In the sweltering heat of South Florida, serial killer(s) is on the loose, leaving behind a trail of victims marked with branded letters. A young hospital worker, haunted by the loss of his mentor and fueled by a thirst for justice, finds himself entangled in the killer(s) deadly game. As the body count rises and fear grips the city, he embarks on a relentless pursuit to unmask the killer(s) and put an end to the reign of terror. But the path to truth is fraught with danger, and he soon discovers that some secrets are better left buried. In a heart-stopping race against time, he must unravel the mystery behind the brandings before he becomes the next target.
Dr. Jon-Patric Nelson is a licensed physical therapist, self-published author, podcast host and all around creative.
Dr. Nelson was born in Jamaica and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Nelson found inspiration in sports, music and writing poetry at thirteen years old. He ran track & field throughout high school and began writing poetry in his high school drama class. Nelson first fell in love with literature in his 12th grade English class while reading Makes Me Wanna Holler by Nathan McCall. Inspired by the storytelling of Mr. McCall, Nelson went on to write his first book titled Enlightened By A Darker Tone in 2018.
Subsequently, he earned a doctorate in physical therapy in 2019. Dr. Nelson believes his purpose on earth is to serve humanity. Therefore, he utilizes various mediums to inspire, encourage and uplift others.
I loved the story! I thought the author did an excellent job of creating a strong atmosphere, especially with the way they designed South Florida’s setting. The emotional rollercoaster the story takes you on reminded me of one of my favorite authors Jon Saul.
The story had so many thrilling moments and the author set the tone perfectly, and the mystery of the branding grabbed my attention right away.
One of the most impactful moments for me was when Houston and Faye discovered the branding on Ricky’s arm. That scene was such a turning point. You could feel how personal the case became for Houston, and it tied his grief to the larger mystery so well. That connection raised the stakes and made the Undertaker feel even more sinister.
The funeral scene was another highlight. It was already full of emotion, but the addition of the hooded figure watching from a distance cranked up the tension. It had me wondering if the Undertaker was lurking in plain sight, which gave the scene such a creepy vibe.
I thought Houston was a well-developed character, and Faye and Ricky were, too. But I would’ve liked a bit more backstory on Ricky to give his character even more emotional resonance. Even so, he was very well-written.
Overall, it was a total page-turner. I would definitely read it again because it was just that interesting.
Better Off Not Knowing is a suspenseful and engaging thriller that mixes a personal story of loss with a gripping murder mystery.
The book takes readers on an emotional journey as Houston deals with grief while also trying to uncover the truth behind the murders. The setting in South Florida is vividly described, adding to the dark and tense atmosphere of the story. The characters are well-developed, and their relationships add depth to the plot.
This novel will appeal to fans of crime fiction who enjoy stories with emotional weight and intense investigations. It’s a dark and thought-provoking read that makes you question how far you would go to uncover the truth—especially when some answers might be better left unknown.
Holy moly. Faye couldn't have said it better at the end. She wished she didn't know. All those twists and secrets. And knowing about Two Time.....man. Leaves a lot open for another story. I'm just ...speechless lol. This is a good story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.