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The Analyst
Not yet published
Expected 6 Apr 27A rising FBI analyst’s investigation into a quadruple murder, a diplomat’s assassination, and a fugitive’s death leads her on a dangerous quest through her own family’s history, exposing lethal secrets.
At twenty-three, Bethany Briggs is one of the youngest analysts serving in the FBI’s San Francisco field office. Smart and diligent, she gets a big break when the violent crimes squad enlists her help in a case that brings her own cultural ties unexpectedly to the forefront.
Four Filipino men—three of them members of the communist militia—are found murdered in the rainforest. Soon after, a diplomat is assassinated and the body of the prime suspect in the quadruple murder washes up on a beach. There’s a darker pattern beneath these killings. FBI investigations don’t often turn personal. But as each murder connects to the next, the compelling trail of forensic evidence, including surveillance footage, leads Bethany straight to someone she loves.
Caught up in a dangerous web of secrets and political intrigue, Bethany must now decide where her duty lies. And between her duty and her heritage stands an impossible choice—family loyalty colliding with a name that just became Bethany’s top person of interest.
At twenty-three, Bethany Briggs is one of the youngest analysts serving in the FBI’s San Francisco field office. Smart and diligent, she gets a big break when the violent crimes squad enlists her help in a case that brings her own cultural ties unexpectedly to the forefront.
Four Filipino men—three of them members of the communist militia—are found murdered in the rainforest. Soon after, a diplomat is assassinated and the body of the prime suspect in the quadruple murder washes up on a beach. There’s a darker pattern beneath these killings. FBI investigations don’t often turn personal. But as each murder connects to the next, the compelling trail of forensic evidence, including surveillance footage, leads Bethany straight to someone she loves.
Caught up in a dangerous web of secrets and political intrigue, Bethany must now decide where her duty lies. And between her duty and her heritage stands an impossible choice—family loyalty colliding with a name that just became Bethany’s top person of interest.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 6, 2027
About the author
Cindy Fazzi
11 books93 followersCindy Fazzi is a Filipino American writer and former Associated Press reporter. You can find her on Instagram: >https://www.instagram.com/cindyfazzi/.
She's the author of the Domingo the Bounty Hunter thriller series, published by Thomas & Mercer in 2025. Her historical novel, My MacArthur, was published by Sand Hill Review Press in 2018. She has worked as a journalist in the Philippines, Taiwan, and the U.S.
She's the author of the Domingo the Bounty Hunter thriller series, published by Thomas & Mercer in 2025. Her historical novel, My MacArthur, was published by Sand Hill Review Press in 2018. She has worked as a journalist in the Philippines, Taiwan, and the U.S.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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April 2, 2026One of my Thomas & Mercer edits, publishing in April, 2027!
https://www.editsbykristi.com/the-ana...
https://www.editsbykristi.com/the-ana...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for a complimentary arc of The Analyst. All opinions expressed are my own.*
The Analyst grabs you from page one and never really lets go. The grit and suspense are present from the very beginning, creating a tension that carries through the entire story and keeps your focus locked on every page, almost like the book comes with its own padlock.
One of the elements that surprised me most was the ones from the Philippines and the insight into communism there. It added an unexpected layer to the story and, to me, gave the story a sense of authenticity that made it all the more compelling.
I was equally intrigued by the complex family relationships woven into the story. The layers of connection, the web of secrets and the complicated dynamics added another dimension of tension that I wasn’t expecting.
With the suspense established so early, the Analyst is the kind of thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish in an almost haunting way. There’s lies and deception, dark pasts, international and political intrigue, complicated relationships, and enough tension to make the book surprisingly difficult to put down.
This was also the kind of suspense thriller I loved sharing with my dad, which gave the reading experience a wonderful sense of nostalgia for me, even as I was sitting at the edge of my seat. Anyone looking for a complex, gritty thriller filled with tension, intrigue, international elements, secrets and twists, and complicated relationships, should prepare to inhale the Analyst once it comes out - and I can’t wait to see what story comes to follow this one.
The Analyst grabs you from page one and never really lets go. The grit and suspense are present from the very beginning, creating a tension that carries through the entire story and keeps your focus locked on every page, almost like the book comes with its own padlock.
One of the elements that surprised me most was the ones from the Philippines and the insight into communism there. It added an unexpected layer to the story and, to me, gave the story a sense of authenticity that made it all the more compelling.
I was equally intrigued by the complex family relationships woven into the story. The layers of connection, the web of secrets and the complicated dynamics added another dimension of tension that I wasn’t expecting.
With the suspense established so early, the Analyst is the kind of thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish in an almost haunting way. There’s lies and deception, dark pasts, international and political intrigue, complicated relationships, and enough tension to make the book surprisingly difficult to put down.
This was also the kind of suspense thriller I loved sharing with my dad, which gave the reading experience a wonderful sense of nostalgia for me, even as I was sitting at the edge of my seat. Anyone looking for a complex, gritty thriller filled with tension, intrigue, international elements, secrets and twists, and complicated relationships, should prepare to inhale the Analyst once it comes out - and I can’t wait to see what story comes to follow this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review."
The Analyst had an intriguing premise—a quadruple murder investigation that slowly becomes personal for an FBI analyst as family secrets and the past begin to unravel.
I really appreciated the detailed look into FBI investigations and the insight the book provides into Filipino people, their history, and their past. This cultural aspect added an interesting layer to the story, and I think readers with Filipino roots or those interested in Filipino history and heritage may especially appreciate it.
The mystery kept me curious enough to see how everything would come together, although the path toward the climax felt fairly clear, making parts of it predictable.
My biggest struggle was the writing style. Despite the interesting premise and evident research behind the story, it often felt dry and textbook-like rather than immersive fiction. At times, I felt like I was being given information instead of being pulled into the story.
Overall, an interesting and informative crime mystery with strong Filipino cultural and historical elements, but the writing style didn't completely work for me.
Recommended for readers who enjoy FBI procedurals, family secrets, Filipino history, and culturally grounded mysteries. 📚
The Analyst had an intriguing premise—a quadruple murder investigation that slowly becomes personal for an FBI analyst as family secrets and the past begin to unravel.
I really appreciated the detailed look into FBI investigations and the insight the book provides into Filipino people, their history, and their past. This cultural aspect added an interesting layer to the story, and I think readers with Filipino roots or those interested in Filipino history and heritage may especially appreciate it.
The mystery kept me curious enough to see how everything would come together, although the path toward the climax felt fairly clear, making parts of it predictable.
My biggest struggle was the writing style. Despite the interesting premise and evident research behind the story, it often felt dry and textbook-like rather than immersive fiction. At times, I felt like I was being given information instead of being pulled into the story.
Overall, an interesting and informative crime mystery with strong Filipino cultural and historical elements, but the writing style didn't completely work for me.
Recommended for readers who enjoy FBI procedurals, family secrets, Filipino history, and culturally grounded mysteries. 📚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had me intrigued from the first page and I literally devoured the storyline every chance I got! My first time reading a book with a Philippine and communist topics; especially being our main character Bethany’s heritage; but it was fascinating and added an interesting cultural aspect.
Really enjoyed the forensic aspect that the author gives as well as delving into family connections and how Bethany handles it all when it comes to a head. You are kept guessing who the killer is but unfortunately for me I had figured it out about 45-50% of the way through and did find the writing style to be cut and dry in the first few chapters but improved as the story developed. Found the last 40% of the book to fly by and once Bethany’s family history and all the intrigue started to piece together, it was impossible to put down.
Thank you Net Galley for an early arc :)
Really enjoyed the forensic aspect that the author gives as well as delving into family connections and how Bethany handles it all when it comes to a head. You are kept guessing who the killer is but unfortunately for me I had figured it out about 45-50% of the way through and did find the writing style to be cut and dry in the first few chapters but improved as the story developed. Found the last 40% of the book to fly by and once Bethany’s family history and all the intrigue started to piece together, it was impossible to put down.
Thank you Net Galley for an early arc :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I haven't read a good mystery in a while and I absolutely loved this one. The author did a great job of weaving the FMC's cultural heritage into the book and I honestly learned so much from reading her story. The author teased throughout the entire book who the killer was and somehow I always found myself second guessing it. That no way was I correct. But the conclusion to the case was written so well and I think everyone got the ending they would have liked.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of the book.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of the book.
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June 5, 2026One of my Thomas & Mercer edits, publishing in April, 2027!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews