Edge of Madness

by Kate Bold

“This is an excellent book… When you start reading, be sure you don’t have to wake up early!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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A killer leaves a mysterious trail of death with Buddhist overtones, and FBI Agent Cain Shepherd, a practicing Buddhist, is the FBI’s last hope to understand the subtle clues, and stop a murderer before it’s too late…

Predators are dying by their own methods as FBI Agent Cain Shepherd decodes crime scenes of righteous retribution. Can he stop a spiritually-corrupted killer who views murder as the path to enlightenment before he claims the next victim?

EDGE OF MADNESS is BOOK #1 in a new series by #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Kate Bold, whose bestseller NOT ME (a free download) has received over 3,000 five star ratings and reviews.

The CAIN SHEPHERD mystery series delivers pulse-pounding suspense, while filled with shocking twists and revelations. With its distinctive protagonist, this series reinvigorates the mystery genre and will keep you turning pages all through the night. Fans of Robert Dugoni, Lisa Gardner, and Gregg Olsen are sure to fall in love.

Future books in the series are also available!

“This book moved very fast and every page was exciting. Plenty of dialogue, you absolutely love the characters, and you were rooting for the good guy throughout the whole story… I look forward to reading the next in the series.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Kate did an amazing job on this book and I was hooked from the first chapter!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“I really enjoyed this book. The characters were authentic, and I see the bad guys as something we hear about daily on the news... Looking forward to book 2.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“This was a really good book. The main characters were real, flawed and human. The story went along quickly and wasn't mired in too many unnecessary details. I really enjoyed it.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Alexa Chase is headstrong, impatient, but most of all brave with a capital B. She never, repeat never, backs down until the bad guys are put where they belong. Clearly five stars!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Captivating and riveting serial murder with a twist of the macabre… Very well done.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“WOW what a great read! Talk about a diabolical killer! Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to reading others by this author as well.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Page turner for sure. Great characters and relationships. I got into the middle of this story and couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to more from Kate Bold.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Hard to put down. It has an excellent plot and has the right amount of suspense. I really enjoyed this book.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Amazon

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2026

About the author

Bestselling author Kate Bold is author of the ALEXA CHASE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the ASHLEY HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the CAMILLE GRACE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising eight books (and counting); of the HARLEY COLE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising ten books (and counting); of the KAYLIE BROOKS SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the EVE HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting). Kate loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.kateboldauthor.com to join the mailing list, receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.

BOOKS BY KATE BOLD

EVE HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER

IN HIS BLOOD (Book #1)

IN HIS SIGHTS (Book #2)

IN HIS REACH (Book #3)

IN HIS MIND (Book #4)

IN HIS WAY (Book #5)

(and counting)

KAYLIE BROOKS SUSPENSE THRILLER

LAST BREATH (Book #1)

LAST CHANCE (Book #2)

LAST WISH (Book #3)

LAST SHOT (Book #4)

LAST MISTAKE (Book #5)

(and counting)

HARLEY COLE SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOWHERE SAFE (Book #1)

NOWHERE LEFT (Book #2)

NOWHERE TO RUN (Book #3)

NOWHERE LIKE THIS (Book #4)

NOWHERE GIRL (Book #5)

NOWHERE TO HIDE (Book #6)

NOWHERE CERTAIN (Book #7)

NOWHERE PURE (Book #8)

NOWHERE SOUND (Book #9)

NOWHERE SANE (Book #10)

(and counting)

CAMILLE GRACE SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOT ME (Book #1)

NOT NOW (Book #2)

NOT WELL (Book #3)

NOT HER (Book #4)

NOT NORMAL (Book #5)

NOT AGAIN (Book #6)

NOT SAFE (Book #7)

NOT TODAY (Book #8)

(and counting)

ALEXA CHASE SUSPENSE THRILLER

THE KILLING GAME (Book #1)

THE KILLING TIDE (Book #2)

THE KILLING HOUR (Book #3)

THE KILLING POINT (Book #4)

THE KILLING FOG (Book #5)

THE KILLING PLACE (Book #6)

(and counting)

ASHLEY HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER

LET ME GO (Book #1)

LET ME OUT (Book #2)

LET ME LIVE (Book #3)

LET ME BREATHE (Book #4)

LET ME FORGET (Book #5)

LET ME ESCAPE (Book #6)

(and counting)

Reviews

[Caroll-Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

📖 Edge Of Madness by Kate Bold

⭐️⭐️💫 2,5 stars

Another book I snatched up during a “Stuff Your Kindle” event.

Kate Bold seems to specialize in short FBI crime thrillers that quickly turn into long series, and I usually have a soft spot for that kind of quick, easy-to-read mystery. But after reading a few of her books, I’m starting to wonder if this particular series is really for me.

In Edge of Madness, we follow FBI Agent Cain Shepherd, a practicing Buddhist, as he investigates a series of murders with Buddhist overtones. The victims are being killed in ways connected to their own wrongdoings, and the killer seems to see murder as a form of righteous retribution and a path toward enlightenment. Cain’s knowledge of Buddhism is supposed to help him decipher the clues and stop the killer before there are more victims.

I actually enjoyed reading the story, and the premise was interesting enough to keep me going. But at the same time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had read this exact formula before. There’s the FBI agent with expertise in a specific religion, a killer twisting that religion into something sinister, and a case that hints at a bigger story beyond the current investigation.

This time it was Buddhism instead of the religion featured in the previous books I’ve read, but somehow the overall setup still felt very familiar. It was entertaining, but also very much a case of “more of the same” for me.

I don’t regret reading it, but I’m probably not going to continue with the entire series. I think I’ve reached the point where I need a little more variety and depth from my FBI thrillers.

[Heather M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Initially, I liked the concept of a Buddhist FBI agent because it seemed like a different twist. But it was too much. It came up in nearly every paragraph on every page and to me, it just took away from the story. I had to finally put the book down. Unfortunate because I liked the storyline but it just became too repetitive.

[Marylyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Avid · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was the goal to write a story or to convert her readers to Buddhism? The overt holier than thou sermons in this story got old very quick and overroad any possibility of the actual story being alright. It focused more on the interaction between the two solving the case than the case itself.

Gag...

[Faye Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book

Kate Bold never fails, her books are usually amazing! This one was no different! I loved the twist in this one, a Buddhist FBI agent! Lovely! I loved his perspective, loved his internal struggles against his past and his journey to where he is now. Such depth! Such understanding! Such a round character! I would give 6 stars if I could!

Absolutely loved it!

[BusyMommiesBookClub · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't crazy about this one. I was intrigued by the "zen" and his approach to solving crimes but it started to get really repetitive with the zen-trope.

It also felt weird that the killer was using a similar ideology to justify his kills. I enjoyed other Kate Bold series but this one wasn't for me.

[Maryann Hornbaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lesson In Buddhism

This storyline has a slow start. In fact the prologue is puzzling. Then the slow start. But once you get to the plot it’s quite interesting. I learned a lot about Buddhism. As far as the mystery part goes! It was pretty much like most. Cains female partner learns a lot too. So if you want an easy read. Go for it.

[Christopher Tree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a page turner

This book was so well written given insights into people, their thoughts and actions. Thoroughly captivating and believable. Well done I will be looking at other books.

[mary thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice change of pace

The introduction of Buddhism into this mystery provided a nice change of pace and added interest to the story. The relationship between the two detectives was well balanced, forgoing the usual romance and leaving more than a few unanswered quetions.

[Maureen onions · Rating 5 out of 5]

edge of madness

Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish
Couldn’t put it down
Would definitely recommend
It’s gripping enjoyable & a good ending for a change many books don’t give you a good ending

[Karen Sheldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

another good one

Offer brings you right into the story very quickly and captured your attention from beginning to end. Well written and really enjoyed.

[David LaBossiere · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Buddhist cop with Sarah, his assist and profiler are going after a serial killer with Buddhist connections..the book is very short but very good!!!

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why does Sarah never get a title? "I'm Special Agent Shepherd and this is my partner, Sarah Reeves". Admittedly her "bubbly" personality would drive me insane but she should get the respect.

[Kaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read with lots of references to Buddhism. Interesting

[Rebekka · Rating 1 out of 5]

I recommend the author reads up on what buddhism really is and were tai chi comes from - almost kind of an unforgivable mistake not to know.

[Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy short story of who done it. now i wanna get the other 6 books

[Kathy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

quick read. engaging story.

Interesting characters, but not typical FBI. Intro to Buddhism was a surprise. Quick read. Will read more in this series.

[Kirsten Eckert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good opener

Into what I think will be a series. I enjoyed the main characters and to see a special agent with the FBI be a Buddhist.

[SM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this duo. Looking forward to more...

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a great plot. I can see this as a movie or mini series. First time reading this author, added to read more of this author's work. Looking forward to reading the next book of the series.

[Diane Stringer-Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read - kept me wanting to continuing reading. Sleep wasn’t an option!!

[Krystin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cain Shepherd is the most obnoxious main character that I've read in years. I almost couldn't finish this book.

[Mountainhombre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a fun book.

Unfortunately, the villains (and potential villains) were more interesting to me than the protagonists.

[Pete Woollven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

Brilliant book well written and a great cast of characters and story line absolutely loved it I couldn't put it down superb

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the Buddhist entity was too overdone.