The Perfect Illusion

Jessie Hunt #39

by Blake Pierce

As former beauty queens become the latest victims in a series of meticulously staged murders, LAPD profiler Jessie Hunt must delve into a world where appearance is everything, and the deadliest secrets hide behind the most flawless masks. Can Jessie outsmart a killer whose every move is as calculated and captivating as a pageant winner's wave?

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery.”
—Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
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THE PERFECT ILLUSION is book #39 in a new psychological suspense series by bestselling author Blake Pierce, which begins with THE PERFECT WIFE, a #1 bestseller (and free download) with over 5,000 five-star ratings and 1,000 five-star reviews.

A fast-paced psychological suspense thriller with unforgettable characters and heart-pounding suspense, the JESSIE HUNT series is a riveting new series that will leave you turning pages late into the night.

Future books in the series are also available!

“An edge of your seat thriller in a new series that keeps you turning pages! ...So many twists, turns and red herrings… I can't wait to see what happens next.”
—Reader review (Her Last Wish)
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“A strong, complex story about two FBI agents trying to stop a serial killer. If you want an author to capture your attention and have you guessing, yet trying to put the pieces together, Pierce is your author!”
—Reader review (Her Last Wish)
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“A typical Blake Pierce twisting, turning, roller coaster ride suspense thriller. Will have you turning the pages to the last sentence of the last chapter!!!”
—Reader review (City of Prey)
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“Right from the start we have an unusual protagonist that I haven't seen done in this genre before. The action is nonstop… A very atmospheric novel that will keep you turning pages well into the wee hours.”
—Reader review (City of Prey)
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“Everything that I look for in a book… a great plot, interesting characters, and grabs your interest right away. The book moves along at a breakneck pace and stays that way until the end. Now on go I to book two!”
—Reader review (Girl, Alone)
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“Exciting, heart pounding, edge of your seat book… a must read for mystery and suspense readers!”
—Reader review (Girl, Alone)
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Genres: Audiobook

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2025

About the author

Blake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews

[Joanne Smith]

very good, nice pace and great detail.

[Lilly Wiljanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the ending of this one and the direction everything is going. can't wait to read the next

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie is feels like her determination to not pursue the violence surges that sometimes grabs her is getting weaker each day and although she fights them she doesn't feels they are diminishing. She is working with Brady, Ryan ex-partner, on searching the killer who's posing his victims with the crown and sash they had won at beauty pageants. The next victim was not in the pageant world but as the previous two she was also married to an older and richer previously divorced man. Running against time to avoid another kill they'll pursue leads and find the culprit and that will be Jessie's undoing. As back stage stories there's Hannah who is starting to date a new guy who is not who she thinks he is and Kat that keeps on searching for Ash Pierce. I wonder what will happen next...
I thank Ms. Pierce for this ARC.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Illusion - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Jessie Hunt and her husband Ryan Fernandez  disagree on when to have a child. She's reluctant for several valid reasons, one of which has caused their friend and lodger, Kat, to move out. Then there's Jessie's younger sister who'll be staying with them during college furloughs.
Working with Detective Brady Bowen on a serial pageant queen killer case takes up a lot of her emotional and physical energy, making motherhood even more unlikely.
Before much longer, risks and irreversible actions must be taken, but will those involved compromise - or kill?

Get Blake Pierce's excellent psychological thriller The Perfect Illusion to see how it all turns out!

[Castle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep them coming....

[hellothriftypages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t a fan of the audio. There was absolutely zero emotion coming from the narrator but the plot hooked me enough!

[_dulcekk · Rating 4 out of 5]

welp… here we go!
This book exploded! Dallas is NOT to be trusted and this book’s ending shows exactly why.. WOW! Ash is officially on the loose at Kat is on edge!
Listened via audiobook.

[Kristen Zamudio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twist at the end was fun and I’m excited to see where this series is headed. I’m also ready for it to be done.

[JAE Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reasons for murder...smh