Already Dead

Laura Frost #5

by Blake Pierce

A new serial killer leaves a creepy signature at each crime scene: a burning candle. Psychic—and FBI Special Agent—Laura Frost must unearth why. But will her psychic vision lead her astray?

FBI Special Agent and single mom Laura Frost, 35, is haunted by her talent: a psychic ability which she refuses to face and which she keeps secret from her colleagues. While Laura gets obscured glimpses of what the killer may do next, she must decide whether to trust her confusing gift—or her investigative work.

As a string of bodies turns up, abandoned in increasingly public places, the FBI notes that they all have something in common: a single, burning candle at the scene of the crime. Is he playing a sick game?

Laura must decode the riddle: what does the fire mean? What drives him? And, most importantly, who is next?

A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the LAURA FROST series is a startlingly fresh mystery, rife with suspense, twists and turns, shocking revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2022

About the author

Blake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, a tight, well-paced mystery. Agent Won was annoying for so much of the novel. Still annoyed at Nate, and Laura's handling of it. A really good installment.

[Kathleen Ivie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really love some of Blake Pierce's other books and characters, such as Jessie Hunt. But after giving this series a real, solid chance I have to say that I can't stand the lead character. Laura Frost is annoying, rude, impatient and shallow. She's constantly putting her partner into danger, going off on her own against protocol and her reasons for doing things don't really mesh with the holier-than-thou attitude. She's mean and paranoid. There's nothing redeemable or likeable about this character! It's odd because most protagonists are at least damaged heroes with a bit to love. The fact that in this day and age that no one believes that she has any kind of psychic ability or can find anyone to believe in her is kind of unbelievable. She treats her new partner and everyone she comes into contact with during the investigation with disdain and superiority. At this point, I'm abandoning ship and am tossing this series out. I have to at least grudgingly respect a character in a series and I'm afraid that the author has missed the mark on creating someone I can root for. She's just kind of an asshole. LOL.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already Dead has an interesting plot where Laura and her new partner, Agent Won, are tracking a serial killer who lights candles on top of his victims. Their leads get them nowhere, and Agent Won acts like a toddler having a tantrum, giving humor to the scenes. Will he ever learn to listen to what Laura is saying? Will he accompany her and really work as her partner? This story has some great developments that clearly show what being a team means, and how to look after one another in any situation is important. But Laura keeps on trying to reach her previous partner and she keeps on having visions about him. How will this part of their story end?
I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candles bring light to the dark, until they don’t anymore!

Candles are supposed to bring light to the darkness around us unless the person lighting that candle decides it’s for memorial purposes instead of light. Why should this man get to decide whose turn it is for a candle to be lit on their lifeless body. A life that he decided to end. Agent Frost follows the trail of that flame needing to figure out where it’s leading her. She’s got to figure this out quickly before another life is placed in darkness with only that small candle flame to lead her to the next victim before it’s too late.

[Debbie Joyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura's partner, Nate, has taken a leave until he is assigned a new partner. Laura has trouble accepting this but has a rookie, Eric Won, assigned to her with the new case of murders they have to investigate. The killer leaves a strange symbol (a burning candle) with each new victim. The rookie thinks this is his chance to "solve" this case to prove how indispensable he will be to the FBI. This is a very good book that will keep you turning pages to see what happens next. Can't wait for the next book in this series!

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already Dead... Makes Me Say Hmm...🤔

Laura Frost when she is called by her Boss for the next case she finds out that her partner Nate has requested a transfer. Even with him having requested a transfer, she thought he would be on the case with her. Nate asked for personal time and had not been answering Laura's texts or phone calls. Special Agent Laura Frost has to break ina trainee, Eric Won. It is a wild bumpy ride for the two of them, but in the end they get the person who was doing the killing. This was a good read.

[Carrie Esler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3
I enjoyed getting back to Laura Frost with just enough personal life sprinkled in the story to make her human as well as an FBI agent.
I'm not a huge fan of the intuition, but it's not too over the top.
Not sure why they make Laura so desperate to reach Nate. I get that they're partners and the new guy, Won, truly is annoying. But Laura should be 'better' than that.

The crimes were interesting, but the perpetrator was not (intentionally?!)
Nothing outstanding, but an entertaining listen.

[Douglas Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is an improvement over the first three in the series. It's about par with the fourth book. I'm sad that Nate wasn't in this story and who knows if he will be in others. The very end of this story implied that Nate might be in the sixth.
I'm glad to see Laura getting more good things in her life and even though she was somewhat alone on this case her newbie partner came through in the end.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura is saddled with.an over eager partner. Not only is he fresh out of the Academy but he's quick to arrest any one he suspects. This new killer has a thing for candles and leads the new partners in several directions. Laura embarks on a new romance but it's going to be a challenge with two busy careers to work around. Nate still refuses to clear the air with Laura and he's still in danger.

[StephieFrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!

I got this book on the library app, this is my honest review. Another thrill ride of a novel, I can't wait for the next one in the series. I highly recommend this book and it's series.

[Kyle Heitmiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't stop till I read all 9

I'm hoping Mate and Laura get back together.
I feel like they will and he'll start believing her psychic ability
Good stuff Blake!

[Lenore Cappelluti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story line miss Nate though. I do not think it is realistic that the FBI would solve cases in less than a week and could use someone with Laura’s talents.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it well enough. I’ll read the next one.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book in the series. The introduction of Agent Won is a small twist. The relationship between Laura and Chris is blooming and where is Nate??

On to the next book...

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOOPLA