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A Derek Reed Thriller #1
The Box
FBI Profiler Agent Derek Reed witnesses the rape and murder of a young girl. The injuries he suffers at the hands of serial killer Josiah Craig, gets him placed on medical leave.
Plagued by nightmares, he decides to take a road trip to see his family. While traveling, he finds a mysterious box filled with trinkets. Upon further inspection, Derek realizes the box holds the souvenirs of a killer's victims.
With hardly any clues to go on, he wonders if he should just bury the box and walk away. However, the guilt he carries won't let him do that. Instead, he uses this journey to atone for his past sins and right a long-ago wrong.
Can he keep the nightmares at bay long enough to figure out who the killer is? Or are they not nightmares at all, but his new reality of living with the dead?
Plagued by nightmares, he decides to take a road trip to see his family. While traveling, he finds a mysterious box filled with trinkets. Upon further inspection, Derek realizes the box holds the souvenirs of a killer's victims.
With hardly any clues to go on, he wonders if he should just bury the box and walk away. However, the guilt he carries won't let him do that. Instead, he uses this journey to atone for his past sins and right a long-ago wrong.
Can he keep the nightmares at bay long enough to figure out who the killer is? Or are they not nightmares at all, but his new reality of living with the dead?
Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2019
584 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Victoria M. Patton
18 books71 followersI'm a writer, herder of cats, and whiskey drinker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 18, 2025
Within the first two chapters the word shuttered was used where shuddered was intended, psyche was used where psych was needed and professor’s was used where professors was supposed to be. Dear GOD, who writes this poorly? I won’t even finish it based on the first two chapters. Did this HAVE AN EDITOR? I’m appalled at the high ratings.
March 3, 2025
FBI Profiler Agent Derek Reed receives ifromserial killer Josiah Craig, that gets him placed on medical leave.
Plagued by nightmares, he decides to take a road trip and he finds a mysterious box filled with trinkets. Upon further inspection, Derek realizes the box holds the souvenirs of a killer's victims.
Plagued by nightmares, he decides to take a road trip and he finds a mysterious box filled with trinkets. Upon further inspection, Derek realizes the box holds the souvenirs of a killer's victims.
November 4, 2025
A quick read. An intense story line. Tracking down a serial killer from the past and a little paranormal activity make this a page turner. A good ending that included a fun little surprise. Really enjoyed this. Can’t wait to read part 2.
November 30, 2025
Great
This author has a way with words that gets in your head, and plays on repeat. Fantastic writing and character development in this book and what I hope is the beginning of a fantastic series
This author has a way with words that gets in your head, and plays on repeat. Fantastic writing and character development in this book and what I hope is the beginning of a fantastic series
October 14, 2022
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion ( And no, that doesn't shape my opinion. I've hated plenty of free books)
Another solid read from VMP. Derek Reed is an FBI profiler who got put on medical leave after witnessing some horrific shit while chasing a serial killer. He pretty much forced to do so because the guilt is causing him to hallucinate...OR IS IT JUST A HALLUCINATION?? ( i made myself laugh. Now back to the task at hand). He legit stumbles across a case and cue shit that wouldn't have happened if he had just well enough alone. I loved it. There was something about Derek and the serial killer that I found absolutely fascinating. And with the way it ended I'm extra thirsty for the next book.
Another solid read from VMP. Derek Reed is an FBI profiler who got put on medical leave after witnessing some horrific shit while chasing a serial killer. He pretty much forced to do so because the guilt is causing him to hallucinate...OR IS IT JUST A HALLUCINATION?? ( i made myself laugh. Now back to the task at hand). He legit stumbles across a case and cue shit that wouldn't have happened if he had just well enough alone. I loved it. There was something about Derek and the serial killer that I found absolutely fascinating. And with the way it ended I'm extra thirsty for the next book.
July 25, 2021
I loved this book!
I absolutely love Derek!! I love the supernatural spin. Please tell me there is a book 2 and 3 and 4❤️❤️
I absolutely love Derek!! I love the supernatural spin. Please tell me there is a book 2 and 3 and 4❤️❤️
February 12, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book, the graphic details of the dead girl and the kills were quite gory for me (most probably because I have an extremely vivid imagination) but I enjoyed the story nonetheless.
Minor spoiler alert!!
However, I found it funny how the FBIs best profiler didn’t straight away suspect that he may have had dinner with the killer as soon as the daughter showed him her charm and he went back to look at the photos. I also really hated how it ended with the killer killing himself. Poor Derek, witnessing someone else blowing their brains out in front of him. That, and it seemed quite rushed - I would’ve liked to know what happened when the wife found out her loving husband was a serial killer. They barely touched the surface on his background with his granddad being abusive - how did that lead to you being a serial killer? Hmm
Aside from that, it was a good read!
Minor spoiler alert!!
However, I found it funny how the FBIs best profiler didn’t straight away suspect that he may have had dinner with the killer as soon as the daughter showed him her charm and he went back to look at the photos. I also really hated how it ended with the killer killing himself. Poor Derek, witnessing someone else blowing their brains out in front of him. That, and it seemed quite rushed - I would’ve liked to know what happened when the wife found out her loving husband was a serial killer. They barely touched the surface on his background with his granddad being abusive - how did that lead to you being a serial killer? Hmm
Aside from that, it was a good read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2023
The story itself isn’t bad. An interesting premise but nothing I haven’t seen before. Some elements were pretty predictable, but there were a couple of surprises. The big one near the ends feels a little cheap with no real explanation.
But the writing brings this book down. It’s not terrible but it feels very amateur, especially the dialogue. Conversations aren’t realistic and are often used to info dump things that happened in the past. Two characters will talk about something significant, like how they met, but in a very strange way. I found that stuck out the whole way through.
Thankfully the book is paced well, with short chapters that end on little cliffhangers. That helped me stay invested.
But the writing brings this book down. It’s not terrible but it feels very amateur, especially the dialogue. Conversations aren’t realistic and are often used to info dump things that happened in the past. Two characters will talk about something significant, like how they met, but in a very strange way. I found that stuck out the whole way through.
Thankfully the book is paced well, with short chapters that end on little cliffhangers. That helped me stay invested.
February 22, 2025
Spoilers!!
I loved this book but I do have to say the beginning is rough, if things like rape and murder trigger you, then you may not want to read this book because the first chapter describes the rape and murder of a girl infront of the fbi agent who is the main character, other than that, this book was pretty good! Some of the similes in the book where a bit strange to me but other than that i recommend!
I loved this book but I do have to say the beginning is rough, if things like rape and murder trigger you, then you may not want to read this book because the first chapter describes the rape and murder of a girl infront of the fbi agent who is the main character, other than that, this book was pretty good! Some of the similes in the book where a bit strange to me but other than that i recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2023
The greatest book I ever read
I loved this book because it had a great story and never gave away all the answers to the clues until the end? I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a great murder mystery. I gave my 5 star rating for a lot of good reasons but the main reason was because they did not allow me to give 6 Stars.
I loved this book because it had a great story and never gave away all the answers to the clues until the end? I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a great murder mystery. I gave my 5 star rating for a lot of good reasons but the main reason was because they did not allow me to give 6 Stars.
July 9, 2023
Family gone wrong
This book grabbed me from the beginning and to the end. I though grandpa was the ki!let and you turned the tables on me and I was shocked at the end. Very well written.
This book grabbed me from the beginning and to the end. I though grandpa was the ki!let and you turned the tables on me and I was shocked at the end. Very well written.
July 31, 2023
Very intense read
Love the story from start to end. I didn't put it down until I was finished with it. Derek's story really grabs you and sucks you in. If you like reading crime novels you'll love this one.
Love the story from start to end. I didn't put it down until I was finished with it. Derek's story really grabs you and sucks you in. If you like reading crime novels you'll love this one.
Read
September 15, 2023A Real Twister
A mystery in present time, with the present time clues collected are hard enough too solve, but when all the murders occurred in the past And you just happen to be in the right place to receive them. Surprise ending!
A mystery in present time, with the present time clues collected are hard enough too solve, but when all the murders occurred in the past And you just happen to be in the right place to receive them. Surprise ending!
September 28, 2023
Clever plot
Very involved plot, unexpected climax. The protagonist was a likeable guy. Some elements of the story were unreal but not exactly far-fetched. It still kept me up past bedtime. Would enjoy more by this author.
Very involved plot, unexpected climax. The protagonist was a likeable guy. Some elements of the story were unreal but not exactly far-fetched. It still kept me up past bedtime. Would enjoy more by this author.
Read
August 30, 2024Brilliant
Down loaded this book for my husband, he read it first, then I decided to read it. What a brilliant book, a first time reading anything by this author, will definitely recommend this author to my friends and read more by her.
Down loaded this book for my husband, he read it first, then I decided to read it. What a brilliant book, a first time reading anything by this author, will definitely recommend this author to my friends and read more by her.
January 21, 2025
really enjoyed this thriller
This was a new author and the paranormal element was a new genre for me. I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. Great character development, interesting plot and quick read.
This was a new author and the paranormal element was a new genre for me. I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. Great character development, interesting plot and quick read.
January 25, 2025
The Box
This book is different from the usual FBI tales. Once you get into the story it leads you on journey of the agent. Between investigations, coincidence and imagination it all comes together. Improbable, but very readable
This book is different from the usual FBI tales. Once you get into the story it leads you on journey of the agent. Between investigations, coincidence and imagination it all comes together. Improbable, but very readable
Read
January 29, 2025Great start to a series. I got this from Bookbub free and read it non stop. A bit of supernatural thrown in, talking to the dead and finding clues by intuition all sounds a bit airy fairy but it seems to make the story work.
April 12, 2025
Hot Dame give it a read.
Again another great read. Derek is put on leave and stubbles across a 30 year cold case. He has a dead girl from a earlier case that almost killed him pop up to help him solve the case. What a good read Victory dose it again.
Again another great read. Derek is put on leave and stubbles across a 30 year cold case. He has a dead girl from a earlier case that almost killed him pop up to help him solve the case. What a good read Victory dose it again.
April 30, 2025
Really enjoyed
reading this , it's a quirky story with a ghostly tinge. Well written, and Derek Reed is a likeable character . Kept me reading until the early hours. On to the next.
reading this , it's a quirky story with a ghostly tinge. Well written, and Derek Reed is a likeable character . Kept me reading until the early hours. On to the next.
October 14, 2021
Great Book - Suspense Full to the end
Agent Derek was great. The ending was so different, I can’t wait to read the next one, but here I go. Starting the next on.
Agent Derek was great. The ending was so different, I can’t wait to read the next one, but here I go. Starting the next on.
September 20, 2022
Good but not as good as Damien Kaine series.
September 6, 2023
This was a good book. Quick easy read. If you like mysteries and cold case files you'll enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
June 18, 2024
Great plot with good twists
Great read a real page Turner I wouldn't be surprised if agent Reed was a sensitive to the dead in future books
Great read a real page Turner I wouldn't be surprised if agent Reed was a sensitive to the dead in future books
January 19, 2025
Well written and kept my attention!
January 20, 2025
good read
Did not love the main character - too shallow. Storyline interesting. Kept my interest. Will other books by this author.
Did not love the main character - too shallow. Storyline interesting. Kept my interest. Will other books by this author.
January 22, 2025
Derek Reed is a unique FBI agent who uses his personal traits and demons to solve cases, hot and cold.
January 29, 2025
Great reading
I couldn’t stop reading once I started. The story sucks you in and you have to continue reading. I recommend it
I couldn’t stop reading once I started. The story sucks you in and you have to continue reading. I recommend it
February 1, 2025
Very good read
I love how I got to know the characters in the story . And especially loved the ending !! Guess I'll be getting the next one in the series
I love how I got to know the characters in the story . And especially loved the ending !! Guess I'll be getting the next one in the series
February 3, 2025
This book definitely kept me guessing throughout. The final discovery was an interesting twist for sure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews