Close By

Kari Blackhorse #1

by Blake Pierce

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

Across the sun-scorched Arizona desert, Navajo tribal Detective Kari Blackhorse must confront a series of murders shrouded in ceremonial precision. Caught between modern law enforcement and ancestral traditions, Kari's heritage becomes her guide through a labyrinth of mystical clues as she hunts for a truth more complex –and a killer more sinister— than any she has faced before.

As the body count rises, Kari must challenge her own beliefs to decipher whether the killer is grounded in ancient evil—or flesh and blood.

CLOSE BY is the first 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 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, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Crime

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 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

[Klare · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay start to a new series

[Casi Binkley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can’t stand books where the detectives don’t follow proper police procedure. They broke into the house unlawfully to obtain evidence that supported the guilt of the suspect without a warrant. I’m not sure what Detective Blackhorse put in her police report, but it would’ve been inadmissible evidence.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kari Blackhorse formerly worked for the Phoenix PD and now is with the Navajo tribal police; she has returned to the reservation to care for her grandmother. She's called to investigate a murder at a sacred Navajo site, and the FBI is trying to take over the case, making assumptions about the murderer Kari is sure are wrong. After two more murders, Kari has a theory about who is guilty, and she sets out to prove that the FBI profiler is wrong.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She finally found where she belonged."

I have read many Blake Pierce novels, and I can easily say that this is one of my favorites and I am so excited for the next book to be released.

I loved the inclusion of the Navajo culture and beliefs. Growing up in Arizona, I was familiar with abd fellnin love with the Navajo culture and people.

This was a great book.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Close By - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Blake Pierce's new series A Kari Blackhorse Suspense Thriller, opens with the innocent-sounding Close By. Tribal Police Detectives Kari and partner Ben Tsosie are called in to investigate a strange death near a sacred Apache monument. 
Will Kari's Navajo heritage or her logical, former FBI approach, serve her better?

A standalone case, Close By will grip you firmly by the imagination, keep you guessing whodunit - and wanting more. 
Grab yourself a copy today!

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually only listen to audiobooks in the car. It's my strict rule. Commute only. Close By broke that rule.

The moment I knew this audiobook wasn’t staying in my car was during the second murder, when the victim is running for her life thinking, “Not human. Not human.” That was it. Couch listening activated. Shoes still on. Priorities reassessed.

The book hooks you immediately with a murder that feels almost inevitable. A geologist is warned to stay away from a site after dark. He ignores that warning. If this were a horror movie, he’d be the person hiding behind the one tree in an open field. You know something terrible is coming—you just don’t know exactly how bad it’s going to be. That sense of dread never really lets up.

What really sets Close By apart is how deeply it weaves in Native American spirituality and culture. The respect for the earth, the heavens, and everything in between felt genuine and thoughtfully handled. It wasn’t flashy or overdone; it just made sense. Pure in a way that grounded the story rather than distracting from it.

Kari, our main character, stands with one foot in two worlds: Her mother’s Navajo culture and her father’s white culture. Watching her navigate both with respect, intelligence, and purpose was one of the strongest parts of the book. She doesn’t reject either side. She uses both to solve the murders, and that balance felt authentic and earned.

Audiobook-wise, listening definitely slowed me down. If I’d had a paperback, I’d have torn through this in half the time. That said, the narrator did a solid job, emotion where it mattered, emphasis in the right places, and no vocal gymnastics that make you cringe. Always appreciated.

Kari was front and center for me the entire time, but I wanted to slap the conceited FBI agent on her behalf. Gently. With a 2 x 4. He was insufferable. The kind of character who exists solely to make you mutter, “Ugh, this guy again,” every time he shows up.

The setting did a lot of the heavy lifting when it came to tension. These murders happen on sacred land, and that alone adds a layer of unease that seeps into every scene. You don’t just feel like crimes are being committed. You feel like something deeper is being violated.

This was my first Blake Pierce book, but it won’t be my last. These are exactly the kinds of thrillers I love: crime-focused, atmospheric, culturally rich, and unapologetically dark.

And for the record, there’s no sweaty sex, no romance, no flowers. Just pure, unadulterated murder and mayhem.

Which is exactly how I like it.

[Trish Goodgame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping thriller crossing lines between police protocol and Indian cultural understanding

Close By is the first book in the Kari Blackhorse Suspense Thriller series. Kari is half Navajo and has returned from phoenix back to her home reservation, to work as a detective with the local police. Ostensibly to look after her grandmother after her mother's death. In reality, her grandmother is quite capable of looking after herself and Kari comes to terms with living back in her mother's house.
There is a murder at a sacred sight with elements of some ceremony with the body but the elements aren't quite accurate. A second murder follows soon after. The FBI comes in and builds a profile (the agent, Kari's estranged father's old partner).
The story is told well; you can feel the frustration of clashing of ideas between the indigenous police and the FBI. There is more to the profile of the killer than the FBI is willing to accept.
Great characters, fast paced and kept my interest throughout. A great show piece of differences in cultures.

[Amanda Weaver · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. It's got an interesting premise, but there are large plots holes that are not addressed and completely ignored, even by half way through the book. The story became something like several common tropes taken to the extreme. It made me very suspicious. I investigated the book after wondering what the author's connection to the Navajo was and discovered other books in my audio library by this same author but of very different perspectives (not that there aren't some authors who have outstanding contrasting series). Then I saw how many books this author has published in a short period of time and did more investigating online. I suggest you investigate this series yourself and come to your own conclusions, but I chose not to finish this book.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked from first chapter

This is the first book I've read in this series. Kari Blackhorse is an amazing character; I enjoyed getting to know her and reading about her development in this first book.
Read the entire thing in one sitting. I was too engrossed to even try to put it down.
Had no idea who the bad guy was until they were revealed in the story.
Also really enjoyed reading about the Diné culture.
Can't wait to start the next book in the series.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio book, I liked the characters and the story line - nothing super deep but entertaining and worth the listen. But, the audio itself seemed to have some major glitches with multiple times where the narrator repeated the same words once, twice even three times before continuing on with the story. It was like the narrator took a break and forgot she'd already read parts so repeated herself. Very annoying!

[Josephine Pizzimenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

An insight into the amazing world of true Americans. A world of wonder, beauty and beliefs we, who don't belong, will ever understand. Why is it we cannot allow native people to live as humans? Denying them basic human rights? This book, albeit fictional, shows we can live and work together in harmony with ancient beliefs and modern technology and ideas. Well written and great storyline

[Mary Matroni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong open insight into Native Americans culture

Nearly equally strong characters and stories as Tony and Anna Hillerman’s Joe Leaphorn books. Exciting plot and lots of interesting details of Native American culture, traditions, and daily living. Kari Blackhorse is a member of the tribal police, newly returned to the reservation. Fortunately she has a strong Indian grandmother to help guide her and strong partner in Tsosie and asupportive chief of police in Yazzie.

[Kathy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story

Kari is a police woman with the tribal police department. Her police experience has been in the big city and she has been an outstanding detective. She is torn between the tribal culture and the methods learned with the city police department.
An unusual death on sacred tribal land is filled with conflicting information. When the FBI profiler becomes involved the conflicts increase.
A fast paced well written and intriguing story.

[Maryann Hornbaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lesson in Indian culture

I’m really enjoyed this story line. I learned a lot about some Native American culture. The past and present plus their culture and our FBI investigative theories work together if you let them.

People are being murdered and positioned strangely showing signs of supernatural killings. But it isn’t correct and Kari knows it. So she’s looking elsewhere for the answers.

The story revolves around those who know and those who think they know. But working together is the answer.

[EILEEN · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read one of his later books and started the series. This one is a little weak, slow-moving, but interesting. I like the half Native American / half white aspect of the main character and how she uses it in her solving of cases. It gives her a unique perspective, although a bit obvious in this one. I think it is worth reading some more in the series, so I will continue reading.

[Beverly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this author before…

This is the beginning of a new favorite author.
Kari Blackhorse is a wise & astute detective. Combining her Navaho heritage with her white heritage has created a powerful mindset that allows her to see the unseen & feel more than most.
I look forward to reading more of her experiences.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

The book description was interesting, but the characters are poorly drawn. The story drags and the resolution is ridiculous. The authors Zoe Prime books are so good, I was expecting more interesting characters and a better story.

[Sfz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good things about the book :

1. Plot and reveal was good
2. Audiobook book narrator was very clear


Not so good things about the book :
1. So many repeated sentences
2. Her partner character sounded interesting at first but later no development

[Cynthia E Provencher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Awesome!

Another edge of your seat thriller from Blake! Grabs u right from the first page. Interesting characters u won't forget. Twists & turns u won't see coming. A must read! As usual Blake has another hit here. They just keep coming. Looking forward to the next one.

[Joy Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kari Blackhorse Mystery

This was interesting. A bit of thriller and a bit of myth and Native knowledge. It was tightly written and good character development. New author for me but not the last time.

[Bonnie]

Love Native based mystery.

If you like Hillerman you will like this Kari Blackhorse mystery. Good character development and setting. I like how the author builds the background story for Kari.

[Rimona Seay · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting

I always believed there is a bridge between two worlds. The story was truly great and explained why people sensed things others didn’t. Great story

[Ane Els · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 🌟

[Ashley Straznickas · Rating 2 out of 5]

The entire book is just them repeating the same exact thing over and over again.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

great thriller

This was a great thriller. I had complex characters and an interesting storyline. I really enjoyed the mystical element. Good twist and turns.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to author Blake Pierce for this free copy of Close By.

Good story and neat cover design, but this one needs a good cleaning by an seasoned editor. Otherwise, a four star book.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book finished in one day.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing plot as usual by Pierce. I enjoy the police procedural aspect. This story contains quite a bit of indigenous people folklore and spirituality.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and interesting characters.

[Caitlynn Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit predictable, but the supernatural/spiritual elements added enough intrigue to keep me going.