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The Kill Line
Hunted by a killer. Stalked by the wild. In the heart of Yellowstone, survival is the only rule.
Jane thought it would be just another day helping her father with his wolf research. But when she witnesses his brutal murder, her world shatters. With his last breath, he urges her to run-and now, lost and alone in the vast wilderness, Jane must navigate Yellowstone's unforgiving terrain.
But the dangers aren't only human. A hungry bear, charging bison, and an unexpected blizzard threaten to end her life at every turn. Every step could be her last.
Colm, another target of the killer, crosses paths with Jane, and together they form a fragile alliance-facing not only a relentless murderer but the merciless elements.
In this gripping cat-and-mouse thriller, nature is as deadly as the hunter. Can Jane and Colm outsmart the killer and survive the wild-or will the wilderness claim them both?
The Kill Line is a heart-pounding Yellowstone wilderness survival thriller featuring a relentless killer, deadly wildlife, and an unforgettable fight to stay alive.
Jane thought it would be just another day helping her father with his wolf research. But when she witnesses his brutal murder, her world shatters. With his last breath, he urges her to run-and now, lost and alone in the vast wilderness, Jane must navigate Yellowstone's unforgiving terrain.
But the dangers aren't only human. A hungry bear, charging bison, and an unexpected blizzard threaten to end her life at every turn. Every step could be her last.
Colm, another target of the killer, crosses paths with Jane, and together they form a fragile alliance-facing not only a relentless murderer but the merciless elements.
In this gripping cat-and-mouse thriller, nature is as deadly as the hunter. Can Jane and Colm outsmart the killer and survive the wild-or will the wilderness claim them both?
The Kill Line is a heart-pounding Yellowstone wilderness survival thriller featuring a relentless killer, deadly wildlife, and an unforgettable fight to stay alive.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2026
About the author
J.J. Cagney
10 books73 followersJ. J. Cagney is the mystery/thriller pen name of USA Today bestselling author Alexa Padgett. Her debut mystery, A Pilgrimage of Death, was named to Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Books of 2018 and Goodreads Best Mysteries of the 2010s.
Cagney holds a bachelor’s in international marketing and spent part of her twenties as the marketing director for an elite sports management firm. And, yes, she did her requisite stint with a dotcom back in the early 2000s, first as a marketing coordinator and then as a content manager. She’s penned work for a variety of websites and magazines, and she worked as a literary agent for Irene Webb Literary.
She lives in northern New Mexico with her husband, children, about a million fish, and their Great Pyrenees, Ash. Kirkus Reviews called Cagney’s latest mystery, An Artifact of Death, “An exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series.”
Cagney holds a bachelor’s in international marketing and spent part of her twenties as the marketing director for an elite sports management firm. And, yes, she did her requisite stint with a dotcom back in the early 2000s, first as a marketing coordinator and then as a content manager. She’s penned work for a variety of websites and magazines, and she worked as a literary agent for Irene Webb Literary.
She lives in northern New Mexico with her husband, children, about a million fish, and their Great Pyrenees, Ash. Kirkus Reviews called Cagney’s latest mystery, An Artifact of Death, “An exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really loved this story! From the beginning, I was completely drawn into Jane’s journey and the fight to survive in the middle of the Yellowstone wilderness. There was so much fear, uncertainty, and emotion woven throughout the story, and I could really feel how overwhelming it was for her to be alone and constantly having to figure out what to do next.
The setting was easily one of my favorite parts. Yellowstone felt so incredibly wild and isolated, and I loved how the beautiful surroundings also came with so much danger. Between the freezing conditions, unexpected blizzard, hungry bear, charging bison, and the constant threat of the killer, it felt like danger could come from anywhere. The wilderness itself added another layer of suspense that made the story even more gripping.
I especially enjoyed the cat-and-mouse aspect as Jane and Colm tried to stay one step ahead of the person hunting them while also battling the unforgiving elements around them. Their fragile alliance and determination to survive made me want to keep turning the pages to see how everything would unfold.
This was such an emotional, tense, and atmospheric survival thriller. I loved the combination of mystery, danger, and wilderness survival, and the Yellowstone setting really brought the whole story to life for me. There were moments that had me holding my breath, and I really felt invested in Jane’s fight to make it through. A great read for anyone who loves a suspenseful cat-and-mouse story with an unforgettable setting!
The setting was easily one of my favorite parts. Yellowstone felt so incredibly wild and isolated, and I loved how the beautiful surroundings also came with so much danger. Between the freezing conditions, unexpected blizzard, hungry bear, charging bison, and the constant threat of the killer, it felt like danger could come from anywhere. The wilderness itself added another layer of suspense that made the story even more gripping.
I especially enjoyed the cat-and-mouse aspect as Jane and Colm tried to stay one step ahead of the person hunting them while also battling the unforgiving elements around them. Their fragile alliance and determination to survive made me want to keep turning the pages to see how everything would unfold.
This was such an emotional, tense, and atmospheric survival thriller. I loved the combination of mystery, danger, and wilderness survival, and the Yellowstone setting really brought the whole story to life for me. There were moments that had me holding my breath, and I really felt invested in Jane’s fight to make it through. A great read for anyone who loves a suspenseful cat-and-mouse story with an unforgettable setting!
October 2, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Oh wow where to start!! This book was intense full of twists and action!! You felt like you were there with them experiencing everything with the characters!! I absolutely loved this storyline it hooks you from the very beginning to the very end!! Jane go with her father to Yellowstone to do wolf research when he was murdered. He tells Jane to run and she takes off against her better judgment but now instead of fighting off a killer she is fighting to survive against the wilderness!! This is a thriller with a murder mystery vibes!! Such a great read!!
“The Kill Line is a heart-pounding Yellowstone wilderness survival thriller featuring a relentless killer, deadly wildlife, and an unforgettable fight to stay alive.”
“Hunted by a killer. Stalked by the wild. In the heart of Yellowstone, survival is the only rule.”
“The Kill Line is a heart-pounding Yellowstone wilderness survival thriller featuring a relentless killer, deadly wildlife, and an unforgettable fight to stay alive.”
“Hunted by a killer. Stalked by the wild. In the heart of Yellowstone, survival is the only rule.”
August 13, 2026
The Kill Line is a fast-paced, captivating thriller that grabbed my attention at every turn. The storyline flows so quickly that I found myself racing toward the conclusion, wondering if Jane and Colm would make it out of the wilderness alive.
The book hits the ground running in Yellowstone National Park, where Jane is helping her dad with his wolf research. When she tragically witnesses his brutal murder, her father's final command to run sends her fleeing into the vast, dangerous terrain. Soon, she crosses paths with Colm, another target of the same ruthless killer.
The descriptive writing is excellent, making it easy to visualize the stunning yet hostile Yellowstone landscape playing out like a movie. I was rooting for Jane the entire time, practically yelling for her to run! The stakes are terrifyingly high; a human killer is not the only thing chasing them, as the woods are full of wild predators.
I highly recommend The Kill Line to all murder mystery and thriller fans. Grab your copy today!
The book hits the ground running in Yellowstone National Park, where Jane is helping her dad with his wolf research. When she tragically witnesses his brutal murder, her father's final command to run sends her fleeing into the vast, dangerous terrain. Soon, she crosses paths with Colm, another target of the same ruthless killer.
The descriptive writing is excellent, making it easy to visualize the stunning yet hostile Yellowstone landscape playing out like a movie. I was rooting for Jane the entire time, practically yelling for her to run! The stakes are terrifyingly high; a human killer is not the only thing chasing them, as the woods are full of wild predators.
I highly recommend The Kill Line to all murder mystery and thriller fans. Grab your copy today!
Review of advance copy
WOW!! What a phenomenal story. This author killed it with this book. This book kept me on the edge of my seat from page one to the end and boy what an ending it was.
Colm was out camping with his friends when he witnessed their killings. He was trying to catch the killer but in the meantime realizes the killer has his sights set on his victim. Jane goes out in the Yellowstone wilderness with her father who is doing research on a pair of mated wolf's, what she doesn't expect is to witness her father being killed. In his dying breath he tells her to run. These two definitely have quite the adventure in hiding from the killer plus all the animals they encounter including the weather. The way the author decribes scenes I could actually visualize them. The suspense and angst in this story was out of this world. I loved it. It definitely had me guessing and I would never have guessed who the killer was. Once again I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. This author never disappoints in her writing.
Colm was out camping with his friends when he witnessed their killings. He was trying to catch the killer but in the meantime realizes the killer has his sights set on his victim. Jane goes out in the Yellowstone wilderness with her father who is doing research on a pair of mated wolf's, what she doesn't expect is to witness her father being killed. In his dying breath he tells her to run. These two definitely have quite the adventure in hiding from the killer plus all the animals they encounter including the weather. The way the author decribes scenes I could actually visualize them. The suspense and angst in this story was out of this world. I loved it. It definitely had me guessing and I would never have guessed who the killer was. Once again I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. This author never disappoints in her writing.
September 7, 2026
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Me? Reading a thriller?
Voluntarily?
And enjoying it?
Anything is possible these days. Literally.
Apparently, I briefly escaped my usual habitat of morally questionable men, organized crime romances, and fictional relationships requiring immediate psychological intervention to conduct an actual murder investigation in Yellowstone National Park.
Look at me expanding my horizons. Growth. Maturity. Probably temporary. 😂
THE KILL LINE pulled me in immediately and kept the story moving at a pace that gave absolutely no one—not the characters and certainly not me—a chance to catch their breath.
Every time I thought the immediate danger had passed and we might receive one peaceful moment to regroup, another twist arrived, raised the tension, and scattered several more puzzle pieces across the wilderness.
Ma’am, I am trying to investigate. Please stop adding crimes.
The story initially appears to be following one scenario before expanding into something much larger. New developments and seemingly separate threads continue appearing, but the connections between them gradually become clear as the investigation progresses.
I’m keeping the details deliberately vague because this is absolutely a book you should experience without someone handing you the answers first.
No clues from me. I have suddenly developed professional ethics. 🤐
One of the strongest aspects of this story was how genuinely dangerous everything felt. The characters weren’t only facing a killer engaged in a tense cat-and-mouse game. Yellowstone itself added another layer of risk.
The wildlife does not care that you’re already having a difficult day.
Neither does the terrain.
And apparently, neither does the weather.
The isolated setting, unpredictable animals, unforgiving landscape, and worsening conditions made every decision feel more urgent. There was no easy escape route and no convenient safe place waiting nearby. Even if the characters managed to gain ground against the human threat, the environment remained capable of saying, “That’s cute,” and creating an entirely new emergency.
J.J. Cagney’s descriptions made Yellowstone incredibly easy to picture. The natural beauty of the park remained vivid without ever allowing me to forget how quickly that beauty could become deadly. The scenery wasn’t simply an attractive backdrop pasted behind the investigation. It actively shaped the suspense, limited the characters’ options, and intensified their vulnerability.
I could visualize every scene so clearly that this occasionally felt less like reading and more like watching a particularly stressful movie from the safety of my couch.
Which is where I belong.
Far away from killers, rapidly changing weather, and wild animals who do not respect personal boundaries.
I also enjoyed how authentic the investigation felt. There were multiple clues, motives, and moving parts to track, but the story never seemed to be withholding information simply to manufacture a shocking reveal. The puzzle was complicated enough to keep me guessing while still allowing me to recognize how the individual pieces connected once the truth emerged.
Was I confidently accusing several innocent people along the way?
Perhaps.
Were my investigative credentials revoked before I ever received them?
That is between me and Yellowstone law enforcement.
The mystery of who the killer was—and what was driving everything—continued gnawing at the back of my mind. Just when I thought I might understand what was happening, another development forced me to reconsider the entire situation.
That is exactly what I want from a thriller. I don’t need a twist thrown in solely for shock value every twelve pages. I need the tension to build, the possibilities to narrow and expand, and the eventual answer to make me mentally revisit earlier moments with a quiet little, “OH. You sneaky b!tch.”
The climax brought the various threads together in a way that felt satisfying. All those details I had been trying to store in my already overcrowded brain finally connected, and the resolution delivered both an emotional payoff and answers that made the journey worthwhile.
The story also explores the darker realities of human greed and how far people are willing to go when they believe there is something valuable waiting at the end. That underlying ugliness gave the mystery more weight. The danger wasn’t random; it grew from very human motivations taken to their most destructive extreme.
Some scenes are dark and may not work for every reader, so I would recommend checking the available content information if you have concerns. This is still a thriller centered on crime, danger, and people making decisions that suggest morality has left the group chat.
Another highlight was the loyalty between the lead characters. Their honesty and willingness to support one another made it easy to become invested in their survival. Neither person felt like dead weight being dragged through the plot merely to create additional danger.
They worked together.
They trusted one another.
They remained determined even while a killer was playing games with them and the wilderness seemed prepared to finish the job personally.
Their connection also added an emotional anchor to the investigation. There is a touch of romance, but it doesn’t overpower the thriller or interrupt the pacing. Instead, the relationship gives the characters something meaningful to protect and provides warmth within an otherwise increasingly dangerous situation.
Look at me appreciating a restrained romantic subplot.
Who am I?
Overall, THE KILL LINE was a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller with an engaging crime investigation, strong characters, vivid scenery, and enough twists to keep me suspicious of everyone.
The suspense remained high from beginning to end, the Yellowstone setting was both beautiful and threatening, and the eventual resolution connected the many pieces in a way that felt earned.
Four stars for successfully luring me outside my usual genre, stranding me in a national park with a killer, and somehow making me enjoy the experience.
Would I recommend this to readers who love mysteries, authentic investigations, dangerous wilderness settings, and edge-of-your-seat suspense?
Absolutely.
Would I personally survive any of these events?
Let’s not ask questions that might damage my self-esteem.
Me? Reading a thriller?
Voluntarily?
And enjoying it?
Anything is possible these days. Literally.
Apparently, I briefly escaped my usual habitat of morally questionable men, organized crime romances, and fictional relationships requiring immediate psychological intervention to conduct an actual murder investigation in Yellowstone National Park.
Look at me expanding my horizons. Growth. Maturity. Probably temporary. 😂
THE KILL LINE pulled me in immediately and kept the story moving at a pace that gave absolutely no one—not the characters and certainly not me—a chance to catch their breath.
Every time I thought the immediate danger had passed and we might receive one peaceful moment to regroup, another twist arrived, raised the tension, and scattered several more puzzle pieces across the wilderness.
Ma’am, I am trying to investigate. Please stop adding crimes.
The story initially appears to be following one scenario before expanding into something much larger. New developments and seemingly separate threads continue appearing, but the connections between them gradually become clear as the investigation progresses.
I’m keeping the details deliberately vague because this is absolutely a book you should experience without someone handing you the answers first.
No clues from me. I have suddenly developed professional ethics. 🤐
One of the strongest aspects of this story was how genuinely dangerous everything felt. The characters weren’t only facing a killer engaged in a tense cat-and-mouse game. Yellowstone itself added another layer of risk.
The wildlife does not care that you’re already having a difficult day.
Neither does the terrain.
And apparently, neither does the weather.
The isolated setting, unpredictable animals, unforgiving landscape, and worsening conditions made every decision feel more urgent. There was no easy escape route and no convenient safe place waiting nearby. Even if the characters managed to gain ground against the human threat, the environment remained capable of saying, “That’s cute,” and creating an entirely new emergency.
J.J. Cagney’s descriptions made Yellowstone incredibly easy to picture. The natural beauty of the park remained vivid without ever allowing me to forget how quickly that beauty could become deadly. The scenery wasn’t simply an attractive backdrop pasted behind the investigation. It actively shaped the suspense, limited the characters’ options, and intensified their vulnerability.
I could visualize every scene so clearly that this occasionally felt less like reading and more like watching a particularly stressful movie from the safety of my couch.
Which is where I belong.
Far away from killers, rapidly changing weather, and wild animals who do not respect personal boundaries.
I also enjoyed how authentic the investigation felt. There were multiple clues, motives, and moving parts to track, but the story never seemed to be withholding information simply to manufacture a shocking reveal. The puzzle was complicated enough to keep me guessing while still allowing me to recognize how the individual pieces connected once the truth emerged.
Was I confidently accusing several innocent people along the way?
Perhaps.
Were my investigative credentials revoked before I ever received them?
That is between me and Yellowstone law enforcement.
The mystery of who the killer was—and what was driving everything—continued gnawing at the back of my mind. Just when I thought I might understand what was happening, another development forced me to reconsider the entire situation.
That is exactly what I want from a thriller. I don’t need a twist thrown in solely for shock value every twelve pages. I need the tension to build, the possibilities to narrow and expand, and the eventual answer to make me mentally revisit earlier moments with a quiet little, “OH. You sneaky b!tch.”
The climax brought the various threads together in a way that felt satisfying. All those details I had been trying to store in my already overcrowded brain finally connected, and the resolution delivered both an emotional payoff and answers that made the journey worthwhile.
The story also explores the darker realities of human greed and how far people are willing to go when they believe there is something valuable waiting at the end. That underlying ugliness gave the mystery more weight. The danger wasn’t random; it grew from very human motivations taken to their most destructive extreme.
Some scenes are dark and may not work for every reader, so I would recommend checking the available content information if you have concerns. This is still a thriller centered on crime, danger, and people making decisions that suggest morality has left the group chat.
Another highlight was the loyalty between the lead characters. Their honesty and willingness to support one another made it easy to become invested in their survival. Neither person felt like dead weight being dragged through the plot merely to create additional danger.
They worked together.
They trusted one another.
They remained determined even while a killer was playing games with them and the wilderness seemed prepared to finish the job personally.
Their connection also added an emotional anchor to the investigation. There is a touch of romance, but it doesn’t overpower the thriller or interrupt the pacing. Instead, the relationship gives the characters something meaningful to protect and provides warmth within an otherwise increasingly dangerous situation.
Look at me appreciating a restrained romantic subplot.
Who am I?
Overall, THE KILL LINE was a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller with an engaging crime investigation, strong characters, vivid scenery, and enough twists to keep me suspicious of everyone.
The suspense remained high from beginning to end, the Yellowstone setting was both beautiful and threatening, and the eventual resolution connected the many pieces in a way that felt earned.
Four stars for successfully luring me outside my usual genre, stranding me in a national park with a killer, and somehow making me enjoy the experience.
Would I recommend this to readers who love mysteries, authentic investigations, dangerous wilderness settings, and edge-of-your-seat suspense?
Absolutely.
Would I personally survive any of these events?
Let’s not ask questions that might damage my self-esteem.
September 2, 2026
Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner
4 1/2 stars
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
I was instantly captivated by this thriller and quickly became enmeshed in the characters and events. Having read one book by this talented author I knew I was in for a treat with this one. The story starts as one scenario but quickly glides into another one, which ends up being connected. Other tangents add to the suspense but 🤐 no clues are given here to ruin the story.
Yellowstone National Park is where most of the story is centred and the descriptions of the park and the animals living in it were beautifully written, also the reason for the extra half a star. In fact, I told my husband he should read this book as well. He has always wanted to go to Yellowstone NP—it’s not a jump, hop, and skip from Australia, though. 😀 Hopefully one day.
I liked the lead characters straight away, especially their honesty. They both supported each other in the cat-and-mouse game the killer played showing how determined they were to get free.
The mystery of who the killer is and why gnaws at the back of your mind trying to place pieces of the puzzle together. Add in the danger from various wild animals, the landscape itself, and a change for the worse in the weather and it makes for one ‘sit on the edge of your seat’ story. This fast-paced story is a terrific book with lots of twists and turns making it even more exciting. I have no hesitation in recommending it to everyone who enjoys a good quality mystery with a bit of romance thrown in as well.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
4 1/2 stars
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
I was instantly captivated by this thriller and quickly became enmeshed in the characters and events. Having read one book by this talented author I knew I was in for a treat with this one. The story starts as one scenario but quickly glides into another one, which ends up being connected. Other tangents add to the suspense but 🤐 no clues are given here to ruin the story.
Yellowstone National Park is where most of the story is centred and the descriptions of the park and the animals living in it were beautifully written, also the reason for the extra half a star. In fact, I told my husband he should read this book as well. He has always wanted to go to Yellowstone NP—it’s not a jump, hop, and skip from Australia, though. 😀 Hopefully one day.
I liked the lead characters straight away, especially their honesty. They both supported each other in the cat-and-mouse game the killer played showing how determined they were to get free.
The mystery of who the killer is and why gnaws at the back of your mind trying to place pieces of the puzzle together. Add in the danger from various wild animals, the landscape itself, and a change for the worse in the weather and it makes for one ‘sit on the edge of your seat’ story. This fast-paced story is a terrific book with lots of twists and turns making it even more exciting. I have no hesitation in recommending it to everyone who enjoys a good quality mystery with a bit of romance thrown in as well.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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September 20, 2026
The Kill Line by JJ Cagney is one of those thrillers that grabs you by the heart and lungs and squeezes them throughout the story and only releases them after you have finished the book, had a cup of tea and a good sit down
The story is based in Yellowstone park, where Jane is helping her father with his research into the wolves of the region. This is there routine, to follow the most fascinating North American predator in its natural, unforgiving habitat. However, the wolves and the environment were not the only predator around that day...
... Jane's father is gasping his last breaths,his final thoughts being of his daughter he tells her to flee, to leave him and get out of the park as fast as she is able, to escape this viscious murderer. Devastated and terrified, jane leaves her beloved father and runs, terrified into the wilderness, desperate to get to safety. As Jane navigates the terrain and the numerous dangers within, she comes across Colm, who is also running from the killer. What do you do when you run into a stranger who claims they are also running from the same killer? Can Colm be trusted? They forge an uneasy alliance and forge ahead, the desperate need to escape being the only thing keeping them alive
This thriller transports the reader to an environment that is brutal and unforgiving, predators hungry in the most challenging times of the year, when food is scarce and every opportunity to eat is met with the utmost ferocity, and a murderer not only on the loose, but on the hunt. This trifecta of predatory elements is further compounded by Jane's terror and grief of losing her father.
The multi-POV's were done so well and added further depth to what is a breathtaking, heart-racing thriller. The narrative is highly illustrative, creating not just the physical environment in the minds eye, but also an almost overwhleming sense of danger and trepidation, the perfect blend for an absolutely brilliant thriller
This is the first book I have read by JJ Cagney and I am hooked. I have not explored much of this side of the Thriller genre, but this author has very much opened my eyes and I will certainly be loking out for more of their books
Thank you to the author and City Owl Press for this heart-pounding ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
The story is based in Yellowstone park, where Jane is helping her father with his research into the wolves of the region. This is there routine, to follow the most fascinating North American predator in its natural, unforgiving habitat. However, the wolves and the environment were not the only predator around that day...
... Jane's father is gasping his last breaths,his final thoughts being of his daughter he tells her to flee, to leave him and get out of the park as fast as she is able, to escape this viscious murderer. Devastated and terrified, jane leaves her beloved father and runs, terrified into the wilderness, desperate to get to safety. As Jane navigates the terrain and the numerous dangers within, she comes across Colm, who is also running from the killer. What do you do when you run into a stranger who claims they are also running from the same killer? Can Colm be trusted? They forge an uneasy alliance and forge ahead, the desperate need to escape being the only thing keeping them alive
This thriller transports the reader to an environment that is brutal and unforgiving, predators hungry in the most challenging times of the year, when food is scarce and every opportunity to eat is met with the utmost ferocity, and a murderer not only on the loose, but on the hunt. This trifecta of predatory elements is further compounded by Jane's terror and grief of losing her father.
The multi-POV's were done so well and added further depth to what is a breathtaking, heart-racing thriller. The narrative is highly illustrative, creating not just the physical environment in the minds eye, but also an almost overwhleming sense of danger and trepidation, the perfect blend for an absolutely brilliant thriller
This is the first book I have read by JJ Cagney and I am hooked. I have not explored much of this side of the Thriller genre, but this author has very much opened my eyes and I will certainly be loking out for more of their books
Thank you to the author and City Owl Press for this heart-pounding ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
October 12, 2026
Reviewed for Sassy Southern Book Blog
I was excited for this book as it sounded intriguing but as I started reading it quickly changed to a struggle to get through it.
I found the writing did not engage me at all and for me personally this was not a writing style that I enjoyed at all. The characters would be talking to themselves and at one point the character Jane was speaking and mentioned wrapping Jane's jacket around herself instead of referring to it as her own jacket which I found confusing.
I didn't relate to the characters at all and I felt like so much was thrown at you at the beginning regarding the research and then suddenly there were murders that were happening and you hadn't formed any connections before that.
Jane was surviving out in the wild and wasn't properly equipped but she could still evade the killer who it seemed was better trained than her. She formed a close friendship with Colm and knew she could trust him even though there was a killer out there and it could have been him.
I wasn't surprised at the end and I just knew I had to get it finished even though everytime I picked it up I dreaded it. This doesn't mean that others won't love it but it was definitely not a book for me.
3 Stars
I was excited for this book as it sounded intriguing but as I started reading it quickly changed to a struggle to get through it.
I found the writing did not engage me at all and for me personally this was not a writing style that I enjoyed at all. The characters would be talking to themselves and at one point the character Jane was speaking and mentioned wrapping Jane's jacket around herself instead of referring to it as her own jacket which I found confusing.
I didn't relate to the characters at all and I felt like so much was thrown at you at the beginning regarding the research and then suddenly there were murders that were happening and you hadn't formed any connections before that.
Jane was surviving out in the wild and wasn't properly equipped but she could still evade the killer who it seemed was better trained than her. She formed a close friendship with Colm and knew she could trust him even though there was a killer out there and it could have been him.
I wasn't surprised at the end and I just knew I had to get it finished even though everytime I picked it up I dreaded it. This doesn't mean that others won't love it but it was definitely not a book for me.
3 Stars
August 27, 2026
Nature can be vicious and unforgiving but can also surprise you in the best of ways. This is something our protagonist, Jane, learns in the worst ways possible.
Jane and her dad set out to track a specific wolf population in Yellowstone National Park but Matt dies violently at the hands of an unknown gunman and Jane is now on the run. While battling weather and wildlife, Jane meets up with Colm, another one of the killer's targets, and together they brave the elements as they try to find their way out of the wilds of Montana.
Set against a background of stunning beauty and unforgivable elements this thrilling story of survival and indefatigable human spirit is breathtaking from beginning to end. Light on romance but full of heart and heart-stopping suspense, this will be one of your best reading escapes.
Jane and her dad set out to track a specific wolf population in Yellowstone National Park but Matt dies violently at the hands of an unknown gunman and Jane is now on the run. While battling weather and wildlife, Jane meets up with Colm, another one of the killer's targets, and together they brave the elements as they try to find their way out of the wilds of Montana.
Set against a background of stunning beauty and unforgivable elements this thrilling story of survival and indefatigable human spirit is breathtaking from beginning to end. Light on romance but full of heart and heart-stopping suspense, this will be one of your best reading escapes.
August 31, 2026
This story had me hooked. The tension between the characters is what really drove the story for me. I loved going back and forth between Colm and Jane's perspectives until it all ties together.
Yellowstone itself felt like part of the danger: the snow, the animals, the isolation, all working alongside the killer hunting them. And I loved Jane's connection to animals (the badger and wolves!). The ending was also very satisfying!
Thank you to J.J. Cagney for the ARC!
Yellowstone itself felt like part of the danger: the snow, the animals, the isolation, all working alongside the killer hunting them. And I loved Jane's connection to animals (the badger and wolves!). The ending was also very satisfying!
Thank you to J.J. Cagney for the ARC!
August 31, 2026
I picked up this thriller looking for an exciting mystery and I was not disappointed.
The plot moves quickly. Just when I thought the characters might get a chance to catch their breath, another twist raised the tension. I could feel the dangerous situation facing the characters. I personally liked the loyalty between the main characters. The author does a great job capturing the suspense. The descriptions and peak detailing make every scene easy to picture. The investigation feels authentic. I enjoyed this book because of crime investigation theme. I liked how the author highlights the darker realities of human greed. Some scenes are dark which might not be for every reader. I noticed several puzzle pieces to track. However, everything connects at the climax so well. The emotional payoff and satisfying resolution make the book well worth it. This book kept me hooked from start to finish.
I found The Kill Line is an edge of your seat thriller and I would definitely recommend it to fans of mysteries.
The plot moves quickly. Just when I thought the characters might get a chance to catch their breath, another twist raised the tension. I could feel the dangerous situation facing the characters. I personally liked the loyalty between the main characters. The author does a great job capturing the suspense. The descriptions and peak detailing make every scene easy to picture. The investigation feels authentic. I enjoyed this book because of crime investigation theme. I liked how the author highlights the darker realities of human greed. Some scenes are dark which might not be for every reader. I noticed several puzzle pieces to track. However, everything connects at the climax so well. The emotional payoff and satisfying resolution make the book well worth it. This book kept me hooked from start to finish.
I found The Kill Line is an edge of your seat thriller and I would definitely recommend it to fans of mysteries.
August 29, 2026
I was hooked from beginning to end. Good read!
October 9, 2026
When the killer is dangerous, the wilderness is deadly, and the weather has chosen violence.
The Kill Line pulled me in quickly, and once the danger started piling up, there was absolutely no relaxing.
Jane is fighting to survive in the Yellowstone wilderness, and between the killer, freezing temperatures, blizzards, bears, and charging bison, I would have simply accepted my fate. Girl, you are STRONGER than me.
And can we talk about the setting?!
Yellowstone was beautiful, atmospheric, and absolutely TERRIFYING. The wilderness wasn't just scenery. It was another threat, limiting the characters' options and making every decision feel like a potentially life ending mistake.
Ma’am, can we have ONE peaceful moment?!
Nope. Another twist. Another clue. Another reason to suspect someone new.
The cat and mouse investigation kept me guessing, and I loved how the different pieces gradually came together. Every time I thought I had figured something out, the story gave me another reason to question my investigative abilities.
What really worked for me was the balance between the mystery and the survival aspect. The characters weren't just trying to outsmart a killer; they were battling an unforgiving environment, too. The tension stayed high, and the vivid descriptions made everything so easy to picture.
I also loved the loyalty between the lead characters. Their determination to survive and support each other gave the story an emotional center without taking away from the suspense. There's a touch of romance, but it complements the thriller rather than hijacking it.
And the ending? Those puzzle pieces finally started connecting, and I got that satisfying AHHH! moment I want from a good mystery.
The story also digs into greed and the lengths people will go to for what they want, adding an unsettling human element to all the wilderness danger.
Overall, this was an atmospheric, fast-paced thriller with a compelling investigation, vivid setting, strong characters, and plenty of suspense.
Would I recommend it to mystery/ thriller readers? Absolutely.
Would I personally survive Yellowstone under these circumstances? Let's not get carried away.
Thank you to City Owl Press for the gifted copy of The Kill Line. All thoughts are my own.
Confession: Give me the mystery, the twists, the atmospheric setting, and the edge-of-my-seat suspense. Just don't ask me to go camping afterward.
The Kill Line pulled me in quickly, and once the danger started piling up, there was absolutely no relaxing.
Jane is fighting to survive in the Yellowstone wilderness, and between the killer, freezing temperatures, blizzards, bears, and charging bison, I would have simply accepted my fate. Girl, you are STRONGER than me.
And can we talk about the setting?!
Yellowstone was beautiful, atmospheric, and absolutely TERRIFYING. The wilderness wasn't just scenery. It was another threat, limiting the characters' options and making every decision feel like a potentially life ending mistake.
Ma’am, can we have ONE peaceful moment?!
Nope. Another twist. Another clue. Another reason to suspect someone new.
The cat and mouse investigation kept me guessing, and I loved how the different pieces gradually came together. Every time I thought I had figured something out, the story gave me another reason to question my investigative abilities.
What really worked for me was the balance between the mystery and the survival aspect. The characters weren't just trying to outsmart a killer; they were battling an unforgiving environment, too. The tension stayed high, and the vivid descriptions made everything so easy to picture.
I also loved the loyalty between the lead characters. Their determination to survive and support each other gave the story an emotional center without taking away from the suspense. There's a touch of romance, but it complements the thriller rather than hijacking it.
And the ending? Those puzzle pieces finally started connecting, and I got that satisfying AHHH! moment I want from a good mystery.
The story also digs into greed and the lengths people will go to for what they want, adding an unsettling human element to all the wilderness danger.
Overall, this was an atmospheric, fast-paced thriller with a compelling investigation, vivid setting, strong characters, and plenty of suspense.
Would I recommend it to mystery/ thriller readers? Absolutely.
Would I personally survive Yellowstone under these circumstances? Let's not get carried away.
Thank you to City Owl Press for the gifted copy of The Kill Line. All thoughts are my own.
Confession: Give me the mystery, the twists, the atmospheric setting, and the edge-of-my-seat suspense. Just don't ask me to go camping afterward.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Okay, I’m just going to say it…I’m not sure I ever want to go hiking again!
The Kill Line by JJ Cagney was such an unexpected thriller for me, and I really enjoyed this one! Most of the story takes place in Yellowstone National Park, which honestly made everything feel even more intense. There is just something about being out in the wilderness, miles from everything and everyone, that makes an already creepy situation feel SO much worse.
The story follows a father and his older daughter who head into Yellowstone while checking on a pack of wolves connected to his research. From there…things get VERY complicated. We get multiple points of view throughout the story, and I really liked how that allowed the tension to build from different angles. The deeper I got into the book, the more intense it became, and I found myself constantly wondering who could be trusted and what was really going on.
There is a killer on the loose and that killer is trying to clean up the pieces before they get caught, and the further the story goes, the more the suspenseful the story ramps up. And let me tell you…I was hanging on!
I loved that this thriller didn’t give me everything all at once. The pieces slowly start coming together, and every time I thought I had things figured out, I found myself questioning what I thought I knew. The Yellowstone setting also added such a great layer to the story because the wilderness becomes almost a character of its own and the nature elements just put that much more danger into the story.
And NOPE…after reading this, I think I’ll be sticking to trails where there are lots of people around. I don’t want to say much more because this is definitely a book you want to experience without spoilers. If you enjoy thrillers with an isolated setting, multiple POVs, escalating tension, danger, and plenty of moments that make you wonder who is going to make it out of this mess, put The Kill Line on your list!
JJ Cagney definitely kept me turning those pages, and I’m still thinking about this one…especially every time I see a hiking trail.
The Kill Line by JJ Cagney was such an unexpected thriller for me, and I really enjoyed this one! Most of the story takes place in Yellowstone National Park, which honestly made everything feel even more intense. There is just something about being out in the wilderness, miles from everything and everyone, that makes an already creepy situation feel SO much worse.
The story follows a father and his older daughter who head into Yellowstone while checking on a pack of wolves connected to his research. From there…things get VERY complicated. We get multiple points of view throughout the story, and I really liked how that allowed the tension to build from different angles. The deeper I got into the book, the more intense it became, and I found myself constantly wondering who could be trusted and what was really going on.
There is a killer on the loose and that killer is trying to clean up the pieces before they get caught, and the further the story goes, the more the suspenseful the story ramps up. And let me tell you…I was hanging on!
I loved that this thriller didn’t give me everything all at once. The pieces slowly start coming together, and every time I thought I had things figured out, I found myself questioning what I thought I knew. The Yellowstone setting also added such a great layer to the story because the wilderness becomes almost a character of its own and the nature elements just put that much more danger into the story.
And NOPE…after reading this, I think I’ll be sticking to trails where there are lots of people around. I don’t want to say much more because this is definitely a book you want to experience without spoilers. If you enjoy thrillers with an isolated setting, multiple POVs, escalating tension, danger, and plenty of moments that make you wonder who is going to make it out of this mess, put The Kill Line on your list!
JJ Cagney definitely kept me turning those pages, and I’m still thinking about this one…especially every time I see a hiking trail.
September 13, 2026
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The Kill Line is a part survival story, part murder mystery set in the great expanse of the Yellowstone National Park. We follow Jane, a young student, as she attempts to survive in a situation reminiscent of The Most Dangerous Game - there’s an armed killer in pursuit of her. Jane must use her education in wilderness survival and biology to face extreme weather and wild animal encounters, all while trying to bring a murderer to justice by escaping the park.
I appreciated the descriptions of the setting! The Yellowstone National Park is written as being equal parts bleak and beautiful. The author clearly has a good understanding of Yellowstone; the characters are passionate about the wilderness and, despite the unforgiving environment, the beauty of the park and wildlife is well described throughout the story.
At times it’s a struggle to connect with the story and take the characters seriously. The dialogue was awkward in parts and felt a little unrealistic. The characters had a knack for saying everything they were thinking and feeling out loud, regardless of whether they were alone. The romance sub-plot also felt awkward; a little underdeveloped and unlikely given the situation the main characters were in.
The mystery aspect of The Kill Line was a lot more satisfying than I had expected; there is a lot more at play than it seems. I thought I knew exactly where the story was going and was wrong. There were some unexpected twists throughout the story that kept things interesting.
Overall The Kill Line is a well-paced survival story - in need of a little polish and a bit unrealistic - but is an engaging thriller if you can suspend your disbelief. Readers who love tales of survival, murder mysteries and light romance would be likely to enjoy this.
The Kill Line is a part survival story, part murder mystery set in the great expanse of the Yellowstone National Park. We follow Jane, a young student, as she attempts to survive in a situation reminiscent of The Most Dangerous Game - there’s an armed killer in pursuit of her. Jane must use her education in wilderness survival and biology to face extreme weather and wild animal encounters, all while trying to bring a murderer to justice by escaping the park.
I appreciated the descriptions of the setting! The Yellowstone National Park is written as being equal parts bleak and beautiful. The author clearly has a good understanding of Yellowstone; the characters are passionate about the wilderness and, despite the unforgiving environment, the beauty of the park and wildlife is well described throughout the story.
At times it’s a struggle to connect with the story and take the characters seriously. The dialogue was awkward in parts and felt a little unrealistic. The characters had a knack for saying everything they were thinking and feeling out loud, regardless of whether they were alone. The romance sub-plot also felt awkward; a little underdeveloped and unlikely given the situation the main characters were in.
The mystery aspect of The Kill Line was a lot more satisfying than I had expected; there is a lot more at play than it seems. I thought I knew exactly where the story was going and was wrong. There were some unexpected twists throughout the story that kept things interesting.
Overall The Kill Line is a well-paced survival story - in need of a little polish and a bit unrealistic - but is an engaging thriller if you can suspend your disbelief. Readers who love tales of survival, murder mysteries and light romance would be likely to enjoy this.
August 25, 2026
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4 1/2 stars
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
I was instantly captivated by this thriller and quickly became enmeshed in the characters and events. Having read one book by this talented author I knew I was in for a treat with this one. The story starts as one scenario but quickly glides into another one, which ends up being connected. Other tangents add to the suspense but 🤐 no clues are given here to ruin the story.
Yellowstone National Park is where most of the story is centred and the descriptions of the park and the animals living in it were beautifully written, also the reason for the extra half a star. In fact, I told my husband he should read this book as well. He has always wanted to go to Yellowstone NP—it’s not a jump, hop, and skip from Australia, though. 😀 Hopefully one day.
I liked the lead characters straight away, especially their honesty. They both supported each other in the cat-and-mouse game the killer played showing how determined they were to get free.
The mystery of who the killer is and why gnaws at the back of your mind trying to place pieces of the puzzle together. Add in the danger from various wild animals, the landscape itself, and a change for the worse in the weather and it makes for one ‘sit on the edge of your seat’ story. This fast-paced story is a terrific book with lots of twists and turns making it even more exciting. I have no hesitation in recommending it to everyone who enjoys a good quality mystery with a bit of romance thrown in as well.
4 1/2 stars
I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
I was instantly captivated by this thriller and quickly became enmeshed in the characters and events. Having read one book by this talented author I knew I was in for a treat with this one. The story starts as one scenario but quickly glides into another one, which ends up being connected. Other tangents add to the suspense but 🤐 no clues are given here to ruin the story.
Yellowstone National Park is where most of the story is centred and the descriptions of the park and the animals living in it were beautifully written, also the reason for the extra half a star. In fact, I told my husband he should read this book as well. He has always wanted to go to Yellowstone NP—it’s not a jump, hop, and skip from Australia, though. 😀 Hopefully one day.
I liked the lead characters straight away, especially their honesty. They both supported each other in the cat-and-mouse game the killer played showing how determined they were to get free.
The mystery of who the killer is and why gnaws at the back of your mind trying to place pieces of the puzzle together. Add in the danger from various wild animals, the landscape itself, and a change for the worse in the weather and it makes for one ‘sit on the edge of your seat’ story. This fast-paced story is a terrific book with lots of twists and turns making it even more exciting. I have no hesitation in recommending it to everyone who enjoys a good quality mystery with a bit of romance thrown in as well.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a thriller! I haven't read anything from this author before and I am certainly not disappointed.
The story starts in Yellowstone National Park where Colm witnesses the murder of his best friend and his best friend's fiancée. He's so incensed that he tries to track the murderer for revenge.
"As dusk settled over the forest, he questioned his life choices for a fleeting moment, wondering if military training might have better prepared him for this ordeal. The fading light transformed Colm into a mere shadow among shadows."
Meanwhile Jane and her father Dr. Matt Sorenson take a trip into Yellowstone to reconnect and to check on a wolf pack he is studying.
"“You just want me to fall in love with Yellowstone, like you, so I’ll help out on your project.”"
Then the bad things start happening.
I loved how this books kept me on tenterhooks. JJ Cagney described the beauty and the horrors of Yellowstone perfectly. The action was so intense, that it was easy to see that what essentially happened over days, felt like months of their lives.
This is definitely an author I will try again.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and am leaving a completely honest review.
The story starts in Yellowstone National Park where Colm witnesses the murder of his best friend and his best friend's fiancée. He's so incensed that he tries to track the murderer for revenge.
"As dusk settled over the forest, he questioned his life choices for a fleeting moment, wondering if military training might have better prepared him for this ordeal. The fading light transformed Colm into a mere shadow among shadows."
Meanwhile Jane and her father Dr. Matt Sorenson take a trip into Yellowstone to reconnect and to check on a wolf pack he is studying.
"“You just want me to fall in love with Yellowstone, like you, so I’ll help out on your project.”"
Then the bad things start happening.
I loved how this books kept me on tenterhooks. JJ Cagney described the beauty and the horrors of Yellowstone perfectly. The action was so intense, that it was easy to see that what essentially happened over days, felt like months of their lives.
This is definitely an author I will try again.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and am leaving a completely honest review.
October 12, 2026
Forced to survive the Yellowstone wilderness after fleeing a killer who murdered her father, Jane joins forces with Colm to survive both deadly nature and a killer.
This fast-paced wilderness thriller caught my attention quickly, and the author did a fantastic job immersing me in the harsh Yellowstone winter atmosphere. I haven't read a survival-in-the-wilderness trope in a while, so I loved how the author kept the pacing fast and exciting while quickly building the characters' backgrounds and establishing their connections to one another.
There wasn't a lot of time for romance, but I thought it was a nice touch and loved the connection the author built between the characters, one that felt like it would last even after the final page.
My only downfall was that I was able to guess the culprit pretty quickly, even though several characters had motives early on. Still, I thought this was a fabulous read and definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a survival thriller that forces its characters to think intelligently while battling harsh elements and a killer out for blood!
I received a review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This fast-paced wilderness thriller caught my attention quickly, and the author did a fantastic job immersing me in the harsh Yellowstone winter atmosphere. I haven't read a survival-in-the-wilderness trope in a while, so I loved how the author kept the pacing fast and exciting while quickly building the characters' backgrounds and establishing their connections to one another.
There wasn't a lot of time for romance, but I thought it was a nice touch and loved the connection the author built between the characters, one that felt like it would last even after the final page.
My only downfall was that I was able to guess the culprit pretty quickly, even though several characters had motives early on. Still, I thought this was a fabulous read and definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a survival thriller that forces its characters to think intelligently while battling harsh elements and a killer out for blood!
I received a review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Kill Line is a fast-paced thriller set in the hauntingly beautiful but unforgivingly harsh Yellowstone National Park. It is a standalone, but at times it read like a sequel with a lot of background about the main characters and their connections to each other remaining unexplained until much later in the book. I liked Jane and Colm, the main protagonists, and the way the story is told from both their POVs with additional viewpoints from side characters and even the killer. The combination of action, suspense and some emotional family and relationship issues make for an entertaining read, but there were discrepancies in both content and timeline that drew me out of the flow at times. The book's conclusion is both fitting and uplifting. I received an early copy and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
August 25, 2026
Wow! It's not enough when someone (or two?) want to kill you. But when Yellowstone's apex predators and the Park itself want to kill you, how do you survive? That's what Jane has to figure out ... and fast!
J.J. Cagney has written an extremely clever book. In The Kill Line, the author engaged this reader's interest from the opening paragraph through the last page - and beyond (I can't wait to see where book 2 in this series takes me). Her character's are fully developed and along the way, Ms. Cagney uses these characters to educate her readers with wildlife facts. The setting is real and this reader has a greater appreciation for the National Parks and the Rangers who are stewards of these lands.
The action is nonstop and there is more than one knuckle-biting scene. I absolutely loved this book! 5 stars
J.J. Cagney has written an extremely clever book. In The Kill Line, the author engaged this reader's interest from the opening paragraph through the last page - and beyond (I can't wait to see where book 2 in this series takes me). Her character's are fully developed and along the way, Ms. Cagney uses these characters to educate her readers with wildlife facts. The setting is real and this reader has a greater appreciation for the National Parks and the Rangers who are stewards of these lands.
The action is nonstop and there is more than one knuckle-biting scene. I absolutely loved this book! 5 stars
August 27, 2026
This book was an edge-of-your-seat read that completely pulled me into the "who is the killer" story.
I really loved Jane as a character; watching her go through such unimaginable trauma and yet have the courage to fight for survival alongside Colm made her an inspiring character to root for. They certainly created a bond unlike any other.
Yellowstone is definitely brought to life in this story— with its freezing conditions, wild predators, and unpredictable weather—adding even more tension and atmosphere to the cat-and-mouse game.
I loved the way doubt was added for each character, showing that almost everyone could have had a motive for the murders. Kept me guessing for most of the book.
📚 Survival thriller
📚 Isolated wilderness setting (Yellowstone)
📚 Multiple points of view
📚 Cat-and-mouse chase
📚 Relentless suspense
I really loved Jane as a character; watching her go through such unimaginable trauma and yet have the courage to fight for survival alongside Colm made her an inspiring character to root for. They certainly created a bond unlike any other.
Yellowstone is definitely brought to life in this story— with its freezing conditions, wild predators, and unpredictable weather—adding even more tension and atmosphere to the cat-and-mouse game.
I loved the way doubt was added for each character, showing that almost everyone could have had a motive for the murders. Kept me guessing for most of the book.
📚 Survival thriller
📚 Isolated wilderness setting (Yellowstone)
📚 Multiple points of view
📚 Cat-and-mouse chase
📚 Relentless suspense
August 29, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Owl City Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion. I was completely drawn into Jane's story in this book, and it is a good book to read. Her experiences and what she is currently going through are a story that draws me to my seat. But the setting of this story in Yellowstone does ring a bell for me because you can never know what happened there. The cat-and-mouse moments between Jane and Colm versus whoever was following them were my favorite. This does help me see what is going on and adds more to the twists and turns within this game. The thriller of survival of the fittest, and also being chased and chasing others, is what makes this book feel complete.
August 26, 2026
This is a fast-paced story. It starts off pretty quickly from the beginning and does not let up. In fact, as the story progresses, it picks up speed. thought that Jane and Colm worked well together.
While I liked the fast pacing and that the story was told even at times from the killer's POV, it was the location that really made the story for me. The harsh elements and the wildlife were all dangerous and not just the killer.
I felt like I could see the story playing out in my head like a mini movie. When it came to the killer, I honestly did not know who it was. This is exactly how I like my suspense thriller stories.
While I liked the fast pacing and that the story was told even at times from the killer's POV, it was the location that really made the story for me. The harsh elements and the wildlife were all dangerous and not just the killer.
I felt like I could see the story playing out in my head like a mini movie. When it came to the killer, I honestly did not know who it was. This is exactly how I like my suspense thriller stories.
October 16, 2026
Being hunted
I've not been to Yellowstone, but I feel like I have after reading this book. I thought I'd never get out, just like the characters.
This book has an interesting twist after they get out, they spend a lot of time in recovery, something you don't typically see. A possibly hoped for romance does not go where you might expect it to.
Neither does the long term search for the last killer.
I found myself marveling at the resilience some characters had as they struggled, on death's door, to survive. Likewise, the evil, cunning, and hate inside a couple of the lowlifes making life miserable for so many.
I've not been to Yellowstone, but I feel like I have after reading this book. I thought I'd never get out, just like the characters.
This book has an interesting twist after they get out, they spend a lot of time in recovery, something you don't typically see. A possibly hoped for romance does not go where you might expect it to.
Neither does the long term search for the last killer.
I found myself marveling at the resilience some characters had as they struggled, on death's door, to survive. Likewise, the evil, cunning, and hate inside a couple of the lowlifes making life miserable for so many.
August 26, 2026
This was a switching gear for me. After several dark romance the thriller murder mystery was a change. This story had a lot of different perspectives so be prepared to bounce around. I would like to see who’s point of view it is when it switched but it’s not to hard to keep up. Watching the story lines twine together was a master piece in story weaving. The author also does a fabulous job at making the emotions and events feel immersive. I would love to listen to this story because with the right cast you would feel like you were in the middle of it all.
August 29, 2026
A blend of suspense, tragedy, and adrenaline-fuelled action, this epic thriller focuses on Jane Sorenson, who loses her father in a cold-blooded murder and gets stranded with a stranger in the stormy wilderness of Yellowstone. Left to fend against hunger, cold, wild animals, and a killer, Jane and Colm are willing to avenge their loved ones and hunt down the killer. But my favorite part of the story is the plot twist that kept me jaw-dropped. This book is truly well-written, and I recommend it to all adult readers who love thrillers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was excited for this book as it sounded intriguing but as I started reading it quickly changed to a struggle to get through it.
I found the writing did not engage me at all and for me personally this was not a writing style that I enjoyed at all. The characters would be talking to themselves and at one point the character Jane was speaking and mentioned wrapping Jane's jacket around herself instead of referring to it as her own jacket which I found confusing.
I didn't relate to the characters at all and I felt like so much was thrown at you at the beginning regarding the research and then suddenly there were murders that were happening and you hadn't formed any connections before that.
Jane was surviving out in the wild and wasn't properly equipped but she could still evade the killer who it seemed was better trained than her. She formed a close friendship with Colm and knew she could trust him even though there was a killer out there and it could have been him.
I wasn't surprised at the end and I just knew I had to get it finished even though everytime I picked it up I dreaded it. This doesn't mean that others won't love it but it was definitely not a book for me.- Rebecca
I found the writing did not engage me at all and for me personally this was not a writing style that I enjoyed at all. The characters would be talking to themselves and at one point the character Jane was speaking and mentioned wrapping Jane's jacket around herself instead of referring to it as her own jacket which I found confusing.
I didn't relate to the characters at all and I felt like so much was thrown at you at the beginning regarding the research and then suddenly there were murders that were happening and you hadn't formed any connections before that.
Jane was surviving out in the wild and wasn't properly equipped but she could still evade the killer who it seemed was better trained than her. She formed a close friendship with Colm and knew she could trust him even though there was a killer out there and it could have been him.
I wasn't surprised at the end and I just knew I had to get it finished even though everytime I picked it up I dreaded it. This doesn't mean that others won't love it but it was definitely not a book for me.- Rebecca
August 28, 2026
An amazing but wild park, Yellowstone, is a dangerous place when a hunter is killing people. Jane and Colm fight for their lives, running away from the killer but facing the danger of the wilderness. While meeting in difficult circumstances, they work together to unravel the mystery. Fast paced, a great read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Colm's friends were killed in front of him while they were camping and now he meets Jane and they are both in the killer's sights. Can they survive and get justice for his friends and also save their own lives. Great mystery novel.
August 25, 2026
A hiking adventure turns into murder and a race to stay alive. Jane is on the run from a killer and meets Colm whose friends were killed. A page turning thriller.
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