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Campus Killer
The stakes of this case were intense.
And the killer was closing in.
Deep into the investigation of a serial killer at her small town’s university, Detective Paula Lynley can’t refuse the help of a renowned profiler. Special Agent Neil Ramirez’s expertise could help catch the Campus Killer before another woman falls victim. Though Neil is deeply talented and easy on the eyes, Paula senses the profiler has his own dark secrets. Getting close to Neil might be good for the case, but what will it do to her heart?
And the killer was closing in.
Deep into the investigation of a serial killer at her small town’s university, Detective Paula Lynley can’t refuse the help of a renowned profiler. Special Agent Neil Ramirez’s expertise could help catch the Campus Killer before another woman falls victim. Though Neil is deeply talented and easy on the eyes, Paula senses the profiler has his own dark secrets. Getting close to Neil might be good for the case, but what will it do to her heart?
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2024
26 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
R. Barri Flowers
260 books97 followersR. Barri Flowers is an award-winning criminologist and bestselling author of romantic suspense, crime and thriller fiction, crime nonfiction and true crime, relationship novels, young adult mysteries, and children's books.
The author is a member of the International Thriller Writers,
The author is a member of the International Thriller Writers,
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 21, 2025
Good read, I figured out the killer pretty early on though.
August 6, 2024
This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the 5th book in the Lynleys of Law Enforcement series. I have not read the other books in this series before picking up this book. The mystery/suspense in this book had me totally pulled into the story, and I love the action and the face pace in this book. I found the romance to be not great because it felt forced. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
August 1, 2024
Author R. Barri Flowers’s expertise as an award-winning criminologist with unique knowledge of serial killers is evident in CAMPUS KILLER, book five in The Lynleys of Law Enforcement series. A gripping thriller, the story immediately draws readers in, never letting go.
Detective Paula Lynley answers a call to the scene of a college professor's murder in CAMPUS KILLER. When another professor’s body turns up days later, Lynley fears a serial killer is targeting female faculty members, and she vows to stop the killer before more women die. Needing all the knowledge she can gather; Det. Lynley asks visiting professor Special Agent Neil Ramirez to share his expertise in criminal profiling with investigators. As readers soon learn, Neil’s not only teaching a class on Criminology, he’s also the contact for an undercover agent working on a local case. Neil realizes it's imperative his cover story remains secret and yet, finding it difficult to refuse Paula's request, he jumps at the opportunity to get to know her personally. The attraction between Paula and Neil ignites quickly, but as the serial killer escalates his game, Paula and Neil must set aside personal desires to focus on identifying the killer before another woman dies.
CAMPUS KILLER is a complex thriller with equal parts mystery and romance. The familiar small-town college campus setting entices readers as many recall a special time and place in their lives while an escalating pace lends a sense of impending doom with time running out. An international flair is created by a unique support cast including multicultural characters as well as interracial romances. Author R. Barri Flowers’s intimate knowledge about violent offenders lends this story a vivid dose of reality seldom found in romance suspense fiction. Fans of romance suspense, especially police procedural style thrillers, will enjoy this one.
3.5 Stars
Special thanks to the publisher Mills & Boon Intrigue, Author R. Barri Flowers and The Big Thrill for an arc of this title for review. All opinions expressed are my own. This review is available in The Big Thrill Magazine and is also available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
Detective Paula Lynley answers a call to the scene of a college professor's murder in CAMPUS KILLER. When another professor’s body turns up days later, Lynley fears a serial killer is targeting female faculty members, and she vows to stop the killer before more women die. Needing all the knowledge she can gather; Det. Lynley asks visiting professor Special Agent Neil Ramirez to share his expertise in criminal profiling with investigators. As readers soon learn, Neil’s not only teaching a class on Criminology, he’s also the contact for an undercover agent working on a local case. Neil realizes it's imperative his cover story remains secret and yet, finding it difficult to refuse Paula's request, he jumps at the opportunity to get to know her personally. The attraction between Paula and Neil ignites quickly, but as the serial killer escalates his game, Paula and Neil must set aside personal desires to focus on identifying the killer before another woman dies.
CAMPUS KILLER is a complex thriller with equal parts mystery and romance. The familiar small-town college campus setting entices readers as many recall a special time and place in their lives while an escalating pace lends a sense of impending doom with time running out. An international flair is created by a unique support cast including multicultural characters as well as interracial romances. Author R. Barri Flowers’s intimate knowledge about violent offenders lends this story a vivid dose of reality seldom found in romance suspense fiction. Fans of romance suspense, especially police procedural style thrillers, will enjoy this one.
3.5 Stars
Special thanks to the publisher Mills & Boon Intrigue, Author R. Barri Flowers and The Big Thrill for an arc of this title for review. All opinions expressed are my own. This review is available in The Big Thrill Magazine and is also available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
July 14, 2025
Someone is murdering female professors at Addison University. Detective Paula Lynley is on the case. She teams up with Neil Ramirez, a criminal profiler with the ATF who is currently a criminology professor at the college. They get the hots for one another as they hunt for the unsub.
This is one of the most badly written books I have ever read that was professionally and traditionally published by a major publishing house. This reads like it was written by a high school student, yet a look at the Fantastic Fiction website shows that Flowers has been writing for the better part of two decades! How could he have not picked up any pointers in all that time? The website also shows he's been churning out Intrigue books at the rate of four a year, so I suspect it's once again a case of the publisher favouring a writer who can hit a deadline rather than deliver a quality product. Where was the editor up in this house?
Flowers does what you would expect from an amateur writer - for example, finding other ways to say "he said" or "she said" and adding ludicrous descriptors onto them. Take a look at a couple of these gems:
“I was thinking the same thing,” he uttered desirously.
Is that the sick game you’re playing here? Paula mused absorbedly.
It is like that throughout the whole book! The author also repeatedly adds to a sentence or paragraph information that has already been established or is completely unnecessary. Check this out:
Neil didn’t shy away from that when coming clean with Paula – once he had pulled her off to the side and away from the other detectives, crime scene technicians and the chief medical examiner, all who had a part to play in the investigation. “Professor Wong may have been killed by the gun trafficker who’s currently under investigation by the ATF,” he told her candidly.
Of course detectives et al have a part to play in an investigation. It goes without saying! And Neil doesn't need to tell Paula anything candidly because he was already coming clean with her. That's what being candid is all about, isn't it? It takes two minutes to edit it into something readable. For example:
Neil decided to come clean with Paula. He pulled her to the side, away from the other detectives, crime scene technicians and chief medical examiner. “Professor Wong may have been killed by the gun trafficker who’s currently under investigation by the ATF.”
I am not one to usually pick up on particularly bad writing, so if I'm noticing it to this degree like I did here, something is wrong! Even the worst authors in this line who couldn't string together a cohesive plot to save their life at least have the basics of writing down pat!
As for this book's plot, it is cohesive, but it's a very dry procedural, with an antagonist that is easy to pick out the very moment they are introduced. The dialogue is flat and lifeless. The characters all talk in the same way and sound the same, using words that the author uses in non-dialogue scenes. None of them have any discernable personalities. The romance is dead on arrival - because the characters are boring, lifeless and have nothing interesting to say. I got no sense of the connection between Neil and Paula other than they found one another attractive and the genre mandated it. The subplots are unnecessary and go nowhere. Why did we have Gayle Yamasaki's POV? Why did we need to know she was hot for her married colleague? Why was so much time spent on the gunrunning? Why was there a bomb threat? Why do we learn the nationality and haircut of every single character, even the ones with one line of dialogue? None of these have anything to do with anything.
I am honestly stunned this made it past an editor and was accepted for publication. Even scarier is the fact I have about four other books by this author lying around as a result of thrift store shopping. Lesson learnt!
This is one of the most badly written books I have ever read that was professionally and traditionally published by a major publishing house. This reads like it was written by a high school student, yet a look at the Fantastic Fiction website shows that Flowers has been writing for the better part of two decades! How could he have not picked up any pointers in all that time? The website also shows he's been churning out Intrigue books at the rate of four a year, so I suspect it's once again a case of the publisher favouring a writer who can hit a deadline rather than deliver a quality product. Where was the editor up in this house?
Flowers does what you would expect from an amateur writer - for example, finding other ways to say "he said" or "she said" and adding ludicrous descriptors onto them. Take a look at a couple of these gems:
“I was thinking the same thing,” he uttered desirously.
Is that the sick game you’re playing here? Paula mused absorbedly.
It is like that throughout the whole book! The author also repeatedly adds to a sentence or paragraph information that has already been established or is completely unnecessary. Check this out:
Neil didn’t shy away from that when coming clean with Paula – once he had pulled her off to the side and away from the other detectives, crime scene technicians and the chief medical examiner, all who had a part to play in the investigation. “Professor Wong may have been killed by the gun trafficker who’s currently under investigation by the ATF,” he told her candidly.
Of course detectives et al have a part to play in an investigation. It goes without saying! And Neil doesn't need to tell Paula anything candidly because he was already coming clean with her. That's what being candid is all about, isn't it? It takes two minutes to edit it into something readable. For example:
Neil decided to come clean with Paula. He pulled her to the side, away from the other detectives, crime scene technicians and chief medical examiner. “Professor Wong may have been killed by the gun trafficker who’s currently under investigation by the ATF.”
I am not one to usually pick up on particularly bad writing, so if I'm noticing it to this degree like I did here, something is wrong! Even the worst authors in this line who couldn't string together a cohesive plot to save their life at least have the basics of writing down pat!
As for this book's plot, it is cohesive, but it's a very dry procedural, with an antagonist that is easy to pick out the very moment they are introduced. The dialogue is flat and lifeless. The characters all talk in the same way and sound the same, using words that the author uses in non-dialogue scenes. None of them have any discernable personalities. The romance is dead on arrival - because the characters are boring, lifeless and have nothing interesting to say. I got no sense of the connection between Neil and Paula other than they found one another attractive and the genre mandated it. The subplots are unnecessary and go nowhere. Why did we have Gayle Yamasaki's POV? Why did we need to know she was hot for her married colleague? Why was so much time spent on the gunrunning? Why was there a bomb threat? Why do we learn the nationality and haircut of every single character, even the ones with one line of dialogue? None of these have anything to do with anything.
I am honestly stunned this made it past an editor and was accepted for publication. Even scarier is the fact I have about four other books by this author lying around as a result of thrift store shopping. Lesson learnt!
May 14, 2024
Randomly choosing a book-Yes. But, choosing a book from the middle of a series and with no prior exposure to the author....? Yes, this was a great choice ! Very enjoyable. My motivation was for enjoyment with a little romance and intrigue - and the author delivered!
Set on a college campus with theater weaved in, I really enjoyed exploring the main characters and the how the culprit was caught.
I highly recommend this intrigue / romance.
Advance digital copy provided by NetGalley. Thank you!
Set on a college campus with theater weaved in, I really enjoyed exploring the main characters and the how the culprit was caught.
I highly recommend this intrigue / romance.
Advance digital copy provided by NetGalley. Thank you!
April 7, 2025
3.5 stars
This book was enjoyable but required an enormous amount of suspension of disbelief. Imagine you work at a university and four female profs have been brutally murdered in the last few months. Do you go out running by yourself? Does the university continue to offer classes as usual? And what university has so much crime that they have their own murder detectives? Would you attend that university? After the fifth murder would you maybe quit and move to a different city if you worked there?
As long as you disregarded all of these questions, it was still a good story which is why I gave it 3.5. Spice level - just a one paragraph sex scene with a one or two page lead up and then a few references to hot sexy nights.
This book was enjoyable but required an enormous amount of suspension of disbelief. Imagine you work at a university and four female profs have been brutally murdered in the last few months. Do you go out running by yourself? Does the university continue to offer classes as usual? And what university has so much crime that they have their own murder detectives? Would you attend that university? After the fifth murder would you maybe quit and move to a different city if you worked there?
As long as you disregarded all of these questions, it was still a good story which is why I gave it 3.5. Spice level - just a one paragraph sex scene with a one or two page lead up and then a few references to hot sexy nights.
July 8, 2024
Good action-packed mystery and romance. Paula is a campus detective at a small college. There has been a series of murders of female professors that they believe is the work of a serial killer. Neil is an ATF profiler working as a visiting professor in their Criminal Justice department. Paula decided to take advantage of Neil's presence and ask for his help in profiling the killer.
I liked Neil and Paula. Both are dedicated to their jobs. Paula is recently divorced. She isn't bitter about the end of her marriage but is cautious about getting involved again. She has noticed Neil and is intrigued by him. Neil is on hiatus from the BATF. Between the death of his partner during an op and the end of his relationship with his girlfriend, he wanted some time to clear his head. Besides his gig as a professor, Neil also aids in investigating weapons trafficking. They work well as a team while they attempt to identify the killer.
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Neither Neil nor Paula is actively looking for romance, but when they realize they are drawn to each other, they don't shy away. I liked seeing them get to know each other and discover how much they have in common. I loved that Neil greatly respects Paula and her abilities while still being protective of her. The progression of their relationship was realistic and involved no silly games. The only obstacle/question was what would happen when Neil's stint as a professor was over. I liked the way their future worked out.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. I was fully involved in the search for the Campus Killer from the prologue to the epilogue. I could feel their frustration at the lack of clues and the intensity of their desire to stop the killer before he claimed another victim. The occasional glimpse into the killer's mind was chilling and added to the growing tension. The author kept me guessing about the killer's identity until that final twist.
I liked Neil and Paula. Both are dedicated to their jobs. Paula is recently divorced. She isn't bitter about the end of her marriage but is cautious about getting involved again. She has noticed Neil and is intrigued by him. Neil is on hiatus from the BATF. Between the death of his partner during an op and the end of his relationship with his girlfriend, he wanted some time to clear his head. Besides his gig as a professor, Neil also aids in investigating weapons trafficking. They work well as a team while they attempt to identify the killer.
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Neither Neil nor Paula is actively looking for romance, but when they realize they are drawn to each other, they don't shy away. I liked seeing them get to know each other and discover how much they have in common. I loved that Neil greatly respects Paula and her abilities while still being protective of her. The progression of their relationship was realistic and involved no silly games. The only obstacle/question was what would happen when Neil's stint as a professor was over. I liked the way their future worked out.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. I was fully involved in the search for the Campus Killer from the prologue to the epilogue. I could feel their frustration at the lack of clues and the intensity of their desire to stop the killer before he claimed another victim. The occasional glimpse into the killer's mind was chilling and added to the growing tension. The author kept me guessing about the killer's identity until that final twist.
September 17, 2024
I have read several books by R. Barri Flowers when he wrote for BET Books, Arabesque and Kimani Romance under the name of Devon Vaughn Archer. His books are amazing. This is the 5th book in “The Lynleys Of Law Enforcement Series.” Paula Lynley is a detective. Neil Ramirez is a special agent profiler. This is an entertaining suspenseful read that has mystery, mayhem, action packed adventure, romance, great characters and a plot that held me captive. This an action-packed adventure is set on a college campus with a killer going around killing female college professors. Paula has asked for help in catching the killer of the female college professors and Neil is there to help her every step of the way. As the two go about catching the college killer; things take a turn and now Paula and female detectives find themselves as targets for the campus killer.
Who and why is the killer targeting female college professors and female detectives, will Neil and Paula be able to catch the killer and is there a chance for romance for Neil and Paula?
I received an ARC via NetGalley and Harlequin Intrigue and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Who and why is the killer targeting female college professors and female detectives, will Neil and Paula be able to catch the killer and is there a chance for romance for Neil and Paula?
I received an ARC via NetGalley and Harlequin Intrigue and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
September 21, 2024
Started out choppy, FMC and MMC basically know of each other until she has to ask for his help. Things happen, she’s on a run, hears someone behind her. Serial killer on the loose and she doesn’t look back? Unrealistic. Pulls a gun on him, oh wait, it’s the mmc. Finish the run and grabs him for a kiss. Seriously? And what was up with the descriptions of people? Repeating their races and the hairstyle? wtf? Thought the writer was a hairstylist. The “profile” he gives? I could have done better. So generic. Literally, a male. Ok. There was zero romance, little to no interaction between the couple, besides for the case, but they’re in love? No.
September 16, 2024
A killer of female college professors is abroad and not stopping. Detective Paula Lynley is determined to find out who is doing this. She asks for the assistance of Special Agent Neil Ramirez as a profiler and temporary professor at the college.
As they get to know each other and try to unravel who the killer is and why he might be targeting professors on campus, things get more involved when it becomes clear that the killer is now also focused not only on Paula but on another female detective.
Will they catch the killer before he strikes again?
As they get to know each other and try to unravel who the killer is and why he might be targeting professors on campus, things get more involved when it becomes clear that the killer is now also focused not only on Paula but on another female detective.
Will they catch the killer before he strikes again?
August 27, 2024
There was just something about this book that once I started I just couldn't put it down. I enjoy watching as the detective Paula and special agent Neil made this suspicions and follow through the figuring out who could possibly be the Killer. There was just so much going on to keep me hooked mother was a little bit of interest between the two main characters I love that it didn't take over the book when it came to the whole case. Overall really great book I really enjoyed it.
July 7, 2024
In Shouting Distance
The fifth book in the Lynleys Law series is full of action, murder, and romance. It is set in a small college town where everything is just a short walk away. Seeing all the agencies work together for the common good of the town was a plus.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the digital ARC; above is my honest review
The fifth book in the Lynleys Law series is full of action, murder, and romance. It is set in a small college town where everything is just a short walk away. Seeing all the agencies work together for the common good of the town was a plus.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the digital ARC; above is my honest review
July 12, 2024
This is a murder mystery and while it was interesting, I was bored which is why it took me so long to finish the book. The writing style is stilted. Also it’s only tangentially tied to the Lynley’s through divorce so it didn’t really feel like part of that series.
Read
July 2, 2024Romantic Suspense, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
The Lynleys of Law Enforcement (Book #5)
Miniseries
The Lynleys of Law Enforcement (Book #5)
Read
July 2, 2024Romantic Suspense, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
The Lynleys of Law Enforcement (Book #5)
Miniseries
The Lynleys of Law Enforcement (Book #5)
August 15, 2024
The premise was good but the main characters were incredibly boring, also didn’t like that Neil had to be the hero at the end. Wasn’t really a fan of Neil all around.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews