What do you think?
Rate this book
Nick Lawrence #3
Burning Truth
FBI Special Agent Nick Lawrence is in hot pursuit of a brilliant serial killer.
He’s also the next target on the killer’s list.
The serial killer is known as The Ferryman. His series of unpredictable and horrific murders have terrified the residents of Austin, Texas, and stymied local law enforcement.
Special Agent Cheryl Simmons of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit is known throughout the Bureau as a legend among their elite profilers. For the better part of the last four years, she’s devoted herself to tracking The Ferryman, and this may be her best chance to catch him.
For the killer has chosen fellow FBI Agent Nick Lawrence as his next victim.
Why?
No one knows.
When will he attack?
No one knows that either.
But the Ferryman is coming.
Soon.
And using Nick as bait is the only way to catch him...
Shea’s third book in the Nick Lawrence series delivers the knockout punch fans have come to expect. BURNING TRUTH is a fast-paced thrill ride filled with twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.
He’s also the next target on the killer’s list.
The serial killer is known as The Ferryman. His series of unpredictable and horrific murders have terrified the residents of Austin, Texas, and stymied local law enforcement.
Special Agent Cheryl Simmons of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit is known throughout the Bureau as a legend among their elite profilers. For the better part of the last four years, she’s devoted herself to tracking The Ferryman, and this may be her best chance to catch him.
For the killer has chosen fellow FBI Agent Nick Lawrence as his next victim.
Why?
No one knows.
When will he attack?
No one knows that either.
But the Ferryman is coming.
Soon.
And using Nick as bait is the only way to catch him...
Shea’s third book in the Nick Lawrence series delivers the knockout punch fans have come to expect. BURNING TRUTH is a fast-paced thrill ride filled with twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2019
1646 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Brian Christopher Shea
52 books279 followersAuthor also writes under Brian Shea
BRIAN CHRISTOPHER SHEA has spent most of his adult life in service to his country and local community. He honorably served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. In his civilian life, he reached the rank of Detective and accrued ten years of law enforcement experience between Texas and Connecticut. Somewhere in the mix he spent five years as a fifth-grade school teacher. Brian’s myriad of life experience is woven into the tapestry of each character’s design. He resides in New England and is blessed with an amazing wife and three beautiful daughters.
Writing has always been a dream, but life seemed to find a way of interrupting. It wasn’t until recently that he dedicated time to this passion. His first book, The Camel’s Back, gave him a much-needed mental break from his work investigating atrocities against children. He allotted time in the morning each day. Usually waking at 5 to bang away on his manuscript. The second round of daily writing would occur after his children were asleep. He proved that working full-time and raising a family were no longer valid excuses to putting off his novel.
BRIAN CHRISTOPHER SHEA has spent most of his adult life in service to his country and local community. He honorably served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. In his civilian life, he reached the rank of Detective and accrued ten years of law enforcement experience between Texas and Connecticut. Somewhere in the mix he spent five years as a fifth-grade school teacher. Brian’s myriad of life experience is woven into the tapestry of each character’s design. He resides in New England and is blessed with an amazing wife and three beautiful daughters.
Writing has always been a dream, but life seemed to find a way of interrupting. It wasn’t until recently that he dedicated time to this passion. His first book, The Camel’s Back, gave him a much-needed mental break from his work investigating atrocities against children. He allotted time in the morning each day. Usually waking at 5 to bang away on his manuscript. The second round of daily writing would occur after his children were asleep. He proved that working full-time and raising a family were no longer valid excuses to putting off his novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 11, 2020
A Fast-paced, Action-Packed, Shock Of A Thriller Which Will Explode In Front Of You!!
Holy Moly...WHAT the Heck!! A story with amazing characters, a fascinating plot and twists that happen so often that by the end you are barely left standing..Along with Everybody else!!!
This author pens a story so very real, from every expression to the unique way each person deals with what comes their way. You Are right there in the scene, you feel the love friends have for each other, enjoy the romance between Nick, FBI Agent and Anaya, a social worker, and the sadness when tragedy strikes. Through an adventure with no quit, no time to stop and think, as events tumble together and effect every person in Nick's life! Then when all seems to be worked out..Another work left behind by a psychotic killer tears Nick's world asunder!!!
Whew..A sparkling 5 STAR adventure that grabbed me and did Not let go..I recommend all who enjoy great police stories and thrillers to read this book.
Holy Moly...WHAT the Heck!! A story with amazing characters, a fascinating plot and twists that happen so often that by the end you are barely left standing..Along with Everybody else!!!
This author pens a story so very real, from every expression to the unique way each person deals with what comes their way. You Are right there in the scene, you feel the love friends have for each other, enjoy the romance between Nick, FBI Agent and Anaya, a social worker, and the sadness when tragedy strikes. Through an adventure with no quit, no time to stop and think, as events tumble together and effect every person in Nick's life! Then when all seems to be worked out..Another work left behind by a psychotic killer tears Nick's world asunder!!!
Whew..A sparkling 5 STAR adventure that grabbed me and did Not let go..I recommend all who enjoy great police stories and thrillers to read this book.
November 26, 2018
Nick Lawrence, FBI Sex Crimes Unit, was finally engaged in a personal life. He and his significant other, Anaya, were on their way for a short vacation to see a young girl by the name of Mouse. Apparently, Mouse had had a rough life and was finally adopted by a great family. Anaya had had something to do with this placement. Anaya and Nick were to visit her in her new environment for the first time. While waiting at the airport, Nick received devastating news about his ex- partner, Izzy. With the weather being so icy, an 18 wheeler, had overturned, and Izzy was involved, and in critical condition. Since Anaya knew that they had strong work-ties, she encouraged Nick to change his plans and go to Connecticut to see her. As he and his best friend, Declan waited for news in the waiting room, Nick, couldn’t believe how so much could change in a few hours. This morning Anaya informed him he was to he a father, and now he was waiting to hear some news on Izzy. Izzy had saved his and Declan’s lives so many times. This just couldn’t be happening. Will she live? To make matters even worse, Nick was ordered back to Austin on a serial murder case. Apparently, this murderer kills homeless people, aka, The Ferryman. And now the Ferryman has his sights on Nick. Why would he be leaving notes at the scene of the crime for Nick? Nick has no clue why he has become the obsession of The Ferryman. What is the motive for this serial killer murdering homeless people? Why has he changed his MO to include Nick and his past cases? How will this obsession of The Ferryman affect Nick and Anaya? Will others be in danger as well? FBI Profiler, Cheryl Simmons from the BAU, has requested that Nick be transferred from the Sex Crimes Unit to the BAU. Will they finally catch this maniacal serial killer? The book grabbed my attention from the very first page and kept my attention until the last page. I must say that I was very surprised with the ending. I really like the writing style of the Author. He keeps the reader in total suspense. When you think you’ve got it all figured out, he throws a twist in the plot. The development of the characters was very detailed and realistic. The reader could visualize the characters with all of their human emotions and flaws. If you like mystery and psychological intrigue as well as a book that will keep you guessing, then this book is definitely for you. I look forward to the next book from this author.
January 7, 2021
Too many clichés, not enough commas and too many adverbs. Even some spelling errors. Most of the writing problems occur in the first third of the book, which is the same part where the reading is slow. The story has not kicked in yet and it's mostly drama. Then it starts to kick into gear and the readability is better. Strong ending, but weak start.
Three and-a-half stars.
Three and-a-half stars.
June 21, 2019
Third book in the series and I had to give it 5 stars because of the twist at the end. I wasn't expecting it at all, what a shock. Since I read the first 2 books I was really upset with what happened in the story line and still am even with the twist (Brian, why did you do that). Nick is our suffering FBI agent and he carries a black cloud over him most of the time but an angel is right behind. Nick is faced with one of his most difficult cases when a serial killer is after him personally. He has a new love with a baby on the way. Mouse is doing fine with the family that Anaya placed her with. The book is fast paced and a page turner. New characters are introduced to support the characters already in the book.
November 25, 2018
Awesome
Riveting from the beginning. A great sequel.
The ending is superb, but needs to be another trilogy.
I can’t wait for the next book.
Riveting from the beginning. A great sequel.
The ending is superb, but needs to be another trilogy.
I can’t wait for the next book.
November 24, 2018
wow!
what an ending.
what an ending.
March 26, 2020
Imagine you wake up and plan taking a vacation and you find out you and your partner are going to have a baby. For Nick this is exciting news. Then the phone rings and brings tragic tidings. The story moves on with each day more tragic news. The twists and turns keep coming is epic tale.
It did leave me with some unanswered questions like why the heck Nick his pregnant girlfriend alone unprotected knowing a serial killer is near by and is going after his loved ones. Stupid move and does not bode well for my opinion of him.
It did leave me with some unanswered questions like why the heck Nick his pregnant girlfriend alone unprotected knowing a serial killer is near by and is going after his loved ones. Stupid move and does not bode well for my opinion of him.
June 23, 2019
I would have given this one four stars had it not been continued in the next of the series. I really hate it when authors do that. Characters in a series is great, but making that series a serial, requiring the reading of the next novel really irritates the hell out of me.
Shea keeps up the suspense in this even though the reader can see where it's going. Then he drops a couple of bombshells into the story to show the reader that they really hadn't figured it out.
Shea keeps up the suspense in this even though the reader can see where it's going. Then he drops a couple of bombshells into the story to show the reader that they really hadn't figured it out.
January 16, 2019
How could you do this to the readers? I cried almost through the whole book. I wasn’t expecting any of this. I’m heartbroken for Nick. His life is now in a shambles. I hope it works out for him in the next book. I’m heavily invested in these characters. Still highly recommend! This is a fantastic series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2018
I enjoyed this book, and I have really enjoyed the whole series. I was a little unsure about Camel's Back, but seeing Nick Lawrence in other situations has made me soften toward the character and I appreciate tragic heroes because they are more authentic. None of us are truly good or evil, we fall on a spectrum, and "fall" is a curious choice of word since it seems that humans are generally striving for something beyond themselves to save them from themselves. Nick cannot save himself, so he surrounds himself with capable, smart, people that help him even when he doesn't deserve it.
I don't usually read books in a series and while I enjoy detective stories once in a while, I don't usually prefer them, but I have been engaged in Shea's series and I am looking forward to the next. I have gone back and reread the others. What I appreciate most is that the characters feel authentic, researched, and sympathetic even when they mess up.
Nick and Anaya seem innocent and they work well together, on the job as a potential family. Nick has tragic flaws that keep him awake at night. Nick's redemption is not a story-book, happy ending, he's a human, and humans are faced with trials, they grieve, and hopefully learn, grow stronger, and use the experiences to teach and help others.
The Ferryman is seeking poetic justice, a vengeance that blind-sides him since he thought he left the past in the past. On the same day that he is invited to think about his future with Anaya and the news of his baby, the rug is taken from underneath him when he finds that a former lover, Izzy, has been involved in a terrible accident.
Simmons is a tough cop, and in other circumstances, he would have appreciated meeting a cop like himself, one that faces things head-first, doesn't take anyone's nonsense, and tells it straight. Nick needs to have all of his focus to work this case, but the excitement of fatherhood, the devastating news of his ex-lover, and a serial murder seemingly seeking justice for criminals in Nick's former cases that evaded punishment.
There is a lot going on in this series. Enjoy!
I don't usually read books in a series and while I enjoy detective stories once in a while, I don't usually prefer them, but I have been engaged in Shea's series and I am looking forward to the next. I have gone back and reread the others. What I appreciate most is that the characters feel authentic, researched, and sympathetic even when they mess up.
Nick and Anaya seem innocent and they work well together, on the job as a potential family. Nick has tragic flaws that keep him awake at night. Nick's redemption is not a story-book, happy ending, he's a human, and humans are faced with trials, they grieve, and hopefully learn, grow stronger, and use the experiences to teach and help others.
The Ferryman is seeking poetic justice, a vengeance that blind-sides him since he thought he left the past in the past. On the same day that he is invited to think about his future with Anaya and the news of his baby, the rug is taken from underneath him when he finds that a former lover, Izzy, has been involved in a terrible accident.
Simmons is a tough cop, and in other circumstances, he would have appreciated meeting a cop like himself, one that faces things head-first, doesn't take anyone's nonsense, and tells it straight. Nick needs to have all of his focus to work this case, but the excitement of fatherhood, the devastating news of his ex-lover, and a serial murder seemingly seeking justice for criminals in Nick's former cases that evaded punishment.
There is a lot going on in this series. Enjoy!
November 28, 2018
I had to read it twice
Being retired I have the luxury of binge reading and if the book is action packed i read through it quickly. After devouring a good book I will read it again and savor the author's writing style. That was the case with this book. So many twists and turns and the loss of a character that i was totally connected with. The ending is a shocker that I did not see coming.Now I am trying to be patient for book 4 in the series and sure that Brian Christopher Shea will not disappoint.
Being retired I have the luxury of binge reading and if the book is action packed i read through it quickly. After devouring a good book I will read it again and savor the author's writing style. That was the case with this book. So many twists and turns and the loss of a character that i was totally connected with. The ending is a shocker that I did not see coming.Now I am trying to be patient for book 4 in the series and sure that Brian Christopher Shea will not disappoint.
September 29, 2019
Burning Truth
I love an author who can make a story line that is is interesting and yet leaves the reader room to try and figure out who the real bad guy is and what made them the villain. Brian Shea has accomplished that with this story. Well done and well worth the time!!
I love an author who can make a story line that is is interesting and yet leaves the reader room to try and figure out who the real bad guy is and what made them the villain. Brian Shea has accomplished that with this story. Well done and well worth the time!!
August 4, 2019
Strong character exposition
October 22, 2019
Wow
The books just keep getting better. The ending actually caught me by surprise. That doesn’t happen very often. I’m ready to start the next book tomorrow.
The books just keep getting better. The ending actually caught me by surprise. That doesn’t happen very often. I’m ready to start the next book tomorrow.
March 26, 2020
Excellent thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end! Can’t wait to read #4
December 15, 2018
Overturned for sure!
Kept me glued to the pages, and every twist and turn was a surprise. Believable and likeable characters. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Kept me glued to the pages, and every twist and turn was a surprise. Believable and likeable characters. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
December 31, 2018
A great read
This is a author that knows his subject matter from real life experiences Keep the great stories coming + keep Nick safe.
This is a author that knows his subject matter from real life experiences Keep the great stories coming + keep Nick safe.
February 19, 2020
good story. twists and turns you are desperately hoping won't come. Well written and narrated well on audible.
March 8, 2020
Nick Lawrence never backs down.
Life is different from the start without Izzy around. But Nick has a new lady. Will it last? Is he finally going to get to be happy?
Life is different from the start without Izzy around. But Nick has a new lady. Will it last? Is he finally going to get to be happy?
January 31, 2020
GOOD BOOK
April 13, 2020
It was a great read even if I wasn’t happy with all of the twists and turns it took. Non stop action and mega grief for this book. Just warning you. I really did not like how it ended for sure. But I will be reading the next one!
September 27, 2021
The third book in Brian Shea's Nick Lawrence series, BURNING TRUTH, is a straight up whodunit. It's definitely the best book of the three and entertaining of its own accord.
Lawrence, an FBI special agent based in Austin, picks up where we last saw him in PURSUIT OF JUSTICE. Things look rosy for him in the beginning, but in rapid short order, his entire life is ripped apart, piece by piece. The darkest part of his past has come home to roost, and no one close to Lawrence is safe.
On the down side, some of Shea's less than desirable writing habits are still present. That said, it is clear that his writing has evolved since his debut novel, THE KILL LIST. The novel is a bit short for my tastes, but at the same time, it didn't feel too rushed.
On the up side, I definitely didn't see the twists coming. There are plenty of red herrings to throw readers off the scent of the Ferryman killer, and at the same time, when the big reveal is made, the hints in retrospect become utterly stark. That's textbook whodunit and I commend Shea for artfully piecing the plot together.
Even more commendable is the novel's final twist. I definitely did not see that coming, and it sets the stage for the next novel in the series.
While I do have my points of contention with Shea's style, it's undeniable an entertaining novel, and it succeeds in hooking the reader in and making them wonder what's next and investing in the characters. I can say with solid confidence that I plan to pick up subsequent titles in the series and continue to follow the adventures of Nick Lawrence.
Lawrence, an FBI special agent based in Austin, picks up where we last saw him in PURSUIT OF JUSTICE. Things look rosy for him in the beginning, but in rapid short order, his entire life is ripped apart, piece by piece. The darkest part of his past has come home to roost, and no one close to Lawrence is safe.
On the down side, some of Shea's less than desirable writing habits are still present. That said, it is clear that his writing has evolved since his debut novel, THE KILL LIST. The novel is a bit short for my tastes, but at the same time, it didn't feel too rushed.
On the up side, I definitely didn't see the twists coming. There are plenty of red herrings to throw readers off the scent of the Ferryman killer, and at the same time, when the big reveal is made, the hints in retrospect become utterly stark. That's textbook whodunit and I commend Shea for artfully piecing the plot together.
Even more commendable is the novel's final twist. I definitely did not see that coming, and it sets the stage for the next novel in the series.
While I do have my points of contention with Shea's style, it's undeniable an entertaining novel, and it succeeds in hooking the reader in and making them wonder what's next and investing in the characters. I can say with solid confidence that I plan to pick up subsequent titles in the series and continue to follow the adventures of Nick Lawrence.
August 25, 2025
Nick Lawrence is a FBI agent on vacation when his ex-partner, Izzy, was in a serious accident. Nick interrupts his planned vacation and goes to see Izzy.
Unbelievably, Nick has to return to Texas on a serial murder case. Nick is enraged. He meets with Cheryl Simmons, a FBI profiler. She states that she wants Nick involved in the Ferryman case because the killer left a note with Nick's name on it at the murder scene.
The Ferryman is killing homeless people and seems to believe that he is killing people that the justice system missed. He has become a vigilante.
Nick and his family members are under protection because of the danger of the Ferryman.
A very engaging book that caught my interest immediately and kept if through the book. There are big twists. Will Nick stop the Ferryman?
Unbelievably, Nick has to return to Texas on a serial murder case. Nick is enraged. He meets with Cheryl Simmons, a FBI profiler. She states that she wants Nick involved in the Ferryman case because the killer left a note with Nick's name on it at the murder scene.
The Ferryman is killing homeless people and seems to believe that he is killing people that the justice system missed. He has become a vigilante.
Nick and his family members are under protection because of the danger of the Ferryman.
A very engaging book that caught my interest immediately and kept if through the book. There are big twists. Will Nick stop the Ferryman?
July 9, 2021
There are very few crime novels that affect me in the way that this one has. In Burning Truth, Nick was wrought with one tragedy after another. One was a circumstance beyond his control and the rest were by a faceless killer stalking and taunting him, brought on by a secret from his past that he had been harboring for a long time. It all finally caught up to him at the worst possible time and the dominos started to fall. How much more could one person take if they were faced with similar circumstances?
These are the type of gripping novels that are a reader's dream. Brian Shea got me good on this one so I guess I'll be reading the remainder of the Nick Lawrence series just to see what happens next. You should too. Highly recommended.
These are the type of gripping novels that are a reader's dream. Brian Shea got me good on this one so I guess I'll be reading the remainder of the Nick Lawrence series just to see what happens next. You should too. Highly recommended.
December 23, 2018
Book was good, cliffhanger ending horrid!
I've liked all the books in this series until the ending of this one. I'm fed up with cliffhanger endings supposedly guaranteeing sales for next book. This book was good, fast-paced, interesting with twists and turns to keep you guessing. Then comes the horrible cliffhanger ending. Shouldn't authors have enough confidence in their writing to believe that readers will look forward to the next book because the books have been good? This cliffhanger ending garbage has made me more likely to write off authors than to breathlessly wait a year or more to find out what's going to happen.
I've liked all the books in this series until the ending of this one. I'm fed up with cliffhanger endings supposedly guaranteeing sales for next book. This book was good, fast-paced, interesting with twists and turns to keep you guessing. Then comes the horrible cliffhanger ending. Shouldn't authors have enough confidence in their writing to believe that readers will look forward to the next book because the books have been good? This cliffhanger ending garbage has made me more likely to write off authors than to breathlessly wait a year or more to find out what's going to happen.
November 2, 2020
While I still did enjoy this the third Nick Lawrence book of the series, I felt it did not quite live up to the standards of the first two books. I felt the character development went in reverse and while the end did cause me to begin book 4 immediately I was disappointed that the ending was just a lead in to the next book. I would have liked a little more closure.
May 5, 2022
Took My Breath Away
This book was nonstop action from beginning to end. I could hardly put it down with all that was happening. Nick had so much going on. In this book...unfortunately most going against him. I never expected the ending. My only disappointment was with him losing, in my mind, his soul mate, right at the beginning. A Rollercoaster of a story!
This book was nonstop action from beginning to end. I could hardly put it down with all that was happening. Nick had so much going on. In this book...unfortunately most going against him. I never expected the ending. My only disappointment was with him losing, in my mind, his soul mate, right at the beginning. A Rollercoaster of a story!
August 6, 2022
A fantastic series
They say that the truth will set you free, but the past is coming back to haunt Nick at the worst of times. His life is being destroyed one person at a time. Will he be able to figure out why before it's too late? It's definitely a story that you won't want to miss.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
They say that the truth will set you free, but the past is coming back to haunt Nick at the worst of times. His life is being destroyed one person at a time. Will he be able to figure out why before it's too late? It's definitely a story that you won't want to miss.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
December 22, 2018
Looking for more
Once you start to read, give yourself time. Because time will slip away as you become involved in the lives of Nick and Delvin. I am hooked and can’t wait for the next series.
Once you start to read, give yourself time. Because time will slip away as you become involved in the lives of Nick and Delvin. I am hooked and can’t wait for the next series.
September 15, 2020
I read the first three stories and got increasingly frustrated. Nick Lawrence looks sharp at the beginning of each story only to wind up bumbling his way through and being rescued by someone else. I wanted to like him but . . . inept investigator.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews