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Emily Slate #18
The Killing Jar
Some places are built to heal. Others are designed to hurt.
Special Agent Emily Slate has just been appointed to lead a new team within the FBI. It’s a fresh start. A new boss. A new mandate. But no time to breathe.
A series of disturbing reports from a remote psychiatric facility land on her desk—patients suddenly cut off from family, strange staff turnover, and whispers of something far more sinister beneath the surface.
The deeper she and her team dig, the clearer it this isn’t about mental health. It’s about power, control, and silence. And someone inside will do whatever it takes to keep the truth buried—even if it means killing to protect it.
As the lines between sanity and conspiracy blur, Emily must navigate the shadows of an institution built on secrets… before she becomes its next patient.
The Killing Jar is a chilling new entry in the Emily Slate Mystery Thrillers by bestselling author Alex Sigmore. Perfect for returning fans and new readers alike, this standalone mystery delivers razor-sharp suspense, gripping twists, and a heroine who never backs down—even when the system is designed to break her.
Special Agent Emily Slate has just been appointed to lead a new team within the FBI. It’s a fresh start. A new boss. A new mandate. But no time to breathe.
A series of disturbing reports from a remote psychiatric facility land on her desk—patients suddenly cut off from family, strange staff turnover, and whispers of something far more sinister beneath the surface.
The deeper she and her team dig, the clearer it this isn’t about mental health. It’s about power, control, and silence. And someone inside will do whatever it takes to keep the truth buried—even if it means killing to protect it.
As the lines between sanity and conspiracy blur, Emily must navigate the shadows of an institution built on secrets… before she becomes its next patient.
The Killing Jar is a chilling new entry in the Emily Slate Mystery Thrillers by bestselling author Alex Sigmore. Perfect for returning fans and new readers alike, this standalone mystery delivers razor-sharp suspense, gripping twists, and a heroine who never backs down—even when the system is designed to break her.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2026
About the author
Alex Sigmore
105 books334 followersAlex Sigmore is a lifelong reader who has always been fascinated by what drives people. What events in our lives shape us to become the people we are today?
After a few other careers, it became clear that writing was the only way to explore this eternal question.
When not writing, Alex enjoys the quiet life with his wife of over twenty years, his days filled with rescue pugs, good books, travel and good friends.
After a few other careers, it became clear that writing was the only way to explore this eternal question.
When not writing, Alex enjoys the quiet life with his wife of over twenty years, his days filled with rescue pugs, good books, travel and good friends.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 20, 2026
Emily Slate has finally earned the chance to lead her own FBI team, and their first assignment takes them somewhere particularly unsettling—a remote psychiatric facility where families are suddenly being denied access to patients and explanations are in very short supply.
What initially looks like a fairly straightforward complaint soon begins raising some serious red flags. Emily, Zara, Liam, Nadia, and Elliott discover an institution where vulnerable people have very little control over what happens to them and those in charge have plenty of reasons to discourage questions. The investigation eventually exposes something much darker involving greed, corruption, and dangerous experimentation.
I liked the premise quite a bit. A locked psychiatric facility makes an inherently creepy setting, especially when the very people claiming to be helping patients may be the ones they need protection from. Emily also has to adjust to being the person in charge now, responsible not only for the investigation but for the agents working under her.
This was a good addition to the Emily Slate series, although it didn’t grab me quite as strongly as several of the previous books.
3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐½
What initially looks like a fairly straightforward complaint soon begins raising some serious red flags. Emily, Zara, Liam, Nadia, and Elliott discover an institution where vulnerable people have very little control over what happens to them and those in charge have plenty of reasons to discourage questions. The investigation eventually exposes something much darker involving greed, corruption, and dangerous experimentation.
I liked the premise quite a bit. A locked psychiatric facility makes an inherently creepy setting, especially when the very people claiming to be helping patients may be the ones they need protection from. Emily also has to adjust to being the person in charge now, responsible not only for the investigation but for the agents working under her.
This was a good addition to the Emily Slate series, although it didn’t grab me quite as strongly as several of the previous books.
3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐½
June 2, 2026
I am officially caught up on this series, and I don't know what to do with myself! The Killing Jar keeps the tension sky-high from the very first page. Alex Sigmore delivers exactly what I love: a fast-paced, intense FBI procedural that doesn't waste time on endless filler. It is pure, addictive suspense. If you haven't started this series yet, binge it immediately. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll just be over here crying while I wait for the next release!
June 12, 2026
Now that Emily has proven she is innocent, she is given her own team to lead. Their first case seems like a miscommunication between two women who are in an institution. But after investigating, it is discovered there is drug testing on humans that should not be allowed and the result is proving deadly. When Zara does her own sleuthing, she is captured and becomes the next subject. Will Emily get there in time to save Zara from a similar fate?
October 22, 2026
Another terrific addition to the series
I guess I chose to read this series at the right time, especially considering that this book was a terrifying, twisted, and very complex thriller that goes really well with the Halloween season. However, it can obviously be read and enjoyed at anytime of the year.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
I guess I chose to read this series at the right time, especially considering that this book was a terrifying, twisted, and very complex thriller that goes really well with the Halloween season. However, it can obviously be read and enjoyed at anytime of the year.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
May 24, 2026
I loved the book and continue to love the development of the characters throughout this series. I truly enjoy each case Emily, Zara, and her team solve. The Emily Slate series is my favorite, and I can’t wait for the next one!
May 25, 2026
Another good book!
This was another good book in the Emily Slate series! Can't wait for the next one! Emily is growing so much as a character! Can't wait to see where life takes her
This was another good book in the Emily Slate series! Can't wait for the next one! Emily is growing so much as a character! Can't wait to see where life takes her
May 27, 2026
Great read
It's been a while since I sat down to read a few pages of a new book and was so engrossed that I did nothing but read. Start to finish! The Emily Slate series is so action filled, sit on the edge of your seat that you can't help but enjoy a whole day of reading.
It's been a while since I sat down to read a few pages of a new book and was so engrossed that I did nothing but read. Start to finish! The Emily Slate series is so action filled, sit on the edge of your seat that you can't help but enjoy a whole day of reading.
June 11, 2026
I enjoyed this book. I didn’t realize it was part of a series, so I plan to go back and start with the first one. I am a big fan of Elle Grey. It reminds me of her books, but not so much that I couldn’t enjoy it. The characters were very likable and the story had a lot of twists and turns.
July 10, 2026
Love this series and the characters in it. Just want to keep reading to see what happens to Emily and the rest of the gang. Sigmore is a great story teller. You must try this series out Now I have to wait till October for the next one. Check it out
May 20, 2026
🩷🩷
This is my favorite series and as always I couldn’t wait to figure out how Emily closes the case. Can’t wait for the next!!
This is my favorite series and as always I couldn’t wait to figure out how Emily closes the case. Can’t wait for the next!!
May 29, 2026
Such a good series. Had me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait for the next book
June 2, 2026
I'm not sure how, but these keep being good.
June 20, 2026
Drooling for book 19. The cliffhangers and story arcs keep me hooked on Emily.
June 23, 2026
Interested to see where this new part of the series goes.
July 9, 2026
Enjoy Emily Slate series very much.
July 29, 2026
Been waiting a long time for this book in a series.
August 31, 2026
Good book
This was a good book in the series and I enjoyed it very much. The series seems to get the FBI in more trouble. Hopefully her wedding plans will go much smoother.
This was a good book in the series and I enjoyed it very much. The series seems to get the FBI in more trouble. Hopefully her wedding plans will go much smoother.
October 10, 2026
ugh
I can’t believe I’m almost caught up. I hope there are more books. I love the main characters- Emily, Zara, and Liam.
I can’t believe I’m almost caught up. I hope there are more books. I love the main characters- Emily, Zara, and Liam.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received as an ARC, this is an honest review.
After the heartbreaking loss of her former boss, Emily is spiraling- consumed by a deep sense of failure... and the darkest of determination to make Joaquin Fletch pay dearly for it. Now Emily, Zara, Liam, Nadia and Elliott find themselves taking on the kinds of cases the FBI may not be able to give time to. Their first case brings the team to Lazar Mental Correctional facility and to two women: Renata Sawyer and Matilda Eaton. Both families were concerned but at first, Emily and Zara feel this is a simple case- easy to close. Yet... things aren't eaxactly right; and the more poeces Emily and her colleagues discover- something definitely disturbingly is happening within Lazar's walls. And they cannot wait for the snails paced justice system to catch up and give them the go ahead. This prison has secrets and running dark may be the only way to unravel the truth... confronting the confluence of greed and corruption that's stalking the alteady vulnerable... and taking something far more precious than freedom.
Highly recommended.
After the heartbreaking loss of her former boss, Emily is spiraling- consumed by a deep sense of failure... and the darkest of determination to make Joaquin Fletch pay dearly for it. Now Emily, Zara, Liam, Nadia and Elliott find themselves taking on the kinds of cases the FBI may not be able to give time to. Their first case brings the team to Lazar Mental Correctional facility and to two women: Renata Sawyer and Matilda Eaton. Both families were concerned but at first, Emily and Zara feel this is a simple case- easy to close. Yet... things aren't eaxactly right; and the more poeces Emily and her colleagues discover- something definitely disturbingly is happening within Lazar's walls. And they cannot wait for the snails paced justice system to catch up and give them the go ahead. This prison has secrets and running dark may be the only way to unravel the truth... confronting the confluence of greed and corruption that's stalking the alteady vulnerable... and taking something far more precious than freedom.
Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Treatment or Torture?
The Killing Jar takes you into the nightmare world of government-run mental health correctional facilities. Every fear you've harbored since seeing the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is brought to life in The Killing Jar.
Emily, Coll, Zara, Nadia, and Elliott are relocated to a small, invisible office building and are told in no uncertain terms that this is their last chance. Then, contradictorily, their bosses, Prendergast and Vostic, virtually permit them to use all of the sneaky tricks that have made them so successful.
At first, it seemed easy enough to build their case around the two families' complaints. However, the team quickly ran into obstacles. By far the biggest was the strapping Nordic Nurse Booth. Mountains were moved with more ease than Nurse Booth.
The team rapidly uncovers immoral, illegal, and downright dangerous activities happening at the Lazar mental correctional facility. People are dying to protect the inside information, and now, FBI Agents are being targeted as well.
It's a race between Good and Evil. Will our heroes win the day, or will the dark, Gothic stone building of Lazar mental correctional facility continue to be a place of tortured souls destined to forever suffer? Only the author knows. And people who have read the book. Will you join us?
The Killing Jar takes you into the nightmare world of government-run mental health correctional facilities. Every fear you've harbored since seeing the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is brought to life in The Killing Jar.
Emily, Coll, Zara, Nadia, and Elliott are relocated to a small, invisible office building and are told in no uncertain terms that this is their last chance. Then, contradictorily, their bosses, Prendergast and Vostic, virtually permit them to use all of the sneaky tricks that have made them so successful.
At first, it seemed easy enough to build their case around the two families' complaints. However, the team quickly ran into obstacles. By far the biggest was the strapping Nordic Nurse Booth. Mountains were moved with more ease than Nurse Booth.
The team rapidly uncovers immoral, illegal, and downright dangerous activities happening at the Lazar mental correctional facility. People are dying to protect the inside information, and now, FBI Agents are being targeted as well.
It's a race between Good and Evil. Will our heroes win the day, or will the dark, Gothic stone building of Lazar mental correctional facility continue to be a place of tortured souls destined to forever suffer? Only the author knows. And people who have read the book. Will you join us?
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews