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Serial Crimes Investigation Unit (S.C.I.U.) #1
Dying Embers
Dwelling on the past can be murder.
Emma Sweet looks more like a trophy wife than a killer, but as she watches her cheating husband burn alive in his Mercedes, she knows her trophy life is over. Every man she ever loved hurt her. Now it’s time to hurt them back. As she travels from state to state, crossing a name off her list each time she ends a life, she’s only one step ahead of Agent Douglas. She doesn’t care if she gets caught really, as long as the last name on her list—the first man to break her heart—gets the justice he’s earned before the law catches up with her.
With the memory of a fatal house fire looming over her, no one can blame Jace Douglas for being pyrophobic, but agents with the Serial Crimes Unit don’t get to pick and choose assignments. When a series of murders all have the same killing signature, she can’t let the flames of her past interfere with the job. Alongside one pushy—and altogether too attractive—detective, she embarks on a cross-country manhunt to catch a killer before another man dies.
Emma Sweet looks more like a trophy wife than a killer, but as she watches her cheating husband burn alive in his Mercedes, she knows her trophy life is over. Every man she ever loved hurt her. Now it’s time to hurt them back. As she travels from state to state, crossing a name off her list each time she ends a life, she’s only one step ahead of Agent Douglas. She doesn’t care if she gets caught really, as long as the last name on her list—the first man to break her heart—gets the justice he’s earned before the law catches up with her.
With the memory of a fatal house fire looming over her, no one can blame Jace Douglas for being pyrophobic, but agents with the Serial Crimes Unit don’t get to pick and choose assignments. When a series of murders all have the same killing signature, she can’t let the flames of her past interfere with the job. Alongside one pushy—and altogether too attractive—detective, she embarks on a cross-country manhunt to catch a killer before another man dies.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2015
35 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
B.E. Sanderson
20 books61 followersMinor conspiracy theorist and major hermit, armchair trivia champion and fount of useless knowledge, pessimistic optimist and hopeful romantic, B.E. Sanderson spends her time reading, writing, gardening, and generally enjoying life with her husband.
You can learn more and connect with B.E. at:
The Writing Spectacle - http://writingspectacle.blogspot.com/
B.E. Sanderson - Outside the Box - http://besanderson.blogspot.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/be.sanderson...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/BE_Sanderson
Or email her at: be.sanderson.writer@gmail.com
If you enjoyed reading any of her books, please consider leaving a review at your favorite vendor or at Goodreads.
You can learn more and connect with B.E. at:
The Writing Spectacle - http://writingspectacle.blogspot.com/
B.E. Sanderson - Outside the Box - http://besanderson.blogspot.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/be.sanderson...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/BE_Sanderson
Or email her at: be.sanderson.writer@gmail.com
If you enjoyed reading any of her books, please consider leaving a review at your favorite vendor or at Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 29, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. I bought the second one in the series. I have not read anything by this author before, but I am hooked now. In this story the serial killer is pretty bad-assed, and keeps killing almost non-stop across the country.
June 17, 2016
Emma Sweet has had enough. Enough of the cheaters in the world. Enough of the men who would use her body for their own pleasure. Enough of the lies. ENOUGH. So she sets about to bring her revenge upon all those who have done her wrong.
Jace Douglas is a top notch agent at the S.C.I.U. and is determined to bring this killer to justice. Even the best agents can't do it alone. Enter Ben Yancy. Local cop determined to help bring this killer to justice.
This was a great read. It gripped me from the beginning and didn't let go. Emma Sweet is a lunatic of the first order, but I really enjoyed getting to see things from both sides. Knowing who the killer is right from the start was a change, but it was fascinating to watch this story unfold.
Jace Douglas is far from perfect and has a ton of baggage that could potentially take her down with this case. She has real life issues that are easy to relate to but she's wicked smart and determined. I liked Ben Yancey, he was the Yin to her Yang. Nice twist at the end as well. I'm hoping that this is only the first book in a series. (hint hint) I will definitely be reading B.E. Sanderson in the future.
Jace Douglas is a top notch agent at the S.C.I.U. and is determined to bring this killer to justice. Even the best agents can't do it alone. Enter Ben Yancy. Local cop determined to help bring this killer to justice.
This was a great read. It gripped me from the beginning and didn't let go. Emma Sweet is a lunatic of the first order, but I really enjoyed getting to see things from both sides. Knowing who the killer is right from the start was a change, but it was fascinating to watch this story unfold.
Jace Douglas is far from perfect and has a ton of baggage that could potentially take her down with this case. She has real life issues that are easy to relate to but she's wicked smart and determined. I liked Ben Yancey, he was the Yin to her Yang. Nice twist at the end as well. I'm hoping that this is only the first book in a series. (hint hint) I will definitely be reading B.E. Sanderson in the future.
January 29, 2016
Dying Embers hooked me from the moment I read the Look Inside sample and didn't let me go until the last page! Emma Sweet is a wonderfully well drawn serial killer. I alternated between feeling sorry for her and creeped out by her. She wasn't just a monster, she was a real person who had somehow become twisted by her upbringing, her bad experiences with men, and maybe an errant gene thrown in for good measure.
Jace, the FBI agent tasked with following Emma's string of bodies across the country and solving the case(s), is equally well drawn. Somewhat damaged by her own childhood experiences, she's got a tough outer shell that protects her, but also keeps love and friendship at bay. When she meets Ben Yancy, that shell begins to crumble. The sexual and romantic tension between them provided a nice seasoning to the main course of mystery and thriller. And there's a nice little twist at the end I didn't see coming. Love it when that happens!
I highly recommend Dying Embers to anyone who enjoys a mystery/thriller that maintains a nice balance between the action and the characters.
Jace, the FBI agent tasked with following Emma's string of bodies across the country and solving the case(s), is equally well drawn. Somewhat damaged by her own childhood experiences, she's got a tough outer shell that protects her, but also keeps love and friendship at bay. When she meets Ben Yancy, that shell begins to crumble. The sexual and romantic tension between them provided a nice seasoning to the main course of mystery and thriller. And there's a nice little twist at the end I didn't see coming. Love it when that happens!
I highly recommend Dying Embers to anyone who enjoys a mystery/thriller that maintains a nice balance between the action and the characters.
March 4, 2015
This is the debut suspense novel by B.E. Sanderson. Dang! This is a well-plotted book with a wonderfully flawed main character, a delightfully evil villianess, and just a touch of romance with an interesting twist at the end. Jace Douglas has a whole trunkful of baggage but she's a crack investigator--driven and obsessive. Emma Sweet has always been spoiled and it didn't take much to start the rot beneath the "sweet." Ben Yancy is more than he appears. When the three of them finally come together in California, the results are...explosive. *bwahahaha* Sorry. Couldn't resist. While the reader knows who the perpetrator is, the real drama comes from Jace's hunt for her before the next man dies. This book is like "The Mentalist" and "Crinminal Minds" on a road trip. 
March 1, 2015
A Page Turner
Jace Douglas is a three-dimensional protagonist who is not perfect but stubborn, smart, and determined to get the job done. A heroine who has worked hard and who’s career matters. I respected her and her choices. They were true to her character and very believable. Loved Ben and how they were together. It felt…right, since this is more about the suspense then the developing relationship. Now for the villain, because I’m very picky about my villains. I’d been looking for a story with a believable female villain. Emma Sweet did not disappoint. She is bat shit crazy. And delightful. And her inner dialogue made me smile. And shudder. Two strong female characters that kept me turning the pages because they were both committed to their cause and formidable foes. Well done.
Jace Douglas is a three-dimensional protagonist who is not perfect but stubborn, smart, and determined to get the job done. A heroine who has worked hard and who’s career matters. I respected her and her choices. They were true to her character and very believable. Loved Ben and how they were together. It felt…right, since this is more about the suspense then the developing relationship. Now for the villain, because I’m very picky about my villains. I’d been looking for a story with a believable female villain. Emma Sweet did not disappoint. She is bat shit crazy. And delightful. And her inner dialogue made me smile. And shudder. Two strong female characters that kept me turning the pages because they were both committed to their cause and formidable foes. Well done.
February 13, 2015
I started this yesterday morning and couldn't put it down til I had to go to work, then stayed up late to finish it. I only stopped when I was dropping off and the iPad fell onto my nose! I liked the way the heroine became real from page 1 and how yuckily real the killer felt, in all her nutso glory. The story flowed effortlessly and kept me involved. I even found my mind wandering back to the story when I should have been concentrating on my work, for me a real indication of a ripping good yarn. The dialogue and "cop spark" felt genuine and the procedural stuff realistic.
This is B E Sanderson's first published work and after reading this I'm looking forward to the next one very much.
This is B E Sanderson's first published work and after reading this I'm looking forward to the next one very much.
February 18, 2015
From the opening to the startling climax, Dying Embers keeps you turning pages. The characters were real and flawed, yet perfect for their roles. I love that Jace, the main character, was devoted and determined, yet the author allowed her to make mistakes and to have human shortcomings. A very admirable protagonist. And Ben...LOVED Ben. He was the perfect partner for her, strong and smart, yet again, imperfect. The villainess was fabulous! Crazy and interesting and scary...you could almost understand why she felt justified in what she was doing, but then again, her psychotic nature clearly came through. I love that this was more about the suspense than the romance, but the development of the relationship was well-done, and a great sub plot. Highly recommend!
March 10, 2015
This was the first book by B.E. that I have read and it was gripping. I could not put this book down. I loved how the story unfolded and there was insight into the mind of a sociopath as well as a determined law enforcement officer. There were twists and turns that I didnt anticipate and I cannot wait to look into the other books B.E. has written!
October 4, 2015
I read this book in one night - I couldn't put it down! Fast paced and exciting! We follow Emma's decent into madness, and Jace's efforts to stop her before the next murder. The characters are strong and believable, the action kept me on edge, and I liked the ending. A very satisfying read.
I won this book in a giveaway, and I'm very grateful I did.
I won this book in a giveaway, and I'm very grateful I did.
March 5, 2015
4 1/2 stars! A cat and mouse game between a female serial killer and a female FBI agent that heats up to a surprising conclusion. There's a very light romance but the focus of the story is on catching the killer.
August 31, 2015
Hard to Rate
I thought there were flaws in the story....As I look back on the book and the way it progressed, I realize now that I'm the one who missed the hidden clues. Sanderson had a lot more incite than I.....after all the author knows the plot!
Definitely a five star rating.
I thought there were flaws in the story....As I look back on the book and the way it progressed, I realize now that I'm the one who missed the hidden clues. Sanderson had a lot more incite than I.....after all the author knows the plot!
Definitely a five star rating.
October 18, 2015
Can you say psycho? Emma is a few fries short of a happy meal. She loves fire and Agent Jace Douglas has issues with them. This is the first B.E. Sanderson book that I've read. And it won't be my last. I'd love to see more books with Jace & Ben!
March 12, 2015
Emma was one sick chick. Made an interesting villain, that’s for sure. This book was an enjoyable read for me. It held my attention all the way through the end.
November 30, 2015
An amazing book! It kept me up all night - I had to finish it!
February 20, 2016
Riveting
It's so great to find an author that is so darn good, especially when I'd about read everything my favorites have written.
It's so great to find an author that is so darn good, especially when I'd about read everything my favorites have written.
July 15, 2025
Jace Douglas, newbie to Homeland Security’s Serial Crimes Investigation Unity, is faced with a case that brings back the worst moments of her adolescence – her mother and sister died in a house fire Jace thinks she caused. The case involves seemingly unconnected men dying in similar gruesome ways (usually involving fire and superglue). She’s assisted in the cross-country investigation by a pushy but attractive detective.
This was an interesting story, dark and gritty, with plenty of twists and turns, that kept me completely occupied on the aerobic equipment at the gym. The characters were well-developed, even the supporting ones. There was a good balance of work life, technical skills, and home life. A semi-predictable romance slowly developed between Jace and her partner, but it was well done and I was kind of hoping it would happen, so I didn’t mind. I enjoyed watching Jace work through her internal strife while solving the crimes.
I liked the first one so much I immediately bought book 2 in the series. It’s good, and I’ll probably continue the series, but I’m a bit disappointed that Jace and her partner only get a passing mention in book 2. My fault for not seeing the Amazon tagline “standalone novels connected by a common purpose - tough heroines and heroes hunting down serial criminals wherever they prey on the innocent.” They are characters who can take (and throw) a punch and get back up again, and they have a strong commitment to righting wrongs, all things I like, but I have a strong bias for series – if I’m going to make an emotional investment in a character, I’d like them to be around for a while.
This was an interesting story, dark and gritty, with plenty of twists and turns, that kept me completely occupied on the aerobic equipment at the gym. The characters were well-developed, even the supporting ones. There was a good balance of work life, technical skills, and home life. A semi-predictable romance slowly developed between Jace and her partner, but it was well done and I was kind of hoping it would happen, so I didn’t mind. I enjoyed watching Jace work through her internal strife while solving the crimes.
I liked the first one so much I immediately bought book 2 in the series. It’s good, and I’ll probably continue the series, but I’m a bit disappointed that Jace and her partner only get a passing mention in book 2. My fault for not seeing the Amazon tagline “standalone novels connected by a common purpose - tough heroines and heroes hunting down serial criminals wherever they prey on the innocent.” They are characters who can take (and throw) a punch and get back up again, and they have a strong commitment to righting wrongs, all things I like, but I have a strong bias for series – if I’m going to make an emotional investment in a character, I’d like them to be around for a while.
November 13, 2017
Emma Sweet has had enough. Enough of the cheaters in the world. Enough of the men who would use her body for their own pleasure. Enough of the lies. ENOUGH. So she sets about to bring her revenge upon all those who have done her wrong.
Jace Douglas is a top-notch agent at the S.C.I.U. and is determined to bring this killer to justice. Even the best agents can't do it alone. Enter Ben Yancy. Local cop determined to help bring this killer to justice.
This was a great read. It gripped me from the beginning and didn't let go. Emma Sweet is a lunatic of the first order, but I really enjoyed getting to see things from both sides. Knowing who the killer is right from the start was a change, but it was fascinating to watch this story unfold.
Jace Douglas is far from perfect and has a ton of baggage that could potentially take her down with this case. She has real-life issues that are easy to relate to but she's wicked smart and determined. I liked Ben Yancey, he was the Yin to her Yang. Nice twist at the end as well. I'm hoping that this is only the first book in a series. (hint hint) I will definitely be reading B.E. Sanderson in the future.
Jace Douglas is a top-notch agent at the S.C.I.U. and is determined to bring this killer to justice. Even the best agents can't do it alone. Enter Ben Yancy. Local cop determined to help bring this killer to justice.
This was a great read. It gripped me from the beginning and didn't let go. Emma Sweet is a lunatic of the first order, but I really enjoyed getting to see things from both sides. Knowing who the killer is right from the start was a change, but it was fascinating to watch this story unfold.
Jace Douglas is far from perfect and has a ton of baggage that could potentially take her down with this case. She has real-life issues that are easy to relate to but she's wicked smart and determined. I liked Ben Yancey, he was the Yin to her Yang. Nice twist at the end as well. I'm hoping that this is only the first book in a series. (hint hint) I will definitely be reading B.E. Sanderson in the future.
October 13, 2025
Dying Embers by B.E. Sanderson is the gripping story of Emma Sweet, a twisted soul entirely dependent on men for her identity, and Jace Douglas, the detective who denies herself the happiness of relationships, instead working herself to exhaustion. Jace is determined to find Emma and stop this serial killer from seeking flaming revenge for the perceived abuses of the men she seduced over the course of her life. It was triggered when she discovered that her husband of 13 years was having an affair. That discovery inflamed Emma into horrific action. But Will was just the first on a long list. Emma’s burning passion for revenge prompts Jace’s own memories of horrific fire in this quick compelling read.
October 6, 2018
Loved it!!’
Loved the characters & the development of the plot.
Read both of her books & anxious to get the 3rd.
Loved the characters & the development of the plot.
Read both of her books & anxious to get the 3rd.
June 23, 2021
Loved this book. The action began in chapter 1 and I never wanted to put it down.
May 24, 2025
Smell the smoke
Excellent book, couldn't put it down! No silly or vulgar content.
If you enjoy suspense that keeps you guessing, this is your next read,
Excellent book, couldn't put it down! No silly or vulgar content.
If you enjoy suspense that keeps you guessing, this is your next read,
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February 13, 2016This is my book, so obviously I think it's a 5 star. Seriously, though, I worked really hard to give readers the best book I could possibly create. I wrote this for people to enjoy and I enjoyed writing it. I love this book and I hope readers will, too. And, yes, if I hadn't written this and picked it up somewhere to read, I would still think it was 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews