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Mindhunters #8
What the Dead Know
When Keira Saxon’s father was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, she quit her job as a Chicago homicide detective to head home. But she hadn’t been back on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula long before Danny Saxon was dead, killed in a deadly bear attack. Keira bowed to public pressure and agreed to run in the special election to fill the rest of her father’s term as sheriff. Although doubts about the circumstances of Danny's death lingered, doubts were all she had. Until she received a grisly delivery and learned that her father’s death wasn’t an accident at all.
Finn Carstens agrees to partner with Keira’s department to solve the murder. When proof of a second victim comes to light, he realizes that the killer is engaging them in the deadliest of contests. Together they must unmask a man who lives—and kills—in the shadows. As they begin to discover his secrets they realize the chilling truth that only the killer's former victims knew: of all the predators lurking in the Michigan forests, man is the most lethal of all.
Finn Carstens agrees to partner with Keira’s department to solve the murder. When proof of a second victim comes to light, he realizes that the killer is engaging them in the deadliest of contests. Together they must unmask a man who lives—and kills—in the shadows. As they begin to discover his secrets they realize the chilling truth that only the killer's former victims knew: of all the predators lurking in the Michigan forests, man is the most lethal of all.
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First published December 28, 2015
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About the author
Kylie Brant
82 books638 followersThe mother of five children, Kylie Brant claims she began writing to save her sanity. Plotting stories became her method of escape from the reality of constant ball games, chauffeuring kids, and refereeing "minor" disagreements between her perfect offspring.
In 1992 she was elated to get a call from Silhouette offering to buy her second novel. Home with laryngitis at the time, she still managed to croak out agreement, and her career was born. A few months later she went on to sell Rancher's Choice, the first manuscript she’d written.
Kylie is married to her high school sweetheart, and they make their home in Iowa. She insists that all her heroes are based on her husband of 23 years because he possesses that most heroic of make qualities — ironing skills. Those abilities come in handy, as she juggles a full time teaching job with writing and a family.
Doing things the easy way has never held much appeal for this multi award-winning author. She graduated with high honors from the University of Northern Iowa. A graduation photo shows her in cap and gown holding her two sons, one aged 16 months and the other three weeks. She went on to obtain a teaching job working with learning-disabled children while completing her master’s degree at night and during summers.
"There was a time in my life when I could imagine myself as a life-long student," she recalls. "I actually toyed with the idea of pursuing a doctorate. But instead, my life took a spin and I ended up writing romances. I’ve never regretted it!" Her family has since been completed by the birth of another son and a set of twins, a boy and a girl.
Kylie’s books are regularly featured on bestseller lists such as Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. With over a million copies of books in print, her novels have been distributed in 20 countries and released in seven languages.
Family and friends are the main focus of Kylie’s life. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading and flower gardening. She loves traveling, preferring beach, ocean, and room service.
In 1992 she was elated to get a call from Silhouette offering to buy her second novel. Home with laryngitis at the time, she still managed to croak out agreement, and her career was born. A few months later she went on to sell Rancher's Choice, the first manuscript she’d written.
Kylie is married to her high school sweetheart, and they make their home in Iowa. She insists that all her heroes are based on her husband of 23 years because he possesses that most heroic of make qualities — ironing skills. Those abilities come in handy, as she juggles a full time teaching job with writing and a family.
Doing things the easy way has never held much appeal for this multi award-winning author. She graduated with high honors from the University of Northern Iowa. A graduation photo shows her in cap and gown holding her two sons, one aged 16 months and the other three weeks. She went on to obtain a teaching job working with learning-disabled children while completing her master’s degree at night and during summers.
"There was a time in my life when I could imagine myself as a life-long student," she recalls. "I actually toyed with the idea of pursuing a doctorate. But instead, my life took a spin and I ended up writing romances. I’ve never regretted it!" Her family has since been completed by the birth of another son and a set of twins, a boy and a girl.
Kylie’s books are regularly featured on bestseller lists such as Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. With over a million copies of books in print, her novels have been distributed in 20 countries and released in seven languages.
Family and friends are the main focus of Kylie’s life. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading and flower gardening. She loves traveling, preferring beach, ocean, and room service.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 18, 2016
The step-son of Adam Raiker (founder of Mindhunters) is almost kidnapped from the school he attends.
Adam immediately calls for Declan Gallagher and Eve Larrison to go undercover to find the person responsible. Declan is used to working alone, not a bubbly blonde that looks like a cheerleader. Eve has a rare gift ... she speaks over sixty languages.
Declan and Gallagher pose as a married couple. Eve never thought that would be the hardest part of this assignment.
When the boy is actually kidnapped at a second attempt. Declan and Eve are going to have to answer the questions regarding the boy's parentage. The only ones who were around 9 years ago are all dead .... but did the secret die with them?
I have read all the previous Mindhunter books over the last couple of years. None of the books have been a disappointment. There's always plenty of action, plenty of suspense, and plenty of hot romance to keep me riveted to the pages.
Each of the books does fine as a stand-alone. You will meet some of the older characters, and plenty of new ones. I always look forward to a new adventure with the Mindhunters.
Adam immediately calls for Declan Gallagher and Eve Larrison to go undercover to find the person responsible. Declan is used to working alone, not a bubbly blonde that looks like a cheerleader. Eve has a rare gift ... she speaks over sixty languages.
Declan and Gallagher pose as a married couple. Eve never thought that would be the hardest part of this assignment.
When the boy is actually kidnapped at a second attempt. Declan and Eve are going to have to answer the questions regarding the boy's parentage. The only ones who were around 9 years ago are all dead .... but did the secret die with them?
I have read all the previous Mindhunter books over the last couple of years. None of the books have been a disappointment. There's always plenty of action, plenty of suspense, and plenty of hot romance to keep me riveted to the pages.
Each of the books does fine as a stand-alone. You will meet some of the older characters, and plenty of new ones. I always look forward to a new adventure with the Mindhunters.
February 24, 2023
I'm developing a bit of an obsession with Bronson Pinchot as a narrator and I'm gonna miss him when this series is over.
Another decent read though the police procedural detail in this particular one did get a bit boring.
Another decent read though the police procedural detail in this particular one did get a bit boring.
June 6, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
What the Dead Know is extremely fast-paced and continuously forward moving, as has always been the case with Kylie Brant's Mindhunters books. This one was better written and better edited than the previous, Secrets of the Dead; and it also involved a more focused premise, story telling and progression.
The only fault I found with it, however, is the romance--the chemistry seems to be missing.
The Story:
Keira Saxon is lured into the game of a serial killer when she discovers that her father hadn't been killed in a wilderness attack by a bear--her father's liver is left in a cooler at her cabin door and Keira is led on a chase through the snowy woods, only to be attacked by the perpetrator.
Knowing that she is too close to this case, but not wanting to be left out of the loop Danny Saxon's now homicide investigation, Keira calls upon the aid of Adam Raiker's forensic investigation organization.
Enter Finn Carstens, an Mindhunter working for Adam Raiker who used to be a medical examiner. Along with Keira, the two discover that Keira's father wasn't the only murder victim and that their mysterious serial killer is playing a deadly game with human lives. And Keira is his ultimate targeted hunt.
My Thoughts:
Finn and Keira make for a great investigating team together, and this book brings back to mind one of my more favored Mindhunters installments, the very first Waking Nightmare and the investigating partnership between Ryne and Abby. Of course, Keira and Finn are less antagonistic to each other, readily creating that partnership bond and trust; unfortunately, at the same time, they also display a lot less romantic chemistry than I had been expecting for a romance.
There's an underlying OTP-ness to their slowly developing relationship, but I fail to FEEL how the two start to fall for each other. Even the sexual tension seems a bit lackluster--in comparison, the previous pair of Mindhunters in Secrets of the Dead, Eve and Declan, had a haphazard story and almost too tacky romantic conclusion, but they had chemistry.
Anyway... back to this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed the crime thriller aspect of it, even if I felt that the romance was not as developed. And, really, that's all I have left to say about it.
Once again, another great Kylie Brant romantic suspense to pass the time and enjoy--a very enjoyable, entertaining crime thriller to pass a cold night in December. I could just feel the chills radiating off of the snowy Michigan setting.
What the Dead Know is extremely fast-paced and continuously forward moving, as has always been the case with Kylie Brant's Mindhunters books. This one was better written and better edited than the previous, Secrets of the Dead; and it also involved a more focused premise, story telling and progression.
The only fault I found with it, however, is the romance--the chemistry seems to be missing.
The Story:
Keira Saxon is lured into the game of a serial killer when she discovers that her father hadn't been killed in a wilderness attack by a bear--her father's liver is left in a cooler at her cabin door and Keira is led on a chase through the snowy woods, only to be attacked by the perpetrator.
Knowing that she is too close to this case, but not wanting to be left out of the loop Danny Saxon's now homicide investigation, Keira calls upon the aid of Adam Raiker's forensic investigation organization.
Enter Finn Carstens, an Mindhunter working for Adam Raiker who used to be a medical examiner. Along with Keira, the two discover that Keira's father wasn't the only murder victim and that their mysterious serial killer is playing a deadly game with human lives. And Keira is his ultimate targeted hunt.
My Thoughts:
Finn and Keira make for a great investigating team together, and this book brings back to mind one of my more favored Mindhunters installments, the very first Waking Nightmare and the investigating partnership between Ryne and Abby. Of course, Keira and Finn are less antagonistic to each other, readily creating that partnership bond and trust; unfortunately, at the same time, they also display a lot less romantic chemistry than I had been expecting for a romance.
There's an underlying OTP-ness to their slowly developing relationship, but I fail to FEEL how the two start to fall for each other. Even the sexual tension seems a bit lackluster--in comparison, the previous pair of Mindhunters in Secrets of the Dead, Eve and Declan, had a haphazard story and almost too tacky romantic conclusion, but they had chemistry.
Anyway... back to this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed the crime thriller aspect of it, even if I felt that the romance was not as developed. And, really, that's all I have left to say about it.
Once again, another great Kylie Brant romantic suspense to pass the time and enjoy--a very enjoyable, entertaining crime thriller to pass a cold night in December. I could just feel the chills radiating off of the snowy Michigan setting.
December 30, 2015
No time is wasted throwing the reader right into the plot and keeps a grip on you to the very end. The location is the Upper Peninsula which is a forested region in Michigan bordering 3 of the Great Lakes and those forests are hiding a killer who likes to hunt the human variety of prey along with animals.
The leads in this one are Keira Saxon who was a Chicago homicide detective before returning home to care for her dying father who is the Sheriff. After her father is killed in what was suspected to be a animal attack she takes over her father term. Soon she gets a gruesome discovery on her doorstep which leads her to believe her father's death wasn't done by an animal and the killer also has a new victim. Keira wastes no time in calling The Mindhunters for help. Finn Carstens is who is sent to help Keira with the evidence of past and current victims. As the investigation moves along it becomes clear that the end game is Keira herself.
I've always enjoys the books in this series which blends suspense, CSI skills and a little romance perfectly.
The leads in this one are Keira Saxon who was a Chicago homicide detective before returning home to care for her dying father who is the Sheriff. After her father is killed in what was suspected to be a animal attack she takes over her father term. Soon she gets a gruesome discovery on her doorstep which leads her to believe her father's death wasn't done by an animal and the killer also has a new victim. Keira wastes no time in calling The Mindhunters for help. Finn Carstens is who is sent to help Keira with the evidence of past and current victims. As the investigation moves along it becomes clear that the end game is Keira herself.
I've always enjoys the books in this series which blends suspense, CSI skills and a little romance perfectly.
May 10, 2016
I normally enjoy Kylie Brant's books, but this is one of my least favourites. Plot, pace, character development- everything pretty much fell flat for me. Some sequences were pretty exciting, particularly the opening scene, but I found the novel quite dull overall.
The characters were uninteresting and I found it really hard to connect with them. I love romance with my suspense, but the relationship seemed very forced and sudden. Too much technical, boring procedural work described and the climax wasn't really a climax for me.
Her latest books have been okay, but I definitely enjoyed the older books in the Mindhunters series a lot more. Characters that were interesting and that I cared about, relationships I really rooted for and good storylines paired with action...that is the Kylie Brant I like.
The characters were uninteresting and I found it really hard to connect with them. I love romance with my suspense, but the relationship seemed very forced and sudden. Too much technical, boring procedural work described and the climax wasn't really a climax for me.
Her latest books have been okay, but I definitely enjoyed the older books in the Mindhunters series a lot more. Characters that were interesting and that I cared about, relationships I really rooted for and good storylines paired with action...that is the Kylie Brant I like.
February 4, 2018
Keira Saxon left her job as a homicide detective in Chicago when her father had taken ill, and then took over his position as sheriff when he was killed in a bear attack...Then nine months later she receives his diseased liver in his own little cooler, and she knows he wasn't attacked by a bear, but by the most dangerous beast of them all—a man.
She also received a severed finger alongside her father's liver, so she knows she has another victim to take care of. Weary of Michigan State Police, since they failed to notice her father wasn't attacked by a bear, she enlists the help of Raiker's Mindhunters and gets a twofer (forensic pathologist and investigator) in a single person, Finn Carstens.
Together they'll hunt a hunter that's drawing them deeper into his own game of cat and mouse.
Yet another disappointing installment in this series. While it started off great—the mystery was intriguing, the glimpses into the killer chilling, and the danger was lurking just underneath the surface of the story—it all fizzled out just after the half mark.
As soon as the scenes from the killer's point of view winked out of existence and the procedural and investigation kicked up a notch, the sense of imminent danger, the urgency, the intensity, and the intrigue were gone, replaced by a plodding tempo, a poor excuse for attraction (I won't deign call it romance) between the two protagonists, and a very dull rest of the plot that was not saved by the reappearance of the killer and the reveal of his identity. It was a revelation, but it failed to surprise, since I was beyond caring at that point.
Maybe it should've been shorter, or maybe it should've kept the killer more in the foreground...I don't know.
She also received a severed finger alongside her father's liver, so she knows she has another victim to take care of. Weary of Michigan State Police, since they failed to notice her father wasn't attacked by a bear, she enlists the help of Raiker's Mindhunters and gets a twofer (forensic pathologist and investigator) in a single person, Finn Carstens.
Together they'll hunt a hunter that's drawing them deeper into his own game of cat and mouse.
Yet another disappointing installment in this series. While it started off great—the mystery was intriguing, the glimpses into the killer chilling, and the danger was lurking just underneath the surface of the story—it all fizzled out just after the half mark.
As soon as the scenes from the killer's point of view winked out of existence and the procedural and investigation kicked up a notch, the sense of imminent danger, the urgency, the intensity, and the intrigue were gone, replaced by a plodding tempo, a poor excuse for attraction (I won't deign call it romance) between the two protagonists, and a very dull rest of the plot that was not saved by the reappearance of the killer and the reveal of his identity. It was a revelation, but it failed to surprise, since I was beyond caring at that point.
Maybe it should've been shorter, or maybe it should've kept the killer more in the foreground...I don't know.
February 24, 2025
My biggest complaint with this audiobook is the narrator. When he's talking in a normal speaking voice, he's easy to listen to, but the way he does character voices is like a radio version of King of the Hill. All the young guys sound like Bucky. All the older guys sound like Cotton. All the women's voices are so low and slow, they sound mentally challenged. It was so bad that I nearly went DNF, but I decided to tough it out.
Honestly, the storyline in this book was a bit draggy and not very engaging. The end didn't really explain anything, so the whole story is like: Sheriff dies, no foul play suspected, daughter takes over, murder is revealed to taunt daughter, another victim is revealed, cat and mouse game begins, hostage is taken, man is wrongfully accused, accomplice is killed, perp is killed, hostage is saved, no one learns anything else due to the death of the perp, and the 2 protagonists who practically just met profess their love for each other. The end.
Honestly, the storyline in this book was a bit draggy and not very engaging. The end didn't really explain anything, so the whole story is like: Sheriff dies, no foul play suspected, daughter takes over, murder is revealed to taunt daughter, another victim is revealed, cat and mouse game begins, hostage is taken, man is wrongfully accused, accomplice is killed, perp is killed, hostage is saved, no one learns anything else due to the death of the perp, and the 2 protagonists who practically just met profess their love for each other. The end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2021
It was good, I liked how it was told from double perspectives, and how it all tied together. I was surprised at the raunchy parts. I was listening to the audiobook on a speaker and my husband walked into the room to hear some 'interesting' language and situation. His surprised face made me feel embarrassed for a second and I felt like I had to explain that it wasn't really THAT kind of book. That wasn't really such a big deal, but it just didn't feel relevant/ necessary to the story. However, I do know some people who wouldn't read it if they knew upfront about those moments.
March 15, 2024
I'm sad to see this series is almost at the end. It's all very good, this one was a little bit different than the previous books. I'm surprised that there weren't more people from Adams team there helping them. I think there may have only been one other that didn't have a large team. Still all in all the book was good. I had been expecting more bodies found from this guy too, such a creepy thing to think about. Someone killing/hunting people. I've already got the last book to get started. This has been one of the best series/book sets I've read in a while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2021
3.5 Stars for me
This has been a good series but this story was missing the personal connection for me. The relationship felt a bit forced and I found myself drifting while listening to the story. It didn't help that the narrator ratchets up his voice for a couple of the characters which felt like nails on a chalkboard.
This has been a good series but this story was missing the personal connection for me. The relationship felt a bit forced and I found myself drifting while listening to the story. It didn't help that the narrator ratchets up his voice for a couple of the characters which felt like nails on a chalkboard.
April 25, 2019
Woman sheriff in the UP of Michigan nails him
Fast paced and never boring. A woman sheriff is elected to fill her father's term and ends up finding he was murdered...and the twisted serial killer who did it. There is some romance with a well written steamy encounter.
Fast paced and never boring. A woman sheriff is elected to fill her father's term and ends up finding he was murdered...and the twisted serial killer who did it. There is some romance with a well written steamy encounter.
January 20, 2020
I have read all of the books up to this one in this series. I have enjoyed all of them. This one proved to be the most intense to me. I hope this series goes forever like some of the other authors I read. Kylie Brant is amazing.
March 2, 2020
Compelling storyline with lots of action. The relationship between Keira and Finn was just right; I really liked the way they treated each other. I absolutely had no clue who the culprit was until the very end and that's very rare. Each of the Mindhunter books are as good as the last one.
November 2, 2024
4.5 stars. Wonderful setting. All of the background info on the Upper Peninsula was quite interesting, especially about trapping. There is a creepy, crazy serial killer. I loved the investigation and the interaction between the sheriff and the forensic investigator.
January 28, 2018
great series
May 26, 2020
Great series from Kylie Brant. The way she mixes romance with terror is great. I love books that can make me cry about what is going on with the characters.
November 10, 2020
I listened to the audible version of this book and it came off as a little slow. I will have to read one of the other books (not audible) to give it a honest rating.
January 17, 2021
I listened to the audiobook. Worst narration of a female voice by a man. He made her sound weak no emotion came through . So disappointing as the story was not so bad.
January 17, 2021
It was a good book but I'm still not used to Audio books. It's going to take me a while!
February 7, 2021
Another fabulous installment to the "Mindhunters" series. Sadly, there is only one other book to follow:(
February 11, 2021
Pretty good mystery...lots of twists and turns.
February 18, 2021
Must... keep... going. So very close to the end.
February 8, 2022
I really am enjoying this series with strong and competent female characters. Keira is a smart and savvy sheriff who knows how to get things done, including her investigator, Finn.
March 31, 2023
Ahhh this one was good! I love all things parks! Hearing both sides of the crime is one of my favorite parts of the book! Only one left too go and I'm not excited to finish this series at all!
September 22, 2025
Took me forever to finish because it was so gosh darn boring
November 30, 2025
Really liked this one
March 22, 2017
This was boring ....omg it's great cure for sleeplessness
June 3, 2017
I love this series . Keira and Finn are a great team. Suspense, dead bodies /parts and a deadly game of hide and seek. Can't wait for the next book.
January 3, 2016
I really enjoy this series but this was not one of my favorites. For the life of me I couldn't connect with the characters. It was lacking in chemistry just no zip.
I'm a huge fan of this author and look forward to the next book.
I'm a huge fan of this author and look forward to the next book.
December 29, 2015
mighty inter starts hunting men...kills ailing sheriff. daughter finishes his term and the killer targets her. let the games begin.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews