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Shannon Ames #4

Nowhere to Hide

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One small town. An ice storm. Two deadly killers.

FBI Agent Shannon Ames is headed to the north country for some much-needed R&R when a sudden ice storm traps her in the small hamlet of Long Lake, NY. But the storm isn’t her only problem – as she rolls into town she finds a body by the side of the road.

As Shannon begins to investigate, she realises she’s not the only person trapped here - there are two vicious killers stalking the town. And with no way in or out, it’s up to Shannon to stop them before they hurt someone else.

And so begins a deadly game of cat and mouse with Shannon relentlessly closing in on the two criminals.

But what she doesn’t realise is this little town has secrets that must stay hidden at all costs. And when Shannon gets a little too close to the terrible truth, she goes from hunter to hunted.

And in her moment of greatest danger she finds she has… nowhere to hide.

243 pages, ebook

First published July 4, 2021

96 people are currently reading
136 people want to read

About the author

T.J. Brearton

46 books387 followers
Timothy James Brearton lives in the Adirondack Mountains with his wife and three children. He's loved thrillers and police stories for most of his life. HABIT follows broken cop Brendan Healy down the rabbit hole of a human trafficking conspiracy. DEAD GONE delivers Florida cop Tom Lange into a criminal underworld and THE KILLING TIME introduces FBI agent Shannon Ames, a country girl in the big city.

http://tjbrearton.net/about

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5 stars
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34 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Kay.
2,212 reviews1,204 followers
September 28, 2022
3.5⭐
What was supposed to be a wintry mix turns into a zero-visibility blizzard. FBI agent Shannon Ames is behind the wheel of a rental Camry to visit a friend in Long Lake, NY when she spots a sedan on the side of the road. Nobody's inside the vehicle, but a dead man in the snow with a gunshot wound. With trees down and power outages, this winter ski spot turns into a locked room thriller with killers hiding in plain sight. Agent Ames is pretty much on her own trying to find the bad guys while roads are being cleared. This is a fast-moving story that takes place all in one day.

Nowhere to Hide is a great cold-weather mystery thriller, and can be read as a standalone. I would rate it higher except for some soppy dialogues toward the end. But that's just me and honestly, I would read more agent Ames books, love kickass female MC with a good aim!

Thank you Inkubator Books and Netgalley for providing a digital copy for this review.
Profile Image for The Sassy Bookworm.
4,060 reviews2,873 followers
August 8, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Fantastic read!

Wow, this was a completely unputdownable read! The first chapter thrusts you right into the thick of things and never lets up. Perfectly readable as a standalone. The plot was engaging, intense, gripping. The setting was atmospheric. It had amazing characters. There were twists and turns. I literally couldn't stop reading it and finished it all in one go. This one definitely gets two huge thumbs up from yours truly. I can't wait to see what life has in store for Shannon in the next book.

**ARC Via NetGalley**
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,709 followers
July 27, 2021
FBI Agent Shannon Ames is caught in the middle of a vicious ice storm. Pulling into a small town to wait out the storm, she comes across the body of a man by the side of the road. With no working cell phone, she continues driving until she finds a store. But there's also a body there, as well.

She's on her own as all the surrounding police are stuck behind accidents and downed trees.

As Shannon begins to investigate, she realizes she’s not the only person trapped here – there are two vicious killers stalking the town. And the town is harboring secrets that must not see the light of day. The closer Shannon gets to finding her prey, the closer she goes from hunter to hunted.

Suspenseful from the very first page, it's action packed that maintains its level of intensity throughout. The story line is well thought out with characters that are solidly drawn. Although 4th in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone. I do recommend reading in order as Shannon's backstory is captivating.

Many thanks to the author / Inkubator Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
3,216 reviews68 followers
July 3, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Inkubator Books for an advance copy of Nowhere to Hide, the fourth novel to feature Special Agent Shannon Ames of the Brooklyn-Queens FBI Agency.

Shannon is heading upstate to visit her family when a severe storm forces her to stop in the hamlet of Long Lake, but that’s after she finds a dead body at the side of the road and another in the local shop. She soon realises that she is hunting a pair of brutal killers in a storm locked town.

I thoroughly enjoyed Nowhere to Hide, which is an action packed thriller from start to finish. It isn’t the most sophisticated read as the motive to it all is obvious, not getting caught, but boy, is it entertaining. I should point out that there is a fairly high body count and some generally nasty behaviour so it might not suit all readers, but for those with a strong constitution it’s a difficult novel to put down, mostly because of the non stop action and twists.

I was impressed by the way the author pulls his plot together and makes it seem effortless. One event leads to another logically and gradually Shannon is able to grasp a bigger picture than the one originally suggested, that is, when she’s not fighting, either physically or with guns.

I like Shannon Ames who is smart and dedicated without any of the cynicism that normally accompanies such characters and, in fact, she is still a little idealistic about the job, doggedly determined to get justice for the victims. It’s kind of sweet.

Nowhere to Hide is an entertaining read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Profile Image for Cathy Geha.
4,344 reviews118 followers
July 26, 2021
Nowhere to Hide by T.J. Brearton
A Shannon Ames Thriller #4

Gripping, grueling, great story that had me glued to the page from beginning to end! I have loved every book in this series that I have read and can’t wait to read another one!

What I liked:
* The writing style told in minutes that built the suspense
* The intensity
* Being there with Shannon and some of the other characters – feeling everything they did
* Shannon’s complex character – getting to know her better
* The “real feel” of the story
* Having all five of my senses engaged
* The location and frigid winter blizzard conditions – though I am glad *I* was not there in real time!
* Chloe and Nick: Great characters who will become wonderful adults
* Thinking about what it would have been like if I had been in any of the characters’ shoes
* Considering how serendipitous it was for Shannon Ames to have been in that place at that time
* That some survived
* That the bad guys, most of them, were discovered
* Wondering about what Shannon will be doing in book 5

What I didn’t like:
* Everything and everyone I was meant to dislike
* The loss of innocent lives and good people - but it often happens just as it did in the book
* Having to wait for the next book in the series

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thnk you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC- This is my honest review.

5 Stars
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,801 reviews18 followers
July 6, 2021
Shannon Ames, a young FBI agent on personal time, is driving through the Adirondacks en-route to her home town during an ice and snow storm. She has no cell phone contact and is unable to establish any. A truck, driving way too fast for road conditions, forces her off the road. She manages to get herself and her car back on the road and continues her attempt to get to town. Shortly thereafter she spots a car on the side of the road and stops to help. When she looks in the car, she sees that it is empty and begins following a trail that leads her to the body of a man partially buried in the snow. He’d been shot. When she gets to a gas station store she stops and goes in to hopefully use their land line. She finds another body there. She also finds the young man who worked there hiding in a darkened room and learns that two armed men had come into the store to rob it. One shot the man and both were on the run. Shannon contacted the authorities to let them know what had happened and learned she was not going to have any help or back up because of the remote location, the storm making roads impassable and the accidents that had occurred because of it. This is only the beginning. Shannon (one of the most resilient female protagonists I’ve read of an ages) continues looking for the killer/s and stopping them. The entire novel takes place in a bit more than one day. It is written so visually the reader becomes part of it. The characters are so well done and all (with a couple of exceptions) appear innocent, but are they? Thanks to the author and publisher for an ARC for an honest review.
6,028 reviews45 followers
July 4, 2021
Shannon finds herself caught in a monster of a winter storm. Power lines down, roads closed - and more than storm related fatalities.

Time off not achieved

As bodies begin to be discovered and new casualties arise, things get even more treacherous and lethal

A deadly and complicated situation leaves her a bit battered and bruised with a few more wounds to her soul as she helps to unravel a twisted network and build new working alliances to deal with the fallout

intense drama and action thriller

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for David Taylor.
1,538 reviews24 followers
June 27, 2021
Having read the first three Shannon Ames books, I had to read Nowhere to Hide. This fourth installment in this series is just as action packed as its predecessors. This time however, Shannon has no external FBI/Law Enforcement support outside of a few phone calls as she attempts to solve multiple homicides during a blizzard in upstate New York. T.J. Brearton’s story telling kept this reader on edge and glued to the pages as they flew by. Having had a lag between reading books by T.J. I forgot that starting one of his books after 8pm was a recipe for a night with little sleep and even when I finally did retire for the night, I had to get up early to finish the story. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
Amazon
Profile Image for Michelle Cornish.
Author 44 books105 followers
July 4, 2021
Poor Shannon Ames, FBI Agent, sets out on her vacation only to end up stumbling across an apparent crime scene. I loved how the winter scenes and treacherous road conditions added to the suspense of the story. Although I haven't read the rest of the Shannon Ames series, I wasn't lost at all. I found I could still relate to Shannon without having read the other books in the series. Just as Shannon figured out part of the mystery, another twist was added. This latest read by T.J. Brearton will keep you turning the pages for sure!
1,819 reviews13 followers
July 3, 2021
FBI agent Shannon Ames is on person time while driving through a snow storm comes across a car off the road. She discovers a dead male with a gun shot wound. There is very little cell service so she travels on to a store. She finds another dead body with a gun shot wound. There is no way in or out until the storm quits and the roads get plowed. Two killers on the loose in this small town. A thriller I could not put down.
9,375 reviews140 followers
July 3, 2021
This is a well written thriller with a cast of strong characters centering on FBI Agent Shannon Ames. The author does a fantastic job developing the story and had me glued to the pages with the intense story line. She brings mystery,drama and intrigue and describes her scenes perfectly. I loved this book and would highly recommend reading.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,370 reviews12 followers
July 4, 2021
This story captured me from the first and took me on a roller coaster ride full of twists and turns that kept me glued to my seat. The non-stop action with a strong female lead was amazing. The characters were believable and made me feel like I was riding along with bated breath as Shannon followed the clues to their final conclusion. I would highly recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
818 reviews6 followers
July 5, 2021
This is the third book I’ve read in the Shannon Ames series and the third one I’ve loved. Each book is uniquely different with a completely different setting and situation but each time you get hooked just the same and can’t stop reading until you’ve finished.

This book is an adrenaline filled ride through a snow bound small town surrounded by mountains and forrest terrain. The snow adds to the intensity of the novel because as the title suggests there is Nowhere to Hide. The storyline is fast faced and really well plotted working towards a great ending.

Shannon as always is a great leading character. She is independent and smart, but as all good agents she is carrying her own trauma too that haunts the decisions she makes. Definitely a recommended read.
3 reviews
July 14, 2021
Another great story in the series. I have been reading TJ's books from his very first release and am always left looking forward to the next one. Each storyline is unique with nothing borrowed from his earlier works. Great writing and suspense.

Disclaimer: I was provided with an advance copy of this book.
Profile Image for Linda.
6 reviews
July 21, 2021
Once again, TJ got me into trouble! I cannot put his books down and this one didn’t break the chain!
I especially liked the format of short intervals of time—it allowed time for equally short breaks to fill my water glass, to eat or for bathroom trips. BUT, not for laundry, cleaning, etc!
And again, he kept me guessing. Very maddening to be wrong again and again!
If you get a chance to read a different author, you can’t miss with TJ!
Profile Image for Dianna.
380 reviews29 followers
July 13, 2021
Good one! This was a good read for certain and even though it was clear there had been a previous book featuring Agent Shannon Aimes, that didn’t detract from this plot. It stood all on its own.

Agent Aimes was in the wrong place at the wrong time being caught in the snowstorm from hell and then wrapped up in what appeared to be a robbery gone wrong. However, it wasn’t quite as simple as it seemed and Aimes needed her skills, stamina and smarts to solve this case. Which she did nearly single handedly.

Clearly, Aimes carries a whale of a load of guilt from her past, and the deaths in this situation only added to her burden. However, the fact that these losses bother her so profoundly and remain with her only adds to her humanity and likability.

Thank you Net Galley!
291 reviews5 followers
August 21, 2021
A series you can count on.

Every book is a thrill ride in this terrific series. The characters are richly developed and the main character, Shannon is very engaging. What starts out as a simple road stop quickly escalates into a complex plot involving multiple murders, suspects and a brutal blizzard. Highly recommend all four books.
Profile Image for Rahel Charikar.
456 reviews5 followers
January 12, 2024
"Nowhere to Hide" by TJ Brearton delivers an exhilarating, edge-of-your-seat experience that earns a well-deserved five stars. Set against the backdrop of a small town gripped by an ice storm, this gripping thriller introduces FBI Agent Shannon Ames, unwittingly caught in the crosshairs of a chilling game between two deadly killers.

The narrative kicks off with Shannon's quest for some rest and relaxation in the north country, abruptly derailed by an unexpected ice storm that strands her in the quaint hamlet of Long Lake. However, the storm is only the beginning of her troubles, as she stumbles upon a body, setting off a relentless chain of events that will test her investigative prowess and survival instincts.

Brearton skillfully weaves a tale of suspense and danger, introducing not one but two vicious killers terrorizing the isolated town. The atmospheric tension escalates as Shannon, armed with determination and a steely resolve, takes on the formidable task of stopping the predators before more lives are claimed. The cat-and-mouse game that unfolds is expertly crafted, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each turn of the page.

The strength of the novel lies not only in its heart-pounding plot but also in the well-defined characters, particularly Shannon Ames. Her resilience, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to justice make her a compelling protagonist. The author intricately explores the complexities of the small town, unraveling secrets that heighten the stakes and add layers to the narrative.

The pacing is relentless, mirroring the urgency of the situation and the relentless pursuit of the killers. The icy landscape becomes a character in itself, amplifying the sense of isolation and desperation. Brearton's vivid descriptions create a chilling atmosphere that perfectly complements the suspenseful storyline.

As the climax approaches, the revelation of hidden secrets adds an extra layer of intrigue, transforming the narrative into a psychological thriller. The final moments of the novel are nothing short of breathtaking, with Shannon facing her greatest peril, and the truth unveiling itself in unexpected ways.

In conclusion, "Nowhere to Hide" is a masterfully crafted thriller that excels in both plot intricacy and character development. TJ Brearton's storytelling prowess shines brightly, delivering an unputdownable tale of suspense, danger, and the indomitable spirit of a determined FBI agent. This is a must-read for fans of gripping crime thrillers, where the icy winds of suspense will leave you shivering with anticipation until the very last page.
Profile Image for Veronika Jordan.
Author 2 books50 followers
July 4, 2021
A roller coaster of a ride is a description bandied about in book reviews, but Nowhere To Hide really is just that. Brilliantly written by one of my favourite authors, the excitement and tension never lets up. This was a very fast read because I needed to keep up the pace. This is not a book you dip in and out of.

I first met Shannon Ames in Book 3 – Sign of Evil – in which she had to pass herself off as a working girl in order to catch a serial killer who is targeting clients of local sex workers. The victims, all male, are either burned alive or beaten to death. Nice.

In Book 4 Nowhere To Hide Shannon is off-duty, just visiting, taking a well-earned break. She certainly needs it after the last case. But as she gets nearer to her destination, an ice storm traps her in a small town and she has nowhere to go. The roads are impassable and she is stuck.

However, that’s just the start of her troubles. There’s a dead body by the side of the road, shot to death, and that’s just the first one. There’s more to come at the local store where young Nick has witnessed another shooting. His girlfriend Chloe is babysitting Mr Sayward’s three young children, when one of the killers – Steve-nice-but-dim (apologies to non-UK readers who won’t get the reference) – worms his way into the house and is holding them there against their will. They don’t realise how dangerous he is, but Shannon does. So much for a holiday. She needs to get to Chloe and those kids before anyone else gets hurt.

But we know from Nick that there were two shooters at the store, so where is the other one? For Shannon, with backup miles away and desperately trying to get through to help her, she is on her own in a race against time, and the weather is against her for the foreseeable future.

This is such an exciting story, where you think you know who the good guys are, but there are plenty of twists and turns and shocks along the way.

Many thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for Pattyh.
1,001 reviews
July 2, 2021
hank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview Nowhere to Hide by T.J. Brearton. I like this author, and this is part 4 of a series that i had not read. This does stand alone, but there are references that relate to previous novels..

The book centers on a female FBI agent, Shannon Ames, and she is a strong lead that brings an interesting spin to the book. She heads up to NY for vacation and runs into bad weather. She makes a discovery on the road, and that changes everything and starts an investigation. Shannon is stuck due to the weather in a small town and discovers that she may have more problems than being isolated - there may just be some killers who have alot vested in seeing that she doesn't solve any crimes and soon she may be a victim herself.

Solid crime novel - 4 stars.
642 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2021
Shannon Ames is an FBI agent off duty and looking for some R & R and heads out to the north country. The weather has takes a turn for the worst and Shannan rolls down her window when she sees what looks like an abandoned car only to find a body. She manages to get through to report it but lines are down and most internets are down so help is not forthcoming at that time, as the police and firefighters are out in force trying to clear the roads etc. Shannon has to start an investigation as there is a killer in town. The author has made the weather very bleak makes you glad your indoors in the warm. and once I started this book I had to finish it was exciting tense do not put it on the back burner.
Profile Image for Bookishdays.
183 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2021
When FBI agent Shannon Ames is on vacation, in route to visit a friend, and a snowstorm blocks the roads she has to change her plans. Trapped in a small town, she finds a body left near an abandoned car and then, a robbery in a small convenience store led to another dead. With the roads closed the murder most be hiding near by. Set in just one day, in a very fast paced rhythm, this book has beautiful sceneries, with forests covered in white snow and ice. Shannon Ames' intelligence and courage leads to a surprising ending, she puts together all the pieces of this intricate puzzle and nothing is what it looks like in this investigation.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jeff.
833 reviews28 followers
July 9, 2021
On her way to upstate NY for a little R&R, FBI agent Shannon Ames comes across a dead body on the side of the road. Her investigation is hampered due to an ongoing snow storm that has closed all the roads into town, possibly trapping her and the killer, with no help on the horizon. This is the 4th book in the series, but it’s my first foray in this series, and it’s definitely a stand-alone since I didn’t feel like I was missing any important information. This is an easy, smooth police procedural, with a few twists. It’s a perfect entertaining read to help pass a lazy afternoon, but no new ground broken here. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jessica Woods.
1,288 reviews24 followers
July 8, 2021
Nowhere to Hide is the latest non-stop action thriller in the Shannon Ames series. Shannon is thrown into a wild twelve hours when she discovers a dead body in the middle of a winter storm. The situation quickly escalates when she uncovers another body in a local gas station after a robbery. Cutoff from the state police and any outside help Shannon begins the hunt for the murdering robbers in a wild and unpredictable thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Twists and turns bring an unpredictable ending in pulse pounding, unputdownable suspense that will leave you coming back for more Shannon Ames. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
105 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2021
Shannon Ames is traveling through a snow storm to visit a friend when she comes across a body in a car on the side of the road. There’s no cell service and by the time she makes it to town to call for help,she realizes there are more problems than the body. She’s also the only one who can help because emergency responders can’t make it through the storm.

This was a quick paced FBI thriller. When the first bad guy was caught at the beginning of the boo I was thinking the boom seemed to be over. I was so wrong. Twists arrived around every corner up until the very end. I’ll be reading kore in this series!
1,476 reviews25 followers
July 2, 2021
I have previously read the 3rd book in the series and enjoyed it. This is the 4th and I found this more enjoyable. Shannon is on her way home during an ice and snow storm and finds a dead body in a car at the side of the road just after nearly being side-swiped by another car minutes before.

In the meantime, a stranger arrives at a house where a teenager is babysitting some kids while a local man has been shot during a local gas station robbery. Due to the weather, everyone is trapped in the same area so Shannon is all alone trying to figure out what is going on and find the killer.

The book was riveting. The storm and the sense of isolation added to the tension and I found the whole story full of adrenaline. I had to keep reading to see what was happening. Highly recommend this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Denise.
4,119 reviews12 followers
July 3, 2021
FBI agent Shannon thought a vacation was in order but she is getting so extras along with that rest. She finds a body on the side of a road where she happens to also be trapped thanks to a storm. Of course that must mean the killer is here also, oh swell. It would seem that rest is gonna be on hold if she wants to live. This will have you stretched at times with anticipation. I kept turning those pages to see if she catches the killer or she gets caught.
81 reviews
July 5, 2021
I really enjoy TJ Brearton's books. Shannon Ames thinks she headed for a much needed vacation, but TJ had other ideas for her. Murder and mystery are what this book is about, add in a winter storm and a town cut off from the rest. I got an advanced reader copy, but loved this book so much I purchased it. TJ Brearton's books definitely keep you reading! Give this series a try you won't be sorry.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,783 reviews72 followers
July 7, 2021
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
1,992 reviews23 followers
July 20, 2021
4+ ***

As I finished this book I came to many conclusions. First and foremost I was happy to be sitting in a nice comfy chair on a sunny day and not out in the kind of weather nearly everyone detest. Second, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. So many disasters at the same time. A pretty good story of just what the worst of society does in the name of the almighty dollar.
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