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Quinn & Costa #7
Make It Out Alive
Listening Length: 11 hours and 57 minutes
Allison Brennan returns to her bestselling series with an edge-of-your-seat thriller that thrusts Quinn and Costa into the crosshairs of a sadistic serial killer.
Three newlywed couples have disappeared from an exclusive resort in Florida, only to turn up dead soon after. With the location and the similarities between the female victims as their only leads, it’s up to the FBI Mobile Response Team to catch a serial killer before anyone else ends up dead. And they have the perfect bait—Detective Kara Quinn, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the targeted women.
Undercover as newlyweds pretending to enjoy their honeymoon, Kara and FBI Agent Matt Costa set a flawless trap. When their plan works and they arrest the predator, Matt sends the rest of the team home so he and Kara can have the weekend for some much-needed R&R. But on Monday morning, the couple doesn’t show up to work, and the MRT learns they never checked out of their hotel.
As their team tries to find them, Matt and Kara learn the truth—the killer wasn’t acting alone. He had a partner who succeeded where he failed. Kidnapped and forced into a twisted escape room, they need to find a way out, because if they don’t escape, they’ll die.
Allison Brennan returns to her bestselling series with an edge-of-your-seat thriller that thrusts Quinn and Costa into the crosshairs of a sadistic serial killer.
Three newlywed couples have disappeared from an exclusive resort in Florida, only to turn up dead soon after. With the location and the similarities between the female victims as their only leads, it’s up to the FBI Mobile Response Team to catch a serial killer before anyone else ends up dead. And they have the perfect bait—Detective Kara Quinn, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the targeted women.
Undercover as newlyweds pretending to enjoy their honeymoon, Kara and FBI Agent Matt Costa set a flawless trap. When their plan works and they arrest the predator, Matt sends the rest of the team home so he and Kara can have the weekend for some much-needed R&R. But on Monday morning, the couple doesn’t show up to work, and the MRT learns they never checked out of their hotel.
As their team tries to find them, Matt and Kara learn the truth—the killer wasn’t acting alone. He had a partner who succeeded where he failed. Kidnapped and forced into a twisted escape room, they need to find a way out, because if they don’t escape, they’ll die.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 27, 2026
239 people are currently reading
10769 people want to read
About the author
Allison Brennan
110 books5,326 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Allison Brennan believes that life is too short to be bored, so she had five children and writes three books a year.
In 2019, Allison relocated from Northern California to Arizona with her family and assorted pets. She loves baseball, hiking, family game night, and (of course) reading.
RT Book Reviews called Allison “a master of suspense” and her books “haunting,” “mesmerizing,” “pulse-pounding” and “emotionally complex.” She's been nominated for many awards, and is a three time winner of the Reviewer's Choice award winner for RT Book Reviews as well as the Daphne du Maurier award. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Paperback Original by International Thriller Writers.
With over 45 books and dozens of short stories, Allison is writing multiple series and the occasional stand alone thriller. Her most recent book out now is THE MISSING WITNESS, part of the Quinn & Costa series. In June Allison is launching a new Phoenix-set series about a family of private investigators starting with YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME.
You can reach Allison through Goodreads or her website.
In 2019, Allison relocated from Northern California to Arizona with her family and assorted pets. She loves baseball, hiking, family game night, and (of course) reading.
RT Book Reviews called Allison “a master of suspense” and her books “haunting,” “mesmerizing,” “pulse-pounding” and “emotionally complex.” She's been nominated for many awards, and is a three time winner of the Reviewer's Choice award winner for RT Book Reviews as well as the Daphne du Maurier award. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Paperback Original by International Thriller Writers.
With over 45 books and dozens of short stories, Allison is writing multiple series and the occasional stand alone thriller. Her most recent book out now is THE MISSING WITNESS, part of the Quinn & Costa series. In June Allison is launching a new Phoenix-set series about a family of private investigators starting with YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME.
You can reach Allison through Goodreads or her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 27, 2026
Happy Publication day!!!! 🎊🎊🎊 1/27/26
9/10: 4.5⭐️’s rounded up to 5⭐️’s
The Mobile Response Team is back. This time trying to catch a serial killer of newlywed couples at a fancy Florida resort before they strike again. Kara and Matt go undercover as newlyweds. When they think they have caught the killer, everyone heads home except for Matt and Kara. They stay to enjoy resort for a night not on the job.
But when they don’t show up back in Quantico and no one can get in contact with them, the rest of the team becomes concerned. Where could Matt and Kara have gone, leaving everything behind. Did they catch the right killer?
As the team works to find them, Matt and Kara are in for the fight of their lives. Just who is the Mephistophelian (new word for me from the book!!) behind their disappearance and is it related to the newlyweds resort killer?
This might be my favorite of the series!! The rest of the team has to work without their leader because Matt is no where to be found. It’s interesting to see how that part of the story plays out. The terror and uncertainty Matt and Kara face, it’s tense. It’s a rescue mission for the MRT to find Matt and Kara. It’s a survival mission for Matt and Kara to stay alive in hopes of being rescued. Does everyone make it out alive? Is the same person responsible for all of it?
I highly recommend this entire series. While not completely necessary to have read the previous books, it is really helpful for character development and relationships, plus, they are really good!!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own. Expected release date January 27, 2026
Original review posted: 9/29/25
Original rating posted: 9/27/25
Reposted for publication day: 1/27/26
9/10: 4.5⭐️’s rounded up to 5⭐️’s
The Mobile Response Team is back. This time trying to catch a serial killer of newlywed couples at a fancy Florida resort before they strike again. Kara and Matt go undercover as newlyweds. When they think they have caught the killer, everyone heads home except for Matt and Kara. They stay to enjoy resort for a night not on the job.
But when they don’t show up back in Quantico and no one can get in contact with them, the rest of the team becomes concerned. Where could Matt and Kara have gone, leaving everything behind. Did they catch the right killer?
As the team works to find them, Matt and Kara are in for the fight of their lives. Just who is the Mephistophelian (new word for me from the book!!) behind their disappearance and is it related to the newlyweds resort killer?
This might be my favorite of the series!! The rest of the team has to work without their leader because Matt is no where to be found. It’s interesting to see how that part of the story plays out. The terror and uncertainty Matt and Kara face, it’s tense. It’s a rescue mission for the MRT to find Matt and Kara. It’s a survival mission for Matt and Kara to stay alive in hopes of being rescued. Does everyone make it out alive? Is the same person responsible for all of it?
I highly recommend this entire series. While not completely necessary to have read the previous books, it is really helpful for character development and relationships, plus, they are really good!!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own. Expected release date January 27, 2026
Original review posted: 9/29/25
Original rating posted: 9/27/25
Reposted for publication day: 1/27/26
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
OMG! OMG! OMG! This book just cements Allison Brennan as THE BEST!
LAPD Detective Kara Quinn and FBI Special Agent Matt Costa are undercover at a Florida resort where three other couples have been kidnapped and murdered. They get their man, but there are problems with the case. No matter, the FBI Mobile Response Team was just meant to apprehend a suspect. It's up to the locals to make the case. With the MRT heading back to DC, Kara and Matt take the weekend as some much needed R&R. When they fail to show up on Monday, the MRT is more than concerned and immediately launch a search for their missing team members.
When Kera and Matt regain consciousness in an abandoned factory, they know that their perp didn't act alone. What follows is both chilling and a race against time and time is not on their side.
My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
LAPD Detective Kara Quinn and FBI Special Agent Matt Costa are undercover at a Florida resort where three other couples have been kidnapped and murdered. They get their man, but there are problems with the case. No matter, the FBI Mobile Response Team was just meant to apprehend a suspect. It's up to the locals to make the case. With the MRT heading back to DC, Kara and Matt take the weekend as some much needed R&R. When they fail to show up on Monday, the MRT is more than concerned and immediately launch a search for their missing team members.
When Kera and Matt regain consciousness in an abandoned factory, they know that their perp didn't act alone. What follows is both chilling and a race against time and time is not on their side.
My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
October 24, 2025
What a fun book!
While this is book 7 in a series, it works as a standalone. I hadn't read the other books and I felt like I was able to catch on to our characters quickly. In fact, I want to go back and read the other books in the series now.
The procedural portion of this book is very well done. In fact, I liked it a bit more than the thriller part. For the thriller part, there was a bit of disbelief that the character in question had the skills and knowledge to do everything they did. I just kept...not believing.
The book is intense and, as things ratchet up, the reader is absolutely on edge.
A very good book and I'd like another!
* ARC via Publisher
While this is book 7 in a series, it works as a standalone. I hadn't read the other books and I felt like I was able to catch on to our characters quickly. In fact, I want to go back and read the other books in the series now.
The procedural portion of this book is very well done. In fact, I liked it a bit more than the thriller part. For the thriller part, there was a bit of disbelief that the character in question had the skills and knowledge to do everything they did. I just kept...not believing.
The book is intense and, as things ratchet up, the reader is absolutely on edge.
A very good book and I'd like another!
* ARC via Publisher
January 30, 2026
I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Yes it’s a series but you can totally read this as a standalone! And talk about a wild ride of a story!!! I literally can’t tell you anything so I don’t spoil the craziness!
January 12, 2026
I accidentally grabbed this ALC (seriously fat fingers), but I’m actually glad I did—even though police procedurals aren’t usually my favorite subgenre.
This one is fluffy in the sense that you don’t have to think too hard. You’re along for the ride, enjoying how all the pieces fit together rather than puzzling out the culprit. Why? Because it’s extremely predictable. As soon as the culprit is introduced, you know it. It’s not explicitly stated, but the presentation might as well be wearing a name tag.
That said, I still enjoyed the experience despite the lack of real suspense or any genuine fear that our main characters were in danger. Honestly, that’s probably why I don’t often gravitate toward this type of book—you can usually tell from the description alone that the recurring cast will survive. The fun, such as it is, comes from seeing how they get there.
This is the seventh book in the author’s Quinn and Costa series. I haven’t read any of the previous installments, but they seem to be well-liked, and I don’t expect this one to break that streak.
My main issue? The narration.
Normally, audiobooks elevate my experience—but apparently not everything can be saved by audio magic. The narrator, Suzanne T. Fortin, speaks painfully slowly at 1x speed, and her characterizations just didn’t land for me. None of the characters sounded remotely like law enforcement, and some of the phrasing and vocal choices were… baffling. The only way I could tolerate it was by bumping the speed up to 2x, where it became merely acceptable instead of distracting.
To be clear, her natural voice is perfectly fine—it just wasn’t a good fit here, and it definitely dampened my enjoyment. I suspect I would have liked this book much more in print.
This releases in January 2026, and I do recommend it—just do yourself a favor and opt for the ebook or physical copy if you have the choice. Your ears will thank you.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Harlequin Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
This one is fluffy in the sense that you don’t have to think too hard. You’re along for the ride, enjoying how all the pieces fit together rather than puzzling out the culprit. Why? Because it’s extremely predictable. As soon as the culprit is introduced, you know it. It’s not explicitly stated, but the presentation might as well be wearing a name tag.
That said, I still enjoyed the experience despite the lack of real suspense or any genuine fear that our main characters were in danger. Honestly, that’s probably why I don’t often gravitate toward this type of book—you can usually tell from the description alone that the recurring cast will survive. The fun, such as it is, comes from seeing how they get there.
This is the seventh book in the author’s Quinn and Costa series. I haven’t read any of the previous installments, but they seem to be well-liked, and I don’t expect this one to break that streak.
My main issue? The narration.
Normally, audiobooks elevate my experience—but apparently not everything can be saved by audio magic. The narrator, Suzanne T. Fortin, speaks painfully slowly at 1x speed, and her characterizations just didn’t land for me. None of the characters sounded remotely like law enforcement, and some of the phrasing and vocal choices were… baffling. The only way I could tolerate it was by bumping the speed up to 2x, where it became merely acceptable instead of distracting.
To be clear, her natural voice is perfectly fine—it just wasn’t a good fit here, and it definitely dampened my enjoyment. I suspect I would have liked this book much more in print.
This releases in January 2026, and I do recommend it—just do yourself a favor and opt for the ebook or physical copy if you have the choice. Your ears will thank you.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Harlequin Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
January 6, 2026
This was certainly bingeable and kept my attention. It’s also unique- a fun house of horrors? {insert full body shiver}. It got a bit long and drawn out but overall a tense and gripping read! I’ve enjoyed this series and can’t wait for the next book!
January 25, 2026
At an exclusive resort in Florida, a serial killer appears to be targeting newlyweds. The similarities among all the female victims are unmistakable. The FBI is on the case and sends Detectives Kara and Matt undercover to pose as newlyweds. Kara bears a strong resemblance to the female victims, and their plan seems to work effortlessly. After the suspect is arrested, Kara and Matt decide to spend the rest of the weekend at the resort for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Instead, they experience anything but that. It seems they either arrested the wrong man or he has an accomplice, because now Matt and Kara find themselves drugged, kidnapped, and trapped in a survival mission of their own.
࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪
What I loved most about this book was the relentless tension and the twists that kept coming right up until the very end. The ending did not disappoint. I was captivated from the very beginning and remained engaged until the final page. The escape room elements had me on the edge of my seat, fingers crossed that everything would work out for Matt and Kara. With a compelling mix of police procedural, locked-room mystery, escape room challenges, and a fight for survival, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
𝖨 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇'𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗂𝗓𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖺 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌—𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 #7, 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝖾𝗑𝖺𝖼𝗍—𝗎𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗅 𝖨 𝗏𝗂𝗌𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝖦𝗈𝗈𝖽𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖺𝖽𝖽 𝗂𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗆𝗒 𝖼𝗎𝗋𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖽𝖾𝖿𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝖻𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗈𝗋 𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗇𝖽𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗇𝖾. 𝖭𝗈𝗐, 𝖨'𝗆 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗇 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌.
For Fans of:
✩ FBI Investigations
✩ Serial Killers
✩ Survival Thrillers
࣪ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪ ˖ ⊹ ࣪ ˖⊹ ࣪
What I loved most about this book was the relentless tension and the twists that kept coming right up until the very end. The ending did not disappoint. I was captivated from the very beginning and remained engaged until the final page. The escape room elements had me on the edge of my seat, fingers crossed that everything would work out for Matt and Kara. With a compelling mix of police procedural, locked-room mystery, escape room challenges, and a fight for survival, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
𝖨 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇'𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗂𝗓𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖺 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌—𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 #7, 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝖾𝗑𝖺𝖼𝗍—𝗎𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗅 𝖨 𝗏𝗂𝗌𝗂𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝖦𝗈𝗈𝖽𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖺𝖽𝖽 𝗂𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗆𝗒 𝖼𝗎𝗋𝗋𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍. 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖽𝖾𝖿𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝖻𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗈𝗋 𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝖺𝗌 𝖺 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗇𝖽𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗇𝖾. 𝖭𝗈𝗐, 𝖨'𝗆 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗇 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌.
For Fans of:
✩ FBI Investigations
✩ Serial Killers
✩ Survival Thrillers
December 22, 2025
The Quinn and Costa Series has become one of my favorites. With each new installment, I love it even more. The latest, does not disappoint. This one had some really heart stopping moments. If you are not reading this series, start today!
The latest installment finds The Mobile Response Team arresting a maintenance employee at a Florida resort. There are some unanswered questions after the arrest. The undercover operation had Matt and Kara posing as a married couple. After they wrapped the case, they took a few days off. Everything seemed okay until they didn’t show up to work on Monday.
Allison Brennan has crafted a superb thriller/mystery here. Matt and Kara are fighting for their lives to escape a trap, while the MRT tries to find them before time runs out. There are so many twists and turns, and I don’t want to say more - you will be catching your breath throughout this book.
And the ending? Wow!
Now the wait begins for the next book. I cannot wait to see what happens next. Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Hanover Square Press for the opportunity to read this one early! It is fantastic! This one is out on January 27th - start this series today!
The latest installment finds The Mobile Response Team arresting a maintenance employee at a Florida resort. There are some unanswered questions after the arrest. The undercover operation had Matt and Kara posing as a married couple. After they wrapped the case, they took a few days off. Everything seemed okay until they didn’t show up to work on Monday.
Allison Brennan has crafted a superb thriller/mystery here. Matt and Kara are fighting for their lives to escape a trap, while the MRT tries to find them before time runs out. There are so many twists and turns, and I don’t want to say more - you will be catching your breath throughout this book.
And the ending? Wow!
Now the wait begins for the next book. I cannot wait to see what happens next. Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Hanover Square Press for the opportunity to read this one early! It is fantastic! This one is out on January 27th - start this series today!
January 26, 2026
Quinn and Costa are back in this locked room installment of their series. They are undercover trying to lure a killer of honeymooners, and just when they’ve got a suspect in custody, they become part of the case. They’re kidnapped and brought to a booby trapped warehouse. Can the rest of the Mobile Response Team find them in time? This book was an edge of your seat, page turner as Brennan’s books usually are. Readers get the dialogue and the camaraderie that they’re used to from this series, and they get a deeper look into Quinn and Costa’s relationship.
The only downside to all of the dialogue is that the audiobook narrator couldn’t quite keep up with all of the characters to make them sound different. Conversations between characters were hard to follow because it was hard to tell who was speaking. Readers may want to stick to reading this one and skip the audio.
I voluntarily read and reviewed advanced ebook and audiobook copies of this title from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The only downside to all of the dialogue is that the audiobook narrator couldn’t quite keep up with all of the characters to make them sound different. Conversations between characters were hard to follow because it was hard to tell who was speaking. Readers may want to stick to reading this one and skip the audio.
I voluntarily read and reviewed advanced ebook and audiobook copies of this title from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 28, 2025
Make It Out Alive pulled me in right from the start and kept the tension high, even though it slowed a bit for me in the middle. I’ve read a few of Allison Brennan’s other thrillers and was excited to pick this one up, and it didn’t disappoint. Even though this is part of an interconnected series following an FBI Mobile Response Team, I had no trouble jumping in and getting a feel for the characters. The narration was well done and added to the tension. The stakes felt high, and I really enjoyed the mix of suspenseful escape room elements with the procedural side of the investigation.
3.5 rounded up to 4⭐️
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Harlequin Audio for the ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 rounded up to 4⭐️
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Harlequin Audio for the ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.
January 27, 2026
2.5 but rounded down for goodreads. I had a few problems with this book.
-the dialogue was stilted
-lack of intrigue/mystery
-far too many POVs
-police procedural
Thank you though to the hive for letting me listen to this audiobook!!
-the dialogue was stilted
-lack of intrigue/mystery
-far too many POVs
-police procedural
Thank you though to the hive for letting me listen to this audiobook!!
December 22, 2025
Less Gory Saw. I'm glad the description mentioned the "escape room" and the need to make it out or die, as it made that headline *so* much more concise, since it technically isn't a spoiler. :D
And yet that headline is exactly what you get here - the latest entrant in the Quinn and Costa police procedural thrillers is a version of Saw set in North Florida (the "First Coast" region of Jacksonville (where I happen to live) and St Augustine) and surrounding areas.
I'm not a fan of horror generally and specifically not a fan of gory horror, so I can't tell a fan of the Saw franchise just how closely this aligns with that franchise - I don't know. I do know the base ideas are similar enough that fans of that franchise will enjoy this book on at least some level, but this book is also rather deep in an ongoing series and thus will reveal at least certain things from prior books. However, most of those elements are about the team itself rather than the prior mysteries they were solving, so this may well be a decent enough place for fans of the Saw franchise who may not have read these books before to start and see what they think.
More long time fans of this series specifically or police procedurals generally will also find quite a bit here, as the narrative spends nearly equal time on "oh shit, we woke up in a dangerous situation" and "oh shit, our teammates are missing and the case we thought we had in the bag... isn't". Thus, there's a solid mix of tension and investigation on two different fronts, as we see both sides play through to their inevitable meetup. But what condition will the missing teammates be found in? Who the hell could be sick enough to attempt a Saw type setup in the "real" world? Brennan does a great job really on all aspects here, including our criminals of the tale, and really allows pretty well every character - including several more minor ones - at least a few scenes to shine. Of course, she's working with 400 pages here... so she's got the space. ;)
And yes, even this region of the country has its moments in this book, be it in St. Augustine itself, the FBI office in Jacksonville, or the other nearby areas that also come to bear. All are done pretty damn well - well enough that it is clear that Brennan did at least some research on the areas, if not actually came out here and experienced them herself. Which is always pleasant to see as a consumer of a story that claims to be set in a place you are very familiar with. :)
Overall truly a well-paced thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout... and will probably keep you up well into the night reading.
Very much recommended.
And yet that headline is exactly what you get here - the latest entrant in the Quinn and Costa police procedural thrillers is a version of Saw set in North Florida (the "First Coast" region of Jacksonville (where I happen to live) and St Augustine) and surrounding areas.
I'm not a fan of horror generally and specifically not a fan of gory horror, so I can't tell a fan of the Saw franchise just how closely this aligns with that franchise - I don't know. I do know the base ideas are similar enough that fans of that franchise will enjoy this book on at least some level, but this book is also rather deep in an ongoing series and thus will reveal at least certain things from prior books. However, most of those elements are about the team itself rather than the prior mysteries they were solving, so this may well be a decent enough place for fans of the Saw franchise who may not have read these books before to start and see what they think.
More long time fans of this series specifically or police procedurals generally will also find quite a bit here, as the narrative spends nearly equal time on "oh shit, we woke up in a dangerous situation" and "oh shit, our teammates are missing and the case we thought we had in the bag... isn't". Thus, there's a solid mix of tension and investigation on two different fronts, as we see both sides play through to their inevitable meetup. But what condition will the missing teammates be found in? Who the hell could be sick enough to attempt a Saw type setup in the "real" world? Brennan does a great job really on all aspects here, including our criminals of the tale, and really allows pretty well every character - including several more minor ones - at least a few scenes to shine. Of course, she's working with 400 pages here... so she's got the space. ;)
And yes, even this region of the country has its moments in this book, be it in St. Augustine itself, the FBI office in Jacksonville, or the other nearby areas that also come to bear. All are done pretty damn well - well enough that it is clear that Brennan did at least some research on the areas, if not actually came out here and experienced them herself. Which is always pleasant to see as a consumer of a story that claims to be set in a place you are very familiar with. :)
Overall truly a well-paced thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout... and will probably keep you up well into the night reading.
Very much recommended.
November 23, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
🚨 Allison Brennan’s Make It Out Alive is a pulse-pounding installment in the Quinn & Costa series, blending procedural precision with relentless psychological suspense. It’s a novel that thrives on atmosphere, character depth, and the constant tension between survival and justice.
🌒 The story unfolds with urgency, set against crime scenes and investigative backdrops that feel vivid and lived-in.
Brennan’s prose balances adrenaline-fueled action with moments of quiet reflection, ensuring the suspense is grounded in emotional resonance.
The tone is gritty and relentless, but threaded with humanity, highlighting the personal cost of chasing justice.
👤 Detective Kara Quinn remains a fierce, intuitive investigator, her instincts sharpened by personal risk and emotional stakes.
FBI Special Agent Matt Costa provides a steady counterbalance, methodical and disciplined, yet equally tested by the dangers they face.
Supporting figures—suspects, victims, and allies—are drawn with ambiguity, each carrying motives that keep the investigation layered and unpredictable.
The dynamic between Quinn and Costa continues to evolve, marked by trust, tension, and the weight of shared responsibility.
🔍 Survival and resilience form the novel’s core, asking how far individuals will go when lives are at stake.
The narrative interrogates loyalty, betrayal, and the corrosive effects of secrets, showing how hidden truths distort trust.
Brennan explores the fragility of justice, suggesting that even the most skilled investigators must confront moral ambiguity.
🎧 The structure is taut, weaving procedural detail with psychological insight.
Brennan employs shifting perspectives and subtle foreshadowing, heightening suspense while sustaining momentum.
Dialogue is crisp and authentic, grounding the investigation in realism while pushing the story forward.
⭐ Make It Out Alive is a gripping, emotionally layered thriller that delivers both the intensity of crime fiction and the complexity of human conflict. Allison Brennan crafts a narrative that is as much about the cost of survival as it is about the mechanics of suspense, leaving readers unsettled, reflective, and eager for the next Quinn & Costa case.
🚨 Allison Brennan’s Make It Out Alive is a pulse-pounding installment in the Quinn & Costa series, blending procedural precision with relentless psychological suspense. It’s a novel that thrives on atmosphere, character depth, and the constant tension between survival and justice.
🌒 The story unfolds with urgency, set against crime scenes and investigative backdrops that feel vivid and lived-in.
Brennan’s prose balances adrenaline-fueled action with moments of quiet reflection, ensuring the suspense is grounded in emotional resonance.
The tone is gritty and relentless, but threaded with humanity, highlighting the personal cost of chasing justice.
👤 Detective Kara Quinn remains a fierce, intuitive investigator, her instincts sharpened by personal risk and emotional stakes.
FBI Special Agent Matt Costa provides a steady counterbalance, methodical and disciplined, yet equally tested by the dangers they face.
Supporting figures—suspects, victims, and allies—are drawn with ambiguity, each carrying motives that keep the investigation layered and unpredictable.
The dynamic between Quinn and Costa continues to evolve, marked by trust, tension, and the weight of shared responsibility.
🔍 Survival and resilience form the novel’s core, asking how far individuals will go when lives are at stake.
The narrative interrogates loyalty, betrayal, and the corrosive effects of secrets, showing how hidden truths distort trust.
Brennan explores the fragility of justice, suggesting that even the most skilled investigators must confront moral ambiguity.
🎧 The structure is taut, weaving procedural detail with psychological insight.
Brennan employs shifting perspectives and subtle foreshadowing, heightening suspense while sustaining momentum.
Dialogue is crisp and authentic, grounding the investigation in realism while pushing the story forward.
⭐ Make It Out Alive is a gripping, emotionally layered thriller that delivers both the intensity of crime fiction and the complexity of human conflict. Allison Brennan crafts a narrative that is as much about the cost of survival as it is about the mechanics of suspense, leaving readers unsettled, reflective, and eager for the next Quinn & Costa case.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Quinn & Costa series has been a favorite since the first book. Kara Quinn is the main character and her skills are solid. She grew up street smart and grifter smart so she knows how to blend and read people. The backdrop to the series is Kara's developing relationship with Matt.
Kara Quinn is incredibly smart and intuitive. She was undercover with LA and had her cover blown. So now she is more permanently with the FBI on the mobile response team with the FBI, although she is not an FBI agent. Matt, who is also her love interest is the team leader. Kara is wary of trusting anyone. I would read these books in order. They are all excellent and let you see both the personal and career developments.
Kara and Matt go undercover in Make It Out Alive to a resort where couples have gone missing and turned up dead. Catherine has a profile for a single white male and that is what they catch. Once he is locked up, then Kara and Matt are abducted! So does he have a partner?
The team is frantic. Catherine is shaken in her skills as they hunt for a partner. They reinterview people at the resort. They pour through video to try to identify who was where when. Meanwhile, Kara and Matt are in a fight for their lives. The situation was dire and seemed hopeless at times. They support and help each other every step of the way.
The team more strongly becomes a team working together in a smart investigation to find the culprit and to locate Matt and Kara. It's a thrilling, suspenseful and dangerous rush to survive and catch the criminals.
Narration:
The narrator, Suzanne Guterriez Fortin, has been with the whole series. She is Kara in my mind. The female and male voices feel comfortable with the male voices more husky in tone. There are distinct voices for main characters which I recognize. The performance added to my enjoyment bringing more emotions. I listened at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip:
Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Quinn & Costa series has been a favorite since the first book. Kara Quinn is the main character and her skills are solid. She grew up street smart and grifter smart so she knows how to blend and read people. The backdrop to the series is Kara's developing relationship with Matt.
Kara Quinn is incredibly smart and intuitive. She was undercover with LA and had her cover blown. So now she is more permanently with the FBI on the mobile response team with the FBI, although she is not an FBI agent. Matt, who is also her love interest is the team leader. Kara is wary of trusting anyone. I would read these books in order. They are all excellent and let you see both the personal and career developments.
Kara and Matt go undercover in Make It Out Alive to a resort where couples have gone missing and turned up dead. Catherine has a profile for a single white male and that is what they catch. Once he is locked up, then Kara and Matt are abducted! So does he have a partner?
The team is frantic. Catherine is shaken in her skills as they hunt for a partner. They reinterview people at the resort. They pour through video to try to identify who was where when. Meanwhile, Kara and Matt are in a fight for their lives. The situation was dire and seemed hopeless at times. They support and help each other every step of the way.
The team more strongly becomes a team working together in a smart investigation to find the culprit and to locate Matt and Kara. It's a thrilling, suspenseful and dangerous rush to survive and catch the criminals.
Narration:
The narrator, Suzanne Guterriez Fortin, has been with the whole series. She is Kara in my mind. The female and male voices feel comfortable with the male voices more husky in tone. There are distinct voices for main characters which I recognize. The performance added to my enjoyment bringing more emotions. I listened at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip:
January 30, 2026
High stakes thriller
Detective Kate Quinn and FBI Agent Matt Costa go undercover at a Florida resort to bait a serial killer targeting newlyweds in this 7th installment of the series. After the prime suspect is arrested, the investigation seems closed until Kara and Matt, who have stayed behind for a little romantic time together, are abducted by the killer's secret partner. Trapped in a lethal, twisted escape room scenario at an abandoned cannery, the pair must use every skill they possess to survive while their team races to find them before they succumb.
This has elements of a survival type thriller along with being a police procedural with lots of action that almost seemed almost too much at times with the main characters in the booby trapped cannery testing limits of cleverness and physical endurance. It got quite repetitive after awhile. The narrative shifts between points and view and time. The pacing made it easy to read and I finished in a single sitting.
This is the first book in the series that I have read so I am not familiar with the characters or the team. My introduction to the various members at this point means that I have no idea about their backstories or history together. I assume the relationship between Matt and Kara is sort of new and might affect the team dynamics down the road since they work together. Definitely the character development took a backseat to all the action and escape activities from the cannery to the farmhouse to the chase to capture scenes at the end. I'm not sure if it would be worth my time to go back to the beginning of this series, or if I should just more forward with future installments. It did keep me interested with the plot elements despite what felt like over the top physical tests along with the investigation aspects. I wouldn't have minded all of that endurance and game stuff being shortened.
I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Suzanne T. Fortin, did an OK job of reading but a full cast or even a dual narrator set up would have helped distinguish the characters who all basically sounded the exact same. It didn't provide the immersive experience I enjoy while listening as I read because of the single voice performance.
Detective Kate Quinn and FBI Agent Matt Costa go undercover at a Florida resort to bait a serial killer targeting newlyweds in this 7th installment of the series. After the prime suspect is arrested, the investigation seems closed until Kara and Matt, who have stayed behind for a little romantic time together, are abducted by the killer's secret partner. Trapped in a lethal, twisted escape room scenario at an abandoned cannery, the pair must use every skill they possess to survive while their team races to find them before they succumb.
This has elements of a survival type thriller along with being a police procedural with lots of action that almost seemed almost too much at times with the main characters in the booby trapped cannery testing limits of cleverness and physical endurance. It got quite repetitive after awhile. The narrative shifts between points and view and time. The pacing made it easy to read and I finished in a single sitting.
This is the first book in the series that I have read so I am not familiar with the characters or the team. My introduction to the various members at this point means that I have no idea about their backstories or history together. I assume the relationship between Matt and Kara is sort of new and might affect the team dynamics down the road since they work together. Definitely the character development took a backseat to all the action and escape activities from the cannery to the farmhouse to the chase to capture scenes at the end. I'm not sure if it would be worth my time to go back to the beginning of this series, or if I should just more forward with future installments. It did keep me interested with the plot elements despite what felt like over the top physical tests along with the investigation aspects. I wouldn't have minded all of that endurance and game stuff being shortened.
I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Suzanne T. Fortin, did an OK job of reading but a full cast or even a dual narrator set up would have helped distinguish the characters who all basically sounded the exact same. It didn't provide the immersive experience I enjoy while listening as I read because of the single voice performance.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan is a very highly recommended investigative and escape room thriller, as well as the excellent 7th book in the Quinn and Costa FBI Mobile Response Team series.
Three newlywed couples have disappeared from an exclusive resort in Florida and later turned up dead so Flagler County Detective Kara Quinn and FBI Special Agent Matt Costa with the FBI Mobile Response Team (MRT) are investigating. Quinn resembles the female victims so she and Costa set a trap and capture Garrett Reid. After his arrest, Matt and Kara stay on at the resort for some R&R as a couple. However, when the two don't show up for work on Monday it becomes clear that Kara and Matt are missing and the search is on.
Kara and Matt were drugged and find themselves waking up in an old warehouse/factory that they discover is a booby-trapped escape room. The MRT quickly determines that Reid had an accomplice and continue the investigation knowing that the time may be running out for their colleagues.
This is an extremely well-written, heart-stopping, and complicated investigative thriller that follows three different narrative threads. First is the time sensitive search for Quinn and Costa; second is the struggles of Kara and Matt to escape, and third is the backstory of Reid. All three story lines are interesting and compelling. The killer is clearly dangerous, sadistic, and cunning, the search is complex, and there is a complicated backstory full of twists.
At this point fans will know all the characters in the series, however, I think those new to the series can also enjoy this as a stand alone novel for the investigation. This continues to be a favorite series, however, all of Brennan's novels are reliably very good.
Make It Out Alive is a wonderful choice for everyone looking for an investigative thriller and all those following the series. Thanks to Harlequin/Hanover Square Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
Three newlywed couples have disappeared from an exclusive resort in Florida and later turned up dead so Flagler County Detective Kara Quinn and FBI Special Agent Matt Costa with the FBI Mobile Response Team (MRT) are investigating. Quinn resembles the female victims so she and Costa set a trap and capture Garrett Reid. After his arrest, Matt and Kara stay on at the resort for some R&R as a couple. However, when the two don't show up for work on Monday it becomes clear that Kara and Matt are missing and the search is on.
Kara and Matt were drugged and find themselves waking up in an old warehouse/factory that they discover is a booby-trapped escape room. The MRT quickly determines that Reid had an accomplice and continue the investigation knowing that the time may be running out for their colleagues.
This is an extremely well-written, heart-stopping, and complicated investigative thriller that follows three different narrative threads. First is the time sensitive search for Quinn and Costa; second is the struggles of Kara and Matt to escape, and third is the backstory of Reid. All three story lines are interesting and compelling. The killer is clearly dangerous, sadistic, and cunning, the search is complex, and there is a complicated backstory full of twists.
At this point fans will know all the characters in the series, however, I think those new to the series can also enjoy this as a stand alone novel for the investigation. This continues to be a favorite series, however, all of Brennan's novels are reliably very good.
Make It Out Alive is a wonderful choice for everyone looking for an investigative thriller and all those following the series. Thanks to Harlequin/Hanover Square Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
January 27, 2026
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Quinn & Costa series has been a favorite since the first book. Kara Quinn is the main character and her skills are solid. She grew up street smart and grifter smart so she knows how to blend and read people. The backdrop to the series is Kara's developing relationship with Matt.
Kara Quinn is incredibly smart and intuitive. She was undercover with LA and had her cover blown. So now she is more permanently with the FBI on the mobile response team with the FBI, although she is not an FBI agent. Matt, who is also her love interest is the team leader. Kara is wary of trusting anyone. I would read these books in order. They are all excellent and let you see both the personal and career developments.
Kara and Matt go undercover in Make It Out Alive to a resort where couples have gone missing and turned up dead. Catherine has a profile for a single white male and that is what they catch. Once he is locked up, then Kara and Matt are abducted! So does he have a partner?
The team is frantic. Catherine is shaken in her skills as they hunt for a partner. They reinterview people at the resort. They pour through video to try to identify who was where when. Meanwhile, Kara and Matt are in a fight for their lives. The situation was dire and seemed hopeless at times. They support and help each other every step of the way.
The team more strongly becomes a team working together in a smart investigation to find the culprit and to locate Matt and Kara. It's a thrilling, suspenseful and dangerous rush to survive and catch the criminals.
Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Quinn & Costa series has been a favorite since the first book. Kara Quinn is the main character and her skills are solid. She grew up street smart and grifter smart so she knows how to blend and read people. The backdrop to the series is Kara's developing relationship with Matt.
Kara Quinn is incredibly smart and intuitive. She was undercover with LA and had her cover blown. So now she is more permanently with the FBI on the mobile response team with the FBI, although she is not an FBI agent. Matt, who is also her love interest is the team leader. Kara is wary of trusting anyone. I would read these books in order. They are all excellent and let you see both the personal and career developments.
Kara and Matt go undercover in Make It Out Alive to a resort where couples have gone missing and turned up dead. Catherine has a profile for a single white male and that is what they catch. Once he is locked up, then Kara and Matt are abducted! So does he have a partner?
The team is frantic. Catherine is shaken in her skills as they hunt for a partner. They reinterview people at the resort. They pour through video to try to identify who was where when. Meanwhile, Kara and Matt are in a fight for their lives. The situation was dire and seemed hopeless at times. They support and help each other every step of the way.
The team more strongly becomes a team working together in a smart investigation to find the culprit and to locate Matt and Kara. It's a thrilling, suspenseful and dangerous rush to survive and catch the criminals.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Wow is all I can say after devouring this wonderful twisty thrill ride from start to finish. Allison Brennan delivers a tour de force in MAKE IT OUT ALIVE and it delivers everything I love in a triller: complex characters, a fast paced storyline and a few twists I don't see coming. With each page in MAKE IT OUT ALIVE I was drawn further into the story and was racing alongside everyone to see where the killer(s) would lead us. The writing is top notch and I love this author's books. Allison Brennan doesn't disappoint especially as this is book six in the series. It feels fresh and exciting rather than weak and tired. I love how each book in the series is a different setting, different case and the characters grow with each book.
Kara and Matt are posing undercover as newly married couple as three couples have gone missing from an exclusive resort and Kara has similarities to the three women who went missing. I loved how the author keeps giving the readers interesting looks into each of the characters. They aren't a one note character, they have many layers and are each are unique. What I love about this author is how complex these characters are. They literally are so well written, they feel like they are going to jump off the page and into my living room with me. The secondary characters are just as interesting and multilayered as well. This is an author who knows how to create a masterpiece of a story filled with intriguing characters and so much more to engage the readers.
MAKE IT OUT ALIVE is one hell of a book and a perfect addition to the Quinn and Costa series. I highly recommend reading fromt he first book, The Third to Die as it gives the reader a chance to meet all the main characters in the FBI Mobile Response team. This is one of my favorite authors and I can not wait to see where she goes next for this series. I look forward to seeing what she has in store for them next.
Kara and Matt are posing undercover as newly married couple as three couples have gone missing from an exclusive resort and Kara has similarities to the three women who went missing. I loved how the author keeps giving the readers interesting looks into each of the characters. They aren't a one note character, they have many layers and are each are unique. What I love about this author is how complex these characters are. They literally are so well written, they feel like they are going to jump off the page and into my living room with me. The secondary characters are just as interesting and multilayered as well. This is an author who knows how to create a masterpiece of a story filled with intriguing characters and so much more to engage the readers.
MAKE IT OUT ALIVE is one hell of a book and a perfect addition to the Quinn and Costa series. I highly recommend reading fromt he first book, The Third to Die as it gives the reader a chance to meet all the main characters in the FBI Mobile Response team. This is one of my favorite authors and I can not wait to see where she goes next for this series. I look forward to seeing what she has in store for them next.
January 27, 2026
Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan is everything I want from this series and then some. High-stakes. Relentless. Emotionally charged. This is easily the most intense Quinn and Costa story yet, and I devoured it.
From the opening pages, the tension is cranked all the way up. A serial killer targeting newlywed couples at a luxury Florida resort is creepy enough, but the decision to use Kara Quinn as bait takes the danger to another level. The undercover honeymoon setup is deliciously nerve-wracking, and just when you think the team has the upper hand… nope. Brennan pulls the rug out and turns the story into a brutal, claustrophobic fight for survival.
The pacing is phenomenal. This is true edge-of-your-seat reading, the kind where you keep saying “one more chapter” and suddenly it’s way past bedtime. The twisted escape-room element adds a fresh layer of psychological terror, and the villains are unsettling in the best way. We get real development and motivation, not just cardboard bad guys doing bad things.
What really made this a five-star read for me, though, was Quinn and Costa. I loved the deeper look into their relationship. The trust, the partnership, the emotional stakes. It all felt earned and beautifully woven into the action. Their dynamic adds heart to the chaos and raises the tension even higher because you care.
Bonus points for how accessible this book is. Even if you haven’t read all the previous installments, Brennan provides enough backstory on the team to keep you fully grounded without slowing the story down. As someone who hasn’t read every single book in the series, I never felt lost. Just fully invested.
Fast-paced, intense, character-driven, and impossible to put down. If you love high-octane thrillers with smart characters and emotional depth, this one absolutely delivers. I’m always happy to return to Quinn and Costa, and this book reminded me exactly why.
From the opening pages, the tension is cranked all the way up. A serial killer targeting newlywed couples at a luxury Florida resort is creepy enough, but the decision to use Kara Quinn as bait takes the danger to another level. The undercover honeymoon setup is deliciously nerve-wracking, and just when you think the team has the upper hand… nope. Brennan pulls the rug out and turns the story into a brutal, claustrophobic fight for survival.
The pacing is phenomenal. This is true edge-of-your-seat reading, the kind where you keep saying “one more chapter” and suddenly it’s way past bedtime. The twisted escape-room element adds a fresh layer of psychological terror, and the villains are unsettling in the best way. We get real development and motivation, not just cardboard bad guys doing bad things.
What really made this a five-star read for me, though, was Quinn and Costa. I loved the deeper look into their relationship. The trust, the partnership, the emotional stakes. It all felt earned and beautifully woven into the action. Their dynamic adds heart to the chaos and raises the tension even higher because you care.
Bonus points for how accessible this book is. Even if you haven’t read all the previous installments, Brennan provides enough backstory on the team to keep you fully grounded without slowing the story down. As someone who hasn’t read every single book in the series, I never felt lost. Just fully invested.
Fast-paced, intense, character-driven, and impossible to put down. If you love high-octane thrillers with smart characters and emotional depth, this one absolutely delivers. I’m always happy to return to Quinn and Costa, and this book reminded me exactly why.
November 11, 2025
I have been a big fan of Allison Brennan’s Regan Merritt series but have never read any of the Quinn and Costa series for some reason. “Big mistake. Huge. (to quote Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman).”
“Make it Out Alive” is the 7th novel in the Quinn and Costa series. Early on, it is obvious that if you haven’t read the previous 6 books, you have some catching up to do. However, Brennan makes sure that you may not have the full back story, but you will be able to catch up quickly and still get into this book from the beginning.
Quinn and Costa have checked into a resort to investigate the murder of three different couples. We start out with them already apprehending a suspect, a worker at the resort, and questioning the alleged perpetrator. When the team feels confident, they have the right person, a team member suggests Quinn and Costa take a break and stay at the resort for the remainder of the time they have the room reserved.
That is a great idea until it isn’t. Because Quinn and Costa disappear just like the other couples did. So, did they get the right guy? Is there a partner they didn’t know about? Are Quinn and Costa doomed to the same fate of the previously abducted couples?
This novel was an incredible ride. Straight up pulse-pounding adventure/mystery/thriller. And the bad guy…a new level of evil. I don’t want to say more because I would have to spoil things.
Just read this book. Nothing else to say about it. READ. IT.
And if this is any indication of how the rest of the books in the series go, then I may have just found my new favorite Allison Brennan series (move over Merritt).
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
“Make it Out Alive” is the 7th novel in the Quinn and Costa series. Early on, it is obvious that if you haven’t read the previous 6 books, you have some catching up to do. However, Brennan makes sure that you may not have the full back story, but you will be able to catch up quickly and still get into this book from the beginning.
Quinn and Costa have checked into a resort to investigate the murder of three different couples. We start out with them already apprehending a suspect, a worker at the resort, and questioning the alleged perpetrator. When the team feels confident, they have the right person, a team member suggests Quinn and Costa take a break and stay at the resort for the remainder of the time they have the room reserved.
That is a great idea until it isn’t. Because Quinn and Costa disappear just like the other couples did. So, did they get the right guy? Is there a partner they didn’t know about? Are Quinn and Costa doomed to the same fate of the previously abducted couples?
This novel was an incredible ride. Straight up pulse-pounding adventure/mystery/thriller. And the bad guy…a new level of evil. I don’t want to say more because I would have to spoil things.
Just read this book. Nothing else to say about it. READ. IT.
And if this is any indication of how the rest of the books in the series go, then I may have just found my new favorite Allison Brennan series (move over Merritt).
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Allison Brennan herself loves her latest addition to the Quinn and Costa series and I can see why, what a thriller. Make It Out Alive will keep you reading long past your bed time! When three newlywed couples go missing from a luxury resort and later found dead, the FBI Mobile Team is called in to investigate, Their investigation zeroes in on the murder and with him in jail they the team takes the weekend off. When Monday arrives they find team members Quinn and Costa missing and frantically begin their search with no clues to be had. Meanwhile the missing pair wake up and find themselves trapped in a very dangerous escape room. Will they make it out alive, Who is behind the murders and what’s their motive?
Brennan is one of my favorite authors and her ability to build a mystery. She blends situations procedural with unexpected twists keeping readers vested in the activities and dangers the members face during their investigations. To keep to the reality of fictional situations Brennan uses her consultants to the fullest. Brennan continues to develop the personalities and team development with the normal kinds of friction any team might face on a regular basis, different personalities are always a challenge. But when it’s time they must capture the villains, save the innocents her character development is perfect. Don’t miss the latest installment in the Quinn and Costa series. Thank you Harlequin Trade and NetGalley for the Arc.
Brennan is one of my favorite authors and her ability to build a mystery. She blends situations procedural with unexpected twists keeping readers vested in the activities and dangers the members face during their investigations. To keep to the reality of fictional situations Brennan uses her consultants to the fullest. Brennan continues to develop the personalities and team development with the normal kinds of friction any team might face on a regular basis, different personalities are always a challenge. But when it’s time they must capture the villains, save the innocents her character development is perfect. Don’t miss the latest installment in the Quinn and Costa series. Thank you Harlequin Trade and NetGalley for the Arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I always enjoy a book by this author. Though I have not read all the previous books in this series this one did perfect. You don't have to read them all in order.
An action packed story of intrigue and murder. This story keeps you guessing as you go through all that is happening. It's a very intense and edge of your seat thriller. I never guessed this one. Though you are told up front who it is. A justification for murder by his partner. Never at fault. Always a victim seeking revenge.
When two FBI agents go missing you can bet everyone sits up and pays attention. No matter what they must be found. They posed as a married couple yet are truly in love with each other. The killer took them not knowing who they really were. They were put where it was next to impossible to escape. At every turn they were in danger of being killed. Talk about an escape room. A whole escape factory is way more intriguing.
This book had me cringing and gasping so much. It would make a great scary movie. I could almost picture that. With all the things that were happening to them. Then the woman and her child. Oh my that part scared me. Had me holding my breath. What a mother will truly do for her child...
This is a great book. It has all the feels you need for a great thriller. It will keep you turning the pages until the very ending. I didn't want to put it down.
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade and Harlequin Audio for this ARC.
4.75 stars...
An action packed story of intrigue and murder. This story keeps you guessing as you go through all that is happening. It's a very intense and edge of your seat thriller. I never guessed this one. Though you are told up front who it is. A justification for murder by his partner. Never at fault. Always a victim seeking revenge.
When two FBI agents go missing you can bet everyone sits up and pays attention. No matter what they must be found. They posed as a married couple yet are truly in love with each other. The killer took them not knowing who they really were. They were put where it was next to impossible to escape. At every turn they were in danger of being killed. Talk about an escape room. A whole escape factory is way more intriguing.
This book had me cringing and gasping so much. It would make a great scary movie. I could almost picture that. With all the things that were happening to them. Then the woman and her child. Oh my that part scared me. Had me holding my breath. What a mother will truly do for her child...
This is a great book. It has all the feels you need for a great thriller. It will keep you turning the pages until the very ending. I didn't want to put it down.
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade and Harlequin Audio for this ARC.
4.75 stars...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Detective Kara Quinn and FBI Agent Matt Costa go undercover as newlyweds to catch a killer targeting couples at a Florida resort. When they manage to arrest their suspect mid abduction, the team thinks the case is wrapped. But after deciding to stay the weekend and finally take a breath, Kara and Matt vanish. Suddenly, the question becomes unavoidable: Did they catch the right man?
As the team scrambles to retrace Kara and Matt’s steps, they’re forced to confront a chilling possibility, someone else may be involved. Meanwhile, Kara and Matt wake to find themselves trapped in a deadly, escape room like setup where every choice could be their last.
I devoured Make It Out Alive in a single day. The blend of crime procedural investigation and high stakes survival kept me glued to the story, especially as the clock ticked down for Kara and Matt. Their chapters are action-packed as they use their wits to escape, while the team’s investigation unfolds with smart, methodical tension.
I’ve followed this series from the beginning and love how consistently gripping it is, but you can jump in here without missing a beat. Still, I wholeheartedly recommend the entire series.
I alternated between reading and listening to Make It Out Alive, and both formats were excellent. The audiobook, performed by Suzanne T. Fortin, was especially enjoyable. She delivers distinct, believable voices for every character, male and female alike.
I voluntarily read/listened to an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publishers. These are my thoughts and opinions.
As the team scrambles to retrace Kara and Matt’s steps, they’re forced to confront a chilling possibility, someone else may be involved. Meanwhile, Kara and Matt wake to find themselves trapped in a deadly, escape room like setup where every choice could be their last.
I devoured Make It Out Alive in a single day. The blend of crime procedural investigation and high stakes survival kept me glued to the story, especially as the clock ticked down for Kara and Matt. Their chapters are action-packed as they use their wits to escape, while the team’s investigation unfolds with smart, methodical tension.
I’ve followed this series from the beginning and love how consistently gripping it is, but you can jump in here without missing a beat. Still, I wholeheartedly recommend the entire series.
I alternated between reading and listening to Make It Out Alive, and both formats were excellent. The audiobook, performed by Suzanne T. Fortin, was especially enjoyable. She delivers distinct, believable voices for every character, male and female alike.
I voluntarily read/listened to an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publishers. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
Release: Jan 27, 2026
Author: Alison Brennan
Publisher: Harlequin Trade
Rating: 4★
When newlywed couples start vanishing—and turning up dead—at a luxury Florida resort, the FBI steps in to hunt a serial killer targeting brides. Detective Kara Quinn and FBI agent Matt Costa go undercover as honeymooners to draw him out, and it works… until they suddenly disappear themselves. It quickly becomes clear the killer wasn’t acting alone, and Kara and Matt wake up trapped in a deadly, puzzle-like game where survival is the only goal.
This book is fast, high-stakes, and nonstop. The pacing is sharp, the danger feels constant, and the tension never lets up. Even though it’s part of a series, it’s easy to jump into, and the chemistry between Kara and Matt adds an emotional edge to the chaos. Written by Allison Brennan, it’s a gripping FBI thriller with chilling villains, tight chapters, and a final act that keeps your heart racing. Perfect if you love investigative thrillers with survival vibes and relentless twists.
Favorite Quote:
"The past was a ghost, and the future was a shadow. All she had was the present."
Author: Alison Brennan
Publisher: Harlequin Trade
Rating: 4★
When newlywed couples start vanishing—and turning up dead—at a luxury Florida resort, the FBI steps in to hunt a serial killer targeting brides. Detective Kara Quinn and FBI agent Matt Costa go undercover as honeymooners to draw him out, and it works… until they suddenly disappear themselves. It quickly becomes clear the killer wasn’t acting alone, and Kara and Matt wake up trapped in a deadly, puzzle-like game where survival is the only goal.
This book is fast, high-stakes, and nonstop. The pacing is sharp, the danger feels constant, and the tension never lets up. Even though it’s part of a series, it’s easy to jump into, and the chemistry between Kara and Matt adds an emotional edge to the chaos. Written by Allison Brennan, it’s a gripping FBI thriller with chilling villains, tight chapters, and a final act that keeps your heart racing. Perfect if you love investigative thrillers with survival vibes and relentless twists.
Favorite Quote:
"The past was a ghost, and the future was a shadow. All she had was the present."
September 30, 2025
Three newlywed couples have disappeared from a resort in Florida. FBI Mobile Response Team is sent to investigate and catch a serial killer. Detective Kara Quinn and FBI agent Matt Costa are sent in undercover as newlyweds. Kara looks a lot like the women that have disappeared. They set a trap and catch a man. They wrap it up and take a few days for themselves. When their teammates get worried when they don’t hear from them, they call the security guy that they were dealing with. They look at the cameras and see Kara pass out and Matt being shot with a tranquilizer dart. A employee from the resort, pushes a cart into the room, and Matt and Kara are gone. The team rushes back down to Florida. The man they believe is the killer, has a solid alibi, being in jail. They realize the killer has a partner but finding them becomes very difficult. Matt and Kara wake up in an old , abandoned factory that is set up with booby traps. Will they escape before everything comes crashing down on them?
Excellent story. Action. Suspense. Mystery. Lies.
* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY *
Excellent story. Action. Suspense. Mystery. Lies.
* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY *
October 4, 2025
I think that this is my favorite series by the author, I just love Quinn & Costa and how well developed they are as she adds each story. The dynamics of them working together and their love relationship really moves the story along. This book could be read as a standalone, but it is so much better if you start from the beginning of the series. We are once again solving a horrendous crime but without the leader of the Mobile Response Team. Matt and Kara are missing after deciding to spend an extra day at the resort they were working undercover. Now the team is desperately trying to find them. While they are working to find their missing members, Matt and Kara are trying to survive the game that they have been put into. Will Matt and Kara’s co-workers find them alive or will the game their playing killed them. I highly recommend this book and the series. You won’t be able to put it down. Thank you, Netgalley and Hanover Square Press, for the ARC in Exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2025
Make It Out Alive by Allison Brennan is a fast, intense thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story follows Detective Kara Quinn and FBI Agent Matt Costa as they investigate the murder of newlywed couples at a luxury Florida resort. When they go undercover as honeymooners, they believe they’ve caught the killer, but things quickly take a terrifying turn.
Kara and Matt are kidnapped and trapped in a twisted survival game, and the danger feels very real. The pacing is quick, the chapters are short, and the tension never lets up. I especially liked the partnership between Kara and Matt, their trust in each other adds emotional depth to the story.
This book is suspenseful, dark, and full of twists. Even though it’s part of a series, it’s easy to follow. If you enjoy FBI thrillers with high stakes and nonstop action, this is a great read.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own
Kara and Matt are kidnapped and trapped in a twisted survival game, and the danger feels very real. The pacing is quick, the chapters are short, and the tension never lets up. I especially liked the partnership between Kara and Matt, their trust in each other adds emotional depth to the story.
This book is suspenseful, dark, and full of twists. Even though it’s part of a series, it’s easy to follow. If you enjoy FBI thrillers with high stakes and nonstop action, this is a great read.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own
January 10, 2026
I stayed up way later than planned with this one. The tension is nonstop and once things go sideways, it really does not let up. The setup alone had me hooked and the escape room element added such a claustrophobic, high stakes layer that made everything feel urgent and stressful in the best way.
Kara and Matt are such a solid pair. I love how much trust there is between them and how that partnership is tested under extreme pressure. You really feel the danger they are in, but you also get those quieter moments where their dynamic shines and grounds the story emotionally.
This one leans heavy into fast pacing, short chapters, and constant twists. It feels very cinematic, very edge of your seat, and honestly easy to fly through even though it is intense. If you enjoy FBI procedurals, serial killer plots, undercover missions, and survival scenarios, this absolutely delivers.
Definitely a strong installment in the series and a fun, nerve wracking ride overall.
Kara and Matt are such a solid pair. I love how much trust there is between them and how that partnership is tested under extreme pressure. You really feel the danger they are in, but you also get those quieter moments where their dynamic shines and grounds the story emotionally.
This one leans heavy into fast pacing, short chapters, and constant twists. It feels very cinematic, very edge of your seat, and honestly easy to fly through even though it is intense. If you enjoy FBI procedurals, serial killer plots, undercover missions, and survival scenarios, this absolutely delivers.
Definitely a strong installment in the series and a fun, nerve wracking ride overall.
January 18, 2026
Hanover Square Press / Harper Collins provided an early galley for review.
This is her seventh book in the Quinn and Costa thriller series. This was my first dip into the series, and I really felt like I was switching on a police drama mid-season. The first couple chapters almost seemed like the tail-end of a case rather than the start. It was different and off-putting. I found this actually worked the further I got into the book.
Of course, the meat of the story quickly is established: where are Matt and Kate and how will they get out of this deathtrap-filled place? I felt the momentum slowed when the point-of-view shifted off of them and back to their colleagues investigating and to the villainous party behind all of this. I did, however, appreciate, as the reader, knowing more of what was going on than any of the groups involved.
Fans of the series and/or the author will want to check this one out.
This is her seventh book in the Quinn and Costa thriller series. This was my first dip into the series, and I really felt like I was switching on a police drama mid-season. The first couple chapters almost seemed like the tail-end of a case rather than the start. It was different and off-putting. I found this actually worked the further I got into the book.
Of course, the meat of the story quickly is established: where are Matt and Kate and how will they get out of this deathtrap-filled place? I felt the momentum slowed when the point-of-view shifted off of them and back to their colleagues investigating and to the villainous party behind all of this. I did, however, appreciate, as the reader, knowing more of what was going on than any of the groups involved.
Fans of the series and/or the author will want to check this one out.
January 27, 2026
High intensity drama and intrigue! Brennan is giving us one of the most intense Quinn and Costa thrillers yet because our favorite duo winds up in the danger of a lifetime. I love this team as a whole because they care so much about each other in addition to their allegiance to justice. We are quickly thrust into the ending of what they think to be a wrapped up case, but all is not as it seems and when Quinn and Costa don’t return to work the following Monday morning, the team realizes they are in peril. Great characters, good development of the bad guys, and a decent amount of backstory on the team to catch anyone not following along in the series up on who is who. I always wind up wanting to see just a smidge more of them in their life outside of work but the series is great and this book in particular kept me riveted. Highly recommend the entire series!
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