The Experiment

Brotherly Bond

by W.L. Knightly

After a string of deaths at Crestman University, Agent Thomas Mason learns his wife is the latest victim of tragedy. But when he discovers that foul play was involved, including the use of a declassified, experimental drug, Thomas wants answers, even when he ends up in the hot seat.
When he discovers more of the drug was found in a deceased student, Thomas is determined that they were part of something bigger that went horribly wrong. Will he risk it all to find his wife’s murderer?
Jude Scott has finally got the life he always wanted; A loving girlfriend, a high-paying position and a bright future in his future wife’s family business where they sell the drug, Clarity, a high-performance mental enhancer, to the elite.
But when a leak of the original formula, Precison-X, mysteriously ends up killing a college professor, Jude is sent to do what he can to protect his boss from being investigated for the leak which could expose them all. By helping his old friend Thomas, Jude gets closer to the truth. But where does his loyalty lie?

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2023

About the author

WL Knightly is a thriller/murder mystery co-writing pen name for two USA Today Best Selling Authors. "W" when not writing can be found dealing in Antique Jewelry and hanging out with her awesome hubby and three kids. And "L" is a full-time writer that lives near Nashville, TN and spends her time cooking, hanging out with her hubs and 3 kiddos, or wrangling new ideas as they float by!
Their love of a good mystery novel caused them to combine forces and go after their dream of telling stories that sent a shiver down your spine. I'm thinking they figured it out!
These two friends met years ago when they both started writing and publishing in various young adult genres and needed a critique partner.
The rest is history...They'd love for you to join the fun!
Website-http://thezodiackillerseries.com/
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/wlknightlyau...
Insiders Group- https://dl.bookfunnel.com/j1rryhvu53

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliff hanger at the end! 🫠

[Nikki Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ The Experiment is the first installment in the Brotherly Bond series, blending mystery and suspense with a touch of conspiracy. The narrative follows FBI Agent Thomas Mason as he delves into the suspicious death of his wife. His investigation uncovers a series of similar fatalities linked to an experimental drug, suggesting a deeper, more sinister plot. Looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed "THE EXPERIMENT" This story start off with a bang so much happens right off the bat, tragedy, death, intrigue, suspense, experimental drug, mystery, deceit, secrets, lies, cover-up, trust issues, angst, grief, sadness, twists that keeps you turning the pages phenominal start to this amazing new series.
Agent Thomas Mason & Agent Alex Patrick are together when Thomas gets a phone call from Crestman University about his pregnant wife Ella's death, their ruling it as a suicide because of the drugs in her system but she doesn't take drugs someone spiked her drink with it.
Thomas is removed from FBI until case is resolved he's to close they even suspect him, so they ransacked his home but found nothing, he'll work on his own to get answers with the help of Caroline who is Ella's sister she re-checks her blood sample
finding a secret military drug called Percision-X not for public use in her system the question is how did it get there, plus there's been 5 deaths including Ella at University in the past month all suspicious.
I definitely recommend to get this on the edge of your seat story Thomas's BF returns to the picture Jude Scott but Caroline warns him not to trust him, Jude has his own agenda for working with Thomas. Jude's loyalty doesn't ly with Thomas its with Dr. Morrison & Monica & their pharmaceutical company supplying Clarity a drug much like Percision-X.
I'm so looking forward to "THE SCRUTINY" next book to see if Thomas learns not only this girl Alice is supplying the drug but what Jude's agenda really is working with him.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of an arc program. This is the first book in a new series called Brotherly Bond. In this book, FBI agent Thomas Mason's wife dies under mysterious circumstances. She was pregnant and very happy, even though the police think it is a suicide. There have been a number of deaths at the college she worked at and Thomas thinks something is very wrong, but no one thinks it is a priority. Thomas' old friend Jude is now working as security for a family that owns a pharmaceutical company. Jude's boss has a secret formula for a pill named Clarity. It is supposed to help people and is only offered to the super rich and they must keep things secret. Jude is also engaged to his boss's daughter. When Jude learns of Thomas' wife Ella's passing, he goes to see Thomas and tries to learn how much he knows about Clarity and how it is connected to Ella's death. I am very interested in learning more about this series. It started a little slow for me, but it picked up and i have many unanswered questions. I think Thomas will be in more danger as he tries to investigate Ella's death. I look forward to book 2.

[Courtney-Louise✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded down for this one. What I will say about this book is that I loved the premise of it, a new drug developed by the military which can cause very serious damage and has a similar appearance to that of Adderall when found within the body.
I really felt for the main character (Thomas), who happens to work for the FBI, when he learns that his wife has sadly passed away. However, it's believed to be a suicide despite her being happily married and pregnant. He decides to make it his mission to discover who did this to his wife, but also the students from the campus who have also suspiciously passed away from the same thing...
We also meet another character, who was Thomas' best friend all those years ago and we learn that he is one of the drug mules for this new developed drug but upon returning to "help" Thomas, he doesn't reveal any secrets but instead insists that they leave a girl who has just died as they aren't to be seen on the property.
It was an easy read but I feel like it could have been made longer, by going into more depth at the end rather than making the books shorter and having more books within the series.

[Donita Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE EXPERIMENT Brotherly Bond Series Book 1 by WL Knightly

This is the first book of a new well written series that looks like it will be a hit by WL Knightly. The Experiment has started off with a big bang, with no signs of slowing down! It has deception, murder, angst, intrigue, suspense and experimental drugs. When a series of deaths happen on the Crestman University campus, and one of the latest victims is the professor wife of FBI Agent Thomas Mason, he is determined to get to the bottom of it. How did drugs get in their systems, if they were known to NOT use. The general opinion of the police is these deaths are suicides. Thomas knows Ella would not do that as she was newly pregnant, thrilled about it & looking forward to the future. The return of his former best friend out of the blue, Jude, has taken Thomas by surprise. Jude is helping Thomas investigate, but also has his own agenda. This is 5 stars.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great start to this series. I was immediately hooked and read it quickly. A classified experimental drug, Precision-X, made by the military to create 'super soldiers' was discontinued after deaths and severe side effects. Thomas Mason, an FBI agent, begins investigating against orders from his boss. Thomas's wife Anna, head of the science department, is one of five people to die unexpectedly in a month at Crestman University. Caroline, Anna's sister, works at the FBI in the lab. She discovers that Anna and at least one other victim had Precision-X in their blood work. Thomas's estranged best friend comes to help find out what happened to Anna. The author did such a wonderful job creating the tension between characters and the suspense in the book. I thought the devastation Thomas and Caroline felt from Anna's death was true to life and I felt it through the book.

[John Hansford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing thriller from W.L. Thomas, an FBI Agent, has now experienced two great losses in his life. His war buddy / brother Jude and his loving wife. Jude disappears from his life and his wife unexpectedly dies. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his wife’s death prompt him to start an under the table investigation. That investigation uncovers several suspicious deaths at the University where his wife was a professor. Along with his sister-in-law, he discovers several of the deaths have one thing in common. A substance that has been highly classified by the military. Jude comes back into his life after hearing of the death of his friend’s life and help with the investigation. But he has his own agenda as to why he wants to learn the truth. Can’t wait to see what happens next and find out who Alice is!

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one of a new series by WL Knightly. I liked meeting the new characters and the new story. There have been a number of deaths at Crestman University. Some were considered suicide. All were students until Thomas’s wife Ella died. She had a drug in her system that she doesn’t usually take (Adderall) and also Precision-X, a drug used initially by the military. The drug was discontinued due to side effects but somehow a civilian is dispersing it, or a form of it. Thomas is ex-military so he knows about the drug but he is also FBI. He sets out to do his own investigation because everyone else finds it easier to think his wife committed suicide. His old friend Jude touches base and wants to help him, but Jude’s loyalty is questionable. There’s more to Jude’s story that Thomas doesn’t know. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.

[Munira Vahed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a start to a fabulous new series.
The story starts off with a bang. It follows Agent Thomas as he receives a call about his pregnant wife death.
The postmortem reveals a shocking fact which is she had drugs in her system. This shocks Thomas.
He decides to investigate with the help of his sister in law, Caroline.
Thomas best friend returns but he has his own agenda for helping Thomas.
Will this mystery get solved and will Thomas discover hos best friend’s agenda and why he left in the first place?
Cant wait to go on this amazing journey of discovering the answers to these questions.
I received an ARC from the author. I voluntarily read and review this item. This is my honest review.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you cross slick techno-thriller “Limitless” with the almost subversive vigilante justice of this author’s work? I feel like that’s the direction this series may be taking me. I was hooked practically from the moment this book opened. This was only book one, but already we’ve been treated to secrets and betrayals, and I have no doubt that there are more where those came from. I’m already harboring my own pet theories about what’s going on below the surface, so I can’t wait to see how wrong the author’s going to prove me.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold onto your seat this one is filled with thrills, suspense and lies.
Thomas is an FBI agent who learns that his pregnant wife has died. They rule it a suicide because there were drugs in her system. She is the six death at the school.
Thomas wants to get to the truth but the FBI has told him he may not b3cause he is too close.
Thomas joins forces with Caroline, Ella's sister, to find out what really happened.
Jude , an old friend of Thomas comes to help him, but really has other motives.
There is so much tension, suspense, and conspiracy going on in this first book.
Thomas and Caroline are truly hurting because of Ella's death.
Can't wait until book two.

[Shari Jahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estranged bothers from other mothers Jude and Thomas are on the hunt. With mysterious deaths popping up on the Crestman University campus FBI agent Thomas is on the case. Hired muscle Jude is now outside of the law and willing to do whatever it takes to keep his boss happy.

This book will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to figure out the next twist in this string of deaths and web of lies. This fast pace book was exciting and I kept coming back for more. The experiment has it's readers asking what's Next?

[Karlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estranged bothers from other mothers Jude and Thomas are on the hunt. With mysterious deaths popping up on the Crestman University campus FBI agent Thomas is on the case. Hired muscle Jude is now outside of the law and willing to do whatever it takes to keep his boss happy.

This book will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to figure out the next twist in this string of deaths and web of lies. This fast pace book was exciting and I kept coming back for more. The experiment has it's readers asking what's next?

(My mom also posted this review I wrote)

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Series is a WOW!

We’re off on a new series that will take us up down and all around and to places we never expect to go. The scene is set. A professor dies but her husband, an FBI agent doesn’t believe “the story”. Then he discovers that there are other deaths that can’t be explained. Now he’s on the hunt. Meanwhile his friend has a connection to a new and very pricy drug that is “by invitation only” and he finds people are dying or are they being killed? Eagerly awaiting the next book. Can’t wait to see where this story goes.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI agent's wife, Ella, is found dead at the university where she is a professor. The police say it is a suicide. Thomas is told to take time off. He finds out there have been student deaths in a short time frame. He decides to investigate on his own. This first edition gets you very interested in finding out what happens next.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have on the edge of your seat and keep you turning those pages. It was well written with wonderful characters that had some depth to them. The story had twists and turns that’ll have guessing what’s next. What a wonderful start to the series. It was great to see how the author intermingled the various characters stories within this one story. It’s a definite must read.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas is happily married when his pregnant wife commits suicide
He is an FBI agent and doesn’t believe the suicide story
So he investigates
His estranged brother Jude who is secretly a private killer, also begins to investigate
The brothers find out a secret government drug is to blame for several deaths and they want someone to pay

[Robert McDougall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great start to what I am sure will be another great series. It has character introductions that are very well done, edge of your seat roller coaster ride and lots of surprises. Enjoy this book... I did

[Colin Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first in the new series was a bit slow to start but that didn't last long and the action soon picked up. An interesting plot that has several ways in which to develop. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agent Thomas races against time to find out the truth about some deaths due to drugs. Unfortunately his wife was one of the victims. Suspenseful all the way to the end, will the truth be learned on time. An amazing beginning to a new series.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love getting stuck into a new series. I can tell this will shape up to be a good one. Suicides, or what they appear to be, are the start of the story. Things are going on and there’s use of a classified drug. Can’t wait to see where this story goes.

[Max Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it repetitious.
Every ones dying from drugs
Don't need to read any further.
Lifes not always as we planned.
Otherwise a curiously twisted story and well written.
Good luck and congrats to the Author.
Max

[Keith Withers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Experiment gone wrong

When an untested drug gets out it proves to be extremely lethal. Who knows where it came from and who is secretly experimenting with a deadly weapon. A number of lives have already been wiped out. Can it be found and stopped?

[Neill Pleaner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters, and the overall story line.

I however really hate books, story lines that are incomplete and force the reader to purchase another book to find out what happens. If this is the case it should state this as a foreword.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beware. This is part of a continuing series that IS NOT concluded at the end of the book. Disappointed me as I was reading with anticipation of finding out who done it. Only 3 stars because of that.

[Cynthia A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knightly does it again

He gets you so wound up trying to solve the crime. Just as you think you know what is happening the book ends on a cliffhanger. Now I have to get the next book.

[Kathy Valentine · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting plot but not the best writing. I was very irritated by this book however because it’s not a whole book. It’s only like Section 1 of a very long story. Without any notice if this, it feels like a marketing ploy to sell more books. Mostly irritated by this.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do not read it unless you are prepared to buy the next five books for $4.99. This is only 185 pages... it leaves you hanging. It's like part 1 of a mini-series. I feel duped. I didn't buy (and read) a book... I bought part 1 of a novel. Rip off.