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Jeopardy Surface
JEOPARDY SURFACE marks the debut of a compelling new crime series featuring a one-of-kind protagonist and cutting-edge investigative techniques that will have you turning pages late into the night.
It's the witching hour and Special Agent Regan Ross is having a WTF kind of night. Morning? How the hell did she get from her bed to her front yard? And why is she holding a loaded firearm? Sleepwalking doesn't bode well for the rising star in the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, but whatever is causing her recent weight loss and bizarre nocturnal activities will have to wait. The phone is ringing. It's probably her sister Erin, the surgeon who knows best, demanding to know her plans for the holidays. Why would this year be any different? They'll spend the somber anniversary and Christmas like always--drinking too much, watching Turner Classic Movies, and not talking about their dead parents. Caller ID provides yet another surprise.
Hearing Special Agent Robert Haskins' voice for the first time in six months has Regan reeling. The mention of Maryland's Eastern Shore conjures images of Jennifer Abbott, the student-athlete whose disappearance from a small campus is national news. There are complications. For starters, her areas of expertise--geographic profiling and predictive analysis--require a lot of information from a series of crimes. Single murders typically aren't her purview and involving herself in an investigation to which she has not been officially assigned will send the BAU chief's blood pressure through the roof. She should say no, but she won't. There's too much residual guilt where Rob Haskins is concerned.
Regan Ross knows bad, and this one is BAD. The killer has left the mutilated body and a cache of troubling clues at a remote farm and posted the coordinates of the cache on a popular geocaching website. Is he taunting investigators? Expediting the discovery of his work? Both? The calculated modus operandi and uniquely sadistic signatures are not the work of a novice, and Regan is sure of one he will kill again.
When visiting forensic psychologist Dr. Sheridan Rourke presents a lecture at Quantico featuring closed cases from Northern Ireland, Regan makes a shocking connection between an older series of murders and the Maryland case. Despite the Police Service of Northern Ireland's insistence to the contrary, Regan and Rourke are convinced the killer of five women in Belfast two years ago is hunting women on the Chesapeake Bay. As the two become unlikely partners, Regan learns the psychologist's past may be as haunted as her own.
It's the witching hour and Special Agent Regan Ross is having a WTF kind of night. Morning? How the hell did she get from her bed to her front yard? And why is she holding a loaded firearm? Sleepwalking doesn't bode well for the rising star in the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, but whatever is causing her recent weight loss and bizarre nocturnal activities will have to wait. The phone is ringing. It's probably her sister Erin, the surgeon who knows best, demanding to know her plans for the holidays. Why would this year be any different? They'll spend the somber anniversary and Christmas like always--drinking too much, watching Turner Classic Movies, and not talking about their dead parents. Caller ID provides yet another surprise.
Hearing Special Agent Robert Haskins' voice for the first time in six months has Regan reeling. The mention of Maryland's Eastern Shore conjures images of Jennifer Abbott, the student-athlete whose disappearance from a small campus is national news. There are complications. For starters, her areas of expertise--geographic profiling and predictive analysis--require a lot of information from a series of crimes. Single murders typically aren't her purview and involving herself in an investigation to which she has not been officially assigned will send the BAU chief's blood pressure through the roof. She should say no, but she won't. There's too much residual guilt where Rob Haskins is concerned.
Regan Ross knows bad, and this one is BAD. The killer has left the mutilated body and a cache of troubling clues at a remote farm and posted the coordinates of the cache on a popular geocaching website. Is he taunting investigators? Expediting the discovery of his work? Both? The calculated modus operandi and uniquely sadistic signatures are not the work of a novice, and Regan is sure of one he will kill again.
When visiting forensic psychologist Dr. Sheridan Rourke presents a lecture at Quantico featuring closed cases from Northern Ireland, Regan makes a shocking connection between an older series of murders and the Maryland case. Despite the Police Service of Northern Ireland's insistence to the contrary, Regan and Rourke are convinced the killer of five women in Belfast two years ago is hunting women on the Chesapeake Bay. As the two become unlikely partners, Regan learns the psychologist's past may be as haunted as her own.
- GenresMystery Thriller
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2017
4 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Sheri Leigh Horn
2 books8 followersSheri, a native of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, spent two decades in the military/defense, private investigation, and instructional systems design fields before deciding to pursue her true passion: cultivating stories.
Sheri lives in Northern Virginia with her two sons, three Australian Cattle Dogs, and Truman Capote the cat, dreaming of a quiet lakeside writing life.
Sheri is also a co-founder and publisher at Perpetuity Publishing.
Sheri lives in Northern Virginia with her two sons, three Australian Cattle Dogs, and Truman Capote the cat, dreaming of a quiet lakeside writing life.
Sheri is also a co-founder and publisher at Perpetuity Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 2, 2021
Geographic Profiling is an investigative support technique that analyzes locations connected to a series of violent crimes to determine the most probable area of the offenders base of operations (home and or staging area). The most probable area suggested by this algorithm is known as the Jeopardy Surface.
The back story.
Former United States Army Captain Regan Ross once worked counter-terrorism using geographic profiling to track down road side bombers in Iraq and she was very good at what she did. Then the day comes while on a mission the helicopter she is riding in is shot down ... a firefight ensues. She is badly burned from the crash, shot in the firefight ... and the soul American survivor of this mission. After rehab she remains scared inside and out. Highly decorated by the Army she still opts out of her military career.
The Army never does give the press a full account of what happened that day and once Regan is a civilian the press hound this decorated female wounded war hero to tell her story. She hears from many journalist, reporters from Fox News, producers from CNN and even Oprah's reps want to talk to her. But Regan talks to no one about what she went through, She shows no one her scars.
This book picks up six years later as Special Agent Regan Ross is the FBI's top geographic profiler. She works the big cases. The cases in our news headlines. And the media wants her story now, more than ever. This story begins with a phone call requesting Regan's presence on the FBI's latest nightmare. Athletic female college students are going missing along the east cost of the United States. The missing students are news worthy enough but now the first body has been found. The victim has been tortured, the athletic body mutilated. Regan finds evidence that the victim put up an incredible fight which seems to be exactly what the killer wants. She also ties this case modus operandi in with a recent series of murders in Northern Ireland ... Copycat? ... or has the Belfast Strangler found their way to North America? Either way, If this perp wants a fight ... Regan Ross will bring it.
The back story.
Former United States Army Captain Regan Ross once worked counter-terrorism using geographic profiling to track down road side bombers in Iraq and she was very good at what she did. Then the day comes while on a mission the helicopter she is riding in is shot down ... a firefight ensues. She is badly burned from the crash, shot in the firefight ... and the soul American survivor of this mission. After rehab she remains scared inside and out. Highly decorated by the Army she still opts out of her military career.
The Army never does give the press a full account of what happened that day and once Regan is a civilian the press hound this decorated female wounded war hero to tell her story. She hears from many journalist, reporters from Fox News, producers from CNN and even Oprah's reps want to talk to her. But Regan talks to no one about what she went through, She shows no one her scars.
This book picks up six years later as Special Agent Regan Ross is the FBI's top geographic profiler. She works the big cases. The cases in our news headlines. And the media wants her story now, more than ever. This story begins with a phone call requesting Regan's presence on the FBI's latest nightmare. Athletic female college students are going missing along the east cost of the United States. The missing students are news worthy enough but now the first body has been found. The victim has been tortured, the athletic body mutilated. Regan finds evidence that the victim put up an incredible fight which seems to be exactly what the killer wants. She also ties this case modus operandi in with a recent series of murders in Northern Ireland ... Copycat? ... or has the Belfast Strangler found their way to North America? Either way, If this perp wants a fight ... Regan Ross will bring it.
July 8, 2019
Jeopardy Surface is one of those books that I instantly like. Right from the start did I feel that Special Agent Regan Ross is just the kind of characters I love to read about. A tough woman, with scars (both physical and psychical), a tragic background and a very interesting job. This is the first time I ever heard of geographic profiling and predictive analysis (jeopardy surface), which is used to find patterns in crime scenes and by doing so can one locate the most probable location for where the killer is. As a big fan of books with profilers is it perhaps not surprising that the geographic profiling method would be a hit for me.
I found the storyline intriguing, Special Agent Regan Ross is called in to investigate a case. A dead woman has been found and even though she usually doesn't work one single murder cases is this one bad and the evidence left on the site hints that the killer is taunting the police and his doesn't feel like it's his first time, and worse of all, he will probably do it again, and again until he is stopped. But, Regan Ross also has to deal with family trouble, an obnoxious journalist, her "relationship" with Special Agent Robert Haskins and her own health problems. Personally, I just loved everything, and I especially love the fact that this is the first book in a series.
Jeopardy Surface is a compelling thriller, with a fascinating case and complexed characters. I especially liked reading about Regan's past and her sisters and niece. Reagan is such an interesting character, strong and solid and I felt that I really liked her and that made this book so much more interesting. The case in itself is interesting, and I loved the end twist. But, I think the strength of the book lies in that Sheri Leigh Horn has created so many fascinating characters. I was pulled into their lives and it was with a bit of sadness that I read the last page and had to say goodbye to them for now!
I found the storyline intriguing, Special Agent Regan Ross is called in to investigate a case. A dead woman has been found and even though she usually doesn't work one single murder cases is this one bad and the evidence left on the site hints that the killer is taunting the police and his doesn't feel like it's his first time, and worse of all, he will probably do it again, and again until he is stopped. But, Regan Ross also has to deal with family trouble, an obnoxious journalist, her "relationship" with Special Agent Robert Haskins and her own health problems. Personally, I just loved everything, and I especially love the fact that this is the first book in a series.
Jeopardy Surface is a compelling thriller, with a fascinating case and complexed characters. I especially liked reading about Regan's past and her sisters and niece. Reagan is such an interesting character, strong and solid and I felt that I really liked her and that made this book so much more interesting. The case in itself is interesting, and I loved the end twist. But, I think the strength of the book lies in that Sheri Leigh Horn has created so many fascinating characters. I was pulled into their lives and it was with a bit of sadness that I read the last page and had to say goodbye to them for now!
June 30, 2017
Jeopardy Surface tells the story of Regan Ross, an FBI agent who is no stranger to trauma in her life, starting at a young age when she witnessed both her parents die. However, her mind is a blank about the event and she does not remember the details surrounding their deaths. Following her parents deaths, Regan and her older sister Erin, went to live with their Aunt Tabitha.
As she grew older, Regan joined the military, and then later the FBI, becoming a Special Agent. In both jobs she again suffered traumatic experiences, and again she didn’t remember the details about what happened, it was like time was missing from her mind.
Regan’s sister Erin is a doctor, and her daughter Lanie is considering dropping out of medical school to follow her Aunt Regan’s career path. Her mother is not particularly jumping for joy over this prospect. But then something traumatic happens that changes everything.
This book gripped me from the very beginning. I particularly liked how the main characters traumatic experiences were used, so that the author did not have to explain every detail, and if the reader desired, they could fill in the blanks in Regan’s memory.
The plot is filled with a lot of traumatic experiences, but it is written so skillfully that there is no need for the gritty details. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Once I started reading I could not put it down. For that reason I award it four stars.
Reviewed by Marcia on www.whisperingstories.com
As she grew older, Regan joined the military, and then later the FBI, becoming a Special Agent. In both jobs she again suffered traumatic experiences, and again she didn’t remember the details about what happened, it was like time was missing from her mind.
Regan’s sister Erin is a doctor, and her daughter Lanie is considering dropping out of medical school to follow her Aunt Regan’s career path. Her mother is not particularly jumping for joy over this prospect. But then something traumatic happens that changes everything.
This book gripped me from the very beginning. I particularly liked how the main characters traumatic experiences were used, so that the author did not have to explain every detail, and if the reader desired, they could fill in the blanks in Regan’s memory.
The plot is filled with a lot of traumatic experiences, but it is written so skillfully that there is no need for the gritty details. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Once I started reading I could not put it down. For that reason I award it four stars.
Reviewed by Marcia on www.whisperingstories.com
March 23, 2017
By definition, jeopardy surface is geographic profiling. Geographic profiling is an investigative support technique for serial violent crime investigations. The process analyzes locations connected to a series of crimes to determine the most probable area in which the offender lives.
Sheri Leigh Horn’s book follows Reagan Ross, a geographic profiler who is called out to a body discovered in Maryland. By examining statistical locational data along with a geocache found with the body, theoretically it’s a way to narrow down the field in which the suspect operates.
Jeopardy Surface surprised me. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked it up, but once I got into the story I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great, human, flawed, honest. The plot was immersive and the murders graphic and gruesome. My kinda read for certain.
Reagan Ross is an interesting character. Sister to Erin, aunt to Lanie, we know she’s had a tough start in life. Emotionally closed off, and very focused on her job, Ross is quite a deep character. I loved her job, the whole idea of geographical profiling and its radical methods of gathering data is a highly unusual and excellent addition to the crime fiction field. It’s not something I’ve ever seen in books, but it definitely got my attention.
The pace of Jeopardy Surface is excellent. Once I was hooked I couldn’t stop turning the pages. There was so much more going on than the murders and it was gripping. I genuinely can’t wait to read more from Sheri Leigh Horn!
Highly recommended!
Sheri Leigh Horn’s book follows Reagan Ross, a geographic profiler who is called out to a body discovered in Maryland. By examining statistical locational data along with a geocache found with the body, theoretically it’s a way to narrow down the field in which the suspect operates.
Jeopardy Surface surprised me. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked it up, but once I got into the story I couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great, human, flawed, honest. The plot was immersive and the murders graphic and gruesome. My kinda read for certain.
Reagan Ross is an interesting character. Sister to Erin, aunt to Lanie, we know she’s had a tough start in life. Emotionally closed off, and very focused on her job, Ross is quite a deep character. I loved her job, the whole idea of geographical profiling and its radical methods of gathering data is a highly unusual and excellent addition to the crime fiction field. It’s not something I’ve ever seen in books, but it definitely got my attention.
The pace of Jeopardy Surface is excellent. Once I was hooked I couldn’t stop turning the pages. There was so much more going on than the murders and it was gripping. I genuinely can’t wait to read more from Sheri Leigh Horn!
Highly recommended!
February 3, 2017
A fast paced, cutting edge crime thriller! It has been quite a while since a book sucked me in so quickly. I almost read the entire thing in one sitting (curse you, adult responsibilities!) and am already dying for a sequel. And a movie. Or a TV show. The geocaching and geographic profiling aspect felt like a refreshing upgrade from typical crime thrillers. Jeopardy Surface was thoroughly researched and well written. I am excited to see what lays in store for Special Agent Ross!
February 5, 2017
Jeopardy Surface is the first book in a new series featuring agent Regan Ross who is part of the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit. Her area of expertise geographic profiling and predictive analysis is very helpful in pinpointing similar areas in a string of crimes which was very interesting to learn about.
As the book begins, Regan is asked to consult on the body of a missing coed. The body had been mutilated and left in a remote area. As Regan and Rob Haskins (the lead investigator and a former boyfriend of Regan's) a similar crime is committed. It appears to be a serial killer but they were unable to find any similar crimes until Regan goes to an FBI conference and meets Rourke, an investigator from N Ireland who is lecturing on five similar murders in her country. Will Regan and Rourke be able to catch the killer before he continues his killing spree?
Regan is a very well crafted lead character. She has a lot of flaws and leads a solitary life -- her parents are dead and she only has a sister and a niece and the aunt who raised them. She is ex-military and was injured both physically and mentally. It was very interesting to see her learn to trust other people and to start to heal.
This was an excellent mystery and kept me turning pages to see who the murderer was. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
As the book begins, Regan is asked to consult on the body of a missing coed. The body had been mutilated and left in a remote area. As Regan and Rob Haskins (the lead investigator and a former boyfriend of Regan's) a similar crime is committed. It appears to be a serial killer but they were unable to find any similar crimes until Regan goes to an FBI conference and meets Rourke, an investigator from N Ireland who is lecturing on five similar murders in her country. Will Regan and Rourke be able to catch the killer before he continues his killing spree?
Regan is a very well crafted lead character. She has a lot of flaws and leads a solitary life -- her parents are dead and she only has a sister and a niece and the aunt who raised them. She is ex-military and was injured both physically and mentally. It was very interesting to see her learn to trust other people and to start to heal.
This was an excellent mystery and kept me turning pages to see who the murderer was. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
February 5, 2017
Review Coming Soon!
March 16, 2017
You know when you lose track of time and end up drinking cold tea that you are reading a good book and boy does Jeopardy Surface fit that bill. With a story that encompasses the Lockerbie disaster of 1988, the troubles in Northern Ireland and a seemingly unrelated serial killer on the east coast of America, I was a willing captive from the very first page and had no intention of escape until the final page had been turned.
Regan Ross is a tough cookie. She survived the Lockerbie disaster and tours in Iraq but when it comes to her family she will fight to the death. Regan specialises in geographic profiling, looking at locations of crimes and pinpointing red, amber and green areas of interest in what is known as a jeopardy surface. When she is drawn into profiling a serial killer, I thought I knew where the story was going but I an happy to report that I was completely wrong. Jeopardy Surface is anything but predictable so buckle up and prepare for the ride of your life.
I loved Regan's love for her family and her tough exterior. She has an older sister Erin and niece Lanie and she really would walk over hot coals for them. Regan even wants to protect Erin from knowing the horrors she suffered in Iraq but her family love her as much as she loves them and can help her get through it, if she will only let them.
Suffering night terrors, Regan takes extreme measures to stop her wandering during the night and it is in this state that we are introduced to her, waking in her front garden at the height of the witching hour. Regan is a heroine so incredibly flawed that we can't help but warm to her immediately. Coupled with an amazing sense of humour, I didn't know whether I wanted to meet her or be her. When Regan is drawn into investigating a serial killer, she is introduced to Dr Sheridan Rourke who encountered a similar case in Northern Ireland, only that killer was identified and put behind bars, or was he? Could the Northern Ireland police have got it wrong? Dr Rourke certainly thinks so and this time it's personal.
Sheri Leigh Horn has written an AMAZING book, one that draws you in from the first page and, much like the wires wrapped round the victims' necks, refuses to let go. Seriously, is this a debut? It's full of action, adventure, intrigue and a humour as dry as the cookies that Regan tries to eat. Jeopardy Surface is a stunning, action-packed debut that I will be recommending over and over again - I just hope that Sheri Leigh Horn writes in the same fast pace as her book as I can't wait to read more about Regan Ross.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Regan Ross is a tough cookie. She survived the Lockerbie disaster and tours in Iraq but when it comes to her family she will fight to the death. Regan specialises in geographic profiling, looking at locations of crimes and pinpointing red, amber and green areas of interest in what is known as a jeopardy surface. When she is drawn into profiling a serial killer, I thought I knew where the story was going but I an happy to report that I was completely wrong. Jeopardy Surface is anything but predictable so buckle up and prepare for the ride of your life.
I loved Regan's love for her family and her tough exterior. She has an older sister Erin and niece Lanie and she really would walk over hot coals for them. Regan even wants to protect Erin from knowing the horrors she suffered in Iraq but her family love her as much as she loves them and can help her get through it, if she will only let them.
Suffering night terrors, Regan takes extreme measures to stop her wandering during the night and it is in this state that we are introduced to her, waking in her front garden at the height of the witching hour. Regan is a heroine so incredibly flawed that we can't help but warm to her immediately. Coupled with an amazing sense of humour, I didn't know whether I wanted to meet her or be her. When Regan is drawn into investigating a serial killer, she is introduced to Dr Sheridan Rourke who encountered a similar case in Northern Ireland, only that killer was identified and put behind bars, or was he? Could the Northern Ireland police have got it wrong? Dr Rourke certainly thinks so and this time it's personal.
Sheri Leigh Horn has written an AMAZING book, one that draws you in from the first page and, much like the wires wrapped round the victims' necks, refuses to let go. Seriously, is this a debut? It's full of action, adventure, intrigue and a humour as dry as the cookies that Regan tries to eat. Jeopardy Surface is a stunning, action-packed debut that I will be recommending over and over again - I just hope that Sheri Leigh Horn writes in the same fast pace as her book as I can't wait to read more about Regan Ross.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
February 25, 2017
Regan Ross, can we go out for beers? She's a survivor. She's tough. She loves her family. I want to be her friend. I loved every page of this book. At no point did it veer off path into irrelevant boredom. Fast paced. An easy read that didn't leave me feeling as if I was wasting my time with frivolity. My only complaint is that the second book isn't already ready for me to pick up and start on.
March 12, 2017
I consider myself a slow reader so the fact that I read this novel in four days (three of the days I was working and taking care of my son) tells you how much I loved it. It was a masterfully written terrifying page turner. I felt a similar horror and desperation to see what happens next as I did when reading Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy. This is Sheri Leigh Horn's debut novel? I cannot wait to read anything and everything else she writes.
March 17, 2017
It was great to get an insight into the main character right from the first chapter. I loved getting to know Regan and her character was developed brilliantly. She is strong, determined and overall a truly likeable character. Although I have to say all of the characters had interesting personalities that made the story even more engaging. It was also lovely getting to know Regan's family and I actually enjoyed their story as much as the investigation into the murders.
The story gets going pretty quick too with Regan being assigned to the case straight away. I really enjoyed the geographic profiling aspect to the story it was interesting to see how Regan went about her work. Everything was perfectly detailed with a great storyline that held my interest throughout.
Jeopardy Surface is the type of book where you become immersed in both the story and characters lives. The story moves at a quick pace and strikes a pretty good balance of showing the characters lives and showing the reader the terrible crimes committed. There are details given regarding the murders but it isn't overly gory or gratuitous. I couldn't wait to find out how everything would end, the question is will Regan and her colleagues catch the killer?
This is such a great start to what looks to be an impressive new series and it will be a pleasure to read the next book.
An interesting & engaging story along with a brilliant character makes Jeopardy Surface a thrilling read!
Thank you to Sheri Leigh Horn for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The story gets going pretty quick too with Regan being assigned to the case straight away. I really enjoyed the geographic profiling aspect to the story it was interesting to see how Regan went about her work. Everything was perfectly detailed with a great storyline that held my interest throughout.
Jeopardy Surface is the type of book where you become immersed in both the story and characters lives. The story moves at a quick pace and strikes a pretty good balance of showing the characters lives and showing the reader the terrible crimes committed. There are details given regarding the murders but it isn't overly gory or gratuitous. I couldn't wait to find out how everything would end, the question is will Regan and her colleagues catch the killer?
This is such a great start to what looks to be an impressive new series and it will be a pleasure to read the next book.
An interesting & engaging story along with a brilliant character makes Jeopardy Surface a thrilling read!
Thank you to Sheri Leigh Horn for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
June 17, 2023
Gripping, riveting, suspenseful!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews