Killers!

Natalie McMasters Mysteries #6

by Thomas A. Burns Jr.

Killers! has won the Silver Falchion award from the Killer Nashville International Writer's conference as a best action/adventure book of 2021!

Her dead father once asked, “What did you do to make God sad, Nattie?”

Natalie McMasters is a twentysomething college student who just wants to get on with her life, and she’s got to wonder. Her dear friend lies dead and the crazed killer responsible now has Nattie on his short list. Her only choice? Cancel him before he cancels her!

Nattie assembles an unlikely squad to find the killer: her wife Lupe, her husband Danny, an aging FBI agent and an even more ancient Tai Chi master. Jointly and separately, they embark on a totally lit road trip across the Old South, meeting danger and death at every turn. Unexpected help is provided by a voice from the grave. But her adversary has a badass squad too, and friends and loved ones fall along the way.

Naked and afraid in a primeval swamp, Nattie must confront her greatest enemy one last time. How will she ever get the W?

202 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2021

About the author

As a kid, Tom started reading mysteries with the Hardy Boys, Ken Holt and Rick Brant, and graduated to the classic stories by authors such as A. Conan Doyle, John Dickson Carr, Erle Stanley Gardner and Rex Stout to name a few. Tom has written fiction as a hobby all of his life, starting in marble-backed copybooks in grade school. He built a career as a writer, doing technical writing, science writing and editing for nearly thirty years in industry and government. Now that he's truly on his own as a freelance science writer and editor, he's excited to publish his own mystery series as well. Follow Tom on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/3MDetectiveA..., on Twitter @3Mdetective or email him at tom@3mdetectiveagency.com to get all the news about Nattie and 3M, as well as Tom's other writing projects.

Reviews

[E.M. Swift-Hook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie McMasters is back - and how!

Natalie McMasters and her thruple marriage partners Lupe and Danny are grieving following the murder of Rebecca, Natalie's therapist and friend. Following the trail of the killer leads them all into deadly danger...

This is classic Natalie McMasters - non-typical romantic realtionship? Check. Gory violence? Check. Abusive sex? Check. Tense and complex plot? Check. Believable and brilliantly drawn characters? Check. Taut writing? Check. All present and correct and raring to go.

For me personally, the pace breaking dairy entries would have been better left out - you know their author is dead so there is no tension in the story they tell at all - but there will be those who love the exploration of brutal BDSM they portray. The other issue I have is with the mix of two first person points of view and a number of third person ones thrown in for good measure which jolts the immersed reader time and again and breaks a reading flow already stressed by the book being written in the present tense.

If you have enjoyed this series of books so far, you will be reaching for this one already. If not and you like the sound of this one, then I would seriously suggest you hold your finger from the button to purchase this one and go back to the first in this excellent high-octane series and start there for the fullest enjoyment of it.

[Rajiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

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I have not read any of the previous books in “The Natalie McMasters Mysteries”) but I had no trouble following the plot of the 6th book in the series. Natalie is great in the lead as she tries to find out who killed Rebecca. She is determined and dedicated to her role and would not stop at anything to solve the mystery. I also enjoyed her relationship with Danny and Lupe and felt that Nattie and Danny made a good team.

The author also narrates the tale creatively by toggling between multiple subplots. There is something new happening in each chapter, like Natalie finding the key, or what happens to Ye-ye, or when they search for Danny, to name a few. Moreover, it was interesting to see the flashbacks through Rebecca’s diary entries to see what happened when she spent time with Barrett. The diary entries also connect with the present storyline and provide shocking twists on what happened. Also, the story has some steamy and gory scenes, which makes you feel like there is a bit of everything to expect while reading the story.

However, I do wish that I had read this series in order. From reading the story, it is clear that the characters go way back before this book. While I enjoyed the plot as a standalone, I would have enjoyed the characters and the situations better had I read the series in order.

Apart from that, Killers was a gripping crime fiction mystery that I thought was well-executed. It excited me to pick up the first book in the series to see how it all started.

[Betsy Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Burns returns with another Natalie McMasters winner. Action explodes off the first page, when Natalie attends her friend’s funeral, only to see her friend’s murderer watching from the edge of the crowd. In that instant, Natalie knows she’s next on this serial killer’s list. Accompanied by an unlikely series of friends, she sets out to find and destroy this man known as The Marquis, before he can complete his destruction of those she loves. Burns builds the atmosphere and suspense through a variety of well-depicted, isolated settings. The headlong pace is relentless, rarely stopping for so much as a breather. Strong character development and a plot that doesn’t disappoint grab the reader from the first page and won’t let go. Ler's hope this isnt' the last Natalie McMasters mystery

This reader couldn’t put the book down.

[Arriah Kiprujistho · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting plot line-it is fast paced and fully packed with action and adventure. Overall, this book has all the interesting elements that make it a page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. One friendly piece of advice to the readers-If you are someone who enjoys the character development throughout the story, then I would suggest you read all the previous series. This will help you connect with the characters in a better way. Rest assured, this book is standalone. The plot with the sub plots with many twists and turns throughout the story will keep you hooked.

[Cam Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the first book in the Natalie McMasters series, Stripper, and the latest installment, Killers! certainly didn’t disappoint. In fact, the action in this book was even more frequent, intense, vivid, and shocking. Although I haven’t read (but plan to) all the books in between, it wasn’t hard to pick up where Natalie and friends were in their lives. Although several new characters appear in Killers, their backstories are revealed as the book advances.

The book kicks off with the murder of Natalie’s therapist friend and mentor, Rebecca Feiner. While attending Rebecca’s funeral, the throuple of Natalie, wife Lupe, and husband Danny spot the suspect, and Danny (who is no physical slouch) takes off in pursuit, only to be quickly subdued, and perhaps even spared. So begins the pursuit of the Marquis – a Tai Chi Chuan master, and serial killer who has eluded the FBI and law enforcement for over 20 years. It turns out however the Marquis is not just a serial killer but also a sexual sadist as illuminated by the diary of the late Rebecca Feiner. As Natalie, Danny, and M.B. (an FBI agent) head south to Alabama and the coast of Georgia to find clues into the whereabouts of the Marquis, Feiner’s diary entries are dropped throughout the book which adds a rich backstory to the Marquis as well as Rebecca herself. Although Lupe is forced to stay home (and what a grand new home it is!), she struggles to find self-worth, feeling alone and left out but action may not be too far away.

Burns has managed to develop an incredibly enjoyable series, particularly for those who enjoy violence, action, and the darker elements of society. At appropriate locations, Burns will occasionally drop subtle observations and commentary on important and often neglected issues in America, but it’s never preachy or over-the-top.

Using both first and third-person POV, Killers is a deeply layered thriller. The action comes abruptly and it’s never predictable – this is what provides the real intrigue to the McMasters series. Natalie, once again, is impulsive and sardonic and fortunately, luckier than she is smart. There’s never a dull moment when she’s behind the wheel. Another great book by Thomas Burns.

[Zara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private detective trainee turned law student Natalie McMasters would love to relax— but nope, that would be too easy. She has to solve the murder of her beloved therapist, trawl through BDSM websites, all while trying to keep her thruple in check and have a life. This book is not the first in the series and I haven’t read the earlier ones, so my comments are based purely on this reading and some elements may related to the character’s backstory.

Killers! combines hard boiled noir with rom-come style, and I enjoyed the snappy dialogue and fast paced action. The book includes some gratuitous sex scenes which definitely feel written from a male gaze (author is male, so that tracks). The author makes the reader feel very invested in what’s going on, and care about the outcomes — always a challenge — which kept me turning the pages late into the night. There’s some great world building and scene setting and the descriptions are very vivid and realistic— whether driving or delving into history, you feel like you’re there with them.

Based on the strength of the main character, and the whole cast, I rate this 4 out of 5 stars, and will be picking up more books by this author to see what develops.

[Madelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Natalie McMaster series is a modern take on family with mystery and thrills thrown in for good measure. Nattie, her wife Lupe and husband Danny attend a pretty traditional funeral until Nattie pipes up with her true feelings. This sets the stage for the manhunt that follows. They're after a serial killer who has eluded the FBI for twenty years dubbed the Marquis.

Nattie, Danny, and MB (former FBI agent Maribeth Woodrow) set off in search of this elusive villain with few clues and a lot of determination. As usual, Nattie is impulsive and just wants to get the killer of her friend and mentor Rebecca Feiner. Danny wants the killer but not at the expense of losing Natalie. MB provides stability to the trio by her clear explanations of how they should proceed. Lupe is left at home for her own protection, but she just doesn't see it that way.

This series is meant to be read in the order in which the books were released. Although they potentially can be standalone novels, I don't recommend it. There is an erotic element to these thrillers that is essential to the backstory and not gratuitous titillation. The mysteries are hard boiled with elements of brutality which is front and center in KILLERS! I don't do spoilers, but I will say that Natalie and friends end up with a lot more than they bargained for.

Reading these books puts the discriminatory attitudes of 21st century America front and center. To understand the throuple dynamic, you really need to start with the first book in the series, STRIPPER!, and work your way through to KILLERS!

[Elizabeth Hamilton-Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killers! is without any doubt the best so far in this series — the various points of view tie up loose ends with absolute flair while giving credence to the preceding plots. Once again, we follow more challenges faced by Natalie McMasters, her relentless struggle to live the life of her choice, her endless devotion to the people she loves, and the difficulties encountered from the so often narrow minded. Written from several character’s perspective, the chapters meld into excellence with action around every corner, and surprises leaving the reader engrossed. I have enjoyed every one of this series, and sincerely hope there will be more, though I had the feeling this could be the last as the perfect conclusion delivered with skill appeared to wrap everything up. I truly hope I am wrong. Another superb edition, well-written with panache, a riveting read not to be missed from a seriously talented author. Highly recommended.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grizzly, raw, and intense!!!! I liked having Rebecca's journal to flesh out the background and shed light onto parts of the story. Reading some of this was so vile and horrendous that it brought bile to the back of my throat, and I wanted to walk away, but I couldn't. I needed more. What a circle of psychos revealed! So many disciples of death!!! The last third of this book was rapid fire action and gore, and it had my mind reeling! I have new respect for MB. WTH!!??
I was so ready for this to be over and find closure. What a body count!! I was satisfied with the outcome. Kudos author. Job WELL done.

[Gemma Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been drawn in by this series from the beginning but this installment is the best yet. Full of suspense and excitement allowing the main characters to get stronger and the continuing story more exciting. A true page Turner with some loose ends tied up this book is a must read.

[C. Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series and the way it evolves as do they all.

Another exciting, fabulous case with Nattie.

Will she get this case closed, and what about her own life?! A Fantastic adventure with storylines that always move fast and keep you on edge.

[Dave Saari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Dark Thomas Burns Thriller

The first Natalie McMasters mystery (“Stripper!”) was written in 2018. The sixth in the series (“Killers!”) was written in 2021, so author Thomas A. Burns Jr. is putting them out at a rate of two per year. I haven’t read the four books in between, and doing so probably would have given me a better understanding of some of the details referred to in “Killers!” Nevertheless, the book stands on its own and I found it interesting and exciting, though dark.

Natalie is a feisty young college student – maybe a senior by now, though that wasn’t totally clear to me – who has had enough harrowing experiences during the three-years of her college career to fill several lifetimes. Since we first met her, she has taken on a husband, a wife, and a stepson – all of whom were first introduced in “Stripper!” In “Killers!” she becomes the sole beneficiary of her late psychiatrist’s will and sets off on a quest to find and dispatch her murderer. This leads to another tale filled with nonstop action as Natalie, her family, and her friends do battle with a cast of exceedingly evil characters. She is still the same brash and impulsive go-getter, though she does seem to take advice from others a bit more often than in the first book.

Much of the story is told by Natalie in a first person, present tense narrative, filled with slang (WTF, OMG, ratchet, fleek, etc.) and quite a bit of bad grammar – apparently that’s to be expected from a modern-day college student considering law school. The chapters narrated by Natalie are interspersed with chapters by an omniscient narrator and chapters described as excerpts from the journal of the deceased psychiatrist. Oddly, even these chapters are in present tense; for me, the present tense style was a distraction from the otherwise compelling story. But my major complaint – which I also found in “Stripper!” – is that there are boatloads of typos, the bane of many indie authors. I would respectfully suggest that Burns slow down his output of new books to spend some quality time editing the books he’s already written. All-in-all, though, I gave “Killers!” a four-star rating, since it is a good read in spite of these perceived negatives.

[Marcel Eschauzier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging read. Killers! By Thomas A. Burns, Jr. is an action-adventure story starring Natalie McMasters, a 21-year-old pre-law student who works as a private detective trainee at her uncle’s detective agency. As in her duplex professional career, she also swings both ways in her private life and is married to the ex-heroine-addicted Lupe and Danny the ex-marine. When the throuple finds out that Natalie’s dear mentor and surrogate mother Rebecca is killed by “The Marquis,” it becomes clear that their evil nemesis is about to make good on his promise to avenge his rejection. Natalie has also sworn to avenge Rebecca and teams up with her family and friends to search for the despotic Marquis and his deranged allies—via a trail of cruelly murdered victims. Can the impulsive, macho Natalie and her team prevail over their sadistic enemies?
The story is high-paced and I could connect with some of the warmer characters. I especially liked Ye-ye and felt for his plight. The generous prose is never boring and seems to be almost a purging of repressed, and even some downright darker human urges, from libertine sex, gory murder, to quite some characters peeing their pants. Burns Jr. offers more than that. “The evening sky is mottled with purple bruises, and blood red sunlight seeping through open wounds…” I can recommend this book to open-minded readers with a taste for high-quality action written by an expert author.

[Bella Nox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that I was a little apprehensive about reading this one, because it is book 6 of the Natalie McMasters series and I hadn't read a single one before it. But I was pleasantly surprised!

It was fun to read about the different places in Georgia, especially Tybee Island and Savannah-which is a great vacation spot that my family and I have enjoyed many times. I found myself trying to imagine where the characters were from memory.

This is a fast-paced, high-action, story. The pace was probably my favorite thing about it–it wasn't a long book, was easy to read without lots of endless descriptions, and the story flowed rather well. The action was a little wild at times, the multiple storylines got jumbled a little bit, but I really think that's because I don't have the knowledge of what happened in the books prior to this one.

I may have to read them though.

I'll give it 4 stars, because the use of the popular slang language wasn't attractive to me. I get that McMasters is young, college aged, and it is what it is, but I'm not a fan of text talk or such words.
If you're a fan of serial killers galore, blood, and quite a bit of sex, then you'll enjoy this book. Just make sure you read the previous stories, first.

[Thomas Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's the review of the entry sent for the Book Life prize, by their professional reviewer:

Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Prose: 8 out of 10
Character/Execution: 8 out of 10
Overall: 8.25 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot: A wild romp to find a murderer has a little bit of everything: gore, fun, and humor. The narration and action have tension throughout as the characters are on an intense mission. The author and characters have a strong passion for the plan that is laid out. This sixth installment in this series with these characters stands alone even though the characters continue to change and evolve throughout the series.

Prose: Dramatic and fast paced, the author has used direct and forthright texting language–sure to appeal to a broad contemporary audience.

Originality: The unique writing style is risky, but largely succeeds. Mixing the informal tone with gore and intense action as well as humor, creates an interesting contrast for the reader.

Character/Execution: The main character is a force who is humorous and pulls the other characters along with her. Side characters are well-developed and interact with the protagonist in a manner that enhances her personality.

[Patricia (Irishcharmer) Yarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sure is a mover..it gets you going one way when you should be going another! There were times I got a head ache..just to reopen the book and keep on reading! I found it difficult to put it down. I needed to know just how Nattie was getting out of this or that jam. How was Daniel not going to get hurt. How did Li Chin or YeYe going to survive.
There was descriptive scenes of the sexual kind that I thought could've be toned down a bit, but I understand it fits Natties' history as well as the story involving Dr Rebecca and of course our killer.
I did feel some language didn't need to be so in your face..but know that too fits in the back stories of all the characters. I could hear their voices with the sugary sweet drawl of the South and Sweet Water areas.
Once I caught on to the rhythm of the story and the characters, I liked it, it was just a little WTF when I first started to read it. But after that, I'll read some more from this writer.--P/

[Andrea Mircheska · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense, face-paced story with unique characters
This is the first book in “The Natalie McMasters Mysteries” I have read. Still, the book had no difficulty grabbing my attention!
The story opens with the funeral of her therapist and friend, Rebecca. She’s there with her wife Lupe and her husband Danny. I really liked the untraditional marriage. At the gravesite, Nattie notices the killer of her friend: a serial killer, “the Marquis,” who the FBI has been after for 20 years. Natalie, her husband Danny, and a former FBI agent set off to hunt Rebecca’s killer. The different spots in Georgia gave the story a rich background.
The plot was easy to follow, and I couldn’t put it down. I really liked the characters, especially Natalie and Danny.
Maybe starting with the last book in the series is not typical, but “Stripper!” is next on my read list!

[Diane Hatz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Killers! revolves around the hunt for a serial killer. Some parts are well written; some parts are action-packed and page-turning. But I couldn’t get into the overall story - or how it was presented. There were too many serial killers for me to follow. The BDSM sections seemed written for titillation, not to move the story along.

The slang didn’t come off well, and there were errors with the tense and other grammatical misuses that pulled me out of the story once too often. I didn’t like how McMasters' viewpoint was in first person, and the other characters were third. The journal entries from one character were italicized at the beginning and then regular text with dialogue later on. Some readers can probably overlook all these issues and will enjoy the book, but it was too much for me to enjoy the story.

[Balroop Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

True to its name, this book focuses on killers who take sadistic pleasure in violence, abusive sex and shocking action though their motive remains obscure. The plot sounds promising in the beginning, with the burial of a dead body but it soon degenerates into a wild goose chase, with explicit sex scenes, which reveal the characters of Marquis, as well as Rebecca. Will Natalie succeed in finding the killer of her therapist and friend? Keep guessing!

Having read Stripper, I was quite familiar with the style of Burns but this book is packed with unpredictable action and that is what may keep the reader invested. If you like darker plots and grisly details, with abominable language, you might like this book. I heaved a sigh of relief that I could finish it. Such books don’t intrigue me.

[Gene Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this novel has a very modern young woman, with very modern values, chasing a serial killer. To be honest, I was stunned to see not only prose but actual dialogue using text lingo, in addition to various trendy slang from the past few years. To the story's credit, it moves quickly and every chapter is certainly brisk. But I'm very far from the target demo for the novel, couldn't begin to relate to the main character, and couldn't get past the discrepancy between the serious subject matter and casual text speak. It's a unique reading experience, though, for anyone who's ever desired a murder mystery told from a TikTok star's point of view.

[R.K. Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done. The author has given the readers an interesting plotline.

Like with all of Burns's books, the characters are well developed. Yes, we know Natalie, but I love how she always brings us something new.

You will be invested from the start, but as the book progresses the reader should be intrigued by where the story is going and what is going to be the fate of the protagonists.

Very Simply, a good read..

[Eunice Nascimento · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this well-written, fast-paced mystery mostly because it was character driven. Although Natalie – the main character - is young, she’s grown noticeably (character wise) since the first book in the series. It’s clear the decisions she makes are for the benefit of her family and that made the plot extremely believable and made me root for Natalie and her family. The dialogue is engaging and funny at times too and there are plot twists that I didn’t see coming. Definitely a great read.