The First Victim: An addictive psychological thriller

by D.K. Warren

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2026

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with Dr. Ava Lock, an FBI agent, received a package from an unknown party, which contained a photograph with a strange message. Ava had been involved in an earlier situation where an individual in a recovery facility had been using her for an experiment before she was able to escape. Ava on her own decided to discover what the package referred to and then went to investigate. This facility was also of the same type so she went undercover.

The story then introduces Elena Voss, a grad doing research to discover a cure for PTSD. In the same lab was another grad, Beck, also doing research and she convinced Elena to work together. Elena wants her discovery to eliminate the trauma but maintain their memory, while Beck was looking to have that individual's memory erased entirely. Beck discovered an item that she used to get Elena to volunteer as a patient, Patient Zero.

The story picks up with Ava entering the facility as a patient to discover why a number of individuals had checked into the facility and then disappeared. Dr. Marsh was in charge of the facility and explained what sort of treatment would be required. Ava made an effort to investigate the facility and in the end she learned that Marsh was aware of who she was and in the end attempted to make her participate in the same manner that the people who disappeared received.

Read and discover who was behind the activities, what treatment Marsh wanted Ava to partake in, why they wanted Ava to participate, how Ava's upbringing came into play. The ending is well done and the story is definitely worth the read, don't miss out!

[Kellyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was an absolute page-turner, gripping me from the very first paragraph and holding my attention until the final page.

The story follows Dr. Ava Locke, a survivor of a reconditioning facility, who is haunted by nightmares of an experience that should have killed her. The terror returns when she receives a cryptic message and photo: the girl in the picture was "the first," and finding her will allow Ava to "find them all." This clue sends her to Maine, where military veterans suffering from PTSD are mysteriously vanishing. Teaming up with Dr. Owen March, Ava races against time to solve the mystery before more people disappear.

This was my introduction to author D.K. Warren, and I was thoroughly impressed by the outstanding suspense storyline and its intricately woven twists. Although the beginning felt a little slow, I soon realized I was reading two interconnected narratives, and the pace picked up significantly—I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! I'm eagerly looking forward to reading more from this author, with The Retreat: A gripping psychological thriller next on my list.

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving a complimentary ARC provided by the author through Bookfunnel.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the Dr. Ava Locke series. I hope that there are
many more.

This is a very gripping story. Dr Ava spent time in a reconditioning
facility, where she should have died but she made it out instead. She had
hoped now that the nightmares were a thing of the past but she was wrong.
She gets a picture and cryptic message saying that the girl in the photo
was the first and if Ava can find her, she can find them all. She goes
outside the lines by following the clues to Maine, where veterans with PTSD
are disappearing. With the help of Dr. Owen March, can they solve the myster
before anything more happens.

I was unable to put this one down. It pulls you in from the very first
paragraph and doesn't let go until the end.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by Bookfunnel

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was advertised as a psychological thriller, and in many ways it was, but I felt it was also a science fiction story. Imagine a mysterious clinic that purports to cure people of PTSD and traumatic memories but in fact are erasing everything inside their patients that make them who they are. This is the premise of this book. The plot involves Ava Locke, FBI agent, entering the clinic undercover as a PTSD victim. The drama comes from Ava's attempts to find evidence to stop the clinic while not being discovered. She never knows who to trust.
I found parts of the book predictable and somewhat repetitive but that wasn't a complete deal breaker. There were enough thrills here to keep my interest in spite of that.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The First Victim: An addictive psychological thriller (Dr. Ava Locke Series Book 1), my first read from author D.K. Warren. I enjoyed the outstanding suspense story-line with its intricately woven twists and turns. Slow to start at first but soon I realized I was reading 2 interconnected stories in 1 book and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I was given a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. I look forward to reading more from this author with The Retreat: A gripping psychological thriller next on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Candy Turk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving an honest review. This was the first book I’ve read by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. From the very beginning, the story pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. The pacing was strong, and there was always something happening that made me want to continue reading. I especially loved the use of multiple points of view, which added depth to the story and allowed me to connect with the characters on a deeper level. Overall, this was an engaging and enjoyable read that held my attention throughout. I would highly recommend this book to others, as it was absolutely worth the time.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read of D K Warren's and I wasn't sure what to expect. The description had caught my interest so I decided to give it a go. My goodness I'm glad I did, it caught my interest right after a few pages! Dr. Elana Voss and Dr. Ava Locke are two very strong women that I found myself cheering for throughout the book. This book has lots of suspense, situations that you aren't sure how they will proceed. Some very different villians, I don't know what else I could call them, other than warped in the brain and compassion department. I would recommend you give this book a try and see if you can figure out if this is something that has/could happen in the world we live in.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When she receives an anonymous letter revealing a mystery surrounding veterans, Dr, Ava Locke goes under cover at a rehab facility. No one knows she is there and as things are revealed, she suspects that she is close to the answers. The more she learns, the more danger she is in. I was on the edge of my seat while reading it. I enjoyed the multiple point of view, giving the backstory and through the twists, and the jaw dropping ending. I would recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Angee Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turning psychological thriller that has you on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end. The story follows Dr. Ava Locke, a survivor of a reconditioning facility. She received a cryptic message and photo. The girl in the photo was “the first” and finding her will allow Ava to “find them all.” She teams up with Dr. Owen March to try to solve the mystery before more people disappear. It was fast paced and full of twists and turns.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly captivating and difficult to set aside. The author's portrayal of a doctor's unconventional approach to treating PTSD patients, through a process of reinvention, was particularly striking. The characters, especially Ava, the protagonist, are incredibly compelling as they navigate their challenging circumstances.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and highly recommend it to enthusiasts of profound psychological thrillers.

[Nicole Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a good book makes you form an opinion on trauma do you erase it so the person doesnt live through for years or let them have the trauma it really makes you wonder what if.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely an addictive read! I couldn't put it down! I was very worried about the outcome! Really enjoyed disliking Marsh! Such a great thriller!