Pandora: Case 25

by Blair Howard

288 pages, Paperback

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

Blair C. Howard is a Royal Air Force veteran, a retired journalist, and the best-selling author of more than 50 novels, including the international best-selling Harry Starke series, and 23 travel books. In 2021, having been fascinated by the heavens almost from childhood, and a SciFi fan for almost as long, he decided to try his hand at writing a military space opera. His first journey into this genre resulted in the Sovereign Stars series. Book 1 in the series, Avenger was quickly followed by Gods of War and Armored Fleet.

Blair lives in East Tennessee with his wife Jo, and Jack Russell Terrier, Sally.

Reviews

[TrishAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a bow Mr. Howard, I have read and loved all of your books and this is but another exceptional, exciting read. This is a "twofer", two for the price of one, not only do you get the murders and the chase but you also get the all consuming court case.
Beta testers for an all singing, all dancing home security system were dying in the most extraordinary circumstances, deaths that were planned from a distance so the only clues were hidden deep in technology.
Kate and her team pulled in all the best resources at their disposal, they were, in the words of Chief Johnson " The best damn major crime unit in Tennessee", they would need to pull all the stops out on this one to prove him right,
This story is fast paced, it pulls on the heartstrings when the lives of the victims and their families are put under the spotlight.
Kate needs to act quickly before any more innocent lives are lost at the hands of a cyber killer, a killer with exceptional knowledge and skills, Kate knew that she had to draw him out so, much to the concern of her team, she offered herself up as the sacrificial lamb.
I love the authors detailed account of the court case, he has done his research and it shows, I love how Samson, Kate's trusty German Shepherd gets a staring role, this is a truly riveting story that I found very hard to put down.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.

[Bonnie Blackledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate is called in to investigate the death of a man who has succumbed to death, supposedly attributed to his “smart home.” His neighbor found him dead when he failed to place his daily call to confirm that he was ok since he struggled with diabetes. He was found in a sealed room with cold temperatures and elevated levels of carbon monoxide. They discovered there were two other suspicious deaths, all under similar circumstances. The investigation pointed to problems with a security company and one of its employees. When it was discovered that the victims had recently reported problems with the system, Kate decides to put herself on the line to see if this would lead to a solution. The circumstances surrounding this book led to an interesting case with more questions than answers.
What I enjoyed about this story is how the Chattanooga police worked with the FBI and others to come to a conclusion about what was happening. This led to an arrest, a confession, and a trial that involved intelligent lawyers representing both the prosecution and the defense. I found it extremely interesting to find out how a case like this would be prosecuted and all the steps that need to be followed throughout the proceedings. Well written! It was obvious that Blair Howard had done his research on this story.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

After finishing this book, I believe it is one of the best in this series. The story involves the investigation of deaths that attempted to be interpreted as natural. The 1st two were considered natural until Doc Sedon examined the latest one for which Kate and her team responded. Doc did a further review on the 1st two while doing an autopsy on the latest victim. He now described the 3 as homicides. Kate now had 3 killings to look into and try and make a determination as to how they were connected.

Follow Kate and her team as they perform a major investigation. Kate needed to get an answer since the Chief threatened to call in the FBI. Kate knew she needed technical help so she enlisted Dylan as a consultant to assist Jack. Kate eventually came to a conclusion as to how the killings were being done. Unfortunately, there was an attempt on one and another killing bringing the count to four.

Blair's detailed description of all the steps Kate took and the trial preparation was well done and I felt that I was part of Kate's team based on the immense detail presented.

This is definitely a book well worth reading, don't miss out!

[Kellie Whittam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Blair Howard. This one honestly made me very happy with my decision not to have a smart home system! It's pretty scary to think that a situation like this could actually happen one day.
This case becomes much more personal for Kate than usual, especially with one of the team members being injured along the way. Kate also ends up making herself a target in her own home, which felt very unsettling to read.
I also liked that this book did something a little different. Instead of ending once the target was caught, the story continued through the court case as well, which kept the tension going, and we could learn about the victims left behind and the reactions and feelings of Kate and her team.
Fast-paced, creepy in a believable way, and very hard to put down. Another great read in the series.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.

[Pamela Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pandora: Case 25 delivers exactly what long‑time fans of the Kate Gazzara series come for: a fast, tightly wound investigation with a modern twist. This time, the danger hits even closer to home—literally. When a tech CEO dies in a locked, camera‑monitored room and another victim is found frozen inside her sealed smart apartment, Kate is forced into a case where the killer doesn’t leave fingerprints… he leaves code.

The smart‑home angle feels unsettling in all the right ways, and the pacing stays sharp as the threat escalates. Kate’s decision to make herself the next target raises the stakes and keeps the tension high.
If you enjoy police procedurals with a tech‑thriller edge you’ll find this a gripping addition to the series. A strong, suspenseful entry for book 25.

[Craig Smedley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate and team are deep in it once again, albeit a somewhat different case that not only includes the investigation of a number of deaths that appear accidental but are far from it, but also includes the court case when the perps been caught. The story includes the feelings of the families of those wronged as well as the mental feelings of Kate Gazzara when faced with danger and injury to a colleague, and the personal attitude of the perpetrator. It is not only the potential pursuit of money that motivates the perp, but the attitude that he can do no wrong. And through it all, Samson is a hero!
An enjoyable entertaining read in which one can see modern-day attitudes that are creeping in to everyday life, especially with technology taking over at the rapid rate it is.

[Sandass · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a SmartHome or any smart technology at all, you may be thinking seriously about how much of it you must keep and how much you should dump. We've got a lot. Fortunately, this book is a work of fiction, so I'm not worried. Not much.
Several people have to die in Blair Howard's books, just to be sure you get your money's worth. And to keep you awake at night. I think I get high blood pressure from reading books about Kate.
I was ecstatic to see she convinced Blair to write another book about her. It's great. I only lost a little sleep, trying to solve this mystery in my semi-sleeping state.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wanted jyst one more book starring Kate, her dog, and her semi-grumpy, police chief boss.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little different from most of Blair Howard's. This one took a case and followed it through all the stages that take place, from finding the suspect right through to the court sentencing. I'm not sure exactly why I didn't like it as much as every other book I've read of this author. This case is very in-depth, and there are lots of technical terms that I know the reader needs to understand, but it took this from leisurely nighttime reading to day time, on your toes . The plot is awesome and very time sensitive to the day we live in. Although the author has said in his newsletters that he is getting older, it doesn't show in the complex storyline of this book. Way to go, Mr. Howard, give this book a read and support a great author.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pandora - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Blair Howard's unputdownable psychological thriller Pandora, is both the name of a victim in the twisted trail of 'death by technology', and similarly to the eponymous legendary figure (who opened a whole box of trouble, leaving only Hope), by not doing what was expected of them a group of  beta AI home system testers bring about their own untimely demises.
Captain Kate Gazzara takes the lead, working with her team, an FBI Agent and an ex-con tech genius to ID and catch the system controller killer - before they strike again.
Will she survive her own AI home system, using herself as bait?

Only reading Pandora will give you all the answers - grab a copy today and make sure you're sitting comfortably...and can still open your doors before you begin!

[John Haslam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pandora.

Those that have read the previous 24 Kate Gazzara novels will notice that Pandora has been split into two separate parts. The first half of the novel is the crime and the investigation leading to the apprehension of the killer. The second half is the court case that rivals anything that John Grisham has written. Both halves of the novel are page turners that keep the reader wondering what will happen next. It was good to see Samson (Kate's German Shepherd partner) getting physically involved in the arrest. There is also a short recap on how Samson came to be with Kate. A good long read that I recommend.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book by an amazing author. This book is one more example of that statement. This is a long running series that never gets stale. Each book showcases the authors ability to draw his readers in and leave them wanting more. In this latest story Kate’s team races against the clock to not only solve the crime but prevent another murder. Great police procedural with the added plus of the hard working team member Samson being honored. Looking forward to the next book in this series!

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Sally Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected death, then another. Oh, I'm a bit chilly. That's how it started. Lt. Kate Gazzara and Samson, K-9 police, knew something was off, but didn't know what it was. The only thing linking the deceased was a home security company.  Why? Did it matter? They had assumptions, but how to go about tracking and proving their theory. The danger is real. How to capitalize on it legally? The characters are well-written.  The plot is current and realistic. The book takes you from a to z. I couldnt put it down. This is one of my favorites

[Hope Gerhardstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta testers for a smart home security system are dying under suspicious circumstances and Kate Gazzarra and her team are there to investigate. Kate has one of these systems in her home too. The home security system is the only link the victims share. Kate decides to bring in a hacker to investigate the system and the company behind it to try and figure out if someone is behind the malfunctions. Well written. Great characters. Kate is amazing as always. Kate investigates the murders, sets herself up as bait and is involved in the trial.

[BJayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you feel safe in your home? Locked up safely at night with your windows sealed tight? This book may make you rethink that. Four people who trusted their “smart home” to protect them, found out it could and would do the exact opposite. It’s a true locked room mystery that keeps Kate and her team racing to solve how these crimes are being committed and who is responsible - hopefully before another person is killed. Excellent read that you won’t want to put down.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. This was different from the other books. The author brings us into the story with a very unusual death, and it takes a few deaths before Kate and Samson are called in. Her crew have to figure this out before any more deaths occur. The book doesn’t end with the capture of the murderer, you also get to see what happens afterwards when they go to court. The scariest part of this case was when Kate puts herself in danger by becoming a target. I received an Arc and the views and opinions are my own.

[Roger]

Pandora: Case 25 (The Lt. Kate Gazzara Murder Files), my eighty-third read from author Blair Howard. Just when you think Howard can't write a better book, he does! Well-written and enjoyable, edge-of-your-seat police procedurals, thoroughly entertaining, as always! I always look forward to Howard's next book. A Blair Howard book is like a visit from an old detective friend. I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Laura R · Rating 5 out of 5]

AI run amuck? Or a despicable human? When people who are participating in beta testing of a smart home system start dying, these are the questions that face Kate and her team. The race is on to find answers before there are more deaths and it becomes necessary for Kate to bring in outside help.

This is quite a timely story with the explosion of AI and the potential for nefarious uses of it. This adds a layer of complication as Kate and her team work on the case. And once the killer is found, the hope is he will receive justice.

[Mark Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing story from the master of crime fiction. Mysterious deaths are plaguing beta testers of a turnkey environmental control system. Kate Gazzara and her team investigate the deaths that at first seem accidental but turn out to be very calculated murders by remote means. Have the home security systems been weaponized by someone at the parent company? Once the perpetrator is caught, a fantastic description of the trial is included. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and can highly recommend it.

[Paula Sindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently Blair Howard said he’s written the last book in the Kate Gazzara series. Then Pandora appeared and I was so happy. The topic - remotely controlled systems in our lives - is very topical. There’s the expected great detective work from Kate’s team. Unusually for Blair Howard’s books, a large part of the book covers trial preparation and court procedures. I really enjoyed it.

I received an arc copy of the book.

[Jodi Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

People are dying in their homes by the system that is supposed to make their life easier. Lt. Gazzara and her team will do everything possible to stop the body count and arrest the killer. This book like all others in the series pulls you in and keeps you there. This book however was different in in that it was about the entire process not just the catching of a killer. I loved the format and will read it again and again, picking up something I missed along the way each time. Fabulous read!

[Robin Blanksguster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. It started off as a slow burn, but it still grabbed you and pulled you in.. The fact that it got personal for Captain Kate and the rest of the team was a bonus. A light was shone how a person can you use advanced technology/AI to set up and commit a murder and make it look like a natural death. The tension is thick the pace becomes fast and the details are rampant and crucial.. Terrific read
Red Robin

[John Barberio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Kate Gazzara mystery where four people are murdered - remotely by system installed to control climate and security of their homes. To prove the point, Kate puts herself in danger. But successfully catching the culprit is not the end of the story. We follow the trial and the sentencing. Great read.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent police procedural with a well written storyline and an outstanding realistic main character. Captain Kate is out to solve multiple murders with her faithful K-9 and her team. Very enjoyable page turning read with plenty of action and a story that I highly recommend. Bring on the next adventure with Captain Kate and her K-9 companion Sampson.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta testers of a smart home system are dying in their homes after putting in a work order for a malfunction. Someone within the smart home system company is eliminating problems. Kate Gazzara uses herself as bait to try to flush out the culprit. A page turner than the pages just flow and you do not want to stop reading.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a cracking story and a half this is. This is a crime story about what could quite well happen in the future. Kate and her team went through the wringer is this story for sure. How they figured it out and then stuck with it to the very bitter end. I could quite imagine that this author went through a lot of cases to the end like this as well. Highly recommended.

[Valettagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read and so thought provoking at this time in the world. Smart applications are everywhere, we all need them , or do we? Kate Gazzara needs a larger team than usual to crack this one and Samson is of course key. Chillingly brilliant with spine tingling moments throughout. One of my favourites. What an author.

I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review. Brilliant!

[Robert D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mire than a murder mystery. Much more.

Once the murders are committed and the culprit is caught, Pandora gets even more engrossing. A look into what happens in the courtroom and the intricacies of that procedure.
As always with Blair Howard’s books I was sorry it was over. Great story from a great author.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pandora, one of the best Blair Howard has written.

Mr Howard has taken this book to the next level. While I have read all of the Gazzara series, this is without a doubt the best. The reader was taken not to just solving the crime, but all that comes after and there was so much more of the after.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am so sorry he will be ending the series.

[Alan Cobb]

Book 25 in the Katte Gazzara series of books excellent Characters a story line that keeps the interest and a courtroom ending , all making a very good interesting read. I enjoyed it and recommend it highly.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Smart Home System, who would think it could be so dangerous. Lt Kate needs to solve this case as quickly as possible before anything or anyone gets hurt. Full of suspense and surprises that will keep you intrigued. Don’t miss out once it’s released.