Guilty as Sin: The Mindhunters

Mindhunters #10

by Kylie Brant

Investigative reporter Reese Decody possesses a chilling gift—the ability to sense buried guilt in others. This unwanted talent led her straight to Stephen Thorne, the notorious Trifecta Killer. But hunting monsters has consequences, and Reese barely survived her encounter with the sadistic predator who made her his only living victim.

Now Thorne has escaped, and forensic profiler Hayes Moreland is determined to protect the woman he’d rescued from the violent fugitive. As Thorne's obsession with Reese intensifies, she's fighting another battle—securing conservatorship of her mentally ill brother following her aunt's suspicious death. When a mysterious poisoning points to Reese as the prime suspect, she finds herself trapped in a web of suspicion that threatens everything she's fighting for.

With a killer drawing closer and unseen enemies undermining her, Reese must decide if Hayes is truly her protector—or if trusting anyone might be her final mistake.

Genres: Romantic Suspense

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2025

About the author

The mother of five children, Kylie Brant claims she began writing to save her sanity. Plotting stories became her method of escape from the reality of constant ball games, chauffeuring kids, and refereeing "minor" disagreements between her perfect offspring.

In 1992 she was elated to get a call from Silhouette offering to buy her second novel. Home with laryngitis at the time, she still managed to croak out agreement, and her career was born. A few months later she went on to sell Rancher's Choice, the first manuscript she’d written.

Kylie is married to her high school sweetheart, and they make their home in Iowa. She insists that all her heroes are based on her husband of 23 years because he possesses that most heroic of make qualities — ironing skills. Those abilities come in handy, as she juggles a full time teaching job with writing and a family.

Doing things the easy way has never held much appeal for this multi award-winning author. She graduated with high honors from the University of Northern Iowa. A graduation photo shows her in cap and gown holding her two sons, one aged 16 months and the other three weeks. She went on to obtain a teaching job working with learning-disabled children while completing her master’s degree at night and during summers.

"There was a time in my life when I could imagine myself as a life-long student," she recalls. "I actually toyed with the idea of pursuing a doctorate. But instead, my life took a spin and I ended up writing romances. I’ve never regretted it!" Her family has since been completed by the birth of another son and a set of twins, a boy and a girl.

Kylie’s books are regularly featured on bestseller lists such as Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. With over a million copies of books in print, her novels have been distributed in 20 countries and released in seven languages.

Family and friends are the main focus of Kylie’s life. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading and flower gardening. She loves traveling, preferring beach, ocean, and room service.

Reviews

[Diane Saul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reese Decody is an investigative reporter who possesses an unusual talent. She can see guilt in others. After barely surviving a serial killer she has lost the ability. Now the killer is after her and she needs protection. The suspense starts from the first page and there are all sorts of twists that will keep you guessing. I have read multiple books by this author and have never been disappointed. Thank you for an advanced readers copy for a fair and honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its been a while since we've had a Mindhunter's book. Was happy to have a new story and that Adam Raiker was front and center at the start.

Reese Decody, who is a reporter, has a special ability. She can sense guilt in others and this leads her a confrontation with the Trifecta Killer. This confrontation almost leaves her blind and her ability no longer working.

Years later the killer has escaped, and Adam assigns Hayes Moreland to protect Reese.

From here so many twists and turns and an unexpected ending.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilled to have a new Mindhunter book on my shelf! Brant’s twisty psychological thrillers keep you guessing every time.

[Mel R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Kylie Brant and her MindHunter books

I squealed when Adam's book came out.

The story up to that point wasn't bad. Reece survived a serial killer and nearly lost her vision. The serial killer escapes the hopsital and suspected to come back and get Reece cause she "saw" into him. Raiker brought in Hayes Moreland (MMC) to keep Reece safe and there's idk a little sexual tension I guess? There's an added family drama that may or may not be tied into the serial killer storyline and lots of mysteries and tension that started to create a good story. Too bad the author messed it all up when the MFC character got kidnapped because she ditched Hayes to meet a total stranger all by herself.

For the love of God I'm so sick of authors making the MFC make STUPID decisions and then... shock of all shock... something bad happens. Like blatantly bad decisions, if you have a serial killer and mysterious other entity trying to get you, of course you leave the person who has your 6 and wander off the meet a complete stranger without telling anyone....

At least she didn't say "I can take care of myself".

DNF 50%

[Willa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guilty as Sin is the 10th book in Ms Brants Mindhunters series - it is a series she returns to over the years in between writing other romantic suspense novels. They all stand alone, though a recurring thread through them all is the presence of Adam Reiker, the head of the Mindhunter agency. The novels range from paranormal to straight police procedural to forensic anthropology - Ms Brant certainly know how to mix things up and keep this readers interest.

In Guilty as Sin we have Reese Decody, an investigate reporter who has a special talent or curse you may call it - she can sense the feelings of buried guilt in others. This 'talent' gets her in desperate trouble when she runs into Stephen Terf, a sick killer. The book starts out with a bang and ratchets up the tension right from the start, a skill Ms Brant has in spades. From here there are twists and turns and a pervasive feeling of menace which keeps you turning the pages. I almost needed a lie down in a dark room when I got to the end! Hoping there will be a book #11. Still one of my favourite romantic suspense series.

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this author for a very long time. It’s been a hot minute since I have read her and a romantic suspense. These days I tend to read darker crime thrillers.

That being said this was so dang good. Non stop from beginning to end. And once I was drawn in I could not stop until it was over. It’s currently 3 AM.

The Mindhunters series is so good and this fit right in. While it can definitely be read as a stand alone it’s cool to get a wee bit of a glance at some characters. I truly hope there is more from this author soon because she can tell one heck of a story.

I may or may not have a crush on Hayes. 😉

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It has been a while since there was a new book in the series. It was worth the wait. I enjoyed the two main characters and was invested in the story which was interesting. I felt the conclusion was satisfying. I would recommend this book. I don't think it is essential to read the other books in the series first to enjoy it.

[Toni Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely great

I love the Mindhunters series and this one didn’t disappoint. Twists, turns, a real page turner. I’ve read them all and can’t pick a favorite-they are all great. I hope Brant writes 30+ more!

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the tenth book in the Mindhunters series. The twists and turns kept me guessing! The plot is entertaining and held my attention all the way through. It’s fast paced and intriguing. Very good mystery