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The Mind Hunter Series #1
Gone in Three Seconds
A human time bomb has three minutes. Cassidy Chord has even less.
A terrified woman bursts into a Los Angeles ER with a fresh tattoo she swears she didn’t get. The numbers on her skin count down.
00:03 — BOOM.
The explosion kills the victim and a nurse. Hours later, a businessman in the LAX baggage claim detonates the same way.
Former Blackhawk pilot, now forensic psychologist Dr. Cassidy Chord survived the blast that destroyed her leg, but nothing’s prepared her to pit wits against a foe turning random civilians into walking weapons. The terrorist has stalked and studied Cassidy, engaging her in his sick game — leaving her gifts, clues, and disappearing pictures and emails that turn her from FBI consultant to suspect.
As attacks escalate across Los Angeles, Cassidy goes rogue because anyone can be next. Anywhere. Anytime. If you’re marked, you’re already gone.
Tick. Tick. Tick. BOOM.
A terrified woman bursts into a Los Angeles ER with a fresh tattoo she swears she didn’t get. The numbers on her skin count down.
00:03 — BOOM.
The explosion kills the victim and a nurse. Hours later, a businessman in the LAX baggage claim detonates the same way.
Former Blackhawk pilot, now forensic psychologist Dr. Cassidy Chord survived the blast that destroyed her leg, but nothing’s prepared her to pit wits against a foe turning random civilians into walking weapons. The terrorist has stalked and studied Cassidy, engaging her in his sick game — leaving her gifts, clues, and disappearing pictures and emails that turn her from FBI consultant to suspect.
As attacks escalate across Los Angeles, Cassidy goes rogue because anyone can be next. Anywhere. Anytime. If you’re marked, you’re already gone.
Tick. Tick. Tick. BOOM.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 17, 2026
A woman rushes into a Los Angeles ER with a tattoo she swears she didn't get... and it's counting down. 00:03 - BOOM. An explosion rips through the ER. Then it happens again, same tattoo, same terror. Enter Dr Cassidy Chord, a former Blackhawk pilot turned forensic psychologist whose suddenly caught in a deadly game with a terrorist turning ordinary people into walking time bombs. The killer isn't just causing chaos, they're targeting Cassidy specifically, leaving her clues, taunting her and slowly pulling her from investigator to suspect. As the attacks escalate one truth becomes terrifyingly clear... if you're marked, you're already gone.
This book wastes zero time! From the very first explosion, you're thrown into a nightmare where people are turned into ticking time bombs with no warning and no escape. The countdown tattoos? The kind of wild concept that sticks in your brain long after you put the book down. Dr. Cassidy Chord is exactly the kind of main character I love. She's smart, relentless but also pushed to her absolute limit. Watching her get pulled deeper into a case that feels personal had me ripping through the pages! This isn't a slow burn, it's a full-on sprint. High stakes, constant tension, and that feeling that literally anybody could be next. If you love thrillers that feel like a race against time and that keep you on edge from start to finish, add this one to your list!
Thank you so much to Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse and Jim De La Vega for allowing me an early copy of this first book in the Mind Hunter series. Can't wait to see what's in store for Cassidy next!
This book wastes zero time! From the very first explosion, you're thrown into a nightmare where people are turned into ticking time bombs with no warning and no escape. The countdown tattoos? The kind of wild concept that sticks in your brain long after you put the book down. Dr. Cassidy Chord is exactly the kind of main character I love. She's smart, relentless but also pushed to her absolute limit. Watching her get pulled deeper into a case that feels personal had me ripping through the pages! This isn't a slow burn, it's a full-on sprint. High stakes, constant tension, and that feeling that literally anybody could be next. If you love thrillers that feel like a race against time and that keep you on edge from start to finish, add this one to your list!
Thank you so much to Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse and Jim De La Vega for allowing me an early copy of this first book in the Mind Hunter series. Can't wait to see what's in store for Cassidy next!
June 9, 2026
Author Jim De La Vega has enjoyed a long career as a broadcast journalist with NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, and CNN. In his capacity as a crime reporter, Jim has covered a wide range of stories involving school shootings and serial killers, and been threatened and shot at twice. For his efforts, he has earned the Associated Press Best Newscast award three times.
His previous novels, published under the pen name Jim Brown, include 24/7 and Black Valley, both of which have been optioned by Hollywood and published in twenty-six countries.
Now he has launched his Mind Hunter Series with three initial volumes planned, each featuring Cassidy Chord, a forensic psychologist who serves as a profiler for the FBI. The first, Gone in Three Seconds, is based on a terrifying concept. Seemingly random citizens discover freshly applied tattoos on their bodies that they have no memory of acquiring. Even more shocking is the fact that the tattoos consist of numbers arranged in what appears to be a countdown formation, followed by the word “Boom.” Worse, the numbers actually change, diminishing as the hours and minutes tick by. But how is that even possible? What kind of technology enables animated tattoos to be inked on human skin? Why won’t the ink wash off? How is the technology controlled and by whom? What does the countdown signify? And why are the particular victims selected?
As the story opens, a frightened woman proceeds to a Los Angeles-area emergency room after discovering such a tattoo on her wrist. As she pleads for help from a rookie nurse, the countdown reaches the one second mark and detonates, killing both of them. A similar scenario plays out in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Cassidy Chord is a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler, tasked with analyzing “the mind behind the crimes to predict future behavior, as well as personal traits, habits, and idiosyncrasies that would help identify the suspect.” She has been working with Lansing Psychological Services for the past two years, but that relationship is terminated due to dwindling referrals. She has bills to pay, but her own psychological trauma has interfered with her ability to serve her clients. Cassidy suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which manifests with angry outbursts and night terrors. She also experiences severe phantom limb pain, which is worsened by stress. Cassidy, a former Blackhawk pilot, decided she was ready to marry Russell and build a life with him. And she flew all the way to the Middle East to surprise him with the news. She found him on the opposite side of a busy street and began running toward him, but just as she reached him a vehicle stopped and an IED (improvised explosive devise) blew them apart. Russell died instantly and, although she survived, Cassidy’s leg had to be amputated. She now ambulates using a prosthetic leg she has christened “Steve” (because “Chris Hemsworth is too long”).
On the same night that the tattoos begin detonating, strange messages start appearing on Cassidy’s cell phone. The first says simply, “You’ve got thirty seconds.” And includes a photo of a man Cassidy has never seen before. Then it disappears. Cassidy soon realizes it was a picture of the man who bore the tattoo that exploded in the Seattle-Tacoma airport.
Cassidy calls upon an old friend, Elliott Proctor, to land a contract as a consultant to the FBI. After a brief dalliance during a period when she and Russell had broken up, she essentially ghosted Elliott, eventually reconciling with the man she fully intended to marry . Now, she needs money and desperately wants to be part of the Task Force formed to investigate the explosions. She has just spoken to Elliott when yet another disappearing message arrives: “Tell no one.”
Soon the terrorist communicates the two rules governing his maniacal activities:
Rule number one. The tattoo is final. If you’ve got it, you’re gone. No way to stop it. No escape.
Rule Number two. Anyone, anytime anywhere.
Cassidy, Elliott, and their fellow task force members, led by Assistant Director Gregory Taft, a man who does not suffer fools, realize they are dealing with an unknown enemy who has tools at his/her disposal about which they lack expertise. Moreover, Cassidy recognizes that the suspect is “an organized criminal” who enjoys killing and takes “great delight in the meticulous planning of each slaughter.” And they must work quickly because each successive explosion, like the tattoo(s) preceding it, is bigger and deadlier. De La Vega says he was inspired to write the tale, in part, because he has “always been obsessed with time. And as a TV news anchor and reporter, that sense of urgency only grew even stronger. The news goes live at a specific time, whether everything is ready or not.” Indeed, De La Vega’s tautly crafted narrative has a distinctly cinematic quality reminiscent of Kiefer Sutherland’s beloved television series, “24.”
De La Vega’s premise is unique and immediately evokes an emotional response from his readers. Little, if anything, is scarier than the idea of being rendered completely devoid of control over one’s own body . . . and future. As news of explosions leaks, panic sets in. The terrorist’s victims find tattoos have been placed on their bodies without their consent or knowledge, they cannot be removed, and they signify imminent death. As his/her rules make clear, no one is immune and there is no antidote or escape. The”boom ink” used in the tattoos bonds with human skin and, after it is activated, functions as an unstoppable biochemical timer. De La Vega deftly capitalizes on his clever plot device by establishing the story’s fast pace from the outset and never letting it drag. Indeed, he ramps up the tension incrementally as the number of deaths rises and his characters grow increasingly frantic to apprehend the perpetrator before he/she can claim more victims.
Cassidy is at the center of a cast of intriguing characters. She is a flawed but sympathetic warrior. She and Russell were both deployed to the Middle East, and she remains committed to serving despite her ongoing physical and psychological struggles. The nerve pain she experiences is often debilitating, described as severe cramping. Her nightmares cause her to scream in her sleep and awaken disoriented. And she is still grieving Russell, who died senselessly right in front of her. This aspect of the story is very personal to De La Vega. He explains that the book is dedicated to his younger brother, Timmy, whose “sudden death created a chasm in my heart. Cassidy’s emotional journey was also mine. She helped me work out a lot.” Cassidy is also intelligent, intuitive, and tenacious, willing to risk her life to bring the raging terrorist to justice. She becomes even more determined when De La Vega reveals the bomber’s identity and motive. Readers will take her into their hearts and cheer for her.
Cassidy is surrounded by a team of FBI agents who are equally dedicated and talented, bringing specific areas of expertise to the assignment. De La Vega portrays their relationships in an authentic, believable manner. Their banter and squabbling are plausible and entertaining, reinforcing their commitment to working together under the worst conceivable circumstances toward a common goal.
The bomber continues taunting Cassidy and the magnitude of his/her threats increases substantially the tattoos and force of the explosions seem to grow exponentially, as she and her fellow team members race to prevent more death and destruction. The relentless pursuit is engrossing, replete with shocking revelations, and highly entertaining. De La Vega also spotlights the bureaucratic wrangling that is inevitable, as well as the tension between the agency leaders who are desperate to keep the public calm as they investigate and the media representatives who want the headline-worthy, historic story.
Luckily for his readers, De La Vega promises that the upcoming second book in the series will highlight Cassidy’s skills as a profiler. He again calls upon his professional experience to bring credibility to the story which is founded upon his discussion with criminal profilers, including John Douglas, the former FBI agent who is revered for developing the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit.
Thanks to the author for an electronic copy of the book.
His previous novels, published under the pen name Jim Brown, include 24/7 and Black Valley, both of which have been optioned by Hollywood and published in twenty-six countries.
Now he has launched his Mind Hunter Series with three initial volumes planned, each featuring Cassidy Chord, a forensic psychologist who serves as a profiler for the FBI. The first, Gone in Three Seconds, is based on a terrifying concept. Seemingly random citizens discover freshly applied tattoos on their bodies that they have no memory of acquiring. Even more shocking is the fact that the tattoos consist of numbers arranged in what appears to be a countdown formation, followed by the word “Boom.” Worse, the numbers actually change, diminishing as the hours and minutes tick by. But how is that even possible? What kind of technology enables animated tattoos to be inked on human skin? Why won’t the ink wash off? How is the technology controlled and by whom? What does the countdown signify? And why are the particular victims selected?
As the story opens, a frightened woman proceeds to a Los Angeles-area emergency room after discovering such a tattoo on her wrist. As she pleads for help from a rookie nurse, the countdown reaches the one second mark and detonates, killing both of them. A similar scenario plays out in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Cassidy Chord is a forensic psychologist and criminal profiler, tasked with analyzing “the mind behind the crimes to predict future behavior, as well as personal traits, habits, and idiosyncrasies that would help identify the suspect.” She has been working with Lansing Psychological Services for the past two years, but that relationship is terminated due to dwindling referrals. She has bills to pay, but her own psychological trauma has interfered with her ability to serve her clients. Cassidy suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which manifests with angry outbursts and night terrors. She also experiences severe phantom limb pain, which is worsened by stress. Cassidy, a former Blackhawk pilot, decided she was ready to marry Russell and build a life with him. And she flew all the way to the Middle East to surprise him with the news. She found him on the opposite side of a busy street and began running toward him, but just as she reached him a vehicle stopped and an IED (improvised explosive devise) blew them apart. Russell died instantly and, although she survived, Cassidy’s leg had to be amputated. She now ambulates using a prosthetic leg she has christened “Steve” (because “Chris Hemsworth is too long”).
On the same night that the tattoos begin detonating, strange messages start appearing on Cassidy’s cell phone. The first says simply, “You’ve got thirty seconds.” And includes a photo of a man Cassidy has never seen before. Then it disappears. Cassidy soon realizes it was a picture of the man who bore the tattoo that exploded in the Seattle-Tacoma airport.
Cassidy calls upon an old friend, Elliott Proctor, to land a contract as a consultant to the FBI. After a brief dalliance during a period when she and Russell had broken up, she essentially ghosted Elliott, eventually reconciling with the man she fully intended to marry . Now, she needs money and desperately wants to be part of the Task Force formed to investigate the explosions. She has just spoken to Elliott when yet another disappearing message arrives: “Tell no one.”
Soon the terrorist communicates the two rules governing his maniacal activities:
Rule number one. The tattoo is final. If you’ve got it, you’re gone. No way to stop it. No escape.
Rule Number two. Anyone, anytime anywhere.
Cassidy, Elliott, and their fellow task force members, led by Assistant Director Gregory Taft, a man who does not suffer fools, realize they are dealing with an unknown enemy who has tools at his/her disposal about which they lack expertise. Moreover, Cassidy recognizes that the suspect is “an organized criminal” who enjoys killing and takes “great delight in the meticulous planning of each slaughter.” And they must work quickly because each successive explosion, like the tattoo(s) preceding it, is bigger and deadlier. De La Vega says he was inspired to write the tale, in part, because he has “always been obsessed with time. And as a TV news anchor and reporter, that sense of urgency only grew even stronger. The news goes live at a specific time, whether everything is ready or not.” Indeed, De La Vega’s tautly crafted narrative has a distinctly cinematic quality reminiscent of Kiefer Sutherland’s beloved television series, “24.”
De La Vega’s premise is unique and immediately evokes an emotional response from his readers. Little, if anything, is scarier than the idea of being rendered completely devoid of control over one’s own body . . . and future. As news of explosions leaks, panic sets in. The terrorist’s victims find tattoos have been placed on their bodies without their consent or knowledge, they cannot be removed, and they signify imminent death. As his/her rules make clear, no one is immune and there is no antidote or escape. The”boom ink” used in the tattoos bonds with human skin and, after it is activated, functions as an unstoppable biochemical timer. De La Vega deftly capitalizes on his clever plot device by establishing the story’s fast pace from the outset and never letting it drag. Indeed, he ramps up the tension incrementally as the number of deaths rises and his characters grow increasingly frantic to apprehend the perpetrator before he/she can claim more victims.
Cassidy is at the center of a cast of intriguing characters. She is a flawed but sympathetic warrior. She and Russell were both deployed to the Middle East, and she remains committed to serving despite her ongoing physical and psychological struggles. The nerve pain she experiences is often debilitating, described as severe cramping. Her nightmares cause her to scream in her sleep and awaken disoriented. And she is still grieving Russell, who died senselessly right in front of her. This aspect of the story is very personal to De La Vega. He explains that the book is dedicated to his younger brother, Timmy, whose “sudden death created a chasm in my heart. Cassidy’s emotional journey was also mine. She helped me work out a lot.” Cassidy is also intelligent, intuitive, and tenacious, willing to risk her life to bring the raging terrorist to justice. She becomes even more determined when De La Vega reveals the bomber’s identity and motive. Readers will take her into their hearts and cheer for her.
Cassidy is surrounded by a team of FBI agents who are equally dedicated and talented, bringing specific areas of expertise to the assignment. De La Vega portrays their relationships in an authentic, believable manner. Their banter and squabbling are plausible and entertaining, reinforcing their commitment to working together under the worst conceivable circumstances toward a common goal.
The bomber continues taunting Cassidy and the magnitude of his/her threats increases substantially the tattoos and force of the explosions seem to grow exponentially, as she and her fellow team members race to prevent more death and destruction. The relentless pursuit is engrossing, replete with shocking revelations, and highly entertaining. De La Vega also spotlights the bureaucratic wrangling that is inevitable, as well as the tension between the agency leaders who are desperate to keep the public calm as they investigate and the media representatives who want the headline-worthy, historic story.
Luckily for his readers, De La Vega promises that the upcoming second book in the series will highlight Cassidy’s skills as a profiler. He again calls upon his professional experience to bring credibility to the story which is founded upon his discussion with criminal profilers, including John Douglas, the former FBI agent who is revered for developing the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit.
Thanks to the author for an electronic copy of the book.
March 8, 2026
Gone in Three Seconds opens in the fluorescent chaos of a Los Angeles emergency room, where nurse Anne Thayer prays she won’t make a fatal mistake before her shift is over. The plea feels routine until a patient with a mysterious countdown tattoo explodes precisely on cue. In that instant, author Jim De La Vega establishes the central mystery, which is as hooky as they come.
Victims awaken with tattoos displaying a digital-style countdown ending in the word “BOOM.” When the clock hits zero, they detonate. No obvious trigger is detected. The working theory soon evolves toward the unthinkable: the tattoo itself may be the weapon.
The FBI forms a task force under Assistant Director Gregory Taft, a pragmatic, battle-worn leader already stretched thin by personal strain. Joining him is series-worthy heroine Dr. Cassidy Chord, a former combat helicopter pilot turned forensic psychologist. Cassidy lost her lower leg in an overseas explosion that also claimed her fiancé, and De La Vega uses her phantom limb pain not as decoration but as thematic glue.
From that moment forward, the investigation becomes a race not merely against a killer, but against physics, biology and the terrifying possibility that anyone in a crowd could already be a weapon.
De La Vega’s long career as a television news anchor and crime reporter quietly informs the novel’s realism. The mass-casualty sequences, especially a harrowing event at Dodger Stadium, capture not just physical destruction but the secondary wave of confusion, rumor and televised amplification that follows. Law enforcement briefings, bureaucratic tension and the scramble to control public narrative feel grounded in someone who understands how real crises unfold under cameras and breaking-news banners.
Yet the propulsion comes equally from the unseen architect behind the attacks. The attacks feel staged for maximum psychological impact, suggesting a perpetrator who relishes control and believes himself intellectually superior to those pursuing him. As the pattern intensifies, Cassidy, who is sharp, intuitive and emotionally volatile, isn’t merely part of the investigation. She may be part of the design. The bomber’s taunts and calculated gestures begin to narrow toward her, blurring the line between professional pursuit and personal fixation.While Cassidy anchors the narrative, Taft provides a steady institutional counterweight, embodying grit and duty as the bomber’s confidence grows.
Stylistically, De La Vega balances procedural detail with cinematic pacing. The science behind the “boom ink” remains just grounded enough to feel plausible, while the action sequences, especially those involving Cassidy piloting helicopters under extreme pressure, are rendered with tactile intensity. What makes Gone in Three Seconds compelling is not simply its ticking clocks, but its adversarial design. The visible countdown is only half the terror. The other half is knowing someone, somewhere, is watching to see who breaks first.
Victims awaken with tattoos displaying a digital-style countdown ending in the word “BOOM.” When the clock hits zero, they detonate. No obvious trigger is detected. The working theory soon evolves toward the unthinkable: the tattoo itself may be the weapon.
The FBI forms a task force under Assistant Director Gregory Taft, a pragmatic, battle-worn leader already stretched thin by personal strain. Joining him is series-worthy heroine Dr. Cassidy Chord, a former combat helicopter pilot turned forensic psychologist. Cassidy lost her lower leg in an overseas explosion that also claimed her fiancé, and De La Vega uses her phantom limb pain not as decoration but as thematic glue.
From that moment forward, the investigation becomes a race not merely against a killer, but against physics, biology and the terrifying possibility that anyone in a crowd could already be a weapon.
De La Vega’s long career as a television news anchor and crime reporter quietly informs the novel’s realism. The mass-casualty sequences, especially a harrowing event at Dodger Stadium, capture not just physical destruction but the secondary wave of confusion, rumor and televised amplification that follows. Law enforcement briefings, bureaucratic tension and the scramble to control public narrative feel grounded in someone who understands how real crises unfold under cameras and breaking-news banners.
Yet the propulsion comes equally from the unseen architect behind the attacks. The attacks feel staged for maximum psychological impact, suggesting a perpetrator who relishes control and believes himself intellectually superior to those pursuing him. As the pattern intensifies, Cassidy, who is sharp, intuitive and emotionally volatile, isn’t merely part of the investigation. She may be part of the design. The bomber’s taunts and calculated gestures begin to narrow toward her, blurring the line between professional pursuit and personal fixation.While Cassidy anchors the narrative, Taft provides a steady institutional counterweight, embodying grit and duty as the bomber’s confidence grows.
Stylistically, De La Vega balances procedural detail with cinematic pacing. The science behind the “boom ink” remains just grounded enough to feel plausible, while the action sequences, especially those involving Cassidy piloting helicopters under extreme pressure, are rendered with tactile intensity. What makes Gone in Three Seconds compelling is not simply its ticking clocks, but its adversarial design. The visible countdown is only half the terror. The other half is knowing someone, somewhere, is watching to see who breaks first.
April 29, 2026
“Tick. Tick. Tick. BOOM.”
I let this one sit on my shelf until the last minute because I wasn’t convinced it was my vibe. Clearly, I need to stop trusting that instinct because this book wasted zero time proving me wrong. This series is absolutely riveting. If you like your thrillers fast, a little wild, and built around an original concept that will bend your mind a little, this one is worth your time.
Shoutout to #ThrillerBookLoversThePulse for tossing this one into the mix. My brain had to actually break a sweat.
Here’s the hook, and it’s a good one! People start waking up with tattoos that aren’t just ink. They’re countdowns. And when the clock hits zero… yeah, it’s exactly as bad as you think. The government scrambles, panic builds, and suddenly this isn’t a weird isolated incident. It’s a full-blown crisis with no clear rules and no obvious way to stop it. Well, there is one rule - once you have the tattoo, there’s no way to stop it.
And we meet Cassidy Chord, a former Blackhawk pilot, now a forensic psychologist. She’s also the survivor of an explosion that took both her leg and her fiancé. Now she’s being personally targeted by the person orchestrating this chaos. She’s smart, resilient, and not here to play nice. The villain clearly picked the wrong woman to mess with.
This story balances high-stakes action with some deep emotions. One minute, it’s intense and fast-paced; the next, it slows down to remind you what’s actually at risk. And yes, there are even a few moments that sneak in some humor, which I fully appreciated. One of those moments was when someone told her that her nickname should be Hopalong Cassidy, which you’ll understand when you read the book.
And wow, what an original premise! A countdown in your skin? You can see your time running out. Everyone else can too. What would you even do in that situation? I kept putting myself in that scenario, and I just didn’t want to think about it.
I did not see the reveal coming. It’s the kind of twist that makes you want to flip back and connect the dots.
I let this one sit on my shelf until the last minute because I wasn’t convinced it was my vibe. Clearly, I need to stop trusting that instinct because this book wasted zero time proving me wrong. This series is absolutely riveting. If you like your thrillers fast, a little wild, and built around an original concept that will bend your mind a little, this one is worth your time.
Shoutout to #ThrillerBookLoversThePulse for tossing this one into the mix. My brain had to actually break a sweat.
Here’s the hook, and it’s a good one! People start waking up with tattoos that aren’t just ink. They’re countdowns. And when the clock hits zero… yeah, it’s exactly as bad as you think. The government scrambles, panic builds, and suddenly this isn’t a weird isolated incident. It’s a full-blown crisis with no clear rules and no obvious way to stop it. Well, there is one rule - once you have the tattoo, there’s no way to stop it.
And we meet Cassidy Chord, a former Blackhawk pilot, now a forensic psychologist. She’s also the survivor of an explosion that took both her leg and her fiancé. Now she’s being personally targeted by the person orchestrating this chaos. She’s smart, resilient, and not here to play nice. The villain clearly picked the wrong woman to mess with.
This story balances high-stakes action with some deep emotions. One minute, it’s intense and fast-paced; the next, it slows down to remind you what’s actually at risk. And yes, there are even a few moments that sneak in some humor, which I fully appreciated. One of those moments was when someone told her that her nickname should be Hopalong Cassidy, which you’ll understand when you read the book.
And wow, what an original premise! A countdown in your skin? You can see your time running out. Everyone else can too. What would you even do in that situation? I kept putting myself in that scenario, and I just didn’t want to think about it.
I did not see the reveal coming. It’s the kind of twist that makes you want to flip back and connect the dots.
May 6, 2026
The team at Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse has really been loving this one!
A terrified woman bursts into a Los Angeles ER with a fresh tattoo she swears she didn’t get. The numbers on her skin count down… BOOM!
The explosion kills the victim and a nurse. Hours later, a businessman in the LAX baggage claim detonates the same way. Former Blackhawk pilot, now forensic psychologist Dr. Cassidy Chord survived the blast that destroyed her leg, but nothing’s prepared her to pit wits against a foe turning random civilians into walking weapons. The terrorist has stalked and studied Cassidy, engaging her in his sick game…leaving her gifts, clues, and disappearing pictures and emails that turn her from FBI consultant to suspect. As attacks escalate across Los Angeles, Cassidy goes rogue because anyone can be next. Anywhere. Anytime. If you’re marked, you’re already gone.
This book is filled with so much action and suspense from start to finish. I loved that it was a thriller with a different kind of twist. The concept of being marked by a tattoo that is counting down until a bomb explodes without knowing how it happened or how to stop it, is so original and so clever. The tension continuously builds as humans are being used as weapons and anyone could be next! The story is fiction, but the concept could be very real…No one knows why or who is behind the attacks and the story takes you on a wild ride trying to figure it all out!
Thank you to Jim De La Vega and Tule Publishing for this advance reader copy!
A terrified woman bursts into a Los Angeles ER with a fresh tattoo she swears she didn’t get. The numbers on her skin count down… BOOM!
The explosion kills the victim and a nurse. Hours later, a businessman in the LAX baggage claim detonates the same way. Former Blackhawk pilot, now forensic psychologist Dr. Cassidy Chord survived the blast that destroyed her leg, but nothing’s prepared her to pit wits against a foe turning random civilians into walking weapons. The terrorist has stalked and studied Cassidy, engaging her in his sick game…leaving her gifts, clues, and disappearing pictures and emails that turn her from FBI consultant to suspect. As attacks escalate across Los Angeles, Cassidy goes rogue because anyone can be next. Anywhere. Anytime. If you’re marked, you’re already gone.
This book is filled with so much action and suspense from start to finish. I loved that it was a thriller with a different kind of twist. The concept of being marked by a tattoo that is counting down until a bomb explodes without knowing how it happened or how to stop it, is so original and so clever. The tension continuously builds as humans are being used as weapons and anyone could be next! The story is fiction, but the concept could be very real…No one knows why or who is behind the attacks and the story takes you on a wild ride trying to figure it all out!
Thank you to Jim De La Vega and Tule Publishing for this advance reader copy!
April 29, 2026
Blindspot meets The Dark Knight — countdown tattoos, a villain always one step ahead, and a case that turns dangerously personal.
This was such a unique concept and genuinely nothing like I’ve read in a thriller before, and I loved it because of that. The idea of countdown tattoos appearing on people, ticking down to zero before they explode, is completely unhinged in the best way and it hooked me instantly.
This is not a slow burn, it’s a full sprint. From the very first explosion, it just goes — constant escalation, high stakes, and that underlying tension of knowing anyone could be next. It honestly played out like a movie in my head and I flew through it.
Dr Cassidy Chord is exactly the kind of FMC I love — a former Black Hawk pilot turned forensic psychologist, already shaped by trauma after surviving an explosion that cost her a leg. Does that slow her down? No sir-ee! She’s sharp, relentless, and pushed to her absolute limits as the case becomes more and more personal. The antagonist targeting her specifically, leaving clues and pulling her deeper into the chaos, added that psychological edge that kept me completely invested.
It’s fast, intense, and yes, a little over-the-top at times, but that’s exactly what makes it work. It fully commits to the concept and I was all in.
Finally I can catch my breath… and immediately want more. I cannot wait to read book 2 in The Mind Hunter Series.
This was such a unique concept and genuinely nothing like I’ve read in a thriller before, and I loved it because of that. The idea of countdown tattoos appearing on people, ticking down to zero before they explode, is completely unhinged in the best way and it hooked me instantly.
This is not a slow burn, it’s a full sprint. From the very first explosion, it just goes — constant escalation, high stakes, and that underlying tension of knowing anyone could be next. It honestly played out like a movie in my head and I flew through it.
Dr Cassidy Chord is exactly the kind of FMC I love — a former Black Hawk pilot turned forensic psychologist, already shaped by trauma after surviving an explosion that cost her a leg. Does that slow her down? No sir-ee! She’s sharp, relentless, and pushed to her absolute limits as the case becomes more and more personal. The antagonist targeting her specifically, leaving clues and pulling her deeper into the chaos, added that psychological edge that kept me completely invested.
It’s fast, intense, and yes, a little over-the-top at times, but that’s exactly what makes it work. It fully commits to the concept and I was all in.
Finally I can catch my breath… and immediately want more. I cannot wait to read book 2 in The Mind Hunter Series.
July 22, 2026
Not good
I this book was okay up until approximately the baseball scene. The sexually explicit scene was absolutely unnecessary and forcing detail from that to be necessary was even worse. My overall problem with this entire book, even the beginning is the fact that it is surface level only. What I mean by that is that none of the details go very deep none of the information goes very deep and none of them explores all of these very deep concepts that the author brings up, but doesn't do anything with. I have no interest in any of the characters, despite reading the entire book. Prior to the baseball scene, at least it had some depth. It wasn't good but some. However, after the baseball scene, it was all so surface level that there was no thought required. The details that led to the actual bad guy were awful. The
Bad guys story could have been so much more in depth to make him a genuinely bad guy, but it was still just surface level. It only got a 2 instead of a one because I was able to finish it despite my dislike for it. That could be chalked up to morbid curiosity.
I this book was okay up until approximately the baseball scene. The sexually explicit scene was absolutely unnecessary and forcing detail from that to be necessary was even worse. My overall problem with this entire book, even the beginning is the fact that it is surface level only. What I mean by that is that none of the details go very deep none of the information goes very deep and none of them explores all of these very deep concepts that the author brings up, but doesn't do anything with. I have no interest in any of the characters, despite reading the entire book. Prior to the baseball scene, at least it had some depth. It wasn't good but some. However, after the baseball scene, it was all so surface level that there was no thought required. The details that led to the actual bad guy were awful. The
Bad guys story could have been so much more in depth to make him a genuinely bad guy, but it was still just surface level. It only got a 2 instead of a one because I was able to finish it despite my dislike for it. That could be chalked up to morbid curiosity.
Review of advance copy
Cassidy is a forensic physiologist, after losing her fiance and her leg in a bomb blast in the middle East. Now she works hard, but suffers badly from missing limb pains that can be debilitating. She's a straight talking woman, who makes enemies easily by just saying what she thinks. Now she's been told her contract won't be renewed when it runs out next month. But then the messages, gifts and pictures start arriving, who's sending them. When the first person explodes in a hospital, people are baffled. But then another, then another, just what is happening. Then the find their first victim and see the tattoo counting down. But how, and why. The F.B.I can't even understand what is happening. Is Cassidy an accomplise, or is there more to her involvement. Can they save people before the countdown finishes. This book just has you turning page after page. Trying to workout who is to blame. Is it somebody with a grievance against Cassidy. Or is it someone from her past. See is you can work it out before the end of the book. Good luck you'll need it.
April 21, 2026
Gone in Three Seconds is a fast paced thrilling, suspenseful story. This is one of those that plays out like a movie in your head as you read.
Cassidy is a former Blackhawk pilot that sustained an injury to her leg in a blast in the Middle East. She is now a forensic psychologist. She still suffers with the loss of her limb and the pains that go along with the loss. Cassidy is called in to help track down a terrorist who is escalating attacks across Los Angeles. The attacks? People waking up with random tattoos on them they swear they didn't get. The tattoos count down, then comes the explosion. But the terrorist has taken an interest in Cassidy. He's studied her. He leaves her little breadcrumbs of what's to come causing her to go rogue and try to find him on her own.
I really enjoyed the flow and pacing of this story. I was hooked. The story is action pact. Cassidy is such an amazingly strong character. She does struggle in the story because of the loss of her limb, but she doesn't let it stop her. I recommend giving this a read. I am really looking forward to book 2!!
Cassidy is a former Blackhawk pilot that sustained an injury to her leg in a blast in the Middle East. She is now a forensic psychologist. She still suffers with the loss of her limb and the pains that go along with the loss. Cassidy is called in to help track down a terrorist who is escalating attacks across Los Angeles. The attacks? People waking up with random tattoos on them they swear they didn't get. The tattoos count down, then comes the explosion. But the terrorist has taken an interest in Cassidy. He's studied her. He leaves her little breadcrumbs of what's to come causing her to go rogue and try to find him on her own.
I really enjoyed the flow and pacing of this story. I was hooked. The story is action pact. Cassidy is such an amazingly strong character. She does struggle in the story because of the loss of her limb, but she doesn't let it stop her. I recommend giving this a read. I am really looking forward to book 2!!
July 21, 2026
Long story short: This felt like an action thriller from the 80s. Predictable, mostly serviceable, and largely forgettable.
I kept thinking this was like Die Hard with the charm removed. This was actually pretty solid until around the ballgame. After that, it felt weak. The plot began having things happen and written in a way to move the plot along, and it felt forced.
I really didn't gain any attachment for the characters. This may have been in part to the storyline jumping around so much. There's over 100 chapters in here, and section breaks on top of that, that are functionally identical. Multiple of these last a page or less before flipping to a totally different location.
I have never been a fan of the nigh omnipotent villain who suddenly comes unraveled at the end.
I have a short list of plot holes, but this is one of those books that you just go with the flow and ride it out. Sorry, I won't be back for the next one.
I kept thinking this was like Die Hard with the charm removed. This was actually pretty solid until around the ballgame. After that, it felt weak. The plot began having things happen and written in a way to move the plot along, and it felt forced.
I really didn't gain any attachment for the characters. This may have been in part to the storyline jumping around so much. There's over 100 chapters in here, and section breaks on top of that, that are functionally identical. Multiple of these last a page or less before flipping to a totally different location.
I have never been a fan of the nigh omnipotent villain who suddenly comes unraveled at the end.
I have a short list of plot holes, but this is one of those books that you just go with the flow and ride it out. Sorry, I won't be back for the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2026
Gone in Three Seconds~The Mind Hunter Series#1 by Jim De La Vega
This is an exciting start to a brand-new series from a new author, and it certainly makes a strong first impression.
From the very beginning, the story pulled me in and kept me hooked. It’s packed with mystery, murder, intrigue, and suspense—constantly leaving me with questions and eager to uncover the truth. The pacing is excellent, making it hard to put down.
The writing is extremely well done, with vivid storytelling and fantastic characters that feel engaging and believable. Combined with a strong and compelling storyline, it all comes together to create a gripping read.
Overall, this is a great start to The Mind Hunter Series, and I’m already looking forward to the next book.
Highly recommended!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an exciting start to a brand-new series from a new author, and it certainly makes a strong first impression.
From the very beginning, the story pulled me in and kept me hooked. It’s packed with mystery, murder, intrigue, and suspense—constantly leaving me with questions and eager to uncover the truth. The pacing is excellent, making it hard to put down.
The writing is extremely well done, with vivid storytelling and fantastic characters that feel engaging and believable. Combined with a strong and compelling storyline, it all comes together to create a gripping read.
Overall, this is a great start to The Mind Hunter Series, and I’m already looking forward to the next book.
Highly recommended!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 4, 2026
Gone in Three Seconds by a new-to-me author, Jim De La Vega, is the first in The Mind Hunter Series. This story blends high-octane suspense and heart-pounding mystery with a touch of horror. Glad it is fiction, but it is scary to think that this could happen. Former Blackhawk pilot, now forensic psychologist Dr. Cassidy Chord is definitely one heroine in this book, but the ending lets you know that the story is not over yet. While I don’t usually read books with this much heart-pumping, blood-pressure-raising action, but I will not be able to stop myself from finding out what happens next. A series that will hook you in so hold on tight.
April 17, 2026
Whoever gets the tattoo is dead, nobody is safe. Can you imagine finding a tattoo on your body, one that count down to zero and then explodes? this nightmare is the core of the story on this book.
Is a race of time to find the killer and stop this madness, can former Blackhawk pilot, now forensic psychologist Dr. Cassidy Chord figure out who he/she is in time?
This edge of your seat thriller will have you hooked since the beginning and will not let go of you, not even to sleep, until you finish the book, believe me that is what happened to me.
Can't wait to read what happens next in the following book on the series.
Is a race of time to find the killer and stop this madness, can former Blackhawk pilot, now forensic psychologist Dr. Cassidy Chord figure out who he/she is in time?
This edge of your seat thriller will have you hooked since the beginning and will not let go of you, not even to sleep, until you finish the book, believe me that is what happened to me.
Can't wait to read what happens next in the following book on the series.
April 19, 2026
I’m so glad this is the first in a series because after reading this book, I can’t wait to read more by this author and more about our fierce FMC!!
Mysterious countdown tattoos appear on people and when the countdown ends- BOOM! No rhyme or reason but once you have the tattoo your life will be over very soon. This is a fast paced thriller that I could not put down! The writing style is great, the plot is explosive, and the characters only want to prevent as many deaths as possible. As tattoos appear on high ranking officials and in crowded areas my heart was racing watching the good guys try to stop the bad guys.
Mysterious countdown tattoos appear on people and when the countdown ends- BOOM! No rhyme or reason but once you have the tattoo your life will be over very soon. This is a fast paced thriller that I could not put down! The writing style is great, the plot is explosive, and the characters only want to prevent as many deaths as possible. As tattoos appear on high ranking officials and in crowded areas my heart was racing watching the good guys try to stop the bad guys.
May 6, 2026
Thank you, Tule Publishing for the eARC. The opinions are my own and freely given.
Military Veteran Cassidy Chord, was a helicopter pilot who lost her leg in a bombing. Now years later, people are showing up with a tattoo that is counting down to BOOM, and when the time hit 00:00, they blow up.
Cassidy becomes part of the FBI team to track down this mastermind behind this, as the the victims have no memory of how they got this tattoo.
This story had me hooked. It was non stop, bombing and a lot of action. There were helicopter rescues, and rushing to save the next persons.
I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend
Military Veteran Cassidy Chord, was a helicopter pilot who lost her leg in a bombing. Now years later, people are showing up with a tattoo that is counting down to BOOM, and when the time hit 00:00, they blow up.
Cassidy becomes part of the FBI team to track down this mastermind behind this, as the the victims have no memory of how they got this tattoo.
This story had me hooked. It was non stop, bombing and a lot of action. There were helicopter rescues, and rushing to save the next persons.
I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend
March 16, 2026
Wow! What a unique storyline. This is my first book by this author, and it definitely will not be my last.
Can you imagine waking up with a tattoo and have no recollection as to how it got there? And on top of that, the tattoo changes! It has numbers like a clock and then in big letters, it says.BOOM.
Needless to say, this is a unique mystery very fast pace. It will have your heart racing. You’ll really want to skip to the end, but don’t do that because you will ruin it. This is an Unputdownable read!!
It is with high anticipation that I’m waiting for the next book.
Can you imagine waking up with a tattoo and have no recollection as to how it got there? And on top of that, the tattoo changes! It has numbers like a clock and then in big letters, it says.BOOM.
Needless to say, this is a unique mystery very fast pace. It will have your heart racing. You’ll really want to skip to the end, but don’t do that because you will ruin it. This is an Unputdownable read!!
It is with high anticipation that I’m waiting for the next book.
Review of advance copy
Wow! This book is unrelenting explosive literally. I could not put it down. It sucked me right in from the first page until the last and even then I was still thinking about it constantly. It has stalker obsession and unbelievable bombing tattoos! Cassidy is one tough lady who I deeply admire because of her strength. I could read this again because it is so fast paced I feel I may have missed something.
March 29, 2026
A truly explosive read!
I gasped, startled, and sucked in my breath so much as I read.
It was like watching an action packed movie play out in my head as I hungrily ate up each chapter/
The perp was truly demented and delusional. I was truly shocked when the identity was revealed.
There are several cringe worthy moments that made me wince in psychosomatic pain.
The stunning ending leaves readers hanging on a contingency!
Thanks to the author and Thriller Book the Pulse for the advance copy.
I gasped, startled, and sucked in my breath so much as I read.
It was like watching an action packed movie play out in my head as I hungrily ate up each chapter/
The perp was truly demented and delusional. I was truly shocked when the identity was revealed.
There are several cringe worthy moments that made me wince in psychosomatic pain.
The stunning ending leaves readers hanging on a contingency!
Thanks to the author and Thriller Book the Pulse for the advance copy.
March 31, 2026
This was one of the most unique thrillers I’ve read in a long time. The plot felt completely original and pulled me in from the very first page. It’s incredibly well told, with a pacing that keeps you hooked and constantly wanting more.
The twist near the end genuinely caught me off guard—which is rare for me, since I’m usually pretty quick at predicting them. If you’re looking for something fresh, gripping, and full of surprises, this is definitely one to pick up.
The twist near the end genuinely caught me off guard—which is rare for me, since I’m usually pretty quick at predicting them. If you’re looking for something fresh, gripping, and full of surprises, this is definitely one to pick up.
March 28, 2026
This book was a non-stop thrill ride! It played out like a captivating, nail-biting, episode of Criminal Minds!
It starts with a "Bang!", literally, and keeps you on your toes the whole time!
Im giving this 4.5 stars 🌟 and absolutely can not wait for the next one in the Mind Hunter Series to come out!
It starts with a "Bang!", literally, and keeps you on your toes the whole time!
Im giving this 4.5 stars 🌟 and absolutely can not wait for the next one in the Mind Hunter Series to come out!
March 6, 2026
Gosh this was an absolute adrenaline rush from the start. I just don’t have words to adequately describe exactly how incredible this was. Looking forward to more in the series for sure. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.
May 3, 2026
This one pulls you in immediately and doesn’t let go. It’s a fast-paced police procedural thriller centered around the hunt for a serial bomber, and the tension stays high!
I thought the pacing was good, though the book is on the longer side. With that comes a lot of detail to keep up with but honestly, I didn’t mind it. It felt like those details were intentional, helping set the tone and foundation for the Mind Hunter series.
It was such an engaging read that kept me locked in and I’ve already recommended it to my husband lol. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2!
I thought the pacing was good, though the book is on the longer side. With that comes a lot of detail to keep up with but honestly, I didn’t mind it. It felt like those details were intentional, helping set the tone and foundation for the Mind Hunter series.
It was such an engaging read that kept me locked in and I’ve already recommended it to my husband lol. I’m definitely looking forward to book 2!
May 4, 2026
"Gone in Three Seconds" was both suspenseful and engaging, featuring a unique premise and an enjoyable, intricate plot. However, it did feel somewhat drawn out, and the multitude of characters and their complex interactions introduced a degree of confusion and hard to follow at times.
May 16, 2026
This was a fast paced ride, but I found the character development underwhelming and the plot had a few too many eye-rolling moments for me. I received this one as part of a Goodreads giveaway, but will not be continuing the series that is undoubtedly coming.
June 1, 2026
Thank you to the author and Thrillerbookloverthepulse for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved it. This is a brand new author for me and I really enjoyed his writing style. This was another FBI procedural book, I have been reading a lot of them lately, and it had such a unique premise for the way people were being targeted. I wasn’t sure if I would like this one, but it was such a nice surprise and I am excited for the next in the series.
I loved it. This is a brand new author for me and I really enjoyed his writing style. This was another FBI procedural book, I have been reading a lot of them lately, and it had such a unique premise for the way people were being targeted. I wasn’t sure if I would like this one, but it was such a nice surprise and I am excited for the next in the series.
April 19, 2026
I admit, I struggled a little bit to get through this book not because the plot isn’t good but because I think it needs a professional edit. Badly.
There were several nitpicky things took my attention from the story. It’s frustrating because the plot and pacing really are good…
Hoping these issues are rectified before book two.
There were several nitpicky things took my attention from the story. It’s frustrating because the plot and pacing really are good…
Hoping these issues are rectified before book two.
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