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Capital Intrigue #1
End Game
When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.
When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.
With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.
When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.
With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.
313 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
185 people are currently reading
2299 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Dylan
27 books523 followersRachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for almost two decades, including as a litigator at one of the nation's top law firms. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and three furkids—one loveable Labrador and two senior cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
January 23, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
A political intrigue that has FBI, NCIS, JAG, and the CIA all working together to solve the violent deaths of several Navy SEALS in the Washington area. At the beginning, it feels like the investigators have their suspect, but it soon becomes clear that not everything is as it seems. There is action, romance, and some wholesome moments as well.
I felt the story was good, but it never really won me completely and suffered from introducing way too many characters and trying to squeeze all of their perspectives into one book. Not just in working the case, but their personal lives as well. I have to also admit that I kept confusing the JAG lawyer with the CIA woman because they both had names starting with "L." I don't know, is 38 too young to demand a character tree from each and every author?? 🤷♀️
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves Homeland, NCIS, Criminal Minds or even Scandal.
Goodreads review published 23/01/20
Publication Date 07/01/20
A political intrigue that has FBI, NCIS, JAG, and the CIA all working together to solve the violent deaths of several Navy SEALS in the Washington area. At the beginning, it feels like the investigators have their suspect, but it soon becomes clear that not everything is as it seems. There is action, romance, and some wholesome moments as well.
I felt the story was good, but it never really won me completely and suffered from introducing way too many characters and trying to squeeze all of their perspectives into one book. Not just in working the case, but their personal lives as well. I have to also admit that I kept confusing the JAG lawyer with the CIA woman because they both had names starting with "L." I don't know, is 38 too young to demand a character tree from each and every author?? 🤷♀️
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves Homeland, NCIS, Criminal Minds or even Scandal.
Goodreads review published 23/01/20
Publication Date 07/01/20
October 17, 2022
About this book:
“When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.
When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.
With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Capital Intrigue” trilogy.
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Talks about God, trusting Him, having a faith, & seeing others’ faiths; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Lexi doesn’t consider herself a religious person (she goes to church on holidays) but prays for God’s help when something happens; When Bailey says she’s praying, someone else says that her God isn’t going to help her; Mentions of God & having a faith; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches, church going, & services; A few mentions of thanking God; A couple mentions of an eternity that awaits;
*Note: A mention of a man’s eyes being like “the devil himself”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘tick [someone] off’, two ‘stupid’s, three ‘heck’s, and six forms of ‘idiot’; A mention of a name for a situation that a man won’t say in front of a woman; Eye rolling; Shooting to kill (self-defense, barely-above-not-detailed); An explosion/bomb, Being choked, Being held at gunpoint, Fighting back, Being robbed, A car crash, Passing out, Injuries, & Pain (up to semi-detailed); Seeing others shot & killed (barely-above-not-detailed); Lying (for the sake of the mission and getting information); All about many mentions of murders, bodies, the killers/possible serial killer, how the murders happened, & someone being framed (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Mentions of a murder disguised as a suicide (including others saying the person wasn’t suicidal, the barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of terrorism & terrorists; Mentions of the deaths/murders of military men (stateside and abroad, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of being held at gunpoint, gunfire, being shot at, being shot, shooting to kill (self-defense), seeing others shot, injuries, blood/bleeding, & passing out (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Mentions of autopsies & a morgue (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of car crash, injuries, & passing out (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of fights/fighting (self-defense) & weapons (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a bomb & explosion; Mentions of crimes, organized crime groups, jail/prions, & arrests; Mentions of robberies, thefts, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of gambling & other vices and addictions; Mentions of rumors (including one of a man being a killer for hire/assassin); Mentions of someone struggling with PTSD & some believing he’s a murderer; Mentions of a bar fight/brawl that happened because a man riled another man that he’ll ask out his ex-wife; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of nightmares (including a woman’s sexual assault, no details); A few mentions of a car accident & deaths (Bailey’s parents); A few mentions of a father dying in the line of duty (police officer); A few mentions of threats; A few mentions of a divorce (due to the husband’s stressful job, they still loved each other); A couple mentions of torture; A couple mentions of a sniper taking a lot of lives in his career & having PTSD from it; A couple mentions of there being “plenty of whackjobs” that would want to kill a Navy SEAL; A couple mentions of throwing up; A mention of men that torture and kill for a living (assassins); A mention of the death penalty; A mention of a thug; A mention of drugs;
*Note: Bailey is afraid to start caring about someone only to possibly lose them, so she found the best way to protect herself was by not letting a man near her heart; A mention of eating crow; A mention of a car brand.
Sexual Content- A hand kiss, an almost (semi-detailed) kiss, five barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Remembering a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Talking about an almost kiss & their feelings for each other (barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to kiss/to be kissed & embrace (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Nearness, Shivers, & Sparks/Flutters (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); A young woman tells someone about the time she was assaulted (all that’s said is that he put his hands all over her and she says that it would have been worse she if hadn’t fought him off; it was someone in a higher position at her work and the person she tells says it wasn’t her fault, *Spoiler* ; Mentions of boyfriends, girlfriends, dates, dating, & exes; Mentions of flirting & crushes; A few mentions of an almost kiss & kissing; A few mentions of thinking a guy is a player or ladies’ man; A couple mentions of a guy going home alone after a date (and not with his date); A couple mentions of a boyfriend cheating; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a wink (unwanted and uncomfortable); Love, being in love, falling in love, & the emotions (technically for four different people in three different relationships);
*Note: Lexi calls Marco “Marco the Alpha Male” (once); Mentions of it being hard to be a woman in certain fields; A mention of a blond bombshell.
-Bailey Ryan
-Marco Agostini, age 31
P.O.V. switches between them, Izzy, & Lexi
312 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
Besides a Love Inspired Suspense book by this author, you could technically count this one as my first (full-length) book by this author. So, like always, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but since I enjoy the Christian Suspense genre, I wanted to try out a few of her books to form an opinion.
The back-cover blurb of this story didn’t interest me a lot, but the first page pulled me into the story with Bailey have a late dinner with her friends, one who is undercover with the CIA. I really enjoy books with friendships in them, so I decided to read this book. I’m glad to see that the next books will be about her friends and plan on reading them.
I thought all the different agency parts were fascinating and I liked the team that was formed. I think I cared more for Izzy, though, than Bailey or Marco. Which is my personal negative with the story, that Bailey and Marco’s romantic relationship and a lot of their dialogue felt so forced. A lot of their conversations and falling in love parts felt flat to me. I struggled to not roll my eyes at certain parts, but I will give credit to the author that it didn’t have the typically Romantic Suspense cliches and she added in little details that made the book have a different feel compared to the majority of the other books I’ve read in this genre. I liked that and could see her background of being an attorney within the story.
I was pleasantly surprised by how clean this was in the sense of the suspense elements—particularly the murders and bodies. There was very little descriptions of those parts of the story and the book was able to be suspenseful without being over-the-top with the details of the dead bodies or blood. Those that don’t care for those elements of a suspense novel, but like the suspense part, might enjoy this book because of that.
Overall? Not bad, personally. It was much cleaner than I expected (for this genre) and the plot-line kept me engaged.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.
When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.
With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Capital Intrigue” trilogy.
Spiritual Content- Prayers; Talks about God, trusting Him, having a faith, & seeing others’ faiths; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Lexi doesn’t consider herself a religious person (she goes to church on holidays) but prays for God’s help when something happens; When Bailey says she’s praying, someone else says that her God isn’t going to help her; Mentions of God & having a faith; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches, church going, & services; A few mentions of thanking God; A couple mentions of an eternity that awaits;
*Note: A mention of a man’s eyes being like “the devil himself”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘tick [someone] off’, two ‘stupid’s, three ‘heck’s, and six forms of ‘idiot’; A mention of a name for a situation that a man won’t say in front of a woman; Eye rolling; Shooting to kill (self-defense, barely-above-not-detailed); An explosion/bomb, Being choked, Being held at gunpoint, Fighting back, Being robbed, A car crash, Passing out, Injuries, & Pain (up to semi-detailed); Seeing others shot & killed (barely-above-not-detailed); Lying (for the sake of the mission and getting information); All about many mentions of murders, bodies, the killers/possible serial killer, how the murders happened, & someone being framed (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Mentions of a murder disguised as a suicide (including others saying the person wasn’t suicidal, the barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of terrorism & terrorists; Mentions of the deaths/murders of military men (stateside and abroad, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of being held at gunpoint, gunfire, being shot at, being shot, shooting to kill (self-defense), seeing others shot, injuries, blood/bleeding, & passing out (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Mentions of autopsies & a morgue (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of car crash, injuries, & passing out (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of fights/fighting (self-defense) & weapons (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a bomb & explosion; Mentions of crimes, organized crime groups, jail/prions, & arrests; Mentions of robberies, thefts, & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of gambling & other vices and addictions; Mentions of rumors (including one of a man being a killer for hire/assassin); Mentions of someone struggling with PTSD & some believing he’s a murderer; Mentions of a bar fight/brawl that happened because a man riled another man that he’ll ask out his ex-wife; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of nightmares (including a woman’s sexual assault, no details); A few mentions of a car accident & deaths (Bailey’s parents); A few mentions of a father dying in the line of duty (police officer); A few mentions of threats; A few mentions of a divorce (due to the husband’s stressful job, they still loved each other); A couple mentions of torture; A couple mentions of a sniper taking a lot of lives in his career & having PTSD from it; A couple mentions of there being “plenty of whackjobs” that would want to kill a Navy SEAL; A couple mentions of throwing up; A mention of men that torture and kill for a living (assassins); A mention of the death penalty; A mention of a thug; A mention of drugs;
*Note: Bailey is afraid to start caring about someone only to possibly lose them, so she found the best way to protect herself was by not letting a man near her heart; A mention of eating crow; A mention of a car brand.
Sexual Content- A hand kiss, an almost (semi-detailed) kiss, five barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Remembering a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Talking about an almost kiss & their feelings for each other (barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to kiss/to be kissed & embrace (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Nearness, Shivers, & Sparks/Flutters (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); A young woman tells someone about the time she was assaulted (all that’s said is that he put his hands all over her and she says that it would have been worse she if hadn’t fought him off; it was someone in a higher position at her work and the person she tells says it wasn’t her fault, *Spoiler* ; Mentions of boyfriends, girlfriends, dates, dating, & exes; Mentions of flirting & crushes; A few mentions of an almost kiss & kissing; A few mentions of thinking a guy is a player or ladies’ man; A couple mentions of a guy going home alone after a date (and not with his date); A couple mentions of a boyfriend cheating; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a wink (unwanted and uncomfortable); Love, being in love, falling in love, & the emotions (technically for four different people in three different relationships);
*Note: Lexi calls Marco “Marco the Alpha Male” (once); Mentions of it being hard to be a woman in certain fields; A mention of a blond bombshell.
-Bailey Ryan
-Marco Agostini, age 31
P.O.V. switches between them, Izzy, & Lexi
312 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
Besides a Love Inspired Suspense book by this author, you could technically count this one as my first (full-length) book by this author. So, like always, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but since I enjoy the Christian Suspense genre, I wanted to try out a few of her books to form an opinion.
The back-cover blurb of this story didn’t interest me a lot, but the first page pulled me into the story with Bailey have a late dinner with her friends, one who is undercover with the CIA. I really enjoy books with friendships in them, so I decided to read this book. I’m glad to see that the next books will be about her friends and plan on reading them.
I thought all the different agency parts were fascinating and I liked the team that was formed. I think I cared more for Izzy, though, than Bailey or Marco. Which is my personal negative with the story, that Bailey and Marco’s romantic relationship and a lot of their dialogue felt so forced. A lot of their conversations and falling in love parts felt flat to me. I struggled to not roll my eyes at certain parts, but I will give credit to the author that it didn’t have the typically Romantic Suspense cliches and she added in little details that made the book have a different feel compared to the majority of the other books I’ve read in this genre. I liked that and could see her background of being an attorney within the story.
I was pleasantly surprised by how clean this was in the sense of the suspense elements—particularly the murders and bodies. There was very little descriptions of those parts of the story and the book was able to be suspenseful without being over-the-top with the details of the dead bodies or blood. Those that don’t care for those elements of a suspense novel, but like the suspense part, might enjoy this book because of that.
Overall? Not bad, personally. It was much cleaner than I expected (for this genre) and the plot-line kept me engaged.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
February 23, 2020
End Game was a fantastic start to Dylan's new series, Capital Intrigue, and I can't wait to read more! The suspense had me hooked and I was intrigued throughout. So many twists and turns!
I loved the characters. They had so much depth. I enjoyed getting to know them more and the romance was nice, as well.
All in all, End Game is my favorite Rachel Dylan book yet! It was difficult to put down and I definitely recommend it to fans of romantic suspense.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I loved the characters. They had so much depth. I enjoyed getting to know them more and the romance was nice, as well.
All in all, End Game is my favorite Rachel Dylan book yet! It was difficult to put down and I definitely recommend it to fans of romantic suspense.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
January 7, 2020
Originally posted on Inkwell Inspirations
“The moment their lips touched, it was like the Fourth of July fireworks went off around them.”
End Game, Rachel Dylan’s first installment of her highly anticipated Capital Intrigue series, is a thrilling action-packed romantic suspense novel that keeps readers highly invested in the storyline until the very last page. As a huge fan of Rachel Dylan’s Atlanta Justice series, I was ecstatic to learn that her Capital Intrigue series takes place in Washington, DC and focuses on three women who became friends at Georgetown Law and found careers in different government agencies.
FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini team up to solve the murders of several military men in Washington, DC. When another military member is accused of the crime, suddenly their entire case take a deadly turn and Bailey and Marco must discover the truth before it is too late.
In End Game, Rachel Dylan creates another fantastic romantic suspense novel that I could not put down. I personally prefer plenty of romance intertwined with the suspense, and Rachel Dylan balances both elements of the storyline perfectly. She shares the inspirational message of hope for the future and God giving us strength even in our darkest times. I can’t wait to read book 2 in the Capital Intrigue series when Bailey’s friend CIA analyst Layla gets her own story.
End Game is highly recommended for readers of romantic suspense, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Irene Hannon, and Dani Pettrey.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
“She no longer lived in fear of loss but in hope of what was to come.”
“The moment their lips touched, it was like the Fourth of July fireworks went off around them.”
End Game, Rachel Dylan’s first installment of her highly anticipated Capital Intrigue series, is a thrilling action-packed romantic suspense novel that keeps readers highly invested in the storyline until the very last page. As a huge fan of Rachel Dylan’s Atlanta Justice series, I was ecstatic to learn that her Capital Intrigue series takes place in Washington, DC and focuses on three women who became friends at Georgetown Law and found careers in different government agencies.
FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini team up to solve the murders of several military men in Washington, DC. When another military member is accused of the crime, suddenly their entire case take a deadly turn and Bailey and Marco must discover the truth before it is too late.
In End Game, Rachel Dylan creates another fantastic romantic suspense novel that I could not put down. I personally prefer plenty of romance intertwined with the suspense, and Rachel Dylan balances both elements of the storyline perfectly. She shares the inspirational message of hope for the future and God giving us strength even in our darkest times. I can’t wait to read book 2 in the Capital Intrigue series when Bailey’s friend CIA analyst Layla gets her own story.
End Game is highly recommended for readers of romantic suspense, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Irene Hannon, and Dani Pettrey.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
“She no longer lived in fear of loss but in hope of what was to come.”
January 28, 2020
Captivating writing, vivid description, thrills
with chills creating a completely gripping
riveting storyline with unrelenting twists and
turns to hold both the reader’s and characters
attention until the end game finalizes.
Murder, mayhem, conspiracy, mugging, theft,
terrorist plus political intrigue makes this
page turning thriller.
The main characters are FBI Special Agent
Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco
Agostini. They are well developed, very realistic
characters sharing undeniable chemistry. They
find themselves involved in an unpredictable plot.
The supporting characters are well fleshed out,
relatable, very competent additions to this
well plotted, uniquely different, problem solving
murder mystery.
Come along with this array of characters to find
the culprits evolved.
I volunteered to read End Game. Thanks to the
author and publisher for the opportunity. My
opinion is voluntary and my own.
A Recommended Read!!!
with chills creating a completely gripping
riveting storyline with unrelenting twists and
turns to hold both the reader’s and characters
attention until the end game finalizes.
Murder, mayhem, conspiracy, mugging, theft,
terrorist plus political intrigue makes this
page turning thriller.
The main characters are FBI Special Agent
Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco
Agostini. They are well developed, very realistic
characters sharing undeniable chemistry. They
find themselves involved in an unpredictable plot.
The supporting characters are well fleshed out,
relatable, very competent additions to this
well plotted, uniquely different, problem solving
murder mystery.
Come along with this array of characters to find
the culprits evolved.
I volunteered to read End Game. Thanks to the
author and publisher for the opportunity. My
opinion is voluntary and my own.
A Recommended Read!!!
January 6, 2020
End Game reads like my favourite crime-fighting tv show. The focus is entirely on the investigation of a series of murders. Teamwork between agencies, searching through paperwork, interviews and interrogations, going where the evidence leads, it all works together to form a really interesting detective mystery with just a bit of suspense and life-threatening action. Quick dialogue and a great rapport between the large cast of characters involved in solving the crimes makes End Game a captivating book to read.
I really loved the focus on the investigation and the detective work the team do. While there are moments of suspense and the characters’ own lives are at stake, the action and thrills are not the focus of the story. I thought this was a much more realistic portrayal of criminal investigation work. It also made for very interesting reading as the legal ramifications of the case are considered, the team have to wait for evidence to be found, and they have to really work hard for the leads they discover.
FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini are our main characters. They have been asked to work together to solve two murders that may be linked together - the deaths of a construction worker and a Navy SEAL. When more bodies turn up and it looks more like a larger conspiracy cover-up, the two, with the help of their team, will have to outrun the target on their backs to find the people responsible.
While Bailey and Marco are the main characters and the book is written mainly from their perspectives, some chapters are also written from the perspectives of the other investigative team members. This makes the investigation and book a real team effort and gives insight into some interesting characters. Like Izzy, rookie NCIS agent with a traumatic past and a strong desire to prove herself. And Lexie, JAG lawyer for one of the main suspects.
And, yes, there is time for some romance in all that investigation. Marco and Bailey form a strong bond while working together. However, it’s a little while after starting to work together before the characters share a spark of attraction. Yay!! All too often we see instant attraction and chemistry and oh, he’s the one, so it was very refreshing to have a slow build up to a strong relationship. They are professional first and find the attraction later. Big thumbs up from me. There is also a few side romantic stories and Bailey’s best friends are strong career women, who I hope will feature in future books in this exciting series. I look forward to reading the next book and highly recommend End Game to readers who enjoy exploring the details of a complex and enthralling criminal investigation.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
I really loved the focus on the investigation and the detective work the team do. While there are moments of suspense and the characters’ own lives are at stake, the action and thrills are not the focus of the story. I thought this was a much more realistic portrayal of criminal investigation work. It also made for very interesting reading as the legal ramifications of the case are considered, the team have to wait for evidence to be found, and they have to really work hard for the leads they discover.
FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini are our main characters. They have been asked to work together to solve two murders that may be linked together - the deaths of a construction worker and a Navy SEAL. When more bodies turn up and it looks more like a larger conspiracy cover-up, the two, with the help of their team, will have to outrun the target on their backs to find the people responsible.
While Bailey and Marco are the main characters and the book is written mainly from their perspectives, some chapters are also written from the perspectives of the other investigative team members. This makes the investigation and book a real team effort and gives insight into some interesting characters. Like Izzy, rookie NCIS agent with a traumatic past and a strong desire to prove herself. And Lexie, JAG lawyer for one of the main suspects.
And, yes, there is time for some romance in all that investigation. Marco and Bailey form a strong bond while working together. However, it’s a little while after starting to work together before the characters share a spark of attraction. Yay!! All too often we see instant attraction and chemistry and oh, he’s the one, so it was very refreshing to have a slow build up to a strong relationship. They are professional first and find the attraction later. Big thumbs up from me. There is also a few side romantic stories and Bailey’s best friends are strong career women, who I hope will feature in future books in this exciting series. I look forward to reading the next book and highly recommend End Game to readers who enjoy exploring the details of a complex and enthralling criminal investigation.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
January 11, 2020
Nice start to an intriguing series set in the nation’s capital! The author had me guessing throughout the entire book regarding who was behind the murders and what appeared to be a cover up conspiracy.
I enjoyed meeting new characters and watching as the team worked to uncover clues in their investigation. There was a light romantic thread between the main characters, Bailey and Marco, plus a couple of the side characters had potential relationships that added interest to the overall story. I enjoyed learning about Izzy’s background especially.
I really enjoyed reading End Game and look forward to the next book in the series.
(4.5 stars)
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 enjoyed meeting new characters and watching as the team worked to uncover clues in their investigation. There was a light romantic thread between the main characters, Bailey and Marco, plus a couple of the side characters had potential relationships that added interest to the overall story. I enjoyed learning about Izzy’s background especially.
I really enjoyed reading End Game and look forward to the next book in the series.
(4.5 stars)
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...
February 14, 2020
Wowza, this book was one wild ride. I literally could not put it down even if I tried. I was so engrossed in this fast paced book, that I flew through it. This was my first Rachel Dylan book and it will definitely not be my last.
I have grown to love suspense books over the past year and this one was definitely up there. The characters, plot, mystery/suspense, and just the overall story had me so on board that I fell in love. Can I just say that I need Izzy and Aidan to get their own book? Please and thank you! I feel in love with Aidan in just the short few paragraphs that we meet him in and I would love to see Izzy grow and mature as a character.
Speaking of characters, the characters in this book were so beautifully written and I just connected with them a lot, especially Bailey and Marco. I loved their relationship so much and I loved seeing them grow and mature as characters. Their faith in God and each other was so sweet and I just really loved reading their story.
Ms. Dylan's writing style also was too die for. I loved it! I literally felt like I was right there with the characters and I honestly did not want to leave their sides as they were facing crazy thing after crazy thing. I honestly loved the plot that she used in this book because it wasn't one that I've seen before. It was unique and I totally was not expecting what happened to happen. I was completely at Ms. Dylan's will throughout this whole book.
I could honestly gush about this book all day, but to sum it up in five words: Amazing books, read it now!
I have grown to love suspense books over the past year and this one was definitely up there. The characters, plot, mystery/suspense, and just the overall story had me so on board that I fell in love. Can I just say that I need Izzy and Aidan to get their own book? Please and thank you! I feel in love with Aidan in just the short few paragraphs that we meet him in and I would love to see Izzy grow and mature as a character.
Speaking of characters, the characters in this book were so beautifully written and I just connected with them a lot, especially Bailey and Marco. I loved their relationship so much and I loved seeing them grow and mature as characters. Their faith in God and each other was so sweet and I just really loved reading their story.
Ms. Dylan's writing style also was too die for. I loved it! I literally felt like I was right there with the characters and I honestly did not want to leave their sides as they were facing crazy thing after crazy thing. I honestly loved the plot that she used in this book because it wasn't one that I've seen before. It was unique and I totally was not expecting what happened to happen. I was completely at Ms. Dylan's will throughout this whole book.
I could honestly gush about this book all day, but to sum it up in five words: Amazing books, read it now!
January 1, 2020
"These people are willing to kill to protect their secrets."
One by one, members of the most highly trained branches of the US military are being murdered in cold blood; not to mention that one of their own is the prime suspect, although the Navy SEAL vehemently insists upon his innocence. When NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini and FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan form an investigative team to track down the killer or killers, the clues they unearth multiply into questions that quickly spiral out of control. They've stumbled onto something bigger than they ever imagined; including their own unexpected attraction.
"End Game" proves to be an exacting blend of story and character, and although the plot moves quickly, the reader has no reason to feel rushed in and out of the story. The secondary characters are beautifully layered in between the primary ones, and the inspirational elements; although light, are strategically placed. But what seals the deal, so to speak, is the brilliant plotting, which is nearly impossible to crack, which makes this "end game" all the more enjoyable.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.
One by one, members of the most highly trained branches of the US military are being murdered in cold blood; not to mention that one of their own is the prime suspect, although the Navy SEAL vehemently insists upon his innocence. When NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini and FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan form an investigative team to track down the killer or killers, the clues they unearth multiply into questions that quickly spiral out of control. They've stumbled onto something bigger than they ever imagined; including their own unexpected attraction.
"End Game" proves to be an exacting blend of story and character, and although the plot moves quickly, the reader has no reason to feel rushed in and out of the story. The secondary characters are beautifully layered in between the primary ones, and the inspirational elements; although light, are strategically placed. But what seals the deal, so to speak, is the brilliant plotting, which is nearly impossible to crack, which makes this "end game" all the more enjoyable.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.
December 10, 2020
Enjoyable suspense novel by a new to me author. Liked that it was set in DC with characters employed by the CIA, NCIS, FBI, etc.
January 9, 2020
Filled with fast-paced action that kept me riveted from start to finish, I found this debut book in Dylan's Capital Intrigue series fascinating. Set in Washington DC and vicinity, this book brings you into the heart of both military and civilian justice and spy agencies. Bailey Ryan is an FBI agent; and when a series of murders take place that appear to have a connection and two of the murder victims are specially trained military personnel, she finds herself working with Marco Agostini from the NCIS.
The connection between Bailey and her 2 law school friends as well as the budding friendship with Izzy from NCIS was wonderful. Their support for one another was always foremost in their minds. The developing romances between some of the characters and others as they worked together was nice. Yet Dylan continually kept the suspense front and center, and it was never overpowered by the touches of romance. Dylan also did an excellent job of winding the faith thread throughout while making it appropriate to its placement in the story line. I also appreciated Dylan's research into the various agencies that became involved in this intrigue.
I look forward to reading the next books in this series.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
The connection between Bailey and her 2 law school friends as well as the budding friendship with Izzy from NCIS was wonderful. Their support for one another was always foremost in their minds. The developing romances between some of the characters and others as they worked together was nice. Yet Dylan continually kept the suspense front and center, and it was never overpowered by the touches of romance. Dylan also did an excellent job of winding the faith thread throughout while making it appropriate to its placement in the story line. I also appreciated Dylan's research into the various agencies that became involved in this intrigue.
I look forward to reading the next books in this series.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
January 27, 2020
Elite members of the US military are being murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, and all the evidence points to a Navy SEAL, but things aren't adding up. FBI Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Agent Marco Agostini are in a race against time to expose the true culprits behind the heinous crimes in this Washington cover-up.
A fast paced read filled with non-stop action, bringing together the best of the best to bring a killer to justice. Multiple people from various branches and agencies team up to find answers, and fight for the truth.
Bailey is courageous and quick on her feet, she leans on her faith to get her through. She is good under pressure, and is dedicated to her job.
Marco is a straightforward man, devoted to his job serving others. He is very outgoing and a natural leader, open and a good friend. I liked how he inspires others, encouraging them in their work, and taking action when the situation calls for it. I admired his strong convictions about his faith, and how he lives his beliefs.
Overall, a fantastic read from beginning to end! I couldn't put it down, and didn't want to. Fantastic characters, well developed, and realistic, with a riveting plot. A great start to what is sure to be an amazing series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A fast paced read filled with non-stop action, bringing together the best of the best to bring a killer to justice. Multiple people from various branches and agencies team up to find answers, and fight for the truth.
Bailey is courageous and quick on her feet, she leans on her faith to get her through. She is good under pressure, and is dedicated to her job.
Marco is a straightforward man, devoted to his job serving others. He is very outgoing and a natural leader, open and a good friend. I liked how he inspires others, encouraging them in their work, and taking action when the situation calls for it. I admired his strong convictions about his faith, and how he lives his beliefs.
Overall, a fantastic read from beginning to end! I couldn't put it down, and didn't want to. Fantastic characters, well developed, and realistic, with a riveting plot. A great start to what is sure to be an amazing series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 2, 2020
End Game is a very intriguing book. It has suspense/mystery/romance. There are so many layers to this story that it is fascinating to read.
I love a good suspense book. The characters are interesting and the plot while intricate, flows really well. This is the first book that I have read of Rachel Dylan and I don't plan on it being the last. She really has a way with words and knows how to pull her reader in.
The characters in this book come from different departments of law-enforcement. It was interesting to see how they all operate separately, but when trying to solve a case, they will cooperate and share information. Each of the characters comes to the book with their own perspective and experience. I enjoyed how it takes a team to make a difference. In this story, they are making a difference for the families who have lost loved ones and to stop killing that may happen. As I stated above, the story is complex and good.
The book contains romance, but it is not the focus. The focus is on the investigation and bringing the bad guys to justice. I am excited that this is the first book in a series. I look forward to the next installment.
This book contains non-graphic violence and kissing.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I love a good suspense book. The characters are interesting and the plot while intricate, flows really well. This is the first book that I have read of Rachel Dylan and I don't plan on it being the last. She really has a way with words and knows how to pull her reader in.
The characters in this book come from different departments of law-enforcement. It was interesting to see how they all operate separately, but when trying to solve a case, they will cooperate and share information. Each of the characters comes to the book with their own perspective and experience. I enjoyed how it takes a team to make a difference. In this story, they are making a difference for the families who have lost loved ones and to stop killing that may happen. As I stated above, the story is complex and good.
The book contains romance, but it is not the focus. The focus is on the investigation and bringing the bad guys to justice. I am excited that this is the first book in a series. I look forward to the next installment.
This book contains non-graphic violence and kissing.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
January 7, 2020
What a fantastic start to a new series! Rachel Dylan kicks it up another notch with End Game, where action and adrenaline flow rapidly as an FBI agent and a NCIS specialist unravel a tightly woven conspiracy that becomes murderous. The plot is detailed and well-constructed with interesting twists and turns and how it all came together at the end was really fascinating. The storyline is easy to follow and each event had me turning the pages a little faster to try to figure out what really happened.
Bailey and Marco are both easy to like and cheer for. Bailey, in her structured, regimented way, is relatable and understandable. Marco, in his easy-going, spontaneous way, is quite lovable. The romance did not overshadow the suspense component of the story and balanced out the multiple near-death escapes. If you enjoy romantic suspense, this book is a must-read. I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment!
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Bailey and Marco are both easy to like and cheer for. Bailey, in her structured, regimented way, is relatable and understandable. Marco, in his easy-going, spontaneous way, is quite lovable. The romance did not overshadow the suspense component of the story and balanced out the multiple near-death escapes. If you enjoy romantic suspense, this book is a must-read. I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment!
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
February 5, 2020
What an introduction to Rachel's new series! This book had lots of surprises in store and the mystery was fantastic. I really liked the NCIS part of the story and Marco was a great NCIS agent. I actually really liked all the characters. Rachel built a great team of people for this story and I look forward to seeing more of all of them, Izzy was a particular favorite of mine and I loved the father/daughter connection she made with Jay and the surprises that resulted from that bond. I have read some of Rachel's Love Inspired books before this but this was my first full length novel of hers. I will be looking up her previous series soon as I totally enjoyed her writing style. It was a quick easy read that held my attention extremely well. Need book two as soon as possible!!
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
January 10, 2020
End Game is the first book in a new series by Rachel Dylan entitled Capital Intrigue. It centers around our nations Capital.
With the alphabet agencies teaming up to solve multiple murders, the clues get more and more confounding. The deeper the agents dig, the more complex and dangerous things become.
I have read several of Ms Dylan’s books and this one is my favorite. It is full of confounding clues and many players but they are not hard to keep straight because each one is unique.
I like that there are more than one blossoming romances to peek in on. The characters seem to realize that they need to take things slowly because the circumstances are fraught with danger. It is great that FBI agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS agent Marco Agostini have a faith to base their decisions on and they voice their prayers in difficult situations.
This was a page-turner with a great plot. The dialogue and action scenes were very realistic. Just the kind of Romantic Suspense I enjoy. Excellent beginning to a new series. Bring on the next one.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
With the alphabet agencies teaming up to solve multiple murders, the clues get more and more confounding. The deeper the agents dig, the more complex and dangerous things become.
I have read several of Ms Dylan’s books and this one is my favorite. It is full of confounding clues and many players but they are not hard to keep straight because each one is unique.
I like that there are more than one blossoming romances to peek in on. The characters seem to realize that they need to take things slowly because the circumstances are fraught with danger. It is great that FBI agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS agent Marco Agostini have a faith to base their decisions on and they voice their prayers in difficult situations.
This was a page-turner with a great plot. The dialogue and action scenes were very realistic. Just the kind of Romantic Suspense I enjoy. Excellent beginning to a new series. Bring on the next one.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
February 26, 2020
I’m a huge fan of NCIS. This was a cross between NCIS and FBI Most Wanted. I was kept turning pages all the way through the end. I’m looking forward to the other books in this series.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in order to assist in promoting this book. I was not required to like the book, only give my honest opinion of it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of NCIS, FBI Most Wanted, Dee Henderson, Irene Hannon, Lisa Harris
Rating: 4 stars
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in order to assist in promoting this book. I was not required to like the book, only give my honest opinion of it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Recommended to fans of NCIS, FBI Most Wanted, Dee Henderson, Irene Hannon, Lisa Harris
Rating: 4 stars
December 17, 2019
This latest romantic suspense thriller from Rachel Dylan is the first in her Capital Intrigue series. In this book, we're introduced to Bailey Ryan, FBI agent, and Marco Agostini of NCIS. When a serial killer strikes and the 2nd victim is a Navy SEAL, the 2 agencies must work together to find the killer. This book had a lot of twists and turns and I had no idea who the killer was until the very end.
As this is a romantic suspense, we see a romance begin to bud between Baily and Marco. While I prefer my books to be more suspense and less romance, this one had a romance that occasionally had me rolling my eyes (hence 4 stars intead of 5), but fans of the romance element of the romantic suspense genre will be sure to enjoy it.
This book had a full cast of characters, with Marco and Bailey being primary - there was also a host of secondary characters. In spite of the large number of characters, I never got confused on who was who. So, kudos to Ms. Dylan on fleshing out those characters so well! The characters were likable and relatable and as stated, well fleshed out. There was a solid faith thread as the main characters relied on God for protection and guidance throughout. There was a lot of mystery and intrigue as well as romance (and not JUST among the main characters), so there's a little something for everyone here. I would recommend this one to fans of inspirational romantic suspense. I'd also recommend to those who enjoy watching shows like NCIS as that helped me to picture some of the set-ups and even some of the characters.
Special thanks to Rachel Dylan and Bethany House publishers for an advance E-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
As this is a romantic suspense, we see a romance begin to bud between Baily and Marco. While I prefer my books to be more suspense and less romance, this one had a romance that occasionally had me rolling my eyes (hence 4 stars intead of 5), but fans of the romance element of the romantic suspense genre will be sure to enjoy it.
This book had a full cast of characters, with Marco and Bailey being primary - there was also a host of secondary characters. In spite of the large number of characters, I never got confused on who was who. So, kudos to Ms. Dylan on fleshing out those characters so well! The characters were likable and relatable and as stated, well fleshed out. There was a solid faith thread as the main characters relied on God for protection and guidance throughout. There was a lot of mystery and intrigue as well as romance (and not JUST among the main characters), so there's a little something for everyone here. I would recommend this one to fans of inspirational romantic suspense. I'd also recommend to those who enjoy watching shows like NCIS as that helped me to picture some of the set-ups and even some of the characters.
Special thanks to Rachel Dylan and Bethany House publishers for an advance E-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
February 8, 2020
Sometimes, a reader doesn't connect with an author's writing style. It's not the reader's fault, and it's not the author's fault...it just IS. And that's what's happened here. The way that Dylan writes just didn't connect with me.
Certain aspects of the story bothered me, as well, and I'm sure these things seem more glaring simply because I wasn't immersed in the novel. The romance between Bailey and Marco moved very quickly, even though I didn't really sense any chemistry between the two. And I struggled to keep all of the characters straight, as the story was told from multiple perspectives. As I look back after having finished the novel, I'm still not sure who one of the "bad guys" was. I remember his name, but who was he/how was he connected to the others?
All that being said, I actually loved the plot! It kind of felt like an episode of NCIS with all of the NCIS agents, FBI agents, CIA operatives, and JAG lawyers running around. I thought the murder mystery/massive conspiracy aspect of the novel was done so well, and I loved seeing what unfolded.
So while this novel ultimately wasn't my cup of tea, as I couldn't get past my previously mentioned issues, I would recommend it to fans of NCIS, JAG, and the like.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
Certain aspects of the story bothered me, as well, and I'm sure these things seem more glaring simply because I wasn't immersed in the novel. The romance between Bailey and Marco moved very quickly, even though I didn't really sense any chemistry between the two. And I struggled to keep all of the characters straight, as the story was told from multiple perspectives. As I look back after having finished the novel, I'm still not sure who one of the "bad guys" was. I remember his name, but who was he/how was he connected to the others?
All that being said, I actually loved the plot! It kind of felt like an episode of NCIS with all of the NCIS agents, FBI agents, CIA operatives, and JAG lawyers running around. I thought the murder mystery/massive conspiracy aspect of the novel was done so well, and I loved seeing what unfolded.
So while this novel ultimately wasn't my cup of tea, as I couldn't get past my previously mentioned issues, I would recommend it to fans of NCIS, JAG, and the like.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
December 5, 2019
'Even those we believe are heroes can sometimes be villains.'
Rachel Dylan starts a new series with End Game and if the first book is any indication of the caliber of the series, it's going to be awesome! Dylan starts out on the ball and doesn't let up. Readers get to see inside the FBI, CIA and NCIS as events play out that will take you along on a fast and suspenseful ride. Tightly written, with great characters, even secondary ones, this is one book you'll want to read! I loved how she included the stories of some secondary characters as well. I truly can recommend this book.
*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a complimentary preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Rachel Dylan starts a new series with End Game and if the first book is any indication of the caliber of the series, it's going to be awesome! Dylan starts out on the ball and doesn't let up. Readers get to see inside the FBI, CIA and NCIS as events play out that will take you along on a fast and suspenseful ride. Tightly written, with great characters, even secondary ones, this is one book you'll want to read! I loved how she included the stories of some secondary characters as well. I truly can recommend this book.
*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a complimentary preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
May 30, 2020
With multiple POV characters, the book traces the investigation into an escalating number of murders. Seemingly unconnected, an interagency team is racing to figure it out before others die. Threads of romance and faith fill the pages too. Enjoyable read.
January 8, 2020
enjoy a thrilling chase through a suspense novel. I have tried Rachel Dylan before, and I didn't enjoy her novels. But this is a new series, and I thought I would give her another try. Again, I was quite disappointed. The novel begins with three women talking, which I assume are the three heroines in this series. Then readers are taken to a dead body where I meet the hero of the story. The plot instantly jumps into the procedure of finding the killer of the dead body. Interview and then thinking. Then interview. Not quite the high action I want in a suspense novel. Because of these things, the plot left me wanting a lot more. The romance was told not shown to us. It didn't grow organically between the two characters. Dylan had to tell us when they started to like each other, and it appeared to be not natural to the storyline. As for the characters, there wasn't much transformation in their personalities over the course of the story. Also, I really didn't empathize with any of them.They were static characters on a page moving around. Overall, End Game by Rachel Dylan did not read like a suspense novel. It read more like a report on the incident from someone who heard it third hand. I didn't really enjoy this novel. Pick up a book by Lynette Eason. More much action.
I received a complimentary copy of End Game by Rachel Dylan from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of End Game by Rachel Dylan from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
January 27, 2020
Readers who love watching crime shows will dive into this book and not come up for air until the very end. I really felt as if I was watching one of these shows as I was reading. I followed the story line as the characters described them and lived through them. I was intrigued by the whodunit and why from start to finish. There were tons of twists and turns that I didn't necessarily see coming, and I love the way Dylan can pull that all together. I've been a fan of her books for some time now, and so I was excited to see she started a new series.
I will say that there is a lot of dialogue in this book. More so then Dylan typically writes with, and for that reason I found myself not able to connect with the characters. The love stories that were presented made me kind of feel like an outsider. The feeling like I was just watching a TV show. I don't mind when that happens, I just like to be prepared for it. I absolutely would read this story again, when I want to read something that's just a book to read and enjoy, not get heavily involved in.
The thing I loved about this book, and Dylan is a pro at, is the presentation of the gospel. There is a quote somewhat early on that just resonates with me - "The thing is that eve in the darkest hours, seeing the faith that my dad put in the Lord and the example he lived out for me really put things in perspective." I mean wow! That quote right there, and the few sentences that followed, had me pause for a moment and reflect. Was I this kind of example to others? My daughter? It sure made me think twice, and that's what I want a book to do when talking about the Lord. Make me dig deep.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those who don't mind a lot of dialogue. Again, it reminds me of watching a show like FBI, or NCIS. It had great suspense and a lot of moving parts! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I will say that there is a lot of dialogue in this book. More so then Dylan typically writes with, and for that reason I found myself not able to connect with the characters. The love stories that were presented made me kind of feel like an outsider. The feeling like I was just watching a TV show. I don't mind when that happens, I just like to be prepared for it. I absolutely would read this story again, when I want to read something that's just a book to read and enjoy, not get heavily involved in.
The thing I loved about this book, and Dylan is a pro at, is the presentation of the gospel. There is a quote somewhat early on that just resonates with me - "The thing is that eve in the darkest hours, seeing the faith that my dad put in the Lord and the example he lived out for me really put things in perspective." I mean wow! That quote right there, and the few sentences that followed, had me pause for a moment and reflect. Was I this kind of example to others? My daughter? It sure made me think twice, and that's what I want a book to do when talking about the Lord. Make me dig deep.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those who don't mind a lot of dialogue. Again, it reminds me of watching a show like FBI, or NCIS. It had great suspense and a lot of moving parts! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 27, 2021
This was my first book by Rachel Dylan,and it definitely will not be my last! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the mystery. I can’t believe I never figure it out. I liked the romance too. I’m usually not too sure about romance in these kinds of books,but I liked it in this one.
Marco Agostini was really great. I liked how he was honest with Bailey,and he respected her. I thought it was so cool that he worked for NCIS. Especially,because I watch the show.
Bailey Ryan is awesome. I thought it was so cool the she was an FBI agent. I loved her friend group. Those girls are awesome. They also have pretty cool jobs.
I really loved all of the side characters as well. Jay,Izzy,and Lexi were awesome. I liked how the POVS changed. It was neat seeing the case from a different perspective.
Overall,I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it. I will definitely be reading the next books in the series. I’m excited to see what happens next!
Marco Agostini was really great. I liked how he was honest with Bailey,and he respected her. I thought it was so cool that he worked for NCIS. Especially,because I watch the show.
Bailey Ryan is awesome. I thought it was so cool the she was an FBI agent. I loved her friend group. Those girls are awesome. They also have pretty cool jobs.
I really loved all of the side characters as well. Jay,Izzy,and Lexi were awesome. I liked how the POVS changed. It was neat seeing the case from a different perspective.
Overall,I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it. I will definitely be reading the next books in the series. I’m excited to see what happens next!
December 11, 2019
If you are looking for edge of your seat action and multiple plot twists the Rachel Dylan's End Game is the book for you. Multiple agencies and their agents come together to solve the murder of an elite member of the military and a common laborer. Throw in a bit of romance and it is a story to keep you engaged from beginning to end. End Game moves Rachel Dylan into the realm of authors Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Terri Blackstock. So grab a pot of coffee and cuddle up in your favorite chairs for a fantastic read. You might want to plan on pizza and a babysitter so you can read straight through!
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.
January 9, 2020
A new year brings a new series from Rachel Dylan, and phew, is there a lot happening in this one!
End Game is an intense read that moves quickly with multiple investigators, suspects, and government and military agencies. But don’t let that deter you because the plot of this book pulled me in from the get-go and kept me guessing until the final pages.
Dylan also left me with an itch to find out more about Bailey’s friends who play significant roles in End Game.
Disclosure statement:
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
End Game is an intense read that moves quickly with multiple investigators, suspects, and government and military agencies. But don’t let that deter you because the plot of this book pulled me in from the get-go and kept me guessing until the final pages.
Dylan also left me with an itch to find out more about Bailey’s friends who play significant roles in End Game.
Disclosure statement:
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 2, 2019
The author begins this book with us wondering what is going on, and when independent government agencies come together, you know this is something big happening here.
When more tragic victims are put down, the team is attacking all different leads to bring down the culprits.
When facts start to be revealed, I wondered if this isn’t a true story, but I sure hope not.
Evil perpetrates more evil here, but we hope justice will prevail, and with the hit squad trying to take out our agents, well, we hope all will survive.
We are offered non-stop action, and a real page turner for answers, and maybe throw in a little romance, but this one is a winner!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House and was not required to give a positive review.
When more tragic victims are put down, the team is attacking all different leads to bring down the culprits.
When facts start to be revealed, I wondered if this isn’t a true story, but I sure hope not.
Evil perpetrates more evil here, but we hope justice will prevail, and with the hit squad trying to take out our agents, well, we hope all will survive.
We are offered non-stop action, and a real page turner for answers, and maybe throw in a little romance, but this one is a winner!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House and was not required to give a positive review.
January 2, 2020
One thing you'll learn in this job is that we see some of the hard truths. The darker side of humanity. And there's one fact we have to come to grips with. Even those we believe are heroes can sometimes be villains.
This was like watching a favorite episode of NCIS for me and I imagined Gibbs voice in my head as things played out on the pages! I really like how Dylan pulls together NCIS, FBI, JAG, Navy SEALS, and Army CID to solve the homicides that take them by surprise and continue to scramble the puzzle pieces around. With each clue, they seem to be getting closer to the killer or killers, and then something else is thrown in to make them question everything all over again. It was interesting trying to connect the dots and follow the paper trail along with Marco and Bailey. Dylan ramps up the danger even more when they start targeting Bailey. What a ride!
I also appreciate the faith thread Dylan weaves throughout the story. I admire Bailey’s concrete, steadfast, unchanging faith in God no matter the circumstances or how dire things got. She helped bolster Marco’s shaky world and remind him of who God is. When they focused on that, I think it made them a stronger team. Talking about team, there’s many characters who play a vital role in the story. Bailey’s best gal friends Viv & Layla, Izzy, Jay, and Lexi, just to name a few. I really enjoyed getting to know them as well and look forward to future stories featuring them.
All in all, this was a terrific story that kept suspenseful, high-octane, and kept you in the dark until the end. Like I said, my favorite part was trying to tie the knots together along with the team involved in the case. Dylan knows her stuff when it comes to this sort of story!
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinion are my own. *
This was like watching a favorite episode of NCIS for me and I imagined Gibbs voice in my head as things played out on the pages! I really like how Dylan pulls together NCIS, FBI, JAG, Navy SEALS, and Army CID to solve the homicides that take them by surprise and continue to scramble the puzzle pieces around. With each clue, they seem to be getting closer to the killer or killers, and then something else is thrown in to make them question everything all over again. It was interesting trying to connect the dots and follow the paper trail along with Marco and Bailey. Dylan ramps up the danger even more when they start targeting Bailey. What a ride!
I also appreciate the faith thread Dylan weaves throughout the story. I admire Bailey’s concrete, steadfast, unchanging faith in God no matter the circumstances or how dire things got. She helped bolster Marco’s shaky world and remind him of who God is. When they focused on that, I think it made them a stronger team. Talking about team, there’s many characters who play a vital role in the story. Bailey’s best gal friends Viv & Layla, Izzy, Jay, and Lexi, just to name a few. I really enjoyed getting to know them as well and look forward to future stories featuring them.
All in all, this was a terrific story that kept suspenseful, high-octane, and kept you in the dark until the end. Like I said, my favorite part was trying to tie the knots together along with the team involved in the case. Dylan knows her stuff when it comes to this sort of story!
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinion are my own. *
March 9, 2021
Seriously, seriously, seriously love this dialogue driven police procedural. It felt like I was watching one of my fave TV shows -- NCIS. One of the episodes where multliple agencies have to learn to play nice with each other. And it's a doozy of a case -- multiple layers that, when pulled back, reveal even more unanswered questions.
And I love the way the author propels her readers through the investigation, piecing together clues and trying to make sense out of chaos right along with the team. I feel like I've earned the right to be called Rookie now. :-)
End Game is the perfect introduction to the Capital Intrigue series which features three law school friends who have high powered jobs in DC. This time round it's FBI Agent Bailey who gets to shine as she battles an intriguing case and soon crosses paths with NCIS Special Agent Marco. Whew -- and let the games begin as these two grow close as they work an impossibly complicated case.
They don't have time for distractions and yet...Love that the romance isn't overshadowed by the suspense. The relationship grows realistically -- this isn't a case of insta-love (though I appreciate a good insta romance as well as the next avid reader), but rather a gradual warming from wary collaborators to respected colleagues to genuine friendship. And then the flirting begins. Oh my! Cue the toe curls and happy sighs.
This one ticks all my armchair sleuthing boxes -- cleverly developed suspense with lots of action and danger paired with a solid romance and great team building. I'm already eyeball deep into Backlash (book two) and loving it just as much!
And I love the way the author propels her readers through the investigation, piecing together clues and trying to make sense out of chaos right along with the team. I feel like I've earned the right to be called Rookie now. :-)
End Game is the perfect introduction to the Capital Intrigue series which features three law school friends who have high powered jobs in DC. This time round it's FBI Agent Bailey who gets to shine as she battles an intriguing case and soon crosses paths with NCIS Special Agent Marco. Whew -- and let the games begin as these two grow close as they work an impossibly complicated case.
They don't have time for distractions and yet...Love that the romance isn't overshadowed by the suspense. The relationship grows realistically -- this isn't a case of insta-love (though I appreciate a good insta romance as well as the next avid reader), but rather a gradual warming from wary collaborators to respected colleagues to genuine friendship. And then the flirting begins. Oh my! Cue the toe curls and happy sighs.
This one ticks all my armchair sleuthing boxes -- cleverly developed suspense with lots of action and danger paired with a solid romance and great team building. I'm already eyeball deep into Backlash (book two) and loving it just as much!
December 20, 2019
I really wanted to like this book, but it just wasn’t for me. I love Christian suspense and have enjoyed some of Rachel Dylan’s books, but this was missing a few pieces for my full enjoyment.
But first… I did like the actual mystery. I couldn’t exactly untangle it myself, so I liked that. Also, the author didn’t end it like she has concluded several of her other books, so I enjoyed the variance there. The different layers of who-did-what were very intriguing and I liked watching everything unravel.
The Christian thread about trusting God rather than circumstance was nicely woven in the story and I think people who have lost loved ones and struggle to open their hearts again could benefit from this theme.
Overall, the writing was rather wooden to me, which is sad, because the actual plot had a lot of depth and potential. I felt like I was told everything rather than being able to experience it for myself. Even in the romance, I didn’t feel the chemistry between characters—they just always said they were falling quickly.
I really don’t intend to be harsh in reviewing this, but I primarily read it to see “whodunit” in the end rather than soaking in the story as it was happening, and I dislike reading in that fashion.
*I received this book from the author and provided my honest review*
But first… I did like the actual mystery. I couldn’t exactly untangle it myself, so I liked that. Also, the author didn’t end it like she has concluded several of her other books, so I enjoyed the variance there. The different layers of who-did-what were very intriguing and I liked watching everything unravel.
The Christian thread about trusting God rather than circumstance was nicely woven in the story and I think people who have lost loved ones and struggle to open their hearts again could benefit from this theme.
Overall, the writing was rather wooden to me, which is sad, because the actual plot had a lot of depth and potential. I felt like I was told everything rather than being able to experience it for myself. Even in the romance, I didn’t feel the chemistry between characters—they just always said they were falling quickly.
I really don’t intend to be harsh in reviewing this, but I primarily read it to see “whodunit” in the end rather than soaking in the story as it was happening, and I dislike reading in that fashion.
*I received this book from the author and provided my honest review*
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