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FBI Thriller #1-2
The Beginning: The Cove / The Maze
FBI Special Agent Dillon Savich teams up with new agent Lacey Sherlock in a case that brings back memories of the unsolved murder of Sherlock's sister seven years earlier, in The Maze, and the daughter of a murdered high-powered attorney seeks refuge in a quaint small town that is hiding dangerous secrets in The Cove, in a suspenseful anthology containing the first two novels in the FBI series. Original.
544 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 6, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
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June 20, 2012No no no! Don't make me read any more. I didn't actually finish reading this book but I need to share my horror. The writing is so terrible. It's like she is writing to morons who can't remember a character's name. I got to page 79 and probably heard the name "Thelma Nettro" 40 times. Really? People can't remember that Thelma is Thelma Nettro? And she does it with all the other characters too! Nobody can just go by a first name. Also, the characters explain their entire background to everyone who comes around. When was the last time you went to get an ice cream cone and the server told you her first and last name, her age, how long she had lived there, who she was married to, where the town's money came from, who painted the sign for the ice cream shop and how many hours per day she worked? Come on! This type of information is portrayed throughout the story by good writing, not vomited out in one paragraph. I want to kill the aunt character for calling her neice "baby" every other sentence. I want to ream out my brain. The introduction of sadistic sex ended it for me. No more Catherine Coulter.
December 18, 2009
This book combines the first two FBI Thriller books, The Cove and The Maze.
I didn't much care for The Cove. It was far too confusing. Within the first 5 pages there are dozens of characters, the main character being called two different names - which made no sense, and an endless string of confusing events. It wasn't until around page 200 that the book started explaining itself. I realize the author was probably trying to get you to feel some of the main character Sally/Susan's confusion, but it really didn't add to the story. Actually it took away from it. I wanted very much to like Sally/Susan and James, just couldn't.
The Maze was much better. By no means a great book but almost feels that way after reading the first book. The only thing odd about this book is that the world is literally against the main character Lacey. Nothing goes well for her and no one is nice to her, well except for Dillon. There are just too many "bad" characters.
I didn't much care for The Cove. It was far too confusing. Within the first 5 pages there are dozens of characters, the main character being called two different names - which made no sense, and an endless string of confusing events. It wasn't until around page 200 that the book started explaining itself. I realize the author was probably trying to get you to feel some of the main character Sally/Susan's confusion, but it really didn't add to the story. Actually it took away from it. I wanted very much to like Sally/Susan and James, just couldn't.
The Maze was much better. By no means a great book but almost feels that way after reading the first book. The only thing odd about this book is that the world is literally against the main character Lacey. Nothing goes well for her and no one is nice to her, well except for Dillon. There are just too many "bad" characters.
August 1, 2019
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Very definitely, Catherine Coulter has it all together. Got the first two books in her FBI Series and had Three weeks to finish and return. In less than a week, I’ll be returning them today. And that time period included author Sue Grafton’s S is for Silence. Catherine Coulter has definitely moved into the upper eshelons of my favorite authors. Needless to say, I want the next in the series and all of the ones to follow. My thanks to this author.
Very definitely, Catherine Coulter has it all together. Got the first two books in her FBI Series and had Three weeks to finish and return. In less than a week, I’ll be returning them today. And that time period included author Sue Grafton’s S is for Silence. Catherine Coulter has definitely moved into the upper eshelons of my favorite authors. Needless to say, I want the next in the series and all of the ones to follow. My thanks to this author.
December 18, 2017
Great beginning for a series.
Exciting, fun, suspenseful. Can not wait to get started on book number 3. I hope by battery does not die.
Exciting, fun, suspenseful. Can not wait to get started on book number 3. I hope by battery does not die.
March 7, 2022
I really enjoyed reading these two books. They were fast paced and interesting. Well thought out. I will be reading more from this author in this series.
April 2, 2021
I didn’t even finish the whole book. I read the first book within the book called “The Cove”. It was like a mix of a trashy romance novel and a sadistic FBI criminal plot. The FBI agent Quinlan was beyond inappropriate in his job. He was sent to surveil a young woman who was thought to be potentially mentally unwell (I will argue that even though she had been kept in the mental institution against her will while not having a diagnosed mental illness that she was mentally unwell. She had been gaslighted and drugged to the point where she had memory lapses, questioning herself and at least PTSD) and this FBI agent chose to become sexually involved with her which nobody in authority seemed to blink at. Also all the creepy old people in the town murdering people was a little far out. The one thing I didn’t see coming was the aunt being in cahoots with the evil “father”. I just put the book down. The sexual assault described was extremely triggering and the FBI profiler helping Sally get off because “she needed it” almost seemed predatory too. Overall just a bad book with poor character development and a lot of shock factor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2010
The beginning is really 2 books in one, the first two books of the FBI series. In the two books we meet two agent best friends and their wives (a political aide and another agent). I have to say, both of those women have very messed up families. Both stories were fast paced and kept me guessing the whole time. Real page turners. I just gulped down this large book! (good thing I had a long weekend to do it!). I also loved that in the second part, whenever they were stresseed, they'd say 'let's go work out' and they'd run off to the gym! That's why I go to the gym after work! These characters were people I totally identify with (they love food, music, friends and working out!) and would be friends with, and that made the mysteries even more interesting. I cant wait to read the rest of the series.
August 31, 2016
Two books in one. The Cove and The Maze, book 1 and book 2 in the FBI Thriller series. The Cove started off pretty good and caught my attention but then the heroine got TSTL and the story fell apart on me. It took on a rather juvenile tone. There were a few times I felt the characters didn't behave as I'd expect adults to behave. I didn't feel the plot held up either. The Maze started rough for me. I almost didn't finish it. Again the plot had some holes but it did get a little better and I was able to finish it. Again, too, I felt the characters behaved in a juvenile manner at times. I give it about 2 and a half stars.
August 27, 2014
Ather reading 3 of Catherine Coulter's FBI thrillers with Sherlock & Savich I decided to start from the beginning. This book is a combination of the 1st two FBI series books. The first "The Cove" introduced Agent Quinlan, who I didn't really know much about before. The second "The Maze" provided the basis for the team of Sherlock & Savich. Both took a chapter or two to get into but then moved along quick and with lots of twists & turns. I enjoyed both and look forward to continuing the series. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
September 9, 2020
I ploughed through both books this morning and I quickly became invested in the characters and their stories. Although the first book does not include Sherlock, it was still an interesting way to have Savich make an appearance so that by the time I got to The Maze I was comfortable with his quirks and could focus more on Lacey Sherlock. Both stories were fast paced enough that I didn’t want to put the books down, but not so much that you didn’t have time to comprehend what was happening and be able to anticipate the characters moves.
Will definitely be checking out more books from this series.
3.5 stars ⭐️
Will definitely be checking out more books from this series.
3.5 stars ⭐️
September 8, 2022
The Beginning (FBI Thriller ~1 and 2)
by Catherine Coulter
Book 1 The Cove
I have to say i really enjoyed this book - I had checked some of the reviews out before I read it and I have to admit I nearly didn't read it some of the comments where quite off putting, but I decided to give it a go and I have to admit making up my own mind is so much better.
The story was fast paced and and never boring.
A woman on the run from a sanatorium heads for The Cove where her aunt lives, she is hoping that she can hide out and stay with her aunt till she is safe.
What she walks into is small coastal town that looks perfect and feels strange - what she does not know is an FbI Agent has found her, but he is using a missing couple as cover to talk to everyone in the town.
very good
Second reading
I read this book again I really enjoyed it the first time and I have to say I have enjoyed it again.
Susan (Sally) Brainerd nee St John is on the run, she wants to leave to keep her mother safe, her father (Navel Commander Amory Davidson St John) is dead and the authorities think it is either Susan or Noelle ( Susan's mother). She is making for the Cove and her Aunt Ambel, Noelle's Sister.
Once in her Aunt's house Susan (Sally) or as her Aunt calls her (Baby).
The Cove is populated by older members of the public perched on a cliff with views of the sea. Visitors are drawn to the Cove by an ice cream parlour called the Worlds Greatest Ice Cream and only having 6 flavours for sale at any one time.
The next visitor to the Cove is James Railey Quinlan PI looking for Havre and Marge Jenson who have vanished after following the signs to the ice cream.
Sally is scared she is worried someone will be looking for her. Her first night she hears a woman scream but everyone even her Aunt tell her she is imagining what she hears, and her Aunt tells her she i stressed, week, and ill, what is happening. One night the phone rings and she starts screaming she hears her dead father's voice. James rush's in to rescue her.
James is staying at the B and B where Thelma Nettro and Martha are. Martha is a wonderful cook and feeds all the people who stay in the B and B, Thelma is old and keep writing in a diary.
Sally and James find a woman's body and also the local doctor is found a suicide.
Then Sally see's her father face looking in her bedroom widow - what is happening. James removes her from her Aunts house determined to keep her safe, but someone else has other ideas and she is kidnapped.
The building of the Characters and the description of the Cove is full with colour and you feel you know them and can see them. There is a feeling of something not quite nice underlying the Cove but as you are introduced to the characters you will feel that surely its not that one.
David Mountebank is a local Sheriff and he is called in to help with the womans body found in the bay
A clever story holds you to the end the real mad bit is constant use of Baby as a name for a full grown person but maybe it does fit in with psychology of the story.
Book 2 The Maze
The story of Savich and Sherlock they meet in Quantico as Sherlock finish's her training and Savich. who is playing the bad guy in her final test is so impressed he wants her for his team. That is when the problems arise as there is a member of Savich's team that has a obsessive passion for Savich an sees Sherlock as an interloper.
One of the reasons Sherlock wants to be in the FBI is she is looking for her sister;s killer.
Savich knows there is something is happening with Sherlock and not all good. he starts by getting her to the gym to build her up and strengthen her body. then the fun starts.
I have to say I have enjoyed both the books in this publication and am looking fwd. to reading the next book in the series.
A place that is not quite right, people who are not quite right and a face in a window that should not be there.
2nd reading
Scared nothing stopped evil, it was coming for her, She locked and bolted every door including her bedroom where she puts a chair under the handle for further security.
After a nightmare to frighten the life out of her she finally looks at herself and sees her fear and twitching eyes. She has to do something about getting her life back, or she won't have a life.
Lacey Sherlock (known as Sherlock - and yes she has heard all the jokes about her name) is in her last test towards being a qualified FBI agent.
Dillan Savich (known as Savich to his friends and colleagues) has decided to take part in the exercise. He runs the Criminal Apprehension Unit out of Washington.
Sherlock shocks all around as she arrests Savich He is the bank robber
Savich takes her into the unit - she has won his interest and he wants to know more feeling she will bring a lot to the unit. Things turn creepy when Sherlock is attacked in her house, almost killed in a drive by accident and drawn into a serial killers obsession.
Sherlocks family want her to come home to san Francisco her father Judge Sherlock - her mother who is having difficulty living in the hear and know, her brother in Law (ex) is totally obsessed with Sherlock and stalks her waiting outside her house demanding she goes home and goes back to playing the piano. ( she could have gone to Julliard)
He wants to kiss her but a woman he knows tells him she is expecting a baby - his baby.
Fear is following her - Savich sees what is going on but can not get through to the truth but he will keep trying.
Love the story
by Catherine Coulter
Book 1 The Cove
I have to say i really enjoyed this book - I had checked some of the reviews out before I read it and I have to admit I nearly didn't read it some of the comments where quite off putting, but I decided to give it a go and I have to admit making up my own mind is so much better.
The story was fast paced and and never boring.
A woman on the run from a sanatorium heads for The Cove where her aunt lives, she is hoping that she can hide out and stay with her aunt till she is safe.
What she walks into is small coastal town that looks perfect and feels strange - what she does not know is an FbI Agent has found her, but he is using a missing couple as cover to talk to everyone in the town.
very good
Second reading
I read this book again I really enjoyed it the first time and I have to say I have enjoyed it again.
Susan (Sally) Brainerd nee St John is on the run, she wants to leave to keep her mother safe, her father (Navel Commander Amory Davidson St John) is dead and the authorities think it is either Susan or Noelle ( Susan's mother). She is making for the Cove and her Aunt Ambel, Noelle's Sister.
Once in her Aunt's house Susan (Sally) or as her Aunt calls her (Baby).
The Cove is populated by older members of the public perched on a cliff with views of the sea. Visitors are drawn to the Cove by an ice cream parlour called the Worlds Greatest Ice Cream and only having 6 flavours for sale at any one time.
The next visitor to the Cove is James Railey Quinlan PI looking for Havre and Marge Jenson who have vanished after following the signs to the ice cream.
Sally is scared she is worried someone will be looking for her. Her first night she hears a woman scream but everyone even her Aunt tell her she is imagining what she hears, and her Aunt tells her she i stressed, week, and ill, what is happening. One night the phone rings and she starts screaming she hears her dead father's voice. James rush's in to rescue her.
James is staying at the B and B where Thelma Nettro and Martha are. Martha is a wonderful cook and feeds all the people who stay in the B and B, Thelma is old and keep writing in a diary.
Sally and James find a woman's body and also the local doctor is found a suicide.
Then Sally see's her father face looking in her bedroom widow - what is happening. James removes her from her Aunts house determined to keep her safe, but someone else has other ideas and she is kidnapped.
The building of the Characters and the description of the Cove is full with colour and you feel you know them and can see them. There is a feeling of something not quite nice underlying the Cove but as you are introduced to the characters you will feel that surely its not that one.
David Mountebank is a local Sheriff and he is called in to help with the womans body found in the bay
A clever story holds you to the end the real mad bit is constant use of Baby as a name for a full grown person but maybe it does fit in with psychology of the story.
Book 2 The Maze
The story of Savich and Sherlock they meet in Quantico as Sherlock finish's her training and Savich. who is playing the bad guy in her final test is so impressed he wants her for his team. That is when the problems arise as there is a member of Savich's team that has a obsessive passion for Savich an sees Sherlock as an interloper.
One of the reasons Sherlock wants to be in the FBI is she is looking for her sister;s killer.
Savich knows there is something is happening with Sherlock and not all good. he starts by getting her to the gym to build her up and strengthen her body. then the fun starts.
I have to say I have enjoyed both the books in this publication and am looking fwd. to reading the next book in the series.
A place that is not quite right, people who are not quite right and a face in a window that should not be there.
2nd reading
Scared nothing stopped evil, it was coming for her, She locked and bolted every door including her bedroom where she puts a chair under the handle for further security.
After a nightmare to frighten the life out of her she finally looks at herself and sees her fear and twitching eyes. She has to do something about getting her life back, or she won't have a life.
Lacey Sherlock (known as Sherlock - and yes she has heard all the jokes about her name) is in her last test towards being a qualified FBI agent.
Dillan Savich (known as Savich to his friends and colleagues) has decided to take part in the exercise. He runs the Criminal Apprehension Unit out of Washington.
Sherlock shocks all around as she arrests Savich He is the bank robber
Savich takes her into the unit - she has won his interest and he wants to know more feeling she will bring a lot to the unit. Things turn creepy when Sherlock is attacked in her house, almost killed in a drive by accident and drawn into a serial killers obsession.
Sherlocks family want her to come home to san Francisco her father Judge Sherlock - her mother who is having difficulty living in the hear and know, her brother in Law (ex) is totally obsessed with Sherlock and stalks her waiting outside her house demanding she goes home and goes back to playing the piano. ( she could have gone to Julliard)
He wants to kiss her but a woman he knows tells him she is expecting a baby - his baby.
Fear is following her - Savich sees what is going on but can not get through to the truth but he will keep trying.
Love the story
December 19, 2021
Two books in one. The Cove and The Maze. These are the beginning of the FBI thrillers with Dillon and Sherlock. The Cove is about a quaint town filled with only old people. Everything in the town is new. When people come to town to visit, they seem to disappear. The Maze is where Sherlock joins the FBI to find out who murdered her sister and six other women.
April 21, 2025
This book contained the first two books in the Savich/Sherlock series. I did not like the first book, "The Cove" because of the story, the writing, and the fact that Savich didn't play much of a role. But I really liked "The Maze"! It was almost like it was written by a completely different author. I enjoyed finding out about how Savich and Sherlock first met and worked on cases together.
August 26, 2017
Coulter did it again!
Although I have enjoyed reading other Savich & Sherlock novels, I was excited to read how they met & the beginng of their love story!
I also thoroughly enjoyed the first novel of his best friend & his love story! They both kept me up very late!!
Although I have enjoyed reading other Savich & Sherlock novels, I was excited to read how they met & the beginng of their love story!
I also thoroughly enjoyed the first novel of his best friend & his love story! They both kept me up very late!!
November 10, 2017
Culture's FBI
I read several books of this series many years ago. They're still fun! Lots of witty repartee, and the mysteries were twistier than I remembered. Definitely worth rereading.
I read several books of this series many years ago. They're still fun! Lots of witty repartee, and the mysteries were twistier than I remembered. Definitely worth rereading.
February 16, 2019
Finally!
I’ve always love Ms. Coulter’s books but I started in the middle of her FBI series, then finally decided I wanted to know how Savich and Sherlock become one of my favorite couples, and I’m glad I did! If you haven’t started at them beginning, then you’re missing out!
I’ve always love Ms. Coulter’s books but I started in the middle of her FBI series, then finally decided I wanted to know how Savich and Sherlock become one of my favorite couples, and I’m glad I did! If you haven’t started at them beginning, then you’re missing out!
October 17, 2019
Sherlock
What a great story, very exciting and mysterious and so well written. Did not have a clue how the last chapter was going to play out. Looking forward to the next book in this series
What a great story, very exciting and mysterious and so well written. Did not have a clue how the last chapter was going to play out. Looking forward to the next book in this series
June 12, 2020
I guess I don't like Catherine Coulter's writing style because I thought the book was boring, slow, and very unexciting. The characters were not likable in the least. I was hoping to find a good series to read but FBI Thriller Series will not be it.
February 23, 2021
I had read this series some years ago..
I read this series years ago, but remembered how good the stories are Bad guys, good looking men and beautiful women and such a good plot, you don't know what comes next. I will read on.
I read this series years ago, but remembered how good the stories are Bad guys, good looking men and beautiful women and such a good plot, you don't know what comes next. I will read on.
August 26, 2017
Excellent
This is a re-read and still fantastic. I'm thinking seriously about re-read ing the whole series. I highly recommend this series.
This is a re-read and still fantastic. I'm thinking seriously about re-read ing the whole series. I highly recommend this series.
September 4, 2017
Enjoyed this book immensley.
Great book. How do I know which is the next book? I Vegas already read some of C Catherine Coulter s book with Savich a nd Sherlock
Great book. How do I know which is the next book? I Vegas already read some of C Catherine Coulter s book with Savich a nd Sherlock
September 24, 2017
a very good book, a lot of excitement Do highly recommend
September 29, 2017
Two Great Books in One
Excellent, lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
Excellent, lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
January 1, 2018
I enjoy her books and the characters. Easy read.
February 25, 2018
Great read!
Two for one here ! Intermingling of such good characters was a nice treat. Great FBI action and read !
Two for one here ! Intermingling of such good characters was a nice treat. Great FBI action and read !
March 16, 2018
Good books
There were two books included in this book. I enjoyed each of them, but at times the writing was confusing to me.
There were two books included in this book. I enjoyed each of them, but at times the writing was confusing to me.
August 19, 2018
Great read. Have read many of her books but never the first in the series.
It was great to know how it all started.
It was great to know how it all started.
February 13, 2019
After reading many of the Dylan/ Sherlock FBI stories it was great to do the first one that set their relationship. An excellent read
March 14, 2020
The Beginning contains two thrillers The Cove and The Maze. I have finished reading The Cove and The Maze I read in May 2017.
August 18, 2020
I enjoyed book one of this FBI series. Will most likely continue on in the future. I did like A Brit in the FBI series more, though, and hope this series gets better like this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews