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Dr. Samantha Owens #4
What Lies Behind
Critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author J. T. Ellison delivers another riveting novel featuring the incomparable Dr. Samantha Owens.
Waking to sirens in the night is hardly unusual for Samantha Owens. No longer a medical examiner, she doesn't lose sleep over them, but a local police investigation has her curious. When her homicide detective friend, Darren Fletcher, invites her to look over the evidence, she realizes the crime scene has been staged. What seems to be a clear case of murder/suicide–a crime of passion–is anything but. The discovery of toxic substances in hidden vials indicates that something much more sinister is at play...
Fletch and Sam are quickly summoned to a meeting at the State Department. High–level officials are interested in what they know and seem to be keeping secrets of their own. As the threat of bioterrorism grows, Sam's boyfriend, Xander Whitfield, is in the line of fire.
Unsure who to trust, Sam and Fletch find themselves up against DC's most powerful people. No one is who they appear to be and the danger escalates by the minute. It's Sam's most complex case yet and the terrifying reality is beyond anything she could have imagined.
Waking to sirens in the night is hardly unusual for Samantha Owens. No longer a medical examiner, she doesn't lose sleep over them, but a local police investigation has her curious. When her homicide detective friend, Darren Fletcher, invites her to look over the evidence, she realizes the crime scene has been staged. What seems to be a clear case of murder/suicide–a crime of passion–is anything but. The discovery of toxic substances in hidden vials indicates that something much more sinister is at play...
Fletch and Sam are quickly summoned to a meeting at the State Department. High–level officials are interested in what they know and seem to be keeping secrets of their own. As the threat of bioterrorism grows, Sam's boyfriend, Xander Whitfield, is in the line of fire.
Unsure who to trust, Sam and Fletch find themselves up against DC's most powerful people. No one is who they appear to be and the danger escalates by the minute. It's Sam's most complex case yet and the terrifying reality is beyond anything she could have imagined.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2015
232 people are currently reading
2371 people want to read
About the author
J.T. Ellison
81 books6,867 followersJ.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker.
With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards They have also been optioned for television, and published in 28 countries.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel.
With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards They have also been optioned for television, and published in 28 countries.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
August 22, 2022
Book Blog | Bookstagram
This was just okay. It kind of feels like this series has lost a bit of steam.
Personal moments are limited, there's not much going on between the characters to make it feel as though important progress was made with any arcs. Some scenes have a cliché or corny vibe, almost soap-opera-y, instead of suspenseful and dark.
The plot, while paced perfectly, was too technical. I had a difficult time following all the players on the board. The Army/Government/Terrorism angle this series has leaned more towards isn't really doing it for me either.
The mysterious serial killer, "Beauty," was probably the best part of all 400 pages and he only appeared a handful of times.
So, overall, this was fine.
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars
This was just okay. It kind of feels like this series has lost a bit of steam.
Personal moments are limited, there's not much going on between the characters to make it feel as though important progress was made with any arcs. Some scenes have a cliché or corny vibe, almost soap-opera-y, instead of suspenseful and dark.
The plot, while paced perfectly, was too technical. I had a difficult time following all the players on the board. The Army/Government/Terrorism angle this series has leaned more towards isn't really doing it for me either.
The mysterious serial killer, "Beauty," was probably the best part of all 400 pages and he only appeared a handful of times.
So, overall, this was fine.
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars
August 28, 2020
4.5. J. T. Ellison is now one of my top favourite thriller writers. This book is the third in the Dr. Samantha (Sam) series. Sam is working as an FBI Consultant.
Suspenseful, well crafted characters, a plausible story of bio-terrorism and intriguing forensic details.
Unputdownable
Suspenseful, well crafted characters, a plausible story of bio-terrorism and intriguing forensic details.
Unputdownable
November 20, 2020
4.5 stars. Continuing on with my reading of the Samantha Owens series.....
Samantha is consulting with the FBI as well as teaching. Darren Fletcher is now a homicide Lieutenant. A double stabbing occurs one street over from Sam's home. The woman killed, Amanda, was undercover FBI. Although Sam is working the case of the Hometown Killer, of course she helps investigate.
Xander is no longer off the grid. He and an Army mate have formed a security business. While guarding a high level CEO, Xander has to make a kill shot. What do you want to bet these cases will become related?
Bioterrorism plays a large part of the story. The author keeps us on our toes by switching with different viewpoints - - a killer, girls finding the bodies, Amanda's sister, Fletcher, Sam, Xander, and someone named Beauty. The story contains a bloody crime scene, actually several.
I thought this book was great, as I have come to expect from this series. I'm fully invested in all the characters.
And the Hometown Killer is watching.....
Samantha is consulting with the FBI as well as teaching. Darren Fletcher is now a homicide Lieutenant. A double stabbing occurs one street over from Sam's home. The woman killed, Amanda, was undercover FBI. Although Sam is working the case of the Hometown Killer, of course she helps investigate.
Xander is no longer off the grid. He and an Army mate have formed a security business. While guarding a high level CEO, Xander has to make a kill shot. What do you want to bet these cases will become related?
Bioterrorism plays a large part of the story. The author keeps us on our toes by switching with different viewpoints - - a killer, girls finding the bodies, Amanda's sister, Fletcher, Sam, Xander, and someone named Beauty. The story contains a bloody crime scene, actually several.
I thought this book was great, as I have come to expect from this series. I'm fully invested in all the characters.
And the Hometown Killer is watching.....
June 5, 2015
While I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Samantha Owens books, this one is my favorite to date. I loved everything about this book. As usual, it was great to read about Sam and Xander, and they were given a great storyline. The story was fast-paced and had lots of action. I really liked the way the storylines with Sam and Xander connected and came together at the end. I enjoyed the direction that things went with Sam's career, and it was great to have her working with Baldwin and the FBI, as well as with Fletcher. I also enjoyed seeing the glimpse of Taylor Jackson in this one.
When Sam Owen's sleep is disturbed due to sirens and police activity in her neighborhood, it isn't long before she is involved in the investigation. What first appears to be a murder/suicide attempt where the perpetrator survived becomes more complicated when it is found that the victim is a deep undercover FBI agent who also works with the CIA. As Sam investigates with Fletcher, who is sent in as the homicide detective by Washington, D.C., a tale of possible bioterrorism begins to emerge.
This was a very exciting story, and it kept me engrossed. I loved the characters, both the main and secondary ones. I really like the direction the author is taking the series so far, and I really hope we don't have to wait long for the next book. I am very anxious to see where the author goes with the dangling threads from this book.
When Sam Owen's sleep is disturbed due to sirens and police activity in her neighborhood, it isn't long before she is involved in the investigation. What first appears to be a murder/suicide attempt where the perpetrator survived becomes more complicated when it is found that the victim is a deep undercover FBI agent who also works with the CIA. As Sam investigates with Fletcher, who is sent in as the homicide detective by Washington, D.C., a tale of possible bioterrorism begins to emerge.
This was a very exciting story, and it kept me engrossed. I loved the characters, both the main and secondary ones. I really like the direction the author is taking the series so far, and I really hope we don't have to wait long for the next book. I am very anxious to see where the author goes with the dangling threads from this book.
May 5, 2021
Another good read by J.T. Ellison - love her Dr. Samantha Owens series.
This book takes off and doesn't stop - a spy versus spy type of book. Well written, lots of twists and turns and a red herring or two thrown in to boot! Two stories develop then merge into one, set in Washington, DC - FBI, local police, secret service - how many alphabet agencies does it take to solve this spree and terrorist activities.
Bodies start piling up, but who is the killer(s) - that's the big question throughout; and who is on the sidelines watching all this take place.
I do wish JT adds to this series (and the Taylor Jackson one also).
2 thumbs up and a solid 4.5 stars.
This book takes off and doesn't stop - a spy versus spy type of book. Well written, lots of twists and turns and a red herring or two thrown in to boot! Two stories develop then merge into one, set in Washington, DC - FBI, local police, secret service - how many alphabet agencies does it take to solve this spree and terrorist activities.
Bodies start piling up, but who is the killer(s) - that's the big question throughout; and who is on the sidelines watching all this take place.
I do wish JT adds to this series (and the Taylor Jackson one also).
2 thumbs up and a solid 4.5 stars.
May 30, 2015
Former medical examiner, newly minted FBI agent, Dr. Samantha Owens along with her friend DC homicide detective, Lieutenant Darren Fletcher have just been handed the most baffling, bloody case by her new boss, John Baldwin, also her best friend’s fiancée. What at first appears to be a domestic dispute gone deadly is really something all together different. They discover the victims; a dead undercover FBI agent and an expelled medical student barely hanging on to life apparently unlikely partners on an anti-bioterrorism unit for the US State Department, and what’s meant to look like a murder suicide is in reality all staged by the killer. What the murder was about and what the killer was looking for is what Sam and Fletch need to find out because they’re afraid the body count could rise. Unfortunately the red tape and smoke and mirrors DC is famous for is tying their hands and adding questions instead of supplying answers.
Meanwhile Sam’s love, former Army Ranger, Xander Whitfield and his new partner are on their first personal protection assignment, they’re protecting a British industrialist in the states for business and find themselves involved in taking out a sniper with a long ranged gun pointing at their client. It’s a good thing they stopped the bad guy because the alternative would be very bad for business. But now they need to see if the sniper was working alone and just who wants their client dead and why.
Where do I start telling how wonderful this was, do I start by giving it the 6 out of 5 stars it deserves? Do I start by saying what an adrenalin rush this nail biting, page-turning, one-sitting tale is so that by the end readers will need to breathe into a brown paper bad to stop hyperventilating? Or do I start by saying how incredible the characters are, how three dimensional, how vividly each one portrays his or her, good guy or bad guy roles? Maybe I should start by saying how the fast paced, in-your-face dialogue, a mix of cop & doc speak adds not only to the excitement but gives it that indelible authentic feel too. Or maybe it's the author I should start with, how everything that comes out of her fervent, incredibly creative, albeit a bit morbid brain never ceases to amaze me and that she gets better with each story she tells. Or I know I’ll say how incredibly explosive the ending is, how the entire book happens in one event filled day and how there’s a mind blowing cliffhanger right before; The End! Yeah that’s what I’ll say!
JT, wow, you amaze me, utterly and unbelievably!!!
July 10, 2015
It's kind of like a family reunion, of sorts. Samantha is now teaching at a college in DC and working occasionally as a consult for the FBI. Darren Fletcher has also relocated to the DC area and now is a LT in the Homicide Department of the local police.
When a suspected murder/suicide happens on the street where Samantha lives, they are reunited when they both come to the same conclusion ... this was staged.
What looks like a simple case of a domestic dispute turns into international intrigue and a possible bioterror attack. And who is that shadowy figure that is watching Samantha's every move?
I've read most of the Taylor/Baldwin series and really enjoyed them. I've read most of the Samantha Owens series and this is the first one I did not get excited over. The characters are the same, but the story itself just did not grab me. I actually found it a little boring somewhere in the middle of the book and flipped through a few pages to get to somewhere more interesting.
That being said, I'm hoping this is just an anomaly for me. I'm still planning on getting the next one ... because the hints I got from this one makes me happily waiting for the next chapter of their lives.
When a suspected murder/suicide happens on the street where Samantha lives, they are reunited when they both come to the same conclusion ... this was staged.
What looks like a simple case of a domestic dispute turns into international intrigue and a possible bioterror attack. And who is that shadowy figure that is watching Samantha's every move?
I've read most of the Taylor/Baldwin series and really enjoyed them. I've read most of the Samantha Owens series and this is the first one I did not get excited over. The characters are the same, but the story itself just did not grab me. I actually found it a little boring somewhere in the middle of the book and flipped through a few pages to get to somewhere more interesting.
That being said, I'm hoping this is just an anomaly for me. I'm still planning on getting the next one ... because the hints I got from this one makes me happily waiting for the next chapter of their lives.
July 16, 2015
I LOVED the rich cast of characters! Each one was deeply human, real, and I found myself fully and emotionally invested in them--not always typical for a thriller. Ellison had me guessing nearly until the end, but she wove the divergent threads together masterfully and in a way that felt organic, natural. And, oh my goodness!, what a spot to leave a protagonist in--I am definitely hooked for the next Sam Owens story!
April 29, 2019
I so like getting on the roller coaster ride that is An Ellison thriller.
May 13, 2018
What Lies Behind's story is told by the viewpoint of the Medical Examiner, Samantha Owens, whose character is flawed but she is very intelligent and brave. The plot is complexed and deals with a stalker who may be a serial killer who is hunting a prey. It also involves a bio-terrorist threat and a governmental pyramid scheme. It is a very gripping story with lots of twists and has a cliffhanger ending. This is the last book of the series so far and the series is a spinoff from the Taylor Jackson series. I look forward to the next book in the series in order to find out how everything pans out. I would highly recommend this series to those who love adventurous mystery thrillers.
July 10, 2015
Title: "What Lies Behind", book 4 (I think!) - Samantha Owens series.
Author: JT Ellison
Released: May, 2015
Read: May, 2015
FROM THE PREVIEW:
"Waking to sirens in the night is hardly unusual for Samantha Owens. No longer a medical examiner, she doesn't lose sleep over them, but a routine police investigation in her neighborhood has her curious. When her homicide detective friend, Darren Fletcher, invites her to look over the evidence, she jumps at the chance and immediately realizes the crime scene has been staged. What seems to be a clear case of murder/suicide—a crime of passion—is anything but. The discovery of toxic substances in hidden vials indicates that something much more sinister is at play…
As Fletch and Sam try to understand what and who they are dealing with, they are summoned to a meeting at the State Department. High-level officials are interested in what they know and seem to be keeping secrets of their own. It's up to Sam and Fletch to uncover what lies behind the deception as the threat of bioterrorism is exposed, and her boyfriend, Xander Whitfield, may be in the line of fire.
Unsure who to trust, Sam and Fletch find themselves up against very powerful people at every stage in the investigation. No one is who they appear to be and with every minute that passes, the danger escalates. It's Sam's most complex case yet and the terrifying reality is beyond anything she could have imagined."
Brief Remarks:
Let me begin by sharing this, please: when I finished reading book 1 of the "Taylor Jackson" series by this author, I LITERALLY downloaded every single available book in that series THAT DAY. I can count on one hand the number of times I've done anything like that EVER EVER EVER before in response to a book; it resonated with me that intensely. I confess, I go deep when I read. I've been an avid reader for as long as my memory reaches and I've always been one of those "the-outside-world-ceases-to-exist-when-I'm-reading" people. It's annoying probably, but I can't seem to control it! :)
Anyhow, I often seek out mysteries, especially involving law enforcement (Grandpa was a cop) or healthcare/medical components (I've been an RN for 20+ years); the "Taylor" series encompassed both! Taylor, the cop & her BFF Samantha Owens, the medical examiner.
I was a little surprised when I learned that the author was going to spin off & (apparently) wrap up Taylor's stories and focus on Sam's, but WOW-WEE! What a STELLAR series it has been so far!!!
Short version, we get to this book after learning & reading about Sam's HA-UUUGE personal losses & changes that led her to relocating from her hometown of Nashville to DC. (Obviously, I'm ÜBER summarizing the first 3 here, lol). In this story, Sam is recovering from her losses still (understandably), happily in a romance, with a seriously HAWT, gun-toting, ex-military, security for hire, tough-and-buff dude, teaching at Georgetown & consulting for the FBI (as an investigator not an ME).
It was soooo cool "watching" Sam return to her stronger self & literally kick some ass and take names! This book really threw a lot at the reader; there were some really groovy twists & connections & confusions that just mesmerized me! I can't bring myself to write spoilers, but it's tempting! Truly, what a crazy, maniacal, deliciously disturbing chain of events! Loved it!
Ya know what else really impresses me? I love that fact that Ms. Ellison's books are edited so amazingly well! There's not a slew of typographical errors or messed up pages (ebook) or redundancies. That's just classy, imo. No matter how good a story is, if it's chalk full of "the the" or misspellings, or the same adjectives over and over, etc., I'm not going to enjoy it as much.
I'm know I'm not yet very good at reviewing, I'm trying to learn. I do hope other mystery loving readers like myself will give ANY of JT Ellison's books a go! They could easily be read out of order, I'm just very "TYPE A" and prefer to stay in the order of publication when it's possible. If you're considering trying out the "Taylor" books or "Sam's" series, I really, really think you'll be pleased. Ms. Ellison is a damn fine author. Period.
Thanks for stopping by, always! ☺️
Cheers!
Lisa (@NurseLisainOhio)
Author: JT Ellison
Released: May, 2015
Read: May, 2015
FROM THE PREVIEW:
"Waking to sirens in the night is hardly unusual for Samantha Owens. No longer a medical examiner, she doesn't lose sleep over them, but a routine police investigation in her neighborhood has her curious. When her homicide detective friend, Darren Fletcher, invites her to look over the evidence, she jumps at the chance and immediately realizes the crime scene has been staged. What seems to be a clear case of murder/suicide—a crime of passion—is anything but. The discovery of toxic substances in hidden vials indicates that something much more sinister is at play…
As Fletch and Sam try to understand what and who they are dealing with, they are summoned to a meeting at the State Department. High-level officials are interested in what they know and seem to be keeping secrets of their own. It's up to Sam and Fletch to uncover what lies behind the deception as the threat of bioterrorism is exposed, and her boyfriend, Xander Whitfield, may be in the line of fire.
Unsure who to trust, Sam and Fletch find themselves up against very powerful people at every stage in the investigation. No one is who they appear to be and with every minute that passes, the danger escalates. It's Sam's most complex case yet and the terrifying reality is beyond anything she could have imagined."
Brief Remarks:
Let me begin by sharing this, please: when I finished reading book 1 of the "Taylor Jackson" series by this author, I LITERALLY downloaded every single available book in that series THAT DAY. I can count on one hand the number of times I've done anything like that EVER EVER EVER before in response to a book; it resonated with me that intensely. I confess, I go deep when I read. I've been an avid reader for as long as my memory reaches and I've always been one of those "the-outside-world-ceases-to-exist-when-I'm-reading" people. It's annoying probably, but I can't seem to control it! :)
Anyhow, I often seek out mysteries, especially involving law enforcement (Grandpa was a cop) or healthcare/medical components (I've been an RN for 20+ years); the "Taylor" series encompassed both! Taylor, the cop & her BFF Samantha Owens, the medical examiner.
I was a little surprised when I learned that the author was going to spin off & (apparently) wrap up Taylor's stories and focus on Sam's, but WOW-WEE! What a STELLAR series it has been so far!!!
Short version, we get to this book after learning & reading about Sam's HA-UUUGE personal losses & changes that led her to relocating from her hometown of Nashville to DC. (Obviously, I'm ÜBER summarizing the first 3 here, lol). In this story, Sam is recovering from her losses still (understandably), happily in a romance, with a seriously HAWT, gun-toting, ex-military, security for hire, tough-and-buff dude, teaching at Georgetown & consulting for the FBI (as an investigator not an ME).
It was soooo cool "watching" Sam return to her stronger self & literally kick some ass and take names! This book really threw a lot at the reader; there were some really groovy twists & connections & confusions that just mesmerized me! I can't bring myself to write spoilers, but it's tempting! Truly, what a crazy, maniacal, deliciously disturbing chain of events! Loved it!
Ya know what else really impresses me? I love that fact that Ms. Ellison's books are edited so amazingly well! There's not a slew of typographical errors or messed up pages (ebook) or redundancies. That's just classy, imo. No matter how good a story is, if it's chalk full of "the the" or misspellings, or the same adjectives over and over, etc., I'm not going to enjoy it as much.
I'm know I'm not yet very good at reviewing, I'm trying to learn. I do hope other mystery loving readers like myself will give ANY of JT Ellison's books a go! They could easily be read out of order, I'm just very "TYPE A" and prefer to stay in the order of publication when it's possible. If you're considering trying out the "Taylor" books or "Sam's" series, I really, really think you'll be pleased. Ms. Ellison is a damn fine author. Period.
Thanks for stopping by, always! ☺️
Cheers!
Lisa (@NurseLisainOhio)
February 4, 2016
Dr. Samantha (“Sam”) Owens has begun an entirely new phase of her life as a first-year medical school professor in the forensic pathology department at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington, D.C., quite a departure from her former position as Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Tennessee. She has chosen her new job despite having been offered one as special consultant for the FBI, not without misgivings, although this time around she is acting in just that capacity at the behest of her friend, John Baldwin. Sam has been working on a cold case, a series of killings over a 20-year-period which seem to have no connection except that each female victim was from the same hometown of New Orleans, dubbed the Hometown Killer. As the title suggests, the challenge is to find “what lies behind” all the violence.
As in the prior series entries, the book is replete with fascinating and well-drawn characters in Sam’s life, both professional and personal. As the book opens, her “newly-minted homicide detective” friend, Darren Fletcher, asks her to look over the evidence at what is at first blush thought to be a murder/suicide, a crime of passion. What at first seems a “simple case of domestic dispute had turned into an international intrigue and a possible bioterror attack in less than twelve hours.” The body count rises, and very quickly. As the title suggests, the challenge is to find “what lies behind” all the violence. Then there is her boyfriend, Xander Whitfield, “a man who has carried a gun by his side day and night for over 18 years,” now on assignment as a close protection detail with his partner, nickname “Chalk,” both quite expert at what they do, which very early on in the job calls upon Xander to shoot and kill an assassin who appears ready to kill their client (“a world leader in oil and gas, mining and the like) as he disembarks from a plane at a New Jersey airport. There are different story lines presented, all of which seem to converge towards the end of the novel.
I loved the reference to the author’s other series protagonist, Taylor Jackson, a homicide lieutenant in Nashville engaged to the aforementioned John Baldwin. The novel is well-written, with the story taking place over little more than a day, just about the time it took me to read this intriguing, fast-paced tale. Recommended.
As in the prior series entries, the book is replete with fascinating and well-drawn characters in Sam’s life, both professional and personal. As the book opens, her “newly-minted homicide detective” friend, Darren Fletcher, asks her to look over the evidence at what is at first blush thought to be a murder/suicide, a crime of passion. What at first seems a “simple case of domestic dispute had turned into an international intrigue and a possible bioterror attack in less than twelve hours.” The body count rises, and very quickly. As the title suggests, the challenge is to find “what lies behind” all the violence. Then there is her boyfriend, Xander Whitfield, “a man who has carried a gun by his side day and night for over 18 years,” now on assignment as a close protection detail with his partner, nickname “Chalk,” both quite expert at what they do, which very early on in the job calls upon Xander to shoot and kill an assassin who appears ready to kill their client (“a world leader in oil and gas, mining and the like) as he disembarks from a plane at a New Jersey airport. There are different story lines presented, all of which seem to converge towards the end of the novel.
I loved the reference to the author’s other series protagonist, Taylor Jackson, a homicide lieutenant in Nashville engaged to the aforementioned John Baldwin. The novel is well-written, with the story taking place over little more than a day, just about the time it took me to read this intriguing, fast-paced tale. Recommended.
January 18, 2016
Sam Owens, Yale professor and forensics expert, teams up with her detective colleague Fletcher in this all too predictable "thriller" involving terrorists, a serial killer, and a plot that defies logic or creativity. These bioterrorists have engineered a pathogen that potentially can result in a pandemic with a mortality rate of 100%-yet they wish to withhold development of a vaccine. How logical is that?
Sam also is able to "smell out" deadly toxins in less than 10 minutes (they smelled like rotten fruit) at a crime scene even though CSI did an exhaustive search moments before... right. The head of the CIA/ State Department charged with resolving this deadly threat cannot fully brief Owns and Fletcher because she has another meeting...??? Fletcher recruits a punk/Goth super hacker chick to break terrorist encryptions, but it's not a security breach because she signed a nondisclosure form...hmmm.
As if this isn't enough hooey to make you see double, Sam's boyfriend and his partner inadvertently get involved in the case even though they are initially thousands of miles away on an unrelated job. But the most egregious element is the hokey kinship ploy (think Darth Vader- Luke Skywalker ) that is sprung near the end. What a waste of precious time spent reading this drek! Please spare yourself.
Sam also is able to "smell out" deadly toxins in less than 10 minutes (they smelled like rotten fruit) at a crime scene even though CSI did an exhaustive search moments before... right. The head of the CIA/ State Department charged with resolving this deadly threat cannot fully brief Owns and Fletcher because she has another meeting...??? Fletcher recruits a punk/Goth super hacker chick to break terrorist encryptions, but it's not a security breach because she signed a nondisclosure form...hmmm.
As if this isn't enough hooey to make you see double, Sam's boyfriend and his partner inadvertently get involved in the case even though they are initially thousands of miles away on an unrelated job. But the most egregious element is the hokey kinship ploy (think Darth Vader- Luke Skywalker ) that is sprung near the end. What a waste of precious time spent reading this drek! Please spare yourself.
March 29, 2025
What the hell?! This ends on a cliffhanger and there are no more? It's been 10 years! Not cool.
August 12, 2022
I always have good reviews on J.T Ellison novels. This one is particularly good because you can tell that the author did a good amount of research.
Great characters that I remember from previous adventures.
Its a very compelling case of bioterrorism. I can't believe I enjoyed reading a book about a pandemic. I thought I had enough with living through one for the past 2-3 years. Published in 2015, I guess it was ahead of it's time.
Great characters that I remember from previous adventures.
Its a very compelling case of bioterrorism. I can't believe I enjoyed reading a book about a pandemic. I thought I had enough with living through one for the past 2-3 years. Published in 2015, I guess it was ahead of it's time.
August 31, 2017
Couldn't finish it. Couldn't keep track of who was who and wasn't able to follow the storyline. Maybe if I read it at a later date when I can focus more?
June 9, 2015
In J.T. Ellison's What Lies Behind, the 4th installment in the Samantha Owens thriller series, get ready to be at the edge of the seat for this thrill ride. It all started when Sam woke up to the sound of sirens, which wasn't usual for this former medical examiner. But when Sam and her partner, Detective Daren Fletcher arrived at the crime scene, they believe it might've been staged. As they dug deeper into the investigation, they discover the truth behind the missing vials of a water-borne bio-terror disease that could threaten their water system. As they were called into a meeting of the local politicians, they wanted to know what they've found out, as they were on a manhunt for a killer and a possible leak of who killed one of their own and why someone came close of dying. Worst of all, Sam's boyfriend Xander was stuck in the midst of this crisis, too, until there was a shocking truth revealed in the end.
February 6, 2016
I tried to read this book twice and abandoned it both times. I used to really like JT Ellison's writing, having read all of her Nashville-based Taylor Jackson series. However, now that the action has moved to the DC area, she has created characters that just aren't likable. Sam, the ME of the other series, is now on her own having had her whole family die off. This character is weak and reliant on the men in her life, who seem to have been made out of superhero material. She can't seem to function without their tender -loving, do it their way input. There is nothing relatable anymore. I'm so disappointed and will likely not read any new books by this author. Really the last of the Taylor Jackson books was so bad I should have stopped then. Seems like the author moved from good crime writing to gratuitous romance (woman must have man to survive life) writing.
November 22, 2015
The title What Lies Behind seems somewhat ironic in this instance, as I see this as a the new iteration of Dr. Samantha Owens. This installment involves Sam in a case that forces her to spread her wings and become more of a force in the investigation, rather than the scientific liaison. Sam really grows as an investigator in her own right here an I really enjoyed seeing the character develop.
This case was also a departure, in that it became of global interest and proved that re-locating Sam to DC Opens up a lot of new opportunity for interesting cases going forward.
Kudos to Ellison for keeping Sam's stories fresh and exciting!
This case was also a departure, in that it became of global interest and proved that re-locating Sam to DC Opens up a lot of new opportunity for interesting cases going forward.
Kudos to Ellison for keeping Sam's stories fresh and exciting!
September 5, 2015
I debated between 3 or 4 stars and 4 won simply because I like TJ Ellison. This was not my favorite book. It really held my interest until just past the 50% mark then I got lost. It seemed to take forever to finish and became long and drawn out. All the same, I would recommend reading What Lies Behind.
July 30, 2015
The WORST thriller I read in a long time: 1) The protagonist Sam Owens is a no-character, she has no edge, no appeal. Even Miss Marple has an edge to her. 2) The mystery develops thru dialogues and not action or narrative complication. 3) Everythign is solved thru hacking computers even though the protagonist is supposed to be an ME. Avoid at all costs.
June 8, 2015
not as good as the other Sam Owens books---do not care much for the bioterrorism angle---teased you with the Hometown Killer/stalker of Sam at the beginning and end---wish the entire book had been about him instead
August 18, 2015
This was my first J.T. Ellison, and I wish I had started at the beginning. I enjoyed the characters and storyline of Dr. Samantha Owens and you don't have to have read the ones before, I just feel like it would have helped me.
May 5, 2016
Combining elements of murder mystery, forensic thriller, bio-terror and government secrets this novel has wide appeal. The narrative moves along at a break neck pace. Primary characters are well developed. There is no neat and tidy ending. Recommended reading for thriller fans.
June 27, 2015
not my favorite. it was way to technical by the other and I was just hoping to get it over with. such a shame because I love this author
February 8, 2017
Great book I'm going to read the whole series now
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December 2, 2018Miniseries: A Samantha Owens Novel
October 5, 2015
The novel was slow, it took many chapters to get to the point. It ended with a cliffhanger.
May 12, 2020
“What Lies Behind” the fourth in the Dr. Samantha Owens series is an exciting and gripping roller-coaster ride as in her new role as FBI consultant to BAU11(Behavioral Analysis Unit) Sam joins forces with her friend Detective Darren Fletcher to investigate a baffling murder/suicide in her neighbourhood.
But the case goes far beyond their expectations when one of the victims Amanda Souleyret, turns out to be an undercover agent and in the apartment of the other, Tommy Cattafi who’s in a coma in hospital they find hidden vials of lethal vaccines. The story heats up not only as Fletch and Sam are faced with the complexity of a crime that has bioterrorism implications and is further exacerbated by the secrecy of high-level officials but as more dead bodies are found.
As the action escalates in Fletch and Sam’s investigation a parallel story is woven in as her boyfriend former Army Ranger Xander Whitfield and his partner Chalk in their new protection business have been hired to protect British industrialist James Denon who's on business in the U.S. With the killing of an assassin at the airport and the suspicion of a security hacker in Denon’s company Xander is asked to uncover an espionage scheme which turns out to be connected to Fletch and Sam’s investigation.
Intriguing as the two cases collide, suspense quickly intensifies with twists and turns in the plot.
Well-written and enthralling the action never stops with a bioterrorism scheme, company espionage, and government secrecy. Infusing the story with excitement, intrigue and complexity are compelling characters like Darren Fletcher, the intense, blunt homicide lieutenant; the shrewd, clever Dr. Samantha (Sam) Owens; and the tough, merciless former CIA asset Robin Souleyret. Like all the characters these three personalities combine to move the story fluidly forward to a powerful ending that’s not soon forgotten.
I thoroughly enjoyed “What Lies Behind” and having read this series hope there will be more Dr. Samantha Owens novels in future.
But the case goes far beyond their expectations when one of the victims Amanda Souleyret, turns out to be an undercover agent and in the apartment of the other, Tommy Cattafi who’s in a coma in hospital they find hidden vials of lethal vaccines. The story heats up not only as Fletch and Sam are faced with the complexity of a crime that has bioterrorism implications and is further exacerbated by the secrecy of high-level officials but as more dead bodies are found.
As the action escalates in Fletch and Sam’s investigation a parallel story is woven in as her boyfriend former Army Ranger Xander Whitfield and his partner Chalk in their new protection business have been hired to protect British industrialist James Denon who's on business in the U.S. With the killing of an assassin at the airport and the suspicion of a security hacker in Denon’s company Xander is asked to uncover an espionage scheme which turns out to be connected to Fletch and Sam’s investigation.
Intriguing as the two cases collide, suspense quickly intensifies with twists and turns in the plot.
Well-written and enthralling the action never stops with a bioterrorism scheme, company espionage, and government secrecy. Infusing the story with excitement, intrigue and complexity are compelling characters like Darren Fletcher, the intense, blunt homicide lieutenant; the shrewd, clever Dr. Samantha (Sam) Owens; and the tough, merciless former CIA asset Robin Souleyret. Like all the characters these three personalities combine to move the story fluidly forward to a powerful ending that’s not soon forgotten.
I thoroughly enjoyed “What Lies Behind” and having read this series hope there will be more Dr. Samantha Owens novels in future.
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