Former sketch artist-turned-FBI Agent Hayden Smart uses her prodigious artistry to recreate crime scenes and identify suspects from a witness's words alone.
When iconic paintings become blueprints for murder, FBI Agent Hayden Smart must capture a killer who frames death as art. Will Smart’s uncanny ability to sketch crime scenes from conversations with witnesses be enough to piece together clues before the killer’s next bloody masterpiece?
ALL FOR ME is book #1 in a new series by #1 bestselling and critically acclaimed mystery and suspense author Rylie Dark, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.
Immerse yourself in the gripping and intense world of Hayden Smart, a compelling psychological thriller series that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Follow the complex and troubled heroine through a whirlwind of relentless action, unpredictable suspense, and shocking twists. This enthralling mystery unfolds at a breathless pace, ensuring that you'll be eagerly devouring each page well into the night. Fans of Teresa Driscoll, Melinda Leigh, and Kendra Elliot are sure to fall in love.
Rylie Dark is author of the SADIE PRICE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the CARLY SEE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the MIA NORTH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the MORGAN STARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); of the HAILEY ROCK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting),of the TARA STRONG MYSTERY series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the ALEX QUINN SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting).
Rylie loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.ryliedark.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
This book is overwritten. Way too many descriptions. They slow down the action, such as it is,making things dull and boring. Miracle these two, A former sketch artist, and her more traditional law enforcement officer, can solve anything other than where to get good coffee at night. Disapppointing.
New to both this (apparently prolific ebook ) author Dark and her protagonist FBI agent Smart, we were neither impressed with the plot nor the solution of the mystery, but also grew weary of the writing style, a factor not usually cause for concern. While crafting an relatively ordinary serial killer tale, Dark seemed intent to overuse poetic phrasing and elaborate prose, often wasting multi-sentence paragraphs on what could have been accomplished in like six words.
Agent Smart, formerly an expert sketch artist, completed FBI training to become a regular agent. However, her love for fine art and her seemingly meticulous sketching of the murder victims (apparently more insightful than the coroner's photographs??) was a key factor in first cleverly determining the killer's MO, and then later solving the crime. However, the method by which she ultimately determined the perp in almost no way depended upon 90% of the rest of the story. Thus we felt she cheated on both solving the puzzle and for wasting our time in over twenty chapters getting there.
Take the last few chapters and write a short story and you might have something, but as-is, not recommended. {1.5}
I’ve loved so many of the other Rylie Dark books I’ve read but this one just didn’t do it for me — boring characters with one personality trait and a boring storyline.
First entry in the author’s Hayden Smart series. FBI agent Hayden Smart and her partner tackle a case in which a serial killer poses the victims of his crimes as the subjects of famous works of art. Agent Smart uses her training as an artist to sketch the various murder scenes in order to uncover the killer. The protagonists are rather uninspired, the plot somewhat meandering, and the narrative overwritten (came away wondering how many times the author used the word tableau). Probably won’t move on to the rest of the books in this series.
“The van’s steering wheel felt cold and unyielding beneath his clenched fingers, a stark contrast to the heated rush of blood that surged through him with each pounding heartbeat. Fury bubbled up from the pit of his stomach, an acidic swell that threatened to erode the composed facade he had so meticulously built. He deserved recognition — his art should have demanded it — but the world was blind, willfully ignorant of the genius that lurked in the shadows.”
Is there always a missing sister in this author's books? I read the first volume of another of her series which included a missing sister. I paged through most of this book to reach the end. Too much description. Unbelievable in too many places. I don't like books that leave a thread hanging. I won't read more books by this author.
"All For Me (A Hayden Smart FBI Book 1)" by Rylie Dark kicks off a new thriller series that’s got a lot of people talking. The story centers around Hayden Smart, who used to be a sketch artist but is now an FBI agent with a knack for turning witness descriptions into detailed crime scene drawings. This comes in handy when a serial killer starts recreating famous paintings as part of their murders, turning crime scenes into creepy works of art. The book has been getting solid reviews for its intense, fast-paced plot and the way it keeps you guessing until the very end. Hayden is a pretty complex character — she’s tough but also has her vulnerable moments, which makes her feel real and relatable. If you’re into psychological thrillers or love FBI stories, you’ll dig this one. Fans of authors like Melinda Leigh or Kendra Elliot might enjoy the mix of crime, art, and mind games that drive the story forward. People are saying it’s a strong start to a series that’s only going to get better.
The only thing I can think to say is the criminal was as moronic as the Police. The agents would be true to life if this was set in the UK, because the British Police are this thick and incompetent, the questioning of suspects was too laughable to be taken seriously, both the two FBI agents and the author have gone into the questions with preconceived ideas the FBI because they are morons and the author because she already knew who the protagonist was. This really was a book for the children's section. At the conclusion of the capture I just couldn't read the epilogue because we had reached the heights of stupidity.
In conclusion if you want to catch an imbecile send in the FBI imbeciles or the British Police either one would be laughable.
This story line was not so different than most, except for the type of murder. An artist has been copying famous art in death. Trying to track down an artist proves to be nearly impossible. But Hayden and Marcus, although, have they have different approaches, work well together. Their search methods were a lot different than most mysteries.
My reason for only a four star review is, I found it rather wordy and skimmed lots of paragraphs. Otherwise I found it unique.
A quick read with creative murders and a dramatic connection to famous paintings. Thought the lead and her partner were compelling characters although we don’t get to learn much about them. Would watch a procedural tv show about them.
Overall a good read and I’m happy I picked this up but I can’t see myself thinking about this one too much in the future. 3.75 rounded up.
Storyline was average, but what spoiled it for me was the over use of the same words. It’s hard to focus on the story when you’re reading the same word in every other sentence. There was also repetition in describing things, also making it hard to focus on the story. The ending was something like you’d see on TV in any variety series and wasn’t very original.
Great concept—a sketch artist turned FBI agent using her art to track a killer who poses victims like famous paintings. The premise is chilling and creative, but the execution falls a bit flat. Pacing issues and underdeveloped twists keep it from reaching its full potential. Still, a solid read for fans of crime with an artistic edge.
This book was just so well written. The author has a wonderful ability to utilize language with excellent quality. The plot was excellent... A book you don't want to put down. I found myself reading way into the night. Really enjoyed this one!
Unusual tactics in catching criminals. A tad repetitive but a decent story with good characters. Once again the elusive " missing sister " is always in the leads thoughts.
Art and crime really go together. I liked that the detectives respected their opinions and thoughts about the case, and they were a good pair. It was a short read, but it was good, and I liked the plot twists. I found a new favorite author.
A serial killer on the loose and only two Agents working the case??? Never reporting in??? Working the case like a car theft. Local police not involved??? Totally unreal.
This series has promise if the author learns how to get to the point. She has a different angle with the FBI agent being an artist. As a reader I do not need to read unnecessary descriptions and details.
I’ve read most of Rylie Dark books, and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. This one has the detective drawing us into the art world and solved the crime. A very different way to catch a killer.
Actually love the method of this author’s writing. Hayden is a forensic artist who now investigates for the FBI. The writer’s depiction of artistry associated with the murders of artistic models is written in such a way that you feel like you are right there.
This was a very interesting murder to solve involving artists. Interesting insight into the art world as well and how it mixes with the general public. Interesting characters involved in the search for a killer.
It keeps you moving forward with your own ideas of where it's leading you then your redirected with an unexpected suddeness. You keep reading all night till your satisfied. What a rush.
A very exciting story ! The main characters use a unique approach to solving murders. All the characters are unique and interesting. If this story doesn't excite you, you're not paying attention.
Victims made to resemble works of art, not exactly a novel idea. I guess that I was looking for more excitement from these FBI agents as they pursued their elusive prey.
A silent urge to find her sister’s killer, makes Hayden very good at her job finding the bad guys for the FBI. While chasing the killer in other cases, she constantly thinks about her sister and how she is determined to find her sister’s killer.
What a read this FBI agent is an artist and finds the people who are bad and all the time she is drawing things that keeps her mind working Thank you Rylie