Mind of a Killer

Scarlett Bell #1

by Dan Padavona

Dare to enter a killer’s mind.

A teenage girl is brutally murdered in an idyllic lake community. In over his head, the local sheriff calls upon the Behavior Analysis Unit’s best profiler, Scarlett Bell, to find the murderer.

Is a serial killer stalking Coral Lake?

Now Scarlett faces a killer unlike any she’s encountered. Bloodthirsty. Cunning. Insane.

Another girl goes missing, and the special agent must stop the killer before time runs out. But the killer is a ghost, a phantom hiding in plain sight, and Scarlett must untangle a confusing web of evidence if she hopes to track him down.

If she fails, the girl dies. The body count will grow.

Scarlett should beware. The killer is coming for her now.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Adult, Suspense, Thriller

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2018

About the author

Author of the Wolf Lake and Darkwater Cove series.

Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.

I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.

My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.

More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.

Reviews

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast and interesting crime mystery that had my attention glued to the final page.

Dan Pandova is a wonderful writer and it was fun to read a crime story instead of his horror stories for a change of pace. This was the first in his series of FBI agent Scarlett Bell and I am looking forward to reading more in this series!

I recommend this novella to anyone who loves a good FBI crime thriller, and I have hiven a rating if 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Armand Rosamilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fast-paced thriller from an author that keeps surprising me. I am a big fan of his horror stories, but he really pulls off a different genre. I can't wait to jump into the rest of this series now!

[J. Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, but great read!

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind of a Killer is the first of a series of novellas featuring two BAU agents seeking to apprehend a killer. I really enjoyed this first novella. The characters are believable and people I can root for. The pace was fast moving and I finished this in a couple sittings. Overall I enjoyed this story. I would love to see more character development of the main characters. Also because the story is short I was left wishing things were developed more but I am hopeful that future tales will flesh out the characters. The action definitely picked up at the end and made this a fun story. I did enjoy this and I recommend it.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purchased a multi book set cheap on Kindle, and I was expecting short length novels but was not expecting a 90 page serial killer story. For what it was it was OK, the murder was reasonably unique and whilst it was obviously brutal in nature the author doesn't rely simply on shock and gore to entertain his readers. The principle character of the series Scarlett Bell was introduced well enough given the small word count and as a reader I warmed to her a little. Owing to the length of the story there was a little in the way of tension or red herrings and the resolution of the case came all of sudden and easy to the FBI team involved. Will give the other books in the multi-buy ago and see if the series develops

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dare to enter a killer’s mind.
A teenage girl is brutally murdered in an idyllic lake community. In over his head, the local sheriff calls upon the Behavior Analysis Unit’s best profiler, Scarlett Bell, to find the murderer.
Is a serial killer stalking Coral Lake?
Now Scarlett faces a killer unlike any she’s encountered. Bloodthirsty. Cunning. Insane.
Another girl goes missing, and the special agent must stop the killer before time runs out. But the killer is a ghost, a phantom hiding in plain sight, and Scarlett must untangle a confusing web of evidence if she hopes to track him down.
If she fails, the girl dies. The body count will grow.
Scarlett should beware. The killer is coming for her now.

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have really enjoyed reading the scarlett bell series! they’re very short, easy reads. i like how the stories feel complete and leave me satisfied even though they’re all like 150 pages or less. it feels very unique to learn about the main characters, scarlett and gardy, over the course of the entire series. it’s interesting because they are developed well enough in the first book to b satisfying, but we learn so much more as the series progresses. the book/series layout reminds me of my favorite shows like bones, csi, and criminal minds. i’m excited to continue reading this series and dan padavona’s entire backlist!

[Dawn Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of the Scarlett Bell Series, in my opinion this was just to introduce to the characters. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading Blood Storm the next book. There were a few similarities to Dead End Girl by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain. There is suspense, action and a psychological element. In my opinion I think it is worth giving the series a chance. I read on Kindle Unlimited.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind of A Killer, the first in the Scarlett Bell series, is an incredible read. If you like thrillers, you will love this book. Follow BAU agents Bell and Gardy as they track down a vicious killer in the small town of Coral Lake. The novel is fast-paced and incredibly suspenseful. I could not put it down. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

[Robert Enzenauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by military friend-turned author Mike Slavin. MIND OF A KILLER is the first novella featuring two BU agents seeking to catch a serial killer. The book moves very fast, and the heroine Scarlett Bell the Behavior Analysis Unit’s best profiler is awesome. Two agents are in a race against time to catch the serial killer, stalking young women in the Coral Lake community. The killer murders brutally and evil incarnate. Lots of action.

[Annelies Kappe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few months back my eyes fell upon a book called : Mind of a Killer(Scarlett Bell#1) and I read the cover ... mmm not bad and I bought it, when I started reading it I was hooked , the reading is great so until last night I read all the books in the series , but I have a feeling that one day I will read them all over again

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic beginning to this series!

After reading a previous series by this author that included Agent Scarlett Bell, I couldn't wait to read this series, and it's certainly off to a fantastic start. A twisted and intriguing story that you definitely won't want to miss.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.

[Vivian Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good intro into how Agents Bell and Gardy handled themselves

In the first book in the series , Agents Bell and Garde are brought in to help track down a potential serial killer. A good read but surprisingly short. Ended to soon. None the less, still thoroughly enjoyed it, highly recommended.

[lisa miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlett Bell - Great read, fast-paced

I enjoyed the book. Looking forward to more Scarlett Bell adventures. Characters are well - developed. Looking forward to learning more about them.

[Pam Madson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I loved the characters too. They’re a good team. There was some good action right from the start but I was disappointed it was so short. I’m glad there’s more in this series.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind of a Killer

This was a very quick read with the killer being found quickly. I’m not sure my feelings on it yet. It was fast paced. I think I like the characters but it felt like I missed a first book. I’ll read the next book in the series.

[Bobbi Stoffers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling, fast paced story

I great read, things happen fast, and the pages are flipping like crazy. Well done. Let’s see what happens to Scarlett in the next book. An FBI agent gone bad.

[Janice Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting thriller

Throughly enjoyed this book. Perfect read for a cold, dreary afternoon. Great story line, excellent descriptions. Kept me reading longer than I intended. Anxious to start reading her next thriller.

[C Charlene Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I started this series. I really like Dan Paragons story, so much that I had to stop my Logan Wolf series and go back to the Scarlett Bell books. Can not wait till I can get back to Logan Wolf and Scarlett.

[Annmarie Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

Nothing super original here.
Characters are well written and believable.
Story is a little short but engaging.
I'm looking forward to see how he develops it over time.

[B.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good characters, gripping suspense. I just felt like it was over too soon. I guess I'm used to a good suspense being more drawn out.

[Black Butterfly · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS WAS A VERY SHORT READ; THE STORY LINE WAS OK BUT NOT THAT EXCITING. NOT A BAD READ IT JUST DIDN’T REALLY EXCITE ME. YAWN! ;<

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This is a good fast exciting serial killer story. So if you like the agents who catch them this pair of FBI special agents are excellent!
I recommend

[L Jerome Krovetz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair

Plot is so so. Characters are overly simple and poorly drawn. I do not think I will pick any more by this ,author.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short, is too short. It's two chapters of what looks like a promising series.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading this book. Fast paced.

[Karsyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rated up since I suppose I'll read more. This wasn't bad. Not much character or world building but the mystery was alright - kind of typical.

[thelma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never trust anyone

Outstanding job and page turner keeps you on the edge of the chair the character comes alive and you keep up with them

[Barbara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read

Short and to the point. No fancy twists and turns. The clues added up fast on this one. Hopefully this series will intensify in the following books.