Impostor Syndrome

The Specialists #2

by Andrew Mayne

Two fearless investigators unite to stop a media-savvy serial killer from carrying out a cataclysmic crime for all the world to see in a riveting thriller by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

The FBI calls on former agent Jessica Blackwood to look at a puzzling crime. A wildlife officer has found the body of a popular YouTuber encased in an obelisk made of salt in a remote refuge. When the agency is tipped off to a second body, that of a TikTok star chained to the bottom of Nevada’s Pyramid Lake—her hands clasped in prayer—Jessica recruits a trusted colleague of her Floridian underwater investigator Sloan McPherson.

It appears to be the work of a ritualistic serial killer preying on influencers. That tracks when a third victim—a fantasy-game live streamer—barely survives a pipe bomb attack. But in navigating the social media world of instafame, manipulation, and deception, Jessica and Sloan know how illusory appearances can be. As the threats multiply across the country, they fear they’re playing with something more extreme than they a killer’s endgame that could be nothing less than apocalyptic.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Crime, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller

Audible Audio

First published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combining protagonists from multiple series, Andrew Mayne has created a spin-off series that will delight his followers. Impostor Syndrome is the second book in The Specialists series and features former FBI special agent Jessica Blackwood and investigator Sloan McPherson with the Underwater Investigation Unit, which focuses on crimes that take place in and around Florida’s waterways. However, this novel largely takes place in and near Las Vegas, Nevada.

A refuge officer is tracking a herd of pronghorn antelope in the northwest region of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge when she sees something out of place, a white obelisk. As she investigates, she tells her supervisor that they need to call the FBI.

A Las Vegas FBI agent contacts Jessica and asks her to look at the puzzling crime - a social media influencer encased in an obelisk of salt. When the agency is tipped off to a second body of an influencer that involves water, Jessica contacts Sloan to help with the cases. As the threats multiply, they become even more extreme. What is the killer’s endgame, and how do they identify him or her?

Sloan has good reflexes, amazing instincts, and doesn’t shirk responsibility. She also has determination and a discerning sense of justice that makes it easy for readers to get behind. She’s impulsive and improvises, which can lead to taking risks. She says what she thinks and isn’t great at concealing her emotions. Jessica has a charismatic intensity, but tries to stay out of the spotlight. She’s curious and empathetic, making her a good interviewer. She also is stubborn, stands up to bullies, and is deeply contemplative. She won’t walk away when somebody needs help. Readers also get insight into her childhood and her current relationship with her parents.

Once again, the first chapter hooked me immediately. This story doesn’t have a continuous back and forth between subplots and worked much better for me than the first book in the series. The flow was great and the pacing was exactly what I wanted. Most of this book is about the investigation with the main action scenes at the end of the novel. Mayne is an exceptional storyteller who provides readers with gripping scenes, even without continual action throughout the book. The scenes with an artificial intelligence avatar were thought-provoking and brought another level of depth to the investigation.

Some of the plot twists were harder to see than others and made for a more intense novel. The book is moving and suspenseful, but the ending felt somewhat rushed. There’s always something new to learn in this author’s books. This included some information on Las Vegas as well as information on artificial intelligence. Additional themes woven into the story include manipulations, intimidation, murder, power, and much more.

Overall, this entertaining and educational book has great characterization, a thought-provoking and chilling premise, and an intriguing mystery. Enthusiasts of crime mystery and detective stories will likely enjoy this book, with its intriguing and engrossing plot that unfolds at a moderately fast pace. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thomas and Mercer and Andrew Mayne provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 21, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.43 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the The Specialists series. The Specialists includes investigators from other Andrew Mayne series. These specialists includes: Investigator Sloan McPherson from the Underwater Investigation Unit series, ex-FBI agent Jessica Blackwood from the Jessica Blackwood series, Scientist Theo Cray from the The Naturalist series, and Brad Trasker from the Trasker series. This book only has Sloan and Jessica. There is a brief mention of the previous book and Jessica's partner, Theo, but this story can stand alone. Since it is really the combination of a few other series you will miss out on a lot of character background by skipping the others, but in this book we get a lot of background about Jessica's childhood.

I found this to be an intelligently written story. I love that the main characters are both smart, strong women. They are not pushovers and are able to stand up for themselves in a male dominated field. They both pay attention to details and are able to come up with the most likely scenarios. It was interesting to follow along with their investigation. I may actually read this one again to see if there were details that I missed.

I was fortunate to have both the ebook and audiobook of this one. The audio was narrated by Susannah Jones & Jennifer O’Donnell. I thought both narrators did a great job and I like having the dual narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic copies of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Andrew Mayne and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to explore the writing of Andrew Mayne, I love this new series that combines many of his best protagonist into one series. After a Nevada wildlife officer discovers a body in the desert, former FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood is called in to consult. She is soon joined by a fellow investigator, Sloan McPherson, after the body of a young woman is found in a local body of water. Both crimes appear independent of one another, but there is soon a loose connection, solidified when a third potential victim escapes alive. Now Jessica and Sloan work with local authorities and will have to crack the case swiftly, to ensure they find a killer or killers before it is too late. Andrew Mayne delivers a wonderful thriller that keeps the reader engaged.

After a wildlife officer makes an odd discovery of a body encased in salt in Nevada, former FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood is called in to assist. Her abilities and attention to detail help push the case along, yet the mysterious presentation leaves Jessica baffled. Things get even more intense when a former social media influencer goes missing and a photograph of her emerges. Jessica knows just the person to help her with this and brings Sloan McPherson in from Florida.

Working in her field of expertise, Sloan uses her skills working underwater to find the victim, a young woman who had changed her life quite significantly of late. Working both cases together, Jessica and Sloan find a loose connection between the two victims, which is soon strengthened when a third potential victim survives and escapes their harrowing ordeal.

After some additional sleuthing, it would seem the killer is targeting those who have an influence on others, as if they revel in the work of the victims. Slowly, things come into focus, sending Jessica and Sloan to hash out some potential suspects, which includes a powerful community where the leader controls all. This may be the only way to ensure the truth gets out, but it will also be highly dangerous. Andrew Mayne delivers a chilling story and captivates the reader in equal measure.

I have long enjoyed the work of Andrew Mayne, as it is both entertaining and highly educational. This new series, perhaps a means of adding even more pep to his already well-crafted collections, allows Mayne to use some collaborating between his protagonists. The narrative clips along well and gains the reader’s interest with ease. Wonderful characters shed more on their backstories while showing how well they can mesh. I quite enjoy seeing Jessica Blackwood and Sloan McPherson working together. Plot points emerge throughout the piece and provide twists that enrich the reading experience, as well as solidifying the story for all to enjoy. I am eager to see what Andrew Mayne has in store for readers soon, as he never fails to impress.

Kudos, Mr. Mayne, for another strong story!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I had realised that this was the second book in a series and that characters from the authors previous other books formed part of this story. This was my first book by the author so I felt that I missed out on alot about the characters.

This was an intriguing story about social media, AI technology and influencers being murdered in unique ways. The main characters of Jessica and Sloan were really interesting but maybe too clever, the FBI couldn’t miss all the clues surely. The writing was great and I learnt a thing or 2. I did love the Las Vegas setting.

It was an interesting story that I enjoyed but think I would have liked it more if I was more familiar with the author.

[Valleri · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Impostor Syndrome is a thriller by Andrew Mayne that's about two fearless investigators, former FBI agent Jessica Blackwood and underwater investigator Sloan McPherson, uniting to discover who is killing influencers.

I definitely liked this book, but didn't love it. On the positive side, I loved the way both Jessica and Sloan worked. They each had their strengths, and together they were pretty much unstoppable. Dealing with social media, manipulation, and deception brought out the best in them.

What I didn't enjoy so much in Impostor Syndrome was the lengthy conversations Jessica and Sloan had as they traveled. It felt a bit too "info-dump" to me, and I wasn't crazy about the fact that Jessica and Sloan were always smarter than the police and the FBI.

Does this mean I don't want to read Andrew Mayne in the future? No way!! I have enjoyed Mr. Mayne's "Theo Cray and Jessica Blackwood" series, and especially his "Underwater Investigation Unit" series. I'm eager to discover what will happen next in those series!

Thank you, #ThomasAndMercer, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Impostor Syndrome has an expected publication date of October 21, 2025.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A body encased in a salt lick…influencers being killed…an underwater drone with personality….yes, yes, and yes!
This book is the second outing in which the author brings together two specialists from different series. One’s a former FBI agent whose family was in the magic business and the other an underwater investigator. They are opposites in many respects but have formed a strong friendship. The case plays to their strengths while imparting interesting tidbits about the stage magic profession, a small Mormon-adjacent sect in Utah, and the world beneath the streets of Las Vegas. Fascinating and wide ranging. I enjoyed the audiobook narration as well and look forward to reading more in this series.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BrillianceAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #ImposterSeries for review purposes. Publication date: 21 October 2025.

[Pallavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Though it was a short book and I like Mr. Mayne's books, I struggled to read this one. The mystery surrounding the deaths of social media influencers was pretty thin and way out of my belief range. But the main thing that put me off the story was the conversations between Jessica and Sloan. It felt like a rambling rant. It was off-putting. At least the first 50% was that and next 50% went well but with a very weak mystery.
So not such a great read for me.
Happy Reading!!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

This book can be read as a standalone but reading Mr. Whisper, the first book in this series, would be preferable. Imposter Syndrome is the second book in this author's newest series which is titled The Specialists, which brings together the main characters from four other of his successful series. Imposter Syndrome pairs together the talented crime investigators Jessica Blackwood, a former FBI agent, and Sloane McPherson, a member of the Underwater Investigative Unit (UIU) in Florida. They work together to hunt down and capture a serial killer who is targeting social media influencers.

Andrew Mayne has long been a favorite author of mine. I've read more than ten of his books. However, even though this mystery was intriguing, I found that it's overall appeal to me was less suspenseful and thrilling then some of his previous novels. I hope that other fans of this author and his series find this to be more exciting than I did.

My sincere thanks to the publishers, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity
to read a DRC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Ray Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rip-Roaring Novel That I Couldn’t Put Down

After a page-length metaphysical chapter, a refuge officer finds a strange object on the South Point Trail in a remote region of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. As she approaches, she senses something is wrong and starts taking pictures. She calls her boss. She sets up her phone so that he can see it. It is an obelisk about two meters tall. It appears to be made of salt. She takes her shovel and swings it at the object. The salt seems to fly everywhere. She takes another swing, and a piece falls off like an iceberg caving in. Underneath, there is a cloth of some kind. She tells her boss to call the FBI and come out here. From this start, even the FBI has to call on Jessica Blackwood for assistance.

The main storyline has two threads. The first is the FBI investigation. Jessica receives a call from the FBI requesting her assistance. She calls Sloan McPherson as a consultant. Their first meeting goes south very quickly, leading Blackwood to walk out. Sloan McPherson follows in solidarity. The second thread begins as they decide to investigate on their own. This thread becomes the dominant thread. When needed, like finding another body, they share their information with them or when they need their legal authority. Their investigation ranges from tunnels under Las Vegas to an isolated town in Idaho, using some very novel investigative techniques. There was enough discussion to understand the goal of the subsequent actions. There was one significant twist that was a major change and tied up the only loose end I found. My attention was captured so strongly that I read this novel more quickly than usual. Every time that I had to stop reading, I did not want to stop.

If you are not familiar with Blackwood or McPherson, very early in the novel a chapter is devoted to providing background on each of them. Therefore, going into the main storyline of this novel, the reader’s understanding of these two is well established. Their actions in this novel show how well they work together as a team. Their relationship added to the ease and enjoyment of reading this novel.

Aspects that may cause some readers to stop reading are present in this novel. There are no intimate scenes. There is some vulgar language, but it is just more rude language. There is about the same impious language. Most of the violence is seen after the fact. The violence is described as it occurs, though it is not extensive. Having not read any of the previous novels with Blackwood and McPherson will not be an issue with this novel. Personally, I like to understand the geography, so reading this novel on my e-reader let me use the Internet to find out where the various places are located.

I could not find any aspect of this novel with which I had an issue. I particularly like that, in such a complex plot, it was presented in a manner that was easy to follow and understand. In fact, I finished it 25% faster than usual. I have read 10 previous novels across four series. This author is one of my Must-Read authors. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend it. I rate this novel with five stars.

I received the free, pre-publication e-book version of this novel from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

[Chapters & Chives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imposter Syndrome
Author: Andrew Mayne

3.5/5 stars ⭐️

Thank you to @netgalley , @brilliancepublishing and Brilliance Audio for the #gifted ALC of this book.

The narration is well done. Great pacing, clarity, and they captured the emotion and personality of each character perfectly!

FBI agent Jessica Blackwood and investigator Sloan McPherson get caught in the middle of an investigation into ritualistic murders that seem connected to a cult that targets growing social media influencers. It dives into the underbelly of the types of deals and risky investments some influencers might become involved in to gain more sponsorships, followers, and stardom. Getting involved in this influencer underworld can be dangerous and some young influencers pay the price. What operation and person is behind these deaths? And why??

Be careful who you connect with on social media! Apparently rising too quickly in the industry can be deadly! 😉

[Eric Jewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I read The Naturalist several years back and then lost track of the author and his characters. My loss, and I plan to do some catchup reading. Theo Cray was only an off-screen reference here but the same tight writing style is unmistakable. I want to pick up the threads of how we got to these characters.

Plotwise, you have two confusing murders. The FBI and other law enforcement ask for consulting help from ex-agent Jessica Blackwood and we see her and Sloan's unique perspectives as they assist. Everything leads through to an exciting conclusion with an acceptable number of twists.

I get the feeling Andrew Mayne has notebooks full of background information on each of these characters. Jessica, from Vegas magic family. Distanced from parents but loves dad who raised her. All the way down to "hates cornflakes." Sloan and her longtime boyfriend turned husband. "Rarely wears socks." I'm making those up but that detailed, so there is never a missing backstop.

On the whole, well-written, plot-driven, and highly recommended. Even as your first step into his world.

[Raynee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a much stronger book than the first in the series. Imposter Syndrome felt like a true Andrew Mayne thriller—tight, clever, and well-paced. The first book seemed more like a character experiment, while this one delivered real interweaving of plot and personality with a stronger foundation overall.

I zoomed through it, like I always do with Mayne’s books. His writing is compulsively readable—you just have to know what happens next. I love both Sloan and Jessica; their personalities are distinct but complement each other so well, and neither one fades into the background.

The mystery in this one was solid—plenty of smart analytical thinking, and I appreciate that even though these characters are highly trained and brilliant, they’re not perfect. They make mistakes, reflect, learn. That human element gives the story real depth.

If you haven’t read an Andrew Mayne book yet... what are you even doing?

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for an advanced readers copy of this book.

[Victoria (storieswithtorie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The killings in this one were genuinely strange and unsettling. Each crime scene felt theatrical and deliberate in a way that made it impossible to look away. Bodies staged in bizarre, symbolic ways immediately set the tone and made the mystery feel darker and more twisted than a standard serial killer story.

I liked the investigative duo and how their different skill sets came together naturally. The plot moved quickly and stayed engaging, though a few moments felt a bit too clean and predictable, which kept it from being a full five stars for me. Still, the concept is sharp, the execution is solid, and the oddness of the crimes is what really makes this stand out.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Netgally ARC- I didn't realize that this author has interconnected characters. I found it hard to concentrate on details because it seemed like he was just writing for a TV script. I didn't care about any of the characters (enough that I removed the rest of his books from my to read list), and the action seemed way too sensationialized to be believable.

[Yogi Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Although I did enjoy our two powerful ladies joining forces, I prefer Jessica when she is performing impossible tasks that involve her magic and, sorry, I have never been a big fan of Sloan. And I missed Theo. Apparently, he was off saving another part of the world.

This is only the 2nd book in this series, but I'm not really enjoying it.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever I read anything by Mr. Mayne he pushes my boundaries and expands my view. Technology advances are faster than I can absorb. He includes new methods and procedures agencies are using in catching the bad guys in this latest thriller. If you’ve read any of his previous series you’ll quickly recognize Jessica and Sloan. If you’re new to his books it’s easily read on it’s own. There are red herrings, false leads, misdirection and multiple agencies working in the Las Vegas area to stop a bizarre killer. There is the usual politics in the FBI, there is a religious cults and crazy twists in the case. The urgency to prevent more deaths is high stakes and fast paced. I enjoyed both the characters and plot. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer (via NetGalley) for providing an Advance Reader Copy of “Imposter Syndrome” (The Specialists #2), by Andrew Mayne, publication 10/21/2025. These are my personal honest thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

[Ramona Ziemele (grāmatu lāde) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Full of new information and solely focused on this case.

In the 2nd book in Specialists series Mayne is more focused on the current case leaving all past shenanigans behind and i really enjoyed it.

We meet Jessica and Sloan again and this time they lead "only women" investigation.
Story starts with an influencer incased in salt block... another influencer is drowned but propped as a praying statue in the lake... another one is targeted with homemade bomb. It seems like the killer is trying to send some religious message and there is no way to guess where or whom he will strike next.

This wasn't very intense in action sense but it still gripped my interest and i enjoyed the fast pacing and technologically advanced investigation. Andrew Mayne writes about scientifical topics with such ease that anyone can feel tech-savy reading his books.

Great for fast-read fans that also enjoy good mistery!

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for an ARC of this audiobook.

I really like the dynamic between Sloan and Jessica. I thought they worked really well together to solve the crime.

I thought the bounce between magic, witchcraft, and actual crime solving was a little confusing, but it figured itself out at the end.

I really liked the tie of current events into the book.

Overall, a great murder mystery with a pretty good cliffhanger!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently this book was "grils only" party. I didn't catch the memo about that, because I skipped the burb (maybe it's not even in there), but I kept wondering when/if the guys would show up.

In the end, I think it was nice and a good decision they never did show - even if I missed Theo quite a lot. This was an interesting instalment. Very imaginative and a bit jarring. I really enjoyed Jessica and Sloan together. They had great dynamics complimented each other in a way that felt pretty, friggin' great, to be honest.

I will of course show up for more of these books, no doubt about that.

[JWeiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent Thriller

This was a crossover story of Sloan McPherson and Jessica Blackwood. The story was pretty good but it was a bit of an odd mash up of the two characters. It seemed a little bit forced for Jessica to bring in Sloan, but the pairing makes an enjoyable team to read about.

[Steven Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit of a let down

I have enjoyed all of Andrew’s books so far, but this one fell short of expectations. It started strong, but the story and the action faltered as it developed. Can’t win them all.

[Amanda Denning · Rating 3 out of 5]

not his best, was kind of bored at points

[Zoe Vanderstelt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The longer I thought about this book the more upset I got. It felt very rushed and was not well thought-out. The antagonist’s motivations were unclear, the plot was confusing and hard to follow, the supposed cliffhanger shouldn’t even be called a cliffhanger, and it was just an overall weak novel. I found myself wondering how the events of the book lead to each other and how I had reached the point of the plot I was in at any given time. Nothing felt logical, and the protagonists had no chemistry in their interactions and a very flimsy reason to be working together in the first place. While I have had issues with some of Mayne’s other works, this one was far more disappointing than any of the others.

[Nicholas Karampatsos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible ending

Not worth the read, nothing but luck at the end to save the day (almost). Everything they figured out and how was unbelievable. Throughout the whole book everyone but Sloan and Jessica are completely incompetent but somehow those two figure everything out

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually call Andrew Mayne’s books my “candy fiction.” They’re fast, fun, devour-in-a-day reads. But Imposter Syndrome just didn’t hit like his others. I adore Sloan McPherson and Jessica Blackwood in their standalone series, so I was hyped to see them team up. But both felt underdeveloped here, like their personalities were stripped away in service of a thin plot.

The second murder investigation finally gave me a glimpse of what I was hoping for. That dynamic back-and-forth and a real sense of partnership. I just wish we’d gotten more of that. By the end, I was kind of just… done. It felt like a story built just to mash the characters together, not because the story demanded it.

Still, I’m holding out hope for the next book with all four of Mayne’s protagonists. Fingers crossed it brings more depth and more of what made me enjoy his writing in the first place.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for providing this advance copy. This is the second in a series, and I feel the same way about it as the first. I enjoy Andrew Mayne’s books quite a bit, but this series is just middling for me. I’m not that engaged by the combination of the characters from other series I enjoy more. I also felt the ending was kind of rushed. Overall, it was still worth reading and I’ll probably read the next one too.

[GCScott-Malden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing drop in quality

What is the point of having two specialists join forces and then not using their special talents? Far too much of this book is spent on endless talk and very little action. Sloan is completely wasted without significantly more underwater action. The plot descends into incoherence and the ending seems perfunctory with the author just going through the motions. All in all a great disappointment after the previous excellent books in the series.

[Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Andrew Mayne and look so forward to new books. This book not worth the wait sorry to say especially with Sloan and Jessica as the main characters. I feel 3 stars was pushing it. Still looking forward to his next and hope for the best.

[Lilybelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

just bad

I love both of these characters and I love the individual stories but pairing them up doesn’t work. The cold thing is so overdone. I’m so sick of influencer stories also. This went in too many different directions and none of them made sense.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too much right wing political commentary masquerading as dialogue, but an excellent plot.