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Special Agent Alexa Landers is fresh out of the FBI Academy and she already has problems.

First off, she is given an impossible case to solve, the case of the Oligarch.
Who could have murdered the Russian Billionaire in his swimming pool under such high security surveillance?

Second, she must pack her belongings and relocate to Miami, Florida. Home to gators, notorious serial killers, and sinkholes. That’s right, a place where everything including the sun seems quite happy to kill you.

What makes matters even worse is that the murder case she has been called in on is the impossible assassination of Aleksandr Bodrov; a Russian Oligarch living in one of the US’s most opulent elite resort getaway communities.
There was no way the killer could get in or off the man-made pleasure island, home to America's wealthiest and most influential people.

As Alexa goes down the rabbit hole of conspiracies, a string of deaths send further shockwave to the small affluent Florida community.

Now, with the CIA breathing down her neck and murders taking place at each turn. It’s only a matter of time the ripple turns into a tsunami that takes everyone including Alexa down with it.

Welcome to Florida, here if the gators don’t get you, following a trail of conspiracies with a crazed killer on the loose might.
Who is behind the unbelievable trail of murders and does anyone ever get used to such a hot and humid hole of a place?

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2023

1117 people are currently reading
291 people want to read

About the author

Elle Gray

130 books671 followers
Elle Gray lives in a small town with her 2 cats, and her handsome husky.
As a girl, she was obsessed with crime novels and thrillers.

Today, she loves writing and creating thrilling novels with courageous, strong heroes/heroines and dangerous psychopaths. She invites you to join her exciting world of detectives and FBI agents that take down killers and kick butt.

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5 stars
835 (49%)
4 stars
523 (31%)
3 stars
208 (12%)
2 stars
66 (3%)
1 star
39 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for The Humble Jess.
388 reviews29 followers
July 19, 2023
Heaven help me!
Sweet baby Jesus I don't even know where to begin. Well, let's start with the fact that this was about a newbie FBI agent straight from the academy that gets assigned to a major homicide case that ends up to be bigger and more lethal than anyone realized.
............
I'm not a fan of Elle but I thought I'd give her a second chance. I read her book 'new girl in the falls' or something of that effect, I gave that a one star. I like to give a Author a second chance (I believe in second chances) and this book was it. Personally, it failed..again.
1). The newbie agent was incredibly reckless and dumb. Her partner Agent Kage was more likeable and Detective Dempsey although he acted like a douche..I kinda liked him. The other characters were small parts so they didn't really didn't count for much.
2) Elle didn't want to cuss in her book which is fine but...ummm "Agent Kage said a very bad swear word" that's word for word in the book. I'm sorry but WHAAAT 😂 what are you? Five? Come on 😂 if you don't want to swear then don't but really?. There were others like "crapsticks" what in the world is a crapstick? 😂 And then there was "pain in the tutu" 😂😂😂😂 seriously?
3) I found one typo but other than that, it was written...okay. It was a bit childish and then adultish. It went back and forth. I am not impressed though. Personally, there are better written murder mysteries out there.
All in all, eh. Maybe not awful but definitely not amazing.
61 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2023
A major struggle.

I had to keep asking myself why I was bothering to continue to read it. Very weak plot with characters that I couldn’t relate too. Excessive use of italics for who knows what reason. Author/Editor likes to use exclamation makes profusely to the point of it being annoying. I’m not sure where they got the idea the FBI academy training is several years long.
4 reviews
July 4, 2023
Florida Girl

Good storyline. Needed a proofreader, many grammatical errors. As a South Florida native I take exception to saying Hollywood is in North Dade, it is in fact in Broward County.
Profile Image for Gregg Hutchings.
75 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2023
too mayn errors and misteaks

I usually love Elle Gray’s work, so all the bad stuff is not her fault? First, insulting to read “defence” instead of correct in US of defense. Also, so many typos. Not professional at all
286 reviews3 followers
August 6, 2023
bummer

I’ve read Elle Gray’s series and like them. This one was tough for me. The number of times landers jumps to conclusions, pushes too hard without thinking, and puts everyone around her in danger was exhausting and inconceivable. I can’t imagine a supervisor letting her run free after the first bobble let alone doing it over and over again. I’m not planning to continue this series for now but will enjoy the others.
4 reviews
October 3, 2023
Needs Better Editing

I couldn’t stand how many times the wrong “there, their or they’re” was used, the inconsistencies on how italics were used for both thoughts and speaking, wringing instead of ringing, etc. The storyline was all over the place and there was factual inaccuracies. I love Elle Gray but I will skip this series.
274 reviews6 followers
March 2, 2024
Major Disappointment

I've read moany books by Elle Gray, and gave almost all of them at least 4 stars, and quite a few of them 5 stars. But this one was a big disappointment. The editing and writing are not up to Ms. Gray's standards: I came across many word use and punctuation errors (misuse and/or missing), sentence structure errors, and a writing style that is often confusing, clumsy, or awkward. Overall these qualities meant the book had a marked lack of appeal for me. Also, I often doubted the credibility of the details and conventions described in the book.

However, somewhere past halfway, I did begin to feel engaged, as a scary and violent chase scene unfolded. But this didn't really make up for my distaste for the flaws in the writing and editing - which continued to the end.

I may give the next book in the series a try, just to see if the quality improves. If not, I'll move on to the new books in Ms. Gray's other series, the many series that I enjoyed.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,397 reviews33 followers
October 7, 2024
A great beginning to this series

I'm not sure if SA Alexa Landers is the most lucky or unlucky agent in the FBI (guess it depends on how you look at it! Lol!), but she's literally dropped in the deep end as soon as she steps off the plane for her first assignment at the Miami FBI field office. It's an intense, complex, suspenseful, and intriguing story with many unexpected twists that will hook you until the end. I would've liked to have learned more about the characters throughout this book, but hopefully we'll learn more in the upcoming stories.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding authors.
155 reviews
July 7, 2023
A Fast read

I enjoyed reading this book because the flow was smooth. I live in South Florida, which made the location and people easy to understand and fun to imagine. The only thing that seemed a little silly was the FBI agents constantly identifying themselves while being assaulted and fired upon by bad guys. It seemed unrealistic, especially when so often it is reported that the police shoot people who are unarmed for the smallest of offenses. No one says FBI or Police that many times.
1 review
June 19, 2024
I just can't with the British terminology

I have read a lot of Elle Gray's books and liked them, like the Blake Wilder books. But this seems like it's written by the co-author, the style is so different. I finally gave up on it after being frustrated with the usage of British terms like CCTV and dustbin in a story about FBI agents in Florida. The final straw with when it
detailed a receipt with VAT. Really? Sorry but no.
Profile Image for Diana L. Wells.
395 reviews
October 29, 2024
Money, Sex and Government Contracts

I’ve read Ms Gray’s other books and love her characters. This time she is writing about the southeast coasts. Newly minted FBI agent Alexa’s first day on the job is not at all what she expected. No time to get settled in before plunging into the murder of a Russian oligarch and then he murder of his two sons. Fast paced and convoluted. Looking forward to her next adventure.
10 reviews
May 31, 2024
A hot Florida read!

This was a great intro for the series, and I hope that Landers keeps on keeping the bad guys on their toes. Living in Florida myself gives me a healthy respect for the sun and the environment, and that came through loud and clear in this rough and tumble novel. Keep uo the good work!
Profile Image for Patricia A. Biba.
397 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2024
Who and Why?

The mystery of why and who was interesting. Alexa being a new FBI agent fell into the mystery and had to figure out the why and who. A lot of thoughts and work went through her head as she was working. Lots of adventure for a new agent mostly on her own as her partner was shot. Good reading.
737 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2023
This was a excellent story about a new FBI agent Alexa coming to Florida and getting a case about Russians , gangs and drug cartel an trying to find out who is killing people. This book had lots of suspense and drama and enjoyed reading it. Thank you.
Profile Image for Vicki Gilbertson.
422 reviews11 followers
June 23, 2023
One hell of a ride with Alexa, on her firstday on the job. Looking forward for more adventures in Florida. I'm hoping Kage will be able to continue working. Great read, Florida was a wild trip, Russian, Government, says just another day 😳
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
37 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2023
very entertaining FBI story

Set in Miami and the swamps of the Everglades this story has many plots;
So entertaining I had to start and finish it in one night. I love women hero’s in a crime story.
Profile Image for Mary Rowe.
2,628 reviews8 followers
June 27, 2023
rollicking good solid shoot-em-up

Yee haw! As fantastical as the story might be, and as insane as the depiction of a newly-minted FBI is, this book is an intense and enjoyable good time.

Bring on the next installment!
58 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2023
Great new FBI series.

I really enjoy his series, especially since Florida is home. I thought the plot was well thought out with plenty of twists and turns. I’ll definitely read the next one.
358 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2023
I loved it!

Alexa was great! Right out of the academy and into the fry pan so to speak. It was a great story and I loved all the characters! Not bad for book number one. I will be looking forward to Alexa's next adventure!
Profile Image for Deb.
825 reviews27 followers
August 6, 2023
The story was okay but all of the typos was distracting. It is TAMIAMI, NOT TAMAIMI! Alexa was on her first case in the FBI, but she struggled. Not sure if I will continue with the series.

I received a digital ARC of this book and this is my honest and unsolicited.
Profile Image for PAUL CLEMENT.
32 reviews
September 10, 2023
Emma Griffin has a rival!

As usual Elle has given us a no nonsense heroine who has just set the bar high enough to make each "episode" a challenge to raise the bar. We the readers are the true beneficiaries of this quality writing. I recommend it to you! The PACMAN
272 reviews3 followers
September 28, 2023
Playing catch up

Good read. New series with a lot of background to get through. Moving forward Alexa does hold her own. Her partner Kate had his hands full keeping her safe. Last half of the book is never ending and will keep you thinking. You will certainly love this.
30 reviews
February 9, 2025
An Excellent Who Dunnit

Once I started reading this one I could not put it down. Elle Gray has out done herself. I am hoping the remaining 4 books are just as great as the first one. Thank you and on to the next one.
4,417 reviews43 followers
June 26, 2023
Who killed Aleksandr Bodrov and why??? And he was just the first one, wasn't he??? PACs??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
140 reviews
July 12, 2023
A new special agent begins.

I liked the plot and characters. There were many inaccuracies about Florida but they can be overlooked for the sake of the story
1,995 reviews23 followers
July 13, 2023
Not for me

Don't think I'll be following up on any other editions of this series. A little too many false leads, too many twists. Guess military genre isn't my thing.
10 reviews
August 9, 2023
Good reading

It kept my interest. However it needed a bit more proofing. Otherwise, I enjoyed all the characters and the story line.
66 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2023
Spunky new FBI AGENT who gets herself into a major in case 1st day on the job. Like the character build and partner dynamics this far
19 reviews
October 2, 2023
Good Read

I liked the story, but the thing I didn't like was that there more typos than I normally see in any book. I'm from Miami so I enjoyed the references to the area .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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