The Skinning Game

Briar Calloway FBI #2

by Georgia Wagner

437 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2026

About the author

Having worked on projects with New York Times Bestsellers and USA Today bestsellers, Georgia Wagner recently hit #1 bestseller with her newest series. Location and character are two big factors for Georgia, and getting those right allows the story to flow seamlessly onto the page. And flow it does, because Georgia is so prolific a new term is required to describe the rate at which nerve-tingling stories find their way into print.

When not found attached to a laptop, Georgia likes spending time in local arboretums, among the trees and ponds. An avid cultivator of orchids, begonias, and all things floral, Georgia also has a strong penchant for art, paintings, and sculptures. A many-decades-long passion for mystery novels and years of chess tournament experience makes Georgia the perfect person to pen the Artemis Blythe series. That's where it all started, but the drive to craft thrilling mystery tales soon demanded new characters in new locations.

Where will she take us next?

Reviews

[Paula Leblanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the series. I found this harder to get into than the first book. Briar a FBI agent was in the first book she arrested her husband for being a serial killer.
it still seems like she has feelings for him. Once I was half way through the book it picked up and was a lot better. It did have a great twists to the ending. So that made it worth reading. I will read the last book in the series to find out what happens next.

[Syren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. What I felt lacking in the other book, really made up in this one. I feel while it still kept reminding how Briar feels like a monster, it didn't feel as over saturated in the book. I will say that the use of "high cheekbones and a jaw that could cut glass" was used way too much as a descriptive for beauty. I do feel descriptively the book struggles a little sometimes. And its still weird how they specifically say it is "12 million views a month" the moth blog brings in.
Those little gripes aside, this book was a lot more action packed and didn't lose my attention. I felt a lot more developed in this story. The way the characters from the last book are tied into this one I think is quite interesting. And this one feels like it has a little bit more solid foundation now that we are focusing on a murder that isn't tied to her husband. There was a lot more going on in this book and we see Briar starting to crack a lot more.
I liked this book a lot more and look forward to the next one!

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and entertaining read, binged the 3 book series in a few days. Loved the premise. There are a few things in the series that do get under my skin. For example, in one book she and her partner go to a crime scene and touch things. Why in the world would you touch things at a crime scene if you’re supposed to be an FBI agent. You would know better, right? So that sort of stuff kind of irritated me. But literally that’s my only complaint. And in a few of the books, she lets out breaths that she didn’t know she was holding. IYKYK! 😂😂. Anyway, if you’re not a purist and a total realist and just want fun FBI dark and twisty book, I highly recommend this series.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRAVO Wagner does it again!

Read this in a day & 1/2 AND now I have to wait until June 26th to see what happens next. Great hook! This is a twisted thriller with a tone of adventure! Love to see this a a Netflix exclusive!! Come on Georgia, make that happen.
I really cannot give a proper review without giving away spoilers & I refuse to that. Just know. You are in for one hell of a ride!!! Enjoy

[Jenny Fumarolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 Just a fun continuation of the Bone Keeper's Bride. Fast paced FBI thriller following Briar Calloway on another case involving popular influencers and a live game of life or death (think And Then There None by Agatha Christie vibes). Previous characters make a comeback and the leaves a perfect segway into the finale of book 3.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reader Problems

What do you do when you come across a great story premise, with lovable characters, fast paced writing style, but find more holes in the story line than you know what to do with? You keep reading. Loved this story but had major issues with the "police work"; major unbelievable issues. Not going to stop me from reading book 3.

[Sherry Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

"Sleep was just a dark room where the memories waited with knives." Poetic! The author knows trauma.

As a resident in VA going through the process to foster, some details are exaggerated for dramatic affect.

I expected a different ending. Now I need to read book 3.

[Candy Galindo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing page turner

I just discovered this author, and now I am working my way through her books. These stories are amazing, fast paced reads where you just can't wait to see what happens. I already have the next in this series lined up.

[Chanda Shae Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

What a brutal way to avenge someone.. Money can't buy happiness only misery.. But I'm sure if Briar was around there's another island she could dismantle.. But that cliffhanger at the end.. Epic

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dramatic adventure of a FBI agent

The descriptions and characters in this story are incredible. I found writing, descriptions, and characters so life like I was mesmerized. I couldn't put this book down. Definitely a incredible read.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Who edits these books? The first half of the book dragged on. It finally picked up speed, but maybe too much and the author couldn’t keep up with their own details. Spoiler alert!!!!

Ford gets injured and might lose his leg. Then in Chapter 43 Briar makes a comment that “Ford was killed” the later in the book Ford is still alive. Tilly drops Briar off at the airport and gets back in the driver seat to go visit Ford. She reappears when Briar is melting down at security and now, “Tilly stared at me, her boarding pass trembling.” But she wasn’t flying with Briar so why the boarding pass? There were others. Details matter.

[Joanne Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy to read

I'm really enjoying the Briar Galloway series. Just about to start the last one. I'm really hoping against all odds that Briar and Ford will get together romantically... I think they need each other!

[Mrs. Kathy Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!

A thousand times better than the first book, couldn't put it down. Love the addition of Tilley. Look forward to the next book

[taffykathiegmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manipulation is the word of the day

A fast paced exceptional story sucking you into the apprehension of the worldly famous, only to find bodies that are too young to die.

[Oralia Menottis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! I could not put this book down. Twists and turns at every page. Who you thought was the enemy was not. Definitely worth the late night reading.

[Lynne]

Enjoyable continuation of series.

[Mary Stepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

It has a lot of twists in this book. It surprised me throughout the story . It was a very good book. Work and life got in the way of reading!

[Mrs Linda A Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Love this saga of Briar, her ex, her job, everything. Great story yet again and I e got to keep reading.

[Beverly Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

sequel success!

Great book and great series! Loved that they kept characters from the first book. Can’t wait to see what 3 brings ! Really enjoy the writing.

[amy fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Great book, page turning ,exciting. Great reading. This one was brilliant and entertaining . I would highly recommend it to you.

[Stacey Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg….she saved the day from the hunger games… and now he’s loose…bring on the next book asap!!

[Heather]

Read on my kindle. Wow. Briar is an amazing profiler and FBI agent. And what a case she has got involved in! Graphic in spots but definitely keeps you wanting to read more and figure out the mystery behind the killings.