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Killer Instinct

Not all assassins are elite; some are decidedly average.

That assassin is Frank Perlmutter—and he’s just arrived in Minneapolis. When he crosses paths with a stunning, mysterious woman—who may or may not be a North Korean spy—Frank abandons his mission. Untethered from his agency, his handler, and his better instincts, he becomes a volatile threat. Detective Cade Dawkins and his Five Below Task Force race to stop him before the body count rises faster than the Mississippi during spring thaw.

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About the author

Allan Evans

12 books43 followers
Allan Evans writes the twisty thrillers your friends warn you not to start before bed. He’s the author of two other Cade Dawkins thrillers, Killer Blonde and Killer Smile, along with several young adult and middle-grade novels—including Abnormally Abbey, Class Clown, and Spook Squad, which have earned him a wonderfully surprising number of young readers who think he’s cooler than he probably is.

Allan’s diverse professional background—encompassing undercover investigator, bodyguard, advertising creative, and more—provides the raw material behind the realism and edge of his crime fiction. When he’s not plotting fictional crimes, Allan is a longtime soccer coach, where he teaches kids about teamwork, resilience—and, thankfully, nothing involving serial killers.

He lives in Minnesota, where winter is cold, crime is complicated, and stories are never in short supply.

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5 stars
25 (54%)
4 stars
19 (41%)
3 stars
2 (4%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Jenni.
7,699 reviews119 followers
February 18, 2026
4 stars

Allan Evans is back with Killer Instinct another dark, twisted, pulse pounding thriller, and this time he takes us straight into the mind of an assassin who is anything but elite. Frank Perlmutter isn’t your typical cold, calculated killer — he’s average, unpredictable, and far more dangerous because of it. The moment he steps into Minneapolis, everything spirals, and that’s exactly where the tension begins to tighten.

A chance encounter with a mysterious woman — who may or may not be a North Korean spy — sends Frank completely off mission and off the rails. Untethered from his agency, his handler, and even his own instincts, he becomes a volatile threat with no clear direction. That unpredictability is what makes this story so gripping. You never quite know what Frank will do next, and that unease keeps you turning pages.

Detective Cade Dawkins and the Five Below Task Force return, and once again Cade finds himself pulled into a deadly game where the stakes rise faster than the Mississippi in spring thaw. Cade’s past has already shown us how darkness clings to him, and here it feels like he’s walking straight back into the shadows he’s tried so hard to outrun. Evans excels at putting Cade in situations where survival is never guaranteed, and this book is no exception.

Suspense, drama, mystery, and a fast paced, action packed plot — it’s all here. Evans has a knack for creating that creeping sense of dread, the kind that makes you glance over your shoulder or double check your locks. The tension builds steadily, and the cat and mouse chase between a rogue assassin and a determined task force is as addictive as ever.

This is another dark, twisted ride from Allan Evans, filled with flawed characters, dangerous minds, and the kind of psychological edge that keeps you reading long past bedtime. Fans of his previous books will appreciate how he continues to push boundaries, and newcomers will quickly understand why his thrillers leave such a mark.

I look forward to more from Allan and his uniquely shadowed world of killers, secrets, and the detectives brave enough — or reckless enough — to chase them.
Profile Image for Angela Shirley.
969 reviews7 followers
March 3, 2026
Frank Perlmutter is an assassin and is in some ways not the kind of person when you instantly think of a assassin to be, he is normal to a point but with his unpredictability he is more of a threat than looks at first.

On an assignment in Minneapolis things start to go wrong and spiral out of control but also to add into the mix is a mysterious woman who Frank is convinced is a spy who he becomes obsessed with and sends him off the rails. Untethered from his agency and his handler he has become unhinged and is a loose cannon.

While all this is playing out it is up to Detective Cade Dawkins and his task force once again are thrust into the dark depths where Cade has got a past and as the trail continues is he being sucked back into the darkness or can he survive the shadows and come out of it not whole but near enough.

This book is full of dark twists and turns and will have you turning the pages and trying to absorb every word as you go. I love the way that most of Allan Evans characters are flawed and somehow it draws you more into the story and at times feeling like you are not alone which I love from Psychological thrillers and this is no different.

The way the story is written is brilliant and both the characters of Frank and Cade are seemingly on opposite sides of the coin they are both brilliant as protagonists. If you are looking for a dark thriller with plenty of psychological twists and turns, this is certainly the book for you.
Profile Image for Amanda.
155 reviews5 followers
March 20, 2026
Killer Instinct is the third book in the Cade Dawkins Thriller series but I read it as a standalone. This book is a fast paced thriller that is written in different points of view with plenty of danger, mystery, tension, action, high stakes adventure. At first it can be a little confusing about things, since there is SO MUCH going on, but once you figure out the differing viewpoints, it makes so much more sense. The characters are believable and likeable, full of flaws and indecision. Frank is your every day person, normal yet unpredictable...to the point of being almost mundane...and just so happens to also be an assassin with bit of a reputation. There is a mystery woman who is *probably* a spy and sends an already unpredictable Frank spiraling in a dangerous manner. Cade Dawkins and his task force are back to solve all the problems and figure it all out....until his partner, Grace, is abducted. To make matters worse, the kidnapping was live streamed and the pressure mounts rapidly. Now Cade is faced with international espionage and the very personal abduction of his partner, while also dealing with Frank's increasing antics. The twists and turns in this book do not stop coming, and the pace at which things happen will keep you turning the pages. I love the character building and how believable and flawed the characters are. I will definitely be reading the previous two books in this series to see what led up to this point!
628 reviews12 followers
March 17, 2026
Killer Instinct is an interesting adventure. One I will admit I was confused about at first. The author wrote the story from different points of views and at first I was sure that was the case or not. Once I realized it, I was able to distinguish between them and the story came together better.
What do an assassin, a task force, a shadow all have in common? The ability to try and lay low. Keeping a low profile. Do not bring attention to yourself. Get in, complete your task and get out. Well when the assassin went rogue that was easier said then done.
Cade is tasked by the mayor to activate his task force but make sure they keep things quiet. Bring in the shooter, so their international mayor’s conference can proceed with no interruptions. The mayor is more worried about his image vs the people who could end up nearby the chaos. And of course chaos is exactly what happens.
Will they find the assassin?
Frank looks like a normal guy. He’s not going to draw any attention or will he?
An entertaining story broken into 2 parts is full of twists and turns along the way. It’s how you navigate and follow it that brings the best of it to the reader’s for front.
If you’re looking for something different but will keep you on the edge of your seat as you turn each page. Killer Instinct is a book worth reading.
Profile Image for Kerry  carr.
2,090 reviews31 followers
March 20, 2026
This is the 3rd book in the Cade Dawkins Killer Series. This story is fast paced and actioned packed. There are so many elements in this book that keeps the story engaging, gripping and kept me turning pages from beginning to end. As a lover of crime thriller books I always love a story where i can’t figure out what is going to happen next. The twists and turns keep things interesting and everyone I thought I had things figured out I was wrong which make the story even more gripping.

The first person we meet is assassin Frank Perlmutter. Frank is not what you would expect from an assassin. He is normal, blends into a crowd and no one would suspect him of being an assassin. While on a case he meets a stunning women who may or may not be a spy.
Not Frank becomes very dangerous as he has completed abandoned his path, his targets and even his handler. Now he is a deadly threat that is no longer under anyone control.

The only person who can stop him is Cade Dawkins and his team. However this is a race against time to stop this killer before the body count climbs too high. However Cade deals with his own darkness and yet again he gets dragged further into that darkness with no guarantee he will see the light again

This author writes a story that is captivating, gripping, thrilling and a real page turner. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Santana.
472 reviews10 followers
February 27, 2026
Killer Instinct throws Cade Dawkins and his team into a messy situation when an assassin suddenly goes off mission. Things get even worse when Cade’s partner is kidnapped, making the case very personal. With a big international event happening in Minneapolis, the pressure is on and time is running out.

The assassin, Frank Perlmutter, is not some perfect hitman. He makes emotional choices that complicate everything, which makes him unpredictable and dangerous. The back and forth between him and Cade kept the tension high, especially once Cades partner’s situation became part of the chaos.

This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read on its own. It was actually my first Cade Dawkins book and I had no trouble following along. The writing is fast paced and easy to read. Cade is strong, determined, and someone you naturally want to see win.

Overall, it is an entertaining thriller with plenty of action and suspense. I did not want it to end and I am excited to read more from this author. I have read a couple other of the authors books and enjoyed them so I was not surprised that this book was also a hit!
Profile Image for Lisa.
3,971 reviews24 followers
March 13, 2026
First off I have not read the previous books in this series. This one to a point is a stand alone. That being said I thoroughly love the beginning (part 1) of this book. It is engaging, informative, and kept my interest which in turn made me turn those pages. I thought how had I missed this series before? Then I came to Part 2. I did not care for the complete drop of what was happening to go to a brand new mystery with a new player. Periods were dropped about the part 1 mystery but mostly until part 2 was solved the story had been passed off to other minor characters to solve. I just did not like this. It made me feel the author wanted a longer book and put Part 2 in. Okay…so at the end I feel that second story is from the past books and so maybe. Others who have read them will get a connection I did not.

I did love the friendly banter between the task force. There also were a few colorful characters that showed up (I felt some were from past stories) that made the book an enjoyable thrilling mystery. Both Parts of the book were well written and made it hard to out down its just that complete 180 that did me in.
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
5,308 reviews74 followers
February 17, 2026
This story is by an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up by them. One of the things I enjoy about this author is their use of details that make the plot come to life. This story is no different. This story is part of a series that I highly suggest reading the previous books as well to help your enjoyment of Cade Dawkins and this author’s writing skills. In this story Cade is back in another suspenseful case of cat and mouse. Cade and his task force find themselves in a case where an assassin goes off mission. Not only that Cade’s partner is taken. You don’t want to miss what happens in this story. Cade is such a strong, determined character that you just can’t help but like him. I enjoyed watching the growth of the plot as well as the characters throughout. The twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what the assassin would do next. I found this book to be fast paced, entertaining and easy to read. I highly recommend this hard to put down story. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author.
303 reviews6 followers
March 17, 2026
Before I started reading Killer Instinct, I was unaware that it is the third book in the Cade Dawkins Thrillers. Having said that, it can absolutely be read as a standalone. There is definitely a lot going on in this book; from the almost comedically inept assassin, Frank, and his deviation from his current mission, to the task force captain, Cade, and his attempts to thwart Frank's rogue activity. This fast-paced thriller had drama, intrigue, danger, and plenty of twists and turns. The world-building was great, transporting the reader to the heart of Minneapolis, amid the frozen landscape, business men, and international espionage. The characters were flawed, likeable, and believable. One of the things that threw me off a bit was the secondary story of Cade's partner, Grace, being publically kidnapped. It just made the story feel very “busy" and chaotic to me. I also felt like some portions of dialogue were used repeatedly, which made it feel as if I were reading the same sections over again. Overall, a fast-paced thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.
158 reviews5 followers
February 26, 2026
5 out of 5 Stars

Killer Instinct (Cade Dawkins Thrillers #3) by Allan Evans

This isn't the first book I've read by the author. Although this is the first book in the Cade Dawkins Thrillers I've read. Killer Instinct is the third book in the Series. It can be read as a standalone. The book is amazing and I didn't want it to end. The author has done a fantastic job on the writing and the characters.

Cade is a retired cop who works for a task force. They only get called in when things are bad. He meets with a friend and partner to question someone before being called in by the Mayor. He says this to the guy he's questioning: “You know this is the part where you can actually help yourself. You were caught “procuring” truck parts. Caught on video. Now you help us and then we help you. Give us something, and your consequences can go away. Keep being a stubborn asshole, and you’ll be headed for lockup after we finish our coffees. Dealer’s choice.”
187 reviews
March 20, 2026
These days, true crime is a very hot topic. Now there are more documentaries, podcasts, and even theatrical enhancements of true crime events. Many of my favorite shows involve the interaction between drama and crime, so I was excited to dig into this book at I was intrigued by the book description alone. In the book we meet Frank, a gun-for-hire, and he's got a mission to complete. With the help of his handler, he's tasked with eliminating his target. Not only does he mess this up, he runs into a damsel in distress (Rose) who takes him by surprise. Then we meet Cade, a detective that is great at his job, a handsome leaf, and is hard at work to solve the case. Cade receives a tip when Frank and Rose disappear, and he continues digging deeper on his trail to solve this case. Espionage, theft, secrecy, and more than a fare share of crime will keep the pages turning! This book was an INCREDIBLE read!
Profile Image for Jennifer .
1,783 reviews39 followers
February 20, 2026
This gripping crime thriller novel kept me hooked throughout. Frank Perlmutter is the assassin you hire when you’ve run out of better options. Already a liability, he then goes totally off-mission when he meets a beautiful and mysterious woman, who may be a North Korean spy. Detective Cade Dawkins and his Five Below Major Crimes Task Force, are called in as Minneapolis prepares to host the high-profile International Mayors Conference. Just as they close in on Frank, an obsessive stalker abducts Cade’s partner Grace, and livestreams her captivity on the dark web. As Cade races to save Grace and stop Frank’s body count from rising a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game begins. International espionage and local crime collide in this fast paced and action packed story. Once again Detective Cade Dawkins character comes to life, and I always enjoy investigating alongside him and his team.
Profile Image for Angela.
10.1k reviews134 followers
February 18, 2026
4 Stars

Killer Instinct is the third book in the Cade Dawkins Thriller series by Allan Evans. It is a gripping and fast paced story that takes us on a tense ride where the stakes are high, and there’s plenty of danger, intrigue, drama, investigation, mystery, and tension.
As with his other books, there is quite a lot going on here – in a great way - that kept me engaged and flipping the pages to find out how everything would play out in the end.
As expected, Mr. Evans has crafted a sharp, fast-paced thriller that wastes no time pulling you into its high-stakes world. As the third installment in the Cade Dawkins series, it blends the grit of modern espionage with the tension of a relentless crime investigation.
A worthy addition to the Cade Dawkins saga....
Happy Reading…

2,112 reviews29 followers
March 18, 2026
Killer Instinct (Cade Dawkins Thrillers) by Allan Evans. This is the 3rd book in the Cade Dawkins series and I love this series so much. It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading them in order to better understand the story and characters. Its the story of Frank who is a very unlikely assassin, he reminds me of Barney Fife because he is always messing things up causing him to be more of a liability than anything. He meets a woman on a mission in Michigan and it sends him off the rails. This sends in retired cop Cade Dawkins on the case to try and find him. This case is bringing Cade back into his past mistakes and it sets him on a trail of darkness that is threatening to suck him back in. This is such a fast paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Kirsten Berkebile.
292 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2026
This is the second book that I have read by this author. In all honesty I absolutely love reading his books. I really love that Five Below is back and solving more crimes and capturing more killers. In this one, we have a combination of Criminal Minds meets NCIS. I honestly don’t like it when someone of the good side gets kidnapped during the investigation of other crimes. I honestly can not figure out who Mr. Shadow is. I mean I have an idea but I really am not sure, I am hoping that Grace gets saved but again, I don’t want to give away anything more than I have already given out. Seriously, I hope that Mr. Evans continues to write about the “Five Below Squad” because it is an amazing group of characters.
Profile Image for Salina Brown.
31 reviews
March 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This fast paced thriller is a third book in a series by this author. Although I feel that I had missed some character connections from the previous two books, I feel that this is still a good book that you can read as a stand alone novel. The task force that has already been established with their lead, Detective Cade, has already been through some crazy crime drama even before this story takes place and that sets them up for being a great team that with banter you don’t want to miss. When the assassin goes off the rails in the beginning and falls for the good looks of a mystery women despite the consequences as the opening part of the book, you know you will be in for a long ride of cat and mouse, and this book definitely delivers!!!
Profile Image for Shannen.
1,220 reviews32 followers
March 21, 2026
This book was incredibly difficult to put down and actually get actual work done (spoiler, I got no work done)! I know this is part of a series, but I read it as a standalone. I think it did really well as a standalone, but I will be circling back around to pick up the others now anyways because I need more from this author. The world building alone is amazing, but the characters are on a whole different level! I really loved the multiple points of view because it allows me to get into their heads even more. There are so many twists and turns which keep it interesting. I am usually really great at figuring out what is going to happen, but I kept being wrong over and over! If you’re prepared to lose some sleep and probably skip out on some of your responsibilities, pick this one up today!
2,185 reviews24 followers
February 20, 2026
4 Stars
Killer Instinct (Cade Dawkins Thrillers Book 3) By Allan Evans

Killer Instinct is the third book in the Cade Dawkins Thrillers Series is a thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat turning the pages till the end. This story is intense and packed with drama, suspense, mystery ,danger and so much more. Get ready for another suspense filled action packed story that finds Cade in a Case where the assassin has gone off mission. There’s a lot going on and it’s not hard to get tangled up in the story. I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next I can’t wait to read more from this Author.

3,251 reviews37 followers
February 26, 2026
Having read the first two books in this series, I was really excited to start reading the third one. As with the other books, this was is fast paced and exciting right from the word go. The author takes you on such a thrilling ride, with so many twists and turns along the way. This is the kind of book that could take an unexpected turn at any moment which made it even better to read.
I enjoy the characters in this series. Each one seems to serve a specific purpose, helping to develop the overall story. I always find it easy to re-engage with them when I start a new book and look forward to getting to know even more about them. This is a great thriller and is part of a strong series.
214 reviews9 followers
March 6, 2026
Killer Instinct (Cade Dawkins Thrillers Book 3) by Allan Evans
5 Star Review
Frank Perlmutter is an assassin..well he is the no other choice kind of assassin. He is far from perfect and a definite liability. When he crosses paths with a mysterious woman (who might be a spy), he goes rogue.
Cade is in a mess. His partner, Grace, has been kidnapped and he has to save her and stop Frank before the body count escalates.
This easy to read, fast paced psychological thriller is a fantastic story that kept me hooked with every page. The more I read the more I was dragged in. Allan Evans is a wonderful, creative storyteller with a feel for reality.
Profile Image for Katie Burgess.
404 reviews
March 16, 2026
Killer Instinct is a fast-paced, action-packed read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story throws you right into a tense world of espionage, crime, and unpredictable characters, especially Frank Perlmutter, who’s definitely not your typical polished assassin. His chaotic decisions and off-the-rails mission make the plot even more exciting. At the same time, Detective Cade Dawkins and his task force bring a strong investigative angle that balances the story really well. The stakes keep rising, the tension builds nicely, and there’s plenty of suspense along the way. If you enjoy high-energy thrillers with twists and lots of momentum, this one is a really fun ride.
Profile Image for Jennifer Reimer.
529 reviews10 followers
March 18, 2026
This is the third book to the series that I had no idea was series until I finished and now what to go back and read the rest. This book can be read by itself as a stand alone which was great. This was differently a book I enjoyed, a fast-paced thriller, filled with drama, kidnapping, suspense, danger, twists and turns, amazing characters. This was easy to follow and kept me wanting more and hooked from the very beginning. Frank is a chaotic, off the rails not your average assassin and just makes it so intriguing to wonder what he’s going to next. This was a very captivating read that had me sucked in till the end, the momentum kept this book as a fun ride.
Profile Image for Jessica Godwin.
321 reviews11 followers
March 19, 2026
This isn't the first book in this series but it's the first one I read and it was easy enough to follow along. This story has great world-building and seamless writing that remains consistently entertaining and easy to read. The characters are well written, particularly Cade, whose flaws make him deeply relatable and someone you can’t help but root for. It's a fast paced thriller with plenty of drama, action, danger, suspense, mystery, twist and turns that will keep you hooked until the end and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Finn Cunningham.
608 reviews16 followers
March 21, 2026
Killer Instinct is book 3 of the "Cade Dawkins Thrillers" series by Allan Evans. Its fast paced, engaging, and is gonna keep you guessing until the end! This is part of a series, but I read this as a standalone, and that didnt affect my enjoyment at all. This book has A LOT going on, so be prepared for that! Theres so much mystery, danger, tension, and so many other things wrapped into this book, it'll be absolutely impossible to guess the end. I'll definitely be looking for more of this author!
Profile Image for Jessie Hopkins.
168 reviews5 followers
March 21, 2026
It happened in Chapter 1, I was hooked and knew that this book was going to be great. The sights and sounds are explained wonderfully, picture in my head, I kept reading; irritated when I had to put the book down for work and reading every chance I got.
As Cade works with him and Frank continues to terrorize the area at the whim of Rose, I was turning pages with a fury. When Shadow enters the story and splits Cade’s focus, everything changes. Part 1 had me enthralled. Part 2 had me so on edge, I hated to put the book down.
This is the third in the series, and though I think a person could read it as a standalone the series is so great, it’s worth it.
Profile Image for Pattyh.
1,066 reviews
May 27, 2026
Thank you for the opportunity to preview Killer Instinct. Not a light read and one that will linger for a bit once you finish the book.
Well written and deep characters I found this to be very good and intricate novel.
Thank you for the opportunity to preview Killer Instinct. Not a light read and one that will linger for a bit once you finish the book.
Well written and deep characters, I found this to be a very good and intricate novel. This is a series but is a solid standalone book.
4 stars.
Profile Image for S. Lynn Reviews.
117 reviews5 followers
March 21, 2026
This is book three of the Cade Dawkins Thrillers series, but can be read as a stand alone. I read it as a stand alone and don’t feel like I was missing out from previous books.

I did feel like there was a lot of extra backstory in the beginning and it took a few chapters to get going and keep track of whose perspective we were in. With that being said, the book really picks up pace in the second part and will have you on the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Terri.
207 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2026
This series just keeps getting better. Love characters that I can identify with. This is a character I would never tire of.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.




I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Randi.
185 reviews7 followers
March 13, 2026
New favorite author? I think so! This is the third in a series but can be read without reading the others first. However, I'm gonna go and read them now cause this was great.
The writing was fantastic, it was fast paced the story line was gripping and kept me turning pages until it was over.
5 out of 5 stars, I highly recommend this thriller to anyone looking for an exciting read.
41 reviews
March 14, 2026
This is the 3rd book in a series by this author, but it is also a stand alone. I was a little hesitant when i started reading it because it seemed like it was going to be a John Sandford copy cat. I could not have been more wrong. This was a fantastic book. The story kept moving and then another story was presented without taking anything from the first story. I highly recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews