Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Agent Dallas goes undercover to bring down a pack of dark-web predators before they terrorize women in the real world.

A body wrapped in plastic turns up in the middle of the road—with no ID and no viable explanation. For Detective Jackson, the pressure builds when he and his team must also locate a missing woman that few people seem to know.

Across the country, FBI Agent Jamie Dallas takes on a dangerous undercover assignment—tracking sexual predators who brag about their assaults in a perverse dark-web forum. Dallas travels to Jackson’s hometown and discovers that her target’s crimes are just the opening salvo.

The investigators race the clock to find the victims, but will they discover the connection in time to save all the women caught in the deviant trap?

THE BLACK PILL combines fast-paced action with psychological intrigue and heart-stopping undercover work. "This story is incredible!!!"—Teresa Burrell, bestselling author of legal thrillers

Author’s When I traveled to Costa Rica to visit my grandchildren, I had to rescue them from a dangerous cult and ended up running through the jungle from armed men. The horrific conditions the kids were living under were unforgettable and formed the brother characters’ background in this thriller.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2020

210 people are currently reading
197 people want to read

About the author

L.J. Sellers

59 books478 followers
I write the bestselling Detective Jackson mystery/thriller series—a four-time Readers Favorite award winner—as well as the Agent Dallas series, the Extractor thrillers, and provocative standalone thrillers. My 30 novels have been highly praised and have sold more than a million copies.

I reside in Eugene, Oregon where my many of my novels are set, and I'm also an award-winning journalist who earned the Grand Neal. When not plotting murders, I enjoy standup comedy, cycling, social networking, and attending mystery conferences. I've also been known to jump out of airplanes.


Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
352 (51%)
4 stars
239 (35%)
3 stars
66 (9%)
2 stars
19 (2%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Maryann.
Author 50 books552 followers
March 29, 2020
I found The Black Pill to be an engrossing read, with a terrific blend of suspense and mystery and lead characters to root for. Both Detective Jackson and Agent Dallas are engaging characters, and I like the fact that they're three-dimensional - not stereotypical and certainly not perfect. The personal side to their lives is as interesting as the main plot of the story, especially Jackson's difficulties with his teenage daughter Kate, who is in a controlling relationship. Jackson is conflicted between his need to protect her and the knowledge that he has to let her make decisions that he doesn't approve of. Only when those decisions become threatening, does he decide to step in, which I thought was a very wise parental move, and the struggle between the cop and the father was very real.

It took reading a few chapters into the book for me to figure out that somehow the cases that Jackson and Dallas were involved in were going to intersect, but once I caught on I appreciated that unique approach to bringing the bad guys to justice. And I learned more than I ever wanted to know about human trafficking and incels (Involuntary celibates) What a dark and horrifying group they are, and they're real, which is even more frightening.

L.J. never fails to shape her stories around topics that are relevant, perhaps as her way of helping to educate readers about things out there that we need to be aware of. For sure, this is one case of art reflecting life.
98 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2020
I discovered L.J. Sellers when I got my first Kindle. Not knowing what to read and looking to make an investment into a series, the premise of the first Jackson book ‘The Sex Club’ looked intriguing and the ratings were good. I dove in. 15 books later, Wade Jackson has become a comforting old friend. Ms. Sellers just released The Black Pill and I was lucky enough to receive a free copy. But first, I needed to read the 3 other Jackson novels I squirreled away... Why? Because I don’t like a world where I don’t have a Detective Jackson mystery waiting somewhere for me to slip comfortably into.

Set in Eugene Oregon (which after reading so much about I’m curious to visit), if you like police procedurals, a cast of diverse characters/timely topics and a good cop who still has old-fashioned values but knows he needs to change with the times, I suggest you give L.J. Sellers and her Detective Jackson series a try. This is one of Sellers best yet, it pulls in her FBI Agent Dallas (a separate three book series that I hope Sellers will expand upon) and just when I thought it was over gave me a twist at the end. Thank you, LJ for continually issuing solid Mysteries! Now that I’ve caught up and read them all, I’m going to need another in short order!

Profile Image for Big Time Book Junkie.
796 reviews47 followers
February 12, 2020
The Black Pill is the first book I've read by L. J. Sellers, but it will not be the last. I was immediately hooked, especially by the storyline of FBI Agent Jamie Dallas and her undercover assignment.

This book was not only fast paced, but so well plotted that it all made sense and made me want to keep reading faster and faster. I wanted to know what happened and why, but in another sense I didn't want this book to end.

Great characters, a strong storyline and so much information on incels helped me to not only love this book, but learn a lot also. I had never heard of the term incel and enjoyed learning while enjoying this book.

If you haven't read anything by L. J. Sellers, pick up one of her books today. If you enjoy mysteries and suspense, these are must reads.

I received an ARC from the author at my request, but the thoughts in this review are my own and happily given because I really loved this story.
43 reviews
February 15, 2021
A clever way to combine 2 of L.J. Sellars best characters,allbeit a little coincidental how their cases came together.Nonetheless a typically fast paced storyline and a good amount of their personal lives thrown in for good measure.
It will be very interesting to see how Jackson's personal life develops following on from this episode's closing line and I can only imagine it's not going to be easy.
Also there is still a long way to go in Dallas's relationship so many loose ends to look forward to in forthcoming episodes....can't wait.
Can be read as a standalone story,however if you are a first timer then I guarantee you'll be hooked and quickly into the previous episodes,they are all very worthwhile reads.
423 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2022
Dark web and sexual predators - a match made in Hell.

I have read books by L.J. Sellers before and have come across Detective Jackson before. This book is based around a horrifying storyline that involves men stalking and entrapping women; on the internet they boast and preen over their fantasies (or realities) that can go as far as long term incarceration and murder. I found the characters light on detail. There are skimmed references to their lives but not enough to empathise with them, certainly not if you hadn't met any of them before. A going d book but lacking on character background.
Profile Image for Dawn Steenken korzekwa.
115 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2020
When you get any of LJ's books, you know you're in for a great story! And this newest one did NOT disappoint!!! Plus it combines Jackson and Dallas, how awesome is that?!?! This book pulls you in immediately and you won't want to put it down until it's over. It's a quick read because it flows so well and you'll love the twists in it. Like always it keeps you wanting more and wishing she could get them out almost as fast as you read them. I promise, you won't be disappointed in this book though! So go ahead and get it, then come back and let us know what you thought too.
Profile Image for Bonnie Gleckler Clark.
900 reviews16 followers
February 28, 2022
Seemingly two unrelated criminal cases. One being run by the FBI and the other by the Eugene Police department. Agent Jamie Dallas is sent to Vancouver to go deep undercover to track down a sexual predator who is bragging on line about his assaults in a perverse dark-web forum. At the same moment in time, Detective Jackson is also trying to locate a missing woman who appears to have been kidnapped. Are the two cases related? And, how does Dallas and Jackson know each other?
A good read, not as exciting as I have first thought, but i did enjoy reading it.
Profile Image for Angela.
3,512 reviews33 followers
October 21, 2023
A terrific series

4 1/2 stars

This was an intense, suspenseful, and twisted story that will pull you in from the beginning. Some of the content of this story is sickening, degrading, and unbelievably horrific, and I truly hope that it's all only fictional. Unfortunately, there's so much evil in this world that it also wouldn't surprise me if it was actually happening in reality.
Overall, this was an intriguing story, but there were a couple of things that I wish would've had more depth &/or closure.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
Profile Image for Red.
514 reviews8 followers
February 27, 2020
LJ is back with another Detective Jackson book, number 15 to be exact! Only this book has another of Seller's famous crime solvers, Agent Jamie Dallas, on the scene (unbeknownst to the Jackson Crew). This is a fast paced book, guaranteed not to bore you, well written, and with just the right amount of love triangle. Leaves you waiting for the next book...to see how the personal stories evolve in that triangle. A must have for the Jackson Junkies.
Profile Image for Jane Firebaugh.
Author 7 books99 followers
March 4, 2020
I totally enjoyed this book. It is the first first book I've read by this author, but I am hooked and will definitely be back for more.

The Black Pill is an engrossing read with plenty of suspense and very likable characters. Unique approach to solving the mystery as well, with two different detectives (one police and the other FBI) coming from different angles, unbeknownst to each other.

Highly recommended.
941 reviews7 followers
January 29, 2021
Incredible

Love how the twists and turns come together in this book. So much sadness, grief and evil. This is a psychological thriller that tears you apart, makes you wonder and never really puts you back to where you were before. LJ Sellers is an amazing author. This was a combo Jackson /Dallas mystery. Jackson is a Eugene, Oregon, cop. Dallas is an FBI agent.
261 reviews1 follower
Read
February 3, 2022
Excellent Thriller

I love checking out an author new to me. I picked this rating as it was a very exciting story and I enjoy a good thriller. If you do too read this book because you won't be disappointed. Her characters are believable. Read and enjoy! I am sure you will want to recommend it to others. I know I will be doing that.
Profile Image for Geraldine M.
255 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2022
Good Thriller

A pregnant woman kidnapped. Was it the ex boyfriend/stalker or someone else? And then a body rolls off a truck, wrapped in plastic. Then we hit the dark web for perversions of men & sex trafficking. What connects them or not. Time to read and find out what's really going on. Great read.
48 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2022
Hard Content

Pregnant with another women's baby, caregiver to ill mother, both illegal aliens and one a possible drug mule, just for starters. Throw in two tortured souls, one a sex deviant, kidnapper, and unhappy murderer. Add an Undercover cop and a detective in a very unhappy happy relationship. Now, let's go solve the cases. Cases? Yes, at least three!
Profile Image for Chuck Wallace.
31 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2020
The Black Pill is a combination of both EPD JACKSON & FBI AGENT DALLAS. They really put the action together in Vancouver WA and the Usual Eugene OR locations. Very well researched, written and enjoyed. Don’t let this be the last joint venture.
493 reviews
January 31, 2022
Pill to hard to swallow

Another attempt of someone imitating literature. When anyone uses profane and vulgar language to make a point, they have a poor grasp of language. There are plenty of good authors that don’t grovel in the mire like this. Keep looking.
193 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2022
Fantastic Book!!

I have read this book in almost one sitting!! I could not put it down!! So well written, very fast paced and with great characters!! I have even more respect for police detectives and officers!! A job I could never do!
6 reviews
Read
February 4, 2022
Interesting

Quite a complex story sometimes difficult to keep up with the characters. Not read this author before but will definitely read more.
The final pages were interesting. How was Jackson going to resolve his family life. Watch this space.
112 reviews
February 6, 2022
Recommended Read

I enjoyed the book it got waterlogged a few times just the same, so I read something else for a bit. Appealing characters good enough storyline and the ending wasn't disappointing however the final conclusion was certainly far-fetched at the very end....
179 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2022
Police and FBI

Wonderfully written story about the seamier side of life. The book has a lot of suspense and action. It details the effect murder and kidnapping has on law enforcement. The book is riveting and a great read.
319 reviews3 followers
Read
February 9, 2022
Ex, murder, kidnapping, dark web.

After a woman is kidnapped, a dead man is found in the street, wrapped in black plastic. The ensuing search develops into the dark web of crazy men looking for sex captive women held for sex, and a man shooting his brother.
Profile Image for Gloria.
56 reviews
Read
September 25, 2022
Wow!!!!!!!

I think this is one of the best Jackson books yet! I really like agent Dallas being added to the series and am looking forward to seeing how her character becomes a part of the series. The ending is really good so read the book and find out why.
424 reviews1 follower
October 16, 2022
Careful with public routines

Author unites seeming unrelated crimes into thriller ending. Challenge for reader to understand the evidence relevance but author helps out with flare.
1 review
February 20, 2020
Loved it

Loved this book, but what an abrupt ending......Ugh. Any hint when the next installment might be coming out??? I can't wait!
Profile Image for Jenny Komic.
5 reviews
Read
August 10, 2020
As usual she can never disapoint

She can't disappoint. Love det Jackson but agent Dallas is becoming my favorite as well. Love how Sellers brings them together.
10 reviews
December 30, 2021
Not what I expected

Plot twist was not I expected. Quick read. Still rooting for Evans and Jackson. It’s still left open for those two.
30 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2022
The Black Pill

Riveting. So many crimes trying to be solved at one time and all are connected. Looking forward to reading the flowing books. Never a dull moment
Profile Image for Mikki O.
141 reviews
February 5, 2022
The black pill

Well written and fast paced thriller. I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Looking forward to reading more from this series
32 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2022
Exciting Crime Thriller

Lots of twists and turns with likable characters. Once I started the book, I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend.
35 reviews
February 7, 2022
He!d me

The book kept my interest and there were several Plots going all at once and they were all interwoven and to follow it all was fun. It was a good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews