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Kaely Quinn Profiler #1
Mind Games
Kaely Quinn's talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she's demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely's, the reporter's ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem's predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis. Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else--including Kaely herself--is killed.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2018
1211 people are currently reading
5784 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Mehl
61 books1,442 followersNancy Mehl is the bestselling author of over 50 books. She’s won the Daphne Du Maurier Award, as well as an ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award and a Carol award. She was also a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. Her short story, Chasing Shadows, was in the USA Today bestselling Summer of Suspense anthology. Learn more about her at www.nancymehl.com and on her blog, the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 852 reviews
September 29, 2019
3 Stars
Excellent narration
This was a good murder mystery profiler story better than most with a creative back story. I had planned on continuing the series till the last 1/4. All the characters seems to fit well in their rolls and I was not sure who did it till near the end. What threw this down was the "I'm a Christian" "I trust God" "I made an educated choice and believed in God"... There was so much of this all the sudden. Okay I was good with her being a Christian, a few sentences would have been fine. But I felt it turned into an evangelistic read at the end. There was a speech on her why's and how it was truth. The MC had several characters questioning their beliefs. Why ? This didn't fit in with the story, this wasn't a Christian book and it was directed out from the character. I'm not a Christian, but I do read Christian writings and have enjoyed them. I do not like feeling like I was sneak attacked by a hidden Christian read that wasn't marked as one.
Excellent narration
This was a good murder mystery profiler story better than most with a creative back story. I had planned on continuing the series till the last 1/4. All the characters seems to fit well in their rolls and I was not sure who did it till near the end. What threw this down was the "I'm a Christian" "I trust God" "I made an educated choice and believed in God"... There was so much of this all the sudden. Okay I was good with her being a Christian, a few sentences would have been fine. But I felt it turned into an evangelistic read at the end. There was a speech on her why's and how it was truth. The MC had several characters questioning their beliefs. Why ? This didn't fit in with the story, this wasn't a Christian book and it was directed out from the character. I'm not a Christian, but I do read Christian writings and have enjoyed them. I do not like feeling like I was sneak attacked by a hidden Christian read that wasn't marked as one.
June 9, 2021
Nearly finished, but gave up.
Read this if you're a Christian wanting a pep talk of how much God loves you, or if you're looking to convert to Christianity. Otherwise, you'll spend your time rolling your eyes.
I usually tolerate or even enjoy religious characters in books. As long as the portrayal is realistic and respectful, those strong beliefs can make the character feel like somebody I'd encounter in the real world. Howwwwwever, when there are pages dedicated to how great God is and why she believes in him- literally pages - it's too much for me.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the dialogue either, and the characters were even worse. Why is Kaely good at everything? To me, unrealistically perfect characters are awful to read about and impossible to empathize with.
Read this if you're a Christian wanting a pep talk of how much God loves you, or if you're looking to convert to Christianity. Otherwise, you'll spend your time rolling your eyes.
I usually tolerate or even enjoy religious characters in books. As long as the portrayal is realistic and respectful, those strong beliefs can make the character feel like somebody I'd encounter in the real world. Howwwwwever, when there are pages dedicated to how great God is and why she believes in him- literally pages - it's too much for me.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the dialogue either, and the characters were even worse. Why is Kaely good at everything? To me, unrealistically perfect characters are awful to read about and impossible to empathize with.
December 16, 2018
Wow. Wow. WOW.
Buckle up for this one, y’all! I’m not even sure how to review it because I don’t want to give away any spoilers and all I really want to keep saying is ‘Wow’. lol.
That ending.
Wow.
Ok. I’ll try to pull myself together here and give you helpful information. (But seriously, y’all, wow.)
Kaely Quinn is one of the most complex characters I’ve met in a long time – perhaps the most complex heroine I’ve ever encountered in fiction. Her backstory alone has multiple emotional layers that are continuing to be revealed as the story – and the series – progresses. The more we learn about Kaely, the more fascinating her character becomes. Her partners Alex and Noah – one former, one current – are great counterpoints to her character, especially as they respond to & respect her unique process as they work to solve the case.
The poem sent to Kaely – which foreshadows the events of this riveting thriller – is chilling, precipitating a race against time to stop the murders before they happen … if they can figure out who is the next target. So much great psychological profiling as Kaely and Noah try to stay a step ahead, and if you’re a fan of “Criminal Minds” on TV you’re going to love this too.
I read A LOT of books, and it’s not often that I am surprised by one so thoroughly. That alone earns it all 5 stars as far as I’m concerned. Once you reach a certain point in this book, forget putting it down to sleep – you’ll be absolutely glued to the page. And if you’re like me, once you reach the end, you may just say “wow” a few hundred times before actual vocabulary is restored to you.
Bottom Line: Mind Games is Mehl’s best book yet! You may want to read this with all the lights on – and don’t plan on putting it down until you’ve reached the very last word. There is some romantic potential here in future books, hints in this one, but it definitely doesn’t overpower the storyline. Layered, complex, and compelling – the plot and the heroine – this is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and FBI procedurals alike. Wow.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Buckle up for this one, y’all! I’m not even sure how to review it because I don’t want to give away any spoilers and all I really want to keep saying is ‘Wow’. lol.
That ending.
Wow.
Ok. I’ll try to pull myself together here and give you helpful information. (But seriously, y’all, wow.)
Kaely Quinn is one of the most complex characters I’ve met in a long time – perhaps the most complex heroine I’ve ever encountered in fiction. Her backstory alone has multiple emotional layers that are continuing to be revealed as the story – and the series – progresses. The more we learn about Kaely, the more fascinating her character becomes. Her partners Alex and Noah – one former, one current – are great counterpoints to her character, especially as they respond to & respect her unique process as they work to solve the case.
The poem sent to Kaely – which foreshadows the events of this riveting thriller – is chilling, precipitating a race against time to stop the murders before they happen … if they can figure out who is the next target. So much great psychological profiling as Kaely and Noah try to stay a step ahead, and if you’re a fan of “Criminal Minds” on TV you’re going to love this too.
I read A LOT of books, and it’s not often that I am surprised by one so thoroughly. That alone earns it all 5 stars as far as I’m concerned. Once you reach a certain point in this book, forget putting it down to sleep – you’ll be absolutely glued to the page. And if you’re like me, once you reach the end, you may just say “wow” a few hundred times before actual vocabulary is restored to you.
Bottom Line: Mind Games is Mehl’s best book yet! You may want to read this with all the lights on – and don’t plan on putting it down until you’ve reached the very last word. There is some romantic potential here in future books, hints in this one, but it definitely doesn’t overpower the storyline. Layered, complex, and compelling – the plot and the heroine – this is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and FBI procedurals alike. Wow.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
May 23, 2024
Mind Games by Nancy Mehl - 5 Stars (Book 1 in the Kaely Quinn Profiler Series)
What a great start to the Kaely Quinn series! I have loved each Nancy Mehl book I've read so I am so excited to start this series by her! Kaely is unlike any heroine I have seen in her books so far. She is quirky and unique! Several have said this reminds them of criminal minds with faith content, I have never watched that show but wanted to mention for others who love shows like that.
All the characters were interesting to me and so many suspects - I did not figure this out so I was super shocked at the ending too! My favorite part about Nancy's stories are always the faith elements she weaves in with the suspense and this one did an excellent job of doing that!
In this story, we follow Kaely Quinn, who is an extremely talented FBI behavior analyst. A reporter outs her as the daughter of a serial killer so she is demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis. The same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely's.........the story continues from here as it appears the poem was not fake and Kaely's life, along with many others, is in danger. Special Agent Noah Hunter works with her to figure this out before it's too late.
My mind continues to be blown away with Nancy's books. Continuing to make my way through these amazing stories! Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good Christian suspense!
What a great start to the Kaely Quinn series! I have loved each Nancy Mehl book I've read so I am so excited to start this series by her! Kaely is unlike any heroine I have seen in her books so far. She is quirky and unique! Several have said this reminds them of criminal minds with faith content, I have never watched that show but wanted to mention for others who love shows like that.
All the characters were interesting to me and so many suspects - I did not figure this out so I was super shocked at the ending too! My favorite part about Nancy's stories are always the faith elements she weaves in with the suspense and this one did an excellent job of doing that!
In this story, we follow Kaely Quinn, who is an extremely talented FBI behavior analyst. A reporter outs her as the daughter of a serial killer so she is demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis. The same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely's.........the story continues from here as it appears the poem was not fake and Kaely's life, along with many others, is in danger. Special Agent Noah Hunter works with her to figure this out before it's too late.
My mind continues to be blown away with Nancy's books. Continuing to make my way through these amazing stories! Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good Christian suspense!
December 27, 2024
4.5⭐️ "He (the Lord) is teaching me what a Father should be. It may take some time, but I'm convinced He'll never give up on me. "
Wowzer!! I am all in for Nancy Mehl! I recently have scaled back reading secular thrillers and this has all the elements I enjoy in a thriller. Grim dark, adult themes (loss, poverty, mental health) unexpected twists and red herrings. The faith elements within this book are so poignant and authentic to the real everyday walk with Christ. Nancy does not shy away from these aspects but provides encouraging biblically founded insights. The main character Kaely Quinn is strong, committed and a bit mentally unstable. But she loves Jesus and is doing her best to follow his way. I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read more!
TW/CW: death, serial killer, emotional trauma, parental neglect, violence
Wowzer!! I am all in for Nancy Mehl! I recently have scaled back reading secular thrillers and this has all the elements I enjoy in a thriller. Grim dark, adult themes (loss, poverty, mental health) unexpected twists and red herrings. The faith elements within this book are so poignant and authentic to the real everyday walk with Christ. Nancy does not shy away from these aspects but provides encouraging biblically founded insights. The main character Kaely Quinn is strong, committed and a bit mentally unstable. But she loves Jesus and is doing her best to follow his way. I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read more!
TW/CW: death, serial killer, emotional trauma, parental neglect, violence
September 11, 2021
YES this was excellent! Super engaging the whole time and plenty of suspects to pay attention to. The faith was excellent too! Can’t wait to read more!!
April 19, 2019
I did not know this was a christian book when I picked it up and while the story is good I don't think I'll go on reading this series if it keeps it's few pages of in your face bullying tirade (which makes the MC sounds more than a tad off her rocker BTW) and bashing of other religions as horrible, fake and not worth consideration since to the main character and author christianity is the ONLY religion worth being followed.
Edit upon finishing.
I will not be reading any more books by this author. While the mystery was interesting it was over the top and predictable as to who the killer was. The reasons for said murders were stupid. Lots of victim blaming going on by narcissistic characters. The MC is certifiably crazy (she talks to imaginary friends and has an imaginary pet also she has interviews with imaginary suspects out loud in public places and answers her own questions) and yet she is so brilliant she works for the F.B.I. who has no qualms about this craziness since she is just so brilliant....no, just no. (Also she is so brilliant she falls off the scale into stupid, she knows things one else does/can figure out something no one else can and then she does something monumentally stupid about it you shake you head in wonder that this woman has ended up in a loony bin or dead. That's how smart she is to ignore common sense and instinct and rules/laws). Our male MC fell in love with the female MC pretty much upon meeting her (yet this doesn't get resolved, probably saving for a future book) even though he is in anguish after losing his beloved wife and that was why he was picked to work with female MC, because he wouldn't love her...rolls eyes. Also she works very hard to convert him when he doesn't really want to be and she keeps shoving her religion down his throat.
Last I dislike being constantly preached at and attempting to convert people to your chosen religion, bashing on others because to the author they have less merit or don't matter or are wrong. Pedal your bigotry elsewhere.
Edit upon finishing.
I will not be reading any more books by this author. While the mystery was interesting it was over the top and predictable as to who the killer was. The reasons for said murders were stupid. Lots of victim blaming going on by narcissistic characters. The MC is certifiably crazy (she talks to imaginary friends and has an imaginary pet also she has interviews with imaginary suspects out loud in public places and answers her own questions) and yet she is so brilliant she works for the F.B.I. who has no qualms about this craziness since she is just so brilliant....no, just no. (Also she is so brilliant she falls off the scale into stupid, she knows things one else does/can figure out something no one else can and then she does something monumentally stupid about it you shake you head in wonder that this woman has ended up in a loony bin or dead. That's how smart she is to ignore common sense and instinct and rules/laws). Our male MC fell in love with the female MC pretty much upon meeting her (yet this doesn't get resolved, probably saving for a future book) even though he is in anguish after losing his beloved wife and that was why he was picked to work with female MC, because he wouldn't love her...rolls eyes. Also she works very hard to convert him when he doesn't really want to be and she keeps shoving her religion down his throat.
Last I dislike being constantly preached at and attempting to convert people to your chosen religion, bashing on others because to the author they have less merit or don't matter or are wrong. Pedal your bigotry elsewhere.
September 2, 2019
A crackling thriller with plenty of twists and turns! Be prepared to stay on the edge of your seat!
October 13, 2021
2.5 Stars for Mind Games (audiobook) by Nancy Mehl read by Traci Odom.
I think the premise is interesting but the characters don’t seem believable. Some of the dialogue was annoying for me. I think the narration was good though.
I think the premise is interesting but the characters don’t seem believable. Some of the dialogue was annoying for me. I think the narration was good though.
January 4, 2019
I see that there are a lot of very positive reviews on here - did we read the same book? I did not like this book and I would not recommend it for the following reasons:
1. Blatant plagarism of Agatha Christie's book "And Then There Were None" with the poem about the 7 little elephants. Absolute stealing of this. If you haven't read Agatha Christie you would not know this.
2. Kaely Quinn is written about as if she is the most amazing person ever and everyone bows down to her and loves her or falls in love with her. What? I think the author was going for Sherlock-like but Sherlock had flaws that made him human, Kaely has people in the Bureau that are not on her side because they think she is weird - but everyone that interacts with her treats her like she is AMAZING - her boss, her old coworker, her new coworker. This makes her unrelatable and unlikable. I felt like the author saw a few episodes of Criminal Minds and then decided she could write a BAU character. It's so far fetched and off base. Everyone acts like they have to take care of Kaely/Jessica - (pick ONE name because the two is just plain annoying) but this is a grown woman with supposedly good FBI skills. Obnoxious. The author obviously was obsessed with her character and expected everyone else to be as well.
3. The author spends the middle of book trying to convert you to Christianity. I'm fine with the main character being a Christian. Talking about it. Having it as part of her life. But with the way the author has question/ask style embedded in the book and this becomes part of the three no holds barred questions Noah is allowed to ask her (talk about someone who loves themselves too much that she 'allows' her partner to ask her three questions about anything- yuck) - there are PAGES dedicated to why Kaely believes in God, how she believes etc. I found this to be too much and it made me stop reading. Again - I am not slamming her being a Christian - I found it distasteful that the author was not hiding their agenda of trying to show why you should be as well.
I literally just went on the author's page and she tells us this herself: "All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.” So - make sure you are ok with this if you read this book. If I had seen that these were faith based books with this being so prominent I would have been prepared.
4. The dialog writing is TERRIBLE! So stilted and jarring. Really really poor.
Overall I won't be reading this author again.
1. Blatant plagarism of Agatha Christie's book "And Then There Were None" with the poem about the 7 little elephants. Absolute stealing of this. If you haven't read Agatha Christie you would not know this.
2. Kaely Quinn is written about as if she is the most amazing person ever and everyone bows down to her and loves her or falls in love with her. What? I think the author was going for Sherlock-like but Sherlock had flaws that made him human, Kaely has people in the Bureau that are not on her side because they think she is weird - but everyone that interacts with her treats her like she is AMAZING - her boss, her old coworker, her new coworker. This makes her unrelatable and unlikable. I felt like the author saw a few episodes of Criminal Minds and then decided she could write a BAU character. It's so far fetched and off base. Everyone acts like they have to take care of Kaely/Jessica - (pick ONE name because the two is just plain annoying) but this is a grown woman with supposedly good FBI skills. Obnoxious. The author obviously was obsessed with her character and expected everyone else to be as well.
3. The author spends the middle of book trying to convert you to Christianity. I'm fine with the main character being a Christian. Talking about it. Having it as part of her life. But with the way the author has question/ask style embedded in the book and this becomes part of the three no holds barred questions Noah is allowed to ask her (talk about someone who loves themselves too much that she 'allows' her partner to ask her three questions about anything- yuck) - there are PAGES dedicated to why Kaely believes in God, how she believes etc. I found this to be too much and it made me stop reading. Again - I am not slamming her being a Christian - I found it distasteful that the author was not hiding their agenda of trying to show why you should be as well.
I literally just went on the author's page and she tells us this herself: "All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.” So - make sure you are ok with this if you read this book. If I had seen that these were faith based books with this being so prominent I would have been prepared.
4. The dialog writing is TERRIBLE! So stilted and jarring. Really really poor.
Overall I won't be reading this author again.
May 26, 2020
2.5 stars
I’d heard a lot of good things about this series and how mind-blowing it was, so I ended up requesting the whole series on NetGalley before I got around to actually reading any of them. I was able to get the audiobooks through my library and began listening in order to catch up on old review books.
Well, honestly, what draws me to FBI and procedural novels is the solving the crimes. I got some fun in this respect, but the author takes a shortcut to the solution by have Kaely have the ability to “summon” the culprits to a supper discussion and interview them to learn more about this. This was honestly creepy and gross and I can’t agree with Kaely that it is ever proper for a Christian to consort with evil in a fashion like that. Spiritual warfare is driving it away, not calling it closer.
I felt annoyed by a grown woman in a serious book talking to an imaginary friend; it was more the sort of thing you’d expect in a light comedy tv show.
In the end, Kaely thinks she’s equal to everything and gets herself in the power of the serial killer of the day and is heavily drugged by the guy. I really disliked some of the things that went on while she was under the influence.
If these objections hadn’t been present, I would have enjoyed the book vastly more, so even though the prose is well written I can’t be any more generous than a “good minus” rating.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
I’d heard a lot of good things about this series and how mind-blowing it was, so I ended up requesting the whole series on NetGalley before I got around to actually reading any of them. I was able to get the audiobooks through my library and began listening in order to catch up on old review books.
Well, honestly, what draws me to FBI and procedural novels is the solving the crimes. I got some fun in this respect, but the author takes a shortcut to the solution by have Kaely have the ability to “summon” the culprits to a supper discussion and interview them to learn more about this. This was honestly creepy and gross and I can’t agree with Kaely that it is ever proper for a Christian to consort with evil in a fashion like that. Spiritual warfare is driving it away, not calling it closer.
I felt annoyed by a grown woman in a serious book talking to an imaginary friend; it was more the sort of thing you’d expect in a light comedy tv show.
In the end, Kaely thinks she’s equal to everything and gets herself in the power of the serial killer of the day and is heavily drugged by the guy. I really disliked some of the things that went on while she was under the influence.
If these objections hadn’t been present, I would have enjoyed the book vastly more, so even though the prose is well written I can’t be any more generous than a “good minus” rating.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
August 27, 2019
"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster."
"Those who know God should be the ones to confront darkness, to chase evil. We have the weapons."
This was definitely a "couldn't put it down" suspense novel. Kaely Quinn was a fascinating profiler. I loved her determination and fortitude. Her past still haunted her and often was the reason for her motives and choices; but at that same time, her faith grounded her and was helping her move on with her life. I didn't know much about the role that a profiler for the FBI played, but found it very interesting. Mehl's portrayal and explanations (obviously well researched) made it very informative. The twists and turns had my mind playing games as I kept trying to figure out who the serial killer was. I actually changed my mind 3 times and only pegged it just a few pages before it was revealed. Great suspense and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
"Those who know God should be the ones to confront darkness, to chase evil. We have the weapons."
This was definitely a "couldn't put it down" suspense novel. Kaely Quinn was a fascinating profiler. I loved her determination and fortitude. Her past still haunted her and often was the reason for her motives and choices; but at that same time, her faith grounded her and was helping her move on with her life. I didn't know much about the role that a profiler for the FBI played, but found it very interesting. Mehl's portrayal and explanations (obviously well researched) made it very informative. The twists and turns had my mind playing games as I kept trying to figure out who the serial killer was. I actually changed my mind 3 times and only pegged it just a few pages before it was revealed. Great suspense and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
August 24, 2019
I love it when an author surprises me with characters I don't expect. Kaely Quinn was that surprise. She's exceptional at profiling and has a unique way of doing it. Loved it. Plus, she has a deep relationship with the Lord about whom she has no qualms sharing when asked. So likeable!
I also love when an author includes a variety of possibilities for who the bad guy might be, and in the end throws you for a loop. So good!
Two co-workers look to be romantic interests, but, once again, the author surprised me. I really liked both of them, but had deep suspicions about one. Good stuff.
Good book.
I also love when an author includes a variety of possibilities for who the bad guy might be, and in the end throws you for a loop. So good!
Two co-workers look to be romantic interests, but, once again, the author surprised me. I really liked both of them, but had deep suspicions about one. Good stuff.
Good book.
October 26, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I was gripped from the very beginning and it kept me guessing the whole time!
There were a few things I didn't like (the poem seemed to be a bit of a copycat of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, some things didn't seem accurate/realistic, and some of the faith parts seemed too forced into the story to me) but my goodness I really enjoyed everything else!
Content: Mehl does include some POVs of the killer which didn't bother me but perhaps would some, serial killer related topics, mental health
Faith: 1/3
I was gripped from the very beginning and it kept me guessing the whole time!
There were a few things I didn't like (the poem seemed to be a bit of a copycat of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, some things didn't seem accurate/realistic, and some of the faith parts seemed too forced into the story to me) but my goodness I really enjoyed everything else!
Content: Mehl does include some POVs of the killer which didn't bother me but perhaps would some, serial killer related topics, mental health
Faith: 1/3
Read
September 3, 20224.5
Wow! Nancy Mehl’s Mind Games is a wild ride from start to finish. With artful suspense, surprises, and detail, the mystery unfolds on the pages and kept me guessing until Mehl reveals the killer in the end. It’s an unputdownable page-turner, for sure.
At the center of all the action is Kaely Quinn, an FBI behavioral analyst who is also the daughter of a serial killer. Her methods are unusual, but she knows how to do her job well, motivated by her haunting family history. So, when a chilling poem arrives promising a string of deaths leading to Kaely’s, there is little question who should take on the investigation.
To catch this new serial killer, Kaely begins working with Special Agent Noah Hunter. The partnership highlights the complexities of Kaely’s character and faith and prompts a bit of fun banter—and a hint of potential romance, too—all while closing in on the culprit. Kaely and Noah challenge and balance each other well, and I look forward to seeing how they progress together in Book Two.
A thriller reminiscent of Criminal Minds, Mind Games is twisted and entertaining and does not disappoint. I highly recommend it.
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
Thanks to Celebrate Lit, I received a complimentary copy of Mind Games and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Wow! Nancy Mehl’s Mind Games is a wild ride from start to finish. With artful suspense, surprises, and detail, the mystery unfolds on the pages and kept me guessing until Mehl reveals the killer in the end. It’s an unputdownable page-turner, for sure.
At the center of all the action is Kaely Quinn, an FBI behavioral analyst who is also the daughter of a serial killer. Her methods are unusual, but she knows how to do her job well, motivated by her haunting family history. So, when a chilling poem arrives promising a string of deaths leading to Kaely’s, there is little question who should take on the investigation.
To catch this new serial killer, Kaely begins working with Special Agent Noah Hunter. The partnership highlights the complexities of Kaely’s character and faith and prompts a bit of fun banter—and a hint of potential romance, too—all while closing in on the culprit. Kaely and Noah challenge and balance each other well, and I look forward to seeing how they progress together in Book Two.
A thriller reminiscent of Criminal Minds, Mind Games is twisted and entertaining and does not disappoint. I highly recommend it.
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
Thanks to Celebrate Lit, I received a complimentary copy of Mind Games and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
December 12, 2018
Oh my goodness! This was such a good read. I loved how the author made the book fairly long without seeming draggy AT ALL (I mean, I read it in one day. ONE DAY.). It was definitely very well paced. I really enjoyed the murder mystery. I have a tendency to dislike murder-related / creepier stories because they CREEP THE CREEPS OUT OF ME, but I think this one was done well. There was one creepy part, but it was very... lightly creepy.
The story itself is very original- I've never read a book with a character like Kaely -I really enjoyed her way of solving crimes. Everything is solved by pure facts / intuition, instead of luck. There were a couple of times where a character's POV suddenly switched to another character's POV without any notice (without any dividers, italicization, etc.), and I found that really confusing. I'm sure it's just a little issue in formatting that the ARC copies have though?
Overall, I really liked Mind Games! I'd certainly recommend it to anyone who's interested in FBI / solving crimes. 4 stars.
*FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.*
The story itself is very original- I've never read a book with a character like Kaely -I really enjoyed her way of solving crimes. Everything is solved by pure facts / intuition, instead of luck. There were a couple of times where a character's POV suddenly switched to another character's POV without any notice (without any dividers, italicization, etc.), and I found that really confusing. I'm sure it's just a little issue in formatting that the ARC copies have though?
Overall, I really liked Mind Games! I'd certainly recommend it to anyone who's interested in FBI / solving crimes. 4 stars.
*FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.*
December 21, 2023
I have to say the books was a 3 star for me but the ending brought it up to a 4 star and now I want to continue the series. The story of Kaely. Her father was caught as a serial killer when Kaely was a child and now she works as an FBI analyst. Her methods of catching killers is unorthodox, by talking to them in her mind to discover their crime. When a note is discovered predicting a series of killing she is paired up with Special Agent Noah to help solve the murders. Now I thought the middle of this book dragged on. I found myself disinterested in most of it but I have to tell you the ending was great. It shocked me who was responsible for these murders. So worth the reading the book for the ending. I also liked how Christ in brought into this story. Kaely relies on Him to help her discovers murders and for her strength. So as soon as I finished this one I went on to book 2. Thank God I have a lot of time on my hand at present so I can read this series fast so I know what will happen next.
December 25, 2018
I am so impressed with this book! I thought that the premise for Mind Games sounded interesting, however they way the author crafted the storyline of this novel made it far exceed my expectations. It is really unlike any other book I have read.
I liked the main characters, Kaely and Noah, and found that they worked well together. I was also intrigued by various side characters in the story.
I absolutely loved the way that Kaely’s mind worked. It was impressive to see how her train of thought progressed through the various options to come to the correct conclusion.
The suspense and tension of trying to figure out who the mastermind was behind the killings really propelled the story and lead to a superb ending that has me anxiously awaiting book two in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I liked the main characters, Kaely and Noah, and found that they worked well together. I was also intrigued by various side characters in the story.
I absolutely loved the way that Kaely’s mind worked. It was impressive to see how her train of thought progressed through the various options to come to the correct conclusion.
The suspense and tension of trying to figure out who the mastermind was behind the killings really propelled the story and lead to a superb ending that has me anxiously awaiting book two in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
September 22, 2019
Nancy Mehl is a new to me author. The main character Kaely Quinn had a serial killer for a father and a successful career as a profiler with the FBI. There were several possible villains and when the villain was revealed, it seemed plausible. Kaely has some unresolved issues which isn't surprising.
December 8, 2018
First off, I must confess that I have a few other books by Nancy Mehl sitting on my shelf unread. It's not due to lack of interest, but a case of way too many books and way too little reading time! I've often fantasized I could clone myself just to get more reading in! That being said, I wished I wouldn't have waited this long to discover her writing because this book was beyond my expectations! I've read a LOT of suspense in a LOT of various topics & subjects written in this genre, however, the combination of thriller/psychological angle added an extra layer that had me hooked from the start. It's just like the title conveys, a definite mind game for both the reader and Kaely Quinn. Step into her world and it's as if you've stepped into a whole other dimension where the game of cat and mouse has dangerous & fatal consequences!
Kaely's character was excellently portrayed; she's smart as a whip, excels in her job as an FBI behavioral analyst, and has a natural knack for reading people. She's what I would call a slayer of human monsters; those who kill without remorse or thought for life. The killer who has a personal vendetta against her wants to trip her up, make her doubt her abilities and mete out revenge for some unknown crime committed against him. She's desperately racing against time to save not only herself but those who are victims in a sick & twisted poem the killer writes just for her. With the help of special agent Noah Hunter as lead, can they stop this reign of terror and bring the psycho to justice before its too late?
Like I said, this exceeded my expectations! I had an inkling of who might be behind it all about halfway through, but not until the very end did I find out if I was correct or not. Mehl throws in a lot of twists and turns to throw off the reader. The only thing I was a little disappointed in, there wasn't a lot of romance in the story. It was hinted at, and subtly under the surface, but it never fully developed. I love romantic suspense and watching the hero and heroine falling in love in the midst of danger. In spite of this, it didn't deter my enjoyment of the story. And I get to look forward to the second book where we revisit both Kaely and Noah, so there's hope for romance yet! A definite page turner and a thrilling mind game all through the pages, I honestly couldn't put this down. She hooked me from the start and never let up on the tension throughout. I really love an author who can stump you and keep you guessing until the very end.
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own. *
Kaely's character was excellently portrayed; she's smart as a whip, excels in her job as an FBI behavioral analyst, and has a natural knack for reading people. She's what I would call a slayer of human monsters; those who kill without remorse or thought for life. The killer who has a personal vendetta against her wants to trip her up, make her doubt her abilities and mete out revenge for some unknown crime committed against him. She's desperately racing against time to save not only herself but those who are victims in a sick & twisted poem the killer writes just for her. With the help of special agent Noah Hunter as lead, can they stop this reign of terror and bring the psycho to justice before its too late?
Like I said, this exceeded my expectations! I had an inkling of who might be behind it all about halfway through, but not until the very end did I find out if I was correct or not. Mehl throws in a lot of twists and turns to throw off the reader. The only thing I was a little disappointed in, there wasn't a lot of romance in the story. It was hinted at, and subtly under the surface, but it never fully developed. I love romantic suspense and watching the hero and heroine falling in love in the midst of danger. In spite of this, it didn't deter my enjoyment of the story. And I get to look forward to the second book where we revisit both Kaely and Noah, so there's hope for romance yet! A definite page turner and a thrilling mind game all through the pages, I honestly couldn't put this down. She hooked me from the start and never let up on the tension throughout. I really love an author who can stump you and keep you guessing until the very end.
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own. *
January 30, 2024
This book was so amazing! Loved it so much!
August 28, 2024
Don't know if I enjoyed this as much as the other romantic suspense I've been reading, but it was still pretty good. Kaely's process was ... interesting, and I did suspect the bad guy. And what was that ending?
October 11, 2024
4.5 stars! I wasn't a fan of the motive and a few other minor things so I can't call it a full on five star but I really enjoyed this one! Hoping to write a full review in the coming days.
April 17, 2022
Mind Games is so different from what I usually read, it’s a crime thriller with a little bit of psychological thriller all mixed together with zero romance. Can you believe that I read a book with no romance in it?! Though to be fair I didn’t know that before reading it lol. Mind Games hooked me right from the prologue, it just grabbed my attention with both hands and there was no way I was not finishing this book! It was like reading an episode of Criminal Minds, so fascinating to watch all the different people analyzing all the info to try figure out who the killer was. And I didn’t figure it out until the characters did which just showed how well written the mystery was! Kaely was amazing yet super quirky and I love Noah already. I can’t wait to read more of them in the next book. The investigation had such a thrilling conclusion! Mind Games was fascinating and thrilling read! But it ended with too many unanswered questions because it’s a three part series. MUST. READ. NEXT. BOOK!!!
January 11, 2019
Mind Games is the latest from Nancy Mehl, and it is an intense read. Kaely Quinn is a profiler with the FBI, but finds herself in intense danger when a reporter releases the information that she is the daughter of a serial killer. Someone is convinced she knew about her father's crimes and did nothing about it...and to that person, it's time she pays for the sins of her father. Noah is the reluctant agent assigned to be her partner and protector. As someone starts recreating deaths of killers whose cases she consulted on, Kaely knows she is running out of time. Will they stop the killer before he stops her? You'll have to read Mind Games to find out. I found this book to be a compelling read and I can't wait for the next one in this series. It's truly Nancy's best book to date.
March 15, 2019
While reading this murder/mystery, there was content that kept popping up that was totally unexpected and did not fit the "murder/mystery" content that I am accustomed to. It was something that I rather not have included in my reading of this genre. However, the mystery itself, along with the characters, were interesting and I continued with the book. After completing the book, I went to Amazon Unlimited (where I got the book) and saw that I totally missed the category it was listed under. Frankly, I did not even know such a category existed and will be watching to avoid it in the future as it is not my particular cup of tea. "Christian Mystery and Suspense Romance" is the category. Having stated that and putting that aside, the mystery itself was good. If this is a category that you would find of interest, I would recommend the book because the main character, Kaely Quinn, is fascinating on many levels and many of those levels have only been touched upon in this initial book. This just isn't my thing.
3.5
3.5
November 13, 2018
4.5 stars
First off . . . that cover! It's so gorgeous and fits the books so perfectly! I will definitely be buying a hard copy, it's so gorgeous. ;)
This book was very . . . 'mindblowing' is the word that comes to mind. So many twists and turns! I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Kaely Quinn is a very complex and interesting character. Her quirks and her job make her so unique. I'm not sure I've read a book with a character that was even similar to Kaely. Noah Hunter was also interesting, but I feel like Mehl only scratched the surface of his character in this book, and I hope she'll delve deeper in the upcoming books.
The story and plot were also very unique and grabbed my interest from the beginning. The premise of Kaely's job and her methods were fascinating as well. While a little light on action (until the end, that is.) there was definitely loads of suspense, and, as I mentioned, a ton of completely unexpected twists and turns! I thought I had the villain pegged, but was completely shocked when his identity was revealed. The faith elements were woven in very effectively and weren't too backseat or too in-your-face. While overall the story was wrapped up by the end of the book and left you feeling satisfied, there are still a lot of threads to be continued in later books.
My one issue is with a few medical inaccuracies - such as a guy with a minor gunshot wound to the chest and a couple of broken ribs maneuvering himself around in a wheelchair . . . Um. Broken ribs alone are incredibly painful, and using your upper-body strength to push yourself in a wheelchair would be far more painful and taxing than just walking.
Overall, this is a masterfully-written novel of suspense, and I am greatly looking forward to reading more in the series! Highly recommended!
FTC disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
First off . . . that cover! It's so gorgeous and fits the books so perfectly! I will definitely be buying a hard copy, it's so gorgeous. ;)
This book was very . . . 'mindblowing' is the word that comes to mind. So many twists and turns! I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Kaely Quinn is a very complex and interesting character. Her quirks and her job make her so unique. I'm not sure I've read a book with a character that was even similar to Kaely. Noah Hunter was also interesting, but I feel like Mehl only scratched the surface of his character in this book, and I hope she'll delve deeper in the upcoming books.
The story and plot were also very unique and grabbed my interest from the beginning. The premise of Kaely's job and her methods were fascinating as well. While a little light on action (until the end, that is.) there was definitely loads of suspense, and, as I mentioned, a ton of completely unexpected twists and turns! I thought I had the villain pegged, but was completely shocked when his identity was revealed. The faith elements were woven in very effectively and weren't too backseat or too in-your-face. While overall the story was wrapped up by the end of the book and left you feeling satisfied, there are still a lot of threads to be continued in later books.
My one issue is with a few medical inaccuracies - such as a guy with a minor gunshot wound to the chest and a couple of broken ribs maneuvering himself around in a wheelchair . . . Um. Broken ribs alone are incredibly painful, and using your upper-body strength to push yourself in a wheelchair would be far more painful and taxing than just walking.
Overall, this is a masterfully-written novel of suspense, and I am greatly looking forward to reading more in the series! Highly recommended!
FTC disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
December 22, 2018
Mind Games by Nancy Mehl is one of the best suspense novels I have read this year.
This is such an interesting premise: A profiler who is the target of a serial killer. It will definitely keep you on your toes. Nancy Mehl is truly playing “Mind Games” with the reader. It made me sit back and say “WOW”!
I wanted to read this book about Kaely Quinn because it takes place in St. Louis, where I lived for twenty years. This is familiar territory for me but the story is completely unique! The twists and turns of the case make it a real page turner. Excellent research makes this novel feel very authentic. And the writing style is so effortless, it puts you right there with Kaely every step of the way.
The faith thread is the “bones” of the story because Kaely truly relies on God through all the difficulties. Yet Ms. Mehl portrays her as a flawed person who is functioning well at her job as an FBI profiler.
The supporting characters were very well-drawn and pique my interest into what is in store for the next book. Without being a cliff-hanger, you know there is much more in store for Kaely Quinn.
If suspense is your go-to genre you won’t want to miss this intriguing book by Nancy Mehl.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
This is such an interesting premise: A profiler who is the target of a serial killer. It will definitely keep you on your toes. Nancy Mehl is truly playing “Mind Games” with the reader. It made me sit back and say “WOW”!
I wanted to read this book about Kaely Quinn because it takes place in St. Louis, where I lived for twenty years. This is familiar territory for me but the story is completely unique! The twists and turns of the case make it a real page turner. Excellent research makes this novel feel very authentic. And the writing style is so effortless, it puts you right there with Kaely every step of the way.
The faith thread is the “bones” of the story because Kaely truly relies on God through all the difficulties. Yet Ms. Mehl portrays her as a flawed person who is functioning well at her job as an FBI profiler.
The supporting characters were very well-drawn and pique my interest into what is in store for the next book. Without being a cliff-hanger, you know there is much more in store for Kaely Quinn.
If suspense is your go-to genre you won’t want to miss this intriguing book by Nancy Mehl.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
September 24, 2019
The premise is fairly solid--the daughter of a convicted serial killer is now an FBI profiler who is being played with by a serial killer who is out to get her in the end. This, in a nutshell, is what the book is about. The characters are in between solidly outlined and cookie-cutter ones, but I am just so sick and doggone tired of love triangles, and while there isn't quite one, there is a quasi one, and, to be frank, it wasn't quite believable.
What I did like was the idea that her mental health isn't where it needs to be yet, but to say more is a spoiler. While I am a Christian, I had a difficult time buying how the characters became Christians--again, a bit too cookie-cutter, but I disagree with the atheist reviewer who thought it was dissing all other forms of faith--those weren't even mentioned, but by and large if you read Christian fiction you can rest assured it is written for a Christian audience and they are rarely deep or philosophical which is why I read so few of them.
So, I'm hovering somewhere around 2.5 stars, and thought it might be a 3, but that wouldn't be honest. If I hadn't been reading this for a discussion, I'd have discarded it, and while the suspense did build, it wasn't enough to compensate for the writing which was solid but nothing special.
What I did like was the idea that her mental health isn't where it needs to be yet, but to say more is a spoiler. While I am a Christian, I had a difficult time buying how the characters became Christians--again, a bit too cookie-cutter, but I disagree with the atheist reviewer who thought it was dissing all other forms of faith--those weren't even mentioned, but by and large if you read Christian fiction you can rest assured it is written for a Christian audience and they are rarely deep or philosophical which is why I read so few of them.
So, I'm hovering somewhere around 2.5 stars, and thought it might be a 3, but that wouldn't be honest. If I hadn't been reading this for a discussion, I'd have discarded it, and while the suspense did build, it wasn't enough to compensate for the writing which was solid but nothing special.
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