriller packed with mystery, murder, intrigue, and twists that made this book a page turner. The characters are interesting and well developed. Mark and his girlfriend Eva work well together and make a great investigative team. The writing is well done, the story flows smoothly and I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Cattie Whaley.
301 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2021
Great thrill read

Interesting book about a serial killer that stages the scenes and poses his dead princesses. Can the CID officer Mark catch the killer before it's too late? His reporter girlfriend, Eva, is trying to get info from her sources on the street, but is she safe? I kind of had suspicions as to who the killer was but didn't know why so the book kept my interest til the final page.
2,089 reviews16 followers
May 11, 2021
This book was the introduction to the series E&M Investigations, and was gripping from the 1st page! This prequel introduces you to US Military Special Investigator Mark Novak and his international journalist girlfriend Eva Lah and their hunt for a serial killer dubbed The Fairytale Killer!
Can Mark catch the killer before it's too late? Is Eva safe? Very intriguing!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews53 followers
May 25, 2021
The Fairytale Killer: An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller with a gripping twist: (E&M Investigations Prequel) by Lena Bourne is a wonderful story. This is the prequel to a brand new series that I am so hooked on and can not wait to read the rest. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about romantic suspense, mysteries and thrillers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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