Close Behind

Kari Blackhorse #3

by Blake Pierce

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery.”
—Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tribal Detective Kari Blackhorse is thrust onto a trail blazed by vanished souls and cryptic symbols of healing in the heart of Navajo country. With the shadow of half-century-old stories looming over her investigation, she must decode the link between revered medicine men and a pattern of disappearances that threatens to consume her very heritage.

CLOSE BEHIND is the third book in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 7,000 five star ratings and reviews. The series begins with CLOSE BY (book #1).

The Kari Blackhorse series will keep you riveted, turning pages late into the night in this fast paced mystery series. Packed with shocking twists and featuring a brave and brilliant heroine, it offers a fresh take on the mystery genre—and a thriller that will keep you wanting more.
Fans of Lisa Regan, Robert Dugoni, and Kendra Elliot are sure to fall in love.

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)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“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)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“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)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“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)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“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)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Exciting, heart pounding, edge of your seat book… a must read for mystery and suspense readers!”
—Reader review (Girl, Alone)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Mystery, Amazon

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 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

[Rosemary]

Close Behind - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Close Behind is the third Detective Kari Blackhorse  Suspense Thriller by Blake Pierce and it's even more exciting and scary than the first two books in the series, if that were even possible.

Kari and her partner Ben are in greater peril than ever, as a crazed, power-thirsty killer seeks to release unseen dark forces from the 'place between the realms', as the Navajo call it.

I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout, while the tension mounted exponentially chapter by chapter, as the extent of an evil influence over the decades - and how Kari's family was involved in trying to stop it - was told.

Fascinating historical and modern cultural beliefs and actions, a riveting, fast-paced storyline and much more, made Close Behind absolutely unputdownable.

Get it today and please... don't have nightmares!

[Jeanette]

Unfortunately, just not that good. I expected so much more. There is little character development. What is there is perfunctory at best. You’re not cheering for anyone because there is nothing to cheer for. It’s a procedural on a reservation. What’s missing though? Aside from the development or likability of characters? There’s nothing about the reservation, its location, who lives there, history behind it. I wanted to read and learn and there was no learning here.

[Pamela Kelley]

Close Behind

Procedural practices from the reservation and government from fifty years ago come back to be a part of a case no one wants to relive. Can old files and memories lead Keri to the truth that even her grandfather couldn’t acknowledge. Tribal customs make it harder to find the real culprits.

[Liza]

[I don't know if I missed something:] Kari's mother died a few years ago but it wasn't until the Epilogue that we find out that she was murdered. I had been happy that finally one of these books didn't have the sub-story that the MC was investigating a loved one's murder while investigating the active crime(s).

[Beverly Smith]

These books draw you to the next stage…

There’s no stopping now.
The suspense keeps your heart beating & the words invading the dreams.
Kari has become my hero. Her strength & resilience is amazing & now I want the rest of the story.

[Jim Bean]

Parallel worlds

Great story of the Native American tribal secrets and nature's medicines. The traditions mixed with suspense and mystery. The Kari Blackhorse series with tribal law enforcement is a great blend.

[Carol Holder]

An interesting history tail

A good story going back into the history on when five people were killed. After five years the pattern begins again with people being kill. Good story line with some tribal history.

[Gene Burch]

Unexpected

There is a writer's universe that continues to be explored. This story is one that keeps you guessing. Innocent or guilty can open avenues of exploration that Pierce has opened. Great story.

[Holly]

I'm astonished at the 4.28 review. I think I paid 99 cents for it on a special deal and I didn't think it was even worth that.

[John Roach,]

Top story from a top author

[Sreader]

Interesting setting on a Navaho reservation.

[Heidi Gillespie]

Having grown up on Tony Hillerman mysteries... I really enjoyed this. It was my first time reading author Blake Pierce and will not be the last!