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Dr. Jenna Ramey #3
Flash Point
" Dr Jenna Ramey's newest case is a nightmare on a whole new scale, and it will find her BAU team (Behavioural Analysis Unit, an FBI Department) running point for a type of investigation they're almost never brought into, much less asked to lead. "
A band of ruthless assassins converges on a bank in Washington, D.C. They slaughter everyone inside and all escape without stealing a dime and leaving only a message for police warning that another attack is coming. The attackers are more than willing to communicate who they are and what they want. The problem is, they only do so through cryptic messages hidden in a labyrinth of classic literature references.
With the clock ticking down the hours and minutes until another bloodbath, Jenna and the rest of the BAU team have a challenge profiling not one or two, but a dozen individual killers. But even if she is able to save the day, two enemies from her past are lurking right in her blind spot, ready to take advantage of her current preoccupation . . .
A band of ruthless assassins converges on a bank in Washington, D.C. They slaughter everyone inside and all escape without stealing a dime and leaving only a message for police warning that another attack is coming. The attackers are more than willing to communicate who they are and what they want. The problem is, they only do so through cryptic messages hidden in a labyrinth of classic literature references.
With the clock ticking down the hours and minutes until another bloodbath, Jenna and the rest of the BAU team have a challenge profiling not one or two, but a dozen individual killers. But even if she is able to save the day, two enemies from her past are lurking right in her blind spot, ready to take advantage of her current preoccupation . . .
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2016
4 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Colby Marshall
12 books54 followersWriter by day, ballroom dancer and choreographer by night, Colby has a tendency to turn every hobby she has into a job, thus ensuring that she is a perpetual workaholic. In addition to her 9,502 regular jobs, she is a proud member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. She is actively involved in local theatres as a choreographer and occasionally indulges her prima donna side by taking the stage as an actress. She lives in Georgia with her family, two mutts, and an array of cats that, if she were a bit older, would qualify her immediately for crazy cat lady status.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 22, 2016
A group of people attack a bank in Washington, D.C. Armed with knives, machetes, axes, they slaughter every single person except for one. They take no money, they take no hostages. They do, however, leave a message, but a message that no one seems to understand.
Jenna Ramey and her FBI Behavioural Analysis Unit team are charges with investigating. Were these terrorists or is this something much more dangerous?
Time is running out before they strike again, so Jenny calls in “the Loony Librarian”, the only person who may be able to decipher the literature references left behind in a message.
And while she is concentrating on this disaster, another one is blooming, a more personal assault heading her way.
While well-written, this book did not grab me the way the first two in this series did. I enjoy the character of Jenna, with her synesthesia (colors) whenever she’s looking at someone or something. It’s a unique ‘gift’ or ‘curse’, but she seems to handle it well. The Loony Librarian wins favorite character for me. She’s definitely unique and she’s so far out there, she’s in. Her team play an important secondary role. And Jenna’s personal life may not be as secure as she believes.
There were moments in the book that bogged down somewhat…did not keep me engaged in the story. That being said, whenever it did, it wasn’t long before the pace picked up again. Even with some of the cons I’ve mentioned, I still look forward to a continuing series with a most interesting character.
Many thanks to the author / Severn House Publishers / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Jenna Ramey and her FBI Behavioural Analysis Unit team are charges with investigating. Were these terrorists or is this something much more dangerous?
Time is running out before they strike again, so Jenny calls in “the Loony Librarian”, the only person who may be able to decipher the literature references left behind in a message.
And while she is concentrating on this disaster, another one is blooming, a more personal assault heading her way.
While well-written, this book did not grab me the way the first two in this series did. I enjoy the character of Jenna, with her synesthesia (colors) whenever she’s looking at someone or something. It’s a unique ‘gift’ or ‘curse’, but she seems to handle it well. The Loony Librarian wins favorite character for me. She’s definitely unique and she’s so far out there, she’s in. Her team play an important secondary role. And Jenna’s personal life may not be as secure as she believes.
There were moments in the book that bogged down somewhat…did not keep me engaged in the story. That being said, whenever it did, it wasn’t long before the pace picked up again. Even with some of the cons I’ve mentioned, I still look forward to a continuing series with a most interesting character.
Many thanks to the author / Severn House Publishers / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
August 11, 2016
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley and Severn House Publishing.
If you have not read any of the previous books in this series, you will probably be as much at sea as I was trying to figure out what was going on. Normally I find an author gives me enough backstory information so I can pretty much pick up a series at any point. Not here. The author made no attempt to work new readers into what had come before for this team of investigators or characters associated with them. I kept plugging away at it hoping for some relief but that isn't something I'm ever going to find enjoyable in a novel. That's negative point #1. Negative points #2 and #3 will be explained later.
Dr. Jenna Ramsey is a member of an FBI special team because she "sees" colors associated with crimes - grapheme-color synesthesia - and this specialized team is built around that ability. A group of killers has invaded a bank during business hours and killed twenty-one people, but left one bank employee alive to pass on a message from the group. Jenna immediately begins to pick up on the literary references contained in the formal note left at the scene. Now the rush is on to find the motives of the group by solving the riddles from literature. Negative point #2 concerns how easy it was to spot the twist once all the impediments were dealt with.
This is the second novel I've read recently where someone has the gift of seeing colors (or auras) and works for the FBI. Flash Point was not the book I enjoyed the most. Which leads me to my negative point #3 -- this is a cliffhanger ending. From what I can piece together from beginning to read this novel this one picks up at the clifftop where the last one left off. I don't like the cliffhanger device in crime novels, period, but especially not in one where I'm constantly feeling I'm missing something which the author could have easily filled in. So, not a favorite and I will not be reading the previous books or any that come later.
If you have not read any of the previous books in this series, you will probably be as much at sea as I was trying to figure out what was going on. Normally I find an author gives me enough backstory information so I can pretty much pick up a series at any point. Not here. The author made no attempt to work new readers into what had come before for this team of investigators or characters associated with them. I kept plugging away at it hoping for some relief but that isn't something I'm ever going to find enjoyable in a novel. That's negative point #1. Negative points #2 and #3 will be explained later.
Dr. Jenna Ramsey is a member of an FBI special team because she "sees" colors associated with crimes - grapheme-color synesthesia - and this specialized team is built around that ability. A group of killers has invaded a bank during business hours and killed twenty-one people, but left one bank employee alive to pass on a message from the group. Jenna immediately begins to pick up on the literary references contained in the formal note left at the scene. Now the rush is on to find the motives of the group by solving the riddles from literature. Negative point #2 concerns how easy it was to spot the twist once all the impediments were dealt with.
This is the second novel I've read recently where someone has the gift of seeing colors (or auras) and works for the FBI. Flash Point was not the book I enjoyed the most. Which leads me to my negative point #3 -- this is a cliffhanger ending. From what I can piece together from beginning to read this novel this one picks up at the clifftop where the last one left off. I don't like the cliffhanger device in crime novels, period, but especially not in one where I'm constantly feeling I'm missing something which the author could have easily filled in. So, not a favorite and I will not be reading the previous books or any that come later.
June 24, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy of Flash Point, the fourth novel to feature FBI profiler and synesthete, Jenna Ramey.
Jenna is called to a bank, not for a robbery but for a brutal mass murder. All the bank employees and customers were knives to death by a group of well organised individuals but no money was taken. As the group left behind a cryptic letter but no other evidence Jenna comes to believe that the attack is an act of domestic terrorism. Soon she is involved not just in the hunt for the perpetrators but in jurisdictional and approach issues with Homeland Security.
Flash Point is the first novel I have read in this series so I found myself extremely confused by Jenna's hypervigilism and the constant references to the threat posed by Claudia - I assume this is covered in previous novels but a brief recap of the situation would have been most welcome and made this novel more welcoming to new readers. As it is I found the lack of explanation annoying. I also found the hunt for literary clues left by the killers long winded, boring and a bit pretentious so I skim read much of it. Don't get me wrong, the idea is good and relevant to the plot but I feel Ms Marshall could have cut the descriptions considerably and still got the same result while maintains the pace and tension.
Once these annoyances were over the novel picked up its pace and became a straightforward hunt for the bad guys. There are a few good twists which I didn't see coming and it had me glued to the pages.
I think, on reflection, it would have been better reading this book after the preceding ones as I don't feel I got as much out of it as I would have had with the full back story.
Jenna is called to a bank, not for a robbery but for a brutal mass murder. All the bank employees and customers were knives to death by a group of well organised individuals but no money was taken. As the group left behind a cryptic letter but no other evidence Jenna comes to believe that the attack is an act of domestic terrorism. Soon she is involved not just in the hunt for the perpetrators but in jurisdictional and approach issues with Homeland Security.
Flash Point is the first novel I have read in this series so I found myself extremely confused by Jenna's hypervigilism and the constant references to the threat posed by Claudia - I assume this is covered in previous novels but a brief recap of the situation would have been most welcome and made this novel more welcoming to new readers. As it is I found the lack of explanation annoying. I also found the hunt for literary clues left by the killers long winded, boring and a bit pretentious so I skim read much of it. Don't get me wrong, the idea is good and relevant to the plot but I feel Ms Marshall could have cut the descriptions considerably and still got the same result while maintains the pace and tension.
Once these annoyances were over the novel picked up its pace and became a straightforward hunt for the bad guys. There are a few good twists which I didn't see coming and it had me glued to the pages.
I think, on reflection, it would have been better reading this book after the preceding ones as I don't feel I got as much out of it as I would have had with the full back story.
September 19, 2016
I’m always excited to get my hands on a new Colby Marshall novel, and Flash Point is no exception. This latest installment of the Dr. Jenna Ramey Mysteries finds the Washington, D.C.-based FBI forensic psychiatrist on the trail of a group of terrorists with an unusual literary bent. These intellectuals believe it’s time that government was led by the true intelligentsia instead of people who either pay-to-play or just have the right political connections. And they’re willing to use terrorism to manipulate law enforcement, the government, and media in a way that forces people to rise up against the government.
Dr. Jenna Ramey is one of my favorite characters, simply because she’s so unique. She uses her synesthesia—a condition/ability that causes someone to link colors to letters/words/numbers, etc.—to profile and catch criminals. Whether Jenna is interviewing suspects, viewing crime scene video, or reviewing the complex literary-based codes left behind in messages for the FBI, the colors connected to the information gives Jenna a leg up on other members of her team (not all of whom support her “woo woo” senses, which only adds another layer to the drama!)
One of the things Ms. Marshall does best is including interesting, often quirky, secondary characters. People who don’t necessarily fit society’s “norms” but nevertheless have found a way to USE their differences to MAKE a difference. This time around my favorite is the fey literary/linguistics genius Grey, a former psychiatric patient of Jenna’s, who is somewhere on the autism spectrum. She may have trouble reading social cues, and has her own odd way of making connections, but is pretty much a walking library and Dewey Decimal system, unmatched in ferreting out and interpreting the obscure literary clues left by the terrorists. Ms. Marshall never panders to her secondary characters or just uses them for effect—Grey is a fully rounded, dignified, sympathetic, and wryly humorous character. I just loved her.
I was also glad to meet up with some old favorites who are part of the series. Yancy and his delightful wiener dog, Oboe, are here (readers first met Yancy as a minor character in The Trade, before he became a major character in this series). He’s a delightful romantic interest for Jenna. And Jenna’s psychopathic mother, Claudia, still runs like a dark background thread through this book, impacting events even without being present. But I was most excited to see the wonderful cameo by journalist MacKenzie McClendon, the star of Ms. Marshall’s first two books (Chain of Command and The Trade, both of which you should read if you haven’t already!) I’ve long wanted these two kick-ass heroines to make a connection, to link the series. I hope to see them together even more in the future!
Every book comes with a few caveats, of course. Regular readers of Ms. Marshall, or any other crime thrillers, won’t be put off by the “spicy” language or somewhat gory descriptions of crime scenes, but the faint-of-heart should know they exist. They don’t bother me, and a “look inside” of the first few pages should let you know if it’s manageable for you. And while it isn’t absolutely necessary, I found it did help to have read the previous books in the series, since there are references and call-backs to events in those books, although it’s perfectly fine to read this as a stand-alone.
I truly enjoyed the fast pace of this book, the intriguing literary puzzles, and the cast of unique, complex, compelling characters. Many thanks to Severn House Publishers, who provided an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion of the latest Dr. Jenna Ramey mystery.
Dr. Jenna Ramey is one of my favorite characters, simply because she’s so unique. She uses her synesthesia—a condition/ability that causes someone to link colors to letters/words/numbers, etc.—to profile and catch criminals. Whether Jenna is interviewing suspects, viewing crime scene video, or reviewing the complex literary-based codes left behind in messages for the FBI, the colors connected to the information gives Jenna a leg up on other members of her team (not all of whom support her “woo woo” senses, which only adds another layer to the drama!)
One of the things Ms. Marshall does best is including interesting, often quirky, secondary characters. People who don’t necessarily fit society’s “norms” but nevertheless have found a way to USE their differences to MAKE a difference. This time around my favorite is the fey literary/linguistics genius Grey, a former psychiatric patient of Jenna’s, who is somewhere on the autism spectrum. She may have trouble reading social cues, and has her own odd way of making connections, but is pretty much a walking library and Dewey Decimal system, unmatched in ferreting out and interpreting the obscure literary clues left by the terrorists. Ms. Marshall never panders to her secondary characters or just uses them for effect—Grey is a fully rounded, dignified, sympathetic, and wryly humorous character. I just loved her.
I was also glad to meet up with some old favorites who are part of the series. Yancy and his delightful wiener dog, Oboe, are here (readers first met Yancy as a minor character in The Trade, before he became a major character in this series). He’s a delightful romantic interest for Jenna. And Jenna’s psychopathic mother, Claudia, still runs like a dark background thread through this book, impacting events even without being present. But I was most excited to see the wonderful cameo by journalist MacKenzie McClendon, the star of Ms. Marshall’s first two books (Chain of Command and The Trade, both of which you should read if you haven’t already!) I’ve long wanted these two kick-ass heroines to make a connection, to link the series. I hope to see them together even more in the future!
Every book comes with a few caveats, of course. Regular readers of Ms. Marshall, or any other crime thrillers, won’t be put off by the “spicy” language or somewhat gory descriptions of crime scenes, but the faint-of-heart should know they exist. They don’t bother me, and a “look inside” of the first few pages should let you know if it’s manageable for you. And while it isn’t absolutely necessary, I found it did help to have read the previous books in the series, since there are references and call-backs to events in those books, although it’s perfectly fine to read this as a stand-alone.
I truly enjoyed the fast pace of this book, the intriguing literary puzzles, and the cast of unique, complex, compelling characters. Many thanks to Severn House Publishers, who provided an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion of the latest Dr. Jenna Ramey mystery.
September 27, 2016
Of the three books so far in this series, Flash Point has been my favorite!
What I liked: First a big caution…..you absolutely need to read the first two books in the Dr. Jenna Ramey series. The backstories of the main characters are given in those books and some of the plot points in Flash Point need the background!
I thought Ms Marshall did a fabulous job with the development of this series so far. Each book gets a bit more in-depth not only with the characters but some of the plots are tied together. I had already read the first two books in this series, so I had a general idea of the characters and what makes them tick. Even as I say that, each installment more fully delves into each character and what makes them who they are.
Basically Jenna Ramey is a forensic psychiatrist for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, who can for some reason associate feelings, evidence, and individual’s conversations to corresponding colors. Each color means something to her. In some cases, she is overwhelmed with colors so she needs to sort through them to find exactly the clue she needs in working a case. Different, huh? Believe me the way Ms Marshall describes it, makes more sense than me trying to explain it.
First, I really like how the unit Jenna is assigned to works together. It’s a small close-knit group and each one is still growing in character development, even Jenna who is the star of the series. She does have a love interest, Yancy (I love his character), a father, brother, and a young daughter. And then there’s Irv, the unit’s tech guy. I say that but Irv is more like a tech wizard. The things he’s able to find out about and the things he can do with hacking is incredible.
Flash Point's main plot deals with a multiple murder scene and a bunch of nonsensical clues provided by the group of killers. It’s mind boggling! The clues tie into literary works and let me tell you, I learned more about some of them from Ms Marshall than I ever thought I could. The group of murderers is smart, devious and plans to keep killing.
What I didn’t like: It’s not that I didn’t like almost everything, but in Flashpoint I had a harder time than normal reading about how Jenna would push the colors aside. On a couple of occasions, I felt like she was too quick to key into one color and ignore what the others were trying to tell her.
Now the biggest drawback in my mind. The e-book pricing! Flash Point is listed as $15.33 (It will release in hardcover at $24.31) The first two books in the series are $11.99 each and are cheaper either in new paperback or a used paperback copy. I really enjoy the series but will have to think seriously about continuing to buy the books or getting them from the library. I will say, when I bought the first two books in this series, I had a credit on my account and thus didn't feel guilty getting them; but if I'd had to pay full price, I think I would have stepped back.
Ms Marshall has gone onto my “authors I read” list. Her character development, plot points, and over all writing quality have got me hooked. The bad part, now that I’m caught up on the series, I have to wait for the next book and while the ending of Flash Point was not exactly a cliffhanger, it did its job by making me want more, NOW.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
Highly Recommended!! (Borrow the book from the library or a friend)
What I liked: First a big caution…..you absolutely need to read the first two books in the Dr. Jenna Ramey series. The backstories of the main characters are given in those books and some of the plot points in Flash Point need the background!
I thought Ms Marshall did a fabulous job with the development of this series so far. Each book gets a bit more in-depth not only with the characters but some of the plots are tied together. I had already read the first two books in this series, so I had a general idea of the characters and what makes them tick. Even as I say that, each installment more fully delves into each character and what makes them who they are.
Basically Jenna Ramey is a forensic psychiatrist for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, who can for some reason associate feelings, evidence, and individual’s conversations to corresponding colors. Each color means something to her. In some cases, she is overwhelmed with colors so she needs to sort through them to find exactly the clue she needs in working a case. Different, huh? Believe me the way Ms Marshall describes it, makes more sense than me trying to explain it.
First, I really like how the unit Jenna is assigned to works together. It’s a small close-knit group and each one is still growing in character development, even Jenna who is the star of the series. She does have a love interest, Yancy (I love his character), a father, brother, and a young daughter. And then there’s Irv, the unit’s tech guy. I say that but Irv is more like a tech wizard. The things he’s able to find out about and the things he can do with hacking is incredible.
Flash Point's main plot deals with a multiple murder scene and a bunch of nonsensical clues provided by the group of killers. It’s mind boggling! The clues tie into literary works and let me tell you, I learned more about some of them from Ms Marshall than I ever thought I could. The group of murderers is smart, devious and plans to keep killing.
What I didn’t like: It’s not that I didn’t like almost everything, but in Flashpoint I had a harder time than normal reading about how Jenna would push the colors aside. On a couple of occasions, I felt like she was too quick to key into one color and ignore what the others were trying to tell her.
Now the biggest drawback in my mind. The e-book pricing! Flash Point is listed as $15.33 (It will release in hardcover at $24.31) The first two books in the series are $11.99 each and are cheaper either in new paperback or a used paperback copy. I really enjoy the series but will have to think seriously about continuing to buy the books or getting them from the library. I will say, when I bought the first two books in this series, I had a credit on my account and thus didn't feel guilty getting them; but if I'd had to pay full price, I think I would have stepped back.
Ms Marshall has gone onto my “authors I read” list. Her character development, plot points, and over all writing quality have got me hooked. The bad part, now that I’m caught up on the series, I have to wait for the next book and while the ending of Flash Point was not exactly a cliffhanger, it did its job by making me want more, NOW.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
Highly Recommended!! (Borrow the book from the library or a friend)
October 19, 2016
I’d recommend reading the first books in the series before tackling this one!
Dr Jenna Ramsay is a forensic psychiatrist and member of an elite FBI Behavioural Analysis Unit. Her young daughter is starting school and Jenna has hardly finished saying goodbye to her, when a call comes in from her boss, Seleda Ovarez asking her to report immediately to a bank in Washington DC where nothing has been stolen and only one witness left alive after a massacre where the victims were savagely murdered by a gang using knives. The scene is a gruesome one and the witness is so traumatised that it’s hard to get a coherent picture of what took place, from her.
Dr Jenna Ramsay sees colours when she looks over a crime scene and in this case, the colours are so mangled and intermingled that she’s forced to find an outsider to help her.
And that I’m afraid is all I understand about this extremely complicated book. I’ve been left with more questions than answers.
Usually authors manage to either explain previous storylines especially if one of the characters suddenly pops up and leaves you wondering whether you’re hallucinating or whether you’ve just missed the point, so you spend ages going back to find that it’s not you! Some examples; Why is Jenna so paranoid about her daughter���s safety and what has Claudia done to cause this paranoia?
Jenna sees colours around victims or situations. This could have been a very interesting point and one I’d love to have learnt more about, but obviously, like Claudia, this must have been explained in the previous books.
I finished the book feeling like the only part that I’d felt any kind of “connection” to, was the massacre and quite frankly it was so gory, I had to ask myself “Do I want to remember the book for that scene only?” “NO!”
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Dr Jenna Ramsay is a forensic psychiatrist and member of an elite FBI Behavioural Analysis Unit. Her young daughter is starting school and Jenna has hardly finished saying goodbye to her, when a call comes in from her boss, Seleda Ovarez asking her to report immediately to a bank in Washington DC where nothing has been stolen and only one witness left alive after a massacre where the victims were savagely murdered by a gang using knives. The scene is a gruesome one and the witness is so traumatised that it’s hard to get a coherent picture of what took place, from her.
Dr Jenna Ramsay sees colours when she looks over a crime scene and in this case, the colours are so mangled and intermingled that she’s forced to find an outsider to help her.
And that I’m afraid is all I understand about this extremely complicated book. I’ve been left with more questions than answers.
Usually authors manage to either explain previous storylines especially if one of the characters suddenly pops up and leaves you wondering whether you’re hallucinating or whether you’ve just missed the point, so you spend ages going back to find that it’s not you! Some examples; Why is Jenna so paranoid about her daughter���s safety and what has Claudia done to cause this paranoia?
Jenna sees colours around victims or situations. This could have been a very interesting point and one I’d love to have learnt more about, but obviously, like Claudia, this must have been explained in the previous books.
I finished the book feeling like the only part that I’d felt any kind of “connection” to, was the massacre and quite frankly it was so gory, I had to ask myself “Do I want to remember the book for that scene only?” “NO!”
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
September 14, 2016
First, thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC. I loved the first Jenna Ramey books and expected this one to drop off in pace or characterization because it's book 3 in a series. Nope. Not a problem here.
I was up all night reading until my husband begged me to go to sleep. It was a page turner from the very beginning, bringing in a new story and upping the tension in the main story arc between Jenna, Yancy, and Claudia as well. I loved the literary references and was simultaneously annoyed at how smart the villains thought they were. The "intellectually elite" have to be the most annoying group of people on the Internet, and seeing them made into villains was very satisfying.
Colby Marshall knows how to write characters. I found myself sympathizing with the terrorists at times, and getting frustrated we didn't have more time with some of the more interesting players - Claudia and Isaac - despite that the reader is supposed to want them gone entirely.
I was also pleased to see less over explanation of the "colors" to the reader in this book. It may be frustrating to readers who pick it up as a standalone, but it was refreshing to see Ramey depending less on colors, spending less time explaining them, and doing more actual investigating.
I highly recommend not just this book but also the entire series. From the other reviews I'm gathering that a lot of the negativity is coming from the lack of backstory, but this *is* book 3. The first two are just as good and contain all the backstory you need.
The only frustrating thing about an ARC is that it makes the wait between installments longer.
I was up all night reading until my husband begged me to go to sleep. It was a page turner from the very beginning, bringing in a new story and upping the tension in the main story arc between Jenna, Yancy, and Claudia as well. I loved the literary references and was simultaneously annoyed at how smart the villains thought they were. The "intellectually elite" have to be the most annoying group of people on the Internet, and seeing them made into villains was very satisfying.
Colby Marshall knows how to write characters. I found myself sympathizing with the terrorists at times, and getting frustrated we didn't have more time with some of the more interesting players - Claudia and Isaac - despite that the reader is supposed to want them gone entirely.
I was also pleased to see less over explanation of the "colors" to the reader in this book. It may be frustrating to readers who pick it up as a standalone, but it was refreshing to see Ramey depending less on colors, spending less time explaining them, and doing more actual investigating.
I highly recommend not just this book but also the entire series. From the other reviews I'm gathering that a lot of the negativity is coming from the lack of backstory, but this *is* book 3. The first two are just as good and contain all the backstory you need.
The only frustrating thing about an ARC is that it makes the wait between installments longer.
February 11, 2017
Review copy supplied via Kindle by NetGalley
‘Flash Point’, written by Colby Marshall features Dr Jenna Ramey working as an investigator with the FBI in the Behavioural Analysis Unit. Unfortunately I have not read the earlier works featuring Jenna Ramey and I think my enjoyment of this novel was therefore somewhat spoilt. I was unable to grasp quite what was going on at the beginning of the book and had to keep checking back to see who was ‘speaking’. Allied to this was my hesitancy to accept the notion of synesthesia.
There is no doubt that this book is well written and the plot is very clever and about half way through the book I began to see the light. The literary quotes, the hidden clues within numbers, quotes etc. certainly added a certain something to the plot and I was delighted to recognise the many authors, book titles and plot lines but I was not able to piece together which direction these clues were taking the reader.
All in all, not my kind of book but as I said, this is probably more to do with this being an introduction to the characters , it is a bit like judging a meal on MasterChef when you missed the first course.
‘Flash Point’, written by Colby Marshall features Dr Jenna Ramey working as an investigator with the FBI in the Behavioural Analysis Unit. Unfortunately I have not read the earlier works featuring Jenna Ramey and I think my enjoyment of this novel was therefore somewhat spoilt. I was unable to grasp quite what was going on at the beginning of the book and had to keep checking back to see who was ‘speaking’. Allied to this was my hesitancy to accept the notion of synesthesia.
There is no doubt that this book is well written and the plot is very clever and about half way through the book I began to see the light. The literary quotes, the hidden clues within numbers, quotes etc. certainly added a certain something to the plot and I was delighted to recognise the many authors, book titles and plot lines but I was not able to piece together which direction these clues were taking the reader.
All in all, not my kind of book but as I said, this is probably more to do with this being an introduction to the characters , it is a bit like judging a meal on MasterChef when you missed the first course.
September 29, 2016
Colby Marshall is a master story teller.
A dozen attackers armed with blades (knives, machetes, swords) kill every single person inside a Washington D.C. bank... all except for one. They steal no money, nor take hostages. They leave a coded message that Dr Jenna Ramey needs to decipher before the group strikes again.
This psychological thriller had me cringe at the brutality of the attack while turning the pages to figure out the puzzles.
This is Book 3 in the series, as good a place to start getting to know this brilliant author as any.
A dozen attackers armed with blades (knives, machetes, swords) kill every single person inside a Washington D.C. bank... all except for one. They steal no money, nor take hostages. They leave a coded message that Dr Jenna Ramey needs to decipher before the group strikes again.
This psychological thriller had me cringe at the brutality of the attack while turning the pages to figure out the puzzles.
This is Book 3 in the series, as good a place to start getting to know this brilliant author as any.
October 5, 2020
I went into this thinking it was the last book in the series, and there's a cliffhanger ending, I -
Anyway, I enjoyed this about the same as I did the other two. I did start losing the plot a bit around the middle section - mostly when they were trying to decipher the book code - because I thought it was too complicated of a code to try and explain in writing. I've seen similar things done on TV shows (like Criminal Minds), and it translates much better on film. But the last 100 pages or so definitely picked up and I liked the ending a lot.
I'm hoping there's eventually a 4th book because I really want to know what happens.
Anyway, I enjoyed this about the same as I did the other two. I did start losing the plot a bit around the middle section - mostly when they were trying to decipher the book code - because I thought it was too complicated of a code to try and explain in writing. I've seen similar things done on TV shows (like Criminal Minds), and it translates much better on film. But the last 100 pages or so definitely picked up and I liked the ending a lot.
I'm hoping there's eventually a 4th book because I really want to know what happens.
June 27, 2017
This is my newest favorite Colby Marshall book! Flash Point is an excellent addition to the Dr. Jenna Ramey series. This book is thrilling and well researched. Whenever I start her books, I finish them within 2 days max because I read them every spare minute I can find. You never know what's coming next. Flash Point has so many incredible references to literary classics! I really enjoyed the distaste Grey and Porter had for each other. And Jenna and McKenzie - the two great heroines together in one book!? What a fun surprise! I am now impatiently waiting for the next book!
December 20, 2020
Another good installment ending in a huge cliff hanger. This one is filled with an over the top rise well organized and to be honest quite theatrical and unbelievable but well written and well executed that you just believe and keep reading.
February 21, 2021
I read her first two books which I really enjoyed. But this book is such an annoying read. I hated it.
July 18, 2023
Intriguing read.
November 23, 2016
Absolutely astonishing - Flash Point is a thriller that is frighteningly realistic. Colby Marshall captures both the emotional repercussions and the technical difficulties of investigating a terrorist group. Dr Jenna Ramey and her Behavioral Analysis Unit are called in when a band of masked assassins enters a Washington DC Bank, brutally slaying all but one of the individuals present. Nothing is stolen, no demands are made there is only a warning that more attacks are to come. Pressure on Jenna is immense. Between unraveling the few puzzling clues left by the killers and preventing Homeland Security from taking action that would create panic and allow the culprits too escape, Jenna has little time to deal with the dangerous machinations of her sociopathic mother.
The case is thrilling and complex. Colby Marshall keeps readers on their toes throughout. The literary puzzles added interest, and Grey made a unique addition to the team between her immense knowledge and her psychopathology. Marshall invests a great deal of time in creating characters who have well developed backgrounds. It makes them real- memorable and believable despite some of the characteristics being out of the ordinary. Jenna’s synesthesia is an unusual personal characteristic, but fits well with how she works.
Flash Point stands well on its own, but also manages to contribute to the ongoing plot lines originally established. Colby Marshall is a fabulous writer, and if you like investigative thrillers, you will be well served by the Dr Jenna Ramey BAU novels. Flash Point is a wonderful example that can be read on its own or within the context of the series. As an added bonus there is Oboe - a delightful dachshund whose antics never fail to bring a smile.
5/5
I received a copy of Flash Point from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
The case is thrilling and complex. Colby Marshall keeps readers on their toes throughout. The literary puzzles added interest, and Grey made a unique addition to the team between her immense knowledge and her psychopathology. Marshall invests a great deal of time in creating characters who have well developed backgrounds. It makes them real- memorable and believable despite some of the characteristics being out of the ordinary. Jenna’s synesthesia is an unusual personal characteristic, but fits well with how she works.
Flash Point stands well on its own, but also manages to contribute to the ongoing plot lines originally established. Colby Marshall is a fabulous writer, and if you like investigative thrillers, you will be well served by the Dr Jenna Ramey BAU novels. Flash Point is a wonderful example that can be read on its own or within the context of the series. As an added bonus there is Oboe - a delightful dachshund whose antics never fail to bring a smile.
5/5
I received a copy of Flash Point from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
December 24, 2016
I am going to be very honest with this 3rd book in the Dr Jenna Ramey series; the literature messages/clues overall were too tough to follow through the whole book, Yancey was definitely not in this book enough, I want Jenna's mom in prison, and some small kind of normalcy to Jenna's life with her daughter, father, brother, Victor and Yancey. Other than those few wishes, this psychological thriller had me turning the pages, enjoying the depth of the characters in the Behavioral Analysis Unit, and Colby Marshall's grapheme color synesthesia with Jenna continues to wow me. Can't wait for #4.
November 17, 2016
Colby Marshall's books always boggle my mind a little because the puzzles are always so intricate and well thought out. I could never sit down and make up these mind games myself, so I'm always impressed. The characters are fabulous, as usual. I just love Dr. Jenna Ramey and of course, the fact that she uses her color grapheme synthesia to help her profile suspects is super interesting to follow.
April 25, 2017
Severn House and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Flash Point. This is my honest opinion of the book.
Dr. Jenna Ramey, forensic psychiatrist for the FBI, is brought in on an unusual case comprised of a set of brutal murders at a bank. Nervous about her 3 year old daughter's first day at school, Jenna swallows down her misgivings and throws herself into the case. Jenna has her own set of abilities that are valuable at crime scenes, namely synesthesia. As the colors swirl around her, will Jenna be able to help the rest of the team solve the case? Will an unwanted and dangerous person from her past compromise someone Jenna loves?
When I chose this book, I was unaware of its status as part of a series. Although the author does bring in some background information that I can surmise is from previous books, I had trouble piecing together Jenna's past. It was distracting to the central story, the murder case that Jenna was called in to help solve. I almost wish that the author had not tried so hard to tie in the past. The information about the case itself dragged, as pages and pages were spent on the details gleaned from reviewing the videotapes from the bank. I was never able to grasp a connection with the characters or the feeling of urgency to solve the crime. This was clearly not the book for me, but readers who have read the previous books might like Flash Point.
Dr. Jenna Ramey, forensic psychiatrist for the FBI, is brought in on an unusual case comprised of a set of brutal murders at a bank. Nervous about her 3 year old daughter's first day at school, Jenna swallows down her misgivings and throws herself into the case. Jenna has her own set of abilities that are valuable at crime scenes, namely synesthesia. As the colors swirl around her, will Jenna be able to help the rest of the team solve the case? Will an unwanted and dangerous person from her past compromise someone Jenna loves?
When I chose this book, I was unaware of its status as part of a series. Although the author does bring in some background information that I can surmise is from previous books, I had trouble piecing together Jenna's past. It was distracting to the central story, the murder case that Jenna was called in to help solve. I almost wish that the author had not tried so hard to tie in the past. The information about the case itself dragged, as pages and pages were spent on the details gleaned from reviewing the videotapes from the bank. I was never able to grasp a connection with the characters or the feeling of urgency to solve the crime. This was clearly not the book for me, but readers who have read the previous books might like Flash Point.
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