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Judge Not: A Sam Tate Mystery
In the nail-biting fourth installment of the award-winning mystery series, Sam Tate comes up against a clever killer with a warped sense of justice. Five detectives in five states have two things in common. They’ve all solved serial-killer cases — and they’re all dead, victims of an assailant known as the Judge. As the murderer cuts across the country, the FBI invites Lieutenant Sam Tate to be a part of the investigation. Sam, whose job leaves her feeling restless, is more than willing to accept. She’s got a knack for tracking and catching serial killers. Her skill set makes her an asset to the Bureau. It also marks her as a target.
"Seemingly simple scenes ... deliver a surprisingly high emotional punch, setting Stern’s fiction apart from the pack." ~ Best Thrillers
"Powerful ... poignant ... delivers a thrilling climax." ~ Indie Reader
“High-octane drama” ~ D. Donovan, Midwest Book Reviews
New York Times best-selling author Karin Slaughter meets crime fiction master Michael Connelly in this twisty thriller about rectifying the sins of the past.
"Seemingly simple scenes ... deliver a surprisingly high emotional punch, setting Stern’s fiction apart from the pack." ~ Best Thrillers
"Powerful ... poignant ... delivers a thrilling climax." ~ Indie Reader
“High-octane drama” ~ D. Donovan, Midwest Book Reviews
New York Times best-selling author Karin Slaughter meets crime fiction master Michael Connelly in this twisty thriller about rectifying the sins of the past.
- GenresMystery
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2023
4 people are currently reading
760 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Stern
17 books453 followersAuthor of both non-fiction and fiction, including the four-book Sam Tate Mystery Series (available in three formats) and perennial favorite, HOPE IN SMALL DOSES: Reasonable Happiness in Unreasonable Times
I love book clubs, Pilates, and dogs. I dislike the passage of time, but it happens anyway.
I love book clubs, Pilates, and dogs. I dislike the passage of time, but it happens anyway.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 20, 2023
In Judge Not, the fourth book in the Sam Tate Mystery series, author Nikki Stern engages the reader to catch up with Samantha Tate's latest investigative adventure.
Sam gets drawn into a serial killer case that becomes dubbed The Judge. The sadistic serial killer is on a multi-state killing spree on law enforcement officers who have solved serial killer cases during their careers, and the body count keeps growing. As a consultant to the FBI, Sam joins boyfriend Terry Sloan and the task force members in their investigation into the cases hoping to bring the serial killer to justice before another law enforcement officer becomes the next victim. And just when you think Sam has enough on her plate, her traumatic past keeps haunting her dreams, and suddenly she finds herself having to balance her own private demons along with helping the FBI find the serial killer before more murders are committed.
Author Nikki Stern provides a multi-layered storyline that has enough mystery, suspense, drama, treachery, secrets, dark traumatic pasts, and intriguing twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing, while weaving an intricate and complicated web of figuring out who the serial killer is, and why he kills the law enforcement officers in a copycat style of the original serial killer cases that they solved. And if that isn't enough to captivate the reader, the author adds a wonderful touch of humor, wit, grit, and a persistence to pursue the trauma of Sam's past, while also having a complicated long-distance romance with FBI Assistant Director Terry Sloan.
Of all the books in this series, I have to admit that Judge Not is my favorite. The police procedural elements of the investigation and the taunting and dangerous cat-n-mouse game with the serial killer kept me engaged and turning the pages as Sam, Terry and the task force members frantically try to bring the serial killer to justice, it just doesn't get any better than that!
Judge Not is an intriguing mystery story intertwined with enough police procedural aspects, realistic characters, witty dialogue and interactions. This fascinating multi-layered storyline draws the reader into the serial killer murder case investigation as Sam assists the FBI task force engage in a frustrating cat-n-mouse game with the serial killer, until the pieces of the investigation puzzle comes together and is dramatically solved. But alas, just when you think Sam's investigative adventure is over, the author leaves the reader with a traumatic cliffhanger ending that will keep them in limbo when Sam is dealing with more grief in her life and the possibility of a new beginning, leaving a suggestion that perhaps there will be a fifth book in the Sam Tate Mystery Series.
Judge Not is the kind of mystery that easily keeps the reader captivated, guessing, on their toes, and wanting more!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
Sam gets drawn into a serial killer case that becomes dubbed The Judge. The sadistic serial killer is on a multi-state killing spree on law enforcement officers who have solved serial killer cases during their careers, and the body count keeps growing. As a consultant to the FBI, Sam joins boyfriend Terry Sloan and the task force members in their investigation into the cases hoping to bring the serial killer to justice before another law enforcement officer becomes the next victim. And just when you think Sam has enough on her plate, her traumatic past keeps haunting her dreams, and suddenly she finds herself having to balance her own private demons along with helping the FBI find the serial killer before more murders are committed.
Author Nikki Stern provides a multi-layered storyline that has enough mystery, suspense, drama, treachery, secrets, dark traumatic pasts, and intriguing twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing, while weaving an intricate and complicated web of figuring out who the serial killer is, and why he kills the law enforcement officers in a copycat style of the original serial killer cases that they solved. And if that isn't enough to captivate the reader, the author adds a wonderful touch of humor, wit, grit, and a persistence to pursue the trauma of Sam's past, while also having a complicated long-distance romance with FBI Assistant Director Terry Sloan.
Of all the books in this series, I have to admit that Judge Not is my favorite. The police procedural elements of the investigation and the taunting and dangerous cat-n-mouse game with the serial killer kept me engaged and turning the pages as Sam, Terry and the task force members frantically try to bring the serial killer to justice, it just doesn't get any better than that!
Judge Not is an intriguing mystery story intertwined with enough police procedural aspects, realistic characters, witty dialogue and interactions. This fascinating multi-layered storyline draws the reader into the serial killer murder case investigation as Sam assists the FBI task force engage in a frustrating cat-n-mouse game with the serial killer, until the pieces of the investigation puzzle comes together and is dramatically solved. But alas, just when you think Sam's investigative adventure is over, the author leaves the reader with a traumatic cliffhanger ending that will keep them in limbo when Sam is dealing with more grief in her life and the possibility of a new beginning, leaving a suggestion that perhaps there will be a fifth book in the Sam Tate Mystery Series.
Judge Not is the kind of mystery that easily keeps the reader captivated, guessing, on their toes, and wanting more!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
October 16, 2023
Another 5-Star review for Nikki Stern!
There are no dull moments when spending time with Sam Tate, and Judge Not, the fourth book in her series, continues the suspense and twists and turns.
And gut punches.
When a young detective approaches Lt. Tate with two seemingly unrelated cases, she’s reluctant to see similarities. But she’s Sam Tate… of course she see’s the similarities. Two LEOS who investigated and caught serial killers in two different cities, murdered using the methods of the killers they chased. However, Sam’s career… and missteps have taught her to err on the side of caution. Without getting her detective’s hopes up, she encourages him to come to her IF he comes across anymore such cases and she’ll be happy to pass them on to the FBI.
See where this is going? It’s SAM TATE! Of course, there will be other cases and she does more than simply pass them on to the FBI.
Reading the first three installments of the Sam Tate series in not necessary to enjoy Judge Not, however, reading them in order will give you a better understanding of the woman, her journey, why a celebrity cop has had so many law enforcement positions in such a short time, and the reasons for her nightmares.
Besides Terry Sloan, assistant director of the DC FBI office and Sam’s boyfriend, the author added dynamic characters who were more than scene-fillers. Her character development is on point with perfectly flawed, loyal people. A recent case with Sam led to Pat McCready’s promotion to detective, but I’m thinking he deserves another for this case!
Though this read ends on a positive note with a new future for Sam, I’m still reeling from plot twists I may not get over, but I’ll always be in Sam Tate’s corner!
Enjoy!
There are no dull moments when spending time with Sam Tate, and Judge Not, the fourth book in her series, continues the suspense and twists and turns.
And gut punches.
When a young detective approaches Lt. Tate with two seemingly unrelated cases, she’s reluctant to see similarities. But she’s Sam Tate… of course she see’s the similarities. Two LEOS who investigated and caught serial killers in two different cities, murdered using the methods of the killers they chased. However, Sam’s career… and missteps have taught her to err on the side of caution. Without getting her detective’s hopes up, she encourages him to come to her IF he comes across anymore such cases and she’ll be happy to pass them on to the FBI.
See where this is going? It’s SAM TATE! Of course, there will be other cases and she does more than simply pass them on to the FBI.
Reading the first three installments of the Sam Tate series in not necessary to enjoy Judge Not, however, reading them in order will give you a better understanding of the woman, her journey, why a celebrity cop has had so many law enforcement positions in such a short time, and the reasons for her nightmares.
Besides Terry Sloan, assistant director of the DC FBI office and Sam’s boyfriend, the author added dynamic characters who were more than scene-fillers. Her character development is on point with perfectly flawed, loyal people. A recent case with Sam led to Pat McCready’s promotion to detective, but I’m thinking he deserves another for this case!
Though this read ends on a positive note with a new future for Sam, I’m still reeling from plot twists I may not get over, but I’ll always be in Sam Tate’s corner!
Enjoy!
October 20, 2023
Geez!!! For what I thought started out a tad bit slow for me, it sure kept me up way past my bedtime reading and then again up at 5:00 in the morning reading until I finished the book! Warning, this book is addictive!
This is book number 4 but my 3rd one in the Sam Tate series. I missed one somehow. I will have to go back and read it. A lot of action, a lot of suspense, and even some heartbreak. Sam Tate is a tough cookie, tough to get to know, tough to like her... and yet, I love her! She is my kind of character LOL. She is just what I like in a female lead.
This one has a great ending, not the pre-ending… That’s the heartbreak part :-(, but the actual ending leaves room for what I think will be a fantastic next book. I am very excited at the thought. And I certainly will be reading with the next book!
Nikki Stern is a very edgy writer, one that I have grown to love and always watch for her next books to come out.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!
This is book number 4 but my 3rd one in the Sam Tate series. I missed one somehow. I will have to go back and read it. A lot of action, a lot of suspense, and even some heartbreak. Sam Tate is a tough cookie, tough to get to know, tough to like her... and yet, I love her! She is my kind of character LOL. She is just what I like in a female lead.
This one has a great ending, not the pre-ending… That’s the heartbreak part :-(, but the actual ending leaves room for what I think will be a fantastic next book. I am very excited at the thought. And I certainly will be reading with the next book!
Nikki Stern is a very edgy writer, one that I have grown to love and always watch for her next books to come out.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!
October 12, 2023
I enjoyed this latest novel from Stern. Sam Tate is a great heroine, strong and capable. She has some issues from her past to work through but gets the job done. She also has a rogue tendency yet it seems that very quality is necessary to defeat the villain. The novel contains just the right amount of Sam's personal life combined with action and plot movement.
Stern explores an interesting issue, how a child's self image may be formed from parental comments. The parent's comments certainly had a detrimental influence on the villain in this novel.
While this is part of a series featuring Tate, it reads well on its own. There was a very unexpected twist near the end of this story. I am interested in seeing how Stern moves forward with Sam Tate so will be watching for the next novel in the series.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Stern explores an interesting issue, how a child's self image may be formed from parental comments. The parent's comments certainly had a detrimental influence on the villain in this novel.
While this is part of a series featuring Tate, it reads well on its own. There was a very unexpected twist near the end of this story. I am interested in seeing how Stern moves forward with Sam Tate so will be watching for the next novel in the series.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
October 11, 2023
I liked this book because it is a mystery/thriller and that is one of my jam's. So this book is about our MC, Sam Tate who is part of the police department in a small town in Maryland. She is famous for solving cases and can catch criminals well. She is brought into the case by the FBI and her fiancée Terry, who is the Assistant Director in the FBI. She becomes the target of the serial killer known as 'The Judge' and she is getting messages from the killer every so often.
I liked the writing style after reading the first few chapters and found myself having to finish this one folks. I was a little sad and shaken by the end of the book though as it was a little shocking for the reader. I also had not gone into the series reading any other of the Sam Tate books, this is book #4, but can be read as a standalone for those like myself who start series in the middle of them sometimes.
I liked the writing style after reading the first few chapters and found myself having to finish this one folks. I was a little sad and shaken by the end of the book though as it was a little shocking for the reader. I also had not gone into the series reading any other of the Sam Tate books, this is book #4, but can be read as a standalone for those like myself who start series in the middle of them sometimes.
December 8, 2023
What a great book, full of action, interesting characters, and an intriguing story line. The plot unfolded beautifully, quickly enough to hold the reader's interest, yet long enough to provide several twists and turns.
The surprise ending - a mini sub-plot following closure on the serial killer - was shocking and heartbreaking. However, through the well written epilogue, it’s evident that the sad outcome was a necessary one to set up future installments in the series.
While I prefer to start a book series at the beginning, I was fortunate to receive this book through a Goodreads giveaway. My review of Judge Not is objective and independent. It was an excellent book and based on my reading, I'll soon search out the earlier books in the Sam Tate series.
The surprise ending - a mini sub-plot following closure on the serial killer - was shocking and heartbreaking. However, through the well written epilogue, it’s evident that the sad outcome was a necessary one to set up future installments in the series.
While I prefer to start a book series at the beginning, I was fortunate to receive this book through a Goodreads giveaway. My review of Judge Not is objective and independent. It was an excellent book and based on my reading, I'll soon search out the earlier books in the Sam Tate series.
June 3, 2024
Enjoyed this book very much. Interesting characters, great storyline. I will read more books by this author.
October 19, 2023
Judge Not by Nikkii Stern is the fourth in the Sam Tate Mysteries. Each one can be read independently. This story is about a serial killer, called the Judge, on the loose. It seems that this killer goes after people who are mostly law officers who have solved serial killer murders of their own.
What is the connection of these five people to the cases that they solved? That is what the FBI hopes to figure out when bringing in Lieutenant Sam Tate, her experience is in solving these kinds of murders. When it is brought to her attention by a young detective, Pat McCready, that there are similarities to other crimes, across other states, Montana, California, Georgia, and Illinois.
Because Sam solved a case, The Dry Ice Killer, it is believed that she may be the next target. The killer contacts her via texts and from those texts she needs to figure out where he/she is so she can apprehend this person. FBI Assistant Director Terry Sloan, a former lover, and partner, is also on the case and together they try to figure out the clues.
This novel is a cat-and-mouse type of story, where Sam and Terry are desperate to find the killer before any more people are killed. Can they stay one step ahead?
This is a fast-paced type of detective story that will keep the reader interested until the surprise ending. I enjoyed the book and read it in a couple of sittings.
I give the book 5 stars
What is the connection of these five people to the cases that they solved? That is what the FBI hopes to figure out when bringing in Lieutenant Sam Tate, her experience is in solving these kinds of murders. When it is brought to her attention by a young detective, Pat McCready, that there are similarities to other crimes, across other states, Montana, California, Georgia, and Illinois.
Because Sam solved a case, The Dry Ice Killer, it is believed that she may be the next target. The killer contacts her via texts and from those texts she needs to figure out where he/she is so she can apprehend this person. FBI Assistant Director Terry Sloan, a former lover, and partner, is also on the case and together they try to figure out the clues.
This novel is a cat-and-mouse type of story, where Sam and Terry are desperate to find the killer before any more people are killed. Can they stay one step ahead?
This is a fast-paced type of detective story that will keep the reader interested until the surprise ending. I enjoyed the book and read it in a couple of sittings.
I give the book 5 stars
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews